Chapter Fifty-Nine: Gao Peilan

Gan Sui began to look through the official documents; the scribe was a local, familiar with all manner of affairs, so after a busy afternoon, Gan Sui had gained a general understanding of things. Only then did he feel both exhausted and famished, so he turned to enter the inner courtyard. Banxia had already prepared the meal and was about to bring it to the front hall, not expecting him to return so soon.

“I thought you weren’t coming back; I was just getting ready to bring you your meal.”

“Dining with my wife is an important matter—how could I shirk such a duty?”

“You’re so unserious.” Banxia gave him a gentle push. “Is there a lot to do?”

“Much better than I imagined. It’s just that everything feels tangled and complex at first; it’ll take some time to sort out.”

“If you’re really busy, you don’t have to come home for meals.”

“It’s not far, only a few steps—saves you the trouble of making another trip. Anzi, let me see the characters you wrote today in a bit.”

Anzi looked guilty, his face nearly buried in his bowl.

“What’s the matter, didn’t you write today?” Gan Sui frowned and asked.

“Don’t be so hard on him,” Banxia chided gently. “He’s just a child, new to this place, curious to explore. What’s the harm in missing a day’s practice? Weren’t you the same at six, always looking to play?”

“That’s not quite the same. When it comes to study, the greatest enemy is slackness. One day of laziness leads to another—before you know it, you’re always putting things off. He’s not quite the same as I was.” The burden he must bear is heavier than mine ever was.

“Brother-in-law, please don’t be angry. I’ll write them after the meal,” Anzi said hurriedly, seeing Banxia and Gan Sui about to argue.

“I’m not blaming you—it’s just that calligraphy, if neglected even a little, shows immediate regression. Even when we were traveling and it was hard, you kept it up. Don’t give up halfway now. Do you understand?”

“I do.”

“All right, finish your meal, then make up for it. I’ll check it when I return later.” With that, he placed a chicken wing into Anzi’s bowl.

“You still have to go back to the front study?” Banxia asked.

“There’s much to handle. I’ll probably be late, so don’t wait up for me—get some rest early.”

“Then I’ll make you a bowl of snow fungus soup for a late-night snack.”

“All right, just have Hanshui bring it over. Don’t go yourself in the dark—it might frighten you.”

“Fine, but don’t get so engrossed that you forget the time. Come home early.”

He agreed readily, but by the end of the night, at the hour of the Pig, Gan Sui still hadn’t returned. Banxia, unable to stay awake, went to bed first. She’d never realized before that Gan Sui could be such a workaholic.

Gan Sui, too, only realized it was midnight when he heard the night watchman strike the hour. He looked over to see Hanshui dozing beside him. Stretching, he roused Hanshui, and they returned to the inner quarters together.

Banxia was already asleep, but a candle still burned inside, and Anzi’s calligraphy practice lay on the table. Gan Sui looked over it, circling the characters he found unsatisfactory and assigning the next day’s lessons.

Gan Sui didn’t want Anzi to be so burdened, but there was no helping it; if all went as expected, Anzi would one day become emperor. The emperor bore responsibility for the realm, and if he didn’t start learning young, the future would be all the harder. Besides, the path to the throne was fraught with hardship—the more skills, the better his chances.

After washing up, Gan Sui returned and saw Banxia’s delicate, sleeping face. Unable to resist, he kissed her. Banxia, never a deep sleeper, stirred drowsily. “You’re back? What time is it?”

“Around midnight,” Gan Sui replied, utterly charmed by Banxia’s half-asleep demeanor, and kissed her lips. The air seemed to burn with the intensity of it.

“Stop…” Banxia tried to push him away. “Aren’t you tired?”

“I can be even more tired.”

Gan Sui pressed himself over Banxia.

The next morning, when Banxia woke, daylight had already broken. After washing and dressing, she found Anzi practicing boxing with Master Lu in the courtyard. Only after he’d finished did Banxia come out.

“Sister, you’re awake?”

“Yes.” She wiped the sweat from his brow. “Are you tired?”

“Not at all. Brother-in-law’s gone to the front hall. The food’s in the pot—he told me to make sure you ate breakfast.” With that, he pulled Banxia to eat.

“Has Master Lu eaten?”

“Yes.” Master Lu was never one for words. Seeing Anzi and Banxia go inside, he returned to his own room.

“I have to visit someone’s house today. Will you stay home alone or go with me?”

Anzi thought for a moment. “I’ll stay home. Brother-in-law left me books and assignments—I’ll study by myself.”

“Isn’t it a bit hard on you? If you—”

“It’s fine, Sister. I know Brother-in-law only wants the best for me.”

Banxia patted his head, her heart aching at the thought of such a young child with so much homework.

“I’ll come back early and make your favorite spicy fish, all right?”

“Mm.” Banxia began to get ready, selecting some pearls to put in a gift box. When Gan Sui and Wang Xiaoshan had partnered in the pearl business, they’d made a tidy profit. Boss Zhu had also gifted Banxia some exceptionally fine pearls. She wasn’t one for jewelry, so they’d simply been put away. Wei Wenyuan was a local power; though technically a subordinate, it was wise to maintain good relations. Offering pearls as a gift was also a gesture of friendship between the families. As Banxia prepared to leave, she considered hiring a cook. She liked to sleep late sometimes—it wouldn’t do for Gan Sui to prepare breakfast every day. Now, with Master Lu and Hanshui in the household, it wasn’t right for them to eat out constantly, either.

