FHJ - 17

Chapter 17: Zhao Yao (1)

As the New Year approached, the scandals and lawsuits of the old year seemed to fade into the distance. Officials took their leave from court duties to prepare for the Lunar New Year celebrations.

It was the 27th day of the 12th lunar month, a time when families across Jiangzuo were bustling with preparations for the holiday. According to tradition, there were three days of rest before and after the first day of the new year, making for a total of seven days of leisure. Though a few days still remained until the Eve of the New Year, households were already alive with activity. This year, Jiankang had seen an abundance of snow and rain, and farmers often regarded such weather as an auspicious sign of a bountiful harvest. Thus, this particular New Year felt especially worthy of celebration.

The Qi family, the most prestigious clan in Jiangzuo, boasted countless descendants, many of whom held official positions. The current head of the family, Qi Zhang, served as the Left Chancellor of the Liang dynasty. Among his sons, the eldest, Qi Yun, held the position of Deputy Chief Clerk of the Ministry of Works, while the second son, Qi Ying, had recently been promoted to Vice Minister of the Privy Council. The third and fourth sons, Qi Ning and Qi Le, were still studying. Qi Zhang, now past fifty, was rumored to be considering passing the reins of the family to his eldest son, Qi Yun. If true, Qi Yun’s status would reach unparalleled heights.

On this day, as Qi Yun and Qi Ying returned home together in the same carriage after court, Qi Yun asked his younger brother, “Jingchen, I didn’t see Bai Song today. Where is he?”

Qi Yun, styled Jingyuan, was twenty-nine years old, married to Han Ruohui, the eldest daughter of the Han family. Known for his gentle and courteous nature, he enjoyed a good reputation at court and was deeply devoted to his family. Two years ago, the birth of his daughter had softened his demeanor even further, and he had grown increasingly attentive to the minutiae of others’ lives. Noticing that Qi Ying was accompanied only by a young servant named Qingzhu and not Bai Song, who usually guarded him, Qi Yun invited his younger brother into his carriage, intending to inquire thoroughly.

Qi Ying, dressed in his official robes, bore faint traces of fatigue on his brow. Without betraying any emotion, he replied, “The weather has been bitterly cold lately. He went out on an errand and fell ill upon his return. He’s taken leave today.”

Qi Yun found nothing unusual in this explanation and did not press further. Instead, he remarked, “Indeed, this winter has been unusually harsh, with heavy snowfall. You’ve been staying at your secondary residence quite often. Mother has been worrying about you.”

Qi Yun and Qi Ying were not born of the same mother. Qi Yun’s mother had passed away during childbirth, and afterward, Qi Zhang remarried, taking Yao Shi—Qi Ying’s biological mother—as his wife. Lady Yao was kind-hearted and treated all of Qi Zhang’s children warmly, fostering a harmonious relationship with her stepson.

Qi Ying responded, “It is my fault. There has been much work at the office, and since I’ve just transferred to the Privy Council, matters have been overwhelming, leaving me no choice but to return home late. If I were to stay at the main residence, I’d worry about keeping Mother awake waiting for me. That’s why I’ve stayed longer at the secondary residence.”

Qi Yun sighed deeply. “This situation truly burdens you. I had assumed Father would assign you to assist me at the Ministry of Works. I never expected an imperial decree to transfer you to the Privy Council. With tensions rising between the north and south, and the Wei family of the Northern Wei being particularly aggressive, our recent defeat has made your position even more precarious.”

The thirteenth year of Qinghua marked the aftermath of a major war between the north and south. Last year, the two nations clashed fiercely at Shicheng, resulting in a devastating loss for the Liang dynasty—nearly 200,000 casualties. Following this crushing defeat, the former head of the Privy Council was executed by imperial order, and his deputy, Zhang Heng, was promoted to fill the vacancy. This left an opening for the position of Vice Minister, which ultimately fell to Qi Ying.

Qi Yun sighed again, patting his younger brother’s shoulder. “I’ve long felt uneasy about this arrangement. You’ve only just come of age, and the role of Vice Minister of the Privy Council is far too weighty for you, especially given its immense responsibilities. I will speak with Father after the New Year and request an imperial favor to transfer you to work under me at the Ministry of Works—or perhaps to the Hanlin Academy. Anything would be better than this perilous post.”

Qi Ying hesitated, wanting to say something but ultimately remaining silent. After a moment, he simply replied, “Alright.”

Seeing that his younger brother did not object, Qi Yun was pleased and changed the subject with a smile. “By the way, I heard Mother mention yesterday that Auntie is coming today. She might already be here.”

“Auntie?” Qi Ying raised an eyebrow. “Isn’t Uncle currently serving as governor of Lichuan? Even during holidays, provincial governors are not permitted to leave their posts. Why would Auntie return to Jiankang?”

Qi Yun explained, “Uncle has been stationed outside the capital for four years now. It’s said that after the New Year, he’ll receive a new appointment and will be transferred back to Jiankang. Father has already approved the matter. Auntie’s visit this time, bringing Yao’er along, is to settle everything in advance.”

Qi Ying asked, “Yao’er is coming too?”

“Mother mentioned it,” Qi Yun smiled. “If I recall correctly, Yao’er should be twelve this year. When she left Jiankang, she was still a little girl. Four years have passed; her appearance must have changed significantly. I remember she adored you the most when she was little. Among all the siblings in the family, you seemed to favor her as well.”

