As the New Year approached, the previous year’s lawsuits seemed to recede into the distance. All officials were on rest, awaiting New Year’s Eve. This day was the twenty-seventh of the twelfth lunar month. According to Jiangzuo customs, there were three days of holiday both before and after New Year’s Day, and counting New Year’s Day itself, there were exactly seven days of leisure. Though New Year’s Eve was still several days away, all the mansions had already begun their bustling preparations. Since this year Jiankang had abundant rain and snow, and farmers traditionally held that auspicious snow foretold a good harvest, this New Year’s Eve was particularly worth celebrating.
As the foremost noble family in Jiangzuo, the Qi clan had countless descendants, many of whom served as officials. The current family head alone, Left Chancellor Qi Zhang of the current dynasty, had two sons serving as officials in court. From ancient times, many dynasties honored the right position above the left, with the Right Chancellor ranking above the Left Chancellor. But Great Liang was located in Jiangzuo and naturally honored the left position, with right being inferior to left. The current first minister of Great Liang’s court was Left Chancellor Qi Zhang.
Qi Zhang had four sons. His eldest son, Qi Yun, currently served as Right Vice President of the Imperial Secretariat. His second son, Qi Ying, had recently been promoted to Vice Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs. His third son, Qi Ning, and fourth son, Qi Le, were still studying. This year Qi Zhang had already passed the age of knowing his destiny, and there were rumors that he intended to hand over the Qi clan to his eldest son Qi Yun for management. If this were truly the case, this eldest young master Qi’s position could be called supremely noble.
On this day, returning from court, Qi Yun and Qi Ying rode in the same carriage. He asked his second brother: “Jingchen, why don’t I see Bai Song today?”
The eldest young master Qi had the courtesy name Jingyuan. Now twenty-nine years old, he had already married Han Ruohui, the eldest legitimate daughter of the Han family, as his wife. His temperament was gentle and proper, his reputation in court was excellent, and he treated his family members with the utmost care. The year before last, a daughter had been added to his household, making him even more kindly and benevolent. Not only was he kindly, he also became increasingly concerned with the daily trivial matters of those around him. For instance, today seeing that his younger brother was only accompanied by a young servant boy named Qing Zhu, and not seeing Bai Song who usually guarded him, he had pulled his second brother into his own carriage, preparing to inquire thoroughly.
Qi Ying wore his official robes today, with traces of weariness between his brows. Hearing his elder brother’s inquiry, he answered without any change in expression: “The weather has been cold recently. He went out on an errand and fell ill after returning, so he took leave today.”
Qi Yun noticed nothing amiss and didn’t inquire further, following up on Qi Ying’s words: “This winter is indeed cold, with much rain and snow. You always prefer to live alone at your separate residence, and Mother always worries about you at home.”
Qi Yun and Qi Ying were not born of the same mother. Qi Yun’s birth mother had died in difficult childbirth years ago. After she passed away, Qi Zhang remarried, taking Qi Ying’s birth mother, Yao Shi, as his wife. Yao Shi was benevolent and kind to Qi Zhang’s other children as well. Qi Yun had a harmonious relationship with his stepmother.
Qi Ying said: “It is indeed my fault. It’s just that there are many matters at the government office, and I’ve just been transferred to work at the Bureau of Military Affairs. With a thousand and one things to sort out, I often return home late. If I went home, I would fear Mother would stay up late waiting for me, so I’ve stayed at the separate residence for more days.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Yun sighed and said: “This matter is truly difficult for you. I had originally thought Father would arrange for you to come to the Imperial Secretariat to help me, but unexpectedly an imperial edict transferred you to the Bureau of Military Affairs. Now things are not peaceful between north and south, and that Gu family of Northern Wei is so aggressive. We have just suffered a great defeat, so your position is truly not easy to handle.”
