The Shi Residence, home of the Minister of Rites.
It was a day off. Shi Fan got up that morning and looked around the empty Minister's Residence, feeling rather heartsick. Once sixty-one had come and gone, even the troubles of getting up early were gone.
A servant said, "Master, the clan chief requests an audience."
Shi Fan said, "I won't see him! Tell him I'm not here!"
Before the servant could reply, the clan chief had already walked in. "Zhiyong, aren't you right here?"
Shi Fan looked sheepish. "I was just about to go out. If you have business, Clan Chief, please speak."
Before the clan chief opened his mouth, Shi Fan knew what he would say. It was the same old tune: adopt an heir.
He did not listen to a word the clan chief said. He only wished the man would finish quickly and leave.
"Zhiyong, why must you be so stubborn? It isn't as though everyone doesn't know your situation. If you could father children, you wouldn't have... wouldn't have..."
All five sons had turned out not to be yours, and all five had run off with your wife, too.
The clan chief swallowed those unpleasant words, paused, and continued, "Shi Hong's family is a good choice. Shi Jiang just passed the imperial examination. Adopt their whole branch, and you'll have both a son and a grandson. Once Shi Jiang marries, you'll have great-grandchildren, too. Your line will have successors, and this vast Minister's Residence won't be so desolate..."
"I'm still hale and hearty in my old age! I can father more children!" In the past, Shi Fan would have agreed long ago. But now Little Treasure the Estate-Raider had miraculous medicine. There was still a chance. How could he not give it a try?
The trouble