Chapter 10, The First Encounter with the Widow

After the bath, Ding Youwei led Zong Zhi and Run'er into the study. The three of them resembled beautifully carved jade, with skin as white as snow and features as picturesque as a painting. Although Ding Youwei was slender, her skin remained delicate and translucent under the light. Due to her slimness, her eyes appeared particularly large, and her chin seemed pointed. Her demeanor was natural and unpretentious, yet exuded an elegant charm.

Ding Youwei knelt on the rush mat, half-embracing Zongzhi, wiping her tears with a silk handkerchief, and said with a smile: "Alright, Mother wants to inspect Run'er’s gifts"

Ding Youwei, dressed in a white robe and simple skirt, walks ahead holding her two children, while Chen Chaozhi follows behind. The sister-in-law from the boy's memories was never this thin; her waist, as fragile as a willow, seems as if it would break with a mere touch. Her complexion is pale like faded flower petals, yet her eyes still shine brightly like stars.

At this moment, a steward from the Ding residence came out, asked a few questions, and then allowed the father and son, Lai Fu and Lai De, to go with the tenants for a meal and rest. Lai Fu said he wanted to pay his respects to the young mistress first, but the steward impatiently replied, "Who would dare let you in at night? You can pay your respects tomorrow."

Ding Youwei resides in a separate small courtyard, featuring a square courtyard, a two-story wooden building connected on two sides to the southwest, and a small garden at the back

After dinner, Ding Youwei instructed Xiao Chan and Yu Yan to prepare water for Chen Cao's bath. She personally rolled up her skirt and sleeves to bathe Zong Zhi and Run Er. It was a rare opportunity to take care of her children, and the hard work was all a joy.

Run'er asked: "Mother, how should Run'er and elder brother address Uncle Chou?"

Ding Youwei reproached herself for being confused, holding Zongzhi with one hand and Run'er with the other, she turned to walk towards the courtyard gate, but then paused and looked back, saying to Chen Chaozhi: "Ah Chou, come with your sister-in-law—" Before Chen Chaozhi could respond, she smiled sweetly and said: "I won't call you Ah Chou anymore, you've grown up, you should be addressed by your full name, Chaozhi."

Xiao Chan laughed on one side and said to Qing Zhi: "I was right, Ah Xiu definitely won't recognize the young master Cao Zhi."

The sky has darkened, and a lantern is lit behind the small door of the corridor, casting the reflection of a pale face. Upon seeing the ox cart arrive, the person quickly comes out to ask: "Is it Xiao Chan and Qing Zhi?"

Chen Cao said: "Sister Xiaochan, take me to sister-in-law's study."

Chen Zongzhi took a quarter of an hour to grind a thick ink, rubbed his small hands, knelt down, and held the brush with a suspended wrist. He meticulously copied a version of Zhong Yao's "Xuan Shi Biao" from memory, taking more than two quarters of an hour to write the eighteen lines totaling three hundred and eight characters of the "Xuan Shi Biao" neatly on the paper. Although his brushwork was still immature, it already exhibited the elegant and fresh style characteristic of Zhong Yao's calligraphy.

Xiao Chan and Yu Yan, seeing that Chen Caozhi was unwilling to let them serve him, quietly laughed outside the door, saying that the young master Caozhi would blush and feel shy. They then murmured and commented on Chen Caozhi's appearance, reminiscing about his childhood and comparing it to the present, expressing their admiration.

After a while, Ding Youwei looked up and asked, "Where is Xiao Lang? Has he not come?" In the Wei and Jin dynasties, women referred to their younger brothers-in-law as Xiao Lang

Run'er said: "Run'er can also write the 'Declaration', but not as well as elder brother. Run'er will recite the 'Analects' instead." Saying this, he recited from the 'Learning' chapter and the 'Politics' chapter all the way to the 'Villagers' chapter, and only then did he stop, breathing lightly and saying: "My mouth is so dry"

Run'er said: "Initially, it was my grandmother who taught me, and later it was my uncle Chou who taught me, and my uncle Chou taught me even better"

Two lanterns are now shining on Chen Caozhi simultaneously, allowing Ding Youwei to observe more closely

Before Ru'er even got off the car, she sweetly called out: "Sister A-Xiu, it's me, Ru'er, along with A-Xiong and Uncle Chou"

Ding Youwei knelt quietly to one side, watching Zong Zhi write. The eight-year-old child was so focused, meticulously crafting each stroke, and Ding Youwei's beautiful large eyes were filled with joyful tears.

Runer saw the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and recalled what Uncle Chou had said to her. She said, "Mother, Runer and Brother have brought gifts for you."

