AGRMDHR C35

Chapter 35 The Grand Finale

 

Spring arrived again, and the Xu’s Sweet Drinks Shop had become the talk of the capital. In just two short years, the business expanded to three branches, making countless noblewomen green with envy.

Xu Shuyue was no fool. The Qi family lacked any significant background, and standing out too boldly in the circles of nobility would only invite jealousy and trouble. So, she wisely partnered with Madam Liu and Miss Song. With these two influential women backing her, she needn’t worry about underhanded schemes from rivals.

Perhaps it was the donation to the Taoist temple that earned the blessing of the ancestors. Over the past few years, the Qi family had enjoyed a string of good fortune.

At the gates of the Qi residence, an elderly eunuch with a white beard held an imperial edict in his hands. His sharp voice rang out: “By the grace of Heaven and the Emperor’s decree… Today, Madam Wei and Xu Shuyue are conferred the titles of ‘County Madams’ and granted a hundred households in fiefdom. Thus decreed!”

Madam Wei and Xu Shuyue froze in place, utterly dumbfounded.

Eunuch Li chuckled without missing a beat and gently reminded them, “Madam Wei, Miss Xu, aren’t you going to accept the decree? What are you waiting for?”

Xu Shuyue snapped out of her daze and hurriedly knelt with Madam Wei to receive the imperial edict, bowing low in gratitude.

Eunuch Li handed the edict to Madam Wei, declining the silver Xu Shuyue had prepared as a tip. Everyone knew by now that Qi Siming was a rising star in the Emperor’s favor. In just two years, he had ascended to a prestigious rank as a third-grade official. His future was limitless, and who wouldn’t want to curry favor with him?

After personally escorting Eunuch Li out, Madam Wei and Xu Shuyue returned to the house. They sat staring at the imperial edict for half a day, unable to process the reality.

Seeing this, Qi Siming couldn’t help but laugh. Teasingly, he said, “Mother, weren’t you just the other day envying those who held honorary titles? Now that you’ve been granted the rank of County Madam, how does it feel?”

Madam Wei murmured, “It feels like a dream…”

“Doesn’t it?” Xu Shuyue chimed in, also finding it surreal. She opened the imperial edict again, scrutinizing it as if to confirm its authenticity. The Emperor’s red seal gleamed clearly on the corner. “Well, I’ll say this much—next time I bump into those women who look down on me because of my lowly status, I’ll just flash this title at them. Let’s see who can compare now!”

The title of “County Madam” was reserved for the wives or mothers of officials ranked third grade or higher. In the entire capital, only a handful of families outranked them now.

Qi Siming shook his head with a smile. Before he could respond, Xu Shuyue suddenly set the edict down and frowned with worry. “But wait… Why would the Emperor suddenly bestow titles on me and Mother for no reason? Could it be…”

“Could it be he’s going to send you back to the battlefield?” Her anxiety mounted as she imagined the Emperor’s habit of giving rewards before delivering difficult tasks.

Madam Wei immediately panicked, letting go of the edict, which Qi Siming caught just in time. He placed it carefully back in its box and reassured them, “Mother, Shuyue, where is your imagination running off to?”

The current Emperor was a benevolent ruler. This gesture was clearly meant to show his favor toward the Qi family. Besides, the northern frontier had been stable for two years now. Back then, Qi Siming’s campaign against the barbarian tribes had decimated their forces to such an extent that it would take them at least a decade or two to recover. By then, new generals would rise, and the court wouldn’t need to call on him again.

Hearing this, Xu Shuyue finally let go of the worry that had been gnawing at her. She grumbled, “Well, it’s because I care about you…”

Her head lowered, lips slightly pouting. Qi Siming glanced at her delicate expression, his fingers twitching as if yearning to reach out. In his heart, he sighed deeply: With a wife like this, what more could I ask for?

The following autumn, Qi Qingfeng took the provincial examination and achieved top marks, causing a stir across the region.

When word spread that he was the younger brother of General Qi, the interest in him grew even stronger. With his scholarly prowess, many believed he was destined to reach the palace examination. The only question was whether he could secure a top-three spot.

If he did, the Qi family’s fortunes would truly reach unparalleled heights.

How could one not be amazed?

A humble farming family managed to raise not only a distinguished general but also a scholar who achieved top honors. Even the wealthiest and most established families couldn’t compare to the Qi family’s accomplishments.

