Chapter 746

Afterword

The Spring Festival of the second year of the Xining reign was livelier than previous years for the Xu household.

First, Lord Xu was granted the title of Grand Guardian of the Heir Apparent, making him the first person in the Da Zhou dynasty to hold both the Three Solitaries and Three Dukes titles. Then, Xu Lingkuan, who had served in the Imperial Guard for over twenty years, was promoted to Commander of the Five City Military and Police Office. Although his duties involved handling various administrative matters, he was now a proper third-rank official. By the time the Lantern Festival on the 18th day of the first lunar month ended, Xu Sishen was also granted the hereditary fourth-rank Military Commissioner position.

Carriages adorned with silver chi-dragon and plain lion-head embroidered ribbons on blue curtains came and went in an endless stream outside the Xu residence.

Xu Sijin couldn't help but rub his head. "It's already mid-February, why are there still so many people?"

He wore a dark blue-black coarse cloth robe, having traveled day and night, dust-covered from travel. Though he looked somewhat disheveled, his eyes were bright and spirited, and his demeanor carried an air of authority that made it clear he was no ordinary person. As he walked, people turned to glance at him.

"Isn't it said that the Marquis and Fifth Master, and the Seventh Young Master have all been promoted?" Chang'an couldn't help but smile happily at the sight of the familiar black-lacquered, copper-nailed gate of the Xu residence. "These must be people coming to offer congratulations!"

He held the horse for Xu Sijin. Though dressed similarly, Xu Sijin appeared relaxed and confident, while Chang'an seemed more cautious and careful. Both were tall and handsome, yet people's eyes invariably fell on Xu Sijin first.

Soon, someone noticed Xu Sijin.

"The Sixth Young Master, the Sixth Young Master is here…" The steward on duty at the gate abandoned the obsequious aides and stewards who had come to deliver name cards and hurried over. "Ah! It really is the Sixth Young Master!" The steward spoke while hurriedly bowing to Xu Sijin. "This humble one greets the Sixth Young Master…" Before he could finish, he lightly slapped his own mouth. "Look at my foolish mouth! I’m so happy to see the Earl that I can’t even speak properly. I can’t call you 'Sixth Young Master' anymore—it must be 'Earl of Wujin' now." He bowed again to Xu Sijin. "This lowly one offers you belated New Year greetings! May everything go well for you, and may you rise step by step…"

Before he could finish, the gatekeepers who heard the commotion rushed over.

"Earl, this humble one, Goufu, wishes you a Happy New Year!"

"Earl, this lowly one is Jixiang. Do you remember me? My older sister serves the Fourth Madam. I wish you a Happy New Year!"

The scene became noisy and lively, like a bustling market.

Xu Sijin laughed heartily and instructed Chang'an, "Reward them all!"

Chang'an smiled and took out the prepared pouches embroidered with auspicious patterns, specifically for rewarding servants, and handed them out to everyone.

Someone immediately exclaimed, "Ah, isn’t this Brother Chang'an, Steward Wan’s son, Chang'an? You’re truly someone by the Earl’s side. If I saw you on the street, I wouldn’t even recognize you!"

Chang'an smiled faintly but said nothing more.

The aides and stewards who had come to deliver name cards were all shrewd people. They gathered around and waited for the Xu family servants to quiet down before straightening their clothes and stepping forward to greet Xu Sijin.

Xu Sijin spoke politely with these people.

A quick-footed young servant rushed off to inform the elder madam, Eleventh Miss, and Lord Xu.

Soon, Steward Bai, Xu Sizhun, Xu Sijie, and others came out to welcome him.

"Sixth Brother!" Xu Sizhun exclaimed with delight. "Weren’t you supposed to return in late February? How are you home already by the tenth?"

"Made good time on the road!" Xu Sijin said with a laugh. After exchanging greetings with Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie, he pointed to the seven or eight carriages behind him. "These are all things for everyone. Have someone unpack them. I’ll go see Mother and Grandmother first!"

"Young Masters, please go ahead with your business!" Steward Bai considerately stepped forward. "Chang'an and I can handle things here."

Xu Sijin nodded and instructed Chang'an, "Hand everything over to Steward Bai, then go rest. Your family is surely waiting for you." Then, he walked alongside Xu Sizhun and Xu Sijie toward the inner courtyard.

"How have you been? Are you doing well in Guizhou?" Xu Sijie asked with a smile. "You look like you’re in good spirits!"

