Chapter 247: The Pearl and the Good Man [End of Main Text]

Chapter 247: The Jewel and the Good Man "Main Story Finale"

The next morning, Qiu Huanian slowly opened his eyes to the sound of firecrackers.

In recent years, the villagers of Du Family Village had enjoyed increasingly better living standards. Beyond just having enough to eat and wear, they now pursued other pleasures. With New Year's Eve just a day away, households with some spare money had bought firecrackers and fireworks, eager to ward off bad luck and welcome good fortune at the year's end.

The sound of firecrackers, softened by the high walls, was not jarring. The crackling noises and children's laughter echoed across the open land, mingling with unintelligible local chatter, filling the air with the festive spirit of the New Year.

After a quick wash, Qiu Huanian threw on his cloak and stepped outside. Most of the family was already up. Chun Sheng was setting up novelty fireworks brought from Tianjin in the courtyard and cheered when he saw Qiu Huanian.

"Great! Brother Hua is awake—now we can set off the fireworks!"

Qiu Huanian turned and saw a hip-high bronze stove under the eaves of the west wing. Inside, sweet potatoes and chestnuts were roasting, many of the chestnuts split open, while the sweet potatoes gave off a roasted sweetness.

Gu Gu, Yang Yang, Qingmei, and Xiao Agao—four kids—crowded around the stove, eagerly waiting for Chun Sheng to light the fireworks. Even the most grown-up kids couldn't resist the allure of noise and sparks.

Qiu Huanian chuckled. "Go ahead, but be careful not to blow out your eardrums."

As the fireworks popped and the children laughed behind him, Qiu Huanian smiled and headed toward the small courtyard in the southwest where Wei Li and Mei Wangshu were staying.

Just as he stepped through the corner gate into the passageway, he ran into Jiu Jiu, who was holding a persimmon-patterned hand warmer. Her clothes and shoes were neat, as if she had just returned from an outing.

"Out so early—were you visiting Cun Lan?"

Jiu Jiu nodded. Noticing her thoughtful look, Qiu Huanian asked, "Did something happen just now?"

Jiu Jiu gazed at the small courtyard ahead. "Brother Hua, do you remember? This spot used to be Auntie Zhuang’s house."

At her words, Qiu Huanian recalled. Auntie Zhuang had been their neighbor back in Du Family Village. Widowed early with no children of her own, she had once looked after Jiu Jiu and Chun Sheng, and Qiu Huanian had often brought her food and drink.

Later, Auntie Zhuang’s daughter, Du Zirong, was kicked out by her in-laws and returned to the village with her two children, causing trouble that strained their relationship.

To help her daughter, Auntie Zhuang secretly sold Qiu Huanian’s sorghum candy recipe to Wei Li’s biological father, Wei Dexing. When the truth came out, Zirong and her children were driven from Du Family Village, and Qiu Huanian cut ties with Auntie Zhuang.

Remembering the past, Qiu Huanian sighed. "Since this land was sold to us, Auntie Zhuang must have passed away by now. She was getting on in years."

Jiu Jiu shared what she had learned that morning. "Her granddaughter, Bai Yuchuan, came back to take care of Auntie Zhuang’s funeral."

"Yuchuan?" Qiu Huanian was surprised. "Why would she return?"

Just then, Mei Wangshu and Wei Li emerged from the courtyard one after another. Mei Wangshu, recalling the name, interjected, "Back when we were investigating the underhanded affairs of the disgraced commoner Jia Hongyi, we secretly took away Du Zirong—the concubine of his merchant subordinate Bai Yanwen—along with her children and her second husband, Wei Dexing, from Zhang County."

"Bai Yuchuan was given by her mother and stepfather to a nearly fifty-year-old county magistrate as a concubine. Resentful, she gave up plenty of useful intel during interrogation. After the case concluded, I gave her some money and let her go."

Hearing his biological father’s name abruptly mentioned, Wei Li widened his eyes in shock, momentarily stunned.

Mei Wangshu didn’t elaborate on what happened to the others besides Yuchuan, and Wei Li didn’t ask.

He remembered once, while still working as a steward at Qiu Huanian’s small estate near the imperial manor in the capital, catching a glimpse of Wei Dexing’s figure—an encounter that had helped resolve some of his inner turmoil.

He had thought it a coincidence, perhaps even an illusion. Now, looking back, he realized it must have been Mei Wangshu’s intentional setup.

