Please provide the text you would like me to translate.

No one could answer Wang Xiujin as to why his son had no label above his head; all he could do was observe patiently. As his son grew day by day, Wang Xiujin would occasionally take him out, hoping to nurture a bit more courage in the boy. A boy might be introverted, might even be timid, but he shouldn't concede defeat without even trying. As for Yachang, whether it was that he had grown accustomed to crowds from being surrounded by his uncles daily, or that he drew confidence from being held in his father’s arms, he remained remarkably composed wherever he went.

Everyone—be they the people at the shop or the peers who interacted with Wang Xiujin—were stunned when they saw him arrive with a child in his arms. They had heard that the Li family had adopted a child for the two from their ancestral home, but they hadn’t expected Wang Xiujin to be so devoted, personally carrying the boy everywhere. Though no one commented to his face, behind his back there was no shortage of gossip. Yet Wang Xiujin paid them no mind; every few days he would take his son out for a walk, and once even brought him to the barracks, wanting his son to experience the atmosphere of military training.

However, after that one visit, the old general forbade Wang Xiujin from taking the child out again, insisting that the boy was far too young and innocent, and that the soldiers in the camp carried too much killing intent—he did not want the child exposed to such things. Wang Xiujin had no choice but to suspend his outings, as well as his small displays of paternal pride. But now that Yachang was used to being taken outside, he would often try to crawl out on his own; the old general and Nurse Li, who watched over him, dared not let him out of their sight, fearing he would slip away in a moment’s inattention.

Now that Yachang could stand steadily, as the sun sank westward each day, he would stand at the door of his great-grandfather’s room, craning his neck to watch for his father and little dad’s return. Every evening, seeing his son so expectant, Wang Xiujin would be tempted again to bring him along to work, but it remained a mere thought, for he had been particularly busy of late. Li Linshan, on the other hand, would not indulge the boy by taking him out just to comfort his longing. When he was young, he had been left at home himself, and his own childhood was not as privileged as his son’s.

Wang Xiujin looked at his son and tapped his little nose. Except for his unfortunate beginnings, the boy’s life was already so much better than his father’s. Li Linshan had long since let go of the past and refused to dwell on old unhappiness; all that mattered was making the most of the present.

After dinner, their time was devoted to entertaining the child. Now that Yachang could stand, he would often try to take steps, and sometimes babbled as if words were about to spill forth. Wang Xiujin patiently taught him how to address people, again and again, while Yachang took his little dad’s lessons as a game, kicking his legs excitedly and making playful sounds. Li Linshan, sitting to the side with a book, would occasionally correct the child’s pronunciation too, drawing his attention before returning to his reading, though before long he’d be teasing the child again.

When Yachang finally yawned, the two would settle him to sleep. Speaking softly together in the quiet, they exchanged news: “The south has stabilized now; His Majesty seems inclined to have Second Uncle stationed there permanently.”

“Wasn’t that always Second Uncle’s plan?” Wang Xiujin raised an eyebrow. When they first went to Autumn City, Second Uncle had already resolved not to return to the capital.

“That decision had nothing to do with patriotism—he simply didn’t want to return,” Li Linshan replied with a gentle shake of his head. “Besides, their camp is being moved; Autumn City isn’t a border town. Apart from leaving a garrison, the rest are to be moved to the frontier.”

Wang Xiujin nodded. “Next time we send things to Second Uncle, let’s include more mosquito repellent. The southern border is mostly forests, full of biting insects, and some are poisonous.” He had heard this in his previous life—whether it was true or not, better to be safe.

Li Linshan agreed, and after a while, seeing Wang Xiujin start to yawn, they ended their conversation and went to bed early.

A few days later, Old General Li brought up the matter of his second son at home. As a younger generation, Wang Xiujin merely listened; his only concern was, “Grandfather, didn’t Second Uncle and Uncle Min’s last letter say the younger brothers were to go to Autumn City? Shouldn’t that wait until things settle down?”

“Of course,” the old man replied, glancing at his other grandsons. Having raised his eldest grandson himself, he had always treated all the boys equally—perhaps age had softened his heart. “Don’t worry about it. Your fathers are busy enough as it is; once they’re settled at the border, they’ll send word, and you can go then. But remember, the frontier will be far less safe than Autumn City.”

“Grandfather, as sons of the Li family, we do not fear danger, nor are we cowards,” declared the eldest of Second Uncle’s children, sitting up straight. They were far better off than their eldest cousin had been at their age—he had already been forced onto the battlefield, with an uncle who barely cared if he lived or died. Their cousin had survived countless perils, and they had all seen his scars.

