WSMTATMC C168

Chapter 168

At dinner, Wang Ying told the two elders about the outbreak of war in the Northwest.

Madam Li set down her chopsticks. “The Marquis is to lead troops to the front?”

Lin Sui nodded. “He said he’ll depart in a few days and wants Qing’er to acknowledge me as foster father first.”

Chen Rong worried aloud. “What of the marriage then? If the date is delayed…”

“The Marquis said if it’s delayed, a new date will be set upon his return.”

“How does a war break out so suddenly…”

Wang Ying was deeply concerned. As one with knowledge from later ages, far too many dynasties came to an end because of war.

Once war begins, the people plummet from peaceful prosperity into an abyss of chaos overnight.

A speck of dust in history becomes a mountain when it lands on ordinary folk.

Two days later, the Marquis’s carriage arrived and took the Chen family and Lin Sui’s family to the Marquis’s residence; many of the Li clan relatives were also invited. Except for Li Mu’s father and step mother, almost all other relatives came.

Li Mu wished, in the presence of kin, to entrust his daughter to Lin Sui’s care. He feared that if he met danger in the Northwest, Qing’er would have no one to rely on.

His mother was aged and soft of heart; so long as the biological father spoke a few honeyed words and the stepmother shed a few tears, she would soften, and it would not be surprising if, in the end, the entire Marquisate was handed over.

As for the rest of the Li family, there was no need to mention them; aside from his elder brother who still bore some familial feeling, the others could not wait for him to die sooner to seize his estate.

Wolves without and tigers within—how could he leave an orphan and a helpless elder with an easy heart? So he simply made things explicit.

He had weighed the matter thoroughly. First, Lin Sui had no ability to bear children, which meant he could not have his own offspring. If Qing’er acknowledged him as foster father, he would surely regard her as his own.

Second, he trusted the character of the Chen family. Master Chen Jing had a reputation for incorruptible virtue; Chen Qingyan had a just and upright disposition; and his husband helped a cousin open a shop—kind and resourceful. Such a household was worthy of being entrusted with a child.

Of course, Li Mu was not without precaution. Silver can move the human heart; if he truly died on the battlefield, that great a fortune could yet change a man.

Therefore, he left two death-retainers in the army. Should news of his death spread, they would immediately go to the Marquis’s residence to protect Qing’er. If Lin Sui treated her well, the wealth could be given to him without concern; if he mistreated the child, then the death-retainers would not leave him be.

There was, in fact, a more reliable way—marry Lin Sui at once.

But Li Mu could not bear to rush it. That young ge’er had not been treated well by his former family; how could Li Mu conduct the wedding in such haste? If he really died outside, wouldn’t Lin Sui become a widowed husband again?

Once all was prepared, he took the child and everyone to the Li clan’s ancestral hall. Before the elders, Qing’er offered tea and acknowledged Lin Sui as her foster father.

Qing’er was the happiest of all. She did not know her father was heading to war, only that from today she, too, had an a-fu. Leaving the hall, the little girl held Lin Sui’s hand and wouldn’t let go.

At the gate, Li Mu halted. All knew the two had words to exchange. Wang Ying stepped forward and picked up Qing’er. “Come with Uncle to the carriage; later, go to the house and play with Yuanbao.”

Qing’er nodded and happily followed the carriage.

“I will be leaving in a few days,” Li Mu said, lowering his head and clearing his throat. “After I go, I entrust Qing’er to your care.”

“Be assured, Marquis—I will treat her as my own child. You know… in this lifetime I never thought I could be an a-fu. I never expected to meet Qing’er…” Tears glimmered in Lin Sui’s eyes, joy and gratitude from the bottom of his heart.

Li Mu drew a deep breath; the piercing wind filled his chest, raising an unnamable tug in his heart.

He had never feared death on campaign; he had once thought that if he died, perhaps life would be better for his mother, for his father had said that the blue birthmark on his face was ill-omened, and so his mother was despised on his account.

Since Qing’er, he had had one tie. And now, another.

“If any from the Li family come to make trouble, go to the camp and find General Zheng; he will handle it.”

“Yes, understood.”

Li Mu drew out a jade token. “Take this. You can draw five thousand taels from the bank with it. Keep it for me, and if something urgent arises, you can use it.”

Lin Sui tried to refuse. “Th-this… you should keep it. It’s too valuable—I’m afraid I might lose it…”

“No matter. Even if it’s lost, I can withdraw from the bank. Rest easy and take it.”

Li Mu drew him into a brief embrace, letting go in an instant. Only the iron-and-blood scent unique to him told Lin Sui that the short embrace had truly happened.

“I’m going. For these few days, let Qing’er stay with you. If she asks, tell her I’m off drilling troops and won’t be back for a long while.”

Lin Sui nodded.

Li Mu beckoned; a subordinate led the horse over. He mounted and left without looking back.

Holding his wildly thumping chest, Lin Sui prayed silently, wishing the man a safe return.

The news of the Northwestern war spread with the wind.

In just a few days, in streets and alleys all talk was of the campaign. The Wu dynasty had been at peace too long; for nearly a century there had been no great wars. People even took it as idle after-dinner chatter, with no sense that danger was creeping near.

