The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 66: Lion Cat

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse exchanged a glance, then nodded, “Thank you for your trouble, Young Master Su.”

Fang Cai, being perceptive, instructed the maidservants and servants they brought to unload the luggage, while Qiu Huanian and his group followed Su Xinbai through the main gate of the residence.

This residence was quite small but exquisitely constructed. The entrance was a standalone building, serving both as a gate and a house, providing shelter from the rain and convenience for greeting guests.

Entering the gatehouse, the central doorway was about two zhang wide, with light blue gauze partitions on both sides, allowing light through but preserving privacy by separating the space.

Su Xinbai’s voice was cool and distant, “This residence was built by the original owner while studying at Qingfeng Academy. Six years ago, the original owner passed the imperial exam and was to head to his post. To gather funds, he sold this place, which was bought by the eldest young master. It has remained vacant ever since.”

“The east and west partitions of the outer courtyard: one is a study, and the other is an outer hall for receiving guests. They have been arranged according to their original purposes.”

A maidservant opened the partition doors, and Qiu Huanian saw the entire layout of the east and west partitions, discovering it was unexpectedly spacious.

Both partitions were completely opened up, each the size of a modern classroom, with a corner turning to form an L-shape. The craftsmen who built this house were very skilled, as the rooms were well-lit even without large south-facing windows.

The east partition housed a pair of large vases standing about a person’s height and intricately carved camphor wood furniture. On the table, artificial flowers were arranged, and the walls displayed calligraphy and paintings by famous artists. It was clearly intended for receiving guests.

The west partition had shelves built along the wall, some filled with books and elegant ornaments, while others were left empty for the new owner’s belongings. Desks and writing tables were all prepared, making it ready to be used as a study.

Su Xinbai spoke only when necessary, providing explanations where needed, while leaving enough space for them to look around at their leisure.

Stepping out of the gatehouse, they arrived at the first courtyard. It was paved with small pebbles and blue bricks, forming auspicious patterns. To the west stood a small kitchen, while the east had no building but instead featured a swing frame. Next to it was a rose bush, bare and gray in the winter, but one could imagine how beautiful it would be when blooming in spring.

Passing through the decorative floral door, they reached the second courtyard. The main building had five rooms in width, but it had been divided. The three middle rooms were still connected, while the east and west sides each had a small flower hall.

Su Xinbai explained, “The original owner built this house as a presented scholar. A five-roomed building is not permissible for merchants, so the eldest young master built walls on both sides of the main building.”

One had to admit, Zhu Jingcheng had a great sense of aesthetics. Instead of simply dividing the building, he tore down the south walls of the side flower halls and replaced them with bamboo lattice covered in paper. This reduced the sense of confinement and created a beautiful look with large, integrated windows that could be pushed open.

The overall shape of the second courtyard was rectangular, with two wing rooms on the east and west sides, four in total, each consisting of three rooms. The courtyard was paved with blue stone tiles, with a sizable flowerbed in the center.

Trees like green bamboo, cassia, and wisteria were planted in front and behind the buildings. In the southwest corner of the courtyard, there was a well and a small woodshed.

Xiangping Prefecture was farther south than Zhang County, so flowers and plants that couldn’t grow well in Zhang County could thrive here.

Qiu Huanian noticed that when Su Xinbai mentioned merchants being prohibited from building five-room-wide houses, Fang Cai and the other servants from the Zhu household had slightly awkward expressions.

Su Xinbai himself seemed to have mentioned it casually and quickly moved on to other matters.

Behind the main building, there was a row of rear rooms. Passing through the corridors on either side of the flower halls in the main building, they reached an area suitable for storage or housing servants.

On the back wall, there was a small door wide enough for carriages to pass through, and a stable was built on the side. The Zhu family’s servants had already brought Qiu Huanian’ carriage inside.

Although the residence was compact and exquisite, the two courtyards combined held over twenty rooms in total. The original owner built it to house his family and two groups of servants, but for Qiu Huanian’ family, it was spacious enough to leave half the rooms empty.

After Su Xinbai finished showing them the house, he remained silent.

The Zhu family’s servants had finished unloading the luggage, and Fang Cai approached Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse to ask how they wanted to allocate the rooms.

Qiu Huanian looked toward Meng Yuanling and his husband. “Brother Ling, don’t bother looking for another place to stay. Just live here with us.”

“Wouldn’t that be too much trouble?”

Meng Yuanling had never left Zhang County before, nor had he ever seen such a beautiful house.