“Enough with the bravado,” the old man scolded. “When I first went to war, even I was afraid of dying. And you lot have been pampered all your lives,” he finished with a wave, dismissing them to continue their meal.

Wang Xiujin, who had already finished eating, squeezed Li Linshan’s hand under the table. He knew when Li Linshan had first gone to battle, and could not imagine the suffering he had endured. No matter how difficult a comfortable life might seem, it was nothing compared to facing death daily, especially with loved ones wounded or lost.

Li Linshan returned the gesture. He truly no longer cared about the past, but still cherished Wang Xiujin’s concern. Though his face was expressionless, his eyes betrayed a quiet joy. Neither cared if their little display of affection was noticed; after all, they were married.

After the matter of Second Uncle, the New Year approached. With each small change in Yachang, the year seemed to pass especially quickly. By year’s end, Wang Xiujin was busier than ever, while Li Linshan found himself with more free time. This year, it was not the Fourth Prince traveling to the border, but the Prince of the Border himself who came to the capital with several carriages.

With the coming of winter, the house was kept warm with underfloor heating, but to prevent it from becoming too dry, basins of water were placed around the rooms. Yachang could now walk a few steps with support and would call out “Father,” though it sounded more like “Pupu.” Wang Xiujin was a little disgruntled—it was clearly him the boy was closest to, and yet the first word he uttered was “Father.” All those hours spent teaching the child to say “Dad” seemed wasted.

Li Linshan found Wang Xiujin’s chagrin amusing. He would never admit that, while Wang Xiujin was out, he coached the boy syllable by syllable. “How is the academy these days? You mentioned a fight—what happened?”

“It was just children with too much energy and nothing better to do. They fought over who got to leave first, with not a hint of courtesy,” Wang Xiujin said with an eye roll. “Both their names are now posted on the notice board in bold letters for all to see.”

“Aren’t you worried their families will come looking for you?” Li Linshan asked, concerned.

“I never begged them to send their children to the academy. If they take them back, I’d be delighted!” Wang Xiujin replied through gritted teeth. “Kids like that should be sent to live in poverty for a few days, see if they still cause trouble when they can’t even fill their stomachs. That’s it—next spring’s outing is canceled. Instead, they’ll spend ten days or half a month in a poor household, with nothing brought from home and no food sent by their families. Let them eat and drink what the locals have—go hungry a few times, and they’ll learn.”

Li Linshan was at a loss for words. If Wang Xiujin really suggested this to the emperor, he would almost certainly agree. Did he not fear offending the other nobles?

Wang Xiujin was not one to let others make things hard for him without returning the favor. His idea of having the students experience hardship was merely a thought—for now. If anyone came to cause trouble, he would send all their children to taste the bitterness of life. In the end, offending one or two nobles or offending them all was no different.

Fortunately, the parents of the two boys whose names were posted did not come knocking, so Wang Xiujin’s plan came to nothing, which was somewhat disappointing. When he mentioned it offhand to his father during a visit before New Year, Lord Wang was silent for a long time before saying, “It’s a good idea, but the risks are great.” Wang Xiujin was startled by this, and quickly urged his father to drop the matter.

Lord Wang laughed heartily. “I didn’t think my son was afraid of anything.”

Wang Xiujin only twitched his lips. He was no fearless monkey sprung from a stone.

“In a few days, Xiuyun will be back from the border. When you have time, accompany your mother to the Song family. She’s mentioned that some of their people have been unruly lately.”

“I understand.” Wang Xiujin had heard some rumors as well, but with his elder sister away from the capital, it was not his place to visit.

“This is something your mother must handle. You needn’t say a word,” Lord Wang sighed to himself. If he were suited to intervene, or if his eldest son were home, or if his eldest grandson weren’t a generation removed, he would never ask his younger son to go. They simply didn’t have enough children. “Why didn’t you bring Yachang?”

“It’s cold these days. Yachang may appear robust now, but the hardships he suffered earlier have left him frail. If he catches cold again, he’ll be even harder to raise.” Wang Xiujin’s worries resurfaced at the mention of his son—he still couldn’t see any label above his head.

“Since you’ve brought him home, care for him well,” Lord Wang said after a moment’s thought. “Someone from Wang Village sent a letter, having somehow heard of your marriage, asking if you wanted to adopt. I declined. Yachang is still too young. Wait another two years, and if you have the capacity, you can consider adoption then.”

The author’s note: Writer’s block is killing me. By the way, this story is coming to an end. What would you like to see next?