Chapter 21
With the rank of xiucai, one possessed scholarly status and did not have to kneel when meeting officials.
Although the Baiyue Dynasty placed great importance on commerce, the hierarchy of scholar, farmer, artisan, and merchant had existed for a long time. A xiucai mixing in the business world should originally have been looked down upon, but Qin Chu had a physical disability and was destined not to become an official. Because of that, this instead became icing on the cake.
Everyone in the hall looked toward County Magistrate Qiu in unison. For the county magistrate to announce the commendation document at this exact moment—the timing was far too subtle.
It was hard not to suspect that he had done it deliberately. Unexpectedly, not only did County Magistrate Qiu not protect the Gu family, he even seemed to be lifting up the Qin family a little. Had Eldest Young Master Gu’s calculations failed this time?
Eldest Young Master Gu, who had been about to speak, was instantly blocked. With County Magistrate Qiu saying this, it was equivalent to clearing Qin Chu’s name and acknowledging her arithmetic results and talent.
If he continued pestering her, the Gu family would only lose even more face. At this moment, he could also see County Magistrate Qiu’s attitude. Although the magistrate might not necessarily support the Qin family, he was definitely not standing on the Gu family’s side.
Eldest Young Master Gu clenched his fists tightly and forced a smile. “This Gu failed to recognize Mount Tai and believed rumors too easily. I shall punish myself with three cups. Congratulations to Miss Qin on receiving the court’s commendation.”
Everyone in the hall gained a deeper understanding of him. He could bend and stretch; he was indeed someone capable.
Qin Chu had not expected such a pleasant surprise. Even after receiving the document, she still had not quite recovered. “Many thanks, County Magistrate Qiu.”
County Magistrate Qiu smiled. “Are you stunned from joy? This is the court’s commendation. You should not thank this official. Everyone, remember this: merchants must benefit the country and the people in order to receive court commendations and official support. If one harms others without benefiting oneself, one will only reap what one has sown.”
After warning everyone with a few words, County Magistrate Qiu had accomplished the purpose of his visit and intended to return home. However, when he stood, he glanced at the brocade-clad young man beside that small wine merchant.
This person had an extraordinary bearing, was an unfamiliar face, and also had the surname Zhou.
He thought of something, and contemplation flashed through his eyes. The Baiyue imperial family’s surname was Zhou. Some days ago, his mentor had sent word that the Second Prince had left the capital and seemed to be coming to Jiuqu County.
This person was called Zhou Er…
Qin Chu cupped her hands and saw them off. Her gaze paused briefly on Qiu Jinning’s slightly flushed cheeks.
As if sensing it, Qiu Jinning gave a faint smile. Her eyes held a warmth and tenderness Qin Chu had never seen before. It was just like her expression on the night of the Lantern Festival, and also like the shifting, alluring gaze in Qin Chu’s dream.
Qin Chu suddenly had a bad feeling. “Miss Qiu, please wait. May we speak in my room? There is something I wish to ask you.”
Hearing this, County Magistrate Qiu looked toward his daughter. His daughter’s expression seemed somewhat strange—strangely soft. He had never seen his daughter look at anyone like this before.
Qin Chu kept her face calm, but in truth, she was already deeply worried inside. No matter how she looked at it, Qiu Jinning seemed to be having another love gu flare-up. At the moment, she could not care about anything else. She had to take Qiu Jinning away first.
This would prevent others from noticing and also keep County Magistrate Qiu from seeing something wrong on the road.
Qiu Jinning looked at her and smiled beautifully. “All right.”
Her tone was soft and yielding, without much strength.
Qin Chu’s heart tightened. “Miss Qiu, please follow me.”
If there had not been so many people watching, she would almost have grabbed Qiu Jinning’s hand and sprinted.
Everyone watched them leave, somewhat confused. Eldest Miss Qin and Qiu Jinning seemed to have a very good relationship.
