Chapter Two Hundred Ninety

The unrest never came to Liangzhou, and that surprised Wang Xiujin. During those days, he had been quite uneasy. Clinging to the emperor’s thigh was not wrong, but being valued too highly by the emperor always left him with a sense of dread. Wang Xiujin feared being lifted too high, only to be cut down in one stroke. So he wanted to find himself something to do, to let people know he was not quite so flawless, that he was someone they ought to keep an eye on.

He knew full well that the emperor needed money now, and that he knew how to make money. Every year, what he earned went into the imperial treasury. Since there were still officials who were greedy, the emperor no longer had to worry over whether the treasury would run dry. What Wang Xiujin feared was this: if the day ever came when the emperor no longer needed money, what fate would await him then?

Perhaps because the year was drawing to a close and people had more idle time, the thoughts in his head were always a jumble, and never once did they turn toward anything good. Wang Xiujin slapped his own face, then decided to take advantage of the fair weather to visit the estate, settle the matter of the cattle and sheep, and then go to the Wang household. This year had been far too busy, and he had scarcely had time to sit and talk with his mother.

It seemed that ever since his elder brother’s wife had died, he had consciously kept a little distance from the Wang family. Even he could not explain why. He felt no guilt over his sister-in-law’s death, but whenever he saw the children, he still felt somewhat ill at ease.

After walking around the estate, he saw that there were quite a few more cattle and sheep than last year. The caretakers specifically asked whether, if more were to be added next year, the pens would need to be expanded. Wang Xiujin thought it over and agreed to the expansion. He liked beef and mutton, and all the children at home now drank goat’s milk every day; even he would have a cup from time to time.

“Xiujin, what a coincidence to run into you here.”

Song Hongyi had only been passing by, but when he saw Wang Xiujin’s carriage outside, he turned in. “Xiu-yun has been talking these past two days about wanting hotpot. I was thinking that on the day before the Little New Year, we should all gather at Father-in-law’s house. Do you have time?”

“I’m free lately, so there’s no problem.” Wang Xiujin did not refuse. “This year has been too busy. I haven’t even had time to visit my elder sister.”

“Xiu-yun has been busy too. A while ago, the Empress Dowager even summoned her into the palace to stay for a few days.” Mentioning the Empress Dowager, Song Hongyi frowned. “Her health is getting worse and worse.”

Wang Xiujin had never met the Empress Dowager, and had no idea how old she was. But anyone living in the palace probably suffered plenty when they were young. Superficially, the imperial consorts seemed glorious enough, but in the struggle for favor, they truly could be ruthless with themselves. Yet once they grew old, they had to pay the price.

“When you have time, let Elder Sister enter the palace more often. If the Empress Dowager is gone, she may not have many chances left to go in.”

“Now that the Empress Dowager is here, she can keep the concubines in check, and she can also stop the ministers from endlessly prattling on about installing a new empress. If the Empress Dowager should...” Song Hongyi shook his head. These were not matters a general needed to worry over.

Wang Xiujin thought the court ministers had far too little to do. All day long they kept their eyes on the emperor’s inner chambers; they were truly idle. The two of them exchanged a few more trivial remarks before Song Hongyi left. Wang Xiujin stayed at the estate to wait for the fresh meat from the cattle and sheep, then divided it into four portions. Besides his own household and the Wang family’s, he also sent a share to the Song family and the Chun family.

When he entered the Wang household, he saw his mother teasing his little granddaughter. Wang Xiujin did not dare go over at once; only after shaking the chill from himself at the doorway did he step forward to greet his mother. Looking at his little niece, he suddenly remembered that he had never asked what the child’s name was.

“Who named my little niece?”

“Your elder brother did. Her name is Zhiya.” Mrs. Wang placed her granddaughter in the small bed. “The child is very obedient, and especially fond of eating. Lately she’s become rather lively, and at night she makes quite a fuss. I’ve already sent away several wet nurses, and none of them suited me. My energy is truly limited, and your elder brother has no time to mind her either.”

Wang Xiujin poked his niece’s cheek. The more he looked at her, the more he liked her, and he lifted her up to rock her gently. Seeing this, Mrs. Wang could not help sighing. “Your father has found your elder brother a husband.”

Wang Xiujin nearly jumped at his mother’s words. Why on earth would they find his elder brother a husband out of nowhere?

“Your elder brother refuses to take another wife, fearing it will be bad for the children, so your father decided that finding a husband, like General Li did, would not be a bad thing.” Mrs. Wang thought that finding a husband was not bad either. At the very least, such a person would not be so soft-hearted, not the sort to be easily coaxed into thinking thoughts he ought not think. “Your elder brother is coming home for the New Year this year. Your father means for them to meet during the holiday season. If neither has objections, then the matter will be settled.”

Wang Xiujin said nothing. He did not know what to say. This was something his elder brother had to decide for himself.

“The man your father has chosen, I’ve seen him once. He’s quite upright, but he’s stubborn enough that even the strongest can’t always hold him down. I can’t tell whether that’s good or bad.” Mrs. Wang was a little worried, but then thought that the one being taken in hand was not her own son, so even if he could not be held down, it was no great matter.

Wang Xiujin raised a brow and offered no comment. In this age, there were fathers’ commands and matchmakers’ words. If one wanted to resist, it was usually only a thought flickering through the mind. Few had the courage to say no. Of course, aside from parents eager to climb by marriage into power and favor, most parents were still quite serious about choosing a spouse for their children. He believed his father had chosen this person only after careful deliberation, but whether he was truly suitable for his elder brother, that was another matter.

