Chapter 2

The two little grandsons rose and followed the old lady into the house. Once she had shut the door, she called Song Jingrui forward first and questioned him.

“Ruir, Grandmother saw that you were silent just now. After hearing what Cheng said, what is on your mind? Tell Grandmother.”

Song Jingrui replied, “I think Grandmother is right. It was only a dream, nothing to be taken seriously. If I want to rise above others and succeed in the examinations, I must rely on my own abilities.”

The old lady froze for a moment. Clearly, she had not expected her grandson to speak with such forceful conviction. Her eyes grew red at once.

Patting her grandson’s small shoulder, she said, “Good, good child. To have such a heart at your age makes Grandmother very happy.”

Song Jingrui’s face reddened slightly, and he lowered his head, somewhat embarrassed. The truth was that he had never believed the little rogue Song Jingchen could ever utter anything honest. His younger brother was always up to mischief.

Seeing that Grandmother had praised his brother, Song Jingchen obediently edged into her embrace, blinking his large eyes as he asked, “Grandmother, what about me?”

The old lady stroked his tender little face and smiled. “Our Cheng is a good child too.”

Then she turned to Song Jingrui again and instructed him, “Ruir, remember this: the way of study lies in perseverance. Never work for three days and rest for two. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Grandmother.” Song Jingrui answered obediently.

“Grandmother, I wasn’t full earlier.” In the old lady’s arms, Song Jingchen wriggled and acted spoiled, his eyes fixed eagerly on the bedside cabinet. The aunt had brought Grandmother pastries two days ago, and he had seen them.

The old lady rubbed her temples. Her family’s little glutton could smell food even if it were hidden in a rat hole.

Still, she opened the cabinet and took out two pieces of sweet pastry, handing one to each of the boys. “Finish them, then wash your hands. Behave, and there will be more next time.”

“Understood, Grandmother.” Both children answered brightly.

The old lady patted the little one’s head. Though the family had fallen on hard times, they were still harmonious, brothers respectful and affectionate. Sooner or later, there would be a day when they would rise.

She had originally intended to send Ruir to study under Scholar Gao. But now it seemed she would have to set aside her pride and ask one of her old friends whether she could help find the boy a better teacher.

The two little brothers happily finished the pastries in Grandmother’s room. Song Jingchen still wanted more, even thinking of licking the crumbs from the corner of his mouth, but he held back, took out a small handkerchief, wiped his lips himself, folded the cloth neatly inside out, and put it away. Then he washed his hands with his brother and left the room.

Once outside, Song Jingrui put on a serious little face and asked, “Cheng, what are you up to?”

Song Jingchen grinned and wrapped his plump little arms around Song Jingrui’s shoulder like lotus roots, leaning close to whisper mysteriously into his ear, “We’re having chicken tonight.”

Song Jingrui frowned. “What chicken? Where would there be chicken?”

Song Jingchen’s eyes sparkled. “The roast chicken shop at the east end of the street opened today for the first time. Grandmother always burns incense and worships the Buddha on the first and fifteenth of every month. I said I dreamed you would become a great official, so for good luck she’ll surely buy a roast chicken as an offering.”

The last time he had eaten roast chicken was during the New Year. Thinking of that tempting flavor, Song Jingrui swallowed and then composed his little face solemnly. “You should not lie and deceive people for the sake of eating roast chicken. How improper. Not again.”

“Then you can prove you don’t want to eat chicken.”

“You’ve tricked me already. Why shouldn’t I eat it?”

“Since when did I trick you?”

“Do you believe that if my mother hears your nonsense, she’ll only push me harder?”

Song Jingchen scratched his little head. His brother did seem to have a point.

Just then, Song Third Brother called from the doorway of his own house, “Cheng, come here.”

Song Jingchen stuck out his tongue at Song Jingrui, then turned and ran off on his short legs to find his father.

“Father, what do you need me for?” he asked in a sweet little voice.

“Come inside. Your father has something to tell you.”

“Mm.” With short, bouncy steps, Song Jingchen followed his father into the house.

After the pair entered, Song Third Brother leaned out and looked around. Seeing that Xiuniang had gone from the kitchen into Eldest Sister-in-law’s room and would not be back for a while, he still carefully shut the door.

Seeing his father acting so mysteriously, Song Jingchen thought he must be secretly giving him candy behind Mother’s back, and he looked at his father with eyes full of tiny stars.