For a time, Qi Qingfeng’s fame even surpassed that of his elder brother and sister-in-law.

Xu Shuyue teased him mercilessly, making the normally composed Qi Qingfeng blush so fiercely that even the tips of his ears turned red, much to the delight of Xu Shuyue and Madam Wei, who threw their heads back in laughter.

Standing to the side, Qi Siming narrowed his eyes meaningfully. His gaze swept across his younger brother before settling on Xu Shuyue. With a swift motion, he pinched the soft flesh at the nape of her neck, his chest tight with jealousy.

She had never laughed so openly and joyfully with him!

Unwilling to let this slide, Qi Siming scratched Xu Shuyue’s palm with his fingertips. She was engrossed in listening to Qi Qingfeng recount amusing anecdotes from his academy days and, without even looking, swatted his hand away.

“Don’t bother me.”

Qi Siming froze, withdrawing his hand as he glared at his oblivious younger brother. Silently, he ground his teeth. Just wait—when the palace examination results are out, I’ll buy a new house. Qingfeng is grown up now; it’s time for him to have his own place!

That night, Xu Shuyue paid the price for her earlier indifference.

Qi Siming dragged her into an endless bout of passion, fueled by a stubborn need to reclaim her attention. The man seemed determined to stretch their lovemaking until the first light of dawn. By the time they were done, Xu Shuyue was so thoroughly exhausted that she didn’t even have the strength to kick him out of bed.

A month later, the entire Qi family gathered to send Qi Qingfeng to the palace examination.

Madam Wei and Qi Ansheng were overwhelmed with emotion. Watching their son walk into the grand and imposing palace gates, tears rolled down their cheeks.

Xu Shuyue, standing beside them, couldn’t help but reflect. Just a few years ago, the family had been worried about how to sell their fruit harvest and scrape together enough money for Qi Qingfeng’s tuition. Now, here they were, standing in the capital, sending him off to compete for one of the highest honors in the land.

Truly, life was full of surprises.

Qi Qingfeng’s academic prowess was built on years of hard work. Xu Shuyue had no doubt he would pass the palace examination, but she hadn’t expected her little brother-in-law to perform so well. When the results were announced, Qi Qingfeng had been named Tanhua Lang—the third-ranking scholar in the country!

Even Qi Siming was pleasantly surprised. He hadn’t just been busy scheming to monopolize Xu Shuyue’s time; he had also taken the time to consult with senior officials about the customs following the palace examination. Knowing the top three scholars would parade through the capital’s streets, he quickly arranged for the family to occupy a prime spot on the second floor of a tea house along the parade route.

Madam Wei and Xu Shuyue were both nervous and excited. Seeing this, Qi Siming called over the tea house attendant and bought a few sachets filled with fragrant herbs. Handing one to each person, he said, “When Qingfeng rides by, throw these at him.”

The suggestion finally eased Madam Wei’s nerves. At that moment, the sound of drums and gongs erupted, signaling the start of the procession.

A ceremonial guard marched at the front, carrying flags and banners, flanked by imperial soldiers on horseback. Xu Shuyue recognized two familiar figures leading the escort and exclaimed, “Siming, isn’t that Ban Su and Hou Ji?”

Qi Siming glanced at the men, his lips curving into a smile. “It’s them. This task wouldn’t normally require their presence. They probably volunteered because they knew Qingfeng was part of the procession.”

Having trusted comrades like them made him feel more at ease.

As they spoke, Qi Qingfeng rode by on a majestic horse, dressed in splendid robes and wearing a black hat adorned with a golden flower. Bathed in sunlight, he looked every bit the part of the radiant Tanhua Lang.

Girls in the crowd couldn’t contain their excitement, flinging sachets and flowers at him as if they were free.

As the procession passed by the tea house, Qi Qingfeng’s ears had turned bright red from the attention. Madam Wei elbowed Qi Ansheng and pointed, urging him to look. Qi Ansheng, however, could only shake his head in exasperation.

Xu Shuyue, swept up in the lively atmosphere, called out, “Mother! Let’s throw our sachets now—Qingfeng is about to pass!”

Madam Wei didn’t hesitate, rushing to the window with Xu Shuyue to toss their sachets. Unfortunately, neither of them managed to hit their target. Qi Ansheng, uninterested in the commotion, remained seated.

“Siming, your turn! Throw yours!”

