After three years of hard study, Stephen Brooks was thirty-two, and Old Smith was thirty-seven—both at an age where they could not afford to lose. So, as soon as spring began, Old Smith forcefully dragged Stephen Brooks along to attend literary and poetry gatherings in various places, improving their poetry skills through mutual exchange.

Stephen Brooks was initially uneasy about leaving his three children, but considering that once he passed the preliminary exam, he would be gone for over a year, the children would still have to be looked after by his elder brother. So, he spoke many kind words to his brother and sister-in-law and repeatedly instructed his sons to behave. Only then did he set out with Simon Smith on their journey of study and travel.

Now, after a brief two-month study tour, there were only three days left before they had to register at the government office. Stephen Brooks planned to return home immediately after registering, so for these few days, he stayed at the Su family, working with Simon Smith on a few exam essays... The Song dynasty’s preliminary exam was not like the later “one exam for life” system; it was only valid once. If you didn’t pass the jinshi exam, you had to take the preliminary again next time. Although it should not be a problem for the two of them, the literary atmosphere in Sichuan had been growing stronger in recent years, so neither dared to be careless.

As they were picking up their brushes to write, a ‘knock knock’ sounded at the door outside. Simon Smith frowned, put down his brush, and said in a deep voice, “Who is it?”

“Father, it’s me.”

“Baniang? Didn’t I say not to disturb us?” Hearing it was his sensible eldest daughter, Simon Smith softened his tone considerably: “What is it?”

“Uncle Brooks’s son is here. He says there’s an urgent matter for his father.”

“My son.” Stephen Brooks’s heart skipped a beat. He put down his brush and said, “Old Simon brother, I’ll go take a look.”

“Go ahead.” Simon Smith didn’t pry into others’ family matters.

Stephen Brooks stood up and quickly followed Aunt Helen to the front hall.

Brian Brooks was being questioned speechless by the Su brothers. Seeing his father arrive, he quickly stood up and said, “Father, something big has—”

Stephen Brooks raised his hand, signaling him not to speak here: “Come back to my room.” It wasn’t about hiding things from the host, but with the big exam approaching, if there really was a tricky issue, should the host help or not? If he helped, it might affect his own exam; if not, he’d feel uneasy. So it was better not to let the host know.

Back in the guest room with the door closed, Brian Brooks told his father what had happened at home: “The messenger said that Sanlang nearly killed Aunt, and now he’s been locked up.”

Stephen Brooks didn’t believe it: “Sanlang is so gentle—he’d even save injured kittens and puppies. How could he hurt anyone, let alone your aunt?”

“Well…” Since Brian Brooks had only heard rumors and wasn’t sure, when pressed, he was at a loss for words: “Anyway, the family is searching everywhere for you, saying if you don’t return soon, they’ll report it to the authorities.”

“Report to the authorities…” Stephen Brooks’s face darkened. He quickly packed his clothes into a bamboo book chest, slung it over his back, and said, “Let’s go home!” With that, he strode out toward the gate.

Aunt Helen was waiting in the courtyard. Seeing Stephen Brooks dressed for travel, she exclaimed, “Uncle, are you leaving?”

“Dear niece, your foolish uncle has urgent family matters and must leave at once.” Stephen Brooks cupped his hands to her: “There’s no time to bid farewell to your father—please convey my apologies.” With that, he strode out the door.

Aunt Helen only had time to open her mouth before he swept past like a gust of wind...

Brian Brooks apologized to her: “Sorry, my father is just like this…”

“If it’s urgent, you’d better catch up, cousin.” Aunt Helen smiled and bowed: “I wish you all the best.”

“Thank you, thank you.” Brian Brooks bowed deeply, then hurried after his father, nearly bumping into the screen wall.

Chapter 9 Stephen Brooks

The father and son hurried to the dock to inquire, only to find that the last boat of the day had just left. If they wanted to take a boat back to Qingshen, they’d have to wait until early the next morning.

Stephen Brooks took out all the strings of coins he had, hoping to hire a fast boat back to Qingshen. But whether it was because he didn’t offer enough money or because night sailing was truly dangerous, no boatman was willing to take the job.

“Father, what should we do?” Brian Brooks asked anxiously.

“…” Stephen Brooks looked at the distant green hills, made up his mind, and said, “Erlang, you spend the night on the boat and take the earliest one home tomorrow.”

“What about you?” At this time, there was no ‘您’—even between father and son, it was just ‘you’ and ‘I’.

Stephen Brooks’s gaze was as resolute as ice: “I’ll walk home!”

“Father, there are wolves in the mountains at night.” Brian Brooks said worriedly, “Let’s just wait until tomorrow.”

“It’s fine, I have this!” Stephen Brooks pulled a whistle stick from the bottom of his book chest and said, “I’ve killed wolves before.”

“Then I’ll go with you.”

“No, you’re too slow.” Stephen Brooks said, “I have to hurry home! I can’t look after you!” With that, he took off the book chest and handed it to his son: “I have to make it out of the city before the gates close. Find something to eat tonight yourself.” Then, like a gust of wind, he was gone.

※※※

At sunrise the next day, the travel-worn, thin figure of Stephen Brooks really did appear outside Shiwang Village. From the beginning of yesterday’s You hour until now—five whole hours—he had walked eighty li of mountain roads. His once tidy blue robe was torn in seven or eight places on the upper body, and the entire hem had become ragged tassels. The straw sandals—actually wooden clogs—on his feet, and the clean socks inside, were now gray.

But his spirit was still vigorous. After washing the dust and sweat from his face by the lake, he did not go home first, but headed toward his family’s charcoal-burning site.