Chapter 210: Chapter 209: The Guest (Part One) Chapter 210: Chapter 209: The Guest (Part One) Jiang Yifan put down his hand and shook the coarse robes he was wearing, smiling as he said, “Look at the attire we wear, we are as commoners to each other now, so the father-in-law needn’t stand on ceremony.”
Qi Younian repeatedly said he dared not, then turned to the side and gestured towards the wooden hut, asking, “We’ve hastily fixed up a lattice wood hut, and even the two main rooms are put in order. May I know where it would be convenient for the two of you to rest?”
Jinrong laughed and replied, “The wooden hut will do, the lattice of this wood hut may be simply put together, but it’s fresh, let’s stay here.”
Jiang Yifan looked around the wood hut and asked Qi Younian, “Did the father-in-law truly only begin building this wooden hut this morning after receiving Sixth Master’s ssage?”
Qi Younian laughed, “Exactly, it nearly wore us old brothers out. Fortunately, we had timber ready from house building; otherwise, it truly couldn’t have been done.”
Jiang Yifan tapped the lattice wood boards with his knuckles and praised, “I hadn’t expected the carpenters to have such quick wits, to be able to do such work in so short a ti.”
Before Qi Younian had the chance to show further modesty, sounds of carriages and horses rose up from outside the courtyard, followed by the questioning voices of Jinrong’s guards.
Jinrong and Jiang Yifan glanced at each other before turning their gaze toward Qi Younian.
Qi Younian shook his head, “These past few days, our horse-drawn carriages have also been busy with the autumn harvest; they shouldn’t be returning at this ti.”
A voice outside responded to the guard’s inquiry, “My young lady is Lady Qi’s close friend and has specially co to visit Lady Qi.”
Qi Younian was taken aback. When had his Ye Zi made a friend who could be referred to as a young lady? It was Nanny Liu standing by who reminded in a low voice, “It’s probably the Second Miss of the Zhou family who ca last ti.”
Jiang Yifan didn’t understand, but Jinrong already knew who it was and whispered to him, “It’s from Lord Zhou’s residence in Yuyuan City.” As he spoke, his brow furrowed slightly.
Qi Younian, feeling awkward, glanced at Jinrong and Jiang Yifan. Although Second Miss Zhou’s timing wasn’t great, a visitor was still a visitor, and they couldn’t simply turn a guest away from their door.
Qi Younian bowed his hands and said, “Sixth Master and Lord Jiang, please go inside first. This old man will go and greet her.”
Seeing Jinrong nod, which was as good as agreeing, Qi Younian hurriedly walked out, instructing Nanny Liu as he went, “Nanny Liu, co with to greet Second Miss Zhou.” He also called out to Nanny Zhou waiting on the side, “Nanny Zhou, send soone to find Ye Zi. Tell her the Second Miss of the Zhou family has arrived; she must co back to receive the guest.”
Outside the courtyard gate, Jinrong’s guards looked sharply at a young gentleman dressed in luxurious attire. The young man had already dismounted, holding the reins in his hand, behind him was a green-clothed carriage and a few mounted followers.
Qi Younian hurriedly approached and asked, “May I know if this gentleman is accompanying Second Miss Zhou here? This old man’s surna is Qi; Lady Qi is my granddaughter.”
Zhou Shuyu felt imnse pressure in the presence of Prince Yu’s Mansion’s guards; since they had not revealed their identities, he didn’t dare show excessive respect, still maintaining a certain air.
At this mont, seeing Qi Younian erge, Qi felt an affection and excitent greater than that for a long-lost relative. He hurried forward a few steps and made a bow, “It turns out to be the father-in-law of the Qi family. I am Zhou Shuyu, the second son of the Zhou Mansion in Yuyuan City. My sister is a close friend of Lady Qi, and we will be returning to Yuyuan in the next couple of days. She especially ca to bid farewell to Lady Qi. But here…” Zhou Shuyu glanced at the guards of the mansion, “It seems you have other guests.”
Qi Younian hurriedly stepped back to return the courtesy and said, “This humble old man has seen the young master. I have been preoccupied with nurous affairs these past days and have neglected the young master. Indeed, we have received a few guests at ho. Our common farmhouse has limited accommodations. If Young Master Zhou does not mind, perhaps…you could co in for a sit?”
