Big Brother's Memories

Liu Wan brought out a hundred taels of silver and rewarded Qing Da in front of everyone.

Then she said, "Taking the wrong path isn't frightening. What's frightening is taking the wrong path and still refusing to repent."

"More frightening still are those who stray themselves and urge others to follow them. If you ever meet someone like that, I hope you'll stay as far away as you can!"

Xie Jinzhao's expression soured. Liu Wan was taking a jab at him.

Yet he had no way to retort.

After returning to his courtyard, he gave his servants a beating!

Inside the room.

Xie Zimu sat beside the bed, applying medicine to his younger brother.

His young face already showed a hint of maturity. He pressed his lips together calmly, saying nothing to Xie Zixing and offering him no comfort.

"Brother, my dear brother, I know I was wrong. Please ask Mother to forgive me, will you? I'll study hard and practice martial arts properly from now on!"

Xie Zixing's round, tender face was covered in bruises, and his eyes were red from crying.

He truly knew he had been wrong.

He wanted to do better at his studies, too, but he could never match the others, let alone his brother.

His teacher was strict, watching him recite his lessons and practice his handwriting every day. He also had to train in martial arts. He had been so exhausted that he had given bad people an opening.

Xie Zimu did not answer. He merely asked quietly, "Do you still remember what your old home was like?"

Zi Xing looked bewildered, then nodded. "I remember. None of us ever had enough to eat."

"I became Mother's son when I was five. Before that, the roof of my stepfather's house had holes in it, the bedding was stiff and cold, and after one meal, we never knew where the next would come from." Xie Zimu began recounting his own past, then continued,

"When news came that my birth father had died fighting away from home, my birth mother remarried, taking me and his savings with her. I brought my books to that run-down house. Though I never had enough to eat, I had books to read and my mother beside me."

"Later, my stepfather drank and gambled away all my mother's money. The house was shabby and freezing, and when there was no money left, he tried to force her to sell me. She refused, so he beat my birth mother to death. My head was covered in blood then, and my birth mother died right before my eyes!"

Xie Zimu's eyes burned with tears, and his whole body trembled.

That memory was suffocating. He had only been five, utterly powerless against his brutal stepfather.

Just like that, he had been sold to a human trafficker and nearly sent to a brothel as a boy prostitute.

Later, a kindhearted official passing by had taken pity on him and recommended him to the old madam of the Marquis's Residence.

Of all the children, he had been the oldest. Fortunately, he was handsome, composed, and literate, so the old madam had brought him before Liu Wan.

He had thought the noble lady before him would never choose him as her son, yet Liu Wan had chosen him without hesitation.

He had begun living a life he had never dared imagine.

It turned out that some children really did need only to study without a care, never worrying about filling their stomachs or the daily necessities at home.

Liu Wan had taught him with care and sewn clothes for him. He had quietly treasured every bit of affection she had given him.

No matter what, he could not let Mother down.

He turned toward Xie Zixing. "So, do you know how much I treasure being Mother's child? It's a chance countless children can only dream of. You're still young, and you haven't gone astray yet. I hope you'll remember this lesson and what Mother expects of you!"

Xie Zixing sobbed bitterly, feeling sorry for both his brother and himself.

"Mother hopes we'll grow into upright gentlemen, but even in my dreams, I want to enter official service-for my own future, and for Mother's." After saying this, Xie Zimu loosened his tightly clenched fists.

Xie Zixing jumped down from the bed and took his brother's hand. "Brother, I understand. I'll work hard, too. Don't give up on me!"

Zi Mu stroked his younger brother's forehead.

His dark eyes lowered slightly, determination spreading through them.

He made a decision.

Since the scholarly honors he earned at eighteen would be stolen by Xie Huaishan,

what if he brought that forward by ten years?

However absurd fate might be, it could not possibly let an infant take his place.

During this time, Xie Zixing came to pay his respects to Liu Wan of his own accord every day after returning from the academy.

Liu Wan remained cool toward him.

