Raising a child by imperial decree
Outside the Vermilion Bird Gate, the morning light spilled like shattered gold onto the bluestone imperial road.
Today, Shen Yan wore a light blue brocade robe, the silver-embroidered cloud patterns subtly visible in the sunlight. A jade belt cinched his waist, further accentuating his tall and elegant figure. He held a gold-flecked fan in his hand, idly waving it. His peach-blossom eyes smiled as he gazed at the end of the official road, exuding an air of dashing nobility.
Ling Zhan stood half a step to his side with his arms crossed, dressed in a simple indigo outfit, with a worn-out leather tool bag hanging at his waist, from which several small files could be vaguely seen. In his hand, he was also holding a bamboo whistle that had just been repaired—a toy that Frostblade had chewed up the night before.
"They're here!" the sharp-eyed Asura Guard exclaimed in a low voice.
At the end of the official road, dust rose slightly, gradually revealing the outline of a long line of carriages and horses. Leading the way were several small carriages with blue canopies, followed by a mule caravan laden with boxes and baskets, escorted by capable men carefully selected by Yang Sijian. As soon as the carriages and horses came into view, an indescribable wave of noise and heat swept over us.
The carriage curtain was eagerly lifted by countless little hands, revealing rosy cheeks, dusty from the long journey, and filled with excitement.
"Father—!"
"Mother—!"
The shouts, young and varied in accent, burst forth instantly, like a flock of birds that had been away from their nests for a long time and were finally returning home, fluttering towards the city gate.
Before the car had even come to a complete stop, more than twenty children, like a flood bursting its banks, jumped and tumbled off the doors and shafts, rushing headlong toward the figure in sky blue. The youngest, only three years old, wearing open-crotch pants, stumbled along, drool smeared on his chin, and stretched out his chubby little hands, calling out in a childish voice, "Daddy, hug me."
The effortless composure that Shen Yan had been maintaining on his face was instantly shattered.
"Hey! Slow down! My robe!"
He had just opened his arms when a chubby-faced boy slammed into him like a cannonball. Then, his thighs sank, and looking down, a little girl with pigtails clung to his leg like a koala. One boy clung to his left arm, another immediately wrapped around his right, and then his back suddenly sank—some mischievous little monkey had somehow jumped onto his back!
"Daddy! Aren't the candied hawthorns in Linzhou as sweet as those in the capital?!" the boy hanging around his neck shouted.
"Daddy, look! I picked up a stone on the road! Doesn't it look like a little tiger?" The little girl, who was hugging her legs, held up an ugly stone high.
"Dad! Aunt Wang's cow trampled my vegetable seedlings!" the boy on his back complained.
Shen Yan stumbled from the impact, his gold-flecked fan falling to the ground with a thud. His valuable sky-blue brocade robe was instantly covered with tiny handprints and snot stains. He tried to maintain his composure, attempting to put on a stern face, but the corners of his mouth involuntarily turned up in a desperate upward smirk. He frantically tried to gather the human-shaped ornaments on his body, but as soon as he removed one from his arm, another would climb up like a monkey.
"Ouch! My little devils! Be gentle! Your dad's bones are about to fall apart!" he exclaimed dramatically, his voice full of barely concealed laughter. He simply gave up struggling, resignedly stretched out his arms, and let the two boys each hold one side of him, using him as a human swing.
Amidst the chaotic cries of "Daddy!", the two children who had arrived in Beijing a few days earlier stood out.
Little Bull puffed out his little chest like a proud little rooster, one hand on his hip and the other pointing at the world: "Shuanzhu! Don't pull on Daddy's jade belt! It'll break! Erya, you can hug my legs, but you can't bite Daddy's robe! Line up! Line up! One by one, come and hug! After hugging Daddy, you have to hug Mommy!" He imitated the adults, his chubby face full of seriousness.
Little Stone stood quietly beside Ling Zhan, his gaze sweeping across the chaotic crowd before landing precisely on a little girl who had tripped and fallen while running too fast and was about to cry. He silently walked over, squatted down, and took out a faded cotton handkerchief from his pocket. He gently wiped away the sugar stains and dirt mixed with tears from the girl's face, straightened her crooked hair tie, and whispered, "Don't cry, your parents are here." His voice was soft, but strangely, it stopped the girl's sobs.
