Old Madam Chen pulled Chen Xuan Ran close and said: “…Where have you and your brothers been? Only coming now!”
Chen Xuan Ran said: “I was catching up with Seventh Brother on the way. I didn’t get to come back when he placed third in the imperial examination, so I’m making up for the congratulations now.”
Chen Xuan Qing stood behind him with his hands behind his back, just smiling.
Chen Xuan Rang couldn’t sit still and urged Chen Xuan Ran: “Big Brother, you haven’t been back for a year. Let’s test our third-place scholar’s talent.”
Chen Xuan An was curious: “Second Brother, how do we test him?”
Chen Xuan Ran quickly had Chen Zhao bring over her small drum and said: “We’ll play ‘beat the drum and pass the flower.’ Whoever is holding the flower when the drumming stops must compose a poem, specifically in parallel prose. If they can’t compose one…” The brothers often led Chen Xuan Qing in mischief, with the usual punishment being to drink alcohol, but today at home… Chen Xuan Ran paused and said, “Then the punishment will be copying Buddhist scriptures!” This would also please their grandmother.
Old Madam Chen smiled, going along with the young people’s game. Chen Xuan Qing looked a bit helpless; whenever his brothers played like this, Chen Xuan Ran always targeted him.
Sure enough, the flower stopped in his hands just as the drumming ceased. Chen Xuan Ran said with a smile: “Our third-place scholar is newly married, so compose parallel prose about Seventh Brother’s wife!”
Yu Wan Xue felt somewhat embarrassed, and Gu Jin Chao also felt it was inappropriate, to think of suggesting a change of topic. However, Old Madam Chen didn’t mind: “It’s fine, Xuan Qing, just compose it!”
Yu Wan Xue’s cheeks flushed slightly, and several sisters-in-law smiled at her in encouragement.
But Chen Xuan Qing remained silent for a long time. Chen Xuan Ran knew Chen Xuan Qing’s talent; composing parallel prose should be effortless for him. He wondered if his brother had improved after another year of study.
Seeing his continued silence, Chen Xuan Feng also teased: “Third-place scholar, if you can’t compose, you’ll have to copy Buddhist scriptures!”
But Chen Xuan Qing remained composed, and after a while, with lowered eyes, he said: “I cannot compose it. I am willing to copy Buddhist scriptures as punishment.”
Chen Xuan Ran was stunned, and for a moment, the atmosphere in the west side room grew cold. Yu Wan Xue’s face turned pale as well. The story of Chen Xuan Qing composing poems in seven steps was well-known to all, and she naturally knew it too… With her as the subject, why couldn’t he compose?
It was Chen Xuan Ran who smoothed things over: “It seems Seventh Brother has truly regressed rather than progressed. Copying Buddhist scriptures isn’t enough punishment; you’ll have to drink with me later!”
Chen Xuan Qing looked up and agreed with a smile.
Chen San Ye came over, and seeing Chen Xuan Qing there, his expression involuntarily cooled.
Everyone except Old Madam Chen stood up to pay their respects to him, and he nodded. Walking over to Gu Jin Chao, he asked: “What are you all discussing? I could hear laughter from far away…”
Gu Jin Chao also felt awkward for Yu Wan Xue and simply said: “Beating the drum and passing the flower.”
Chen San Ye sat beside her and kept her company for a while, but there wasn’t much else to see. He stayed with her the entire day.
In the evening, they kept Old Madam Chen company for the New Year’s Eve vigil. Chen Xuan Feng led Chen Xuan Yu and others to set off firecrackers, creating a lively atmosphere. After midnight, everyone gradually left. Gu Jin Chao stayed to chat a bit longer with Old Madam Chen, growing drowsy. After Old Madam Chen went to rest, Gu Jin Chao leaned against Chen San Ye’s shoulder for a brief nap.
Except for the sound of firecrackers, everything around was quiet.
Gu Jin Chao suddenly spoke softly to him: “Third Master, do you suspect me of…”
She had drunk some rice wine and it had gone to her head.
Chen San Ye stroked her head without speaking. She must know something in her heart…
After a while, he finally picked her up, and they returned to Mu Xiang Hall.
In the pavilion, Chen Xuan Ran was still drinking with Chen Xuan Qing.