Mar 29, 2026
Chapter 73 — Making Plans for His Sons
His panic, shock, and confusion did not escape the eyes of Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan. Because of that, the two of them became even more certain—he must know Yan Shengrui. If they were truly strangers, his reaction would never have been like this.
“Yes. Our ‘biological’ children—a pair of adorable twin boys. They’ll turn five this winter.”
Ling Jingxuan deliberately stressed the words biological children, leaving ample room for interpretation. Though he appeared casual on the surface, in truth he was already laying careful plans for his sons’ education.
If his guess was correct—if Chu Ci and his son truly came from that Imperial Capital—then regardless of how great Chu Ci’s learning might be, he would still be the most suitable teacher for the little buns.
Of course, Ling Jingxuan had not failed to consider the possibility that Chu Ci might take advantage of the situation to harm them through the children. After all, Yan Shengrui’s identity was anything but ordinary. It would not be impossible for someone to use the little buns as leverage against him.
But judging from how anxiously Chu Ci had tried to distance himself from Shengrui, and how he never seemed to associate with others, it was unlikely that he and Yan Shengrui were enemies. And if they were not enemies, then what motive would there be for harming the children?
What Ling Jingxuan wanted was simply Chu Ci’s knowledge—and his familiarity with the imperial capital, perhaps even with the imperial family itself.
If Chu Ci became the little buns’ tutor, then once Yan Shengrui recovered his memories, and if his original intentions remained unchanged, they would certainly have to accompany him back to the capital to meet those so-called Imperial relatives—perhaps even the emperor himself, the man who held the power of life and death over the entire realm.
Letting the boys learn about that place in advance, and teaching them how to deal with those kinds of people, would only benefit them.
Earlier, Ling Jingxuan had already mentioned Yan Shengrui’s memory loss. Now he emphasized that the children were their biological sons. The message was obvious—he was deliberately extending an olive branch.
If Chu Ci was truly clever, he would know what choice to make.
Adding flowers to brocade was meaningless; offering charcoal in a snowstorm was what truly mattered.
Yan Shengrui was both a Prince of the Imperial House and the emperor’s younger brother. Moreover, he was the only prince in the entire history of the Qing Dynasty to hold the title of General. In ordinary times, it was nearly impossible for anyone to curry favor with him. If one wanted to establish ties or earn a favor from him, now was the only opportunity.
And if their identities truly matched Ling Jingxuan’s suspicions—two members of the imperial clan hiding their names and living in obscurity in such a remote place—then there must be some unspeakable secret within the royal family.
Perhaps the imperial court was searching for them even now.
If they were found, the consequences were easy to imagine.
At a time like this, if Chu Ci could do Yan Shengrui a small favor—a man who held influence within the Imperial Family and even the court—it would bring nothing but advantages.
“Is that so? Five is indeed the right age to begin their studies. Since fate has brought us together, bring the children tomorrow and let me see them. If they suit my eye, I’ll accept them as my students.”
Just as Ling Jingxuan had expected, Chu Ci agreed after a moment of thought. Although he had not given a definitive answer yet, Ling Jingxuan was confident. Once Chu Ci saw the two little buns—who looked almost exactly like Yan Shengrui—he would certainly accept them.
“Then many thanks, Mister Chu. I do have one more presumptuous request. If you decide to take my two sons as students, could you also accept one more child? He’s my sons’ playmate, also five this year.”
Even while arranging his sons’ studies, Ling Jingxuan had not forgotten Tiewazi. Zhao Han and his husband had shown him kindness before; naturally, he intended to repay them.
“That will be fine.”
Teaching two was teaching, and teaching three was still teaching—there was little difference. What Chu Ci truly cared about was the children’s identity. He had to confirm with his own eyes that they were indeed Yan Shengrui’s bloodline.
“Many thanks, Mister Chu.”
Smiling, Ling Jingxuan cupped his hands in greeting and bowed slightly. Another heavy stone in his heart had finally fallen into place.
At some point, Ling Jingpeng had returned. Seeing that their conversation seemed to have ended, he stepped forward at just the right moment, carrying a thick stack of books.
“Big Brother, I’ve already picked out the books Second Brother needs. I also bought a book on agricultural planting for myself.”
Having a younger brother like Ling Jingpeng was truly a blessing beyond compare—hardworking, capable, able to endure hardship, not talkative, and obedient. Most importantly, he had a strong sense of self-awareness. With a younger brother like this, even if two dozen more appeared, Ling Jingxuan would gladly accept them all.
