novelraw Chapter 182
Chapter 182
Upon hearing this, Qi Zhao was slightly stunned, Liu Shi frowned, and only Qi Yun remained expressionless.
Others might not know, but Qi Yun was very clear about Seventh Great-Uncle's purpose in coming here.
After all, he had Tie Zi do so many things. After the Prefect learned that Seventh Great-Uncle had no connection with himself, he naturally wouldn't remain inactive. Calculating the time, one day and night was enough for the Prefect to react.
But Qi Yun didn't say this explicitly. Instead, he said to Qi Zhao and Liu Shi: "Mother, Eldest Brother, let's eat first."
Qi Zhao didn't pick up his chopsticks again, saying in a low voice: "Those who come with ill intent should be questioned about what they want to do." Then Qi Zhao looked at Liu Shi and said: "I'll go take a look."
But before Qi Zhao could get up, Qi Yun reached out to stop him: "Eldest Brother, don't be hasty. Since we know he comes with ill intent, there's no need to rush to do anything. After all, the people living nearby are all our own people, so he can't stir up much trouble."
Liu Shi turned her prayer beads, having always known Qi Yun's temperament, and asked: "Second Son, do you know why he's come?"
Qi Yun nodded: "I know."
Liu Shi raised her eyebrows slightly. She didn't inquire about the details, but asked again: "Can you make him leave?"
Qi Yun nodded again: "I can."
A mother always understands her children best. When Second Son said something, he was confident about it.
Liu Shi smiled. She gestured for Qi Zhao to sit properly, then stopped mentioning Seventh Great-Uncle and instead discussed with Fang Shi how the tassel that Qi Zhao was wearing was made.
Originally, Fang Shi was somewhat curious about what Seventh Great-Uncle had actually done, but when Liu Shi asked this question, Fang Shi immediately lost all other thoughts, only thinking about how to explain the origin of that ugly tassel.
Ye Jiao had been concentrating on eating the whole time. Throughout Little Ginseng's life, what she persisted in most was the pursuit of delicious food.
The food at home seemed more fragrant than anywhere else, though Ye Jiao didn't understand the reason.
Qi Yun smiled and picked up some bamboo shoots for Ye Jiao with his chopsticks, then called Tie Zi over. After giving a few instructions, Tie Zi nodded and turned to jog away.
He left through the side door, not attracting anyone's attention. Seventh Great-Uncle, who was currently outside the Qi residence's main gate, didn't notice either.
At this moment, Seventh Great-Uncle only felt buzzing in his ears, unable to think of anything else, just sitting in his carriage trying to calm himself.
Originally, Seventh Great-Uncle hadn't wanted to come, but the Qi family had done things too decisively, forcing him to come.
Yesterday, Seventh Great-Uncle's family was still prominent in public, but just this morning, when dawn was barely breaking, people from the Prefecture office came and tied up his two grandsons.
This sudden turn of events was truly unexpected. Seventh Great-Uncle knew his two grandsons were worthless, especially compared to the three brothers from the Qi family, which made his own family's troublemakers seem even more hopeless.
Injuring people with horses, beating people in the street, and finally molesting decent women...
Any one of these offenses was enough for exile.
Previously, Seventh Great-Uncle had relied on half-concealing and half-revealing while using the Qi family's reputation to bail out his two children, but before he could be proud for long, they were arrested again!
But no matter how worthless they were, they were still his children. Seventh Great-Uncle couldn't just abandon them.
So he swallowed his pride and went to the Prefecture office to ask, only learning that the Qi family had sent people there. He couldn't find out anything else.
How could Seventh Great-Uncle not guess? It must be that the Qi family learned he had been using their name to show off outside, so they decided to break ties with him.
Since that was the case, Seventh Great-Uncle had no way out and could only come here to think of a solution.
Upon arriving, he faced the closed gate of the Qi residence in silence. After waiting nearly an hour without anyone coming to receive him, Seventh Great-Uncle became increasingly angry.
