SC Chapter22

Shen Yunjie was ordered by Xiao Ning to stay in bed and rest to care for the fetus. A small wooden table was set up on the bed, leaning against the window. Xiao Yuan usually lay there following his father to read and learn characters.

The warm sunlight streamed in through the window, scattering flecks of golden light across the small wooden table. Shen Yunjie held Xiao Yuan’s hand, guiding him through each stroke as he wrote. Having lain in bed all day, his long hair wasn’t tied up, only loosely tucked behind his ears. A long outer garment was draped over his shoulders, and his undergarments were loose, making him look leisurely. An ordinary green bamboo brush was held at Xiao Yuan’s fingertips while Shen Yunjie’s palm rested on the back of Xiao Yuan’s hand. The ink followed the movement of the brush, and the resulting characters were clear, elegant, and graceful.

Xiao Ning leaned against the door for a while, then coughed softly, interrupting the two who were writing.

“Drink your medicine.” Xiao Ning handed the medicine bowl over.

Shen Yunjie took it. The medicine was warm, just the right temperature for drinking.

“Xiao Yuan, did you write this?” Xiao Ning reached out and picked up a few pieces of yellow hemp paper with traced characters on the small wooden table.

Xiao Yuan raised his small face and nodded obediently.

“Not bad.” Xiao Ning reached out and patted Xiao Yuan’s small head.

Shen Yunjie placed the empty medicine bowl aside: “Xiao Yuan learns characters very quickly; he can already recite several primers after only a few days.”

Xiao Ning pinched Xiao Yuan’s cheek, looked at Shen Yunjie, and said, “Do you want to send Xiao Yuan to an academy?”

Shen Yunjie was momentarily stunned. Xiao Yuan was very intelligent, but he had little contact with people since childhood, so his personality was less lively than other children’s. If he were sent to an academy to interact more with children his age, it might not be a bad idea either.

“I will listen to Young Master.”

Xiao Yuan held the green bamboo brush and tilted his head to look at his father: “What is an academy for?”

Shen Yunjie rubbed Xiao Yuan’s soft cheek with his finger: “A place for reading.”

“I can also read with Father.” Xiao Yuan pointed to the books on the small wooden table.

Shen Yunjie’s expression dimmed slightly: “Father… can’t always teach Xiao Yuan…”

Xiao Ning lifted Xiao Yuan off the bed: “I bought you candied hawthorns downstairs.” Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan bounded and skipped downstairs and the room instantly became quiet.

Xiao Ning pulled out the pillow behind Shen Yunjie and flattened it, commanding, “Lie down properly.”

Shen Yunjie obediently lay down. A gentle breeze drifted in through the window, brushing past the wooden table and carrying with it a faint trace of ink fragrance from the inkstone. Xiao Ning sat beside him until he fell asleep. Only then did he reach out to pull up the quilt, close the window, and softly and carefully walk out.

The day Xiao Yuan started the academy, Xiao Ning and Shen Yunjie both got up early.

Shen Yunjie crouched down, repeatedly straightening Xiao Yuan’s collar and reminding him of a few more things with care. Xiao Ning took the satchel from Xiao Yuan, helped Shen Yunjie up, and frowned slightly. “If you’re that worried,” he said, “then come along and see him off.”

Shen Yunjie was naturally willing. Xiao Yuan, who was still a little dazed, held his father’s hand with one hand and the hand of the uncle who hadn’t been so fierce lately with the other. Before the sun was high, they arrived at the academy.

The teacher was already waiting. Xiao Yuan was pushed in front of the portrait of Confucius, stumbled through the bow, and followed the teacher in reciting two lines from the Analects. The teacher used a vermilion brush to dot a red spot on Xiao Yuan’s brow, signifying the beginning of studies and enrollment. Shen Yunjie watched as Xiao Yuan sat on a small stool, picked up his book, and dutifully read along with the teacher. Only then did he follow Xiao Ning out, turning back to look every few steps as they left.

The walk home was not far, and Xiao Ning did not walk quickly, but Shen Yunjie lacked strength and still found it somewhat strenuous to keep up. Before long, he couldn’t help but reach out to support his aching lower back.

Having been lying in bed for so many days, Shen Yunjie’s body was weaker than before. Even his loose, wide robe could not completely conceal his slightly protruding, round belly anymore. He raised a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead. The sunlight left him slightly dizzy, and he nearly ran into Xiao Ning, who had come to an abrupt stop.

“Be careful.” Xiao Ning quickly held onto Shen Yunjie.

“Young Master, I…” Before Shen Yunjie could finish speaking, he heard Xiao Ning impatiently interrupt him, “You’ve been resting for so long, and your body is still so weak? You can’t even handle this short distance?”

Shen Yunjie: ……

Xiao Ning’s thin lips spat out three cold words: “Truly useless.”

Shen Yunjie felt a twinge of discomfort. He pressed his hand to his lower abdomen and prepared to apologize when suddenly his body seemed to lighten and was lifted steadily by Xiao Ning.

The street was busy with people coming and going. Shen Yunjie carefully leaned his head against Xiao Ning’s shoulder and whispered, “Young Master, please put me down, it will draw attention.”

Xiao Ning was so annoyed that his brow could clamp a fly: “Shut up.”

Shen Yunjie had no choice but to quietly rely on Xiao Ning’s embrace and say no more.