Chapter 102 (Bonus Chapter)
With Steward Song, Xiao Dezi, and Xiao Chengzi all absent, Qi Chengming will be alone when he goes out today.
After looking around for a long time, Liu, the wet nurse, slowly mustered up her courage and volunteered: "Your Highness, I... I might be able to lead the way."
"Come on, Aunt Liu." Qi Chengming didn't think much of it and hurriedly called his servants to go out together.
He was usually very afraid that the original owner's wet nurse would notice something amiss, even though he knew the probability was very small. He didn't like to go to Wet Nurse Liu's place, so he found maids and servants to quietly take care of her and didn't mistreat her. Wet Nurse Liu was also sensible. She always sewed clothes for him and would remind the palace maids how to dress when the seasons changed, but she herself was not often in front of Qi Chengming.
but--
Qi Chengming's slight unease did not mean that he intended to isolate or avoid Liu Nanny. How could it have reached the point where people were so cautious when speaking to him, having to tremble and watch his expression for every word they replied, fearing that he would be displeased?
If the original owner of this body were alive, she would surely be heartbroken.
Qi Chengming couldn't stand this, so he decisively called his men to go out together. As expected, Granny Liu was overjoyed, her face beaming with a kind and relieved smile: "...Ah!"
Once outside the Prince's mansion and onto the main street, Qi Chengming's eyes widened slightly. He seemed to know the way without his wet nurse's directions.
Small groups of people were chatting animatedly on the street, all running in one direction, creating a scene even more lively than during the Lunar New Year.
"Hurry, hurry! We're too late!" "Isn't today the first day? The temple isn't finished yet." "That's precisely why we need to go on the first day! Let's hurry!"
"I miss Mr. Huang a little." Qi Chengming couldn't help but quicken his pace, while slowing down his care for the wet nurse, and murmured to himself.
If Huang Dong were still here, what could be built in Liuzhou without him going through the process? If anything seemed amiss, he would immediately return.
Liu, the wet nurse, did not recognize Huang Dong and was naturally at a loss for words. She racked her brains to recall what she had heard before and said, "Your Highness, I heard that the temple was planned to be built by the people and the government together. The bricks were all freshly fired. Some people said they wanted to use gold to cover the statues, while others said they should use silver or pearls—I wonder what kind of person's temple it is."
Qi Chengming was most afraid of this. He pressed his temples, his head aching, and asked in a low voice, "Mom, did you hear what they said at the end about what they planned to use?"
The wet nurse shook her head regretfully, but added, "It shouldn't be gold or silver. It seems the government says they're short of it right now, and we don't want to cause them trouble. They suggest using vouchers instead—"
Qi Chengming's vision went black.
Who came up with this terrible idea?! Mr. Qin, you need to do something about it!!
Rushing along, Qi Chengming, his heart pounding, followed the crowd to the outskirts of the village. Not far away was a low hill, in a different direction from the hill where Qi Chengming usually went to Uncle Huang's village.
It could be called a small hill, or you could call it a low slope.
Even before Liu, the wet nurse, could catch her breath after climbing up, she could see a large crowd of onlookers in the distance, heads jostling and bumping together. Qi Chengming struggled to squeeze in, protecting the wet nurse with one hand, barely managing to see what was ahead.
A group of craftsmen were hammering and skillfully building several walls of the temple. They had visibly completed most of them, but the roof was still missing.
Several familiar figures stood in front of the temple.
Song deliberately directed several men to slowly carry a statue over on wooden poles: "Slow down! Slow down, be careful of the wet steps!"
Qi Chengming glared at him, his eyes filled with reproach.
Sure enough! Chief Steward Song, Mr. Qin, Prefect Mu, Prefect Lu, Magistrate Mao, Magistrate Huang, and Commander Mao are all here... Why is my cousin here too??
He immediately turned his attention back to the image, his heart pounding wildly.
Golden and shimmering...!!
