When Qiu Huaixin arrived, not only did Jiao Lianyu personally come out to greet him, but Qi Changlin and the four fellow students from the official school who had arrived earlier also hurried out. Even though scholars were often aloof, no one was foolish enough to offend the young master of the Provincial Administration Commissioner's household.
After a round of pleasantries and courtesies, Qiu Huaixin entered the main hall. He glanced around. Despite the excellent autumn sunlight, the hall for receiving guests still appeared cramped and dim. The tables and chairs were old, creaking loudly when sat upon.
"The tea is coarse and bitter, I hope Brother Qiu will bear with us," Qi Changlin poured the tea. These words were not mere self-deprecation; the tea leaves were picked by his wife in the mountains.
Although it was wild tea, due to the mediocre stir-frying technique, the tea was barely drinkable. The taste was far inferior to that of the Qiu mansion, and even the tea drunk by the stewards in the Prefect's mansion was better.
"Brother Qi is too kind," Qiu Huaixin said with a hearty laugh. He picked up the teacup and took a sip. The bitter taste instantly spread in his mouth. Struggling to swallow the tea, Qiu Huaixin's expression contorted. In his life, he had never drunk such bitter tea; it was only slightly better than medicine.
Fortunately, while the tea was unpalatable, the banquet was prepared by Qi Changlin's paternal uncle. Although a rural cook, the aroma of meat wafting from the kitchen indicated that the dishes would surely be delicious. Perhaps not as exquisite as those at Yipin Lou, they could still be considered a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.
Qi Changlin had only invited Qiu Huaixin and four others that day. The Qi family was poor, and Qi Changlin himself was proud and aloof. It was normal for him to have three or five close friends in the official school.
The six of them sat in the hall, discussing matters of the official school or sharing anecdotes from the countryside. Qiu Huaixin and Jiao Lianyu also talked about some affairs of the officialdom.
Of the two, the former was a commoner, while the latter was still studying in the official school. However, being from an official family, they often read official gazettes, making them well-informed about news from the capital and other prefectures.
For a time, laughter filled the hall, truly embodying the saying, "Talking with learned scholars, mingling with distinguished guests."
"Virtue is not solitary; it must have neighbors. Lord Zhou is a true gentleman," said a young man with a serious expression and a look of longing, as if he also wished to visit the Nanjiang Prefecture governed by Lord Zhou.
Jiao Lianyu applauded and agreed with a laugh, "In the past, King Zhou of Shang was tyrannical. Although Zhou was a small state, King Wu of Zhou was benevolent, which is why Jiang Shang, Duke of Zhou, Duke of Shao, and other wise men eagerly pledged their loyalty."
The Zhou Dynasty gradually prospered, while the Shang Dynasty moved step by step towards its demise. This was the difference between a virtuous ruler and a ruler who had lost virtue.
Qi Changlin, with his naturally proud disposition, had been the subject of much debate in the village over the years due to his pursuit of scholarship. Yet, even so, he had not given up. Qi Changlin firmly believed that the villagers were crude and did not understand his aspiration for learning.
If he hadn't studied, if he hadn't gone to the official school, how would he have met virtuous individuals like Gui Zhang? At that moment, Qi Changlin looked at the eloquent Jiao Lianyu with mixed emotions. A scholar dies for his confidant.
A fellow student sitting next to Jiao Lianyu nodded in agreement and continued, "What Gui Zhang said is very true. The Zhou Dynasty was prosperous and flourishing. Historical records state: During the reigns of Cheng and Kang, the world was peaceful, and punishments were not needed for over forty years. Our Great Qing Emperor is wise. Even though there are villains causing trouble now, the Emperor cherishes talent, and it is only a matter of time before the world submits."
Upon mentioning the Emperor, the imperial examinations, and serving as an official, the spirits of the group were lifted. Even Qi Changlin could not suppress the ambition in his eyes.
Qiu Huaixin, on the other hand, felt a bit bored listening to them. He suddenly recalled the "Poem of the Prodigy" he had recited during his early education: "In the morning a farmer's son, in the evening entering the imperial hall. Prime ministers and generals are not born with a title; a man should strive for himself."
He glanced thoughtfully at his friends, who believed in "learning skills in martial arts and literature to serve the emperor," and suddenly thought of Zhan Feiyu. She also studied and took the imperial examinations, but Zhan Feiyu did not study to become an official; her diligent study seemed to be purely for the sake of learning itself.
Jiao Lianyu paused their conversation while taking a sip of tea. Seeing Qi Changlin and the others talking animatedly, he looked at the uninterested Qiu Huaixin, "I heard Brother Huaixin has good news approaching. Should your younger brother congratulate you in advance?"
