Qi Yu's birthday fell at the end of October. With several days still to go, families in the Capital City with the right connections had already begun making their rounds. The first to submit a visiting card was the Jinghai Marquis Residence. Madam Xie sent over a fine set of the four treasures of the study: a Duan Inkstone, Huizhou Ink, a Huzhou Writing Brush, and Xuan Paper, all of tribute quality. Xie Ning enclosed a note with the card, written in wild cursive, saying his father had told him to send a set of writing supplies, while his own gift was a dagger with turquoise set into the hilt, for Qi Yu to tuck into his boot for protection. Qi Yu laughed after reading the note and said to A Ping, "Did that tiger scare Xie Lao'er so badly last time that he still hasn't got over it? I'm not going tiger hunting again. What do I need a dagger for?"
Soon afterward, the Duke of Min's household sent gifts as well. Wang Yuan came in person with two attendants, bringing a camphorwood chest into the palace. Inside was the Autumn Mountains Hunting Picture by a celebrated artist of the previous dynasty, painted in color on silk and exceptionally well preserved. Wearing a new sapphire-blue robe, Wang Yuan stood at the entrance to Yuning Hall and bowed courteously, saying that his father had specially sought out the painting because he knew His Highness enjoyed hunting. Qi Yu had A Ping hang it up so he could take a look. Layer upon layer of mountains rose in the painting, with several hunters on horseback drawing their bows. It was indeed well painted. "Thank the Duke of Min for me," he said, and had A Ping serve Wang Yuan a cup