The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 100: Teasing

Chapter 100: Teasing

Qiu Huanian selected a vacant plot of land beside the small river at the rear of the village—no need to purchase it, as it was reserved for the construction of the clan school.

He invited craftsmen to survey the area and chose an auspicious date to commence the project.

Drawing inspiration from Qingfeng Academy, Qiu Huanian personally designed the layout: two spacious courtyards, front and rear, encompassing six classrooms, four lodging rooms for boarders, and a large kitchen for preparing meals and boiling water.

The classrooms were fitted with generous windows to ensure ample natural light.

Within the courtyard, flowers and trees were planted, not only to enhance the aesthetic but also to soothe the spirit and relieve eye strain.

Adjacent to the school, a modest courtyard was built for the resident teacher.

Not lacking in funds, Qiu Huanian purchased bricks, tiles, and timber in one go and hired multiple masons. With the enthusiastic assistance of local villagers, construction quickly gathered momentum.

Veteran craftsman Bao Ren estimated that the structure would be completed within half a month.

After conferring with Du Yunse, Qiu Huanian resolved to remain in the village until the school was finished and operations had stabilized before returning to the city.

The crisp autumn air and pastoral charm of the village made it a pleasant place to linger. Clear streams and colorful hills greeted them each morning, and familiar neighbors provided warm companionship. A short stroll led them to the quiet back hills.

When the chill of winter arrived, it would be time to return to the city, where heating and daily needs were more accessible.

Du Yunse had written to a classmate from Qingfeng Academy, who promptly replied and agreed to arrive in the village within half a month to assume the teaching post.

Not everyone could emulate Wang Yinzhi, who had a moment of enlightenment and, after suspending his studies, passed the provincial examination with ease.

Scholars from modest backgrounds often paused their education to seek employment, saving money before resuming their studies with renewed focus.

For many, attaining what Du Yunse had—early success in the provincial examination—or what Li Ruicong had—financial backing and marriage into wealth—remained elusive dreams.

“Liao Cang is gentle, disciplined, and meticulous. Among scholars, his academic standing is above average. He studied at Qingfeng Academy for three years and has a broad perspective.”

“Moreover, he was born into a farming family and will adapt easily to rural life. He is unmarried and unencumbered, making him ideal for this role.”

After reading Liao Cang’s letter, Qiu Huanian nodded in agreement.

“You know more about these matters than I do. If you believe he’s suitable, then that’s enough for me. Once the teacher’s courtyard is complete, we’ll furnish it. His monthly wage will be two taels of silver, and meals will be provided on a rotating basis by the students’ families.”

Given that Wang Yinzhi, a provincial scholar, earned only six taels a month at the magistrate’s household, two taels for Liao Cang, along with food and lodging, was more than fair.

Unlike running a private academy, there was no need to worry about securing a venue or attracting students—the salary was pure income.

Thus, Liao Cang had quickly and enthusiastically accepted the offer.

“I didn’t realize you had such reliable connections at the academy.” Liao Cang’s tone in his letter was genuine and warm, showing true friendship with no pretense.

“Pine and cypress stand tall and noble—naturally, they attract like minds.”

Qiu Huanian laughed. “Fishing for compliments, are we?”

Du Yunse remained composed, neither confirming nor denying.

In the flickering candlelight, Qiu Huanian leaned forward, rested his arms on the table, and tilted his head to kiss Du Yunse.

Du Yunse raised a hand to cradle the back of his neck, deepening the kiss until the sound of lips meeting echoed softly through the room.

By the time Qiu Huanian came up for air, he was already straddling Du Yunse’s lap, unsure when he had ended up there.

He gave Du Yunse’s chest a half-hearted punch, only to hurt his own hand in the process.

“You’re getting more thick-skinned by the day, Du Jieyuan.”

Du Yunse offered only a smile in reply.

Qiu Huanian wrapped his arms around Du Yunse’s neck, drawing him in closer.

“It’s late. Let’s save any further discussion for tomorrow. Husband, it’s time for bed.”