“Mm. Forget about this agriculture book. The land we’ll be planting later hasn’t been farmed by anyone before. Everything written in this book will be useless. Let’s instead buy an inkstone, brushes, ink, and some xuan paper for Jinghan and the children.”
Nodding, Ling Jingxuan casually picked up the book on top and flipped through it. All of them were handwritten copies. It seemed the Qing Dynasty had not yet invented printing.
That, at least, could become a good way to make money.
But for now, he simply didn’t have the energy to fuss with something like that.
“Ah, Mister Chu—then I’ll trouble you to handle the brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones.”
Ling Jingpeng did not hesitate. He turned and put the book back on the shelf.
At the same time, Chu Ci reached behind the counter and took down several inkstones from the rack—each one clearly of fine quality. Then he selected a few wolf-hair brushes of different sizes and several square ink sticks, each about ten centimeters long. Finally, he took out a stack of paper, pale white with a faint yellow tint.
“It’s best to choose better-quality inkstones and brushes,” he said calmly. “These are all decent ones. As for the paper, this kind of xuan paper will do. It’s more than enough for daily calligraphy practice, and the price is moderate. As for the children’s primers, we’ll talk about that after I meet them tomorrow.”
“Alright. I’ll take four sets of inkstones. Divide the brushes, ink, and paper into four portions as well. Mister Chu, please calculate the price.”
For the sake of his younger brother and the children, Ling Jingxuan didn’t even blink, though he knew the price would not be cheap. Money that needed to be spent had to be spent.
“The brushes, ink, paper, and inkstone together cost six taels of silver per set. The books are one tael each. You bought twenty-one books, so the total comes to forty-five taels.”
Chu Ci swiftly assembled everything according to Ling Jingxuan’s request.
Looking at the stacks of items on the counter, Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui remained composed, but Ling Jingpeng could not help quietly clicking his tongue in amazement. Such a small pile of things cost forty-five taels—enough to cover several years of living expenses for an ordinary family. Studying truly burned through money like fire. No wonder so few people ever managed to pass the imperial examinations.
After paying, Ling Jingxuan called in Song Gengniu, who had been waiting outside, to help carry the items onto the carriage. Then he turned back and exchanged a few polite words with Chu Ci.
When they finally left, both Ling Jingxuan and Yan Shengrui glanced at Chu Ci at the same time. The two husbands quietly exchanged a look—one that only the two of them understood—before departing together.
Chu Ci, meanwhile, stood at the doorway the entire time, watching their carriage disappear into the distance before turning back inside.
A trace of worry, hesitation, and confusion colored his fair, handsome face. Everything that had happened today had far exceeded his expectations. Even in his dreams, he had never imagined he would encounter Yan Shengrui under such circumstances.
“Father… he’s the Imperial Uncle, isn’t he?”
At some point, the boy who had retreated into the backyard earlier stepped out again. The shock, panic, and fear from before had mostly faded, though a hint of uncertainty still lingered in his eyes. Even his voice carried a trace of doubt.
“Yes… it should be him. Yan’er, don’t be afraid,” Chu Ci said gently as he turned and pulled the boy into a light embrace. “Shengrui was always different from the others. Now that he’s lost his memories, things are even simpler. As long as we confirm the children’s identities and teach them well, he will surely repay us in the future.”
Noticing the brave front the child was putting on, Chu Ci’s voice softened.
Back then, he had deliberately chosen to settle in Cangzhou because this was Yan Shengrui’s fief.
Before the late emperor passed away, he had left behind a final decree: no army was allowed to step foot in this territory without Yan Shengrui’s personal permission. Anyone who violated the order would be treated as a rebel and could be punished at Yan Shengrui’s discretion—even the emperor’s Imperial Guards were no exception.
Moreover, Yan Shengrui himself had always been a powerful and domineering man, yet still possessed the bearing of a true gentleman. Even if they were eventually discovered by him, they would never suffer humiliation.
But now… things had taken such an unexpected turn.
Could it be that Heaven had granted him yet another blessing?
The boy leaning against his chest nodded silently.
Where Chu Ci could not see, the child’s pitch-black eyes shone with a deep, resolute light.
Naturally, the conversation between this father and son was something Yan Shengrui and Ling Jingxuan would never know.
