Returning to one’s hometown in glorious robes and honor is not only the dream of ordinary people, but also the luxurious yearning of foreign officials and their families.
In this regard, the two are very similar.
Being an official is certainly a prestigious job, but in the final analysis, you are just a jobber working for the emperor. You have no independent decision-making power when it comes to your career. The big boss only needs to issue an imperial edict to transfer your work at will.
All you can do is follow orders, drift north or south, run east or west. This kind of wandering life year after year basically leaves you with no sense of belonging.
Therefore, even if you are a feudal official, you pay special attention to your return home.
The same is true for Qi Yu.
Today, my father-in-law Liu Shouye was uncharacteristically generous and became extremely generous. Not only did he invite the best cooks in the county to cook, he also donated his many years of treasure.
All in all, this banquet was full of atmosphere and felt very warm.
After the banquet, the men gathered in the main room to drink tea and reminisce about old times, while the women hid in the room and chatted about household matters. The two parties chatted about their own affairs without interfering with each other.
The furnishings in the hall were as they always were, and there were memories everywhere, especially the "Picture of Tasting Tea" and the couplets on it, which directly aroused Qi Yu's feelings.
Look, the line in the couplet, "The heart is always warm when guests are here, and the tea is not cold when people are gone" is exactly his understanding of family affection.
This painting has some special meaning.
It was specially written by me specifically to relieve my son-in-law's dissatisfaction. Now that times have changed, when I read it again, it has a different feeling.
When Liu Shouye saw his son-in-law staring there non-stop, he couldn't help but follow suit and said with emotion: "When the wise son-in-law painted this painting, he was still a blank figure, but now, he has become a shepherd.
It’s really ten years to the east of Hedong and ten years to the west of Hexi!”
After a pause, he added: "However, what I never expected is that Jincheng has actually become more promising. Now all his children have become successful. It is really a blessing in life!"
After learning that his son had become the county magistrate of a certain place, Liu Shouye sighed, as if a big stone in his heart fell to the ground.
Qi Yu chuckled and said: "My father-in-law is very easy to be satisfied. From my point of view, the future of our family will become more and more promising. It can even be said that sesame seeds are blooming steadily."
"Oh, is it so?"
"Of course! You see, my son-in-law has just entered his thirties, and my brother-in-law is only twenty-six years old. In terms of official career, this age is like the rising sun, full of stamina."
right!
Upon hearing this, Liu Shouye couldn't help but laugh, his eyes full of anticipation for the future.
At this time, Uncle Zhou also answered: "Ah Man is absolutely right. Maybe by the next time we meet, he will have reached the high position of governor, and my nephew's wife will follow him and become one of those two
Lady Pingaoming.”
"Haha, then I have to thank my uncle for his good advice..."
"..."
After chatting and laughing, Uncle Zhou suddenly pointed to the painting and asked Liu Shouye: "How did I hear that someone was willing to pay a high price to buy your painting "Tasting Tea", but you didn't?
Are you insisting on not selling, but I don’t know why?”
"Haha, it is indeed true. Let's put it this way, I have no worries about food and clothing now, and my children are all grown up. Now is the time when I am shining brightly. How can I lose face for the sake of a mere copper?" Liu Shouye took a sip of tea and said
He said with a proud look on his face.
Haha, you have integrity!
Although Qi Yu understood the meaning of the words, he did not understand the reason, so he asked: "Father-in-law, what is going on?"
When Liu Shouye saw his son-in-law asking, he replied: "It's like this. Last year, a wealthy businessman from Jiangnan came here. He wanted to spend a lot of money to buy your handwriting. As for me, I have no shortage of food and drink."
, Why are you selling your calligraphy treasures for no reason?"
"Later, the man retreated to the next best thing and wanted to make a copy of the original painting. I couldn't bear his insistence, so I agreed to him..."
He was only halfway through speaking when he suddenly saw a subordinate running in to report: "I would like to inform Mr. Qi that the magistrate of Lanshan County has received a letter and is here to visit."
