Chapter 259

The second day of the New Year was Yachang’s birthday. For children, aside from the grand celebration at their first birthday, few paid much attention to such days. Perhaps things were different in wealthy households, but among ordinary folk, if circumstances allowed, boiling an egg was considered enough to mark the occasion. Wang Xiujin thought that simply giving his son a boiled egg seemed rather stingy. So, in addition to inviting a teacher to paint a portrait for his son, he had someone embroider a bellyband adorned with a great golden sun as a birthday gift. Of course, there was also no shortage of treats—Wang Xiujin had wanted to make a cake, but his culinary skills were limited, and even the cook couldn’t compare to Sister Liu’s expertise, so he gave up the idea. Still, he prepared plenty of Yachang’s favorite foods, and the boy ate with great delight.

When the New Year festivities ended, the second uncle’s children departed for the frontier in a carriage. Watching his younger brothers leave, Wang Xiujin couldn’t help but worry. Li Linshan merely patted him on the shoulder before heading to the barracks. The series of training methods Wang Xiujin had devised were proving highly effective; his unit had become the most outstanding under the Li family banner, and Grandfather had decided to implement these methods throughout all their forces. As for other families’ troops, that was no concern of theirs. Before this new training was rolled out, however, there would be a competition within the barracks—what Wang Xiujin called a drill.

Life in the military camp was busy, and Wang Xiujin’s shop left him little free time as well. Yachang became a little shadow, taking turns following both his fathers. Both Wang Xiujin and Li Linshan were pleased with this arrangement. The old man had some opinions but was soon persuaded by his eldest son and son-in-law, and so made no further objections. Yachang was an exceptionally well-behaved child. In the shop, he could play with a brush for an entire day; in the barracks, he would sit quietly on his father’s arm, watching the soldiers spar, his eyes wide and sparkling. If one looked closely, it seemed as if his eyes were aglow.

After completing his spring duties, Wang Xiujin was summoned again by the Fifth Prince to inspect the construction of the activity grounds. The grounds covered a vast area and were still under construction, making it difficult to discern their final structure. The Fifth Prince earnestly explained to Wang Xiujin, “This will be the indoor section, three stories high, divided into several rooms, able to accommodate thousands. My father intends for future imperial examinations to be held here, so scholars will have a more comfortable environment.”

Wang Xiujin nodded, well aware of how poor the conditions at the exam sites usually were.

“The outer grounds will be nearly half a kilometer around, with ten grand tiered stands. Each stand will have a large canopy, so those seated won’t need to worry about the rain,” the Fifth Prince said, pointing to the vast expanse outside.

“Who came up with that idea?” Wang Xiujin was genuinely impressed by the wisdom of the ancients. He had forgotten to mention such a thing himself.

“It was my idea—is there a problem?” The Fifth Prince had never overseen a building before, but imagined that if he were watching a contest or performance from the stands and suddenly it rained or snowed, it would be most unpleasant. Hearing Wang Xiujin’s comment, he became a bit anxious, wondering if his suggestion was somehow flawed.

“There’s no problem at all. I think it’s excellent. With this, the grounds could host all sorts of events. Celebrities could rent the venue to perform, selling tickets of various prices, and the grounds could take a share of the profits. Of course, renting the venue would also entail a fee.” Wang Xiujin briefly described the modern concert model to the prince.

“Would that really work? Where would the stage have to be set up so everyone could hear? Even the loudest performer might not be heard all the way in the back!” The Fifth Prince was initially intrigued, but on further thought, had his doubts.

Wang Xiujin considered this and realized it was a valid concern. “It’s only an idea for now. Someone would need to take the initiative, and as for the sound, that’s not for the grounds to solve. Whoever rents the place can figure it out themselves.” The Fifth Prince found this reasonable and kept Wang Xiujin’s suggestion in mind.

After touring the construction site, Wang Xiujin returned home once again marveling at the ingenuity of the ancients. His thoughts drifted to the great ships sailing overseas—who knew where they were now? How far had those foreign devils’ technology advanced? If they could produce glass, what about steel? Engines? Large-scale machinery? If they could, perhaps the sailors could bring some back. Wang Xiujin’s imagination soared, but he thought it unlikely foreign countries had developed so swiftly. So comforted, he let the thought go. If only he had some mechanical skills, he could have assembled things himself. Of course, had he known he would travel to ancient times, he would have learned a bit of everything.

Li Linshan returned from the barracks with their son to find Wang Xiujin lost in thought, so he set the boy down and went to wash up. Yachang went to his little father, hugging his leg and gazing up. When he got no response, he began to climb up his father’s leg, but lacking sufficient skill, made little progress despite his determination. Yachang’s efforts snapped Wang Xiujin out of his reverie; he watched, feigning ignorance, to see what the boy would do next.