"Of course," Xu Sijin said with a laugh. "Do I look like someone who gets taken advantage of?"

Before he could finish, two people came running toward them: "Sixth Brother, Sixth Brother…"

It was Xu Sishen and Xu Sicheng.

"Seventh Bro, Eighth Bro!" Xu Sijin stepped forward, warmly throwing an arm around Xu Sishen's shoulder. "I was afraid you might have already left for Henan—didn't expect you to still be at home! Heard you've been granted a hereditary military post as Assistant Commander—congratulations!" Letting go, he looked Xu Sishen up and down teasingly. "Well, well, look at you now!" He laughed. "Later, I'll host a celebration dinner for you at Chunxi Tower." Then, glancing around at Xu Sizhun, Xu Sijie, and Xu Sicheng, he declared heartily, "Everyone should come along as guests—we won't leave until we're completely wasted!" The authority of a high-ranking official unconsciously surfaced in his demeanor.

His younger brother, whom he had felt protective of just yesterday, now seemed to have grown taller all of a sudden—not only making his own protective role feel diminished but also giving the impression that he might even turn around to take care of him instead... This sudden change left Xu Sizhun feeling somewhat unsettled. He gazed at his brother with a complex expression, falling silent for a moment.

Xu Sicheng, however, looked at Xu Sijin with nothing but admiration.

After Sixth Brother goes to the capital for his selection appointment, he would follow him to Guizhou! Sixth Brother was open and straightforward, a true man—he wanted to be just like him.

"‘Not leaving until we're completely wasted,’ huh?" Xu Sijie laughed, scolding Xu Sijin. "You'd better watch out—Mother will be angry if she finds out!"

Xu Sijin chuckled.

Two middle-aged men in fourth-grade military official attire approached, bowing to the group. "Isn't this the heir and the seventh young master?" Their eyes fell on Xu Sijin, and they jumped in surprise. "Lord Xu! What a surprise meeting you here! You've just returned from Guizhou, haven't you?" They hurriedly introduced themselves: "I am Zhou Jing, an Assistant Commander from the Western Hills Garrison. I used to be colleagues with Lord Lin. This is my good friend, Sun Ming, the North City Commander of the Five City Military and Police Office."

Xu Sijin nodded with a smile.

Zhou Jing eagerly invited him, "An accidental meeting is better than a deliberate invitation—it seems fate has brought us together. If you don’t mind, Sun and I would like to host a welcome banquet for you at Chunxi Tower one day. We’d be honored if you could join us." He added, "We both came from the Imperial Guards and are good friends with your fifth uncle. We’re here to congratulate Commander Xu on his promotion!"

"Let's play it by ear," Xu Sijin replied tactfully. "My selection appointment is originally set for mid-March. I rushed back early specifically to spend a few more days showing respect to my elders!" His tone was both warm toward colleagues and appropriately reserved for someone of his status.

"Of course, of course!" the two men responded respectfully, though disappointment was evident in their eyes.

Just then, another figure approached leisurely—wearing a red official robe, accompanied by what appeared to be Xu Lingkuan.

Xu Sijin perked up.

A red official robe meant at least a third-rank official, and with Xu Lingkuan accompanying him, this was undoubtedly a big shot. Running into him would mean engaging in long pleasantries.

He wanted to see his mother as soon as possible!

The thought flashed through his mind. Xu Sijin quickly shot a look at Xu Sizhun, signaling him to help entertain Zhou Jing and Sun Ming, while smiling at the two men. "Gentlemen, I’ve only just stepped through the gate and haven’t had the chance to pay my respects to my father and mother. I must excuse myself!"

The two were sharp; before Xu Sizhun could even speak, they said, "Earl of Wujin, please attend to your matters first. We were just about to take our leave as well!"

As the red-robed official drew closer, Xu Sijin hastily exchanged a few more words, then left his brothers behind and hurried toward the main courtyard.

Xu Sizhun and the others were still processing what had happened when Xu Lingkuan’s voice reached them: "Was that Jin Geer just now...?"

The brothers quickly turned to respond, but Xu Sijin had already slipped through the moon gate and nearly collided with Song Mama, who was on her way out to check on him.

"Oh my god!" Song Mama exclaimed excitedly, grabbing hold of Xu Sijin. "Her Ladyship's been asking about you—"

Better get to Mother’s room quickly, before anyone else stops him!

