1 001

Before dawn had broken, the streets and alleys of the capital were already resonating with the sound of iron plaques being struck. A herald, beating the iron plaque, announced the time in a deep voice: “To save all beings, to relieve suffering, all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. The fifth watch of the night has arrived; the sky is clear—”

The entire city instantly awakened. The guards opened the city gates, and orderly lines of townsfolk led donkeys and carried burdens, waiting patiently to enter. Laborers stood at alley entrances, stretching their necks in anticipation of work. On both sides, inns, teahouses, and small shops unfurled their signs and opened their doors. Street vendors began shouting, selling fried cakes, steamed buns, and soup buns—a lively scene full of bustle and cheer.

Yet within the Marquis of Changping’s mansion, a different kind of excitement stirred. The marquise had gone into labor late last night and had yet to successfully give birth to a son. Outside the delivery room, Marquis Fu Yuan waited through the night, his face stern and cold. The maids and midwives who came and went did so cautiously, fearful of making any mistakes.

At last, a baby’s cry emerged from the delivery chamber. Everyone’s hearts relaxed instantly, eyes filled with eager anticipation as they looked toward the door.

Soon after, the midwife appeared, cradling a tightly swaddled infant. “Congratulations, Marquis. The lady has given birth to a young master. Both mother and child are safe!”

Fu Yuan’s frown eased as he lowered his gaze to the crimson swaddling embroidered with a pattern of bats.

Fu Yuzhang was still dazed. He vaguely remembered being rushed into the ICU once again, then waking to a slap, a quick wash, and being carried out to meet his biological father this time around.

He was perplexed. Was reincarnation really this fast? And hadn’t he drunk the soul-sending potion? Before he could make sense of it, someone gently lifted the swaddling.

Ah—the dawn had come! Fu Yuzhang instinctively offered a toothless smile. The sunlight was brilliant; today was truly a fine day!

The midwife smiled immediately, “It’s clear the bond of blood is innate. The young master is so affectionate toward the Marquis!”

Fu Yuzhang tried to widen his eyes, hoping to clearly see what this lifetime’s foster father looked like. Unfortunately, his newborn vision was undeveloped; all he could see was a swath of purple robe. Thinking about how distant his ties had been last life, he gave another bright smile and deftly wriggled his hands free from the swaddling, reaching out toward the man.

The midwife had never seen such a baby, so surprised she couldn’t close her mouth. Carefully, she tucked Fu Yuzhang’s arm back into the swaddling while murmuring auspicious words: “Today I’ve truly learned, this is fatherly instinct. Such a clever young master!”

Fu Yuan’s usually cold expression softened considerably. After a moment’s hesitation, he stiffly took the swaddling and cradled his newborn son in his arms for the first time.

Fu Yuzhang happily waved his arms and legs in his foster father’s embrace. Reborn, he would no longer suffer the torment of illness—what joy!

Regrettably, Fu Yuzhang’s language skills were also undeveloped. To outsiders, he was just a delicate little infant in the Marquis’s arms, babbling incessantly, waving his limbs, and grinning nonstop. Who could resist such charm?

Not only did the surrounding maids and midwives beam with smiles, even Fu Yuan, a man known for his stern demeanor, found it hard to resist. A faint smile appeared on his face as he declined the midwife’s offer to take the baby and personally carried Fu Yuzhang back into the delivery room to see Lady Xie Yao.

Those nearby gasped, “Marquis, the delivery room is unclean; you must not enter!”

Fu Yuan was unfazed. “It matters not. There is no need for avoidance.”

Fu Yuzhang made a couple of approving sounds, waving his arms in agreement: What’s unclean about a delivery room? Isn’t everyone born from one?

Fu Yuan’s eyes brimmed with warmth as he affectionately tapped Fu Yuzhang’s nose. “You’re quite clever.”

---

Those who served close to the family all had cunning hearts. Seeing this scene, they silently resolved to care for the lady and young master with even greater attentiveness.

The bloodstained air in the delivery room had not yet dissipated. Lady Xie Yao was pale, her hair still damp, yet even in this disheveled state, her beauty was undiminished. Surprised to see Fu Yuan carrying Fu Yuzhang in, she quickly sat up. Fu Yuan stepped forward and pressed a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve worked hard.”

