Chapter 6

As the three siblings approached the ancestral hall, they heard villagers pointing at the distant path, asking, “Are those Ming Tong and Ming Da’s sons?” In the distance, two carriages rolled toward them, coming to a stop before the hall.

Gao Ming Tong and Gao Ming Da each brought their two sons off the carriages, the eldest about sixteen or seventeen, the youngest six or seven. The brothers greeted the villagers warmly. Though the clan resented their success and the lack of support for their kin, they still crowded around them, asking after their well-being.

Gao Ming Da’s eldest son scanned the crowd as soon as he disembarked, spotting Gao Nuan and her siblings. He waved eagerly, “Sister Nuan, Brother Zhao!” and ran over with a smile. Upon reaching them, he noticed their threadbare cotton coats, patched in several places, made from the coarsest hemp—worse than what the servants wore at home. His eyes reddened immediately, and he choked out, “Mourning isn’t the same as ordinary days, but you needn’t be so harsh on yourselves. You’ve grown so thin, I hardly recognize you.” He tenderly stroked Gao Yang’s head.

Gao Xi and Gao Zhao were the same age, though Gao Xi was half a year younger. They had studied and played together since childhood and were the closest of friends.

Gao Nuan and Gao Zhao guessed their uncles would not speak of the true situation to him, so they remained silent.

Yu Shensi, however, spoke frankly, “Big sister and big brother had nothing to eat—they grew thin from hunger.”

Gao Xi was puzzled, “Didn’t the eldest uncle send rice, grain, and silver last month?”

Yu Shensi shook his head, “No, Yang fell ill from hunger.”

“But how did you…”

“Nuan, Zhao,” Gao Ming Tong finished greeting the villagers and hurried over, his face showing concern as he patted Gao Zhao’s back, “How did you become so thin? Didn’t I tell you not to grieve too much? Your mother would be distressed to see you like this from heaven.”

Gao Zhao looked up at his uncle; the concern was unchanged, even more tender than before, causing a moment of disorientation. Gao Nuan gently pulled him back; no matter how much the uncle appeared to care, it was just for show—he was no longer the uncle they once knew.

“I understand, uncle,” Gao Zhao replied softly, then dutifully greeted both brothers.

Gao Xi wanted to ask about what Yu Shensi had said, but as he opened his mouth, Gao Ming Tong interrupted, “Go look after your brother, don’t let him run about. Teach him proper manners—he mustn’t offend the ancestors when entering the hall.” He sent Gao Xi away with a pat.

Gao Ming Tong, seeing his little nephew staring at him, joyfully picked him up, doting, “Yang, you’ve grown taller. Do you still know who I am?”

Yu Shensi thought to himself: You caused the original child’s death, and if you turned into a tortoise, I’d still recognize you.

He deliberately shook his head.

Gao Ming Tong teased, “I’m your uncle—Yang, say ‘uncle.’”

Yu Shensi pursed his lips. The words burned his throat; he couldn’t utter them. He immediately put on a timid face and prepared to cry.

Gao Ming Tong’s heart tightened. He didn’t want to scare his little nephew and appear estranged in front of the whole village. He quickly set him down, handing him to Gao Nuan, and reminded the siblings to take care of themselves and their younger brother.

In front of the clan, they gave Gao Ming Tong enough respect, playing their parts as dutiful children and loving siblings.

Soon, the old clan leader and several elder uncles arrived, glancing at the brothers. One uncle greeted them warmly, while the others remained cold.

The auspicious hour had arrived. The clan leader and elders led the villagers into the ancestral hall, each according to their rank, to pay respects. Gao Zhao and the four brothers stood in a row; Gao Xi kept glancing at Gao Zhao, wanting to ask about the earlier conversation, but dared not misbehave before the ancestors, so he held his tongue.

The ritual was elaborate. Outside, Gao Nuan and her siblings, along with other women and children, listened to the officiant chanting prayers: “Descendants of the Gao clan, united in virtue and purpose… the rise and fall of the clan is the responsibility of each man.” Gao Nuan clenched her fists.

What virtue can a wife-killer claim? How could such a man bear the clan’s responsibilities?

Yu Shensi sensed Gao Nuan’s trembling arm wrapped around him, and looked up to see restraint and hatred in her eyes.