People often rarely reflect on their own wrongs after something happens, only grasping onto others' faults and not letting go.
Originally, this matter was his family's fault, and the Qi family had only told the truth to clear their relationship. But in Seventh Great-Uncle's view, this was not considering the last bit of dignity, pushing the relationship that had finally eased somewhat toward a dead end.
After all, he was an elder of the Qi family. Such treatment was truly unfilial!
Having seemingly found a good reason for himself, Seventh Great-Uncle regained his confidence and lifted the carriage curtain, saying to those outside: "They still won't open the door?"
"Not yet, Great Master. Should I go knock on the door again?"
"No need." Seventh Great-Uncle had lived such a long time and could guess some of the Qi family's thoughts. "They had people arrest my dear grandsons and now feel guilty, so they're hiding from me. Even if you knock, there won't be any response."
Seeing the anxious faces outside, Seventh Great-Uncle suppressed his anger and assumed a calm demeanor, tapping his walking stick in the carriage.
The heavy sound made everyone outside quiet down considerably, then they heard Seventh Great-Uncle say: "Follow what I told you before, go make a fuss, and make it big."
Upon hearing this, hesitation appeared on the faces of those who had been anxious before. A young man in a blue shirt stepped forward and said: "Great Master, this Qi family has an Imperial Golden Plaque. We all saw it last time. Now going there... will it work?"
Seventh Great-Uncle also thought of that "Noble and Upright Conduct" plaque, which had been what drove him away last time.
But soon Seventh Great-Uncle regained his courage: "Don't worry, that plaque wasn't given to the Qi family, but to Second Master Qi. When he went to the capital, he already took the golden plaque with him. Besides, their Third Son is now an official in the capital. If rumors of family discord and disrespecting elders spread, I'm afraid Third Master Qi won't have peace either. Just go make trouble, they're more afraid than we are."
The young man in blue was still hesitant: "But their Second Son isn't someone easy to deal with."
Speaking of this, Seventh Great-Uncle became even more confident: "Those who went to the capital, how many are willing to come back? Previously, during Mid-Autumn Festival, Second Master Qi's family didn't return. They must have settled down in the capital and won't leave easily. Distant water can't put out a nearby fire, it doesn't matter."
This reasoning sounded very logical, so the young man in blue retreated to the side, took a few people with him, and ran to the front of the Qi family gate to make a commotion.
Since they were making it big, naturally they had to be loud, shouting things like "the Qi family is unfilial" and "ignoring proper hierarchy." Originally, they hoped to attract nearby people to come and watch, but the surrounding area was all Qi family tenant farmers or workers. Who would dare come out to watch their employer's affairs?
No matter how much they made trouble, no one came to watch, making it seem like they were performing for themselves.
Although they were a group of men, men making trouble could be more annoying than women. Even from far away, Ye Jiao could hear them.
"Close the door properly, don't let the noise outside disturb the children." Ye Jiao put the sleeping Ruyi back on the bed, tucked her in, then gave Little Su a few instructions before quietly leaving.
After returning to her own room, Ye Jiao immediately saw Xu Bao standing on a chair holding a writing brush.
Since the old home hadn't prepared desks and chairs suitable for a child as young as Xu Bao, and there wasn't time to rush-make them, Qi Yun had moved over a huanghuali wood official's hat chair, wrapping the backrest and armrests with soft cushions, letting Xu Bao stand on it to practice writing.
Now seeing Ye Jiao enter, Xu Bao only lifted his head slightly but didn't speak.
The little fellow really wanted his mother to dote on him, but from childhood he had followed Master Feng in studying books and practicing calligraphy. Master Feng was very strict with him, and not getting distracted was among the most important rules.
Reading and practicing calligraphy required a calm and focused mind. Master Feng had taught Xu Bao very well.
Although Xu Bao had a simple nature, he was ultimately persistent and very obedient.
After finishing this piece with his brush, the little fellow finally put down the writing brush, rubbed his wrist, and stretched out his hands to Ye Jiao, his voice soft and sweet: "Mother, hug."
