Purple Streets of Chang'an - Chapter 60 — Observing the Mourning Period - 清風書屋

Wu Shan said, "At the Duanwu festival I went with my mother to the capital to visit my father, and it occurred to me that I hadn't seen you all in some while." Then he added, "Sixth Uncle is now observing government in the Ministry of Justice, and at the Dragon Boat Festival we even ate zongzi together."

Dou Heng had also passed and been selected as a Hanlin bachelor.

Dou Huaide asked at once, "And how is my father?"

"Quite well," Wu Shan said with a smile. "He looked a bit plumper than when he was at home, I thought." Then his eyes darted about, and with a sly look he said, "I have another piece of good news for you..." He dragged out the last word, teasing them.

Dou Huaide paid him no mind.

But Dou Yong smiled and said, "What good news? Don't tell me you're going to the capital?"

"How is that good news!" Wu Shan said dismissively. "At home I'm living as free and easy as you please; put me under my father's watchful eye and I won't lay down my brush until I've practiced five thousand characters a day."

Pang Jixiu clicked his tongue. "So many!"

Only then did Wu Shan smile and say, "Starting tomorrow, I'm coming to study at your Dou family school too!"

Dou Yong and the others were taken aback for a moment before it sank in.

"Why would you suddenly come study at our house?" Dou Huaide asked, astonished. "Is Aunt willing to let you leave home?"

Wu Shan's mother was a second wife. Wu Songnian's first wife had died young without children, and only after he passed the metropolitan examination did Wu Songnian take Wu Shan's mother, née Bi, as his wife. Bi was also of an official family, and in her youth had vowed to marry none but a provincial graduate. She was already twenty-three when she married, and three more years passed before she gave birth to Wu Shan; thus she doted on her two children beyond measure. To let Wu Shan study under his own provincial-graduate uncle, she would sooner remain in their hometown than follow Wu Songnian to his post in the capital.

"My father has a lameness in his legs," Wu Shan said. "He's getting on in years now, and even walking is somewhat difficult. Mother is very worried and wants to go to the capital to look after him, yet she can't set her mind at ease about me. As it happened, at the Dragon Boat Festival she met Sixth Uncle at Fifth Uncle's house, and Sixth Uncle said that if Father were willing, I might study alongside you all, with Sixth Aunt to look after me. Father and Mother both thought it a fine idea, and Fifth Uncle wrote a letter to the Dowager. Mother came this time just to bring me here to study."

Only then did they realize that Old Mrs. Wu had come as well.

"Splendid, splendid," Dou Yong said, chuckling.

But Dou Huaide threw an arm around Wu Shan's neck. "You rascal, you've fallen into my territory at last!"

Wu Shan laughed heartily, clasped his hands and bowed, making a show of begging for mercy. "Great hero, spare me!"

Everyone roared with laughter.

Dou Yan and his younger brother Dou Qitai came in one after the other.

"What's all this?" the two said, laughing.

Pang Jixiu hastened to explain that Wu Shan was coming to study at the Dou family school.

Dou Yan and Dou Qitai clamored for Wu Shan to stand treat.

Wu Shan waved a hand grandly. "Everyone here today gets a share."