Chapter 23.2
The carriage returned to the Qin residence, stopped for a quarter of an hour, and then, before the sky had darkened, went to the county magistrate’s residence.
After the gatekeeper reported their arrival, he quickly led Qin Chu inside.
The one who received her was Madam Qiu.
“May I ask what brings Miss Qin here?” Qin Chu had only said she wished to visit, but had not said whom she wanted to see. The master was a man and not suited to receiving a young lady, so Madam Qiu had come forward.
Originally, she had not wanted to appear, but she had heard from Luyao, who served her daughter, that her daughter had once again drunk wine with this Eldest Miss Qin and gotten drunk, and had only just woken up.
Madam Qiu’s feelings were somewhat complicated. Her daughter had promised last time that she would have fewer dealings with Qin Chu. As expected, she had been coaxing her mother. Otherwise, why would she drink with this good-for-nothing Eldest Miss Qin again and again, and return drunk every time?
It was too abnormal. So abnormal that it did not seem like something her daughter would do.
The moment Qin Chu saw Madam Qiu, she became a little nervous. She tried hard to remain calm and said, “This junior came for Miss Qiu. A new academic official has arrived at the county school. Academic Official Zhou said he came to study the table-style bookkeeping method. In truth, that bookkeeping method also includes Miss Qiu’s contribution, so this junior wishes to invite Miss Qiu to discuss it together with Academic Official Zhou. I hope Madam Qiu will permit it.”
This was the reason she had found after thinking it over repeatedly. It should be reasonable, right?
Madam Qiu swept a glance over her, her tone flat. “Jinning can decide this matter herself.”
She had no intention of getting involved in the matters of the younger generation. Especially since that Academic Official Zhou was the current Second Prince. Presumably, her husband and daughter both had their own judgment.
Why had this good-for-nothing Eldest Miss gone out of her way to tell her?
Qin Chu smiled. “Many thanks, Madam Qiu. This junior will go find Miss Qiu now.”
Since she would inevitably have to come often to the Qiu residence in the future, of course she had to first receive Madam Qiu’s approval.
Madam Qiu nodded, but always felt something was off. She waved for her head maid to come closer. “Quietly tell Miss to have fewer dealings with the Qin family.”
This time, her daughter should not fob her off again, right?
Qiu Jinning had only woken not long ago. The moment she saw Qin Chu, her eyes softened. “Qin Chu… you came.”
Meeting that tender, watery gaze, Qin Chu froze. “Mm. I came to find Miss Qiu for something.”
Why look at her with such eyes for no reason? It made people think too much. Could it be that Divine Physician Han’s silver needle had not suppressed the love gu?
“What business does Miss Qin have?” Qiu Jinning seemed to come back to herself. Her tone became much colder, and her gaze also calmed.
After explaining that Qiu Jinning could not smell alcohol, and then explaining why it would be best for the two of them to stay together often in the future, Qin Chu waited for Qiu Jinning’s answer.
“I am willing. Willing to discuss matters with Academic Official Zhou together with you.”
“This is only a cover. You should still avoid getting close to him, lest you feel unwell again.” Seeing that Qiu Jinning agreed without much thought, Qin Chu felt inexplicably uncomfortable.
In the end, she still could not help her own selfishness. Deep down, she did not want Qiu Jinning to have too much contact with Zhou Er, even though they were the male and female leads, a match destined by heaven…
“All right. I will avoid contact with him as much as possible.”
Qiu Jinning agreed even faster, making Qin Chu’s heart stir. Her lips moved, but she still pressed down her thoughts. “Then I shall take my leave.”
“I’ll see you out.”
The two walked out. The moment Guanzi saw her young lady come out, she went to study Qiu Jinning’s expression. It looked much gentler than last time at the teahouse.
“Miss, did you say those words to Miss Qiu?” Did she manage to make Miss Qiu happy or not?
Unfortunately, Qiu Jinning’s expression remained faint, and Guanzi could not quite tell.
Qin Chu glared at her. “Stop talking nonsense. Return home.”
Guanzi: “…”
With Miss’s clumsy mouth, she definitely had not said it.
