Locked {} content: Charles David William Edward Stephen Brooks William Brooks Eric Brooks Edward Brooks Brian Brooks Uncle Edward Uncle Smith The Smith Family Old Smith Uncle Smith Smith Uncle Brooks Cousin Brooks

Shut in the woodshed until midnight, the three brothers were both hungry and thirsty, when suddenly they heard a rustling sound at the door. Charles groped his way toward the sound and actually found a flatbread. A certain person flashed through his mind, and he whispered, “David?” He didn’t dare eat someone else’s food at random—what if it was poisoned? Wouldn’t that be a wrongful death? Better to live well than die in vain; he had to ask where it came from.

“……” There was a moment of silence outside, then finally a heavy nod: “Mm.”

“You don’t blame me for hurting your mother?” After speaking, Charles pricked up his ears; he needed to listen, to see if David’s breathing was steady… Usually, when someone lies, their breath is a bit uneven.

“……” David was silent for a while, then said softly, “I do, but you’re my brothers…”

“David, thank you.” Charles relaxed, scratched his head, and said, “Also, could you get us some water?”

※※※

The next day at noon, William and Edward, who were studying in the county town, rushed back. William was fifteen, and Edward was already thirteen; in this era, they were no longer considered children. The two of them pleaded bitterly with the two elders to spare Charles. Edward apologized to Madam Hou, kowtowing until his forehead was bruised.

But Stephen Brooks and Madam Hou had already made up their minds and could not be swayed by two juniors. What’s more, Madam Hou resented William for siding with outsiders and even wished she could lock up Edward as well. She scolded them both harshly and drove them out, even specifically instructing the maid to throw Edward out of the house.

Not daring to anger his mother, William Brooks had no choice but to escort Edward out.

William Brooks was named Eric Brooks, and Edward Brooks was named Brian Brooks; the two brothers stood silently facing each other at the door.

“Edward.” Being older, Eric Brooks was more resourceful: “With me at home, you don’t need to worry about Charles and the others. Right now, hurry to Meishan and find my Uncle Edward. Uncle Lu searched the whole county and couldn’t find him. I heard the registration for the provincial exam is about to start, and Uncle Edward is determined to succeed this time, so he’ll definitely be waiting in the prefectural city.” After thinking for a moment, he added, “Oh right, I remember Uncle Smith’s house is in Meishan. Go look for him there.”

With that, he took out a string of copper coins from his pocket and said, “Go to the dock and take a boat—go quickly and come back quickly.” Shiwancun was fifty li from the prefectural city, all mountain roads, a full day’s walk. Naturally, Eric Brooks couldn’t let him go on foot.

No need to stand on ceremony with his big brother, Brian Brooks put away the coins, bowed deeply, and said, “Big William, I leave Charles Jr. and the others in your care.”

“Don’t worry, they’re my brothers too.” Eric Brooks nodded in assurance.

Brian Brooks nodded firmly, turned and left. When he reached the dock, he happened to catch a boat transporting bamboo charcoal to Meizhou City. He jumped aboard, paid the boat owner eight wen, and took the boat to Meizhou.

※※※

Thanks to the blessing of Dujiangyan, this stretch of the Min River within Meizhou was calm, the water clear and deep blue, hence its other name: Glass River. Traveling fifty li upstream along the Glass River, one would reach the prefectural city of Meishan County.

Meishan was not a large city. Amidst beautiful mountains and clear waters, shaded by green trees, the town was a maze of small blue-tiled sloped roofs and various firewalls. Government offices, temples, tall city towers, and bell and drum towers dotted the landscape, simple and elegant, arranged with pleasing variety, never tiring to behold.

Lotus cultivation had become a major local industry. Lotus dealers from neighboring towns all came here to purchase flowers. Thus, lotus ponds of all sizes could be seen everywhere along the streets. In another two months, the city would be a sea of blooming lotuses.

But Brian Brooks had no mind to admire this “boundless green of lotus leaves reaching to the sky.” After asking for directions to The Smith Family, he hurried to Shagou Lane in the southwest corner of the county town.

In Shagou Lane stood a medium-sized residence. Entering through the main gate, one was greeted by a green-lacquered screen wall, shielding the interior from the view of passersby. Behind the screen was a medium-sized house with a courtyard. Nearby stood a tall pear tree, a pond, and a vegetable patch. In this small family garden, there were many kinds of flowers and fruit trees, and outside the wall was a bamboo grove of hundreds of green stalks.

At this moment, a girl of about ten was leading two younger brothers and a sister in a game by the pond. Hearing someone knock, she called out in a clear voice, “Who is it?”

“Excuse me, is this the home of Old Smith, Uncle Smith?” Brian Brooks called out.

Chapter Eight Smith

“It is indeed The Smith Family.” As the door opened, a gentle young lady appeared before Brian Brooks, dressed in a pink top and green skirt, a light pink silk sash at her waist, her hair styled in double buns. She stood gracefully and asked softly, “May I ask what brings this scholar to our humble home?”

“Greetings, young lady.” Edward Brooks glanced at her, then quickly lowered his head and said, “My surname is Chen, from Qingshen County. My father’s courtesy name is Gongbi. I have come to Meishan on family business and am here to seek your esteemed household. May I ask if he is in…” Normally, he wasn’t slow-witted, but for some reason, his words were all tangled today.

“You must be the son of Uncle Brooks.” Fortunately, the young lady was clever and understood his meaning. She covered her mouth with a smile and said, “Then you are Cousin Brooks. Please, come in. Uncle Brooks is in the back garden composing essays with my father.”

The girl’s voice was as gentle and warm as the spring breeze over West Lake, soothing Edward Brooks’s anxiety and fear, but making his heart race. He quickly composed himself, straightened his clothes, and followed the young lady into the courtyard.