In the Jiangnan winter, the nights were bitterly cold. Outside, the chilling wind howled, shaking trees and rattling windows, as a piercing cold swept through the world.
But inside the tent, it was as warm as spring.
A brazier glowed red in the darkness, a steamed bun baking at its edge. The side closest to the fire had turned golden, exuding a rich, toasty aroma. Suddenly, a small hand darted out, swiftly grabbing the baked bun before scampering back to the bed like a little monkey, diving under the covers.
Beneath were two thick mattresses, and atop were two heavy quilts, making the bed as warm as midsummer.
“Grandma, Mum, the bed’s so warm! Hehe, this baked bun smells amazing!”
Little Wang Qiong took a bite of the crispy, toasty bun, his small face radiating happiness.
In the prison, winter nights were so cold they curled up, unable to sleep, and summers were damp and stifling. They’d never slept in such a warm bed.
Lying in it felt so comfortable he could hum, not to mention eating such a crispy, delicious bun.
“My dear grandson, this is all thanks to the lord’s kindness. Keep his goodness in your heart,” Wang Zhi’s mother said from another bed.
“Mm-hmm, I’ve already wished the lord a long life in my heart several times,” Wang Qiong nodded vigorously.
“Mum, do you think the lord might be using us to trick Wang Zhi, not to pardon him but to capture him?” Wang Zhi’s wife said worriedly from her bed.
“I’m not worried about that at all. In this world, the capable eat while the incapable watch. If my rebellious son has the ability, he’ll either refuse the pardon and carve out his own kingdom or accept it and become an official. If he lacks the skill and gets tricked into becoming a prisoner, he’s only got himself to blame. At thirteen, he was swindled out of everything by a worthless brass figurine—lesson learned. If, after all these years, he hasn’t wised up, he deserves it. If he’s to be tricked, I’d rather it be by the lord than someone else. Others didn’t free us from prison, feed us, or give us such thick bedding. Look how happy my grandson is.”
Wang Zhi’s mother wasn’t concerned. If her son was capable, he wouldn’t be fooled into captivity; he’d either accept the pardon and become an official or refuse and find a place beyond the seas in barbarian lands. If he was incapable, he’d be tricked eventually—better by Zhu Ping’an than someone else.
“You say that, Mum, but you’re still protecting him. When you suggested the metal figurine as a token, was it to remind Wang Zhi to be cautious, to not be fooled like he was as a kid?” Wang Zhi’s wife tilted her head and whispered.
“Enough chatter. Sleep,” Wang Zhi’s mother scolded.
“Tomorrow, I’ll tell the lord not to let the messenger take the metal figurine to that Wang guy,” little Wang Qiong said, sitting up in bed, cheeks puffed out.
“What are you on about? Is Wang Zhi your dad, or is the lord?” Wang Zhi’s wife glared at him, scolding.
“I don’t care who’s my dad or not. I only care who’s good to Grandma, to Mum, and to me. Wang Zhi let Grandma and Mum rot in prison, eating poorly, sleeping poorly, and getting bullied. The lord got you out, gave you good food, a good place to sleep, and no one bullies us. So, I’m on the lord’s side,” Wang Qiong said firmly from the bed.
“You’re going to be the death of me!” Wang Zhi’s wife snapped.
“Let my grandson speak if he wants,” Wang Zhi’s mother said calmly. “He’s honest. Dear grandson, lie down and sleep. It’s warm in the bed, but too cold outside. Don’t catch a chill.”
“Mm-hmm,” Wang Qiong nodded happily, lying back down and munching his bun comfortably in the warm bed.
“What?” Wang Zhi’s wife tensed. “Mum, are you serious? You’re really letting Wang Qiong tell the lord?”
“Why are you so worked up?” Wang Zhi’s mother said, exasperated.
“Shouldn’t I be? You went to the trouble of hinting to Wang Zhi, but if Qiong tells the lord…” Wang Zhi’s wife said nervously.
“Heh, you’re so short-sighted. What am I to do with you?” Wang Zhi’s mother chuckled.
“What do you mean, Mum?” Wang Zhi’s wife was confused.
“Let me ask you—who’s smarter, you or the lord?” Wang Zhi’s mother asked slowly.
“Oh, Mum, what a question. Of course, the lord is smarter. I’m just an ignorant woman. The lord is a scholar, a top graduate, a brilliant man,” Wang Zhi’s wife said, self-aware.
“You know the lord is smarter than you,” Wang Zhi’s mother said leisurely.
“Of course, but what does that prove?” Wang Zhi’s wife asked, puzzled.
“If someone as simple as you can see that the metal figurine could remind Wang Zhi not to fall into the same trap as when he was thirteen, do you think a brilliant man like the lord wouldn’t see it?” Wang Zhi’s mother asked slowly.
“Oh!” Wang Zhi’s wife froze.
Yes, Mum’s right. If even I can see it, how could the lord, a top scholar, not see it?
Of course he would.
“Mum, if the lord knows this, why did he still send someone overnight to fetch the figurine from our ancestral hall? Isn’t he worried…” Wang Zhi’s wife hesitated.
“The lord already said—he freed us from prison, gave us a home, and ensured our needs to show Wang Zhi his sincerity and goodwill. By sending the figurine with the letter, he further proves his earnestness. It shows he truly wants to pardon Wang Zhi, not trick him into captivity,” Wang Zhi’s mother explained slowly.
“Oh, I see. The figurine is a token to gain his trust and also shows the lord’s sincerity and goodwill,” Wang Zhi’s wife realised.
“Alright, sleep. The lord said we’re setting out early tomorrow,” Wang Zhi’s mother said.
“Mm,” Wang Zhi’s wife replied, closing her eyes.
After a moment, she rolled over, sweating, and asked, “Mum, what if the lord is using this to gain his trust and then tricks him into becoming a prisoner?”
“As I said, the capable eat, and the incapable watch. It depends on whether that rebellious son has the ability,” Wang Zhi’s mother said calmly.
