The Overachieving Little Husband of the Top Scholar’s Household - Chapter 82: Offering a Gift

Chapter 82: Offering a Gift

Shu Huacai and Zheng Yiwǎn, the married couple, had been busy at the inn all day, so only Rutáng, Shu Pozi, and the female teacher hired by the Shu family were at the Shu residence.

When Shu Pozi saw Qiū Huanián arriving with Jiǔjiǔ, she quickly invited them inside, served tea and water, then hurried out to call the Shu couple back.

Qiū Huanián told her there was no need, “I’m just here to deliver a book to Rutáng. I’ll sit for a bit and then leave—don’t delay their business.”

Qiū’s Six Chen Oyster Sauce was always sold in batches of twenty bottles every five days, with only two exceptions: the inn Shuyì Lóu and the restaurant Xiānwèijū near the examination compound. These two places received two extra bottles of oyster sauce every month. Those who couldn’t buy it could pay a hefty price to dine there and satisfy their cravings.

Thanks to the oyster sauce effect, the business at Shuyì Lóu and Xiānwèijū had more than doubled.

This was Qiū Huanián’s way of repaying the two families for their early, attentive care.

Now, Qiū’s Six Chen Oyster Sauce had become the most popular product not only in Xiāngpíng Prefecture but across the entire Liáo Prefecture.

With only twenty bottles sold every five days, demand far exceeded supply. In large households, if they didn’t ration it, their consumption would outpace their purchasing ability.

To carry out their master’s orders, every time the oyster sauce was released for sale, the entrance to Qiū’s Six Chen shop would be crowded with servants, afraid that being a little late would mean missing out.

Given Qiū Huanián and Dù Yúnsè’s status, and the subtle backing of the Zhù family and Su Yí, the Left Censor of Liáo Prefecture, no one dared to cause trouble. They could only line up obediently.

Qiū Huanián heard from Zhù Jīngchéng that the oyster sauce had even become a trendy gift among wealthy households, worthy of a dedicated line on the gift list.

Qiū Huanián was happy to see this, but had no intention of blindly expanding production.

If the product became too common, it would lose its value. If the business grew too large, he and Dù Yúnsè might not be able to manage it.

For now, it was better to earn money steadily while using scarcity marketing to build a name and prestige for the oyster sauce and the Six Chen brand.

After Qiū Huanián and Jiǔjiǔ arrived, Rutáng paused her studies to come out and greet them, along with her female teacher.

“Greetings, Lord Qiū.”

“Please, sit. No need for formalities.”

The teacher, a woman in her early twenties named Yuán Jiā, looked familiar to Qiū Huanián. Yuán Jiā smiled lightly and said, “My younger brother, Yuán Ruò, is a classmate of your young master. When Young Master Dù invited his classmates over to your residence, I escorted my brother and met you briefly.”

After learning of Chunshēng’s struggles, Qiū Huanián had hosted several small gatherings at home to help him make friends.

Yuán Ruò was the one who often tattled on Chunshēng at school, but also borrowed his speech drafts.

The two boys, having started off on the wrong foot, had now become inseparable friends.

“So you’re Yuán Ruò’s sister. I’ve been so busy lately, I completely forgot.”

“You’re brilliant and accomplished, and always busy. We didn’t talk much before, so it’s understandable to forget. After today, I’m sure you’ll remember.”

Yuán Jiā spoke softly but clearly and articulately. In the Yù Dynasty, women who could work as private teachers outside the home were never ordinary. They needed both personal ability and family support.

Qiū Huanián handed A Primer on Mathematics: Equations to Rutáng, who excitedly pulled Yuán Jiā over to read it together.

Yuán Jiā wanted to apologize, but Qiū Huanián told her not to be so formal—he didn’t care for such ceremonious behavior.

Thus, the teacher and student duo immediately became absorbed in the book.

Rutáng’s interest in mathematics was partly due to her teacher, Yuán Jiā, whose mathematical ability was higher than Qiū Huanián had expected. As she read, she raised insightful questions that went straight to the core.

After reading a dozen pages, she reluctantly suppressed her urge to continue and said sincerely, “Being able to teach Rutáng and read such a marvelous book ahead of others is truly a blessing.”

Rutáng smiled and said, “From now on, Teacher Yuán can read with me every day. I still need your guidance.”

“Of course.”

They sat and talked for a while and brought up Zhu Xiá, whom they had just seen outside.

Hearing that Zhu Xiá had offended the eldest young madam of the Zhù family and been expelled from the Zhu family’s study hall, Rutáng’s expression did not show joy, but rather sadness.

