Chapter 275

After settling his mother in for a rest, Wang Xiujin decided to take the children out for a stroll, not wanting them to disturb his elder brother. His brother had only recently recovered from his injuries and was already going to the yamen every day—it was too much for him. Returning to his brother’s room, he met his brother’s inquiring gaze. After sending the children outside, he heard his brother ask about Zhizhuo. Wang Xiujin raised his brows; he’d always thought his son was forthright, never expecting that the boy harbored some cunning and knew just when to strike.

“Previously, Zhize was led astray by his servant and pushed Zhizhuo into a pond. Zhizhuo can’t swim. Thankfully, he was discovered quickly; otherwise…” Wang Xiujin sighed softly. “Mother was so angered by Zhize’s behavior that she sent people to investigate how Sister-in-law was raising her children.” Wang Xiujin didn’t realize that by recounting this, he had unwittingly delivered the final blow, leaving Wang Xiubo without a shred of guilt toward his wife.

“How has she become like this!” Wang Xiubo sighed deeply, then waved his hand at his brother, wishing to be alone for a while.

Seeing his brother’s dejected state, Wang Xiujin sighed inwardly. Who could say why she had changed so? Perhaps only she herself could explain. Wang Xiujin quietly left the room, thoughtfully closing the door behind him. With his hands behind his back, he stood under an ancient cypress in the courtyard, gazing up at its crown. He had always aspired to grow into a great tree, sheltering his family from the wind and rain. But now, though he’d only just become sturdy and not yet truly strong, he felt he’d developed many flaws—holes bored, worms gnawing within. The worms could be removed, but how to mend the holes?

Wang Xiujin felt especially weary. No matter how strong one is, everyone needs a harbor to rely on—a place of warmth where all defenses can be set aside. He’d always believed that the Wang family was his final refuge, the harbor to which he could give his all. Now, he found himself doubting that certainty.

“Little Father,” a small figure hugged his leg, softly calling up to him with wide, bright eyes. Looking down, Wang Xiujin saw his own reflection in his son’s gaze. A smile curved his lips. Why dwell on such things? If one harbor became dangerous, he could always build another. Bending down, he lifted his son into his arms. “Yachang has grown taller and stronger again. Soon, I won’t be able to carry you.”

“In the future, I’ll carry you, Little Father,” Yachang replied solemnly.

Wang Xiujin laughed, pinching his son’s nose. “Then you’d better grow up quickly.” Their easy affection made the other three children envious. They seldom enjoyed such closeness with their father. Zhiyuan and Zhizhuo were more accustomed to their uncle’s care, but now that they were older and too big to be carried, such moments were rare. Still, they had tasted a different kind of fatherly love from their uncle. Zhize, however, was deeply jealous of Yachang.

Wang Xiujin didn’t take much notice. He doted on all good children, but with Zhize, he’d never felt close—and after recent events, he had no desire to try. It wasn’t that he resented his sister-in-law and took it out on Zhize, but rather that seeing a child push his own brother into a river left him bitterly disappointed. He could tolerate a child with a bit of cunning, but never one who could harm his own kin. Perhaps Zhize was still too young to grasp the consequences, but youth was no excuse for not bearing responsibility. People are inevitably biased; he regarded Zhiyuan and Zhizhuo almost as his own children, but with Zhize, a mark had been left from the very beginning, and his partiality turned toward Zhizhuo.

“Come, let’s go out for a walk. There are many snacks in Feng’an that you can’t find in the capital,” Wang Xiujin said, setting his son down and calling the children to join him. He summoned a few servants as well; with four children, he couldn’t manage alone.

He spent the afternoon wandering Feng’an City with the children. By the time they returned, the children’s hands were full of treats, and the servants behind them carried strings of parcels—pastries from this shop, snacks from that one. Wang Xiujin noted how much the city had changed since his first visit. The faces of Feng’an’s people were now wreathed in smiles, and their demeanor had grown much friendlier. Thinking of his farm here, he planned to visit it the next day, and perhaps stop by the sundry shop as well. Since arriving in Feng’an, he’d barely set foot outside, busying himself each day with nourishing his brother. If his brother hadn’t grown any stouter, he himself had put on several pounds—were it not for his daily morning exercises, he’d have turned into a fat man by now.

They returned before dinner. Upon entering, they saw servants hurrying about with anxious faces. Wang Xiujin’s heart clenched—had something happened? Fearing for his mother, still in the residence, he quickly stopped one of the rushing servants. After an explanation, he learned that an honored guest had arrived, and the master was entertaining them in the front hall. Relieved, Wang Xiujin led the children slowly toward the rear courtyard.