On the sixteenth of the first month, the Jizhou army received orders: under the command of Marquis Wuping they would march—no one knew how many would once again be buried in distant lands…

—

On the twenty-third of the first month, Chen Qingyan and his party arrived in the capital. Because Senior Lord Liu had sent word ahead, the entire journey was almost unhindered.

A man waited at the gate; seeing a Liu wooden placard hanging from the carriage, he stepped forward.

“Has the Second Young Master arrived?” In the Liu household, Liu Changyi was second in the generation order.

Opening the door and seeing a familiar face, Liu Changyi called out, “Uncle Liu, you’ve come?”

“The old master reckoned you would arrive around these days and told me to wait at the gate, lest you not find the way.”

“I remember the way!” Liu Changyi grinned. He had come to the capital for his second sister’s wedding and stayed at his uncle’s for several days—though that had been three years ago.

Uncle Liu sat at the front of the shaft and directed the driver. “The road was smooth?”

“There was a snowfall midway, but it stopped quickly and didn’t delay us.”

“In the autumn, when the old madam learned you were marrying, she had planned to come back for a visit, but she caught a chill, and the old master didn’t dare let her travel. Learning you were coming this time, she’s been talking about it every day and has kept many treats for you.”

The old madam was Liu Changyi’s grandmother, now in her seventies. With few descendants, she doted on each child.

Recently, Liu Yao had brought her to the capital to enjoy her years. Though her heart hung on her second son and his two daughters, she was too old to shuttle back and forth; otherwise, she’d have returned to Jizhou long ago.

As they spoke, the carriage entered Vermilion Bird Avenue, the street of power in the capital. Though the street was long, only five households lived there.

The Lius, Songs, Zhangs, Yangs, and Shens—each household either kin to the throne or ministers of the highest rank. But that can be left aside.

The carriage halted at the Liu residence. Steward Liu Xin knocked; the porter opened at once, removed the threshold beam, and let the carriage roll into the courtyard.

Inside the gate stood a massive spirit screen. On it were carved two guardian lions, surrounded by auspicious clouds—so vivid they seemed ready to leap from the stone.

Inwardly, Chen Qingyan sighed—compared with this, the “Welcoming Wealth and Treasure” spirit screen at home seemed hopelessly vulgar.

Three stable boys came forward at once to lead the horses away; the goods on the carriage were not their concern and would soon be delivered to the rooms arranged in advance.

Because Chen Qingyan was an outside male, he could not lightly enter the inner gate. So they skirted the flowery eaves gate and went directly to the old madam’s courtyard.

Along the way, Liu Changyi babbled on. “Grandmother has a very good temper. If she can’t see Qingyun, seeing you will do.”

Chen Qingyan smiled. “How can that be the same?”

“Close enough. When grandmother gives you treats, just eat—eat more and she’ll be happier. Don’t be polite.”

“All right, rest easy.”

At the door, Liu Changyi called out at the top of his lungs, “Grandmother!”

His voice was loud; the old madam inside recognized it at once. “Is that Tiger-head?” Tiger-head was Liu Changyi’s childhood nickname.

Madam Liu said, “It must be—no one else has such a carrying voice.”

“Ha ha ha ha,” the old madam laughed, clapping her hands.

Soon, Liu Changyi and Chen Qingyan entered. Warmth hit their faces—braziers had been set, and it was cozy within. Their heavy cloaks were too much; they removed hats and cloaks and handed them to the maid, then stepped forward to pay respects.

“Unfilial grandson greets Grandmother and wishes you oceans of fortune and mountains of longevity.”

“Up with you, my dear grandson!” The old madam drew him into her arms, cherishing him. Though not the eldest, he was one of two single-rooted grandsons in a thinly peopled family; she treasured both.

Seated to the side, Madam Liu asked, “And this young gentleman?”

Chen Qingyan quickly stepped forward. “Junior Chen Qingyan, husband’s elder brother to Changyi’s wife. I have come to sit the metropolitan exam.”

“Oh, so you are Chen Qingyan! The old master has mentioned you many times!”

The old madam, hearing he was the elder brother of her granddaughter-in-law, gave him a careful look—his refined features and proper bearing told her the wife at home must be fine too.

“A pity your wife could not come this time. Grandmother prepared fine things for her.”

Liu Changyi said, “Qingyun is with child and cannot travel, so she did not come.”

At this, the old madam was even happier. “Good—she’s a blessed girl! When you go back, grandmother will send her many nice things!”

The eldest aunt was likewise delighted. In a household thin on numbers, adding a member was a joyous affair.

After a while, the old madam grew a bit tired. Madam Liu rose. “You’ve traveled hard these days—go rest now. When the old master returns, we’ll call you to dine.”

“All right, Grandmother—I’ll go now.”

Chen Qingyan bowed. “This junior takes leave.”

After they left, Madam Liu chuckled. “He’s really grown up. Last time, he still had a sweet tooth—now he’s married and soon to have a child.”

“Isn’t that so? And I’m old and no longer sturdy—just a little while and I can’t sit.”

“Mother is not old,” Madam Liu comforted her. “Mother must stay to hold a great-grandson.”

“Who knows when Changrui will return—I’ve not even met his child.”

But with the nephew here, the old madam could be happy for a long time.