“Zhu Xiá and I were childhood best friends.”

“She wasn’t like this before.”

Thinking of Zhu Xiá’s gradual change over the past two years, Rutáng felt uneasy.

Even though they had parted ways due to conflicting beliefs and constant quarrels, she still couldn’t feel schadenfreude when speaking of her once closest friend.

Jiǔjiǔ asked curiously, “What was Zhu Xiá like before? Why did she change so much?”

Qiū Huanián took a sip of tea and encouraged Jiǔjiǔ to ask and reflect for herself.

“Zhu Xiá never used to talk about concubinage, heirs, or being a virtuous lady. She would just play with us—kick shuttlecocks, swing, play hide-and-seek, compete with flower arrangements… she was wilder than I was.”

“Then her father managed to marry her elder sister into the Zhù family, and she slowly changed.”

“If she had stayed the same, I wouldn’t have gone to comfort her when I heard her father kept taking concubines. It wasn’t until after our argument that I realized Zhu Xiá had completely become someone I didn’t recognize.”

Rutáng lowered her head sadly, and Yuán Jiā gently patted her head in comfort.

“Parents and elders are the most important teachers for children.”

Jiǔjiǔ nodded thoughtfully, “Even a piece of uncut jade, if stuck in a muddy ditch too long, becomes just a broken stone.”

Qiū Huanián and Jiǔjiǔ stayed at the Shu residence until nearly time for Chunshēng to finish school, then took a carriage to pick him up, bringing along Yuán Jiā, who was also going to pick up her younger brother.

Chunshēng’s private school was run by a classmate of Dù Yúnsè’s from Qingfēng Academy, and the students were all children from commoner families. Chunshēng’s clothing already made him one of the most well-dressed among them.

Jīn Sān skillfully parked the carriage by the street. After a short wait, the school gate opened, and the students began to file out.

Chunsheng walked out of the courtyard, bickering with a delicate and cute-looking child whose bangs covered his forehead.

When he saw Qiuhuannian in the carriage, Chunsheng’s eyes lit up with delight, and he immediately ran over.

“Hua-ge! Why did you come pick me up after school today?”

The child who had been bickering with Chunsheng also looked into the carriage. “Sister?”

Yuan Jia put on a stern face. “Yuan Ruo, aren’t you going to greet them properly?”

Yuan Ruo immediately reached up to press down his bangs, then stood up straight. “Greetings to Lord Qiu and Sister Quehan.”

Qiu Huannian smiled. “Everyone get in the carriage. We’ll give Yuan Jia and Yuan Ruo a ride since we’re heading the same way.”

……

The news that Su Xinbai suddenly changed his stance and punished Zhu Lu, the eldest daughter-in-law of the second household, quickly spread throughout the large Zhu residence.

Although copying three scriptures in the ancestral hall was a very light punishment compared to other house rules, it was undoubtedly a signal—a sign that Su Xinbai intended to intervene in the affairs of the Zhu household’s inner court.

The Zhu household was large and influential, with tangled interests everywhere. With the once aloof “Golden Buddha” suddenly stepping in, it immediately caused widespread anxiety.

Even the old madam of the Zhu household wanted to summon Su Xinbai to ask him about it, but her maid advised against it.

“Madam, the young madam just punished the second young madam. If you summon someone to ask about it now, wouldn’t that be showing disrespect to the young madam and the Su family?”

The old madam sighed. “Ah, what a situation… When is Jingcheng coming back?”

“The gatekeeper delivered a message. The eldest young master will return this evening.”

“Forget it, no one is in a good position to ask about this. Let Jingcheng handle it himself.”

The maid smiled. “It’s good that you can see it clearly, Madam.”

The old madam waved her hand to dismiss the maid massaging her legs. “Eight years ago during the Lantern Festival, Jingcheng went to the capital and came back as if he’d lost his soul. I summoned the servant who went with him and questioned him in detail, only to find out he had fallen for a legitimate son from a high-ranking official family.”

“Our kind of family may not lack silver or gold, but who would dare to dream of something like that? Yet Jingcheng seemed possessed. He thought about it day and night and wouldn’t allow us to arrange a marriage for him.”

“I asked him what he really wanted. He said he’d only give up once that ge’er was truly promised to someone else.”

The old madam chuckled and sighed as she recounted these past events. “Who knew that official would come to Liaozhou as a provincial administrator, and through a strange twist of fate, actually allow his son to marry into our family.”

