Chapter Fifty-One: Origins

Gan Sui looked at the two aggrieved faces, one large and one small, and his heart twisted with pain. They had clearly suffered some wrong. He hailed a carriage. "Let's go home first, shall we?"

"But if you leave early, won't Lord Fuyun be displeased?"

"It doesn't matter. I've said all that needed saying; the rest is just drinking. It's good to have an excuse to leave, so I don't end up drunk as a skunk."

The three boarded the carriage. Banxia stubbornly held back her tears, her large eyes glistening with unshed sorrow, making her heartbreakingly pitiable. "If you're sad, you can cry. It's alright."

"No," Banxia replied resolutely. "It'll ruin my makeup."

Even when utterly aggrieved, she worried about her makeup. Gan Sui could only admire women with utter respect.

The carriage rolled forward, and before long, they were home.

Once there, Banxia coaxed Anzi to sleep, removed her makeup and washed, then returned to the bedroom where Gan Sui sat reading by the bed. Seeing her approach, he drew her to sit beside him, wrapped her in his arms. "Come now, tell me what happened?"

With time, Banxia found herself less angry, simply recounting events calmly. Gan Sui’s brows furrowed ever deeper as he listened, and when she finished, he kissed her crown. "I'm sorry you were wronged."

Banxia comforted him in turn. "It's alright. Under the eaves, one must bow their head—it's always been so. Had I known, I would've given her the hairpin straightaway, but I couldn't bear to. After all, it's the first hairpin you bought me." She twisted Gan Sui’s sash in her fingers.

"I’ll pick one for you tomorrow, alright? Last time, you said the iris was beautiful. We’ll have one made like that, how about it?"

"Let’s melt down the gold hairpin Lady Fuyun’s wife took, and make something new. Seeing that hairpin just makes me upset."

"Alright, then don’t be sad anymore, okay?"

"I’m not sad now, and you needn't feel aggrieved for me. I’ve vented my anger. Only, I offended that old nanny today—if she slanders me to the lady, will it affect you?"

"I’d be happy if she made a fuss, even brought it before Lord Fuyun. If a whole province's officials are swayed by women's opinions, I'd drag him down from the hall myself. Besides, we still have our master."

Banxia remembered they had a powerful backer.

"In a few days, I’ll hand over business here to my senior, and we’ll go to the capital. See the most splendid place of all."

"Mm."

Outside, it seemed it was still raining. Raindrops fell softly on the banana tree beyond the window, the gentle tapping accompanying lovers' whispers like a lullaby.

Horseback, carriage, and boat—after more than half a month, the family finally arrived in the capital.

The city had already seen snow, cold and dry. The wind cut like knives against the skin, and Banxia quickly lowered the carriage curtain. Hooves clopped against the flagstones, mingling with the bustling cries outside. Anzi, having slept poorly last night, now lay peacefully in Gan Sui's arms.

"This air is so much better than the modern era, no smog or PM2.5 at all. So those complaints about poor environment are all man-made," Banxia remarked, having just breathed in the capital's air—it was utterly different from the modern age.

"Convenience always brings drawbacks."

After a while, the carriage stopped before a residence. "Young master, we've arrived," Han Shui called from outside.

Han Shui was the little servant Wang Xiaoshan gifted Gan Sui before departure, reputed to be reliable, clever, and loyal. Gan Sui had observed him all the way—he was capable and worth using. He considered buying Banxia a maid, but she said there was nothing much to manage yet, and having a maid would make her and Anzi uncomfortable at home. Gan Sui didn't insist; some things must come step by step.

Han Shui set down the carriage step outside. Anzi slept soundly and didn't wake even after stopping, so Gan Sui simply carried him inside.

Master Shan and Mr. Chuan were playing chess in the front hall. Seeing Gan Sui arrive, they called out, "Come, come, join us for a game—your master is cheating again."

Gan Sui was used to such scenes. "Uncle, please wait a moment. Let me lay the child down to rest."

"A child? Let me see—you and Banxia have a child?" Shan immediately wanted to see, but Gan Sui, worried about waking Anzi, stepped back. "He’s Banxia’s younger brother. The child didn’t sleep well on the road; he’s finally resting, let him sleep a while longer."

"Humph, as if I’m desperate to see," Shan grumbled and sat down.

Gan Sui went upstairs; Banxia entered. Shan’s eyes lit up. "Banxia, tonight I want sautéed three treasures, steamed pork, and Mandarin ducks in green and red..."

"And add spicy boiled pork, spicy beef..." Mr. Chuan joined in.

"Alright, alright, anything you like. Let me put the luggage away first," Banxia replied, went upstairs to unpack, and prepared to go buy groceries.

"In such cold weather, you shouldn't go out shopping—Maidong..." From the side door, a teenager ran in. "Master!"

