She smiled and said, "Alright, I’ll also send you two large winter melons, guaranteed to be sweet and juicy. Plus some lotus roots from our yard, maybe even some nice lanterns. Is there anything else you want?"

Xiao Dong thought for a while, swinging his feet, and said, "I don’t really want anything else for now. I’ll tell you when I think of something; there’s still plenty of time."

Qin Yuan then asked Cui Ming to bring out the picture album she had collected a few days ago and give it to Xiao Dong.

"These are all about teaching how to draw flowers and plants, and there are copies of famous artists’ floral and insect paintings. Take it back and have a look. If you’re waiting for Sixth Master, you might as well draw for a while. I’ll keep an eye out for Sixth Master’s movement; if it’s the Marquis you’re waiting for, I’ve heard he has guests again, not sure when they’ll leave. If you only wish to chat with me, I’ll get someone to prepare some food for you, and you can sit here and keep me company while I handle some miscellaneous matters."

Xiao Dong took it and said with a smile, "Then I’ll eat first, Master is still waiting for me at Renhe Hall; Senior Sister, you don’t need to keep me company if you’re busy."

His shiny eyes were full of mischievous, joyful laughter, clearly at ease and relaxed.

Qin Yuan said, "I have so much good food here, just make sure you don’t eat until you can’t move."

Xiao Dong said, "Then, Senior Sister, have Housekeeper Cao prepare a carriage to take me back."

"Haha," Hong Ye couldn’t help but laugh and instructed the little maid outside, "Go, ask for two bowls of milk pudding, add more pieces of winter melon and honey. Also, bring some soft glutinous snacks, and just a couple of each of the fruits sent from the south a few days ago."

Xiao Dong recited "Amitabha Buddha" while listening, and after Hong Ye finished speaking, he said, "Sister Hong Ye, you are really too kind."

Qin Yuan watched him fooling around and couldn’t help but laugh.

Xiao Dong found delight in himself. Growing up without parents under Doctor Li’s care, he still felt sorry for others losing their mothers. Thinking about such a young age, it’s unknown how he’s gotten by all these years.

Qin Yuan couldn’t help but want to show him more affection.

Seeing this, Cui Ming said, "Miss, I’ll ask the sewing room to prepare clothes, hats, shoes, and socks for Doctor Li and Xiao Dong for the festival; they’ll be ready before the holiday."

Qin Yuan greatly appreciated it, "Your arrangement is very good; when there are many things to handle, there are always some overlooked areas."

Cui Ming smiled, "I’ll have the small kitchen make some eight-treasure pumpkin rice and some small snacks for Xiao Dong to take back and honor Doctor Li; these will stay fresh for a day without a problem."

"Go ahead and arrange it."

Qin Yuan glanced at Xiao Dong, who was sitting in a chair with his mouth stuffed full, walked over to the writing desk, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, wrote a few lines, and then put it down.

Since it needs to be taken to the Imperial College for the challenge, it must be carefully crafted.

Qin Yuan wrote intermittently, occasionally chatting with Xiao Dong.

Hong Ye asked, "Earlier, Miss mentioned calling Shen Changle over. Now that he’s here..."

Xiao Dong asked, "Should I avoid the area then?"

Qin Yuan said, "No need, it’s just some small matters. Just don’t repeat what you hear."

Xiao Dong sat in his chair, remaining motionless.

Qin Yuan let Shen Changle in. Shen Changle saw Xiao Dong, though surprised, he didn’t show it, greeted respectfully, and asked, "Madam, are you here to discuss the poetry collection?"

Qin Yuan asked back, "Why do you say that?"

Shen Changle said, "The Marquis ordered a thousand taels of silver for the challenge prize, but I don’t have any plans yet."

Qin Yuan knew he was just saying it; he certainly already had arrangements in mind, so she asked, "Are you worried this silver isn’t enough?"

"Of course not," Shen Changle quickly answered, "I just think it’s too much. A hundred taels of silver would suffice, the rest could be spent on printing. Yu Yuantang’s poetry collection uses illustrations from Sixth Master and a painter, though it’s a bit cumbersome, but it looks exquisite and nice, far surpassing others. Scholars love to collect them, and some buy them to give to girls to appreciate. I was just thinking, the surplus silver could be spent on making the plates."

Literary scholars love elegant things, and boudoir girls love exquisite ones; Shen Changle was indeed meticulous. Qin Yuan said, "As you wish, even without a penny as a prize, students can’t help but join in the contest; having a prize adds more allure."

Shen Changle said, "If that’s the case, perhaps the prizes should be more elegant, like pens, ink, paper, inkstones, or jade pendants, ornaments, and the like."

Qin Yuan said, "Exactly, since the challenge is set up under the name of Sixth Master, it can also use Ranxiang Inn’s incense. Scholars are fond of elegant names; these as prizes are quite fitting for their status." 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Shen Changle smiled and said, "Then I’ll arrange it this way, each match with a different prize; it will be more interesting."

Qin Yuan said, "You make the decision, and if things don’t go as planned, feel free to adapt."

Shen Changle’s plump and harmonious face showed a hint of a smile, saying, "With Madam’s trust, I will make sure to handle it well, ensuring no embarrassment for Madam."

Qin Yuan said, "I trust your ability to work. Why wouldn’t I? Just go ahead and do it, and if there’s anything uncertain, come ask me."

Shen Changle said, "Ever since I followed the master to the Marquis Mansion, my fortunes have turned, earning the master’s favor. I often think, in this life, I’m truly lucky to have met the master."

Qin Yuan said, "You have ambition and skill. Among my accompaniment servants, you’re the most useful. Alright, Shen Changle, stop sighing. Today, when you return, gather any lines hinting about the outside to do with what needs doing; also, inform those who meet with Gu Shiliu and Gu Shiba."

Shen Changle paused for a second, then said, "Yes."

Qin Yuan said, "If you have nothing else to say, then go attend to your affairs."

Shen Changle asked, "Does the master not wish to see the poetry collection accounts?"

Qin Yuan said, "No hurry, I’ll see them after you’ve set the operations in motion."

Implication being, Shen Changle was given a time period to maneuver without too much financial oversight, showing considerable leniency and trust.

Shen Changle left even more loyal than when he came.

Xiao Dong was puzzled, asking, "Senior Sister is planning to print a new poetry collection again? Is Sixth Master Gu’s poetry collection selling well? And, Sixth Master Gu’s paintings sell well too?"

Doctor Li constantly commented by his side that Sixth Master Gu was wasteful, only a rich son could indulge like that.

Unexpectedly, Senior Sister is planning a new poetry collection, and listening to Shen Changle, it seems to be selling quite well.

"Didn’t I say that once you’re able to draw the commonly used medical cases, I’d get them printed for you? Was that just idle talk? Shen Changle now manages my dowry shop in the West Market. Last time he printed a collection for Sixth Master, seeing it sold well, he plans to make a bigger deal. When you’re able to draw it, perhaps my dowry shop will have become a well-known bookstore, and you can wait for me to print your medical book."

Xiao Dong was astonished, "Senior Sister thinks that far ahead?"

"Indeed, one must think long-term and proceed step by step, haven’t you heard? Spending on food doesn’t lead to poverty, nor does drinking. Failing to plan for a lifetime leads to poverty, Xiao Dong, you need to work hard."

Xiao Dong suddenly lost his appetite.