He stayed at the Wang household and chatted with his mother for a while, mentioning that his elder sister wanted to come home for hotpot, and speaking of the Empress Dowager’s health. They drifted through a few idle topics, and naturally the conversation turned to the Chun family as well. When the investigation into the tribal war had been carried out the previous year, some of the Chun family had been implicated. Though it had little to do with Second Master Chun, Mrs. Wang still felt somewhat uncomfortable about it. Thus, contact with the Chun family had become a little less frequent. Wang Xiujin could not bring himself to advise his mother otherwise; he too was now raising children, and could understand her feelings.

“Earlier, Wang Village sent a letter asking whether you had any intention of adopting a child. I turned them down.” Mrs. Wang was open-minded about it. After all, he was a man who had entered the Li family. If a child from the Wang family were adopted over there, and if the child kept the Wang surname, he would stand out far too much in the Li family. It would be better to take in a child with a background like Li Yachang’s, a child who could grow used to their surroundings. “If the child is raised at your side, he’ll grow close to you and won’t develop other notions.”

Wang Xiujin remembered that he had once agreed to adopt a child from Wang Village. After pondering for a while, he made up his mind. He had no intention of raising a child now; there were too many matters and not enough hands to manage them. Still, since he had given his word, he ought to see it through.

“Mother, though I don’t wish to adopt a child, I did once agree to it, so I cannot simply turn the page on it. Why not entrust this to a reliable person and have them go to Wang Village to pick out a clever child? I will cover all the costs of raising the child from childhood onward. If the child proves suited to study, I will also pay the tuition for school. When the child comes of age, I will give five mu of land, just like the others, and leave the rest alone. Of course, someone must keep watch over the matter as well. I can’t be expected to pay for everything. I have money, yes, but I won’t be taken for a fool.”

“You...” Mrs. Wang pointed at her son and sighed. This topic should never have been raised in the first place. “Let’s leave it for now. There’s no rush. In any case, it is not urgent. Later, when your father retires and returns home, we can see whether there is anyone suitable to be raised at our knees.”

“Mother,” Wang Xiujin felt it was not good to worry her. Back then, had he not nodded to it himself, Wang Village would not have been keeping it in mind all this time.

“That’s settled then.” Mrs. Wang waved a hand. “It’s getting late. Go and sleep in the inner room.”

Wang Xiujin had no choice but to take his leave. After a few steps, he came back again. “Mother, what if I adopted Zhiya instead?”

He quite liked his little niece. Though raising a daughter came with all kinds of inconveniences, just thinking about dressing her up beautifully every day filled him with a particularly pleasant feeling.

Mrs. Wang glared at her youngest son. “You always think of one thing one moment and another the next. Within the whole Li household, only Linfu is a girl. If you take Zhiya over there, who is going to help raise her? Don’t go turning my little granddaughter into a boy.” While speaking, she sent her youngest son off. Wang Xiujin felt a little regretful. Thinking it over, he told his mother that if the child from Wang Village were a girl, then it would be fine; if it were a boy, then they could delay the matter. Mrs. Wang glared at him several more times before simply throwing him out the door. Truly infuriating.

When Wang Xiujin went to pick up his son, he asked Yachang whether he wanted a little sister. Yachang looked at his young father in great puzzlement. In their family, only his little aunt was a girl; everyone else was male. If there were a little sister, would she grow up to be especially manly? And if the elders kept indulging her, might she become one of those terrible old-bitch types? Could she even marry off then?

He got no answer from his son. That night, Wang Xiujin asked Li Chenshan about it too. After a silent moment, Li Chenshan rolled over and pinned Wang Xiujin beneath him. “You’ve been far too idle lately. I meant for you to rest and relax, but it seems you are not suited to relaxing.”

Before Wang Xiujin could even react, he was kissed so thoroughly by Li Chenshan that he lost all capacity for thought. By the time his mind began working again, the sky was already bright. His waist and legs were so sore and weak that he did not even have the strength to get out of bed.

Wang Xiujin was not very idle at all. Before the New Year, Li Chenshan’s eldest younger brother’s marriage was finally settled, and then the second younger brother was also about to come of age. This second younger brother was better in some ways; he did not clamor for a husband, but his demands for a wife were no fewer. Wang Xiujin rubbed his temples and, together with his young father, helped prepare Li Chenyu’s wedding. As for the other one, there was still plenty to choose from.

The eldest younger brother’s future partner was the younger son of a merchant family from the western outskirts of the capital. He looked refined and was said to be quite talented, though his fate had not been kind. After the merchant’s first wife died, the second wife had treated the children from the first marriage poorly. Even though this one was rather accomplished in scholarship, he had not been allowed to sit for the civil examinations. While investigating certain matters, Li Chenyu had come to know him, and after learning about his family’s circumstances, he had taken a deep interest in him. After several meetings, affection had taken root. When he returned and mentioned it to his young father, the latter recognized the merchant. As for the man’s character, he could only say that he was an honest old hand. After understanding the child’s disposition as well, he felt the two were indeed well matched.

Shopkeeper Mi did not ask the merchant about the marriage directly; instead, he brought it up with the young man himself. Only then did the young man learn of Li Chenyu’s identity. At first he worried that if he entered the Li household, it might provoke some unwelcome designs upon his family, and so he did not dare agree. Li Chenyu grew anxious, and after learning the reason for the refusal, he only became more fond of him. He went straight to Shopkeeper Mi to propose marriage on his behalf. Once the other side heard that it was the household of a general, they agreed without hesitation, and naturally did not dare raise any conditions. Even so, the Li family still found the young man’s elder brother a position in the army.

Author’s note: I’m taking a day off tomorrow. I’m going to sleep the whole day, and I’ll start writing again in the evening, so the update will be late. If there is no update, then there will be two chapters on the first. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in advance.