Sending the children off to play, Wang Xiujin washed his hands, called for a servant to inquire about dinner preparations, and then, remembering that his mother was likely still resting, ordered the kitchen to prepare a nourishing porridge for her to have upon waking. Guessing that his brother’s guest was probably an official, Wang Xiujin decided not to intrude on their conversation. Considering how long his mother would remain here, he resolved to stay a few more days before returning to the capital. Now that his businesses were rooted there, the larger they grew, the more people depended on him. He couldn’t be an absentee manager forever. His brother’s health had mostly recovered; though still a bit frail, that could be remedied over time.

With his plans settled, Wang Xiujin wondered whether, on his way back to the capital, he should detour to Wang Village, as he hadn’t visited in a long while, and could check on the workshops and shops there. Just as he was preparing to write a letter to be sent to the capital, a servant came to invite him to the front hall. Wang Xiujin raised his brows, put aside his freshly laid paper, and went out.

Following the servant to the hall, Wang Xiujin immediately spotted Li Linshan, and then the Fourth Prince seated in the center, with his elder brother to the right. Wang Xiujin wondered why the Fourth Prince and Li Linshan were both here, but he did not slow his steps. Entering, he greeted the Fourth Prince with a bow, though his eyes lingered on Li Linshan.

The Fourth Prince laughed heartily, telling Wang Xiujin not to stand on ceremony. He had already heard of the troubles in Wang Xiubo’s household. While he didn’t know Wang Xiubo well, having met only a few times, he preferred Wang Xiujin’s company. “Enough, the business is done—no need to be nervous. Xiujin, I hear the food in Feng’an is excellent. I wanted to invite you to a tasting, but remembered your reaction to seafood and didn’t dare,” the prince joked, recalling how Wang Xiujin had once suffered dysentery after eating seafood in Feng’an.

“It’s probably just the local fare here. There was a batch of Tianjin seafood in the capital I could eat without trouble,” Wang Xiujin replied, unfazed by the teasing. “If Your Highness wishes to try, I know several good restaurants and can recommend a few dishes.” He then named the restaurants and their specialties.

Wang Xiubo wanted to send for the dishes, but Wang Xiujin stopped him; seafood, if eaten cold, could upset the stomach. The Fourth Prince was indifferent about where to dine. After leaving Li Linshan behind, he departed with his retinue.

After learning of Wang Xiubo’s injury, Li Linshan inquired briefly, then accompanied Wang Xiujin to his quarters. Once the door was closed, Li Linshan suddenly embraced him, burying his face in Wang Xiujin’s neck. The grip was so tight it almost hurt, but Wang Xiujin made no sound, simply raising his arms to return the embrace. After living together for so long, even if the passion had dulled, their companionship was deep and enduring. After so long apart, he missed him, and he too was missed.

Tightly entwined, they exchanged no words. Time seemed to freeze, the world reduced to just the two of them—the rhythm of his breathing, the beat of his heart, all proof of their existence. Wang Xiujin was nearly overwhelmed by a rush of sentimentality and quickly swept away such thoughts. Patting Li Linshan’s back, he joked, “I spent the afternoon eating all sorts of things with the children. If you keep squeezing me, I might end up being sick all over you.”

Li Linshan reluctantly released him, his gaze never leaving Wang Xiujin. Unperturbed, Wang Xiujin recounted everything that had happened at home during his absence. “I’m planning to return in a few days, stopping by Wang Village first.”

“Be careful on the road,” Li Linshan said, squeezing his hand. “I’ll be in Feng’an for another two or three days.”

Wang Xiujin nodded, not asking why Li Linshan was accompanying the Fourth Prince—he already understood. Li Linshan was on official duty, serving as a bodyguard. He couldn’t leave his charge for long; even now, he was already derelict in his duties. If he were to leave at night, when accidents were most likely, it would be even worse.

Knowing Li Linshan would soon have to leave, Wang Xiujin had Yachang called in. The boy hadn’t voiced it, but he could tell Yachang missed Li Linshan. Since father and son were so close, how could he deny them this moment?

Yachang came running, flinging himself into his father’s arms, climbing up like a little bear, arms locked around his father’s neck as he softly called, “Father.” Li Linshan gently stroked his son’s head and patted his back.

“Hasn’t he grown taller and stronger?” Wang Xiujin, knowing Li Linshan wasn’t much for words, spoke for him, a little nostalgic for the more talkative Li Linshan of the past.