Let alone in wealthy and influential families, even in poor humble families, paying respects to her in-laws was something that a daughter-in-law had to do. Lin Qingyu was extremely averse to doing it, but in order not to leave Liang Shi anything to hold against him, he had no choice but to appear before Liang Shi every day and go through the motions.
In the past, Liang Shi wouldnât say much to him either him. He never responded to topics between married women and Liang Shi couldnât get a firm grasp over him. So, she would simply ask him a bit about Lu Wanchengâs condition and then allow him to return to the Blue Wind Pavilion.
Early this morning, Lin Qingyu stepped into the main hall. He saw Liang Shi sitting in the main seat and knew she had something to say.
Sure enough, Liang Shi had the maid serve two cups of freshly brewed tea and then said while savoring the taste, âQingyu, you have been married into the Hou Mansion for a while.â
Lin Qingyu did not reply. Liang Shi waited for a while and then continued, âDo you know what is the most important thing about being a wife?â
Lin Qingyu said calmly, âI donât know.â
âThe top priority is, of course, to bear children children for your husband. HoweverâŠâ Liang Shi sighed, looking very much filled with regret.
Lin Qingyu inwardly sneered. âThis I cannot do. Madam should have Young Master Hou cast me off and have him marry a good wife who can.â
Liang Shi had probably grown accustomed to his sarcastic remarks and wasnât upset at being contradicted. Instead, she smiled and said, âWhat silly thing are you saying? You are Wanchengâs lucky star. Wancheng could never ever leave you.â
When Liang Shi finished speaking, she sized up Lin Qingyuâs expression. Seeing that he remained unmoved, she brought her face back to a serious expression. She said, with stern countenance, âThe most important thing is what is called âassisting oneâs husband and teaching oneâs childrenâ. For now, the âteachingâ part, you cannot do. So you can only learn how to âassist oneâs husbandâ. You are the Shaojun of the Hou Mansion. You too should learn how to manage the affairs of the mansion, so that you can share Wanchengâs burdens.â
âShare Young Master Houâs burdens?â Lin Qingyu laughed, âDare I ask Madam, what exactly are Young Master Houâs burdens? Is it the Hwamei being unable to sing, or the myna being unable to speak? Or⊠is it his illness?â
Just as Lin Qingyu guessed, upon hearing the word âillnessâ, Liang Shiâs lips pursed unnaturally. âDoctor Zhang is there to take care of Wanchengâs condition.â
âIf I remember correctly, Master Hou once asked me to take care of Young Master Houâs body. At that time, Madam was also there.â
âIn-indeed, there was such a thing.â
Lin Qingyu nodded lightly, âThen it shall be as Madam said.â
Liang Shiâs fingers curled into fists, but a smile appeared on her lips. âLong before you married, I heard the matchmaker say that the son of the Pan Yuan of the Imperial Hospital was born not only with matchless good looks, but also with outstanding talent and intelligence, with the ability to remember things with a single look. It is the most capable people who do the most work. Given your intelligence, attending to both the matters of the mansion and to Wanchengâs health should not be a difficult feat for you. â- Come.â
An old woman walked in. It was Liu Momo who had been punished a month ago to do drudgery. Liu Momo presented several thick ledgers and said, âAsking Shaojun to take a look at these.â
Lin Qingyu casually picked up the top one and said indifferently, âI have not seen you in a month. Liu Momo evidently appears to have aged. It seems that you have not had an easy time of doing drudgery.â
Liu Momo forced a smile and said, âThis servant committed a mistake. It is only right that she was punished.â
âThese are the ledgers for just this month. Try to organize them first. If there is anything you donât understand, you can ask Mother at any time.â Liang Shi said, âThereâs quite a lot of them, but given your ability⊠How about three days? Within three days, tidy up the ledger and return it Mother, yes?â
Before Lin Qingyu could speak, Liu Momo rushed in to say, âShaojun, the Madam regards you very highly.â
âExactly,â Liang Shi said with a smile. âI am old and I wish to enjoy a life in ease and comfort. In the future, this huge Hou Mansion will depend on Qingyuâs management.â
Although the act that mistress and servant put on was clumsy, it was reasonable. The mistress has entrusted the stewardship of the household to the Shaojun. No matter how anyone looked at it, the mistress was being magnanimous and was putting her trust in the Shaojun. If the Shaojun were to shirk this responsibility, he would be branded as being unable to tell good from bad, of being an unworthy wife.