"I know, I know!" Xu Sijin cut her off mid-sentence and hurried toward the main house.

Song Mama followed behind him, smiling.

Though it was early spring, the weather in Yanjing was still cold. The crabapple trees and grapevines in the courtyard had not yet sprouted new green—everything was bare. But to Xu Siyu’s eyes, it all felt wonderfully familiar.

A young maid shouted, "The sixth young master is back!" lifting the curtain for him.

Eleven Miss immediately stepped out.

"Jin Geer!" Her eyes brimmed with happy tears.

"Mother!" Xu Sijin embraced her tightly. "How are you?"

"I'm fine! I'm fine!" Eleven Miss held her son close.

A soft cough came from behind him.

"Since you're back, come inside and sit down."

Xu Sijin turned toward the voice and saw his father's stern face that flickered with a hint of joy.

"Father!" He stepped forward to greet Lord Xu.

Lord Xu nodded faintly and turned to enter the room.

Father was still the same as always.

No matter how happy he was, he still had to keep a straight face.

Xu Sijin made a face at his mother.

Eleven Miss shot him a warning look.

Pressing his lips together, he followed his father inside.

Father and son sat on the large heated kang (a traditional brick bed) by the window in the Western chamber, and Eleven Miss poured tea for both of them.

"I’ll get it, I’ll get it!" Xu Sijin quickly stood up to take the tea from his mother, his gaze lingering on her face. He noticed she looked healthier than when he had left, and her complexion seemed even better.

Just as he was about to tease her, a faint, kitten-like cry came from the inner room.

Eleven Miss gave him an apologetic smile and whispered, "It's your little sister!" before hurrying into the inner room.

Xu Sijin stood stunned for a moment. "Little sister!"

Why had no one told him?

Lord Xu muttered awkwardly, "Hmm."

Xu Sijin jumped up. "Father, when did you take another concubine?" His phoenix eyes (almond-shaped eyes) widened as he stared at his father.

Lord Xu was left speechless.

Xu Sijin continued, "Otherwise, how could I have a little sister?"

"What nonsense are you spouting?" Eleven Miss walked out carrying her two-month-old daughter and chided him gently. "She's your biological sister!"

Xu Sijin was utterly shocked, pointing at Eleven Miss. "You—when did you give birth to her? How—how did I not know?" As he spoke, his eyes involuntarily drifted toward the bright red kesi (tapestry-woven) swaddling cloth adorned with embroidered playing infants in her arms.

Eleven Miss hesitated for a moment. "Weren’t you busy with target practice around that time?" She brought her daughter closer for him to see. "You came home for two days and then left again. We never had the chance to tell you…"

Xu Sijin sulked in dissatisfaction.

Opportunity doesn’t knock; you make it—but as Eleven Miss drew nearer, his gaze instinctively fell on the face of the infant in the swaddle, who was staring at him with big, dark eyes.

She was so tiny.

Her face was probably smaller than his palm.

Her hair was as dark as midnight, her lips as red as cherries, and her skin as delicate and fair as freshly fallen snow. Especially those eyes fixed on him—perhaps because she had just been crying, they still held a hint of moisture, clear and pure like a mountain stream, making one’s heart feel instantly transparent.

Xu Sijin couldn’t help but reach out a finger to touch her cheek.

But the calluses on his fingertips felt too rough against her incredibly delicate, almost fragile skin.

His hand instinctively pulled back.

For the first time, he feared he might hurt her, worried that his roughness might damage her delicate tenderness, and a sense of reverence welled up in him.

Lady Xu smiled faintly.

Father and son were exactly alike.

Even now, Lord Xu dared not hold his daughter, as if afraid he might accidentally break her. He wasn’t like Jin'er, who could toss her into the air without a second thought…

She moved the baby closer to her son’s hands. “Would you like to hold her?”

“No, no!” Xu Sijin quickly took two steps back, feeling as though sweat was beading on his forehead.

Lord Xu, empathizing deeply, hurriedly came to his son’s rescue. “Alright, you’ve just returned and are covered in dirt/dust from the road. Wash up first, and then we’ll go see your grandmother together.”

Xu Sijin breathed a sigh of relief, glanced at his sister a couple more times, and then bowed respectfully.

Suddenly, a noisy disturbance broke out outside.

The people in the room were taken by surprise.

The noise grew louder and closer to the main room, faintly carrying phrases like, “You can’t go in!”

