Chapter 787

Xu Zaijing smiled enigmatically and looked at Qi Heng: “Rest assured, I’ll be there that day.”

Gu Tingye furrowed his brow in confusion: “Hengge, why do I feel you’re so invested in coming to the Sheng household?”

Qi Heng paused, then laughed: “Respect for one’s teacher and reverence for the Dao! Perhaps I’ll even ask Second Uncle for some scholarly advice that day.”

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

Everyone boarded their carriages and horses.

Gu Tingye, like Xu Zaijing, rode on horseback.

As they passed through the main gate of the Sheng household, the two saw a well-dressed servant preparing to leave.

Seeing the group depart, the servant quickly stepped aside and bowed respectfully.

Qingyun, riding behind Xu Zaijing, glanced at the servant and said: “You look familiar—aren’t you a servant from the Qiao household?”

The servant smiled and nodded: “Yes, sir. I’m from the Qiao household; today I came to deliver an invitation on behalf of my Ninth Young Master.”

Glancing at Xu Zaijing’s fine horses and carved carriage, the servant’s eyes flickered, then added: “I imagine your noble households have already received your invitations. After the horse race outside the city on the second day, my Ninth Young Master will host a banquet at Wu Tower.”

Xu Zaijing nodded with a smile: “So that’s it!”

After a thorough glance at the servant, Xu Zaijing said: “Qingyun.”

Qingyun, perfectly in sync, nodded and reached into his sleeve, pulling out a string of copper coins and handing them to the Qiao servant: “It’s cold this evening—hire a cart or carriage to get home.”

The servant clutched the coins tightly, exhaling white breath: “Thank you, Master Xu! Thank you, sir!”

Qi Heng, seated in the carriage behind, smiled and nodded as they passed the Qiao servant, then lowered the carriage curtain.

The carriage wheels rumbled on.

On the way back to Xingguo Lane,

Qi Heng sat inside, one hand holding a warming brazier on his lap, the other lifting the carriage curtain to gaze outside.

His index finger tapped incessantly on the brazier.

“Young Master, the north wind outside is chilly—be careful you don’t catch a chill,” Buwei advised.

Qi Heng nodded lightly, lowered the curtain, and said: “Yes. I think we’re nearing Zhuangyuan Tower—when we get there, go buy a portion of Baxiagong to take home.”

“Yes, Young Master,” Buwei replied, turning to lift the curtain: “Wang Huizi, stop at Zhuangyuan Tower.”

“Got it!”

Buwei lowered the curtain and turned back to Qi Heng, who had once again lifted it, sitting upright in the carriage. “Young Master, what are you thinking about?”

“Hmm?” Qi Heng looked at Buwei, then gently lowered the curtain and said softly: “Nothing. In a couple days, you’ll need to go to Sibao Studio again—buy several of the finest brushes to keep on hand.”

Buwei blinked in surprise: “Young Master, stationery has always been procured by our Duke household—why are you—”

“Enough,” Qi Heng said coldly, frowning.

Buwei immediately bowed his head: “Yes, Young Master.”

They rode on for a while.

“Whoa! Young Master Bu, we’ve reached Zhuangyuan Tower.”

“Young Master, I’ll go get it,” Buwei said.

Qi Heng nodded silently.

A chill wind rushed in as Buwei stepped out of the carriage.

Qi Heng lifted the curtain again, staring blankly at the bright lanterns hanging before Zhuangyuan Tower.

[

Somehow, the lantern slowly revealed Minglan’s beautiful face.

“Brother Yuanruo,” the imagined Minglan softly called out, blushing.

Qi Heng couldn’t help but smile at the corners of his mouth.

Since childhood, Qi Heng had been excessively protected by his parents—perhaps even too much so.

Under the strict supervision of his mother, Princess Pingning, he rarely had opportunities to interact with girls.

Over the past dozen years since he became sensible, the only girls Princess Pingning had deliberately introduced him to were his cousin, Chai Zhengzheng.

For all other girls, Princess Pingning guarded against them as if they were thieves—any conversation or interaction with Qi Heng had to be supervised by their parents or elders.

Over the years, the girls Qi Heng saw most often were the three Sheng sisters.

Actually, at first, Qi Heng had noticed the fourth sister, Mo Lan.

