The Pei family had vast interests to manage. Master Pei stayed in Yanti Village for only two days before hurrying back to Luozi City. Pei Qingyu wanted to go with him, but Madam Pei refused, insisting that he remain in the village for a while longer.
The fortune teller had never claimed this place was a land of auspicious feng shui; he had only said that Pei Qingyu’s destined one was here. Madam Pei’s refusal to return so early was likely due to her fear that Yu Tingzheng would be uncomfortable leaving his hometown so soon.
Pei Qingyu, however, showed no signs of displeasure. In the days that followed, aside from attending the academy, he spent his time playing Go and catching Yu Tingzheng to practice his speech. Yu Tingzheng’s stutter remained unchanged, showing no progress at all. Pei Qingyu would scold him for being stupid while simultaneously finding new ways to teach him.
The child from Auntie Wang’s house next door would lean over the fence every day, giggling at Yu Tingzheng’s disjointed words. Despite being at an age where he could barely control his bladder, the toddler had managed to learn to speak before the older boy. Yu Tingzheng was mortified and felt himself to be utterly dim-witted.
His stuttering was not congenital; it had started after a snake bite and a subsequent illness during his childhood, so it should have been correctable. Yet, seeing no improvement after so many days, even Madam Pei couldn’t help but furrow her brows in worry.
In another month, it would be time for the harvest break. When the village youths returned home, they would head into the fields to help their families harvest the crops. In the past, Yu Tingzheng dreaded the harvest break the most. Once the break began, every household would work together in groups to harvest, yet he was always the only one in his family’s fields. He was the first to start laboring, yet when every other household had finished and was resting, he would still be out in the fields alone.
Yu Tingzheng rarely felt lonely during his daily life, but during those times, the feeling was overwhelming.
This year, however, he didn’t have to fear the school break. First, he no longer had to work in the fields, and second, Madam Pei had said that once the break started, he would leave Yanti Village with them.
Yu Tingzheng was both apprehensive and expectant. In all his years, he had never even been to the town, let alone beyond the mountains. Every night, he pulled A-Tong aside to ask about the outside world and what Luozi City was like. A-Tong was a chatterbox and praised the city to no end, claiming there was nowhere better.
The two young maids, Wanxiang and Wantang, also joined in, each adding their own descriptions. Yu Tingzheng’s apprehension gradually faded, and he began to dream every night of the bustling, prosperous scenes of Luozi City.
However, before the harvest break arrived, the Great Master Pei’s milestone birthday came first. Pei Qingyu and Madam Pei returned to celebrate the elder’s longevity, leaving only Yu Tingzheng and the butler, A-Tong, in the small fenced courtyard. Madam Pei promised they wouldn’t be gone long and would return in a few days. Yu Tingzheng waited, attending the academy and reviewing his lessons at home as usual.
By now, he could recognize and write many characters, though he still couldn’t compose any essays. He practiced diligently every day.
One day, during a scheduled break from school, Yu Tingzheng was sitting in the courtyard practicing his calligraphy when he suddenly heard a knock at the gate. The visitor was none other than Yu Xiangbo, whom he hadn’t seen for many days. At the sight of him, Yu Tingzheng’s palms began to sweat, and he stared at the man nervously.
“Father.”
“Ah.” Yu Xiangbo appeared even more nervous than he was. He grabbed Yu Tingzheng’s hand, his face falling into a look of misery. “Zheng’er, ever since you left home, your mother has had no appetite and hasn’t been able to sleep. Her health is getting worse by the day. Now she can’t even get out of bed, and she’s been calling for you constantly. You, if you still consider her your mother, come with me to see her.”
Yu Tingzheng was stunned. “Mother… she…”
“Since you still acknowledge her, then follow me.” Yu Xiangbo pulled him out of the yard. “While Madam Pei and Young Master Pei are away, a single visit won’t cost you a limb.”
Yu Tingzheng opened his mouth to speak but was pulled along, stumbling. He took one last glance at the small courtyard before being hurried away.