He had thought Qiu Huanian’ new home in Dujiacun was already quite grand, but this residence was far superior. Standing in the courtyard, watching the trained Zhu family servants move their luggage, he didn’t know where to place his hands and feet.

“Once Yunse and Yun Cheng start their studies at Qingfeng Academy, they’ll only be able to come back on rest days. Who can rest easy leaving you on your own? This house is so big, and you can keep me company when I’m bored.”

Yun Cheng indeed wasn’t comfortable with leaving Meng Yuanling alone, so the couple gratefully agreed.

Qiu Huanian and Du Yunse would naturally live in the main house. The two eastern wing rooms were given to Jiujiu and Chunsheng, while the two western wing rooms were divided between Yun Cheng and Meng Yuanling, leaving one room empty for future guests.

Once the rooms were allocated, the servants began delivering the luggage to the respective rooms.

Seeing that everything was nearly sorted, Su Xinbai left behind a cook.

“You’ve all traveled a long way. I won’t disturb you for now. When the eldest young master returns, he’ll host a banquet to welcome you. For now, this cook will stay and serve you. If anything is lacking, feel free to send her to the Zhu residence to get it.”

Qiu Huanian hadn’t expected Su Xinbai to leave a cook behind.

It seemed he had noticed they were few in number, with most of them being young or in poor health, unfamiliar with their new surroundings.

Though Su Xinbai appeared cold, his actions were remarkably considerate. His speech was elegant and dignified, with an innate refinement that didn’t come across as arrogant or offensive.

After Su Xinbai left, the cook came forward and asked, “It’ll be time for dinner in about an hour. What would you gentlemen like to eat?”

The cook’s name was Sun Qiao, though people in the Zhu residence usually called her Qiao Pozi. She was in her forties, and her entire family served the Zhu family as ‘adopted kin,’ a legal term merchants used for employing servants.

Her son worked at one of the Zhu family’s shops, her daughter was a maid for Su Xinbai, and her husband took care of the family’s gardens. She herself previously assisted in the Zhu family’s large kitchen.

Such people were considered core servants of the Zhu family, with their entire livelihood tied to the household, leaving no room for ulterior motives. Su Xinbai had sent her to Qiu Huanian for peace of mind.

Qiu Huanian replied, “It’s our first day moving in, so just prepare something simple. We’ve been traveling for several days and don’t have much of an appetite.”

“The staple foods like rice, flour, and oil were brought with us and should be in the kitchen. Check what’s missing and also see where the nearby markets are. Just prepare enough for us to eat.”

Sun Pozi agreed and went off to make preparations. Qiu Huanian instructed the two children to organize their rooms and luggage while he went to arrange the main house.

Both Jiujiu and Chunsheng were village children with decent self-care skills, and the young couple Yun Cheng and Meng Yuanling were even more capable.

All the large furniture in the main room was already in place, and Qiu Huanian had brought some of the smaller items. Not in a hurry to unpack everything, he first took out the bedding and pillows, intending to take a short rest on the heated brick bed.

He was truly exhausted. Although the carriage had already slowed down considerably, the fatigue from several consecutive days of travel was still evident, and his frail body couldn’t withstand such jostling.

Du Yunse fetched water from the well in the corner of the courtyard and heated it on the stove used for warmth. Qiu Huanian washed his hands and face briefly, then curled up on the pre-warmed heated bed. His eyelids grew heavy, and his expression turned drowsy.

With affection, Du Yunse tucked in the corners of the quilt for him and lowered the deep azure-colored silk curtain that draped around the small brick bed. The space within instantly became dim and cozy.

Du Yunse removed his outer garments, lay down on his side next to Qiu Huanian, half-embracing him, and gently patted his thin back to lull him to sleep.

Although he was in a completely unfamiliar environment, the scent of Du Yunse’s body and the familiar sound of his breathing quickly lulled Qiu Huanian into a deep, peaceful slumber.

When he opened his eyes again, the space within the curtains was still dim. Qiu Huanian couldn’t tell what time it was. He moved slightly, feeling languid from head to toe.

Hearing the movement, Du Yunse lifted the curtain and offered Qiu Huanian some water. Qiu Huanian noticed that the sky outside had already darkened.

“What time is it?”

“Just past the hour of You. The children and Ling Ge’er are also asleep. I had Aunt Qiao keep the dishes warm in the kitchen. Yun Cheng and I went to the study to sort out the books. We’ll eat when you all wake up.”