The thirteenth year of Qinghua was a year when the great war between north and south had just ceased. Last year the two countries fought a great battle at Stone City. Wei was victorious, and Great Liang suffered nearly 200,000 casualties—a devastating loss. Precisely because of this defeat, His Majesty had the head of the former Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs removed, and his Vice Director Zhang Heng had taken the main position, leaving vacant the position of Vice Director, which ultimately fell to Qi Ying.
Qi Yun sighed again and patted his brother’s shoulder, saying: “I’ve long felt this matter was inappropriate. You’ve only just had your capping ceremony, and the position of Vice Director of the Bureau of Military Affairs is still too heavy for you, not to mention the enormous implications of this position. I’ll speak with Father and, after the New Year, request a favor from His Majesty to transfer you to work by my side, or else to serve at the Hanlin Academy. Either would be better than handling this life-threatening position.”
Upon hearing this, Qi Ying wanted to speak but stopped, remained silent for a moment, and finally said nothing, only answering “Good.”
Seeing that he didn’t object, Qi Yun was also very pleased and turned to smile, saying: “Oh yes, yesterday I heard Mother mention that Aunt is coming today. By now she might have already arrived home.”
“Aunt?” Qi Ying raised his eyebrows. “Isn’t Uncle serving as prefect in Linchuan? Prefects cannot leave their posts even during rest periods. How could Aunt have returned to Jiankang?”
Qi Yun answered: “Uncle has been serving externally for four years now. It’s said that after the New Year there will be new appointments, and he can be transferred back to Jiankang. Father has approved this matter. Aunt brought Yao’er back this time also to settle everything first.”
Qi Ying asked: “Yao’er has returned too?”
“Mother said so,” Qi Yun smiled. “Come to think of it, Yao’er should be twelve years old this year, right? When she left Jiankang she was still a little child. Now that four years have passed, her appearance must have changed considerably. I remember when she was small she liked you most, and among all the brothers and sisters in the family, you also seemed to like her most.”
Qi Ying smiled, thinking of Zhao Yao’s appearance as a child—like a delicately carved jade New Year picture doll. He nodded and said: “That girl was most skilled at acting coquettish, and Uncle and Aunt doted on her most.”
Qi Yun smiled in agreement, then spoke of some small amusing stories his daughter Hui’er had caused recently. As he talked, his paternal affection could no longer be contained, and he talked all the way back to the mansion gates.
Returning to the mansion, Aunt had indeed already arrived and was sitting in the main hall talking with Mother. Seeing Qi Yun and Qi Ying return, Yao Shi asked: “Where is your father? Why don’t I see him?”
Yao Shi was now forty-two years old, but still appeared beautiful and dignified, especially her phoenix eyes which were extremely beautiful. Qi Ying’s eyes resembled hers. It was said that years ago Qi Zhang had fallen in love with Yao Shi at first sight. Even though Yao Shi’s birth was not distinguished—she was only a minor official’s daughter—he had personally sought to marry her as his principal wife, and they had remained devoted to each other after marriage. Aunt was somewhat younger than Yao Shi, but appeared more aged than her, being very thin with a slender neck, and not very beautiful. She was born into the Qi clan, though as a concubine’s daughter, but her birth mother had been on good terms with Grandmother, so when she married, she was given to Zhao Run, grandson of the previous dynasty’s Grand Tutor. Though the Zhao family was not what it once was, having produced a Grand Tutor, it was still considered a good match. Over these years, Qi Zhang had continued to support him, so Zhao Run now had a good official reputation and would likely have opportunities for promotion in the future.
Qi Yun and Qi Ying greeted their mother and aunt properly. Qi Yun then answered: “His Majesty summoned Father to discuss political matters, so we returned first. Father said he would return later for the midday meal and asked Mother not to worry.”
Yao Shi smiled and nodded.
Aunt also greeted her two nephews, and after they were seated, she smiled and said: “That girl Yao’er kept chattering about missing her brothers throughout the journey. Just now when the servants reported that you had returned, she shamefully hid behind the screen.”
As she spoke, she looked toward the screen in the hall.
