The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 42: The Zhao Family

Kill… kill a person?

Chunsheng swallowed hard. The overwhelming fear around him finally shattered his composure, engulfing him completely.

His foot slid half a step backward, almost making him bolt for the door. But at the last second, he controlled himself. The mystery and power of Shiliu were terrifying, yet also exhilarating and thrilling.

Chunsheng had a natural intuition—he knew that Shiliu wouldn’t truly harm him. This realization supported his resolve to stay, driven by the yearning in his heart.

“What’s the use… of learning to kill?” Chunsheng asked with difficulty.

Shiliu was silent for a moment. “Perhaps it’s useless.”

“Huh?”

“Killing itself is useless. It only has value if you have something in danger that you wish to protect, or if the person you are loyal to needs you to kill someone.”

“…”

The flickering flame in Chunsheng’s heart suddenly went out. He was no longer as excited, nor as afraid.

His limited, youthful understanding told him that he had nothing in danger that he wished to protect, nor did he have anyone he was loyal to. Killing, to him, seemed utterly pointless—he couldn’t even think of anyone he needed to kill.

Chunsheng looked at the sharp blade at his feet, both fearful and fascinated. Finally, he asked, “If I really wanted to learn, how would I do it?”

Shiliu gazed at Chunsheng. “I would take you away from Liao Prefecture, change your name and identity. You would train in martial arts ten hours a day, forbidden from seeing anyone outside or stepping beyond the courtyard. In ten years, you would likely achieve mastery.”

“…”

Chunsheng was so terrified he lost the ability to speak. He backed away several steps in succession. When his heel hit the threshold, he suddenly spun around and sprinted toward the front yard, as if a vengeful ghost was chasing him.

Shiliu watched his fleeing figure indifferently. Only after Chunsheng had entered the front yard did he speak, as if to himself, “You can come in now.”

From the neighboring, doorless shed, Qiu Huanian touched his nose sheepishly and walked out.

Qiu Huanian had noticed when Chunsheng secretly ran to the back courtyard to find Shiliu. By the time he arrived, the conversation between the two had just begun.

He should have interrupted immediately, apologized, and taken Chunsheng away. But at that moment, Chunsheng was speaking about his inner thoughts, and Qiu Huanian hesitated—he wanted to know what was going on inside the boy’s head.

That brief hesitation allowed the conversation inside to spiral out of control, like a runaway horse dashing ten thousand miles ahead. By the time Qiu Huanian wanted to step in, there was no appropriate moment to do so.

When Chunsheng fled in terror, Qiu Huanian quickly hid in the unfinished shed next door. Fortunately, Chunsheng was too shaken to notice anything unusual.

But with Shiliu’s skills, he had probably already noticed Qiu Huanian’s presence.

Feeling awkward, Qiu Huanian said, “The child doesn’t understand things yet. Thank you, Young Master Shiliu, for your patience.”

Shiliu replied blandly, “It’s nothing.”

Qiu Huanian cleared his throat. “There’s been a lot going on at home lately, so we’ve been a bit neglectful. Now that I understand Chunsheng’s concerns, I’ll talk to the children and make sure he doesn’t disturb you anymore.”

Shiliu took two steps forward, retrieving his hidden sword. After wiping it clean, he sheathed it. “If you’re willing, what I said isn’t necessarily a bad idea.”

“What?”

“The Du family already has Du Yunse, a talent of strategic vision. His younger brother’s aptitude for studying is far inferior. If he follows the same path, he’ll only be a shadow of his brother, achieving nothing remarkable. It would be better for him to forge a different path.”

“If the Du brothers both achieve excellence in civil and martial arts, you’ll have a much easier time in the future.”

“…”

Qiu Huanian suddenly felt that Shiliu was speaking to him like a stern and critical elder. But Shiliu wasn’t even twenty-five yet—only six or seven years older than him.

Smiling, Qiu Huanian shook his head. “That’s too far in the future. Chunsheng is still so young. Since he has a choice, why make him suffer? When he grows up and understands things, I won’t stop him from choosing his own path. If he wants a peaceful and happy life, I won’t force him otherwise.”

“You…” Shiliu hesitated.

Qiu Huanian waited, but Shiliu fell silent for a moment before suddenly tossing his sword to him.

Qiu Huanian hurriedly caught it. The sword was about a foot and a half long, its understated sharkskin scabbard heavy in his grip. Just moments ago, he had witnessed its razor-sharp gleam.

“This sword has no name. It can slice through gold and cut iron. Keep it for self-defense.”

Shiliu’s tone left no room for refusal.

Qiu Huanian instinctively examined this unexpected gift. The more he looked, the more extraordinary it seemed. “How could such a fine sword have no name?”

Shiliu paused before looking down. “From now on, it follows you. You may name it.”

