Although Qi Changlin came from a humble background, he was close friends with Jiao Lianyu and also had dealings with Qiu Huaixin.
However, compared to Jiao Lianyu, who was diligent in his studies and talented, Qiu Huaixin, despite being the youngest son of a second-rank court official, was preferred by Qi Changlin as a fellow student. Qi Changlin had also received considerable financial assistance from him.
Qiu Huaixin was taken aback when he saw the birthday invitation sent by Qi Changlin's attendant.
Qiu Bingde came to Qiu Huaixin's courtyard to discuss his previous assassination attempt. Seeing his younger brother looking troubled for once, he couldn't help but smile and ask, "Is it a difficult matter?"
Placing the invitation on the table, Qiu Huaixin shook his head. "It's an invitation from Brother Changlin. His birthday is in three days, and he wants to invite us to a small gathering at his home."
Qi Changlin's family was poor. He had a paralyzed mother lying in bed, two children who needed to be fed, and his wife was also frail. If not for Jiao Lianyu's frequent support over the years, Qi Changlin would not have been able to study for the imperial examinations, let alone support his entire family.
Scholars of the Daqing Dynasty had always been proud, and Qi Changlin was even more so. Qiu Huaixin had previously offered to help him, but Qi Changlin had sternly refused. It was only with Jiao Lianyu, his closest friend, with whom he shared similar dispositions, that Qi Changlin was willing to accept his assistance.
"Qi Changlin?" Qiu Bingde was also slightly surprised. As the eldest son, he felt a paternal responsibility towards his two younger brothers, especially given Qiu Huaixin's free-spirited and unrestrained nature. Qiu Bingde paid extra attention to his friends, and his acquaintances were well aware of this.
Qiu Bingde also knew that Qi Changlin had dealings with his younger brother. Over the years, due to the Qi family's poverty, Qi Changlin had only hosted friends twice: once when he passed the courtyard examination and obtained the xiucai degree, and once when he came of age.
Qi Changlin had an unyielding spirit. Unable to host friends due to his own financial constraints, he rarely attended others' banquets. Qiu Huaixin also hosted banquets at his residence or estate several times a year, but Qi Changlin had only attended once in all these years.
"Changlin's invitation states that he is using his birthday banquet to celebrate Gui Zhang's escape from misfortune," Qiu Huaixin recalled now. They had overheard this when they were gathered at Tianjing Lake earlier.
According to the customs in Qi Changlin's hometown, if someone encountered bad luck, their close friends or relatives could hold a birthday banquet to ward off the misfortune for them. However, this also carried the risk of attracting the misfortune to oneself, as one was sharing their luck with another. Therefore, apart from very close relatives, few people were willing to do this.
Qiu Huaixin's friends were all scholars from the imperial academy, which put Qiu Bingde at ease. "I have a Songhua stone inkstone in my storeroom that would make a suitable birthday gift."
Since Qi Changlin was holding a birthday banquet, Qiu Huaixin naturally had to send a gift. The tricky part was that if Qi Changlin were to hold a banquet for his birthday in the future, Qiu Huaixin would have to reciprocate. However, Qi Changlin's family was poor, so Qiu Huaixin's gift could not be too expensive, as it would be a burden to Qi Changlin.
"Thank you, Eldest Brother. I was just wondering what gift to send when I saw the invitation." Qiu Huaixin also had a storeroom, but as the young master of the Qiu family, nothing in his storeroom was ordinary. Qiu Huaixin had originally planned to go to an external shop to pick out a gift, but having one from his elder brother saved him the trouble. An inkstone was also suitable for a scholar like Qi Changlin.
"However, when you go out, make sure you have enough guards. No matter where you go, have Shisong accompany you," Qiu Bingde instructed solemnly. When he heard about Qiu Huaixin being assassinated, Qiu Bingde had broken out in a cold sweat. The guards protecting Huaixin at Hesheng Xuan were personal guards arranged by their father, akin to Qiu family's loyal retainers. Who would have thought that there would be a traitor among them, and one who nearly took his younger brother's life?
Not only was Lord Qiu worried about Qiu Huaixin going out, but his elder brother, Qiu Bingde, was also concerned, wishing he could assign all his protectors to Qiu Huaixin.
Looking at his elder brother's concerned expression, Qiu Huaixin thought of his conversation with Zhan Feiyu. If the person who tried to harm him truly came from the Wu family, or was even instigated by his elder sister-in-law...
A mix of emotions surged within him. Qiu Huaixin hesitated for a moment, but ultimately restrained himself and changed the subject. "Eldest Brother, I heard that Mother has already asked someone to inquire about the fifth daughter of the Gu family?"
