Chapter 87: Bidding Farewell to Uncle and Aunt, Returning to Jianglin

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The twenty-fifth year of Great Liang, Taihe era, July twentieth. Overcast skies.

Jiangzhou Prefecture, Shangqing County.

After spending more than ten days in Lower River Village, Lu Jin and Shen Yanxi were preparing to return to Jianglin.

It had rained for several days, with no sign of clearing up. So, they decided to seize this interval to make their way back. Their uncle and aunt insisted on escorting them all the way to Shangqing County; unable to dissuade them, Lu Jin could only acquiesce.

“Father! Mother!” Lu Caiwei, being dragged onto the boat by Su Nian, wept like a child being sold off. She had been caught by her “dog brother” and didn’t know what kind of punishment awaited her.

“Caiwei, mind your brother. If you don’t behave, just wait till I get to Jianglin and see how I’ll deal with you,” her aunt shouted from the shore, bidding farewell to Lu Jin. Lu Caiwei froze for a moment and then cried even harder.

“My child, who knows how long it’ll be until we see you again. Auntie just…” Bai Li Rou’s voice trembled as she clung to Lu Jin, tears streaming down her face.

“It’s only a month,” Lu Yuanrong said from the side, holding his head as if plagued by a headache.

Cut off in the middle of her speech, Bai Li Rou glared fiercely at Lu Yuanrong: “So you’re the clever one, aren’t you? I just can’t bear to part with my boy!”

Lu Yuanrong rubbed his temples, even more exasperated: “You’ve been saying this for half an hour now, and just repeated it again…”

“Auntie, it’ll be quick. Just a month. Once you’ve packed up, we’ll all be together from then on…” Lu Jin could only comfort her gently. How could he not feel the affection in her eyes? If not, he would never have lingered here so long.

“All right, all right. Just be careful on the boat, my child. Don’t go too close to the water’s edge…” Bai Li Rou held onto Lu Jin’s arm as she led him aboard, continuing her instructions.

For a moment, Lu Yuanrong wondered if coming to Shangqing to see Jin off was a mistake.

“Auntie, we’re leaving now. We’ll be waiting for you in Jianglin,” Shen Yanxi also bid her farewell.

“Uncle, we’re off. You and Auntie should head home soon,” Lu Jin said to Lu Yuanrong.

All farewells are tinged with sorrow, like the Lan River, parting from the mountains that nurtured it.

As the boat drifted away, their uncle and aunt’s figures grew ever smaller on the shore. Yet standing at the stern, Lu Jin still felt they were towering, as steadfast as the green mountains lining both banks.

“Nanqu, it won’t be long…” Shen Yanxi softly comforted him by his side.

By the time the boat reached Jianglin, it was almost dusk, and the sky had begun to drizzle again. Throughout the journey, Lu Jin’s mind had been busy recalling and organizing knowledge from his previous life. After all, having brought the children here, he would need teaching materials—how else could he teach? Luckily, he was nearly finished preparing.

Disembarking, Lu Jin was startled to find that his father-in-law, whom he had not seen in Shangqing, had come along with his elder brother and Shen Yanyun to greet his party.

“Father, what brings you here? Your son-in-law is undeserving of such honor.” Ever since the incident with the jade pendant had resolved their grievances, relations between the two had become much more relaxed. Were it not for Shen Yancheng and Shen Yanyun’s presence, Lu Jin might have been tempted to give his father-in-law a little “lesson.”

“I was afraid my good son-in-law would run off!” Shen Hao laughed.

Well, he’d meant to hold back, but the old fox had turned the tables instead.

Shen Hao had barely finished laughing when his expression froze, then darkened ominously. He had just noticed that, besides his own daughter, another young woman was closely clutching Lu Jin’s sleeve as she followed him out of the cabin.

Shen Hao was nearly beside himself with rage. The Shen family had not minded his humble origins, yet here he was, brazenly bringing another woman home. He was even angrier with his daughter—had she lost her senses? Was this something a daughter of the Shen family should tolerate?

Lu Jin, seeing Shen Hao’s cheerful face suddenly turn stormy, turned around quickly—damn it! When had Youran grabbed his sleeve again?

