Chapter 132

Nalan Zhi stepped out of the study and looked up at the sky above.

Today was sunny and pleasant, with a cloudless sky. The sunlight shone on the white snow on the ground, reflecting a brilliant glow.

The snow scenery was as beautiful as a painting, but Nalan Zhi could faintly see a storm brewing.

He paused for a moment, his expression complex, feeling that there were many things he could not see through. The only clear thing was that from today onwards, he would be Qin Yanzhou's master.

Not the kind of confidant from before who only enlightened him and kept the boy from getting stuck in a dead end, but a true master who would teach him everything, guide him, push him, and take care of his future path.

He did not know where this path arranged for him by his lord would lead. Whether it would open up to a bright future, or be fraught with danger only to end in peace, or be a long and arduous journey leading to a dead end, he could not fathom. He only knew that once he set foot on this path, there would likely be no turning back.

Nalan Zhi let out a long breath and strode away.

The invitation letters for the coming-of-age capping ceremonies of the two young masters of the Qin family spread rapidly among the prominent families as if they had grown wings. Not only in Yuyang Commandery, but prominent families in other regions also received invitations to attend the ceremony.

Overjoyed, the prominent families from out of town hurriedly had their servants prepare heavy gifts and set off early.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the capping ceremony arrived.

Winters in the north rarely saw rain; it was usually snow. Today, Daili woke up very early. When she got up, light snow was falling outside the window. By the time she finished washing up and getting dressed, the snow had stopped.

A thin layer of white covered the ground, spread out like a delicate sheet of dough.

Servants were sweeping with brooms, making rhythmic swishing sounds. The moderate and regular noise was rather interesting in its own way.

Daili was dressed up for the occasion today, wearing a rattan-green dress with wide sleeves and a crossed collar. Above the crossed collar that folded just below her collarbones, a ruby necklace hung. The translucent, water-like red was particularly striking against her snow-white skin.

Her flowing, cloud-like dark hair was carefully put up by Nianxia. Silver-gilt phoenix hairpins were inserted on both sides of her temples, and the specially made kingfisher feather dangling ornaments were bright and dazzling in the sunlight.

It was currently popular to apply huadian, sticking patterns of flowers, birds, or butterflies on a lady's forehead to enhance her beauty. However, Bipo held the floral applique and stared at it for a moment, hesitating to apply it.

Qin Shaozong returned as if he had timed it perfectly. Seeing that Daili had finished dressing up, he stared at her for quite a while and suddenly quoted, "There is a beautiful lady in her chamber; her room is near, but she seems far, tormenting my heart."

Daili replied, "...The Marquis has such elegant taste."

Qin Shaozong saw the applique in Bipo's hand. "There is no need to apply the huadian. It would be entirely superfluous."

Without the applique, her makeup was complete. Daili slowly stood up. "Have the guests entered the manor?"

Qin Shaozong nodded in affirmation. "I have already let Hongying and a few boys welcome the guests on our behalf. Madam, Yunce is a month older than that boy Qin Yanzhou. For today's capping ceremony, I plan to have Yunce go first and be capped before him."

Daili agreed.

The two walked out of the main courtyard arm in arm. The snow in the courtyard had already been swept to the side by the servants. When the cool breeze blew past, it occasionally carried some snow dust with it.

Qin Shaozong said, "Today, Yunce's younger sister, Yunshu, will also return. When she does, I will have her come to pay her respects to you..."

Daili's footsteps suddenly stopped as a memory abruptly surfaced.

That was when she first arrived in Yuyang. Hearing of Qin Changgeng's return, the chief administrator of the Wei family had blocked the doorway, claiming he had urgent matters to discuss with him. At that time, Qin Changgeng had sent the man away. Later, he told her that the Wei family was his late wife's maternal family.

He had once said, "...The Qin and Wei families were once related by marriage. I married the legitimate daughter of the Wei family, but she was frail. She passed away from illness less than two years after giving birth to a son."

The Wei family daughter married him and died of illness after giving birth to a son. Later, when Wei Cheng visited, Qin Qinian called her aunt, so he must be that child.

Then were Qin Yunce and the Yunshu he mentioned children born of concubines?

But Daili felt something was not quite right. Not only was Qin Qinian's attitude towards Qin Yunce highly respectful, but there was also Qin Changgeng's recent phrase, "Yunce's younger sister, Yunshu."

Putting herself in his shoes, if it were her own daughter, Daili would definitely say "my daughter." Why would there be a need to beat around the bush like this?