Yachang did not give up, nor did he notice his father’s amused gaze. He clung to the leg, intent on climbing all the way up. Li Linshan, returning from washing up, noticed his son’s antics as well as Wang Xiujin’s little act. The two of them, one seated and one standing, watched as their son struggled upward. At last, Yachang succeeded, pulling himself onto his father’s leg and, looking up, met his father’s smiling eyes. Embarrassed, he dove into his father’s arms.

“Yachang is amazing,” Wang Xiujin said, lifting his son, though the boy was growing heavier and almost too much to carry.

“Today at the barracks, he stood by my side the whole time during the sparring, straight as a little pine,” Li Linshan remarked, taking the boy in his arms, fully aware of his son’s weight. But Yachang clung to his little father, refusing to let go, content to laze in his arms. Wang Xiujin shook his head—he could still manage to carry the boy now, but once he grew bigger, he wouldn’t be able to, no matter how much he wished.

Wang Xiujin patted his son on the shoulder, praising his good behavior. He had intended to ruffle the boy’s hair, but recalling the ancient taboo about touching a man’s head, he changed it to a pat on the shoulder. Hearing his father’s praise, Yachang’s bright eyes sparkled, making Wang Xiujin laugh.

“By the way, didn’t we talk about arranging a marriage for my younger brother during the New Year? When I came home today, my little father said a matchmaker had come to propose a match with the niece of the Hanlin Academy’s Liu family. I thought I’d ask Father about Liu’s character, and could you look into his brother-in-law’s conduct?” Wang Xiujin brought up the matter. Regardless of the past, whether his brother stayed or started his own household, it was necessary to thoroughly investigate the other family. Even if he left, he would remain a member of the Li family and represent them.

Li Linshan nodded, happy to help since Wang Xiujin cared about it. Meanwhile, Yachang bounced on his father’s lap, seeking attention. Wang Xiujin looked down, planted a kiss on his son’s cheek, and Yachang immediately clung to him, giggling. Watching the father and son, Li Linshan went over and lifted the boy off Wang Xiujin, setting him on the floor to play on his own.

Wang Xiujin looked at Li Linshan and burst out laughing—was he jealous of his own son? Since their son arrived, the two rarely had a chance to be close. One had to admit, Li Linshan’s self-discipline was impressive, but on the rare occasions they were intimate, he would be left sore and bedridden for a day. Not wanting to risk that, Wang Xiujin deftly changed the subject, suggesting they visit the Wang family after dinner.

When Wang Xiujin raised the matter of Liu Hanlin, Lord Wang immediately dismissed him as unsuitable, and the matter was dropped. Perhaps the young lady herself was a fine person, but marriage was not a private affair—it involved two or even more families. Given the Li family’s prominent status, it was wise to be cautious. Steward Mi, upon learning that the Liu family was unsuitable, promptly declined the match without further explanation. The matchmaker dared not inquire further, and though she wished to ask what qualities they sought in a bride, she did not dare voice it. Steward Mi simply instructed the butler that should this matchmaker call again, she was to be questioned at the gate and not allowed inside.

News of the rejection made Liu Hanlin anxious. He had heard that the Censorate’s plan this year involved the Hanlin Academy and was calculating how to respond. When he learned that General Li’s illegitimate son had come of age, he saw an opportunity—if he could ally his family with the Li family, even if the Censorate investigated him, they would have to think twice. Yet the Li family rejected the proposal within two days, leaving Liu Hanlin ill at ease.

Many sought marital ties with the Li family, and after Liu Hanlin’s proposal was rejected, no one thought the Li family wrong. The stream of matchmakers never ceased. Though the candidate was only General Li’s illegitimate son, it was common knowledge that the general’s legitimate son had married a man and adopted a son. Though the adopted boy was entered into the family register, he was not truly of Li blood. Who could say who would be the future head of the household?

Recently, Steward Mi was beset by daily visits from matchmakers, his head spinning from all the praise: this girl’s beauty, that one’s skill, the virtues of girls from the East City, the merits of those from the West. His ears grew calloused from all the compliments. Feeling it was too much, he summoned Wang Xiujin, and, playing the role of the eldest sister-in-law as a mother, promptly handed him the task of meeting with the matchmakers.

Wang Xiujin could only laugh, but did not refuse. His approach was simple and direct. If every matchmaker said their girl was the best, why not have them all together and let them argue it out? Though noisy, their competition quickly revealed that none was quite as remarkable as claimed. After dismissing all the matchmakers, Wang Xiujin called his younger brother over—after all, in choosing a wife, it was only right to hear the opinion of the one who would marry her.