But then he heard his father say in a stern voice, “Song Jingchen, kneel down.”

Song Jingchen froze and looked up in confusion. “Father...”

“I told you to kneel. Didn’t you hear me?”

Song Third Brother’s voice was not loud, but it carried an inherent authority that made one involuntarily feel reverent.

If Xiuniang had seen him like this, she might not have believed this was her husband. For Song Jingchen, this was only the second time he had seen his father angry.

The first time was when he heard a storyteller’s tale and still felt unsatisfied, so he dragged a group of little friends to play house. He played the emperor, made the others play ministers, and had them kneel before him while shouting long live the emperor three times. Coincidentally, his father caught him in the act.

His father, who normally held him in the palm of his hand and had never even scolded him loudly, had given him a full bamboo-shoot-fried-with-meat lesson. His bottom had hurt for days.

Song Jingchen remembered punishment well. Like a gust of wind, he ran back into the inner room, then came rushing out again, threw a cotton cushion onto the ground, and obediently knelt on it.

Song Third Brother: “...”

“Hold out your hands,” Song Third Brother said, truly angered.

Song Jingchen refused. He had seen with his own eyes how Second Aunt used the ruler on Second Brother’s hands, and his little meaty hands quickly hid behind his back.

Song Third Brother said nothing, merely watching him.

Song Jingchen felt that his father’s silence was even scarier than his words. He rushed forward and hugged Song Third Brother’s leg, crying, “Father, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have lied and tricked the adults. Please don’t hit me.”

Song Third Brother crouched down. “What else were you wrong about?”

Song Jingchen blinked his eyelashes and whispered, “I used Second Brother to make up a lie.”

Song Third Brother asked, “Then tell me why you did it.”

In a small voice, Song Jingchen explained his little scheme.

Song Third Brother was secretly startled. He had not expected his son, at such a young age, to have such a winding mind. What was frightening was that the child had even managed to grasp everyone’s weak points.

Mother always cared about omens and good fortune. Ruir would not expose him because of affection and loyalty, and everyone else wanted Ruir to make something of himself and bring honor to the Song family. So aside from him, almost everyone had been willing to believe the little rascal’s lies.

The more he thought about it, the more frightened Song Third Brother became. A person too clever must have a proper heart and win goodwill from others. What he feared most was cleverness joined with wickedness. A person like that, if not judged by men, would surely be judged by Heaven.

Today Cheng could deceive the adults over a roast chicken and use a cousin for his own ends. Tomorrow, for greater gain, would he not do something even more excessive?

A person driven by greed and desire would never end well.

He had indulged this child too much before, spoiling him into acting without discipline, doing whatever he pleased.

It was also that he and Xiuniang had married late. The original owner’s first wife had been weak and sickly, and after finally conceiving a child, she had died with the baby in childbirth.

After he had come into this world, he followed the old lady’s arrangement and married Xiuniang. Later, Cheng was born, and the mother and son healed many of the wounds from his previous life.

He watched the child grow little by little: the first cry, the first smile, the first time standing upright, the first time he called him Daddy... It was only natural that he loved him too much and could not bear for him to suffer even the slightest grievance.

If today’s matter were raised high and then let down lightly, Cheng would come to think that no matter how great a mistake he made, a little coaxing and a soft apology would be enough. Then in the future he would only grow bolder and bolder.

The rules that had to be set must be set.

Song Third Brother stood up and pulled a willow switch from the wall, one that had been left over from weaving baskets.

Song Jingchen wanted to run, but did not dare. He shut his eyes and obediently held out both little chubby hands. “Father, you must hit lightly. I’m afraid Mother will see if I’m not careful.”

Song Third Brother’s mouth twitched. “You’re threatening your father?”

Song Jingchen said, “I wouldn’t dare.”

“I don’t see that there’s anything you wouldn’t dare.”

Crack. The switch landed on the small, white, plump hands that were soft as tofu.

“Ow, that hurts!” Song Jingchen cried exaggeratedly.

“Shut up!” Song Third Brother said angrily. His posture looked fierce enough, but in truth he was well skilled and controlled his force with precision, letting only the finest tip of the willow branch brush lightly across his son’s hands, meant only to frighten him. He had not the heart to truly strike a child of five.