What Ye Jiao couldn't resist most was being called by her children in this kind of voice, which sounded sweet to her very core.
She hurried over to embrace Xu Bao, sat on the chair, and let Xu Bao sit in her embrace. Ye Jiao rubbed Xu Bao's little chubby hands while looking at Qi Yun, who was reading account books nearby, saying: "Husband, it's almost New Year. Xu Bao should relax a bit."
Qi Yun was about to speak when Xu Bao spoke first: "I'm not tired."
Hearing this, Ye Jiao rubbed her son's little chubby cheeks. Qi Yun said: "What he's writing is all homework assigned by Master Feng before leaving, two pieces a day. It's not much, don't stop him."
Little Ginseng hugged Xu Bao, feeling somewhat heartbroken: "He's still so young."
Qi Yun's expression was mild: "This is Master Feng being good to him. Having him write two pieces a day, if this wasn't assigned, I'm afraid this child could write from dawn to dusk."
Ye Jiao: ...
For other children, this wouldn't be true, but looking at her own Xu Bao's round eyes and thinking of how he usually never put down his books, Ye Jiao unconsciously nodded.
Xu Bao really could immerse himself in books and not come out.
The little fellow let Ye Jiao rub his hands, smiling happily as he asked: "Mother, I want to go find Grandmother."
Ye Jiao looked down at him, seeing through Xu Bao's thoughts: "You're hungry, aren't you?" Going to Liu Shi's meant eating. Though Xu Bao wasn't gluttonous at home, at Liu Shi's place he never stopped eating.
Xu Bao nodded very straightforwardly, then buried himself in Ye Jiao's embrace, saying softly: "Let Xu Bao go, Grandmother surely misses Xu Bao too."
Ye Jiao touched the top of his head and said: "Take your afternoon nap first. After you wake up, Mother will take you there."
"Okay!" Xu Bao responded crisply and obediently let Ye Jiao carry him to bed.
Being young, although writing had made him feel comfortable mentally, his arms and legs were somewhat tired. Before long, he fell asleep.
Ye Jiao closed the inner room door and came out to sit beside Qi Yun, seeing that Second Master Qi had already poured her a cup of hot tea.
Taking it to warm her hands, Ye Jiao could still faintly hear the continuous shouting outside and couldn't help saying: "Husband, it's rather too noisy outside."
Qi Yun took over the plate of pastries and pushed the sand cakes toward Ye Jiao, saying mildly: "Let them shout, it doesn't matter."
Ye Jiao reached for a piece of sand cake, saying: "But this will inevitably invite criticism from others. Besides, if this continues and wakes the children, that's not good."
Second Master Qi curved his lips slightly, his voice gentle: "There are no others around here. This area is all our own people. Even if they make a huge fuss, no one dares to gossip. But this kind of commotion is indeed annoying. Don't worry, Jiao Niang, it will be settled soon."
In Little Ginseng's heart, Qi Yun always did what he said. As long as it was something her husband said, Ye Jiao believed it.
So she stopped worrying and instead said: "Going back and forth with just those few phrases, it's not interesting at all."
Qi Yun's eyes remained on the account book. Hearing this, he said: "When it comes to arguing, even if they were tied together, they couldn't match one of the matrons in our household."
Ye Jiao glanced at Qi Yun: "The people we employ aren't specifically for arguing."
Second Master Qi smiled faintly: "Jiao Niang doesn't know, being good at arguing isn't a flaw, but rather a skill. In this world, anything done extremely well is a skill. Besides, being able to argue is inherently quite rare. Don't think only women can do it, men can too, just in different settings with different content. Taking a step back, the court matters that Third Brother usually talks about, aren't those also arguments? It all depends on whether you have eloquence."
With only one emperor, if you want the emperor to listen to you and not to others, then you compete face to face, citing classics and debating against many scholars, all to instill your political views into more people and persuade others, especially the emperor, to listen to you.
Don't think that educated people don't argue. When they argue, every sentence strikes at the heart, showing no mercy.
