Chapter 20: The Sorrow of Children

“Mother, the flooding in Kaifeng has a long history. With so many rains since summer began, if the levees break, Kaifeng will be in danger.”
“Last year, your elder brother and Minister Song were ordered to come here personally to manage the situation and restore the old course of the Yellow River. They even received rewards when they returned to court. It hasn’t been that long—how could flooding happen so quickly again? Besides, the Yellow River causes minor disruptions every year. If we had to move to avoid heavy rains every time, how many times would we have to move?”
“But it’s better to be prepared. Even if nothing happens after we move, it’s still good. What if something does happen…”
“You needn’t say more. I’ve lived to this old age without being as afraid of death as you kids!”
That afternoon, Lady Gu in the main house once again dismissed Zhang Zhuo’s suggestions in an unyielding tone. Seeing Feng Shi and Dong Fang Shi looking hesitant, she sneered before saying firmly, “If you’re afraid of the Yellow River breaking its banks, then go pack your things and move to higher ground. Don’t worry about me, an old woman whose life is almost over! I don’t believe the court, having spent so much money and labor on this Yellow River, would just let its waters flood in!”
At this moment, Zhang Xin fully understood why his stepmother refused to move—rather than it being because of some high-ranking monk from Daxiangguo Temple, it was because Zhang Xin had previously been ordered to inspect the Yellow River’s breaches in Kaifeng and participated in the remedial work. Rather than it being blind trust from a mother toward her own son, it was the old woman setting an example to reassure the powerful people of Kaifeng!
Feng Shi had seen days of continuous heavy rain before, but her brother-in-law’s words that morning still scared her greatly. Therefore, she hoped desperately that her mother-in-law would listen to advice and move to a safer place. Yet, she never expected Lady Gu to dismiss Zhang Xin outright. Left speechless, she could only wring her handkerchief in frustration.
Dong Fang Shi, on the other hand, was very obedient. Seeing her mother-in-law speak so firmly, she quickly apologized, “I’ve been married into the Zhang family for over a decade. Although the Yellow River has caused several crises, even during the last breach, things were resolved in the end. Since Grandma remains so calm at her age, what should we younger people fear? Besides, there are so many people in the family—we can just adapt as the situation arises.”

Seeing Lady Gu nod in satisfaction, Zhang Yue, hiding behind Lady Sun, couldn’t help but groan inwardly. After all, this family lived by the Yellow River, and Lady Gu had even lived to be sixty—how could her understanding of floods still be so superficial? Though he was anxious to the point of jumping around, he had no say in such matters and could only look at his father, Zhang Zhuo, with hopeful eyes.

Perhaps due to his earlier failed attempts to persuade them, Zhang Zhuo ultimately said nothing more.

After leaving the main house, Lady Dongfang greeted her two sister-in-laws with a fake smile, then, with several maids holding umbrellas, she took Zhang Chao and Zhang Qiyang and left. With her words at that critical moment, she had successfully won her mother-in-law’s trust, so she didn’t have to worry about the eldest branch taking over as housekeeper for now. Thinking this, she felt extremely pleased and had already dismissed Zhang Xin’s warnings as exaggerations.

The third branch had been acting too recklessly lately—it was time to pour some cold water on them to calm them down!

Meanwhile, after crossing the corridor, Zhang Zhuo comforted Lady Sun a few words before leaving worriedly.

Seeing this, Lady Feng grew even more uneasy and began asking Lady Sun various questions. While saying she didn’t dare interfere in matters involving Zhang Xin, she complained about her mother-in-law’s domineering behavior, leaving herself completely out of it. Zhang Jiu, seeing his elder sister whispering with Zhang Yue, angrily took his maid and left right away.

Zhang Qing, however, didn’t notice her half-brother’s discomfort. At fourteen and having lived in the capital since childhood, she was quite insightful. Though she hadn’t spoken in the main house earlier, she had already thought things through.

“Third brother, do you think it’s really possible what Uncle Third said about the Yellow River bursting its banks?”

If anyone else had asked such a question, Zhang Yue would have retorted sarcastically, “Believe it or not.” But seeing Zhang Qing’s bright, serious eyes, he couldn’t help but consider the question carefully again. Then he said seriously, “Elder sister, it’s better to assume it’s possible than not. It’s fine to prepare in advance; it would be terrible if it actually happened. I think we should first pack up the important things so we’ll be prepared if anything does occur.”

“It’s really that serious…” Zhang Qing was immediately frightened by these words and murmured to herself, “I’ve never seen a flood before; I’ve only read about it in books… Third brother, may I go tell Second Sister?”

Zhang Yue was stunned upon hearing this and then remembered the shy cousin he had seen during the birthday banquet. He had been working nonstop these days and hadn’t seen Zhang Yi for quite some time. If not for Zhang Qing mentioning it, he would have almost forgotten her existence. Feeling guilty, he quickly nodded and said, “That’s right. We should also remind Lady Luo and Second Sister. Whether anything happens or not, it’s always better to be prepared.”

“Hmm, I’ll follow your advice, Third Brother. Everyone says Little Four is some kind of genius, but in my opinion, you’re the more mature one. You’ll surely be more successful than him in the future.” Zhang Qing glanced sideways at Mrs. Feng and Mrs. Sun, who were still talking nonstop, and two adorable dimples appeared on her face. Then she frowned and said, “Mother dotes on Little Four too much. As a result, he’s become arrogant and acts differently in front of people than behind their backs.”

“Isn’t Fourth Brother still young? With Eldest Sister watching over him, he’ll surely change eventually.”

Although Zhang Yue strongly agreed with Zhang Qing’s assessment, he still spoke cautiously. Before long, Mrs. Feng and Mrs. Sun finished talking and came to call Zhang Qing to go in the other direction along the corridor. Mrs. Sun also turned around and pulled Zhang Yue to walk in the other direction. She remained silent the whole way. It wasn’t until they reached the western courtyard that she suddenly stopped, knelt down, and whispered something in Zhang Yue’s ear.

“Since Father spoke so seriously, there must be a reason. Mother is going out to arrange some matters. Yue, after you return to your room, ask Qiuhen to pack some important items. It’s always better to be prepared in advance. Remember, avoid Amber while doing this so she doesn’t have the chance to spread nonsense in front of the old lady.”

After saying this, seeing her son nod, she stood up reassuredly. She called a few older maids from the courtyard and, ignoring the increasing rain, rushed off in another direction under an umbrella.

Seeing his mother walk away, Zhang Yue gently rubbed the bridge of his nose. He glanced back at Qiuhen, who was holding the umbrella for him, and then at Amber, who was three steps behind. He wasn’t entirely convinced by his mother’s instructions.

He couldn’t keep being on guard against her like she was a thief, could he?

After entering his room, once Qiuhen had taken off his half-wet clothes, he found an excuse to send the two girls already in the room out. Then he turned to them and ordered, “One of you go get some wrapping cloth and pack some of the valuables from my room. Remember, don’t disturb anyone else.”

Qiuhen and Hupo were both in the main house just then, so they heard the argument clearly. Hearing this assignment, both of them were shocked. Qiuhen stammered, wanting to ask more, but unexpectedly, Hupo already nodded in agreement with lowered eyes, forcing her to put aside all her doubts for now. While the two were busy inside, Zhang Yue, sitting on a chair in the central room, gazed blankly ahead with his chin in his hand, eventually clenching his small fists in frustration. Why, at this critical moment, had he to be a child who couldn’t say a word?