Chapter 40 No Longer Despising Your Background

Chapter 40: No More Looking Down on Your Background

Right, the pair of them—mistress and maid—hadn't eaten yet!

The serving girl stammered, "The young master said he'd wait in the courtyard for you, saying he had something to tell you."

Xi Qianyue frowned. "Make sure it doesn't happen again."

She then looked at Yang Xingxian. "What do you want to say?"

Yang Xingxian felt a flicker of hope and stood, walking over to her.

Xi Qianyue looked impatient and took two steps back. "If you have something to say, just say it. What do you think you're doing?"

Achang grew nervous—this wasn't going the way he'd pictured at all.

Yang Xingxian smiled. "I heard all about what happened today. I never thought you cared about me that much. I had you wrong before. Getting guidance from Great Scholar Yancan is all thanks to you. Don't worry, I won't look down on your background anymore..."

"Stop, stop right there. Did I hear that right? How could you possibly get guidance from Great Scholar Yancan? And what's that got to do with me? And you're going to look down on my background? You'd make me die laughing—how could you possibly look down on me? I'm busy and don't have time for this nonsense. I'm leaving."

When he still didn't move, Xi Qianyue said irritably, "What are you still doing here?"

"You're heading to Old Mr. Yan Can's place soon, right? I'll come with you. Are you changing now?"

Xi Qianyue sneered. "You're way too meddlesome. Someone, get him out of here! Don't let just anyone in from now on."

Ye Ling and Ye Xi stepped forward and, with practiced ease, flanked Yang Xingxian and hoisted him up.

Yang Xingxian squawked, "Are you out of your mind? I thought you were going to give that inkstone to Great Scholar Yancan so he'd give me some pointers. Since you meant to help me, I was willing to let bygones be bygones and make a good life with you! What are you throwing a fit about now?"

Xi Qianyue stared at him, speechless. "You think I gave the inkstone to the old master for your sake? You're not even worth that."

Yang Xingxian tried to say more, but the two loyal maids had already hauled him out, and he was stomping his feet in fury at the courtyard gate.

Achang was just as indignant. "The young mistress has really lost it! What exactly is she up to?"

Yang Xingxian, fuming with nowhere to vent, kicked Achang square in the backside.

"Go get Liu Mei and Lian Ye."

Lady Wu learned that Xi Qianyue had once again kicked her son out of the courtyard, and that her son had called for two bedroom maids to amuse himself in broad daylight.

She clapped her hands. "Good riddance. That Xi woman has lost her mind, thinking a few taels of silver and a pretty face let her do whatever she wants with my son. In my son's eyes, she's not even as good as a bedroom maid!"

Then she said to Nanny Wu, "Go, tell him—I can't let my son go too far. The marquis's reputation is already in the gutter. If word of him fooling around in the courtyard gets out again, how can he ever win the favor of the masters?"

Xi Qianyue couldn't be bothered with such trivial matters. She changed into a dress for receiving guests, had the storeroom bring out that inkstone, and hurried out again.

Following the address Qi Jing had left, she found a fairly out-of-the-way alley with a small courtyard of five or six rooms.

Zhang Shi and Nanny Zhang were doing needlework and chatting.

Seeing her son had changed and freshened up, she smiled. "Dressed up like this, my son looks like a jade statue."

"How can you be so shamelessly proud of your own son?"

Qi Jing was nervous—he was about to meet the Great Confucian Scholar, and he was afraid of saying something wrong and upsetting him.

When Xi Qianyue came into the courtyard with her two maids, Zhang Shi stood up.

"So this is Miss Xi! What a beauty." Zhang Shi stepped forward, took Xi Qianyue's hand, and gushed her thanks. "Miss Xi, you not only made my son your brother's tutor, but you've also gone out of your way to help him and bring him to meet the great scholar! Our whole family is grateful to you!"

Qi Jing felt awkward standing nearby, also worried that Miss Xi might be uncomfortable.

But Xi Qianyue smiled lightly. "Of course. I always take care of my own. Mr. Qi is my brother's tutor, so when good things come up, I naturally think of him."

She also worried Zhang Shi would keep thanking her forever, so she quickly said to Qi Jing, "Ready?"

Qi Jing hurried over. "Ready. Let's go."

At the entrance to the alley, Xi Qianyue pointed to the carriage. "I have my carriage, but it wouldn't be proper for us to share it. I also rented another carriage—you can take the one behind."

Qi Jing was touched by her thoughtfulness and thanked her over and over.

He got into the carriage with Amao, and Amao said quietly, "Young master, Miss Xi is really thoughtful. Should we pay her back?"

"She already took it upon herself to rent the carriage. If I bring up the fare now, I'd seem too hung up on small stuff. When I get the chance, I'll repay her."

Qi Jing had dealt with Xi Qianyue a few times and felt he was starting to get a read on her.

She looked delicate and soft, but was actually the most open and down-to-earth person.

Plus, she liked to take charge—and even had a bit of a controlling streak.

What Qi Jing hadn't expected was how polite the gatekeeper was to them.

"Come in. The master has been waiting since early this morning."

Great Scholar Yancan's garden was naturally elegant, paved with blue stone slabs that felt heavy and ancient.

The flowers and trees complemented each other, especially the small bamboo grove and the vine-covered trellis, which added to the peaceful feel.

As they went up the stone steps, Yancan came out to greet them. "You kept me waiting."

Qi Jing was nervous, but Xi Qianyue smiled. "If we'd known you were waiting, we'd have come earlier to eat."

Yancan laughed heartily. "Exactly—don't be so formal. Staying for dinner here would be great too."

Once inside the main hall, Xi Qianyue offered the inkstone to Yancan.

His eyes lit up, and he told the attendant to take them on a tour of the grounds first, saying he'd entertain them later.

Xi Qianyue laughed to herself—what a real inkstone nut.

The two strolled around the garden with the attendant for a good while before coming back.

Yancan said with feeling, "This is truly a rare masterpiece—no wonder I could never find one. You'd really part with it?"

"Actually, I meant to give it to you as a gift. Flowers go with beauties, swords go with heroes. This fine inkstone naturally belongs with you."

Qi Jing worried that Xi Qianyue's casual tone might offend the old master.

But Yancan laughed again. "You little girl want me to owe you a favor, but I won't! How much silver? I'll buy it."

"I knew you'd rather buy it. My mother found this for me—I'll give you the cost price. Three hundred taels."

Yancan shook his head. "No way. Three hundred taels? That's too cheap—I wouldn't dare take it."

"Three hundred taels is just to cover my mother's trouble. She thinks highly of my younger brother. This man is a scholar named Qi Jing, and he's my brother's first tutor. If you think it's too cheap, maybe you could give Tutor Qi a little guidance."

Qi Jing quickly bowed as a junior would. "Student Qi Jing greets the old master."

"Ah, 'old master' here and 'old master' there—just how old do you think I am?"

Yancan muttered in annoyance, then had his personal attendant bring three hundred taels of silver.