On the city tower, an elderly man in a worn scholar's robe, with a refined air, stood by the railing, his gaze sweeping across the commotion below like a hawk's. He had come to the tower at a friend's invitation to enjoy the view, but now his eyes were fixed on a boy who remained calm and composed amidst the chaos. The old man stroked his sparse beard, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and whispered to the young boy standing beside him, "That lad from the Marquis of Anping's mansion... he's got some potential. He doesn't seem like an ordinary mischievous child." The boy followed his gaze and saw Little Stone silently helping another child who had fallen.
"Awooo—!"
A deep, penetrating wolf howl suddenly rang out, drowning out the children's clamor. A massive, snow-white figure, like a bolt of lightning, burst forth from the shadows of the city gate—Frostblade had arrived! Its icy blue eyes swept across the crowd, carrying an innate sense of oppression. The children who had been chattering around Shen Yan fell silent for a moment, and several timid ones instinctively took a half-step back.
"Frostblade!" The little bull's eyes lit up, and he rushed over with a cheer as if he had seen a relative. He was not afraid at all, and he opened his short arms to hug Frostblade's thick neck, rubbing his chubby face affectionately against its thick neck fur.
Frostblade's massive body stiffened slightly as it looked down at the enthusiastic little chubby boy. Its nostrils flared, as if confirming his presence, and then it let out a few short, almost pleasurable gurgling sounds. It extended its rough, warm tongue and very carefully licked the little bull's sweaty forehead.
This gesture, both wild and tender, instantly ignited courage in the other children.
"Big dog!" the children cheered, abandoning their weariness and swarming towards Frostblade. Some pulled its fur, some hugged its legs, some tried to climb onto its back... Frostblade was submerged in a sea of childlike innocence. It shook its massive head somewhat helplessly, but its icy blue eyes held no ferocity, only a hint of helpless indulgence. It moved its paws carefully, afraid of stepping on any of the little ones.
The eunuch who was delivering the imperial decree finally found a moment of respite, cleared his throat, and announced in a shrill voice, "Lord Anping, Madam, receive the imperial decree—" A young eunuch beside him hurriedly presented an exquisite sandalwood box.
The noise subsided slightly. Shen Yan, while awkwardly straightening his torn clothes, gestured for everyone to be quiet.
Ling Zhan stuffed the repaired bamboo whistle back into his leather pouch and looked calmly at the eunuch.
"By the Empress Dowager's decree, the sons of the Earl's Mansion, Chen Niu (Little Bull) and Chen Shi (Little Stone), are intelligent and quick-witted. They are hereby ordered to enter the palace school and study with the children of the imperial family, so as to receive the imperial education. So be it!" The eunuch unfurled a scroll of bright yellow imperial decree, his high-pitched voice deliberately drawing out the tone.
"Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager." Shen Yan and Ling Zhan expressed their gratitude in accordance with etiquette.
With a beaming smile, the eunuch placed the imperial edict into Chen Yan's hands, then opened the sandalwood box held by the young eunuch, revealing two pairs of exquisitely carved longevity locks chained together with gold chains. The front of the locks bore the inscription "May you enjoy long life and happiness," while the back displayed the finely detailed seal of the Imperial Workshop. "Her Majesty the Empress Dowager said that the two young princes are intelligent and adorable. These two pairs of gold locks were specially bestowed by Her Majesty to calm their nerves and bring them good fortune."
Shen Yan's gaze swept over the Imperial Household Department's seal, and he understood immediately. This was no gift to calm the child's nerves; it was clearly a protective charm that the Dowager Empress Huo had given him under the Empress Dowager's name! He put on an exaggerated smile of being flattered and said repeatedly, "Your Majesty's grace is boundless! Boundless! Your subject kowtows to thank Your Majesty the Empress Dowager for your divine grace on behalf of my son!" He made a move to bow again, but was quickly stopped by the eunuch.
However, Ling Zhan's cold voice suddenly rang out, resolute and leaving no room for negotiation: "Please wait, Your Excellency. The Empress Dowager's kindness has moved the Shen family to tears. However, the Imperial Academy will not be visited by Shen Shi."
The bustling city gate fell silent instantly, even the child clinging to Shuangren looked over curiously. The eunuch delivering the imperial decree froze, thinking he had misheard: "Madam... what is this?"
“The palace has strict rules, and the child is young and wild; we might offend someone of high status.” Ling Zhan’s reason sounded plausible, but her tone was as cold as iron. Her gaze swept over the pair of golden locks, a cold glint flashing deep in her eyes. That place was ruthless; how could she let the stone she cherished as her own child step into it?
