Jiang Changyang firmly rejected the request from the Duke of Zhu’s mansion: “We have matters to attend to today. We’ll return tomorrow.”
“But the Duke insists on inviting the Young Master and his wife. Please don’t make things difficult for me,” the messenger pleaded, smiling apologetically. How could anyone defy the Duke’s orders so casually?
Annoyed, Jiang Changyang ignored him and ordered the carriage prepared for Xuanping Ward. As they drove away, they could still see the pitiful messenger standing at the gate, looking utterly devastated.
Upon arriving at the He family residence in Xuanping Ward, Mudan had barely stepped out of the carriage when a child at the door called out, “Aunt’s back!”
The eldest and fourth sons quickly approached, beaming. They looked Mudan up and down, pleased to see she seemed a bit fuller than before. After greeting Jiang Changyang, they apologized for missing the wedding and mentioned they had brought gifts. The eldest son clapped Jiang Changyang’s shoulder, half-jokingly: “There are gifts whether you treat Danniang well or not.”
Jiang Changyang accepted graciously, grasping the eldest son’s fist: “If I mistreat her, you can hit me, and I won’t fight back.”
The fourth son chimed in: “The meal is ready. We’ve been waiting for you.” Seeing Mudan heading for the side hall, he quickly called out: “Go to the main hall.”
Mudan found this strange: “Why is the meal in the main hall today?” The He family usually dined in the side hall, which was more relaxed and comfortable. Eating in the main hall was reserved for major holidays, without exception for many years.
The fourth son made a “six” gesture to her: “We need to discuss serious matters after the meal, so naturally, we’ll be in the main hall.”
“Oh,” Mudan realized this was about settling the sixth son’s affairs. She hadn’t expected He Zhizhong to include her or to act so quickly, thinking it would happen in a few days.
The He family used a large rectangular table. He Zhizhong and Madam Cen sat at the head, with others arranged by rank on either side, men on the left and women on the right. An empty seat for Jiang Changyang was next to the sixth son, while Mudan’s place was beside Madam Zhang. Concubines Wu and Yang stood silently behind He Zhizhong and Madam Cen. Concubine Wu’s face was expressionless, while Concubine Yang’s eyes were red and swollen, her face ashen, and her once-glossy hair now dull, making her look a decade older.
He Zhizhong remained composed, warmly greeting Jiang Changyang and Mudan: “You’re here? Please sit. We’ve been waiting for you two.” After everyone was seated, he picked up his chopsticks first, symbolically taking the first bite. Everyone else silently followed suit. Concubine Wu attentively served Madam Cen, while Concubine Yang’s hands shook so badly she set down her chopsticks and stood beside He Zhizhong, quietly weeping.
Ignoring her, He Zhizhong addressed Mudan: “The money you sent to our shop has arrived. We’ll have it brought back later. It’s a good business, but be careful. You must establish a strong reputation from the start.”
“I understand,” Mudan replied, glancing at the sixth son across the table. He acted as if nothing was wrong, eagerly eating the venison before him. He even joked with Jiang Changyang: “Brother-in-law, you’re in for a treat. Today’s meal is truly sumptuous. We have delicacies from land and sea. Have some more venison.”
Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Jiang Changyang said, “The Emperor once had hunters shoot live deer, using the fresh blood to cook the intestines. It was called ‘Hot Luo River’ and served to envoys. I tried it once but didn’t find it tasty. I wonder why those envoys enjoyed it so much?”
The eldest son, interested, replied, “We should try to get some someday…”
The sixth son hastily interjected: “Speaking of venison, let me tell you all a joke.” Ignoring the others’ expressions, he continued, “I heard of a family with strict rules. The sons took turns preparing meals, and if they were unsatisfactory, they’d be beaten.”
Jiang Changyang, guessing what would come next and what might happen afterward, quickly coughed and smiled, “This father must have been a food lover.”
The sixth son, pretending not to hear, recklessly went on: “The sons tried everything to find rare delicacies, but rarely satisfied their father. Once, a son prepared bear fat and deer tendons, wrapping the lean deer meat in the rich bear fat. The taste was extraordinary. The father enjoyed it but still punished the son as usual, reasoning that if such a delicacy existed, why hadn’t it been served earlier? Don’t you think this son was treated unfairly?”
The room fell silent. Concubine Yang was so frightened her tears dried up. She clutched her handkerchief tightly, watching He Zhizhong fearfully, not daring to make a sound.
He Zhizhong calmly said, “Sixth son, bring me your venison to taste.”
The sixth son smiled faintly and offered it with both hands: “Please enjoy, Father.”