But when she first met Qin Yunce, the young man had indeed called Qin Changgeng "father."

Qin Shaozong watched Daili with interest as she frowned one moment and relaxed her brows the next. Her expression was peculiar, as if she were trapped by some difficult puzzle.

A moment later, he saw her slowly raise her eyes and ask him, "Qin Changgeng, exactly how many children do you have?"

Qin Shaozong raised his long eyebrows slightly. "I have waited from the time I returned to Yuyang until now, and I have finally waited for Madam to have the time to ask about family matters."

Daili was speechless.

This remark was hard to follow up on, so Daili simply coughed. "Things happened one after another before. First it was detoxifying Zhouzhou, then the winter hunt, and later I was thinking about the capping ceremony. It was all so hectic that I couldn't attend to it for a while."

After explaining this, Daili quickly added, "Qin Changgeng, so exactly how many children do you have?"

Every time she called him by his full name and courtesy name together, it was either because she had serious business to discuss with him or she was somewhat annoyed. The man smiled and put his hands behind his back. "It could be one, it could be two, or it could be three."

Daili was bewildered.

How could the number of children change back and forth like this?

Once they are born, they are born. Could they be stuffed back in?

Daili found it hard to describe her feelings. "Are the Marquis's children like gourds on a vine, able to change according to the seasons?"

Qin Shaozong explained, "Yunce and Yunshu are my older brother's children. Years ago, after my brother was killed in battle on the front lines, my sister-in-law committed suicide for love, leaving behind a pair of young children. At that time, some people within the Qin clan were quite restless, so I decided to adopt Yunce and Yunshu as my own. That year, Yunce was five years old, and Yunshu was two."

Daili suddenly understood.

No wonder those two brothers did not have the slightest discord; it turned out they were cousins.

Qin Shaozong walked forward with her. "Yunce remembered things early. He had a deep affection for my brother and initially did not want to acknowledge me. I then told him that after his capping ceremony, if he wanted to acknowledge my brother as his father again, I would have no objections."

Only then did Daili understand where that variable came from. "So when you just said it could be one, that is under the circumstance that both Yunce and Yunshu change back to acknowledging your brother as their father?"

Qin Shaozong nodded.

Daili looked at his expression. "If a child who has called you 'father' for over ten years suddenly changes to calling you 'uncle,' what are your thoughts?"

Qin Shaozong looked at the boundless blue sky, a look of nostalgia in his eyes. "My brother was a very good father. In my memory, he would even let Yunce ride on his shoulders, carrying the child around everywhere, and he would personally teach him how to read and write. Every time he traveled, he would definitely bring back gifts for his wife and children. Even some of Yunce's childhood toys were made by my brother's own hands."

In all these things, Qin Shaozong felt inferior.

Compared to his brother, he always had much less patience with children. As long as the child wasn't missing an arm or a leg, it was fine. They needed to take a few tumbles to grow tough; there was no need to raise them so delicately.

Daili nodded in agreement. "He truly was a good father."

"So even if he acknowledges my brother again, it is only human nature." Qin Shaozong's tone did not fluctuate much. "However, regardless of whether he changes his acknowledgment or not, he is older than Qin Yanzhou. In the future, Qin Yanzhou will rank second in the family alongside Yunshu."

Qin Yunce was the oldest. Next was Qin Yunshu, who was the same age as Qin Qinian but slightly older, and finally, Qin Qinian, the third child.

In some families, the young masters and young ladies were arranged together, males and females in a single line. Before Qin Yunshu was married, others called her the Second Young Lady of the Qin family.

In other families, they were arranged separately, males and females each in their own line. This was usually the case for families with many offspring. If there were too many children and they were arranged together, the line could wind like a long snake.

As they spoke, the two arrived at the main hall.

Dai Li had not yet married Qin Shaozong, but the news that they would wed next spring had already spread throughout Yuyang. She assumed the duties of the main wife, returning the guests' greetings, and no one around dared to show the slightest dissatisfaction.

Are you kidding? The Marquis of Wu'an came with her, a smile on his lips, clearly showing no objection.

Since the host saw no problem, how could these guests, who were subordinates trying to curry favor with the Marquis of Wu'an, dare to show any disdain?

Among the guests, Dai Li spotted Qin Yunshu. She bore a five-point resemblance to Qin Yunce, especially in the lower half of her face, and both siblings had a gentle temperament.