By the time the ceremony ended, it was nearly noon. As they left the hall, the clan leader invited Gao Ming Tong and his brother to his home, but they declined, saying they had matters at home and could not stay.

The clan leader and elder uncles immediately showed displeasure. Now that the brothers were officials, they disregarded the elders, acting as if they wanted to start a new genealogy and build their own ancestral hall.

The clan leader pressed, “If you won’t visit your old uncle’s house, at least go see your ancestors’ old home. Your success comes from the good fortune of the old house and the ancestors’ blessings—you mustn’t forget your roots!”

“Uncle, your guidance is right,” Gao Ming Tong replied with a smile.

The clan leader looked at Gao Zhao among the crowd, “Your three nephews are mourning at the old house. With their father absent, it’s your duty as elders to care for them. You mustn’t let them go hungry.”

Gao Ming Tong looked genuinely shocked, “How could this be?” He turned to Gao Zhao for answers.

Gao Zhao remained silent; the clan leader spoke first, “All the clan knows—they were so hungry in the twelfth month they went door to door begging. Is that a lie?”

“That’s impossible!” Gao Ming Tong glanced at his brother, baffled, “Every month we sent rice, oil, and silver. It may not be as plentiful as at home, but they shouldn’t want for anything, let alone beg.”

The clan leader snorted. Had he not seen it himself, he wouldn’t have believed the brothers would treat three motherless children so harshly.

“Do you mean to say the children had rice and chose not to eat it?” asked Gao Ming Qiu, who could not tolerate hypocrisy.

Gao Ming Da hurried forward, “Third brother misunderstands. Our second sister-in-law passed away, and the children are dutiful, mourning at the old home, which we sympathize with. Each month, we send provisions, and second brother gives special instructions—we wouldn’t dare neglect them. It must be the servants embezzling. We’ll investigate and punish them severely.”

He went to Gao Zhao, put an arm around his shoulders, and spoke kindly, “It was your third uncle’s oversight, making you suffer. But why didn’t you tell us, causing such a misunderstanding? Thankfully, the clan leader brought it up today, or we’d still be in the dark. If it continued, others might think we’re uncaring uncles.”

Thus, all blame was shifted onto the servants and Gao Zhao, leaving themselves spotless.

Gao Zhao knew that now, he and his siblings had no power to confront their uncles. Their hatred for their mother’s killer and their abandonment would have to be buried deep, pretending ignorance and maintaining the facade.

He bowed, “I didn’t want to trouble uncle and third uncle.”

“Don’t say such foolish things. You’ve made yourself suffer, and we feel more guilty.”

“I was wrong. I won’t do it again.”

“Good!” Gao Ming Da patted his shoulder, “Third uncle will check what you lack later and send everything over.”

“Indeed,” Gao Ming Tong agreed, “If you need anything, speak up. Your father worries for you, wrote home before the New Year to ask after you, and urged you to study.”

Gao Zhao nodded, “Thank you, uncle and third uncle.”

Their concern was written on their faces and spoken aloud. The others believed it a simple misunderstanding and said nothing more.

The clan leader nodded, satisfied that the elders were acting as they should.

The group left the hall for the village. The clan leader recounted the children’s hardships, how the villagers supported them through tough times.

Gao Ming Tong responded with a smile, changing the subject, “Ming Jin has received the ancestors’ blessings, passed the imperial exam, and now serves the Emperor. He can’t always return, but he thinks of the clan. Before the New Year, he wrote and said he wished to fund repairs to the ancestral hall. I wanted to ask the elders for their opinions.”

The clan members were immediately surprised, even Gao Ming Da was caught off guard, looking at his brother in confusion.

Repairing the hall was a major affair. The hall had not been renovated in years, and some parts were dilapidated. Now that the Gao family had produced a top scholar serving in the capital, it was a matter of pride, and the hall must not seem shabby. In Linshui County, the clan ought to stand out.

Initially, the clan leader and others had expected Ming Jin to do so, but he had not shown his face, nor had his brothers said anything, leading to dissatisfaction. Now, with the initiative to repair the hall, the clan was naturally delighted.

A grand ancestral hall would reflect well on all the clan, earning them greater respect.

