So Qingchen called out again, "Okay, Auntie."
"Hey!" Xie Huiying looked at him with a smile. Why did she like hearing him call her "Little Aunt" so much?
After exchanging greetings, the group headed to the main hall together.
The Lin family had no sons, so there weren't many people. A large round table was placed in the main hall, covered with festive red silk, and everyone sat together. Yu-ge'er lay on Lin's lap, wearing a new jacket, holding a piece of candied fruit with his little finger, eating it while looking at Shen Qingchen.
Lin's father was named Lin Xiaojin, the Left Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, a man in his sixties. When Shen Qingchen saw him, he bowed to him according to his official rank, saying, "Greetings, Lord Lin."
Although she had been teaching at the Lin family for a year, she hadn't seen Lin Xiaojin many times. When they did meet, he was indifferent to her, basically not treating her as a relative, but just an ordinary teacher instructing his grandson. Therefore, Shen Qingchen only politely addressed him as "Sir".
Today, however, he rarely smiled at her and called her name for the first time, "Qingchen is here too, come and take your seat." After saying that, he seemed to remember something and said to his grandson Lin Yu, "Your teacher is here, why don't you even greet him? You're eight years old, all you know is eating."
Lin Xiaojin's attitude confused Shen Qingchen, as if he himself had been promoted today.
Lin Yu straightened up after being scolded and called her "Teacher". Qing Chen responded and then called Lin Shi "Second Aunt". Lin Shi, dressed in a light purple silk dress with butterflies and flowers, supported her son and gave a curt "Hmm" in response.
"Everyone's here, let's begin the feast. Bring out my aged daughter's red wine." Lin Xiaojin seemed to be in a good mood, greeting everyone with a smile.
During the meal, members of the Lin family toasted each other. Shen Qingchen hadn't wanted to drink, and wasn't too keen on drinking, but today, for the first time ever, someone toasted her. That person was Lin Xiaojin.
Lin Xiaojin raised his glass and said he wanted to have a drink with her. She was so surprised that she almost dropped the glass. After thinking for a moment, she stood up with the glass in her hand and said, "Qingchen dares not accept. I would like to offer you a toast, sir."
This is the Lin family home, and she dares not easily refuse any request made by anyone in this family, especially the one in front of her. Whether Shen Qian lives well or not depends entirely on the whims of this person who is in charge of the Lin family.
Lin Xiaojin just smiled, "We're family drinking, no need for formalities. Consider this my toast to your new teacher." After saying that, he clinked glasses with Shen Qingchen, drank it all in one gulp, and then said, "You junior scholars are so lucky to have Lord Song as your teacher. He's not only exceptionally talented but also a Grand Secretary. You'll understand when you actually become an official. Having such a mentor is something many people envy. So Qingchen, you must seize this opportunity to learn as much as you can from Grand Secretary Song, and seek his advice whenever you have the chance."
Qingchen nodded respectfully and replied, "Qingchen understands and will certainly follow your teachings, sir."
She had just been wondering if she had benefited from her second uncle's promotion, but that wasn't the case. Lin Xiaojin still didn't care about her second uncle; she was more concerned about Song Yue, who had only taught her for a few days.
Lin, who was sitting to the side, glanced at her, her expression not very pleasant.
Lin Xiaojin smiled and nodded, his eyes slightly cloudy. "Also, you're fortunate. Your classmates are no ordinary people. Now, Grand Secretary Xu is in charge of the cabinet, managing all matters, big and small, in the court. Even with the help of Grand Secretary Song and others, he can't manage everything. Xu Silin is his son and the rightful heir apparent to the Grand Secretariat. Grand Secretary Xu will inevitably need his help in the future. And that Gu Shaoheng, although not as good as Xu Silin, is still the legitimate son of a marquis and the nephew of the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. It's a blessing that you're classmates with them. You must get along well and become closer; the bond between classmates is invaluable."