The pens of scholars have always been the most deadly weapons.
Ye Jiao didn't understand court matters but was somewhat curious and wanted to ask, when she heard it had become quiet outside.
She couldn't help standing up to take a look. Qi Yun also closed his account book and stood up, saying: "It seems a guest has arrived. We should go greet them."
Ye Jiao went to get his fur coat and helped him put it on, while smoothing the fur with a duster and asking: "Who's come?"
Qi Yun reached out to hold Ye Jiao's soft palm, saying gently: "If Jiao Niang comes with me to see, won't you know?"
Just as Qi Yun and Ye Jiao walked toward the main gate, Qi Zhao also brought Fang Shi over.
The two sides met at the gate, and Qi Zhao asked: "They left?"
Qi Yun shook his head: "Probably not."
Fang Shi tugged at Qi Zhao, saying: "You still don't know what kind of person Seventh Great-Uncle is. He won't give up without seeing results. Now that they haven't gained any benefits and haven't even met anyone, he certainly won't leave easily."
Qi Zhao nodded, frowning slightly, and was about to open the door.
"Wait." Qi Yun stepped forward two paces and said to Qi Zhao: "Eldest Brother, go have someone prepare some tea and refreshments for receiving guests."
Qi Zhao was puzzled: "What guests..."
At this moment, the door opened left and right, and the main gate opened. Qi Zhao turned to look and saw the situation outside.
Seventh Great-Uncle had brought many junior family members, occupying quite a bit of space in the street in front of the gate. Those people had probably just finished shouting and were tired, with red faces and thick necks. In the bitter cold of the twelfth month, they were all sweating profusely, obviously having exerted themselves.
On the other side was a sedan chair, and a round, fat man in official robes was talking with Father Qi.
Seeing the door open, Seventh Great-Uncle's people wanted to crowd forward but were firmly blocked by Qi family servants filing out.
Father Qi waved to his two sons: "Come quickly and pay respects to the magistrate."
Qi Yun patted Ye Jiao's hand, letting her wait inside the door with Fang Shi, then followed Qi Zhao out.
Ye Jiao saw that the man in official robes was a stranger she hadn't seen before, so she held Fang Shi's arm and asked quietly: "Sister-in-law, who is that?"
Fang Shi covered her mouth with a handkerchief and said in a low voice: "Wasn't the previous County Magistrate Shi recalled to the capital? This is his replacement, Xu Cheng, Magistrate Xu. He's been quite caring toward our family."
Ye Jiao acknowledged and remembered this name, not asking anything else, just watching outside with Fang Shi.
Over there, Qi Zhao, Qi Yun, and Xu Cheng exchanged greetings, being quite polite.
Xu Cheng had met Qi Zhao before, but this was his first time seeing Qi Yun. He looked him over with smiling eyes, unable to hide his surprise.
Actually, before taking office, he had inquired about the local gentry and wealthy households, naturally hearing about the Qi family's reputation.
Not only because the Qi family was the wealthiest household for miles around, but also because the three sons of the Qi family were each outstanding in their own way.
The eldest son was loyal and steady, the second son was extremely wealthy, and the third son was an official at court.
The three young masters had chosen three different paths, yet all walked them smoothly.
Speaking of future official prospects, naturally Third Master Qi had the most promising future. He was a Third-Place Scholar who passed the imperial examination, a literary star with unlimited prospects.
But the one who truly had a significant relationship with Xu Cheng was Second Master Qi.
Not to mention anything else, just the fact that nearly half the businesses in the city were Qi Yun's properties was enough to make Xu Cheng look at Qi Yun with new respect. Moreover, during the handover, Shi Tianrui had specifically instructed him that the Qi family had a different status, so he was naturally extra cautious.
This time Xu Cheng came because Tie Zi had reported the news. For other families, County Magistrate Xu wouldn't bother making such a trip, but when the Qi family had trouble, he immediately took a sedan chair and came.
