Chapter 204: Marriage Proposal [Bonus Chapter]

Chapter 204: Marriage Proposal

The magistrate's yamen of Tianjin Prefecture was renovated from the original Hejian Prefecture magistrate's yamen. Due to the tight schedule, not much was changed overall, except for replacing the gauze on the doors and windows and repainting the lintel patterns with higher-grade designs.

Quan Yu arrived early with a few people to prepare, placing the household items and utensils the masters were accustomed to in appropriate positions. By the time Qiu Huanian and the others arrived, everything was ready, allowing them to eat and rest immediately.

The magistrate's yamen covered nearly a hundred acres, with the front area designated for official business and the rear for the magistrate and his family's living quarters.

The entire yamen was built facing south, with the main gate located on the central axis. In front of the gate stood a massive stone-carved dragon and tiger screen wall. After bypassing the screen wall, one would encounter two large stone lions, with the grand and imposing main gate of the yamen in between.

Entering the main gate, the first and second courtyards were both office areas. The central main rooms were the legendary Great Hall and Second Hall, respectively. Behind the Second Hall was a separate inner residence gate leading to the private living quarters.

The layout of the yamen was typical of ancient official residences, with the front for public affairs and the rear for private living.

On their first arrival, Qiu Huanian and the others entered directly through the main gate of the yamen. Following Quan Yu's guidance, they passed through the Great Hall for case hearings and the Second Hall for daily office work, eventually entering the inner residence.

The inner residence area was rectangular in shape. Although there were no separate small courtyards, the area was quite spacious. In the center was a five-bay main hall, connected to the east and west side rooms, with similarly sized east and west wing rooms on either side.

To the left of these main buildings were the kitchen, stables, and servants' quarters, while to the right were several pavilions for receiving guests.

Further back from the inner residence was the rear garden of the magistrate's yamen. As it was already getting dark, Qiu Huanian did not visit it.

Qiu Huanian had obtained the floor plan of the inner residence while still in the capital and had already allocated the rooms.

He and Du Yunse naturally occupied the main hall, with the east side room converted into a nursery, the west side room into a study, and Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng residing in the east and west wing rooms, respectively.

Yin Chuan had arrived early with Quan Yu and, timing it just right, prepared meals in the kitchen that suited the masters' tastes. As soon as they entered, the food was served.

Qiu Huanian, accustomed to Yin Chuan's cooking, raised an eyebrow slightly as he tasted a piece of fried pork tenderloin.

The dish was perfectly cooked and seasoned. The tenderloin, coated in egg and pan-fried, had been simmered in a broth thickened with water starch for a long time, making it extremely tender and flavorful. The cook had even added extra sugar, which Qiu Huanian and the others particularly enjoyed, to enhance the flavor.

This dish was not prepared by Yin Chuan. The head chef was likely the original cook from the inner residence kitchen. Given the skill level, it was probably the kitchen supervisor, but Quan Yu and Yin Chuan had not mentioned this when serving the food.

Qiu Huanian shook his head slightly. Where there are people, there are conflicts. Workplace struggles, common in modern times, were equally prevalent in ancient times.

Quan Yu and Yin Chuan did not want the original servants of the yamen to stand out, but this cook had his own ideas, finding a way to learn the new masters' preferences and subtly showcasing his skills.

Qiu Huanian did not oppose healthy competition, as it could promote progress and improve efficiency. However, if the competition went too far and became unscrupulous, he would certainly intervene.

In a new place, new conflicts and tasks were bound to arise.

Qiu Huanian planned to observe for a few days to see how the original servants of the yamen behaved and how the people they brought along performed.

It was possible that Quan Yu and Wu Da, two rivals who were always competing, might even join forces.

After arriving in Tianjin Prefecture, Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse had no time to rest and immediately plunged into busy work.

