"Outside the white water bright fields, green peaks emerge after the mountains. In the harvest moon, no one is idle, the whole family attends to the southern fields." Zhan Feiyu leaned against the car window, looking at the rolling rice paddies in the distance.
August was sweltering, and even the morning sun could peel one's skin, yet in the farmlands across the lake, farmers were already busy. The rice paddies were neatly arranged with rows of rice, likely harvested before dawn.
Visiting the Qiu residence was different from visiting the Jiao residence. Lord Qiu was a high-ranking official, a second-rank minister of the court. Even with the title of Scholar Gu's junior disciple, Zhan Feiyu could not afford to be disrespectful.
As for Lord Qiu's previous equal treatment of Zhan Feiyu, it was partly due to Scholar Gu and the Imperial Dragon Guard; and partly due to Qiu Zongxi, his younger uncle.
Of course, Cai Zhiyuan's attempt to kill Zhan Feiyu first and report later through the黔中卫 (Qianzhong Guard) was also Lord Qiu's oversight. All these factors contributed to his exceptional courtesy towards Zhan Feiyu.
He Nuan, fanning Zhan Feiyu, glanced outside and replied, "Qianzhong Dao is mostly mountainous. This area has flat terrain, with farmlands next to a lake. The villagers here are much wealthier than those mountain dwellers."
Especially since the Qiu residence was located by the mountains and water, the village's security must have been excellent, with no village bullies or ruffians.
He Sheng stopped the carriage in front of the Qiu residence. A young noble, with a smile all over his face, came forward and bowed to Zhan Feiyu as she alighted from the carriage, "Greetings, Miss Zhan..."
Zhan Feiyu quickly returned the bow, and it was an equal one.
In terms of age, Zhan Feiyu actually had the advantage. Qiu Bingde, Lord Qiu's eldest son, was already over thirty and held a fifth-rank official position.
As for Lord Qiu's greeting Zhan Feiyu as an equal during their first meeting, it was truly because Zhan Feiyu was considered a half-disciple of Qiu Zongxi. However, if Lord Qiu was polite, Zhan Feiyu could not be tactless.
Seeing this, Qiu Bingde's gaze softened slightly. If Zhan Feiyu had truly put on airs of seniority, Qiu Bingde would not have said anything on the surface, and would even have treated Zhan Feiyu with the courtesy of a junior. However, it would have been merely polite formality.
"Brother, is this the female disciple that Grand Uncle has been longing to take on?" As the two walked towards the corridor, a light and teasing voice sounded, with an inexplicable tone of rejection and hostility.
Zhan Feiyu looked up and saw a young gentleman sitting on the railing of the corridor. His black hair, unbound from the jade crown, cascaded down. He wore a wide-sleeved, cross-collared robe, and was idly playing with a jade flute. Seeing Zhan Feiyu look over, he sneered provocatively.
"Huaixin, do not be rude!" Qiu Bingde was very troubled by this younger brother who had not yet undergone the capping ceremony. After all, he was the late son of his father and mother. Not only were Madam Qiu and Madam Qiu doting on Qiu Huaixin, but his elder brother Qiu Bingde and second brother Qiu Wangshu also doted on him.
With fluid movements, Qiu Huaixin jumped down from the railing where he had been reclining. Holding his jade flute, he solemnly bowed to the two of them, "Please forgive my rudeness, elder brother and esteemed guest."
Unlike Qiu Bingde, whose gentle nature was restrained, Qiu Huaixin's eyebrows were raised, and his phoenix eyes held a rebellious glint. His bow and apology seemed more like a provocation, but paired with his handsome features and the bearing of a noble son of a prominent family, it did not evoke any dislike.
"Don't fool around, or Father will punish you!" Qiu Bingde warned his younger brother again, his words conveying affection. He then said to Zhan Feiyu, "Miss Zhan, please forgive Huaixin. He has a capricious nature. He previously wanted to study calligraphy with Grand Uncle, but was refused."
Qiu Zongxi lived in seclusion in Longyou Dao. Not only was he a master of calligraphy and painting, but his life-saving grace towards the Emperor and Scholar Gu in the past was enough to make the younger generation of the Qiu family eager.
Especially after the General's mansion was reinstated last year, Qiu Zongxi and Old General Yang were sworn brothers, and he had saved Old General Yang's family. Not to mention the future reciprocation from the General's mansion, but now that General Yang Shoucheng held military power, any Qiu family junior who gained the favor of Old Master Qiu would have an immeasurable future, surely soaring to great heights.
Unfortunately, from Qiu Jinyu before to Qiu Huaixin of the direct lineage, whether it was talent in studies or diligence and hard work, Old Master Qiu was completely unyielding, never promoting the younger generation of the Qiu family.
Who knew that he would compete with Scholar Gu for a disciple, wanting to take a young girl from an unrelated family, Zhan Feiyu, as his student? It was no wonder Qiu Huaixin harbored hostility towards Zhan Feiyu.