They walked all the way to the gate of the residence, and Qin Chu and Qiu Jinning did not speak again.
Luyao looked sideways at Guanzi. Plump maid, did you pass on my words or not?
Guanzi rolled her eyes. What use was passing them on? Our Miss cannot say them out loud.
Truly, the emperor was not anxious, but the eunuchs were.
“Miss Qiu, please stay.” Qin Chu walked to the carriage and turned back to bid Qiu Jinning farewell.
Qiu Jinning nodded lightly and stood in place.
Guanzi watched anxiously and could not help reminding her, “Miss, do you have anything else to say to Miss Qiu?”
As she spoke, her eyelids blinked rapidly. Say it quickly. How can you be so stupid? I already taught you how to say it!
Qin Chu heard Guanzi’s hint and remembered the little maid’s unreliable words. With a stern face, she said, “Why aren’t you helping me into the carriage? Be careful your eyes start twitching.”
What kind of place was this? Was it an occasion to say random things?
Guanzi felt exhausted. Miss was truly disappointing. She glanced at Qiu Jinning, who was still standing there without moving, then her eyes shifted. Instead of helping her own young lady, she looked at Qiu Jinning and said, “Miss Qiu, no need to see us off. You truly are as understanding and considerate as my Miss said. Whoever marries you must be blessed for three lifetimes.”
Qin Chu: !!!
No. She did not say that. This little maid who acted on her own—when they returned, she would be punished with the board.
Qin Chu suppressed the messy thoughts in her heart and said awkwardly, “Miss Qiu, don’t mind her. This maid is used to spouting nonsense.”
Luyao, standing to the side, watched with the corner of her mouth twitching. This plump maid was too stupid. She had taught her those words so her master could say them, not so she could say them herself. If another person said them, could the effect be the same?
Qiu Jinning slowly curved her lips. “It is fine. Miss Qin, take care on the road.”
Her tone was gentle, and her smile was faint, like a touch of evening glow at the horizon—graceful and moving.
“Oh. All right.” Qin Chu coughed uncomfortably and glared at the little maid with her eyes. Aren’t you going to help me leave already?
This was the first time Guanzi had seen Qiu Jinning smile, and so beautifully at that. She immediately became completely convinced of Luyao’s words. Miss Qiu really did like hearing nice things. Then this would be easy. If her master was disappointing, then she would be reliable instead.
“Got it. Miss, you were absolutely right. Miss Qiu is not only as beautiful as a heavenly immortal, but when she smiles, she looks even more like an otherworldly fairy.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Qin Chu saw Qiu Jinning smile gently again. Her face turned awkward, and she only wanted to hurry into the carriage.
On the way back, she stared at the proud-looking little maid and asked, “Guanzi, are you satisfied with your name?”
Guanzi answered, “Satisfied. Speaking of which, this servant wasn’t called Guanzi before. Master saw that this servant was honest and loyal, so he specially bestowed the name Zhuzi.”
Qin Chu laughed coldly in her heart. Honest and loyal, so Zhuzi? Was he sure it was not because she was round and plump?
“Then how did you become Guanzi later?”
“Miss, you said the name Master chose was vulgar, so you changed this servant’s name to Guanzi.”
The corner of Qin Chu’s eye twitched. The vulgarity level of this father and daughter’s naming sense was evenly matched. “From now on, don’t be called Guanzi anymore. Be called Hulu. A gourd with no mouth cut open.”
Guanzi was puzzled. “A gourd with no mouth cut open? Miss, is there some special meaning?”
Qin Chu said with a dark face, “Yes. It means you should speak less and stay silent. If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll saw your mouth open.”
Guanzi looked innocent. “But if a gourd’s mouth is sawed open, won’t it stop being silent? Miss, do you want me to speak or not? In this servant’s opinion, Miss, you should speak more in the future. Didn’t you see Miss Qiu become happy?”
“If I tell you to be a gourd, then shut your mouth. When we get back, clean every latrine in the residence. Personally clean them. If you don’t clean them properly, you’re not allowed to come back.” Qin Chu took a deep breath. This infuriating little maid.
The moment Guanzi heard this, she became obedient. After returning to the residence, she went dejectedly to clean the latrines.
