Brother, Brother, But I'm a Profligate! - Chapter 10

Early in the morning, the main gates of the Fu residence opened. The gatekeeper emerged to sweep the fallen leaves from the courtyard, likely having spent the night secretly playing cards, as he soon leaned listlessly against his broom and drifted off to sleep.

The sound of firm, rhythmic footsteps approached from a distance. The gatekeeper forced his eyes open only to see the Eldest Young Master approaching with a group of guards. He jolted awake, and as his vision cleared, he saw that the Eldest Young Master was holding someone by the wrist. This was a rare sight indeed. The gatekeeper marveled inwardly, especially when he realized the person was Ming Si, who had recently been brought back to the Fu household and had reportedly struck Young Master Fu Zizhong.

The gatekeeper remained speechless.

Someone inside the manor spotted Fu Jing leading Ming Si and suddenly shouted, “Quick! Inform the Second Master and Second Madam! The Eldest Young Master has captured Ming Si!”

The joy among the Fu household servants was palpable. Seeing their misunderstanding, Ming Si instinctively tried to pull his wrist away, but Fu Jing gripped him even tighter. Ming Si looked down at the hand holding him. Beyond the discomfort, he felt a strange sense of novelty.

Ignoring Ming Si’s struggle, Fu Jing turned to Qiu Yuan and Li Xia. “Take some men and bring Fu Zizhong here, along with his personal attendant.”

Qiu Yuan and Li Xia cupped their fists in acknowledgment. It was only then that the servants noticed the twenty-odd guards following Fu Jing. The group marched aggressively toward Yunzheng Court, while Fu Jing led Ming Si toward the Fu family ancestral hall.

The Ancestral Hall

“The Buddha said: One should develop a mind which does not abide in anything.”

Do not indulge in pain; do not harbor a paranoid heart.

“It is uncertain when the true culprit will be found. In the meantime, perhaps you should think about what you want to do next.”

A crossroads appeared before Ming Si’s eyes, one path leading south and the other north, both stretching into the endless mountains. What should he do?

“If I were you, I would choose to stay. You should not resist the Fu family.”

Ming Si thought about the words Fu Jing had spoken in the ruined temple and frowned. Fu Jing released his hand and picked up the incense from the black lacquered wooden table, circling it over a candle flame. A few wisps of green smoke rose like taut strings. With a flick of his wrist, he planted the incense firmly into the burner.

Fu Jing stared at the rows of memorial tablets on the altar. When he turned back, he saw Ming Si staring at him blankly. Regaining his composure, Ming Si said, “That bracelet of mine.” He hesitated, then spoke before Fu Jing could. “Keep it for now. If I decide to leave, I will come back for it.”

Just then, the sounds of a child crying and shouting with all his might echoed from outside the high walls. Ming Si looked toward the source and saw Li Xia carrying a wailing Fu Zizhong into the courtyard. The boy’s face was flushed red, a mess of tears and snot. Qiu Yuan followed, carrying the attendant, Le Ling, by the collar.

Li Xia accidentally got some snot on his hand, frowned, and wiped it on Qiu Yuan’s sleeve. Le Ling knelt weakly on the ground, his face as pale as his master’s was red and swollen.

“Cousin, my face hurts.” Fu Zizhong was terrified of Fu Jing. He clutched his swollen cheek and tried to act spoiled, tears streaming down his face.

Fu Jing nodded. “Kneel.”

“Cousin!”

Fu Jing smiled. “Will you kneel on your own, or shall I have someone help you?”

The Confrontation

“The First Branch has become lawless! Since when does a junior like you get to make the decisions?”

Hearing Madam Qin’s voice, Fu Zizhong began to wail even louder. Madam Qin arrived supported by her maidservants. Her gold hairpins were crooked from her hurried pace. She looked heart-sick at Fu Zizhong standing before the tablets and rushed forward, only to be blocked by the guards.

Fu Jing said, “I have not even laid a hand on Fu Zizhong yet, but Aunt is already anxious. This is merely a small lesson. Second Uncle said I usually neglect the rumors in this manor; today, I shall manage them.”

“Fu Zizhong was beaten into this state by this lowly person! As his elder brother, can you not see that?”

Fu Antong followed closely, his face flushed with anger. Ming Si watched him enter aggressively, but the man stopped abruptly in front of Fu Jing, leaving Madam Qin to face him alone.

Fu Jing paused, his expression gentle. “Aunt knows I am the elder brother. This younger brother of mine, who has just arrived, has also suffered much grievance during this time.”

Ming Si was listening silently when a hand suddenly landed on his shoulder. He instinctively tried to pull away, but Fu Jing pressed down firmly, holding him in place. It was an intimate gesture. Fu Jing’s wide sleeve acted almost like a cloak draped over Ming Si’s shoulder as the two stood close together.

Ming Si realized late that from the hand-holding at the entrance to the hand on his shoulder now, Fu Jing was establishing authority for him.

“What kind of brother is he to you?” Madam Qin stared at Ming Si with resentment. Ming Si smiled, using Fu Jing’s influence to act bold and stared back without fear.

Fu Antong finally spoke in a deep voice. “Mingzhang, you have gone too far.”

