Chapter 455: Wu Tong

The funeral was conducted with extreme simplicity and haste; Mother had no living relatives, and no one from the Xie Fu came—only you knelt in the ancestral hall.

Mother's name was never engraved in the Xie family ancestral shrine; she was buried on Mang Mountain, just outside Bianjing.

Then, everything returned to normal.

Outside the small courtyard, the guards who had once shadowed you everywhere had vanished.

With both parents deceased and you the sole legitimate son, you must observe three years of mourning.

The Great Qi governs the realm through Confucian filial piety; whether high-ranking ministers or common folk, all must abide by this rule.

During mourning, you must not wear colorful clothing, host any banquet, or show any expression but sorrow, to honor the departed.

Yet the mourning period is not a full three years—ritual law requires only twenty-five months.

After the funeral ended, it was already the spring of the next year; you were still young, so mourning required only a spirit tablet kept within your courtyard.

For three months after Mother's death, you never left the courtyard.

This year, Wu Tong was eleven, a girl now coming of age; the once dark-skinned girl had grown into a graceful, beautiful young woman.

Even among the Xie family's carefully selected maids, few could rival Wu Tong's beauty.

Recalling the autumn before Mother's death, the Wu steward had inexplicably delayed distributing the autumn garments.

The weather had grown quite cold; frost glistened on the courtyard each morning.

All other maids in the compound had changed into warm autumn robes, yet Wu Tong still walked about in a thin single garment.

Many maids sneered at her: "Sister Wu Tong, you must be made of ice and snow—you can endure the cold."

Wu Tong's face flushed red.

After Mother's death, the Wu steward immediately delivered her monthly stipend and autumn garments; the stipend, once repeatedly stripped away, now included an extra two taels of silver each month.

Yet compared to the Xie family's collateral sons, who received four or five hundred taels monthly as pocket money, let alone the direct heirs like Xie Yu, whose every desire was fulfilled, it was insignificant.

When the Xie Fu heard you were heartbroken after Mother's death, weeping until you went blind, the Xie Lao Taijun was stirred.

The Taijun came from one of the Five Surnames and Seven Clans, renowned for filial piety; moved by your grief at only nine years old, she acted.

On Lantern Festival, she sent maids to deliver vegetarian meals to you.

The principal ladies of the main and second courtyards also sent new clothes as comfort.

The story spread among maids and servants; none spoke ill of you or your mother—only praise for the Taijun and the principal ladies' kindness.

The Xie family also summoned an imperial physician to examine your eyes each month.

This drew great curiosity from the young masters and ladies of the compound; they gathered servants to visit your courtyard, but were stopped by their mothers.

That summer, the weather grew sweltering.

Cicadas shrilled incessantly from the courtyard's parasol trees, their buzzing grating on the nerves.

Because you were blind, you stayed indoors, windows sealed shut, no light allowed in.

The room was unbearably hot!

Today, the imperial physician entered the courtyard with his medicine chest to treat you.

Wu Tong had waited early beneath the eaves; the parasol tree's green leaves, scorched by heat, curled inward.

Her expression was anxious; you had been medicated for a month—today, the result would be revealed.

If your eyes were lost, how could you read? How could you live independently? At eleven, Wu Tong could not help but panic—her young master, already bereft of his closest kin, now faced this crushing blow.

For months, you had locked yourself in your room, refusing to see anyone.

Wu Tong could only watch from outside the window, silently weeping.

She had been sold into the Xie Fu at seven; Xie Guan's family treated her like kin, and she was deeply grateful—seeing this, she wept uncontrollably.

Wu Tong feared the physician would declare you could never see again.

If so, she wondered if you could bear such a blow—but remembering your lifelong resilience, never giving up, she felt slight comfort.

Wu Tong sighed inwardly: why do the kind always suffer such hardship?

At that moment, movement stirred outside the courtyard!

Several people entered the courtyard; Wu Tong looked up.

The chief maid of Xie Renfeng, the third young master of the second courtyard, entered with a group.

Wu Tong felt puzzled.

The main Xie family now had only two branches: the senior and the second.

The main house belonged to Xie Ling, the Duke of Dingyuan; the second branch was his younger brother, the great Confucian scholar Xie Hong.

Xie Hong, the second elder of the Xie family, passed the imperial examination as a top scholar in his youth, renowned for learning, virtue, and broad talent—he was called a "complete man."

