Chapter 114: The Family Fortune Has Collapsed

Despite an initial moment of discomposure upon their first meeting, the middle-aged woman whom Du Shisanniang addressed as "Great Nurse" quickly regained her composure and began to apologize profusely. She was Qiu Niang, the wet nurse to the siblings Du Shiyi and Du Shisanniang, though not a servant of the Du family. When Du Shiyi had fallen critically ill, she had assisted in his care for a long time despite being pregnant herself, only returning home when her morning sickness became too severe to continue. Later, upon hearing that Du Shisanniang had traveled thousands of miles to escort her brother to Mount Song for medical treatment, she had sought them out at the Du residence, only to find that the siblings had long since departed.

At this moment, she wiped the corners of her eyes vigorously before saying with a smile, "There was news earlier that the young master and the young lady were in the Eastern Capital, but since I never saw you return, I was somewhat skeptical. I never expected that today I would finally see you back. It has been three years; I fear the young master and young lady might not even remember the way home. Since I am currently idle, let me lead the way."

Du Shisanniang had often snuck over to Qiu Niang’s home to play in the past, and having just passed by that familiar dwelling, she could not help but feel a surge of emotion. With Qiu Niang volunteering so readily, she beamed and took her by the arm, saying, "How could we forget! But if you are willing to lead the way, Great Nurse, that would be wonderful. Brother, don't you agree?"

Knowing that this final remark was not a true request for permission but rather the young girl’s way of acting spoiled, Du Shiyi naturally smiled and nodded. Although Qiu Niang demurred repeatedly, she could not resist Du Shisanniang’s insistence and was pulled into the carriage. Throughout the journey, Du Shiyi heard nothing but the chirping voice of his sister from the carriage behind, as if she were pouring out every detail of the last three years to Qiu Niang. Recalling that the modest, almost derelict house they had just passed appeared empty, and remembering that Qiu Niang had a husband and children, he felt a renewed sense of suspicion.

Despite the dilapidated state of Qiu Niang’s home, Northern Du was filled with various villas and estates. Even if they appeared to be simple country homes from the outside, passing by, one could see arrogant servants guarding the gates, hear the constant sound of zithers and flutes from within, and witness carriages and horses leaving with large entourages. This was even with no particularly prominent officials from the Jingzhao Du clan currently serving at court; most families relied on hereditary rank or lived off their ancestors' legacies. Otherwise, the spectacle of high-ranking carriages would have been even grander. Qiu Niang’s words from the carriage drifted into his ears.

"Over these years, the clan in Duqu has grown, and there are more and more people. I heard that at the last Zhupo literary gathering, besides our own, branches of the Du clan scattered throughout Fanchuan—from Ducun, Guazhou Village, Dujiawan, and Zhupo—all sent representatives. It was a gathering of brilliant minds. I heard that Young Master Du was accepted as a student by the great recluse Master Lu. Old Lord Du of Zhupo was overjoyed and praised Young Master Du in front of everyone, calling him a man of great fortune, claiming that after the darkest hour, the light has finally returned..."

With Qiu Niang leading the way, it was naturally much easier than relying on Du Shiyi’s faint memories or Du Shisanniang’s impressions. The ox cart traveled for a long time along paths formed over hundreds or even thousands of years, finally stopping in front of a residence. Compared to the other villas and estates, some exquisite and others grand, the outer wall of this residence looked relatively neat and solemn. However, the gate was tightly shut, and there was no one in front, casting an indescribable sense of desolation.

Qiu Niang nimbly exited the carriage and jumped down. After surveying the old home where she had been employed for so long, she sighed gloomily and said, "I heard that after the young master and young lady left, Old Lord Du of Zhupo had the outer wall repaired. Once it was finished, he ordered the gates locked, forbidding entry. It has been several years now, and it is likely uninhabitable inside. Because the young master and young lady were gone for so long with no news, some people had designs on this land, intending to buy it to build a villa, but they only desisted after word arrived from the Eastern Capital."

With his sister and himself away and his uncle, Du Fu, serving as an official elsewhere, Du Shiyi knew that while Qiu Niang’s words were unpleasant, they were merely human nature, so he did not take them to heart. Facing the heavy iron lock, he gestured for Liu Mo to come forward and pointed at the padlock, asking, "Do you have any way to remove this for me?"

Although none of them were master locksmiths, they had the advantage of numbers. After a group of them clattered and struggled for a good while, the heavy lock, which had been immovable and stubborn, finally fell to the ground with a thud. However, just as Liu Mo let out a long sigh of relief and pushed the two gates open with a forceful shove, a loud shout rang out behind them, accompanied by an unpleasant creaking sound.

"Who is so bold as to trespass on the Du family estate!"

