The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 70: Spring Outing

Qiu Huanian blinked, for a moment thinking he had misheard.

The sound of rushing water echoed in the warm pavilion, and Qiu Huanian floated in the water, his toes gently touching the finely pebbled bottom of the pool, drifting closer to the screen in the middle.

Su Xinbai seemed to have moved slightly further away.

Qiu Huanian laughed, “You weren’t shy when you said that just now, so why are you avoiding it now?”

His curiosity was fully piqued, and besides that, teasing someone like Su Xinbai, a cold and aloof beauty, was quite amusing.

Of course, the most important thing was still helping his friend resolve his emotional entanglement, hoping that they could find happiness.

If Su Xinbai truly had no feelings for Zhu Jingcheng and just saw him as a marriage partner, Qiu Huanian wouldn’t interfere, but clearly, that wasn’t the case.

Qiu Huanian leaned against the misty screen, faintly seeing the blurred shadow of Su Xinbai on the other side, unmoving.

Seeing that he wouldn’t give up without explaining everything, Su Xinbai exhaled, “You already have too many books to read, why do you still want to hear other people’s stories?”

Qiu Huanian rested his elbow on the small wooden basin floating in the hot spring and propped up his chin. “Reading those random books is nothing compared to hearing the person involved tell the story themselves.”

“…I’m afraid of you now.”

Su Xinbai’s vision was filled with mist, and he could only see things in his immediate vicinity. The warm spring water wrapped around him like the safest protective layer, gradually dissolving his wariness, releasing his fatigue, and tempting him to open up.

“If I’m to tell it, I must start from the beginning.”

“From Pangu creating the heavens and the earth?”

“…” Su Xinbai let out a soft laugh, relaxing slightly.

“Since I was young, I never liked the things other noble sons enjoyed. From the time I could remember, I only liked reading. My father was a top scholar, a Hanlin official, and he greatly approved of my interests. He even specifically invited other scholars to teach me, and I had free access to the family study.”

“In the first ten years, all I heard was praise. It seemed that books were considered noble in the eyes of the world, so those who loved reading naturally gained some prestige by association.”

Su Xinbai scoffed, as if mocking himself.

“At that time, I didn’t understand that I wasn’t viewed as a noble son. Men read books to become officials or engage in governance, and I studied the same way, writing essays for the imperial exams. My teacher said my essays were better than those written by the scholars in the academy, and gradually, I developed a lot of arrogance.”

“Later, my father was reassigned to be the Left Commissioner of Liaozhou. When he first arrived, he couldn’t make a move, and he encountered a mess left by the former officials, as well as obstacles from the Right Commissioner… I don’t know much about officialdom, so I can’t explain it clearly. In any case, my father decided to form an alliance through marriage with the Zhu family, who had deep roots in Liaozhou.”

“The most suitable person in our family was me, though my younger half-sister, Su Xin Yue, was also about the right age. Between the two of us, my father chose me.”

Qiu Huanian thought of those melodramatic plots from novels and TV shows and tentatively asked, “Was it your stepmother?”

“It had nothing to do with my stepmother. At the time, she suggested that Xin Yue marry, but my father… must have had other considerations.” Su Xinbai stared blankly at his hands. “My biological mother passed away early, and I was always the bookworm. I’m not afraid you’ll laugh at me, but there were many things in the household that I didn’t understand.”

Qiu Huanian listened carefully to Su Xinbai’s confession, not interrupting or offering any opinions. This silent listening was exactly what Su Xinbai needed.

“Before that, I had never seriously thought about what kind of person I would marry, but at the very least, they had to understand books and love reading, someone with whom I could converse well.” Su Xinbai spoke quietly, somewhat embarrassed, “When I was little, I always thought I would marry someone who ranked in the top three in the imperial exams.”

“Why not the top scholar?” Qiu Huanian asked curiously.

“…Because the top three are always good-looking.”

Qiu Huanian laughed, and Su Xinbai buried himself in the water, leaving only his eyes, shimmering with a watery glow, exposed to the mist.

Qiu Huanian urged him to continue the story, and Su Xinbai raised his head from the water. After the sound of splashing water, his voice became deep and dull again.

“I overheard the servants talking, saying, ‘Young Master Bai can’t do anything but read, now he’s being married off to a merchant family, his life will surely be hard.’ That’s when I learned that my father was going to marry me off to the Zhu family, and the birthday invitations had already been changed.”

