Chapter 246: Sharing the Blessings, of Course
Eunuch Gui raised an eyebrow. “What does Official Wen mean by that?”
Wen Xiuyi said, “To be completely honest, my daughter has a good friend…”
Wen Xiuyi went on to explain this and that to Eunuch Gui and Magistrate Chen about how Qiu Rongrong’s manor was also cultivating these three new grains. Back then, the source of the seeds had been credited to Qiu Rongrong anyway, though he didn’t know if Li Fu had mentioned this to the Emperor.
After listening, Eunuch Gui understood. “So that’s how it is. Official Wen can rest assured. Upon my return, this servant will certainly report the facts clearly to His Majesty. Although these new grains were grown by Official Wen, Madam Xie also deserves credit for the discovery. His Majesty is wise and enlightened; he will definitely not mistreat anyone who has contributed.”
Wen Xiuyi let out a sigh of relief and smiled. “Then I shall trouble you, Eunuch.”
Far away at the Xie residence, Qiu Rongrong suddenly sneezed several times in a row. Qiao Yan looked at her with concern from the side. “Madam, have you caught a cold?”
Qiu Rongrong rubbed her nose and smiled. “No, someone is probably talking about me behind my back.”
Seeing her looking radiant now, completely devoid of the melancholy she had when she first arrived at the Xie residence, Qiao Yan was also highly delighted. For the Madam to look on the bright side was truly for the best.
However, thinking of something, Qiao Yan’s brow furrowed slightly as she said, “Madam, do we truly not need to bother with the Old Dowager?”
Who knew what kind of trouble that old woman was stirring up again? Yesterday, when Mister Qiu escorted the young master back, she happened to witness it. She then claimed the Madam was unfilial, saying their family’s Madam mistreated the child of the first wife, keeping such an excellent teacher entirely for her own biological child without knowing to secure an opportunity for the eldest di son.
The words she spoke were incredibly unpleasant anyway. The Madam just pretended not to hear them and took the young master to the Wen residence that very night, and upon returning, she didn’t even bother to greet her to pay respects. Early this morning, that side sent people over to say the Old Dowager was so angry she couldn’t eat and was lying in bed, unable to get up.
The Master came over to berate the Madam but was also blocked back by her. She sent people to invite a physician and sent tonics over there; in any case, if they wanted money, it was fine, but if they wanted connections or relationships, they could keep daydreaming.
Qiu Rongrong didn’t lack this bit of money to support this family now. As long as they didn’t touch her bottom line, she would just leave them be.
“Why bother with her? When she fell ill, I invited a physician for her, and when she couldn’t eat, I changed the cook. In two days at most, she won’t have the energy to stir up trouble. Don’t forget, next month’s allowance for that side hasn’t been sent over yet,” Qiu Rongrong sneered. Fight with her?
Still, she wondered how things were going on Yao’er’s side. With such a grand display, Qiu Rongrong was truly worried that Wen Yao wouldn’t be able to cope.
Fortunately, everyone from Zui Xian Tower had been sent over, so nothing should go wrong.
Over at the Wen residence, it didn’t take long for Wen Yao to prepare a large table of dishes. Every single one was full of color, aroma, and taste, and just looking at the presentation alone could arouse one’s appetite.
Wen Xiuyi invited Eunuch Gui and Magistrate Chen to take their seats. Looking at this table of delicacies, Eunuch Gui couldn’t help but open his mouth to praise, “No wonder the Prince praised Official Wen’s daughter before His Majesty after returning, saying she is clever and deft, and her culinary skills are even more divine. Seeing it today, I know the Prince’s words were entirely true.”
Wen Xiuyi felt rather embarrassed. This Li Fu was really something; it would have been fine to praise her within their own circles, so why did he have to praise her all the way to the Emperor? “Ah, the Prince overpraises, the Prince overpraises. Come, Eunuch, fill it up, fill it up. Today, let’s drink to our heart’s content.”
Eunuch Gui handed his horsetail whisk to the little eunuch beside him to put away properly, smiling. “Then this servant won’t be polite with Official Wen.”
Those two bottles of liquor had cost his daughter several thousand achievement points, but it was worth it.
