Chapter 16: One Should Not Be Narrow-Minded

Those from noble families who could be brought out in such occasions were all shrewd individuals. With treasures right before their eyes, who would show off their mediocre talents at a time like this? Thus, without any instruction from their elders, they all quietly moved to less noticeable places, inwardly lamenting the eternal theme of “why was Yu born when Liang also existed?”

Yet when it came to frustration, none could compare to Zhang Jiu. Though only eight years old, he had been praised by countless people since childhood. Even if his father scolded him occasionally, it was like scratching an itch at most. Now, seeing Mr. Du praising Zhang Yue and everyone else’s attention focused on him, he was completely ignored, which filled him with bitterness.

Shen Can, having served as an official in the capital for many years, had developed the ability to observe everything around him. Seeing the young prodigy biting his lip, he was reminded of past events and smiled faintly. Still, instead of comforting him as another prodigy, he walked slowly over to Zhang Xin and whispered something to him.

“Brother Zhang, your son is clever and quick-witted, but he tends to overestimate himself. Suffering some setbacks might not be a bad thing. If it weren’t for the hardships I faced in the past, I might have ended up among the ordinary. You must have read Wang Anshi’s ‘Lament for Zhongyong’—there are few true prodigies in the world, yet even fewer manage to stand out. Your son certainly has talent, but his character still needs tempering.”

Zhang Yue, standing nearby, could only see Shen Can talking to his uncle Zhang Xin. Surrounded as he was by elders and guests, he couldn’t hear what was being said. Praise and admiring glances surrounded him, scrutinizing him from head to toe. If anyone had dared to say he was unlearned now, he doubtless would have had others defend him without him even speaking.

People are all self-interested—nothing more. With that thought, his expression remained unchanged, though his heart felt somewhat disheartened.

Yet Zhang Yue’s humble yet obedient, respectful yet confident attitude only served to highlight the young boy’s openness and discretion.

As a result, Zhang Zhuo, as the father, also received much praise—compliments about his excellent parenting or even remarks that he was fortunate, almost as if they were subtly saying, “You’ve born a great son.”

With such a prelude, by the time the birthday banquet began, although both guests and hosts were smiling, their inner feelings varied greatly. Zhang Xin had served as an official for many years and was not the kind to care about short-term gains or losses. Though he felt somewhat embarrassed by his nephew Yiming’s sudden success despite considering him uneducated, and regretful about his son’s missed opportunity, these were merely feelings of embarrassment and regret. At this moment, what puzzled him even more was the congratulatory gift from the Duke of Britain’s residence in the capital.

Duke Zhang Fu had clearly agreed that his younger brother Zhang Fu would come to celebrate the birthday, so why did he send only a clerk to deliver the gift?

The male guests were having the banquet in Ruiqing Hall, while the female guests gathered in Baoqing Hall behind it. A group of young men brought by the elders had just interacted with those officials and celebrities but now had to turn around and dine with the noblewomen.

“Old Madam is truly fortunate—all four of her grandsons are talented at a young age!”

“Academic Shen rarely praises anyone, but this time he spoke highly of Brother Yue. Isn’t his start in studies just around the corner?”

“Just now, my elder sister said Brother Chao prefers martial arts over literature. Yet even with his aversion to literature, he can create such wonderful couplets. If he loved literature even more, what would he be capable of?”

Amidst these opulent women, even Zhang Yue, with an adult’s soul within him, couldn’t help but feel dazzled and overwhelmed. Looking at Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi beside him, he almost laughed out loud—both were being teased by two kind-looking noblewomen, looking extremely uncomfortable yet unable to resist at all. As for Zhang Jiu, who was handsome and surrounded by women, he lost his usual docility; no matter how they teased him, he just bit his lip and remained silent.

The first day of the birthday banquet finally came to an end in a peaceful atmosphere, but this was only the beginning.

Since it was the 60th birthday of the elderly Lady Gu, the Zhang family held a grand celebration that lasted three days. On the first day, they entertained celebrities from various places in Henan and Nanjing; on the second day, they hosted local friends and acquaintances; on the third day, it was the relatives and descendants from all branches of the Zhang family. Over these three days, the servants were nearly exhausted from working hard, and the masters were also greatly strained. By the afternoon of the fourth day, when everything was over, everyone below Lady Gu simply ignored everything and took a nap.

However, despite being thoroughly exhausted, the children still seemed in high spirits. Now, aside from Zhang Jiu, who was nowhere to be seen, everyone gathered in the pavilion of the small garden, playing a new game with great enthusiasm. It featured a peculiar board, sixteen pieces in four colors, and an extremely simple gameplay that still made them shout and get deeply involved.

Zhang Yue had ordered this set of flying chess pieces out of sheer boredom and hadn’t expected it to be so popular. But while children from poor families could play freely in the streets, those from wealthy families had many rules to follow and very few forms of entertainment. So, seeing Zhang Qing, who was usually quiet, smiling happily, seeing Zhang Yi, who was shy and timid and could hardly speak, gradually becoming bolder, and seeing Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi cheering loudly without restraint, he felt pleased as well.