Miss must be blaming her for stealing the spotlight and making Miss Qiu happy. But that couldn’t be blamed on her. Wasn’t it because Miss herself was disappointing?
Blaming others when she herself was disappointing. Miss was no good.
The “no good” Qin Chu was thinking about the little maid’s words. Qiu Jinning’s preferences were far too unique. Did she really like hearing nice words? Then should Qin Chu say more of them in the future?
Bah. Why would she go out of her way to make the female lead happy for no reason?
Qin Chu despised herself inwardly. The next day, when she arrived at the county school, she ran into Academic Official Zhou greeting Qiu Jinning.
“Miss Qiu, I trust you have been well. Looking at you today, your complexion seems much better.” Zhou Er shook his folding fan and smiled slightly. The first time he had seen Qiu Jinning was at the Qin residence’s wine-tasting banquet. At the time, they had not spoken, and he had only felt this woman possessed exceptional beauty.
Later, when they met again in the study of the county magistrate’s residence, this county magistrate’s daughter had only greeted him before saying she felt unwell and hurriedly left the study.
Qiu Jinning nodded and said faintly, “Student Qiu Jinning greets Academic Official Zhou.” Polite and distant.
Seeing this, Qin Chu walked up to the two of them. First, she bowed to Zhou Er, then looked at Qiu Jinning. “Miss Qiu’s complexion does look much better. You look somewhat… somewhat radiant.”
Was this how one praised someone?
Qiu Jinning’s expression did not change. She only nodded lightly.
Qin Chu deflated. Sure enough, the little maid’s words could not be trusted.
Zhou Er’s gaze traveled back and forth between the two of them, then he suggested, “Since this is such a coincidence, Miss Qin, may I ask you to teach me a thing or two?”
He was now working in the Ministry of Revenue. The table-style bookkeeping method was practical and simple. Although he had come to Jiuqu County for another purpose, coming to see the person who had thought of such a clever method was also one of his aims.
Especially because of the guess in his heart. This Miss Qin was very likely the answer.
Qin Chu smiled. “All right.” The other party was a prince and possibly the male lead. Avoiding him was the most useless method. Besides, she did not like hiding. She liked facing difficulties head-on.
Then she saw Zhou Er look toward Qiu Jinning as well. “Will Miss Qiu come too?”
“That was exactly my intention.”
Qin Chu’s heart tightened. Walking side by side with Qiu Jinning behind Zhou Er, she quietly tugged Qiu Jinning’s sleeve. “Miss Qiu, your body…”
Qiu Jinning pursed her lips and smiled. “It is nothing serious.”
When Zhou Er had approached, her body had indeed changed again. Her heartbeat inexplicably quickened. But after Qin Chu appeared, that restless heart strangely calmed down.
It was as if as long as this person was here, she could feel at ease.
Qin Chu breathed a sigh of relief. Thinking of the little maid’s words, she added as if possessed, “You look really good when you smile.”
She had wanted to say something nice, but unfortunately, the only shallow and direct words that came to mind were: good-looking.
Qiu Jinning lowered her eyes. Her thick lashes trembled twice, and the fingers hidden within her red sleeves could not help tightening. For a moment, she forgot how to react.
This person had praised her smile as beautiful—
Qin Chu stared at her expression. Seeing that she remained speechless for a long while, she completely gave up. When she got back, she would send the little maid to clean the latrines again. What kind of stupid idea was this? It was completely useless.
The place Zhou Er went to was the largest restaurant in Jiuqu County: Upstairs Tower.
The moment they entered the hall, Qin Chu smelled the aroma of wine and dishes.
Wine and dishes… wine!
She abruptly stopped. “Academic Official Zhou, why don’t we go to a teahouse instead? Miss Qiu and I both find it inconvenient to drink.”
Divine Physician Han had said that Qiu Jinning could not even smell alcohol now. This would not do.
Zhou Er laughed loudly. “No matter. We will only eat dishes and not drink wine. Zhou will host today. You two ladies need not save silver for me.”
Qin Chu chuckled dryly, thinking, Who is saving silver for you? You’re thinking too much.
