Qin Residence
Uncle Huang drove the carriage into the residence. Li Zichen followed Qin Chuyuan to his residence—Green Tide Courtyard.
It was named Green Tide Courtyard because there was an exquisite man-made small lake in the middle of the courtyard.
The two sides of the lake were planted with various pine, cypress, and camellia trees.
The green shadows of the trees were reflected in the clear water at the bottom of the lake, making the lake water emerald green, just like a naturally carved beautiful jade.
On the left side of the lake there was a leisurely pavilion for viewing the scenery. Next to the pavilion was a Taihu rock that was shipped from Jiangnan at a cost of thousands of gold when the garden was built years ago.
On both sides of the courtyard were nine winding corridors, and five two-story pavilions at the end of the corridors.
This was where Qin Chuyuan usually lived and read.
Qin Chuyuan was nineteen years old this year. By rights, he should have gotten married in a prestigious family like his.
Unfortunately, Qin Chuyuan had been against it, so it had been delayed until now.
Girls from prestigious families abided by the principle that lack of talent is virtue. When they were confined at home, they only needed to recognize some basic characters, take care of household chores and have some life skills.
He had also been arranged to see girls from prestigious families, but he felt very annoyed being with them.
Either they would stare at him blankly, or they would keep their heads down, mumbling without saying a word for a long time.
However, Qin Chuyuan was also approaching the stipulated marriage age. The Qin family elders had already started looking for a suitable girl.
Currently, the Qin elders favored the daughter of the Minister of War, Lin Yueru. The two families had communicated, and were just waiting for Qin Chuyuan to reach the stipulated age for marriage.
Qin Chuyuan served as Junior Censor in the Supreme Protectorate, a fourth-rank civil servant.
His main responsibility was to manage some of the military merit awards and punishments.
He was also known as the most handsome man in the capital, a modest gentleman, gentle as jade. In addition, he was young and promising. No one knew how many girls from prestigious families dreamed of him.
Because of his looks, he would often attract onlookers when he went out, sometimes even hindering his journey.
Qin Chuyuan walked towards the study. Li Zichen followed closely behind.
Pushing open the door, what caught their eyes were rows of bookshelves on the walls, stacked full of books.
On the left side of the study, next to the window, was a small couch. Outside the window was the small lake in the courtyard. Usually when Qin Chuyuan got tired from reading, he would rest here and enjoy the scenery outside, how comfortable.
On the right side of the study room was a large screen, behind which was a writing desk, on which were some writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstone, and some unfinished books.
Li Zichen took out Qin Chuyuan’s casual clothes from the cabinet in the study.
He helped Qin Chuyuan change out of his official uniform and hung it on a hanger to the side to be taken away by the maid servants later.
After Qin Chuyuan had changed into casual clothes, he walked around the screen and sat down in front of the desk.
He picked up one of the unfinished books and started reading quietly.
Li Zichen lingered outside the screen, wanting to leave but not actually leaving. Qin Chuyuan was in no hurry to speak up.
Just then, the housekeeper Uncle Tao learned that the young master had returned home and came in to ask, "Young Master, the chef has prepared dinner. Would you like to dine now?”
"Okay, go prepare it," Qin Chuyuan said.
Uncle Tao responded with a "Yes" and withdrew.
Finally, Li Zichen couldn't help but walk in front of Qin Chuyuan and bowed, "Young master, may Li Zichen make a request of you?"
Qin Chuyuan still had his head down, his eyes never leaving the book, but he said, "Is it for that girl outside just now? Zichen, you’ve been with me for so long, you should know my rules.”
Li Zichen knew that the young master did not allow people around him to make up reasons for some girls to get close to him. So he said to the young master:
"Young Master, you got it wrong. Zichen just wants to ask for your favor to get time off every day at the you hour for half a quarter hour from tomorrow on."
Qin Chuyuan raised his eyebrows and finally took his eyes out of the book to look at Li Zichen and said, "Oh? It seems that girl outside is very important to you, is she the one you have your heart set on?"
Li Zichen explained awkwardly, "Young Master, don't joke around. That girl outside is Zichen’s niece."
"Today she came to look for me because I had agreed with her last time that after she gets off work, she would come to the back door of Qin Residence to look for me to teach her how to read and write. Before I had the chance to ask for the grace of the residence, she had come to find me already."
"Oh, niece? Judging by her age, she doesn't seem to be much younger than you?" Qin Chuyuan said.
Li Zichen replied, "Yes, young master. My niece is only four years younger than me. I’m the youngest son in the family. We grew up together since we were little."
"I remember your family has served as prison guards for generations. Judging from your niece's outfit today, she is a female prison guard. It seems she has succeeded her family's position. How did your family come up with the idea of letting her work in that kind of place?" Qin Chuyuan asked curiously.
Li Zichen said helplessly, "My niece succeeded my sister's position and has been working as a prison guard in the Ministry of Justice Dungeon for a year now."
"As for why we let her take over my sister's position, the young master should also know that in this world, there are so many commoners who are destitute. When they are short of chaff, things become dreadful."
"What's even more terrifying is that this kind of situation will follow them forever, passed down from father to son, from son to grandson, from generation to generation."
"In order to change this situation, the biggest hope lies in being able to eat official grain. So as not to starve to death in natural and man-made disasters, but it takes the efforts of several generations to gain a glimmer of hope.”
“Therefore, even if a small prison guard is as humble as a menial worker in your eyes, for us ordinary people, this is something that several generations of our ancestors have fought hard to earn."
"And women who can contribute to the family are respected by the common people."
Qin Chuyuan fell silent for a moment and then said, "The world is difficult, and it is even more difficult for women. It is rare that your niece has such an enterprising spirit, but such things should still require the mother's consent after all."
"Yes, young master. It's just that the madam at home has very strict rules, I'm afraid she would not allow this kind of thing," Li Zichen whispered.
"Don't worry, I'll talk to Mother about it. If possible, I'll have Mother allow your niece to come to Green Tide Courtyard to learn how to read and write from you. She just can't wander around casually and can only be allowed to stay in your room when she is here," Qin Chuyuan said.
When Li Zichen heard this, he was overjoyed and quickly bowed to Qin Chuyuan in gratitude, "Young Master, rest assured that Zichen will definitely not let her offend you or anyone in the residence. Let me thank the Young Master first on behalf of my niece for your grace."
"It’s nothing. You’ve been by my side for a long time, always conscientiously doing your job, never asking me for anything. Today, it’s rare for you to ask me for something, it’s effortless for me to lend a hand," Qin Chuyuan said.
