Building a Harmonious Song Dynasty

Chapter 2

Volume 1: Fate Destined 003 - The Qin Family Gets a New House

Not long after the mother and daughter returned to the inn, Qin Hui came back with a ruddy complexion, smiling and saying, "Good things happen often, especially lately. We've chosen a place to stay, and it's a place we can check in immediately."

Mrs. Wang asked happily, "Can we move in immediately? Everything is fully furnished, do we need to prepare anything else?"

"Yes, yes, just like when we sold our house in Jiangning, they only took the money and the people with them and left without touching anything inside. Although the selling price was a bit high, I saw that the furniture was about 70% new, so we didn't lose out, and we avoided a lot of trouble."

As he spoke, Qin Hui took out the house deed and land deed. Wang felt relieved when she saw these things, at least she had a home now.

After packing their things, the family went downstairs to settle the bill. Qin Hui repeatedly thanked the manager of Fuyuan Inn, who had helped them a lot with the house purchase.

Shopkeeper Xu cupped his hands in a polite gesture and said, "It was just a small favor, sir, you don't need to be so polite. You have a very auspicious face. You are sure to pass the imperial examination this time. If you become successful in the future, please take good care of our shop!"

Qin Hui smiled and said, "You're too kind. I appreciate your kind words. If I pass the imperial examination, I will never forget Manager Xu's kindness."

After seeing the family off, Manager Xu stared intently at Qin Zhen's small figure. He remembered that on their first day of stay, Qin Hui had accidentally revealed his money when paying for his meal. This little girl had repeatedly urged her father to deposit a large sum of money in a bank immediately. If it hadn't been for that, who knows what might have happened to the family that night, and his shop's reputation might have been ruined.

Shopkeeper Xu shook his head and sighed. How old was this girl? Six or seven? Such a sensible child, this family must be quite extraordinary!

Then Qin Hui led his wife and daughter out of the inn. They did not call a car, but walked, because the house he bought was on the back street of Panlou Street.

On Panlou Back Street, the plaques on a pair of vermilion gates had been removed, and the gates were locked with large padlocks. When Qin Hui opened the gates, a clean little courtyard appeared before him, with some flowers and plants growing inside, as if someone still lived there.

There are two servant rooms on either side of the main gate of the courtyard. If a gatekeeper is hired, these rooms are for the servant to live in. Directly in front of the main gate is a small hall. Although the whole house is not large, it is a proper two-courtyard house. Passing through the main hall leads to the inner courtyard, which is a small siheyuan (traditional courtyard house) with four neat rooms, and the kitchen, storage room, toilet, etc. are also complete.

Qin Hui happily introduced to his wife, "The room on the east side is our main room, the one on the left is the study, the one on the right is to be tidied up for Zhen'er, and the other room will be left empty for now, but it can also be used as a guest room."

When Wang entered the main room, she saw that the bed and decorations were all complete and the room was clean and tidy. She was overjoyed, knowing that this would be their home from now on.

"Husband, starting tomorrow, you should focus on your studies. I will take care of the rest of the things at home. Thank you for your hard work lately."

Qin Zhen was more concerned about her own room, so she pushed open the door and ran into the south-facing room. Once inside, she saw that it was indeed a typical woman's boudoir, with even the embroidery frame still in place.

"Father, why did this family leave in such a hurry? It's like they didn't pack anything."

Qin Hui said, "I don't know that. It seems they only moved out in the last few days."

There's no such thing as a free lunch. Qin Zhen leaned her head against the door frame, wondering why this family had suddenly moved away.

Are you in a lawsuit? Are your enemies coming after you? Or have you offended someone powerful?

Unable to find a starting point to analyze these suspicions, Qin Zhen had no choice but to put the matter aside for the time being and accompany her mother to clean.

The Qin family lived a very comfortable life in the days that followed. Every day, Wang would take Qin Zhen to the market to buy groceries or other odds and ends, and then come back to cook for Qin Hui. Qin Hui would stay in the study, drinking tea and reading books to prepare for his exams.

In February, Bianjing was already gradually showing signs of spring. The snow on the streets had long since disappeared, and even the treetops were beginning to turn green. But a sudden spring snowfall enveloped the entire city of Bianjing in a silver blanket.

That day, Wang was preparing to brave the snow to buy groceries for the day when Qin Hui called her back: "Wife, you've worked hard for many days. It's cold today, so don't work so hard. Let's take advantage of the last snow of winter and go to Xiangguo Temple to admire the plum blossoms?"

"Is this alright, my husband? Aren't you going to read anymore?" Wang asked worriedly.

Qin Hui laughed and said, "Books are dead, but people are alive. It's a good thing to bring Zhen'er and our whole family to visit Xiangguo Temple today."

