Ch 35: Reborn to Raise My Husband

Afterward, Fang Jie’er began visiting Madam Wang’s home three times every five days to learn the craft.

She worked hard—setting out before dawn to walk to the county town, studying hairstyling techniques with Madam Wang for about an hour.

Once done, she’d help with laundry, sweep the courtyard, chop wood, then return home before midday.

Even after returning, she never slacked off. She did all the household chores, and repeatedly practiced what she had learned that morning.

She would comb her own hair three to five times, and when that wasn’t enough, she’d comb Grandma Sun’s and Fang Ge’er’s hair.

Whenever Xiao Yuanbao visited the Fang house to play, he’d always be pulled aside for two different hairstyles before being let go.

Though little gers typically wore their hair simply like boys, unlike girls who had more elaborate styles, Xiao Yuanbao—being young—liked flowery, girlish hairstyles.

But too much combing inevitably led to more shedding. Since his hair was already thin, seeing strands fall made him heartbroken. He even started fearing Fang Jie’er.

Eventually, she promised him she’d only do one style next time and only the simple type for gers.

She also made a fragrant hair oil for promoting hair growth, and that finally coaxed him back.

Her efforts weren’t in vain—Fang Jie’er clearly had a bit of natural talent for hairstyling, and with such dedication, her skill quickly improved.

Madam Wang became increasingly pleased with her. Only a few months in, she began taking her into wealthy households as an assistant to broaden her exposure.

Madam Wang told her, as long as she remained sincere and diligent, it was entirely possible that she could be hired long-term by some noble household if she gained their favor.

This gave Fang Jie’er even more hope in this line of work.

…

Spring passed into summer, summer faded into fall.

Unknowingly, the sweaty, sweltering days of late summer and early autumn arrived.

That morning, Zhu Yongxian of the manor finally received a reply from his family in Jinling.

Ever since meeting Qi Beinan, he had been respectful on the surface, but uneasy inside. So, he had sent a letter to the family estate back in Jinling.

From Ling County to Jinling was a long way—riding a fast horse there and back would take over half a month, let alone the slow pace of a courier.

The household in Jinling read the letter, inquired around, and after all the delays, the reply didn’t arrive until autumn—months after it had been sent in spring.

Zhu Yongxian’s wife wrote that the madam had looked into it: back in Jiangzhou, there wasn’t any prominent scholarly Qi family with close ties to them.

Though Lord Qi had once held office in a neighboring county and was known for his respect toward scholars, the madam couldn’t be certain if she’d met someone by that name.

The Jiang family had transferred through many posts, and it wouldn’t be surprising if some people used their name after they left.

What they could confirm was that there wasn’t a deep connection between their household and Qi Beinan, and that he likely was just trying to gain favor.

Upon receiving this, Zhu Yongxian was furious.

That brat! Bold enough to come and fool him face-to-face.

He flung on his sleeves and stormed out of the manor.

Just his luck, as he arrived in the village, he saw Qi Beinan out in the fields, harvesting rice.

“Well, well, Young Master Qi, out working in the fields yourself?”

Qi Beinan heard the voice, straightened up, and saw that it was Zhu Yongxian.

With a forced smile and a voice full of sarcasm, he knew what this was about.

“If you live in the countryside, what reason is there not to farm? But what wind brought Steward Zhu here? Has the manor’s harvest already been gathered?”

“You needn’t worry about manor affairs,” Zhu Yongxian snapped.

He squinted at the pleasant-looking Qi Beinan and said in a low voice, “Got quite the nerve, daring to use our master’s name.”

Qi Beinan slowly set down the rice in his hands, climbed the field ridge, uncorked his waterskin and took a sip of tea.

The autumn heat made his back sweat.

“Steward Zhu, you’re pinning a label on me that doesn’t fit.”

He was as composed as ever. “From the start, I told you the Jiang family is a noble household, and I don’t dare claim to be close to them.”

“My father always taught me to respect upright officials like Lord Jiang. As a scholar, it’s only natural to ask after such a man’s health and family. Since when did sincere concern become an offense? Is that how the Jiang household carries themselves?”

“You—!”

Zhu Yongxian ground his teeth, but upon thinking it over, Qi Beinan had never actually claimed to be close to the family.

It was his own assumptions that led him to open the door for him based on Qi Beinan’s familiarity with their household affairs.

This brat really was clever—he’d fallen for it despite having lived more years and eaten more salt.

And all this had even led to Qin Niazi being disgraced, and Steward Zhu bringing Fang Youliang in just to appease him.

Qi Beinan had expected the day would come when his bluff would be called. He said, “Steward Zhu, I asked after Lord Jiang, but did I take any advantage of you?”