How can it be so shiny and dazzling? It's almost blinding! Could they really be so extravagant as to piece together gold and stick it on?
Qi Chengming's palms clenched tightly, his throat felt dry; this was exactly the situation he feared most...
“Your Highness, it doesn’t look like gold.” Having spent many years in the palace, Liu, the wet nurse, had developed a keen eye. She hesitated from a distance and said, “...it looks like bronze.”
Qi Chengming: "?"
He turned back and gazed deeply at the statue, its golden splendor still luxurious and proud.
Is he blind?
Nanny Liu smiled, and from the boy's bewildered face, she seemed to see the obedient child who had looked up at her with a thirst for knowledge many years ago. She explained lovingly, "Bronze ware is called that, but when it is first fired, it is actually golden red, with large areas of gold mixed with a touch of red. That's why it was listed as a royal ceremonial object in the past, and only nobles could use it."
I've learned something new.
Qi Chengming glanced at the portrait again. He had to admit that although it was too far away and the specific details of the portrait could not be seen clearly under the golden light, the golden texture did not give people a vulgar or frivolous feeling at all. It had a slightly dark and pure texture, which was very grand and noble.
Qi Chengming's gaze lingered on him; he actually quite liked it.
In this way, the group of people, without his knowledge, went off to enthusiastically build a temple, and he didn't seem so angry anymore.
"Hey, Brother Qi?" A familiar young voice rang out, filled with surprise and delight. It was Hu Hong, whom they had met once before. Accompanying him today, besides Old Lady Hu, was a burly, older man who looked about 50-60% like them, and a young woman.
Qi Chengming turned around, somewhat caught off guard, but then thought it made perfect sense. The Hu family had started this whole thing, so seeing them here was perfectly normal.
Hu Hong patted Qi Chengming on the shoulder and greeted him: "Are you here to see the construction of the Star Lord Temple too?"
The young student spoke with a hint of pride: "Last time, my mother and I searched everywhere for money, but the government refused to let us contribute. We had a huge argument... In the end, we compromised that each of the neighbors would contribute the cost of a brick, and the bronze statue would be handed over to those officials to prepare. Look, I heard that even the Prince's Mansion has sent people!"
Hu Hong's face was full of excitement, and he looked like he was about to faint from excitement: "Even the Prince approves of our actions!"
Qi Chengming's expression became subtle.
He muttered darkly, "That's not necessarily true..."
That audacious Steward Song! He went on behalf of the Prince's residence, but the Prince himself only found out now!
The wet nurse's expression was even more subtle—she looked at the young man who didn't know the prince's identity, then at the bewildered prince himself who had said, "The prince has approved of us," and hesitated to speak.
"What?" The sentence was too vague, and the surroundings were noisy, so Hu Hong didn't hear it at all and couldn't help but ask again.
"I said—" Qi Chengming swallowed back the words he instinctively wanted to say were nothing, as that would seem like a cover-up. The real lie should be a small incident to cover up what he was really about to say. The young man's eyes flickered slightly as he introduced his wet nurse, Liu, to Hu Hong and the old woman who squeezed in behind him, "This is—my mother, my mom."
In common parlance, people also call their mothers "mother" or "mom." Besides, how can a wet nurse not be considered half a mother?
Qi Chengming said this with absolute confidence.
The wet nurse, Liu, who changed her surname three times in less than a year: "??!"
Having come from the palace, she managed to regain her composure, no matter how surprised or excited she felt inside. She gave Old Lady Hu a warm and friendly smile and began exchanging pleasantries: "This is the first time I've met you, sir..."
"No, no!" Old Mrs. Hu was startled. Although she looked older, she took a closer look at this Sister-in-law Qi.
She was dressed in fine silk and satin, with meticulous stitches, and the clothes were embroidered by a skilled embroiderer. Although there were traces of her labor in the past on her hands and face, she was now well-maintained and looked like an old lady from an upper-middle-class family who was well-cared for. She had an indescribable temperament.
