Chapter 278 - 279: Hong Tianbao

Chapter 278: Chapter 279: Hong Tianbao

Ancient Wen Heng returned to their estate by moonlight. Jin Qianqian had already coaxed both children to sleep.

"I ran into Prince Bai today," Ancient Wen Heng said. He washed his hands in the basin of water a maid brought over, then took a handkerchief to dry them.

"Have you eaten, then?" Jin Qianqian asked.

Ancient Wen Heng shook his head and grabbed a pastry from the table. "I sent word to the kitchen for food as soon as I got back, but I need to eat something now. I’m about to pass out from hunger."

Jin Qianqian quietly watched him finish the pastry before asking curiously, "How could you have been with Prince Bai and not even gotten a meal?"

’That can’t be right,’ she thought. ’Considering all the silver notes we’ve sent him over the past two years, Bai Jinglie has received his fair share and then some. He can’t possibly be that stingy.’

"He’s probably too preoccupied right now. I taught him how to make mirrors."

Jin Qianqian was taken aback. "Didn’t you say you were going to wait until after the imperial examination?"

"I think it’s time we increase our leverage," Ancient Wen Heng said. "And since I happened to run into him today, I just seized the opportunity."

"But will you have any peace and quiet now?" Jin Qianqian asked. "You’re about to take the imperial examination."

"That’s why I’m back so late. I’ve already walked him through the entire process personally," Ancient Wen Heng explained. "For the next few days, let’s just close our doors and refuse all visitors."

Jin Qianqian laughed. "Refuse all visitors? We’re not in Fu County anymore. We hardly know anyone here."

Ancient Wen Heng rubbed his nose. "I guess you’re right about that."

"The east for the rich, the west for the noble, the south for the poor, and the north for the lowly." The courtyard Jin Qianqian and her family now occupied was in the East City, and their neighbors on either side were all extremely wealthy households.

Some of the families to whom Housekeeper Fu had delivered gifts yesterday had already sent gifts in return today.

Jin Qianqian was also beginning to get a feel for the neighborhood. Most of the residents were merchants. Some of the properties were second homes purchased by wealthy merchants from across the country, so many of the owners didn’t actually live there. The return gifts had all been arranged by their local stewards.

After watching Qing Mei log the gift exchanges, Jin Qianqian directly summoned Hong Tianbao, Ming Qing, Ming Yue, and Ming Lang.

"This list details the tasks you are to complete over the next few days. Based on your performance, I will assign each of you a suitable position.

I expect you to work hard. Don’t disappoint the Master and me."

Jin Qianqian had Qingzhu hand each of them a sheet of paper. "Get to it."

Seeing them dismissed so simply, Qing Mei looked at Jin Qianqian, seeming to want to say something but holding back.

"Do you think my terms are too harsh?" Jin Qianqian asked.

Qing Mei hesitated. "We’re strangers here, unfamiliar with the city. It won’t be easy for them to accomplish these tasks."

They had all arrived in the capital at the same time just yesterday, and Qing Mei herself still felt apprehensive.

"When Xiao Dongzi came here before to deal with those two shops, wasn’t he all by himself? And don’t forget, he’s even younger than they are."

"How can they compare to Little Hu Shopkeeper?" Qing Mei retorted. "He may be young, but everyone respects him. He’s bold yet meticulous, and he has a real system for getting things done.

But Tianbao seems so simple-minded. If he goes out there, I’m worried he’ll be easily tricked."

Jin Qianqian gave her a sharp look. "Do you have some sort of prejudice against Hong Tianbao?

He’s been with the Master for several years now. He can’t be so incompetent that you’d look down on him like that, can he?"

Qing Mei lowered her head. "I..."

Jin Qianqian stared at her. "Go and see if the young masters are awake."

After sending her away, Jin Qianqian turned to Qing Lan. "What’s wrong with Qing Mei? Did she and Tianbao have an argument?"

Qing Lan covered her mouth, stifling a giggle. "Madam, a few of us have seen Qing Mei and Tianbao talking together several times."

"Are they sweet on each other?" Jin Qianqian thought back on it but couldn’t recall anything unusual.

"Madam, don’t listen to Qing Lan’s gossip," Qingzhu said. "We all work in the same estate. It’s perfectly normal to say hello when we run into each other."

"...And what about you two sisters?" Jin Qianqian asked. "If there’s anyone who catches your eye, be sure to let me know. I’ll make the arrangements for you."

Qingzhu quickly shook her head. "We wish to continue serving you, Madam. We don’t want to get married."

’Our lives now are the envy of so many people.’

’Since coming to serve the Madam, we’ve not only learned to read, write, and do sums, but our lives have also become stable and peaceful. If we were to leave and get married, other maids would surely take our place. The best we could hope for then would be to become a housekeeper.’

"There’s no rush," Jin Qianqian said. "I’m not telling you to get married right this instant.

But you’re both of age, and I can’t hold you back your entire lives.

I’ve said it before: if you wish to buy your freedom, I will grant it.

If you wish to continue serving in this estate long-term, then you should find a good husband. That way, you’ll have someone to rely on for the rest of your lives."

Qingzhu muttered under her breath, "I still don’t want to get married..."

’Having spent so much time in a brothel, she’d seen all sorts of men from a young age.’

’Even though the Master was so considerate toward the Madam now, Qingzhu wasn’t optimistic. Men were the last thing in the world one could rely on.’

’She was living so freely now thanks to the Madam, so why on earth would she want to shackle herself?’

Jin Qianqian had no idea that Qingzhu harbored such thoughts. She simply assumed the girls were a bit shy about the topic of marriage, so she smiled and let the matter drop.

&

「Just as the morning court session ended」

Bai Jinglie, his eyes red and heavy with exhaustion, appeared outside the Upper Study Room to request an audience.

"Why are you always running over here?" Hua Shunming said, rubbing his temples. He had spent the entire morning battling wits and wills with the old court officials and was in no mood to deal with trivial matters.

Bai Jinglie took out the box he had brought. "It’s because I have good news, and I couldn’t wait to share it with the Holy Emperor."

"Pah! I’d be grateful if you just didn’t bother me with your trivialities for one day. What is it this time?" Hua Shunming glanced at the box but didn’t pay it much mind, as Bai Jinglie made a habit of sending him one of any rare item he came across.

"I would hardly call trivial matters ’good news,’ would I? Holy Emperor, please, have a look first."

"So you’ve learned to be mysterious now, have you, you brat," Hua Shunming grumbled. "If I don’t see anything special in there, you’d better watch your hide."

As he spoke, Le San carefully opened the box and took out a sheet of glass. The next instant, he was so startled he nearly dropped it, but a prepared Bai Jinglie lunged forward and caught it securely.

"Be careful with that! I stayed up all night making this." Bai Jinglie carefully inspected it for cracks, only breathing a sigh of relief when he found none.

"As far as I can tell, that’s just a piece of glass in your hand."

"Please look, Holy Emperor. This is a mirror." Bai Jinglie had no choice but to hold it up himself, slowly moving its reflective surface in front of the emperor.

At this, Hua Shunming’s eyes flew wide open. "Where did you get this?"

Bai Jinglie said proudly, "We made it ourselves, of course. What do you think?"

Hua Shunming’s brow furrowed. "Tell me the truth."

’Knowing this brat and his inability to keep a secret, it was impossible that he would have waited until now to say something.’