Failed to translate content with standard model. Please boost the chapter to continue.
Shu Ji’s eyes reddened at the question. He was an unhealthy child—who knew how many tears his mother had shed for him since his birth? Yet his condition was such that he could neither recover nor die, leaving him to endure life steeped in medicine day after day. His father was a man of great reputation, admired by countless people, and a child like him was nothing but a burden to such a father.
At this thought, Shu Ji, with red-rimmed eyes, buried himself in his father’s embrace and replied softly, “Everything is fine. Biancai Fashi and the senior monks at the temple have all been very kind to me.” After a pause, he added, “But I do miss home.”
Su Shi could clearly hear Shu Ji struggling to suppress his sobs, his voice faint and trembling. Gently patting the small figure in his arms, he comforted him, “Your father worries about you too. I’ve heard you often ask others to recite my latest poems?”
Shrinking further into his father’s embrace, Shu Ji gave a slight nod.
Su Shi sighed and said, “You’re still so young, not yet begun your formal studies, yet so eager to learn—it brings me great comfort. But remember, no poem is ever meant to slight you. You will always be your father’s most beloved child. I only feel deep regret that I couldn’t give you a healthy body, forcing you to endure so much suffering for no reason.”
Hearing this, Shu Ji felt a tumult of emotions. Resting his head on his father’s broad shoulder, he wept with restraint, as if afraid to be too loud. He had always believed his father preferred children like his eldest brother—steady and composed—or his second brother—lively and cheerful—never someone as… as flawed as himself.
Chen Ge’er, who had bent down to feed the Golden Lion Cub a treat, caught up to find Shu Ji in tears. Bewildered, he blinked and glanced at Yuan Niang for an explanation.
Yuan Niang fell back a few steps and quietly relayed what she had overheard. Chen Ge’er hurried forward and declared earnestly, “Shu Ji, don’t be sad! Your second brother likes you best too!”
Shu Ji’s tears turned to laughter as he peered over his father’s shoulder at his brother. “You’re lying. You clearly like the Golden Lion Cub the most.”
Everyone laughed, and the atmosphere lightened once more.
After bidding farewell to Biancai Fashi, the group set off for home.
As the year drew to a close, the government offices sealed their official seals, and Su Shi found temporary respite from his heavy workload. Yet, freed from official duties, he was inundated with visitors seeking his calligraphy, poems, or invitations to banquets.
Su Shi, a sociable soul, relished such interactions. When particularly interesting gatherings arose, he would bring Yuan Niang along—simply because Su Mai was holed up at home, immersed in study and writing, refusing all guests; Chen Ge’er, terrified of being pressured into composing poetry, adamantly declined to accompany his father; and Shu Ji, busy practicing walking with his Walking Cart, had no time for outings. That left Yuan Niang as the only available companion.
Thus, all the literati and refined scholars of Hangzhou City came to know that Su Shi had taken on a well-mannered young female disciple, whom he often kept by his side and personally mentored. Some busybodies even ventured to ask Su Shi about Yuan Niang’s marriage prospects. Annoyed, Su Shi would retort that his dear disciple was only six years old—why think so far ahead? When pressed relentlessly, he finally claimed that her parents had arranged a childhood betrothal for her long ago. Hearing this, the gentlemen would shake their heads in regret, lamenting the missed opportunity for their own sons.
After hearing this story repeated often, Yuan Niang grew quietly curious: which family had her parents betrothed her to?
But curiosity did not have to wait long. On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, a visitor arrived.
For the first time, Su Shi—who had always enjoyed taking Yuan Niang everywhere—hid her away, forbidding her from meeting the guest.
Fu Shuang quietly informed her: the visitor was from her fiancé’s family.
Yuan Niang’s jaw dropped in astonishment. Arranged marriage?! In her previous life she hadn’t even wanted to date freely, yet in this lifetime she was being betrothed by her parents at such a young age. Her feelings were… complicated!
After changing into Chen Ge’er’s clothes, Yuan Niang quietly slipped into her teacher’s study, intending to eavesdrop from behind the screen. Unexpectedly, she encountered another eavesdropper, which gave her quite a fright!
Chen Ge’er felt his face grow warm for some reason upon seeing her in this attire. He simply raised a finger to his lips, signaling her to keep quiet, and the two listened in together.