Mo Lan, the eldest of the three sisters, was the first to mature physically and aesthetically, and she possessed a proud demeanor and considerable talent in poetry and literature.

She could even join in conversations with the other students in class.

The only flaw with Mo Lan was that she gradually became overly flattering and obsequious, always saying only the most pleasing things when interacting with Qi Heng.

Having grown up surrounded by so many noble young ladies, Qi Heng had encountered countless clever and calculating girls; he quickly understood Mo Lan’s intentions.

He was neither surprised nor bothered by it—he had long grown accustomed to such behavior.

As for the fifth sister, Ru Lan, she was naturally innocent and sweet, dignified and quiet; Qi Heng understood that her gaze toward him held no romantic feelings, but rather stemmed from rivalry with Mo Lan.

The sixth sister, Minglan.

Thinking of Minglan, Qi Heng smiled again.

At first, Minglan only bowed her head to practice calligraphy, remaining invisible both in class and around Qi Heng.

Qi Heng first noticed Minglan when the fifth brother of the Xu family would occasionally tease her.

When the Xu fifth brother messed up her tiny braids, Minglan would always cover her head with both hands to protect her hairstyle while glaring angrily at him.

Perhaps because she was younger, Minglan’s gaze toward him was different from that of her two older sisters.

According to the information he had gathered, Qi Heng knew that Minglan’s biological mother was not favored in the Sheng household.

At some point,

the Xu fifth brother gradually stopped teasing the sixth sister.

One day,

as Qi Heng turned to speak with Changfeng, he happened to glance at Minglan again.

Just one glance,

and Qi Heng felt his heart skip a beat.

Later,

every time Qi Heng turned his head, pretending not to notice, he would find that Minglan seemed more beautiful than the last time he had seen her.

Interestingly, despite her striking beauty, Minglan only addressed him as “Young Master,” never calling him “Brother Yuanruo” like her two sisters.

Nor did she ever initiate conversation with him, as the fourth Sheng sister did.

“What a pity—I don’t have a brother as kind as Xu’s third brother; otherwise, I could visit Lady Sheng’s courtyard more often.”

As he thought of this, Qi Heng let out a soft sigh.

Somehow,

another figure dressed as a maid flashed briefly through Qi Heng’s mind.

Qi Heng shook his head.

At that moment,

the carriage jolted slightly,

the curtain was lifted, and Buwei stepped in, carrying a chill with him: “Master, I’ve bought it.”

“Head home.”

The Qi State Duke’s Mansion,

at the second gate,

as Qi Heng and Buwei stepped down from the carriage, a senior maid bowed and said, “Young Master, the Princess has ordered you to go directly to her upon your return.”

Looking down at his clothes, Qi Heng nodded: “Alright, I’ll go right away.”

On the way,

Qi Heng asked the accompanying maid, “Why is Mother in such a hurry to see me? Is something the matter?”

The maid holding the lantern shook her head: “I’m afraid I don’t know, Young Master.”

Qi Heng hummed in acknowledgment and continued walking.

Arriving at the inner courtyard,

as the maids announced his arrival, Qi Heng lowered his head and passed through the cotton curtain, entering the room with Buwei.

The room was warmly heated by an underfloor heating system.

After handing his cloak to a maid, Qi Heng bowed respectfully: “Father, Mother, I’ve brought back Baxiasong from Zhuangyuan Restaurant—please try it.”

The Duke of Qi nodded and smiled at Princess Pingning. “I told you he’d bring something back today—he’s always like this on holidays.”

Princess Pingning smiled at Qi Heng and said, “Give the Baxiasong to the servants! Heng’er, come sit down.”

Qi Heng nodded and sat beside his parents’ chairs, smiling: “Mother, I was called here without even changing clothes—is something the matter?”

Princess Pingning’s smile faded slightly as she nodded: “Heng’er, first drink some hot soup to warm yourself.”

After Qi Heng took a sip, Princess Pingning exchanged a glance with the Duke, then spoke slowly: “In a few days, the Xue family’s son will be marrying—we must send someone from our family. Heng’er, you must attend.”

Qi Heng frowned in surprise: “Mother, you mean the Xue family—my aunt’s side?”

Princess Pingning nodded.