The young woman, whose hair was already done up in a married woman's bun, took the initiative to step forward, curtsied, and greeted Qin Shaozong and Dai Li, "Father, Madam Dai."

Qin Shaozong asked, "How have you been in the Tang family?"

This question made Tang Wenjin, who had accompanied his wife, tense his scalp.

Qin Yunshu smiled, "Everything is fine. Thank you for your concern, Father."

Qin Yunshu was married outside the commandery, but it wasn't too far from Yuyang. Qin Shaozong said, "Since you've returned to Yuyang, why not stay in the mansion for a few days with your husband and reunite with the family?"

Qin Yunshu nodded obediently.

There were many guests, so they couldn't just focus on one. Therefore, after a short conversation with Qin Yunshu, Dai Li went to deal with other guests.

Amidst the busyness, time passed unknowingly, and soon it was the auspicious hour.

Today's auspicious hour was exactly noon. As the gong sounded, the seated guests all fell silent.

The capping ceremony had an opening ritual, which was overseen by Qin Shaozong. After the ritual, the core figures of the capping ceremony, the two boys, stepped forward.

Both had their hair down. At this moment, each knelt on a previously prepared kneeling pad, while an elder of the Qin family helped comb their hair.

The guests below already knew that the two were being capped together today. But seeing them step forward together at this moment, their eyes held varying degrees of surprise.

After the combing was finished, Qin Yanzhou stood up and temporarily stepped aside. The strategist Cui Shengping took the stage and adjusted the collar of Qin Yunce, who remained in the center.

At this moment, the sponsor sang: "On this auspicious day of this good month, we first place the capping garment upon you. Cast aside your childish aspirations, and follow your adult virtues. May you live a long and happy life, and be blessed with great fortune." 1

The capping ceremony was quite complicated, requiring three cappings and three bowings. The "three cappings and three bowings" referred to the capping three times, with each capping using a "black cloth cap", a "leather cap", and a "sparrow cap", each representing a different meaning, and each cap corresponding to a set of clothes.

This meant that after a capping, one had to return to the room to change clothes before coming out to bow to the guests again.

"A man is capped and given a courtesy name at twenty. Time flies, and twenty years have passed. Yunce, today you will receive a courtesy name." Cui Shengping's face was flushed with excitement.

Qin Yunce said, "Please tell me, sir."

Cui Shengping said, "Born anew and growing upwards, thriving in the future, it is called 'Changsheng'. This is one of the courtesy names Boyang thought of for you many years ago, even before you were born. I think it is the most suitable one now, so I chose it."

Qin Yunce was stunned, his eyes instantly reddening. He bowed deeply, "Thank you, sir."

Suddenly, a wet mark spread on the ground.

Qin Yunce straightened up, walked to the side corridor to return to his room to change clothes, and when he came out to bow to the guests again, his capping ceremony would basically be over.

Next was Qin Yanzhou, repeating the three cappings and three bowings. Nalan Zhi was the one capping him.

After the capping came the granting of the courtesy name. Nalan Zhi said seriously, "Yanzhou, the past is gone with the wind. After the capping is a new beginning. I grant you the word 'Chongle', wishing you smiles year after year and peace year after year."

The last sentence lacked a subject and was too gentle, slightly different from Nalan Zhi's past style, more like...

The young man couldn't help but turn his head slightly to look at his mother sitting not far away. He saw her smiling, and when she noticed him looking over, her smile obviously deepened.

A warm current surged in his chest. As Qin Yanzhou bowed his head again, he silently repeated in his heart: Qin Chongle.

Chong meant both anew and double.

It was wonderful. He liked this name too.

The two boys successfully completed the ceremony one after another. At this point, the capping ceremony for the guests was basically over.

If it were young masters of other families, they would need to visit local prestigious figures after the ceremony, such as the local top official or the township official, before returning to pay respects to their ancestors.

In the Qin family, that intermediate step was directly omitted.

Dai Li and Qin Hongying went together to see off the guests. The guests came with generous gifts, and now that they were leaving, it would be unreasonable to let them leave empty-handed.

After seeing off the guests, it was time to go to the Qin family's ancestral hall to pay respects to the ancestors.

The Qin family's ancestral hall was inside the Marquis's mansion, requiring a carriage ride.

Riding in the carriage, listening to the rumbling sound of the wheels, Dai Li felt a somewhat indescribable complexity in her heart.

They were going to pay respects to the ancestors, and they specifically asked Zhouzhou to go together. She hadn't married Qin Changgeng yet, and Zhouzhou's biological father and grandfather had nothing to do with Qin Changgeng's family.