From very early on, Mei Wangshu had been doing his best to help his family.

"Thank you, Shu Ge'er..."

Mei Wangshu awkwardly averted his soon-to-be brother-in-law’s gaze, his face unreadable as he looked away. "No need for thanks."

Suppressing a smile, Qiu Huanian suggested to Wei Li, "Now that we're back, if you’d like to visit old friends in Zhang County, Uncle Seven can accompany you."

Wei Li pursed his lips, recalling his mother and siblings who had watched him sink into the mire without lifting a finger—even making it worse for their own gain—before nodding firmly.

"Alright, I'll go back after the New Year."

He would return in glory with his beloved, to show them that the little master who once flinched at a pinprick had, by his own strength, carved out a new life.

Jiu Jiu was genuinely happy for Wei Li. She thought of Bai Yuchuan, who, after settling Auntie Zhuang’s funeral, had voluntarily sought out the authorities to migrate to Jiaozhou, and sighed softly.

To attract more Yu Dynasty citizens to Jiaozhou, the imperial decree stipulated that any woman or young man who willingly relocated there could register as an independent household and receive land equal to that of men. This became a lifeline for many struggling in their homeland. Jiu Jiu could barely recall the old grudges now. Silently, she wished Bai Yuchuan could start anew in that strange new land.

After the family shared a lively breakfast together, they set off under the bright morning light to sweep the graves of their loved ones on the back hill.

This was a day of reunion, a joyous festival where all wishes were fulfilled. Qiu Huanian had made it clear beforehand—everyone was to be cheerful, treating this homecoming grave visit as a celebration.

The night before, after everyone had retired, Wen Huiyang slipped out alone with a lantern to seek Mei Zhengchun’s tomb on the back hill. Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse, aware of this, had discreetly sent imperial guards to follow at a distance for his safety, without mentioning it.

Under the silent, moon-washed night, undisturbed by anyone, Wen Huiyang leaned against his lover’s tombstone and poured out over twenty years of longing, grief, and love.

The breeze rustled through the withered treetops, casting faint shadows as the moonlight shifted, as though someone, across time and space, gently brushed the shoulders of the youth now silvered at the temples.

Having vented his deepest emotions the previous night, Wen Huiyang managed to maintain composure before the children this time, though the shadows beneath his eyes and his trembling beard betrayed him.

Qiu Huanian taught Gu Gu and Yang Yang to call out to their grandparents. Wen Huiyang responded, his eyes brimming with tears. Frantically patting himself down, he found nothing worthy as a gift, so he crouched and promised the disappointed Yang Yang plenty of gifts upon their return to the capital.

"I gave away my salary again?" Du Yunse reminded him helplessly. Wen Huiyang never held onto money—his New Year clothes and goods had all been arranged by Qiu Huanian.

Wen Huiyang’s beard twitched as he retorted stubbornly, "I’ll sell some calligraphy and paintings, write a few essays for fees, and the money will come back."

"Money! Grandpa has money!" Yang Yang cheered.

Du Yunse shook his head and pinched Yang Yang’s little nose. What could he say? Even he couldn’t resist the little one’s sweet-talking.

Qiu Huanian missed this small victory of Yang Yang’s. Unnoticed, he returned to the eternal resting place of Li the Widow and Du Baoyan, where he had buried a pouch and silver bracelet six years prior. The soil here now blended seamlessly with its surroundings, covered in dense, dry wild grass that looked soft to the touch.

Qiu Huanian brushed his hand over the grass but didn’t pull it out.

"I’ve come back to see you. Are you doing well in my world?" He smiled. "We exchanged worlds. Everything that happened afterward was our own lives. It’s a bit regretful that I never truly knew you... In that beautiful world, live joyfully, just as you please."

As he stood, his legs numb, a strong hand steadied him from behind. Du Yunse, having noticed his absence, had followed.

Qiu Huanian smiled at him, no words needed. After bidding farewell to his parents, they rejoined the group.

...

Before they knew it, New Year’s Eve was upon them. While most would stay home for reunion, Bao Yi, unable to resist Cun Lan and Yun Ying’s pleas, agreed to take the children hunting at a mountain field over ten miles away. After stopping by Qiu Huanian’s house, he led a whole lively crew—Jiu Jiu, Chun Sheng, and even dragging along Uncle Mei Wangshu.