The clan leader’s stern face broke into a smile, “It’s good he remembers. The hall should be majestic, so the ancestors know their descendants have made them proud.”

“Yes!” Gao Ming Tong continued, “We brothers aren’t often in the village, so we must rely on uncle’s efforts to arrange the repairs.”

“As clan leader, it’s my duty. When spring comes, we can begin.”

“Thank you, uncle, for your trouble.”

Arriving at the village, the clan leader and elder uncles warmly invited the brothers to their homes. Gao Ming Tong declined, but no one minded; all were polite and cheerful. They escorted the brothers to the old house in the west of the village, while the elders went to discuss the repairs, and others stayed outside with them.

Money may not move the spirits, but it certainly wins hearts—this lesson was clear. Repairing the hall silenced all critics; a few more favors and the clan would be bought.

The siblings felt a growing unease.

Inside the old house, they found broken windows and doors, a single crude wooden bed, a tattered blanket, a stone-built hearth with a clay pot atop it, and branches and straw stacked to one side.

The four brothers frowned deeply; this was hardly fit for human habitation.

Gao Ming Tong sighed, apologetic, “I didn’t know the servants had embezzled what we sent each month. I'll punish them severely.” His words were all propriety, painting himself as the same loving uncle.

Gao Nuan knew they could not afford to offend him. Whatever Gao Ming Tong said, they listened.

When he spoke movingly, she let her eyes fill with tears, “I thought uncle had abandoned us.”

“Uncle watched you grow up. I could never stop caring. Your mother’s sudden passing hurt your father deeply, so he had you return to the old house to accompany her spirit. You are dutiful children; think of your father too.”

Gao Nuan nodded.

Gao Ming Tong patted Gao Zhao’s shoulder, urging him to study hard these two years, “Uncle will send you books.”

“Thank you, uncle.”

Gao Ming Tong and his party did not linger in the old house. As they left, several uncles accompanied them out of the village, watching their carriages crest the Ox Mountain before heading to the clan leader’s house, all praising the brothers for remembering their roots.

To the siblings, it felt bitterly ironic—a man who killed his wife and children, who cared only for status and fortune, whom could he truly care for?

Not everyone believed the brothers’ words that day.

On their way home, Gao Ming Qiu said to his second brother, “They act as if they care for their nephews, but never once told the clan to look after them. If they really cared, they'd constantly urge us. Claiming the servants embezzled everything—who would dare take it all? They must want to die.”

He scoffed, “Who knows what they’re plotting!”

Gao Ming Xia knew his younger brother disliked Ming Jin’s brothers and advised, “Don’t jump to conclusions. Still, funding the hall’s repair is a good deed—they haven’t forgotten the ancestors.”

Gao Ming Qiu snorted, “Wait and see! Whether it’s true or false will soon be clear.”

*

In the carriage beyond Ox Mountain, Gao Ming Da asked about the repairs, saying his brother had never mentioned it.

Gao Ming Tong replied that it was his own idea—they couldn’t let the clan think Ming Jin was heartless. Repairing the hall cost little and would please everyone, improving their reputation.

Gao Ming Da agreed. Since it was only renovation, not rebuilding, it wouldn’t cost much and would benefit both sides.

Thinking of his nephews, he sighed, “Why must second brother be so harsh? Xiao Zhao is still young—just let him grow up at home, not by his side. After all, they're his own flesh and blood.”

Gao Ming Tong patted his brother’s leg, reminding him, “Xiao Zhao is the eldest son.”

The legitimate eldest son is always a threat, wherever he is.

Gao Ming Da frowned, feeling pity, “Yang is still young, doesn’t understand.”

“You know that when he was born, your second brother injured his hand, missed the spring exam, and has disliked him ever since.”

Gao Ming Da sighed again. Perhaps that’s why second brother favored the younger son. The younger was born just before second brother’s success in the provincial exam; he always saw him as a lucky star, and kept him close.

All of them are his flesh and blood!

He finally asked, “What will you do? Surely you won’t…”

Gao Ming Tong, fearing his brother might soften, patted him and told him not to interfere. He glanced back at the carriage behind, warning, “Keep a close eye on the children.”

“I understand.”