Qiu Jinning knew what she was worried about and gently shook her head, indicating that she was fine.
Perhaps it was because Qin Chu was by her side, but the love gu was very calm. Her body did not feel the slightest discomfort.
Only then did Qin Chu stop insisting. The other party was a prince, after all, so refusing again and again would not be good. But she was still somewhat worried, so her eyes would occasionally glance at Qiu Jinning’s complexion.
The fingers hidden in Qiu Jinning’s sleeves tightened further. She lowered her eyes to look at the wooden stairs and entered the private room on the second floor.
With a grand wave of his hand, Zhou Er ordered the waiter to bring one serving of every signature dish.
Upstairs Tower’s main restaurant was on the busiest street in the capital, and its branches were spread all over Baiyue.
What it was most famous for was that, because each branch followed different regional eating habits, every branch not only kept some signature dishes from the main restaurant but also added many local specialties.
“Miss Qin, Miss Qiu, Zhou has only just arrived. Today, I will use tea in place of wine to toast you both. In the future, please give me your guidance.” Zhou Er was refined and courteous as he lifted his teacup.
One of these two was the daughter of the richest man, and the other was the county magistrate’s daughter. Although one had a good reputation in Jiuqu County and the other a bad one, both were rather famous. Thinking of the purpose of his trip, Zhou Er’s smile became even more modest.
If he had a choice, he would have preferred to drink wine and chat happily with the young masters of the Qin and Qiu residences first. Men could also build relationships faster at the wine table.
Unfortunately, the person in charge of the Qin family was Qin Chu. That Eldest Young Master Qin never showed his face at all. As for Qiu Jinning’s elder brother, he had gone to the capital to prepare for the exams and could not be befriended for now.
He had no other choice but to resort to this inferior plan and invite two young ladies to drink tea at a restaurant.
The three drank tea and chatted lightly. For a while, the atmosphere was quite harmonious.
When all the dishes had been served, Zhou Er gulped down a mouthful of tea and felt his mouth was bland. He got up and went outside to instruct the waiter to bring a pot of good wine. Only then did he close the private room door and sit back down.
“Actually, aside from studying the table-style bookkeeping method, Zhou also has an unreasonable request in inviting you two here this time.”
“Academic Official Zhou, please speak freely.” Qiu Jinning took over the conversation. Compared to Qin Chu, who was still somewhat unfamiliar with social dealings, she handled these things much more calmly.
Qin Chu silently ate the food, but her ears did not stop listening. Listening live to the male and female leads converse was a subtle experience, and also a little bitter.
Zhou Er drained a cup of tea, coughed lightly, and said, “Presumably, you two already know that Zhou came from the capital and know what my identity is?”
“Father has already informed me. This official’s daughter, Qiu Jinning, greets Your Highness, Prince Xian.”
Qiu Jinning stood and bowed. If Zhou Er had not revealed it, she could have continued pretending not to know. Now that Zhou Er had intentionally made his identity clear, she had to follow etiquette.
Seeing this, Qin Chu also put down her chopsticks and knelt with Qiu Jinning. “Qin Chu greets Your Highness, Prince Xian.”
The Second Prince had already left the palace and established his own residence, with the title “Xian.”
“This prince is now only the academic official of Jiuqu County. You two, please rise quickly. There is no need to care about such empty etiquette.” Zhou Er put on the manner of one courteous to the worthy, though his way of referring to himself had unconsciously changed—every sentence now used “this prince.”
Seeing Qiu Jinning stand, Qin Chu copied her. She no longer thought about eating and put on the appearance of listening respectfully.
Zhou Er looked at them solemnly. “This prince came to Jiuqu County bearing an imperial order. Do you two know that many years ago, the State Preceptor once left behind a prophecy? It said: when the hen crows at dawn, the Zhou clan’s empire will not last a thousand years. It is now the nine hundred and ninety-seventh year of Baiyue. There are still three years left.”
Qin Chu did not understand. Qiu Jinning nodded.
That prophecy had originally not spread widely. More than thirty years ago, the late emperor was assassinated, and the princes at the time met with accidents one after another. The throne ultimately fell into the hands of the current female emperor, Zhou Xun.
