Chapter 136: Visiting the Song Residence “Bonus Chapter for 700 Votes”

Chapter 136: Visiting the Song Residence "Bonus Chapter for 700 Votes"

Qiu Huanian nodded in relief when he heard that Wei Liuhua had taken care of Du Baoquan's situation.

This guy, who always turned a blind eye to his family's wrongdoings and never intervened as the head of the household, silently reaping the benefits, would now spend the rest of his life in endless loneliness and toil.

Wei Liuhua providing him with a meal was already an act of utmost kindness, done out of respect for Yunhu.

Everything has its cause and effect; he reaped what he sowed.

At that moment, Wu Da came over to report that a constable from the county had arrived at the gate to deliver a message.

Qiu Huanian instructed Wu Da to bring the constable to the main room and asked what the matter was.

The constable explained the situation: Du Yunjing, the "mad scholar" who had collided with the Number One Scholar’s (the top scorer in the imperial exams) procession the day before, had not survived the night in jail. After rambling incoherently all night, the guards found him stiff and lifeless during their morning inspection.

His eyes were wide open, his mouth twisted to one side, his hair disheveled, and his body contorted in a manner that even the seasoned jailers had rarely seen.

"The coroner examined the body and determined that he died from a heart overwhelmed by fear," the constable said.

Qiu Huanian and Wei Liuhua exchanged looks, both feeling a mix of emotions.

Wei Liuhua thought for a moment and asked, "How will the body be handled?"

"After we traced his background, we first went to his sister's house in the county town to inquire. It seems they want nothing to do with him, and I imagine it's the same in Du Village."

"The house he rented in the county can be vacated to get some of the rent back, and the belongings inside can be sold for a bit of money. If Township Lord (a local noble title) has no other instructions, we plan to use that money to buy a thin coffin and bury him outside the city."

Qiu Huanian looked at Wei Liuhua, who nodded and said, "Then proceed as you suggested. Officers, go ahead and use the money for yourselves, just make sure he’s buried properly."

The constable was not surprised by this response. As long as the nobles in Du Village had no further instructions, they had already planned to pocket most of the money.

Usually, prisoners who died in jail without any relatives would be wrapped in a tattered mat and thrown into a mass grave, and their remaining possessions would be divided among the constables handling the aftermath. This crazy scholar lucked out with a thin coffin, all because he was loosely connected to the Number One Scholar.

Du Yunjing was Wei Liuhua's "brother" (by marriage or adoption), and since she had made the decision, Qiu Huanian said nothing more. He told Wu Da to give the constable a little something for his trouble, and the constable left, thanking him profusely.

That evening, Qiu Huanian mentioned the incident to Du Yunse, who had just returned from a social engagement. Qiu Huanian stretched and sighed, "He was younger than you, yet he ended up like this. Arrogant and disdainful all his life, he literally died from sheer anger."

Du Yunse, having had a few drinks, was clear-eyed but with a slight flush on his cheeks. He pulled his young husband into his arms and began planting kisses on his fair, delicate neck.

Qiu Huanian giggled and squirmed, trying to get away from the tickling, and soon forgot about everything else.

Because they were short on time, they didn’t go all the way, but even just their fingers and lips were enough to leave Qiu Huanian dizzy, calling out "husband" and pleading for mercy.

...

During this trip back to Du Village, Du Yunse had specifically set aside time to visit Song Juren (a title for a successful candidate in the imperial exams) in the neighboring Peach Blossom Town.

Song Juren had recognized the potential in Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian when they were still struggling and had sincerely befriended them, offering assistance multiple times. Mrs. Song and her niece, Chi Qinghe, also had a good relationship with Qiu Huanian and the others.

Qiu Huanian packed gifts and treats from the capital, and together with Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng, the whole family went to Peach Blossom Town as guests.

The Song residence was built in the style of southern gardens and was stunning, a real standout in Peach Blossom Town. Qiu Huanian remembered how much he had admired the house’s old-world charm during his first visit and vowed to build a grand home of his own someday.

Now, he owned more than one beautiful residence.

Considering sixteen’s enthusiasm for expanding the confiscation business, there might be even more in the future.

Before they left for Peach Blossom Town that morning, Liao Cang, who was supposed to be teaching at the clan school, suddenly showed up to talk to Qiu Huanian in private.

He rambled aimlessly without getting to the point, and finally left in frustration, swinging his sleeves. Qiu Huanian was both amused and frustrated, with a vague suspicion in his heart.

"Is Miss Chi turning seventeen this year?"

Jiu Jiu, who was sitting beside him, replied, "Sister Qinghe had an early birthday; she's already seventeen."

