Chen Ge’er finally finished writing the large characters assigned as punishment by his father under his elder brother’s supervision, after which he dashed around like an unbridled wild horse, leading Yuan Niang into all sorts of mischief.
Su Mai became the primary victim, hearing complaints about Chen Ge’er daily and settling disputes for the little rascal.
Finally at his wit’s end, Su Mai had to assert his authority as the elder brother and confine him to the study.
Chen Ge’er dragged his feet with every step, muttering under his breath: “Elder Brother, I’ve already finished writing the large characters. Why must I still enter the study?”
Su Mai rubbed his throbbing temples and patted the unruly hair on Chen Ge’er’s forehead, coaxing him: “When spring comes, you’ll be starting school. I’ll teach you how to cut paper and grind ink.”
“Ah? But won’t there be book attendants accompanying us?” Chen Ge’er retorted.
“There will be times when the book attendants aren’t around. If our Erlang knows everything except how to cut paper and grind ink, wouldn’t that make people laugh their heads off?” Su Mai teased.
Chen Ge’er thought it made sense. Paper cutting was a novelty to him, and he was quite willing to learn from his elder brother.
Su Mai deliberately took his time with the two youngsters. Being impatient by nature, Chen Ge’er couldn’t help asking: “Elder Brother, you’re not seventy or eighty years old, why are you so slow? At this rate, I could complete my studies at the Imperial Academy before you finish cutting one workbook.” He pondered further and added, “Wouldn’t that make people laugh their heads off?”
Upon hearing this, Su Mai mercilessly gave him a knock on the head. Chen Ge’er ruefully rubbed his scalp and said undauntedly: “Even so, I still wouldn’t laugh at you, Elder Brother.” His expression showed he thought himself very loyal.
Yuan Niang giggled beside them, covering her mouth. The Su family’s tradition of brotherly affection was historically renowned, and now it appeared truly well-deserved.
Seeing Chen Ge’er’s lively and cheerful nature, it was clear Su Mai was an extremely kind and doting elder brother. Yuan Niang quite liked this and thus enjoyed watching the spectacle.
Unexpectedly, Chen Ge’er misinterpreted Yuan Niang’s amusement as taking his side, becoming increasingly bold as a result.
As the three siblings chatted and laughed, someone suddenly called out from outside the study: “First Young Master, the Madam has gone into labor!”
“Ah?” The three siblings froze in unison. Su Mai was the first to react, instructing the book attendant standing by: “Yan Qing, ride quickly to the river embankment and inform Father.”
“Yes, First Young Master!” Yan Qing accepted the order and departed.
Su Mai steadied himself and continued: “The midwife was prepared earlier. Has she arrived?”
“Someone has been sent to fetch her for the Madam,” the servant reported.
“Ren Momo is Father’s wet nurse, most experienced and sensible. Have Ren Momo assist in the delivery room. All household servants except those in the kitchen should wait outside Bamboo Pavilion for orders, so we can promptly supply anything Mother needs!” Su Mai issued commands methodically. As the eldest son, he had to uphold the household in his father’s absence.
“Yes!” Another book attendant, Yan Qiu, swiftly went to convey the orders.
Then, Su Mai took his younger brother and sister by hand and hurried towards Bamboo Pavilion.
Chen Ge’er’s little face was tense, no longer joking or playing around. He clung tightly to his elder brother’s robe, nestling close to his side.
Noticing his unusual demeanor, Yuan Niang found it slightly strange. She poked his small hand with her chubby finger and asked: “Second Brother, what’s wrong with you?”
Chen Ge’er gave her a worried glance, shook his head, and remained silent.
Su Mai understood Chen Ge’er’s concerns. Their birth mother had fallen ill after childbirth and passed away not long after. Then their stepmother gave birth to Shu Ji, who had been sickly and weak – nearly four years old and still unable to walk. In Chen Ge’er’s eyes, childbirth seemed like the most unfortunate thing that could happen!
Thinking of this, Su Mai gently patted his younger brother’s head and said, “It’s alright. Mother has been devout in her Buddhist prayers. This time, Buddha will surely watch over Mother and the baby. You’re about to become an elder brother again – be happy.”
Chen Ge’er pressed his lips together and nodded.
Su Shi entered the Bamboo Pavilion just as the newborn’s cries filled the air.
