Chapter Ninety-Four: Obituary

The day Second Master Wen arrived in Ling County dawned clear and bright, and everyone set out early. They had been on the road some time when, upon entering a grove of trees, the sky changed all at once. Dark clouds gathered, and before long a torrential rain was falling. It had taken less than the time to drink a cup of tea. The woods were damp and heavy with moisture, and fearing a strike of lightning, they dared not linger. When the rain slackened a little, they hurried onward in search of shelter.

By a stroke of luck, as it seemed, they crossed out of the woods and saw a large farmstead in the distance. Second Master Wen let out a long breath and called, “Move faster, everyone. Let us get to the estate.”

The party hastened to the nearest farmstead to take cover. They had worried at first that the master of the estate might refuse them lodging, but he turned out to be warm and hospitable. Hearing that they were returning to their hometown to pay respects to their ancestors, he brought out fine wine and good dishes to entertain them. They had been traveling for half a month. Though they had brought enough money, no inn could compare with the comfort of home.

The young master of the Wen family, Wen Qianli, had long grown tired of the journey and had been making a fuss all the way about going home. His wet nurse coaxed him again and again before he finally went quiet, sulking. Life in the estate was a little less comfortable than in an inn, but the food was fresh and had a rustic charm. In the evening the rain gradually eased, and the master of the estate brought out aged wine to share with everyone. Since all were in high spirits, they inevitably drank a little too much.

In the middle of the night, the dogs in the estate suddenly burst into wild barking. In the pitch-black darkness, it was especially horrifying. Dozens of bandits attacked the farmstead.

The people inside had no warning at all. Once the bandits broke in, they cut through the place as easily as slicing melons and vegetables, each strike killing instantly. The people in the estate, who had still been laughing and talking only that day, became demons of death in an instant.

After the disaster, only a minor attendant from the Wen family managed to escape. That evening he had been a little unwell and had not dared to drink, and when the dogs started barking he had hidden in the latrine. Through the doorway he saw the blood-red eyes of the killers outside and felt as though he had fallen into a nightmare from which he would never wake. The chief steward, who had been scolding them harshly that very day, was slain with a single slash across the throat. Bright blood sprayed outward, and two drops splattered onto the latrine door. The stench of blood was so strong it made him want to vomit, yet he dared not make a sound. He held his breath until his eyes reddened.

The bandits came swiftly and left even faster. Before long, carts laden with valuables were hauled away. He mixed among the others, then hid in the woods. From afar he watched as the farmstead somehow caught fire, crackling and popping through most of the night. Hundreds of lives were wiped out, leaving not even bones behind.

In June, the emperor prepared to move to the Lu Mountain Summer Palace to escape the heat, and the accompanying attendants were all set. The whole Shan family was to go as well.

As soon as the imperial decree arrived, Banxia began packing. It felt less like preparing for a trip than moving house. The two children had especially many things, from food and clothing to daily necessities; every detail had to be considered. The summer palace lay amid lush mountains and forests, so she also prepared sachets to ward off insects. She had to be especially careful in choosing the servants to bring, since everyone who came and went there would be a noble of great rank, and the slightest carelessness could give offense. Banxia even gave them urgent instruction, warning them under no circumstances to bring shame upon the Grand Tutor’s name.

The two children busied themselves nearby, looking for the things they wanted to take.

“Mother, can we take Roundy?”

Roundy was the giant lantern Gan Sui had won for her during the Lantern Festival, standing more than a meter tall.

“No, Roundy is too big. It would be hard to carry.”

“I’ll carry it myself.”

Carry it? You’re not even as tall as the lantern stand.

“All right. If you can lift it, Mother will let you take it.”

Yu Huai dashed over happily, his two chubby little hands unable even to grasp the handle beneath the lantern stand. He put all his strength into it and pulled hard upward. It did not budge at all. Then he started scrunching up his little round face and whining, “Mother…”

“No, Roundy wants to stay home. It doesn’t want to go play with Yu Huai.”

“All right then.” Yu Huai pressed himself against Roundy and said, “Then be good at home. I’ll miss you.” This was what Gan Sui told him every day before going out, and now he was saying it to someone else.

“Does Liu Guang have anything she wants to take?”

“I want to take the dress with little flowers, the dress with little butterflies, the golden dress…”

Fine, then just move the wardrobe along with you.

“No, you can only choose your favorites, and no more than ten.”

“But Liu Guang likes them all…”

“But the carriage is only so big. If we fill it with dresses, there won’t be room for Mother. Does Liu Guang want her dresses, or does she want Mother?”

Liu Guang looked at her dresses, then at Banxia, then after a long, agonized pause looked back again. Banxia nearly wanted to swear. After all the trouble of caring for you, am I not more important than your little dresses?

Fortunately, Liu Guang quickly ran over and threw her arms around Banxia.

“I want Mother. Liu Guang likes Mother the most.”

Banxia laughed with delight. The little ingrate had made her think all she wanted were dresses.

While this side was full of tenderness and affection, the Wen residence was preparing the evening meal.

The Madam Wen had only taken two bites when she put down her chopsticks. “This lychee and taro balls dish is what he loved most before. Whenever it was set on the table, he could finish more than half of it. I wonder whether he can get used to being with Second Brother. How can one get used to sleeping under the open sky and eating wind and dew? I really do not know what the marquis was thinking, insisting that he go back to pay respects to the ancestors as well. My poor child has never suffered hardship before. Who knows how much pain he’ll have to endure on this journey.”

