Qingchen set up the cages, put the poultry inside, and placed them in the house. The already small house became even more cramped, but her father seemed to be attracted by the chickens, ducks, and geese, and started talking to himself.
Qingchen shook his head, tidied himself up, and prepared to go to the Lin family.
She was busy just now and hadn't noticed what Mingxiang was doing, only vaguely sensing that she had left in a hurry, as if something was amiss. But she didn't have time to ask now; she planned to share some of the poultry and New Year's goods with Mingxiang when she returned in the evening, to thank her for taking care of her and her father. Incidentally, she also needed to think of a way to reject Mingxiang's feelings without being too hurtful.
It's not appropriate to tell a woman about her status as a man, but to tell her he can't marry her would only cause her unnecessary heartbreak. Qingchen was quite conflicted about this.
At noon, Qingchen arrived at the Lin family's residence.
The gatekeeper greeted her and led her directly to the main hall, saying that Master Lin had been waiting for her.
The grass and trees in the courtyard were covered with snowflakes, and a few servants were sweeping the snow, while others were dusting under the eaves, creating an atmosphere of the approaching New Year.
As Qingchen passed by under the corridor, all the servants nodded and bowed to her, addressing her as "Lord Shen," clearly having been instructed beforehand. In the past, when she came, apart from the servants in her second uncle's room, no one paid her any attention. Now, with her promotion, the treatment was indeed vastly different. She smiled at them in response.
As Qingchen arrived outside the main hall carrying her bundle, she stamped the snow off her boots. Lin Xiaojin, dressed in a brand-new robe, came out to greet her. "It's Qingchen! It's cold outside. Come in quickly!"
"Eh." Qingchen followed him into the house and took out the New Year's gifts she had bought long ago from the bundle. "Lord Lin, these are some tonics I bought for you. Thank you for taking care of Qingchen over the years." She didn't have much money before and couldn't buy anything good. This year, she received a reward and bought some nourishing medicinal herbs.
Lin Xiaojin immediately frowned and said, "Oh, Qingchen, you're being too polite. We're all family, why are you giving me a gift?"
"It's nothing, my lord... It's nothing too valuable, just a small token of Qingchen's appreciation. Please accept it."
"Very well, since it's your intention, I must accept it. Good child, you have such character and conduct, it's clear you've been taught by your second uncle since childhood. You two are both good, both are good." Lin Xiaojin was very clever, seizing the opportunity to praise Shen Qian, knowing that this was what Qingchen cared about most.
Then he continued, "To be honest, I feel a little ashamed. Since you passed the imperial examination and became a junior official, I haven't been able to help you much. It's all thanks to your own efforts that you've reached this point. Heaven rewards those who persevere. Now you are a sixth-rank official, a potential prime minister, and the tutor of the crown prince. You have received high praise from the emperor. You have truly brought honor to your family and ancestors. Even our Lin family has benefited from your success."
Qingchen shook his head, "You flatter me, sir. Without your help and care over the years, I might not even be alive today, let alone pass the imperial examination and enter officialdom. I will never forget your kindness in this lifetime."
Hearing the words he most wanted to hear, Lin Xiaojin smiled, his wrinkles deepening. "Of course, we're all family, so let's not stand on ceremony, otherwise it'll seem distant. By the way, it's almost New Year's, why don't you come over this year and spend the New Year with your second uncle? Bring your father along too. I've had the courtyard prepared for you, and since it's cold this year, I've specially arranged for silver charcoal to be provided. To be honest, I've been so busy with official duties for over a year that I haven't been able to see your father for so long. How has he been lately?"
"It's alright." Qingchen looked at him and said, "I'm just grateful for Lord Lin's kindness, but I'm afraid I won't be able to spend the New Year with you this year. I've already promised Teacher Song that I'll spend the New Year at his house this year."
Last year, her second uncle suggested she spend the Lunar New Year at the Lin family home, but Lin Shi disagreed, leading to a falling out with Shen Qian. The matter then escalated to Lin Xiaojin, who, like his daughter, disliked her father's perceived madness and refused. This year, he took the initiative to speak up. However, he was a step behind Song Yue.
