Chapter 233: “My Child”

Chapter 233 "My Own Doing"

After realizing the extraordinary significance of sweet potatoes, Zhu Jingcheng cleared out all usable cargo holds in the fleet to transport them. This voyage brought back five tons [approx. 10,000 lbs] of sweet potatoes, each carefully selected for their size and intactness.

Unlike Champa rice, sweet potatoes were even less demanding in terms of climate, water, and fertilizer. There was no need for trial planting in the south—they could be directly distributed to various prefectures for cultivation. The Yu Dynasty had twenty-four prefectures in total, each receiving 90 kg [approx. 200 lbs] of sweet potatoes as seed stock. Planting just 0.8 hectares [approx. two acres] would yield three metric tons [approx. six thousand pounds] the following year, enough to sow 12 hectares [approx. thirty acres]...

Within two or three years, sweet potatoes would flourish across the land of Great Yu, feeding countless people.

Qiu Huanian returned home from the Zhu residence with a large basket of sweet potatoes. Since Zhu Jingcheng and Su Xinbai hadn’t seen each other in nearly a year, he knew better than to linger and give the loving couple some privacy.

Before leaving, Qiu Huanian made sure Little Raccoon was playing in the courtyard and couldn’t overhear. He murmured to Su Xinbai, "Next year is the Year of the Snake. The ancients said, 'A snake that travels a thousand miles will surely bring wealth.' Snake-year babies are naturally blessed with money luck—you'd better get busy."

Su Xinbai froze for three seconds before grasping the deeper meaning behind Qiu Huanian’s words. His face instantly flushed red. Zhu Jingcheng, who had caught on earlier, suddenly found the Chinese herbaceous peonies in the courtyard extremely fascinating, his eyes fixed out the window.

"You’re a father now—can't you behave properly?!" Su Xinbai snapped, realizing he had actually taken the suggestion seriously.

Qiu Huanian chuckled as he stood up, shrugging. "I was being serious. You're the one with the dirty mind."

Su Xinbai picked up a green plum from the fruit tray beside him and threw it at Qiu Huanian. "Just go! If you want another child, why not check if one's fallen from the sky at your own home?"

Qiu Huanian casually tucked the plum into his pouch and, before Su Xinbai could really blow up, scooped up Little Raccoon—who had been playing sandbag toss—planted a kiss on the child, and made a swift exit.

...

By the time Qiu Huanian returned home, dusk had settled. The setting sun cast golden-red hues over the rooftiles and stone paths, like a silent but dazzling spectacle that stirred something inexplicable within him.

He instructed the servants to store the sweet potatoes properly, setting aside a few to roast for a taste while sending the rest to the estate for planting.

Du Yunse hadn’t returned yet, and Chun Sheng was still out enjoying himself. Qiu Huanian walked into the eastern wing where Jiu Jiu resided and found her sketching.

"Is this... clothing?" Qiu Huanian glanced at the designs on the desk.

Jiu Jiu looked up in surprise at the sound of his voice, but he motioned for her to continue without stopping.

"When I was in the capital, I originally planned to open a shop selling clothes and cosmetics. But after moving to Tianjin, first, the endless social obligations and household duties kept me too busy, and second, I couldn't come up with fresh ideas, so I never pursued it."

With a few strokes, Jiu Jiu finished the sketch in her hand and picked up several others to show Qiu Huanian.

"Today at the docks, I saw many foreigners in exotic fashions, and suddenly, inspiration struck. By blending some of the beautiful details from foreign attire with our Great Yu fashions, we can create designs that are both innovative yet refined."

The sketches in her hands were newly drawn and not yet refined, but Jiu Jiu’s artistry was vivid enough to convey the ideas clearly.

Qiu Huanian spotted fitted tops, tiered skirts with cascading ruffles, and wide-brimmed veiled hats adorned with lace—designs that retained the essence of Yu Dynasty clothing while incorporating exotic flair, creating a uniquely distinctive style.

"Did you return early just to sketch these?"

"Mm." Jiu Jiu nodded. "Once inspiration struck, I couldn’t stay put. I excused myself from the other ladies and gentlemen and came back ahead of time."

With hopeful yet nervous anticipation, she asked, "What do you think, Brother Hua?"

Qiu Huanian smiled. "Hurry up and name your shop. Make it count—it might just go down in history."

Great Yu’s military/economic strength was steadily rising, and its cultural influence would advance in tandem. The two often complemented each other, as a strong nation inevitably inspired emulation in everything from political systems to daily customs.

Qiu Huanian mused that Jiu Jiu might one day become a legendary figure in fashion history, creating a world-famous fashion house.

Jiu Jiu hadn’t expected such high praise from Qiu Huanian. Her eyes instantly brightened, and a crack appeared in the refined lady's composure—revealing the young girl who once admired her pearl earrings in the reflection of a water jar.

"I’ll think of a name right away! Starting tomorrow, I’ll visit the embassy district and international enclaves to observe Western clothing, then ask my brother to help gather references so I can sketch them all. After that, I’ll create prototypes and samples... Oh, and I must write to Sister Liuhua in Du Village to ask her to join me—I can’t forget this time!"

Jiu Jiu paced in circles while planning, and Qiu Huanian said, "I also need to write a letter to Du Family Village. We can send them together. I'll have Wu Da make the trip—it'll be faster and more convenient than using the mail service."

"Who are you writing to, Brother Hua?" Jiu Jiu asked curiously.

"To the clan school. It's been a few years since its establishment, and the first batch of children has already shown real promise. With the new school in Tianjin Prefecture about to open, I want to bring over a group of talented children."