Fu Jing turned his gaze to Fu Antong and made a gesture of invitation. The two men walked outside together. With the guards blocking Madam Qin, she turned her verbal attacks toward Ming Si. Before she could insult his mother, Ming Si raised his hand and waved it in front of Fu Zizhong’s face, turning Madam Qin’s face ashen with rage.

Ming Si glanced at the sky and yawned. He sat in the spot Fu Jing had occupied, crossed his legs, and gave Madam Qin a harmless smile. Fu Zizhong’s crying became more miserable as he looked at his mother. Servants from various courtyards stood outside the ancestral hall, creating a chaotic atmosphere.

The Apology

He did not know what Fu Jing and Fu Antong had discussed, but when they returned, Fu Antong no longer looked at Fu Zizhong. He took his people and a reluctant Madam Qin and departed. Once they were gone, the ancestral hall fell silent.

As Fu Jing walked in, Fu Zizhong trembled and knelt down of his own accord. Fu Jing noted that Ming Si had taken his seat and moved to another spot.

“Your temperament is poor. You are eight years old but have not yet begun your education. You are somewhat dull and lack discipline. If I try to reason with you, you likely will not understand. You shall kneel here for now. Tomorrow, someone will take you to the private school to learn the rules.”

Fu Jing said, “Ming Si, look at him.”

Ming Si replied impatiently, “Why should I look at him? Is he good-looking?” Despite his words, Ming Si looked at Fu Zizhong. The child was kneeling on the ground, sobbing.

Fu Jing walked to Fu Zizhong’s side and patted the boy’s shoulder. “Apologize to your Third Brother.”

Fu Zizhong choked on his tears, his voice rising in disbelief. “Third Brother?”

Fu Jing looked down at Fu Zizhong, who then spoke honestly. “I am sorry. It was my fault. I should not have targeted you. I should not have insulted your mother. I should not have insulted you.”

Ming Si listened to Fu Zizhong’s stammering, crossed his arms, and turned his head away with a snort.

Fu Jing then spoke to Le Ling. “As Fu Zizhong’s personal attendant, you lead him into mischief every day. If you had not encouraged him, Fu Zizhong would not have gone to Ming Si’s courtyard to cause trouble.”

Le Ling kowtowed repeatedly. “Eldest Young Master, have mercy! It was the Little Master’s command; I did not dare disobey!”

“I will not punish you further. After you finish kneeling in the ancestral hall with your master today, pack your things and leave the Fu household.”

Guidance and Warning

Ming Si looked down and picked at his hand. He pried at a scab on his finger until he had torn it away. Fu Jing noticed the movement and tapped the table to interrupt him.

“I am not often at home; do not let yourself be bullied. If something happens, send word to Yaozhi Chunxin. I have given instructions.”

Ming Si smiled. He thought to himself that this “Big Brother” was certainly taking his role seriously. He looked at the lingering swelling on Fu Zizhong’s face and sneered inwardly. Would he be bullied?

Ming Si asked playfully, “What did you say to your Second Uncle just now? Why did he just take his people and leave?”

Fu Jing said calmly, “I did not say much.”

Ming Si turned his head and crossed his arms. “I do not particularly want to know either.”

After Fu Zizhong finished his apology, Fu Jing led Ming Si away, leaving someone behind to watch the child. Ming Si watched as Qiu Yuan closed the doors from the inside.

Fu Jing said, “He will be kept here for a day. Tomorrow morning, after he has breakfast, he will be sent to the private school.”

Ming Si was startled, realizing he had accidentally spoken his thoughts aloud. He lightly patted his own mouth. He watched Fu Jing’s receding figure and ran after him. “I know you are doing this for Fu Zizhong’s own good. Thank you for being broad-minded and standing up for an outsider like me.”

Ming Si’s mind raced. Suddenly, he felt a cool touch on the corners of his mouth. Fu Jing improperly pressed down on his upturned lips to flatten his smile. Both of them froze. Ming Si’s smile stiffened, and Fu Jing withdrew his hand, both choosing to ignore the incident.

Fu Jing smiled gently. “Perhaps next time, you should call me Big Brother.”

Ming Si’s face twitched, and a sound burst uncontrollably from his throat: “Heh.”

A New Attendant

After Fu Jing returned to the Imperial Academy, Ming Si went back to tidy his courtyard. A page boy of about fifteen or sixteen stood at the entrance. “May I ask if this is Young Master Ming Si?”

The youth’s eyes lit up. He pushed the door open and rushed forward, thumping onto his knees. “This servant greets the Young Master! I have come from Yaozhi Chunxin, personally assigned by the Eldest Young Master to look after you!”

Ming Si helped the youth up. The muscles he felt were as hard as iron, a stark contrast to the boy’s innocent appearance. The youth, Bing Chun, immediately picked up the broom and began sweeping.

“What is your name?” Ming Si asked.

The youth puffed out his chest proudly. “This servant is named Bing Chun!”

Ming Si asked, “What was the name of that attendant guarding the gate at Yaozhi Chunxin before?”

“Oh, do you mean Master Dong Qing?” Bing Chun replied. “I heard he was inattentive while serving the Eldest Young Master. He has already been reassigned to another courtyard.”

As the two spoke, someone else approached. “Young Master, the Master has arrived at the manor and has summoned you for dinner.”

Support