Chapter Eight: The Young Master from the Maternal Side

That day, three boys and Cuiyu sat in a circle on the grass, carefully keeping Liu Qin in the center. As Erdan’s hands moved nimbly, weaving a grasshopper, he mused aloud, “What story shall I tell the young miss today?”

Xiao Liu chuckled, “Why not tell us how you got your name?”

Liu Qin, long curious, clapped her hands with delight. “Yes, yes!”

Erdan set aside his handiwork, scratched his head, and grinned. “Since the young miss wants to hear it, let me tell it. Really, it’s all my father’s doing. The year my mother gave birth to a big, chubby boy like me, anyone else would have been overjoyed, but my father was so anxious he paced in the yard. Turns out, he was worried there was nothing to help my mother recover. He set his sights on the only old hen at home, but when he went to the coop, that old hen suddenly laid two eggs in a row. My father was over the moon, grabbed the eggs, and ran inside, shouting excitedly, ‘Wife, two eggs, two eggs!’ My mother thought that was the name he’d chosen for me, and so I became Erdan—Two Eggs.”

Everyone burst into laughter, rolling about in mirth. Cuiyu wiped tears from her eyes as she laughed, “If there had been only one egg, would you be called Yidan—One Egg? If three, Sandan—Three Eggs? That’s too funny!”

Erdan laughed too, but suddenly sighed. “Alas, there’s no one to blame anymore.” His mood turned somber and he hung his head in silence.

Everyone fell quiet. Seeing the puzzled looks on Liu Qin and Cuiyu’s faces, Xiao Liu explained, “His father is gone.” After a pause, he continued, “Our little village is called Jade Spring Village, a place of clear mountains and fresh water. We’re not rich, but we get by. But last year, a sudden illness swept through, and many fell ill. Erdan’s father passed away then.”

Xiao Shun added, “To pay for medicine, nearly every household is in debt. That’s why I was sold into the estate. I’m considered lucky—our old madam and the young madam treat us servants kindly, and the young miss is good to me, too. The girl next door, Little Apricot, was sold to the Fang family as a maid; I hear she’s often beaten and scolded.”

Liu Qin, feigning understanding, tottered over to Erdan, patted his shoulder, and said grandly, “Erdan, don’t cry. I’ll earn lots and lots of silver for you to spend.” She turned and pointed at each one in turn, “For Xiao Liu, Xiao Shun, and Cuiyu, too.”

Her antics sent everyone into laughter, and the gloom was swept away. As they joked, Cuilyu came running. Slightly out of breath, she said, “Young miss, the old madam is looking for you. There’s a guest—a cousin from her maiden family. The old madam wants you to meet him.”

A cousin? Mother has no full sisters; it must be a distant relative. I wonder what this cousin is like? Should we stage a scene like Jia Baoyu meeting Lin Daiyu?

The more Liu Qin thought about it, the more curious she became. She turned and dashed toward her mother’s courtyard, but Cuilyu hurried after her, grasping her arm. “Wait, young miss, at least change your clothes! How can you meet guests like this?”

“No!” Liu Qin shook her off, unconcerned, and scampered away.

At the entrance to the main room, she heard voices and laughter inside. The maid holding the curtain was about to announce her, but Liu Qin waved her off with a small hand; the maid stifled a laugh and stepped aside.

“Mother,” Liu Qin was about to leap into the old madam’s arms as usual, but recalling the guest, she checked herself, walked to the center, and bowed properly, “Your daughter greets mother.” She then turned to the left and bowed to her elder sister-in-law, “Greetings to my sister-in-law.”

Haige and Chao Ge, two little boys, seeing their aunt—oh no, their younger uncle—so proper, stood up and bowed in imitation, “Nephews greet little uncle.”

How well-behaved, Liu Qin grinned at the two boys. Seeing the old madam beckon, she hurried to her mother’s side. The old madam smiled, “Come and meet your cousin Jiang Li. He’s your aunt’s son and will be staying with us from now on.”

Liu Qin looked across at the boy sitting there. Hearing the introduction, he too stood up and looked back at her.

What a handsome little gentleman!

He stood straight as a rod, lips pressed tight, his expression solemn. Though still a child, there was nothing childish about him. He wore a half-new white robe, with a white jade belt from which hung a single dark jade pendant—the only color on him. His tall, slender frame seemed a little fragile; his pale face made his eyes appear even darker and brighter. Long eyebrows, large eyes, a straight nose, full lips—each feature was perfect, and together, they were flawless.

Grinning from ear to ear, Liu Qin ran up to him and made a formal bow. “Qin’er greets Brother Li.”

Faced with such an adorable child, Jiang Li’s expression eased just a little, and he returned the bow politely, “Jiang Li greets cousin Qin.”

A burst of laughter came from the maids and older women in the room. Jiang Li faltered, not knowing what he’d said wrong, and his face grew tense again.

The old madam smiled awkwardly at him, “Li, you’re new here and didn’t know—Qin’er is your cousin, a girl. This rascal always dresses in boys’ clothes and runs wild. Pay her no mind.”

But Liu Qin was oblivious to her mother’s chiding—her eyes were fixed on Jiang Li, watching him with a bright, fond gaze.

Jiang Li, realizing Qin’er was a girl, was both surprised and curious. He couldn’t help but steal a few more glances. The more he looked, the more he found her utterly charming and lovable, impossible not to feel a sense of closeness.

Cai Shi, seeing the hour was late, stood and smiled, “Mother, meeting cousin has made us lose track of time. Cousin must be tired from his journey and should rest and freshen up. He’ll be living here now, so you’ll see him every day.”

She turned to Jiang Li. “Cousin, now that you’re with us, you’re family. There’s no need to be formal. If you lack anything, just tell me or my sister. I’ve already asked Uncle Fu, the steward, to prepare your room, and a servant will show you there shortly.”

“Yes, yes,” the old madam agreed. “Look at me, I almost forgot—Li has just recovered. Go and rest.”

Jiang Li quickly thanked them and left the main room. He hadn’t even crossed the courtyard when Liu Qin came skipping after him, naturally taking his hand and leading him along.

Jiang Li stiffened. He had never held a girl’s hand before, and though his cousin was small—a mere child—she was still a girl. Boys and girls should keep their distance. As he hesitated, he felt a tug on his hand. He stopped and looked down to see the little girl staring up at him with wide eyes, her voice sweet and clear, “Brother Li, don’t you like Qin’er?”

Jiang Li’s face flushed; he didn’t know how to respond. The little cousin went on, “I like Haige and Chao Ge; we always hold hands and play. But Brother Li doesn’t want to hold Qin’er’s hand. That means you must not like Qin’er.”

The more she spoke, the more dejected she sounded, as though tears might fall at any moment.

Seeing her like this, Jiang Li felt a pang of sympathy and wanted to comfort her, hoping to see her smile again. But he’d never soothed anyone before, let alone a little girl, and found himself utterly flustered. After a long pause, he stammered, “I don’t… I don’t dislike cousin.”

At this, the little cousin seemed to ponder for a moment, tilting her head, her eyes darting as she considered. Then, suddenly beaming, she said, “I see. Brother Li likes Qin’er. All right, let’s go!” With that, she cheerfully trotted forward, pulling Jiang Li by the hand toward the front courtyard.