Upon hearing Qiu Huaixin's stiff tone, Qiu Bingde assumed he was embarrassed to discuss his own marriage and couldn't help but laugh, teasing him. "Although the Gu family of Nanling has a renowned reputation, and the Gu daughters are all dignified and elegant, what you hear is not always true. Mother must thoroughly investigate your marriage before settling it."
Logically speaking, Qiu Huaixin marrying the fifth daughter of the Gu family would be considered a high-class match, as he was still a commoner without talent in his studies, and would not be able to enter officialdom through the imperial examinations in the future. At best, he might be recommended for a leisurely post later on.
Furthermore, as the youngest son, the family fortune Qiu Huaixin would inherit after the Qiu family divided would be limited. In that case, he truly would not be worthy of a Gu family daughter.
Even so, Lord Qiu and Madam Qiu would not stoop to curry favor with the Gu family. Compared to the benefits of an alliance, Lord Qiu prioritized his youngest son, Qiu Huaixin.
With a dry smile, Qiu Huaixin truly admired Zhan Feiyu's abilities. He had just asked her for help, and the marriage prospect had surfaced soon after. Although it was only a verbal agreement for now, it might offend the Gu family of Nanling.
Qiu Huaixin was not being self-deprecating; he knew his own worth. The fifth daughter of the Gu family was likely heading to the capital with the intention of marrying into a noble family there. Now that she was associated with him, whether the marriage succeeded or failed, Zhan Feiyu would offend the Gu family.
After Qiu Bingde finished teasing his younger brother and left, Qiu Huaixin, who saw him off, had a complex expression on his face, completely unnoticed.
Upon returning to his own courtyard, Qiu Bingde immediately instructed someone to retrieve the Songhua inkstone from the storeroom and sent it to Qiu Huaixin.
As Madam Dong was coming from the kitchen, she saw Dong Yan rushing over. Madam Dong stopped and said sternly, "What's the rush? Have you forgotten the rules of the courtyard?"
"Madam Dong," Dong Yan quickly bowed. She then remembered that the Eldest Young Madam had been suffering from a headache these past few days, so the servants attending her courtyard were all moving quietly, afraid of disturbing the Eldest Young Madam's rest.
Normally, Madam Wu was gentle with everyone, even with the servants, so she had an excellent reputation in the manor. Therefore, Madam Dong naturally took on the role of the stern one.
Madam Wu had been suffering from headaches due to worry these past few days, and Madam Dong was also concerned, which made her temper flare. She maintained a stern expression. "Speak quickly if you have something to say, and don't disturb the Eldest Young Madam's rest."
Dong Yan had initially come to ingratiate herself, hoping to be promoted to a second-rank maid in the future. Now, she dared not harbor any selfish thoughts. "Replying to Madam, I just now..."
A moment later, Madam Dong entered the room. Madam Wu was resting on a chaise lounge. "Is the drunken crab ready? My husband loves this delicacy. Have the kitchen prepare ginger juice according to the recipe again. Crabs are cold in nature, and my husband should not eat too many."
"When I went over, Chef Liu was making it. Knowing that Eldest Young Madam had ordered it, Chef Liu would not dare to let the kitchen boys interfere and used the best huadiao wine," Madam Dong said, moving to the window and closing it halfway, worried that the autumn wind might chill Madam Wu as she rested.
Madam Wu nodded with satisfaction. Sensing that Madam Dong had something to say, she asked, "Did my husband say anything?"
Madam Qiu was still in charge of the Qiu manor. Madam Wu, as a daughter-in-law, did not dare to openly express her desire to manage the household affairs, even if she had such thoughts. However, since marrying into the Qiu family, Madam Wu had subtly gathered some servants.
In the past, it was easy to gather information from Qiu Huaixin's courtyard. After all, Qiu Huaixin was unmarried, and his courtyard was managed by his wet nurse. Without a mistress, the rules of the courtyard were somewhat lax.
However, after Qiu Huaixin was assassinated at Hesheng Xuan, Madam Qiu was both shocked and furious. Not only was the entire Qiu manor searched, but the servants in Qiu Huaixin's courtyard were inspected three times. Any problematic individuals were immediately sold off, and those born into the family were sent directly to the estate.
As a result, it became much more difficult for Madam Wu to gather information. Fortunately, Madam Qiu did not make any drastic moves in Qiu Bingde and Madam Wu's courtyard, perhaps out of consideration for her daughter-in-law's feelings. Therefore, Madam Wu could only gather a little information about the front courtyard from Qiu Bingde.
"The Eldest Young Master had the storeroom send that Songhua inkstone to the Third Young Master. The Third Young Master is going to Qi Changlin's birthday banquet," Madam Dong informed Madam Wu of the news Dong Yan had just overheard.
Upon hearing this, Madam Wu suddenly sat up straight on the chaise lounge, a cold glint in her eyes. This was a good opportunity that had presented itself.