What was that child Hong'er met last time called again?
Their family was in business, and the head of the family would take his eldest son away most of the year, leaving his second son at home.
After returning home last time, Old Lady Hu and Hu Hong discussed this newly acquainted young man for a long time, but he didn't mention that he was currently studying. So… he must be the spoiled youngest son in his family. The eldest son is away learning how to manage the family business from the head of the household, while the youngest son is content with eating, drinking, playing, and wasting his days. His family seems quite well-off; they can afford a house on East Street!
Meeting Sister-in-law Qi today, who is wonderful in every way, Old Lady Hu finally understood the meaning of respect and affection, and felt a little awkward as she exchanged pleasantries. But to her surprise, Sister-in-law Qi had a very good temper, was approachable without any airs, and always smiled as she spoke to her…
Qi Chengming watched with satisfaction as Granny Liu and Granny Hu got along, inwardly applauding his own quick wit.
Although Liu the wet nurse enjoys a comfortable life, she must be somewhat lonely.
He wondered if making some friends now would be better. Also… he could use his fake identity to make Nanny Liu happier, and occasionally help her visit that courtyard. Qi Chengming still felt somewhat indebted to Nanny Liu.
Hu Hong got too excited. Seeing that Qi Chengming didn't object and was listening attentively, he continued to talk non-stop, completely losing his wooden expression: "...I heard that this temple can be built in three days at most. Then we may need to hire people to manage the Xingjun Temple. The county government said that they would arrange this, without giving us a chance to discuss it."
"That's good. It's faster if the county government sends someone directly." Qi Chengming replied dryly. He thought it was a wise move. If this matter were left to the people to handle themselves... not that he was narcissistic, but he really thought some people would fight each other over the quota.
Now it seems that if Hu Hong hadn't had to go to school, he would have loved to go too.
"Sigh." Hu Hong sighed as he looked at the bustling scene in front of him and said reluctantly, "My vacation is coming to an end, Brother Qi. We won't see each other again until a month from now."
He usually went home once every ten days, but since the Xingjun Temple was being built today, he naturally wanted to come and help. Many students, who were usually quiet, actually asked for leave along with him, which surprised Hu Hong quite a bit. Fortunately, his teacher granted his request, saying that he could come again after the Xingjun Temple was completed in three days, but the price was... once these two days were used up, he really wouldn't be able to go home again for another month.
"No rush. My mother and your mother seem to get along well. We can play when you're not home." Qi Chengming saw the young man's blank expression and, thinking about how his family was the one who started all the trouble of building the temple, deliberately teased him like this.
Hu Hong's face fell as expected: "...Brother Qi!"
Qi Chengming burst into laughter.
He's now enjoying the benefits of using a false identity. As long as they're not from wealthy or influential families, most ordinary people don't recognize him, and the friends he makes in these situations are truly genuine.
Hu Hong, being an honest man, quickly recovered from his disappointment and invited him, "Speaking of which, our academy is organizing a spring outing next month at your estate, sir. Would you like to come along?"
Hu Hong usually had a few friends at the academy, but this was the first time he had met a businessman who didn't study, and he was also a bit younger than him, so it was a novel experience for him to get along with him.
"Can I go too?" Qi Chengming hesitated. First, he was worried about his own background, and second, he felt that Qi Chengming wasn't a scholar.
"It's just a normal outing for a spring outing, flying kites and stuff. The teacher will test us on poetry when we get back, but we can bring family and friends. There aren't too many requirements, and no elders will come. Everyone's age is about the same." Hu Hong asked expectantly, "Is Brother Qi coming?"
“…Go!” Qi Chengming thought about all the tasks on his mind: infrastructure, food, militia. Then he realized he had never flown a kite himself.
The young man shook his head and readily agreed.
Once this busy period is over, he should take a break and clear his head.
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Author's Note: Second update!
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