Chapter 760: Brother

Late February,

The capital has put away its lanterns,

The massive lanterns before Xuande Gate vanished within days, broken down into wooden or metal parts, gone without a trace—none would be seen again until next year.

Lanterns throughout the city’s streets and alleys were also taken down.

Though lanterns were fewer, carriages and pedestrians on the streets had increased.

At dawn,

From Quyuanjie to Jiying Alley, Xu Zaijing saw several carriages adorned with silk flowers.

Whenever he heard the rumble of wheels, Yun Xiang inside would lift the curtain to glance outside, her gaze often sweeping over the silk flowers on the carriage.

Upon arriving at the Sheng residence,

Yun Xiang carried her book box behind Xu Zaijing, heading toward the study courtyard.

“Young Master, I’ve noticed there are more carriages on the road these past few days.”

“They’re likely noble daughters from noble households going out to welcome spring.”

Looking at her young master, Yun Xiang said: “Young Master, it’s still cold! Why are the noble daughters so eager to welcome spring?”

Sniffing the air filled with the scent of coal smoke from heated floors, Yun Xiang added: “There’s nothing much to see at this time!”

Xu Zaijing turned his head to look at Yun Xiang and smiled: “Little girl, do you really think all noble daughters in the capital can go out every day like you?”

Yun Xiang’s eyes flickered, and a shy smile appeared on her face: “Of course not.”

“Exactly! Noble daughters have been cooped up all winter; only during the Lantern Festival could they venture out for a stroll and some relief.”

“Now that the lanterns are gone, they can go outside to play—wouldn’t you be eager to go out if it were you?”

Listening to Xu Zaijing’s words, Yun Xiang pressed her lips: “Young Master, I misunderstood.”

Xu Zaijing nodded: “Mm. Actually, by now, many plum blossoms have already bloomed in gardens inside and outside the capital—there’s some scenery worth seeing.”

Yun Xiang nodded eagerly: “Then Young Master, when Yin Bo spoke of going out to welcome spring as ‘walking away illness,’ what’s the meaning behind it?”

Stepping over the threshold,

Entering the study courtyard,

Xu Zaijing paused a moment, then said: “The weather isn’t too cold now. The girls have been cooped up all winter; going out for a walk, stretching their limbs, and basking in the sun while watching plants sprout benefits their health.”

“And gathering to drink tea, burn incense, laugh, and chat enhances these benefits even more.”

“Young Master, you know so much!” Yun Xiang smiled.

Xu Zaijing chuckled and shook his head, then lifted the cotton curtain and entered the study.

In fact, ancient times offered little entertainment; men like Xu Zaijing could go out to stroll and socialize.

Noble daughters like Chai Zhengzheng and Gu Tingyi also had elegant gatherings—warm stove parties, incense-tasting meetings—to network.

Those noble daughters neither top-tier nor lowly, wealthy and idle with nothing to do, mostly stayed indoors embroidering, painting, or practicing calligraphy, occasionally playing pot-throwing or leaf cards.

Being locked in one courtyard all winter could truly make one depressed.

Going out to welcome spring now benefits body and mind.

In the study,

Morning and morning classes were held,

At noon, classmates often exchanged news about court affairs.

Since Duke Qi and Sheng Hong frequently attended court sessions, their sons heard more news.

Thus, Xu Zaijing, Zai Zhang, and Gu Tingye mostly listened, while Qi Heng and Chang Bai spoke more.

“Father says the negotiations between the two states are nearing their end; soon, the remaining lands of former Fengzhou will fully belong to our dynasty,” Qi Heng said with a smile.

“Getting Beiliao to give up that territory won’t be easy!” Gu Tingye said.

Chang Zhang in front nodded in agreement: “Second Young Master is right. The land Beiliao holds is precisely the essential route for western merchants entering Beiliao! They’ve even set up official trading posts there, earning substantial revenue.”

“Then it must be Marquis Xu sending troops to garrison it?” Gu Tingye added.

Seeing Qi Heng nod, Chang Feng also nodded and said: “Big Brother Xu is in Jiuyuan—it must be Marquis Xu sending troops.”

After nodding several times, Qi Heng looked at Xu Zaijing, who shook his head, and asked puzzled: “Jing Ge, isn’t it?”

Looking around, Xu Zaijing nodded: “I suspect it’ll be General Cao Lao, the Marquis of Tuoxi, who sends troops.”

Chang Bai in front nodded in agreement.

Before this war with Beiliao, Mongol tribes’ southern horse trade passed through the Xu family’s territory, following imperial regulations, and the Xu family profited greatly.

Now that Beiliao is giving up a rich territory, the Xu family won’t be greedy.

The Cao family is the maternal clan of Imperial Prince Zhao Fang; they should claim this share, and no one in court would object.

