Chapter 29 Plenty of Hidden Schemes in a Great Manor

Chapter 29: Many Dark Secrets in the Grand Manor

The shopkeeper, who knew Qi Jing well, backed him up: "For beginner's instruction, I've seen other scholars charge one or two taels of silver a month."

Xi Qianyue smiled and said, "Then let's settle on two taels a month. How does that sound, Young Master Qi?"

Qi Jing demurred, "Actually, one tael would be enough..."

Amao's face had just begun to show a smile when he quickly restrained it, subtly signaling his young master.

Xi Qianyue found it amusing: "Then it's settled. Please, Mr. Qi, help my brother pick out his books and writing materials."

The shopkeeper grinned from ear to ear—how wonderful, helping others was helping yourself, wasn't it?

Qi Jing chose a set of beginner's books and writing materials for Xun Geer, mid-priced and of good value.

Xi Qianyue selected a purple rabbit-hair brush from Huzhou to gift Qi Jing. Knowing its price—twenty-four taels of silver—he repeatedly declined.

"I dare not accept this. This one brush could pay for two years of my teaching."

But Xi Qianyue insisted: "Master, don't worry about it. The tuition is separate from this gift; it's my token of appreciation. My brother is young, so I ask you to give him extra care."

The shopkeeper was overjoyed—this Miss Xi was indeed generous!

He urged, "This is Miss Xi's sincere gesture, Young Master Qi. Just accept it graciously. Focus on teaching well, and this brush will be well worth it."

"I haven't earned this; I truly can't accept it." Qi Jing still declined.

He knew it was a fine item, but it was too precious, and he feared he couldn't repay such a great favor.

"You're such a stickler. Take it—it'll come in handy for the autumn imperial exam."

Xi Qianyue grew slightly impatient and settled the bill directly.

"Come to my parents' house tomorrow to formally begin the lessons. Don't worry, our courtyard is spacious with no one to bother you, so you won't feel ill at ease."

After confirming the time, they each went their separate ways.

The maids chatted and giggled in the carriage.

"Madam, this tutor is truly striking."

"He looks only seventeen or eighteen, yet he's so tall, gentle and cultured."

Xi Qianyue joked with them: "What, have you all taken a liking to him?"

The girls blushed and playfully chided their madam.

It had to be said, the madam's temperament had become much more cheerful lately, often joking with them.

"But your taste is consistent—Mr. Qi is indeed handsome, with plain attire and a clear, elegant face. It's a pity your mistress is already taken, or else..."

The maids dared not continue, staring blankly, unsure how to respond.

Little did they know, these were Xi Qianyue's true thoughts—if her original self could have married this scholar, life would likely have been far happier.

But this disposable side character—she had also forgotten what kind of ending he had. In any case, he didn't leave much of an impression.

"I was just saying it casually, and you all got nervous. Don't worry, I won't do anything rash, so I don't scare you to death."

The maids perked up again; they had truly feared the madam had taken a fancy to this scholar!

Back at his modest house, Qi Jing showed the purple rabbit-hair brush to his mother, Zhang Shi.

Madam Zhang had once known wealth in her younger days and recognized at once it was a fine brush.

"Mother, today the bookshop owner connected me with a wealthy household to teach their young child, with a monthly tuition of two taels of silver."

Madam Zhang was overjoyed: "Such good fortune! Two taels a month is indeed substantial."

Nanny Zhang clasped her hands together: "Now the young master can study with a clear mind, and for the autumn exam, we won't have to fret about money. Truly, our ancestors are watching over us."

"Madam, Mother, that young lady from the wealthy household is truly generous. Not only did she agree to two taels a month for an hour and a half each day, but she also gifted the young master such a fine brush."

Qi Jing wore a guilty expression: "I haven't earned this; I truly shouldn't have taken it. But that Miss Xi was impatient and settled the bill directly."

"Miss Xi of the Xi family? Then she must genuinely value your learning. Teach well and don't disappoint her."

Amao interjected: "Madam, coincidentally, this Miss Xi is the one we ran into at the pastry shop when we bought zongzi. She's the one who let the young master have the last two zongzi.

Even stranger, she's Madam Yang of the Marquis of Changping's estate, yet she told us to call her Miss Xi instead."

Nanny Zhang and Madam Zhang exchanged a glance, both with a look of "that figured."

"They say there are many dirty secrets in those grand manors. It seems this Miss Xi has been badly burned."

"Wasn't she the one pushed into the pond by her husband's sister, as mentioned before?"

The two women chatted briefly, while Qi Jing took the purple rabbit-hair brush into his room.

He caressed the fine brush, treasuring it deeply.

Since childhood, his family had fallen on harder and harder times. Though he knew his grandfather had been a high official, he had never truly enjoyed the privileges of a rich young lord.

This purple rabbit-hair brush was the finest thing he now owned.

Thinking of that bright and charming Miss Xi saying it would serve him well for the autumn exam, an inexplicable flutter stirred in his heart.

With such a fine brush to aid him in the autumn exam, could he perform even better?

A quarter of an hour later, he refocused and went back to reviewing his books.

At the Marquis of Changping's residence.

Lady Wu heard about the day's events and said hatefully, "That little hussy grips her dowry like a vice, unwilling to spend a single tael on my son, yet she has the nerve to catch him cheating. What was she catching? That was my son's chamber maid, a servant born into the household who has served him since childhood..."

Nanny Wu consoled her: "Madam, it shows the madam still cares deeply for our young master; otherwise, she wouldn't have done such a thing. I heard she later specially called Lianye over to take a look."

"Of course. My son is distinguished-looking and the legitimate eldest young master of a marquis's household—how could she not be charmed? It's just a bit of money and valuables, and she's so reluctant to part with it..."

The two were freely bad-mouthing Xi Qianyue when suddenly a young maid came to report.

"Madam, the madam is throwing a feast in the courtyard, two tables, saying it's for everyone to share in the joy, inviting the respected head maids and older servants to dine."

Lady Wu found it odd: "Why on earth is she throwing a banquet? And who throws a party for servants and leaves out the masters?"

"The madam's mother has adopted a son as her legal heir, so the madam is pleased..."

Before she could finish, Lady Wu slammed her hand heavily on the table, making the teacup jump and splashing tea everywhere.

"Look at that, look at that! A legal heir! She actually has a younger brother born of the legal wife now. No wonder, no wonder she's clutching her silver so tightly."

As she was ranting, Yang Xingxian also came over with a displeased expression: "Mother has heard as well—Xi Shi actually has a legitimate younger brother. No wonder she has the nerve to stand up to me like this. I can't even get one inkstone out of her, so how can I gain guidance from a great Confucian master?"

Lady Wu's heart ached at his words: "Don't worry, my son. How much silver does that inkstone cost?"