On Du Yunse's side, he had to organize the merged prefecture's tax, finance, population, and storage data, review the list of all salaried officials and clerks, meet with key subordinates to ensure smooth governance, and oversee the construction of the port, keeping him extremely busy.

As for Qiu Huanian, after resting in the inner residence for two days, he eagerly headed to his fiefdom, Ji County.

...

Among those who were most reluctant to see Qiu Huanian leave the capital was Min Leyi. He already had few friends in the capital, and after Qiu Huanian's family left, the number dwindled further.

Min Leyi sat in his room, staring at the brocade pouch on the table, feeling frustrated.

The pouch was given to him by Qiu Huanian as a farewell gift. It was quite small, and based on the feel, it likely contained a note inside.

Qiu Huanian smiled and said that this was his "secret plan in a brocade pouch," telling Min Leyi to open it once he got home, promising it would solve his problems.

Min Leyi recalled his teasing and joking manner, thinking that there was probably nothing "good" in the brocade pouch, but not opening it made him feel restless.

"Master, just open it and take a look," Hufu, his attendant, walked over from behind him. "The County Magistrate is a very smart person. If you don't check his advice, who else can you ask for help? You can't figure it out on your own."

Min Leyi weakly glared at Hufu, "Who said I can't figure it out on my own!"

While speaking, he opened the brocade pouch, with determination taking out the note and unfolding it.

Qiu Huanian's handwriting was soft and rounded, with a lively touch, easily recognizable. Min Leyi saw him write—

"I have already written to Headmaster Min to act as a matchmaker; the reply should arrive today, no thanks needed."

"..."

Min Leyi looked up and let out a gasp, his face flushed red, unsure whether to feel embarrassed or relieved.

Hufu leaned over to look and exclaimed, "Ah! A letter from the master arrived from Xiangping Prefecture this morning! The County Magistrate predicted it so precisely!"

Min Leyi was alert, "Where is that letter?"

"The eldest young master received it; he must have read it by now, right?"

Min Leyi stood up with a start, hesitated for a while in place, then sat back down pretending to be oblivious.

He would pretend as long as he could, unwilling to explain to his brother and sister-in-law alone, hoping Wu Shen would come quickly, the sooner the better!

Min Leyi couldn't hide his smile and suddenly burst out laughing.

...

Wu Shen, who was talking with his mother at the general's mansion, suddenly sneezed. He rubbed his nose, wondering who was thinking of him.

Madam Wu, his mother, cleared her throat, bringing her distracted son back to attention.

"Shen'er, look at this pair of jade Ruyi on the betrothal gifts list. Is the one with the character for 'fortune' better, or the one with grape patterns better?"

Madam Wu was very conflicted. Wu Shen completely didn't understand what the difference was and blurted out, "Why not give both?"

Madam Wu glared at him, "The jade Ruyi is originally a pair, symbolizing unity and shared purpose. How can you send two pairs? This is for your betrothal—can't you take this seriously?"

Wu Shen whispered, "I think ten fine horses and a cart of divine weapons would make him happier."

"What did you say?" Madam Wu raised her voice.

Wu Shen didn't dare to anger his mother, quickly raising his hands to assure her, "Nothing at all, Mother, please continue, I'm listening!"

Madam Wu helplessly shook her head, not expecting Wu Shen to provide any brilliant opinions. She only had this one son, and she only prepared a betrothal gifts list once in her life—it had to be perfect!

Madam Wu touched her chin, thinking whether the furniture should be made of huanghuali wood or rosewood, when suddenly she heard the butler come to report.

"Madam, Young General, there are two groups of people causing a commotion outside our mansion, making a lot of noise and refusing to leave. What should we do?"

Wu Shen raised an eyebrow, "Who dares to cause trouble outside the general's mansion? Just drive them away."

The butler was in a dilemma, "One is the wife of the eldest brother of the Min family, and the other is the wife of the former Minister of the Imperial Banquet Office. After all, they are women, and with so many eyes watching, we can't make it too ugly."