Although Qi Younian knew it was impossible, he still hoped that this seemingly wealthy and refined Young Master Zhou would find his modest ho distasteful and leave. If there were only a magistrate at ho, the son of the Prefectural Magistrate’s family would of course show so deference in front of a young master of the Shangguan Residence. Then he would not have to be in such a difficult position.
But it was not the case now, for the person sitting inside was a prince. It was no longer a matter of whether Young Master Zhou looked down on his ho, but whether His Highness Prince Yu would like to see you, Young Master Zhou.
Zhou Shuyu had the sa thought in mind. He wouldn’t dare look down on His Highness Prince Yu. As soon as Qi Younian finished speaking, he hurriedly made a gesture with his hands, “I was presumptuous in coming here and have caused trouble for the father-in-law.”
Nanny Liu did not speak further with Zhou Shuyu but directly addressed Nanny Zhong, who appeared on horseback, “Our master has already sent soone to invite the Young Lady. Second Miss, please co inside and rest for a while. The Young Lady will arrive shortly.”
Zhou Shuyu watched Zhou Biyao follow Nanny Liu into the thatched cottage of the main house, and he himself looked sowhat helplessly at Qi Younian and the Qi Family Courtyard. Although he had heard his sister ntion before that the Qi family had been extrely tense at ho, he had not expected it to be to such an extent.
He was quite surprised that the Qi Family Courtyard could accommodate so many dwelling furnishings and even more puzzled that such a cramped place could host His Highness Prince Yu.
After a mont’s hesitation, Qi Younian invited Zhou Shuyu into the wooden house. The son of the Prefectural Magistrate’s Family had enough status to be seated alongside the normally dressed Magistrate.
“That situation only required so inconvenience for Sixth Master, who, after all, had to conceal his identity.”
“Magistrate Sir Jiang is inspecting the agricultural affairs of Clear Water Village and is currently resting in this humble old man’s farmhouse. The furnishings are simple in a farr’s ho, and there is no spare room to entertain Young Master Zhou separately. Would it be alright for you to sit with Lord Jiang?”
Zhou Shuyu hurriedly replied, “This humble scholar is simply a commoner. It would be my great fortune to sit with Lord Jiang.”
Although Zhou Shuyu had never t His Highness Prince Yu before, as soon as he entered the vaulted door and saw Jinrong sitting side by side with Jiang Yifan, he imdiately identified their statuses. He promptly paid respects, saying sowhat ambiguously, “Your servant has seen the lord. I was unaware of the lord’s presence here earlier, and I hope for your forgiveness for any disturbance I may have caused.”
“Father-in-law of the Qi family, please take a seat,” Jinrong gestured for Qi Younian to sit first and then looked at Zhou Shuyu, asking indifferently, “Did Young Master Zhou himself not think of coming, but only accompanied Miss Zhou of your family?” Clearly, this Zhou Shuyu was aware of his identity, and he had no intention of hiding it.
Zhou Shuyu bowed quickly, “Yes, we have been guests at our uncle’s residence for so ti now and will be returning to Yuyuan in the next few days. Before leaving, my sister wanted to say farewell to Lady Qi and insisted on coming. Considering the construction and the bustle of workers at the Qi family, I had to accompany her here.”
“That’s a fair reason,” Jinrong said, giving him a look that was both smiling and not, then casually picked up his cup and sipped his tea.
Jiang Yifan smiled and said, “Young Master Zhou is also an honored guest, please take a seat.”
Zhou Shuyu looked around, wondering how the Qi family had constructed such a room. Although the place was small enough that a few steps in from the doorway led to a couch, and the couch seed comfortable enough, the wood hut was exceedingly roughly made. To use it for entertaining guests, especially for hosting soone like His Highness Prince Yu, was careless and showed a lack of respect.
After thanking them for his seat, he carefully chose a spot to sit down next to Hu Jing, thanked Zi Ning for serving tea with great fear and trepidation, and quietly listened to Jiang Yifan and Qi Younian’s sporadic small talk.
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