Winter seemed to arrive overnight. Before autumn winds had finished stripping the trees, after one snowfall, the branches became bare.

Xie Erlide taught his son to read and recognize characters every day, occasionally visiting the Zhu and Pei residences. The days passed neither quickly nor slowly.

On New Year’s Eve this year, a little beggar came to the corner gate again.

The letter was handed to Zhu Qing, who quickly scanned it and personally delivered it to Master’s study.

His left leg still had permanent disability. On overcast and rainy days it always hurt. Imperial Physician Pei gave him acupuncture once every half month—who knew if it would ease the pain.

Xie Erlide received the letter. On it was neatly written one line: On the first day, when offering sacrifices to ancestors, burn incense for me to Old Ancestor and Father!

“Damn brat!”

“Who is Elder Brother cursing?”

Xie Buhuo stood at the study door in plain-colored robes, his figure tall and slender.

Xie Erlide beckoned to him.

Third Brother had taken away the manor’s liveliness, but it had gradually made the relationship between the first and second households more harmonious.

First, because Xie Daozhi was dead, Mother and Auntie Liu had nothing to fight over;

Second, the Xie family properties relied on Second Brother to manage, but needed his and the Zhu family’s connections in officialdom.

Xie Buhuo walked into the study.

Zhu Qing withdrew and closed the door.

Xie Erlide unfolded the small paper. Xie Buhuo glanced lightly, and his eyes curved into crescents.

Only after Father passed away did he learn that his smooth sailing in the business world was not just due to Father’s official position, but also Elder Brother’s and Third Brother’s influence in officialdom.

People always understand what they did wrong and what they missed only after losing things.

Actually, what was there to fight over between legitimate and illegitimate sons? The Xie family branch had only three sons total. How could one tree make a forest alone?

He handed over the account book in his hand. “Elder Brother, this is the full year’s accounts. Please review them.”

…

First day sacrificing to ancestors, fifteenth day lanterns.

Amid firecrackers, the Spring Festival of Taikang Year Two quietly passed.

Before Qingming, the entire Xie manor went out to sweep Old Ancestor’s and Master’s graves.

Just at this time, good news came from the north: General Bu had won another great victory. Xie Erlide watched the jubilant common people on the official road and was genuinely happy.

Zhu Qing said General Bu had quite a bit of connection with Third Brother. This matter should be written in his letter to Third Brother.

Yes, starting from the first day’s ancestral sacrifices, whenever Xie Erlide had time, he would record matters great and small around him, put them in envelopes, and lock them in a drawer.

He believed Third Brother would return someday.

A good memory was no match for poor writing. When the time came, he’d take out the letters. Without him explaining in detail, Third Brother could read these letters one by one and know everything.

After sweeping the graves and returning to the manor, everyone was exhausted.

Lady Wu went to sleep early. Xie Erlide waited until she was asleep before returning to his room.

At night, he was sleeping soundly when suddenly Lady Zhu pushed him awake. “Master, quickly listen—what is this sound?”

Just then, the sound came again.

“Dong—”

“Dong—”

“Dong—”

Xie Erlide was so frightened by the successive bell tolls that his soul nearly left his body.

…

Taikang Year Two, third month, twelfth day, first watch and a quarter.

The new Emperor suddenly died.

Third Brother, can you believe it?

I don’t dare believe it anyway. My heart is still pounding even now.

He’d only been on the throne for one year!

Right now the entire capital is under martial law. Outside there are Imperial Guards and Embroidered Uniform Guards everywhere. Whether nobility, civil and military officials, or common people—no one is allowed to leave their homes.

This kind of martial law will probably last three days.

Elder Brother right now is like a headless fly, buzzing around not knowing where to fly, thinking if only Father were still here, if only you were still here.

With Father in the cabinet, he would be summoned into the palace to discuss various matters.

With you in the Five Cities Commission, in charge of public security, you could at least learn some news.

The Crown Prince should be rushing back to the capital right now. I just hope he smoothly ascends the throne without any more troubles.

…

Third Brother, the Crown Prince smoothly ascended the throne, changing the era name to Jingping.

I don’t know when this news will reach you, but I think the day for your return to the capital probably isn’t far off.

Uncle Pei came to the manor yesterday, also with an excited expression.

You and Mingting were close to him from childhood. Now that he’s ascended to high position, naturally he won’t forget you two.

