Chapter 148: Better Just Eat
“Of course, of course.” The county magistrate smiled obsequiously. So what if this wasn’t the capital? One of them had a son working in the Hanlin Academy as a fourth-rank official, and the other—though retired—had disciples spread all over the realm. Even high-ranking nobles in the capital occasionally came to pay him a visit. Just before the New Year, someone had to beg repeatedly just for a brief audience, but this man had stayed at Qiu Zhi’s residence for days.
While the elders exchanged pleasantries, Wen Yao quietly sized up the county magistrate. How to put it—he looked exactly like someone smooth and worldly, with a round belly that suggested he hadn’t missed many meals. But whether or not he was a good official, she couldn’t tell.
The original novel didn’t give much description of the county magistrate either, so Wen Yao couldn’t match him to anyone she remembered.
When the magistrate noticed Dean Wu of Qingfeng Academy, he greeted him politely as well. But when his eyes swept across the Wen family’s side of the room, there was an obvious moment of hesitation.
Of course—though they were all dressed in new clothes, one glance was enough to tell their outfits didn’t match the luxurious setting of Zui Xian Tower.
Sure enough, the magistrate looked at them for a moment before asking awkwardly yet politely, “And these are…?”
The entire Wen family tensed up.
Manager Qiu answered with composure, “Family members. These two are my uncle and aunt. Their eldest grandson is currently studying medicine under Doctor Jin.”
Old Man Wen and Old Madam Luo smiled nervously, offering the county magistrate a nod, completely forgetting to give a proper bow.
Seeing this, the magistrate’s heart skipped a beat. Qiu Zhi’s relatives—no wonder they carried such poise.
“So these are Elder Qiu’s relatives. I apologize for the offense.” The magistrate gave Old Man Wen and Old Madam Luo a formal cupped-fist salute.
Old Man Wen’s heart nearly stopped—was the county magistrate bowing to him?
Old Madam Luo was even more flustered. All she could do was smile. Her hands and feet felt almost numb.
Manager Qiu could see that the Wen family was uncomfortable. He sighed silently, knowing they wouldn’t be able to eat in peace unless they gave up the room.
“Since we’ve run into Lord Chen today, why not take the opportunity? Rather than picking another day, how about us old fellows enjoy a few drinks together in honor of Rongrong’s grand opening?” Manager Qiu said.
Magistrate Chen lit up—he couldn’t ask for anything better. “That would be wonderful. It’s just me and Lord Xie in the next room. If Mr. Qiu, Doctor Jin, and Dean Wu would join us, that would be an honor.”
Manager Qiu and Doctor Jin exchanged glances and nodded. Manager Qiu then turned to Qiu Rongrong. “Rongrong, take good care of Yao Yao and the rest. As for us, bring out Zui Xian Tower’s finest wine—we won’t stop drinking until we’re drunk!”
Qiu Rongrong quickly bowed and agreed, “Yes, Uncle.”
Only Xie Yushan was still trying to process what just happened. Just now, Qiu Zhi had called Qiu Rongrong “Rongrong”—so familiar and affectionate?
Manager Qiu caught the look in Xie Yushan’s eye and smirked coldly. Then, speaking to Magistrate Chen, he said, “You came today to try Yunwu Roast Duck, didn’t you?”
Magistrate Chen nodded. “Indeed. I’ve heard about Yunwu Roast Duck opening next to Zui Xian Tower and have been eager to try it.”
Manager Qiu laughed heartily. “Then you’re in for a treat, my lord. That duck was created by my two ‘useless’ nieces.”
Magistrate Chen raised his eyebrows. “Nieces?” That wasn’t what he was expecting.
Manager Qiu explained, “Yes. Yao Yao, come greet Magistrate Chen.”
Wen Yao stepped forward and curtsied. “Wen Yao greets Your Excellency.”
“She’s quite the talent in our family—the roast duck is her creation. And the other niece is the proprietor of Zui Xian Tower. Rongrong, come forward as well.”
Qiu Rongrong understood right away—Manager Qiu was publicly backing her. She immediately stepped forward and bowed. “Your Excellency.”
“Lady Xie?” Magistrate Chen was surprised.
Manager Qiu said bluntly, “She married far from home, is close with Yao Yao, and is of my clan. So I took her in as my niece. I hope Your Excellency will look after her and her business.”
Magistrate Chen, a seasoned official, instantly understood and smiled. “Naturally, Mr. Qiu. Rest assured, should anyone cause trouble at Zui Xian Tower, Lady Qiu can come directly to me.”
Qiu Rongrong bowed again. “Then I’ll thank Your Excellency in advance. I’ll have our finest wine sent to your room shortly, along with two roast ducks for you to sample.”
“Excellent, excellent! Then I shall accept with thanks. Mr. Qiu, Doctor Jin, Dean Wu—please.”
“This way, please…”
The group exited together, Xie Yushan trailing behind. He was still reeling from what Manager Qiu had said. Adopted as his niece? He stared at Qiu Rongrong in disbelief, about to confront her, but seeing the Wen family behind her, he lowered his voice and asked, “Qiu Zhi recognized you as his niece? Why didn’t you tell me something this important?”
Qiu Rongrong responded with a cold smile, eyes sharp. “I didn’t think it was a big deal. Why, does it matter?”
Xie Yushan nearly choked. Not a big deal? If Qiu Zhi considered her his niece, getting him to take their son as a disciple would’ve been a done deal. Yet she hadn’t said a word—he’d only found out now!
Magistrate Chen had noticed Xie Yushan lagging behind and was already waiting. Seeing this, Xie Yushan could only suppress his anger and mutter coldly, “Hmph. We’ll talk when we get home.”
“Safe travels, my lord.” Qiu Rongrong bowed, calm and composed. As for Xie Yushan wanting to lecture her? That would depend on whether he still had the standing to do so.
Once the magistrate left, the Wen family finally relaxed—though unfortunately, Manager Qiu and Doctor Jin had left too.
“That scared me half to death! The county magistrate bowed to me!” Old Man Wen slumped into his chair, visibly shaken.
Old Madam Luo let out a long breath and sat down slowly, cold sweat still on her forehead.
“Yao Yao, that was really the county magistrate just now?” she asked, clutching Wen Yao’s hand.
Wen Yao couldn’t help laughing and nodded. “Yes, Grandma. That was our county magistrate, and he bowed to you and Grandpa.”
Good heavens—Old Man Wen and Old Madam Luo exchanged looks, thinking their days were just getting more and more surreal.
Qiu Rongrong closed the private room door behind her, then sat down gracefully and said, “Grandpa, Grandma, what are you so afraid of? He’s still a county magistrate. Before Doctor Jin and Mr. Qiu, he’s the one bowing. Especially Mr. Qiu—he regards you as elders. Even a magistrate wouldn’t dare show you disrespect.”
Old Man Wen and Old Madam Luo looked at each other again. They knew Qiu Zhi had influence, but they hadn’t realized just how much. Even a magistrate treated him with such deference.
To ease the lingering tension, Qiu Rongrong had food served right away, including two plates of sliced roast duck. The delicious dishes finally lifted everyone’s spirits.
Once Old Man Wen recovered, his eyes started darting around mischievously. Old Madam Luo gave him a look and immediately guessed what he was thinking. She warned, “Let me tell you—once we’re back in the village, you are not to talk about the county magistrate bowing to us. He’s still a government official. If word gets out and it embarrasses him, we might get in trouble.”
Old Man Wen, who had been itching to show off to his old buddies: “…”
Fine. He’d just eat.