“Mother, I hadn’t heard that Cousin Xue was betrothed—why is the wedding suddenly scheduled for the twelfth lunar month?”

Princess Pingning sighed and shook her head: “This matter—”

Seeing that Princess Pingning hesitated to continue, the Duke spoke softly: “Yuanruo, you must guard your conduct carefully outside the house—don’t give anyone the chance to take advantage.”

Qi Heng looked confused: “Huh? Father, what do you mean?”

The Duke said: “According to your aunt, Cousin Xue had already been arranged to marry a girl of excellent family background—but two days ago, a girl appeared holding his favorite ivory folding fan, claiming it was their token of love.”

Qi Heng stared in shock, exclaiming: “Huh? This—”

The Duke of Qi nodded firmly and continued: “It’s said that the folding fan was something Xue’s young master cherished and carried with him daily; many people recognize it.”

“But Xue’s young master himself says the fan and its sheath were lost three or four months ago.”

The Princess of Pingning shook her head: “This child is far too careless. He didn’t make a fuss searching for it, nor did he tell his family! Alas!”

The Duke of Qi said: “The girl’s family background is also respectable, and after this whole affair, the matter of Xue’s young master’s marriage proposal was quietly dropped.”

After listening, Qi Heng slowly nodded and asked: “Then, Father, is Xue’s cousin going to marry the girl who held the fan?”

The Duke of Qi waved his hand: “No. Xue’s ancestors once produced generals—they wouldn’t swallow this insult! So they directly brought into the family the legitimate daughter of a military officer whose family rank was far lower than the Xues’.”

Qi Heng, upon hearing this, remarked with some feeling: “The Xue family acts decisively and ruthlessly.”

The Princess of Pingning nodded, looking at Qi Heng, and said earnestly: “Heng’er, your father is a first-rank Duke, and I have some standing before Your Majesty and the Empress; in relation to the Prince, I am his adopted elder sister.”

“Your maternal grandfather is the longstanding Marquis of Xiangyang, and your grandmother comes from the immensely wealthy Chai family.”

“In status, you are no lower than that Xue boy—there are countless legitimate daughters from noble households eager to form ties with you.”

“Remember, whoever becomes your principal wife will be a permanent Duchess of the State.”

“So, Heng’er, after hearing this, take it as a warning! A single misstep could affect your entire life.”

As the Princess of Pingning spoke, the Duke of Qi nodded repeatedly beside her.

After listening, Qi Heng rose and bowed: “Mother, rest assured—I shall keep your words firmly in mind.”

The Princess of Pingning nodded with satisfaction: “Good Heng’er, sit down!”

Watching her son sit down, lost in thought, the Princess of Pingning continued: “Though your father’s title was granted partly due to your cousin’s frail health, it was also because your uncle gave it up for the sake of our family’s continuity—we must be grateful.”

“Xue’s young master’s marriage was rushed, but our family must show him full respect.”

“When the time comes, Heng’er, you should treat the wedding as if it were our own affair—smiling and lending every possible help.”

“I understand,” Qi Heng bowed.

That morning,

on Pan Lou’s main street,

inside Si Bao Studio,

the shop had no heated floor and no charcoal braziers lit, so it was very cold.

The servant Bu Wei, wearing ear flaps, took off his gloves as he stepped down from the carriage.

“Oh? Bu Wei, what brings you here?” the shop attendant smiled.

Bu Wei smiled: “My master will attend a wedding banquet in two days and sent me to buy a few fine items as gifts to express his goodwill.”

“Oh oh, please come in,” the attendant smiled.

Inside the shop, the manager, having heard the exchange, also stepped out smiling.

Entering the shop,

Bu Wei nodded repeatedly as the manager introduced each item, sometimes sniffing or listening closely.

Soon, Bu Wei pointed to one!

“Got it! Young sir, please sit a moment—I’ll have them wrapped up.”

Bu Wei smiled and nodded: “Thank you, old sir—two each in separate cases, don’t mix them.”

“Rest assured, young sir,” the manager smiled.

Then, Bu Wei thanked the attendant who brought over a stool, sat down, and began putting his gloves back on.

Soon, the shop manager arrived with three wooden boxes carried by attendants.

