Chapter 38: Paying a Visit (1)

Lately, Young Master Qi Ying has been staying at the main estate more often.

Previously, he would either stay at the secondary residence or even sleep at the office. Recently, however, things have changed—he frequently returns to the main house and almost always spends the night there, much to Lady Yao’s satisfaction.

While Lady Yao was pleased, some of the second young master’s friends found this arrangement inconvenient. The Qi family’s main estate was different from the secondary residence, where one could come and go freely with Qi Ying’s permission. Visiting the main estate required strict adherence to etiquette. If any elders were present, one had to formally greet them, making it quite cumbersome. This naturally caused inconvenience for Qi Ying’s slightly unruly friends.

Take, for instance, Han Feichi, the second son of the Han family.

This young master was not yet nineteen, still uncrowned, and theoretically should be diligently studying behind closed doors. However, his nature was lazy, and he cared little for scholarly pursuits. With a capable older brother taking the lead, he spent his days indulging in leisure—hunting hawks, walking dogs, drinking tea, and wandering around. He was famously known as one of Jiankang’s most idle individuals.

Yet, this idler was no ordinary man. Renowned as a child prodigy, he could read ten lines at a glance and memorize them instantly. The elders of the Han family had once hoped that their family would finally produce someone on par with Qi Ying, or at least Fu Zhuo. But this troublemaker, though intelligent, turned out to be a good-for-nothing loafer. After nearly two decades of struggling against him, the Han family’s elders had begun showing signs of giving up in recent years.

Despite his own shortcomings, Han Feichi was exceptionally close to Qi Jingchen, the most accomplished young man of the current generation among the noble families. He was even more attentive to Qi Ying than to his own elder brother. When he had nothing to do, he loved visiting Fenghe Garden for leisurely tea sessions, much to the annoyance of Qingzhu. It was remarkable how this young master remained undeterred by Qingzhu’s sour face and continued to frequent the place.

On this day, this young master once again arrived uninvited. After receiving a reluctant cup of tea from Qingzhu, he sprawled lazily on the armchair in Qi Ying’s study, complaining, “Brother Two, why bother returning to the main house when you have the perfectly good secondary residence? Now I have to pay respects to Uncle and Aunt just to have tea with you—it’s such a hassle.”

As he spoke, he gestured for Qingzhu to refill his tea.

Qingzhu’s face grew longer than ever. He wanted to advise this young master that if it was so troublesome, perhaps he shouldn’t visit at all, allowing his master some time to rest. But Han Feichi was famous for having thicker skin than the walls of Jiankang. Even if Qingzhu voiced his thoughts directly, it wouldn’t make a difference. So, maintaining outward politeness but inward frustration, Qingzhu exited the study.

Qi Ying and Han Feichi shared a close relationship, and they didn’t adhere strictly to formalities. Qi Ying didn’t need to entertain him specially; he continued working at his desk without looking up, replying, “It’s not proper to stay away from home for too long. I won’t be returning to Fenghe Garden for now.”

Hearing this, Han Feichi sneered mockingly, “Not proper? You’ve already been improper for a year or two. Why the sudden repentance about filial piety now? Brother Two, don’t hide it from me—you’re doing this for that little beauty from the Fang family, aren’t you?”

At these words, Qi Ying raised his head from the documents on his desk, his brows furrowed. “Where did you hear such nonsense?”

Han Feichi shrugged. “Your third brother told me—he talks too much. Ask him anything, and he spills everything.”

Qi Ying rubbed his temples wearily. “You two shouldn’t gossip like this. It’s fine for me, but she’s a young girl. Her reputation mustn’t be tarnished.”

Han Feichi chuckled dismissively. “What’s so precious about her reputation? She’s just an orphan from Ba Commandery.”

No sooner had he spoken than he caught a stern glare from his older brother. His heart skipped a beat, and he quickly set down his teacup, straightening up. “Forgive me, Brother Two. I misspoke.”

Han Feichi genuinely apologized. Regardless of who the Fang family girl was, she was the daughter of Qi Ying’s benefactor, and speaking lightly about her violated propriety and morality. What he didn’t know was that Shen Xiling had nothing to do with the late Fang official who was impaled by a sword. Qi Ying’s anger wasn’t about propriety or morality—it was simply that he couldn’t tolerate others speaking ill of her.

Seeing his older brother’s cold expression, Han Feichi knew his anger hadn’t fully subsided.

Since childhood, Han Feichi had been a rascal, adept at flattering those difficult to please. He had managed to charm even the formidable elders of the Han family into leaving him alone. Now, he decided to employ the same tactics he had honed since childhood to appease his older brother. Carefully observing Qi Ying’s expression, he stood up from the armchair and moved closer to the desk, apologizing with a smile, “Brother Two knows I speak without thinking. I really meant no harm toward Miss Fang—I was just worried about you. If Princess Xiao hears any rumors, she’ll surely cause trouble again. It’s so bothersome.”

The mention of Xiao Ziyu only made Qi Ying more displeased. He had no intention of discussing these matters with Han Feichi. After a brief silence, he changed the subject, asking, “How is General Han Shouye recently?”

General Han Shouye, Han Feichi’s uncle, was the highest-ranking military official in the Liang court. The Han family’s hierarchy differed somewhat from other noble families. The family head wasn’t necessarily the one holding the highest position. Han Feichi’s father, Han Sousong, held a second-rank position but was the family head, while Han Shouye, despite being first-rank, ranked below him. There were several reasons for this: firstly, the Jiangnan region traditionally valued literary pursuits over martial ones. Secondly, with frequent wars between the north and south in recent years, generals often met tragic ends, making their positions precarious.

