The Lin residence was a courtyard house built of blue-grey brick. Beside the main gate stood a small shed for storing farm tools. Inside, a donkey cart had already been parked—clearly his elder brother and brother-in-law had arrived.
Lin Fangxu set down his basket and hoe and turned to close the courtyard gate when his nephew Ermu came hurtling down the lane, shrieking at the top of his lungs.
“Uncle, save me! A’Bao’s goose is trying to snatch my pastry!”
Sure enough, a large white goose barreled after him, neck stretched long, wings flapping noisily. Tsk. This would not do. That foolish goose dared bully a future xiucai of the Lin clan?
Lin Fangxu seated himself leisurely on the threshold, waiting until the tear-streaked “little
scholar” ran into his arms. Only then did he scoop the boy up and lazily wave the goose away.
“Uncle, you didn’t even help me take revenge—you were laughing at me!” Ermu pouted indignantly.
“Didn’t I chase it off for you? And when did I laugh?” No wonder this boy had turned out the most capable among the younger generation in his previous life—sharp-eyed indeed.
“Your mouth curved up. Your eyes were smiling too.”
Heh. With instincts like that, the boy would thrive in the Court of Judicial Review one day.
Lin Fangxu promptly shifted the blame. “Why were you wandering outside so late? Did you tell your mu-father? And carrying pastries—were you off showing off at A’Bao’s house?”
Lin Ermu, whose formal name was Lin Xiuhao, knew when to retreat. He quickly declared that he forgave his uncle—so long as Uncle did not tell Mu-father about the visit to A’Bao’s.
Satisfied, Lin Fangxu carried him into the main hall.
Inside, his elder brother and father occupied the seats of honor, speaking quietly. His mother sat nearby, holding the youngest nephew, Sanmu, in her arms. Lin Fangxu greeted his brother, then went over to tease the baby.
“Oh! Little Brother has grown so many teeth!” Ermu exclaimed, having not seen his sibling for months.
“Let me see—ah! Let go! You dare bite your uncle?” Lin Fangxu gently pried at the baby’s mouth, only to have a small set of teeth clamp down firmly on his finger.
“Serves you right, you rascal!” Lin Mother laughed.
Lin Father and the others stopped talking and watched with amusement. Lin Fangqin grinned at the sight. There was a large age gap between him and his youngest brother. Fangxu had been
their parents’ late-born child, doted upon beyond measure—and Fangqin indulged him no less. He might swat his own son for mischief, but he would never lay a hand on his younger brother. Besides, Fangxu had always been sensible.
“Xu-ge’er looks sturdy enough. Seems he’s recovered well. Time to return to the academy and apply yourself, don’t you think?” Lin Fangqin teased.
By now, Lin Fangxu was certain: he had indeed lived another lifetime. The golden-thread tea had been crucial evidence; the knowledge inexplicably lodged in his mind was proof enough.
Though he now seemed to hold a slight advantage, scholarly honors still had to be earned step by step. He truly should return to the academy soon. Yet aloud he sighed theatrically, “I thought I might idle a few more days. Elder Brother keeps a tight watch. When are you and Brother-in-law returning to the county town?”
Ignoring the pretense, Lin Fangqin replied, “My father-in-law has gone to Hangzhou to settle accounts. The shop will close for a few days. We’ll help finish transplanting the rice seedlings, then head back.”
“In that case, I’ll stay and help too!” Lin Fangxu said brightly. “I’ll return with you both. By the way, isn’t the academy on recess these days? Why hasn’t Second Brother come home?”
At this, Lin Fangqin frowned. “He says there’s a literary gathering in Jinhua Prefecture. Leave him be.”
Seeing his brother’s displeasure, Lin Fangxu asked no more.
His second brother had always fancied himself lofty and refined, disdaining practical affairs. Pressured first by Elder Brother, then coaxed by Ai Xiaoya, he had drifted along until nearly forty before finally passing the xiucai exam—only to be dragged into ruin by that very woman.
“Father, Mother, supper’s ready. Let me take Sanmu,” his brother-in-law called, entering to collect the child. The family then moved to the dining room.
The Lin clan had once produced a jinshi. Though no longer prominent, they retained certain proprieties. At table, they observed silence. Even little Sanmu sat obediently in his small round chair, gnawing quietly at a snack.
After supper, they retired to their rooms. Lin Fangqin and Zhao Shiyue took the three children, washed them, and once they were asleep, finally had time to talk.
As Zhao Shiyue folded the clothes they had brought back, he asked, “Sister-in-law asked how Second Brother is doing at the academy. He’s always busy, never returns even on rest days.