"I heard you are the 'Little San Yuan' of Nanxuan Prefecture and possess the ability to memorize anything at a glance. Tell me the names of our three brothers." Qiu Huaixin scrutinized Zhan Feiyu with a discerning gaze. This was clearly a pampered, plump girl, devoid of any spiritual aura!
"You are showing off your meager skills before an expert," Zhan Feiyu said with a wry smile, rubbing her temples. It was wise of her father not to let Huaixin participate in the imperial examinations; such a question was enough to show that the question setter was inherently unlearned.
"The eldest son's given name must come from: 'Bingde is selfless, harmonizing with heaven and earth.'" Zhan Feiyu could discern Lord Qiu's expectations for his eldest son from his name.
The eldest son, who inherited the family business, did not need extraordinary talent in studies, but he must uphold morality, know how to use people, and have no jealousy towards the virtuous.
As for the second son, Qiu Wangshu, who was not present, Zhan Feiyu guessed that the second son was born at dawn. As the "Li Sao" says, "Qian Wangshu serves as the vanguard." The name Wangshu signifies welcoming the light.
As for the third son, Qiu Huaixin, Zhan Feiyu said, "Huaixin is dejected, suddenly I wish to depart. I have heard it said that in poetry, there was the saying 'North Gu, South Qiu.' It is an honor to witness Lord Qiu's demeanor today."
The names of the three sons of the Qiu family all originated from the "Chu Ci," which shows that Lord Qiu truly favored poetry. And "North Gu" refers to the Grand Scholar of the Cabinet, Gu Qingzhou.
Qiu Huaixin ignored his elder brother's warning glance and provocatively said, "But I heard you have no poetic talent, and your poems are merely passable, lacking spiritual essence and artistic conception."
"Fortunately, the imperial examinations value essays over poetry and songs. The Emperor's wisdom is our fortune," Zhan Feiyu replied with a smile, directly elevating the topic to a level that Qiu Huaixin could not fault. If he dared to say that the Emperor's emphasis on policy questions over poetry was wrong, Lord Qiu would surely discipline his youngest son severely with family law.
"Sweet-tongued and thick-skinned," Qiu Huaixin sneered dismissively. Before Qiu Bingde could reprimand him, he leaped over the railing and quickly disappeared into the courtyard.
Qiu Bingde was truly troubled this time and had to apologize to his unruly younger brother, "Huaixin is good friends with the second son of the Jiao family. Please forgive us, Miss."
Although the incident at the Jiao residence occurred three days ago, and Prefect Jiao had issued a gag order, the news still leaked out. It was normal for Qiu Huaixin to know and feel indignant for Jiao Lianyu.
After all, anyone with eyes could see that Zhan Feiyu was on Jiao Lianping's side, otherwise, she would not have let the Imperial Dragon Guard take Madam Chen away.
Zhan Feiyu nodded in understanding. Compared to the arrogant and conceited Jiao Lianping, it was not surprising that Qiu Huaixin was friends with Jiao Lianyu. As the third son of the Qiu family, even if he was currently a commoner, as long as he bore the surname Qiu, associating with Jiao Lianyu would not be a disadvantage for Jiao Lianyu.
"This way, Miss Zhan," Qiu Bingde said again. As for his impolite younger brother, his father would deal with him.
Zhan Feiyu had originally thought that Lord Qiu was on leave today, so the meeting would be in his study or a reception hall. She did not expect it to be in the garden behind the Qiu residence's study.
To the left and right were towering trees, their shade preventing sunlight from penetrating. In front was a waterside pavilion, surrounded by green bamboo, adorned with rockeries and strange stones. The blooming flowers were vibrant and colorful. Coupled with the sound of a zither from a distant pavilion, it was truly a beautiful scene.
"No need for formalities, please sit." Lord Qiu was not wearing his official robes today but a scholarly and elegant long gown. He smiled and invited Zhan Feiyu and his eldest son to sit.
"Thank you, my lord." As soon as Zhan Feiyu sat down, she felt a coolness. Looking down, she saw that the platform built with wood was more than a foot off the ground, isolating the heat from the ground.
Then, with the ice basins placed below, the coolness permeated through the wooden boards. With a gentle breeze, there was no feeling of summer heat.
After inquiring about Zhan Feiyu's progress in her studies and testing her knowledge, Lord Qiu narrowed his eyes and changed the topic, asking, "Qianzhong Dao appears peaceful, but it hides undercurrents. Is it better to remain still or to act?"
Zhan Feiyu, who had just picked up her cup, put it down. Meeting Lord Qiu's smiling gaze, she felt that today's visit was definitely a trap.
To remain still, of course, meant to observe the situation, allowing those behind the scenes to continue their plans and development, and then uproot them all later!
To act, however, meant to take advantage of their unpreparedness and strike with lightning speed, capturing all those in the open. But this way, there might be escaped fish, and it might also cause those behind the scenes to hide even deeper and further away.