The maid picked up a small wooden mallet and helped gently tap her back. “Clearly it was heaven’s will to bring this couple together. The sincerity of our young master moved the heavens.”

The old madam sighed again. “Our Zhu ancestors all had numerous wives and concubines, yet we gave birth to such a romantic soul. The second household’s schemes were foolish. If Jingcheng really wanted to take concubines, would he still have none by now?”

“My husband and I have become increasingly frail these past years. Our eldest son died early, but Jingcheng, the eldest grandson, has proven himself. Most of the business in the household is now in his hands. If he doesn’t want to do something, who can force him?”

The maid comforted her gently as she continued tapping her back.

“The eldest young master’s courtyard has the tightest control over information. No one knows exactly what goes on inside. But I’ve heard a few rumors in the past two days, saying the young master and the young madam have grown quite close. Maybe in another couple of years, you’ll have a legitimate great-grandson to hold.”

“Ah, let’s hope so.”

……

After lunch, Su Xinbai sat down to read for a while, but an inexplicable irritation lingered in his heart.

He finally put down the book and lay on the recliner for a bit. Before he knew it, he had fallen asleep.

In a half-dreaming state, he felt someone enter the room. He tried to open his eyes, but his eyelids were too heavy.

The person stopped in front of the recliner and leaned down. A chill filled Su Xinbai’s nostrils.

Then his lips were caught in a bite, rubbed a few times, then invaded completely.

“Mm—”

Su Xinbai dazedly opened his eyes, grabbed the person’s shoulders, and only after the assailant was done could he catch his breath.

“What time is it? When did you get back?”

Zhu Jingcheng picked Su Xinbai up and placed him on his lap, kissing him as he answered.

“Just got back. I couldn’t wait to see you.”

Su Xinbai rested his chin on Zhu Jingcheng’s broad shoulder and gave a soft yawn.

In the early days, when Zhu Jingcheng started behaving this way in broad daylight, Su Xinbai still resisted.

But resistance proved useless, so he had no choice but to get used to it.

The servants in the room had long since tactfully exited.

Zhu Jingcheng’s hand traced along Su Xinbai’s smooth waistline, eager to explore further.

Sensing danger, Su Xinbai squirmed a bit.

“It’s not even dark yet.”

“Xinbai, I haven’t had you for almost two days.”

Su Xinbai’s face burned, but he still insisted, “Even so, it’ll have to wait until after dark.”

Kissing and touching was one thing, but doing that in broad daylight—wouldn’t that really be wanton indulgence?

Su Xinbai’s bottom line had already been pushed back to simply not doing “official business” during the day.

And it probably wouldn’t be long before that bottom line moved again.

Zhu Jingcheng regretfully withdrew his hand and kissed Su Xinbai on the brow.

“I’ll have someone bring food and water so you can wash up.”

He stepped out into the courtyard to give instructions, when suddenly someone came with a message—it was someone from the old madam’s side.

Zhu Jingcheng stepped outside the courtyard to speak with them. In the main room, Su Xinbai heard the noise and pressed his lips together.

Zhu Jingcheng returned after a while. Su Xinbai had already washed his face and hands, the hair at his forehead still slightly damp.

“What did Grandmother say to you?” he asked casually.

Zhu Jingcheng walked up to Su Xinbai and gently brushed aside the strands of hair covering his eyes.

“She said our Xinbai is impressive—you punished someone from the second household today.”

Su Xinbai lowered his eyes. “And… what do you think?”

“Of course, it was a good punishment—just too light. If my lady still feels unsatisfied, I’ll help you take care of them.”

“Who’s joking with you? I mean—”

Su Xinbai’s words abruptly stopped.

Zhu Jingcheng looked at him with a smile, though his voice gradually deepened. “I’m not joking either.”

His eyes twinkled with amusement, but his tone turned serious. “Anyone who dares to upset you deserves to be properly dealt with.”

Su Xinbai’s heart skipped a beat. He blurted out, “Then do you or don’t you want to take concubines?”

Zhu Jingcheng was momentarily stunned, then furrowed his thick brows.

“I thought I had already laid my heart bare to you. Are you still doubting my sincerity?”

Su Xinbai turned his head, nervously clutching his hands, though his words remained sharp.

“You love doing that so much. Sooner or later you’ll get tired of me. Then you’ll—”

His eyes were red, and he stubbornly refused to lower his head. The trace of displeasure in Zhu Jingcheng’s heart instantly dissipated, leaving only tenderness.

He waved his hand, signaling the servants who dared not raise their heads to all withdraw.