Moments later, the midwife brought out the swaddled baby and placed him directly into Su Shi’s arms, announcing, “Congratulations, Master Su! It’s a very strong young gentleman!”
“I can tell from his cries – loud enough to shake the heavens. This child won’t be weak,” Su Shi said with a laugh, gently bouncing the baby in his arms.
After instructing servants to reward the midwife, the family entered the warm chamber where a specially prepared cradle awaited the newborn. Su Shi carefully placed the baby in the cradle, and the three siblings crowded around, their heads pressed together.
When Chen Ge’er saw the baby, his face showed alarm and he immediately prepared to voice his opinion, startling Yuan Niang who quickly covered his mouth. This wasn’t the time for unpleasant comments!
Su Mai stifled his laughter nearby. He knew exactly what Chen Ge’er was thinking just by his posture – undoubtedly about to complain how ugly the baby looked. Smiling, he told Chen Ge’er, “You looked just like that when you were little.”
Knowing his sons well, Su Shi could easily guess what the two brothers were silently debating. He chuckled, “Don’t throw the baby away if he’s not good-looking – he’ll become handsome with time. You children play here – I’m going to check on your mother.” With that, he rose cheerfully and left.
In the delivery room, everything had been tidied up. Wang Runzhi, pale-faced, leaned against Chao Yun while drinking soup. Seeing Su Shi enter, she immediately asked, “The baby? Is he healthy?”
“Yes, he’s fine. You’ve worked hard,” Su Shi said with concern.
Only then did Wang Runzhi’s anxious heart settle. Though she hadn’t shown it outwardly, she had been extremely worried – Shu Ji had been born with poor health, and she feared this child might… But thankfully, heaven had been merciful.
Su Shi wiped the sweat from her forehead with a cloth and comforted her, “Don’t overthink things. Focus on recovering your health. We’ll soon have news about Shu Ji’s situation.”
Wang Runzhi, who had been about to close her eyes, opened them wide at this.
Su Shi said, “Rest first. We’ll discuss the details when you wake up.”
Knowing he wouldn’t say more, Wang Runzhi had no choice but to lie back down.
Three days later, the Su Mansion hosted a grand Third-Day Bathing ceremony, inviting numerous relatives and friends.
Chen Xiang, the current prefect of Hangzhou, along with Liu Ziyu, Chen Shunyu, Liu Xiaoshu, Zhang Xian, Li Gongze, and others all came to offer congratulations.
When Yuan Niang heard the guest list, her eyes widened in amazement. How impressive – all these people would leave their marks in history! She was quite eager to meet them, but Chen Ge’er kept pulling her around, hiding and dodging as if trying to become invisible.
Puzzled, Yuan Niang asked, “Second Brother, why are you running?”
Patting his chest with lingering fear, he said, “Dear sister, we must hurry! If those old scholars catch us, they’ll make us compose poetry!”
“But I’m only six years old and can’t even recognize all the characters yet. Surely that won’t be a problem?” Yuan Niang asked.
“Normally it would be fine, but you’re my father’s disciple – think about it, isn’t that terrifying!” Chen Ge’er appealed to both reason and emotion. “You know what they say – a famed teacher produces outstanding students.”
This sent shivers down Yuan Niang’s spine, and she quickly followed Chen Ge’er into the artificial cave to hide.
Before long, two attendants hurriedly met outside the rockery. One asked: “Wang Qi, where is the master now? We have an important guest.”
Wang Qi replied puzzled: “He’s receiving guests in the bamboo grove. Even the prefect has visited today – is there anyone in Hangzhou City more important than the prefect?”
The other quickly responded: “It’s someone from the imperial court.”
Hearing this, Wang Qi felt a sudden tension and immediately led him to report.
The two children hiding in the rockery were completely bewildered by what they heard. Yuan Niang’s right eyelid kept twitching as an ominous premonition washed over her.
Unexpectedly, the long-dormant screen in her mind slowly lit up with two striking characters: Shen Kuo!
Yuan Niang’s heart skipped a beat! How could she have forgotten such an important matter!! Shen Kuo was the one who took Su Shi’s poetry collection from Hangzhou, annotated it separately, and inserted it into his inspection report to make trouble for Su Shi with the Guanjia.
She clicked her tongue in frustration and, no longer caring about hiding, turned and rushed out to find Su Mai.
“Hey, Yuan Mei, Yuan Mei, where are you going? Wait for me!” Chen Ge’er immediately chased after her.
