Chapter Nine: Brother and Sister

As they walked along, her words tumbled from her lips like her lively little legs, hopping and skipping without pause.

“Brother Ali, how old are you?”

“Ten. How old are you, Cousin?”

“I’m five,” she replied, shaking her other small hand for emphasis.

“Brother Ali, you’re really handsome. Cuiyu says I’m the most dashing young master in the household, but you’re the most, most, most dashing of all.” Walking behind them, Cuiyu could only purse her lips in silent protest. The “most dashing young master” was clearly the young lady’s own invention—why put those words in her mouth?

Jiang Li replied earnestly, “Cousin is beautiful.” With that, our little young lady beamed with delight.

Then, seeing a tree, she asked, “Brother Ali, can you climb trees? It’s so much fun. Last time, I even fetched a bird’s egg this big.” In truth, it was Erdan who had fetched the egg, and the egg wasn’t that big—it would have to be a dragon’s egg at that size.

Next, spotting a pond, she said, “Brother Ali, can you catch fish? Last time, a big red fish swam by. I grabbed for it—hee hee.”

“Did you catch it?”

“Hee hee, it spat so much water at me and got away.” Girl, you really know how to spin a tale—go on, keep inventing.

Upon seeing a frog, she asked, “Brother Ali, have you ever eaten frog?”

Jiang Li was puzzled. “You can eat frogs?” He’d never heard of such a thing. “Have you?”

“Mm, they’re delicious,” she replied, even smacking her lips. Maybe she’d only tasted them in dreams, but for once, Cuiyu had wrongly blamed her mistress—she really had eaten frog before.

And so, at last, they reached the front courtyard. The little cousin stopped, looked at Jiang Li solemnly, and declared, “Brother Ali, I have something to tell you.” Hadn’t she been talking this whole time?

“What is it, Cousin?”

“Brother Ali, I’m not your cousin.”

Not cousin? Was she a boy cousin instead? Jiang Li was genuinely confused.

“Sister,” the little girl declared, waving her hand firmly and with great conviction.

“Sister?”

She motioned for Jiang Li to bend down, then whispered, “My mother has cousins too, but they’re distant relatives, very far away. I don’t want to be so far from you, Brother Ali. I want us to be this close, this close.” She pressed her index fingers together, then withdrew one finger, then the other. “This is you, brother, and this is me, sister.”

He couldn’t help but laugh at her antics, warmth blossoming in his chest as a gentle tide flowed through him. He smiled! Even though it was just a faint curve of his lips, it was as if clouds parted and sunlight poured through, warming his rather austere face and lending it a vivid, genuine life.

That’s more like it, thought Liu Qin with satisfaction. You’re still a child—why act so grown-up? Truly, being a child is wonderful—one can be spoiled, mischievous, laugh or cry, eat, drink, and play as one pleases, without ever having to pay the price. There’s no better profession in all the world, she decided, and until her wings were fully grown, she was determined to make the most of it.

To the east of the front courtyard was the main study, where the master and elder sons discussed business. Ordinary people weren’t allowed inside. The north-east housed the main residence, the west the guest rooms, and the south-west was where the servants and boys lived. Jiang Li stayed in the main residence, next to Brother Hai. The two rooms were connected by a moon gate. Brother Hai’s place was called “The Fragrant Library,” while Jiang Li’s was named “The Scent of Ink.” On the other side of the library, there was a building called “The Pavilion,” which served as the classroom for lessons.

Liu Qin and Jiang Li entered The Scent of Ink hand in hand. Steward Fu was still directing the servants, carrying in the latest potted flowers. People bustled about, and the blooming plants brought vibrant life to the little courtyard.

Steward Fu was a kindly old man. In his youth, he had been Master Liu’s personal attendant and was now a respected elder in the household—so much so that even the eldest lady, Madame Cai, greeted him with deference. He never needed to bow to Liu Qin or Jiang Li. He had always doted on Liu Qin, his smile crinkling his face into a blossom of wrinkles every time he saw her—and today was no different. Liu Qin, too, was fond of this indulgent old man. She rushed up to him with a beaming smile and called out sweetly, “Uncle Fu!” Then she introduced Jiang Li, “This is Brother Ali.”