The visitor spoke eloquently, his lofty discourse filled with flattery toward Su Shi, all revolving around obscure and dizzying topics. After listening for a long while without hearing anything about herself, Yuan Niang noticed a fair-skinned, slender boy of about seven or eight beside the man. The child had pleasant, delicate features and carried himself with quiet dignity. Even as the adults’ conversation dragged on tediously, he sat obediently nearby, serving them tea.
It wasn’t until mid-morning that the visitor briefly mentioned Yuan Niang. Why only briefly? The man originally wanted his son to study under Su Shi alongside Yuan Niang, suggesting that growing up as childhood sweethearts would bring many benefits. He presented generous gifts.
Su Shi picked up his teacup, took a sip of fragrant tea, and remained silent.
Seizing the moment, Chen Ge’er patted Yuan Niang’s shoulder, signaling her to stay put, then darted out with a swift “whoosh.” He performed a proper bow and said, “Greetings, Uncle Zhang. I heard you wish for your worthy son to study under my father?”
Zhang Lin nodded in agreement. Chen Ge’er gave a slight nod and asked the seated boy with a smile, “What books have you been reading, worthy brother?”
Zhang Yuanqiu blinked and replied, “To be honest, elder brother, I’ve only just begun my studies and have barely learned a few characters.”
Chen Ge’er nodded. “No matter. Come with me—I’ll show you some interesting things.”
Zhang Yuanqiu glanced at his father and, seeing his approval, rose to bow to Su Shi before following Chen Ge’er out.
Thinking Su Shi had softened his stance, Zhang Lin was pleased and continued chatting with him about other matters. He mentioned that Shen Kuo had impeached Su Shi at court after returning to the capital, causing an uproar in the imperial court.
Su Shi sipped his tea impassively and finally replied leisurely, “At least this time I needn’t worry about my writings failing to reach the Emperor.”
Zhang Lin choked, his words of claiming credit stuck in his throat.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhang Yuanqiu came running back in tears, pulling at his father to leave and refusing to stay at the Su residence any longer.
Surprised, Zhang Lin hurriedly asked the reason. Between sobs, Zhang Yuanqiu replied, “I could never memorize so many books even if you beat me to death! I’m not cut out to be Master Su’s student!”
Embarrassed, Zhang Lin hastily dragged his son away to take their leave. Su Shi ordered Yan Qing to return the lavish gifts from the Zhang father and son.
Yuan Niang behind the screen heaved a sigh of relief—those two were finally gone.
Su Shi came around the screen and asked Yuan Niang, “What do you think of those two today?”
Yuan Niang was about to shake her head in denial but swallowed her words and only said, “We should observe them further.” Su Shi patted her head, sighed, and said nothing more.
Su Shi and Zhang Lin had no prior acquaintance or interactions. Today, Zhang Lin visited under the pretext of checking on Yuan Niang, bringing lavish gifts yet neither asking to see her nor inquiring about her condition. Clearly, his intentions lay elsewhere—he merely sought to use Yuan Niang as a stepping stone to connect with the Su Family. What good could come from such a family, so devoid of respect for others and driven by shortsighted opportunism?
Yuan Niang’s hesitation stemmed from her understanding of her master. If she disliked the match, he would unequivocally call off the engagement without another word. However, as the saying goes, “It’s easier to deal with the king of hell than his petty minions.” Doing so might stir up unforeseen troubles. She had no wish for her master to bear such criticism on her behalf. Given the Zhang family’s blatant social climbing, there would be plenty of opportunities to break off the engagement later—there was no need to rush. Hence, she suggested they observe the situation further.
Just then, Chen Ge’er entered the room, chin held high and brimming with pride. “He’s finally gone!” he declared. “I told him becoming Father’s disciple isn’t hard—all he needs to do is memorize every book in Qingyun Hall and answer any question on demand. Then he asked if I could do it. I recited a passage for him, and he ran off crying! Probably too ashamed to show his face.”
Qingyun Hall housed over a dozen towering bookshelves, each over ten feet high, all filled with Su Shi’s vast collection of books—a veritable ocean of literature.
Su Shi tapped Chen Ge’er lightly on the forehead. “Don’t think I’m unaware—you’ve only memorized that one passage.”
Sticking out his tongue, Chen Ge’er retorted, “Well, he was foolish enough to fall for it! How is that my fault?”