The maids serving in the hall all smiled upon hearing this, and Yao Shi also smiled, saying to Qi Ying: “That child Yao’er has been asking since she arrived whether you had forgotten her. I said no, but she didn’t believe me. Now that you’ve returned…”
Before Yao Shi could finish speaking, they saw a pretty figure burst out from behind the screen like a gust of wind, rushing directly into Yao Shi’s embrace. With a completely red face, she tugged at Yao Shi’s sleeve and said: “Uncle’s wife, how can you speak badly of Yao’er like this! In the future… in the future I’ll never peel lotus pods for you again!”
The young lady was twelve or thirteen years old, wearing a crimson dress. She had apricot-shaped eyes and a delicate nose, possessing both a child’s innocence and a young lady’s charm. Her voice was clear and sweet like an oriole’s, and her pair of tender white hands tugged at Yao Shi’s sleeve coquettishly, quite endearing.
Seeing this, the maids all covered their mouths and laughed. Zhao Qishi, seeing her daughter behave so improperly, immediately put on a stern face to scold her, but Yao Shi doted on Zhao Yao dearly. She waved her hand and said to her sister-in-law: “Don’t scold the child. The ones in this family have all been taught by their father to be overly proper. I say that’s not good at all—being like Yao’er is what’s lovable.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao secretly made a face at her mother, then heard her aunt laugh and say: “Didn’t you say you missed your brothers? Look, go greet them.”
Upon hearing this, Zhao Yao’s little face flushed red as she looked toward the two brothers sitting in fragrant wooden chairs.
Though she had been familiar with the Qi family’s several male cousins since childhood, having not seen them for four years, she was naturally not as close as when she was small. When she was still in Jiankang, Elder Brother Qi was already a court official and didn’t often play with her. Second Brother Qi had become the youngest runner-up scholar at fourteen and entered officialdom very early, so actually didn’t spend much time with her either. She was most familiar with Qi Ning and Qi Le, but she had always liked Qi Ying most since childhood and loved to cling to him. When Father was assigned to external duty and left Jiankang, she had even run to the Qi family and cried bitterly while holding him. After four years of separation, though these embarrassing matters made her feel awkward, what she feared most was that Second Brother Qi no longer remembered their former affection…
Zhao Yao secretly glanced at Qi Ying again, quietly blushing. She felt that Second Brother wearing official robes now was very different from when he was small, yet his features were even more handsome and his demeanor more mature. Zhao Yao bit her lip, walked close to the two brothers to bow properly, and sweetly greeted them: “Elder Brother, Second Brother.”
Qi Yun helped her up with a gentle gesture, smiling: “Yao’er has indeed grown up a great deal. If we truly met face to face on the street, Elder Brother might really not recognize you.”
“More nonsense,” Yao Shi laughed and scolded her eldest son. “Yao’er is a proper young lady—how could she be casually encountered face to face on the street?”
Qi Yun covered his forehead and apologized to his sister, then heard Yao Shi say: “But what Jingyuan said is also right. Yao’er has indeed changed greatly in appearance, growing more and more beautiful. Even I, her aunt, can hardly recognize her.”
Zhao Yao’s face was red as she twisted her fingers and looked at Qi Ying, who still hadn’t said a word to her. She pressed her lips together and asked quietly: “Then, then Second Brother, can you still recognize Yao’er?”
She was very nervous, and after her words fell, she saw Qi Ying raise his eyes to look at her. For a moment her fingers twisted even tighter. Though he was a cousin she had known since childhood, her heart now pounded like thunder. But she heard her Second Brother answer with a half-smile: “How could I not recognize you? Weren’t you the one who broke my Dushan jade pi xiu?”
Though he didn’t smile, he brought up something from her childhood. This remark immediately seemed intimate, and Zhao Yao was overjoyed. Then she heard Zhao Qishi say: “Wasn’t that exactly the trouble she caused! That jade pi xiu was originally Fourth Prince’s favorite hand piece, but it was broken by this little troublemaker! Speaking of it, we really owe Jingchen an apology…”