I dare not say this to anyone, only secretly rejoicing in my heart.

…

Third Brother, today the former Emperor was buried. Uncle Pei followed along.

I thought it was still a lord-subject relationship, so I saw him off to the city gate with the common people.

Though the former Emperor’s reign was short, he was quite beloved by the people. Many common folk wept bitterly.

At the city gate, I ran into your sister-in-law’s elder brother.

He said this month he divined a fortune for you—the hexagram was still auspicious but had an inauspicious position. I asked where the inauspicious position was. He said it was in the capital, and also said Mingting’s inauspicious position was also in the capital.

These words made my heart skip a beat.

How could the capital be your inauspicious position?

You were both born and raised in the capital!

Though Yuanmo is no longer in the Imperial Observatory, people still queue up to have him divine fortunes. I should believe his divinations.

By the way, he said he would soon move his whole family back to the old residence, saying the capital was probably also his inauspicious position.

If your sister-in-law learns of this, she’ll surely cry her heart out.

…

Third Brother, Uncle Pei came today saying he’d been promoted to Director of the Imperial Medical Academy.

I saw not a trace of joy on his face, so I asked what happened.

He sighed and said he missed Mingting, also saying it had been a long time since he received a letter from Mingting.

I roughly calculated—it had been over half a year. The last letter you sent home was on the day I swept Old Ancestor’s and Father’s graves.

In your letter, you said you and Mingting were both married. When sweeping the graves, I told Old Ancestor and Father about this joyful matter in my heart.

They loved you so much—surely they would be happy for you.

Uncle Pei also brought news: great victory in battle. General Bu’s army would soon return triumphantly.

…

Third Brother, today is Father’s mourning completion day. A full twenty-seven months—I can finally breathe easier.

Second Brother and Little Sister are getting older year by year. Their marriage matters have been delayed so long. According to your sister-in-law’s meaning, we must hurry and arrange them.

Little Sister is still obedient. Second Brother, I don’t know which of his nerves misfired—he says he wants to wait another two years, making me want to beat him.

Today another major matter happened. When I went to the Hanlin Academy to end my leave, my superior said the Ministry of Rites had requested me, appointing me as Vice Minister.

Promoted two ranks?

Third Brother, Elder Brother was promoted because of your relationship with him!

By the way, someone named Han Xu delivered a basket of mushrooms from Taishan to the manor at night. He dropped the things and left without a word.

Your sister-in-law said they were from you, also saying you must be at Mount Wutai right now.

I asked how she could be so certain. She said only Mount Wutai’s mountain could produce these mushrooms—she’d had them in vegetarian meals.

She also said Mount Wutai was only four or five days’ carriage ride from the capital—why didn’t you bring Miss Yan back to visit!

Those words of hers hurt my heart!

Just then, Uncle Pei came again, holding several sheets of Heart Sutra paper, saying he found them in the mushroom basket.

I quickly rummaged through and also found several sheets at the bottom.

The paper had the Rebirth Sutra copied on it. I recognized it—this was Yan Sanhe’s handwriting.

Your sister-in-law’s tears immediately welled up, choking out: You husband and wife are praying for blessings for Old Ancestor and Father!

Uncle Pei also silently shed tears.

Heart Sutra—Mingting and his wife wishing the two elders peace and longevity!

As soon as Uncle Pei left, Steward Xie suddenly knelt before me, saying he wanted to go burn incense at Mount Wutai.

Did he think I didn’t know the old man’s heart?

Burning incense was false—finding you was true.

Since you left, this old fellow had visibly become thinner day by day, older day by day, his face developing several more layers of wrinkles.

I know—his person is at Xie Manor, but his heart is with you.

Especially after learning you and Miss Yan married, he couldn’t stay in this manor even more.

Whenever he drank, he’d wipe tears, prattling on to Zhu Qing about wanting to help you raise children, also saying you’d been carried on his back since childhood.

Fine, fine, fine!

Zhu Qing can now stand on his own. Let him have his wish.

Third Brother, if you really have children, don’t forget they’re of the Xie family’s Huai generation—the name must include the character “Huai.”

————

Sorry everyone, I couldn’t control my writing—it will probably take two more chapters to explain everything clearly and wrap up the ending. Originally I was quite certain I could finish by the end of September, but now I’m proven wrong.