Qi Siming, feeling a bit jealous of Xu Shuyue’s enthusiasm, swallowed his emotions. At her urging, he raised his arm, took careful aim, and threw with precision. His sachet struck Qingfeng squarely on the shoulder, nearly unseating him.

The poor Tanhua Lang was utterly stunned. Before he could react, several girls in the crowd noticed where the sachet had come from. Turning their heads, they saw none other than the stern-faced General Qi.

The crowd quickly averted their gazes, pretending they hadn’t seen anything. After all, nobody wanted to provoke the formidable general.

Meanwhile, Madam Wei and Qi Ansheng leaned out the window, waving and shouting, “Qingfeng! Well done!”

For the first time during the parade, the usually stoic Tanhua Lang allowed a small, graceful smile to curve his lips. The sight sent the onlookers into a frenzy of cheers and screams.

The Qi family’s reputation soared even higher that day, cementing their place as one of the most celebrated families in the capital.

Qi Siming watched as his younger brother basked in the glory of the parade. Turning his wife’s head toward him with a faint pout, he muttered gloomily, “What’s so great about Qingfeng? When I returned victorious, you didn’t look at me with such… admiration.”

Xu Shuyue waved her hand playfully as if fanning away imaginary smoke. “General Qi, why not have some dumplings for lunch? The vinegar in the air is so strong, you could probably fill a whole bowl!”

Qi Siming frowned and opened his mouth to retort, but he stopped short. His thoughts wandered back to when they first met—how distant she was then, even considering divorcing him. The memory only deepened his frustration.

Returning to his seat in silent sulkiness, he beckoned the waiter to bring a plate of dumplings. Xu Shuyue burst out laughing and stopped him, saying, “What are you doing? On Qingfeng’s big day, and you’re jealous of your little brother?”

Seeing that Qi Siming was being uncharacteristically stubborn, Xu Shuyue turned serious. She gazed into his eyes and said firmly, “Qi Siming, no matter how brilliant Qingfeng is, I can only feel pride as his sister-in-law. You and he are different. You’re my husband, and we’re destined to spend our lives together.”

Destined.

Such a beautiful word. Warmth surged through Qi Siming’s chest, so overwhelming that he couldn’t hold it back. Ignoring the stares of others, he leaned in and captured Xu Shuyue’s lips in a passionate kiss.

After the parade, Qi Qingfeng began his position as a Hanlin academician. Anyone with foresight could tell that the Qi family was destined to produce another high-ranking official in the near future.

With careers flourishing and family bonds growing stronger, it seemed heaven itself favored the Qi household. Even Madam Wei and Qi Ansheng’s long-held dream of grandchildren was finally within reach.

The year Qi Qingfeng entered the Ministry of Revenue as a sixth-rank official, Xu Shuyue announced her pregnancy. The moment their child was born, Xu Shuyue felt a profound sense of closure—as if her ties to another world had finally been severed.

From that moment on, her life was complete.

The following autumn, Xu Shuyue gave birth to her first child. The baby had an impressively loud voice, wailing at full volume the moment it entered the world. Exhausted, Xu Shuyue groaned in frustration and ordered Qi Siming to take the noisy child outside.

The baby was indeed a handful. Qi Siming personally took on the task of caring for the child, enduring sleepless nights and showing up to court each morning with dark circles under his eyes. His haggard appearance earned sympathetic glances and countless sighs from his colleagues.

The emperor, moved by his loyal general’s plight, bestowed a noble title upon Qi Siming and granted him six months of leave from court duties. The title was largely ceremonial, but Qi Siming had long desired to relinquish his military authority, so both he and the emperor were pleased with the arrangement.

At dusk, Qi Siming returned home, his steps lighter than they’d ever been. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he heard Xu Shuyue shouting for almond pudding.

He chuckled, setting down his belongings. Covering her eyes with one hand, he leaned close and teased, “Guess who?”

Xu Shuyue giggled and slipped out from under his arm, spoon in hand. She held it up to his lips, her smile as radiant as the first blossoms of spring. “Here, husband, you take the first bite!”

“Delicious,” he declared, his heart full.

The first taste of almond pudding. The first birthday gift. The first loquat tree they planted together…

Life is but a fleeting journey. Together, Qi Siming and Xu Shuyue embraced every one of their shared “firsts.”

Until their hair turned white, and they rested side by side, united even in the silence of the earth.

(The End)