“I had just arrived in Liaozhou at the time, not knowing the Zhu family’s name, and my first reaction was to refuse. I went to find my father, but this time, he didn’t give in like he usually did.”

“He said…”

“‘I’ve already made the decision about your marriage. When you reach the proper age, what else is there to do if you don’t get married? Do you really think a noble son can take the imperial exams and become an official?’”

“…”

Qiu Huanian sucked in a breath. He could understand how Su Xinbai’s pride was shattered by that sentence, “What else is there to do if you don’t marry?” spoken by his father, the Left Commissioner of Liaozhou. It must have struck deeply into Su Xinbai’s heart, leaving a scar that still hadn’t healed.

“After that day, I understood that my reading was different from the men’s reading. Men read to govern the country or to argue over texts, while I read to simply add some decorative colors to a porcelain vase, making it look better when it was given away as a gift.”

Su Xinbai recalled those vivid and painful memories in his mind. “With a heart full of sorrow, I married into the Zhu family. On the wedding night, the eldest son gave me a priceless rare book, saying he had arranged a study for me so I could read just as freely as I did at my natal home. But I felt like he was mocking me. After all, he and I—one from a merchant family, the other a noble son—were both not people who should be reading.”

“I threw the rare book and the bridal veil at his face in anger. He silently picked them up, looked at me for a moment, then turned and left.”

“…” Qiu Huanian cautiously asked, “Do you still think that way now?”

Su Xinbai shook his head. Realizing that Qiu Huanian couldn’t hear, he then spoke quietly, “Later, I gradually realized that although the eldest son came from a merchant background, he didn’t have the slightest air of frivolity or impatience. He was well-read, and I now believe that when he said that, he was being sincere.”

Qiu Huanian couldn’t help but add, “And he’s also good-looking.”

The sound of splashing water came from Su Xinbai’s side, and his cold voice now carried a hint of indignation, as if trying to cover up something. “…Why are you saying that?”

Qiu Huanian sighed. Su Xinbai’s emotional entanglements were indeed deep, but at least there was no irreconcilable conflict between him and Zhu Jingcheng. From Su Xinbai’s choice of words, his attitude had already softened.

“If you regret it, and you think the eldest son of the Zhu family is a good person, why not apologize and clear things up with him? Don’t you feel uncomfortable living like this?”

Su Xinbai muttered, “You wouldn’t understand.”

“He doesn’t pay any attention to me now, I think he’s probably been upset for a long time, but for the sake of the Su family’s reputation, he still has to maintain the relationship.”

Qiu Huanian blinked his beautiful eyes, recalling how the two interacted when he visited the Zhu residence that day, and objectively commented, “I don’t see you paying attention to him either.”

Su Xinbai mumbled softly, “If he doesn’t pay attention to me, how can I pay attention to him?”

“What if he thinks the same way? When will the two of you ever acknowledge each other?”

Su Xinbai was silent for a while, then answered as if giving up, “… Don’t joke. This is fine.”

He stood up from the hot spring, as if trying to escape. “It’s not good to soak in the hot spring for too long, I’m feeling a little uncomfortable. I’ll go out first.”

Though he had been speaking freely earlier, as soon as he left the warm embrace of the hot spring water, he lost that false sense of security and began regretting revealing so many embarrassing things.

Qiu Huanian sighed inwardly. Su Xinbai and Zhu Jingcheng were different from him; they were two pure, traditional people. Many things that seemed like they could be resolved with just a few words for him, were not so simple for them.

Even though Su Xinbai had revealed many of his inner thoughts today, it was because Qiu Huanian had earned his trust and didn’t have deep connections with either side. The warm, enclosed environment of the hot spring also helped relax his mind. Timing, location, and the right person were all indispensable.

If Zhu Jingcheng were here, Qiu Huanian was certain that Su Xinbai would turn into a stubborn, closed-off person again, perhaps even saying some contradictory things to protect himself.

Was Zhu Jingcheng really angry with Su Xinbai? Although there was no evidence, Qiu Huanian still felt that it wasn’t quite the case.

He wondered when these two would ever be able to openly reconcile.

…

After the Rain Water season, the weather gradually warmed, and the plants in the yard of the house secretly began to sprout green buds. Qiu Huanian put away his winter coat, and Su Xinbai sent several bolts of new silk patterns for them to make spring clothes.

