Chapter Thirty-Four: The Death of the Great-Grandfather

After the New Year’s Eve dinner, the Fifth Master’s family returned to their own quarters, while the eight members of the main branch of the Liu family remained together in the main house, keeping vigil through the night. The maids, servants, and attendants, who had worked hard all year, were granted a generous holiday, except for those assigned to night duty. With newly issued bonuses and a share of the festive feast, they went off to enjoy themselves.

In the main room, only Cai Xia and the newly promoted maid Cai Rui stood by. After brewing tea for the family, they retreated to the side room, chatting quietly as they nibbled on melon seeds, listening for any activity in the main chamber so they could attend to their masters promptly if called.

In years past, during these vigils, Master Liu and the eldest son would take turns telling stories to the young children—tales of bygone dynasties, legends, wild histories, and stories of demons and fox spirits. Liu Qin particularly loved these stories; as long as there was something to listen to, she could stay awake all night. But this year, neither Master Liu nor his eldest son had much enthusiasm. After a few idle words, conversation dwindled. The room fell silent, broken only by the occasional crackle from the silver charcoal in the brazier and the sound of the cold wind striking the window panes outside.

It seemed as if all tales of spirits and foxes happened on nights such as this—quiet, the room enveloped in stillness, when suddenly, a sharp rapping sounded against the window, followed by a knock at the door. Then, a beautiful woman would glide in, peeling off her face... Frightened by her own imagination, Liu Qin edged closer to Jiang Li, burying her head in his embrace.

“Qin’er, are you sleepy?” The old lady sitting on the other side reached over and gently patted her back.

“Let the children sleep on the couch; it won’t break tradition,” Master Liu declared. No one objected. Cai Xinlan called for Cai Xia and Cai Rui to assist, and together the three helped the children wash and change. They laid two quilts on the couch that the old lady usually reclined upon, and the four children—Hai and Chao at one end, Jiang Li and Liu Qin at the other—lay shoulder to shoulder, head to head, and soon drifted into sleep.

Seeing the children asleep, Master Liu and his eldest son rose and went to the small study adjacent to the main house to discuss matters, leaving only the old lady and her daughter-in-law in the main chamber. Noticing her mother-in-law’s fatigue, Mrs. Cai quickly summoned Cai Xia and Cai Rui to join them in a leaf game, keeping their hands busy so the time would pass more quickly.

In the small study, Master Liu and his son had just closed the door when Liu Cheng pressed urgently, “Father, you mentioned earlier that Grandfather’s death was tied to the Fang family. What exactly happened?”

“Sit,” Master Liu said, gesturing to the chair beside him. Once Liu Cheng was seated, he spoke: “You were young then, so I never told you. Now is the time you should know. Cheng’er, when you and your mother followed me to Wu City for my post, your grandfather remained in the capital. He was a man of integrity and served as a Censorate Inspector—a modest rank, but he feared no powerful family, daring to report anyone. Once, someone accused a scion of the Fang family of forcibly abducting a girl and driving her to suicide. The case was closed for lack of evidence, and the accuser was thrown out. Not long after, the accuser died in mysterious circumstances. Your grandfather learned of it by chance, investigated quietly, and discovered the Fang family’s crimes went far beyond this. Outraged, he drafted a memorial and submitted it to the Censorate. All memorials were first reviewed by the Vice-Minister, who then sent them up the chain. But by then, the Fang family had allied with the Jin family, and the Vice-Minister himself was a Jin. So your grandfather’s memorial was suppressed, never reaching the emperor.”

“Outrageous! Can the Jin family really cover the sky with one hand?” Liu Cheng exclaimed angrily.

Master Liu’s gaze grew distant, as if seeing his late father’s figure again. Years in the bureaucracy had taught him to keep a calm face even when fury churned inside, but tonight, he could not suppress the anger and hatred. He sipped his tea, barely steadying his voice.

“The Jin family could indeed dominate everything then. They were the empress dowager’s and the imperial consort’s family, and the emperor’s maternal relatives. Not only did they wield military power, but their influence permeated the court—countless officials secretly pledged allegiance to them. Your grandfather was merely a minor seventh-rank official. Offending the Jin family meant no way out. Soon, he was imprisoned for a fabricated crime. The Fang family bribed the jailers, tormenting your grandfather in every conceivable way. If not for the late empress…”

Master Liu paused, then continued, “With the empress’s intervention and the Nie family’s efforts, the emperor took up the case, and your grandfather was released. Though acquitted, he lost his post. I brought your grandparents to Wu City, where we enjoyed a few happy years as a family, but your grandfather soon passed away. Only then did I realize prison had not only ruined his health but left him with a wound in his heart that never healed. He could not let it go, even at the end.”

Master Liu’s voice trembled. Liu Cheng’s eyes were streaming with tears. He had never imagined his beloved grandfather had suffered so deeply. Grief and rage surged within him. The Jin family! The Fang family! In my lifetime, I, Liu Cheng, will not rest until justice is done! He recalled how Fifth Uncle had allied with villains for wealth and glory, and his heart was filled with pain and hatred.

As night deepened, voices faded away, but the glow of lamps shone warmly from every house, twinkling like stars in the heavens.

The first day of the lunar new year. The first rays of dawn rose slowly in the east, heralding a new year. Steward Fu directed the servants to bring out the pre-prepared firecrackers to the main gate of the Liu residence. Once lit, the crackling explosions echoed far and wide, dispelling evil and welcoming good fortune. As he chanted auspicious phrases, Steward Fu handed out red envelopes as rewards to the boys who set off the firecrackers.

The lads took their rewards with delight, gathered at the gate, bowing and exchanging New Year’s greetings.

Inside the main house, Cai Xinlan helped the old lady up after a night spent sitting. The two stretched and walked a bit. The old lady chuckled, “I’m getting old—sitting all night is just too much.”

Mrs. Cai laughed, “On this first day of the year, you mustn’t say that, Mother! You’re still young. Let me wish you a happy New Year—Mother, you must give me a big red envelope!”

Cai Xia, who had just brought in water, laughed as she heard this, “Old Madam, I wish you a happy New Year too. Please grant your maid a red envelope.”

Cai Rui, who followed, smiled quietly. The old lady could not help but laugh, pointing at Cai Xia, “If you want a red envelope, shouldn’t you kneel and bow first?”

Cai Rui, still new and more timid than Cai Xia, was honest. Hearing the old lady’s words, she set aside what she held and knelt down, knocking her head three times on the floor. The old lady was startled, then burst into laughter, nearly collapsing into her chair, saying as she laughed, “Child, you’re so sincere—get up, get up! Later, your mistress will give you a big red envelope.”

As laughter rang out, the children on the couch were awakened by the commotion. Liu Qin opened her eyes, blinked, and felt her eyelashes brush against something. Looking up, she saw Jiang Li’s enlarged face right above hers, his eyes open and looking at her.

They were so close, nearly cheek to cheek, lying on their sides. Both of Liu Qin’s small hands were wrapped around Jiang Li’s neck, her body nestled in his arms, held tightly. For two children, it was nothing, but inside Liu Qin lived an adult’s soul—this posture was far too intimate. Blushing, she quickly withdrew her hands, pretended to yawn, then greeted him in a clear, childish voice, “Brother Jiang Li, happy New Year!”