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After the meal, drinking tea helps with digestion, as Qi Chong mentioned that Qi Rong had learned this. Lu Ziyan, with a wide circle of friends, had acquaintances among officials and merchants in the county, even among the common folk.
He turned to Qi Chong and asked, "Do you remember our classmate Qi Zhixiu?"
Yu Chunmiao chimed in, "Ah, yes! Cultivating oneself and governing the family—just a step away from bringing peace to the world!"
Qi Chong seemed to reminisce for a moment, then nodded in acknowledgment.
Lu Ziyan continued, "He has already entered government service. His brother, Qi Zhi Ping—"
Yu Chunmiao suddenly choked on her tea and began to cough violently.
Qi Chong quickly gestured to her with his eyes to continue.
Lu Ziyan sensed that Yu Chunmiao's coughing was somehow related to him and spoke cautiously. "His brother Qi Zhi Ping stopped taking the imperial examinations after passing the jinshi degree to take care of their parents. He is currently teaching at the County Academy. This man is exceptionally knowledgeable, filial, and virtuous—his character is beyond reproach."
The County Academy has two divisions: one for young students and another for scholars. Qi Rong often reviews his studies; if he can answer Qi Zhi Ping's questions during lessons, he can learn well enough to pass the examination for young students in half a year.
Yu Chunmiao asked him, "What kind of questions does he usually ask?"
Lu Ziyan seemed quite familiar with Qi Zhi Ping's methods and said proudly, "Nothing much—just questions like why we study, what it means to be virtuous, and what filial piety entails. If he can compose some simple poetry, that would be best."
Yu Chunmiao clapped her thigh excitedly. "Perfect!"
Lu Ziyan became intrigued. "Sister-in-law, why are you so confident?"
Yu Chunmiao spoke confidently, "My brother-in-law is the most filial person. He hasn't eaten meat in half a year; he gave his mother the chicken legs and only gnawed on the bones himself."
"He's kind-hearted too; whenever someone bullies him and gets into trouble, he's willing to lend a helping hand."
"As for poetry," she continued, "Qi Chong can teach him a couple of verses in no time; he'll pass easily."
Qi Chong chuckled briefly and said, "Why does my wife have such confidence in me? When it comes to poetry, it's still my wife's talent."
Yu Chunmiao felt embarrassed. "Oh no, that's not true! I only know a few lines from the Three Hundred Tang Poems and some Song lyrics. But those aren't my own creations; how can I take credit for them?"
She pinched Qi Chong's leg playfully and said, "No way! He's just joking! I can only manage some crude verses; they're hardly worth listening to."
"Please don't say that! If Lu Ziyan asks me to compose two verses on the spot later, I'll die of embarrassment!"
Lu Ziyan wisely decided to let her off the hook.
After their usual post-meal drowsiness set in, Lu Ziyan took them to rest at the inn run by his family.
After some negotiation, they finally settled on a price of fifty percent off, selling the house to them for thirty-one days.
As soon as they entered, Yu Chunmiao felt that this house was worth more than just sixty-one days. It had a living room, a bedroom, and even a bathhouse. She looked at the screen in front of the bed and the scattered flower tables around the room, saying to Qi Chong, "Wouldn't it be nice if we built our house like this in the future?"
The large windows surrounding them also pleased her. If she had said this before, he wouldn't have dared to even think about it, but now, if Yu Chunmiao said she wanted to build a palace, he felt it wasn't entirely impossible.
The bathing area was conveniently close; just a few steps from the bathtub led directly to the bed. As he spoke these words, Qi Chong began to imagine a certain kind of happiness.
Yu Chunmiao's mind became sluggish with sleepiness, and she didn't grasp the man's underlying meaning. The weather was hot, so they removed their outer garments and lay down on the bed. Qi Chong didn't hold her; after giving her a kiss goodnight, he lay on one side to fan her.
He fanned her for nearly two hours, but Yu Chunmiao still hadn't woken up. Perhaps he was fanning too vigorously; she reached out to find her blanket. Qi Chong helped cover her belly gently, and with that slight movement, Yu Chunmiao lifted her eyelids slightly.
She pushed away his fan and tossed it aside, her voice slightly muffled with sleepiness. "Stop fanning me; come sleep with me for a while."
Qi Chong readily complied, allowing her to rest her head on his arm and closed his eyes.
Only half an hour had passed when Qi Chong woke up again. Seeing the beads of sweat forming on Yu Chunmiao's forehead and nose, he picked up the fan once more.
Perhaps they had stayed up too late last night and woke up too early this morning; when Yu Chunmiao finally awoke, it was already evening.
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