Lady Xu frowned.

Someone pushed aside the curtain and walked in.

“Xu Sijin, you promised to bring me to your home! How could you dump me with those stewards?”

An eleven- or twelve-year-old girl stood confidently before Xu Lingkuan and Lady Xu.

The couple was stunned.

Though young, the girl had delicate features and lively eyes. She wore her hair in double coiled buns and a sapphire-blue overcoat embroidered with peach blossoms, but around her neck hung a pair of silver horn-shaped necklaces. Though beautiful, the combination seemed somewhat out of place.

But neither of them was ordinary; they immediately recognized the horn-shaped necklaces as Miao traditional adornments.

This young girl was likely a Miao tribeswoman.

They exchanged a glance and then turned their eyes to Xu Sijin.

Xu Sijin looked annoyed but kept his cool. “A’Mu, I told you to wait outside. Once I’ve informed my parents, I’ll properly introduce you. This is Yanjing, not Guizhou. You promised me you’d do as the locals do.”

The girl called A’Mu immediately looked ashamed. She lowered her head and murmured, “Your family’s stewards said I couldn’t enter your home, that I couldn’t even stay in the kitchen. They wanted to send me to some place called Goldfish Lane to stay…” She lifted her head, tears welling in her eyes as she gazed at Xu Sijin. “I… I was scared!”

Xu Sijin shot her an exasperated look, then quickly explained to his mother, as if afraid of being misunderstood. “Mother, this is Miss A’Mu, the daughter of Chieftain Sha Bao of Sinan. While I was in Guizhou, Sha Bao took great care of me. When I came to the capital, A’Mu insisted on visiting Yanjing, so I brought her along…”

Before Xu Lingkuan and Lady Xu could respond, A’Mu cleverly stepped forward and gave an unpracticed curtsy, addressing them as “Uncle” and “Aunt.”

Lord Xu’s face darkened, but he managed a stiff nod. Lady Xu also felt the situation was somewhat improper. Considering the girl had traveled all the way from afar with their son, and Lord Xu already looked displeased, she thought it would be too cold and unkind to respond with aloofness. Moreover, her son didn’t seem to have any romantic feelings for the girl…

“Since you’re here, you’re our guest,” Lady Xu said with a smile, then instructed Amber, “Get Jin’er’s old room ready for Miss A’Mu to rest.”

Upon hearing this, A’Mu’s eyes lit up. She exclaimed to Lady Xu, “Aunt, you’re so nice!” Then, gathering courage, she stepped forward to look at the baby in Lady Xu’s arms. “Is this Master Xu’s little sister? She’s so beautiful! But she doesn’t look much like Lord Xu.” She glanced carefully at Lady Xu. “She resembles you, Aunt. She’ll be a real beauty when she grows up!”

Hearing someone praise her daughter, Lady Xu couldn’t help but smile slightly. “A’Mu is also a pretty girl.”

“Really?” A’Mu’s face lit up as she touched her cheek. “Aunt also thinks I’m pretty? My father says the same. But Lord Xu says there are lots of girls like me in his family, you can find them everywhere.” Her tone carried a hint of playful pout.

Lady Eleven couldn't help but look at her son with amusement.

Xu Sijin was greatly embarrassed and glared fiercely at A Mu: "Mother asked you to go rest, didn't you understand? Why do you have so much to say!"

A Mu wasn't afraid and made a face at Xu Sijin, then said to Lady Eleven, "Madame, I'll come help you take care of the little sister after I bathe. I have seven nieces, I'm very good with children!" Only then did she follow Amber, who was full of worry, and leave.

Xu Sizhun immediately came in: "Mother, Minister Lu has come to visit Fifth Uncle. He heard that Sixth Brother has returned and would like to see him!"

"He still managed to catch me!" Xu Sijin muttered quietly as he bowed to his father and mother. "Father, Mother, I'll be right back."

Lord Xu was unsettled by A Mu's sudden appearance and responded with a cold "Mn."

Xu Sizhun quickly pulled Xu Sijin out the door.

"What were you thinking, bringing a Miao woman back?" he said in a low voice as they walked out. "Father would never allow you to marry a Miao woman."

"Who said I want to marry her!" Xu Sijin was full of grievances. "I only discovered A Mu hiding in my carriage when we left Guizhou. She had been found out and hadn't eaten for five days and nights.

