Chapter 14: Sibling Affection
“This kite is made so exquisitely,” Gong Bao’an said, taking it and admiring it, “It’s even better than the ones sold!”
Madam Song was extremely strict with him, especially regarding his studies, fearing he would fall behind. Therefore, he didn’t have much time for play each day.
Especially after hearing that some children had been injured by kite strings, Madam Song became even more worried and absolutely forbade him from playing.
But what child doesn’t like flying kites, especially during the beautiful spring days?
“Actually, the meeting gift I prepared for you isn’t this. Wait a moment,” Gong Changan said, turning and running back. In a short while, he returned with a wooden box about a foot square. “This is something I worked very hard to make; I ruined several before this.”
Gong Bao’an eagerly opened it upon hearing this, but was stunned. “Fourth Brother, what is this?”
“Like this…” Gong Changan squatted down to demonstrate, flipping the lid of the box over to act as a support, so the box stood tilted.
“You place this here,” Gong Changan handed Gong Bao’an a glass bead, “and then you don’t need to worry about it.”
Gong Bao’an placed the glass bead on the horizontal wooden bar with a small figure stuck to it on the upper right side of the box. The bar was slightly tilted, and the glass bead slid down.
But it looked as if it were kicked down by the little figure.
The bead was intercepted by a net held by another small wooden figure below, slightly changing its direction as it rolled down to the hand of a dancing figure.
That figure, bearing the weight, slowly tilted, sending the glass bead out.
It became even more interesting. A figure resembling a bailiff, holding a board as if to strike downwards, had a small figure lying below him.
The glass ball landed on the board, and the board then fell.
It hit the bottom figure’s backside, causing the upper body of the struck figure to flip up, its open mouth seemingly screaming.
Gong Bao’an was so amused that he giggled. He had never seen such a novel contraption; it was more entertaining than shadow puppetry.
The glass ball continued to roll down, hitting between two wrestling figures. The two figures were separated and, because they were connected by elastic bands, they sprang far away.
Simultaneously, a horse was startled. The horse reared its front legs, throwing the rider off its back.
The glass ball then slid down the horse’s back, passed through a zipline made of rope, and landed in the mouth of a large golden toad looking upwards.
The large golden toad plummeted downwards, while the beauty figure on the other end, connected to it, ascended. Her dress, made of white gauze, fluttered, giving the appearance of ascending to immortality.
“Fourth Brother, your hands are so skillful!” Gong Bao’an praised repeatedly. “It’s so interesting!”
But then he became a little dejected. “Fourth Brother prepared such a rare meeting gift for me, but I didn’t prepare anything for you at all.”
“Why should we brothers fuss over such things?” Gong Changan said, unconcerned. “Just write me a piece of calligraphy properly someday.”
Gong Xu watched this scene of brotherly affection and couldn’t help but be moved.
After all, although he hated Wen Mingqian to the bone, Gong Changan was still his son.
Everyone has feelings, and Gong Xu doted on his children, which was why the death of his eldest son made him want to tear Wen Mingqian to pieces.
Because of this, he doted on Gong Bao’an even more. He had actively avoided, ignored, and forgotten about Gong Changan, his legitimate son, for so many years.
But once they met and spoke, it was naturally a different feeling.
Not to mention that Gong Changan was handsome and his disposition was pleasing, and now he was getting along well with Gong Bao’an.
Therefore, it was difficult for Gong Xu to truly harden his heart towards him, though his expression remained indifferent.
Wen Mingqian saw Gong Xu and his two sons together upon returning from outside. Aunt Tian, who was behind her, also felt a stir in her heart.
They all said the Master disliked the Madam, but he still had his own sons!
Look, in just a few days, he had come to this courtyard twice already.
“Mother,” Gong Changan said, running up with a smile as soon as he saw Wen Mingqian, “You’re back.”
“Did you eat a lot for lunch?” Wen Mingqian asked, taking his hand and walking into the courtyard. “Did you rest this afternoon?”
The mother and son exchanged questions and answers as they approached Gong Xu. Wen Mingqian greeted him with a smile, “Master.”
Gong Xu grunted in response. With both children present, outward harmony had to be maintained.
“Zhang Ma, slice this ham and stew it with dried bamboo shoots over low heat,” Wen Mingqian said. She had bought a lot of ham, cured meat, and other items from the Southern Goods Store, and Gong Changan loved to eat this.
However, it was inconvenient to get southern goods in the vast north of Shuangxi, so they could only eat them once or twice a month.
“Are you… are you Madam?” Gong Bao’an asked, after observing Wen Mingqian for a long time, mustering his courage.
Since Gong Xu hadn’t introduced them, he had to ask himself.
“You must be Bao’an?” Wen Mingqian lowered her head slightly. “I am Madam.”
“Bao’an pays his respects to you. I apologize for not being able to visit these past few days,” Gong Bao’an said. He was very well-mannered, as Madam Song had high expectations for him. She knew that spoiling him would not lead to great achievements, especially since she had already planned for him to contend for the succession.
Wen Mingqian smiled at him, not overly warm, which made her seem to have ulterior motives.
Gong Xu saw Wen Mingqian return from outside and didn’t ask what she had been doing. He simply said to Gong Bao’an, “Let’s go back!”
Gong Bao’an looked at Gong Changan with great reluctance. This Fourth Brother was exactly to his liking. They had hit it off so well upon their first meeting, and he was still thinking about having dinner and sleeping together.
However, he glanced at Gong Xu again, swallowed the words he was about to say, obediently took his father’s hand, and smiled at Wen Mingqian and Gong Changan’s mother and son. “Madam, Fourth Brother, I’ll be going back now. I’ll visit again another day.”
After Gong Xu and his son left, Wen Mingqian asked her son, “Did you invite them over?”
“Son was just trying, who knew it would work on the first try!” Gong Changan said playfully to Wen Mingqian. “This child isn’t bad at heart. I hope his mother doesn’t corrupt him.”
“You’re only a year or two older than him,” Wen Mingqian chuckled. “You certainly act like you’re the elder.”
“How can young masters raised in a honey pot compare to me, who grew up among exiles and rough soldiers?” Gong Changan grinned wryly. “They study the words of sages and receive instruction from scholars. I’ve experienced the ups and downs of life and understand human relationships and social graces.
Although the age difference isn’t much, our experiences are vastly different. Besides, Mother, you’ve also taught me scriptures and classics, so I can offer a few words on the great principles of saving the world.”
The reason Wen Mingqian returned to the Capital City after seven years was to prepare herself thoroughly, especially to wait for her son to grow a bit older.
Otherwise, if the child were too young and had no means of self-protection, it would be absolutely impossible.
“You met that child today. Aren’t you afraid Madam Song will resent you even more?” Wen Mingqian asked him. “What will you do then?”
“Mother, you must be tired after being out all day. Please sit down and rest,” Gong Changan said, making her sit on a chair and then smoothly massaging her shoulders and back. “Master and the others are all wary of you, but they don’t guard against me, a child.
Therefore, some things are easier for me to do, and even if something goes wrong, they won’t hold it against a child.”
“But you must be careful too,” Wen Mingqian cautioned. “I’m going to host a banquet in a few days, and it certainly won’t be peaceful.”
