Another person said, "Isn’t that so. It’s just a pity things got so rowdy tonight, quite spoiling the mood. Young Master Nantang barely commented on a single piece before leaving with Dingbei Marquis, and Mr. Songshan said the policy essays earlier went on too long and left him tired, so we could only get the slightest glimpse of the doorway."
The whole thing was simply one big grievance.
They had come full of expectations, and now were rather disappointed.
Someone else said, "Being able to hear such fine sounds already puts us far ahead of others. When Zhegui Square opens in the future, we’ll go and support them often. I’m sure Mr. Songshan’s and Young Master Nantang’s lofty discourses will all be collected there."
"I’m more interested in seeing those poetry drafts Qin Siyuan has collected. The tricks of wording and phrasing in them can be passed down to the younger generations of sons and nephews."
"Me too..."
"Who among scholars wouldn’t want that? Putting aside that the examinations test us on poetry, even in ordinary days when we form societies and socialize, who doesn’t want fine lines one after another?"
The few of them were nodding and swaying as they spoke, quite pleased with themselves, while Xiao Dong and Qin Heng were left dumbfounded. How had people emptied out in just such a short while?
Xiao Dong said, "Since that’s the case, shall we part ways here? Master at home is probably waiting anxiously."
Qin Heng thought for a moment and said, "I keep feeling I’ve forgotten something, yet I can’t recall what it is. Better go back to Ranxiang Inn first and have a look. If Gu Baoshu has nothing urgent for me, I’ll deal with it then."
The two parted ways on that note.
Qin Heng squeezed his way through the crowd, sweating sour and rank all over, before finally reaching the base of the pavilion. Upon seeing Shen Changle, he couldn’t help complaining, "How come there are still so many people? Weren’t we told a lot of them had left?"
Shen Changle, smiling broadly, had a waiter bring a hot towel for him to wipe his sweat, then asked whether he wanted tea or melon.
Seeing Qin Heng accept the towel with great enjoyment, Shen Changle finally explained, "Isn’t it that the old crowd left and the new crowd came? Before, they were blocked outside. Now that they’ve got the news, they’ve surged in again."
As he spoke, he raised his voice and said, "Ranxiang Inn’s incense pills and Sixth Master’s lanterns are liked by many. Just for those, people are willing to come in and tour the gardens. Tonight we’re going to be busy all night long. I fear people won’t disperse until dawn tomorrow."
By this time the waiter had already set out neatly sliced melon on the table. Shen Changle said, "It’s a bit late, don’t eat too much, or you’ll end up with a stomachache."
After tossing about half the night, he was indeed rather parched.
Qin Heng picked up a piece and gobbled it down before asking, "Is Miss Gu Qi here?"
Shen Changle shook his head. "All gone."
Qin Heng couldn’t believe it. "They didn’t leave any message for me? Or give any instructions?"
Shen Changle shook his head. "They were all busy going to watch the Great Review. Said there would be a fine spectacle tonight. Will you be going?"
Qin Heng considered and said, "Forget it. Xiao Dong isn’t going, and they’ve all left. I’m too lazy to tire my legs. It’s nearly twenty li, however you count it."
Shen Changle laughed. "Would I really make you walk there on your own two legs?"
Qin Heng laughed as well. "Shen Changle, you’re good at business and good at serving people. How did you end up following Eldest Sister to the Marquis Mansion? If you’d stayed with the Qin Family, wouldn’t that have been better!
With you, even if I don’t become an official in future, I’d have nothing to worry about.
Eldest Sister truly has good fortune. Heaven has given all the good things to her."
Shen Changle’s smile grew even fuller. "The Marchioness naturally has good fortune, but this humble one thinks, with a sister and brother‑in‑law like the Marchioness and the Marquis, Young Lord’s fortune is even better."
Qin Heng burst into hearty laughter. "You really know how to flatter. Now I’m even more reluctant to let you go. How about I ask Sister to give you back to me?"
Shen Changle laughed and said, "What am I worth, that Young Lord would trouble himself to speak?
This humble one isn’t flattering at all. With the Marquis Mansion and the Qin Family as your backing, Young Lord is destined to be a man of leisure and wealth. You can’t escape it. Isn’t that the best fate there is?
