Chapter 72: Trivial Matters

"That's wrong, rewrite it..."
"Nian Tang, have you even forgotten your own surname?"
"Here, you should write a neat square for 'kou'—it means mouth. Why did you draw a circle instead?"
Qin Huiyin craned her neck to look toward Tang Yichen's room.
Li Peach Blossom wore a look of utter disdain. "How did a man like Tang Dafu, with a mind like that, ever have a son like Tang Yichen? Did the Tang family save up all their intelligence for just one descendant over generations?"
Tang Luwu watched Tang Yichen's window anxiously.
She had never heard her eldest brother speak to their father and little brother in such a tone. Even to outsiders, he was seldom this exasperated; it was entirely unlike his usual composed self.
Tang Yichen, sensing their gaze, simply shut the window. With a bang, he blocked the view of the women.
He drew a deep breath, composed himself, and said with effort to soften his tone, "If you don't master these three characters tonight, if you can't write them fluently, neither of you will sleep, and neither will I."
Tang Dafu and Tang Yixiao wore bitter expressions.
They dared not argue.
Tang Yichen's face already looked stormy; another word of protest and they feared he might faint from anger.
"No wonder those old scholars study for decades and still never pass the provincial exams. Turns out reading is no easy task."
"Father, all we're doing is learning characters, just the basics. I hear children from wealthy families start their studies at three."
"Three years old, and they have to learn these terrifying characters? Those rich children, what a pitiful lot."
"I agree. Thank goodness we could only afford to send one of us to school. Otherwise, I would have..."
Tang Yichen watched as Tang Dafu and Tang Yixiao chatted away, oblivious to their own complaints about the hardships of learning.
He let out a cold laugh.
Tang Dafu and Tang Yixiao shivered, hurried to their seats, and began tracing the three characters, reciting them as they wrote.
Night fell and the village grew silent. Even the dogs were asleep. Only the Tang household still glowed with lamplight.
At long last, Tang Dafu finished the final stroke and handed over his work like a child awaiting judgment for a misdeed.
He hung his head, waiting for the 'teacher' to pass final verdict on his painstakingly written three characters.
Tang Yixiao had also finished, standing beside Tang Dafu.
Their faces, one older and rugged, the other younger and more refined, bore a striking resemblance.
Both gazed at Tang Yichen with the exact same look.

Tang Yichen stretched his hand to Tang Yixiao.
Tang Yixiao quickly presented his paper to his elder brother and teacher with both hands.
Tang Yichen scrutinized Tang Dafu's work, then Tang Yixiao's, remaining silent for a long while.
"Chen'er, let your father pass, won't you?"
"Brother, you can't get fat with one mouthful..."
Tang Yichen said coolly, "You've made real progress today. Father, your 'Tang' is well written. Little brother, your 'Tian' is very good."
"Heh heh..."
The moment they were praised, the bitterness vanished from their faces, replaced by wide smiles.
Knock, knock! Someone rapped at the door. Qin Huiyin called from outside, "Uncle Tang, big brother, little brother, I've made some late-night snacks. Would you like to try some?"
Tang Yixiao hurried to open the door.
There stood Qin Huiyin holding a steaming bowl of wontons, the fragrant green onions drifting up from the broth.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Tang Yichen asked. "Don’t wait up for them next time—go to bed. Don’t spoil them."
"They’re learning from you, brother. What’s wrong with waiting? I thought you must be tired teaching them, so I made this especially for you. Uncle Tang and little brother are just lucky to share in it."
Tang Yichen’s lips curved up. "Are you treating me like a guest now, trying to coax me?"
"No coaxing, I mean it. You’ve worked so hard, eat something to replenish your strength."
Tang Yixiao and Tang Dafu were already famished.
"Brother, I used to think you were the happiest—no chores, just reading. Now I know, you’re the one who works the hardest," Tang Yixiao said between mouthfuls of wontons.
"It’s not so hard, really," Tang Yichen replied. "Reading is best done young; the older you get, the harder it is to memorize. I’m grateful for all your efforts. Without them, I wouldn’t have had these years to study in peace."
"Brother, how’s your injury?" Qin Huiyin asked.
"The wound has scabbed over. As long as I don’t get hurt again, I’ll be fine."
"That’s good. Eat slowly, I’ll head back to rest."
Tang Dafu finished his wontons and went to his room, but soon slunk back, sheepish.
Tang Yichen and Tang Yixiao watched, waiting for him to speak.
Tang Dafu scratched his head. "The three of us have never slept together, have we?"
"Father, do you really think this little bed can hold three grown men?" Tang Yichen glanced at the narrow wooden board.

Tang Dafu plopped onto the bed and squeezed into the far side, shamelessly declaring, "It's late anyway, we won’t sleep long. Let’s make do for one night!"
"Aunt Li won't let you back in your room?" Tang Yichen asked mildly. "Does she think you’re learning too slowly and doesn’t want to share the bed with you?"
Tang Dafu stiffened, his back to them.
Tang Yichen raised an eyebrow, a trace of helplessness in his eyes. "From tomorrow on, we’ll learn just two characters a day."
Tang Dafu breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
Tang Yixiao was just as relieved.
Tang Yichen rubbed his brow and sat at the table with a book. "You two sleep, I’ll read a while longer."
He needed some quiet.
When Qin Huiyin woke again, a delicious aroma drifted from the kitchen. She slipped inside to find Li Peach Blossom making pancakes and Tang Luwu tending the fire. Breakfast was nearly ready.
"Why are you up so early?" Li Peach Blossom asked. "From now on, Luwu and I will handle breakfast. Sleep in a bit longer."
"All right, I’ll be lazy then," Qin Huiyin replied.
Tang Dafu was out in the yard feeding the chickens. When he saw Qin Huiyin, he said, "Old Mrs. Zhang in the village has a hen. Later I’ll buy it to keep our chicks company."
"I’ll go," Tang Yichen said mildly. "I’ll catch two fish on the way back."
"You didn’t sleep last night. Why not rest a bit?"
"You didn’t sleep?" Qin Huiyin asked.
"I did," he replied—by sprawling across his desk.
What else could he do? Someone had taken his place; he couldn’t very well toss him out of bed.
"The grilled fish you made last time was delicious. Today, I’ll cook and you can guide me," Li Peach Blossom offered. "I should learn a few more dishes, otherwise our daughter will wear herself out managing everything at home."
"Then I’ll be lazy again today," Qin Huiyin said. "I have other things to do anyway."
Yesterday she’d planned to make some skincare and toiletry products. She needed various ingredients—some to buy, some to forage in the mountains. Since she wasn’t going to town, a day in the hills would suffice.
After a breakfast of scallion pancakes and corn porridge, Qin Huiyin slung a basket on her back and set off up the mountain.

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