Following this roar, seven or eight men on horseback appeared before them. The leader was a burly man with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, a long saber at his hip, his back straight as an arrow, and a thick, dark beard on his chin. Just as he gestured for his followers to surround Du Shiyi’s party, a young girl poked her head out of the ox cart and called out in surprise and delight.

"Thirteenth Brother!"

At the mention of "Thirteenth Brother," a figure immediately surfaced in Du Shiyi’s mind. However, while Du Shisan often came to their home to cadge meals and was a burly, brawny man, he was only five years his senior and had a fair complexion. How could he look like this person, whose face was dark and oily, sporting a beard that made it impossible to tell his age?

"Shisanniang? Oh, is it truly Shisanniang?" The bearded man’s eyes widened. He leapt from his horse, covered the distance to the carriage in a few strides, and stared at Du Shisanniang for a moment before turning to Du Shiyi. This time, he rushed over without hesitation and gave Du Shiyi a heavy pat on the shoulder, laughing boisterously, "Well, if it isn't Nineteenth Brother, returning without a word! Fortunately, Shisanniang called out 'Thirteenth Brother' so quickly, otherwise I would have had you all arrested before asking any questions! Honestly, to be prying open your own front door—didn't you know to come and look for me?"

Du Shihan, the Thirteenth Young Master of the Du clan, shared the same great-grandfather as Du Shiyi. However, unlike his scholarly name, he had loved martial arts since childhood and was a famous knight-errant in Chang'an. He rattled on, paying no mind to Du Shiyi’s reaction, and pushed the gate wider before stepping inside. He paused only once he had taken charge. When Du Shiyi and Du Shisanniang followed him in, he finally spoke: "Old Lord Du only had the wall repaired to keep out those with greedy intentions; the other buildings have not been touched. Exposed to the wind, sun, and rain, they are simply uninhabitable for the time being."

Looking at the ruined walls of the corridors on both sides and the solitary main hall in the center, which now leaned precariously, Du Shisanniang recalled the fire that had driven her to the brink of despair and instinctively gripped Du Shiyi’s arm tightly. Standing in this courtyard that had survived a catastrophe, Du Shiyi remained silent for a long time before saying, "Let’s go see the back."

"No, don't look, Brother!" Du Shisanniang hurriedly tried to stop him. Seeing that Du Shiyi was determined to proceed, she had to let go and step in front of him. "Brother, have you forgotten? The fire started in the sleeping quarters at the back. It’s even worse back there than it is here..."

"It’s fine. Are you afraid that just by looking, your brother will become that spineless person he once was?"

Du Shiyi smiled and patted Du Shisanniang’s shoulder before striding forward. After rounding the swaying main hall, a scorched ruin came into view. He could not distinguish where the sleeping quarters Du Shisanniang had mentioned once stood; he could only see that amid the charred rubble, countless weeds and wildflowers had stubbornly pushed up bright green shoots and sprouted colorful blossoms in this spring weather. At the same time, memories of that night in the fire flashed chaotically before his eyes. He had to press his right thumb and middle finger firmly against his temples to suppress the agitation.

"Brother? Brother?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Du Shiyi turned his head. Seeing Du Shisanniang’s worried face, he smiled bitterly and spread his hands, saying, "It seems that spending last night in Chang'an was the right choice. Otherwise, if we had arrived here late at night, we would have been forced to sleep out in the open."

After saying this, he noticed Du Shihan had followed them in, and he asked thoughtfully, "Thirteenth Brother, according to what you said earlier, no one has been in here?"

"Of course no one has," Du Shihan nodded with absolute certainty, patting his chest. "I have been personally leading patrols for these past few years. Moreover, when the outer wall was built, I had strings and bells installed so the neighbors would know if there was any movement. I just didn't expect to run into a 'bungling thief' prying the lock today! By the way, Nineteenth Brother, are you back for this year’s local examinations?"

Du Shiyi raised an eyebrow. "How did you know, Thirteenth Brother?"

"It really is that?" Du Shihan’s eyes widened in surprise, and he scratched his beard in distress. "I heard this year’s Jingzhao Prefecture examination is incredibly competitive. Not to mention others, just within our Jingzhao Du clan, there are seven or eight people planning to take it. The examination is being overseen by Guo Quan, the Assistant Magistrate of Wannian County. I heard several elders have already gone to Old Lord Du, hoping he would put in a word with Guo Quan, as the Assistant Magistrate once received favors from the Old Lord. If you were to join the fray as well..."

"Young Master Du!"

Before he could finish, a call came from outside, and immediately after, Liu Mo rushed in like a gust of wind. "A group of people has arrived outside! They say they were sent by Old Lord Du of Zhupo. Hearing that Young Master Du and Young Lady Shisan have returned, he requests that you visit Zhupo Mountain immediately!"