It was a hot day, and no one was out walking. The two took the paths through the fields, seeing no one along the way, and soon reached the Yu family house. Yu Tingzheng’s heart hammered incessantly. He stammered as he asked about Mrs. Jiang’s condition, but Yu Xiangbo gave him no straight answer, only gripping him tightly and walking faster, snapping that he was talking too much.
When they arrived, Yu Tingzheng saw that Mrs. Jiang was indeed bedridden. Upon seeing him, she said with a sour expression, “Oh, the little beast actually has some conscience. I thought once he went to a wealthy family, he’d forget his old mother.”
Yu Tingzheng clutched his sleeves, pursing his lips as he looked at her, unsure of what to say.
“Oh, enough. Don’t lower yourself to the child’s level at a time like this.” Yu Xiangbo gave Mrs. Jiang a reproachful look and took Yu Tingzheng’s hand. “Your mother is seriously ill and desperately needs money. Zheng’er, now that you’ve joined a wealthy household, you’re practically a man of means yourself. She is your mother, after all; if you want to show your filial piety, you should bring some money to save her.”
Yu Tingzheng froze as he realized the true reason they had brought him here. It was for money.
But he had no money. Although he didn’t want for food or clothing at the Pei house, he didn’t have a single coin on him. Perhaps because they were in the countryside and had no use for it, Madam Pei had never given him any pocket money.
“I have no money.”
The man, who had been expectant just a moment ago, immediately changed his expression. “No money?”
Yu Tingzheng had often been beaten by Yu Xiangbo in the past; seeing his face darken, he was startled and took two steps back.
“If you don’t have money, then go and get some! How could a family like the Peis not have any?” Yu Xiangbo grabbed his hand again and yanked him back. “Look at how sick your mother is! Do you really not want to save her? Have you only been gone a few months and already stopped recognizing us as your parents?”
Yu Xiangbo had spent years hauling cargo and was naturally quite strong. Yu Tingzheng’s hand hurt from the grip; he felt as if his bones were about to be crushed. He shook his head in denial. “No… it’s not that I don’t… want to save Mother…”
“Then go and fetch the money.” Yu Xiangbo pushed him toward the door. “Go and get as much as possible. The Peis treat you so well; they won’t blame you.”
Yu Chengfeng stood at his own bedroom door, secretly watching. Seeing this, Yu Xiangbo roared at him to go back and review his lessons.
Pushed to the doorway, Yu Tingzheng shook his head firmly. “No… that won’t do. That is… the Madam’s money. I cannot touch it.”
“You are a member of the Pei family now; that is your money too!” Yu Xiangbo said, frustrated by his stubbornness. “It’s to treat your mother’s illness. Who would blame you?”
Yu Tingzheng insisted, “Mother is… unwell. I can… find a doctor for her, but taking… the Pei family’s money… I really can’t.”
“You little beast, you’ve really grown some spine.” Yu Xiangbo lost all patience. He snatched up the broom standing by the door and swung it at him. “You’ve only been at someone else’s house for a few months and you’ve already forgotten who you are? Don’t forget who gave birth to you and raised you. Without us, could you have grown this big? You ungrateful dog…”
“Yu Xiangbo! All you know how to do is bully a child! You’re nearly in the grave; aren’t you afraid of shortening your life even further by doing such things?”
A woman’s curse rang out from the neighboring Qiao house. Immediately following that, Mrs. Jiang’s voice erupted from inside the room: “He’s his own son, what does it matter if he scolds him! You old hag, always sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. Keep it up and see if heaven doesn’t strike you down one day!”
Yu Tingzheng had heard such exchanges countless times before. Just as he was about to speak up to calm Mrs. Jiang, the door of the side room creaked open. Qiao Xie, who hadn’t gone out, poked his head out.
The day was scorching, and even indoors was stiflingly hot. He wore only a short tunic, revealing his thick, muscular arms. Although he asked the question, his gaze had already landed on Yu Tingzheng’s face.
“Uncle Yu, is A-Zheng back?”
Yu Tingzheng’s face felt hot and stinging. He called out, “Brother Xie.”