"...Song Yue, the Grand Secretary?" Lin Xiaojin was surprised and slightly disappointed. He had originally planned to take advantage of the festive atmosphere of the New Year to bring up the marriage with Qingchen.
Qingchen held the covered bowl and took a sip of tea. "Mmm."
“Very well, it’s good that you’re spending the New Year at Grand Secretary Song’s residence.” Lin Xiaojin quickly changed the subject, saying, “Grand Secretary Song is so busy with state affairs, yet he still shows such consideration and care for his students. He’s truly a rare and excellent teacher. In that case, you should take this opportunity to talk to him more. He’s only been your teacher for three months, which is a rather short time. Now that you’ve taken up a position, you’ll have fewer opportunities to interact with him. This relationship with him is of utmost importance, so you can’t neglect it.”
Qingchen nodded. "Your reminder is correct, sir. I will remember it."
After thinking for a moment, Lin Xiaojin couldn't help but ask tentatively, "Qingchen, you're twenty years old this year, it's time to find a marriage partner. Well... I don't know what kind you like. I've been in the court for so many years and have some connections. If you don't mind, I'll arrange your marriage. I'm your elder, so it's only right that I do this. Just a few days ago, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies came to me, saying he wanted to betroth his youngest daughter to you. But since she's an illegitimate daughter, I haven't agreed on your behalf yet."
Lin Xiaojin looked at the handsome young man in front of him, the powerful and influential Lord Shen in the court, and the wrinkles on his cheekbones couldn't help but curve. "Your future is so bright, you deserve someone even better. Don't worry, I will definitely arrange everything for you."
Marriage?
Qingchen forgot that as she was promoted, some people would probably come to her door to propose marriage.
"My lord, I am a newly appointed official holding four positions. I fear I might betray the Emperor's trust. I wish to dedicate more of my energy to official duties and will not consider marriage for the time being. I appreciate your kindness, my lord." Whether it was someone wanting to marry her or Lin Xiaojin, they all had their own ulterior motives. But they had all miscalculated. Even if she were given a princess, she couldn't marry her.
"Yes, yes, what you say makes sense." Qingchen said, "It would be a waste to betray the Emperor's trust," so Lin Xiaojin couldn't continue. He just smiled and said, "Besides, you're still young. There's no rush, no rush."
Although he said that, Lin Xiaojin had already picked out someone for Qingchen, and the other person was also somewhat interested. His idea was that since there wasn't anything better than this one for the time being, he would establish this relationship first, and then change his mind if something better came along. After the New Year, he would find an excuse to take Qingchen to meet him.
At this moment, the voices of Lin Shi and Lin Yu could be heard from outside the hall.
Lin Xiaojin heard this and called them in.
As soon as Lin Yu entered, he hugged Qing Chen's leg and said, "Teacher, I heard that you were promoted and became the Crown Prince's teacher. So, it turns out that I have the same teacher as the Crown Prince."
Qingchen smiled, patted his head, and then called out to Madam Lin, "Second Aunt."
Lin responded with a slightly awkward "Mm".
Just a few days ago, she forced the person in front of her to take her measurements, which led to a huge argument with Shen Qian. She never imagined that this nephew, whom she had always disliked, would be promoted—to some kind of future prime minister, a member of the crown prince's faction. These past few days, her father has been beaming with joy whenever he comes home, practically begging for a ritual of purification and ancestral worship. Every time he sees her, he scolds her for being too harsh on others… How could she have known this person would rise so quickly?
"Hmm what?" Lin Xiaojin said with dissatisfaction, "Qingchen doesn't have a name. She's Lord Shen now. Even though we're at home, you should still be a little more polite to me."
Having no other choice, Lin pursed her lips and forced herself to call out, "Qingchen."
"Oh, right," Lin Xiaojin remembered something, "have the two new outfits I asked you to make for Qingchen been finished?"
"It's done."
"Then hurry up and fetch it!"
Just as Madam Lin was about to call a servant to fetch it, Lin Xiaojin said again, "You go yourself. I've spoiled you since you were little, and you've become arrogant. Now that you're old enough to be a mother yourself, you should be more diligent and set a good example for your child."
