After finishing embroidering the last orchid, Zhu Jiayu got up and went to Qiu Weiming's study.
When she arrived, Qiu Weiming had just finished the last stroke of his painting. Seeing her, he waved and said, "Ayu, you've come at the right time. Take a look at my painting."
The painting depicts a cluster of pink and white flowers, with vibrant colors and a bright composition, making it a masterpiece.
Zhu Jiayu smiled and said, "Uncle's painting is naturally excellent."
"Do you recognize this flower?" Qiu Weiming asked, noticing her nonchalant expression and lack of curiosity about its name or type.
"The flowers are abundant and full, with bright colors, hanging down from the branches like upside-down golden bells, hence the name 'Upside-down Golden Bells'." Zhu Jiayu's gaze carefully traced the flowers in the painting, her tone slow and deliberate.
"Do you know the habits of this flower?" Qiu Weiming asked again.
Zhu Jiayu said, "I've heard a little about it; it seems to prefer dark and damp places?"
Qiu Weiming nodded and sighed, "Most flowers need sunlight to grow well and bloom beautifully. People are used to praising the autumn chrysanthemums and winter plums that are more beautiful after frost. Few people pay attention to the flowers and trees that can only grow in the shade. It is rare that you know this."
Zhu Jiayu smiled slightly but didn't reply. She figured Qiu Weiming probably had more to say than just this; there must be more to it.
Sure enough, she didn't have to wait long before she heard Qiu Weiming say, "Sometimes it's the same with how you conduct yourself. Due to the limitations of the times, not everyone can live a bright and upright life under the sun. There will always be people who are forced to hide and protect themselves. Ayu, do you think a person's life is just like the life of plants? Some people are born noble, while others are just ordinary."
Zhu Jiayu looked up and met his eyes: "I don't know, but after hearing what you said, I'd like to ask you, Uncle, what kind of plant or tree do you think you are?"
She paused, then turned her gaze to the painting on the table.
If Qiu Weiming simply wanted to return to Heling to fulfill his filial duty to his mother, he could have easily applied for a transfer from his superiors; there was no need for him to remain idle at home. His current state of leisure at home clearly demonstrates that he has lost his fighting spirit and the courage to return to officialdom.
He's thinking of retiring.
Zhu Jiayu pursed her lips and said, "Perhaps you don't need to say it anymore. The answer is in this painting. You feel that you are like this upside-down bell, unable to live a fulfilling life in the officialdom, and can only retreat to hide in a secluded mountain cave, right?"
Qiu Weiming's eyes were gloomy.
He knew his niece was capable and resourceful, and he knew she was decisive and insightful. He knew she was intelligent, but he never expected her to be so aggressive.
He should be angry, furious at her disrespect and rudeness.
But looking into her eyes, he couldn't say a word.
These eyes are so much like his sister's. But his sister was pampered from a young age, and her phoenix eyes were always filled with respect and trust for her brothers. She was like a peony raised in a vase, elegant and noble, but also fragile and easily broken. The bravest thing she ever did in her life was to disobey her father's orders and marry a merchant, thus severing all ties with her family.
Zhu Jiayu inherited her sister's beauty, but led a completely different life. Her eyes were bright, just like her—sharp and resilient.
She suffered so much in places they couldn't see. And her father wasn't particularly capable either... Just thinking about all this made Qiu Weiming feel like he couldn't be angry at all.
Seeing that he didn't speak, Zhu Jiayu continued, "But even if a person's life is no different from that of a plant, a person can't live like a plant."
"What makes us human is that we have emotions and desires, and we will strive and fight for what we want to protect."
"These are emotions that plants cannot perceive, and things that they cannot do. Retreating to mountain caves may bring temporary peace, but it is not a long-term solution."
Qiu Zhuqing is about to retire. If all goes well, he will have a place in the officialdom next spring. Qiu Weiming retiring after another year of preparation is a completely different matter from retiring now and going home. At least for Qiu Zhuqing, this is enough to affect whether his future career will be smooth sailing.
"My cousin Lingyan is upright and hates evil. The reason she can still maintain her air of a high-born lady in Heling City is because she has your support, Uncle."
“My cousin Feiyan has been married for three years without having children. In most families, people would have already started arranging for their son to take in concubines and maids, but the Lian family has not made any moves yet, which is also because of you; and the marriages of my two cousins and my cousins... all of these will depend on you in the future.”
"Having witnessed the treacherous nature of officialdom, you wish to retire gracefully. Have you considered your family and relatives behind you? In this life, if you only live for yourself, isn't that a bit too selfish?"
“You said that you have been forced to hide in order to protect yourself, but Uncle, a gentleman once said two things to me, and I would like to tell them to you now.”
She slowly raised her eyes, her expression calm, her gaze sharp and unwavering: "The sea has no bounds, the sky is its shore; I stand atop the mountain, the peak is mine."
These words were also spoken to her by the imperial censor.
He also said that people will always encounter many difficulties in life, but one day, when you overcome these difficulties and look back on the road you have traveled, you will feel a surge of pride and courage, which will give you the courage to start over whether you climb high or fall hard in the future.
The road ahead may be arduous, but if you remain courageous, then all the hardships will only serve to sharpen your blade.
After Zhu Jiayu finished speaking, she saw that Qiu Weiming looked dazed and knew that today's conversation was over. So she lifted her skirt, gave a slight curtsy, and then silently turned and left.
...
After this conversation, Qiu Weiming locked himself up for three days.
Meanwhile, in the three days that followed, the capital city of Yujing, thousands of miles away, also underwent tremendous changes.
From high-ranking officials and nobles to ordinary citizens, everyone knew that Wei Qinglou was going to clean up the brothels and red-light district.
“I was doing business across the street that day when I suddenly saw the sickly Vice Minister Wei, dressed in official robes, followed by a large entourage of guards. Then, with a wave of his hand, the guards stepped forward and drove out all the madams, girls, and pimps from the brothel. Without saying a word, they sealed it up. They were incredibly well-trained!”
"What's the use? It'll be closed for only a few days, and it'll still have to be reopened. Otherwise, how could a mere junior official like him afford to offend the people behind it all?" someone scoffed, unconvinced.
The person who had spoken earlier immediately looked at him and laughed, "That's hard to say!"
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