The two ran until they were sweating profusely, and Yuan Niang finally caught up with Su Mai on his way to the banquet.
Pulling Su Mai aside, Yuan Niang asked: “Elder brother, does Master have any friendship with Inspector Shen?”
Su Mai smiled: “Although Inspector Shen is a core member of the New Policies faction, is there anyone in this world my father doesn’t get along with?”
Yuan Niang shook her head and continued: “Have they exchanged poetry before?”
Only then did Su Mai become serious: “Actually no. Inspector Shen is from Qiantang, and the Shen family of Qiantang specializes in medicine. Father wanted to consult him about third brother’s health, which is why we sent the invitation to Inspector Shen.”
“So he didn’t come for poetry?” Yuan Niang asked worriedly. “I heard he specifically asked for Master’s new poetry collection before returning to the capital. What’s the reason for that?”
No previous poetry exchanges, yet suddenly asking for a poetry collection today – and he’s from the New Policies faction, holding the position of Inspector of Liangzhe – this was truly alarming.
Su Mai’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately rushed to Su Shi’s study without another word, with Yuan Niang following closely.
In the adjacent room, Su Shi was chatting warmly with Shen Kuo, sharing drinks in a very harmonious atmosphere.
Su Mai quietly moved the latest poetry collections to the innermost part of the drawer and took another collection from the bookshelf to place on the desk.
Yuan Niang casually flipped through the collection and, finding no inflammatory content, felt somewhat relieved.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Shen Kuo excused himself citing official business. Su Shi politely urged him to stay as customary. Shen Kuo seemed to remember something and asked: “I wonder if Zizhan has composed any new poems recently? Have they been bound into a collection? Might this unworthy elder brother have a look?”
Suspecting nothing, Su Shi smiled: “Brother Cunzhong, please wait a moment.” Saying this, he personally went to the study to look for the poetry collection, while the three siblings secretly hid in the shadows.
Su Shi searched the desk and, finding the recent poetry collections missing with only one collection remaining on the desk, decided it would be too impolite to keep the guest waiting while searching further. He had no choice but to take this one out.
Yuan Niang’s heart pounded wildly – ancient scholars feared literary inquisition most of all! Though Su Mai had hidden those clearly emotional poems, anyone determined to find fault could still manage it. Thinking this, she quietly slipped out through the side door. When Chen Ge’er moved to follow, Yuan Niang waved him off saying, “I’m going to the privy.”
With that, she took a shortcut along another path and caught up with Shen Kuo.
“Investigator Shen.” Yuan Niang steeled herself to block his path.
Shen Kuo halted, seeing it was a six-year-old girl. The corner of his mouth twitched as he looked down at her. “Whose daughter are you? What do you want?”
“I’m someone who admires Master Su’s talent and came with my family to visit Su Mansion,” Yuan Niang fabricated her background casually. “Is that… Master Su’s poetry collection in your hand?”
“Correct,” Shen Kuo said with a frown.
“I heard from my father that you’re the Guanjia’s newly appointed investigator. Did the Guanjia send you to get Master Su’s poetry collection? Does the Guanjia like Master Su’s poems too? How wonderful!” Yuan Niang pretended innocence.
A barely noticeable discomfort flashed across Shen Kuo’s stern features. He neither confirmed nor denied it.
Yuan Niang paid no mind – her goal of warning through implication had been achieved. Then she put on a worried expression: “I wonder if my father will be as fortunate as Lord Shen in obtaining a poetry collection from Master Su. With so many guests today, and my father being rather inarticulate… ah, such worry…” She gazed enviously at the poetry collection in Shen Kuo’s hand, practically drooling, appearing like a young girl utterly captivated by Master Su’s talent.
Shen Kuo shook his head and strode away. After turning the corner, he asked his attendant thoughtfully, “Which family does that girl belong to?”
The attendant shook his head: “Many guests came to offer congratulations today – I didn’t pay particular attention.” This Lord Shen was from the New Policies faction, which held opposing political views to their master. The eldest young master had specifically warned to be cautious when dealing with New Policies guests.
Seeing this, Shen Kuo dismissed his doubts.
Watching Shen Kuo leave without looking back, Yuan Niang immediately wiped all innocence from her face, her small features turning cold.
“When did this master learn that you admire his talent so much?” A slightly teasing voice suddenly came from behind, making Yuan Niang jump in surprise.