The eunuch's expression changed, and he tried to persuade her, "Madam, this is a matter of utmost dignity..."
"Little Stone," Ling Zhan ignored him and turned directly to Little Stone, "Do you want to go?"
Little Stone raised his eyes, his gaze clear and firm. Without the slightest hesitation, he shook his head, his voice clear and steady: "Mother, your son wants to stay in the manor and learn skills from you." The "skills" he spoke of were naturally not the lessons of ordinary children. Upon hearing this, the officials and scholars who had been listening intently nearby all revealed undisguised regret and curiosity on their faces.
The old scholar on the city wall nodded slightly, his eyes filled with even more admiration.
The eunuch opened his mouth, but seeing Ling Zhan's unyielding expression and then Xiao Shitou's composure beyond his years, he ultimately swallowed his words. No amount of dignity could overcome the displeasure of the man's own mother and son! He could only force a smile and smooth things over: "Well... since the young master's intentions are so... then... then we'll do as the madam wishes." He quickly stuffed Xiao Shitou's share of the gold lock into Chen Yan's hand, fearing further complications.
“As for Chen Niu,” the eunuch turned to the little bull who was struggling to rescue the tip of Frostblade’s tail from a maid, “the Empress Dowager is eagerly awaiting to see the young master.”
The little bull finally "snatched" back Frostblade's tail, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and upon hearing this, his face immediately became extremely serious. He toddled over to the magnificent phoenix carriage—the ceremonial procession sent by the Empress Dowager to receive people.
He looked up at the female official standing beside the imperial carriage with his round, rosy face, showing no fear, and spoke in a loud, clear voice:
"Going to the palace to study is fine! But Little Bull must come home every night!"
All eyes on the street instantly focused on this audacious chubby boy.
The female official frowned slightly, about to reprimand the arrogant young man.
The little bull, however, started cracking its chubby fingers on its own, making an even louder sound, with an undeniable determination.
"First, you have to cook dinner for Dad! He's a picky eater; he doesn't like what other people cook!"
“Second,” he broke off another finger, “is to make meat bones for Frostblade! It only likes my stew, which is cooked to perfection!”
“Third,” she held up her third finger, her little face tense, “I can’t miss a single meal! Father will go hungry, and Frostblade will throw a tantrum! The Empress Dowager is a good person, she’ll definitely agree!”
silence.
On Suzaku Avenue, even the sound of the wind seemed to freeze.
Immediately, bursts of suppressed laughter erupted from the crowd, quickly merging into a roar of laughter. Even the stern-faced guards couldn't help but tremble. The reason... simple and unadorned, yet utterly unassailable!
Cooking for Dad? Stewing bones for the wolf? And you can't even skip a single meal?
This young master of the Anping Marquis's mansion is truly a remarkable person!
Behind the bright yellow gauze curtains of the phoenix carriage, a faint, almost suppressed chuckle escaped the lips. The female official standing nearby twitched her lips almost imperceptibly, looking at the self-righteous little chubby boy before her, then at the surrounding crowd bursting into laughter, and finally nodded helplessly, almost imperceptibly. What rules and etiquette could one teach a brat whose mind was only about his father and dinner?
“Alright! Young master’s filial piety is commendable. This servant… will certainly report the truth to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.” The female official almost gritted her teeth as she squeezed out these words, her tone carrying a hint of both amusement and exasperation.
"Alright!" Little Bull's face lit up with a smile, as if he had accomplished a monumental task. He turned and ran back to Frostblade, hugging the massive wolf head tightly, and announced triumphantly, "Frostblade! Did you hear that? I'll be making you big bone stew tonight! Double the amount!"
A hint of a smile seemed to appear in Frostblade's icy blue eyes as it let out a soft "woof" and nuzzled him affectionately with its nose.
Amidst the joyous clamor, Shen Yan rubbed his arm, which ached from being pulled by the children, a bright smile on his face, but a deeper meaning lurked in his eyes. He bent down to pick up the gold-flecked fan that had been trampled on several times, casually dusted it off, and his gaze seemingly unintentionally swept over the outer edge of the crowd. Several figures dressed in Jiang family attire, with sinister eyes, were coldly watching this lively scene of "filial piety" and "human-werewolf harmony," their lips curling into undisguised sneers, like venomous snakes lurking in the shadows.
Shen Yan narrowed his peach blossom eyes slightly, and with a "whoosh," the fan unfolded, concealing the equally cold curve of his lips.
Being ordered to raise a child? This is just the beginning of the fun.
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