Qin Zhen overheard her parents' conversation in the room and ran out, saying, "Mom, let's go! Dad stays home all day reading books; he'll ruin his brain. Let's go see the snow and plum blossoms together, and then Dad can compose a poem for you."

So Qin Hui called a carriage from the carriage shop and took his wife and daughter to Xiangguo Temple, which was not far away.

The carriage took them to the bottom of the long steps in front of Xiangguo Temple, where they could not go any further. Qin Hui held an oil-paper umbrella for Wang Shi and led Qin Zhen up the steps slowly.

The steps were long, but they weren't much for Qin Hui and Qin Zhen; it was Wang Shi who suffered.

Seeing how hard her mother was walking, Qin Zhen said, "What good is foot binding? It's just torture. Luckily, I don't have it."

Although Wang's journey was arduous, her resolve remained strong. She said to Qin Zhen, "What will become of your feet? You'll be looked down upon when you grow up. If you hadn't missed the optimal time for foot binding when you returned home, I would have bound a pair of beautiful lotus feet for you."

"No matter how beautiful they are, I don't want them. It's so much better to walk on flat ground. My future husband must not dislike my feet, otherwise I won't want him."

Qin Hui laughed heartily when he heard his daughter speak of paradoxes so naturally. Wang Shi glanced at them and then admonished, "How can a girl say such things!"

Qin Zhen didn't care about her mother's admonitions, because she knew that in the end her mother would still have to give in to her.

After finally arriving at Xiangguo Temple, they first went to each hall to burn incense and pray to Buddha. Wang also asked for a talisman for her husband to bless him to pass the imperial examination, and then asked for a peace talisman for Qin Zhen.

A young monk in the main hall saw the family of three and slowly walked over: "Amitabha, greetings to the three benefactors."

When Qin Hui saw the young monk greet them, he returned the greeting, saying, "Greetings, young master."

This young monk, whose Dharma name was Wu Nian, was a junior disciple of Abbot Xuanxiang of Xiangguo Temple, but also one of the abbot's most favored disciples. Qin Hui, unaware of this, treated him as an ordinary monk, greeted him, and prepared to leave. However, Wu Nian said, "This humble monk, Wu Nian, sees that this young benefactor's face has a strong affinity with Buddhism, so I couldn't help but come and disturb you all. I urge the young benefactor to devote himself to Buddhism in the future; his future will be immeasurable."

Qin Zhen looked at Wu Nian with a big smile, her big, bright eyes full of laughter, as if she were seeing a good friend.

Seeing her daughter like this, Wang was quite worried. She knew that Zhen'er had a connection with Buddhism, otherwise how could she have been taken away by a high monk at birth? But hearing what the little monk said, she still felt uneasy. Her daughter was always dealing with Buddhist monks and nuns, which was not a good thing. Did they want Zhen'er to become a nun?

The Qin couple hurriedly bid farewell to the monk and led Qin Zhen out of the main hall. Qin Zhen secretly turned her head and winked playfully at Wu Nian, making Wu Nian shake his head and chuckle: "Junior Sister is still so mischievous."

The Qin couple did not hear Wu Nian's words. They took Qin Zhen to Fangmei Garden, one of the famous gardens of Xiangguo Temple.

Volume One: Fate Determined 004 - Enemies Never Meet

Fangmei Garden is famous for its winter plum blossoms. Although the winter plum blossoms have faded, the spring plum blossoms are in full bloom. Qin Zhen picked a plum blossom and played with it in his hand, saying, "Father, the snow and plum blossoms are beautiful today. Why don't you compose a poem on this theme?"

Qin Hui chuckled twice and said, "Enough. You always make fun of the poems I write. If you want to recite poetry, Zhen'er, recite it yourself."

Speaking of this, Qin Zhen found it amusing. In fact, she really didn't intend to make fun of her father; the incident happened on their way to the capital.

During the journey, the carriage came to a mountain stream, where a winter plum blossom unexpectedly bloomed on a cliff. Qin Hui's poetic inspiration was inspired, and he composed a poem to praise the plum blossom's perseverance. But coincidentally, Qin Zhen thought of a poem at that moment, and after reciting it, he silenced Qin Hui for a whole day.

"The wind and rain send spring away, and the flying snow welcomes spring."

Even on a cliff of ice a hundred feet high, a flower branch still blooms beautifully.

It is beautiful but does not vie for spring's favor; it simply announces spring's arrival.

When the mountain flowers are in full bloom, she smiles amidst them. (Note 1)

Unconsciously, Qin Hui recited the poem that Qin Zhen had composed that day. As soon as he finished speaking, a clapping sound came from outside the pavilion.