“…”

Qiu Huanian thought for a moment. “I’m not good at naming weapons. But today is ‘Minor Heat,’ and after this, the hottest days of summer will begin. The weather will be scorching, and all things will thrive, like blazing fire. That’s a good omen. How about calling it ‘Fushu Sword’?”

Shiliu nodded. “That is up to you.”

…

After bringing the Fushu Sword back to the main house for safekeeping, Qiu Huanian took two bowls of white flour from the kitchen, planning to make dumplings.

In the south, there was a tradition of “eating new food” during Minor Heat—freshly harvested rice was milled into new grains and offered to the Five Grains Deities and ancestors before being eaten. In the north, crops matured more slowly, so new rice wasn’t available, but many places still had the custom of eating dumplings.

Dumplings were appetizing and satisfying. Their shape resembled ingots, symbolizing wealth and prosperity. As the hottest days of summer often killed people’s appetites, a meal of dumplings was the perfect way to comfort the stomach.

Too lazy to go to town for meat, Qiu Huanian picked a large handful of tender green chives from the garden, scrambled some eggs, and added the small river shrimp Yun Kang had brought that morning. A pinch of salt was enough to mix the filling. The bright yellow eggs and fresh green chives looked vibrant, making one’s mouth water just from the sight.

Seeing Qiu Huanian preparing dumplings, Jiujiu put down her embroidery, washed her hands, and came to help. She was skillful with her hands—after just a bit of instruction, she could already shape proper ingot-shaped dumplings.

As she worked, Jiujiu asked, “Brother Hua, Chunsheng has been in the east wing all day and won’t come out. What’s wrong with him?”

He had just started getting over his sulking, but now he was acting like this again.

Qiu Huanian chuckled. “Chunsheng secretly went to find Shiliu and got scared. It’s nothing serious.”

Jiujiu bit her lip. “Brother Hua already told him not to bother Uncle Shiliu. Why does he act like this?”

Though a little annoyed, worry still showed in her eyes.

Jiujiu was perceptive beyond her years. She had long realized from her brothers’ attitudes and Shiliu’s daily actions that he wasn’t just a passing guest. She was both angry at Chunsheng for being disobedient and afraid that he might have caused trouble for himself.

Qiu Huanian playfully tapped her nose with flour-covered fingers, leaving a white smudge. Jiujiu quickly wiped it with her sleeve, her earlier worries instantly replaced with childlike frustration.

“Children shouldn’t frown all the time. If you get wrinkles, flowers won’t look good on you,” Qiu Huanian teased with a grin.

Jiujiu puffed up her cheeks and sighed. “When will Chunsheng finally grow up?”

Qiu Huanian laughed. “You talk as if you’re already grown up.”

“I want to grow up quickly so I can go to more places.”

“Where do you want to go?”

Jiujiu shook her head. “I don’t know yet. I just don’t want to stay in the same place forever. I want to see the capital, go south, and visit many places I’ve never heard of. I want to meet many different people.”

…

The next day, after a delicious dumpling dinner, Qiu Huanian decided to begin a practical experiment in biological enzyme pest control.

This was the first time putting theory into practice, so Qiu Huanian couldn’t slack off—he had to be there. Fortunately, the best time to spray the bio-enzyme solution was around five or six in the afternoon, when the sun wasn’t so harsh anymore.

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse used the mule cart to transport the diluted bio-enzyme solution and several spraying devices to the edge of the field. Many villagers, hearing the commotion, came over to watch.

When Qiu Huanian’s family first converted all their dry land into paddy fields to grow cotton, most people were skeptical. Some sharp-tongued folks had even gossiped about them behind their backs.

But now, months later, seeing the cotton in Qiu Huanian’s fields growing taller and healthier, with blossoms already appearing, many villagers started changing their minds.

Quite a few had already made up their minds—if Qiu Huanian’s family and the two other households experimenting with cotton planting had a good harvest this year, they would make sure to maintain a good relationship with Huage’er and learn how to grow cotton themselves next year.

So, as soon as they heard about the activity at Qiu Huanian’s place, all the interested villagers hurried over to see for themselves.

“What’s that big wooden box Huage’er and the others are unloading from the cart? And why is there a pig’s intestine attached to it?”

Hu Qiuyan was also watching from the side. If Qiu Huanian’s experiment was successful today, her family and the clan leader’s family would also follow suit. The cotton bollworms had already begun gnawing at the cotton stems and leaves. If they didn’t start controlling them soon, it would be too late once the worms damaged the cotton bolls.

Hu Qiuyan explained to the people nearby, “That’s the spraying device Huage’er made—it distributes the solution more evenly than sprinkling by hand. Huage’er said that after spraying his special water, the cotton bollworms will stop eating the cotton.”

Cotton bollworms were common nationwide, posing the greatest threat to cotton but also feeding on corn and vegetable stems and leaves. The villagers were no strangers to them. Upon hearing Hu Qiuyan’s explanation, their first reaction was disbelief.