He Zhizhong took a bite, chewed slowly, and after a while said, “It’s a pity there’s no bear fat. You’re not the son who worked hard to prepare bear fat and deer tendons, and I’m not the father who harshly criticizes without recognizing effort.”
“Father, you jest. I was merely telling a joke…” The sixth son’s expression remained unchanged as he stood respectfully, hands at his sides.
Mudan noticed he no longer called He Zhizhong “Dad” but “Father,” formally. Telling such a story already showed deep resentment; coupled with his expression, tone, and gestures, no one would believe he didn’t hate He Zhizhong.
“I’m not joking. The story is backward. I’m the father who prepared bear fat and deer tendons, only to be criticized by my son,” He Zhizhong said calmly, pointing to the seat. “Sit down. This is a family dinner. No need for such formality in front of your sister and brother-in-law.”
He Zhizhong told him not to be so formal. The sixth son’s expression finally changed. He stood straight, looking at He Zhizhong resentfully: “Father, I apologize for the joke. You know I’ve never been good with words or at pleasing you.”
“Bang!” He Zhizhong finally slammed down his chopsticks.
The sixth son, Concubine Yang, and the children all flinched. Everyone stopped to look at He Zhizhong.
He Zhizhong’s chest heaved a few times. He picked up his chopsticks again and said calmly, without looking at the sixth son: “Let’s eat first.”
The sixth son, as if giving up, began: “Father…”
He Zhizhong sharply raised his eyes, his gaze like a knife: “No need to rush. I said, let’s eat first.”
Concubine Yang mustered her courage, and rushed forward to pull the sixth son, who stood like a wooden pole by the table, back to his seat, whispering, “Eat first, eat first.”
The sixth son sat down with a thud and began shoveling food into his mouth like a whirlwind. Everyone except He Zhizhong stopped eating to watch him.
Eventually, He Zhizhong put down his chopsticks and said quietly, “Very well. After you leave this house, you might never eat like this again, let alone bear fat and deer tendons. Eat your fill this once.”
The sixth son paused, stunned for a moment, then suddenly pushed away his chopsticks and bowl, collapsing on the table in loud sobs: “Father, I was wrong. Please forgive me!”
He Zhizhong looked at him expressionlessly: “Are you full? We haven’t finished eating. Food comes first. If you’re done, go downstairs and wait.”
The sixth son’s crying gradually subsided and finally stopped. He raised his head, looking coldly at the others, then at He Zhizhong: “Stop eating. Deal with me, then continue your meal.”
“Fine. I overestimated you, thinking we could share one last meal.” He Zhizhong glanced at the servants standing outside and ordered, “Come in and escort the Sixth Young Master downstairs. We’ll summon him after we finish eating.”
Seeing the two strong servants coming to “escort” him and the expressionless faces of his family members, the sixth son smiled bitterly: “What Sixth Young Master? Don’t embarrass me.”
He Zhizhong said, “You are now, but soon you won’t be. Go downstairs!”
Concubine Yang could no longer hold back. She fell to her knees before He Zhizhong, crying, “Master, please spare him. He’s young and foolish. Even if you beat him until he’s crippled, just don’t send him away.”
He Zhizhong coldly glanced at her: “Do you want to ruin this family dinner too?”
Concubine Yang shrank back, looking hopelessly at the silent Madam Cen before quietly retreating to a corner.
He Zhizhong picked up his chopsticks again and urged everyone: “Eat, eat. It’s rare for Danniang and Chengfeng to be back. Our family is all together.” A smile even appeared on his lips, but Mudan noticed his hands and beard were trembling, his eyes red—this was the last meal the whole family would share.
The others obligingly picked up their chopsticks but didn’t take any food, just stirring their bowls. Feeling awkward, Jiang Changyang silently ate with his head down. He Zhizhong smiled at him and scolded the others: “None of you are as good as Chengfeng. Your mother worked hard to prepare this wonderful meal. Are you going to let it go to waste?”
The eldest son led by example, taking some food with lowered eyes. Everyone else followed suit, eating in silence and gloom. Even Zhen Shi didn’t dare speak, only darting her eyes around. The fifth son glared at her, signaling her to keep a low profile.
Finally, seeing He Zhizhong put down his chopsticks, everyone sighed in relief and followed suit. Such a meal was hard to digest.
He Zhizhong washed his hands in the basin offered by Concubine Wu, then looked up at everyone: “I didn’t want this meal to turn out like this, but it was ruined nonetheless. Just like I hoped this family wouldn’t end up like this, but it was still destroyed. Countries have laws, families have rules. Those who break the rules must be punished.”