Chapter 440 Standing Up for Qiu Hui
It snowed again in the capital, the snowflakes falling softly and covering the bluestone path in the courtyard.
Yuan Hongqu suddenly remembered a snowy day many years ago, when a little girl timidly tugged at her clothes.
"Granny, will you always stay with me?"
"Yes, Yu'er. Granny will always be watching over you, as you fly higher and higher."
Now her Yu'er has really grown up, and has even started to worry about her father's marriage.
A smile appeared on Yuan Hongqu's lips. She turned around, picked up paper and pen, and began to reply to Daiyu.
Meanwhile, a tense atmosphere prevailed in Suzhou.
"What did you say? Sister Qiu is going to the capital to file a complaint with the emperor?" Daiyu looked at Miaopu, who had come to deliver the news, in shock.
Miao Pu turned pale with anxiety: "That's right! Miss Qiu said that although the Yongchang Marquis's family has been demoted, they are still exerting pressure in secret. Minister Qiu wrote a letter yesterday saying that if she does not return to complete the marriage, he will expel her mother from the ancestral hall. In a fit of anger, Miss Qiu said that she will go to the capital to beat the Dengwen Drum and appeal to the emperor!"
Daiyu immediately stood up: "Quickly prepare the carriage, I'll go and persuade her!"
When we arrived at Qiu Hui's residence, we saw her packing her things, her eyes red-rimmed but her expression resolute.
"What are you doing, sister?" Daiyu grabbed her hand. "Appealing to the emperor is no child's play. Even if you want to file a lawsuit, you should consider it carefully."
Tears streamed down Qiu Hui's face: "Yu'er, I really have no other way out. My mother has worked so hard for me her whole life, I absolutely cannot burden her..."
Just as the two were arguing, Lin Ruhai suddenly walked in.
He had obviously rushed over upon hearing the news, still wearing his official robes.
"Nonsense!" Lin Ruhai said in a deep voice, "Once the drum of petition sounds, regardless of the facts of the case, you will be punished with fifty strokes of the cane. How can your body withstand that?"
Qiu Hui sobbed uncontrollably, "But sir... I really have no other choice..."
Lin Ruhai paced around the room for a moment, then suddenly stopped: "Actually... it's not like there's no way."
Daiyu and Qiu Hui both looked at him.
Lin Ruhai pondered for a moment and said, "The reason why the Yongchang Marquis's Mansion is pressing so hard is simply because Minister Qiu has agreed to the marriage. If... if Miss Qiu is already engaged, they naturally cannot force her to continue."
Qiu Hui smiled wryly: "At this point, who would dare to oppose the Marquis of Yongchang's mansion..."
"I can," Lin Ruhai suddenly said.
The room fell silent. Daiyu opened her eyes wide, and Qiu Hui was so shocked that she forgot to cry.
Lin Ruhai continued, "I have been widowed for many years and it is time for me to remarry. If Miss Qiu is willing, I can ask an official matchmaker to come and propose marriage. No matter how arrogant the Yongchang Marquis's family is, they would not dare to forcibly take my fiancée."
Qiu Hui stared at him blankly, unsure how to respond.
Daiyu spoke up at the opportune moment: "Father's idea is excellent. However... marriage is a major event and requires careful consideration. Why not have Sister Qiu move to the Lin residence temporarily, and tell everyone that she is helping me with household affairs? Seeing that Sister Qiu is staying at the Governor's residence, the Yongchang Marquis's mansion will probably not dare to make any rash moves."
Lin Ruhai nodded: "That's fine too."
So Qiu Hui moved into the Lin residence that very day. Daiyu specially prepared the courtyard closest to her father's study and assigned several capable maids there.
In the days that followed, Lin Ruhai truly experienced the benefits of having a mistress in the household.
In the past, Daiyu had to worry about the affairs of the inner quarters, but now Qiu Hui took the initiative to take over and managed the household in an orderly manner. She handled the allocation of maids and servants, the preparation of gifts for festivals, and the social interactions with guests with great care and consideration.
What's even more remarkable is that Qiu Hui is keenly aware of the need to avoid suspicion and never crosses the line. Whenever she meets Lin Ruhai, a third person is always present, and her demeanor is always dignified and proper.