He then turned to Yuan Niang, leading her out of the study, and solemnly promised, “Don’t worry. If you don’t like him, he’s nothing to you. From now on, play with whoever you like—that’s my word!”
Chapter 14: Don’t Worry, If You Don’t Like Him, He’ll Just…
Fortunately, it was a false alarm. The Golden Lion Cub was an expert at reading people’s expressions. It quietly pressed the dried meat under a loose brick by the corner of the wall, then sat its bottom squarely in front of the brick, hiding the meat completely from view.
Chen Ge’er had long since stuffed the remaining jerky into a cabinet in the side room. Not only was it out of sight, but its scent was also undetectable—he was even better at hiding things than the Golden Lion Cub.
Ren Momo held the new clothes up against Yuan Niang, comparing them again and again. She used tailor’s chalk to mark the places that needed altering, then hurried off with the garments in her arms.
Ren Momo was Su Shi’s wet nurse. She had served by the side of his late wife when she was alive, and after her passing, Su Shi had brought her to his own household to live out her days in honor. She held a high position in the family; even Su Shi had to show her a great deal of respect, let alone everyone else.
Influenced by the late mistress, the old momo was a devout Buddhist with a heart of gold. Taking pity on Yuan Niang for losing her parents at such a young age, she took extra care of her. She had even sewn the clothes Yuan Niang was to wear for the New Year with her own hands, stitch by stitch.
The moment the old momo left, Chen Ge’er returned.
Yuan Niang patted her chest, her heart still fluttering with fright. “You two ran off so fast, you scared me so much my heart is still trembling.”
Chen Ge’er rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. “Momo isn’t scary, she just likes to nag. That’s why we slipped away. Alright, stop trembling. Quickly, put on a cloak. We’re going with Father to Tianzhusi Temple to pick up Shu Ji.”
As Yuan Niang went to ask Fu Shuang for a cloak, Chen Ge’er scooped up the Golden Lion Cub, which had its head down, chewing on the jerky. “Let’s go!” The Golden Lion Cub went belly-up, letting him carry it however he pleased, looking both obedient and utterly resigned to its fate.
When the group arrived at Tianzhusi Temple, Shu Ji was leaning against his walking cart, practicing standing. He was at an age where he loved to play, and he was overjoyed to see the Golden Lion Cub. However, he had even more exciting news to share with everyone!
“Father, my legs are tingling!” Shu Ji announced excitedly, his little face flushed and tilted upward.
Su Shi froze upon hearing this, looking at Shu Ji with a mixture of shock and delight. This child had been plagued by misfortune since birth, and his temperament was sensitive and fragile. It was rare to see him so happy. Recalling how Shu Ji had brooded over the playful joke he had made before, Su Shi’s heart felt as if it had been pricked by a soft thorn. He couldn’t help but reach out and pat his head, affirming, “This is wonderful. Father is very happy.”
Three small, fluffy heads squeezed in together. Chen Ge’er said cheerfully, “Don’t worry, little brother, you’ll definitely be able to walk by next year!”
Yuan Niang was also delighted. “That’s right. All things are difficult before they are easy. Fortunately, it’s a good start. Your hardship will surely give way to happiness.”
The Golden Lion Cub didn’t know what everyone was so happy about, but seeing them all happy, it opened its little mouth, revealing its tender pink tongue as if smiling. It even rubbed its furry head against Su Shi’s hand, begging for a pat.
Su Shi stroked the Golden Lion Cub’s head and then swept Shu Ji up into his arms. The wind was biting, and fine plum blossom petals drifted down like snowflakes. He wrapped the child in his own Hechang and walked toward Biancai Fashi’s Monk’s Quarters, asking Shu Ji about his food and daily life over the past few days, whether he was getting used to it, and if he had missed home.
The questions made Shu Ji’s eyes turn red. He was an unhealthy child. Who knew how many tears his mother had shed for him since his birth? He couldn’t get better, yet he wouldn’t die, so he could only endure, soaking in medicinal baths day after day. His father was a man of great standing, admired by many, many people. A child like him was ultimately a burden to him.
At this thought, Shu Ji buried his face in his father’s embrace, his eyes red-rimmed, and replied in a small voice, “Everything is very good. Biancai Fashi and the senior brothers at the temple have taken good care of me.” After a pause, he added, “I missed home, too.”