The Eldest Young Master works painfully hard as an official and as a scholar. When he first came to the Qin Family, he was thin as anything. These years in the Imperial College, he’s been bent over his books. Look at how perilous things were tonight. I fear serving as an official afterwards won’t be any easier."
Qin Heng nodded.
Shen Changle went on, "The Marquis’s reputation is high, but that too was earned through nine deaths and one life. The Marchioness married into the Marquis Mansion and is busy from morning to night, with her feet hardly touching the ground. How much worry must she bear? Change her for someone else, and they probably wouldn’t have it half so good.
Young Lord is born a man of idle wealth, something many people beg for and never obtain.
Lord Sacrificial Officer is wise and virtuous, and doesn’t force you to suffer the hardships of the examinations. In future you’ll have clan kin and in‑laws to shelter you. When you marry and have descendants, if among them one or two are clever, they’ll be able to show you proper filial piety. Days like that are envied by countless people."
Qin Heng couldn’t help throwing his head back and laughing. "Oh my, so my fate really is a good one."
Rely on one’s old father when young, rely on elder brothers and sisters once grown, and rely on sons and grandsons when old; cling to a few more sturdy thighs along the way—truly delightful.
Shen Changle, pleased with his own speech, offered another idea. "If you find yourself a good Yue Family, then you’ll have even less to worry about. When your wife’s family rises high, even if they can’t support you, they can surely support your sons and grandsons, can they not?"
Qin Heng nodded repeatedly. "That would be even more secure."
Shen Changle said, "Exactly. If a man has no far‑sighted plans, he will have near‑term worries. Even a crafty rabbit has three burrows. The Qins all have fine looks—just look at the Eldest Young Master. When he passes high in the examinations someday, suitors will trample the doorstep flat."
Qin Heng said, "Indeed, indeed."
Who doesn’t like being praised as handsome? Qin Heng and Qin Wan were born of the same mother, and thanks to Mrs.Cui, although their looks couldn’t quite compare with Qin Yuan’s, they still outshone common folk.
After Shen Changle’s speech, Qin Heng was feeling rather light‑headed, and had long thrown Yuan Da, Brother Ximen, Hong Team and the rest out of his mind.
Cheerfully chatting about all and sundry with Shen Changle for a while, he finally went home.
By now, Qin Yuan had shed her embellishments and resumed a married woman’s attire. Marquis Gu had escorted her back into the palace to keep Old Madam Gu company in conversation.
Someone nearby asked, "How come we didn’t see Dingbei Marquis’s wife just now?"
Qin Yuan smiled. "She went out to walk off the wine, and to stroll around a bit while she was at it."
Old Madam Gu smiled kindly. "That’s how it is when youngsters enter the palace for the first time. They can never sit still and always want to be walking about."
The other lady laughed as well. "Exactly! I was the same back then. In the blink of an eye, so many years have passed. Time truly drives people to old age."
As they spoke, a commotion rose outside.
Old Madam Gu asked, "What’s going on?"
Someone nearby replied, "Prince Qi and the two Princesses have returned from viewing the lanterns. In a while, they’ll be going to the South Garden Eagle-calling Platform to watch the Great Review."
Old Madam Gu smiled and said, "That, I loved to watch when I was young. You should go have a look. This year is Empress Dowager’s birthday, so there ought to be even more flourishes."
Everyone promptly offered compliments. "This year the Suburban Camp is under Marquis Gu’s command. We imagine it will be imposing and magnificent, and will truly broaden our horizons."
Qin Yuan sat obediently to one side, only blushing and smiling.
Her beauty was dazzling beyond compare. Even though she wore old‑fashioned ornaments and had dusted her face with yellow powder to dull her coloring, under the glow of lamps and candles she still stood out among the cluster of officially‑titled wives and noble young ladies glittering with pearls and gems.
King Tushan couldn’t help sighing and said to Prince Qi, "Dingbei Marquis’s wife is like pearls and jade, and should be raised like a delicate flower. What a pity..."
There was a clear undertone of lamenting a clever wife tied to a dull husband.
Prince Qi lowered his eyelids and lifted the wine cup before him, using it to hide the mockery at the corner of his lips.
The last person who thought that way still doesn’t know whether he’s dead or alive.