Just as she was pondering this, Hanshui reported that the county magistrate’s wife had come to visit.

Banxia hurried out to greet her. “Sister Gao, what a surprise! I was just thinking of calling on you.”

One glance at her entourage, and Banxia had to admit defeat; she’d brought two maids and two matrons carrying gifts. Clearly, she couldn’t compare. Gao Peilan struck Banxia as a straightforward woman—an oval face, phoenix eyes, with a touch of Wang Xifeng’s spirit.

As Banxia sized her up, Gao Peilan was doing the same. Though simply dressed, Banxia’s elegance was unmistakable—a petite beauty, albeit with a certain youthful innocence.

“Sister Gao, please come inside.” Banxia led her in, noticing a child by her side. “This must be your little son…” She reached out to pat his head, but the boy quickly dodged.

“That’s rude,” Gao Peilan scolded, tapping her son. “This is my younger son, Yuan. His mother dotes on him, so he’s quite mischievous—please don’t take offense.”

“Why should she touch my head? A man’s head isn’t for patting.”

“My apologies, I didn’t know. I won’t touch your head again.”

“Yesterday you sent the servants back, so I came to ask if they weren’t attentive enough. We still have well-trained staff in the manor—would you like to select another?”

“No need for such formality, Sister Gao—just call me Banxia. Your servants are wonderful. It’s just that, coming from a farming background, I’m not used to being waited on. I’d just like to hire a cook to handle the meals.”

Seeing Banxia’s sincerity, Gao Peilan didn’t press further. “I heard you have a young master in your household as well. Why don’t I see him?”

“That’s my younger brother. His brother-in-law left him assignments before leaving—he’s studying now. How old is Yuan?”

“He just celebrated his fifth birthday.”

“Then he’s a bit younger than Anzi—Anzi’s nearly six. Would Yuan like to play with his big brother?”

“Wouldn’t that interrupt his studies?”

“It’s no trouble at all. I actually think children this age should play together more, but his brother-in-law is quite strict…”

“Master Gan is devoted to his upbringing. I’ve heard his learning is second to none.” In truth, those who struggled with their studies often admired scholars like Gan Sui, especially someone like Wei Wenyuan, who’d failed the imperial exams countless times. He’d sung Gan Sui’s praises just the day before.

“He is rather accomplished. Hanshui, take the children to play with Anzi.” Hanshui, who had been waiting to serve tea, led the way. But as a houseboy, it wasn’t quite appropriate, and Banxia thought she might need to hire a maid.

One of Gao Peilan’s maids followed along, saying, “She serves Young Master Yuan and will look after him.”

Banxia didn’t mind; in some households, the children were precious enough to require constant supervision. She returned to chatting with Gao Peilan. “I’m new here and unfamiliar with everything. In the future, I’ll have to trouble you often.”

“I’d welcome it. My childhood friends all married far away, and I have no one to talk to. Actually, before the earthquake, this was a wonderful place—peaceful, hardly any crime. Business always went smoothly, and no one expected the disaster to strike. I saw so many little beggars on the road just now—so young, so thin, with no one to care for them. It’s heartbreaking.”

“Gan Sui and the others are working on solutions…”

Suddenly, a maid rushed in. “Madam, they’re fighting…”

“What’s the hurry? Who’s fighting?”

“The two young masters are fighting!”

That couldn’t be right—Anzi was always so well-behaved. Banxia and Gao Peilan hurried over. Yuan’s lip was bleeding and he was crying at the top of his lungs. Gao Peilan, shocked and regretful, rushed to comfort him. But Yuan howled even louder, inconsolable. Banxia, unfamiliar with such a dramatic child, felt a throbbing headache.

Trusting her instincts, Banxia knelt down and asked Anzi what had happened. Before he could answer, Hanshui spoke up. “I brought the young master to see his uncle, who was practicing his writing. He said he’d play after finishing the page. The young master agreed to look at books by himself. I was picking out a book when I saw him tear up the uncle’s writing practice. The uncle tried to stop him, and in the process, accidentally hit his tooth, which was loose anyway, and it fell out—hence the bleeding.”

Gao Peilan then remembered Yuan’s lower tooth had been loose for days. She had him open his mouth, and sure enough, it was the very one.

“All this fuss over losing a tooth? Yuan, are you still a little man?”

Yuan sniffled, “But…it’s bleeding…”

“Well, why did you tear up your brother’s homework? Now it’s ruined. Can you write him another?”

“Waaah…I can’t…I didn’t mean to…I just wanted to see…what he was writing.”

“Could you even read it?”

Yuan shook his head honestly. Gao Peilan laughed, turning to Banxia. “Sister, I’m so sorry. This child is… such a handful.”

Banxia could only force an awkward smile. “It’s nothing.” She turned to Anzi. “Would you like to play with your little brother for a while?”

“Yes.” He reached over to take Yuan’s hand. “Don’t cry, little brother. I’ll show you my boxing.”

Children’s quarrels blew over as quickly as they started, and soon they were off together to the garden.