Qiu Huaixin had heard such teasing remarks quite a bit in the past two days. The Qiu family was, after all, a venerable family with many descendants. As soon as there was any stir, the elders in the clan would come to the mansion to inquire.
However, Qiu Da's business was busy, and Lord Qiu was the Provincial Administration Commissioner of Qianzhong Circuit. Even the Qiu clan members dared not delay Lord Qiu's time because of such minor news. Therefore, the female members of the clan flocked to the mansion to inquire about the news from Lord Qiu, and incidentally teased Qiu Huaixin, who had not yet married after reaching adulthood.
"It's just a baseless rumor," Qiu Huaixin replied with a helpless smile. He felt he could not possibly match the fifth daughter of the Gu family. Moreover, thinking that the Wu family might be plotting against him, Qiu Huaixin began to develop a phobia of women from aristocratic families.
"A good match is not easily made." He was just a commoner and had little ambition. If he married the fifth daughter of the Gu family, he would likely have to study diligently like Gui Zhang and the others, hanging himself by the hair and pricking his thigh with an awl.
Qiu Huaixin had lived a carefree and unrestrained life for the past twenty-odd years. He did not want to endure hardship for the rest of his life, having to study for the imperial examinations, and then enduring years of service in the prefectural office after becoming an official. Even with the family's connections and resources, it would be difficult to become a fourth-rank official by the age of fifty.
As soon as Qiu Huaixin thought of this, any ambition and desire that occasionally surfaced in his heart instantly vanished. He would rather marry a wife from an ordinary family and live a modest life of contentment with his spouse. With the care of his elder brothers in the future, Qiu Huaixin felt that his life would be complete.
"Father, Grand Uncle is well now," at this moment, a small figure appeared at the doorway. Perhaps feeling a little timid, the young girl held onto the doorframe, only daring to peek in from outside. "Father, Grand Uncle is well now."
Qiu Huaixin looked up and saw a girl of about half his age. At first glance, she was about the same height as Zhan Feiyu, with her hair in twin buns, a childish appearance, but somewhat thin, with a pale complexion indicating poor health. Her voice was also thin and weak.
"This is Brother Changlin's daughter," Jiao Lianyu beckoned to the young girl.
Presumably, he had visited a few times and had even sent clothes to the young girl, so upon seeing Jiao Lianyu, she smiled shyly and then entered the room, giving a slightly reserved curtsy to Jiao Lianyu.
"An'an, come and pay your respects to the uncles," Qi Changlin stood up and walked over, introducing his daughter, whose nickname was An'an, to everyone.
Except for Jiao Lianyu, everyone else was seeing the young girl for the first time. Qiu Huaixin and the others accepted her禮 and each gave her a meeting gift. Although they were all small trinkets, they still made the little girl smile with joy.
Especially the gift from Qiu Huaixin, a small rabbit carved from white jade. The small handpiece was valuable for its exquisite craftsmanship, particularly the two red inclusions at the eyes, which made the white jade rabbit so lifelike it seemed real.
Qiu Huaixin suddenly remembered Zhan Feiyu's visit to the Qiu mansion that day. As Lord Qiu himself received guests in the study, Qiu Huaixin had treated Zhan Feiyu as an equal.
Looking at An'an, who was captivated by the white jade rabbit, Qiu Huaixin finally recalled his rudeness that day. Even though Zhan Feiyu possessed academic achievements, she was still just a young girl.
Qi Tangbo's cooking was indeed excellent, especially the dried shiitake mushrooms picked from the mountains and the sun-dried wild vegetables. When made into dishes, they were exceptionally flavorful.
"This peach blossom wine was also brewed by my Tang Bo," Qi Changlin raised his cup, and the others followed suit. The dishes were good, the wine was even better, and with like-minded close friends gathered together, the atmosphere at the banquet became more lively, and they all unconsciously drank a few more cups.
Shi Song, as a servant, had not entered the room. Fortunately, although the Qi family was poor, they had a large house with seven rooms. Shi Song was eating with Qi Changlin's paternal uncle and Qiu Huaixin's attendants.
As for Madam Qi and her two children, they had only a hasty meal in the kitchen before returning to the bedroom with the children, not wanting to disturb Qi Changlin's gathering.
"My young master seems to be drunk. I'll go and check," Shi Song, with his sharp ears, heard from the hall on the other side of the wall that Qiu Huaixin seemed to have drunk too much. He hurriedly put down his bowl and chopsticks and stood up.
Except for Qi Tangbo, everyone present was a servant, and naturally, they prioritized their masters. Shi Song's departure did not seem impolite. Everyone was now listening intently for any sounds. If their own masters were drunk, they would have to go and serve them, so as not to let their masters lose face. Otherwise, it might become a scandal if they were to become officials in the future.