Su Shi heard clearly that Shu Ji was trying hard to suppress a sob; his voice was extremely soft and trembled slightly. He gently patted the small figure in his arms, comforting him, “Father couldn’t stop worrying about you either. I heard you often have people recite my new works?”
Nestled in his father’s arms, Shu Ji nodded slightly.
Su Shi sighed. “You are still young and haven’t started your formal studies, yet you are so eager to learn. Father is very pleased. Some of those poems were not meant to criticize you. You will always be Father’s favorite child. Father just feels very guilty for not giving you a healthy body, making you suffer so many hardships for no reason.”
Hearing this, Shu Ji’s heart filled with complex emotions. He lay on his father’s broad shoulder, his crying restrained. He had always thought his father preferred a steady and self-possessed child like his eldest brother, or a lively and cheerful one like his second brother, but never someone as… as unworthy as himself.
Chen Ge’er bent down to feed the Golden Lion Cub a snack. When he caught up, he found Shu Ji crying. Utterly baffled, he blinked and looked at Yuan Niang.
Yuan Niang quietly fell a few steps behind and whispered what she had heard to Chen Ge’er. Chen Ge’er quickly rushed forward and declared, “Shu Ji, don’t be sad! Second Brother likes you the most too!”
Shu Ji’s tears turned to laughter. He looked at his brother from over his father’s shoulder. “Liar. You obviously like the Golden Lion Cub the most.”
Everyone chuckled, and the atmosphere became cheerful again.
After bidding farewell to Biancai Fashi, the group set off on the road home.
With the year drawing to a close, the government offices had sealed their official stamps, and Su Shi was temporarily freed from his heavy duties, enjoying a few moments of leisure. But though he was not busy with official matters, a constant stream of people came to his door, begging for calligraphy, asking for poems, and inviting him to banquets.
Su Shi was a sociable person and quite enjoyed it all. When he encountered an interesting banquet, he would even take Yuan Niang along to have fun. There was no other choice: Su Mai was at home, buried in his studies and refusing all visitors; Chen Ge’er, fearing that group of people would force him to compose poetry, refused to go out with his father; and Shu Ji was busy practicing walking with his cart every day, with no time for amusement. The only idle person left was Yuan Niang.
As a result, all the scholars and gentlemen in Hangzhou City came to know that Su Shi had taken on a new, well-behaved female disciple, whom he kept by his side to personally raise and teach. Some busybodies even couldn’t resist asking Su Shi about Yuan Niang’s marriage prospects. Su Shi was secretly annoyed, saying his precious disciple was only six years old, so why consider something so far in the future? When he was truly pestered beyond endurance, he would just say that her parents had already arranged a “doll marriage” for her when they were alive. Upon hearing this, the gentlemen would shake their heads with great regret, feeling sorry for their own sons.
Hearing this so often, Yuan Niang herself grew secretly curious. Which family’s son had her parents betrothed her to?
However, her curiosity was soon to be sated. On the twenty-fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, a guest came to visit.
For the first time, Su Shi, who had always enjoyed taking Yuan Niang out and about, hid her away and forbade her from meeting the guest.
Fu Shuang quietly told her that her fiancé’s family had come.
Yuan Niang’s mouth fell open. She was dumbfounded. What… an arranged marriage! In her past life, she hadn’t even wanted to bother with falling in love freely, yet in this life, she had been promised away by her parents at such a young age. She felt truly… conflicted!
Yuan Niang changed into a set of Chen Ge’er’s clothes and quietly crept to her master’s study, planning to find out what was going on from behind the screen. Unexpectedly, she ran into another eavesdropper, which gave her a fright!
Chen Ge’er glanced at her attire, his face inexplicably flushing. He simply raised a finger to his lips, signaling her to be quiet, and the two of them listened in together.
The visitor was speaking eloquently, his grand pronouncements laced with flattery for Su Shi. The topics were all abstruse and esoteric, enough to make one’s head spin. Yuan Niang listened for a long while, but there was no mention of her. Beside the man was a boy of seven or eight, with fair skin and a slender build. His features were regular and handsome, and he had a dignified and quiet demeanor. Even though the adults’ conversation was dull and tedious, he sat obediently to the side, serving tea for the two of them.
