Chapter 20

Leaving the private school, Yu Shensi held a copy of "Collected Annotations of the Analects," the very volume he had been leafing through moments before. Master Su lent him the book and told him he would examine him in half a month.

Yu Shensi was uncertain whether this "examination" was meant to enlighten him or to make things difficult, and his heart was uneasy. Fortunately, Master Su showed no partiality toward Yu Shenyan because of him, and even gave him several topics to write essays on for the next meeting.

He asked Yu Shenyan, "I was so rude just now—do you think Master Su dislikes me?"

Yu Shenyan could not fathom Master Su’s intentions either. Master Su had always disliked arrogant students; the first thing he examined when accepting pupils was their temperament. Even the most gifted would be turned away if they were insolent. Yet although the master was displeased today, he still lent his younger brother a book. Yu Shenyan had no idea what it meant.

He comforted his brother, "Just study carefully. If you don’t understand, I’ll explain. As long as you make no mistakes when Master Su questions you, you’ll be fine."

Yu Shensi nodded.

Yu Shenyan then asked, "When you answered Master Su’s questions, was it your own understanding?"

He had only taught his younger brother to recite the Analects these past few days, without much explanation, worried that too much teaching would go over his head at his age. He planned to wait until the boy had memorized it and understood its meaning, then delve deeper, step by step.

He never imagined his brother would grasp the "Collected Annotations" on his own today. Though his answers to the master’s questions were not perfect, they were already on par with students who had studied at the academy for some time.

He knew his younger brother loved reading, but he hadn’t realized how much he had advanced.

Yu Shensi replied, "Big brother told me: 'Read a book a hundred times and its meaning will reveal itself.' I just read the annotations—if I still don’t understand, wouldn’t that be too foolish and bring shame to you?"

Yu Shenyan smiled, though he disagreed. If a child weren’t clever, how could he comprehend so quickly? His younger brother had such talent; if only he could enter the academy sooner, he’d surely surpass himself in his studies.

He affectionately stroked his brother’s head. The boy had been late in learning to walk and talk—everyone said he was born dull, except their mother, who insisted he was "a noble child whose speech comes late." Now, with his mother gone, seeing his younger brother so bright would surely bring her comfort.

The two brothers were chatting and laughing when they saw a carriage at the street corner ahead. Gao Xi and his brother Gao Fang alighted. The four met face to face.

Since the ancestral rites, Gao Xi had been hoping to see them again.

He opened his mouth to call them by their old titles, but changed it. "Brother," he said, leading his younger sibling forward with delight. "The master said you’d come these days. I’ve been waiting every day, and finally, you’re here."

Yu Shenyan smiled. He knew Gao Xi had nothing to do with those matters and was unaware, but Gao Mingda knew—and had even participated. Their identities meant they could never be as close as before.

"It’s getting late, don’t be tardy. The master is waiting. You’d better hurry!" He put his arm around his younger brother, preparing to leave.

Gao Xi blocked his path. "Brother, are you really so unwilling to speak with me? Should our brotherly bond change just because of our identities?"

Yu Shenyan didn’t want to explain further, nor could he bear to tell him about Gao Mingda’s involvement. With Gao Xi’s temperament, he would never accept it, and would only suffer the pain Yu Shenyan had endured. Gao Mingda was ruthless to them, but always loving to his own children—more so than Gao Mingjin. Gao Xi was luckier.

He answered, "It’s not because of our identities, but because we’re growing up. We shouldn’t cling to the games of childhood. Now we each have our own responsibilities. Doing them well, without burdening each other, is the best kind of friendship."

Gao Xi didn’t quite understand.

Yu Shenyan had no intention of explaining. If Gao Xi let their relationship distract him from the autumn examination, Gao Mingda would come looking for trouble.

"Go to the academy!" Yu Shenyan gave Gao Xi’s shoulder one last pat and left with his younger brother.

Gao Xi watched Yu Shenyan turn the corner and disappear, his heart sinking.

Another carriage stopped at the corner. A young man leapt out, threw his arms around Gao Xi’s neck and teased, "Xi, you waited for me? That’s loyal! We’re running late—come on, or the master will punish us." He dragged him toward the academy.

---

When the Yu brothers returned home, they recounted what had happened at the private school, and all eyes fell on Yu Shensi.

Yu Shensi thought he’d get a "family thought education lesson," but Yu Lun didn’t scold him. Instead, fearing he was anxious, he comforted him: "You’re a sensible child. Master Su won’t judge your character by one remark. Lending you a book means he wishes to observe you further. Study well and don’t make mistakes next time."

Madam Lu also consoled him, "When your brother first became a pupil, Master Su gave him a book to read. He was questioned after reading it, and only then accepted."

Yu Shenyan smiled. Among all Master Su’s pupils, his own apprenticeship had been special—the master hadn’t examined him as he did others, only asked his name, age, and interests, nothing about his studies. Then he was accepted.

He knew Madam Lu was trying to reassure his younger brother, so he agreed with her.

Madam Lu then reported the matchmaker’s reply from the Shi family. The Shi family’s betrothal ceremony was twice as lavish as others in the village. The matchmaker said the Shi family was firm—no negotiation. If they wanted the daughter, they’d have to prepare everything.

Yu Lun and Madam Lu felt the Shi parents were asking too much for the engagement, but Shi Xue’er was a good girl and had waited faithfully for their cousin; so more was more. The couple could see the two were deeply in love, and if the marriage failed over a matter of money, it wouldn’t be worth it—especially as the family could afford it.

For days, the household was busy preparing gifts. A few days later, Yu Wen went with Yu Lun and the matchmaker to the Shi family to finalize the betrothal.

The gifts were delivered, and Shi’s father was smiling throughout.