Jiu Jiu didn't understand why Brother Hua suddenly asked this, and Qiu Huanian didn't explain.

After the carriage journey lasted over an hour, they arrived at their destination. The Song residence, having received the visiting card the previous day, had prepared a small banquet to welcome the guests. Song Juren, Mrs. Song, and the cousin Miss Chi Qinghe were all present.

After several years, Chi Qinghe had blossomed into a fully mature young woman, with all traces of childishness gone from her features. The beauty nurtured by the Jiangnan water town was captivating.

During the banquet, Song Juren and Du Yunse chatted casually about various matters, and the topic gradually turned to the clan school in Du Village.

"The ancient sage once said, 'Education should be without discrimination,' but later generations forgot the sage's teachings due to prejudices and selfishness. The clan school of your honorable clan, however, has made me see the true meaning of these words."

Mrs. Song poured a glass of wine and said with a light smile, "He originally said he would retire and return to his hometown to live out his old age, but after a few years, he couldn't stay idle. He often invites Liao Cang from your clan school to our home to discuss academics and even wants to take on a few students to teach."

Hearing Liao Cang's name, Qiu Huanian felt a stir in his heart, and he instinctively glanced at Chi Qinghe. Chi Qinghe gracefully sipped a spoonful of soup, her eyes lowered, revealing nothing.

He had no intention of probing further, but after the banquet, Du Yunse and Song Juren went to play chess, Chi Qinghe took Jiu Jiu back to her boudoir for a heart-to-heart talk, while Mrs. Song invited Qiu Huanian to the flower hall for a private chat.

After tea and snacks were served, Mrs. Song dismissed all the servants. Once the doors and windows were closed, she said to Qiu Huanian, "I noticed Township Lord looking at Qinghe during the banquet. Is there any particular reason?"

Without waiting for Qiu Huanian to answer, Mrs. Song continued, "Does it have something to do with Liao Cang?"

Qiu Huanian had to nod and said, "This morning, before we left, Liao Cang came to see me. Although he didn't say it explicitly, his words suggested he wanted to inquire about Miss Qinghe's marriage."

Mrs. Song sighed, "This won't do."

A hint of sadness and helplessness crossed Mrs. Song's face, and her mood became somewhat low. Qiu Huanian couldn't help but ask, "Why do you say that, Mrs. Song?"

After a moment of hesitation, Mrs. Song made up her mind and spoke.

"Qinghe once had the privilege of studying with Number One Scholar Du for half a year and is Jiu Jiu's close friend. Over the years, our two families have remained close, and I trust Township Lord. I can reveal some of her matters to you."

Qiu Huanian instinctively straightened his posture, feeling both curious and solemn.

He knew that Chi Qinghe, this quiet and elegant young girl, had many secrets. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been sent directly from the south to the northeast by her parents at a young age, living with her aunt and unable to return.

Mrs. Song thought for a while and found a starting point, "To discuss Qinghe's matters, we must start with our family. Township Lord must remember that this year's second-place scholar in the Palace Examination is Chi Zihuai from the Jiangnan Chi clan, right?"

"Mrs. Song is from the Jiangnan Chi clan?" Qiu Huanian was somewhat surprised.

Mrs. Song shook her head, "It's just a coincidence that we share the same surname. Our ancestors once acknowledged each other as relatives, but we are distant poor relatives, not truly part of the Chi clan. Of course, we still benefited somewhat. My husband was able to be selected as the county magistrate of a northwestern county thanks to this identity."

"...However, to gain benefits from the Chi clan, one must naturally pay a corresponding price," Mrs. Song sighed softly.

"Since I was a child, I often followed my mother to the Chi clan's banquets and inner chambers, serving as entertainment for the true noblewomen. My brothers also had to serve the masters and young masters of the Chi clan's main line. To put it bluntly, we were the Chi clan's external servants. Qinghe is the eldest daughter of my younger brother, so naturally, she was the same. She is skilled in poetry and often stayed at the Chi clan's estate for ten days or half a month at the invitation of the noblewomen."

"A few years ago, I suddenly received an urgent letter from my brother, saying that Qinghe had caused a great disaster. The young lady of the Chi clan's main line accused her of seducing an actor and causing chaos in the inner chambers. Qinghe didn't defend herself at all, and according to the clan rules, she was to be drowned in a pond."

"My brother and sister-in-law didn't believe Qinghe was such a person and couldn't bear to see their own daughter die at such a young age, so they secretly sent her to the northwest overnight for me to take care of. To the outside world, they claimed Qinghe couldn't bear the punishment and hanged herself."

"Qinghe is already a dead person in the clan registry."

"..."