“To sleep?”

“To sleep,” Qiu Huanian stressed the words, wrapping his legs around Du Yunse’s waist.

“It’s been three days since the last time—you owe me a ‘tribute.’”

Du Yunse opened his mouth to speak, but Qiu Huanian quickly silenced him with a hand.

“Don’t tell me it’s for my health. I’m not asking for it daily. Three days without meat and I’m irritable. How could that possibly be good for my health?” he said with unabashed confidence.

Since their formal marriage, he had grown far bolder.

Du Yunse’s gaze turned enigmatic. “…I didn’t take the medicine today.”

Qiu Huanian blinked rapidly, then cleared his throat.

“I made a sheath from sheep intestine just for you. Let’s try it—see if it fits.”

Du Yunse sighed, pressing a kiss to his lips. His lower half had already ignited with need, his body taut, his restraint fraying.

In moments like this, only one path remained: to satisfy his husband.

Scooping Qiu Huanian up with one arm, Du Yunse extinguished the lamp and carried him to the curtained bed.

The night deepened, shadows thickened. Whimpers and cries were soon muffled behind drapes, only fragments remained—a chamber bathed in the warmth of spring.

…

Unsurprisingly, Qiu Huanian awoke late the next morning. Sunlight streamed through the partially drawn silk curtains, lazily illuminating the room.

The kang was empty save for him. He shifted his sore limbs and stretched.

Though he always ended up begging for mercy, he couldn’t resist provoking Du Yunse, each time regretting it—only to repeat it again next time.

He knew how much Du Yunse restrained himself day after day. Once provoked, he would respond fiercely—but always put Qiu Huanian’s comfort first, leaving the latter no ground to complain.

—Because he was always thoroughly satisfied.

Rolling over, Qiu Huanian buried his face in the pillow. The tips of his ears glowed pink in the morning light.

Last night’s notable achievement: confirming the sheep intestine sheath he’d crafted fit perfectly—it had, of course, been measured to exact specifications.

“…”

He whimpered softly, burying himself deeper in embarrassment.

Just then, Du Yunse entered the room and found Qiu Huanian pretending to be an ostrich under the covers.

He chuckled and crossed over, attempting to pull him from the blankets.

Hearing the footsteps, Qiu Huanian froze, shoulders taut.

Du Yunse reached under the quilt, gently massaging his waist and back. His touch eased the tension, and Qiu Huanian eventually turned to grasp his hand.

Suppressing a smile to preserve his husband’s pride, Du Yunse remained silent.

Hua Ge’er had a curious contradiction: bold and brash before, bashful and evasive after.

Regrettably, to avoid disturbing him earlier, Du Yunse had stepped out, missing the sight of him waking.

“Where did you go?” Qiu Huanian asked.

Ordinarily, Du Yunse stayed beside him until he awoke, often culminating in a tender morning interlude.

Continuing to rub his back, Du Yunse replied, “Word of the clan school spread, and many villagers came to ask about it. I stepped out to speak with them.”

Qiu Huanian had declared that children of married daughters and boys of the Du clan would also be eligible to attend. Families began returning to the village with children, hoping to take advantage of this opportunity.

Distance posed no barrier. Children brought bedding and provisions, staying with maternal relatives.

Qiu Huanian kept a roster, verifying eligibility before recording names. Those approved could begin once the school opened.

“How many names on the list now?”

“Two more added this morning. That makes twenty-seven total: eighteen boys, six girls, and three infants.”

Qiu Huanian sighed. “Even if it’s free, many families still won’t send their daughters—or even their sons.”

Some believed schooling was useless, preferring their children stay home to help with chores.

Du Yunse gently smoothed the furrow on his brow. “You’ve already accomplished so much. The drip that hollows stone does so over time.”

Qiu Huanian nodded. He hoped one day to implement compulsory education, but his current influence didn’t allow it.

Even these two policies—admitting girls and children of married women—were radical enough to stir debate.

To push further without greater status would invite trouble.

“We’ll set the rules, open the door, and progress will follow.”

