After Xie Qiaoyu finished washing up, he ate two buns before heading to Xie Furen’s courtyard. It was just morning, and the servants and maids of the Xie Mansion were sweeping up the fallen leaves from last night’s wind, the rustling sound echoing throughout the mansion. Xie Qiaoyu stood at the gate of Xie Furen’s courtyard.

Tian Mama had just returned from having breakfast in the kitchen. The master hadn’t woken up yet, so it was a rare moment to slack off. She held a high position in the mansion, being Xie Furen’s dowry maid, and her status had only risen over time, making her even more remarkable.

“The third young master is here!” A young maid, not daring to let Xie Qiaoyu in, ran inside to seek Tian Mama’s advice.

Tian Mama walked out, muttering to herself, “What is he doing here at this hour?”

She gave Xie Qiaoyu a perfunctory bow, “Third young master, is there something you need from Furen?”

Xie Qiaoyu didn’t take offense and said, “I’ve come to pay my respects to Furen.”

“It’s too early for that!” Tian Mama suspected Xie Qiaoyu had some mischief in mind.

“This is my filial duty, I’ve come to pay my respects to Furen! Furen! Are you still asleep?!” Xie Qiaoyu replied loudly, afraid others wouldn’t hear.

Tian Mama, standing closest to Xie Qiaoyu, felt her head buzzing from his sudden loud voice.

Hearing Xie Qiaoyu’s words, everyone in the courtyard was a bit taken aback.

“Third young master, please go back. Furen is not awake yet,” Tian Mama said, holding back her anger.

“How can that be? Let me wake Furen up, I want to show my filial piety!” Xie Qiaoyu’s voice was still loud, showing no restraint.

Tian Mama signaled to a few young maids, intending to drag Xie Qiaoyu out to prevent him from disturbing Xie Furen’s sleep. Seeing this, Xie Qiaoyu got even more spirited.

“Who dares to touch me? I’m here to show my filial piety to Furen, and you servants dare to insult me? Let go of me!!!” His voice remained loud, even trying to turn the tables.

*

Xie Furen was still in bed, hearing the commotion outside, she rubbed her temples, her face full of frustration, “What’s all this noise?”

“Furen, it’s the third young master outside saying he wants to pay his respects to you, but it’s still early, so Tian Mama stopped him. The third young master refuses to leave, and they’re at a standstill,” Gui Xiang said, handing Xie Furen a damp cloth.

Xie Furen was speechless, her chest heaving. She originally wanted to trouble Xie Qiaoyu, but didn’t expect this troublesome one to wake up so early. She didn’t want to get up so early to receive Xie Qiaoyu’s respects.

“Tell him to go back, he can skip paying respects today.”

“Yes, Furen.” Gui Xiang went out to deliver the message.

Gui Xiang walked out with a smile, “Third young master, Furen asks you to go back today.”

Xie Qiaoyu responded and didn’t argue further, but still spoke loudly, “Thank you, Furen!”

Gui Xiang’s face froze for a moment. She saw that Xie Qiaoyu was a beauty like jade, yet he spoke so loudly, like a robust man on the street.

“……”

Xie Qiaoyu thought he couldn’t have woken up so early for nothing, so he planned to visit Xie Weixia’s courtyard to improve their brotherly relationship, striving for “brotherly love and respect.”

Xie Weixia was still in a dream when he heard a wailing sound, followed by sobbing, and many footsteps moving around the courtyard. He suspected he had encountered some demon or ghost.

He couldn’t open his eyes, nor did he want to.

“What’s going on?”

“Young master, it’s the third young master inviting you to the garden to admire the flowers.”

Xie Weixia opened his eyes and saw the sky was still somewhat dark, thinking to himself that he must be crazy.

“I’m not going, just send him away,” Xie Weixia said, covering himself with the blanket, not wanting to deal with Xie Qiaoyu.

The young servant looked bitter, wishing he could send Xie Qiaoyu away, but he couldn’t.

Xie Weixia closed his eyes, the courtyard quieted down, and he prepared to continue sleeping. But soon, the noise grew even louder.

“Young master, the third young master insists on admiring the flowers with you and refuses to leave,” the young servant said cautiously.

Xie Weixia threw a pillow, flipping over like a carp, sitting up with his hair draped behind him like a male ghost.

“I must teach him a lesson!” Xie Weixia was furious.

Xie Qiaoyu noticed the young servant hadn’t returned for a long time, and he had been making a fuss for a while. He decided to head back, “Don’t pull me, don’t drag me, I’ll leave on my own. I’ll find second brother to admire the flowers tomorrow.”

Xie Qiaoyu leisurely walked away.

Upon hearing this news, Xie Weixia nearly ground his teeth to dust. He immediately took off his clothes and crawled back into bed to sleep, but he was too angry to fall asleep, leaving him in a bad mood.

*

Xie Qiaoyu returned to his courtyard, full of energy from going to bed early. He placed the handkerchiefs he made into a basket, planning to have Yao He sell them for him. He was still very concerned about his reputation and didn’t want people to know that the son of the county magistrate had to sell handkerchiefs to make money.

After visiting Xie Furen and Xie Weixia on the first day, Xie Qiaoyu continued to wake up early for several days to pay respects and foster brotherly love. Xie Furen and Xie Weixia couldn’t take it anymore, and Xie Furen finally excused Xie Qiaoyu from paying respects.

This finally calmed down the early-rising third young master.

“That little rascal needs to be dealt with,” Xie Furen said with a kind face, holding a white cat and combing its fur.

“The old furen is going to the village in Shuifuzhen. Why not have the old furen take the third young master with her?” Tian Mama suggested obsequiously.

Xie Furen pondered for a moment. She knew the old furen’s strong-willed nature and disdain for illegitimate children. If Xie Qiaoyu went to the village, he would be in a place where no one could hear his cries for help.

Xie Furen put down the white cat, patting Tian Mama’s hand affectionately, “You really are here to solve my problems.”

At this time, Xie Qiaoyu was unaware of Xie Furen’s plans. He was called over by Xie Zhi.

Xie Zhi said, “Qiaoyu, I’ve heard you’ve been waking up early these days. The morning is the best time of the day, you should spend it reading more. Reading can make you more fulfilled.”

Xie Qiaoyu was stunned.

He didn’t want to read, nor did he want to wake up so early.

Xie Zhi’s expression was sincere, and Xie Qiaoyu knew Xie Zhi was quite oblivious in this regard.

“Big brother, no need, I still prefer sleeping in.”

Xie Zhi: “……”

Xie Qiaoyu received the money for his rouge and handkerchiefs, a full ten taels of silver.

Before he could enjoy his happiness for a few days, Liu Mama from the old furen’s side came to his Yiju Courtyard, smiling as she said, “Third young master, quickly pack your things and go with the old furen to Shuifuzhen.”

Xie Qiaoyu asked in surprise, “I have to go to Shuifuzhen?”

Liu Mama said, “Furen mentioned that the third young master wants to show filial piety, and the old furen, moved by your filial heart, plans to take you back with her. You’ll leave tomorrow, so it’s best to pack your things early.”

As Liu Mama continued speaking, Xie Qiaoyu felt his soul leaving his body.

“Third young master, the village has everything, so you don’t need to bring much. Tomorrow morning, wake up early, and we’ll take the carriage back together. The old furen also said that your Buddhist scripture copying is neat, showing a steady nature, and you can join her in worship, farming, raising chickens, and even cooking to improve your culinary skills.”

After Liu Mama finished and left, Xie Qiaoyu’s world felt like it was collapsing.

Him, worship?

Him, farming?

Him, raising chickens?

Him, improving culinary skills?