These children, already accustomed to the new-style classroom teaching methods, could serve as role models in Tianjin Prefecture's new school. They would see a broader world, learn more useful knowledge, and step into a brand-new future while also giving back to the Du clan in Du Family Village.

As Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian's status and influence grew, more and more people returned to Du Family Village to reconnect with their roots. The clan school had expanded over the years, and the number of students had now reached nearly a hundred.

Before Liao Cang left for the capital to take the metropolitan exam, he found two friends with excellent character and scholarship—one was a scholar (xiucai), and the other a provincial graduate (juren). He wrote to Du Yunse and Qiu Huanian about them, and after careful consideration, the two agreed to let them take over as teachers at the Du Family Village clan school.

Though Liao Cang was always threatening to quit if his salary wasn't raised, he truly cared deeply for the clan school and its students. Before leaving Du Family Village, he spent a month teaching alongside the two new teachers to ensure a smooth transition.

On the day of his departure, the children from the clan school reportedly followed his carriage for about two-thirds of a mile, their eyes red as they bid him farewell again and again. Some of the younger ones even started crying.

What would the children's faces look like when they arrived in Tianjin Prefecture and saw that their teacher was still Liao Cang?

...

By the time Qiu Huanian left the eastern wing, the sunset's glow had nearly vanished, leaving only a faint light on the horizon as dusk settled in.

He smelled the delicious scent of roasted sweet potatoes wafting from the kitchen, stretched lazily, and sent for Chun Sheng and Du Yunse before heading to the side room to check on the babies.

The nanny quietly excused herself when Qiu Huanian entered. Gu Gu and Yang Yang were already a year and a half old, walking confidently and even climbing onto small chairs by themselves.

Qiu Huanian had drawn up designs and asked Bing Qi and Bing Ba to craft a small slide and a set of child-sized furniture, placing them on a large low couch along with a little leather ball and blocks, turning the side room into a small indoor playground.

Besides Gu Gu and Yang Yang, Little Raccoon also adored this place—the three children could play here all day without getting bored.

When Qiu Huanian entered, Gu Gu was stacking blocks while counting aloud, repeating from one to ten in a loop.

Qiu Huanian quietly hid a triangular block in his palm. After counting to nine, Gu Gu couldn't find the last piece no matter how hard he searched. He turned in circles on the rug, patting his little pockets in confusion.

Seizing the moment, Qiu Huanian placed the block back. "Gu Gu, count again for Daddy, okay?"

Gu Gu hesitated but obediently started over—one, two, three... nine, ten—

When he reached ten, Qiu Huanian saw complete surprise in Gu Gu's big eyes and couldn't help but laugh. Yang Yang, sitting on his little chair, watched everything unfold but kept quiet, lazily hugging Milk Frost and yawning.

Qiu Huanian rubbed his hands together, ready to give this little slacker some parental encouragement. Seeing what was coming, Yang Yang grew alert and prepared to flee into the playground with Milk Frost.

"Meow!"

Before Qiu Huanian could grab him, Milk Frost—who usually stayed silent while playing with the children—suddenly let out a loud cry. Yang Yang gasped in surprise, and Qiu Huanian froze.

Instinctively, Qiu Huanian listened carefully and caught an unusual sound—something moving on the rafters. The moment he looked up, a dark figure flashed before his eyes.

"..."

"Your guards are far too lax."

"... " Qiu Huanian's lips moved, but he remained silent for a long moment before finally speaking. "Little Uncle?"

The figure before him wore a dark cloak, his slender frame evident, his features disguised to conceal the red mole between his brows. His appearance looked quite different, yet Qiu Huanian recognized him instantly—Mei Wangshu, his little uncle.

Mei Wangshu's icy expression softened. "Mm."

Qiu Huanian studied him for a while before exhaling in relief and smiling. "Little Uncle, you seem much happier than before you left. It seems this voyage has been very rewarding."

Mei Wangshu nodded, "I've accomplished quite a bit and finally understand what you meant by 'finding your true calling.'"

Qiu Huanian said, "That's wonderful. Uncle, take a few days to rest and relax first. We have plenty of time to talk about your experiences and reflections from this voyage. If there’s anything you need help with, just let me know."

Mei Wangshu replied, "There is indeed an urgent matter I need your help with."

"What is it?"

Mei Wangshu briefly averted his gaze, then carefully lifted his cloak. Only then did Qiu Huanian notice that he had been cradling a swaddled infant in one arm the whole time.

"Get this child proper documentation, and find a trustworthy wet nurse as soon as possible."

Qiu Huanian looked at the child, then at Mei Wangshu, his eyes darting back and forth several times. Mei Wangshu turned away, determined not to offer any explanation voluntarily.

A wild thought flashed through Qiu Huanian’s mind. He took a deep breath and asked, "Where did this child... come from?"

"She's mine," Mei Wangshu stared at the roof beams.

"Jesus—" Qiu Huanian was genuinely shocked. "So the other father is..."

"..." Mei Wangshu’s silence confirmed Qiu Huanian’s suspicion.

After the initial shock, Qiu Huanian spoke rapidly, "So when you faked your death to leave the palace, you were already—how could you be so reckless with your health? You took those experimental drugs, went diving, got drenched in the rain, and even sailed overseas?"

His voice trembled toward the end. Mei Wangshu, not good with emotional talks, lowered his head to look at the child in his arms and said, "Thankfully Qingmei is healthy - that's what matters."

Qiu Huanian sighed and stepped forward, carefully observing the sleeping infant. He gave his little cousin a silent welcome.

Qingmei... (which means "Green Plum") Qiu Huanian thought of the green plum in his pouch and Su Xinbai’s joke. This really was a heaven-sent child.