Zhang Qing finally won a game and clapped her hands, laughing. “This game seems simple, but it’s really fun. Even when we return to Zhejiang or Nanjing, I and the sisters from our families can play this. Third brother, where did you get such a great idea?”

“Third brother has plenty of great ideas!” Although Zhang Qi didn’t like Zhang Jiu, he adored his sister Zhang Qing very much. Thinking back to what had happened three days ago, he couldn’t help but chuckle. “Elder sister, you don’t know—when Mr. Du asked us to create tea couplets that day, I was almost at a loss. If it weren’t for Third Brother and First Brother giving me advice, the two of us would have ended up looking as embarrassed as those who failed to complete them. Ugh, I clearly sent someone to invite Gu Xiaoqi, but he just wouldn’t show up…”

“Second brother!” Being two years older, Zhang Chao quickly interjected when he saw Zhang Qi abruptly changing the topic. But when he saw Zhang Qing suddenly realizing something and pointing at him, he scratched the back of his head awkwardly. “Elder sister, as you know, Second Brother and I both like fighting, so we’re not into wordplay. As for those tea couplets…”

“So both of their tea couplets were made by you.”

Hearing this sudden remark, everyone turned around and saw Zhang Jiu standing there with a displeased expression.

Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi, who never liked their fourth brother with his eyes seemingly on top of his head, both snorted and turned away. Zhang Yi, who was always the least favored, fearfully hid behind Zhang Yue and quietly grabbed his sleeve. Zhang Qing wanted to say something, but seeing her own brother just staring at Zhang Yue, she couldn’t help but frown.

Facing Zhang Jiu’s almost blazing gaze, Zhang Yue smiled as if nothing had happened and said, “Fourth brother, your question is really strange. Brothers are family—everyone is one family. It’s only right for me to help our eldest and second brothers. After all, they’ve always taken care of me before. What, do you think it pleases you to see our eldest and second brothers or me embarrass ourselves in front of guests?”
Zhang Jiu never expected to be facing someone who looked only ten years old but had a heart full of experience. His anger choked in his throat, leaving him at a loss for words. After a long while, he stomped his foot angrily and said, “You’re cheating! I’m going to tell Father and Grandmother!”
Hearing this, Zhang Yue couldn’t help but laugh bitterly—it was just a spoiled child who, unable to find a solution, resorted to complaining to his elders. How cowardly! But just then, a furious shout came from beside them.
“Stop right there!”
Zhang Qing stood up abruptly, her pretty face turning red. Seeing Zhang Jiu turn to glare at her insistently, she grew even angrier. Pointing at her brother’s nose, she scolded, “These are all your brothers and sisters. You rush out carelessly without even saying hello. How did Father and Mother teach you? A real man accepts defeat or victory without complaint. Instead of that, you come to question your three brothers. Don’t think just because people call you a genius, you’re really that great!”
Hearing this torrent of words, not only was Zhang Jiu stunned, but everyone else was also speechless. Zhang Yue had previously thought that the preference for sons over daughters was excessive these days, and that Zhang Qing and Zhang Yi, as cousins, often acted like wooden statues. But he never expected Zhang Qing, who usually seemed gentle, to be so terrifying when angry.
Seeing Zhang Jiu standing there, sniffling as if about to cry at any moment, he couldn’t help but sigh. No matter how annoying Zhang Jiu’s personality was, he was still just an eight-year-old child. Seeing Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi sticking out their tongues in schadenfreude, and knowing that the timid Zhang Yi couldn’t be relied on for now, he could only cough lightly.
“Elder sister, it was my fault for speaking without thinking earlier, which angered the fourth brother. I’m also at fault.”

As soon as he finished speaking, his attempt at reconciliation was immediately countered by Zhang Qing: “Even if Third Brother makes a mistake, it’s still Xiao Si who lacks discipline! Xiao Si, if you’re not satisfied after losing to Third Brother, just study hard and catch up later. Why dwell on it? With such a petty mindset, how can you achieve anything great in the future…”

Seeing Zhang Jiu, who usually acted arrogantly, crying under Zhang Qing’s gentle reprimand, Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi finally stopped smiling maliciously and began to feel uneasy; Zhang Yi’s eyes sparkled with admiration for her elder sister’s demeanor. As for Zhang Yue… he never expected to witness such a scene of an elder sister speaking firmly to her younger brother. He thought Zhang Qing’s combination of firmness and kindness truly defined a true lady of high character.

“Come, apologize to your brothers and sisters. We’re all one family—don’t be so unreasonable from now on!”

Watching Zhang Qing pull Zhang Jiu over and make him bow his head in apology, Zhang Yue, Zhang Chao, Zhang Qi, and Zhang Yi all felt a sincere sense of respect for their elder sister.

Of course, since everyone else had bowed their heads, they couldn’t keep showing off their displeasure. One shouldn’t be too petty—Zhang Qing’s words were meant not only for Zhang Jiu but also for them all.