01. Entrustment of Orphans

Hello, Third Uncle! Before Shi Xuan finished speaking, the child had already tugged at his delicate voice and sweetly called out.

Madam Shi had only one son and one daughter in her youth. After her daughter reached adulthood, she entered the Crown Prince's residence and gave birth to a son, Liu Jin, after which she was made a favored concubine. The entire family relied on this daughter, and their fortunes gradually improved, allowing them to live comfortably and become a prominent household in the region. However, who would have thought that four years ago, the sudden witchcraft case would embroil Crown Prince Wei and the entire Wei family in a storm? Before she could even come to terms with it, she heard that her son-in-law had betrayed and fled, Queen Wei was deposed, and her daughter had inexplicably disappeared.

An old man and a young child cried together, leaving Shi Gong and others at a loss for what to do

Shi Gong waved his hand and said, "Go home."

Liu Bingyi sniffed, wiped his face haphazardly with both hands, and choked out: "Uncle Tingwei Jian no longer wants me, does he?"

Shi Gonglian felt a scorching gaze upon his head, even more intense than the blazing sun

You should call me Third Uncle

The clamorous calls of the summer cicadas on the branches suddenly ceased, and the surroundings returned to silence. The blazing sun hung high in the sky, scorching the ground and causing the soil to crack with fine fissures.

Shi Xuan lowered his head, placing one hand over his head, "It is not for me to decide what to call you, but for you to decide what to call me"

Although the sun has set behind the mountains, the weather remains oppressively hot as if it were midday. Shi Xuan stands in the courtyard, watching the child play joyfully, and he feels an indescribable sensation in his heart.

Although the voice was low, it could still be heard clearly. Shi Xuan stood dazed under the scorching sun for a long time, his handsome face, drenched in sweat, was flushed red by the sunlight. After being stunned for a while, he stamped his foot and left with a flick of his sleeve

Shi Xuan had already taken two steps when he heard these words, and could not help but stop, turning back to scoff and say: "It's not a good job anyway. Now that it has been forced upon me, there is nothing I can do about it. Do you really want to rush in and seek trouble for yourself?"

A young man dressed in a long robe and wearing a Jin Xian crown stepped down from the carriage. In a moment, with a thud, a bundle of dark green jumped up from the carriage. Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a child with long hair, about four or five years old, dressed in a brand new outfit.

The esteemed guest was conversing with the host, Shi Gong, in the hall, but the young child was the most restless of all. Before long, he began to shout that he wanted to go out and play. Shi Gong then had his own son, Shi Xuan, take him to the backyard to play cuju.

The man nodded; his complexion was slightly dark, yet he had an impressive appearance and a gentle demeanor, without a trace of the arrogance typical of an official. Initially, Shi Gong felt a bit intimidated, but after some conversation, he began to feel somewhat at ease.

"Then what should I call you?" He smiled cheerfully, tilting his head back, his expression innocent and radiant

Shi Xuan was both angry and annoyed, the sour and rotten stench clinging to his sleeves, making one feel nauseous. Shi Gong sighed repeatedly, saying, "This is a sin, a sin! Hurry up and take him back home!"

Shi Gongye understood that this statement was reasonable, but he had something on his mind. He wanted to ask but did not dare to, hesitating several times. After seeing the guests to the door and watching them about to board the carriage, he finally could not help but stammeringly and indirectly asked: "This child... what I mean to say is, I wonder what Your Majesty and the General think..."

Liu Bing had not ceased his weeping even at the time for dinner, despite the efforts of everyone in the household to comfort him, none could bring him a moment's peace. The entire family felt as if their heads were about to split from worry, and just as they were at a loss for how to resolve the situation, a young maid hurriedly approached and stood at the steps, reporting: "The matriarch wishes to see the great-grandson"

Shi suddenly sighed, "It should have been us to pick them up"

The man maintained a steady gaze, his expression calm and composed, leaving Shi Gong feeling at a loss, caught in an awkward situation with a look of embarrassment on his face

Shi Xuan turned him around, and Liu Bingyi was in tears, his fists clenched tightly, his expression stubborn. Although he was crying uncontrollably, he still did not utter a single word, not even a hint of a sob.

Shi Xuan was momentarily stunned by such an innocent smile, and in a daze, he did not notice that the child had quietly extended his right hand, quickly rubbing the back of his hand against the hem of his garment twice.

He cried out loud, overwhelmed by sorrow to the extreme, and then began to retch uncontrollably. Shi Gong and his son Shi Xuan were caught off guard; they only heard a sudden sound, and a mouthful of vomit landed on Shi Xuan's hand. Shi Xuan exclaimed in surprise and quickly withdrew his hand. Liu Bingyi continued to weep, crying and retching at the same time

Shi had not uttered a word, quietly tidying up the chess pieces. Once everything was in order, he finally murmured softly: "In the early years, when I relied on my aunt to make my fortune, did I ever have such grievances?"

As the guest was leaving, Shi Gong hurriedly called out, "Aren't you going to bid farewell to the sick?"