By the time they had eaten and drunk their fill, Eunuch Gui was still calling Wen Xiuyi his brother as the little eunuchs supported him into the horse carriage.
“Official Wen, although this servant is a eunuch, I am also a man of blood and courage. For what you have done, Official Wen, this servant thanks you on behalf of the common people of our State of Annan.”
Looking at Eunuch Gui who was weeping with tears streaming down his face, Wen Xiuyi sighed. He humored him and coaxed him into the carriage, then instructed the little eunuchs beside him to take good care of the man before stepping off the carriage to attend to Magistrate Chen.
“Magistrate Chen, then I shall trouble you,” Wen Xiuyi cupped his hands to Magistrate Chen.
Magistrate Chen’s face was also flushed red from drinking, but he didn’t dare get drunk; it was just that he was already starting to feel dazed at this moment.
“Brother Wen, rest assured. In the future, your business is my business.”
Wen Xiuyi let out a helpless sigh. Well, this one was pretty much done for too.
Only after sending everyone off and watching the grand procession march far away did Wen Xiuyi sit straight down on the threshold, letting out a long sigh of relief.
“This day after day is truly exhausting.” Wen Xiuyi rubbed his temples, which were still throbbing with pain.
Wen Jun appeared beside him at some unknown point, handing over a bowl of hangover soup.
Without a second thought, Wen Xiuyi drank it down.
Soon, Master Chef Chen and the others over at the new house also finished tidying up, carrying their own utensils to bid farewell and leave. Wen Yao wanted to give them red envelopes, but not a single one would accept.
Once everyone was sent away, the family’s hearts, which had been suspended all day, finally settled down.
“Dad, quickly bring out the imperial decree for me to see!” Datou ran straight in front of Wen Xiuyi.
Wen Xiuyi pointed at Wen Jun. “Go ask your brother for it; I had your brother keep it safely.”
Datou dashed off again in a flash, and Wen Xiuyi scolded helplessly, “Wretched boy.”
Just as Datou left, the two younger brothers sat down on Wen Xiuyi’s left and right.
Wen Xiuzhu: “Eldest Brother, you’ve finally become an official.”
Wen Xiuqing: “Mm, Eldest Brother is truly incredible.”
Wen Xiuyi looked at his two younger brothers. Seeing their weathered skin and aged countenances that contrasted sharply with his own, the bitterness in his heart intensified. Spurred by the alcohol, he hooked an arm around each of his brothers’ necks, saying, “In the future, as long as your eldest brother has a bite to eat, I won’t let you two go hungry.” After delivering these heroic words, he patted the shoulders of the two brothers.
The three brothers huddled together, crying and laughing, though no one knew what they were crying about or what they were laughing at.
Old Man Wen and Old Madam Luo didn’t interrupt them in the end. They just sat silently, filled with a thousand emotions in their hearts. They had originally thought their family was finished, but unexpectedly, the change in the eldest son instantly brought their family back to the path they had originally dreamed of walking—and it was even better than what they had imagined in the past.
Once the three brothers had made enough of a scene, Wen Xiuyi finally looked toward Old Man Wen and Old Madam Luo, calling out to pull back the thoughts of the two elders.
“Father, Mother, I have a matter to tell you.”
“What is it?” The two blanked out. What else could there be at this time? Surely he didn’t want to buy more land, did he?
Confounding their expectations, Wen Xiuyi stated, “Father, Mother, I plan to hand over the business of the duck shed and the fish pond to Second Brother and Third Brother. In the future, I won’t meddle with them anymore; I will only concern myself with the matters of farming.”
“Ah?” Old Man Wen let out an “ah.”
Old Madam Luo’s brow furrowed, wanting to say as if you’ve ever meddled with them before. Hadn’t it always been Yao’er and her two aunts managing them?
The effects of the alcohol vanished by more than half for Wen Xiuzhu and Wen Xiuqing.
“Eldest Brother, what did you say?”
Looking at his two younger brothers, Wen Xiuyi patted their shoulders and said seriously, “From now on, the business of the duck shed and the fish pond belongs to your two branches respectively. All the money earned will also belong entirely to you. Your eldest brother won’t meddle anymore; your eldest brother needs to focus on farming.”
All of a sudden, he had found the value of his existence here.
He had come for this very piece of land.
