Chapter 700: Ivory Folding Fan [Many thanks! Bowing again! 36k words owed]

Xu Zaijing smiled with an inscrutable expression and looked at Qi Heng, saying, "Rest assured, Yuanruo, I will certainly be there that day."

Gu Tingye frowned in confusion: "Heng-ge'er, why do I feel you are so attentive about coming to the Sheng household?"

Qi Heng was taken aback, then smiled: "Respecting the teacher and valuing the Dao! When the time comes, I might even need to ask Second Uncle for some academic guidance."

Upon hearing this, Gu Tingye smiled and patted Qi Heng on the shoulder.

The group boarded their carriages and horses.

Gu Tingye and Xu Zaijing, just the same, both traveled on horseback.

As they exited the Sheng household's main gate, the two saw a smartly dressed servant preparing to leave the Sheng residence.

Seeing the group coming out, the servant hurriedly stood to one side and bowed with hands cupped.

Qingyun, who was riding behind Xu Zaijing, looked at the servant and said, "You there, you look somewhat familiar. Are you a servant from the Qiao household?"

The servant smiled and nodded: "Replying to this elder brother, this small one is indeed from the Qiao household. Today, I came on behalf of my Qiao Jiu Lang to deliver invitations."

Looking at the fine horses and carved carriages of Xu Zaijing and the others, the servant's eyes darted, and he continued: "I imagine the invitations have already been delivered to your noble residences by now. After the horse racing outside the city ends on the second day of the lunar month, my Qiao Jiu Lang is hosting a banquet at Wu Lou."

Xu Zaijing smiled and nodded: "So that is how it is!"

After scanning the servant up and down, Xu Zaijing said again, "Qingyun."

Qingyun, who shared a perfect tacit understanding, nodded, reached into his sleeve, took out a string of copper coins, handed them to the Qiao servant, and said, "It is cold this evening; use this to hire an ox cart or carriage to go back."

"This small one thanks Young Master Xu! And thanks to this elder brother." The servant, holding the copper coins, said while breathing out white mist.

Qi Heng, who was sitting in the carriage behind, smiled and nodded as he passed the Qiao servant, then lowered the carriage window curtain.

The sound of carriage wheels rumbled.

On the road back to Xingguo Lane,

Qi Heng sat in the carriage, one hand clutching a hand warmer on his lap, the other lifting the carriage window curtain to look outside.

The index finger of the hand clutching the hand warmer kept tapping on it.

"Young Master, the north wind outside is quite chilly; be careful not to catch a cold," Buwei advised from the side.

Qi Heng nodded lightly, lowered the curtain, and said, "Hmm! I see we are about to pass Zhuyuan Lou; later, you go and order a portion of Bo Xia Gong to bring back."

"Yes, Young Master." Buwei nodded, turned, lifted the curtain, and said, "Wang Hu Zi, stop for a moment at Zhuyuan Lou ahead."

"Alright!"

Buwei lowered the curtain, turned his head to look at Qi Heng, who was sitting in the middle of the carriage and had lifted the window curtain again, and said, "Young Master, what are you thinking about?"

"Hmm?" Qi Heng looked toward Buwei, took the opportunity to lower the window curtain, and said slowly, "Nothing! In two days, you still need to go to Sibao Zhai to buy a few of the best writing brushes to keep in reserve."

Buwei was stunned and asked in confusion, "Young Master, scholar's supplies are always purchased within our Xiao Xiao Gongye's mansion; why are you still..."

"Too many words," Qi Heng frowned and said indifferently.

Buwei hurriedly lowered his head: "Yes, Young Master."

They traveled for a while.

"Whoa! Little Brother Buwei, Zhuyuan Lou has arrived."

"Young Master, this small one is getting off," Buwei said.

Qi Heng nodded silently.

A gust of cold wind rushed in as Buwei exited the carriage.

Qi Heng lifted the window curtain again, blankly watching the bright lanterns hanging in front of Zhuyuan Lou outside.

Somehow, Minglan's beautiful face slowly appeared on those lanterns.

"Brother Yuanruo..." the imagined Minglan called out to Qi Heng shyly.

The corners of Qi Heng's mouth curled into a smile involuntarily.

From childhood to adulthood, Qi Heng had been well-protected by his parents, perhaps even too well.

Under the strict control of his mother, Princess Pingning, he rarely had opportunities to interact with girls in his daily life.

In the dozen or so years since he had become sensible, the only girl Princess Pingning had actively brought him to meet was his cousin from the Chai family, Chai Zhengzheng.

As for girls from other families, Princess Pingning guarded against them as if they were thieves; if they were able to talk and chat with Qi Heng, it was certainly with parents and elders watching from the side.

Over these years, the people Qi Heng saw most often were the three young ladies of the Sheng household.

