"This is the fifth carriage already?" a man working in the fields wiped sweat from his brow, watching enviously as another carriage turned the corner and headed towards Qi Changlin's home.
Normally, even ox carts were a rare sight in the countryside, let alone carriages. The Qi family was also the poorest in the village. Qi's father had died in an accidental fall while hunting in the mountains, leaving behind a widow and child. They struggled to even afford three meals a day, and even when they were so hungry they had to eat wild vegetables, Qi's mother gritted her teeth and sent Qi Changlin to a private tutor.
At the time, many in the village gossiped behind her back, calling Qi's mother mad. Even the village chief couldn't afford to send his son to school.
Then, looking at Qi's mother, who worked in the fields during the day and did embroidery under the oil lamp at night, a young woman in her early thirties, within a few years, she had aged to look like an old woman in her fifties or sixties.
Qi's mother's health had completely deteriorated. She was often sickly but still scrimped and saved to pay for Qi Changlin's studies. Later, she managed to help Qi Changlin get married, but her body finally gave out, leaving her completely paralyzed and unable to move. Her daughter-in-law had to feed her three meals a day by her bedside.
Qi's wife was also foolish, and like Qi's mother, she stubbornly continued to support Qi Changlin's studies.
...Although Qi Changlin came from a humble background, he was close friends with Jiao Lianyu and also had dealings with Qiu Huaixin.
However, compared to Jiao Lianyu, who was diligent in his studies and talented, Qiu Huaixin, though the youngest son of a second-rank official, was someone Qi Changlin preferred as a classmate. He had also received considerable financial assistance from Jiao Lianyu.
Qiu Huaixin was startled when he saw the birthday invitation delivered by Qi Changlin's attendant.
Qiu Bingde came to Qiu Huaixin's courtyard to discuss his previous assassination attempt. Seeing his younger brother looking troubled, he couldn't help but smile and ask, "Is something troubling you?"
Placing the invitation on the table, Qiu Huaixin shook his head. "It's an invitation from Brother Changlin. He wants to invite us to his home for a small gathering in three days for his birthday."
Qi Changlin's family was poor. He had an elderly, paralyzed mother and two young children to feed, and his wife was also sickly. If not for Jiao Lianyu's frequent assistance over the years, Qi Changlin would not only have been unable to study for the imperial examinations but likely wouldn't have been able to support his entire family.
Scholars of the Great Qing Dynasty had always been proud, and Qi Changlin was especially so. Qiu Huaixin had thought of helping him before, but Qi Changlin had sternly refused. It was only because Jiao Lianyu was his closest friend and they shared similar temperaments that Qi Changlin was willing to accept his assistance.
"Qi Changlin?" Qiu Bingde was also slightly surprised. As the eldest son, he felt a fatherly responsibility towards his two younger brothers, especially given Qiu Huaixin's unrestrained and unconventional personality. Qiu Bingde paid extra attention to his circle of friends.
Qiu Bingde also knew that Qi Changlin had dealings with his younger brother. Over the years, due to the Qi family's poverty, Qi Changlin had only hosted friends twice: once when he passed the courtyard examination and obtained the title of Xiucai, and once for his coming-of-age ceremony.
Qi Changlin was proud. Being short of funds, he couldn't host friends and therefore rarely attended other people's banquets. Qiu Huaixin also hosted several banquets at his mansion or estate every year, but Qi Changlin had only attended once in all these years.
"Changlin's invitation says he's using his birthday banquet to celebrate Gui Zhang's escape from misfortune." Qiu Huaixin now remembered that they had overheard this when they had a small gathering at Tianjing Lake earlier.
According to the customs in Qi Changlin's hometown, if someone had bad luck, their close friends and relatives could hold their birthday banquets to help the other person ward off misfortune. However, this could also bring misfortune upon oneself, as one was sharing their luck with another. Therefore, apart from very close relatives, few people were willing to do this.
Qiu Bingde was relieved, knowing that the friends Qiu Huaixin associated with were scholars from the imperial academy. "I have a Pine Flower Stone inkstone in my storeroom that would make a good gift."
Since Qi Changlin was hosting a birthday banquet, Qiu Huaixin naturally had to send a gift. The troublesome part was that if Qi Changlin hosted a banquet in the future, Qiu Huaixin would have to reciprocate. However, given Qi Changlin's impoverished background, Qiu Huaixin's gift could not be too valuable, as it would be a burden to Qi Changlin.
"Thank you, Brother. I was just wondering what gift to give when I saw the invitation." Qiu Huaixin also had a storeroom, but as the young master of the Qiu family, nothing in his storeroom was ordinary. Qiu Huaixin had originally planned to go to an external shop to pick out a gift. Having one from his brother saved him the trouble, and an inkstone was suitable for a scholar like Qi Changlin.