The conversation at today's banquet was probably more extensive than Lin Xiaojin had spoken to her in the past year. Regarding the issue of their classmates, Lin Xiaojin had already asked Shen Qian to relay this to her on her very first day at the Lin family after she became a junior official. However, Xu Silin was still young, unlike the rising star Song Yue. Now that his best teacher and classmates had become Shen Qingchen's political resources, the seasoned official Lin seemed somewhat agitated.
If he knew that Xu Silin was always at odds with him, and that Song Yue had been offended by his slip of the tongue several times, I wonder what he would think.
In any case, now that she has become a useful person in his eyes, her second uncle should be able to have an easier time in this family.
Shen Qingchen nodded in agreement, poured himself another cup of wine, raised it to Lin Xiaojin, and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sir. I have benefited greatly from it. Cheers!"
After finishing her drink, she glanced at Shen Qian. Shen Qian's attention remained on her, his gaze deep and unwavering. He then shook his head slightly, indicating that she should stop drinking.
Just as Qingchen put down her cup and was about to eat a few bites of rice, Xie Huiying came to toast her again.
Xie Huiying was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Qing'an, born into a family of military generals. Her father and brothers loved to drink, so she had been able to drink a little since she was a child. During the meal, she kept looking at Qingchen, and the more she looked at him, the more she felt that he was handsome and elegant, with a clean and pure temperament. His drinking posture was also very refined, unlike the rough military generals she usually saw.
The drinking had already started, and it wouldn't be appropriate for Qingchen to refuse her, so he had no choice but to drink another glass.
Looking at his nephew's flushed cheeks, Shen Qian couldn't help but say, "Qingchen, you can't hold your liquor, drink less."
Lin Xiaojin was displeased upon hearing this and said, "Since he's in a good mood today, why are you stopping him? He's so young, what's wrong with him drinking a little more? Let him drink. We're all family after all. If he drinks too much, he can rest at home before going back."
Shen Qian didn't feel comfortable saying anything more.
Shen Qingchen also had to toast her second aunt, Lin Shi; it was only right and proper that she couldn't avoid it. Her face flushed, she raised her glass and walked up to her, saying, "Qingchen toasts Second Aunt, wishing her eternal youth and beauty."
Seeing that she was being treated so well today, and that the main character of the banquet seemed to have changed, Madam Lin was already feeling uncomfortable. So she pretended not to hear and just kept eating. Lin Yu, being young and unaware of the intricacies of the situation, thought she hadn't seen it and nudged his mother's arm with his oily hand, "Mother, the teacher is toasting you."
She still didn't look at Qingchen, only moved her arm, "Don't touch my new clothes with your dirty little hands."
Lin Yu said aggrievedly, "It was the teacher who toasted you, not me..." He then turned to look at Shen Qingchen. His teacher was still standing there, head slightly lowered, the wine cup held up to his chin, his face and neck red.
After a moment of silence, Madam Lin said coldly, "I won't drink it. I'm not feeling well today..."
Lin Xiaojin frowned as he watched this scene and asked in a low voice, "What did you say?"
Lin didn't understand the meaning behind her father's words, and continued on her own, saying, "I said I won't drink it, I'm not feeling well..."
"Insolence!" Lin Xiaojin finally couldn't stand it any longer and shouted, "Ignorant woman!"
Lin was so drunk that her head was spinning. She glanced around at everyone at the table and murmured, "Father..."
“Qingchen is the top scholar in the second class of the imperial examinations, a junior scholar in the Hanlin Academy, and his teacher is the second secretary of the cabinet… What are you, a mere woman! He toasts you, how can you be so willful as to refuse to drink?!” Lin Xiaojin’s thick eyebrows shot up in anger, his face full of displeasure.
"I..." Madam Lin was both ashamed and embarrassed by the scolding. As the eldest daughter of the legitimate wife, she had been pampered since childhood. Although she was married, she still lived in her own mansion. She couldn't remember how many years it had been since she had suffered such humiliation.
"Drink the wine," Lin Xiaojin said again, his tone leaving no room for refusal.
