Chapter 22

Han Zhang sent orchids to Shen Qinglan—not merely as a pretext to mask his attempts to seduce the young gentleman, but also because he genuinely intended to profit from selling rare flowers through the Shen family’s influential connections.

Since the clan’s “Matchmaking Workshop” was still in its infancy and generating no revenue, the dozens of taels of silver Han Zhang had previously contributed to the clan chief fell far short of covering the expenses required to settle the clan’s divorced women and unattached young gentlemen.

He urgently needed a swift, substantial influx of funds to fully resolve the Han family’s current financial crisis.

Selling rare flowers was an ideal solution—fast, lucrative, and entirely plausible.

At the Shen residence:

As Han Zhang had anticipated, Shen Qinglan—who had received no letters from him for several days—was indeed listlessly lounging at the stone table in the courtyard, his heart and mind consumed with longing for Han Zhang.

“Qiao Dong, Qiao Xi, Qiao Nan, Qiao Bei—what do you suppose Brother Han has been occupied with lately? Why hasn’t he written to me in days? Could it be that I threw a minor tantrum in my last letter and annoyed him?”

“But I was only teasing—he must understand that… He even praised me before for being genuine…”

“And I wonder whether he liked the books I sent him? I carefully selected them from Father’s study—they’re said to be exceptionally helpful for the imperial examinations…”

“Sigh—Brother Han is such a nuisance! Even if he’s too absorbed in his studies to write, he could at least send some small token.”

“It doesn’t matter whether it’s a snack, a trinket, or even just a flower he picked himself—I simply need proof that he misses me too…”

Shen Qinglan gloomily stirred the sweet soup in his bowl with a tiny spoon, venting his frustrations to his four trusted personal attendants.

Even his favorite dish, sitting right before him, tasted utterly bland.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Dong, Qiao Xi, Qiao Nan, and Qiao Bei exchanged helpless glances.

They had to concede that Scholar Han was undeniably handsome and talented—an exceptional young man, truly outstanding.

Yet in the capital, weren’t there countless men equally gifted, refined, charming, and born into prestigious families?

How, then, had this Scholar Han so utterly captivated their young master?

The man had merely gone silent for a few days—and look how distraught the young master had become!

The four muttered under their breath—but since they served the master and shared his burdens, they could only offer soothing words.

Qiao Dong said: “Young master, it’s only been a few days without news—perfectly normal. Master Han doesn’t know your identity as a young gentleman; he treats you solely as a brother. Since when do brothers write daily or cling to each other like glue?”

Qiao Xi added: “Exactly, young master—don’t fret. Look at those little trinkets Master Han included with his last letter—all handmade by him. That gesture alone proves how much you mean to him…”

Qiao Nan continued: “Moreover, Master Han’s family is impoverished. Besides studying intensively for the examinations, he writes storybooks to earn silver, and spends time at the flower shop learning cultivation and appreciation techniques. He’s swamped with responsibilities—it’s perfectly understandable he couldn’t write for a while…”

Qiao Bei concluded: “If you’re truly concerned, young master, why not review some examination essays now? That way, when you speak with Brother Han later, you’ll have more common ground…”

As for suggesting Shen Qinglan go out himself to seek Han Zhang—that was absolutely unthinkable.

They were already taking a serious risk by concealing the private correspondence from their superiors—how could they possibly take the initiative to play matchmaker?

On the contrary, they almost wished something would go awry for Han Zhang, so the young master might abandon this infatuation sooner!

Yet such a hope was plainly impossible.

Never mind Han Zhang—Shen Qinglan thought about him daily, even beginning to name their future children. How could he possibly give up so easily?

Far from comforting him, their reassurances missed the mark entirely.

“Ordinary brothers don’t write daily—but are Brother Han and I ordinary brothers? I am his very, very best and most worthy brother! Previously, he replied within two days at most—and now it’s been five or six!”

“Brother Han knows my temperament. Surely he wouldn’t be irritated by a minor outburst? Could it be that he’s encountered trouble and can’t get away?”

“That must be it. Brother Han is such a good person—why would he sever contact with me without cause? No—Qiao Dong, Qiao Nan, go immediately to Shopkeeper Wang and ask him to inquire at Xiangnan Academy…”

“Never mind—I’ll go myself. If Brother Han truly faces difficulties, I can help him instantly!”

Shen Qinglan stubbornly refused to entertain the possibility that Han Zhang’s silence stemmed from any fault of his own. He kept muttering to himself, growing increasingly anxious—already contemplating sneaking out again to find him.

“Young master, you mustn’t…”

Qiao Dong and the others panicked and rushed to stop him.

Fortunately, before his anxiety could spiral further, Shopkeeper Wang’s messenger delivered Han Zhang’s letter—and the orchids.

“Young master—a letter from Master Han! He also sent a pot of orchids—a rare ‘Thousand-Hand Guanyin’ lotus orchid!”

Qiao Nan dashed back, breathlessly delivering the joyful news.

Shen Qinglan’s mood instantly shifted from gloom to radiance—and he feigned aloofness once more: “I knew Brother Han was thinking of me too.”

Eagerly, he unfolded the letter and read it from beginning to end.

