Delicate, Yet Shamelessly Freeloading [Quick Transmigration] Chapter 58

Chapter 58: The Snobbish Black Moonlight (7)

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By conventional standards, Father Cui, being the county magistrate, ought to live within the county yamen. But the Cui family was an old aristocratic clan from the capital, and the moment his father took up his post in Changzhou County four years ago, he immediately bought a three-courtyard mansion in the southern part of the city.

 

Rainbow bridges arched across corridors, with waterside pavilions, rockeries, and rare plants scattered throughout.

 

Passing through the front gate and the formal outer gate, and through a covered corridor, the front courtyard held a lotus pond where red koi swam beneath the shimmering surface. Servants could be seen tending to flowers, or feeding the fish.

 

The estate blended the elegance of southern gardens with the grand flair typical of the capital.

 

Shui Que couldn’t understand—there were only two people from the Cui family living in Changzhou, Cui Shixin and his father. Was it really necessary for two people to live in a three-courtyard mansion with a staff of twenty or thirty?

 

If Cui Shixin hadn’t been leading the way, Shui Que might’ve gotten lost on his own.

 

The winding corridors turned again and again, enough to make one dizzy.

 

Cui Shixin waved a hand, calling over a servant who was cleaning a Xiangfei bamboo curtain. “Go fetch that new robe delivered from Shen’s tailoring shop half a month ago—the one with the four-part crane and deer spring motif.”

 

After crossing the long corridor, they finally entered the western courtyard. Aside from the largest house in the inner courtyard, this was where Cui Shixin lived.

 

He had already sent away a few classmates who looked like they wanted to say something, promising to gather again another day.

 

Completely composed, he led the listless Shui Que into his bedroom.

 

Behind a gold-inlaid screen in the bedroom was just enough space to change clothes.

 

A servant entered with the clothes Cui Shixin had requested. With just a lift of Cui Shixin’s chin, the servant understood, stepped forward, and handed the robe to Shui Que. “Young master, here is the robe.”

 

The Cui family often hosted banquets, and Cui Shixin’s close classmates frequently visited the estate during holidays, but Shui Que was an unfamiliar face. The servant had never seen him before and didn’t know how to address him, so “young master” seemed safe enough.

 

Shui Que stared at the robe in hesitation.

 

This was… the one he and the male lead hadn’t bought that day at the tailor’s.

 

Also, the size clearly wasn’t Cui Shixin’s—so why did he buy it?

 

Cui Shixin’s expression was a little unnatural. He coughed lightly and, clearing his throat, came up with an excuse on the spot. “I have a younger cousin who visits Changzhou for the holidays. This was meant for him—it’s brand new, never worn.”

 

“Since our boat caused you to fall into the river today, please accept it as my apology.”

 

As he spoke, even he started to believe the story.

 

What?

 

If Qi Chaojin could have a distant cousin, why couldn’t he?

 

Shui Que: “Oh…”

 

Ancient people really did have harmonious family ties, huh.

 

He didn’t doubt it too much.

 

Wearing the cloud-topped shoes Cui Shixin lent him aboard the pleasure boat, Shui Que shuffled along, holding the clothes in his arms, and went behind the inlaid screen.

 

The gauzy robe he was going to change into was already hanging on the screen.

 

Cui Shixin stared at that robe and, for some reason, felt a rush of heat across his face.

 

That was usually where he changed his clothes.

 

The rustling sound of garments being removed echoed faintly through the air.

 

After a while, the delicate figure of the Xiao Langjun leaned out halfway from behind the screen, still clutching his half-damp outer garment, looking embarrassed and hesitant as he said, “Third Young Master Cui… I don’t have any dry underclothes.”

 

Cui Shixin’s head buzzed for a long moment before he finally responded in a flustered rush, “Ah, ah! That was my oversight.”

 

“Zhuzi! Bring a clean set of underclothes!”

 

He raised his voice and tilted his head back to call to the servant boy outside the room.

 

Zhuzi promptly obeyed, returning with the clothes in his arms and softly reporting, “Young Master, the only clean underclothes in the house are your size.”

 

If they went out to buy new ones from the market now, by the time they returned, Shui Que’s clothes would already be dry.

 

He would just have to wear this set for now.

 

Behind the screen, Shui Que pressed his lips together. Cui Shixin was tall and lanky, about the same height as Qi Chaojin. Shui Que had to fold the sleeves and pant legs several times before they barely fit.