Gu Tingye also nodded and continued: “Pity is, no matter how they negotiate, Beiliao refuses to hand over Datong Prefecture.”

Xu Zaijing shook his head and smiled: “Second Young Master, Datong Prefecture is Beiliao’s Western Capital! Beiliao people aren’t fools—why would they surrender such a vital place just because of one battle’s outcome?”

Gu Tingye chuckled: “Still, one can dream.”

Hearing this, everyone in the study chuckled softly.

At the front, Chang Zhi had been listening attentively since the beginning.

Only when the others stopped discussing court affairs did he lower his head and resume writing.

Thus,

The students studied morning and afternoon, discussed court affairs at noon, and sometimes consulted Master Zhuang on court matters.

During lessons, Master Zhuang would also test them using current court affairs.

Days passed, and soon the first lunar month ended.

On a day in mid-February,

In the morning,

The sun had just risen,

In the Sheng residence’s Jin’an Study,

Wei Shuyi was focused on embroidery by the bright window.

Nearby, the maid Qiujiang poured boiling water from a kettle into a hand warmer.

After a “whoosh” sound, Qiujiang replaced the silk cover over the hand warmer and carried it to Wei Shuyi: “Little Lady, fresh hot water—warm your hands.”

Wei Shuyi took the hand warmer and smiled sideways at Qiujiang.

“Madam Liu is here,” called a young maid outside.

The mistress and maid quickly rose and walked toward the door.

After welcoming Madam Liu, who carried a small bundle, into the room, Wei Shuyi said: “Qiujiang, serve tea.”

Madam Liu waved her hand with a smile: “Little Lady, no need to trouble yourself! I’ll say two words and return to Lady’s side! Qiujiang, don’t bother.”

Wei Shuyi said: “Madam Liu, how can this be!”

Madam Liu smiled and handed the small bundle to Wei Shuyi: “The eldest daughter heard Seventh Young Master is about to take the county examination, so she specially found a wolf pelt in the Marquis’s storeroom and had it made into a seat cushion.”

“The eldest daughter says early and late February is bitterly cold; Seventh Young Master is still young—he mustn’t catch a chill.”

Watching Wei Shuyi unwrap the bundle, Madam Liu added: “The eldest daughter originally wanted to send a pair of knee pads, but after hearing from our Lady that the matriarch had ordered a sable knee pad for Seventh Young Master, she changed it to a seat cushion.”

Wei Shuyi stroked the small but exquisite pelt, her eyes filled with gratitude: “I thank the eldest daughter on Seventh Young Master’s behalf!”

Madam Liu smiled: “We’re all one family, bound by blood—when Seventh Young Master excels, the eldest daughter’s face glows too, doesn’t she?”

Wei Shuyi nodded vigorously.

“Then I’ll leave you to your work. I’ll take my leave.”

“Let me see you out.”

After seeing her off, Wei Shuyi returned and picked up the cushion again.

Qiujiang said: “Little Lady, this pelt is truly fine—glossy and smooth. No wonder it was chosen from the Marquis’s storeroom.”

“Indeed!” Wei Shuyi said, handing the cushion over: “Put it away. Give it to Zhi in the evening.”

The next day,

Xu Zaijing came to the Sheng residence as usual.

Upon entering the study, he found only Chang Bai inside.

“Huh? Where’s Seventh Young Master?” Xu Zaijing asked, taking off his cloak.

Chang Bai, before the candlelight, didn’t look up: “He’s gone to Master Zhuang.”

“At this hour, what’s he doing there?”

Chang Bai looked up at Xu Zaijing: “Master Zhuang says Seventh Young Master is still young; he’s having him simulate the county exam from start to finish, so he won’t panic and lose his chance when he enters the actual exam hall.”

Xu Zaijing smiled: “Master Zhuang is truly thoughtful. Chang Bai, did you go through this when you took the county exam?”

Chang Bai said nothing, only gave Xu Zaijing a look that clearly said: “Do you even have to ask?”

Afterwards,

Whenever someone entered the study, Chang Bai repeated the same explanation, his expression weary.

At dawn, the courtyard where Master Zhuang resided rang with the sound of a gong announcing the hour.

Xu Zaijing and the others had all passed through the exams—they knew the gong meant the test had begun.

During the morning “break,”

The students didn’t stay inside but gathered at the entrance to Master Zhuang’s courtyard, peering inside.

Xu Zaijing rested one hand on Gu Tingye’s shoulder and the other on Qi Heng’s, saying with a touch of envy: “So this is the treatment for a promising student?”

At that moment,

“Cough. Cough.”

Zhuang the scholar coughed.

Everyone left the doorway and returned to the classroom.

After school in the afternoon,

As Xu Zaijing and the others left the classroom, Sheng Changzhi, carrying a large book chest, emerged from the scholar’s quarters at the same moment.

The child, dressed plainly with a calm expression, seemed to have had an easy day.

