Chapter 26
Chapter 26: Father and Son
The Li family siblings carried an unspeakable secret in their hearts. They dared not accept this, dared not accept that. Old Master Kuan’s brows stayed knotted, his mood dark and heavy.
Once everything was decided, Li Xue Dong and the sisters hurried back to Little Li Village. Old Master Kuan walked home at a slower pace, worry pressing down step by step.
As soon as he entered his courtyard and saw the cart parked inside, he hadn’t even opened his mouth when A Zhuang came flying out of the kitchen.
“Grandfather! Grandfather! Father is back!”
Old Master Kuan’s eldest son, Li Wen Liang, followed with a smile. “Father, you’re home.”
Li Wen Liang was a little over thirty—medium height, sturdy and quick, clean in indigo rough-cloth clothes. His square face always wore a smile. He looked like a straightforward farmer… and the kind who could count your coins while he was smiling.
“Weren’t you supposed to return tomorrow?” Old Master Kuan asked, grinning.
“Old Two reached Lin Hai last night. Your message sounded urgent, so I set out at midnight. I’ve been home a while.” Li Wen Liang studied his father’s face. “Father, you look well.”
Old Master Kuan’s grin twitched. “That wastrel actually came back? How is he? Can he manage the shop now?”
“Old Two is more sensible than before,” Li Wen Liang said. “Last year I sent him to Fu Zhou. This year, two trips to Yang Zhou. He handled them properly.” He smiled. “Father can’t keep punishing him for the trouble he caused as a child.”
Old Master Kuan snorted, but the corners of his mouth betrayed him.
His younger son had always been clever. Once, he’d pinned hopes on him, thinking the family might produce a true scholar. Instead… when anger surged, Old Master Kuan had wanted to beat that unfilial boy to death with a stick.
“Enough. Come to the back courtyard. Let’s talk,” he said.
They went back. His wife brought over a plate of fish cakes fresh from the pan and a plate of steamed rice cakes.
Li Wen Liang boiled water and made tea. Old Master Kuan ate a fish cake slowly, then nodded for his son to eat as well.
“Two big matters happened in the clan. Has your mother told you?” Old Master Kuan asked.
“I know.” Li Wen Liang smiled. “Not only from Mother. I ran into Old Three at the town entrance. He came back with me, talking the whole way. He just left.”
Old Master Kuan gave a helpless laugh. If Wen Hua knew something, Wen Liang knew it too. Heaven help them all.
“We just settled Xue Dong’s entry to Prefecture School,” Old Master Kuan said with a sigh. “Xue Dong and his eldest sister are distant with the clan. The clan offered money, and they refused every single coin. In the end, only because of Teacher Gao’s face did they accept the rent money. It feels like resentment.”
Li Wen Liang blinked. “Old Three said the licentiate and his eldest sister treat him warmly.”
“Old Three is a fool,” Old Master Kuan snapped, then deflated with another sigh. “And it’s partly my fault. Back then, I stepped in to help…”
He trailed off. The truth was, he had never expected Xue Dong could pass and become a licentiate. Paying for exam fees had been a whim. A few coins, nothing more. Even after Xue Dong passed the prefecture exam, Old Master Kuan had still dared to hope for nothing.
“Father, don’t think too hard,” Li Wen Liang said. “If they have resentment, it’s only natural. Even we—when we talk about the clan, aren’t we full of complaints? The days ahead are long. If we treat them sincerely, sooner or later, sincerity will be returned. Hearts are made of flesh.”
Old Master Kuan nodded once. “Mm. That’s all we can do.”
He stared at the table, seeing the clan’s future there like a storm cloud. The Wang Branch had taken over clan affairs. The Feng Branch and Sheng Branch might not dare speak, but that didn’t mean they weren’t furious—and they certainly wouldn’t swallow it without plans. They had more men than the Wang Branch and the other households combined. If the Wang Branch wanted to hold on, they would have to lean on Xue Dong.
Which meant they could not afford to grow distant.
“When does the licentiate leave?” Li Wen Liang asked. “I can escort them.”
“That’s why I called you back,” Old Master Kuan said. “You’ll go with Xue Dong’s household and help them settle in. They must leave within the next two days—Prefecture School has a deadline. Bring extra banknotes. From now on, Xue Dong’s expenses won’t come from the clan fund. We’ll cover them ourselves.”
He paused, then added slower, as if weighing each word.
“And Xue Dong’s eldest sister—she has a strong will and real ability. On the road to Ping Jiang City, don’t clash with her. Don’t decide for her. Don’t meddle in their family affairs. Even Xue Dong’s matters—listen to what his eldest sister says. You just support them with all you’ve got.”
“Understood,” Li Wen Liang said, nodding. “From what Old Three said, I could already tell she’s formidable.”
Old Master Kuan grunted agreement. Then his gaze drifted, thoughtful.
“When I was young, elders said the Li family’s fortune lies in its women. Each rise of the Li family came through the Li family women. If our luck truly turns this time…” He looked at his son. “It may land on that eldest sister. Respect her.”
“I will,” Li Wen Liang promised.
They spoke a bit longer about clan matters. Then Old Master Kuan’s wife called them to eat. They had just sat down when Li Wen Hua burst in, eyes bright with excitement.
“Something happened! Something happened!”
Old Master Kuan set down his chopsticks. “What happened?”
“Don’t panic,” Li Wen Liang said, standing. “Speak clearly.”
“Li Wen Cai’s two brats from Little Li Village—someone beat them!” Li Wen Hua waved his hands wildly. “Here, here—blood everywhere! Absolutely soaked!”
Old Master Kuan frowned.
“The two who hit the licentiate?” Li Wen Liang asked, relaxing a fraction. “What happened? Who beat them?”
“Karma!” Li Wen Hua declared, as pleased as a cat in a fish shop. “Karma never misses! Everyone says so!”
“It happened not far from Li Family Market Town, almost to Little Li Village. Those two idiots offended two traveling merchants passing through. I don’t know what business they were in, but they hit hard. No one even knows what they used—Xue Fu and Xue Shou were covered in blood, head to toe. And on the head—right here—one cut this long, this wide!”
Li Wen Liang stared at the span Li Wen Hua made with his fingers, skeptical.
“You don’t believe me? It really was that long—at least three inches—right on the head, from here to here! All blood. Terrifying.” Li Wen Hua clicked his tongue, utterly satisfied.
Old Master Kuan waved him off, face dark. “Enough. Go home. How old are you, gloating like this? That’s inviting misfortune. And don’t bring it up again.”
Li Wen Hua’s mouth tangled. “I’m not gloating, I’m just—fine, fine, I’ll go.” He hurried out, half-walking, half-running.
“Stay and eat,” Li Wen Liang called after him.
“No, no. My food’s already served,” Li Wen Hua said, disappearing.
Li Wen Liang looked back at his father. “Father?”
“Our licentiate doesn’t have that kind of reach,” Old Master Kuan said quietly. Then, after a beat, he gestured to the table. “Wen Hua was right about one thing. Karma doesn’t miss. Eat.”