Actually, at first, the one Qi Heng noticed first was the Fourth Da Niangzi, Seeing Mo Lan.

Seeing Mo Lan was the oldest of the three young ladies, the one whose figure and appearance had matured first, and she possessed a proud spirit and was quite well-versed in poetry and calligraphy.

When the classmates in the school talked, Seeing Mo Lan could also contribute a few words.

The only bad thing about Seeing Mo Lan was that she gradually became too ingratiating; when she was with Qi Heng, she always said whatever sounded most pleasant.

Qi Heng had seen so many noble ladies from high-ranking families since he was young, and he had seen countless clever girls; naturally, after some time, he understood Seeing Mo Lan's intentions.

Regarding this, Qi Heng was not surprised at all, nor did he care; after all, he had been accustomed to it since he was a child.

As for the Fifth Da Niangzi, Rulan, her nature was innocent and naive, and she was dignified and spoke little. Qi Heng could understand the look in Rulan's eyes when she looked at him; there was fundamentally no romantic affection in it, but rather more of a desire to compete with Seeing Mo Lan.

Sixth Younger Sister Minglan...

Thinking of Minglan, Qi Heng smiled again.

At first, Minglan only knew how to lower her head and practice calligraphy; whether in the school or here with Qi Heng, she was a non-entity.

Qi Heng first noticed Minglan because Xu Wu Ge Xu would always "bully" Minglan from time to time.

When Xu Wu Ge Xu messed up her little hair buns, Minglan would always cover her head with both hands to protect her "hairstyle" while glaring at Xu Wu Ge Xu.

Moreover, perhaps because she was young, the look in Minglan's eyes when she looked at him was different from that of her two sisters.

According to information Buwei had gathered for him, Qi Heng knew that the Sixth Younger Sister's biological mother was not favored in the Sheng household.

At some point,

Xu Wu Ge Xu gradually stopped teasing the Sixth Younger Sister.

One day,

When Qi Heng turned back to talk to Changfeng, he inadvertently glanced at Minglan again.

Just one glance,

And Qi Heng felt his heart skip a beat.

Later,

Every time Qi Heng turned his head and pretended to glance at the Sixth Younger Sister inadvertently, he would discover... it seemed Minglan was even more beautiful than the last time he saw her.

Interestingly, such a beautiful Sixth Younger Sister would only address him as "Young Master" and would not call him "Brother Yuanruo" like her two sisters did.

And she would certainly not take the initiative to strike up a conversation with him like the Fourth Da Niangzi of the Sheng household.

"Alas, I do not have a brother as good as Third Brother Xu; otherwise, I could also frequently go to Old Madam Sheng's courtyard..."

Thinking of these things, Qi Heng sighed lightly.

Somehow,

Another figure wearing a maid's dress flashed through Qi Heng's heart.

Qi Heng shook his head.

At this moment,

The carriage moved slightly,

The curtain was lifted, and Buwei entered the carriage with a body full of cold air: "Young Master, it has been bought."

"Return to the mansion."

Qi Xiao Xiao Gongye Mansion,

At the second gate,

Just as Qi Heng and Buwei got off the carriage, the managing mama beside them bowed and said, "Young Master, the Princess has ordered that you come directly to see her as soon as you return."

Qi Heng looked down at his clothes and nodded: "Alright, I will go over right now."

On the way,

Qi Heng said to the accompanying managing mama: "Why is Mother in such a hurry to call me over? Is there something the matter?"

The managing mama holding the lantern shook her head: "Replying to the Young Master, this servant does not know."

Qi Heng said "Hmm" and continued walking.

Arriving at the back courtyard,

Amidst the announcement of the maid, Qi Heng lowered his head, passed through the cotton curtain, and entered the room with Buwei.

The room was very warm with the floor heating burning.

After Qi Heng untied his cloak and handed it to the maid, he bowed and cupped his hands: "Father, Mother! Son has brought Bo Xia Gong from Zhuyuan Lou today; please taste it, you two elders."

Xiao Xiao Gongye Qi nodded, smiled at Princess Pingning, and said, "I said that since today is a holiday, Yuanruo would bring something back, but you didn't believe me."

Princess Pingning smiled at Qi Heng and said, "Give the Bo Xia Gong to the servants! Heng'er, come over and sit."

Qi Heng nodded, walked to the chair below Xiao Xiao Gongye Qi and his wife, sat down, and smiled: "Mother, Son was called over without even changing clothes; is there something the matter?"

Princess Pingning nodded with a slightly diminished smile: "Heng'er, drink some hot soup first to warm your body."

After Qi Heng drank a mouthful, Princess Pingning and Xiao Xiao Gongye Qi exchanged a glance, and she said slowly: "In two days, the Xue family's son is getting married, and our Qi family must send people! Heng'er, you must make a trip when the time comes."

