WSMTATMC C69

Chapter 69

On the day of Yuanbao’s full moon celebration, to their surprise, Li Cheng arrived with his two sons.

At the sudden sight of his eldest uncle, Chen Qingyan was astonished. Although the two families had promised future visits, given that Tianyang was so far from Qingshui Town—a journey difficult and lengthy—he thought they might only send gifts as a formal courtesy. He did not expect them to come in person.

“Greetings, Elder Uncle, Cousin No. One, Cousin No. Two.”

“Respectful greetings,” Li Cheng helped Chen Qingyan up. After receiving letters from his nephew, he wanted to visit in person and see how his sister and her family had been living these past years.

At first, in anger, Li Shu had refused to visit during her first marriage. People said the Chen family’s situation was decent, so marrying in might mean hardship spared.

They toured the courtyard. While spacious, the humble gate and simple furnishings lacked grandeur—no screen wall greets visitors, no wonder their father once called his brother-in-law a “muddy-legged country bumpkin.”

Passing through the front yard to the central courtyard—where the banquet would be held—the servants had already arranged tables and chairs early. Some were family-owned, others rented from the tavern, to be returned after use.

Chen Qingyan guided his eldest uncle and two cousins straight into the main hall.

Madam Li was receiving guests; seeing her eldest brother she paused, then greeted him with delight: “Brother, you’re here! Why has it been so long?”

Other guests, noticing an honored visitor, rose to the side to chat quietly.

Li Bingwen said, “We heard our cousin was hosting a full-month banquet for the baby, so naturally we had to come stir the atmosphere.”

“Sit quickly. Qiuyue, go get tea—such a long journey must have tired you.”

Li Cheng, reluctant after so long without talking to his sister, sounded a little restrained. “We are fine. The weather was warm and slowed us, but we’re not too tired.”

Early spring in March was the best season—the wind gentle, the rain just a fine drizzle with little hindrance to travel.

Madam Li asked about their family affairs, then the siblings fell silent.

Li Bingwen, however, was more talkative, asking Chen Qingyan: “I heard your husband had a boy—has he been named?”

Chen Qingyan replied, “Yes, my teacher chose the name. His single character name is Ze (泽).”

The Li family, being scholarly, were somewhat selective about names. “When was he born? Might the name be too simple?”

Chen Qingyan recited the child’s birth details and the eight characters of his horoscope. Li Cheng considered silently for a while. The character Ze was indeed fitting.

It was neither too lofty nor too superficial. Its meaning evoked blessings and nourishing rain—an auspicious name reflecting the teacher’s care.

Li Cheng and the others had other intentions—they planned to bring their two nephews to Tianyang.

After all, Tianyang was the county seat, offering far better education than the small town. Plus, Li Cheng himself had been a distinguished licentiate, and his two sons as well. With good schooling, perhaps Qingyan and Qingsong might achieve even greater success.

But for now, the full moon banquet was more important. They would discuss further later.

Around the hour of Chen (辰时), guests arrived one after another, filling the courtyard with liveliness.

Normally, everyone was busy with family affairs; occasions to gather in one place were rare. Today, as everyone sat chatting together, the air filled with old tales and warmth.

Among them was Lady Lu. Madam Li immediately went forward to greet her, “Sister-in-law Lu, long time no see.”

Lady Lu hesitated. “Family affairs kept me busy lately. No chance to come out.”

“Come in! The other ladies are over there.”

Lady Lu glanced that way, quickly finding several familiar faces, then walked over with haste.

She felt uneasy inside because of one matter weighing on her mind.

Last year her son became close friends with a certain licentiate surnamed Zhang. The two were inseparable; her son was often led astray by Zhang.

Later, she heard that Zhang had his leg broken by the Chen family’s son. To avenge his friend, Zhang gathered some scholars to fabricate slander at Chen Qingyan’s shop.

Whether the county exam cheating was true or not, the families got along reasonably well. But even if real, how could she then keep peace with Madam Chen?

Mr. Lu was furious when he learned what his son had done. He severely beat him and forced him to apologize in person.

Lu Chang’an was intelligent but stubborn—he hated apologizing to Chen Qingyan.

Later, Zhang, after kidnapping Chen’s husband and poisoning his parents, was caught and beheaded by the county magistrate. The shock turned Lu Chang’an ill, and he never spoke of the Chen family again. The matter dragged on as a shadow.

Today, apart from bringing congratulations to the child, Lady Lu intended to apologize on her son’s behalf—to seek Madam Chen’s forgiveness, hoping to restore peace and end their enmity.

At around the hour of Si (巳时), Wang Ying came out from the backyard cradling the baby. Yuanbao, now at his full moon, was plumper than when born—skin pale like Wang Ying’s.

He wore a traditional robe; underneath a soft, pale cotton garment in moon-white. On his head was a tiger’s head hat, and on his feet, tiny tiger embroidered shoes. The clothes fit neatly and looked beautiful.

Upon seeing the baby, everyone gathered around, praising how handsome he was. His ears stood taller than his eyebrows, a promising appearance for a future scholar.

Master Liang stood nearby, nodding as if proud of his own grandson.

According to local custom, when relatives visit, it was customary to offer tens of copper coins, or more if families were wealthy.

When Lu’s youngest child wore silver bangles that seemed two or three taels in weight, Madam Li quickly picked one up to return it.