Seeing the awkward situation, Qingchen was about to say "no" when Lin Xiaojin interrupted her, "Let her go."
Lin frowned, then turned and left.
After she left, Lin Xiaojin put on a cheerful face again and said to his grandson, "You are so lucky to have the same teacher as His Highness the Crown Prince." Then Shen Qian arrived.
He was wearing a dark brown straight-cut robe, and his expression was as refined and handsome as ever. When he saw Qingchen, his eyebrows curved slightly, and the wrinkles at the corners of his eyes were faintly visible.
Lin Xiaojin was naturally good at reading people's expressions, and he simply said, "Go on, you two uncle and nephew haven't seen each other for a while, go inside and have a good talk."
Inside Shen Qian's room, the underfloor heating was on, and familiar incense was burning.
There were still many snacks on the table, which Shen Qian had specially ordered the servants to make.
The uncle and nephew sat down at the round table. Qingchen took something out of his bundle and said, "I bought a pair of gloves for you, Uncle. When I came last time, I saw that your pair was worn out, so I bought you a new pair. Try them on and see if they fit."
Shen Qian poured her a cup of hot tea. The steaming tea blurred his handsome face. "Keep the money for yourself. You don't need to buy anything for your second uncle. Now that you've been promoted, you'll have to entertain more people and there will be many more expenses. Official duties will be tiring, and you'll work harder than before. You need to eat well, dress well, and take good care of your health."
"Don't worry, Uncle, I'll take good care of myself. Now that I have money and my salary is higher than before, I just want to buy you something." The kindness of raising me since I was a child, the uninterrupted care over the past ten years, and the selfless dedication without expecting anything in return—one pair of gloves is far, far not enough.
He curved his eyebrows and smiled, his smile as gentle and warm as apricot blossoms in the morning sun and snow. "Second Uncle understands your feelings."
After saying that, he put on the gloves and tried them on. "They're very warm. My second uncle likes them very much."
Qingchen was very happy.
The two chatted for a while about her job situation, and then, remembering something, Qingchen said, "Second Uncle, now that I have a real position and also hold four concurrent posts, I don't have as many days off as before. I can only take time off on the first and fifteenth of the month. I'm worried that it might interfere with Yu-ge's schedule..."
Before coming, Qingchen had been thinking that she had been bothering the Lin family for over a year, causing her second uncle and aunt to argue because of her. Now that the circumstances had changed, she had no choice but to bring up the past again. Although she would see her second uncle much less often in the future, she figured that the number of times her second aunt and uncle would argue would also decrease. A relatively peaceful life should be a good thing for him.
“I understand,” Shen Qian said softly, his eyes dimming slightly. “This day will come eventually. Now that you’ve been promoted, you have many things to do and naturally won’t be able to spare the time to teach him anymore. Your second uncle understands.”
He used to ask her to teach because he wanted to help her out and see her often. Now, firstly, she doesn't have time, and secondly, her salary has increased, allowing her to improve her own life, so he has no reason to ask her to come anymore.
Although he knew this day would come, its arrival still felt like a fleeting moment, and brought a sudden sadness.
Time flies and never returns; he grew old, and she grew up day by day.
Just like swallows, they will eventually leave the nest.
The atmosphere became somewhat somber for a moment, and Qingchen quickly said, "Second Uncle, don't worry, I will definitely come to see you and your wife as often as I have time. If you need anything, just have someone send me a letter, and I will come over immediately."
The midday sun shone brightly into the room, making the fine dust particles in the air visible.
A hint of loneliness seemed to shimmer in Shen Qian's fine eyelashes.
"good."
Seemingly afraid of affecting her mood, he quickly composed himself. "The New Year is almost here, let's celebrate it here this year. When I talked to Mr. Lin, that's exactly what he was thinking too. Your second aunt also agreed to let you bring your father along. This year, we can finally be reunited and have a proper New Year."
He spoke as he smiled at her, unaware that a great calamity was about to befall him after the New Year.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
