Marrying The Imperial Elder Chapter 40

Father Zhen paused slightly when he heard that, but his voice remained gentle. “It’s all right. If you don’t have any use for it now, just keep it for the time being. As your father, everything I should have given my daughter, I’ll make up for one piece at a time.”

Zhen Tingyun unconsciously tightened her grip on her chopsticks. For a moment, she didn’t know what to say.

She naturally knew Father Zhen was speaking sincerely. She understood exactly why he had gone to such lengths to buy her this brand-new qin. But what comes too late is still too late. No matter how sincere the intention, sometimes it arrives at the wrong time. Just as she had already switched to learning the xiao, yet her father had chosen to give her a qin…

Even so, she quickly collected herself. Her eyebrows lifted slightly, and a bright smile appeared on her face. She stood, gave her father a respectful bow, and smiled. “Then thank you very much, Father.”

Seeing his daughter smiling again, Father Zhen felt greatly relieved. He didn’t continue dwelling on the matter. “Good, good. As long as you like it. Today is your birthday, and your grandmother rarely cooks herself anymore. Our whole family can enjoy her cooking together.”

As soon as Father Zhen finished speaking, everyone picked up their chopsticks and began eating the longevity noodles Old Lady Zhen had made.

For Zhen Tingyun, these birthday noodles came only once a year. Knowing they represented her grandmother’s heartfelt affection, they tasted especially delicious. 

Just then, someone arrived at the front gate. Since servants from the outer courtyard couldn’t simply enter the family’s quarters, they first informed one of Madam Pei’s older maids, who then came inside to report. 

“Reporting to Master, Old Madam, and Madam, just now two men arrived at the front gate carrying a small chest. They said it was a birthday gift prepared for Second Miss. The gatekeeper sent someone to ask how it should be handled. The chest is still waiting at the gate.”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present turned to look at Zhen Tingyun.

Even she, the recipient, was momentarily stunned. But after only a moment’s thought, she suddenly understood. She remembered that during her last visit to the Western Hills villa to see Yuanhui, he had casually asked, “If I remember correctly, your birthday is in the fourth month?”

Although he had immediately changed the subject afterward, Yuanhui was not someone who asked unnecessary questions. If he had asked, then he must have had a reason.

Without question, this gift had to be something her teacher had prepared.

Thinking this, Zhen Tingyun relaxed and smiled. “It should be from my teacher. Last time he specifically asked when my birthday was. I think he intended to prepare a gift.”

Madam Pei immediately thought of the mysterious, influential gentleman who supposedly owned an estate in the Western Hills, the teacher connected with Zhen Yiyun’s story.

The smile on her face became even gentler. Still, she lightly scolded her daughter. “You child. We haven’t even presented him with a proper gift to thank him for accepting you as his student. How can we accept a gift from him instead?”

Zhen Tingyun knew perfectly well that her mother didn’t really mean those words. So she replied, “They say, ‘A gift bestowed by one’s elder should not be refused.’ Since Teacher has already sent it, it wouldn’t be right to reject his kindness.”

She instructed the servants to bring the chest inside.

About fifteen minutes later, a young servant carried it in.

The chest wasn’t especially large. The servant could hug it with both arms. But it was obviously quite heavy, and by the time he reached the room, he was breathing hard.

Zhen Yiyun, sitting nearby, had already looked it over several times. Seeing that the chest itself was made of high-quality aged rosewood, she immediately knew the contents must also be valuable. She couldn’t help wondering what was inside. Jealous though she was, she maintained her gentle smile and softly remarked, “It looks like we’ll all be lucky enough to broaden our horizons today.”

Hearing that, Old Lady Zhen cast her an obvious look of displeasure. Then she leisurely replied, “That’s right. I’ve even had the kitchen make some bijing rice porridge… that’s what it’s was called, wasn’t it? Ting Jie’er’s teacher gave that to Ting Jie’er as well. Big Girl, you’ve probably never tasted anything like it before. Today’s your lucky day. Not only do you get to broaden your horizons, you also get to broaden your mouth.”

Hearing this, Zhen Yiyun twisted the handkerchief in her hands into a knot.

That old country woman really came from the countryside, she thought angrily.

She can’t even speak properly! Isn’t she afraid people will laugh at her? Who on earth says “broaden your mouth”?

After exchanging a few more words, everyone at the table engaged in a brief verbal sparring match. Although no one said it aloud, they were all extremely curious about what exactly Zhen Tingyun’s teacher had sent her.

