When Yang Jingyuan returned home, the night watch drum had already struck the third watch. Entering the courtyard, he was surprised to see lights in the study, raising his eyebrows in wonder.
Hearing footsteps, Master Yang wearily opened his eyes. His gaze swept over his son’s rain-soaked hair, and he couldn’t help but sigh: “Third Son if you’re so reluctant to part, why reject the marriage?”
His father had guessed. Yang Jingyuan’s face reddened. Remembering how his momentary impulse had angered Ji Yingying, he thought despondently that perhaps it wasn’t meant to be.
“The old steward says the Ji family’s second daughter is clever, a lively and lovable young lady. Are you truly not going to regret this?”
“A true man need not worry about finding a wife. She has no feelings for me—forcing it would be futile. I… won’t regret it.”
Master Yang didn’t pursue the matter further, instead instructing: “Change your clothes and come here.”
In the lamplight, his father’s graying hair and aged face made Yang Jingyuan’s heart ache. Waiting until the third watch for his return—he must have been worried. He responded with a sound of assent, quickly changed his clothes, loosened his hair, and roughly dried it, then instructed Xiangyou to fetch a bowl of bird’s nest soup with rock sugar from the kitchen.
“No need.” Master Yang took the dry towel from his hands, gesturing for him to lower his head.
Yang Jingyuan paused, then obediently knelt before his father, allowing him to help dry his hair.
“Third Son, father understands your feelings. One person’s fullness doesn’t feed the whole family. Once married, you become head of a household. A man can’t bear the shame of being unable to support his family.”
Yang Jingyuan’s nose stung with emotion as he rested his face against his father’s knee: “Father, you understood all along?”
Master Yang carefully rubbed his wet hair. Having a son in his later years, among his three sons, he loved this youngest one most. But as a concubine’s son, he could only give his young son a decent share of the property, enough to ensure mother and son wouldn’t want food and clothing after he passed. He had always understood his wife Shi’s intentions. Could be favored, but not utilized—this was the price of his twenty years of devotion to Concubine Liu. His only regret was his Third Son. Such a clever son, allowed by Madam Shi to become an idle playboy.
Yet Third Son had proved so capable. Unable to learn brocade weaving and appraisal, he mastered martial arts instead. Now he was showing wisdom and understanding. How could he not feel for him?
“Father doesn’t oppose your venture outside. There’s only a bit more than a month until New Year. Would you stay home for the holiday this year? Once you leave home in the future, who knows when you’ll return.”
Yang Jingyuan closed his eyes, tears gradually spilling out. His father was old now, enjoying having children and grandchildren around, the family together. How could he not agree when his father had waited until the third watch to keep him home for the New Year?
“I won’t leave tomorrow. I’ll stay home with you.”
Master Yang put the towel on the table, smiling with satisfaction: “Silly child. Steward Song just returned from Chang’an and says your second sister has given birth to a healthy boy. Your mother has prepared gifts—tomorrow you can go to Chang’an with Steward Song to see your little nephew. Just remember to return before the New Year.”
“Father!” Yang Jingyuan was deeply moved. He had never traveled far from Yizhou Prefecture. His father arranged to help him adapt early. With Steward Song’s guidance on the journey, he wouldn’t be completely lost.
Master Yang pushed a small package across the table to him, saying lovingly: “A thousand days at home are good, but travel brings many challenges. Copper coins are inconvenient for long journeys—keep these gold leaves close. Though you’ll lose some in exchange, they’re more convenient.”
His stepmother had never been stingy with money. Yang Jingyuan spent freely, drawing from accounts when he ran out, and had little savings. Packing for the journey, he had only accumulated two hundred strings of cash, which Xiangyou had exchanged for silver. This time he had planned to draw more from the accounts. But his father had anticipated this. Looking at the package of gold leaves, Yang Jingyuan felt even more urgent about establishing his own business.
“Don’t refuse father’s kindness.”
After speaking, Master Yang stood up, feeling slightly dizzy. He truly was getting old. He closed his eyes briefly to clear the discomfort, then waved to Yang Jingyuan: “Father is old now, won’t get up early to see you off. Just bid farewell to your mother in the morning.”
Yang Jingyuan supported him out of the room and across the covered bridge.
He carefully adjusted his father’s cloak, face full of smiles: “I hear the East and West Markets are incredibly prosperous, with everything available. Father, I’ll bring you gifts back from Chang’an.”
Master Yang chuckled: “Listen to Steward Song on the journey, don’t be willful, don’t cause trouble. Father will wait for your safe return for New Year.”
“Yes. I’ll return early.”
Watching his father’s retreating figure, Yang Jingyuan clenched his fists.
