Chapter 129: Visit from an Old Friend
The next day, it was Qingyan’s turn to take a break, so he asked Qiu Henian to invite their friend over to their home.
Bai Shao had a straightforward personality and a direct style of doing things, though he understood the necessary social courtesies.
He didn’t come empty-handed; not only did he bring a jar of wine, but he also bought a pair of silver bracelets for the child, each adorned with a small bell.
When Jindou wore them, they jingled with every movement of his hands, which piqued the child’s curiosity, causing him to occasionally shake his hands and stare at the bracelets.
Qingyan smiled and said, “Our Jindou really likes them. Thank you, Uncle Bai.”
Bai Shao smiled stiffly and replied, “No need to be so polite.”
A few days ago, when he barged into Fragrant Melody Pavillion and said those words, he had expected to be looked down upon today. However, Qingyan was courteous and warm towards him, showing no signs of holding any grudges.
This actually made him more cautious, feeling that Qingyan was very shrewd and not easy to deal with.
After exchanging pleasantries, Qingyan went busy in the outer room. He placed Jindou on a thick cotton pad he had made, surrounded by a low wooden fence crafted by Qiu Henian. Each piece of wood was smoothed without a single splinter, safe for the child to handle.
During busy times, he would place Jindou inside with a few toys, allowing him to play for a while on his own without crawling out and encountering danger.
Ah Miao sometimes accompanied him inside to play, while it sometimes stayed outside imperiously. If the child accidentally hurt it, it wouldn’t scratch back. It would just endure it with a bitter face. If it couldn’t stand it, it would jump lightly and completely avoid it.
At this moment, Qingyan put the child inside and told Qiu Henian, then went to the outer room to get busy.
As soon as Bai Shao entered the courtyard gate, he could already smell the aroma of stewed meat. When he entered the outer room, he saw Qingyan wearing an apron, busy at the stove.
On the dining table in the outer room, rows of neatly arranged dumplings were already placed. Each one was pinched thin with a large filling, evenly pleated in the shape of ingots, making one feel comfortable just looking at them.
In addition to the dumplings, some cooked dishes and cold dishes were also prepared, all placed to the side.
Upon seeing him, Qingyan warmly welcomed him inside with his husband.
When Qiu Henian invited him to sit down, Qingyan went to fetch hot water that had been heated, and brewed tea for them.
He was different from when he was at Fragrant Melody Pavillion. That day, when Bai Shao first saw him, his robe was brightly colored, and he had beautiful ornaments on his head and hands, as if they were the same as those sold in the shop.
Today, Qingyan was much simpler in dressing at home, with only a wooden hairpin simply holding up her hair. He wore nothing on his hands, but he looked even more elegant and lovely.
While pouring water and brewing tea for them, Qingyan’s sleeve slipped to his elbow. Bai Shao found himself unconsciously staring at it for a long time and quickly lowered his head to retract his gaze.
He didn’t mean to offend, just keeping a guarded attitude towards Qingyan, so he paid more attention and quickly withdrew his gaze when he realized he had gone overboard.
Bai Shao had heard early on that in the vicinity of Mulin County, most families were governed by their daughters-in-law or sons, and such things as twisting their husband’s ears in front of everyone were not uncommon.
But Qingyan was not that aggressive. On the contrary, he was gentle and handled household matters cleanly.
He was busy in the outer room and didn’t forget to occasionally add hot water for them or bring in plates of melon seeds and dried fruits. Seeing that the child was coveting the food on the table, he even took a few moments to peel half an apple to keep the child occupied.
Whether it was his husband, child, or guests in the house, there was no shortage of anything and everything was taken care of.
And sitting beside him at the table, Qiu Henian, though talking to him, also kept an eye on the child in the pad and the movement in the outer room.
Qingyan didn’t ask for help, but he also went over to add firewood at the right time or uncover heavy pot lids. The two didn’t talk much, but their actions were extremely tacit, clearly used to cooking together every day.
After the meal was ready, Qingyan came over to invite them to eat.
At the dining table, Qingyan held Jindou and patiently fed him fish, meat, and carrot puree one spoonful at a time.
After feeding the child, he began to eat himself.
While Qiu Henian drank and chatted with Bai Shao, he didn’t forget to occasionally pay attention to the dishes in front of Qingyan, occasionally picking some farther away dishes for him.
