Chapter 40: Unrecognizable, Yet an Old Friend

Xu Zaijing returned to the Hou Fu and proudly showed his master the corn seeds.

In his heart, his master was omnipotent, yet upon seeing this, his single eye was filled with doubt.

He said plainly: “I’ve never seen seeds like these.”

But when he saw the woven shells sent by the Gu family, he said: “I’ve seen this in books, but it’s been so long I’ve nearly forgotten.”

“Master, you’re so skilled—do you know any seasoned farmers?”

Xu Zaijing’s question left his coachman master momentarily stunned.

After a pause, he said: “Aren’t there farmers in the Xu family’s fields? Why ask me?”

“Mother said the best estates and farmers are all under that aunt of the Sheng family—ours aren’t particularly skilled.”

As if remembering something, a soft expression flickered in the coachman’s single eye; he glanced at Qing Yun beside Xu Zaijing.

Qing Yun looked at his uncle, his eyes brightening.

The coachman said: “Then I’ll give it a try.”

Jingming Street

Dongchang Marquis House

Miss Qin Er was having dinner under the service of her maidservants.

“Miss, the servant who delivered silver to the Deng family has returned—he says Uncle Deng has moved away.”

Miss Qin Er paused her spoon mid-sip.

“Was he forced out by Prince Jing’s men?”

“The servant said nothing more—he only brought back the silver.”

“He’s from the Deng family of agricultural learning—perhaps someone invited him to manage their garden trees.”

“I used to play often in Uncle Deng’s garden at the Yin family—never thought it would come to this.”

“Don’t speak of it,” Miss Qin Er said, her eyes blank.

“Miss, the Yin family has fallen.”

Miss Qin Er said nothing, continuing to eat.

For no reason, a single tear slipped down her cheek.

Setting down her chopsticks, she looked up at the slightly worn ceiling beams above.

“Did their fall happen because of me?”

“Miss, how could it be your fault? Young Master Yin was always a man of foresight and composure—otherwise the Yin family wouldn’t have…”

“But he told me he was in business with my elder brother—he vanished without a trace, alive no one’s seen him, dead no body found, and the Yin family’s business was ruined by others.”

“My elder brother, at least, lives more freely.”

“Miss, today when I went to the storage to fetch fabric, I saw your elder sister’s dowry.”

“What? No wonder my brother-in-law hasn’t come to our house lately—his wife’s scheme must have been exposed.”

“Miss, there’s something my lover asked if I should tell you.”

“He used to work for Young Master Yin—what is it?”

“He says he thinks he saw Young Master Yin’s nephew.”

“What?”

Her eyes no longer blank, Miss Qin Er showed rare agitation.

“How? His nephew was only two years old then—how could your lover recognize him?”

“Miss, he knew Young Master Yin from humble beginnings—they were children together. He noticed the resemblance and the age matched.”

“Whose son is he?”

“He says he’s a servant in the Yongyi Marquis House—named Qing Yun.”

“No! How could his son become a servant?”

“Miss, the Yin family is ruined—having food to eat is better than anything.”

“His old acquaintances in the capital were long ago devoured—who would raise his nephew? It can’t be.”

“True—my lover only said he looked similar.”

Miss Qin Er played a few games of weiqi in her chamber, then let her maidservants help her prepare for bed.

Lying on her bed, Miss Qin Er suddenly said:

“If we get the chance, let’s meet Xu’s third son.”

“Yes, Miss.”

All other candles in the room were extinguished; only one flickered weakly.

Miss Qin Er closed her eyes, recalling the first time she met Young Master Yin.

Back then, he was a collateral branch of the prestigious Yin family;

Her elder half-sister had married into the Ningyuan Marquis House for five years—though childless, her brother-in-law had never taken a concubine,

and many women envied her, though gossip abounded.

Young Master Yin, a friend of her elder brother, came to visit and they met for the first time in the garden.

In her elder brother’s words, he was precocious—but he stared at her, dazed.

Afterward, Yin’s younger sister often invited her to visit.

Each time, she’d find him practicing martial arts in the garden—the Yin family’s garden was meticulously tended, lush and thick with foliage.

Later, her elder brother gradually understood the Yin family’s intentions. Though no formal betrothal was made, both sides knew the Yin family waited for Miss Qin Er to grow up.

In memory, Young Master Yin told her he’d come to the Qin family to propose when he returned.

Then, for reasons unknown, the Yin family offended Prince Jing—their entire fortune was seized, her beloved vanished without a trace. When she asked her half-brother,

he said they’d been ambushed by Northern Liao cavalry, their goods stolen, and the family either dead or scattered.

A few years ago, her elder sister returned to the Qin family from the Ningyuan Marquis House, weeping daily, soon falling into melancholy and dying; her father’s health declined, and he handed household affairs to her elder brother.

The Qin family, seeing no promising heirs, slowly declined.

After marrying her sister-in-law, the Qin family worsened day by day.

Sometimes she attended noble social gatherings, but with no dowry, no reputation, and no future for its heirs,

the Qin family was often mocked and ridiculed—who would come to propose?

Her clothes were worn, her jewelry outdated—she was often the target of whispered scorn among the ladies.

Besides, she had no wish to marry—the figure practicing martial arts in the garden remained forever in her heart.

“He is the last blood relative—perhaps we can find a way to rescue him from the Yongyi Marquis House.”

Yongyi Marquis House,

deep in the stables,

an elderly man, eyes brimming with tears, trembled as he gripped the coachman’s clothes.

He tenderly stroked the coachman’s maimed hand.

He was a collateral branch of the Deng family of agricultural learning, invited by the Yongyi Marquis House to tend exotic crops.

At first, he refused—he saw the nobles of Bianjing as ravenous beasts, utterly faithless scoundrels.

When his main family fell, he vowed never to enter another wealthy household again, accepting only rare invitations to heal precious plants cherished by Bianjing’s rich.

Today’s messenger claimed to be an old acquaintance of the Yin family, so he came—he was past fear by this age; if it were truly an enemy, he’d spit right in their face.

But he never imagined he’d see this man.

The old man was too overwhelmed to hold himself up.

“Young Master, you’re still alive—why didn’t you come find old man Deng?” His voice cracked with sobs.

He strained to find, in this unrecognizable stable servant, the shadow of the once-vibrant young man he remembered.

He failed.

The Hou Fu coachman—single eye, gray hair, lame foot, maimed hand—was no longer the man he knew.

The once-towering, robust youth now hunched daily, his frame seemingly shrunk by two sizes.

“Uncle Deng, please look after Third Young Master of this household.”

“Young Master, you’ve entered the Hou Fu?”

“Yes—if not for the Marquis, I’d have become a dry bone in the northern grasses.”

“But didn’t Qin’s eldest son ruin you?”

“Don’t speak of the past! Xu’s third son is my true heir.”

“Good, good—knowing you’re alive makes me happy, so happy. I’ll treat this Hou Fu as my own home—rest easy, Young Master.”

“Good, good—tidy up, don’t let Third Young Master notice anything.”

Thank you, esteemed readers—thanks to your support, this novel is entering its second recommendation round.

I am filled with trepidation.

I can only bow deeply in gratitude for your support.

I bow again.



(End of Chapter)