Three Joys

Chapter 3

In the eighth year of Ningwu, in the month of April, which was a season of blooming flowers, my father, along with a few people, set out on a carriage for the capital to attend a funeral.

The group that traveled was not extensive, and my father had no intention of bringing me along. It was only after numerous persistent requests from my third aunt that he agreed.
Once he consented, she secretly rejoiced for a few days. The night before the journey, she came to my room and said, "Listen well, your father agreeing to take you along this time is his way of allowing fourth brother to have a chance to shine in our main family's presence in the capital. Remember, the relatives in the capital are not like those here. Be sure to be clever."

My third aunt meticulously advised me, covering every detail, but she never mentioned our late fifth sister. As she finished speaking, she wiped away a tear. I wanted to console her, but I saw a determined look in her eyes, and she whispered with a hint of resentment, "Remember what your aunt told you. If fourth brother can stay with the Shen family in the capital, even if it means serving as a slave, don't you dare come back to me...!"

I had always known that my third aunt harbored resentment in her heart. She had spent her life confined to the rear courtyard, living as if on thin ice. She had been holding this grudge in her heart for over a decade.

On the journey, I shared a carriage with several servants. My birthright was that of a concubine's child, rather than a legitimate heir, placing me far from the realm of nobility. My body also couldn't handle the journey very well. Perhaps it was my first long trip. I felt dizzy and nauseated, vomiting several times, unable to eat much. Fortunately, despite the capital's reputation for its distance, it proved to be not exceptionally far, and our horses made swift progress. In less than ten days, we reached our destination.

"Hey, wake up and take a look!" These servants, being first-time visitors to the capital, were captivated by everything they witnessed. Despite my physical unease, I summoned the will to rise and peered outside. The capital pulsed with vibrant activity, surpassing by leaps and bounds the modest town of Bianzhou. The streets teemed with throngs of people, and I couldn't help but notice the presence of foreigners sporting braided hair and towering headgear.

I reminisced about the teachings of Confucius, who had once proclaimed that our illustrious Great Zheng Empire was in its prime, spreading its influence to the Western lands of Xiadan and the Eastern territories of Woguo. All four corners of the world paid homage to our nation, acknowledging the supremacy of Great Zheng. The capital stood as the pivotal nucleus, the very heart of the entire Central Plains. It served as the gathering place for the most eminent and influential families. Throughout the years, my father had exhausted every avenue in his attempts to return to the capital, yet numerous obstacles thwarted his endeavors. Despite his relentless efforts, he could only observe from a distance and sigh in yearning.

The horse-drawn carriage gradually distanced itself from the bustling streets, and the landscape beyond shifted to reveal towering walls and vermilion gates. In less than half an hour, the carriage came to a stop, and I disembarked to be greeted by two imposing vermilion gates guarded by majestic stone lions. However, the white silk lanterns swaying in the breeze from the wooden beams overhead cast a serene and solemn atmosphere. A middle-aged man who exuded an air of authority opened the gate, and my father, along with my elder brother, approached him. I observed my father bowing with great respect, although I couldn't overhear their conversation. The man in charge appeared rather solemn, and he subsequently directed the household staff to lead us inside.

I heeded the advice of my third aunt and refrained from looking around too much or speaking unnecessarily. Nonetheless, the Shen family's mansion in the capital left me in sheer awe. While the Shen family in Kaiyang was acknowledged as a prosperous and aristocratic household, being within the Shen family's capital estate accentuated the profound distinction. The opulent estate boasted exquisite gardens, pavilions, and towering structures. Even the servants leading us through the premises were remarkably striking in their beauty.