Chapter 12: Brother Yun Has Risen!

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In the end, Master Yun truly got to eat the big pomegranate, though unfortunately, only half of it. Mistress Xin had a maid peel it open, revealing plump, ruby-red seeds that filled a small bowl. She selected some, wrapped them in clean gauze, and squeezed out a refreshing pomegranate juice.

Master Yun happily sipped the juice with a small spoon, spoonful by spoonful.

However, Mistress Xin thought he shouldn’t eat too much and refused to give him the other half. Instead, she cheerfully divided it between herself and the maid, which made Master Yun grumble and cry out in frustration.

The big pomegranate incident marked the passing of Master Yun’s first Mid-Autumn Festival in this era. Yet, he was still too young, spending his days sleeping, eating, and drinking, with little concept of time.

But this leisurely, unburdened life didn’t last long. About seven or eight days later, Li Fu, who had become free again, suddenly became very diligent.

This time, he was serious.

He clearly announced that after dinner, both Master Yun and Master Yi would be taken to the study to be immersed in knowledge, intending to start their early education.

Master Yi had no idea what this meant, and Master Yun sulked deeply, clearly displeased.

As head of the household, once Li Fu made a decision, no one dared to oppose him. Besides, immersing the two boys in the sea of knowledge early on was for their own good. As long as their health was guaranteed, Mistress Xin and Madam Bu were fully supportive.

On the first day of early education, Master Yi lay on the empty couch for less than fifteen minutes before bursting into loud cries.

But this time, Li Fu showed an abundance of fatherly patience. Moreover, his close friends, Meng Qi and Zheng Zuo Sheng, valued Master Yun greatly, believing he had a touch of early brilliance.

With their affirmation, Li Fu became even more determined to nurture Master Yun properly.

Though Master Yi fussed, Li Fu initially did not want to bring him along. But considering fairness and the importance of personalized teaching when the boys were older, and also to maintain peace in the inner chambers—he dreaded the trouble Madam Bu might cause if Master Yi was left out—he reluctantly included him.

Li Fu had never soothed a crying child before, and seeing him flustered made Master Yun giggle. Master Yun thought Li Fu would soon give up, but to his surprise, Li Fu persevered and managed to calm Master Yi after quite a while.

Then Li Fu began reading to them—actual reading.

At this age, he did not expect the boys to understand what he said; creating an atmosphere was enough.

Perhaps because he spent much time soothing Master Yi earlier, the reading session was short—less than half an hour—before Li Fu instructed the maid to carry the two boys back.

Taking it slow, Li Fu knew well that one cannot become fat in a single gulp.

Surprisingly, Master Yi cried for three or four days straight but proved to be a hardy, easy-to-care-for child. Realizing the nightly education sessions after dinner were unavoidable, Master Yi settled down, just as he had quickly adapted to solid food after realizing he couldn’t drink milk.

With Master Yi no longer crying, Li Fu’s reading sessions proceeded smoothly.

Master Yun sat quietly on the empty couch, with Master Yi beside him. Master Yi was quiet but occasionally chewed on his tiny hands, watching Li Fu read in a daze.

Alas.

Master Yun felt exhausted despite his youth, facing such a demanding father. The worst part was he couldn’t understand the words Li Fu read. He bobbed his head, took a sip of tea after a passage, then listened to another.

It was truly boring.

Such dull early education was beyond the capacity of his newborn brain to retain.

Master Yi no longer cried but had grown sleepy. Halfway through Li Fu’s reading, Master Yi dozed off, tilting his body and collapsing onto the empty couch to nap.

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His speed of falling asleep was even faster than when Madam Bu soothed him at night.

Both he and Master Yi were drowsy, but Li Fu seemed to have caught a second wind. He appeared to be reading a favorite piece, reaching a state akin to savoring fine wine—its flavor deepening over time. At this moment, he paid no attention to the boys, reading with expressive intonation and spittle flying, which scared away Master Yi’s sleepiness.

Master Yi, half-asleep, leaned against Master Yun, likely calculating when the maid would carry him back to Madam Bu.

Master Yun, utterly bored, patted Master Yi, planning to find something to occupy himself.

Since dreaming he was a college student’s child, Master Yun’s two greatest ambitions had been to speak and to walk.

Speaking was somewhat achieved; since his first words at Mid-Autumn, Master Yun’s speech had gradually improved. Though still not fluent, he could express his thoughts.

The final goal was to walk.

Master Yun could crawl skillfully and sometimes take a few steps on the floor with Mistress Xin’s support, but he had never stood up on his own.

If he could walk, Master Yun longed to run.