Without waiting for anyone else’s help, Zhen Tingyun stepped forward and opened the rosewood chest herself.

The moment the lid was lifted, dazzling treasures came into view.

Although the chest itself was quite small, it was packed full of gold ewers, jade cups, pearls, gemstones, and every sort of precious jewel and ornament. Every single item inside was worth a fortune. Yet they had all been tossed into the chest together as casually as if they were ordinary stones.

Resting on top was a plain brocade box. Though exquisitely made itself, it looked remarkably modest when surrounded by so many glittering treasures.

Curious, Zhen Tingyun opened it.

Inside was a rolled-up ancient painting. When she carefully unrolled the scroll, graceful court ladies appeared one after another, so vividly painted that they almost seemed alive.

She stared in astonishment.

Behind her, Madam Pei and the others were equally dumbfounded.

After a long moment, it was Old Lady Zhen who recovered first. “My goodness!” she cried. “Has your teacher moved his entire family fortune over here for you?”

There was so much gold, silver, and jewelry. How much money must all of this be worth?

Even someone like Old Lady Zhen, whose eyes always lit up at the sight of money, regained her senses after the initial excitement. She immediately said, “You’re only a child celebrating your birthday. How could you possibly accept gifts this valuable? You silly girl, what are you standing there for? Close the chest at once, lock it up with a sturdy lock, and return it to your teacher. That’s the proper thing to do.”

Although people said that gifts from one’s elders should not be refused, there had to be limits.

No one could casually accept treasures like these. Zhen Tingyun quickly shut the chest. She had always known that wealth could stir people’s hearts. But only now, standing before an entire chest overflowing with riches, did she realize just how fast her own heart could beat.

As she closed the lid, however, she quietly removed the brocade box containing the painting. After calming her breathing slightly, she said, “I’ll just keep this painting. As for everything else, I’ll personally return it to Teacher later.”

Just then, Father Zhen suddenly spoke. “Wait. Let me see that painting.”

For some reason, his voice sounded slightly hoarse. 

Zhen Tingyun paused before opening the brocade box again, taking out the scroll, unrolling it, and handing it to him.

Father Zhen’s fingers trembled as he reached for it. After thinking for a moment, he first carefully wiped his hands with a handkerchief before accepting the scroll with the utmost care. He examined it closely. When he finished, he looked back at his daughter. His expression carried a meaning that was difficult to describe.

Madam Pei, sitting beside him, wore an expression of complete shock and disbelief. Her eyes remained fixed on the painting without even blinking.

Their reactions left Zhen Tingyun utterly confused. Then a thought occurred to her. Tentatively, she asked, “Father… Mother… is this painting very expensive?”

Madam Pei remained silent for a moment before replying, “It’s not simply a question of whether it’s expensive.”

As she spoke, she looked toward Father Zhen, silently asking for his opinion.

Father Zhen gave an almost imperceptible nod. He carefully rolled up the painting again and handed it back to Zhen Tingyun. Only after watching her place it safely back inside its box did he finally let out a long breath. He immediately poured himself a cup of hot tea. Only after drinking more than half of it did he finally feel somewhat calmer. Just moments ago, while examining the painting, he had scarcely dared to breathe. He was afraid that even a cough might stain the scroll. He was afraid that his trembling fingers might accidentally damage it. Only now that it had been safely returned to its case did his heart finally settle.

After taking another deep breath and coughing twice, he answered his daughter’s question. “If your mother and I aren’t mistaken…this is Gu Kaizhi’s Admonitions Scroll to the Court Ladies.”

“It’s the genuine original.”

The title sounded vaguely familiar to Zhen Tingyun. Even so, she still didn’t fully understand.

Seeing that she still hadn’t grasped its significance, Father Zhen continued, “In short, this single painting is worth as much as mountains of gold and silver. No, that isn’t even accurate. Mountains of gold and silver couldn’t buy it. This is a true priceless treasure.”

After catching his breath, Father Zhen urged her, “In any case, put it away immediately. Later, return it to your teacher.”

Hearing that, even Zhen Tingyun’s hands began trembling as she held the painting box. She had actually assumed the painting was probably the least valuable item in the chest. She’d thought that by keeping only the painting, she’d be accepting her teacher’s goodwill without taking too much.

Who would have guessed that the most valuable object in the entire chest was precisely this painting?

A sudden thought crossed her mind.

Could it be that someone else prepared the chest of treasures while this painting alone was personally chosen by Teacher?

But then another question arose. Why would he send her an ancient masterpiece considered literally priceless?