Lady Lu stopped her hand. “Accept it. I’ll speak with you after the meal.”

Madam Li knew what she wished to say. After some hesitation, she accepted, pondering when her daughter-in-law would next bear a child, so she could reciprocate with a suitable gift.

After gifts from outsiders, it was time for family presents.

Chen Rong took a red cloth bundle from her bosom and placed it before Yuanbao.

Inside was a heavy silver necklace. The craftsmanship was exquisite. Clouds of auspicious shape were carved on its surface. Wang Ying immediately took it and put it on Yuanbao.

Holding the boy’s small hands, Wang bowed, “Thank you, Aunt.”

Lin Qiu and Lin Sui also each gave gifts. Cao Kun, tasked with shopping in the capital, had purchased two rolls of fine Xiangyun fabric.

“This fabric is perfect for children’s clothes in summer. Cool, breathable, and wicks sweat.”

Xiangyun fabric was highly valued and hard to obtain, even in the capital. Cao Kun had spent a fortune commissioning these bolts. One they kept for themselves, the other was a gift for Wang Ying.

Madam Li recognized the quality immediately and insisted: “Keep the better fabric for yourself.”

“But it’s for my little nephew. Aunt might refuse, besides you promised me two bolts of cashmere cloth for winter.”

Madam Li patted his arm. The child truly was precious and beloved.

When they arrived at Lin Sui’s, though young, she had a ready purse. Rather than purchase a gift, she had made a colorful patchwork cloth tiger as a gift for her little nephew.

Yuanbao loved it, the bright colors making him let go of everything else as he burrowed into her arms, drooling happily.

After Lady Lu left, elder uncle Li Cheng arrived, bringing two books—ordinary but precious.

One was the ancient Thousand Character Classic, passed down from their great-grandfather, a licentiate once serving as administrator of Fanyang. The other was a rare copy of four books commentaries written by the prime minister Qian Shubao during the previous dynasty.

This copy was already unique. They had two handwritten copies at home, and only the capital academy preserved the original. No other copies were known.

Liang spotted the books and immediately recognized their value. He decided to borrow them with his disciples for study.

Big cousins brought ink, paper, brushes, and inkstones. Their gifts were all high quality, especially a rectangular inkstone made of Chengni clay. The brilliant cinnabar red surface was worth dozens of strings of cash. The stone had been a gift from a colleague of Li Bingwen’s and had been saved without use. Using it as a gift might seem humble.

Chen Qingyan sincerely thanked his cousins.

Qinghuai gave the baby a handwritten scroll, copying samples from Liu Gongquan’s calligraphy.

The final gifts were from Chen’s relatives: Qingyun presented a handmade embroidered garment, nearly fully covered in stitching. She had spent four months perfecting it.

Wang Ying examined the clothes closely—embroidered were peace and joy symbols, as well as luck for long life. “Your little aunt made this for you. She pinched her fingers countless times.”

Qingyun picked Yuanbao up with practiced ease, cooing, “I don’t mind the finger pricks. Isn’t that right, Little Yuanbao?”

Yuanbao recognized her voice. He opened his toothless mouth in a goofy smile and squinted happily.

Madam Li smiled quietly: “Little Yuanbao loves Auntie. Every time Qingyun holds him, he calms down.”

Chen Qingsong, watching nervously, pulled at Qingyan’s sleeve, “Look at my gift!”

He had donated a wooden toy carriage for his nephew. Though simple, he’d spent a fortune having a carpenter make it. Soon Yuanbao would be old enough to sit and pull it around.

Wang Ying laughed. “Very good. Then you’re responsible for pulling it.”

Qingsong eagerly agreed, “Sure, sure!”

Chen Qingyan tapped his brother’s head, “Focus on studies. If you just play now, what will you do if you pass the child exams next year?”

Madam Li was blunt, giving her grandson thirty strings of cash for study funds from the dowry.

Lastly, Master Liang composed a poem for the baby:

“Joyful child often speaks, like buds breaking ground in spring.

Diligent plowing under the moon, hard study cherishes each shade.”

The poem was not ornate; every line sincere, embodying a grandfather’s love. After spending time with them, Liang already regarded Wang Ying and Chen Qingyan as his own family.

At first, Li Cheng did not take Liang seriously. The poem was standard, nothing special.

But upon seeing the inscription—“Liang Liufang’s gift to great-nephew Chen Ze, March, Dingchou year”—his expression changed.

Liang Liufang—the name of the famed foremost talent of Jiangnan he had known?!

Footnotes:

• 六斤八两 (six jin, eight liang): old Chinese weight units; one jin ~500 g (1.1 lbs), so 6 jin 8 liang ~3.4 kg (~7.5 lbs). 
• Xiangyun fabric (香云纱): a famous, elegant silk fabric from the Ming and Qing dynasties, prized for softness and lightness. 
• 千字文 (Thousand Character Classic): a classic Chinese poem used as a primer for teaching characters. 
• Four Books commentaries: scholarly writings on Confucian classics, an essential reference for exams. 
• Chengni inkstone (澄泥砚): a valuable, traditional inkstone made from a finely refined clay called Chengni. 
• Dingchou year (丁丑年): a year in the Chinese sexagenary cycle; context places this particular year in the narrative’s timeline. 
• The poem reflects a wish for an industrious, bright future for the child.