Chapter 1: Prologue

Chapter 1: Prologue

Winter 20, Year 3 of Fang Li

It’s been snowing hard today, leaving puddles of melted snow in the center of the pavilion.

Xiaoyuan steps through the puddles, soaking large patches of his brocade shoes. I pick him up and spank his bottom, but he refuses to back down and turns around and glares at me.

I have Qi Guan bring him a new pair of shoes and help him change into them. Fuming, he throws the wet shoes at me. How dare he be so rude! He’s your son through and through.

Oh well. He’s your son, all right.

Spring 12, Year 4 of Fang Li

How come Lu Yuan is such a handful!

Seriously, this kid is beyond teaching!

Lu Yuntai! He is definitely your son!!

June 30

Zhao Jin told me that the weather at the frontier has been similar to here lately. Yesterday I took your son on an outing. Seeing many kites in the sky, he demanded one, so I bought him one shaped like a big yellow dog.

It looks like you—both mean and irritating.

July 1

Lu Yuntai, when are you coming back?