We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 423: A Hundred Years of Happiness

Morning.

Qin Siyao woke early from the Qin Kingdomʼs envoy manor.

Just like usual, after washing up with the help of her maidservants, Qin Siyao sat in the courtyard for an hour in seated meditation, then read books for half an hour.

For Qin Siyao, what were originally the two most detested activities of cultivation and reading had already become daily habits. Even scattered bits of free time would be utilized by Qin Siyao for cultivation.

Past the midpoint of the hour of si, Qin Siyao set down the book in her hands and said to the maidservant Mingyue beside her, ”Letʼs go. Weʼll go out for a stroll.”

”Is Your Highness going to the imperial palace?” Mingyue asked.

Ever since arriving at the Zhou Kingdomʼs imperial capital, whenever their mistress had free time, she would go to the Zhou Kingdomʼs imperial palace.

Now, less than half a month remained until the wedding ceremony.

The Zhou Kingdom etiquette that Her Majesty needed to learn had all concluded yesterday. The remaining time was all free.

So in Mingyueʼs view, these days Her Majesty should frequently head to the Zhou Kingdomʼs imperial palace.
”No.” Qin Siyao smiled and shook her head. ”Compared to the Zhou Kingdomʼs imperial palace, thereʼs another place I want to visit today.”

After speaking, Qin Siyao stood up and walked toward the outside of the envoy manor.

Mingyue quickly hurried to follow.

Half an hour later, the carriage Qin Siyao rode stopped before a small courtyard.

Mingyue helped Her Majesty down from the carriage.

Mingyue examined this secluded and ordinary small courtyard, curious about who lived in this courtyard that could make Her Majesty personally come.

Qin Siyao stepped forward and knocked on the door once lightly, then twice heavily.

”Coming, please wait a moment.”

After Qin Siyao knocked three times on the door, Mingyue heard a womanʼs voice from within the courtyard.

Soon, the door opened. A woman who appeared no more than twenty-some years old stood before Qin Siyao and Mingyue.

”Hello, does Young Master Jin Yuan live here?” Qin Siyao asked with a smile.

”Yes, this humble wife is his spouse, named Ji Yue. May I ask who you are, young lady?”

Ji Yue stared blankly at Qin Siyao.

Ji Yue had never seen such a beautiful woman before. Her skin was as fair as paper made from white snow, and under the morning sunlightʼs glow, it looked ready to break at a touch.

Moreover, this womanʼs features were extremely beautiful, and her figure was also very good.

Every movement had the bearing of a refined lady from a great family.

In Ji Yueʼs view, the woman before her seemed to have walked out of a painting.

She had never seen such a beautiful woman.

”Iʼve met Madam. Itʼs like this, my father appreciates Young Master Jin Yuanʼs calligraphy, so Iʼve come especially to request two calligraphy pieces. I wonder if Young Master Jin would be available?” Qin Siyao said with a smile.

”I see. Naturally heʼs available. Please come in, both of you.”

Ji Yue hurriedly led Qin Siyao into the courtyard.

Qin Siyao sat on a stone stool while Mingyue attended at her side.

Ji Yue took out tea leaves from the room and brewed a pot of tea for the two.

”Thereʼs no good tea in the house. I hope you ladies wonʼt mind,” Ji Yue said as she handed over the teacups.

”Madam is too kind.” Qin Siyao received the teacup with both hands. ”This tea is already very good.”

Ji Yue smiled slightly, knowing the other was being polite. ”Please wait a little while. My husband should be returning from the private school soon. Please forgive us.”

”Weʼre the ones who came unexpectedly. We should be the ones apologizing,” Qin Siyao said, taking a sip of tea. ”Madamʼs skills are truly excellent.”

”You jest, young lady. Iʼm glad you find it drinkable.” Ji Yue poured another cup of tea for Qin Siyao. ”By the way, how did your honored father come to know of my husband?”

”Itʼs like this. When my father passed by the White Elephant Private School, he curiously went in to take a look and happened to see Young Master Jin writing. At that time, my father wanted to request a calligraphy piece but Young Master Jin was teaching at the time, and my father didnʼt want to disturb him, nor did he have time to wait until the class ended.

So today, he sent me to visit.”

Qin Siyao explained with the excuse she had prepared long ago.

”I see.” Ji Yue nodded, believing Qin Siyaoʼs explanation.

Afterward, the two conversed back and forth, gradually chatting more.

Mingyue attended at the side, observing this courtyard.

The courtyard was very simple, even somewhat dilapidated. However, the woman conversing with Her Majesty didnʼt seem like an impoverished commoner. From her speech and manner, she was at least a literate lady who had studied, and quite beautiful too.

In Mingyueʼs view, Ji Yueʼs appearance was only three parts inferior to their mistress.

For someone to possess seven parts of Her Majestyʼs beauty was already an extremely rare thing!