Eight-year-old Chen Zongzhi glanced at Uncle Chou and received encouragement from his eyes. He then walked to the writing desk and ground the ink by himself. Xiao Chan wanted to step forward to help, but was stopped by Chen Caozhi, who said: "Practicing calligraphy requires grinding the ink by oneself; this is also a good way to strengthen wrist and finger strength—my elder brother taught me the same back in the day"

The courtyard gate was half open. Upon hearing footsteps, one of the people inside immediately came out with a lantern. After a brief glance, he was overjoyed and called back, "Wife, wife, Zongzhi and Run'er have arrived"

Chen Cao replied, "Sister-in-law, I merely spoke a few words casually, not knowing why it happened to resonate with the heart of that traveler on the river. He presented me with a flute, saying it was the Ke Ting flute"

Ah! Ding Youwei straightened her back, her pair of exquisite eyes wide open, staring at Chen Caozhi, both surprised and delighted: "Caozhi? Liu Chou?"

Ding Youwei was truly overjoyed, holding Run'er on her lap, her face close to her daughter's delicate and tender little face, she gently said: "Run'er, when your mother was your age, she couldn't read at all. You are much better than your mother. The gifts from both of you have brought me such comfort—who taught you all this?"

Xiao Chan quickly brought water for Run'er to drink, while Zong Zhi whispered, "Mother, Run'er at the back can no longer recite."

At dusk, three ox carts slowly entered the side gate of the Ding family villa in the eastern suburbs of Qiantang County. The Ding family villa is somewhat similar to the Chen family fortress, both featuring high walls and thick doors. The difference lies in the fact that the Chen family fortress is circular, while the Ding family villa is square and on a larger scale. The terrain is lower in the front and higher in the back, with the buildings arranged in tiers, symmetrically constructed along the central axis. It is said to have over 400 rooms

The anxiety of the maid A Xiu, who had been waiting, vanished in an instant, replaced by pure joy. With a beaming smile, she stepped forward to assist Run'er down from the carriage, holding up a lantern to illuminate her. She exclaimed, "Run'er, my lady, you have grown quite a bit taller, and you are even more beautiful, with such a sweet mouth. Everyone who meets you loves you—ah, Zongzhi, young master Zongzi has also grown taller—oh, who is this?"

Ding Youwei nodded and said, "Run'er is right; Xiao Lang has indeed become much stronger. Yes, climbing Mount Jiuyao every day is excellent." At the same time, she instructed Qingzhi and Axiu to move Chen Caozhi's belongings to the room on the west side of the second floor, which had been prepared a few days earlier specifically for Chen Caozhi. Run'er and Zongzhi would naturally sleep with her.

Chen Cao emerged from the bath, his hair as dark as lacquer, his lips red and teeth white. Both of his maidservants, Xiao Chan and Yu Yan, were left in a daze.

Ding Youwei said: "Let's just call him Uncle Cao."

Is that so? That's wonderful. My lady was just asking about it. The maid carrying the lantern is named A Xiu, and she is also one of Ding Youwei's four personal maids.

Runer struggled to get down from Xiaochan's arms, shouting: "Mother—"

Ruan'er said: "Elder brother, you go first"

Ding Youwei held her pair of children tightly in her arms, overwhelmed with joy and tears. The scene of this reunion after a painful separation moved Xiaochan and the four maids to tears as well

In the ox cart, Xiao Chan replied: "It is I. Zong Zhi and Run Er have both been brought here, and Cao Zhi, the young lord, has also arrived"

Ting Youwei's tears flowed down in large drops as she held Zongzhi close to her chest, her voice trembling with joy: "This is the best gift Mother has ever received; Mother has never been this happy before"

At this moment, laughter from Run'er came from outside the door: "Ugly Uncle, quickly show Mother the Keting flute. Mother doesn't believe that Ugly Uncle can play the vertical flute, nor does she believe that someone would give the Keting flute to Ugly Uncle"

Ding Youwei's study is located next to her bedroom, on the second floor. As soon as Chen Cao stepped in, he was taken aback. Under the illumination of a brass bull lamp, the arrangement of this study was identical to that of the Chen family residence—elegant and simple. The writing desk was equipped with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones, indicating that his sister-in-law still maintained her daily habit of reading and practicing calligraphy.

Another maid, Yuyan, exclaimed: "This is the young master Cao, I didn't even dare to recognize him"

After finishing his writing, he set down the pen from www.hetushu.com, his fingers were red from holding it. He glanced at Uncle Chou, then at his mother, and said softly: "Mother, this is a gift for you from your child"

Xiao Chan was quite observant. Seeing Chen Cao standing there in a daze, she quickly understood and said softly: "This was specially arranged by the mistress, who misses Chen Family Wuzhuang..."