Zhu Jingcheng held Su Xinbai’s hand and squatted down to look up at him.

“Can’t Xinbai tell whether I enjoy doing that kind of thing, or that I love you so much I can’t help but want to?”

“For my wife to think of me this way—it truly breaks my heart.”

Hearing such straightforward words of affection, Su Xinbai’s throat tightened. Ashamed, he also felt a bit regretful; he shouldn’t have spoken to Zhu Jingcheng like that out of impatience.

Zhu Jingcheng chuckled. “If my wife has doubts, then it must be that I haven’t done it enough. How about you savor it again in detail?”

Zhu Jingcheng stood up and carried Su Xinbai. Su Xinbai hesitated briefly, then curled up in his arms with reddened ears, allowing Zhu Jingcheng to place him on the kang bed.

Soft silk curtains fell, veiling the room in springtime affection.

The kitchen had delivered food, but the owners of the small courtyard had no time to enjoy it.

Dian Mo and Shi Juan exchanged glances and sighed.

“Take it back to the kitchen and keep it warm. When it’s needed, we’ll have someone fetch it.”

It wasn’t until night had fallen that the doors to the main room reopened. Zhu Jingcheng, draped in clothing, came out and called for hot water.

He personally helped Su Xinbai wash, then held his exhausted wife in his arms and fed him dinner.

Su Xinbai’s protests were useless. He could only eat, face red, one bite at a time.

After the relationship between the two progressed rapidly, the main room of this little courtyard became less and less a place for servants to set foot in.

Zhu Jingcheng picked out Su Xinbai’s favorite dishes and fed him tirelessly. As eating too much at night could lead to indigestion, they only ate until they were half full before he put down his chopsticks.

“As for the second household, my wife need not worry about it anymore. Leave it to me.”

Su Xinbai wrapped his arms around Zhu Jingcheng’s shoulders and hummed in agreement.

“I never liked meddling in these things anyway.”

“I know. There are some people in the household who are too used to a comfortable life and fear you might trouble them. But do they even deserve it?” Zhu Jingcheng kissed Su Xinbai’s earlobe.

“Xinbai’s time is so precious. How could it be wasted on them?”

Su Xinbai thought for a moment, still slightly uneasy.

“Be cautious. If it’s too difficult, just let it be. What if they trip you up when you leave the house? At most, I’ll only have to listen to some annoying words at home.”

Zhu Jingcheng laughed. “Silly thing.”

“Who are you calling silly?” Su Xinbai stared wide-eyed in surprise.

In over twenty years, it was the first time he’d heard someone describe him with that word.

Zhu Jingcheng coaxed him, “Did I say something? Xinbai must have misheard.”

Su Xinbai looked at him seriously. In Zhu Jingcheng’s eyes, he looked like a pampered little kitten meant to be spoiled.

Unable to hold back, he kissed him again. Su Xinbai let out a few muffled sounds, forgetting all about demanding an explanation.

…

After being reminded by Su Xinbai, Qiu Huanian decided to proactively submit a memorial and present the mathematics book to the emperor.

To offer a gift to the emperor, merely sending a book was obviously not enough. Qiu Huanian went to the estate to check on the progress of Bingqi and Bingba’s research on the single-person push plow.

Spring had deepened. By noon, the sunlight already carried warmth.

Qiu Huanian wore a deep blue single-layer robe, walking among the estate’s fields. The tenant farmers were already familiar with this master who occasionally visited, and after greeting him, they continued with their work.

The cotton seedlings had long been transplanted. The recovery period was nearly over, and the thriving seedlings promised a bountiful autumn harvest.

Qiu Huanian found the Mu brothers at the edge of their two-acre plot.

This land had been allocated from families with larger holdings. Bingqi and Bingba were personally sent here by Qiu Huanian. Skilled carpenters, they got along well with the tenant farmers.

When Qiu Huanian arrived, the two were testing the single-person push plow.

“Master Qiu, you’re here?”

“I had some free time today, so I came to check how the push plow is progressing.”

“It’s just about ready. A little more fine-tuning, and we’ll have the final blueprint.”

Qiu Huanian took the plow and tried it himself.

The Mu brothers had integrated mechanical techniques to improve on Qiu Huanian’s earlier prototype, making it easier to push and less prone to wear.

With Qiu Huanian’s strength, he could easily use it to break the soil and till the land.

Compared to traditional plows, it saved both time and effort.

What was even more valuable was that the materials used hadn’t increased. Aside from a more complex manufacturing process, it didn’t incur extra cost.