The lights in the main hall were still lit, with Madam Yang Shi reclining against a cushion, her eyes half-closed. The gilt bronze incense burner on the table burned agarwood, its subtle, lasting fragrance rising in wisps, making her heart increasingly calm.
The head maid Xueqing hurriedly entered, reporting softly: “The master has returned.”
Madam Yang Shi didn’t open her eyes. At over fifty, she felt her energy failing. Waiting until the third watch brought an almost unbearable weariness.
“Get two hundred taels of gold. Pack the new fox fur cloak made for the eldest son. Tell Steward Song not to take the water route this time—use the plank road through Jianmen Pass, and select more skilled guards.”
Xueqing acknowledged this, carefully tucking in her blanket: “Madam should rest now. Third Young Master has his martial arts, and Steward Song is careful—nothing will go wrong on the journey.”
Madam Yang Shi sighed: “When one grows old, one thinks too much.”
She mentally reviewed everything once more, and confirming there were no more instructions to give, finally fell into deep sleep.
Feeling as if only a moment had passed, Madam Yang Shi heard Xueqing’s voice again: “Madam, Third Young Master has come to bid farewell.” She startled awake, asking wearily: “Is it the fifth watch already? Help me up.”
Xueqing supported her up sympathetically: “Madam has slept less than two watches.”
Madam Yang Shi patted her hand, forcing herself to rise.
The main hall was brightly lit, with the three Yang brothers, two sisters-in-law, and the older nephews and nieces all present. Steward Song stood humbly at the back, his gaze occasionally passing over Yang Jingyuan.
But Madam Yang Shi addressed him first: “Steward Song, I entrust Third Young Master to you. Remember to return safely for New Year.”
Steward Song responded with assent.
“Third Son.” Madam Yang Shi called out, her eyes immediately reddening. She stood to look him up and down, seeing him dressed in a dark green long robe with auspicious flower patterns, wearing a black brocade rain cloak, with a matching jade ornament on his forehead—he looked truly magnificent. She adjusted the sachet hanging at his waist and sighed, “Third Son, go early and return early.”
Yang Jingyuan nodded: “I’ll bring gifts back for everyone.”
Madam Yang Shi placed the package of gold in his hands, chiding: “Just bring yourself back safely. Don’t scrimp and harm yourself.”
Feeling the weight, he knew it wasn’t less than what his father had given. Yang Jingyuan tried to return the gold: “I have enough money to spend.”
“What mother gives you, just take it. Chang’an is colder than Sichuan. This new fox fur cloak was made for your eldest brother—you wear it first. We’ll make another for your eldest brother later.”
Yang Jingyuan firmly refused: “How could that be proper?”
Yang Jingshan laughed: “Why not? You use it while you’re away. We’ll get some good fur for eldest brother later.”
The fox fur was light, but Yang Jingyuan felt heavy holding it. Beyond nodding, he didn’t know what else to say.
Madam Yang Shi smiled: “Eldest Son, Second Son, see your Third Brother out.”
After bidding farewell to his sisters-in-law, he left the main courtyard with his two brothers. At the second gate, Yang Jingyuan suddenly turned back. In the distant corridor, a maid held a lantern casting a hazy light. Concubine Liu stood leaning against a pillar, wearing a silver-white cloak. Though dawn hadn’t broken, he could almost see her tear-filled eyes. Yang Jingyuan truly wanted to kowtow to her. But she was a concubine—in front of his elder brothers, she couldn’t accept such respect from him.
Yang Jingshan saw this and patted his shoulder: “Third Brother, Second Brother and I will wait for you at the pavilion ahead. Go on.”
Yang Jingyuan gratefully cupped his hands and quickly walked over.
Though mother and son, he had grown up at Madam Shi’s knee. Yang Jingyuan hadn’t had much feelings for Concubine Liu before. Only after growing up did he gradually sense the difference between his birth mother and stepmother. Standing before Concubine Liu, he saw her turn away emotionally to wipe away tears before addressing him formally: “Third Young Master.”
Yang Jingyuan was silent for a moment before asking: “Does the Concubine’s Mother have any instructions?”
Concubine Liu hesitated, then gathered her courage to grasp his hand, saying softly: “If you’re an eagle, you must fly on your own. I’ve wronged you. Don’t look at my tears—seeing you like this makes me very happy.”
She didn’t stuff money or clothes into his hands with careful concern like his stepmother. Yet she illuminated Yang Jingyuan’s path forward like a beam of sunlight. He gripped her hand tightly, showing a bright smile: “I will.”
The autumn rain fell steadily as Yang Jingyuan left Yizhou City at dawn. He watched the sky slowly brighten, forgetting that darkness would descend again at dusk.