…

Lunch was simple: pork-stuffed pancakes and a pot of sweet corn porridge, courtesy of old lady Jin.

Upon returning to the village, Qiu Huanian had requested that meals be prepared plainly. After half a year of rich food in the city, they all longed for the simplicity of home cooking.

He ate two pancakes and a bowl of porridge, then, feeling full, took Du Yunse out for a walk.

They strolled toward the school site at the back of the village and soon noticed someone nearby.

Qiu Huanian whispered, “Isn’t that Yun Zhe from Bao Li’s family?”

Bao Li, the clan leader’s third son, had once been favored for producing three sons. Last year, he used his wife’s pregnancy as an excuse to dodge labor conscription, pushing it onto his second brother Bao Yi instead.

Since then, resentment between the two branches of the family had deepened.

Last winter, when wolves invaded the village, Yun Zhe tricked three-year-old Yun Ying out of the house and abandoned him in a tree. If not for Du Yunse’s daring rescue and Bao Yi’s unexpected return, the child would have perished.

After the incident, Yun Zhe was punished, Bao Li’s wife miscarried, and the family split. Bao Li’s branch received only a portion of the inheritance and moved into a thatched hut.

Yun Zhe’s education under Scholar Sun had ended—no money remained.

“Why is he following us like this?”

“He wants to attend the clan school,” Du Yunse guessed.

Qiu Huanian paused, then shook his head. “The rules are clear: no admission for those with poor character.”

He refused to cultivate the kind of malicious, educated men who would do greater harm.

Though Yun Zhe was only eleven or twelve, his deliberate attempt to kill Yun Ying, and later push Cun Lan and Jiu Jiu off a mountain, couldn’t be ignored.

Even if Qiu Huanian forgave him, how could he explain that to the victims?

Yun Zhe remained in the village only because the clan leader had begged Bao Yi for clemency.

But that clemency didn’t extend to a free education.

Qiu Huanian ignored him. Yun Zhe lingered in the shadows, unwilling to leave, but too afraid to speak.

At the construction site, Yun Cheng was overseeing work on his father Bao Ren’s behalf.

“Brother Yunse, Sister-in-law,” he greeted them.

“Uncle Bao Ren went home for lunch?”

“Yes, he supervised all morning. I’m taking over now.”

Dust-covered, Yun Cheng worked alongside others despite his scholar status.

“Where’s Brother Ling?”

“He’s visiting his family in town. I’ll fetch him later.”

Qingfu Town was close—half an hour by mule cart. Meng Yuanling visited often, and Meng Fuyue never objected.

“He still hasn’t caught Brother Wudong?”

Yun Cheng smiled faintly. “Brother Wudong keeps hiding. Brother Ling’s about to lose his temper.”

Qiu Huanian laughed. “I’d say Brother Wudong will cave in soon. He’s probably calculating just how long he can stall before Brother Ling explodes.”

Meng Yuanling wanted to settle things with his second brother regarding Shen Sai and the restaurant, but Meng Wudong had been evasive.

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse toured the construction site. The foundation had been laid, pillars raised, and masons worked vigorously.

Bricklayer Li, who had built their home, was also there with his two sons, all hard at work.

The workers paused to greet them. Qiu Huanian smiled and praised their efforts, then instructed two chickens be bought for dinner as a treat.

Their spirits lifted, the craftsmen worked even harder.

While lifting a beam, Yun Cheng suddenly frowned.

“Something wrong?”

“I’ll be back shortly. Can you watch over things?”

“Of course.”

Yun Cheng strode to a clump of reeds near the river.

“No need to hide. Come out.”

The reeds rustled, and a moment later, Yun Zhe emerged.

“Big Brother, you finally acknowledged me!”

“I treat everyone equally,” Yun Cheng replied coolly. “Why would you think otherwise?”

Yun Zhe faltered. Before the family split, Yun Cheng had always looked after them. They had relied on his kindness often.

“But we’re still brothers. You don’t have any other little brothers. Aren’t we the closest?”