The maid beside her hurried to comfort her. “Please do not worry, Madam. The young master’s wet nurses all went with him, and the marquis also gave Second Master instructions. Once the ancestral rites are completed, the young master will be sent home. By now they must already be on the way back. You should take care of yourself. The young master is most filial and devoted; if he returns and sees that you have grown thin, he will surely be heartbroken. Please eat a little more.”

“Only my child pities me. Where has the marquis gone tonight?”

“He said he was taking the eldest young master out to attend social affairs.”

At once the Madam Wen’s face darkened with rage. She seized the teacup from the table and smashed it to the floor.

“The eldest young master, the eldest young master… In his heart there has always been only his elder son. When has he ever planned for our son? Do not think I do not know. His heart is entirely with the child of the first wife, and he never once looks at the empress in the palace. She has not seen the emperor for so many years. He dotes on his elder son, yet cannot understand the emperor’s mind. Does not the emperor also favor the elder son? I’ll just watch and see what good that wretch’s child can get…”

“Madam… Madam!” A little maid came running in.

“What is it? Have you no manners?”

“Please forgive me, Madam.” The maid dropped trembling to her knees.

The Madam Wen finally composed herself. “Speak. What is it?”

“The people who went with Second Master back to the family home have returned…”

“My child has come back? Quickly, let me go see him…”

“No, Madam. That person came back alone. He said…”

“Then say it. Why are you stammering?”

“He said they met bandits on the road. Everyone who went back has died.”

“What did you say?”

The Madam Wen only felt the world go dark and nearly fainted. The old nurse behind her hurried to support her.

“Madam, you must hold yourself together. You absolutely cannot fall. We still need to ask clearly what happened. Perhaps the young master is still waiting for you to save him.”

“Yes, I cannot faint. I must ask clearly… yes, ask clearly…”

Outside, the Marquis Wen had been drinking and exchanging cups with his guests. Suddenly a servant from the house came in.

“Marquis, Madam has sent someone to ask for you. She says something has happened at home.”

“What now? Can she not be quiet for a moment when I am busy…”

“Marquis, another drink…”

“Go back and tell her I am occupied. I’ll return later…”

“But, Marquis…”

“Go at once.”

After three rounds of wine, the eldest Master Wen helped his father back home. Just as they got down from the carriage, heavy white mourning cloths fluttered in front of the gate.

The Marquis Wen had drunk some wine and his mind was still not clear. Seeing this, he asked, “What is the meaning of this?”

The gatekeeper stepped forward and said, “Marquis, please accept my condolences. Second Master and the young master are gone.”

“Bastard, what did you say?”

In the palace.

“Your Majesty, the Wen marquisate has raised mourning banners. They say Second Master, who had returned to the family home to honor the ancestors, and the young master encountered mountain bandits and died tragically.”

“That is truly unfortunate. What are the people in Ling County doing? Bandits have become so rampant. Someone! Issue an edict to Ding Prefecture, ordering the prefect there to investigate thoroughly.”

Half a month had already passed. Even if they investigated now, what could they possibly find? It was nothing but a way to stall.

“Imperial Consort Guifei must not know this news yet. Since it concerns her flesh and blood, go and inform her. If she wishes to return home to pay respects, I will allow it. After all, the marquis is of advanced years; to lose a son before one’s eyes is truly pitiful.”

Outside the palace, the Marquis Wen sobered instantly. He strode forward and seized the gatekeeper by the collar.

“What nonsense are you spouting? What are all these preparations for? If you dare, I’ll have your head off.”

“Marquis, even if this servant had a hundred heads, I would not dare speak nonsense. It was Steward Sang, who went with them, that returned and said it.”

“Where is he? Bring him here.”

The Marquis Wen had no choice but to accept the news of his younger brother’s and son’s deaths. He hurried into the inner courtyard. Inside, the mourning hall had already been set up, and the Madam Wen was weeping as she arranged a cenotaph for her son’s clothing and headdress.

“Please, think of it more calmly. Rest assured, I will avenge our child.”

The Madam Wen was astonishingly calm. “What meaning does revenge have? My child will not come back. He does not even have remains. For the rest of his life, he can never return home. Since the marquis is always so busy, then go and be busy. In any case, whether you are a father or not makes no difference.”

“You are blaming me. I truly did not know before…”

“So what if you knew, and so what if you did not? I am afraid the marquis would be delighted if my child died, so that he would not contend with the eldest young master later.”

“What do you mean by that? Have I not loved the child enough in ordinary times? What he liked, did I not give him? From childhood to now, where have I ever…”

“I do not wish to quarrel with the marquis. It is meaningless anyway. All is lost… everything is lost. It is all retribution. Retribution!”

The Marquis Wen stepped out of the door. His eldest son, Wen Yuan, stood in the courtyard in coarse mourning clothes.

“Father, why would Ling County be infested with bandits?”

“Bandits? I fear they were bandits raised by our noble emperor himself. Since he dared lay hands on my people, then let us fight to the death. Go and have the people I found earlier make their preparations. Qi Nansheng, the Lu Mountain Summer Palace will be your grave.”