Is that so? Ding Youwei said happily, "What gifts did you bring? Let Mother have a look quickly"

Ding Youwei nodded slightly, feeling a bittersweet joy in her heart

Chen Caozhi then responded: "Sister-in-law, it is I, A Chou"

The prominent families of the Qiantang gentry are in the following order: Quan, Zhu, Gu, Fan, Du, Dai, Ding, and Zhu. The first four surnames are classified as first-class gentry, while the Ding family is considered a second-class gentry in Qiantang, but a third-class gentry overall in Jiangdong, which is the lowest rank of gentry. Nevertheless, this so-called lowest rank of gentry wields considerable local power. Generally speaking, the county magistrate of Qiantang cannot manage them, especially if the magistrate comes from a humble background; they are simply not regarded by these wealthy gentry families. It is a mystery how the Ding family initially allowed their daughter to marry the humble Chen Qingzhi. The intermarriage between gentry and commoners would significantly diminish the prestige of the gentry family and would be looked down upon by other gentry families. Even as a third-class gentry, this family still holds substantial local influence. Typically, the county magistrate of Qiantang cannot control them, particularly if the magistrate is of humble origins, as they are not taken seriously by these affluent gentry families. It remains a mystery how the Ding family allowed their daughter to marry the humble Chen Qingzhi, as such intermarriage would greatly lower the family's standing and would be scorned by other gentry families.

When Chen Cao looked at his sister-in-law, she was also smiling and observing him. After two years of not seeing each other, this young man, who was once somewhat dull, had not only become refreshing and handsome, but it also seemed that his intelligence had been awakened, making him more astute.

The Qian Tang Ding family primarily has two residences: one is a five-courtyard mansion in the county town, and the other is a villa located in the eastern suburbs of the county town, which serves as the foundation of the Ding family. This estate occupies a strategic position with access to mountains and water, encompassing one hundred and fifty hectares of fertile land, twenty households with shade, and two hundred tenant households. There are sixty trained warriors who practice martial arts year-round, all of whom are capable of engaging in battle. When necessary, these tenant households can be organized into family troops, a development that emerged as a means of self-defense for the prominent gentry since the chaos of the Eastern Han dynasty.

Chen Caozhi gently pushed his nephew on the back shoulder, and Zongzhi, feeling a bit shy, called out softly: "Mother."

A faint fragrance wafted through the air, as if the night breeze brushed over the lotus pond in May. A tall and graceful woman in white appeared in front of the small courtyard, illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns. Upon seeing the little Run'er rushing over, she called out, "Run'er—" her voice choked with emotion. She bent down to embrace Run'er, showering her with kisses. Her eyes, like stars in the dark night, continued to glance around. Upon spotting Zongzhi, she extended an arm in a gesture reminiscent of an injured crane, saying, "Zongzhi, come—"

Uncle Chao is indeed quite awkward, Chen Chaozhi quickly said: "Zongzhi and Run'er have gotten used to calling him Uncle Chao, and I find it quite pleasant to hear as well"

Zongzhi and Run'er went to the inner courtyard to see Ding Youwei. Chen Chaozhi, being a minor, could still be considered a relative of the Ding family, and since Ding Youwei had specifically instructed this, he followed them in as well

Chen Caozhi stood between Xiao Chan and Qing Zhi, then took two steps forward and bowed deeply: "Caozhi pays respects to my sister-in-law"

Ding Youwei walked up to Chen Cao, her smile gentle: "It really is Cao, you've actually grown to the same height as your sister-in-law. You are not yet fifteen years old, and in the future, you will be taller than your brother." Back then, Chen Qingzhi was a tall and slender handsome man, standing over seven feet.

Once again, the gentle and melodious voice of Ding Youwei came through: "It's not that I don't believe it, but I'm too surprised. After two years apart, have you become so skilled? Who taught you?"

Upon seeing her elder brother receive praise, Run'er eagerly wished to showcase herself and said in a crisp voice: "Mother, Run'er also has a gift"

Xiao Chan, concerned that Ding Youwei might become sad again, quickly said: "Madam, let's go into the courtyard first. Zongzhi and Run'er must be starving; they have been jostled for three hours."

Nevertheless, she is still the most beautiful woman that Chen Cao has ever encountered

Ding Youwei raised her face, her tear-streaked visage resembling the petals of a white magnolia adorned with morning dew, blooming into a breathtaking smile: "A Chou, thank you, this is also the most precious gift you have brought to your sister-in-law."

Xiao Chan smiled and said, "My lady, the young master has grown quite a bit, hasn't he? Just now, A Xiu didn't even recognize him."