Qiu Huanian pushed Mei Wangshu out the door, waving after the departing horses, "Show us what you’ve got, Uncle! If you come back empty-handed for the New Year’s feast, you’ll never live it down!"

Qingmei clutched her new short sword, freshly forged and engraved with the Mei clan emblem—an early New Year’s gift. Qiu Huanian, eyeing the sword styled much like his own Fushu Sword, resolved to etch the clan emblem onto his blade upon their return.

"Qingmei."

"Big Brother Hua," she answered clearly.

"What’s that you’re holding?" Qiu Huanian teased.

"Sword."

"What is the sword for?"

"To protect people."

Qiu Huanian laughed. This answer was clearly taught by his father, Mei Wangshu—changing from "killing people" to "protecting people." The curse that had loomed over the imperial family for generations might truly one day be dispelled.

The warm sun traversed the pale sky as the house was adorned with peachwood charms and fresh couplets. Red lanterns lined the entrance all the way to the pathway, and Qiu Huanian's heart gradually soaked in the all-encompassing crimson warmth, pulsing vividly in his chest.

He entered the study, where Du Yunse had just received an express courier dispatch from the capital.

"Has something happened in the capital? Of all days, it arrives today."

"Excellent news," Du Yunse said, handing the opened dispatch to Qiu Huanian. "Ten days ago, a French merchant ship docked at Tianjin Port, carrying a rough-skinned, yellowish-brown crop resembling yams. The officials at Tianjin Port thought it might be those potatoes you kept talking about."

Qiu Huanian's eyes lit up, and he immediately turned to order, "Where are the other items sent with the dispatch? Bring them here quickly!"

To ensure speedy delivery, the officials at Tianjin Port had only included two of the staple crops brought by the French ship. With one glance, Qiu Huanian confirmed that this was indeed the legendary plant—the potato, hailed as the "golden nugget buried in the earth," which laid the foundation for the world's population explosion.

This was the very thing Qiu Huanian had envisioned when he first pushed for the lifting of maritime trade restrictions. After so much preparation and waiting, it had finally arrived on the soil of Great Yu.

With potatoes and scientific farming methods, as long as the rulers' policies avoided irreparable mistakes, the land of Huaxia would almost never face famine again!

Qiu Huanian whooped with joy, momentarily forgetting everything else, and rushed into Du Yunse's arms, clutching the potatoes.

"I want mashed potatoes, French fries, potato-stuffed buns, stir-fried shredded potatoes, and potato cakes with ham and bell peppers!"

Du Yunse steadied him with one arm, taking half a step back to prevent them from toppling over. "Alright, once we get our harvest in next year, we'll try them all."

"Yunse, do you know? In my world, carefully cultivated high-yield potatoes can produce nearly 6,000 pounds per mu—sometimes even more! Just one mu could feed an entire family and keep them alive... Yunse, I..."

Qiu Huanian suddenly lost his words. Du Yunse understood what he wanted to say and gently stroked his smooth back.

"I know. I know everything."

How incredibly lucky he was in this life to meet someone so perfectly matched, with such innate virtue—his husband, with whom he shared not only a lifetime but also soaring ambitions.

This brilliant jewel had ultimately proven that he was indeed the most worthy companion.

Noise erupted outside as the hunting party returned. Chun Sheng's boisterous voice was unmistakable even through the courtyard walls.

"Big Bro! Brother Hua! We hunted a huge deer! We're having grilled deer meat tonight!"

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse separated, the former scratching his nose awkwardly before stepping forward and then turning back to take Du Yunse's hand.

"Let’s put global affairs on hold for now. Let’s go enjoy our grilled deer meat."

As he had done countless times before, Du Yunse firmly grasped the hand in his palm. Bright sunlight streamed through the paper windows, casting two long, intertwined shadows on the floor. The dance of light and shadow merged with their mirrored smiles, as if time had frozen in that moment.

As ocean sails vanish with the setting sun,

We find joy by our new-lit hearth.

[End of Volume 4]

"The Top-Scoring Husband of the Number One Scholar — Main Text Complete"

Author's Note:

Started on April 11, completed on December 5—247 chapters, over a million words, eight months...

I thought I'd have so much to say, but now that my hands are on the keyboard, the words escape me.

In any case, thank you all for reading this far. Tomorrow, I’ll start updating the afterword and bonus stories. Those promised extra chapters will be added during the bonus story updates. [End of Volume 4]