The question was, was Liang Shi sincerely letting him manage the household?
How could that possibly be? Unlike Lu Wanchengâs biological mother, Liang Shi was born ordinary. Her father was only an assistant minister below fourth-rank. She must still cower in fear in front of Nanâan Hou. There was the eldest son left by the first wife and her own biological son was trash. The only thing Liang Shi could carry with her in the Hou Mansion was the power of stewardship.
He didnât have the least bit interest in the Hou Mansionâs power of stewardship. He was, however, interested in seeing Liang Shi regret her actions, seeing her ashamed and reproaching herself.
âI will carry in my heart the Madamâs kindness.â Lin Qingyu threw the account book in his hand back onto the tray, âI accept these ledgers.â
Liang Shi nodded, gratified, âQingyu, donât let Mother down.â
As soon as Lin Qingyu left, the gentleness left Liang Shiâs face. She murmured, âHe actually agreed so readilyâŠâ
Liu Momo looked askance in the direction of the door. âDonât look at how Shaojun appears like an immortal aloof from politics and material pursuits. In his heart, he still covets the wealth of the Hou Mansion.â
Liang Shi shook his head. âHe only has the Imperial Medical Office in his heart. Normally, he shouldnât be this kind of person.â
âWhy would he not be? Madam, one may know a person for a long time without understanding his true nature. You must keep your guard up. You must not let Shaojun actually seize the power of stewardship.â
âAbout this, you can rest assured.â Liang Shi said easily, âI sent someone to inquire about it. He never asked about the account books of the Lin Residence. No matter how outstanding in ability and wisdom, it is impossible to attend to both things at once. Weâll have to see which one he wants to give up. As for the stewardshipâŠin the end, it can only be mine.â
Liu Momo said solicitously, âMadam is wise.â
Liang Shi slowly got up with Liu Momoâs support. âNotify the servants who understand the accounts. Donât let them help people they shouldnât.â
Madam Liu hurriedly said, âThis servant will go at once.â
In the Blue Wind Pavilion, Lu Wancheng slept until midday as usual. Seeing that his complexion didnât look so good upon waking up, Hua Lu asked him if he was uncomfortable anywhere. Lu Wancheng rubbed his forehead and said, âI have a headache.â
Hua Lu said nervously, âYouâre in perfectly good condition. How can you have a headache?â
Lu Wancheng guessed, âProbably from lack of sleep.â
Hua Lu: ââŠâ
Although it was a common occurrence for Lu Wancheng to have headaches and slight fevers, Hua Lu didnât dare be the slightest bit neglectful. And so, she went to the study and invited Lin Qingyu over.
Lin Qingyu checked his pulse, felt his forehead, and said, âYouâre sleeping too much.â
Lu Wancheng was shocked. âImpossible.â
âWhy would it be impossible?â Lin Qingyu said, âDo you think youâre a baby? You sleep for sixteen hours a day. If anyoneâs going to get a headache, itâs you.â
Lu Wancheng sighed, âWhat should I do then?â
Lin Qingyu sat on the side of the bed, massaging Lu Wanchengâs temples for him, the force of his hands neither light nor heavy. âSleep less. In the future, even if you want to wake up, you might notâŠâ
His voice stopped abruptly.
Lu Wancheng was resting on Lin Qingyuâs lap, smelling the faint scent of books on him. Suddenly there was a hint of uneasiness. He stiffened for a moment. Telling himself that Lin Qingyu was also a man, he then relaxed, closing his eyes to enjoy this moment of peace.
He hadnât enjoyed for long before Lin Qingyu ruthlessly stopped and got up, letting Hua Lu take his place.
