Chapter 26: Moving Into a New Home

During the recent poetry gathering, Han Qing had taken the top prize. After several days spent putting things in order, they could finally move in.

“Mother, it’s time for our family to move to Tinglan Courtyard, isn’t it? If there’s anything valuable you want to bring along, just tell the servants,” Han Qing suddenly mentioned at the dining table.

There was a clatter as Han’s mother, startled, dropped her chopsticks. Tinglan Courtyard? She could hardly believe it wasn’t a dream. She’d only ever heard the old ladies gossip about that place—apparently, it had once been reserved for the sons of noble families. Though that custom had long since lapsed, Tinglan Courtyard still stood at the heart of the county town, a place many envied. In all her years, she never imagined she’d be blessed with such fortune. These past few days, the neighbors had done nothing but praise her for raising her children well, and she was already feeling rather lightheaded with pride.

“Mother, there’s no need to rush—eat slowly. Everything is ready over there; it’s time we moved in,” Han Qing gently reiterated.

He had told Xiuxiu about it last night, hoping to surprise his mother today. But by the look on her face, it seemed more shock than joy.

“My son, are you telling the truth? You’re not tricking me, are you?” The old lady was so excited she could hardly speak.

It must be the ancestors watching over them—her son had truly brought honor to the Han family!

“It’s true,” Han Qing assured her.

“That’s wonderful! We’ll go tomorrow—no, today!” she exclaimed in her excitement, still not quite daring to believe it was real.

Xiuxiu comforted her gently, “My husband said it himself—this was awarded at the poetry gathering. He earned it.”

With that reassurance, Han’s mother finally relaxed.

News of their good fortune spread quickly. Before long, it reached Liu Tieniu’s ears. It seemed her good-for-nothing brother-in-law was hoping to cash in on their luck again.

“Oh my, I heard my dear brother-in-law did something extraordinary lately! I’ve brought your sister to congratulate you!” came Tieniu’s ingratiating voice from afar—enough to make anyone cringe.

But since his sister had come along, Han Qing couldn’t very well turn them away.

“Nonsense, Mother hasn’t seen Sister in so long; now that we’re all together, she’s delighted,” Han Qing said, masking his true feelings.

Jiang Xiuxiu spoke softly, then gently took her sister-in-law by the hand and led her inside, not wishing to witness Tieniu using her as leverage and risk giving him any advantage.

“I’ll go and check on them,” Han Qing said. “Brother-in-law, let’s not intrude on their conversation—they’re bound to have plenty to catch up on.”

He spoke casually, his eyes betraying no warmth. “So, to what do I owe your visit today? Oh, I almost forgot—you once left a hairpin with me, didn’t you?”

At this sudden mention of old debts, Tieniu’s expression changed. Why bring up such things now?

“You remember that from so long ago? We’re all family—no need to fuss over it,” Tieniu tried to brush it off.

But Han Qing had no intention of letting it go. “I was waiting for you to come pick it up last month, but you never showed. I waited several days.”

He looked slightly exasperated, as if he truly cared about his brother-in-law’s affairs, though it was clear some people’s motives were less than pure.

“As for the thirty taels of silver, I still can’t come up with it right now. Maybe give me a little more time?” Tieniu said hesitantly.

“That’s fine. But I was only a guarantor at the start—now the price has likely gone up. Next time, you might need fifty taels.”

What? That was daylight robbery! Tieniu’s eyes widened in disbelief.

“I’m just warning you; what you do is your business. But surely you didn’t come here just for this?” Han Qing pressed, but before he could finish, his sister interrupted.

“He borrowed thirty taels of silver from you?” Though she was normally meek, after hearing about the hairpin and receiving comfort and encouragement from Xiuxiu, she had summoned her courage to speak.

“Yes. I didn’t know what it was for—I thought perhaps you needed something for your household, so I agreed.” Han Qing nodded earnestly, but he said no more. The fuse was lit; it was up to his sister now to see Liu Tieniu for who he truly was and decide if she would finally break free from that miserable place.

“Mother, we’ve disturbed you today. We’ll come visit again another time,” his sister said, apologizing before quickly taking Liu Tieniu away.

“Husband, why didn’t you help Sister? Weren’t they hoping to move into Tinglan Courtyard as well?” Xiuxiu asked, puzzled. They were family, after all—shouldn’t the truth be spoken plainly when someone did wrong?

“My dear, Sister is now a married woman. If I confronted her directly, it would only embarrass her and make life harder in her husband’s family,” Han Qing explained gently. “Some things are better hinted at than said outright. The choice is hers, not mine.”

“But what if she gets hurt?”

“She won’t. If Liu Tieniu ever dares lay a hand on her, he can forget about living peacefully in this city again,” Han Qing replied coldly.

He had no wish to meddle in others’ households, but if anyone dared harm the Han family, he would never forgive it.

The family made their way to Tinglan Courtyard. The sight of the courtyard’s layout took Han’s mother’s breath away—she had never seen such luxury, whether crafted by human hands or shaped by nature. The back gardens were even more spacious.

“From now on, this is our home,” Han Qing declared. It was a hundred times better than their old, shabby house.

Seeing the astonished faces of his mother and wife, Han Qing felt gratified. All his hard work had not been in vain, and he was determined to keep climbing higher.

Master Zhu and Wen Qi, the Deputy Minister of Justice, came together to offer their congratulations. Han Qing had not thrown a grand banquet for his move; instead, friends who knew the news came to visit in person.

“Why are you so low-key? Everyone in town knows you’ve moved into Tinglan Courtyard, yet you’re here quietly studying,” one friend teased.

“Nonsense. I’ve already received enough; why flaunt it and invite others’ envy?” Han Qing replied absently, unwilling to let pride tarnish his reputation.

“Perhaps that’s a bit much, but it’s only right for friends to celebrate together,” Wen Qi said gently.

The three of them shared fine wine, marking the occasion of Han Qing’s new home with modest joy.