That day, Lin Ruhai returned home from court and saw Qiu Hui directing the servants to change the furnishings in the hall. With the New Year approaching, she had decorated the mansion anew, maintaining the grandeur of the governor's mansion while adding a touch of festive joy.
"Your Excellency is back." Qiu Hui bowed and said, "Today, the wife of the Suzhou Prefect sent New Year's gifts, and the list is here. I have prepared the return gift, please take a look."
Lin Ruhai accepted the gift list and saw that the return gifts were appropriate in terms of value, neither too extravagant nor undignified. He nodded approvingly and said, "Miss Qiu has gone to great lengths."
At this moment, Daiyu walked over with a smile: "Father, you don't know, Sister Qiu has sorted out the household accounts these past few days and found quite a few loopholes. In previous years, our family always overspent during the New Year, but this year Sister Qiu has been very careful with the money and has actually saved a lot of money."
Lin Ruhai looked at Qiu Hui in surprise. He knew he was not good at managing money, and the accounts in his household were always in disarray. He never expected Qiu Hui to have such abilities.
Qiu Hui humbly replied, "These are just some ordinary skills; I'm sorry to have made you laugh at me, sir."
During dinner, Lin Ruhai noticed that the dishes were different from usual. They were all authentic Suzhou dishes, but they were more refined and delicious than usual.
Daiyu smiled and said, "Father, have you noticed? Sister Qiu specially consulted a master chef in Suzhou and learned authentic Suzhou cuisine."
Lin Ruhai's heart skipped a beat. He loved Suzhou cuisine, but he had never had a dish that suited his taste.
Half a month passed, and Lin Ruhai felt more and more that the household could not do without Qiu Hui. One day, he specifically summoned Daiyu: "I'm thinking...shouldn't we formally propose marriage to the Qiu family?"
Daiyu was secretly delighted, but feigned surprise on the surface: "Why did Father suddenly think of this?"
Lin Ruhai sighed, "These days, thanks to Miss Qiu's management of the household affairs, I have been able to concentrate on my political affairs. Moreover..." He paused, "Miss Qiu is indeed virtuous and kind, a rare and capable wife."
Daiyu then smiled and said, "Since Father is interested, why don't we sound out Sister Qiu first? Marriage is a serious matter, and it's best if both parties are willing."
The following day, Lin Ruhai, taking a rare day off, specially invited Qiu Hui to his study for a chat.
"Thanks to Miss Qiu's help these past few days, the household has been running smoothly." Lin Ruhai personally poured tea for Qiu Hui. "I wonder what Miss Qiu's plans are for the future?"
Qiu Hui lowered her eyes and said, "Once this storm has passed, I wish to return to the academy to continue teaching. If I could open an embroidery shop to take in more unfortunate women, that would be my life's wish."
Lin Ruhai pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "If...if Miss doesn't mind, would you be willing to stay at the Lin residence for a long time?"
Qiu Hui was startled, and almost knocked over the teacup in her hand.
Lin Ruhai said sincerely, "Ruhai knows that he is too old to be worthy of Miss's youthful years. But if Miss is willing, Ruhai will definitely treat her with respect and will never betray her."
Qiu Hui sat there blankly for a long time, then suddenly burst into tears: "Why must you do this, my lord... I am in a difficult situation now, and if you propose marriage at this time, it will inevitably cause gossip..."
"Act like the sea, seeking only a clear conscience; what is there to fear from others' opinions?"
Lin Ruhai said solemnly, "Besides, Miss is virtuous and kind, and I truly respect her. This is not out of pity."
Snowflakes suddenly began to fall outside the window, while the study was warm and cozy. Looking at the sincere man before her, Qiu Hui suddenly recalled the respect and care he had shown her these past few days, and a warm feeling welled up in her heart.
“I… need some time to think about it,” she said softly.
Lin Ruhai immediately replied, "Of course. Miss, please take your time to consider it. Whatever the outcome, I will respect your decision."
When Qiu Hui got up to say goodbye, Lin Ruhai personally draped a cloak over her shoulders.
The movements were natural and considerate, without the slightest overstepping of boundaries.
Watching Qiu Hui's departing figure, Lin Ruhai suddenly felt that this winter was no longer so cold.
Daiyu, who had been peeking from behind a pillar, finally breathed a sigh of relief.
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