Lady Xie’s eyes fixed on Fu Yuzhang and did not dare blink.

Fu Yuzhang, already squirming in his foster father’s arms, made every effort to smile brightly at his mother and reached out for a hug.

Fu Yuan reluctantly handed the swaddling to Lady Xie. “The child is naturally closer to his mother.”

Lady Xie said, “The Marquis has held our Yuzhang so long, yet our Yuzhang hasn’t let me, his mother, hold him yet—that’s why he longs for me.” Inwardly, she thought: After all, he is flesh of my flesh; if he isn’t close to me, who else could he be close to?

Unaware of his parents’ thoughts, Fu Yuzhang glanced left and right, feeling pleased that his parents seemed to have a good relationship this lifetime.

It was a sad tale. In his previous life, Fu Yuzhang was an enviable rich heir, his father ranked high among wealthy elites, and the money in his accounts could last countless lifetimes. But he was born weak and sickly, spending more time in hospitals than at home, the ICU a frequent haunt. The critical condition notices filled two drawers. His parents, busy with work and fearful of losing a child, kept a distance and never cultivated affection. Most of the time, Fu Yuzhang just watched them love his younger brother and their family, while he remained an outsider.

That was fine. Fu Yuzhang had long since accepted it. Life was already hard; when he truly left this time, his parents wouldn’t grieve too deeply.

He felt a brief pang of sorrow before rallying his spirits. Yesterday was gone like yesterday’s death—that was the other life’s story. This time, with a healthy body, a prestigious family, and loving parents, what more could he ask for?

During the confinement period, Lady Xie was too tired to face the wind and chill, her fatigue evident. Seeing this, Fu Yuan did not linger but instructed the maids and midwives to care well for Lady Xie and Fu Yuzhang.

Fu Yuzhang soon drifted off to a peaceful sleep beside his mother. When he awoke again, Lady Xie’s personal maid, Jin Xiu, cheerfully reported, “The Marquis is very fond of the young master. He has specially ordered that, to celebrate his birth, all the servants in the mansion will receive three months’ salary. Steward Fu is now distributing celebration pastries and money at the gate!”

Lady Xie gently picked up Fu Yuzhang, her voice filled with tenderness, “My Yuzhang naturally deserves the very best. Jin Xiu, you must be diligent these days. If anyone slacks or neglects caring for Yuzhang, send them away immediately!”

Fu Yuzhang looked up and babbled in agreement, making Lady Xie laugh.

Jin Xiu sighed, “With the young master here, the lady finally has hope. He’s born under a lucky star—his birthday is April 4th, the anniversary of Manjushri Bodhisattva’s birth. The Grand Prime Minister’s Temple is holding a Buddha bathing ceremony today! Such a fortunate birth surely means a smooth and blessed life!”

Lady Xie softly stroked Fu Yuzhang’s face, her voice like water dripping with warmth, “Of course, with me protecting him, his life will certainly be smooth and fortunate!”

Jin Xiu glanced cautiously at Lady Xie and lowered her voice. “The dowager visited to see the young master earlier. Since you were resting, I didn’t want to disturb you, but I couldn’t refuse the dowager, so I let her hold him briefly. The dowager sent many congratulatory gifts through Nurse Wang. Thinking it’s your first birth and you shouldn’t be troubled, I took the liberty to catalog these items and put them all in storage.”

“I knew you were thoughtful,” Lady Xie praised Jin Xiu, then added, “Set up a small storeroom and keep all Yuzhang’s things there, properly catalogued. They’ll be his in the future.”

Fu Yuzhang thought to himself, “Oh! I really do have a knack for reincarnation. As the Marquis’s son, the gifts I’ve received at birth alone could see me comfortably through a lifetime. I never had to worry about money in either life—born into wealth and status, this life will surely be even smoother. Healthy and wealthy, I’m a sure winner.”