His official career rose swiftly; when Emperor Yuan first governed Jiangzuo, he appointed him as Sacrificial Wine Master, then later as General of the Brave and Prefect of Yixing.

Once, the three Xie brothers were all celebrated—literary and martial talents—and Bianjing called them the "Three Xies."

A sudden palace coup—perhaps internal family strife, or the unspeakable darkness of court—left Xie Hong disillusioned; he resigned his post and left.

Once a great Confucian, he turned to Daoist cultivation, often dwelling beside ancient lamps and Buddhist sutras in Qingliang Temple, cultivating peace, detached from the world, returning home only a few times a year.

The Xie Lao Taijun doted on this youngest son; when she spoke of Xie Hong, tears often filled her eyes—he had been most filial, serving her faithfully before his official career.

Xie Hong had five sons; his third, Xie Renfeng, stood out among the Xie family's arrogant young masters and ladies—he was gentle, steady, not flamboyant or overbearing, and deeply favored by the Taijun.

"Young Master Guan—is he inside?"

Wu Tong composed herself, not daring to neglect propriety; she smiled and stepped forward.

"Sister Shilan, why are you here?"

Shilan was Xie Renfeng's chief maid, now eighteen, the most favored.

Tall and slender, she wore a sapphire-blue water-sleeve ruqun, her skin fair, her face lovely, a small mole beneath her nose, her eyes sharp yet demure.

Her attire, even compared to you and Wu Tong, surpassed many daughters of officials in Bianjing.

Behind Shilan followed several maids, all deferential to her.

Wu Tong felt both curiosity and tension; Shilan was the kind of maid she admired—she unconsciously touched her own dress, the poorest among all courtyard maids.

Shilan glanced at the courtyard's shabby old furnishings; dozens of potted plants thrived, clearly well-tended, yet none were rare or valuable.

The crude, uncarved stone table and stool, the stove and water jar standing out awkwardly—she shook her head.

Though she knew Young Master Guan was neglected, she never imagined a noble-born young master could live in such poverty.

Her own young master's food and clothing were meticulously refined; every three days, a chef prepared a "nutritional meal," including "demon meat preserves" from the Thirteen Provincial Commanderies, strengthening sinews and nourishing the spleen.

Dozens of seasonal outfits were painstakingly sewn over a year by dozens of weavers from Jiangnan.

Shilan returned to herself, smiling warmly, her tone affectionate: "What? Can't I visit my little sister without cause?"

"I heard Young Master Guan is being treated today; my young master specially prepared herbs—bought with care by the maids today: chrysanthemum, cassia seed, goji berry, plantain seed, summer Kucao, plus deer antler and safflower to nourish the body."

Wu Tong's confusion deepened; she and her master had never interacted with Third Young Master Xie Renfeng—even when her mistress lived, they had little contact.

The only connection was once, after her mistress died, when she went to the second courtyard to collect new clothes and briefly saw "Xie Renfeng."

Now, Wu Tong's gaze fell on the herbs the maids behind Shilan carried.

She recalled Shilan's words: these herbs were not sent in the name of Lady Zhao, Xie Renfeng's birth mother, but in Xie Renfeng's own name.

"My mistress always taught us: never accept gifts without cause. These are far too precious—please, Sister Shilan, take them back." Wu Tong's tone was firm.

"Little sister, what nonsense," Shilan smiled, but her eyes grew serious. "Though our branches rarely visit, we are blood kin of the Xie family—why be so formal?"

"This kindness, Wu Tong dares not accept on behalf of my master, nor dare I receive it—when he is done with treatment, he will thank you himself."

Seeing Wu Tong refuse without hesitation, Shilan's expression grew more satisfied.

Shilan smiled: "Sister Wu Tong, actually, my young master sent me here for your good fortune."

Wu Tong froze, even more confused.

"Third Young Master Renfeng wishes to do you a kindness—he wants to place you in the household as a personal maid."

Wu Tong's pupils widened in shock.

The maids behind Shilan looked envious; compared to the luxury of the second courtyard and this dilapidated courtyard, the difference was heaven and earth.

It was like winning the lottery—gaining Third Young Master Renfeng's favor, even requested by him—such favor made the maids "jealous."

Wu Tong's eyes flickered with confusion, then she firmly shook her head.