The driver wore a broad smile, his sun-tanned cheeks glistening with sweat. "I finally found it!" he hurriedly rushed back to the carriage, excitedly exclaiming, "My lord, this is it! We have arrived in the State of Lu! This is the Shi residence...

According to the laws of the Han dynasty, if the parents are guilty, the children cannot harbor or conceal the crime; otherwise, they will be held equally accountable. At that time, the Crown Prince of Wei had defected, and the historian's family was in a state of trepidation, fearing that this son-in-law would come to their home to hide, completely neglecting the lives of their daughter and the entire family of grandchildren. Nevertheless, local officials dispatched troops daily to guard the area, surrounding the entire household so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through, and it took nearly a month before they withdrew the troops. Afterward, upon further inquiry, it was learned that the Crown Prince of Wei had hanged himself out of fear of punishment, and all of his family members had been imprisoned and interrogated, leaving not a single living soul. Nevertheless, local officials dispatched troops daily to guard the area, surrounding the entire household so tightly that not a drop of water could leak through, and it took nearly a month before they withdrew the troops. Afterward, upon further inquiry, it was learned that the Crown Prince of Wei had hanged himself out of fear of punishment, and all of his family members had been imprisoned and interrogated, leaving not a single living soul.

In the sixth month of summer, amnesty is granted to the world

Madam Shi, nearing her seventies, had a round face, a double chin, and appeared somewhat plump, with a very kind and amiable expression. Liu Bingyi was almost carried to Madam Shi's side by others. Madam Shi's eyesight was not very good; she had previously heard that her great-grandson had been pardoned and released from prison, and she had been eagerly awaiting his return home. Now that he had truly arrived, she saw that Liu Bingyi was still very young, small in stature, and weak, crying profusely as he entered the door. Overwhelmed with grief, she could not help but exclaim, "My son..." Thinking of her deceased daughter, Madam Shi, with her poor eyesight, was filled with unbearable sorrow. She immediately embraced the still-crying Liu Bingyi tightly in her arms.

I know... I know..." He held his breath, tears streaming down his face, "Uncle Tingwei sent me here, and one day in the future, you will send me somewhere else! No one... no one likes me, no one likes me... no one wants a sick person!"

A mat was laid on the corridor, and the white pieces fell crisply onto the board, "It's your turn"

The lady, seeing his pitiful inquiry, felt an even stronger sense of compassion. Unable to restrain her emotions, she embraced him tightly, patting his back and said: "From now on, you will live here! This is your home!"

Shi then came to his senses, hurriedly returned a salute, "Indeed. May I ask..."

Shigong and others were concerned that the heat of summer was too intense, and that the old lady might be overly saddened, which could lead to her suffering from heatstroke and harming her health. They felt compelled to offer her kind advice. However, this unexpectedly provoked Lady Shi's anger, as she pointed at them and scolded, "I know what you are thinking; each of you is disdainful of him, fearing to take on any responsibility. You do not want him, but I do! You will not care for him, but I will! I do not believe that this old body of mine can raise all of you, my descendants, to adulthood, yet cannot sustain a little great-grandson!"

Shi was somewhat distracted, and the sound of knocking on the door echoed again, prompting him to instinctively turn his head and glance back.

Suddenly, a small green figure rushed out from the door, moving with such urgency that before Shi Gong could react, the dark green shadow had swiftly dashed towards the setting sun

"My grandson has suffered from imprisonment since childhood. I am deeply grateful for your kind assistance, and it is truly difficult to repay such great kindness and virtue." Shi Gong expressed his gratitude repeatedly and instructed his eldest son, Shi Gao, to present five thousand zhu of money and two bolts of silk. "This small amount of wealth, I sincerely hope you will accept it..."

"Listening to the Grand Judge's uncle, your father is my great-uncle, and my grandmother is your aunt, so what should you call me?" The child, playing until drenched in sweat, picked up a dirty leather ball with his left hand, wiped his nose with the back of his right hand, and raised his small face to ask Shi Xuan

This child is named Liu Bingyi

The matriarch, with red eyes, wiped away the tear stains from Liu Bingyi's face and said gently, "Do not be afraid, I am your great-grandmother. In the future, your great-grandmother will arrange for someone to teach you to read and write, to understand reason and propriety, and I will ensure that you grow up to be a fine person. If in my lifetime I can see you marry and have children, even if I descend to the underworld, I will have fulfilled my duty to your grandmother." As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

Liu Bingyi stared blankly at her, suddenly reaching out his small hand to wipe away her tears, and asked in a childish voice: "Great-grandmother, will you, like Uncle Tingwei, not want Bingyi and send Bingyi away to somewhere else?"

He stood foolishly leaning against the door, neither welcoming nor avoiding. A driver immediately jumped down from the carriage, approaching him in a hurried manner, and bowed while asking: "May I ask if your esteemed house is of the Shi surname?"

Shi Gong hurriedly led his wife and children to kneel before his mother, remaining silent and still.

