Chapter 136

“You promised we’d play leaf-card together, but you broke your word,” Madam Miao called, deliberately loud enough for Wang Shuqin at the carved window to hear.

Wang Shuqin snapped back teasingly, “Exactly—left us a short one, so we dragged my mother in. She beat all three of us.”

Xie Yunchu shot back, “Isn’t that just what you wanted? In the end it’s your mother—she’ll give you all the winnings.”

Wang Shuqin protested, “My mother only has eyes for her precious son. Who knows—maybe she’ll keep all the rewards for him.”

She was referring to the fifth young master, Wang Shuxu.

Xie Yunchu had not yet replied when a mocking laugh came from the corridor around the corner.

“Who said it’s for me? While we’re away you go and scheme against me and Mother—doesn’t the whole household know Mother dotes on you like a hen on her chicks?”

Xie Yunchu and Madam Miao peered around and saw three handsome young men standing at the corridor’s corner.

On the right one wore a deep-blue robe, a jade pendant at his waist; tall, lean and refined, a smile on his lips—this was the fifth young master, Wang Shuxu. Another, rakish and carefree, laughing heartily with features somewhat like Wang Shuhuai’s but more rakish, was the third young master, Wang Shukuang.

Between them, in plain white like polished jade, unadorned yet graceful and elegant, stood Wang Shuhuai.

Even in simple clothing his bearing made his brothers seem dim beside him.

Everyone’s eyes went straight to Wang Shuhuai.

His brows were faint, his expression still cool and gentle.

They rose and bowed in turn.

Wang Shuhuai’s gaze brushed his wife without a trace and then began searching the garden for his daughter—since his return he hadn’t yet seen her. Hadn’t he said he might leave?

But the child had slipped into the garden; only her bell-like laughter drifted, her person unseen.

“Let’s go—first to the inner chambers to pay respects.”

Wang Shuhuai had not yet greeted the elders of the other branches; it looked as if he intended to call on Third Madam and Fourth Madam.

Soon the young masters all came into the flower hall.

Wang Shuhuai spotted his toddling, stumbling daughter in the yard at once.

A little dot of cinnabar marked her brow; her eyes were large, wet and bright; her brows curved like crescents when she smiled—she resembled Xie Yunchu.

Xuan’er was the first to notice his father Wang Shukuang and immediately ran toward him. Wang Shukuang, seeing the steps below and fearing his son might fall, hurried forward and scooped him up.

Xuan’er cried out happily, “Father, you said you’d bring me a scallion pancake.”

So small a child, hardly able to eat a scallion pancake—this was merely Wang Shukuang’s half-hearted promise, made when he wished to be affectionate with his wife but was fended off by his son’s clinging.

The young madams’ faces fell at once.

Madam Miao hurried, “Third Young Master, such a small child can’t eat scallion pancakes; it won’t digest well.”

Wang Shukuang broke into a cold sweat, glared at his son and apologized repeatedly.

Xuan’er sulked, squirming and crying in his father’s arms, “Father doesn’t keep his word—Father doesn’t keep his word.”

Just then, dim-witted Ke’er looked up at the tall Wang Shukuang and, watching her brother thrashing in his arms, murmured, “Father…”

Those two syllables startled everyone.

Wang Shukuang stared at his niece in surprise. He was usually muddle-headed and might call a child “dad” in passing—yet to do it in front of Wang Shuhuai… he did not dare to meet Wang Shuhuai’s face.

Everyone glanced at one another, afraid Wang Shuhuai would be angered.

Fifth young master Wang Shuxu, however, pointed at Ke and laughed with Wang Shukuang, “Look, Second Brother, you’re busy from dawn to dusk—three months gone and the child doesn’t even recognize you.” The fifth’s temperament was like Third Madam’s: frank and generous.

Wang Shuhuai’s handsome face darkened. In three quick strides he crossed over and lifted his daughter.

Ke cried at once in his arms, little mouth turned down, tears pooling.

Xie Yunchu, rubbing her aching belly, rose and hurried to her daughter’s side, soothing her gently. “You silly child, this is your father.”

She explained to Wang Shuhuai, “The Third Brother usually plays with the children. Ke heard Brother Xuan calling ‘Dad’ and followed along—Second Master, don’t take it to heart.”

Wang Shuhuai could not not take it to heart; it seemed he must find more spare time to return to the residence, lest wife and daughter be stolen away by others.

He kept his feelings contained; they stayed buried in him.

He set Ke down again. She skulked into Xie Yunchu’s arms, wary and puzzled as she looked at him.

Seeing his daughter’s unfamiliar eyes felt like a wad of cotton in his chest.

He was not entirely unprepared.

From his sleeve he produced a very pretty toy and dangled it from his palm.

“Ke’er, do you like it? Come to Dad—Dad will give it to you.”

It was a crystal ball imported from the Western seas, inside glittering with multicolored, starfish-like bits—bright and alluring.

Girls naturally love vivid, shiny things.

Ke was indeed captivated; she stared without blinking, though her steps were hesitant.

Wang Shuhuai crouched, still as a stone. With a small exertion the crystal ball slid to his fingertip and whirled with a soft sound.

Ke’s eyes brightened and she slowly pushed away from her mother toward Wang Shuhuai.

One step more and the little girl happily threw herself into his arms.

“Dad!”

That clear, ringing call sweetened Wang Shuhuai to the core. He lifted his daughter and continued to spin the ball for her.

The other children, having never seen such a toy, crowded round in delight.

Children liked both food and toys; one lunged forward and hugged the ball tight.

Laughter rang out.

Wang Shuhuai, of course, would not let matters of etiquette slide. He immediately ordered enough balls, so each child had one. The couple then took their children and returned to Chun Jing Hall, intending to visit the Xie household.

“The child hasn’t been to the Xie home yet.” So small a one had not yet been taken out before.

Wang Shuhuai’s time was short and he did not want to let go; cradling his daughter, he headed to the carriage. “Take her along.”