Yusui Chang'an

Listening to An Zhixian talking about the past, Master Yao's thoughts went back to an afternoon many years ago, a sunny day like today...

Prince Ling Chu Xiaoling, who had been stationed in Zhangzhou for three years and had only returned to Kyoto for a few days, brought his wife and children, picked up Grand Tutor Yao and his wife, and came here to enjoy the spring.

The weather has just started to warm up, and the cold river water cannot dampen their enthusiasm for fishing.

Chu Xiaoling tucked his shirt into his waist, rolled up his trousers and went down to the river with his guard. While catching fish, he kept shouting to his wife, children and mentor on the shore:

"Come down and play with us, Xian'er. Your father will take you fishing."

Chu Chengxian, who had just turned six, reached out his hand to touch the water with great joy. He felt the coldness and ran back to Princess Ling with a frown:

"It's so cold, I can't go down."

"A man shouldn't be afraid of the cold. Come down quickly."

As Chu Xiaoling spoke, he pretended to catch his son.

Chu Chengxian hid behind Princess Ling, shaking his head like a rattle:

"Don't go, don't go."

Mrs. Yao Taishi smiled lovingly:
"She looks like a golden sculpture of jade, and is really lovable. She also has a noble temperament, and is more delicate than Huining."

Princess Ling rubbed her son's head:
"Not only is she delicate, but she also loves to play. She can't stand the cold, the heat, or even the slightest bit of hardship. She even has to coax me into taking medicine with candied fruit."

Chu Chengxian pouted when he heard this:
"Mother, they say that people shouldn't expose their shortcomings. Why did you say so many bad things about me in front of Grandpa Taishi and Grandma? Grandpa and Grandma must dislike me."

Master Yao laughed when he heard this, waved to Chu Chengxian, called him over and held him on his lap, his love for him was beyond words:
"Grandpa and grandma like Xian'er no matter what she is like. Xian'er was born precious, so she doesn't need to suffer from hardship or cold. It's okay to be a little spoiled, and she will be fine when she grows up."

While chatting and laughing, Chu Xiaoling carried two fish, walked ashore with bare legs and slippers:
"How can you be so timid as a man? Practice horse stance for half an hour more every day."

Chu Chengxian sighed with a bitter face, and Master Yao defended him, saying, "Look at you, you look so unkempt and careless, how can you have the nerve to teach Xian'er?"

Chu Xiaoling covered his chest and pretended to be hurt:
"Teacher, you were not so tolerant when you taught me. You know that when I was a child, I was naughty and the teacher was very harsh to me."

The Grand Tutor's wife and Princess Ling looked at each other and smiled:

"This is called a relationship between generations apart. Master's wife, you are still young, so how can you be jealous of your own son?"

Princess Ling: "I act like a god of war when I'm outside, but when I meet you and the teacher, I act like a child."

Seeing his son laughing with everyone else, Chu Lingxiao pointed at his son and threatened:

"What are you laughing at? Wait until we get back to Zhangzhou and see how I train you."

Master Yao: "Don't be afraid, my dear. If your father bullies you, just send a message to your grandfather."

"Grandpa Taishi is still the best..."

Recalling the past, Master Yao's eyes were filled with tears. In the dim light, the face of An Zhixian in front of him overlapped with the six-year-old child in his memory.

Master Yao excitedly grasped An Zhixian's shoulders, and with tears streaming down his face, he looked at him and said:
"Xian'er... you are actually Xian'er... Good, it's good to be alive. Since you are alive, are your father, the king, and your mother the princess?"

Facing Master Yao's hopeful and tearful eyes, An Zhixian grabbed his arm, sobbing and shaking his head:

"My father is gone... I ran away from home because I wanted to have fun, and that's why I survived..."

The light in Master Yao's eyes dimmed a little, and he gathered his strength to help An Zhixian up, looking at him lovingly:
"So you are Xian'er. No wonder I felt close to you when I first met you. I also felt familiar with your style of playing chess." (End of this chapter)