---

Just as Fu Yuzhang was feeling pleased, Jin Xiu continued, “The heir apparent heard the lady had given birth to a young master and asked to see him. The dowager said that since the young master and the heir are true brothers, they should bond well. She instructed Nurse Wang to wait outside and, if the young master wakes, to invite the heir to come see him.”

Lady Xie frowned deeply. Fu Yuzhang, now reset to factory settings, reacted more slowly and gradually pieced it together. Since this was his mother’s first birth, the ‘young heir’ Jin Xiu mentioned must not be his biological sibling. The heir’s mother must have considerable standing, so his mother was likely the second wife. The ‘young heir’ was probably the son of Fu Yuan’s previous wife. His mother’s relationship with the dowager was likely distant, and the heir was probably raised in the dowager’s quarters.

Lady Xie’s expression indeed softened. She said casually, “Since it’s the dowager’s order, do as she says. Go and tell Nurse Wang to bring the heir over. The Changping Marquisate belongs to the heir. It will be our blessing if Yuzhang can get close to him.”

The tone carried a hint of sarcasm. Jin Xiu kept a respectful face and agreed.

Once alone, Lady Xie held Fu Yuzhang and vented, “The dowager is so biased. Both are sons of the Marquis. Fu Huai’an was born heir apparent, and now Yuzhang must yield to him. It’s truly maddening!”

The words sounded like those of a spiteful villainess. Suddenly, a flash of insight struck Fu Yuzhang’s mind. The Changping Marquisate, Fu Huai’an, Fu Yuzhang—weren’t these characters from the novel “A First-Rank Official” he'd read in his previous life?

The male lead, Fu Huai’an, eldest legitimate son of the Marquis, was known since childhood as a prodigy. After passing the imperial exams, he rose swiftly, eventually attaining the highest official rank. Fu Yuzhang was his foolish, scheming half-brother, born of the second wife, coveting the Marquis’s title. The two, mother and son, repeatedly tried to eliminate Fu Huai’an. In the end, Lady Xie was dismissed, Fu Yuzhang was banished from the mansion, and he met a miserable death.

So, he had transmigrated into a book! Fu Yuzhang widened his eyes in surprise. Who wanted to be this cannon fodder? Not him! The way to go was to cling to the protagonist’s thigh!

---

Before long, Nurse Wang arrived, leading Fu Huai’an over. No matter how impressive Fu Huai’an would become, he was still a three-year-old toddler now. Coming from the dowager’s quarters, he had to be carried part of the way.

The brothers—one barely three heads tall, the other still swaddled—met for the first time, each filled with curiosity about the other.

Fu Huai’an tried to keep his chubby face serious and steady like his father, but his frequent glances at Fu Yuzhang betrayed his curiosity.

Jin Xiu smiled and squatted beside them. “Heir, look, the young master’s features resemble yours in some ways.”

Fu Huai’an instinctively touched his own face, then looked skeptically at Fu Yuzhang’s still slightly reddish cheeks, glancing doubtfully at Jin Xiu.

Fu Yuzhang also tried to open his eyes wide to clearly see what his foster brother and the male lead looked like this time around. The original novel used a barrage of flowery phrases praising Fu Huai’an’s beauty—“his brows and eyes like a painting, peerlessly handsome, a gentleman as pure as jade, as polished as carved and ground stone”—all heaped upon him.

But no matter how elegant the male lead would become, he was still a three-headed toddler now, dressed in a crimson robe matching Fu Yuzhang’s swaddling, catching the eye.

Fu Yuzhang saw a blur of red and, looking closer, noticed a long-life lock the size of a child’s fist hung around Fu Huai’an’s neck, with little bells that jingled softly as he moved.

Fu Huai’an found it adorable that his baby brother stared at him with big, dark eyes. Delighted, he extended a finger toward Fu Yuzhang’s hand.

Fu Yuzhang instinctively grasped Fu Huai’an’s finger, causing Fu Huai’an to cry out in surprise before laughing. “You’re so clever, Yuzhang. I’m your big brother. Come, call me ‘big brother’—”

Fu Yuzhang cooperated with a couple of babbling sounds, gripping Fu Huai’an’s finger more firmly. From now on, he would rely on his brother for studies—“Big brother, teach me!”