He twisted his body without speaking, while Shi Xuan pressed his palm against his thin shoulder. He turned his face towards the west, stretching his neck long, continuously twisting and struggling.

The heavy door was adorned with a bronze knocker in the shape of a Xuanwu beast. The door had not been fully closed, leaving a narrow gap. Occasionally, the rustling of the branches and leaves would cause a hot wind to blow in through the crack, and the knocker would strike the door, producing a faint clicking sound. Each time this happened, a young man on the porch would unconsciously lean forward, peering outside.

Shi Gong and Shi Xuan looked at each other, unsure of how to explain this to the five-year-old child, and were momentarily at a loss for words

My son... my poor son! The matriarch held her great-grandson, her heart filled with thoughts of her daughter and grandson, crying even more sorrowfully.

The Son of Heaven ascends the throne and grants amnesty to the world. This child has completed his sentence and is no longer a person with a criminal record. He is the only offspring left by Crown Prince Wei and Lady Shi. I hope that Lord Shi, considering the affection for your late sister, will take good care of him. Having lost his parents at a young age, it would be wonderful for him to be raised by you.

The driver cracked the whip, and the carriage slowly departed, leaving behind a fading silhouette against the blood-red sunset. Shi Gong's mood was as unsettled as that stunning, radiant glow of the evening sky.

As he spoke, Liu Bingyi had already vomited all over the ground, the stench was unbearable, and he cried incessantly. Shi Xuanyuan was unwilling to touch him again, but helplessly, his father had given the order. He felt disgusted in his heart, and naturally, his face lost its good color. Holding his breath, he picked up the child and hurried home.

On the 22nd of March, the Great Emperor was buried at Maoling.

Shi Xuan chased him out the door, and he did not expect that the child's stamina was so good, managing to chase him for half a mile before finally catching up to him

The Shijia family originally relied on the wealth gained through Shiliangdi, which allowed them to live in luxury for a time. In recent years, having lost that support, they have gradually fallen into decline; however, their manner of conduct still retains the customs of their former days. While ordinary families have two meals a day, the Shijia family continues to adhere to the old practice of three meals a day.

On the 14th day of the second month in the year of Jiawu, the Han Emperor passed away at the Wuzhu Palace in Zhouchi County. His remains were transported back to the front hall of the Weiyang Palace in Chang'an for embalming. The following day, the Crown Prince, who was only eight years old, ascended to the throne.

"Second brother, you are too impatient. You said it would be delivered, but who knows which day it will actually arrive? This journey of over 1,000 miles is not something that can be completed on a whim." Shi Xuan, seeing that his elder brother had no competitive spirit whatsoever, felt that the game had become truly dull, and thus he stood up from the chessboard.

The child blinked his lively big eyes, with clear black and white pupils, and a hint of mischievous laughter hidden in the depths of his gaze. He reached out to wrap his arms around Shi Xuan's neck and joyfully exclaimed: "I like Uncle San the most!"

The guest stood on the car, looking down with a condescending gaze. Although his demeanor remained gentle, it made Shi Gong feel a sense of shame and embarrassment.

Shi suddenly realized and hurriedly went to greet at the door

Everyone was taken aback. Upon hearing his mother’s summons, Shi Gong did not dare to disobey. However, Liu Bingyi was crying so incessantly that it was truly a headache. Even when Shi Gong wanted to change him into a clean outfit, he refused, acting like a complete troublemaker who could not be touched at all

The day is already late, and I still need to seek refuge at an inn, so I must bid farewell to Shi.

He paused for a moment, but then put on his silk shoes and said with a faint smile: "No need, leaving without saying goodbye is the best strategy"

At this call, all the feelings of pity that Shi Xuan had concealed were instantly drawn out, and he could not help but squat down to take out a handkerchief to wipe his face, "Good boy..."

Shi Zeng sighed again, just as he was about to roll up the mat and return to the hall, a gust of hot wind blew in through the crack of the door, accompanied by the faint sound of hooves. He remained skeptical, but after listening carefully, the sound of the hooves became increasingly clear and closer. Shi Zeng's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly pulled open the door. A horse-drawn carriage came rushing in and stopped right under the jujube tree at the entrance. The tree cast a dense shadow, and the sparse golden spots danced on the carriage cover, while the dust raised seemed to shroud the carriage in a veil, making it somewhat difficult to see clearly.

Perhaps the conditions in the prison were too poor, and he had been frail and sickly since childhood, which is why he was given this name. He spoke lightly of it, but in reality, Liu had been ill since the age of five, during which he had faced several severe illnesses that nearly claimed his life. It was entirely due to the careful attention and dedication of those he chose to care for him, investing a hundredfold effort, that he was able to reach the present state.

Liu Bingyi was initially crying fiercely, but at this moment, being held in the arms of this old woman and crying like this, he became stunned instead, staring with his distinctly black and white eyes, fixedly gazing at her

"The illness has struck!" Shi Gong panted as he chased after him, "Why are you running, child?"