 

But the fabric was of high quality, so even when folded, it still clung gently to his frame.

 

He draped a sheer smoky robe over it, which concealed most of the differences.

 

He shuffled out again, still wearing Cui Shixin’s cloud-topped shoes.

 

Cui Shixin stared blankly at his feet.

 

The shoes were spares he kept aboard the boat, naturally not Shui Que’s size.

 

His feet looked much smaller than Cui Shixin’s. The heels were soft and pink, not touching the back of the shoes, and as he walked, the sound of them hitting the ground echoed—clack, clack, clack.

 

Shui Que walked with some effort and muttered, “You better remember to buy me a new pair of shoes.”

 

Cui Shixin still hadn’t even had the chance to change his own clothes. He tapped his folding fan against his palm and replied, “Got it. I’ll have them sent to the Qi Er household.”

 

Just as he mentioned Qi Er—

 

Another house servant came running in from the western courtyard, forehead damp with sweat, likely from having run all the way from the front gates.

 

“Young Master, Young Master Qi Er has come to visit.”

 

No sooner had he finished speaking than Qi Chaojin strode in from behind in long, rapid steps.

 

Because everyone knew he was Cui Shixin’s classmate, no one dared to stop him.

 

His expression was grim, but seeing that Shui Que was safe, he finally exhaled in relief.

 

Shui Que stiffened.

 

Qi Chaojin coming by himself would’ve been fine, but why did he have to bring the shoes Shui Que had left on the little boat!

 

Now how was he supposed to keep pretending someone owed him a new pair of shoes?

 

Nervously glancing at Cui Shixin, he forced a cheerful smile and quickly stepped forward to cling to Qi Chaojin’s arm, saying brightly, “Qi… Qi Lang treats me so well, he even bought me new shoes!”

 

Qi Chaojin looked confused and was about to speak, but Shui Que quickly covered his mouth and whispered, “No need to say anything, Qi Lang. I understand.”

 

Once Qi Chaojin fell silent, Shui Que bent down, took off the cloud-topped shoes, and replaced them with the black boots Qi Chaojin had brought all the way from the lotus pond to the Cui residence.

 

Cui Shixin frowned deeply as he watched the two of them act all lovey-dovey.

 

What was wrong with his cloud-topped shoes compared to those black boots?

 

Could affection really fill an empty stomach?

 

Feeling annoyed, he waved his hand and said, “I still need to change clothes. I won’t be entertaining you two. Please, make yourselves at home.”

 

Clearly, he had been planning to keep Shui Que for a meal, but Qi Er’s arrival ruined everything.

 

Qi Chaojin’s eyes darkened. He then half-closed them and said calmly, “We won’t trouble Third Young Master Cui any longer. Shui Que and I will take our leave.”

 

With that, he took Shui Que’s hand and exited through the western gate.

 

His brow was furrowed, and he seemed to be in a bad mood.

 

Earlier, Qi Chaojin had bought a watermelon, but when he returned to the riverside, the small boat was nowhere to be seen. So, he borrowed another boat from the old man who rented them out and rowed back into the lotus pond.

 

The small black boat bobbed gently with the current, left behind with only a pair of black boots onboard.

 

On that scorching summer day, Qi Chaojin broke into a cold sweat.

 

Luckily, other boaters in the pond helpfully told him about the Cui family’s pleasure boat accidentally colliding with his.

 

“Your little Langjun? He probably left with the Cui family’s young master.”

 

He had dropped his watermelon in a panic, worried Shui Que had drowned, and rushed over to the Cui residence with the shoes in hand.

 

When Shui Que heard the full story, he couldn’t help but slap Qi Chaojin’s arm with a bit of anger. “Qi Lang, you’re so generous—you wasted two watermelons!”

 

Seeing that Shui Que still had the energy to fuss, Qi Chaojin’s lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile. But when he carefully looked at Shui Que’s clothes, his gaze froze.

 

His lips parted a few times, as if wanting to say something, but finally, he only asked, “This clothing…”

 

Shui Que spun around mid-step and looked up at him. “Does it look nice?”

 

Qi Chaojin nodded. “It does.”

 

Not forgetting his vain character setting, Shui Que casually lied, “Third Young Master Cui gave it to me as a gift—a token of apology. His house is really huge…”

 

In truth, the clothes weren’t meant for him—they were prepared for Cui Shixin’s distant cousin.

 

Even as Shui Que told the lie, his heart felt a little guilty.