Seeing Qi Yun, Xu Cheng stroked his beard with a kind smile: "I've long heard that Second Master Qi is elegant and refined, with a golden touch in business. Seeing you today, you're indeed extraordinary."
Although he said this, Xu Cheng still felt somewhat awkward inside.
After all, he was the county magistrate, and being called here without reason, even knowing the Qi family was different, he still felt some resentment.
Qi Yun lowered his eyes and replied: "Magistrate Xu is too kind." Then Qi Yun looked at Xu Cheng and said gently: "It was presumptuous of me to ask Magistrate Xu here today, but some matters are better discussed face to face with you."
Hearing this, Xu Cheng put away his smile and said: "Second Master, please speak directly."
Qi Yun nodded, his voice calm: "Returning home this time, my convoy came from the west, but I saw that the river could only be crossed by ferry, with no bridge or road construction. I privately thought that if we could build a bridge, it would be better than waiting for the ferry boat each time."
Hearing this, Xu Cheng's eyes lit up.
Although he had heard before that during the flood, Second Master Qi had personally paid to provide disaster relief, hearing was different from seeing. Xu Cheng hadn't believed that a merchant would freely give his money to others. Now seeing it with his own eyes, truly witnessing Qi Yun wanting to spend money for the people's welfare, Xu Cheng was naturally pleased.
Qi Yun continued: "But I don't understand how to build bridges or pave roads. All these matters would need to trouble the magistrate to find suitable people to handle them."
Xu Cheng naturally heard Qi Yun's goodwill. After all, Second Master Qi had so much money he couldn't spend it in ten lifetimes. Finding someone who knew bridge construction wouldn't be difficult.
Now he was clearly giving Xu Cheng half the credit. Magistrate Xu naturally accepted with a smile. That little bit of earlier irritation disappeared without a trace, and he smiled even more kindly, looking like a Maitreya Buddha with his white, fat face.
Seeing this matter was settled, Qi Yun stopped speaking and let his father and brother talk with Xu Cheng.
Seeing Qi Yun's humble attitude, Xu Cheng liked him even more, wishing he could grab Qi Yun right now to discuss the bridge construction. This was beneficial for the present and would bring merit for thousands of years, and it was also his political achievement. It was better to settle it early to avoid complications later.
While this side chatted more and more lively, Seventh Great-Uncle's side seemed much colder.
Seventh Great-Uncle was old after all and inevitably had poor eyesight. Squinting hard to see, he said hesitantly in a low voice: "Over there... could that be Second Master Qi?"
A young man in a blue shirt standing nearby said in a hoarse voice: "Yes, that's Second Master Qi."
Seventh Great-Uncle fell silent, thinking to himself, how did this man come back again!
People who had gone to the capital should just stay in the capital properly. Why come back?
Coming back was bad enough, but he even invited the county magistrate over. Could he be planning to use the magistrate to drive people away?
The young man in blue obviously didn't have much courage and had many concerns. Seeing the Qi family and County Magistrate Xu chatting enthusiastically, he said in a low voice: "Great Master, perhaps we should go back. I'm afraid we won't gain any advantage today."
But Seventh Great-Uncle gritted his teeth, feeling the taste of blood in his mouth, yet still shook his head: "No, we can't leave. If we leave, both your brothers will die in prison! If I don't save my grandsons, no one will."
The young man in blue wanted to say that the crimes they committed were unforgivable to begin with, but he couldn't disobey his elder, so he stopped talking and stepped aside.
Seventh Great-Uncle took a deep breath, had someone help him down from the carriage, gripped his walking stick tighter, then hobbled step by step toward Xu Cheng.
Before getting close, Seventh Great-Uncle dropped to his knees with a "thud" in front of Xu Cheng, his voice shrill and tears streaming: "County Magistrate, merciful official, please do justice for this commoner!"
Since Xu Cheng had his back to him and was wholly focused on discussing bridge construction with Qi Yun, he hadn't noticed someone approaching.