Master Yi understood Master Yun well. When Master Yun tapped him, he twisted awkwardly, then knelt and propped up his upper body. Master Yun knelt, gripping Master Yi’s shoulders, wobbling as he attempted to stand.

Li Fu was engrossed in reading and didn’t notice the two boys’ attempt to "escape."

Remarkably, today Master Yun actually managed to stand unsteadily. Seeing him stand, Master Yi, drained of support, toppled to one side and resumed chewing his fingers, giggling carefreely.

Master Yun felt his legs weak but was truly standing.

Tentatively, he took a step forward, his balance momentarily faltering.

Master Yi, the elder by age but a good younger brother in behavior, saw Master Yun’s instability and immediately crawled back with meaningless cries to be within reach for support.

Master Yi returned, and Master Yun steadied himself, managing two steps, beaming with joy.

He could stand!

He would turn and walk a few steps to show Mistress Xin—she’d be overjoyed.

Li Fu, reading with fervor, suddenly remembered the two quiet boys when about to turn the page. Turning, he saw Master Yun swaying and walking on the empty couch!

Master Yi lay beside him, crawling over to support Master Yun when unsteady, then playing by himself once Master Yun walked steadily.

Yes, they shared a good brotherly bond.

Li Fu worried whether Master Yi was too trusting but felt immense joy seeing Master Yun walk independently for the first time.

Having heard Master Yun speak last time, witnessing him walk was another parental delight watching their child grow.

After this, Li Fu stopped reading, picked up Master Yun, placed him on the floor, and said, “Master Yun, try walking a few steps.”

Master Yun knew he had to perform again.

Alas, even as the child of a college student, it was no easy feat.

Since Mid-Autumn, after Master Yun began speaking, Mistress Xin often delighted in teasing him to perform his “speech.” When he uttered longer sentences, she showered him with praise. When speaking with Li Fu and Madam Bu, she would casually mention Master Yun’s daytime “achievements.”

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Thus, Master Yun received much praise, though he felt a bit sorry for Master Yi.

He realized everyone in the Li household was competitive. Since he earned praise, Madam Bu surely encouraged Master Yi to strive for the same.

First it was speaking; now it was walking.

Seeing Li Fu’s expectant face, Master Yun did not disappoint. Though now without Master Yi’s support, the floor was steadier than the couch, and it felt much more comfortable underfoot.

Wobbling, Master Yun stood up!

This small step on the ground was extraordinarily significant.

His little face beamed with pride.

Finally, Master Yun took two steps, clattered along a short distance, then lost control of his balance and fell forward onto his knees.

But after Mid-Autumn, the temperature in Long County dropped daily. Dressed in long clothes, the fall didn’t hurt much.

The moment Master Yun fell, Li Fu immediately lifted him up and continued chuckling.

Master Yun could truly walk now.

As for Master Yi, he wailed loudly, crawling anxiously to the edge of the couch, trying to climb down. But for a nine- or ten-month-old, the couch height was like a cliff, and Master Yi couldn’t get down.

Li Fu approached, stroked Master Yi’s head, and said, “Master Yi, you have to work hard too. Master Yun can walk now.”

Master Yi didn’t understand but grabbed Li Fu’s sleeve and drooled on it.

With Master Yun standing now, Li Fu lost interest in reading and had the maid carry both boys back to their mothers.

Sure enough, early the next morning, Master Yun woke to Mistress Xin’s cheerful voice, “Our Master Yun can walk now—truly remarkable.”

Li Fu had told Mistress Xin the night before, but Master Yun was drowsy after returning from the study, so Mistress Xin didn’t chat with him then.

Master Yun obediently got dressed by Mistress Xin and, after breakfast, walked a few steps in her presence.

Unfortunately, he could only walk on flat ground for a short while. Master Yun found it still difficult to step onto a raised platform, even a doorstep was a challenge.

He resolved to practice more and added a new skill to his repertoire of performances. Unexpectedly, within days, Mistress Xin grew somewhat worried.

She told Master Yun that since he could walk, it was time to find a playmate. By playmate, she meant a servant who had grown up alongside the young master.

At his age, Master Yun couldn’t be left alone for even a moment.

When he was younger, Mistress Xin and the maids’ watchful eyes sufficed, but as Master Yun grew, he needed companions. Maids were unsuitable—too old to play properly—and there was concern that improper influence might harm Master Yun’s health prematurely.

However, all the maids and servants in the Li household had been hired after Li Fu took office in Long County, bound by contracts, with no native-born children among them—making it hard to find trustworthy companions. Seeking help outside risked mistakes that could harm Master Yun.

After much thought, Mistress Xin believed this matter should be brought to Li Fu to arrange.