9. Father and Son

The tail end of the Emperor’s voice, heavy with imperial majesty, drifted in the air and lingered long after he had departed. Even though the Emperor had left, and the Rong residence had returned to its former tranquility, Cui Xiu remained deeply shaken, his heart trembling with lingering fear.

For any official, being ordered to sequester oneself behind closed doors was a severe punishment. After a night of tossing and turning, unable to find rest, Cui Xiu woke the next day feeling listless.

"Is Young Master Xiu still frightened from yesterday?" Nanny Yu asked softly, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. "Do not be afraid. Your uncle is very fond of children. Let us go to the main courtyard to receive your gift, shall we?"

Cui Xiu nodded obediently, letting Nanny Yu dress him before they traveled by donkey to the main courtyard.

The main courtyard of the Duke’s mansion was, as expected, grand and imposing, with its high eaves and majestic structure. Upon entering the main hall, the first thing that caught Cui Xiu's eyes was a crimson and gold plaque featuring nine dragons, which emitted a dazzling, scorching light under the sun.

His steps faltered. Cui Xiu nervously wiped the sweat from his palms before continuing inward, though his thoughts could not help but drift. He knew that the Cui family, despite being a prestigious family of scholars, was not of such standing that he could casually see such emblems. Only after he had swept the three stages of the imperial examinations and been recommended to the Prince by his master for his reputation as a prodigy had he been fortunate enough to see a plaque inlaid with the nine-dragon pattern in the Prince's mansion.

The dragon was a symbol of the Emperor. Even the princes and royal descendants were strictly regulated in their use of dragon totems, limited to no more than three claws. Yet, this was a five-clawed golden dragon. The plaque bore the three large characters, "Tonghui Hall," with a smaller inscription below: "Bestowed by Imperial Decree to Duke Rong, Cui Zhen."

So... it could only be said that the affection between Cui Zhen and the Martial Emperor was truly profound.

Secretly marveling, Cui Xiu dared not inspect the furnishings further. He followed Nanny Yu’s instructions and knelt down dutifully. "Xiu greets you, Uncle."

Cui Enhou, addressed as Uncle, leaned back in his chair and glanced at the kneeling boy. "Do you know what a grave crime it is to disrupt military morale before a battle?"

Hearing the harsh accusation, Cui Xiu recalled his crying fit from the previous day. His body stiffened, but he managed to suppress his anxiety and looked up with a blank, innocent expression. "Un... Uncle, what are you saying?"

He drawled the final word, keeping his tone soft, airy, and filled with the innocent, naive charm of a child. He was no fool; when he was weak and vulnerable, his age and appearance were assets. This tactic of feigning childishness had even worked on his stern and rigid grandfather.

Just as Cui Xiu felt confident, he heard a chilling command: "Come here."

For a split second, his mind went blank. But eventually, he rose slowly and approached Cui Enhou. After all, even a three-year-old understood the command to come closer.

Unexpectedly, the moment he stepped within reach, he was soundly pinched.

Cui Xiu: "???"

Cui Enhou looked at the rosy-cheeked, delicate little scholar-to-be, who was staring at him with a look of pure innocence, and pinched him with both hands, commenting, "Not chubby enough yet. You’ll be more fun to play with once we fatten you up."

Having never been subjected to such an indignity, Cui Xiu covered his cheeks and retreated, his eyes misting over with grievance. "You... you... you are ve... very bad."

Seeing his little nephew’s face turn bright red with anger, looking for all the world like a ripe apple, and realizing how much more fun he was to tease than the perpetually stone-faced Cui Qianting, Cui Enhou was deeply satisfied. He felt he had finally vented his frustration. "I am indeed very, very bad! If you have the skill, jump up and hit me!"

Cui Xiu looked up at the provocative Cui Enhou. For a moment, he genuinely wanted to jump up and fight. Even a clay figurine had a temper!

Weighing his options, he slowly reached out toward Nanny Yu, his tone filled with complete trust: "Nanny, carry me. Carry me up so I can hit him~"

"I am smart, I know that if I jump—" Cui Xiu raised his voice, looking indignant, "—I will fall! I won't be able to hit you at all!"

Hearing this emphatic statement, Cui Enhou raised an eyebrow, looking at Cui Xiu with curiosity. "Is this kid really not a fool anymore? He even knows it’s easier to hit someone if he’s held up?"

Nanny Yu bent down to pat Cui Xiu’s back soothingly, replying with a smile, "Young Master, I have heard that children’s souls are not yet fully formed. Just like a child’s stomach isn't fully developed and can only handle liquid food. With time, he will be fine. Little Dr. Wang has already examined him and said he is healthy..." She leaned in, covering Cui Xiu’s ears, and whispered, "He shouldn't be slow-witted anymore."

Cui Xiu, with his ears covered, pretended to be curious and reached up, trying to pry Nanny Yu’s hands away.

"So it seems there’s another sprout ready for the imperial exams?" Cui Enhou teased, looking at the bright, spirited child. "But Old Wang wrote in his letter that the boy didn't even recognize his own father."

"Perhaps it is fate," Nanny Yu said, covering Cui Xiu's ears even tighter, her tone meaningful. "A father-in-law is a father, too."

Little Dr. Wang was currently on good terms with the Cui family due to past favors. But what if the Rong residence were to remain closed for ten or twenty years? Those old connections would eventually fade. It would be better... better to start planning a good marriage. With this thought, Nanny Yu’s eyes gleamed. "A physician is vital for survival during exile!"

Cui Xiu, ears still covered: "???! "

Nanny Yu was truly the most loyal of servants, but... he was only three years old! Wasn't it a bit too early to trade him for a doctor?