Afterward, the matchmaker relayed the list for the formal betrothal—this was the official dowry, much more substantial. The Shi family, seeing the Yu family’s attitude, didn’t demand too much formally, though still slightly more than the village norm. It was a considerable sum.

The family discussed it: with the current tailor shop’s income, they would probably save enough by autumn. But in autumn, Xiao Yan would go to the prefecture for the academy exam, which would cost a lot as well.

Their earnings could only cover one thing at a time. They’d have to find another way.

---

At the end of the month, Yu Shenyan again took Yu Shensi to town, arriving after lessons had ended.

Master Su read Yu Shenyan’s essays and nodded with satisfaction. "You’ve improved."

Teacher and pupil discussed the essays in the hall, while Yu Shensi lay at the window listening. He wasn’t ready to write essays himself, but listening helped him learn the essentials.

After a while, he noticed a slip of paper peeking out between two books on the desk. It wasn’t writing, but a drawing—a portrait of Master Su, only the head. Some student must have been distracted in class; if Master Su discovered it, he’d surely punish them.

He glanced up at Master Su, engrossed in explanation, then secretly took a pen and added a few strokes and two lines to the drawing before slipping it back. Imagining the culprit confessing to Master Su later, he was amused.

Master Su finished his lecture and summoned Yu Shensi to examine his progress.

Yu Shensi behaved himself this time, answering every question, not speaking nonsense.

He expected Master Su to ask difficult or obscure questions, but the master only asked simple ones, mostly testing his memory. Though not gifted with perfect recall, Yu Shensi’s memory was far better than most, and at his age, he answered fluently.

After a while, Master Su nodded without comment, set aside the book, and drew out a second copy of "Collected Annotations of the Analects," telling him to study it at home.

Although Master Su showed no particular reaction, Yu Shensi was relieved. At least it was clear the master was not as unhappy as before. Changing someone’s opinion isn’t instantaneous—it takes time. The pupils represent the teacher’s reputation, so Master Su’s rigor was understandable.

They left the school earlier than last time, missing the Gao brothers, but encountered Shi Changsheng.

After arriving in town, Shi Changsheng had searched every cloth shop and tailor’s for work, finally finding a menial job at Changlong Cloth Shop. It was tiring, and the wages weren’t much, but he could lodge with an old worker as a night watchman, saving on rent.

He knew the brothers would return to the school eventually, but not when, so he came by during the lunch break, hoping for luck—and luck was with him.

Shi Changsheng said, "The owner of Changlong has a friend from out of town, a merchant who travels between north and south. He’ll head north next month and wants to try selling embroidery there. He asked Changlong to procure some. I thought of your sister’s skill at embroidery and the family’s tailor shop. You might know some embroiderers—collect some work and sell it to Changlong."

---

The two brothers were excited—this was a chance for quick profit.

Yu Shenyan was cautious. "Is the information reliable?"

"Absolutely. I was serving tea when the merchant spoke to the owner, heard it myself. The manager also asked us to keep an ear out. If I hadn’t run into you, I’d ask someone to pass word to your sister or go myself."

"Changsheng, thank you." Yu Shenyan patted Changsheng.

Shi Changsheng grinned. "I’m asking your sister a favor, but I also want to show some initiative to the manager and owner!"

Yu Shenyan laughed. Both understood who was helping whom—no need for polite formalities.

---

Yu Shenwei knew this was her opportunity. Her first thought was of the women of Gaojia Village—their embroidery was excellent, fetching good prices at Zhang’s Embroidery Shop and likely to sell well up north. Madam Lu said her own village, Lu Yang, also had many embroiderers who regularly sold work in town, and she could ask around.

The matter couldn’t wait; delay would mean missing the chance. The next day, Yu Lun accompanied Madam Lu to Lu Yang Village, while Yu Shenyan took Yu Shenwei to Shitou Township.

Yu Shenwei went straight to Mrs. Ge, wife of the old clan leader.

Mrs. Ge had always cared for the siblings and would surely help. As an elder and wife of the clan leader, she could organize much better than Yu Shenwei could by going door to door.

Mrs. Ge welcomed the siblings warmly, unchanged by their new surname. Yu Shenwei had brought a gift, which Mrs. Ge politely declined. Only then did Yu Shenwei explain her request.

After hearing her, Mrs. Ge replied enthusiastically, "It’s no trouble at all, just passing word. Not hard." She immediately sent her eldest daughter-in-law to ask around.

Mrs. Gao Mingqiu’s wife was blunt, like her husband. She sat down and said, "After Minggen’s wife’s matter got out, people here only sell embroidery through two or three trusted families or take it to town themselves. It’s troublesome and hard to sell. If you’re buying, they won’t refuse."

When Mrs. Gao Mingchun’s wife was notifying households, Aunt Gui overheard from across the courtyard. After Mrs. Gao Mingchun’s wife left, she went out and said to her neighbor, "You really believe that girl can pull this off? Who does she know? She probably wants to cheat you out of your embroidery for money."

The neighbor, still annoyed by Aunt Gui’s previous dishonesty, kept up appearances out of courtesy, but was reminded of her own losses and felt uneasy. She sneered, "One con artist is enough—how could there be a second? Nuan is a kind girl, not so calculating."

Aunt Gui flushed. "I’m just warning you. That girl isn’t as good as you think—she’s ruthless!"

The neighbor replied, "I appreciate your warning, sister-in-law."

Another woman approached, smiling to mediate, "With Aunt Ge involved, there’ll be no problem. Nuan is a kind-hearted child. Tiger’s wife, you’re overthinking."

Aunt Gui snorted, "There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Wait until you actually get paid!" She turned and went inside.

The neighbor pursed her lips and led the woman toward the clan leader’s house.