County Magistrate Qiu, who had been directly ignored by his daughter, frowned. His daughter truly treated this Eldest Miss Qin differently.
Once the two entered the room, Qin Chu hurriedly instructed the little maid following behind them. “Guanzi, go tell the kitchen to cook a bowl of sobering soup. Quickly.”
“Got it. This servant will go right away.” Guanzi jogged off to the kitchen, leaving only Qin Chu and Qiu Jinning standing opposite each other in the room.
Only then did Qin Chu look at Qiu Jinning. “How do you feel? Are you uncomfortable?”
Just one sip of beer, and she was already like this. And she still said her body was much better? She really made people worry.
Qiu Jinning raised her eyes. It seemed as though the love gu had flared up, yet it also seemed as though her reason was still present. Her tone was light and slow. “Qin Chu… what question did you want to ask me?”
The woman before her loved wearing red. Scarlet should have been warm and intense, yet on Qiu Jinning, it carried an air of nobility—noble and cool.
It made her seem as white as frost and snow. Only now, that snow-white face was covered with a faint blush, stirring the heart.
Qin Chu steadied herself. “Are you feeling unwell? Is the love gu flaring up?”
No matter how she looked at it, it seemed like the love gu was acting up.
Qiu Jinning’s red lips parted slightly, and ripples rose in her eyes. “Perhaps it is. I am not certain either.”
She gazed at Qin Chu intently. Joy and dependence lingered in her heart, and her eyes grew even gentler.
Qin Chu’s heart pounded wildly.
Perhaps?
This was clearly it!
She suppressed the throbbing in her heart. “Let’s sit first. Guanzi should be here soon.”
She had to come quickly. If too much time passed, Qin Chu was afraid her own mind would turn muddled. Qiu Jinning’s current appearance was far too tormenting. It made her think of that Lantern Festival night, that night with an extremely good experience…
Qiu Jinning’s gaze turned dazed for a moment. It was as if she had tried very hard to think before finally understanding Qin Chu’s meaning. Then she turned and walked farther inside, sitting down at the edge of the bed.
Qin Chu: !
!!!
!!!!!!!!!
She meant sit on the chair. Why had Qiu Jinning sat on the bed!
Qiu Jinning looked at her softly. “Qin Chu, why aren’t you coming to sit?”
Those usually cold eyes were now tender as water, like gentle moonlight spilling down and falling over Qin Chu, bewitching her nerves.
Qin Chu took a deep breath.
Heavens above. If Guanzi did not come soon, the one afflicted by the love gu would no longer be Qiu Jinning. It would be her.
“I’ll sit here. Hold on a little longer.”
Qiu Jinning’s eyes were hazy. “Hold on? Qin Chu… hold on to what?”
There was a trace of grievance and confusion in her slow tone.
Qin Chu’s breath hitched.
She was almost unable to hold on anymore. The one afflicted by the love gu must be herself, right? Help.
Before she could answer, Qiu Jinning seemed to feel a little hot and lightly tugged at her collar. “Qin Chu…”
Qin Chu took a deep breath, unable to suppress the panic of her heartbeat. She turned her head to stare outside the door.
Why was the door open?
If someone came and saw Qiu Jinning like this, it would be bad.
She got up and went to close the door. The wooden door let out a creak.
At the moment it closed, Qin Chu’s hand on the door suddenly paused, pressing hard against the wood. “Qiu Jinning, don’t—”
Qiu Jinning hugged her tightly from behind, her voice unusually aggrieved. “Qin Chu, I feel awful…”
Hearing this, Qin Chu’s heart softened. She pried open Qiu Jinning’s hands and turned around, meeting her yearning gaze.
Qiu Jinning was three to five centimeters shorter than Qin Chu. At this moment, she lifted her head slightly, her red lips parting as if asking for a kiss.
Enticing. Bewitching.
Even more tormenting.
Qin Chu’s temples throbbed fiercely, mixing with the chaotic pounding of her heart.