Qiu Huanian hummed in acknowledgment, then hung his arms around Du Yunse’s neck, playfully refusing to get up unless Du Yunse pulled him up.

With no other choice, Du Yunse placed the cup of water aside, wrapped his sturdy arms around Qiu Huanian’ slender waist, and effortlessly lifted him from the brick bed.

“Now that we’re living in the prefectural city and have a cook helping with the meals, you can finally rest and relax.”

He lightly hefted the person in his arms and said, “After more than half a winter, you haven’t gained a single pound.”

Qiu Huanian yawned softly and rested a bit longer in Du Yunse’s embrace, his eyes half-closed. “It’s a pity you’re going to the academy to study. We won’t be able to see each other often.”

Du Yunse’s fingers ran through Qiu Huanian’ smooth, silky black hair. “Does Hua Ge’er not want me to go?”

Qiu Huanian let out a couple of grumbles, accusing him of asking the obvious.

Du Yunse kissed his earlobe and chuckled. “It only takes half an hour by carriage from here to Qingfeng Academy. The academy has a rest day every five days, and I will definitely come back early to accompany you.”

Qiu Huanian, now a bit more awake, rested his chin on Du Yunse’s shoulder and said, “You have to take care of yourself at the academy. We have enough money, so don’t skimp on food or light. Eat meat when you eat, light the lamp when you read, and if you get cold, spend money to buy more charcoal. If I find out you’re ‘pretending to comply but actually defying’…”

He bit down on Du Yunse’s clean, slender neck, grinding his sharp little canine teeth, leaving behind an ambiguous, wet mark.

“…I’ll definitely find a way to deal with you.”

Du Yunse’s breathing suddenly grew heavy, his body stiffened, and he immediately placed Qiu Huanian back on the heated bed, not daring to let him stay close.

Qiu Huanian’ gaze roamed over Du Yunse’s tall body from bottom to top, inch by inch: his long legs, lean waist, broad chest, the rolling of his Adam’s apple, and those dark eyes that looked like they wanted to swallow him whole.

He blinked with a mischievous smile, as if to say, “What can you do about it?”

…

The two of them played around in the room for a while. Once Qiu Huanian was fully awake, he put on warm clothing and stepped outside.

Meng Yuanling was also awake. Qiu Huanian instructed Aunt Qiao to heat up the dishes and went to wake up the two children himself.

Resting for an hour or two was enough. Any more sleep would make it hard to fall asleep at night, and skipping dinner wasn’t good for the stomach.

The dining table was set up in the flower hall to the side. A lively group of people sat around the round table. Qiu Huanian invited Aunt Qiao to join them at the table, saying they weren’t some aristocratic family with too many rules.

Aunt Qiao had worked for many years in the Zhu family’s main kitchen and was quite skilled. Although Qiu Huanian had asked her to keep the meal simple, she wanted to show off her skills for her new employer, so she prepared a large pot of meticulously made sour soup fish balls and a tray of steamed buns.

The fish balls were white and bouncy, with an excellent texture that clearly came from carefully processed fish paste. The rich, creamy fish soup mixed with the fresh flavor of pickled vegetables and included thin, translucent noodles. Just one sip of the soup made everyone’s appetite grow.

As Qiu Huanian ate, he asked Aunt Qiao about the cost of the meal, and she detailed what she had learned while exploring the surrounding area that afternoon.

“From this street, walk two more streets back, and there’s a market where you can buy fresh vegetables, fruits, fish, meat—everything you need. They even sell seafood. Right now, it’s winter, so there’s less fruit and vegetables, but I’ve been told that in spring and summer, there’ll be much more variety.”

“There are also many street vendors near the market entrance selling snacks brought from other places. The pickled vegetables used in today’s meal were bought from there.”

“A two-pound carp costs thirty wen, the pickled vegetables ten wen, and the noodles another ten wen. All the other vegetables combined cost another ten wen. Except for the carp, the rest hasn’t been used up.”

Qiu Huanian calculated in his head. This meal alone cost sixty wen. The price of food in Xiangping Prefecture was almost double that of Zhang County. The vegetables they could previously pick from the garden for free now had to be purchased.

No wonder they say living in a prefectural city costs money with every breath!

“How much did you earn per month working at the Zhu family? And what about the others?”

“As a kitchen helper, I earned eight qian of silver per month. Generally, those closer to the masters earn more, and those further away earn less. My daughter worked in the eldest young mistress’s room and earned one tael per month. My husband pruned flowers and only earned five qian a month, but food and lodging were covered by the family.”

