Knocking sounds came from outside the room, followed by Uncle Tao's voice:
"Young Master, the meals have been prepared. Shall I serve them in the study or the living room?"
Qin Chuyuan got up from his desk and called out to the outside: "Serve them in the study."
After speaking, he walked out from behind the screen towards the couch under the window.
Li Zichen knew that the Young Master liked to dine alone. He bowed to Qin Chuyuan and took his leave: "Young Master, Zichen will take his leave first."
Qin Chuyuan nodded.
When Li Zichen passed the door, he exchanged greetings with Uncle Tao coming from the opposite direction before going downstairs first.
Uncle Tao and the young servants brought the meals and placed them on the small table on the couch, three dishes and one soup. They set up the meals nicely.
The young servant left first while Uncle Tao stayed behind to help Qin Chuyuan wash his hands.
"Young Master, earlier when you and Li Zichen were in the study room, Madam sent someone over to inquire about today's incident at the back door. She also asked if the people in the residence need to be beaten up?"
Qin Chuyuan knew that his mother had always been extremely harsh, especially when it came to matters concerning him.
In her eyes, Li Zichen's actions today were clearly over the line. It seemed he still had to go over himself to dispel his mother's intention to punish Li Zichen.
"Go to my mother's courtyard to pass on the message that I will go over later to greet my father and mother. Also, send word to Zichen to wait at the door after his meal." Qin Chuyuan instructed Uncle Tao.
It seemed that the Young Master valued Li Zichen greatly to place such trust in him. Hopefully he would not disappoint the Young Master’s trust.
"Yes, Young Master."
After Qin Chuyuan washed his hands, he went over to sit on the couch. Seeing the dishes on the table, he frowned slightly.
Uncle Tao, who had yet to leave, noticed this subtle detail.
He knew his Young Master preferred vegetarian meals, while the dishes on the table now were mostly meat.
The Madam was worried that the Young Master was too busy with work and his frail body could not endure it. She would change the vegetarian dishes into meat dishes from time to time. To ordinary people, these meat dishes were extremely refined.
So Uncle Tao said softly to Qin Chuyuan:
"Young Master, the Madam is also worried about your health. That's why she instructed the chef to change your meals to meat today. Please eat more and do not waste the Madam's kind intentions."
Qin Chuyuan understood his mother's love for her son. He replied: "Mm."
Only then did Uncle Tao bow and take his leave.
Only then did Qin Chuyuan pick up his chopsticks and start eating, just much slower than usual.
He had excellent family manners. No talking while eating or sleeping.
It was half an hour later when the young servant came in with mouth rinsing utensils and to clean up the study room after the Young Master had finished his meal.
Qin Chuyuan pushed open the door to see Li Zichen waiting to one side. He walked straight towards the courtyard exit with Li Zichen following behind.
Qin Chuyuan’s father, Qin Xinzhang, was the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince, an honorary second-rank official. He was currently responsible for tutoring the Crown Prince and had no real power. But as the Crown Prince’s tutor, people would usually befriend him.
His mother, Sun Jirou, was from a prestigious family. After marrying into the Qin family, she gave birth to two sons and a daughter.
Qin Chuyuan’s eldest brother had passed away unexpectedly in the army a few years ago, leaving behind a young widow and a little nephew.
Due to extreme grief, his sister-in-law had become ill and still could not work too hard today, thus she could not manage the inner residence affairs.
His little nephew was five years old this year and lived with his mother.
His sister had married early but had not conceived yet. She also lived poorly in her husband’s family.
As for himself, he was not married yet. So his mother was in charge of managing this residence's inner affairs.
His father also had three concubines.
The second concubine, Madam Bai, was originally his father’s maidservant. She gave birth to a daughter who was the fourth child, seventeen years old, and married.
The third concubine, Madam Hu, was bestowed by the Emperor. She gave birth to a son who was the tenth child, fourteen years old. He was already engaged and would be married once he turned fifteen.
The fourth concubine was his mother’s handmaiden, Madam Chang. His mother arranged for her to be given the status of a concubine. She gave birth to a daughter who was the twelfth child, eleven years old this year, living with her mother.
Although some concubines relied on his father’s favor at first, harboring delusions about things that did not belong to them, his father deeply believed in hierarchy. He fully supported his mother’s harsh means.
As a result, none of the three concubines dared to challenge his mother's authority. The third residence was also the most peaceful one.
When he arrived at Fuyun Courtyard where his parents resided and after the maid passed on the message, he was brought to the main hall.
His parents were seated on both sides of the table at the top of the hall.
Qin Chuyuan walked over to his parents and bowed:
“Greetings Father and Mother. I hope Father and Mother are well."
Behind him, Li Zichen immediately bowed with both hands crossed and said:
“This servant greets Sir and Madam. May Sir and Madam have good fortune always."
Seeing his only lawful son standing respectfully below, Qin Xinzhang felt very gratified that Madam Sun had raised their children so well.
Thinking of his equally outstanding eldest son, he felt sad.
If not for that accident, he would have grown into an admirable son by now as well.
Alas, the past was the past. Qin Xinzhang collected himself and said to his son: “Ah Yuan, come, sit here.”
“Yes Father.”
He sat down on the left of his father.
Behind him, Li Zichen stood with his head lowered.
“Has work been tiring you out recently? You look thinner,” his father remarked.
Hearing this, Madam Sun complained:
“Dear husband, you know our son is picky with his meals. If not for me constantly forcing him to eat meat, I say even the wind could blow him away."
“Oh? That won’t do. His diet must be balanced for good health.”
“I apologize for worrying Father and Mother, it is this unfilial son's fault.” He did not mention changing his current dietary habits.
Knowing his wife wanted to speak with their son, Qin Xinzhang did not linger. He stood up and told his wife and son: “Go on, I’ll head back first.”
Qin Chuyuan stood up to see his father off respectfully until Qin Xinzhang left the living room.
Only then did he sit back down.
Madam Sun slowly sipped tea from the cup a maid had served while blowing at the rising steam. Head lowered, she solemnly asked:
“Don’t you have anything to say to Mother?”
Qin Chuyuan: “I apologize for worrying Mother. Today’s incident at the Qin Residence gate was purely a small matter...”
He went on to tell his mother about the promise he made to Li Zichen at the Green Tide Courtyard: “I ask that Mother please show some grace to my attendant.”
Madam Sun glanced at Li Zichen.
She knew this boy was useful to her son and could not turn down his face. After considering for a while, she said to Qin Chuyuan:
“Fine, but let me take a look at her first before deciding if she can enter the residence. After all, not just any stray cat or dog can come into the Qin Residence.”
Her last sentence was directed at Li Zichen.
Standing behind Qin Chuyuan, Li Zichen clenched his fists. He stepped forward and bowed to Madam Sun:
“Thank you for your kindness, Madam. This servant is extremely grateful."
“Alright, you may leave now,” Madam Sun said.
Qin Chuyuan stood up to bid his mother farewell:
“Don’t overexert yourself Mother. Retire early. Your son will take his leave first.”
Li Zichen bade Madam Sun farewell along with Qin Chuyuan.
After they left Fuyun Courtyard, Qin Chuyuan said as they walked:
“Don’t take my Mother’s words to heart just now, they may have sounded harsh but pay them no mind.”
Li Zichen replied: “Young Master, don’t worry. This servant understands it was my overstep.”