Upon finishing,

he exhaled deeply in relief, then remarked with concern: “I knew it—Brother Han hasn’t written these past days because he ran into trouble. Exactly as I suspected!”

“And Brother Han—when he’s in trouble, he doesn’t come to me. Does he even consider me his worthy brother? Now he only informs me after everything’s resolved. Next time I see him, I’ll give him a stern lecture!”

“‘A bosom friend brings a distant land near’… I knew it—Brother Han regards me as a kindred spirit.”

“‘When life’s good, enjoy it to the fullest; never let your golden cup face the moon alone.’ What a beautiful poem… Brother Han wants to share three hundred cups of wine with me? But I’m terrible at drinking—what on earth shall I do…”

By the letter’s end, all his earlier grievances had dissolved, leaving only sweetness in his heart.

Shen Qinglan grinned so broadly his eyes nearly vanished.

Brother Han had declared in his own words that he missed him too!

Qiao Dong, Qiao Xi, and the others gazed at their master’s beaming face and sighed inwardly—judging by his expression, not even ten oxen could drag the young master away now.

Since they couldn’t stop him, they could only assist in planning.

After a moment’s thought, Qiao Dong asked:

“Young master—stop grinning like a fool for now. Come examine this ‘Thousand-Hand Guanyin’ Master Han sent you. It’s among the rarest orchids—even an average specimen fetches several hundred to a thousand taels. How on earth could Master Han afford such a priceless flower?”

The ‘Thousand-Hand Guanyin,’ also known as Jinsha Tree Chrysanthemum, is a tree-shaped exotic variety among lotus-petal orchids—ranked among the finest, long coveted by scholars and gentlemen alike. To a discerning buyer, selling it for a thousand taels poses no difficulty.

Yet Master Han is merely a destitute scholar—not a mountain flower forager. Where, then, did he acquire such a rare bloom?

This question struck Shen Qinglan precisely where he most wanted to shine.

He beamed instantly and boasted: “You don’t know?! Brother Han cultivated it himself! He studied flower care at the flower shop beforehand. Recently, he made a breakthrough and attempted to grow it independently—and who’d have thought he’d actually succeed!”

“Brother Han is truly gifted. In just a few months, he accomplished this. No wonder I sensed from the start he was extraordinary—I really do possess impeccable taste!”

Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi and the others were very startled upon hearing this: "Really?"

Master Han actually has such a talent for horticulture that in just a few months of study he can surpass a gardener with decades of experience? They felt like they were hearing a fairy tale.

Seeing their doubt,

Shen Qinglan snorted crossly: "What's with that look? Brother Han is an honest gentleman and my closest friend; how could he deceive me?"

"Besides, Brother Han's family is strapped for cash and needs money badly. He even asked me to introduce him to people who love flowers so he could make a living through horticulture... If he didn't have real skill, how could he have made such a request?"

His Brother Han was so outstanding; those clueless guys Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi truly couldn't recognize a gem if it hit them in the face.

Qiao Dong and Qiao Xi and the others gave a dry laugh.

Who said their master was foolish? He was clearly sharp-eyed and perceptive; look how he saw right through their little schemes at a glance!

Qiao Nan smiled apologetically: "Master, we didn't mean to doubt Master Han; it's just that his gardening skills are so extraordinary that we've never seen such talent, making it a bit hard to believe at first."

Qiao Bei also stepped forward to coax: "If Master Han really has such amazing skill, that would be wonderful! In the future, when he comes to propose marriage, if he can bring a few rare, famous flowers as betrothal gifts, it would be both unique and dignified. It would also do you credit, Master, and people wouldn't look down on you or laugh..."

"I don't care if people laugh! Brother Han is exceptionally talented—he'll definitely pass the exams, become an official, and rise to the top, so I can hold my head high as a husband with an official title."

Deep down, Shen Qinglan wasn't sure of himself, but that didn't stop him from talking tough.

At worst, after they got married, he would just have to push his husband to study hard; anyway, he had taken a fancy to Brother Han!

Qiao Dong, Qiao Xi, Qiao Nan, and Qiao Bei exchanged knowing looks and smiled before suggesting.

"Since you have such plans, Master, why not help Master Han network with some flower experts? Once he earns money, he can also study in peace and pass the exams early, right?"

"Time will tell. Hopefully, Master Han really hasn't deceived our master."

"That makes sense... Then go prepare the courtyard properly, have the kitchen prepare pastries and tea, and invite my father, mother, and eldest and second brothers over. Tell them I have newly acquired a pot of 'Thousand-hand Guanyin' and ask them to appreciate it together."

Shen Qinglan nodded and then gave the orders cunningly.

His father and eldest brother were both elegant literati; if they obtained such a famous orchid, they could show it off at gatherings with colleagues and gain much face.

"Keep it in the family"; selling this flower to others is not as good as selling (or rather, "tricking") his father and eldest brother.

If he played his cards right, he could get the money today and help Brother Han out of his predicament!

Shen Father: "..."

"You are really my dear son."

However, a top-grade orchid was indeed rare, so upon hearing the news, Shen Father and Big Brother Shen still came over with great interest.