“My former aunt is now your woman, and she represents your face. She goes around badmouthing people, twisting truth from falsehood, and stirring up trouble. If you don’t rein her in, you’re new to this manor—how do you expect the village to view you?”

“As for Brother Fang, he’s strong and capable. You originally wanted him to work for the manor, but gave up because Qin Niazi threw a fit. I merely recommended him again. I didn’t gain anything for myself—the work still benefits the manor.”

Zhu Yongxian fell silent.

Qi Beinan hadn’t spoken falsely. Qin Niazi was indeed charming, but her temperament was troublesome. She might be favored, but she was still a concubine—someone meant to serve. No matter how much she was doted on, she couldn’t be allowed to stir up real trouble.

Having grown up in a prestigious household, Zhu Yongxian understood these principles.

As for that Fang family eldest son—truth be told—he was an excellent worker, and Zhu Yongxian had originally planned to call on him again for the next round of hiring.

But he still felt a bit too embarrassed to back down easily, so he raised his eyes to Qi Beinan and said, “You scholars really are slippery—black becomes white in your mouth.”

Qi Beinan saw that although Zhu Yongxian’s words were sharp, he wasn’t truly angry. That meant he could still tell right from wrong.

He said, “My connection to Qin Niazi is hard to explain. If I hadn’t asked after Lord Jiang’s well-being, how would Steward Zhu have even agreed to meet me? So, in the end, I was at fault. Here, I offer my apology.”

Saying so, he respectfully cupped his hands in a formal bow.

Seeing this, Zhu Yongxian felt much better.

And to be honest, he still wasn’t sure whether Qi Beinan had truly known his master. He figured the boy had at least met Lord Jiang once—how else could he know so many things about the household?

When one serves an official family, it’s not uncommon for people to borrow their name for clout, so long as they don’t cause trouble. The household wouldn’t investigate every case.

Putting on a stiffer face, Zhu Yongxian said, “Fine. Since you’re still young, about the same age as our Fourth Young Master, I won’t hold it against you.”

“Steward Zhu’s broad-mindedness and generous nature—no wonder you manage Ping Manor so well.”

A small smile tugged at Zhu Yongxian’s lips. “Cut the flattery.”

Then he asked, “But how’d you learn about things in Jinling while living in a small county like Ling?”

Qi Beinan made up an excuse casually: “I have a friend studying in Jinling. We exchange letters often, and he happens to attend Qiushan Academy—that’s how I heard.”

Zhu Yongxian thought to himself, This kid’s network is impressive. And gutsy too.

He said, “You should visit the manor more when you have time.”

…

Autumn brought the rush of harvest: collecting grain, sun-drying crops, paying the land tax…

Once that was done and the weather cooled, people began looking for marriage prospects again. Madam Qiao nearly ran her legs off playing matchmaker.

With families having more leisure and money in hand, proposals and arrangements came in droves.

Xiao Yuanbao followed Jiang fulang from one banquet to the next, busy enough to have no time to catch his breath.

The countryside was lively—but not as much as the city.

There, wealthier families hosted wave after wave of chrysanthemum-viewing parties and poetry gatherings. With many noblewomen going out, Fang Jie’er accompanied her teacher to several wealthy households—gaining experience and even the chance to style noblewomen’s hair herself.

Zhao Guangzong, meanwhile, stayed shut indoors, studying hard. Spring of the coming year would bring his entrance exam, and time was short—so he doubled his efforts.

Everyone was busy with something, except for Qi Beinan, who managed to steal a few moments of leisure amid it all.

With no urgent matters, he occasionally tutored Zhao Guangzong, listened to Xiao Yuanbao’s excited retellings of banquet feasts, or heard Fang Jie’er speak about hairdressing. Life was strangely peaceful.

The year passed—if not without bumps, then at least without real turmoil.

…

Spring, the following year.

The grass along the paddy ridges had just begun to sprout, and the weather was still bitterly cold.

Xiao Yuanbao stayed tightly wrapped in his blankets, unwilling to move.

Their family didn’t have many relatives to visit during the New Year, but this month, many households were hosting banquets. He had followed his teacher all over.

Rain and snow still came this time of year. The weather was cold, and the roads were muddy. Twice, he’d worn new clothes out and come home with a muddy butt, ruining the whole outfit.

Truly, the New Year month had been both exhausting and inconvenient.

Luckily, the fifteenth had passed, and things were finally calming down.

“Still not up yet?”

Qi Beinan nudged open the door with a brazier of hot coals in hand. The curtain around the bed hadn’t been pulled back, even though daylight had long arrived.

He knew Xiao Yuanbao usually woke early—he must just be clinging to the warmth, unwilling to get up.