Meanwhile, Cui Enhou’s expression grew grave as he heard this suggestion. He looked down at Cui Xiu. The boy was delicate and refined, his features still bearing the charm of Cui Qianting and Concubine Liu. He certainly wouldn't grow up to be ugly. However, if they betrothed him now and the Rong residence ran into trouble, it would implicate the family of the divine physician, ruining the friendship. If the Rong residence remained stable, it would be a good match.

Weighing the situation, Cui Enhou said solemnly, "It is too early to consider this. A man of the Cui family must make his way on his own merits. It is better to be a few years behind his peers and wait until he has earned a degree before considering marriage."

Nanny Yu was startled, but seeing her young master’s rare display of gravity, she said nothing further and respectfully agreed.

"However, Nanny’s suggestion has merit. We must support a few more young physicians in the place of exile." Cui Enhou slapped the table. "Go call everyone here. We are holding the second 'Survival Meeting' of the Rong residence!"

Nanny Yu departed to carry out the order. Cui Xiu looked at his legendary uncle and let out a slight sigh of relief. Fortunately, his uncle still understood the value of relying on one’s own strength.

But he never expected that his uncle, having just been solemn, would suddenly smile like a child-snatcher, patting him on the head and asking with extreme kindness, "Do you know what it means to survive?"

Cui Xiu caught the trace of grief in Cui Enhou’s eyes and felt a tightening in his heart. He tried to act like a three-year-old. "I know. Father said to learn how to swim, otherwise, if you fall into the water, you die. And if you die, you can't eat or drink."

Hearing this, Cui Enhou’s smile deepened. He praised him again, "Excellent. You are articulate, and it seems your brain is truly sharp! You are a fine sprout of the Cui family!"

"Since we are meeting for the first time, shall I give you a gift?" Cui Enhou’s tone softened as he coaxed him.

Cui Xiu looked at him expectantly: "Yes!"

"Someone, bring sixty pounds of gold to Young Master Xiu’s courtyard," Cui Enhou ordered.

Cui Xiu bit his lip hard, suppressing his racing heart. He shouldn't know what money was yet. Right. He didn't know what sixty pounds of gold was.

"What is gold?" Cui Xiu asked with difficulty. "Uncle, I want to learn to swim, because I haven't learned yet. Nanny Yu says you are very powerful and the head of the house. Can you have a master help me practice?"

Cui Enhou slapped the table and cheered, "As expected of Cui Qianting’s seed! You are indeed hardworking and ambitious!"

"Uncle promises you. As long as you don't break the law, I will grant you whatever you want to learn."

Cui Xiu looked at the ecstatic Cui Enhou and suddenly felt a lingering fear—had he appeared too eager to learn?

Just as he was worrying, a crisp voice announced, "The Eldest Young Master has arrived." A youth dressed in fine, luxurious robes strolled in. He spoke immediately: "Father, lower your temper. Be careful, or Second Uncle will come to settle scores with you."

The words carried a hint of warning, devoid of the respect a son should show.

Cui Xiu’s eyes sparkled as he feigned confusion: "Uncle, is this my big brother?"

"Yes, that is your brother, Cui Hu," Cui Enhou said with pride. "You really are bad at recognizing people. Your brother and I, with our flowing phoenix eyes, are cut from the same cloth—dashing and handsome. Yet you couldn't recognize your own kin at a glance. No wonder you mistook Old Wang for your father."

Cui Xiu bowed respectfully: "Greetings, Elder Brother Hu."

Cui Hu looked down at his cousin, who was bowing like a little scholar, and his eyes widened in surprise. "Father, this... this brother is only three years old, right? He is so well-mannered. It seems he really is a fine sprout for the imperial examinations!"

"I think so too!" Cui Enhou was delighted. "It seems my plan is correct: find daughters of fallen scholarly families to be concubines for your Second Uncle, so they can work hard and produce children."

"Father, you are brilliant!" Cui Hu praised. He bent down, picked up Cui Xiu, and smiled brightly. "Young Master Xiu is so well-behaved. Study hard and practice martial arts in the future. When you make something of yourself, remember to help your brother and your uncle!"

"Since this is our first meeting, I haven't had time to prepare a gift. How about I give you ten pounds of gold?"

Cui Xiu: "............"

Where do you people get so much gold?!

Cui Xiu suppressed his shock and said quite honestly, "Brother, please speak slowly. Xiu does not understand. There are so many words I am hearing for the first time; I do not understand."

"Wonderful! He even has self-awareness and doesn't blindly pretend to be learned!" Cui Hu was even more pleased. "You can tell a lot about a person from age three. Father, why don't we just snatch Young Master Xiu? The family register is in your hands anyway!"

Cui Enhou’s eyes showed a struggle: "That won't do. If we snatch the child now, Cui Qianting won't go take the examinations, and we’ll have to stay behind closed doors for at least a decade! You might not be bored, but I would be."

"The Emperor only said to stay behind closed doors; he didn't say you couldn't climb over the wall," Cui Hu said with a smile. "When have you ever been so obedient since you were a child?"

Cui Xiu was dazed and overwhelmed.

I can truly see now that they are father and son, cut from the same cloth.

Just as Cui Xiu was contemplating how to interrupt this father and son’s discussion of "climbing walls" and their blatant disregard for the imperial decree, he saw Cui Enhou’s expression turn somewhat lewd: "That makes sense, too. I bought Concubine Liu. So, whose child is he really—"

Cui Xiu’s eyes turned red. How important was a woman’s reputation!