Chapter 23: Cursing
The setting sun cast a halo of rosy light at the edge of the sky, and even the blue brick houses of Ping’an Town, huddled together, seemed to be veiled in a gentle softness. The grand phoenix trees shed their leaves in the autumn breeze, the falling foliage swirling like butterflies. Outside the town, a stream gurgled past, its clear sound as bright as the laughter of children bursting from the schoolhouse.
Children of six or seven tumbled out of the school, greeted by elders who had already prepared snacks and treats. Some were lovingly carried home on the backs of their family members.
The eight- or nine-year-old boys emerged with a hint of grace in their steps, though their youthful faces, forced into seriousness, looked rather amusing.
The young lads of twelve or thirteen appeared much more mature; the charm of adulthood had already begun to shape their features—some simple and honest, some shrewd, and some delicate and handsome.
Their black hair was tied with green ribbons, their foreheads full and unblemished, and their bright eyes shone like stars fallen to earth. Even when one of them frowned slightly upon seeing her, his brilliance was undiminished.
“Husband~” called Su Tang.
She had always thought her young husband handsome; but now, seeing him among his peers, she realized he was even more beautiful than she had imagined. Even the boys of fifteen or sixteen who followed him out of the schoolhouse paled in comparison, none possessing half his charm in her eyes.
Jingyuan walked up to Su Tang.
With a beaming smile, Su Tang presented a small box to him. Inside were fragrant pastries.
Jingyuan glanced at the box, then at Su Tang.
She kept smiling.
Jingyuan exhaled. “I am the husband.”
Su Tang’s eyes sparkled. “As long as you know.”
He pulled a corner of his mouth. “You want children?”
Su Tang’s eyes widened instantly.
What on earth had they studied in school today?
She asked, puzzled, “Is Father planning to remarry?”
Jingyuan couldn’t hold back a laugh, his gaze dropping to the pastries. “I am not a child.”
At last, Su Tang seemed to understand and smiled. “I saw other families bringing food, worried their loved ones might not eat well at school. Since it’s your first day, I was afraid you might not eat well either, so I brought you something sweet. If you don’t like pastries, next time I’ll bring dragon beard noodles. But I’m afraid they’d become too mushy on the way. Otherwise, I’d try to think of something else. My specialty is spicy hotpot, but I know you don’t care for that flavor, so…”
Jingyuan reached into the box and took a pastry.
Su Tang stopped talking.
He looked at her.
She smiled warmly. “My husband understands how hard his wife works.”
Jingyuan: “…”
The gentle little lady in her plain attire looked serene and elegant; the young man in his blue robe was graceful and handsome. The soft breeze and radiant sunset seemed to steep them in a gentle glow.
Suddenly, a sharp exclamation shattered the tranquil beauty.
“Senior already has a wife!” a boy of eight or nine cried out in surprise.
A few others crowded around.
“He’s older than us—it’s proper for him to have a wife.”
“They really are a perfect couple.”
Su Tang’s smile grew at the words “a perfect couple,” but as she listened further, her expression turned uncertain.
She glanced at Jingyuan out of the corner of her eye. He seemed oblivious, eating his pastry one bite at a time.
She turned the box toward the children. “These are pastries I brought for my husband. Since you are his classmates, let’s all—”
Before she could finish, a hand covered the box.
Jingyuan looked at her. “They’re mine.”
Su Tang: “…”
The surrounding children’s expressions shifted—shame, embarrassment, annoyance all flickering over their faces. The boldest among them straightened his back. “We are proper scholars and would never covet a treat. But since we’ve met our sister-in-law, perhaps she can enlighten us.”
“Sister-in-law?” Su Tang’s eyes gleamed. “Ask anything you wish.”
Jingyuan shot her a glance.
She went on, still looking at the little scholar. “...If I don’t know, your senior surely does.”
Jingyuan swallowed his pastry.
Not bad, he thought.
The boy took a deep breath. “We are simply puzzled, and surely our sister-in-law knows: ‘Observe one’s faults, and you’ll know their virtue.’ What does this mean?”
Su Tang was startled—were they already reading such deep texts at this age?
Fortunately, her past self had been a scholar.
After a moment’s thought, she replied, “By observing a person’s faults, you can discern whether they possess virtue. If one reflects on their mistakes, takes responsibility, and corrects them, that shows a benevolent heart. If one covers up, blames others, or refuses to change, then they lack virtue.
“Moreover, faults differ—some are unintentional, some deliberate. Unintentional faults, if corrected, show a desire for good. Deliberate evil, if persisted in, is the root of unkindness. That is why we say, ‘Listen to their words, observe their deeds.’
“What do you think?”
As she finished, even the older students who had pretended not to notice couldn’t help but look over. The young scholar who’d asked the question flushed red as a ripe persimmon.
“You…”
He choked, unable to respond, when Jingyuan said lightly, “Well scolded.”
At once, the boy burst into tears and ran off.
Su Tang was baffled. Whom did I scold? When did I scold anyone? I didn’t!
“Jingyuan.” A youth of fifteen or sixteen, similar in age to Jingyuan, approached. He looked at Jingyuan, then at Su Tang, then back again. “You could show a little mercy, you know~”
Jingyuan said nothing.
Su Tang frowned. “Are you suggesting my husband bullies others?”
The youth hesitated, then, unwilling to argue with a woman, turned and walked away.
Su Tang laughed in exasperation. How temperamental these children were at this age!
“He’s jealous,” Jingyuan remarked calmly.
Su Tang watched the youth’s retreating back and nodded. “…Yes, no one brings him pastries.”
She added, “He definitely doesn’t have a wife.”
Jingyuan stiffened, looking at the remaining pastries in his hand.
He almost wanted to throw them away.
…
The schoolhouse stood in the south of Ping’an Town, first to feel the spring and last to sense the cold.
Su Tang and Jingyuan made their way home.
Along the way, they passed students who eyed them with curiosity or whispered among themselves.
“So it’s him.”
“Him, huh~”
They seemed to draw quite a bit of attention.
Su Tang couldn’t help but ask in a low voice, “What’s going on?”
“Jealousy,” Jingyuan replied blandly.
“Why?” Su Tang asked.
He said nothing.
“Husband~” Su Tang’s voice turned coy, curling into his ear.
Jingyuan looked at her, still silent.
Su Tang grinned. “Tomorrow I’ll bring you more pastries.”
“Horseshoe cakes,” Jingyuan replied.
Well, now he’s ordering by name and still won’t tell me? Su Tang pouted and was about to try again when, from nearby, came a muffled laugh.