With Ling Jingpeng sitting in the carriage, the two of them could not casually discuss their suspicions about Chu Ci and his son. Instead, they continued with their errands.
They stopped at a general goods shop and bought two hundred jin of rice, two hundred jin of white flour, two hundred jin of cornmeal, one hundred jin of vegetable oil, and ten jin of salt. Because they had purchased such a large quantity, the shopkeeper enthusiastically offered to deliver the goods to their home. Ling Jingxuan paid a deposit, left their address, and then departed.
Afterward, they went to the same ready-made clothing shop they had visited before. They bought two new sets of clothes for everyone in the household—including Song Gengniu and the Zhao–Han couple—along with several bolts of high-quality cotton cloth and various sewing supplies.
Although there were many items, they didn’t take up much space. Ling Jingxuan and the others loaded everything onto the carriage.
When the carriage passed by Ping’an Hall, Ling Jingxuan decisively jumped down again.
“Buying medicine?” Yan Shengrui asked with a raised brow as he followed him off the carriage.
Although several people at home were taking medicine, the only one who truly needed to buy new prescriptions from a pharmacy was Ling Wang-shi, who had recently suffered a miscarriage. As for him and Ling Jinghan, there were still plenty of medicinal supplies left at home.
“Mm. I also want to see if they have a complete set of silver needles or other medical tools.”
Nodding, Ling Jingxuan spoke while stepping over the threshold of Ping’an Hall with him.
Because of the recent plague, Ping’an Hall had gained considerable fame. Its business was booming. Even though today was not a market day, there was still a steady stream of people entering and leaving the apothecary.
The shopkeeper, no longer the miserable figure he had once been, now sat at the consultation table beside another elderly physician, looking energetic and full of spirit.
“Honored guests, are you here to buy medicine or—”
The shop assistant who came forward to greet them suddenly froze after getting a clear look at Ling Jingxuan’s face. His tongue instantly tied itself in knots.
“Y-you—you—! Shopkeeper! It’s the divine doctor! The divine doctor!”
His shout immediately drew every gaze in the shop toward them.
Today, both men were wearing new clothes, though the fabric was clearly the cheapest kind of cotton. Yet one of them was tall and strikingly handsome, his brows radiating an unruly and domineering aura, while the other was slender and refined, his demeanor calm and effortless.
Despite their almost shabby clothing, nothing could diminish their extraordinary presence. Their bearing alone set them apart from everyone else in the room.
Seeing this, Yan Shengrui turned his head and looked at Ling Jingxuan, raising an eyebrow slightly—as if to say, Divine Doctor, I’ll be counting on your care from now on.
Ling Jingxuan couldn’t help laughing helplessly. If he had the choice, who would care for such hollow titles? The greater the reputation, the heavier the responsibility that came with it. He had no desire to exhaust himself to death. Besides, he had never claimed to possess the noble heart of someone devoted to saving the world.
“The Divine Doctor?! It really is you! That’s wonderful—I’ve finally managed to see you again. Divine Doctor, you have no idea—after you left that day…”
After a brief moment of shock, the shopkeeper who had been seeing patients was the first to recover. He rushed over to Ling Jingxuan, both surprised and excited, and eagerly recounted everything that had happened after they left that day.
In the end, he emphasized repeatedly that Magistrate Hu had been looking for him and asked if Ling Jingxuan might find time to accompany him to the county seat.
For ordinary commoners like them, gaining the county magistrate’s attention was nothing short of a tremendous honor.
But—
“I don’t have time.”
Ling Jingxuan refused without the slightest hesitation.
The shopkeeper, who had been talking non-stop for quite a while, sucked in a sharp breath. His eyes widened as he stared at Ling Jingxuan as if he were some kind of strange creature.
How could this young man be so unconventional… so brazenly unruly?
He was not the only one shocked. The assistants and customers in the shop were equally stunned.
The only person who showed almost no reaction was Yan Shengrui, who stood quietly beside him.
From beginning to end, his gaze had never left Ling Jingxuan. His eyes—and his heart—were filled entirely with him.
To Yan Shengrui, whatever answer Ling Jingxuan gave would never seem strange.
Because his Jingxuan had always been that special, hadn’t he?
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Translator: LazyHermitGal
Author: LazyHermitGal
A Lazy Hermit Gal. A little support goes a long way! If you’d like to help me keep creating, you can do so at https://ko-fi.com/lazyhermitgal