 

The house really was big, so big it made his feet hurt from walking, but according to his character setting, he was supposed to be full of admiration and envy.

 

So he added, “His bedroom is bigger than our whole courtyard!”

 

He even stretched out his arms to show the size.

 

Qi Chaojin lowered his eyelids and gave a soft “Mm.”

 

Seeing that his mood hadn’t lifted, and with System 77 informing him that the plot progress had ticked up a little, Shui Que fell silent.

 

Qi Chaojin held his hand tighter and said, “When the day comes that I place first on the imperial exam… you can pick any house you want.”

 

But that wasn’t how the plot was supposed to go.

 

Shui Que looked up at him. To comfort him, he still agreed, “Mm.”

 

…

 

After an autumn rain, the season officially turned to autumn. At night, a cool breeze gently crept in by the pillow.

 

Qi Chaojin had to attend classes at the academy.

 

He got up early to make Shui Que a small bowl of congee, quickly ate some pancakes, and then left the house.

 

The moment he was gone, System 77 called Shui Que awake.

【Host, host! Wake up, no more sleeping!】System 77 nudged him with its sticky little puppy-head-shaped gear. 【Qi Chaojin went to the academy. You still need to flutter your lashes at his classmates and teachers, remember?】

 

Shui Que blinked groggily, the light outside the bamboo curtain still dim in the early dawn.

 

He yawned and mumbled, terribly sleepy: 【77… So what should I do?】

 

System 77 clung to him and coaxed, 【The academy allows guest auditors. If you stick close to the male lead at the academy, you’ll naturally progress the plot!】

 

So, for the sake of plot progression, Shui Que had to drag himself out of bed.

 

He had just finished his congee when a light drizzle began to fall outside.

 

The only oil-paper umbrella at home was placed in the corner by the door.

 

Shui Que’s eyes lit up.

 

The male lead probably hadn’t brought an umbrella—wasn’t this the perfect excuse to deliver it?

 

And while he was at it, he could say he wanted to be an auditing student. Surely the male lead would be willing to help pay the fees!

 

So he grabbed the umbrella and headed out.

 

The Xijiang Academy was just a short walk past Bazi Bridge.

Unlike other academies nestled in remote mountains, Xijiang Academy was built in a peaceful spot amidst the bustle—right across the bridge was the main marketplace.

 

Many young scholars came and went at the academy’s gate.

 

Shui Que didn’t look out of place among them—though he was naturally pretty, which earned him a few extra glances.

 

System 77 guided him.

 

Entering through the front gate, the area was filled with characteristic garden scenery typical of the region. The courtyard walls bore no decorative paintings—just plain white walls and green-tiled roofs, understated and simple. Streams and trees complemented each other in a serene harmony.

 

Once past the second gate, the number of people dwindled noticeably—it seemed classes in the study halls had already begun.

 

Aside from Shui Que, there was only a young man in the middle of the pathway, seated in a four-wheeled chair.

 

The stone path was paved with river pebbles of varying sizes. The wooden wheelchair was far less maneuverable than those of later generations. One of the wheels had gotten stuck on a stone, wedging the whole chair into the path.

 

Shui Que stepped forward, crouched down, picked up the pebble and tossed it to the side of the path, then looked up and asked, “Are you headed to class as well, my lord? If you’d like, I can push you there.”

 

The young man’s eyes were dark as ink, and his expression was distant. He gave a polite but indifferent reply: “Thank you, but there’s no need.”

 

He reached out with both hands and slowly began pushing the wooden wheels forward on his own.

 

Shui Que hesitated for a moment, then still ran up beside him and gently placed his hands on the push handles. “Classes have already started in the study halls. If you go at this pace, you’ll be late. Let me help—it’ll be quicker…”

 

The young man’s eyes were half-lidded, gaze fixed on his legs. This time, he didn’t refuse.

 

He remained mostly silent afterward, only responding with a word or two when Shui Que asked for directions.

 

He briefly said, “We’ve arrived.”

 

Shui Que then pushed him into the hall ahead.

 

Inside, the sound of books being read could still be heard.

 

When they entered, the noise immediately stopped.

 

Shui Que spotted a few familiar faces in the lecture hall.

 

Among them was the male lead, sitting at the desk in the third row.

 

They respectfully greeted, “Sir.”

 

Shui Que blinked and looked behind him.

 

There was no one else.

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Huge shoutout to @candycorns2 on Discord for commissioning this! The chapter will be posted regularly, show your support for Ciacia at Kofi.

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