Lu Wancheng said quietly, âItâs over?â
âIâm very busy.â
âHuh? What are you doing?â
Light as a feather, Lin Qingyu let out this sentence, âYou have a good stepmother.â
After Lu Wancheng inquired a little bit, he found out what had happened that morning. He couldnât help chuckling and he said, âSheâs in a bit of a hurry, isnât she? Canât even wait for a few monthsâŠNot bad.â
Hua Lu couldnât understand. She said, âIf Shaojun becomes the one managing the household in the future, wouldnât our life be better?â
Lu Wancheng smiled and said, âWhat are you thinking?â
In the afternoon, Lin Qingyu ran out of the study, taking the medicine roller with him. The Blue Wind Pavilion had an elegant gazebo most suitable for enjoying the spring scenery. It was a pity that Lin Qingyu came a step late and the pavilion had already been occupied.
Lu Wancheng was half-lying on a rocking chair. Rocking slowly, he basked in the sun. Dressed as he was in red, with a languid look on his face, and his long hair carelessly tied together, it added to his romantic and unrestrained air.
Hearing Lin Qingyuâs footsteps, Lu Wancheng opened his eyes and looked. âWhy is Doctor Lin here? And I thought youâd be staying in your study the whole day.â
Lin Qingyu said, âIâm here to pound medicine.â
Lu Wancheng asked, âEh? Arenât you looking at the accounts?â
Lin Qingyu said, âIâll deal with it later.â
âThen, not only do you want to read medical books and dispense medicine, but you also want look at the accounts? You want everything?â
Lin Qingyu asked in reply, â Otherwise?â
âCan you even finish it?â
âIâll try.â
âOh⊠Doctor Lin, what kind of medicine are you pounding now?â
âA good medicine for causing kidney weakness in men.â
Lu Wancheng:?
In a gazebo by the water, with luxuriant flowers and trees all around, the two of them, ones basking in the sun, the other pounding medicine, shared this boundless spring scenery.
It was already getting late by the time Lin Qingyu finished todayâs matter of dispensing medicine. He lit the lamp in the study and began to look through the ledgers. Though it was true that he has never come into contact with the householdâs general affairs, he was constantly by his motherâs side when he was young. His mother often managed the accounts, and imperceptibly influenced by what he has seen and heard, he too managed to get the general idea.
Bookkeeping is done in a streamlined way, so itâs not difficult to understand. But the writing in the account books Liang Shi gave him were small and blurred. After only half an hour of looking at it, and his eyes were already sore. In addition, the transaction dates were confusing, details were missing, and the contents missing from one book appeared in another⊠No wonder Liang Shi wanted him to finish it in three days.
But even so, it might not be impossible for him to do it.
In the dead of night, the candlelight flickered. Hearing the soft sounds behind the door, Huan Tong, whoâd been waiting upon Lin Qingyu by the desk, ran to open the door, âYoung Master Hou? Why arenât you asleep yet?â
Lu Wancheng stepped into the study with Hua Luâs help. âThe night is long and Iâm not in any mood to sleep. Besides, your Young Master wonât let me sleep more.â
With his head down, looking at the ledger, Lin Qingyu said, âI told you to sleep less during the day. I didnât tell you to stay up late.â
From morning to night, Lin Qingyu didnât stop for even a moment. By this time, he could no longer hide his exhaustion. Seeing Lin Qingyuâs tired face, Lu Wanchengâs chest tightened. He said, âItâs zishi already. How about you donât look at those for now? Leave todayâs matters to tomorrowâs you, how about it?â
Lin Qingyu didnât look up. âTomorrowâs me would rather give it to todayâs Young Master Hou.â
ââŠâŠEh?â
âSince Young Master Hou has a long night ahead of him and doesnât wish to sleep, why not come and help meâŠ?â
Lu Wancheng choked. He put his hands to his temples and starting walking backwards. âMy headâs starting to hurt again. Let me lie down. I should lie downâŠâ
Lu Wancheng slipped away so fast that it made Huan Tong wonder if his illness had already healed. Huan Tong served Lin Qingyu a fresh cup of tea, and whispered, âThat Young Master Hou! Really! Heâs so averse to even the littlest bit of work.â
Lin Qingyu was used to it. âHeâs just a bag of lazy bones. Youâd be better off burning incense and praying to Buddha than to count on him.â
When he said these words, he found that Lu Wancheng had unexpectedly turned back and returned. Allowing no explanation, he walked in front of Lin Qingyu. Expression imposing, he looked at the books spread out on the table.