Qiu Huanian wanted to pay, but Su Xinbai, with a teasing look on his face, furrowed his brows slightly, saying nothing but pretending not to have heard anything. He motioned for the servants not to accept the money.

Helpless, Qiu Huanian accepted the affectionate gesture from his wealthy friend.

When the clothes were ready and he put them on, Su Xinbai was finally satisfied. He sized up Qiu Huanian and said, “I knew this color would suit you.”

Qiu Huanian had grown a year older, and his appearance had matured a little. The slight childishness in his features had completely faded. His lively, bright eyes blinked on his delicate face, like early spring pink and white pear blossoms. They perfectly complemented the robe of embroidered silk in plum-colored green with a pattern of blooming flowers.

If Qiu Huanian hadn’t stopped him, Su Xinbai would probably have sent him every fabric he thought looked good. To him, money was just a few numbers; having money meant indulging oneself.

Su Xinbai then brought up the purpose of his visit that day. “Xian’er is due to switch to a new teacher. There happen to be several young girls and boys among the Zhu family’s relatives. My mother thought to invite them all to hold a school at home. I’m here to ask if Jiujiu would like to join?”

“Switch teachers?”

“Previously, there was a female teacher who taught reading and needlework, but this time we plan to hire a scholar and invite a palace maid to teach etiquette.”

Qiu Huanian called Jiujiu over to ask. Jiujiu had been bored staying in the city for almost half a month and was very happy to hear she could go outside to attend a school with children of her age.

Qiu Huanian agreed to Jiujiu’s request and then thought of Chunsheng. “Is there a school for children around Chunsheng’s age?”

“There are private schools run by scholars, and also family academies set up by wealthy families. If you trust me, I can help you inquire about the Su family and Zhu family’s family academies.”

Qiu Huanian wasn’t too sure. Chunsheng was younger and a bit mischievous, so he wasn’t sure what would happen if he sent him out. “I’ll discuss it with Yunse first.”

Su Xinbai nodded. “In two days, it will be the Spring Outing at Xiu Yan Mountain. Here’s the invitation. I’ve also written one for Ling’er. Prepare early so you’re not rushed at the last moment.”

Su Xinbai continued, saying that on the day of the Spring Outing, there would be special guards along the roads near Xiu Yan Mountain, setting up barriers and guarding them closely to prevent unrelated people from disturbing the noble families.

Qiu Huanian clicked his tongue, thinking to himself that the privileges of the ancient aristocracy were indeed extraordinary, and he was able to benefit from Su Xinbai’s connections.

“What should we pay attention to during the Spring Outing?”

“Bring some fruits and snacks. You can enjoy the spring and go for a walk up the mountain path to Qingfeng Academy. Just show the invitation and you’ll be able to enter. However, you can only stay in the outer courtyard of Qingfeng Academy. The inner courtyards, where the students study and live, are off-limits.”

“There’s no other purpose for this Spring Outing?” Qiu Huanian was a bit skeptical.

Su Xinbai explained, “Of course there’s a purpose. During the Spring Outing, many noble families from Xiangping gather in one place, and it’s an opportunity to take a look at unmarried young ladies and gentlemen from other families, to show off a bit, and to secure a good match for marriage. That’s why my family asked me to bring along the two younger girls. It’s a place where the young people can go, but it’s not appropriate for the elders to attend.”

Qiu Huanian laughed. “You probably didn’t attend such events before.”

Su Xinbai smiled lightly. “I had to grow up a bit. After all, I’m already married. There’s no trouble with it.”

On the twelfth day of the second month, the Flower Festival, Qiu Huanian sent Chunsheng to the Zhu residence to play with Zhu Jingwei, while he and Jiujiu, along with Meng Yuanling, went to Xiu Yan Mountain for a spring outing. Su Xinbai lent them a coachman to make the journey more convenient, as he had to go to the Su residence to pick someone up and couldn’t travel with Qiu Huanian.

After a whole lonely winter, Xiangping had regained its vitality. The streets were filled with people in bright, colorful clothes, and vendors were selling early spring flowers along the roadside.

Qiu Huanian asked the coachman to stop and bought a large bunch of apricot blossoms. The carriage was filled with the light fragrance of the flowers, and the petals, covered in dew, sparkled in the sunlight.

Jiujiu, smelling the flowers, skillfully decorated her temples with a few blossoms, and Meng Yuanling couldn’t wait to do the same. Qiu Huanian, unable to resist, allowed them to put a few petals on his forehead, instantly bringing a lively color to his face.