"Oh? He has a pretty good nose. He's here so quickly?"
After such disturbance, we stopped talking about the painting.
In fact, the Lanshan County Magistrate only paid a courtesy visit and did not have any actual formal negotiations.
Therefore, after just chatting for a moment, Qi Dalang picked up the tea cup seemingly accidentally.
Haha, I finally went home, how can I have free time to talk nonsense with you?
However, the official's visit gave Qi Dalang a wake-up call.
You must know that in the Yongchuan Mansion area, I still have many old friends from the past. Now that I have returned from Nanyang, how can I not visit them?
For example, Mr. Yu Haiyu, and those old colleagues from Yongchuan Prefecture School.
If you are going to Yongchuan, you must make plans in advance. The gifts and greetings required must not be missing, otherwise it will be a loss of etiquette.
Since we still have to go north, we need to do this sooner rather than later.
Therefore, after only staying for two days, Qi Yu decided to set off.
Under the reluctant gaze of their relatives, the whole family once again stepped into the carriage for a long journey. However, before the curtain could be completely lowered, the woman Wang couldn't help but burst into tears.
"Let's go!"
"drive!"
"..."
According to Qi Yu's intention, he wanted to take these elders to Qiongzhou to enjoy happiness and happiness. As a result, the elders all felt that it was difficult to move to their homeland and were unwilling to go far away no matter what.
Alas, just follow them.
After trying to persuade them to no avail, Qi Yu and his wife had to give up this one-sided idea.
…
After leaving the Liu family, Qi Yu ordered to stop briefly at Taohua Village, the birthplace of the original owner, and chat with Aunt Zhang and other villagers for a while.
As for the Qi family members, he didn't even say hello.
Alas, since it has been settled, why should I be further involved?
Makes sense!
During the chat, Second Aunt Zhang specifically told Qi Yu that Mrs. Yan’s widow Qin had passed away. Before she died, she asked someone to return the Qi family’s share of the land deed...
Hearing this, Qi Dalang couldn't help but sigh, his heart was filled with sadness.
I remember that when I first embarked on the imperial examination, this woman gave me a practical "Small Notes", and I indeed benefited from it and passed the imperial examination.
Later, in order to express his gratitude, he specially gave her the fields left by his ancestors, which was regarded as repaying the favor.
Now that Mr. Qin passed away, Qi Yu generously gave the land deed to his neighbor Aunt Zhang.
Although Zhou was a little reluctant, she didn't say anything.
So, it was decided.
After leaving Taohua Village, Qi Yu made a special trip to the town to formally visit the first noble person in his life - shopkeeper You Xiangyou.
I recall that back then, my family was destitute and had nothing. If I hadn’t earned the firewood and rice needed for emergencies by copying books under him, my family would have been torn apart.
Moreover, I also found my first pot of gold through his introduction. It is not an exaggeration to call him a noble person in life.
Qi Yu has always kept these past events in mind.
If you appreciate a favor, you should repay it.
This is the foundation of being a human being.
…
Half an hour later, Shopkeeper You looked at the background of Qi Yu's departure and sighed quietly: "This son has not forgotten his original intention, it is really commendable!" Then he looked at the pile of gifts again and said to his son: "The ancients
It is said that if you receive a drop of kindness from someone, you should repay it with a spring of water. This is how Master Qi handles things. You must study hard."
"Yes, father!"
…
Five days later, Yongchuan Fucheng arrived.
Haha, this is my real home.
As soon as he opened the door of his home, Qi Yu couldn't help but sigh deeply. The joy of a wanderer returning home was beyond words.
After some repairs, he immediately took the gifts and visited Yu Hai and his old friends from Yongchuan Prefecture.
As for Liu Quan and the Zhou family, they invited the neighbors to chat about their daily life, so that others could share their deep joy of being noble ladies.
Just talking about Qi Yu, he got into the car and went straight to the government office of Yongchuan Mansion, handed over the assassin and paid homage to Master Yu Haiyu.