After two rounds of drinking, Qingyan got up to go to the outer room to cook dumplings, and Qiu Henian covered his cup with his hand and stopped drinking.
Bai Shao naturally hadn’t finished drinking enough, but he had something to say today, so he needed a clear head and didn’t force it.
Bai Shao cleared his throat and, seeing that the door was tightly closed, asked, “Have you considered what I said last time? Do you really want to come back with me?”
Qiu Henian shook his head.
“I haven’t considered it. There’s no need to consider this matter. I won’t leave.”
Bai Shao said seriously, “Don’t blame me for being meddlesome. I just don’t want to see you being deceived again.”
Qiu Henian asked, “Why do you say that?”
Bai Shao said, “I asked around. Qingyan didn’t marry you willingly. He never really gave up on the imperial examination path. Even though it seems like he’s accepted his fate now, having a child with you and being considerate everywhere, but he has no other choice. He’s enduring his unwillingness in his heart. Do you think a person like him would settle down with you in this remote mountain village for the rest of his life?”
As Qiu Henian listened, his expression gradually softened, remaining silent for a while.
Bai Shao thought he was wavering and continued to persuade earnestly, “I know you don’t want to give up this comfortable life now, but you have to understand, as beautiful as a fleeting reflection in a mirror pond is, it only takes an instant to shatter. Even if Qingyan doesn’t continue with the imperial examinations, he won’t be content to stay in such a small place. Look at how well Fragrant Melody Pavillion’s business is done. As long as he’s given the opportunity, he might dare to go to the capital city. By then, earning big money and experiencing grand events, what will you and the child do?”
Bai Shao thought that after Qiu Henian heard these words, he might be embarrassed to face him, or at least angry. But he had to speak the truth now, or he might regret it later.
However, there was indeed a hint of anger in Qiu Henian’s eyes, but it quickly seemed like he suddenly thought of something, and his expression gradually softened, even the usual coldness in his eyes warmed.
Qiu Henian said, “Qingyan always says wherever I go, he’ll go. In fact, it’s the same for me.”
“If in the future, he wants to go to the capital to do business or open a shop, I will hand over the blacksmith shop to my apprentice and take Jindou with him to the capital. If he wants to continue taking the imperial examinations and become an official, wherever he serves, we will follow him there.”
As he spoke, Qiu Henian’s lips curved into a smile.
“Qingyan seems gentle and easy-going on the surface, but in reality, he is quite stubborn. He has his own principles in life and won’t easily change. He is kind and smart, never doing things to harm others; instead, he tries to make their lives better. But he also knows how to be flexible and will prioritize the safety of himself and his family. If he becomes an official, he will surely be a good one, a blessing to the people under his jurisdiction.”
Bai Shao stared at him blankly, moved by his expression and words, but still unwillingly blurted out what he had been holding back in his heart, “He is outstanding in appearance and, as you said, a good person. Aren’t you afraid that he might climb up with someone else and abandon you and the child?”
Qiu Henian’s response was calm.
“I know you mean well for me, so I don’t blame you for saying these things. But just this once. I don’t want to hear any more disparaging words about him from you in the future.”
Bai Shao realized he had gone too far and didn’t argue back, just waiting for Qiu Henian’s reply.
“He won’t climb up with someone else, nor will he stoop to use someone else’s power to climb up,” Qiu Henian said.
Bai Shao wanted to say more, but Qiu Henian didn’t give him a chance to speak.
Looking straight at him, Qiu Henian said emphatically, word by word, “With me around, Qingyan wouldn’t be interested in anyone else.”
Bai Shao was dumbfounded for a moment.
Outside the door, Qingyan stood holding the tray of dumplings with one hand and the door handle with the other, freezing in that position for quite some time.
Inside the room, the conversation had finished, and it grew quiet.
Qingyan lowered his head, his face steamed by the dumplings’ vapor, his skin glossy and slightly flushed.
His eyelashes trembled, and a smile played on his lips.
After a while, Qingyan suppressed his joyful mood, exerted force on his hand, pushed open the door, and carried the steaming hot dumplings inside.
Spoiler for the Next Chapter:
Bai Shao sneered, “So, no matter who he married back then, he would have taken responsibility till the end, treating them well for a lifetime. You know this, right?”