Upon hearing this, Qi Heng frowned in great surprise and said: "Mother, is it the Xue family, the maternal family of the First Branch's aunt?"

Princess Pingning nodded.

"Mother, Son had not heard before that Jing Jing Biao Ge Xue was engaged; how is it that he is getting married in the twelfth lunar month?"

Princess Pingning sighed, shook her head, and said: "This matter..."

Seeing that Princess Pingning did not continue, Xiao Xiao Gongye Qi said softly: "Yuanruo, in the future, you must keep yourself clean and self-respecting when you are outside, and do not let people have an opportunity to take advantage of you."

Qi Heng looked confused: "Ah? Father, why do you say this?"

Xiao Xiao Gongye Qi said: "I heard from your aunt that the Xue family's son originally had an engagement target, and the family background was quite good! But, two days ago, a girl suddenly appeared, clutching an ivory folding fan commonly used by the Xue family's son, claiming it was a token of their love."

Qi Heng was dumbfounded and exclaimed in surprise: "Ah? This..."

Xiao Xiao Gongye Qi nodded affirmatively and continued: "I heard that the folding fan was one the Xue family's son extremely loved and used personally, and many people recognize it."

"But the Xue family's son himself said that the folding fan, along with its case, had already been lost for three or four months."

Princess Pingning, who was beside them, shook her head and said: "This child is also too careless. He didn't make a big fuss to find it when it was lost, nor did he tell his family! Sigh!"

Xiao Xiao Gongye Qi said: "That girl's family background is also not bad. After this entanglement, the Xue family's son's engagement matter just fizzled out."

After listening, Qi Heng nodded slowly and said: "Then, Father, is Jing Jing Biao Ge Xue going to marry that girl who held the folding fan?"

Xiao Xiao Gongye Qi waved his hand: "Not at all. The Xue family's ancestors also produced generals, so they would not swallow this insult! So, they directly found a daughter of a military official with a family background much lower than the Xue family to bring into the house."

After listening, Qi Heng said with some emotion: "This Xue family acts quite decisively and resolutely."

Princess Pingning nodded, looked at Qi Heng, and said earnestly: "Heng'er, your father is a First-Rank Xiao Xiao Gongye, and I also have some standing before the Emperor and Empress; speaking of the Prince, I am considered the Prince's adopted sister."

"Your maternal grandfather is the long-standing Marquis of Xiangyang, and your maternal grandmother comes from the Chai family, which is as wealthy as a mountain of gold and silver."

"In terms of status, you are only higher, not lower, than that Xue family child; there are countless daughters from high-ranking families outside who want to have some connection with you."

"You must know, as long as one becomes your wife, Heng'er, she will be an iron-clad Duchess in the future."

"Therefore, Heng'er, after hearing this matter, you must take it as a warning! One careless mistake could affect your whole life."

While Princess Pingning was speaking, Xiao Xiao Gongye Qi beside her nodded repeatedly.

After listening, Qi Heng stood up, cupped his hands, and said: "Mother, rest assured; Son will keep your words in mind."

Princess Pingning nodded with gratification: "Good Heng'er, sit down!"

Looking at her son who was sitting down and lost in thought, Princess Pingning continued: "Your father's title, although it is partly because your cousin is weak, speaking of it, it was also yielded by your eldest uncle for the sake of the family's inheritance; our family must be grateful."

"The Xue family son's marriage is a bit rushed, but our family must give the Xue family enough face."

"When the time comes, Heng'er, you can treat this happy event as our own family's and do your best to help with a smiling face."

"Son understands," Qi Heng said, cupping his hands.

Early this morning,

Pan Lou Main Street,

In Sibao Zhai,

The shop did not have floor heating burning, and the hand warmer was not lit, so it was very cold.

The servant Buwei wore ear muffs, and while getting off the carriage, he took off the gloves on his hands.

"Yo, Little Brother Buwei, how do you have time to come?" the shop assistant at the door said with a smile.

Buwei smiled: "My Young Master is going to attend a wedding banquet in two days, and he ordered this small one to come and buy a few good things to use as gifts to express his heart."

"Oh, oh, please come inside," the assistant smiled.

Inside the shop, the manager, hearing the conversation, also walked out with a smile.

Entering the shop,

Buwei nodded repeatedly under the manager's introduction, sometimes even sniffing and listening.

Very quickly, Buwei pointed to one of them!

"Alright! Little brother, sit for a moment; this old one will have someone pack it up," the shop manager smiled.

Buwei smiled and nodded: "Sorry to trouble you, old man; pack them two in each, don't pack them together."

"Little brother, rest assured," the manager smiled.

Subsequently, Buwei thanked the assistant who brought over a stool, and while sitting down, he began to put on his gloves.

Very quickly, the shop manager brought people over holding three wooden boxes.

