The Qin Household and the Young Widow

A little over an hour later, Han Li emerged from the secret chamber with Qin Yan, having resumed his rustic, clueless appearance.

Back in the main hall, the Qin family head immediately gave orders in front of the Third Madame for a clean residence to be prepared in the rear compound for this nephew, Han Li, to stay in long-term.

His stated reason was perfectly aboveboard: he, Master Qin, intended to properly mentor this junior, repaying the great kindness his elder had once shown the Qin family.

The Third Madame opened her mouth, then thought better of raising any objection.

As a sharp-witted woman, she wisely heard that Qin Yan had already made his decision and would not tolerate dissent. She also sensed, intuitively, that some unspoken understanding existed between her husband and this ‘nephew’ of his.

But since Qin Yan had not shared the details, she naturally would not do anything that might upset him or diminish her standing.

Nevertheless, her lively imagination began to churn. Could her husband be taking such an interest in this young man because… he was an illegitimate son from an affair in his youth? Why else would a letter cause such a loss of color, followed by such sudden warmth?

This overly imaginative Third Madame, the more she pondered, the more convinced she became that she had hit on the truth, and a flicker of displeasure crossed her heart. But her face remained composed, and she even treated Han Li with increasing warmth.

And so, after Master Qin’s repeated exhortations, Han Li once again followed Qin Ping out of the hall to inspect his new lodgings.

This time, Qin Ping’s face was no longer its earlier wooden mask. Instead, it was wreathed in smiles, and he addressed Han Li as “Young Master Han” at every opportunity, completely and selectively forgetting his earlier coldness.

Han Li wore an expression of flattered surprise, but inwardly he sighed at how effortlessly these mortal servants trimmed their sails. The shift from arrogance to fawning was seamless, without a trace of embarrassment. He could not decide whether this spoke of thick skin or a long-ingrained habit of survival.

Qin Ping led Han Li along a winding back path until they reached a quiet, walled courtyard.

The setting was elegant, refined, and exceptionally peaceful. Han Li nodded to himself, satisfied. It seemed Qin Yan had indeed gone to some trouble to select good lodgings for him.

“Young Master Han, this is where you’ll be staying! It’s the finest courtyard in the Qin estate. The master only houses his most valued guests here!” Qin Ping explained, ingratiating himself as he led Han Li through the gate.

Han Li scratched his head and grinned sheepishly, as if at a loss for words.

Qin Ping tactfully dropped the subject and changed topics.

“Young Master Han must not have eaten dinner yet, yes? Let me have the kitchen send a meal over right away. Please wait a moment!”

With that, Qin Ping retreated from the courtyard with a bow and turned away.

Only when the man had faded from sight did Han Li allow a faint smile before pushing open the door.

The interior was tastefully arranged, matching the elegance of its surroundings.

After a quick tour, Han Li grew even more pleased, wondering who had seen to the decoration.

True to his word, Qin Ping was efficient. Before long, a serving woman arrived carrying a large bamboo hamper with the evening meal.

The aroma of food stirred a longing in Han Li, who had not eaten in years. He did not stand on ceremony and polished off several plates of fine dishes and a bowl of rice.

When Qin Ping returned to clear the plates and saw nothing but empty dishes, he found it amusing but kept his composure, respectfully inviting Han Li to the main hall again. The master wished to introduce the members of the Qin household.

…

When Han Li entered the main hall a second time, it was no longer occupied by just Qin Yan and the Third Madame. A crowd of men and women, perhaps twenty in number, sat or stood throughout the room.

When Qin Yan warmly invited Han Li to sit beside him, the older members of the family showed surprise but no strong reaction. The younger generation, however, was less composed. A favored grandson stepped forward with barely hidden displeasure.

“Grandfather, who is this young man? We’ve never seen him before. Did you summon us just for him?”

Qin Yan heard the dissatisfaction clearly, but he did not indulge the boy. He shot him a glare and spoke coldly.