Fortunately she’s not due until year’s end—the academy closes in the twelfth month. Will he take the exam again next year? And what of Third Brother? I’ve heard the teacher often praises him.”
“Second Brother will certainly go. As for Third Brother, he’s still young. We’ll consult the teacher,” Lin Fangqin replied, reclining against the headboard.
Seeing his husband hesitate, he understood well what lay unspoken.
With a faint sigh, he said, “Yueyue, I know your thoughts. Generations ago, the Lin family were officials. The elders cannot let go of that former glory. And I myself am unwilling to see our descendants sink into mediocrity. Yet I lack the aptitude for the examinations. All I can do is
support my brothers in hopes they’ll rise. It has been hard on you, following me without a day of ease.”
Zhao Shiyue’s eyes reddened. Throwing himself into his husband’s arms, he said softly, “I don’t feel our life is bad. And even a xiucai would benefit the family greatly. But the fields bring in little. Second Brother has failed the county exam twice and refuses employment. Can your
income alone support Third Brother’s studies too? Elder Uncle says Third Brother has real talent—we cannot let that go to waste.”
He paused, then added lightly, “The examinations are built on silver. It’s only the county-level now. If they reach Hangzhou—or even the capital—who knows the expense? No wonder many clans have abandoned the path. Sister Tian mentioned her cousin—also a scholar—took up work as an accountant at a trading firm. He still plans to sit the exams next year.”
Lin Fangqin nearly laughed. Much of this stemmed from his father-in-law once offering Second Brother an accounting position—an offer the latter had disdainfully rejected.
Truth be told, Fangqin agreed that with a child on the way, it was unwise for his brother to remain cloistered at the academy. Seeing his husband still awake and clearly awaiting
reassurance, he said, “Let him sit once more next year. If he fails again, I will urge him to find employment.”
Relieved, Zhao Shiyue settled. Raised much like a son despite being a shuang’er, he understood the weight of the examinations. In the hierarchy of scholar, farmer, artisan, merchant, a merchant—even wealthy—was still a sheep to be sheared.
It was not the path he doubted, but Second Brother himself. Two failed attempts were no disgrace; the exams were a narrow plank across a thousand-man chasm. Yet his aloof, self-regarding temperament inspired little confidence. What was wrong with bookkeeping? His own husband was an accountant! In contrast, Third Brother had always been bright and adaptable—far more promising.
Supporting two scholars would strain the household, especially with Mu-mu soon to begin
schooling. As eldest son and de facto head of household, Fangqin’s word would stand. Since he had agreed, Zhao Shiyue would not play the villain.
Unaware of his brother-in-law’s high regard, Lin Fangxu would likely have quipped, Brother-in-law, you have an excellent eye.
Instead, he lay in bed, staring at the rafters—not idly, but in quiet reckoning.
As the late-born child, he had grown up indulged. In school, where others required repetition, he grasped lessons at once. Teachers praised him; elders admired him.
In youth he had been confident, even flamboyant, convinced he would restore the family’s former standing among officials. Yet his ambitions had been severed midway. The burden of honor might now rest on Ermu’s shoulders.
Regarding his death in the previous life, he felt little bitterness. The official world was a sea of shifting currents. To lose was to lose. One who entered that sea must accept its risks. At least in dying, he had preserved his clan.
As for poisoning his wife and son—remorse was scarce. Husband and wife were one body; father and son bound by blood. Was that not so? He had never cared much whom he married. When Ai Xiaoya manipulated his match, he had offered no resistance. He bore no particular grudge against Liu Mingzhu either; he had given her all due respect.
Yet in this life, he would never wed Liu Mingzhu again. Not with her frivolous elder brother, nor her father who favored concubines over his lawful wife. And she herself had lacked clarity of judgment.
When he had been posted to Yunnan, she had remained in the capital under the pretext that their child was too young, refusing repeated summons. After six years, he returned to find their son unruly, consorting daily with maids, later frequenting brothels. Each attempt at discipline was met with her hysterics. The boy avoided him; even the softest heart would harden.
As for Ai Xiaoya—his distaste was genuine. She was like some spirit from another world, her thoughts and conduct perpetually out of place, yet delivered with insufferable self-assurance.
When Second Brother lingered at home after repeated failures, she stirred no waves. But the moment he passed as xiucai, she contrived to drag him into catastrophe. If in this life she were again to become his second sister-in-law, he would not allow her to remain in the Lin household.
All in all, to be granted another life was Heaven’s grace.
Next year he would sit the county examination. Securing scholarly rank was the urgent priority. All else was idle fantasy.
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