It wasn’t until halfway through the hour of Si that the visitor casually brought up Yuan Niang. And why was it casual? The man’s original intention was to have his son become Su Shi’s disciple, to be taught alongside Yuan Niang. He claimed there would be many benefits to them growing up as childhood sweethearts, and he presented a lavish gift.
Su Shi picked up the teacup beside him, took a light sip of the fragrant tea, and said nothing.
In that moment of silence, Chen Ge’er patted Yuan Niang’s shoulder, signaling her not to move. Then, with a swoosh, he slipped out. He bowed properly and said, “Greetings, Uncle Zhang. I hear you wish for your worthy son to study under my father?”
Zhang Lin nodded in affirmation. Chen Ge’er gave a slight nod and asked the boy sitting beside him with a smile, “Worthy brother, what books have you been reading lately?”
Zhang Yuanqiu blinked and replied, “To be honest with you, elder brother, I have only just begun my studies and can barely recognize a few characters.”
Chen Ge’er nodded. “No matter. Come with me. I’ll show you some interesting things.”
Zhang Yuanqiu looked at his father. Seeing his father’s approval, he stood up, bowed to Su Shi, and followed Chen Ge’er out.
Zhang Lin thought Su Shi’s attitude was softening and was happy to see this development. He continued to engage Su Shi in conversation, mentioning that Shen Kuo had impeached Su Shi in a memorial to the throne after returning to the capital, causing a stir in the court.
Su Shi drank his tea without a change in expression. After a long moment, he replied slowly, “This time, at least I don’t have to worry that my writings won’t reach His Majesty’s eyes.”
Zhang Lin choked, the words he had intended to use to claim credit stuck in his throat, unable to come out.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Zhang Yuanqiu came running back in tears. He grabbed his father, insisting they leave, saying he wouldn’t stay in the Su Family residence for anything.
Zhang Lin was astonished and quickly asked for the reason. Zhang Yuanqiu replied between sobs, “You could beat me to death and I still wouldn’t be able to memorize so many books! I can’t be Master Su’s student!”
Mortified, Zhang Lin dragged his son away and hastily took his leave. Su Shi ordered Yan Qing to return the lavish gifts from Zhang Shi and his son.
Behind the screen, Yuan Niang let out a huge sigh of relief. The two of them were finally gone.
Su Shi walked around the screen and asked Yuan Niang, “What did you think of those two today?”
Yuan Niang was about to shake her head in disapproval, but on second thought, she swallowed her words and said only, “We still need to observe them more.” Su Shi stroked the top of her head, sighed, and said no more.
Su Shi had no friendship or dealings with Zhang Lin. For Zhang Lin to visit today with a lavish gift under the pretext of seeing Yuan Niang, yet neither asking to see her nor inquiring much about her situation, it was obvious his mind was not on the wine, but that he merely wanted to use Yuan Niang as a stepping stone to connect with the Su Family. What good could come from a family so opportunistic and blind to others?
The reason Yuan Niang had hesitated was that she understood her master. If she said she disliked him, he would break off the engagement for her without a second word. But as the saying goes, while the King of Hell is easy to deal with, his minor demons are a nuisance. Doing so would undoubtedly stir up trouble. She didn’t want her master to bear such criticism for her sake. The Zhang family was so eager to curry favor; there would be plenty of opportunities to break off the engagement later. It wasn’t urgent, which was why she had said they needed more observation.
Just then, Chen Ge’er entered the room, his head held high and a proud look on his face. “They’re finally gone. I told that guy it’s not hard to be Father’s disciple. You just need to be able to recite all the books in Qingyun Hall from memory and answer any question on them. Then he asked if I could do it. I recited a passage for him, and he ran away crying. I guess he was ashamed of his inadequacy.”
Qingyun Hall housed more than a dozen rows of ten-foot-tall bookshelves, all filled with Su Shi’s personal collection. The number of books was vast, like a boundless ocean.
Su Shi reached out and tapped Chen Ge’er on the forehead. “Don’t think I don’t know that you can only recite that one passage.”
Chen Ge’er stuck out his tongue. “Who’s to blame if that guy is so foolish and easy to trick? Can you blame me?”
He turned, pulled Yuan Niang out of the study, and made a solemn promise, “Don’t worry. If you don’t like him, he has nothing to do with you. In the future, you can be with whoever you like. I said so!”