Now Seventh Great-Uncle's wailing startled Xu Cheng, making the fat magistrate jump. When he turned around, he was about to scold, but seeing it was a white-haired elder crying pitifully, he quickly went to help him up personally, saying: "Old sir, please get up quickly. If you have any grievances, please tell me. This official will certainly see justice done for you."
Inside the gate, Fang Shi muttered quietly "relying on his age," while Ye Jiao was thinking that this magistrate was quite interesting, bouncing like a little ball when he jumped.
Seventh Great-Uncle seemed to gain confidence from these words. After standing up, he wiped his face with his sleeve, held his walking stick, and began to criticize the Qi family's wrongs.
Qi Yun listened from the side, his face somewhat cold.
It was nothing more than saying the Qi family was unfilial, making an old man like him suffer, and so on. These words had just been shouted outside the courtyard gate, nothing new.
Qi Yun even thought that even fabricating accusations and complaints couldn't come up with fresh words, truly useless.
If they really brought out his family's matrons, they'd probably make him faint with anger in three sentences.
But what Qi Yun didn't care about, others took very seriously.
Especially County Magistrate Xu, whose face showed great difficulty.
Since Shi Tianrui had said before leaving that the Qi family was different from others and needed special attention, Xu Cheng had long ago inquired about the Qi family's affairs and naturally knew that the Qi family had long since divided their household. This Seventh Great-Uncle in front of him and the Qi family behind him weren't really the same household.
Since they had divided the household and gone through official documents, they were two families with no future connection, no ties.
But in this world, the law couldn't override human sentiment. Blood relationships and family affection were always supremely important. Even if Seventh Great-Uncle's accusations against the Qi family for being unkind wouldn't hold up in court, if it really became a big issue, it would still be troublesome.
Xu Cheng couldn't help but look toward the Qi family father and sons, saying: "It's hard for an honest official to judge family matters. This official is also in a difficult position. Perhaps you could resolve this privately? You should also consider the person in the capital."
This person in the capital referred to Qi Ming. Xu Cheng felt that with Qi Ming's bright future, there was no need to invite criticism because of a distant relative.
In this world, unfilial conduct was one of the ten unforgivable crimes, very troublesome indeed.
Father Qi and Qi Zhao said nothing, both looking toward Qi Yun.
Qi Yun had long had a plan. Inviting County Magistrate Xu here was to have him serve as a witness.
Taking a few steps forward, Qi Yun said something quietly to County Magistrate Xu. The magistrate was startled and couldn't help looking at Qi Yun: "Could it be that golden plaque from before?"
Qi Yun shook his head: "Another one."
Xu Cheng's eyes widened, seemingly shocked, but soon recovered. Being an official, he understood the intricacies involved. With a half-smile, he glanced at Qi Yun, then straightened his expression and turned toward Seventh Great-Uncle.
Before the old man could ask, Xu Cheng smiled and said: "This official has just learned that the emperor, knowing the Qi family has strict family traditions and that the Qi parents raised their children well, specially bestowed a golden plaque as encouragement."
Seventh Great-Uncle was somewhat confused and instinctively retorted: "Wasn't that because they spent money on flood relief, so..."
"No, another one, just bestowed." Xu Cheng had just asked clearly and now spoke straightforwardly.
Then the guards sent by Ye Ping Rong carried out the golden plaque and removed the red cloth covering it.
"Vast as Heaven's Grace."
These four characters were extremely weighty, praising the Qi family parents' kindness as heavy as heaven, as vast and boundless as the sky, clearly stating that the Qi family was good in every way.
A properly official plaque for the Qi family, written by the emperor's own hand saying the Qi family was upright. Who could say a word against it?
Those who had been shouting outside nearly knelt down, thinking that they had just been opposing the emperor, feeling cold sweat almost soaking their clothes.
At this moment, Seventh Great-Uncle's heart shook, his face somewhat twisted, staring at this golden plaque with eyes nearly bursting from their sockets.
He just couldn't understand it. Did the emperor have nothing better to do? Why was he constantly sending things to their family!
This Qi family, just how many golden plaques were they hiding!