Chapter 10 The Hardest Husband in the World

Qi Huaijing accompanied her to identify the servants, and then took her for a tour in Wutong Garden.

Qi Huaijing has lived in this courtyard since he was thirteen years old. There are luxuriant flowers and trees in the courtyard, dotted with a few rocks. Under the white wall is a row of lush purple wisteria, which naturally forms a secluded pavilion. Under the vines is a mahogany swing.

Chen Tang had been to this courtyard two years ago and could tell that it had been recently renovated. Qi Huaijing took her on a brief tour and then returned to the main room.

There are five rooms in the main house. The main room is the outer hall for receiving guests, the west is the bedroom, and the east is the study. The middle is separated only by exquisitely carved wooden boards and hung with gauze curtains and pearl curtains. There are clouds across the embroidered couch and the moon reflected on the brocade screen, which gives a sense of wealth and luxury.

Chen Tang met a lot of people today and talked all the way. Just when she wanted to sit down and rest for a while, Qi Huaijing pulled her to the east room and opened the sandalwood box on the shelf of the Duobao Pavilion.

Chen Tang took a look and found several whole silver ingots, some broken silver, and several strings of new yellow copper coins in the small box.

"Our family is now managed by my second sister-in-law. She pays us a monthly salary on time. Food and clothing are all paid from the public account, so we don't have to spend any money. Here is about two hundred taels. Leave it to yourself. Send someone out to buy some seasonal food, new things, etc. This will free up your hands so that the subordinates can work more efficiently."

OK, got it. I'll make a ledger tomorrow and record the expenses."

Qi Huaijing listened to her serious tone and smiled and shook his head.

"Just take it, no need to keep account. When you're done, pay it from the public account, and at the end of the year, return it to the account from the counter."

Shen Tang was a little surprised.

"You don't keep accounts? Two hundred taels, that's not a small amount. I heard from my father that the annual tuition fee in the government school is only twenty taels at most. Two hundred taels of silver is enough to support several students..."

When Qi Huaijing heard her mention the scholar, he suddenly frowned, loosened his hand, and the box closed with a "snap".

"We are a merchant family, not as good as scholars..."

His tone was not very good, and when he saw Shen Tang was stunned, he slowed down his tone.

"…It's not worth much, just spend it."

Chen Tang nodded in response.

She thought to herself, although this cousin did not take the imperial examination, he had studied hard for several years and was very respectful to her father. Why did he change his expression when the topic of scholars was mentioned?

How strange.

Seeing that she was sleepy, Qi Huaijing sent everyone away and let her lie down on the bed for a while.

Chen Tang thought he also wanted to make up for his sleep, but he just sat by the bed, holding her hand, and talked about his daily habits, the time he went out and came home in the morning and evening, and the important matters in the yard at home.

Shen Tang leaned on the high pillow and nodded in response.

"That's all. Do you remember it all?"

“I remember.”

"Okay, it's your turn."

"Um?"

"It's your turn now. Tell me about your story."

Shen Tang smiled.

"Cousin, this isn't the first day you've known me, don't you know everything?"

Qi Huaijing couldn't help but sigh, then he leaned beside her and lay down side by side.

"Your cousin knows enough, but your husband doesn't know enough. I have known my cousin for a long time, and today is the first time I have met my wife properly. Madam, tell your husband quickly, what do you like to eat, what do you like to play, when do you get up, and when do you go to bed?"

Chen Tang was amused by him, and without any hesitation, he told him the general idea.

There were some details he already knew, but there were others he didn't.

Now that I heard her tell it in person, I remembered it all.

"Okay, it's getting late today, I have to go out. I was too busy at the banquet yesterday, and I came back early. Several friends tried to stop me from leaving. I promised them that we would meet again at noon today, so I couldn't escape."

Chen Tang nodded. She hadn't slept well for two nights and was feeling sleepy.

Qi Huaijing stood up, saw her yawning again, and couldn't help pinching her face.

"Lie down and sleep for a while, then remember to get up and eat lunch. You don't have to go to the back for lunch, just eat here. After eating, take a break and then take a nap, and be careful to store food."

Chen Tang felt really warm in his heart, he had never realized that he was so meticulous before.

"Husband, thank you for taking care of me today."

When Qi Huaijing heard her call him husband, he was overjoyed and leaned over and kissed her.

"This is what a husband should do."

Chen Tang cried out "Ah", quickly pushed him away, and raised his body slightly to see if there was anyone in the room.

Fortunately, there was no one.

Seeing her shy and timid look, Qi Huaijing wanted to kiss her, but Chen Tang lay down and pretended to sleep.

Qi Huaijing smiled, put on his coat, pushed the door open and went out. The room immediately became silent.

Seeing that he really left, Shen Tang turned around, took off the handkerchief from his face, and rubbed it in his hands, full of emotion.

When they were siblings, he was a gentle and kind cousin.

Now that they are husband and wife, he...he is also the most difficult husband to find in this world!