It just felt a bit off, strange.

Qin Hongying and Dai Li rode in the same carriage, sitting face to face.

Dai Li's expression changed back and forth. Qin Hongying somewhat guessed her thoughts and couldn't help but smile, "You mother and son will be part of the Qin family sooner or later. It doesn't matter if you go and pay respects early. Besides, my second brother personally asked for this. He knows what he's doing."

Dai Li smiled but didn't speak.

Before long, the carriage arrived at the Marquis's mansion.

Dai Li had never been to the Marquis's mansion. Now, looking out through the curtain, she only felt that this mansion was astonishingly large.

Looking from afar, the carved beams and painted rafters, the flying eaves and soaring corners each had their own characteristics. The pavilions, terraces, and waterside pavilions were quiet and elegant, and the green tiles and red ridges were unspeakably magnificent.

Dai Li suddenly remembered something.

The palaces of various dynasties were actually built smaller and smaller. Take the Forbidden City of the Ming and Qing dynasties for example; its area was only about a quarter of the Daming Palace of the Tang dynasty.

There were many reasons, one of which was that giant timber became increasingly scarce. The further back in time, the more giant timber there was. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, many timbers had to be sought in deep mountains and old forests.

The carriage drove straight in until it stopped at the ancestral hall.

Dai Li didn't really want to go in, so Qin Hongying accompanied her outside, while the two boys followed Qin Shaozong inside.

Qin Hongying took the initiative to ask Dai Li, "Dai Li, do you know about Yunce's matter?"

"Huh?" Dai Li realized later, "Are you talking about whether Yunce should acknowledge his biological father? I just learned about this."

"What's the result?" Qin Hongying asked.

Dai Li laughed, "You, as his aunt, don't know, how would I know?"

Qin Hongying looked suspicious, "My second brother didn't tell you?"

Dai Li shook her head and said no.

Qin Hongying murmured, "Second Brother feels guilty toward Eldest Brother, and has always brooded over what happened back then. If Yunce continues to acknowledge Second Brother as his father, it's not impossible that in the future..."

Her voice grew softer and softer. Daili didn't catch the rest of her words, but it wasn't hard to guess.

Daili's brow twitched slightly.

Didn't Qin Changgeng say his elder brother died in battle? Swords and spears on the battlefield have no eyes; going there means putting one's life on the line, so casualties are to be expected.

Generally speaking, no one else could be blamed. Could there be some hidden secret behind what happened back then?

Qin Hongying snapped back to reality. Perhaps feeling that the topic was a bit sensitive, she immediately changed the subject.

The two of them chatted casually outside.

About fifteen minutes later, someone came out.

It was Qin Yanzhou.

Qin Hongying, who had been leaning somewhat lazily, straightened up. "Why are you the only one? Where are my brother and Yunce?"

Qin Yanzhou replied, "The ancestral worship is finished. The Marquis of Wu'an asked me to come out first."

Qin Hongying turned to look at the ancestral hall, deep in thought.

*

After Qin Yanzhou left, Qin Yunce dropped to his knees before Qin Shaozong with a thud.

He didn't use a kneeling cushion, but knelt directly on the ground. In front of the array of Qin family spirit tablets, he solemnly kowtowed three times to Qin Shaozong. "Your grace in raising me, Changsheng will never forget and will forever engrave in my heart."

He referred to himself as "Changsheng."

Qin Shaozong lowered his eyes, his gaze dark and unreadable. "Have you truly thought this through? Do you know what changing it back represents?"

Qin Yunce, whose forehead had been touching the ground, slowly straightened up. He had kowtowed solidly those three times, and now his forehead was red, as were the rims of his eyes.

"I know. But fourteen years have passed, and I still cannot forget the bits and pieces of the past. Moreover, those things are not what I seek, and this body of mine... does not allow me to do otherwise."

A line of hot tears flowed from his eyes. "Uncle, I am sorry. I have disappointed you and failed to live up to your cultivation of me all these years."

Qin Shaozong closed his eyes.

...

Qin Yunce left, leaving only Qin Shaozong in the ancestral hall.

The light of the setting sun slanted in through the door, falling on the burly man and casting a long shadow to his side.

In the empty room, that back, which was like a heavy sword and seemed as if it would never bend, now revealed a touch of unknown loneliness and desolation.

A moment later, someone sighed softly, "Brother, you were much more successful as a father than I am."