The prophecy left by the State Preceptor before his death also spread during that palace coup.
Now, Baiyue was peaceful throughout the land, and the female emperor was diligent and wise. The prophecy had collapsed on its own.
Zhou Er sighed deeply. “But that prophecy did not end there. What spread was only the first half. The second half was: if the Zhou clan wishes to continue for a thousand years, the phoenix hen will be found in Jiuqu.”
Qin Chu was completely confused and could not help looking at Qiu Jinning.
Seeing that she seemed puzzled, Qiu Jinning explained, “In ancient times, there was a divine bird called the phoenix. The male is feng; the female is huang.”
“Precisely. This prince came to Jiuqu County by Imperial Mother’s order to find this phoenix maiden and bring her into the palace.” As Zhou Er spoke, he took out a piece of paper and opened it for them to see. On it was drawn a red bird that looked like a phoenix.
Qin Chu glanced at it a few times. When she saw that the fiery red phoenix only had one leg, her temples began throbbing.
Qiu Jinning also froze for a moment. “What does this painting mean?”
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Zhou Er pointed at the painting and said, “This prince has been in Jiuqu County for some time and has been secretly searching for women related to the image drawn by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. It was not until the Qin family’s wine-tasting banquet that I finally had some clues. Only then did I reveal my identity to County Magistrate Qiu and invite you two here.”
According to the star signs calculated by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, the phoenix was fiery red and had one leg.
Eldest Miss Qin of the Qin family had one lame leg, while the county magistrate’s daughter, Qiu Jinning, favored scarlet clothing.
Zhou Er had an intuition that one of these two was the phoenix maiden in the prophecy—the future empress who would mother the nation. In truth, there was another message within the imperial family that was not spread outside: whoever obtained the phoenix maiden would obtain the empire.
He had originally wanted to first become an academic official and slowly interact with Qin Chu and Qiu Jinning. After finding out which one was the destined phoenix maiden, he would then cultivate feelings with her and take her as his consort.
But last night, news had come from the capital: those two brothers of his had also sent people to Jiuqu County. In his urgency, he decided to use the imperial order to directly bring both Qin Chu and Qiu Jinning back to the capital. At worst, he would take them both.
Qin Chu fell silent. Without anyone saying it, she knew the person the Second Prince was looking for was Qiu Jinning.
The fated male lead paired with the female lead, and now there was even some State Preceptor prophecy involved, making everything seem mystical and mysterious. Could the author of this story be some kind of fraud? This was really damn melodramatic.
Qiu Jinning looked at the red phoenix in the painting and also guessed the Second Prince’s thoughts. She said faintly, “I do not always wear red dresses. I only began favoring red this year. Second Prince, I fear you have found the wrong person.”
Hearing this, Qin Chu hurriedly agreed. “Right, right. My left leg is only somewhat lame. It is not as if one of my legs is broken. This is far too forced.”
That red phoenix had one leg. Wasn’t this nonsense? Both of her legs were still there.
This time, it was the Second Prince’s turn to fall silent. He had expected that after hearing this news, these two might be wildly delighted, or perhaps compare themselves against each other. He had never expected them to refuse together.
Was the title of princess consort so unwelcome? This was different from what he had imagined. The noble young ladies in the capital clearly flocked toward the position of princess consort, so why did these two seem as if they could not avoid it fast enough?
The key point was that he could not force them. Otherwise, it would be equivalent to pushing them to the opposite side.
The atmosphere fell silent for an instant. The waiter pushed open the door to the private room, set down a pot of good wine, then pushed the door shut and left.
Feeling frustrated, Zhou Er poured himself a cup of wine and drank it in one go.
“This prince does not wish to make things difficult for you two, but this matter concerns the fate of the nation and the destiny of my Zhou clan. Please consider carefully.”
Qin Chu looked at the wine cup in front of him. Why did this Second Prince go back on his word? Hadn’t he said they would not drink wine?
“Second Prince.”
“Miss Qin, please speak.” Zhou Er’s expression brightened. Could it be that this Miss Qin had been moved by the position of princess consort? He had said so. In the end, she was still a merchant’s daughter and could not hide her profit-seeking nature.
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