Standing there, she remained lost in thought, her mind tangled in confusion.

By now, Madam Pei had recovered from her shock. She looked first at the treasure chest on the floor, then at her daughter holding the painting box. Anxiously she urged, “Ting Jie’er, these things are far too valuable. If we keep them here and something happens, what then? Don’t delay any longer. Have a carriage prepared immediately. You must personally return everything to your teacher.”

Madam Pei admittedly cared a great deal about wealth. Managing the household finances had made her particularly conscious of money and valuables but she also knew very clearly what could and could not be accepted. Anyone capable of giving away treasures like these had to be someone of immense power and status. How could their family, with no close relationship to such a person, possibly accept them?

Looking around, Zhen Tingyun saw the worry written across Father Zhen’s and Madam Pei’s faces.

Old Lady Zhen looked reluctant to part with the treasures.

Meanwhile, both Zhen Yiyun and Zhen Hengzhe wore complicated expressions.

She understood that her family truly couldn’t keep these gifts. It wasn’t because the gifts were too insignificant. Quite the opposite. They were far too generous. So generous that they exceeded what the Zhen family could comfortably accept.

That was why everyone, from Old Lady Zhen to Madam Pei, was unwilling to keep them. Even Father Zhen, despite his years as an official, felt uneasy in the face of such extravagant gifts.

Taking a deep breath, Zhen Tingyun made her decision immediately. “Very well. I’ll have a carriage prepared right away and return everything to Teacher.”

At that moment, Zhen Yiyun had already regained her composure. Her eyes darted about before she smiled sweetly. “It’s not appropriate for Second Sister to go out alone at this hour. Why don’t I accompany you? I can help carry things too…”

She was simply too curious about this “important person” who could casually send an entire chest of jewels and precious stones along with an ancient painting. There was no way she wasn’t going to find an excuse to meet him.

“I think I’d better not,” Zhen Tingyun replied calmly. “My teacher has rather eccentric habits. If I brought random people to see him without warning, he’d probably be unhappy.”

The moment she heard that, Zhen Yiyun’s face changed. Her eyes reddened as she complained pitifully, “What do you mean by ‘random people’? Father, Mother, listen to her! I only wanted to help, yet Second Sister speaks about me like this!”

“Elder Sister has misunderstood,” Zhen Tingyun answered evenly. “I only spoke casually. Who would have thought that the moment I said it, you’d immediately assume I was talking about you?”

Since she was already in a bad mood, she wasn’t afraid of confronting her sister directly.

If Father Zhen and Madam Pei hadn’t been sitting there, Zhen Yiyun might well have thrown the teacup in her hand straight at Zhen Tingyun’s face.

So what if she has some powerful teacher? What’s so impressive about that? How dare she put on airs in front of me!

Thinking this, Zhen Yiyun looked toward her parents again with tears glistening in her eyes.

Fortunately, Father Zhen and Madam Pei were far more sensible than their eldest daughter.

Patting Zhen Yiyun’s hand, Madam Pei dismissed the matter with a single sentence. “Be good. He’s your younger sister’s teacher. It really wouldn’t be appropriate for you to accompany her.”

Father Zhen nodded in agreement.

In truth, after hearing what Zhen Tingyun had said, both he and Madam Pei abandoned any thoughts of asking about the teacher’s identity. Since the other party had chosen not to reveal himself, it was best for their family to pretend they knew nothing.

Sometimes power was a double-edged sword.

The closer one stood to power, the closer one stood to its blade. Given the Zhen family’s current status, if they rushed forward recklessly, they would likely only cut themselves. It was far wiser to play the fool and proceed one step at a time. Only after the other party voluntarily revealed his identity and intentions should they decide how to respond.

After thinking it over, Father Zhen said, “Let Ting Jie’er go by herself. We’ll simply wait for her at home.”

Then he sighed. “I had hoped that, now that our family is finally together again, we could properly celebrate your birthday. I never imagined something like this would happen instead.”

His daughter was being forced to run back and forth on her birthday. 

“I understand Father’s and Mother’s feelings,” Zhen Tingyun replied respectfully with lowered eyes. “Once I’ve returned everything to Teacher and paid my respects to him, I’ll come right back to have dinner with Grandmother and both of you.”

“You don’t have to hurry so much,” Madam Pei said gently. “If your teacher has matters to attend to, then as his student you should stay and serve him if necessary. There’s no need to rush home.”

Zhen Tingyun acknowledged each of her mother’s instructions.

Without further delay, she had the servants carry the chest and left with them.