Lu Jin was mortified. Shen Hao had every reason to be angry—he’d be furious in the same position. Hastily, he said, “Yanxi, you, Youran, and Caiwei take your time. I’ll go speak with Father first.”

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Without waiting for Shen Yanxi and Wu You, Lu Jin hurried off the boat—not only to explain himself, but for the sake of the Shen family’s reputation. Though the Shen family was indeed a powerful clan, Youran’s family wielded considerable influence as well. He couldn’t let a misunderstanding lead to rash words and put both families in an awkward position.

Lu Jin rushed to the three men and, ignoring his father-in-law’s stormy face, quickly whispered an explanation about Wu You.

The three looked at Lu Jin as if he were an idiot: “Do you really think we’re fools? Can’t we tell whether that’s a man or a woman? Can’t you even bother to make up a better lie?”

Realizing that things were dire and the group was approaching, Lu Jin played his trump card: “If you don’t trust me, surely you trust your daughter?”

Shen Hao replied, “That’s not enough either. Who knows what kind of bewitchment you’ve put her under!”

Lu Jin was dumbfounded—seriously? He didn’t even trust his own daughter now?

“Believe me or not, I’ll treat everyone with proper respect. I’ll explain everything in detail later. You don’t want the Governor to come and confiscate your property, do you?” Lu Jin retorted.

“My Shen family isn’t afraid of Wu Han!” his father-in-law scoffed.

Fine, you win! Having explained himself, Lu Jin relaxed. These were not people who couldn’t distinguish right from wrong—his father-in-law was just being stubborn. The head of such a great family wasn’t a fool.

By now, the rest had caught up. Shen Yanxi greeted her father and went off with Shen Yanyun, leaving Lu Jin awkwardly in the open. He’d hoped she would rescue him, but she’d left him stranded—deliberately, as it turned out.

“Youran, this is my father-in-law, the head of the Shen family. You should…” Lu Jin was still pondering how to introduce them when Wu You took the initiative.

“Nephew Wu You greets Uncle Shen!”

Shen Hao, experienced as he was, looked as if he’d seen a ghost. Even though his son-in-law had explained, he thought he would be able to tell in person, but this was simply too extraordinary.

After a moment’s pause, he cleared his throat awkwardly: “Rise, dear nephew. You must be tired from your journey.” His hands hung awkwardly in the air, unsure whether to help or not.

Thus, amid shock and embarrassment, the group greeted each other and then boarded the carriages for the Shen manor.

Given the other party’s background and status, the Shen family had to receive them with utmost formality—not out of fear, but respect and etiquette. Moreover, the family had official ties with both Xiao Yi and Wu Han. They had never heard of such a “son”—but now that Wu You had arrived, hospitality was the only course. Thus, Shen Hao, Shen Yancheng, Lu Jin, and Wu You shared one carriage, while Shen Yanxi rode with Shen Yanyun and Lu Caiwei in another.

The Shen family carriages were spacious, but even so, four passengers made for a tight fit. Yet no one could be left out, so they squeezed in together. Shen Yancheng and Lu Jin sat on the outside, temporarily helping with the servants' duties.

“How is your grandmother? I met her only once, years ago. How has she been?” Such family inquiries were customary.

“My grandmother is in fairly good health, though her eyesight has worsened,” Wu You replied, tearing up. From what Lu Jin had learned in recent days, Wu You’s grandmother was very fond of her, and their bond was deep.

Thus, chatting about family matters, they soon arrived at the Shen estate.

After entering Shen Garden, Wu You conducted himself with poise and humility, respectfully greeting all the members of the Shen family in the company of Shen Hao and Shen Yancheng.

Thanks to Shen Yancheng’s prior instructions, although the Shen family was astonished, they received Wu You and Lu Caiwei with great courtesy. Wu You, a scion of a distinguished house, had come prepared and presented gifts and greetings to everyone.

Given the fatigue of travel, the welcome banquet was brief. Afterwards, the steward and maids, following previous arrangements, led everyone to their respective quarters.

Wu You and Lu Caiwei were both assigned to Chuyun Pavilion, which had practically become Lu Jin’s personal domain.

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In Guanyun Tower of Xiyuan, thick sandalwood incense wafted gently from an exquisite burner, the fragrance of tea filling the air.