“Excellent. Work a little faster these next few days and finish the final product and blueprint. I’ll present it to His Majesty along with the book. Perhaps you’ll even receive a reward.”

The Mu brothers exchanged glances, brimming with motivation.

Previously in the palace, their work was often for the amusement of nobles. Even if they created something impressive, it remained unseen. Though highly skilled, they felt little pride.

Now that they had left the palace and were making things genuinely useful to farmers, they gradually found self-worth in the thanks and praise they received.

Qiu Huanian asked, “It’s nearly lunchtime. Are you heading home to eat, or did you bring something?”

Before the Mu brothers could reply, Wei Li came over carrying a basket.

Seeing Qiu Huanian, Wei Li greeted him somewhat shyly.

“Li-ge’er and Granny Wei are unwell. We help them farm, and they help us cook.”

Wei Li opened the basket. Inside were four cornmeal cakes, a bowl of wild greens, two boiled eggs, and a small pot of sorghum porridge.

Bingqi took the basket and pulled out the food inside. “Thank you, Li-ge’er. The sun’s getting hotter. I’ll make you an umbrella later.”

Wei Li waved his hands, refusing. Bingba laughed and signaled to his brother with a glance.

“My brother is great at making umbrellas. Once it’s ready, we’ll send it to you.”

Wei Li could only accept.

With the food delivered, Wei Li was ready to leave. The empty bowls and basket would be returned that evening when the Mu brothers came home.

Qiu Huanian walked back with him.

On the way, Qiu Huanian asked with concern, “Are you used to living on the estate?”

“I’m quite used to it. Compared to the days when I was fleeing for my life, this is like living in heaven.”

“That’s good. Take care of your health. If you need anything, come to me.”

Wei Li offered, “Master Qiu, I can read and also paint a little. I can help record the agricultural matters here on the estate for you, to assist in compiling the farming manual.”

Qiu Huanian was delighted. “That’s wonderful. I was just troubled that I couldn’t check the crops myself all the time.”

He added, “I’ll speak to Old Deng and have someone deliver writing materials to you. From now on, you’ll be in charge of documenting crop growth and issues.”

Wei Li’s expression brightened, and he nodded obediently.

He had once rejected reading and painting from the depths of his heart, as his father only had him learn them to curry favor with the powerful.

But now, he had embraced it all again and reconciled with his past self.

In a mysterious way, he sensed that the Wei family in Zhang County would soon no longer be the inescapable nightmare it had once been.

Wei Li curved his lips into a smile, his steps growing lighter.

He instinctively looked back. Behind him, the blue sky stretched above vast green fields, with clusters of wildflowers blooming.

In the distance, Bingqi bit into the slightly charred corn cake he had made.

…

Once Bingqi and Bingba had perfected the single-person push plow, the Qimin Publishing House also printed the first batch of Elementary Mathematics: Equations.

Qiu Huanian took twelve bottles of oyster sauce from storage, along with six copies of the new book, the plow blueprints and prototype, and used the township lord’s token to request official courier transport to the capital.

The memorial accompanying the offering was written by Qiu Huanian and edited by Du Yunse to avoid any inappropriate wording that might be used against them.

In less than ten days, the offerings were delivered to the capital via express courier, and the memorial was placed on Emperor Yuanhua’s desk.

It was personally selected by the chief eunuch Wen Xing, who knew anything related to Du Yunse would interest the emperor.

That afternoon, Emperor Yuanhua flipped to Qiu Huanian’s memorial.

“This township lord I appointed wasn’t a waste, after all.”

“Your Majesty?”

“Issue a decree. The township lord Qiu is rewarded with one hundred taels of silver, a pair of jade ruyi scepters, and ten boxes of tribute medicine. Each of the two craftsmen from the palace shall receive ten taels of silver.”

“Send the agricultural tool Qiu submitted to the imperial estate. Let the crown prince handle it.”

“Send the mathematics book to the imperial library. Have the second prince lead the library officials in studying it. I want to see him compile a practical book based on it.”

As the emperor finished speaking, the scribe eunuch outside had already begun drafting the edict.

When the decree spread, many watchful individuals were left puzzled again.

Since the crown prince’s house arrest had been lifted, he had thrown himself into agricultural matters and commuted daily to the imperial estate. Whether or not it was an act, it made sense to assign him responsibility for farming tools.

But the second prince Jia Hongyi was known as the most martial among the princes, often said to resemble the emperor himself. His supporters in court were largely military men or aristocrats.

Assigning him to manage the imperial library—was it further sidelining him, or was the emperor preparing to cultivate his literary following?