Aside from this womanʼs manner of speaking and appearance, what made Mingyue most curious was still Her Majestyʼs attitude toward this woman.

How to put it?

It felt as if Her Majesty had known the other for a very, very long time.

Her Majesty seemed to be conversing with a relative not seen for many years, naturally carrying a sense of intimacy.

Later, listening to Her Majestyʼs conversation with this woman, Mingyue came to understand that they werenʼt originally from the Zhou Kingdomʼs capital. They were from Jiangnan.

Ji Yue was indeed a refined lady, and her status was not low. She wasnʼt from an ordinary merchant family, but was born into an official family. However, by chance, Ji Yue fell in love with a poor scholar. This person was Ji Yueʼs current husband, Jin Yuan.

Ji Yue was determined to marry this poor scholar but her parents didnʼt agree.

Although Ji Yue appeared gentle, she was indeed a woman of strong character.

She directly took her private savings and jewelry box and eloped with the man named Jin Yuan.

The two took heaven and earth as their matchmaker and stars and moon as their witnesses, performing the wedding ceremony.

Afterward, Jin Yuan passed the provincial examination, then came to the capital for the imperial examination, residing in this courtyard while waiting for the spring examination to begin.

Because the two had very little travel money remaining, Ji Yue managed household affairs while doing needlework to supplement their income.

The man called Jin Yuan, aside from preparing for exams, would teach at a private school and also sell calligraphy pieces.

Although the twoʼs life was quite difficult, from Ji Yueʼs eyes one couldnʼt see the slightest complaint, but rather a kind of simple happiness.

”Wife, Iʼm home.”

About a quarter hour later, just as Qin Siyao and Ji Yue were chatting enthusiastically, a manʼs voice came from outside the courtyard gate.

Ji Yue quickly stood up, opened the courtyard gate, and happily welcomed her husband. ”Husband, youʼre back.”

”Iʼm back.”

The man named Jin Yuan nodded, then his gaze fell on the two women in the courtyard.

From these two peopleʼs clothing, especially the seated woman, their status was definitely extraordinary, at minimum a wealthy familyʼs daughter.

”Wife, these two are?” Jin Yuan asked.

”Husband, this is the daughter of a Master Qin from the city. Master Qin once saw your calligraphy and thought it very good, so he specially sent Miss Qin to request a calligraphy piece.” Ji Yue explained.

”I see.” After understanding, Jin Yuan quickly stepped forward and bowed in salute. ”This humble one is Jin Yuan. Iʼve met you both, young ladies.”

”Weʼve met Young Master Jin.” Qin Siyao and Mingyue curtsied in return.

”Iʼve kept you ladies waiting. I truly apologize. This humble scholar will go fetch brush, ink, paper, and inkstone immediately.” Jin Yuan said.

”This wife will help husband fetch them.” Before her husband could trouble himself, Ji Yue quickly walked into the room and brought out the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

In the courtyard, Ji Yue carefully ground ink for her husband.

When it was about ready, Jin Yuan picked up the brush and asked Qin Siyao, ”I wonder what words your honored father would like written?”

”Just write...”

Qin Siyao thought for a moment, then glanced at the couple Jin Yuan and Ji Yue. The corners of her mouth lifted as she smiled.

”Write the eight characters ʼPeace and Joy,ʼ ʼA Hundred Years of Happiness.ʼ”

”Very well. Please wait a moment, young lady.”

Jin Yuan rolled up his sleeves, dipped in ink, and carefully and stroke by stroke wrote on the calligraphy piece.

After finishing the eight characters, Jin Yuan carefully set down the brush.

Looking at the characters heʼd written, Jin Yuan felt quite satisfied.

”I wonder what the young lady thinks? If itʼs not good, this humble one can rewrite it.” Jin Yuan asked the woman beside him.

Whether he was satisfied didnʼt matter, the customer had to find it good.

Looking at the eight characters above, Qin Siyao nodded with satisfaction. ”Thank you for your hard work, Young Master Jin. These eight characters are written extremely well, without any problems. Young Master Jinʼs talent truly is exceptional.”

After speaking, Qin Siyao took out a small box from her sleeve and handed it to Ji Yue. ”This is the payment for the calligraphy. Please accept it, both of you.”

Ji Yue received the box. Opening it, inside were actually eight small gold ingots.

”This...” Ji Yue was startled and quickly closed the box, handing it back. ”Miss Qin, youʼve given too much. We cannot accept this.”

”Thatʼs right, Miss Qin. This humble scholar is not some great calligrapher. That my writing can receive your honored fatherʼs appreciation already makes me feel extremely honored. How could I dare accept so much payment?” Jin Yuan also quickly said. ”Young lady, just give twenty wen.”

Qin Siyao shook her head and insisted. ”It should be what it should be. I believe Young Master Jinʼs calligraphy is worth this much money, so itʼs worth this much money.