"However, when you go out, make sure you have enough people. No matter where you go, have Shisong follow you," Qiu Bingde instructed solemnly. When he heard that Qiu Huaixin had been targeted for assassination, Qiu Bingde had broken out in a cold sweat. The guards arranged by their father to protect Huaixin were practically Qiu family's trained assassins, but who would have thought there would be a traitor among them, and one who nearly took his younger brother's life.
Not only was Lord Qiu uneasy about Qiu Huaixin going out, but Qiu Bingde, as his elder brother, felt the same. He wished he could assign all his personal guards to protect Qiu Huaixin.
Looking at his brother's concerned expression, Qiu Huaixin thought of his conversation with Zhan Feiyu. If the person who tried to harm him truly came from the Wu family, or was even instigated by his sister-in-law...
A mix of emotions churned within him. Qiu Huaixin hesitated for a moment before finally restraining himself and changing the subject. "Brother, I heard Mother has asked someone to inquire about the fifth daughter of the Gu family?"
Upon hearing Qiu Huaixin's stiff tone, Qiu Bingde assumed he was embarrassed to discuss his own marriage and couldn't help but laugh, teasing him. "Although the Gu family of Nanling has a good reputation, and the Gu daughters are all dignified and elegant, hearsay is not always true. Mother must thoroughly investigate your marriage before settling it."
Logically speaking, Qiu Huaixin marrying the fifth daughter of the Gu family would be considered a high marriage, as he was still a commoner with no talent for studies, and unlikely to achieve an official position through the imperial examinations. At best, he might be appointed to a sinecure later.
Furthermore, as the youngest son, Qiu Huaixin would receive a limited inheritance after the Qiu family divided their assets. In this regard, he truly was not a suitable match for a Gu daughter.
However, even so, Lord Qiu and Madam Qiu would not stoop to marry into the Gu family. Compared to the benefits of such a union, Lord Qiu prioritized his youngest son, Qiu Huaixin.
With a dry smile, Qiu Huaixin truly admired Zhan Feiyu's abilities. He had only asked her for help, and shortly after, this marriage prospect arose. Although it was just a verbal mention for now, it might offend the Gu family of Nanling.
Qiu Huaixin was not being self-deprecating; he knew his own worth. The fifth daughter of the Gu family was likely heading to the capital with the intention of marrying into a noble family there. Now that she was connected to him, whether the marriage succeeded or not, Zhan Feiyu would offend the Gu family.
After Qiu Bingde finished teasing his younger brother and left, Qiu Huaixin, who was seeing him off, had a complex expression, completely unnoticed by his brother.
As soon as Qiu Bingde returned to his own courtyard, he ordered someone to retrieve the Pine Flower Stone inkstone from the storeroom and send it to Qiu Huaixin.
Just as Nanny Dong came from the kitchen, she saw Dong Yan hurrying over. Nanny Dong stopped and spoke sternly, "What's the rush? Have you forgotten the rules of the courtyard?"
"Nanny Dong." Dong Yan quickly bowed. She then remembered that the Eldest Young Madam had a headache these past few days, so the servants in the courtyard were treading lightly, afraid of making any noise that might disturb the Eldest Young Madam's rest.
Normally, Madam Wu was gentle with everyone, even with the servants, and her amiable demeanor had earned her an excellent reputation in the manor. Therefore, Nanny Dong naturally took on the role of the stern one.
Madam Wu had been suffering from headaches due to worry these past few days, and Nanny Dong was also concerned, which made her temper flare. Even now, she maintained a stern expression. "Speak quickly if there's anything, but don't disturb the Eldest Young Madam's rest."
Dong Yan had originally come to curry favor, hoping to be promoted to a second-rank maidservant in the future. Now, she dared not harbor any selfish thoughts. "Replying to Nanny, I just now..."
A moment later, Nanny Dong entered the room. Madam Wu was reclining on a chaise lounge, resting. "Are the drunken crabs ready? Your husband loves this fresh delicacy. Have the kitchen prepare ginger juice according to the recipe. Crabs are cold by nature, and your husband shouldn't eat too many."
"When I went over, Chef Liu was making them. Knowing that the Eldest Young Madam had ordered them, Chef Liu wouldn't dare let the kitchen boys interfere. He's using the finest Hua Diao wine," Nanny Dong said, walking to the window and closing it halfway, worried that the autumn wind might chill Madam Wu as she rested.
Madam Wu nodded with satisfaction. Sensing that Nanny Dong had something to say, she asked, "Did your husband say something?"