"Beautiful words, beautiful writing!"

Qin Hui turned around and saw a plump young man with a hat standing under the plum tree, gentle and refined, with an extraordinary air about him.

"Young master, you flatter me. This poem was not written by me," Qin Hui said, bowing apologetically.

The young man asked in astonishment, "May I ask who wrote such beautiful words? I am truly impressed!"

"This...this was really just a joke by my daughter."

Qin Zhen chuckled at the boy's surprised look and said, "Father's words scared me."

The young man strode into the pavilion, gave Qin Hui and Lady Wang a sideways glance, and asked, "Was it truly your daughter who did this?"

Seeing Qin Hui nod with some shame, the young man clicked his tongue in praise: "At such a young age, you have already made us ashamed. Your daughter is indeed an extraordinary woman."

Qin Hui, seeing that this man was of extraordinary appearance and spoke and acted with gentle manners, politely invited him to sit with him in the pavilion.

After exchanging a few words with Qin Hui, the young man asked, "Judging from your accent, you are not from Bianjing. I wonder what business you have in Bianjing? Perhaps I can offer some assistance."

Seeing that he was young but spoke with such maturity, Qin Hui smiled and said, "I am here for the provincial examination this spring. How can I, a junior, help with such a matter? It will naturally depend on your own abilities."

The young man, seeing him with his family, hadn't expected that he was also there to take the imperial examinations, so he asked in surprise, "So you're also a tribute student?"

The word "also" led Qin Hui to misunderstand that the young man was a candidate like himself. He was surprised to think that the young man was an extraordinary person to participate in the imperial examination at such a young age, so he began to discuss the imperial examination with him.

Qin Zhen hated hearing about the imperial examinations, so he went outside the pavilion alone to play with the snow that was gradually piling up.

The crunching sound of a group of people walking on the snow caught Qin Zhen's attention. Looking up, he saw a young master dressed in fine clothes leading a group of servants into the pavilion.

Qin Zhen stood up and sneered, thinking to himself: It's true what they say, you can't help but run into him on the same day I went out!

As the young master approached, he naturally saw Qin Zhen. He was taken aback at first, then snorted coldly and stood opposite her. The two began to exchange glances again.

The young man who was chatting happily with Qin Hui in the pavilion saw the young master and called out with a smile, "Ninth Brother, have you finished your business?"

The young master then looked away and said to his elder brother, "Yes, let's go home."

"No rush, no rush. I have a wonderful conversation with a kindred spirit today and we are going to have a meal together. Ninth Brother, please join me."

Hearing his elder brother's words, the young master looked uncomfortable and said, "Who wants to eat with them? I'm leaving now!"

One brother wanted to leave, the other wanted to stay, and the servants following behind were at a loss. Seeing this situation, Madam Wang said somewhat embarrassedly, "Last time, your younger brother and daughter had an argument in the street over buying red plum powder, so..."

The boy laughed loudly and said, "Ninth Brother, so the willful woman you mentioned the other day was her? Now that you have collected enough new plum blossom petals, let's not talk about the past. She is a true talented woman; you should learn more from her."

"Her? A talented woman? What a spoiled brat!"

Qin Zhen was furious when the boy in front of her called her "unruly" several times. Although she was already furious, she had to hide her anger in front of everyone. She felt so frustrated and her nose tingled. She almost burst into tears.

Seeing this, everyone assumed that the young master had spoken too harshly and hurt Qin Zhen's feelings, and they all became somewhat flustered.

The young master didn't know what to do either, and said anxiously, "Why are you crying? I didn't hit you, you crybaby!"

"Ninth Brother, you mustn't bully girls!"

The young master felt wronged, but once his elder brother spoke, he stopped talking.

Qin Hui was puzzled; this was the first time he had ever seen Qin Zhen cry. It was quite a novel experience. Madam Wang had already gone over and pulled Qin Zhen aside. Seeing that she had only shed a couple of tears and hadn't cried loudly, she was relieved.

"Children are always noisy, let's not take it to heart. It's getting late, why don't we go to the back of Xiangguo Temple and have some vegetarian food?"

Since Qin Hui had already given everyone a way out, the young man readily agreed and, along with his younger brother and servants, followed the Qin family to the back of the temple.

During his conversation with Qin Hui, the young man introduced himself as surnamed Huang, and Qin Hui addressed him as "Brother Huang." The two hit it off immediately.

During the meal, Qin Zhen noticed that the dishes had been tested with silver needles by the Huang family members before being served, which was enough to show the family's extraordinary status. Then, she saw a faint glimpse of bright yellow in the sleeve of the young master opposite her, and she knew their identities in her heart.