Lin Qingyu was baffled. âWhat?â
Lu Wancheng leaned forward and blew out the table lamp.
Lin Qingyu: ââŠâ
In the darkness, he felt a cool touch around his wrist. Lu Wancheng had unexpectedly gotten hold on his wrist. âGo to sleep, the account books⊠leave them to me.â
Lin Qingyu broke free of his grip. âLeave them to you? Youâre not just going to leave them undone, are you?â
Lu Wancheng was momentarily at a loss for words. He was unable to refute.
âBesides, if Liang Shi finds out that youâd done it, wouldnât she accuse me of being disrespectful to my husband? I want to do this well becauseâŠâ
âI know, you want to take this opportunity to slap her in the face. But thereâs no need to make life difficult for yourself. You donât like managing the affairs of the household so why force yourself?â Lu Wancheng said, âHuan Tong, hide the lamp. Donât let your Young Master light it.â
Lin Qingyu said coldly, âYoung Master Hou, mind your own business. Donât involve yourself in mine. Huan Tong, turn on the lamp.â
Huan Tong didnât dare disobey the Young Masterâs words and he turned on the lamp again. Lin Qingyu then saw that Lu Wanchengâs expression was no longer his usual lazy and casual one. Lu Wancheng raised his eyebrows and said, âYour business?â
Lu Wancheng like this felt a little unfamiliar to Lin Qingyu.
Lu Wancheng said again, âSince when were the troubles created by my stepmother, your business? Shouldnât it be mine?â
âThereâs no need to trouble yourself.â Lin Qingyuâs voice was a bit cold, âYoung Master Hou should just rest and recuperate.â
Lu Wancheng was silent for a moment. He then suddenly smiled, returning to normal again. âBut without Doctor Lin in the room, I canât sleep at night.â
âThen you might as well stay up.â Lin Qingyu didnât feel sorry for him at all. âThe occasional burning of the midnight oil never killed anyone.â
Lu Wancheng: ââŠâ
Neither of them slept well that night. Lin Qingyu went to bed in the wee hours of the morning and still got up early to continue burying himself in the books.
âYoung Master,â Huan Tongâs voice came from outside, âThereâs an uncle who wants to see you. He said he was summoned here by Young Master Hou.â
What was Lu Wancheng up to?
Lin Qingyu frowned. âLet him in.â
Not long after, a regular-looking middle-aged man walked in and said, âPaying my respects to Shaojun. I am an accountant from Wen Guo Gongâs Mansion. My surname is Zhang, and my name is Zhang Shiquan.â
Lin Qingyu was a bit surprised but he more or less understood what was going on. âYoung Master Hou asked you to come toâŠ?â
âLast night, Young Master Hou wrote to Master Guo Gong. The letter said that Shaojun had some messy accounts he needs to take care of and that he was unable to do as much as he would like to. After choosing carefully, Master Guo Gong sent me to come help.â Zhang Shiquan respectfully said, âDo not worry, Shaojun. I have been doing work in accounting since I was a child. No matter how bad the accounts are, I can settle them in one go.â
Lin Qingyu came back to his senses and handed a ledger to Zhang Shiquan. âManager Zhang, please take a look.â
Zhang Shiquan turned a few pages and then said, âThis ledger was obviously deliberately made confusing. If Shaojun would entrust this matter to me, please allow me to take a day to fix this. Your complexion does not look too good. You should go back and rest. â
There is specialization in every industry. If he could achieve the goal, Lu Qingyu didnât want to waste time on it.
Lin Qingyu walked out of the study. He stopped a maidservant, and asked, âWhere is Young Master Hou?â
The maid said, âYoung Master Hou has finished his meal. Heâs already gone to the garden.â
Lin Qingyu arrived at the garden. Lu Wancheng was playing the pitch-pot game with a few of the maids and pages. Huan Tong lost half of his monthly allowance and was wailing in distress. Lu Wancheng was sitting to the side, the corners of his lips flying up into a smile. He bore a remarkable resemblance to an ignorant and incompetent silk-clothes disciple.
Lin Qingyu looked at him for a long time, and suddenly felt⊠as if he could understand Lu Wancheng.