Qiu Huanian nodded. “From now on, you’ll receive your monthly wage from me. You don’t need to take it from the Zhu family anymore.”

Su Xinbai had already done them a huge favor by leaving behind a trustworthy cook. Qiu Huanian had no intention of saving money on her wages. After all, he could afford it.

“Can you keep accounts?”

“I can’t read or write, but we servants have our own way of keeping accounts. Just give me paper and a brush, and I can keep everything clear.”

“Good. Come with me later to collect your monthly wage and the money for groceries. Our daily food budget is one hundred wen. Just make regular home-cooked meals. If we need to prepare a feast, I’ll provide extra money.”

“The grocery money will be distributed every five days. Keep clear accounts, and each time we settle the previous five days’ accounts, you’ll receive the funds for the next five days.” Qiu Huanian spoke with the skill of someone experienced in managing people.

Aunt Qiao had originally thought this rural family might be inexperienced and would need her guidance. But seeing Qiu Huanian’ calm, methodical manner and his gentle yet firm attitude, she quickly dismissed those thoughts.

Meng Yuanling stared at Qiu Huanian in amazement. After the meal, he quietly said, “Hua Ge’er, you’re amazing. I didn’t even dare speak to that cook, afraid she would laugh at me if I said something wrong.”

Qiu Huanian pinched his cheek. “Aunt Qiao was hired to cook for us. You’re the client—you’re the master of the house. What’s there to be afraid of? As long as what you say makes sense, why wouldn’t she listen?”

Meng Yuanling didn’t ask what ‘client’ meant, assuming Hua Ge’er had just misspoken. He nodded thoughtfully, realizing there was still much for him to learn and adapt to after moving to the prefectural city.

The entrance exam for Qingfeng Academy was on the sixteenth of the first month. Today was already the thirteenth, so there were only a few days left.

Du Yunse and Yun Cheng quickly adjusted to their new environment and immersed themselves in their studies in the study room.

Compared to Du Yunse, Yun Cheng was under greater pressure. Although Du Yunse had assured him that he could pass the exam to enter the C-Class, Qingfeng Academy was, after all, the most prestigious institution in the entire Liaozhou. Every year, countless people attempted the entrance exam, but only a few passed. The burden on Yun Cheng’s shoulders was heavy.

The two scholars studied diligently in the study room, and Qiu Huanian and the others didn’t disturb them. They had been staying at home for the past two days, organizing their belongings and getting familiar with the residence.

The fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival, was Du Yunse’s birthday.

Du Yunse was born on the fifteenth day of the first month, while Qiu Huanian was born on the fifteenth day of the eighth month. Seeing their birthdays together, it was hard not to marvel at the wonders of fate.

Since the exam was the next day, they celebrated the birthday simply. Qiu Huanian asked Qiao Popo to cook longevity noodles and make a few more dishes, and the family enjoyed a meal together.

Qiu Huanian had already prepared a complexly patterned knitted cushion filled with fluffy new cotton as a birthday gift.

When studying at the academy, one would be sitting all day. Bringing this cushion would make things much more comfortable. Qiu Huanian spoke from personal experience.

For Du Yunse, what mattered most was not the gift’s value but Qiu Huanian’s thoughtfulness. Hua Ge’er had secretly worked on this cushion for a long time, and Du Yunse almost couldn’t bear to use it.

After celebrating his birthday, it was time for the entrance exam at Qingfeng Academy.

At dawn, Du Yunse and Yun Cheng got up, changed into scholar’s attire, wrapped their hair in scholar caps, and carried their bookcases on their backs.

Yun Cheng looked a bit bulky underneath his clothes, having been forced to wear several layers by Meng Yuanling. Du Yunse didn’t fare much better.

Fortunately, both of them were tall and well-proportioned, with good figures, so they didn’t look bloated. They could only accept the care their loved ones showed them.

Qiu Huanian and Meng Yuanling managed to get up early after some struggle, had the breakfast prepared by Qiao Popo, and saw them off to their exam.

Yun Cheng led the carriage out through the back gate and drove the two of them toward Qingfeng Academy.

Meng Yuanling watched the carriage disappear from view and rubbed his cheeks. “Hua Ge’er, do you think Yun Cheng will pass?”

Qiu Huanian laughed at him. “We’ve already reached the prefectural city, and you’re only now starting to worry about this.”

