Amidst the hustle and bustle, the fourteenth day of the first lunar month arrived. After selling the last batch of glutinous rice balls, they closed the shop for the day. Tomorrow was the Lantern Festival, and they planned to take a good rest. Once the festival passed, everyone would return to their usual routines and begin the year’s work.
Just as they finished tidying up, Dong Panyu’s labor pains began. Li Cuihong, while preparing the birthing supplies, urged Guicheng to ride a horse and fetch Madam Tong. Over the years, Li Cuihong had assisted Madam Tong in delivering babies and was no stranger to such situations. Madam Tong had been regularly checking on Dong Panyu, and both mother and fetus were healthy. She had visited just the day before and confirmed that the baby had descended into the pelvis, and the position was correct. Since this was Dong Panyu’s first child, the labor wouldn’t be too quick, so Li Cuihong remained calm.
It wasn’t until noon the next day that a baby girl finally arrived with a loud cry. Guicheng had been bought as a child, only a few years old, and had no memory of his original family or whether his parents were still alive. Dong Panyu’s parents had already passed away, so neither of them had elders. They begged Madam Tong to name their child.
Dalong had grown up under Madam Tong’s care, and Guicheng had been Dalong’s attendant. One could say Madam Tong treated Guicheng like a nephew, so she didn’t hesitate. After thinking for a long time, she realized that when Guicheng was bought, the broker had only mentioned his name was Guicheng, with no mention of a surname. The Lin family had always respected the origins of their servants and never casually changed their names, so he had been called Guicheng all his life. Now that he had a child, naming became a significant issue.
With a thud, Guicheng knelt before Madam Tong. “Second Grand Madam, Guicheng grew up in the Lin family, and you’ve always treated me kindly. I dare to ask—could you grant me the surname Lin? My wife, our children, and future descendants will continue to serve the Lin family as before.” He then kowtowed three times.
“Oh, you silly child,” Madam Tong helped him up. “What nonsense about serving the Lin family. Dalong returned your freedom long ago, and you’ve stayed by his side like brothers. Just call me ‘Mother’ from now on. From today, Lin Guicheng is a descendant of the Lin family, no longer a man without a surname. Since fate brought us together, let’s name the child Lin Yuan (Fate).”
“Yes, Mother. Thank you, Mother.” Overwhelmed with joy, Lin Guicheng kowtowed three more times.
“Mother, thank you, Mother.” Dong Panyu struggled to get out of bed to kowtow as well. After years of hardship and loneliness, with her husband being a servant without a surname, they now had a family name and an elder’s love. She couldn’t help but feel emotional.
“Oh dear, there will be plenty of time to show filial piety later. No need to rush now,” Li Cuihong pressed Dong Panyu back into bed and tucked her in, scolding lightly. “If you make yourself sick, Mother will have to take care of you.”
Dong Panyu didn’t dare move again, her face reddening. “Thank you, Second Madam.”
Li Cuihong pretended to be angry. “Oh? You call her ‘Mother,’ but I’m still ‘Second Madam’? Am I an outsider?”
Seeing Dong Panyu’s panicked expression—she had always lived cautiously under others’ roofs—Madam Tong quickly laughed and scolded Li Cuihong. “Oh, you mischievous girl. Guicheng is a year younger than Dalong but three years older than Erlang. Panyu is your sister-in-law. Shouldn’t you greet her properly?”
“Yes, Mother.”
Li Cuihong dropped her playful demeanor and formally bowed to Lin Guicheng and Dong Panyu. “Younger sister-in-law greets Elder Brother and Sister-in-law.”
This gesture flustered the couple, who stammered and fumbled, unsure how to respond, their faces turning red.
“Enough of this formality. Remember, among family, there’s no need for such rituals. Your mother here dislikes it the most.” Madam Tong sighed inwardly. It seemed it would take time for Guicheng and his wife to truly feel like part of the family.
The six younger siblings at home were oblivious to their new uncle and aunt—or perhaps great-uncle and great-aunt—and their new baby cousin, continuing to play happily. Lin Meng, Lin Xia, and Lin Wu crowded around Li Gen, Liu Ma’s husband, clamoring for him to make them lanterns. Lin Wen held a book, while Lin Juan clutched an embroidery hoop, though her eyes kept drifting toward the commotion.
