The Wealthy Eldest Sister Rules Supreme

Ning Feng thought to himself, revealing nothing externally. After making the bed for Chu Jinnian, and helping him into bed, he lowered the bed curtains, extinguishing the candle on the desk and leaving only the one in the corner alight before exiting and closing the door.

Once Ning Feng was out of sight, Chu Jinnian got up and retrieved the jade Bi from a box on the side, clasping it in his hand. After a moment of deep thought, he finally placed the jade Bi beside his pillow.

—-

The following day, dawn broke.

“Good morning, Mr. Fan,” Banqing greeted, busily setting the breakfast table in the Flower Hall when she saw Fan Wenxuan. She hurriedly stood up to greet him properly.

“Good morning,” Fan Wenxuan responded, yawning broadly, rubbing his tired eyes.

He had barely slept the previous night, tossing and turning.

Out of fury, shame, and worry.

He was concerned that his murmuring from last night was overheard by Chu Jinnian, who may have come to his courtyard looking for trouble. He wondered if Chu Jinnian would resort to further insidious tricks against him.

However, all seemed quiet throughout the night.

This only unnerved Fan Wenxuan more.

He was worried it was the calm before the storm. Consequently, upon waking, he stayed in his room thinking for a while before cautiously seeking out Chu Jinzhou, hoping to have his student intervene with his ruthless and domineering older brother.

But when he arrived, neither Chu Jinzhou nor Chu Jinnian were to be seen.

“Where is the master?” Fan Wenxuan asked, his gaze sweeping the area, “Why isn’t Jinzhou here either?”

“The master and the Third Young Master left early this morning,” Banqing replied.

They had left?

Fan Wenxuan was taken aback.

Chu Jinnian would travel to here from the capital city every few months, with a draining and gruelling journey.

Although he retired early the previous night, Fan Wenxuan assumed Chu Jinnian would not have the energy to stroll around.

Apart from this, with the current freezing weather, there did not seem to be any suitable places to stroll around.

Most importantly, Chu Jinnian somehow took Chu Jinzhou out and he didn’t even bother to inform him.

Well, Chu Jinnian, you were so keen on making me, an old man, suffer when you returned, now you are giving me the cold shoulder!

This was totally outrageous, downright outrageous!

Fan Wenxuan was incredibly angry but when he saw Banqing and Ning Feng next to him, he managed to keep his facial expressions under control.

It was necessary to save face. As for that bastard Chu Jinnian…

Hmph, don’t ask him to join you then, who cares about going out with you two brothers anyway!

Angry, Fan Wenxuan sat down with a thump, picked up a tofu skin bun and started to devour it, following it with a bowl of tofu meatball soup.

Seeing Fan Wenxuan in such a sullen mood, Ning Feng felt a little sympathetic and tried to console him, “The master said it’s better for Mr. Fan to not be involved in today’s affairs.”

“It’s probably for Mr. Fan’s own good, in Master’s opinion,” he added.

It’s better for him not to go?

Fan Wenxuan almost forgot to chew the tofu skin bun in his mouth.

What is it that he should better ignore?

Could it be…

Chu Jinnian heard his resentful words last night, felt irritated, and has already gone out to find something to upset him?

Fan Wenxuan suddenly felt a chill down his spine…

—-

At dawn, as per usual, the courtyard was cleaned and a delicious breakfast was prepared.

Having been staying at home for the past few days to perfect the Moon Incense, Zhuang Qingning planned to visit the various workshops and inquire about the distribution of wheat seeds from Zhuang Jingye, asking whether there were any leftovers and whether more seeds needed to be prepared.

As soon as she opened the door to the courtyard, she saw a carriage parked outside.

Chu Jinnian was standing next to the carriage, looking up at her.

He stood tall, dressed in a brocade robe, shining with splendor under the morning light. When a breeze blew, it lifted a corner of his robe, making him appear even more lively and radiant.

“Handsome as a jade tree in the wind” was the first phrase that popped into Zhuang Qingning’s mind.

Especially since there was a smaller jade tree next to the larger one, it looked like an aesthetically pleasing painting.

“Master Chu? Jinzhou?” Zhuang Qingning was surprised at the sight of Chu Jinnian and Chu Jinzhou, “Why are you here?”

She just laughed, saying, “Banqing passed a message last night saying that Mr. Fan won’t be coming for lessons these days and warned Qingsui and Mingli to read on their own. I assumed that Jinzhou must have been at the Qingzhuyuan.”

“Precisely because Mr. Fan won’t be teaching for a few days and I didn’t want the studies of Miss Sui and Mingli to fall behind, I decided to bring Jinzhou along to conduct the class.” Chu Jinnian replied with a smile.

Zhuang Qingning was quite surprised by Chu Jinnian’s decision to teach her and Zhuang Mingli.

As a high-ranking official in the capital, having him give lessons to ordinary people was rather demeaning. However, considering the respect Chu Jinnian has always shown Mr. Fan, and that Mr. Fan had sent books last night through Banqing, expressing concern for his students, Zhao Qingsui and Zhuang Mingli, Chu Jinnian being willing to take over the classes for a few days was not a big deal.

Upon thinking this through, Zhuang Qingning found it reasonable.

Besides, as she had a favor to ask of Chu Jinnian, their arrival saved her a trip to Qingzhuyuan.

“I’m obliged to you, Master Chu.” Zhuang Qingning expressed her gratitude, welcoming the Chu brothers into the courtyard and serving them a cup of tea each.

Then, she instructed Zhuang Qingsui to call Zhuang Mingli, to start the class as early as possible.

Zhuang Qingsui responded affirmatively and went to fetch Zhuang Mingli.

“I’ll go with you.” Chu Jinzhou followed, saying with a smile, “My elder brother brought some writing materials from the capital. We’ll leave two sets here and give the rest to Mingli.”

“Alright.” Zhuang Qingsui grinned, picking up the materials along with Chu Jinzhou and then they went off to find Zhuang Mingli, chatting and laughing as they bounced along.

Both Chu Jinnian and Zhuang Qingning watched Chu Jinzhou and Zhuang Qingsui leave with smiles on their faces.

“This kid…”

“This kid…”

As soon as they had spoken, they noticed they had said the same thing and instantly stopped speaking. They looked at each other and couldn’t help but chuckle awkwardly.

Zhuang Qingning laughed and said, “I’m truly grateful to you, Master Chu.”

“Don’t mention it, Miss Zhuang. I haven’t thanked you yet for taking care of Jinzhou and Mr. Fan these past few days.” Chu Jinnian replied, “If we were to exchange thanks, wouldn’t they cancel each other out?”

Zhuang Qingning hesitated for a moment, then tentatively brought up the subject, “Actually, there’s something I’d like to ask Master Chu for help with, hence my early expression of gratitude.”

“Oh?” Chu Jinnian put down his tea cup, “Please tell, Miss Zhuang.”