A messy little head popped out from the curtains: “There’s no banquet today. Teacher said Xiao Bao doesn’t have to go out.”

Qi Beinan took his coat off the rack and warmed it by the brazier. “Did you forget we’re going to Village Head Zhao’s place today?”

Xiao Yuanbao’s eyes went wide, and he immediately flung off the covers.

“That’s right! The second month is nearly here—Brother Zhao is leaving for his county exam! We’re going to see him off!”

He jumped out of bed, threw on his now-warm outerwear, and rushed to the cabinet to retrieve a small hand warmer he’d prepared days ago.

“Brother, why didn’t you wake me up earlier?”

Qi Beinan helped adjust his collar. “If I hadn’t, I would’ve gone by myself.”

“We’re just sending him off today—that’s no big deal. But if he passes and we don’t go congratulate him, now that’s a problem.”

Xiao Yuanbao furrowed his soft brows, slightly worried: “Will Brother Zhao pass the tongsheng exam this time? He doesn’t even have a teacher…”

He thought about it and felt really sorry—if he didn’t have Jiang fulang teaching him, he wouldn’t even know how to use a chef’s knife, recognize spices, or fold a wonton.

Qi Beinan tapped Xiao Yuanbao lightly on the forehead. “Zhao Guangzong studies hard—he goes through two taels of lamp oil a night. Besides, he’s personally taught by your brother—how could he not pass?”

Xiao Yuanbao squinted his eyes into a smile, then mimicked Qi Beinan’s gesture by poking his forehead with the pad of his finger. “Brother, you’re bragging and not even a little shy.”

Qi Beinan chuckled and gently squeezed Xiao Yuanbao’s soft little palm.

The two of them tidied up and, stepping into the morning breeze, made their way to the Zhao household.

At that time, the Zhao home was a busy mess.

Madam Zhang was packing clothes and food for Zhao Guangzong, while Village Head Zhao was outside helping the hired hand hitch up the ox cart.

This year’s county exam in Ling County was scheduled for the second day of the second lunar month. Zhao Guangzong planned to leave two days early and stay at his grandfather’s house in the county, which would be closer to the exam venue.

“There you are. I thought maybe you weren’t coming,” Zhao Guangzong said while carefully placing the hand-copied letters Qi Beinan had given him into his book chest. Seeing him arrive settled his nerves considerably.

“I said I’d see you off, so of course I’m here,” Qi Beinan replied. “All packed?”

“It’s not far to the county seat, and I’ll be staying at Grandfather’s place, so there’s not much to bring. It’s just… my first time sitting the exam, and my parents are so nervous it’s making me jittery too.”

Zhao Guangzong felt deeply unsure. Even though he had made great strides in the past year and learned a lot, this was still his first time sitting the imperial exam. His heart was full of unease.

If Qi Beinan hadn’t come, he was planning to stop by the Xiao household himself before heading out.

Unconsciously, he had already come to see Qi Beinan as his teacher in his studies.

Qi Beinan patted his shoulder. In truth, he too had come to think of Zhao Guangzong as a student.

He’d taught many pupils in the past, but those who had joined him were mostly already juren (provincial graduates). Zhao Guangzong, not even a tongsheng yet, was the first he’d taught from the ground up.

That kind of teacher-student relationship often left a deeper impression.

“Don’t weigh yourself down with pressure. You’ve already studied well enough. Just treat this as practice—the result doesn’t matter; what matters is the experience.”

Zhao Guangzong nodded. “True. Imperial exams aren’t easy—if everyone passed on the first try, the county school would be bursting with people. If I don’t pass, there’s no shame in it.”

Qi Beinan smiled. “That mindset is exactly right.”

“Brother Zhao, spring mornings are still cold. Your fingers must freeze when you write.”

Xiao Yuanbao brought out the gift he’d prepared. “This hand warmer is something I picked out with Brother. Bring it with you. If your hands get cold, warm them up—your writing will come out even better.”

Zhao Guangzong took the little warmer with a smile. “Just seeing it has already warmed my heart. My writing will definitely look great.”

The county exam was in the second month, the prefectural exam in the fourth.

The county exam consisted of five rounds; the prefectural had three. Once the county exam was over and the results announced, candidates would proceed to the prefectural-level test in the state capital.

The schedule over the two months was tight and well-packed.

The county exam was just a warm-up, focusing mostly on fill-in-the-blanks poetry and basic essays. For anyone who had put in decent study time, it wasn’t too challenging.

Zhao Guangzong had nothing to worry about in that regard.

The real test of a scholar’s depth was in the prefectural exam—three rounds, including essay-style political arguments and strategic proposals.

In early April, as spring blossomed in full, Zhao Guangzong held his brush and stared at the questions written on the test paper. His face flushed with excitement.

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