Jiujiu praised, “You look like a little immortal from a painting.”

Qiu Huanian looked a bit embarrassed, and Meng Yuanling deliberately teased from the side, “Later when Brother Yunse sees you, he definitely won’t be able to take his eyes off you.”

After just a few days apart, people should be seen in a new light. Ever since Meng Yuanling and Yun Cheng got married, he could finally turn the tables and tease Qiu Huanian.

Qiu Huanian narrowed his eyes and pinched Meng Yuanling’s cute little face. “I’ll be sure to tell Yun Cheng the truth about you staying up late secretly embroidering that pouch.”

Jiujiu widened her eyes. “Brother Ling, you said the pouch was embroidered long ago, but it turns out you rushed to finish it just these past two days?”

Meng Yuanling didn’t want to get scolded by Yun Cheng, so he quickly begged for mercy. “I was wrong, Brother Hua, please don’t tell Yun Cheng. Last time when he came back on his day off, he happened to find me wearing one less layer at night and coughing a bit—he scolded me for over half an hour, and he also, also…”

As Meng Yuanling spoke, his face suddenly turned bright red.

Qiu Huanian was curious. “And what else?”

Meng Yuanling exclaimed, “Nothing! Just don’t go saying nonsense!”

Qiu Huanian burst into laughter. “Look at you. You’re supposed to be the older cousin, yet Yun Cheng manages you like this? Before the wedding, your mind was entirely set on Yun Cheng, and now that you’re married, he’s completely got you under his thumb. Can’t you have a bit of backbone?”

Meng Yuanling’s face was flushed red, and he wished he could dig a hole and crawl into it. After a long pause, he muttered in defense, “Yun Cheng is really good to me too.”

Qiu Huanian swallowed another dose of dog food and teased a bit more. Looking out the window at the retreating early spring scenery, his heart had already wandered to Du Yunse.

Du Yunse had directly tested into the top Jia class of Qingfeng Academy, causing quite a stir, but being new, integrating into such a historically rich institution wasn’t easy.

Du Yunse never said much about it himself, but whenever he returned home on his days off, Qiu Huanian could tell from his slightly tired eyes that he must have faced many difficulties at the academy.

When Qiu Huanian asked, Du Yunse wouldn’t go into detail, only pulling him into a quiet, long embrace.

“Hua ge’er, if even these things make you worry, then I really am too useless.”

“You’re wholeheartedly caring for our home—I won’t let you down.”

Qiu Huanian leaned against Du Yunse’s increasingly steady and broad shoulder, reaching out to touch his Adam’s apple, feeling the vibration as he spoke.

Not only had he grown a year older, Du Yunse had matured and changed as well. All the experiences of the past year had been digested and internalized within him, turning into a calm and restrained inner strength, refining him like jade polished by water—subtle, solid, and beautiful, with a hidden depth not easily seen.

Sometimes Qiu Huanian would even forget that Du Yunse was still just a young man in his early twenties.

The carriage arrived at the foot of Xiuyan Mountain, where a section had already been marked off with colorful tents for the noble families coming for spring outings to park their carriages. Qiu Huanian and the others got off the carriage with their food boxes and let the coachman park freely.

Holding the invitation, they easily passed through the screens. Many richly dressed ladies, madams, and cheerful young girls and boys had already arrived. The mountain was filled with spring scenery, and laughter echoed everywhere.

Not knowing anyone, Qiu Huanian and his group simply strolled along the path, enjoying the spring. They’d been in the capital city for over half a month but hadn’t had a chance to get close to nature. Seeing the rare spring colors after winter, they were all a bit excited, often stopping to pluck a flower or admire the view.

If this era had cameras and the internet, Qiu Huanian’s WeChat Moments would probably be flooded with beautiful scenery photos.

After walking along the mountain path for about a quarter of an hour, they caught sight of Qingfeng Academy’s gate in the distance.

Qingfeng Academy was founded in the late previous dynasty and had a history of over a hundred years. Located in the mountains, it had been spared from the ravages of war. After many expansions, it had become the institution it was today.

Climbing the tall steps and entering the gate, they first reached the front courtyard. Surrounding it was a covered walkway and side rooms, with a large square in the center where statues of wise sages stood. Next to them were rows of large water vats, with lotus flowers blooming in summer.

Further in were the classrooms and student dormitories, and to the side were several small courtyards where the academy head and teachers lived.