Two days later,

Tomorrow was the county examination,

In the evening,

at Sheng’s residence, Lin Qige,

Beneath warm yellow candlelight, Sheng Hong sat at the table drinking and eating.

Lin Qin stood beside him, occasionally placing dishes he favored onto his plate.

“Shuang’er, sit down and eat with me,” Sheng Hong said, setting down his wine cup.

Lin Qin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and smiled. “Honglang, I’m not hungry—let me serve you.”

Sheng Hong glanced at Lin Qin, sighed, and smiled. “Fine.”

After pouring Sheng Hong another cup of wine, Lin Qin beamed with pride. “Honglang, I often hear Changfeng praise his younger brother, Zhi-ge, lamenting that he isn’t as clever and couldn’t bring glory to the Sheng household early on.”

Sheng Hong waved his hand. “Feng’er is already a juren at such a young age—that’s already impressive!”

Lin Qin nodded. “You’re right, Honglang. I hear Zhi-ge is taking the county examination tomorrow—I’m truly delighted. Such a fine boy, if he follows the imperial examination path, will surely bring honor to the Sheng family.”

“No doubt Lady Wei’s face will brighten too. Though I wish to help, I have little means to do so.”

“So I made a few cakes myself. Whether Zhi-ge eats them or not, I only hope they bring him good fortune.”

Seeing Lin Qin’s expression, Sheng Hong smiled warmly. “Shuang’er, you’ve thought of everything. I’ll deliver them myself tomorrow morning.”

Lin Qin nodded eagerly. “Yes! Thank you, Honglang.”

As she continued serving Sheng Hong, the two shared another tender moment.

The next day,

In the morning,

Sheng Hong, followed by Mo Lan, walked toward Jin’an Zhai with Dong Rong, who carried a porcelain plate of cakes.

Entering the courtyard and the room,

Sheng Hong glanced around the candlelit space, nodded and smiled at Changzhi, then asked, “Shuyi, where is Zhi’er’s book chest? Lin Qin made these cakes herself, knowing today was his county exam.”

Wei Shuyi’s eyes flickered with surprise, then she smiled. “Thank you, Sister Lin. Please convey my gratitude, my lord, but—”

“Hmm? What is it, Shuyi? Just speak plainly.”

“My lord,” Wei Shuyi said, bowing her head, “I have no experience with exam day preparations, so the book chest was taken to Shou’an Hall by the old lady.”

“Ah! I see. Mother has always been meticulous.” Sheng Hong lifted the porcelain plate. “Then let’s go to Shou’an Hall first.”

In Shou’an Hall,

Fang Mama smiled. “My lord, the old lady had me prepare everything for Zhi-ge—checked it three times before packing it into the book chest.”

“The cakes were placed deep inside. In this dim light, digging them out and repacking would be... inappropriate.”

Wang Ruofu, seated nearby, smirked.

Sheng Hong nodded.

The old lady, beaming, continued advising Changzhi, then looked up and said, “Hong’er, Fang Mama is right. Even Zhi-ge’s birth mother, Lady Lin, never put anything in his book chest. We accept Lady Lin’s kindness in spirit, but need not accept the gifts.”

“Mother is right,” Sheng Hong replied with a forced smile.

“The hour is near. Take Zhi’er to the examination hall.”

Before anyone could bow and respond, the old lady added, “By the way! When Feng’er took his county exam, his birth mother, Lady Lin, went with him. We cannot favor one over the other—Zhi’er’s birth mother should go too.”

“Yes, yes! Let Lady Wei go with us—she can ride in my carriage.” Wang Ruofu laughed. “Your three maids can sit together.”

Wei Shuyi looked at Sheng Hong. Seeing him nod with a smile, she bowed and replied, “Yes, my lord.”

After everyone left Shou’an Hall, Fang Mama helped the old lady back to her Luo Han chair. “Grandmother, did you see how Lady Wei glanced at the master? If he hadn’t allowed her to go, wouldn’t she have stayed behind?”

The old lady waved her hand cheerfully. “Zhi’er is so young and taking the county exam—Hong’er wouldn’t dare deny him face.”

“Bo’er is already clever and diligent—he passed his county exam in Yangzhou.”

“How old is Zhi’er? He not only copies calligraphy well, but his scholarship has even earned praise from Master Zhuang.”

Nearby, Cui Mama smiled. “That’s thanks to your good teaching, Grandmother.”

The old lady frowned slightly and smiled. “If Minglan were taking the exam now, I could say that. But Zhi’er is mostly raised by his birth mother—his achievements have nothing to do with me.”

After smiling, the old lady’s expression dimmed slightly as she glanced toward the Buddha hall, where the ancestral tablets of her deceased son were enshrined.

Before Fang and Cui Mama could notice her mood shift, the old lady turned away, took a deep breath, and smiled again.

(End of Chapter)