“Step back. Is this any place for you to speak? ‘This man, that man’—mind your tongue! This is Han Li, a young nephew whose elder once did our family a debt of life and death. You will show him respect!”

Qin Yan’s words sent a stir through the hall, excluding only the Third Madame.

All eyes turned to Han Li with curiosity and speculation. At just the right moment, Han Li displayed a convincing look of discomfort, shifting awkwardly in his seat as if the cushion were lined with nails.

The young master’s face cycled through red and white before he retreated in silence.

He had never expected his grandfather, normally so doting, to rebuke him so bluntly today, and in front of so many siblings. A grievous loss of face.

Needless to say, this did not endear Han Li to the young master. But he was not so childish as to openly antagonize someone Qin Yan had just publicly honored. For now, this rustic seemed to hold considerable weight in his grandfather’s eyes, and he had no intention of losing that favor.

With the first challenger so thoroughly put down, no one else dared to show hostility. Most met Han Li’s eyes briefly before offering a friendly expression.

Qin Yan smiled and began introducing the people in the hall, pointing them out one by one.

“This is my eldest son, Qin Zhi. He manages all of Yue Jing’s business for me—a capable head on his shoulders. That is my second son…”

Han Li nodded along, pretending to be overwhelmed, while memorizing every person Qin Yan introduced. These were all the people he was meant to protect.

Old Master Qin was indeed prolific. He had five sons, three daughters, and several grandchildren.

The eldest and second sons were both in their thirties, with families of their own. The one who had spoken out earlier was the eldest son’s second boy.

Amusingly, Qin Yan’s youngest son was a five- or six-year-old child who did nothing but suck his thumb. Han Li found it comical to imagine a sixteen- or seventeen-year-old youth calling this snot-nosed toddler ‘Fifth Uncle.’

As for Qin Yan’s wives, besides the Third Madame whom Han Li had met that morning, there was a Second Madame, around forty, and seven or eight younger concubines.

Qin Yan’s primary wife was not present. He mentioned that she had taken up vegetarianism and prayer and rarely showed herself.

Two men in their forties were introduced as Qin Yan’s second and third younger brothers, both managing parts of the family business and considered important figures in the household. They also had children among the crowd, but Han Li only briefly noted their names before losing interest.

His energy was limited. He would focus his protection on Qin Yan’s main line.

“Ah! And the young widow from my wife’s family?” Qin Yan suddenly noticed someone was missing and turned to the Third Madame.

“Master, the young widow thought it improper for a woman in mourning to meet strangers. She did not come. Shall I summon her?” the Third Madame said softly, a trace of hesitation in her voice.

“No matter. Han Li is no stranger. She should meet him,” Qin Yan said after a moment’s thought.

“As you wish, Master.”

“Xiao Lian, go fetch the young widow. Tell her the master requests her presence!” the Third Madame instructed the young maid behind her.

“Yes, Madame.” The maid, who had guided Han Li earlier that day, quickly slipped out through a side door.

Qin Yan turned back to Han Li and explained.

“The one who hasn’t come yet is a young woman my primary wife rescued from a river during a journey some seven or eight years ago.”

“A most pitiable woman. She had lost her memory from hitting her head, and her body was covered in scars. My wife, being kind-hearted, nursed her back to health. Finding her homeless, she had her brother adopt her as a goddaughter, giving her a place to call home.”

“But misfortune followed her. Her godfather arranged a marriage, yet three days after the wedding, her husband fell into a river while drunk and drowned. A young woman like her could have remarried, but she insisted on remaining chaste and keeping his widowhood, refusing to wed again. It became a celebrated tale of virtue in the local area and brought much credit to my wife’s family.”

“When her godfather passed away from illness, my wife could not bear the thought of her living alone in an empty house, so she brought her here for companionship and to lift her spirits.”

Qin Yan recounted the tale with a heavy sigh.