After entering the front courtyard, the three of them asked a worker to fetch Du Yunse and Yun Cheng from the back. Since they weren’t sure exactly when they would arrive, they hadn’t made arrangements in advance so as not to interrupt the two men’s classes.

While waiting, they wandered to look at the couplets hanging from the pillars of the walkway. With Yun Cheng’s supervision and encouragement, Meng Yuanling had improved rapidly and could now recognize nearly all the characters.

As the three of them walked along the covered walkway, they gradually reached the other side of the courtyard and faintly heard voices. Qiu Huanian felt one of them sounded familiar. Meng Yuanling listened closely and whispered, “Brother Hua, I think it’s that Yi boy who was selling cats.”

Having helped sell tofu in his family’s tofu shop since childhood, Meng Yuanling was especially sharp at remembering people and voices. He instantly recalled where he’d heard that voice before.

As they continued, Min Leyi’s voice became clear—it came from beyond the courtyard wall.

“You say this kite is yours—what proof do you have?”

“There’s a poem I personally wrote on the kite. I ask Young Master Min not to make a scene and please return it to me.”

“Well, then let me ask you this: your kite fell down on me yesterday at noon and scared me—how are you going to compensate me?”

“…It’s just a kite. How could it possibly scare someone!”

“You’re speaking too loudly again, and you scared me.”

“You—you’re simply being unreasonable! You clearly, you’re not—”

“What about me?”

“Aren’t you the one who can beat up ten men all by yourself?”

“Who said that?! Who’s ruining this young master’s reputation?”

“…I don’t think they’re wrong though.”

“…”

Qiu Huanian, Meng Yuanling, and Jiujiu exchanged a glance, lightened their steps, and quietly moved away to avoid getting into trouble. Qiu Huanian thought for a long moment and finally recalled whose voice it was that had been arguing with Min Leyi.

It was also an old acquaintance—the young genius from the Yus of Liaozhou, Yu Min, who took the same entrance exam as Du Yunse last year and ended up placing second.

Just as the three of them walked a little away, Yu Min came out from the small door in the wall, looking sullen and dejected. From the look of it, he still hadn’t managed to retrieve the kite from Min Leyi.

Yu Min walked a few steps ahead with his head down. Upon seeing Qiu Huanian and the others, he walked a few more steps, then suddenly stopped.

“You know him, Brother Hua?” Meng Yuanling asked in a low voice.

“A doomed acquaintance,” Qiu Huanian answered truthfully.

Recalling their meetings last year, he felt a sense of speechless absurdity and amusement. Although Yu Min had the reputation of a genius, his lack of experience made his actions seem childish—like a kid unwilling to admit defeat.

Yu Min confirmed several times, almost wanting to rub his eyes. Finally, he was sure that standing in the front courtyard of Qingfeng Academy was indeed the ge’er he’d seen around the time of the Dragon Boat Festival last year.

Compared to last year, the clothes on his body were much nicer—barely acceptable to the eye now. Yu Min didn’t know why he’d appear at the academy.

Thinking it over, Yu Min walked up and asked, “Do you know the results of the Liaoyang Prefecture entrance exam last year?”

Qiu Huanian helplessly answered this question that came out of nowhere, “Yes.”

Yu Min cleared his throat. “Then do you know who I am?”

“Young Master Yu’s reputation is well-known. Naturally, I wouldn’t forget.”

Seeing Qiu Huanian so calm, Yu Min tried hard to keep a straight face and pressed on, “Do you—do you know what place I got?”

“You were second place, Young Master Yu.”

“Then why do you have no reaction at all?” Yu Min asked unhappily.

Qiu Huanian could only sigh, “…Because my husband was the top scorer.”

“…Huh?” Yu Min’s eyes widened.

“You—you—you, you’re Du Yunse’s husband?”

“The one who makes red fermented tofu, really skilled—the one Du Yunse talks about all the time?”

His brain was in a mess. He instinctively pointed at Qiu Huanian, but before Qiu Huanian could dodge, a slender and powerful hand grabbed his arm from the side and pressed it down, inch by inch, without allowing any resistance.

“Young Master Yu, please show some respect.”

Qiu Huanian’s eyes lit up. “Yunse, you’re here!”

Du Yunse walked up to Qiu Huanian, lowered his gaze to the apricot blossom on his forehead, and gently brushed it with his knuckle, stealing a touch of spring.