I wanted to send someone to take her back, but she made threats on her life. She's clever, and ordinary people can't keep an eye on her. I was really afraid something might happen to her... Otherwise, how could I face her father?" As he spoke, he seemed to remember something and quickly pulled on Xu Sizhun's sleeve. "Fourth Brother, you're familiar with all the great families in the capital, right?"

"Generally, yes!" Xu Sizhun looked at his brother curiously. "What do you want to do?"

"Nothing, nothing!" Xu Sijin hesitated. "It's just... when I entered the city, I saw someone entering the incense store... Through the carriage, I heard a beautiful voice..." A tell-tale blush appeared on his face. "I charged toward her carriage..."

Xu Sizhun was flabbergasted: "You... you couldn't be?"

Having spoken it out, Xu Sijin instead felt a sense of relief, as if "things have come to this, it can't get worse." He grinned and put his arm around Xu Sizhun's shoulder: "Fourth Brother, I'm stuck in a backwater like Guizhou now, not like you who were born and raised in the capital. You know everyone in the capital, so please help me! I'll get you a few traditional Miao lanterns from Guizhou—I guarantee they're completely different from the ones in the capital!"

Xu Sizhun was tempted by the mention of lanterns but quickly put on a stern expression: "No. Marriage should be arranged by parents and matchmakers. We can't do something like this privately."

"Ah, but I have no other choice!" Xu Sijin tried to provoke Xu Sizhun. "You're my brother, if you won't help me with such a small matter, who will? Besides, I'm not breaking off an engagement, and Miss Wang isn't betrothed to anyone either..."

"Miss Wang?" Xu Sizhun caught Xu Sijin's slip. "Which Miss Wang? Have you already investigated her?"

Xu Sijin chuckled: "She's the sister of your good friend Wang Yun! Lord Wang's eldest daughter!"

"No!" Xu Sizhun shook his head like a rattle drum. "Father said he wants to find you a daughter from a military family. Theirs is a civil official family. And Lord Wang's family is of modest background, with only one son and one daughter. They have little influence. Forget Father, even I wouldn't agree!"

"You don't agree..." Xu Sijin crossed his arms and said leisurely, "Well, then I'll have to pay them a visit myself!"

"You... you..." Xu Sizhun was at a loss for words. After a long pause, he finally said, "Don't forget, you're now the Guizhou Commander, a third-rank official. You're not like Shen'er or Cheng'er. If something happens, people will just think they're still young and don't know better. But if you cause any scandal, where would Father and Mother put their faces?"

"Then help me!" Xu Sijin said carelessly. "Otherwise, how would I know what to do?"

This younger brother had always been strong-willed since childhood and had sailed smoothly through life. If he became stubborn, he might really rush to the Wang family to offer himself... Xu Sizhun thought of how Xu Sijin, as a child, had been left outside in a storm for two hours without begging for mercy, and felt a splitting headache: "Let me think, let me think carefully!" His tone had already softened.

A glint of cunning flashed in Xu Sijin's eyes as he grinned and put his arm around Xu Sizhun's shoulder: "Dear brother, whether I can get married depends entirely on you!"

Xu Sizhun suddenly pictured his father's stern face.

He couldn't help but shudder.

Meanwhile, Lord Xu and Lady Eleven were worrying about A Mu.

"As long as our son likes her, I'll like her too," Lady Eleven said softly, patting her daughter. "But is A Mu willing to leave Guizhou? Zhun'er can't stay in Guizhou forever!"

Their daughter and son had completely different temperaments—one mischievous, the other gentle.

Lord Xu, however, paced around the room with his hands behind his back: "What do you mean, as long as he likes her? He's still young, what does he know about liking or not liking? This matter can't be left to his whims. Marrying a Miao woman as a wife—I absolutely disagree..."

"Life is but a few short decades. It's rare to encounter someone who truly clicks with you. If Jin Geer likes her, then I agree." Eleven Miss ignored his anger, slowly carrying her sleeping daughter inside the inner chamber as she spoke. "Didn't you say that I could pick whoever I wanted for Jin Geer's bride?"

Lord Xu stared at his wife's retreating back, speechless for a long while, his mind racing to think of some way to change her mind—completely in the dark about the trouble Xu Sizhun was facing...

(The End)

As I type the word "End," my feelings are quite complex... Thank you all for your companionship over these seventeen months, which has allowed me to grow and learn so much. Thank you, everyone!

Let me gather my thoughts first before writing the closing remarks.