Seeing the situation becoming tense, Shen Qingchen quickly turned to Lin Xiaojin and said, "Sir, since Aunt is not feeling well..."
"I'll drink it!" Lin stared at her resentfully, picked up the cup, and drank it all in one gulp.
Madam Lin was a woman who managed the household affairs well, and she understood the appropriate course of action in different situations. Lin Xiaojin's preferential treatment of Shen Qingchen today was obvious; if she were to directly oppose her father's wishes, she would inevitably lose face. More importantly, Shen Qingchen was Shen Qian's most valued person. Although she disliked this nephew and often quarreled with Shen Qian because of her, there were many people present today, and she couldn't afford to offend her husband too much. She understood this basic principle.
She can endure these grievances for now. She will get her revenge.
Lin Xiaojin's anger subsided somewhat when he saw that his daughter had drunk some wine. Shen Qian sat next to Lin Shi, but didn't glance at her; his handsome face only showed a cold indifference that indicated he didn't want to say anything more.
They've been arguing about the same thing for so many years, he's had enough.
After everyone ate for a while, the meal ended.
When Shen Qingchen got up from her seat, she already felt dizzy and lightheaded. Shen Qian had no choice but to help her up to the covered walkway.
Lin led Yu-ge'er behind them, watching their backs, a surge of jealousy and resentment rising in her heart again. Yu-ge'er tugged at her sleeve and asked, "Mother, the teacher drank too much today, so he can't teach me, right? I saw that he was unsteady on his feet and had to be supported by Father."
"Shut up," Lin said irritably. Lin Yu felt that he was unlikely to get anything good today, so he ran away in a flash.
...
Back in Shen Qian's room, Shen Qingchen's consciousness was already somewhat blurred.
He helped her sit down and poured her a cup of tea. "Why don't you rest on my bed for a while and sober up before you leave?"
Qingchen nodded.
She was feeling really unwell, and if she didn't lie down soon she was afraid she would vomit. She got up and walked towards the bed, her body swaying.
Shen Qian went forward to help her, but since she was drunk and heavy, he had to half-support and half-carry her. Unexpectedly, Qingchen's feet felt light, she lost her balance and fell down, landing right on top of Shen Qian.
In an instant, the world spun around her, and she completely lost consciousness.
Shen Qian looked at the person lying on top of him. The child he had raised himself had a flushed face, long eyelashes gently covering his eyes, and the delicate veins on the side of his neck were throbbing and contracting violently, his breathing heavy...
Just then, the door was pushed open, and Lin, standing at the door, looked grim.
She originally came to emphasize to Shen Qian that she drank that glass of wine just now entirely because she was concerned about his reputation as her husband.
...I never expected to see such a scene.
Shen Qian gestured for her to be quiet, then gently helped Qingchen up, carried her to the bed, and took off her boots.
Under Lin's furious gaze, he stepped out of the house, gently closed the door, and said to her with his back turned, "Come over here and make a scene."
Lin followed him angrily, feeling as if something was stuck in her chest, making her feel uncomfortable and suffocated.
"What do you want to make a fuss about?" Shen Qian asked coldly as they entered the warm pavilion on the west side.
"Why are you so gentle with him, but so cold to me?" Lin Shi suppressed her anger, glaring at him.
"You are my husband, you should treat me better. I drank his wine today because of you!"
"He's my nephew, he's had a tough life since he was little. I've told you this a thousand times over." The voice remained utterly cold.
"I don't care! I just can't stand you treating him like this." Lin couldn't hold back any longer, her voice suddenly rising as she looked at him, her eyes blazing with jealousy. "I won't allow you to be this good to him. You can only be good to me, and good to Yu-ge!"
He looked at her expressionlessly. "What if I said I couldn't do it?"
Lin was furious at his words, and her anger flared even more. "Shen Qian, don't forget you're in the Lin family! Do you want to have a bad time?"
"Right?" he said coldly and with extreme helplessness. "If we keep arguing, let's get a divorce."
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