Buwei stood up, lifted the wooden box, looked at the long wooden boxes containing the writing brushes lying neatly in the box, and then looked at the silk cases stacked inside, nodded with satisfaction, and said: "Very good, very good."

Saying this, everyone walked to the counter together. When Buwei was paying, the shop manager said: "Little Brother Buwei, that will be two hundred and forty taels."

Buwei, who was just taking out a small gold ingot, was stunned and said: "Old man, you didn't calculate wrong, did you? These are worth more than two hundred and forty taels, aren't they?"

The manager smiled: "Little brother, the rule set by the proprietor is that this is the price for relatives who come to buy."

Buwei nodded helplessly, handed over the gold ingot, and smiled: "Then old man, you look and cut it."

After the money and goods were cleared, Buwei carried the three wooden boxes and walked outside.

Just as he exited the shop door, he saw three carriages parked at the entrance, and maids and mamas were getting off the carriages.

Buwei scanned them and prepared to get on his own carriage, but as his gaze swept past, Buwei's eyes paused for a moment.

The reason was that on one of the carriages, a wooden sign with the character "Sheng" was hanging.

Seeing this,

Buwei waited for a moment, saw the maid Xique, whom he was familiar with, look over, and after their eyes met, Buwei smiled and bowed slightly.

Xique hurriedly returned the salute, and after returning the salute, she hurriedly said to Rulan, who was beside her wearing ear muffs and holding a hand warmer: "Fifth Da Niangzi, that is Brother Buwei from beside the Young Master."

"Ah?" Rulan looked over in surprise, just in time to see Buwei nodding and gesturing toward this side.

Rulan smiled and waved her hand.

Buwei, who had wanted to get on the carriage, hesitated for a moment and then stood to one side.

After waiting for a while, six or seven young ladies dressed similarly to Rulan got off the carriage.

In Buwei's field of vision, Rulan and Pulan were walking toward this side with several young ladies he did not recognize, among whom Minglan's figure was not present.

Seeing this,

Buwei lowered his head slightly, lowered his eyelids, and stood still looking at the ground.

After Rulan, Pulan, and the others entered Sibao Zhai, he then turned and got on the carriage.

In Sibao Zhai,

Looking back at the departing Qi family carriage, Pulan said: "Hiss, the servants of this Xiao Xiao Gongye's mansion are indeed different; they are truly polite!"

Rulan nodded in agreement.

The several young ladies who followed, however, all had looks of surprise.

"Xiao Xiao Gongye's mansion? Which Xiao Xiao Gongye's mansion is it?"

"Qi Xiao Xiao Gongye Mansion!" After Pulan finished speaking, her good friends looked outside one after another, their gazes following the Qi family's carriage, and they chattered and said a few words.

The old shop manager looked at the several young ladies, did not say anything, and stood quietly to one side with a smile.

The old manager had a pretty good eye; he could see that these young ladies took Rulan, who was nodding, as the center, and if they wanted to buy anything, she would naturally be the one to ask.

Don't look at Rulan as having an inconspicuous status at the gatherings of Chai Zhengzheng, Gu Tingyi, and others; in the circle where Pulan's friends were mostly daughters of wealthy merchants, Rulan's background was still quite high.

If one were to sort out the status of Rulan's elders, it was very respectable!

After all, her ancestors were either top scholars, or daughters of Marquis mansions, her maternal grandfather was honored in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, her own father was a Jinshi and served in the Ministry of Personnel, and her sister was the wife of a Marquis.

"Just now, that was the servant from the Xiao Xiao Gongye's mansion, right? What did he buy?" Rulan asked softly.

The old manager smiled: "This young lady has a good eye; that little brother bought a few writing brushes."

"Is there still stock? Let us take a look."

"Please come this way, everyone."

Arriving at the place where the writing brushes were displayed, the old manager smiled and said: "Everyone, this is the Green Silk Purple Sandalwood Brush that our shop has been selling for several years."

"The brush head uses... the brush handle material is... the brush bucket..."

Saying this, the old manager took the writing brush and tapped it twice on the inkstone with the brush handle: "Ding ding."

"Everyone, listen to this sound; how crisp and pleasant it is."

As the old manager spoke, the six or seven young ladies nodded one after another.

"How much silver is this brush?" Pulan asked.

"That will be ninety-nine taels," the old manager smiled.

"Nine..." Pulan smacked her lips and looked at Rulan.

Rulan was also shocked by the price.

"So expensive?" the several young ladies from wealthy families around them sighed one after another.

The old manager smiled and nodded.

Rulan and Pulan exchanged a glance and said: "Uh... let's look at something else!"

The young ladies around them nodded one after another; they had silver, but not to the extent of saying they could casually spend nearly a hundred taels of silver to buy a writing brush.

"Are there any miscellaneous books?" Rulan asked.

"Please come this way, everyone," the old manager smiled.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 701 =====