"Tell him what you need—they’ll buy it," Shan said.

Banxia wasn’t keen to venture out in the cold, so told them what vegetables to buy, then went upstairs to tidy up. Gan Sui changed clothes and came down to play chess with Mr. Chuan.

Shan sat nearby, watching and chatting. "I read your essay for the provincial exam—steady and solid, though not outstanding, a bit too conservative."

Gan Sui placed a piece. "Better to be steady up front. I heard this year’s chief examiner is Lord Wang Wenyuan, a stickler for propriety."

"Propriety? More like pedantry, just a wooden post," Shan scoffed.

"What about your plans for the metropolitan exam?"

"Not seeking merit, just avoiding mistakes," Gan Sui replied, placing another piece.

"You’re already so smooth-talking before entering officialdom, not a word out of place," Mr. Chuan intercepted Gan Sui’s chess path. "But that’s good. Your master and I worried you’d enter politics too young—but now it seems you can stand on your own. We can leave at ease."

"Where are you going now?"

"Your senior said Qiongyun Prefecture is nice. We’re thinking of going there. By the way, I heard you played a part in dealing with the pirates?"

"I just happened to be involved, offered a few strategies. The credit goes to the Lin family army."

"Oh, you know the Lin family army. Have you met their general?"

"I have—talented and virtuous, steely and admirable. I wonder what reward he’ll receive?"

"Someone in court suggested making him a first-rank military marquis, but His Majesty rejected it."

Gan Sui said nothing.

"What, you’re friendly with Lin Tianyu and don’t speak up for him?"

"What's done is done—complaining is pointless. Thunder and rain alike are the ruler’s grace; as officials, we must learn to play deaf and dumb."

Gan Sui placed another piece.

"Hmm, this move is off. Are you distracted?" Mr. Chuan teased.

"Don't be so heavy-hearted at your age. If something troubles you, talk to your master," Shan liked seeing Gan Sui’s changing expressions.

Gan Sui remained silent, then placed another piece. Mr. Chuan stared. "Ah... so you had a counter move all along..."

"Thank you for letting me win, uncle," Gan Sui rose and bowed.

"Enough, enough, I lose fair and square. The groceries should be back soon—go check if Banxia’s finished unpacking. Your master and I barely ate breakfast, waiting for lunch."

"I’ll go look."

"I’m coming down," Banxia said, leading little Anzi downstairs.

Shan and Mr. Chuan looked at the child—he seemed increasingly familiar. They exchanged glances. Shan spoke first. "This child is adorable—how old is he?"

"Six this year," Anzi replied, just awake, his voice soft and sweet.

"Come, let grandpa hold you."

Anzi looked to Banxia.

"This is your brother-in-law’s teacher—a very remarkable man. Go on, Anzi," Banxia encouraged.

Anzi finally went over.

"What’s your name, Anzi?"

"My name is Jiang Zi’an. Brother-in-law gave me the name."

"Jiang?" Shan and Mr. Chuan exclaimed together.

Banxia was puzzled. "What’s wrong, is the surname incorrect?"

"Why is his surname Jiang? I remember yours is Su," Shan looked at Banxia.

"To be honest, I adopted him. His grandfather’s surname is Jiang, and I couldn’t break his lineage, so he keeps his original surname."

"Adopted? What about his parents?" Shan’s voice grew inexplicably tense, making Banxia nervous.

"Anzi says his mother passed away, and he doesn’t know where his father is. But he has a jade pendant from his father."

"Where is the pendant? Let me see," Shan was even more agitated.

"I kept it safe, I’ll go find it," Banxia went upstairs.

"Master, what does this mean?" Gan Sui asked.

"Gan Sui, you know your uncle and I have been searching for a child."

"I know—you said it’s senior’s son, lost by accident. Is it possible Anzi is..."

"Highly likely, but it needs confirmation."

Anzi looked at the strange grandpa—what did it mean? Did this grandpa know his father? Would he send him back? But he didn’t want his father; just his sister and brother-in-law were enough.

Banxia soon returned, handing the jade pendant to Shan. "This is it."

Shan took the pendant to the pavilion, and as the wind blew, it sounded like a flute. "Yes, this is the pendant—the Mingyin pendant. This child is the one we’ve been searching for. Truly, one searches high and low..."

"Waah..." Anzi suddenly burst into tears, hugging Banxia. "I don’t want my father, I just want sister. Sister, don’t leave me... waah..."

Banxia quickly embraced him. "I’ll never leave you. No matter what, I’ll always be your sister. Don’t cry, don’t cry."

Shan and Mr. Chuan, unable to comfort children, watched Banxia gently soothe Anzi.

"So what’s the situation? Please, master and uncle, explain to me. The child is young—we should plan ahead."