Chapter 6: A Chance to Go Out

As Wei Nisheng considered Lady Cui’s offer, the door curtain lifted and a wet nurse came in with two-year-old Wei Shoucheng. Bundled up round as a ball, the little boy wore a sable cap and tiger-head boots. His wide eyes darted around the room until he saw Nisheng. At once he shrank timidly into Lady Cui’s arms.

“Mama…”

“Don’t be afraid,” she coaxed with a smile. “This is your second brother. When you start your lessons, he’ll live in our courtyard and play with you every day.”

She paused, then smiled at Nisheng. “Of course, don’t be too quick to refuse. I have a younger half brother, born to one of my father’s concubines. He’s only a little older than you. You must be tired of being cooped up in that side courtyard all these years. You’ve never even been outside, have you? How about I have him take you out for some fun? The capital is a lively place!”

Go outside.

Nisheng, who had been playing the idle, harmless boy, suddenly understood. Lady Cui wanted him under her eye, where she could slowly ruin him. The lessons were a pretext; taking him out was the real plan.

As she saw it, he was a despised child who had been left to himself in a side courtyard for ten years, with no experience of the world. Let her brother take him out, apply a little persuasion, and in time he would acquire every vice: drinking, whoring and gambling. Would the Wei family, so proud of its upright reputation, tolerate a son with such habits? At best they would drive him out. At worst they would beat him to death to uphold the family name.

But the chance to go outside was exactly what he needed. After all those years confined to the courtyard, he knew nothing of the world beyond it. He didn’t even know how large Great Zhou was.

“What is it? Don’t you agree?”

Nisheng immediately put on a flattered, anxious expression. “No, I’m grateful for your kindness, Mother. It’s just…”

“Just what?”

“I’m slow-witted. Elder Brother has told me so before, and I’m afraid I’d hold up my younger brother’s lessons. It would be better if I studied by myself in the side courtyard and didn’t disturb you.”

Lady Cui’s smile held, though a coldness flashed in her eyes. Then Nisheng looked up, changing his tone, his face bright with a little eagerness.

“But I’ve never been outside. I hear the servants talking in the courtyard and I do wonder… Is the capital really so lively?”

He offered just enough. The cold look vanished and Lady Cui’s face brightened.

“Lively? You have no idea! My brother knows the capital better than anyone. Let him take you, and I promise he’ll open your eyes.”

Nisheng hesitated again. “But what about Father?”

“Don’t worry.” She waved a hand. “I’ll speak to him. What child should have to stay home every day?”

“In that case…” Nisheng lowered his head in a show of gratitude. “Thank you, Mother.”

“It’s nothing. There’s no need for such talk between mother and son.” Smiling, she waved away his thanks. “When my brother comes tomorrow, I’ll send him to your courtyard. Just wait for him.”

Only after a maid had escorted Nisheng away did Lady Cui drop her smile. Holding Shoucheng, she pinched his plump cheek and teased, “He really is just a child! Are you happy, Shoucheng? Your second brother will soon be good for nothing.”

……

On his way back through the ornamental gate, Nisheng was about to turn into the passage to his courtyard when he ran into his elder brother, Wei Shouzheng. Still followed by his study attendant and wearing his new sable cloak, Shouzheng walked with his head high.

“You wretch, what are you doing in the main courtyard? Have you come to beg Mother for charity?” He blocked Nisheng’s path, looking down at a brother noticeably thinner than himself. “Can’t bear your side courtyard anymore? Want to move here and take advantage of my tutor?”

Nisheng ignored him. Shouzheng snorted, then stepped closer.

“Don’t get ideas. What are you? Do you think you’re fit to study?

“And another thing.” A smug look flashed in his eyes, and he lowered his voice. “My apprenticeship banquet is in five days. You’d better keep quiet and stay out of sight. If I see your unlucky face in front of my guests, don’t blame me for what happens.”

He deliberately rammed Nisheng’s shoulder hard and left with his attendant. Nisheng watched him go, gave it no further thought and returned to his courtyard.

The brazier was still warm when he opened his door. Wei An was out, probably collecting Nisheng’s monthly allowance for him. Nisheng sat down at the desk, picked up his book and resumed reading, line by line, as the light outside faded.

……

That night, fine charcoal burned brightly in the main courtyard’s bedchamber. Lady Cui sat before a bronze mirror, slowly removing her hairpins. Wei Mingde leaned against the head of the bed, idly turning the pages of a book.

“Husband,” she said, glancing at him in the mirror, “I saw Nisheng today.”

Mingde paused, frowning. “Why did you see that wretch?”

She set a pin in her jewelry box, sounding faintly aggrieved. “I’m his mother. What’s wrong with seeing him? I’ve thought over what happened in the ancestral hall, and I feel I wasn’t considerate enough. I sent for him today because I wanted him to move into the main courtyard and study with Shoucheng.”

“Move here?” Mingde frowned more deeply. “Was he willing?”

“At first he refused. He was afraid he’d hold up Shoucheng’s lessons.”

“At least he knows his own limitations.”

“Oh, husband.” Lady Cui turned with a smile. “When I suggested my youngest brother take him out to see the world, he seemed interested. He’s only a child. Cooped up for ten years, how could he not long to see what’s outside?”

Her sweet tone drew Mingde’s attention from his book. “Do as you please. Just don’t let your brother cause any trouble that would disgrace the Wei family.”

“Rest assured, I know what I’m doing.” She rose and sat beside him, changing the subject. “Was there any news outside today?”

“As a matter of fact.” Mingde closed his book, his eyes brightening. “I hear a principal secretary’s post in the Ministry of Works’ Yuheng Bureau is about to become vacant.”

Lady Cui’s eyes lit up. “Yuheng? That’s a lucrative post…”

“And what of it?” Mingde sighed. “It’s sixth rank like mine, but do you think just anyone can get it?”

She considered this. “What do you intend to do?”

“I’m thinking of calling on the Feng family.”

“Lord Feng?” Her expression changed slightly. “Hasn’t the Grand Secretary retired?”

“You women.” Mingde smiled smugly. “Tell me, how many officials are allowed to remain in the capital after an ordinary retirement?”

Lady Cui understood at once. If he had retired but stayed in the capital rather than returning home, imperial favor had not faded; his former students and subordinates were all over the court, and people still listened to him.

Mingde leaned back, his gaze distant. “When Father headed the Ministry of Revenue, Lord Feng headed Personnel. At court they used to say, ‘Feng holds half the court, Wei a corner of it.’”

Lady Cui brightened, then grew worried. “Would he still help us now?”

“Why wouldn’t he?” Mingde looked at her, displeased. “The Weis may not be what we were in Father’s day, but we’re still a respected family of standing in the capital. Shouzheng is gifted, and once he becomes Master Qin’s disciple, his prospects will be boundless.

“Besides, the friendship between our families goes back years. I’ve never failed to exchange gifts with them at festivals.”

“Of course, of course. I was mistaken.” She smiled apologetically. “Will you visit the Feng residence tomorrow, then?”

“No. After Shouzheng becomes a disciple.”

“Afterward?”

“Exactly. When Master Qin comes to the banquet himself, the Fengs will hear of it. Then I’ll send my calling card and visit. Won’t I have a stronger position?”

“You’re right!” Lady Cui nodded repeatedly, her smile widening. “You always think things through.”