But whenever Zi Xing's withdrawal struck at night, leaving him in such agony that he wished he were dead, the sight of him crying out that he would quit the powder made her heart ache terribly.

Fortunately, his addiction was still mild and had not done much harm to his body.

She secretly simmered soup and had Pan Chun deliver it.

Only after more than a month of those painful, grueling days did Xie Zixing slowly return to normal.

He would never forget that bone-deep pain. It had hurt far more than the blows his instructor dealt him during martial arts training.

Every day, he came to Liu Wan's Courtyard to ask for help with his lessons.

When Qing Sheng worked in the courtyard, Xie Zixing went over and found tasks to help her with. Not only did working alongside her build his strength, but his teacher even gave him a rare word of praise.

He came to Liu Wan in high spirits to show off his achievement. "Mother, my teacher gave me a brush! I write hundreds of characters a day now."

"Mother, Mother, let me recite a poem for you..."

"Mother, Mother..."

Wherever Liu Wan went, a little tagalong followed her, chirping out his lessons behind her.

Suddenly, she caught sight of an unfamiliar figure outside the courtyard from the corner of her eye.

She set Little Wanwan on the couch and said to Xie Zixing, "Mother knows you're a good boy. But you must remember that you study for yourself, not for Mother, so..."

A flicker of disappointment crossed Xie Zixing's big, round eyes.

He heard Liu Wan continue, "So, will you help Mother watch your little sister? I'll be back shortly."

Xie Zixing's eyes lit up at once. He nodded eagerly, his voice unconsciously rising into a sweet little pitch. "Yes."

Liu Wan stroked the little fellow's head and headed outside.

Outside the courtyard.

Qing Sheng held a package of pastries, smiling brightly.

Her steps suddenly paused when she saw Liu Wan approaching. She was no longer quite so anxious around Liu Wan and greeted her with a sweet smile. "Eldest Madam."

Liu Wan smiled. "Was that your friend just now?"

Qing Sheng nodded a little bashfully. "Her name is Xiao Guo. We were like sisters when I worked in Third Master's courtyard. Today, she made pastries for Third Master and made some for me, too. Would you like to try them, First Madam? Xiao Guo is very skilled. Third Master often praises her."

Liu Wan agreed and took her to sit in a pavilion.

Then she asked, "If your friend is so skilled, why doesn't she become a senior maid in the kitchen? What a pity."

Unwrapping the pastries, Qing Sheng said, "She won't even go serve the old madam. She only wants to stay by Third Master's side."

"Mm, a loyal one." Liu Wan nodded.

Qing Sheng opened the package and offered Liu Wan a pastry first.

Looking at the exquisite pastry, Liu Wan reached out to take it, then asked, "After your shift tonight, will you have time to help me with something? That pot of flowers of mine is too heavy, and the flowers are delicate, so it can only be moved around sunset."

Qing Sheng hesitated for a moment without speaking.

Liu Wan smiled faintly. "It's all right if you're busy. You needn't be so reserved with me."

"I'm not trying to make excuses, First Madam. Xiao Guo said she'd teach me to make pastries, and tonight is the only time she has free, too."

Qing Sheng looked up at Liu Wan again. "I'm afraid it wouldn't be right to break my promise."

Liu Wan tasted the pastry in her hand and sighed in appreciation. "It really is wonderfully delicate. If you learn to make these, I'll have some lovely treats to enjoy, too."

Qing Sheng smiled.

"Such skill is rare. Once you've learned, who do you plan to give your first batch to?" Liu Wan chatted with her.

Qing Sheng thought for a moment, her eyes sparkling. "You."

Liu Wan shook her head. "I'm not the most important person in your life."

Understanding dawned on Qing Sheng. "Then I'll let my father try them. When has he ever tasted such fine fare!"

Liu Wan was taken aback for a second, then smiled and nodded.

"Why not take your father along? Once you've learned, let him taste them, so he'll know you're thinking of him. I don't think any parent would turn down the first food their daughter ever made."

Qing Sheng considered it, then smiled sweetly. "You're right. Thank you, First Madam."

"Then I'll take my father with me tonight!"