The sun was bright today, with no wind, so adults and children alike basked in the courtyard.
Lin Fang found something even more amusing—tugging at Lin Zhongsi’s newly grown beard. The old man winced and dodged, careful not to let her fall, but eventually gave up and tickled her face with his whiskers, making her giggle. Soon, the two were lost in their repetitive game, much to the amusement of onlookers.
“Meng, come here. Have you decided about what I asked you the other day?”
After the Lantern Festival, Dalong would return to the shop, and Lin Wen would start attending school in town. Li Cuimei would naturally go with them to manage the household. This meant the entire family would move to town. Lin Juan, who was learning needlework and literacy from Li Cuimei, would also go. But Lin Meng had been hesitating for days. He wanted to go—town would surely be more fun than the village—but he dreaded the daily calligraphy practice his aunt would enforce. In his mind, that was worse than martial arts training.
With their departure set for tomorrow, Li Cuimei pressed him for an answer. In truth, the adults had already decided—both children would transfer to town schools. But it was better if Lin Meng agreed willingly.
Scratching his head, Lin Meng grimaced. “Aunt, we’re leaving tomorrow. Can I think a little longer?”
Lin Zhongsi snorted nearby. “A man who dithers and hesitates will amount to nothing.”
“Amount to nothing, amount to nothing!” Lin Fang, whose speech had improved rapidly, parroted her great-uncle’s words clearly, deliberately provoking Lin Meng. From experience, she knew he couldn’t resist a challenge.
Sure enough, Lin Meng flushed red and glared at her. “You’re the one who’ll amount to nothing! You’re almost one and still can’t speak properly!”
*Seriously, brother, use your brain. I’m a baby—eight years younger than you. What kind of comparison is that?* Lin Fang mentally rolled her eyes and shot back, “Coward! Coward!”
“Coward” was a term Lin Meng had once taunted her with, and she’d been waiting for a chance to return the favor.
“You’re the coward! Look at you, always hiding in adults’ arms. If you’re so tough, try walking!”
“Hahaha! Big Brother, you’re so childish!” Lin Xia, holding a bamboo hoop, giggled. “Mother said when you were Fang’s age, you couldn’t even speak as clearly as her!”
“Yeah! Fang is *this* small, and you’re *this* tall!” Lin Wu stretched his arms wide to emphasize the difference, then mockingly scratched his nose. “Shame on you!”
Humiliated by his younger siblings, Lin Meng huffed. “Fine! I’ll go! What’s the big deal? It’s just calligraphy!”
“Pfft.”
“Pfft.”
The little ones stuck out their tongues and ran off to pester Li Gen again. Lin Wen and Lin Juan stifled laughter, which only made Lin Meng’s face darker.
“Meng, come here. My whip’s tassel is frayed, and I can’t fix it. You’re good with your hands—help me.”
“Coming! Let me see.”
The servants discreetly scattered to find tasks. Li Cuimei and Lin Erlang turned away, while Lin Zhongsi remained still, though Lin Fang poked at his tightly pressed lips. *Just laugh if you want to, old man. Good thing your face is dark—no one can tell you’re holding it in.*
After lunch, Madam Tong returned with Lin Guicheng to introduce the new family members. Everyone exchanged greetings joyfully. When Lin Guicheng left, he took Liu Ma’s second daughter-in-law and eldest granddaughter to relieve Li Cuimei.
Li Cuimei discussed with Madam Tong that while the adults could live simply, the children might face different circumstances in the future. Given their means, they should buy a few more servants to acclimate the children to a refined environment. That way, if they ever encountered wealth, they wouldn’t be awkward or overwhelmed. Of course, they shouldn’t neglect farming and practical skills either.
Before Madam Tong could respond, Lin Fang nodded vigorously in agreement. *I suffered from this in my past life—looked down upon by my husband’s family and even the servants. This time, things will be different.*
“You little imp, do you even understand? Keep nodding, and we’ll raise you like a chick this year!” Madam Tong scooped Lin Fang from Li Cuimei’s arms and playfully tossed her up.
“Giggle! Higher! Higher!”
Buying servants wasn’t urgent, but one matter couldn’t wait: Lin Cui’e clung to Li Cuimei’s waist, crying pitifully and refusing to let go no matter how they coaxed her.
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