After giving the little hands several swats, Song Third Brother finally said, “In all things, you must consider the consequences. Today you said you dreamed that your Second Brother would become a great official in the future. If he believed your nonsense, he might stop studying properly from now on and spend his days dreaming of becoming an official.”

“If the family believes you, then everyone will stop living properly and spend their days waiting for a pie to fall from the sky. If your Second Brother truly does become a great official, that is well enough. But if he does not, what will the family think, and how will your Second Brother face it himself?”

Song Third Brother’s words left Song Jingchen’s little face pale. When he said those things, all he had thought about was the fragrance of roast chicken. How could he have considered so much?

Tears gathered in Song Jingchen’s large eyes, and he lifted his hands higher. “Father, I was wrong. I deserve to be punished.”

Song Third Brother tossed aside the willow switch and crouched down, patting his head. “You’re still small, and your thoughts are simple. It’s only natural not to think of so much. By rights, Father should allow you the chance to make mistakes and not strike you from the start, but—”

As if remembering something, Song Third Brother fell silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice,

“Some mistakes, once made, leave no chance for regret. Father hopes you will remember this: think thrice before you act. Do you understand?”

Song Jingchen nodded half-understandingly. “Cheng understands.”

Song Third Brother nodded. “Good, as long as you understand.”

Song Jingchen blinked. “Father, I won’t tell Mother that you hit me.”

Song Third Brother wanted to hit him again.

“Father, does Cheng need to apologize to everyone?” Song Jingchen asked.

“What do you think?” Song Third Brother threw the question back at him.

“Cheng will listen to Father.”

Song Third Brother patted his son’s shoulder. “Father teaches you to be honest, but not to be rigid. It is right to think of others, but you need not wrong yourself too much. The one most affected by this matter is your Second Brother. Later, go explain it clearly to him. As for the family, your Second Brother knows what to do.”

“Go on. See why your mother still hasn’t returned. Today Father will take the three of us to the market for a stroll.”

“Father, are you serious? I want sugar cakes, and sweet fruit, and I also want a big watermelon.”

“Bought.”

“Father is the best!”

“All right, stop flattering your father. Go on.”

At that moment, Xiuniang was chatting animatedly with Madam Jiang, Madam Wang, and the others.

“Second Sister-in-law, I noticed this hairpin on your head yesterday. It looks wonderful on you. The plum-blossom design suits you perfectly.” For her son’s future, Xiuniang was speaking only words she did not truly mean.

Madam Jiang was shrewd. She thought, Yesterday I passed before your eyes several times, and you ignored me as if you hadn’t seen a thing. Now you come over to flatter me?

Though she saw through it, she did not expose it. Besides, she liked these words from Madam Xu.

Leaving aside other matters, in terms of bearing and grace, Eldest Sister-in-law and Third Sister-in-law really could not compare with her. A lady nourished by books has a natural elegance that others cannot learn even if they wish to.

Madam Jiang said, “Third Sister-in-law, don’t praise me so. It’s only an ordinary silver hairpin; I just wear it casually at home. If we’re talking about beauty, it’s still my dowry gold hairpin with hanging silk-cloud patterns that is truly lovely.”

Xiuniang snorted inwardly: There she goes again, always showing off. What on earth is there to boast about all day? If you’re so capable, why not use that gold hairpin to trade eggs for your son? Would you bear to part with it?

Madam Wang rolled her eyes inwardly and picked up the thread. “Second Sister-in-law is literate after all, unlike us rough folk. She doesn’t only have good taste in hairpins; even the pleated skirt she’s wearing is very pretty. If Eldest Sister-in-law needs to buy clothes in the future, bringing Second Sister-in-law along would be the right thing.”

Madam Jiang was pleased in her heart, though she remained modest aloud. “Listen to what Eldest Sister-in-law is saying. I only know a little writing and reading, just a bit better than the rest of you. As for this pleated skirt, I made it by imitating the style that’s popular right now. If you like it, I won’t keep it to myself. I can teach you how to make it another day.”

“That would be lovely. Then Eldest Sister-in-law won’t stand on ceremony with you. Our girl Zhuyun is exactly at the age when she loves pretty things.”

At the mention of Song Jingzhu, a shadow crossed Madam Wang’s face.

Xiuniang and Madam Jiang could not help but sigh as well.

Right then, Song Jingchen, with his soft little baby voice, called out beneath the eldest house’s window, “Mother, Father says to come home.”