Shilan took Wu Tong's hand, speaking earnestly: "Little sister, don't be foolish. Young Master Renfeng is kind-hearted, talented, and refined—he may become an official or recommend talent. With him, you'll never suffer."

"Look at Young Master Guan—he's now alone, has angered the Xie family's principal lady, his future is bleak—and now he's blind, likely…"

She left the sentence unfinished.

"Your name is Wu Tong—the phoenix rests on the parasol tree. My young master is called Renfeng—this is fate. Don't refuse!"

Shilan's tone carried regret and concern, as if truly thinking of Wu Tong's future.

Wu Tong gently withdrew her hand: "My mistress showed me kindness. Now my master suffers—if I abandon him, I will never be a disloyal, unrighteous person."

Shilan laughed: "Foolish sister, it's not up to you—it's your master's decision."

At that moment!

A sound came from behind the room, breaking the courtyard's silence.

"Young Master Guan, this old man takes his leave," came a weary voice.

"Thank you, Master Hua. Let me see you out," came a gentle, youthful voice.

Shilan's brow lifted; she turned to the door, which slowly opened. An old man, slightly stooped, carrying a medicine chest, stepped out.

He wiped sweat from his brow; his front clothes were soaked.

The windows were sealed, no light entered; the room was like a steam bath in this heat.

The old man was Hua An, the Xie family's imperial physician; his family had served the Xie Fu for generations, his medical skill renowned, highly respected.

"Master Hua!" Shilan greeted.

Hua An looked up, smiling: "Ah, Miss Shilan—you've grown even more beautiful."

Hua An, the chief maid of the Second Courtyard's Third Young Master of the Xie family, still showed a measure of respect; in the mortal world, "a mother rises with her son," and in this grand courtyard, the masters these maids served were their "backbone" and "lion's might."

Xie Renfeng has just reached adulthood, passed the Tongshengshi, and this year will take the provincial examination; his birth mother, Lady Zhao, hails from a prominent clan, and his future is boundless.

Hua An could hardly wait and stepped into the courtyard, seized a gourd of clear water, and drank it down in one gulp—only then did his face relax with satisfaction.

Wu Tong's face was tense as she gazed toward a young boy emerging from the rear.

Shi Lan's gaze also settled on this person.

This was the young master of the Xie family, rumored to be the least favored: "Xie Guan."

The boy stepped forward slowly, dressed plainly, with no ornaments on his person; his full face could not be seen, for his eyes were covered by a black cloth, his skin slick with beads of sweat.

Strangely, Shi Lan noticed that the boy's expression was calm, as if untouched by the stifling heat that rushed out from within the room—his demeanor was serene.

Yaozhidao ， Xieguanjianbudeguang ， Yijingzailimianzhulehaojigeyue ， Wuneiheianmenre ， Tajingranmeiyousihaofuzaozhiqi ， Zhefendinglijiuzhiderenpeifu 。

Shi Lan bowed and said: "Young Master Guan!"

The boy gave a slight nod, then spoke to Wu Tong: "It's fine."

Hua An also spoke from beside the water vat: "Miss Wu Tong, rest easy—Young Master Guan is unharmed; he only needs to avoid light for a hundred days, after which he will regain normal vision."

"Afterward, he won't need to stay indoors—he can go about wearing the black cloth."

Wu Tong's face lit up with joy.

Hua An said: "I shall take my leave now—I must report to Lady Yuan on Young Master Guan's condition." His tone carried a measure of reverence, clearly showing deep awe for Lady Yuan.

The boy smiled: "Please, Master Hua, convey my thanks to my mother."

Lady Yuan is not Young Master Guan's birth mother, but she is the lawful wife of the Dingyuan Marquis, and by law and ritual, the true matriarch of the Xie family, with authority over the entire household.

Hua An looked at Xie Guan, his expression subtly shifting, then smiled: "Of course, of course."

"Young Master Guan and Miss Shi Lan, I shall now take my leave."

After Hua An departed, only Wu Tong and Shi Lan's group remained in the courtyard.

The boy smiled and said: "Wu Tong, brew tea!"

"Lady has come to my humble abode; the room is too hot—let us rest here in the shade, away from the midday heat."

Wu Tong looked at her young master—he had not left his room for months.

Today, however, something seemed different—his bearing was composed.

Though he had just turned ten, he now carried himself like a master of the household.

After his mother's death, the boy grew up overnight.

(End of Chapter)