If Young Master Jin still feels undeserving, then please work hard in the spring examination.

In the future after passing with honors, Young Master Jinʼs calligraphy will all be worth thousands of gold. How much more so one gold ingot per character today?”

”This...” Jin Yuan still felt it improper in his heart.

This really was too much.

”If Young Master Jin continues to be so polite, that would actually be less beautiful.” Qin Siyao smiled.

Jin Yuan looked at her, then at the gold in his hand, and finally at the calligraphy piece heʼd written.

How could he not know that while she indeed wanted his calligraphy, she also had the intention to support his examination preparations?

Likely she was using the name of calligraphy payment to subsidize his daily living and study expenses.

After some hesitation, Jin Yuan didnʼt continue being falsely modest. He bowed deeply in salute. ”I wonder where your honored fatherʼs residence is? If this humble scholar passes the spring examination with honors, in the future I will certainly repay you!”

”One hand delivers calligraphy, one hand delivers money. This was originally what you deserved, Young Master. What talk is there of repayment?” Qin Siyao smiled gently and personally collected the dried scroll. ”Since Iʼve obtained the calligraphy, Siyao wonʼt disturb you two further. Iʼll take my leave now.”

”This...”

Ji Yue glanced at her husband.

She had the same thought as her husband, both wanting to know the other partyʼs residence.

Not to curry favor, but truly wanting to thank and repay them if there was an opportunity in the future.

”This humble scholar understands.” Since the other wouldnʼt say, Jin Yuan didnʼt insist. ”We husband and wife will see the young lady off.”

”Mm.” Qin Siyao didnʼt refuse this.

The Jin Yuan couple saw Qin Siyao out of the courtyard.

”Seeing us to the gate is enough. Weʼll take our leave first.” Qin Siyao and Mingyue boarded the carriage.

”Please go slowly, young lady.” Jin Yuan and Ji Yue bowed in salute.

Qin Siyao nodded and lowered the carriage curtain.

”Hyah!”

As the whip struck the horse, the carriage drove into the distance, soon disappearing at the end of the street.

”Husband... who was that young lady? Does husband truly not know any Master Qin family in the capital?”

Standing at the courtyard entrance, Ji Yue asked her husband.

”I truly donʼt know.” Jin Yuan smiled bitterly and shook his head. ”You and I have only been in the capital for a month and a half. Iʼve also been teaching at the private school all day. Thereʼs no one surnamed Qin at the private school either. I really canʼt think of who it could be.”

”However...” Jin Yuan looked toward where the carriage had disappeared, his brow furrowing. ”I donʼt know why, but I always feel Iʼve seen this young lady somewhere before, and thereʼs an inexplicable sense of familiarity... as if... as if she were a younger sister not seen for a long time... it really feels strange...”

”Husband also has this feeling?” Ji Yue blinked. ”When I saw this Miss Qin, I also felt Iʼd seen her before. I felt extremely close to her, as if Iʼd known her for a long time, so I chatted with her about many things, and even told her about our elopement.”

As she spoke, Ji Yueʼs eyes brightened. ”Could it be because this young lady knew our life was difficult, so she gave extra payment?”

”Perhaps it really is that simple.”

Jin Yuan took his wifeʼs small hand.

”Forget it, letʼs not think about these things.

Since sheʼs so generous with money, even in the capital, sheʼs not from a small household.

With just a little inquiry, we should be able to find out.

If in the spring examination, your husband passes with honors, you and I will visit to thank them for todayʼs kindness.

Moreover, if I pass with honors, from then on, Yueʼer, you wonʼt have to live a hard life with me anymore.”

Ji Yue shook her head and said gently, ”This wife has never felt that being with husband is a hard life. As long as Iʼm together with husband, everything is worth it.”

Hearing his wifeʼs words, Jin Yuanʼs heart was gently touched.

He reached out his hand and drew his wife into his embrace, tenderly stroking her hair. ”Yueʼer, thank you. Rest assured, this time, your husband will definitely pass in the first division and take you home in glory!”

In the carriage, Qin Siyao unfurled the calligraphy pieces, looking at the eight characters written above.

Mingyue also sat beside her mistress looking.

”Your Majesty, is that scholarʼs calligraphy really that good?”

This scholarʼs writing was indeed not bad, but no matter how Mingyue looked at it, she didnʼt feel it reached the level of one gold ingot per character.

”Of course itʼs good. In the future, it will get better and better.”

After speaking, Qin Siyao rolled up the two calligraphy pieces and gently tossed them out the carriage window.

The two calligraphy pieces flew toward that dilapidated courtyard like autumn leaves.

The calligraphy pieces floated above the courtyard. The eight characters separated from the paper, one character at a time, imprinting on the left and right sides of the courtyard gate.

Wishing Second Brother and Sister-in-law,

”Peace and Joy.”

”A Hundred Years of Happiness.”