Bu Wei rose, opened the boxes, and saw the neatly arranged long wooden cases holding brushes inside, along with silk sheaths stacked atop them—he nodded in satisfaction: “Excellent, excellent.”

Then everyone walked to the counter. As Bu Wei paid, the manager said: “Young sir, the total is two hundred and forty taels.”

Bu Wei, pulling out a small gold ingot, paused: “Old sir, did you miscalculate? These can’t possibly be worth only two hundred and forty taels?”

The manager smiled: “Young sir, our owner’s rule is that relatives pay this price.”

Bu Wei sighed and nodded, handed over the ingot, and smiled: “Then you decide how to cut it.”

After payment was settled, Bu Wei picked up the three wooden boxes and walked out.

Just outside the door, he saw three carriages parked at the entrance, with maids and nursemaids alighting.

Bu Wei glanced and was about to board his own carriage, but his gaze paused.

The reason: one of the carriages bore a wooden placard with the character “Sheng.”

Seeing this,

Bu Wei waited a moment, then saw his familiar maid Xique look over. After locking eyes, he bowed slightly with a smile.

Xique hurriedly returned the bow, then turned to Ru Lan, who wore ear flaps and held a hand warmer: “Miss Wu, that’s Bu Wei, the servant of the young duke.”

“Ah?” Ru Lan looked over in surprise, just as Bu Wei nodded toward them.

Ru Lan smiled and waved.

Bu Wei, who had been about to board his carriage, hesitated, then stood aside.

After a while, six or seven girls, dressed much like Ru Lan, stepped down from the carriages.

In Bu Wei’s view, Ru Lan and Pin Lan approached with several girls he didn’t know—none of them was Ming Lan.

Seeing this,

Bu Wei lowered his head, eyes down, standing motionless, staring at the ground.

Only after Ru Lan, Pin Lan, and the others entered Si Bao Studio did he turn and board his carriage.

Inside Si Bao Studio,

Pin Lan glanced back at the departing Qi family carriage and said: “Hmm, the Duke’s household servants really are different—so polite!”

Ru Lan nodded in agreement.

The other girls behind them all looked astonished.

“The Duke’s household? Which Duke’s?”

“The Duke of Qi’s!” Pin Lan said. Her friends immediately turned to look outside, their eyes following the Qi family’s carriage, chattering excitedly.

The old manager glanced at the girls but said nothing, merely standing quietly with a smile.

The manager had good eyes—he could tell these girls looked to Ru Lan as their center; if they wanted to buy anything, she would speak up.

Though Ru Lan’s status was unremarkable among gatherings of scholars like Chai Zhengzheng and Gu Tingyi, in this circle of friends—mostly legitimate daughters of wealthy merchants—Ru Lan’s lineage was still high.

If one traced her ancestors’ status, it was truly impressive!

After all, her forebears were either third-place palace exam winners or daughters of Marquis households; her maternal grandfather was enshrined in the Imperial Ancestral Temple; her father was a Jinshi and served in the Ministry of Personnel; her elder sister was the principal wife of a Marquis household.

“Just now—that was a servant from the Duke’s household, right? What did he buy?” Ru Lan asked softly.

The old manager smiled: “Miss, you have sharp eyes—our young servant bought several brushes.”

“Do you still have any? May we see them?”

“Ladies, this way, please.”

Arriving at the brush display, the old manager smiled: “Ladies, these are our Green Silk Purple Sandalwood brushes, sold here for years.”

“The brush tip is made of… the handle is…”

Saying this, the manager tapped the brush handle twice against the inkstone: “Ding ding.”

“Listen to that sound—so crisp, so pleasing.”

As the manager spoke, the six or seven girls all nodded.

“How much for this brush?” Pin Lan asked.

“Two hundred and ninety-nine taels,” the manager smiled.

“Ninety-nine?” Pin Lan gasped, glancing at Ru Lan.

Ru Lan was also startled by the price.

“So expensive?” The other girls from wealthy families sighed.

The manager nodded with a smile.

Ru Lan and Pin Lan exchanged glances: “Er—we’ll look at something else!”

The girls all nodded—they had money, but not enough to casually spend nearly a hundred taels on brushes.

“Do you have any miscellaneous books?” Ru Lan asked.

“Ladies, this way, please,” the manager smiled.

(End of Chapter)