General Han Shouye was forty-three years old. Last year, during the Battle of Shicheng, he sustained injuries and narrowly escaped being slain by Gu Juhán of Gao-Wei. He barely survived, losing his armor and weapons in the process. Upon returning to the capital, he fell seriously ill.

When Han Feichi heard Qi Ying ask about him, he sighed. “You know my uncle—he has a fiery temper. His injuries weren’t severe, but the psychological scars haven’t fully healed. Being humiliated by Gu Juhán has left him bitter. Every day, he curses at home, calling him ‘that Gu brat, how dare such a rat act so brazenly.’ The commotion is quite loud.”

Qi Ying lowered his gaze thoughtfully, pausing before asking, “Jiang Yong, the commander of Nanling—is it true that he was once General Han’s subordinate?”

Although Han Feichi was lax in scholarly pursuits, he excelled at gathering miscellaneous information, using his prodigious mind for everything except classical studies. Whether Qi Ying asked about Han Shouye’s former subordinates or even his mistresses, Han Feichi could recount every detail.

The military officer named Jiang Yong was indeed one of Han Shouye’s protégés, promoted under his mentorship. He currently guarded the borderlands, facing off against Wei forces across the river.

After a moment’s thought, Han Feichi replied, “Yes, I’ve met that officer Jiang Yong a few times. He visits my uncle during festivals, and my uncle values his presence.”

Qi Ying nodded, saying nothing further. Han Feichi, perceptive as always, asked, “Is this related to the Privy Council?”

Anything involving the Privy Council was inevitably of utmost importance. Though the Privy Council couldn’t directly control the army, its power was immense, overseeing all military affairs and issuing confidential orders to the emperor. Today, Qi Ying specifically inquired about his uncle and Jiang Yong—could it be…

A spark of excitement flashed in Han Feichi’s eyes.

This person was peculiar. While others would wail and lament upon hearing their relatives were involved with the Privy Council, he reveled in drama. To stir trouble, he might even commit acts akin to betraying his own kin, regardless of the consequences for his family if Han Shouye’s faction were investigated.

Qi Ying, well aware of Han Feichi’s nature, couldn’t help but chuckle at his excitement. “No, it’s unrelated to General Han.”

Han Feichi responded with an “Oh,” his excitement fading into boredom. Feeling unsatisfied, he pressed further, “Then it’s related to Jiang Yong?”

Qi Ying didn’t answer, but Han Feichi understood: after the defeat at Shicheng, the Emperor would eventually settle accounts.

Han Feichi enjoyed spectating but had little interest in politics. Finding it dull, he decided it would be more entertaining to inquire about Miss Fang. Turning to Qi Ying, he asked, “Brother Two, is Miss Fang at the main house today?”

Shen Xiling was indeed at the Qi estate. Qi Ying calculated the days—it should be her first day meeting Teacher Wang. He felt a bit uneasy. The girl was shy, and Teacher Wang was notoriously strict. He wondered if everything would go smoothly for her.

Lost in thought, Qi Ying considered checking on her after Han Feichi left.

The teacher Qi family hired was extraordinary—a former Grand Scholar of the Hanlin Academy and状元 of the Jiawei eighth year, named Wang Qing. Before retiring, he had been Qi Ying’s examiner during the spring examinations.

Wang Qing had always held Qi Ying in high regard. When he learned that the Emperor awarded Qi Ying only the second-highest rank, he was indignant. While the Qi family itself said nothing, Wang Qing submitted a lengthy letter to the Emperor, meticulously detailing Qi Ying’s superior scholarship and criticizing the first-place winner’s inferior work. This caused the Emperor both a headache and resignation.

Wang Qing was seventy-three years old but still energetic, reportedly reading late into the night daily. Many prestigious families sought to hire him as a tutor, but he declined them all. Eventually, Qi Zhang personally requested him for the sake of Qi Ning and Qi Le’s education. Wang Qing made it clear: “I have little hope for your third and fourth sons. I agreed only because of Second Young Master.”

Wang Qing was extremely strict with his students. Qi Ning and Qi Le were frequently scolded and punished—sometimes by copying texts, sometimes by having their palms struck. The worst punishment was being beaten and then made to copy texts. The experience was truly excruciating.

However, since Zhao Yao and Miss Fang were set to join the family school, Qi Ning and Qi Le breathed sighs of relief. They reasoned that even if they couldn’t satisfy the teacher, they were surely better than Zhao Yao and Miss Fang. With these two girls as foils, perhaps the teacher would view them more favorably and stop punishing them so harshly.

Zhao Yao, accompanied by her mother, also entered the Qi estate today to meet Teacher Wang. She had risen early to prepare herself meticulously. Arriving at the main hall, she hadn’t yet seen the teacher when she spotted Shen Xiling. To her astonishment, this “country bumpkin” from Ba Commandery had transformed entirely. She wore a silver-embroidered, fitted gown, styled her hair in the fashion of Jiankang’s noblewomen, and was flanked by two maidservants. She looked every inch the part of a noblewoman!

This sight infuriated Zhao Yao. She felt this peasant from the countryside had forgotten her roots and was trying to pass herself off as a noblewoman after attaching herself to the Qi family. She thought disdainfully, “Does she even deserve it?”

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Author’s Note:

Pushing the career storyline forward.

Also, between Han Feichi and Wang Qing, it’s hard to say who’s the bigger fan of Qi Jingchen.