Qi Ying chuckled, recalling Zhao Yao’s cherubic face as a child. Nodding, he said, “That little one certainly knows how to charm everyone. Her parents dote on her endlessly.”

Qi Yun agreed with a laugh and then recounted a humorous anecdote involving his own daughter, Hui’er. As he spoke, his paternal affection overflowed, carrying the conversation all the way back to the entrance of their estate.

Upon returning home, they found that Auntie had indeed arrived and was conversing with Lady Yao in the main hall. Lady Yao, now forty-two, still retained her elegance and grace, particularly her striking phoenix eyes—a trait inherited by Qi Ying. It was said that Qi Zhang had fallen in love with her at first sight, despite her modest origins as the daughter of a minor official. He personally sought her hand in marriage, and their union remained loving throughout the years. Auntie, though younger than Lady Yao, appeared older, frail, and less beautiful. Born into the Qi family as a concubine’s daughter, her mother had been close friends with the matriarch. She married Zhao Run, grandson of a former Grand Tutor, whose family, though diminished in influence, still carried prestige due to their lineage. Over the years, Qi Zhang had supported Zhao Run’s career, earning him a respectable reputation and prospects for future promotions.

After greeting their mother and aunt, Qi Yun answered Lady Yao’s inquiry about their father: “His Majesty summoned Father to discuss state affairs. We returned ahead of him, but Father said he would join us later for lunch. Please don’t worry, Mother.”

Lady Yao smiled and nodded.

Their aunt greeted the two nephews warmly. After they were seated, she chuckled, “That little one has been chattering nonstop about how much she misses her brothers during the journey. When the servants announced your return, she lost her nerve and hid behind the screen.”

As she spoke, she glanced toward the screen in the hall.

The maidservants giggled at her words, and Lady Yao joined in the laughter. Turning to Qi Ying, she said, “Yao’er has been asking ever since she arrived whether you’ve forgotten her. I told her you hadn’t, but she didn’t believe me. Now that you’re back...”

Before Lady Yao could finish, a lively figure darted out from behind the screen like a gust of wind, rushing into Lady Yao’s arms. The young girl’s face was flushed as she tugged on Lady Yao’s sleeve, pouting, “Auntie, why are you telling tales about me? From now on... I’ll never peel lotus seeds for you again!”

The girl appeared to be twelve or thirteen years old, dressed in a bright red skirt. Her almond-shaped eyes and delicate nose gave her an air of childlike innocence mixed with youthful charm. Her voice was clear and melodious, like the song of a nightingale, and her small, pale hands tugged at Lady Yao’s sleeve in an endearing display of affection.

The maidservants covered their mouths to stifle their laughter. Zhao Qishi, seeing her daughter behaving so improperly, immediately frowned and prepared to scold her. However, Lady Yao adored Zhao Yao dearly and waved her hand dismissively, saying to her younger sister-in-law, “Don’t blame the child. These children have been raised too rigidly by their father. In my opinion, none of them are as delightful as Yao’er.”

Zhao Yao, hearing this, stuck her tongue out playfully at her mother. Then, catching her aunt’s amused smile, she added, “Didn’t you say you missed your brothers? Go on, greet them.”

At these words, Zhao Yao’s cheeks turned pink as she glanced shyly at the two brothers seated on fragrant wooden chairs.

Though she had grown up familiar with her cousins in the Qi household, four years apart had dulled their closeness. By the time she left Jiankang, her eldest cousin, Qi Yun, was already a high-ranking official and rarely played with her. Qi Ying, who became a prodigy at fourteen and entered public service early, also didn’t spend much time with her. She was closest to Qi Ning and Qi Le, but even so, she had always favored Qi Ying the most, often clinging to him. When her father was transferred away from Jiankang, she had even run to the Qi residence to cry in Qi Ying’s arms. Four years later, though memories of those embarrassing moments made her cringe, what worried her most was whether her second cousin still remembered their bond...

Zhao Yao stole another glance at Qi Ying, her face reddening slightly. She couldn’t help but notice how different he looked in his official robes compared to when he was a child—his features more refined, his demeanor more mature. Biting her lip nervously, she approached the two brothers and greeted them politely, her voice soft and sweet: “Elder Brother, Second Brother.”

Qi Yun lightly gestured for her to rise, smiling. “Yao’er has indeed grown so much. If we passed each other on the street, I might not recognize you.”

“Nonsense,” Lady Yao teased her eldest son. “How could a young lady of good breeding casually bump into someone on the street?”

Qi Yun pressed his forehead in mock apology to his sister. Lady Yao continued, “But Jingyuan is right—Yao’er has changed so much. She’s become even lovelier. Even I, her aunt, can barely recognize her.”

Zhao Yao blushed deeply, twisting her fingers nervously as she glanced at Qi Ying, who had yet to speak. Gathering her courage, she murmured softly, “Then... then, Second Brother, do you still recognize me?”

Her heart raced as she waited anxiously. Finally, Qi Ying raised his eyes to meet hers. Her fingers twisted tighter, but his response came with a faint trace of amusement: “How could I forget? Wasn’t it you who shattered my Dushan jade pi xiu?”

Though he didn’t laugh outright, recalling such a childhood memory instantly bridged the gap between them. Overjoyed, Zhao Yao listened as her mother interjected, “Indeed, it was all her doing! That jade pi xiu used to be Fourth Prince’s favorite trinket, and this troublemaker managed to break it! Truly, we must apologize to Jingchen...”