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Madam Bai Lu, matriarch of the Shen family, sat at the head, with the others seated in order of seniority. To this moment, everyone remained unsettled—this guest was far too unusual.

“That young lady… Is that child truly a boy?” Zhou Manyun looked at Lu Jin and Shen Yanxi. Even now she could hardly believe it; were it not for her poise as mistress of a noble house, she might have lost composure long ago.

Shen Yanxi nodded. Truth be told, even after all these days, she still felt dazed whenever she saw Wu You, and grew irritable whenever Wu You clung to Lu Jin.

“How could such a thing be possible?” Zhou Manyun was at a loss.

“Mother, it’s actually not so hard to understand…” Seeing everyone’s confusion, Lu Jin stood up, took a few chess pieces from the board, and walked to the table beside the old lady.

“The sex of a child is determined by the parents,” he began. “Simply put, compare it to a man possessing two chess pieces: one black, one white. The black represents male, the white female. The woman provides the basic conditions for bearing a child—the womb and the egg, akin to a room for nurturing an infant. When a man gives the woman a black piece and it combines with the egg, the resulting embryo develops into a boy. If he gives a white piece, it develops into a girl.”

Lu Jin, absorbed in his lecture, illustrated his point with the chess pieces as he spoke, making it vivid and clear.

“In Youran’s case, something went awry in this process. Perhaps his father gave both the black and white pieces, resulting in a child with characteristics of both sexes. It’s not his fault—nor his parents’. The black and white pieces are metaphorical; in truth, they’re something invisible to the naked eye. The body makes the decision according to its own nature.”

Lu Jin spoke with confidence and eloquence.

“How do you know all this?” Zhou Manyun asked, surprised. “Didn’t you just marry Xi’er? How are you so knowledgeable about childbirth?”

“How do I know? I…” Lu Jin looked up, only to be struck dumb.

What on earth had he just done? That wasn’t him speaking—it had to be an out-of-body experience!

At some point, everyone had gathered around, staring at him in shock.

His explanation had been so straightforward that everyone understood it, yet it still seemed incredible. They might not believe it, but it sounded reasonable. Most puzzling—the son-in-law’s knowledge and confidence.

Lu Jin’s mind raced, searching for a way out of this predicament. Suddenly, he had an idea. While everyone awaited his answer, his manner shifted and he began to speak again.

“Let me say this: Youran has never done anything wrong. His body is not something he could choose, yet he has suffered much for it. Our Shen family, with a thousand-year legacy of poetry and virtue, should be magnanimous and compassionate. To us, Youran is simply a younger cousin; whether he is considered male or female is unimportant. Regard him as you will, but do not view him with prejudice—that is the best kind of care.”

“My grandson-in-law speaks well—just what I hoped for. Xi’er chose wisely. My son, make sure everyone in the family understands: anyone who acts improperly will answer to me,” the old lady said with satisfaction, then instructed Shen Hao with utmost seriousness.

For the Shen family, receiving a younger cousin was not an extraordinary matter. Even if the Governor or the Emperor himself came, the old lady would not be so attentive. But Wu You was a special case; she genuinely sympathized with him.

“Brother-in-law, did you just say that it’s the man who decides whether a child is a boy or a girl?” Shen Yanyun asked eagerly.

Why hadn’t this topic been dropped? Hadn’t he made himself clear enough? Why were they all still looking at him?

“I said it’s determined by the man’s body—not his mind. Even if I wanted to give you one or the other, I couldn’t. Whether a man gives a black or white piece to a woman isn’t up to him; only after the child is born does anyone know. Pregnancy is, in the end, a matter of luck.”

Shen Yanyun blushed, slightly embarrassed. She had only been curious, after all, and hadn’t expected Lu Jin to be so blunt.

“Oh, grandmother, I think I hear Caiwei calling me. She’s just arrived and is timid—your grandson-in-law should go check on her. Father, mother… I’ll take my leave now.”

Everyone: (⊙ˍ⊙) That was abrupt.

Without waiting for a reply, Lu Jin made his escape.

Shen Yanxi hurried after him, pinching his waist: “So, are you planning to give my sister a black piece or a white one?”

… So he hadn’t managed to escape after all. Was a slip of the tongue really something to hold against him?