Little Pei Shaohuai sat quietly nearby, full of thoughts but unable to speak, obediently listening.
It was no wonder Grandmother hesitated—placing a bet on whether the Emperor would favor someone like Master Xu was risky. One misstep and everything could be lost.
On the other hand, if the Xu family had already earned imperial favor and a bright future, would the marriage of the younger son have been arranged so smoothly? In truth, Pei Bingyuan had seen the Xu family’s potential, and the Xus, new to Kyoto, had appreciated the prestige of the Marquisate—nothing more.
“You’re really careless,” Grandmother scolded Pei Bingyuan. “Normally, you’re busy with your studies and ignore household matters… fine. But as a father, can you be so inattentive when it comes to your daughter Lian’s marriage, choosing a family without certainty?”
She leaned on her cane, emphasizing, “Remember, she is the legitimate eldest granddaughter of the Marquisate!”
Pei Bingyuan, gentle by nature, did not take offense. He only looked slightly helpless, regretting that he hadn’t explained things clearly. “Mother, you have misunderstood me this time.”
He patiently explained, “Master Xu passed the provincial exams in the fifth year of the Chengshun era. His current rank isn’t high, but within a few years, someone recommended him to return to the capital. That alone shows the Xu family has talent; promotion is only a matter of time. Moreover, the Xu eldest son has passed the provincial exam and is a proper scholar, ready for the spring examination. The second son, whom we are proposing for Lian, passed the county exam last year. The family is scholarly, relationships are simple, and if Lian marries in, though not immensely wealthy, she will enjoy a peaceful and decent life.”
Grandmother’s expression softened slightly; she seemed to have taken in his reasoning.
Pei Bingyuan continued, “Think back to those earlier suitors—some frequented pleasure houses seeking favors, some had already lost two wives, and some were much older than Lian… Compared to them, isn’t the Xu family infinitely better?”
After hearing this, Grandmother gradually relented, pondering for a long moment before saying, “Go check again, but if there’s nothing better, this Xu family will do.”
Although she said “check again,” her words indicated that the Xu family was almost certainly chosen.
“There’s no need for that, Mother,” Pei Bingyuan replied. “I’ll save you the trouble.”
Pei Shaohuai felt relieved that his elder sister had a good match, but he also sighed inwardly. He had thought the Marquisate could rely on its prestige for a while, but the family’s decline was already apparent. Otherwise, so many disreputable people wouldn’t dare seek the hand of the legitimate eldest granddaughter.
…
As the Lunar New Year approached, Master Xu and his family finally relocated from Taicang Prefecture to Kyoto.
During this time, Pei Bingyuan found a pretext to examine his future son-in-law, Xu Zhan, and grew more and more satisfied with him. Lady Xu naturally also came to the Marquisate, ostensibly to pay respects, but in reality to appraise Pei Ruolian.
Being raised in the Marquisate, Ruolian was well-mannered and cultured, skilled in social interactions, and had helped Grandmother manage the estate. In public, she was poised and confident.
Lady Xu nodded repeatedly, her expression warm and approving.
With both parties satisfied, the marriage was verbally agreed upon. After Ruolian’s coming-of-age ceremony, the Xu family would select an auspicious date for the formal betrothal and naming rituals.
…
…
A gentle breeze stirred the willow branches—early spring had arrived.
The servants of the Marquisate grew busy. In just a few days, Pei Shaohuai’s first birthday ceremony would take place, and the family naturally prepared carefully in advance.
At one year old, Shaohuai was beginning to learn to speak and walk. But he did not rush to display his exceptional talents, instead following instinct, taking his time.
He thought to himself that once his little legs were strong enough, he could walk properly—then, as he grew, he would have a pair of long, straight legs.
As for speaking, he had no urge to talk yet, though someone taught him daily:
“Tuantuan, say Mama.”
“Huai Ge’er, say Grandmother.”
Even his usually indifferent father participated.
One day, Pei Bingyuan unexpectedly allowed Lin Shi to bring Shaohuai to the study to play.
When Pei Bingyuan took him, the child felt heavier than before. “You’ve grown so heavy,” he said, pressing his face close to the boy, showing a rare fatherly affection, and encouraged, “Come, Huai Ge’er, say Daddy.”
Shaohuai looked at this “hands-off” father and thought wryly that after months of not being held, he realized he had grown and grown heavy—but the father still expected him to say “Daddy.”
Shaohuai deliberately opened his mouth to imitate speech but made no sound.
Believing his son was learning, Pei Bingyuan became enthusiastic, saying, “Da, Ada, Daddy…”
Unexpectedly, Shaohuai mischievously replied with a small “Mm-mm” and nodded repeatedly.
He had taken advantage of his father.
Pei Bingyuan was stunned before realizing he had been teased. Half annoyed, half amused, he said, “You little rascal! So young and daring to tease your father.” Despite the scolding, he was pleased Shaohuai was clever.
Lin Shi giggled at the scene.
Shaohuai then said, “Shu, shu-shu,” in his sweet little voice.
“Uncle?”
“Uncle?”
Pei Bingyuan was taken aback—his son had called him “uncle” instead of “father”! Lin Shi quickly explained, “He’s staring at the book on your desk.”