Meng Yuanling replied sheepishly, “I know Yun Cheng will definitely do well, but I just… sigh!”

“If you can’t explain it, then just drop it. Let’s go. Now that the house is quiet, come with me for a walk and relax your mind.”

Their residence was in a large residential area, surrounded by a serene environment. They had to walk through one or two streets before seeing shops and bustling crowds.

Today, with Qingfeng Academy opening its gates, the streets were particularly lively, and one carriage after another headed toward Xiuyan Mountain.

There were also scholars who couldn’t afford a carriage, walking to the mountain on foot with their bookcases strapped to their backs.

Seeing those scholars, Meng Yuanling once again realized how fortunate he and Yun Cheng were.

“Hua Ge’er, Yun Cheng and I discussed this last night. Now that we’re living permanently in the prefectural city, we can’t just freeload off you all the time. I know you definitely won’t take rent, but you should at least accept some money for food.”

Qiu Huanian understood the nature of the young couple and nodded. “Alright, let’s say twenty wen per day. If we have better meals, there’s no need to make up the difference. Since Yun Cheng won’t be home often, you alone won’t eat that much.”

Meng Yuanling was finally at ease and smiled, revealing two small dimples. He couldn’t contain his curiosity and hopped around, eagerly taking in the street scenery.

“Hua Ge’er, look! This shop is displaying its silk right outside. Aren’t they afraid it’ll get damaged by the sun?”

“What does this shop sell? It smells so good.”

“Look at this one, look! Why is there a storyteller performing at the shop entrance?”

…

Qiu Huanian had previously wandered around the prefectural city several times, so he wasn’t as surprised as Meng Yuanling. However, it was still delightful to see the bustling city scene again after more than half a year.

The two of them strolled leisurely from one end of the street to the other, eventually arriving at the market Qiao Popo had mentioned.

At the entrance to the market, there were many street vendors selling snacks, street performers, fortune tellers, and people selling livestock, making the place incredibly lively.

Meng Yuanling kept his eyes fixed on a monkey dressed in human clothes. The monkey trainer noticed and directed the monkey to approach, handing him a broad bean while continuously bowing.

Meng Yuanling was amused and gave the little monkey a copper coin, which prompted the trainer to launch into a string of flattering words.

The two of them continued walking a little further when Qiu Huanian’s attention was caught by a cage.

Inside a bamboo cage, about as high as a person’s calf, sat a three-month-old pure white cat.

Its fur was long and silky, with heterochromatic eyes—one blue, one golden. Its elegant posture and gently twitching ears all indicated its distinguished nature.

It was a Shandong Lion Cat, a beautiful Chinese breed. In the modern era Qiu Huanian once lived in, purebred Shandong Lion Cats were nearly extinct.

Qiu Huanian had always been fond of animals. In his previous life as a lifestyle blogger, he had raised two dogs, one cat, and three rabbits, which had made his videos much more appealing.

Now that he was settled in the prefectural city, he wanted to raise a pet again.

Qiu Huanian asked the man behind the cage, “Boss, how much is this cat?”

“Five qian of silver, plus a fish as a betrothal gift if you want to bring him home.”

Meng Yuanling’s eyes widened. “This cat is so expensive! In the countryside, kittens are just given away to whoever wants them.”

The seller chuckled. “A cat with this kind of appearance is worth the price. This is a Lion Cat, beautiful and good-tempered. Many noble ladies fight to keep one.”

Qiu Huanian also felt it was a bit expensive but not unacceptable. He liked this cat at first sight, and running into it like this felt like fate. In his previous life, he never had the chance to raise a purebred Lion Cat, so how could he pass it up now?

“I’ll take this cat. I’ll go buy a fish from the market. Please wait for me.”

“Salted fish as a bride price, always sitting by the theater seats.” This was the ancient romantic ritual of raising a cat. To buy a cat, you not only had to pay money but also prepare a betrothal gift.

Qiu Huanian chose a fresh carp weighing about a pound and returned with the string of fish. From a few meters away, he heard a commotion.

A maidservant, pointing her finger at the cat vendor, spoke in a shrill tone.

“You have no sense at all! No matter who you say you sold your cat to, if my young lady wants it, it’s hers!”

“You just want more money, right? Is one tael of silver enough? Two taels? Three taels?”

“I advise you to take what you can get. My young lady is the daughter of Su, the Left Minister of Liaozhou. If you make her angry, she’ll have you thrown in prison, confiscate the cage, and you won’t get a single coin!”