Hu Qiuyan didn’t bother arguing further. Since Huage’er was already conducting the experiment, the results would soon be evident—much more convincing than a hundred words.

Although she completely trusted Qiu Huanian by now, Hu Qiuyan still felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. After all, if they successfully overcame the pest issue, a bountiful cotton harvest would be within reach. She had done the calculations—assuming a yield of 180 catties per mu, and a selling price of 160 wen per catty, each mu of cotton could bring in nearly 30 taels of silver!

That was more than what their family had made selling fish for several years combined!

Hu Qiuyan eagerly watched the heavy water tank in the field. Huage’er had already promised that as long as they staggered their spraying schedules, her family and the clan leader’s family could borrow the spraying device for free—the only cost being the need to replace any damaged pig intestines themselves.

Even though Huage’er wasn’t charging for it, Hu Qiuyan still felt uneasy about taking advantage of him. Their family had already benefited a lot. Unfortunately, they didn’t have much to offer in return, and unlike Wei Liuhua, she didn’t possess any exceptional skills. Aside from occasionally gifting fish and shrimp, she couldn’t think of any other way to repay him.

A few meters away, Qiu Huanian stood at the edge of the field, directing Du Yunse and the hired workers in adjusting the device. His health hadn’t fully recovered yet, and Du Yunse had strictly forbidden him from doing any physical labor—he was only allowed to give instructions.

Watching Qiu Huanian’s slender figure, Hu Qiuyan suddenly had an idea.

Her maternal relatives had distant kin living further north in Liaozhou, who made a living by digging for ginseng. Medicinal ginseng had to grow for at least thirty years before it could be harvested, making it difficult to find, but ginseng seeds were produced annually and were also valuable as a tonic that could nourish the body and calm the mind.

Fresh ginseng seeds were hard to preserve and transport, usually sold locally. Outside of the original production areas, it was easy to encounter counterfeit products. Hu Qiuyan decided to ask Qiu Huanian later if he needed ginseng seeds—if he did, she could help him get the best quality ones.

…

The diluted bio-enzyme solution was poured into the large wooden tank. A hired worker picked up the spray nozzle and, following Qiu Huanian’s instructions, steadily pumped the foot pedal on one side. Water began flowing through the pipes, and a few seconds later, a curved stream sprayed from the nozzle, evenly covering the cotton plants.

Seeing this magical device in action for the first time, the crowd let out an involuntary cheer. Qiu Huanian also secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although he had tested the spraying device at home, successfully operating it in the field was an entirely different matter.

He raised his palm to shield his eyes from the less intense sunlight, trying to get a clearer view. Suddenly, a large shadow fell over him, providing cool shade.

Turning his head, he saw that Shiliu had appeared behind him at some point, holding an oiled paper umbrella. The umbrella was tilted slightly, blocking the sunlight for Qiu Huanian.

Qiu Huanian was momentarily stunned. “Thanks.”

Shiliu responded with a cold “Mm.”

“…”

Qiu Huanian thought that Shiliu wasn’t actually as cold and fearsome as he seemed at first glance. To put it in an unconventional way, he was somewhat like the classic “kuudere” character trope from his past life’s anime culture—mostly expressionless, seemingly indifferent, yet occasionally showing subtle emotional fluctuations while stubbornly refusing to admit it.

Suppressing a smile to avoid alerting Shiliu to his strange thoughts, Qiu Huanian kept his composure.

This interaction between the two, standing at the edge of the field, fell into the eyes of the surrounding villagers.

Hiding at the back of the crowd was Zhao Shi, who had spent the past few days lying low at home, recovering from the nightmare of the trip to the prefectural city. Now that she had finally shaken off that lingering fear and regained her spirits, she came out again—only to see a young man she didn’t recognize standing next to Qiu Huanian.

Unable to hold back her curiosity, she asked, “Who’s that Ge’er with the umbrella?”

The person in front was too focused on watching the field to turn around. Without thinking much, they answered, “Oh, he’s a guest staying at Huage’er’s house. Supposedly an old friend of Yunse—been here for a few days now.”

An old friend? A ge’er? And he had been staying there for days?

Zhao Shi’s heart skipped a beat. She narrowed her eyes, trying to get a clearer look at the young man’s face. But facing the sun, she couldn’t see much—only that he was fairly young and likely quite good-looking.

Pressing her lips together, Zhao Shi glared at Qiu Huanian, who stood in the field doing nothing while being shaded by the young man’s umbrella. A malicious plan, born of jealousy and resentment, took shape in her mind.

Author’s Note:

Shiliu: Deeply conflicted over whether to acknowledge his nephew.

Qiu Huanian (secretly): Nice, a classic kuudere pretty boy.

Age clarification: Mei Xue’er is twelve years older than Shiliu—big sister and youngest brother dynamic. Shiliu is eight years older than Qiu Huanian—making him the young uncle, while Qiu Huanian is the eldest nephew.