Pei Bingyuan noticed the boy’s gaze was fixed on the book. Handing it over, he watched for Shaohuai’s reaction.
Without hesitation, Shaohuai hugged the book and pointed toward the door, telling Lin Shi, “Go, quickly go,” as if afraid his “prize” would be taken back.
A true little scoundrel.
From then on, Shaohuai gradually learned to say a few words at a time—“Daddy,” “Mama,” “Grandmother”—clearly and sweetly, delighting Grandmother.
…
…
The day before Shaohuai’s first birthday, his maternal uncle, Lin Shiyun, arrived with his wife Jiang. They brought two full carts of gifts but were extremely discreet, arriving only after dusk.
Pei Bingyuan and Lin Shi received them in the main hall.
“Brother, last month you went to Yangzhou on business—did all go smoothly?” Pei Bingyuan asked politely.
Lin Shiyun hesitated, recalling that the Yangzhou trip had been months prior, then smiled and said, “Thanks to Brother-in-law’s concern, all went smoothly.”
After some small talk, Pei Bingyuan found an excuse to return to the study, leaving the siblings alone.
Lin Shiyun, slightly older than Pei Bingyuan, had a broad face, a bit plump, and slightly tanned from years of commerce. To Shaohuai, his uncle’s story was almost legendary.
Originally, the Lin family had been minor merchants in Kyoto, running a small cloth shop and living comfortably.
But Lin Shiyun’s father suffered a loss, losing the family’s wealth. His old illnesses worsened, and he passed away.
At less than twenty, Lin Shiyun inherited the family burden. Bold and enterprising, he switched from a small shopkeeper to a traveling merchant, risking the remaining family silver to venture far and wide.
Sharp-eyed and thoughtful, he sold goods that always found a market. Over a decade of hard work, he slowly built the Lin family’s substantial estate.
Yet the family had no foundation or protection. Despite earnings, much of it had to be spent maintaining connections and ensuring safety—hardly sustainable.
In such times, Lin Shiyun’s daring spirit impressed Shaohuai.
…
Shaohuai had learned to speak. Lin Shi encouraged, “Huai’er, say Uncle.”
Shaohuai opened his mouth and said, “Uncle.”
Lin Shiyun beamed, happier than when his own child had called him father. “My clever nephew—he will surely be a top scholar someday.”
He then hung a heavy gold lock around Shaohuai’s neck, ignoring Lin Shi’s protests. Shaohuai, feeling the weight, held it up with both hands.
Lin Shi asked, “Why did you come today? The birthday is tomorrow.”
Lin Shiyun chuckled, “Big brother can’t make it tomorrow, so we came early.” He tugged Jiang’s sleeve to hint her part in the story.
Jiang added, “Tomorrow, my family has urgent matters. We brought him ahead to ensure we don’t miss his first birthday.”
Lin Shi understood their good intentions, though she felt a pang of emotion. As the legitimate eldest grandson, Shaohuai’s ceremony would host noble families of Kyoto. Her merchant family arriving would have complicated matters for Pei Bingyuan.
Lin Shi couldn’t help crying, murmuring, “If I’d known, I wouldn’t have married into this family, causing my brother and sister-in-law such trouble.”
Lin Shiyun reassured her, “You speak nonsense. Your husband doesn’t mind. You just focus on raising the child well. If our next generation succeeds, the Lin family will rise from merchants to officials and never have to worry about status again.”
Jiang helped wipe Lin Shi’s tears, encouraging, “Your brother is right—you are the most accomplished daughter in our family. You must cherish this fortune… Those little rascals in my house will rely on you, Auntie.”
Lin Shi calmed, though a bittersweet feeling lingered.
They spoke at length, sharing personal thoughts.
“It’s getting late. We should go,” Lin Shiyun said. “After the birthday, you can bring Shaohuai to see Mother when the time is right.”
Lin Shi nodded.
…
Shaohuai understood why Lin Shiyun married his sister into the Pei family. Wealth alone could not guarantee scholarly offspring. To nurture the next generation and ally with the gentry, a dual strategy was needed—clearly, Pei Bingyuan was a far better match than a poor scholar.
The Lin family had chosen wisely.
However, in the original story, Lin Shiyun’s gamble failed. Now that Shaohuai had a second chance, the outcome remained unknown.
…
…
The next morning, Shaohuai was awakened by Lin Shi, dressed in festive clothes. The fair little boy looked even brighter and more alert.
The male family members first went to the ancestral hall to pay respects. By mid-morning, the family returned to the main hall to welcome guests.
Shaohuai was carried about, drowsy from waking so early.
Guests arrived one after another:
“Greetings from the Ning family of Anyuan!”
“Congratulations from Minister Shen of the Ministry of Works!”
“Greetings from Master You of the Shengchang Marquisate!”
… The hall was bustling.
Though the Marquisate’s prestige had declined, invited nobles still showed respect, attending ceremoniously.
The crowd kept growing. By noon, some important relatives had yet to arrive. Grandfather Pei Pu frowned. “Bingyuan, did your uncle send an invitation early?”
Pei Bingyuan, understanding, replied, “Concerned about his duties at court, he sent it two weeks in advance and followed up a few days ago.” His uncle, Pei Pu’s younger brother, Pei Jue.