“Fu He greets the young master.”

Jiang Li could tell this steward’s position was different from other servants, so he didn’t dare be disrespectful. He quickly bowed in return. “No need to be so formal, Uncle Fu. I’ll be troubling you from now on, and I thank you in advance.”

“It’s my duty, truly.”

While they exchanged pleasantries, Liu Qin had already scampered into the main house, inspecting every corner. Satisfied, she nodded and ran to the door, waving Jiang Li in. “Brother Ali, come inside!”

The room was already arranged. Since it was a boy’s chamber, there were no unnecessary decorations—just a few paintings, some antique vases, fresh blue window curtains, and simple, elegant furnishings that perfectly suited Jiang Li’s temperament.

Liu Qin could see that Jiang Li liked it as well. She wondered if she should add a special touch, just to make it even more splendid. At that moment, a youth of about fifteen entered. “Young master, everything’s been put in order. Do you have any further instructions?”

Jiang Li glanced at Liu Qin, then gestured toward the youth. “This is Changxing, my study companion. We grew up together.” He turned to the youth. “Changxing, greet the young lady.”

“Changxing pays his respects, young lady.”

This Changxing certainly seemed steady and reliable—like master, like servant. After all, don’t I have Cuiyu, my own little treasure? Speak of the devil—here she came, bustling in with a grin. “Miss, young master, everything’s ready outside.”

It turned out Cuiyu had volunteered to help arrange the flower pots, her specialty. Not a day went by in the young lady’s courtyard without three or four rearrangements. Over time, she had developed the eye of a true connoisseur.

They stepped outside and found the courtyard transformed, pleasing to the eye. But something still seemed missing. What was it? Ah—it was people. The porters had all gone, leaving only Steward Fu, and the place felt a little empty by comparison.

“Brother Ali, is Changxing your only attendant?”

“Yes.”

Liu Qin frowned slightly. Steward Fu quickly interjected, “I’ve already arranged for two women to handle the sweeping, and I was about to find two more boys to serve. What sort of attendants would you like, young master?”

“No need to trouble yourself, Uncle Fu. I prefer peace and quiet, and I don’t have many needs. Changxing is enough for me.”

“That won’t do!” Liu Qin protested, sounding every bit the little adult as she began to tick off her fingers. “Look, I have Cuiyu and Cuiliu. Brother Hai has Dongxiang and Dongping. Brother Chao has even more attendants. Of course you must have the same as us, Brother Ali.”

“Exactly, the young lady is very thoughtful,” Steward Fu agreed at once.

“Let’s have Erdan come.” As soon as Liu Qin spoke, Steward Fu naturally had no objections. Cuiyu, always quick on her feet, dashed off to fetch Erdan.

Soon, Erdan followed Cuiyu into the courtyard. Noticing the presence of strangers, he stood up straight and bowed properly. Liu Qin said to him, “Erdan, you’ll be serving Brother Ali from now on. You must take good care of him, all right?”

Erdan was quick-witted. As soon as she finished speaking, he stepped forward, knelt before Jiang Li, and respectfully declared, “Erdan greets the young master.” He knocked his forehead three times, then rose to stand by Jiang Li’s side.

“Brother Ali, Erdan is really clever. I picked him myself,” Liu Qin said proudly, eager for praise.

Children sense the kindness of their peers most keenly. Though Liu Qin’s words and actions were childlike and playful, Jiang Li felt her pure, untainted warmth—a genuine affection that he hadn’t known since the loss of his own family. His heart warmed, and he couldn’t help but affectionately pat her head. “Thank you, little sister,” he said with sincere gratitude.

Liu Qin looked up, and the two shared a smile. Such is the simple joy of childhood friendship.