Her hands trembled. Her left hand wrapped around Qiu Jinning’s waist, while her right hand supported the back of Qiu Jinning’s neck. Her gaze darkened.
Qiu Jinning blinked innocently. When Qin Chu lowered her head and leaned closer, Qiu Jinning unconsciously rose onto her toes and met her.
“Miss, open the door quickly. The sobering soup is here.” The little maid’s voice sounded outside the door.
Qin Chu leaned back against the wooden door, holding the beauty in her arms, who had gone soft as mist. Her eyes were closed, and she was unwilling to move her lips away.
To hell with the sobering soup. To hell with opening the door. She did not want to endure anymore.
The person in her arms seemed to regain a trace of reason because of the knocking and struggled slightly.
Qin Chu tightened her hold, unwilling to part.
Qiu Jinning only struggled for an instant before becoming obedient again. A broken murmur slipped from her lips. “Qin… Chu…”
Qin Chu’s mind went blank. Her heartbeat was in complete disorder. She could no longer care about anything else and lifted the person in her arms, quickly walking to the bedside.
Qiu Jinning fell onto the soft brocade quilt, her black hair scattered. A faint flush appeared at the corners of her eyes, and her gaze was like a jar of newly brewed strong wine, soul-stirring and captivating.
Qin Chu’s hands trembled. She bent down, pulled open the black belt over the red dress, and fell fully into her arms.
“Miss, Miss, open the door quickly.” The knocking sounded again. Guanzi’s tone was cheerful, completely unaware that the atmosphere inside the room had already become charming and out of control.
Qin Chu bit the corner of her lip hard and abruptly got up.
Damn it.
After cursing inwardly, she pushed Qiu Jinning away and quickly went to open the door, as if being even half a step slower would leave her trapped on the bed, trapped in Qiu Jinning’s soft calls.
“Give me the sobering soup. Guard the door.”
The wooden door opened in a hurry, then closed again with a bang.
“Qin Chu…”
“Drink the soup.”
Qiu Jinning did not even look at the sobering soup. Her eyes stared straight at Qin Chu, and her fair hand reached out to tug Qin Chu’s sleeve.
Qin Chu’s heart trembled, and her hand trembled with it. She took a deep breath, drank a large mouthful of sobering soup, and leaned down.
The warm soup slid from the corner of Qiu Jinning’s mouth to her fair neck, dampening the red collar and making the scarlet deepen.
Qin Chu struggled to finish feeding her the sobering soup, then held Qiu Jinning tightly to keep her from moving around.
“Qin Chu…”
“Shut up. Qiu Jinning, enough is enough.”
Otherwise, she really would not be able to control herself.
Qin Chu sighed inwardly. What kind of situation was this? Had heaven specifically sent Qiu Jinning to test her willpower?
As if frightened by her tone, Qiu Jinning’s eyes reddened, and a glimmer of tears appeared. “Qin Chu, that’s not what you said on the boat.”
Her tone was terribly aggrieved, as if she would cry in the next moment.
Qin Chu froze slightly.
On the boat?
On the boat during the Lantern Festival poetry gathering? What had she said…
Thinking back to that night, Qin Chu’s thoughts slowed. Oh, she remembered. What she had said was, “Beauty, you make me unable to stop…”
At the time, she had thought it was a dream, so she had been a little unrestrained…
The person in her arms seemed to have finished fussing and quietly leaned against her shoulder, no longer moving.
After an unknown amount of time, Qiu Jinning struggled slightly, wanting to get up. “Qin Chu…”
“Behave. Otherwise, I really will take action.” Qin Chu held her tighter, her tone softening a great deal, half coaxing and half threatening.
The person in her arms stiffened and stopped moving.
Qiu Jinning buried her face in Qin Chu’s embrace and obediently stayed still.
After a long while, she finally said dully, “Let go of me first. Qin Chu, I’m awake now.”
Author’s Note:
Loudly: Audit, begone! I didn’t describe anything below the neck, I swear…
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