2002

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After meeting Fu Huai’an, Fu Yuzhang fully recalled the original story. If he remembered correctly, he was now in an alternate dynasty called Great Qi, and his biological father was supposed to be a close minister to the emperor… Wait, the original novel barely mentioned the male lead’s childhood. Did Fu Yuan manage to become a close minister to the emperor?

Fu Yuzhang shook his head helplessly: Dad is useless. Big brother is impressive.

Still, being transmigrated into the male lead’s family put Fu Yuzhang at ease. After all, Fu Huai’an wasn’t the kind of protagonist who advanced by sacrificing his whole clan with ritualistic upgrades. As a family member of Fu Huai’an, and based on the original novel’s depiction of Fu Huai’an as an upright, courteous, and sentimental gentleman, as long as Fu Yuzhang didn’t recklessly bring about his own doom like in the original story, his future would be worry-free. Even in the original, the doomed original self only caused Fu Huai’an trouble three times before Fu Huai’an finally had no choice but to expel him from the Marquis Mansion.

With this clarity, Fu Yuzhang completely relaxed and began his life of eating and sleeping, then sleeping and eating, steadily gaining weight. The little infant took great care of himself, and after five months, Fu Yuzhang had successfully grown plump and round, transforming from a slender newborn to a chubby little winter melon.

Fu Yuan and Fu Huai’an were always attentive to Fu Yuzhang, coming to check on him several times a day. Unfortunately, with twelve hours in a day and the baby needing eight hours of sleep, Fu Yuan and Fu Huai’an mostly saw Fu Yuzhang sound asleep, occasionally witnessing his three-star difficulty acrobatics—lifting his legs over his head and hugging them with both hands while fast asleep.

As Fu Yuzhang just opened his eyes, he saw a close-up of a refined, chubby face, startling him—what was going on?

Fu Huai’an poked Fu Yuzhang’s arm, then his leg, glancing right and left. Seeing the wet nurse and maids nervously watching, he leaned close to Fu Yuzhang’s ear and whispered, “Brother Zhang, aren’t you tired?”

Fu Yuzhang gave him a curious look and babbled, “Eee ah ah.”

Tired? He was sleeping very soundly. Now that Fu Yuzhang’s vocal cords had developed a bit, he could babble more clearly, no longer just broken sounds. This enriched his life greatly; he could entertain himself for quite a while by voicing his own baby talk, often lying on the bed babbling unintelligible infant language.

By now, Fu Yuzhang had mastered turning over and was even showing signs of evolving like a crawling creature. Feeling his arms and legs growing stronger, he grew more enthusiastic about exercising. Seeing Fu Huai’an’s curious gaze, Fu Yuzhang performed a dubbed turning-over routine for him.

“Eee ah ah.” One, two, three, four—turn left. “Eee ah ah.” One, two, three, four—turn back.

Fu Yuzhang got more and more energetic, his little arms and legs moving vigorously, making Fu Huai’an itch to poke him as he rolled over.

After enough rolling, feeling he had exercised enough for the day, Fu Yuzhang happily gave himself a mental thumbs-up and stretched out his arms to the wet nurse, “Eee ah ah.” Let’s go out and play. Lying in the room all day is boring. Children should express their nature and go outdoors! He was no longer the tiny newborn who couldn’t see clearly; with bright baby eyes and good eyesight, he ought to appreciate the beauty of nature more!

The wet nurse, having cared for Fu Yuzhang for over five months, naturally understood his meaning and carefully carried him out.

The scent of chrysanthemums greeted Fu Yuzhang, delighting him even more. Lady Xie loved flowers, and the courtyard’s flower beds bloomed year-round. It was the season when chrysanthemums fiercely competed in beauty. Looking around, Fu Yuzhang saw white, yellow, purple, and green blooms. One pot was carefully enclosed by a small fence. Upon closer inspection, that chrysanthemum was even rarer, with both deep red and pale red petals. A yellow-brown butterfly rested on a petal. Fu Yuzhang excitedly babbled a few times, only lamenting that his bones hadn’t grown enough for him to run around.

Fu Huai’an, showing the demeanor of an elder brother, patiently taught Fu Yuzhang to recognize things. “This is a chrysanthemum.” Fu Yuzhang responded agreeably with a few “ah ah” sounds.

Fu Huai’an continued, “Butterfly.”

Fu Yuzhang cooperated, “Ah ah.”

Fu Huai’an recited a poem, “Picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence.”

Fu Yuzhang echoed, “Eee ah ah ah.”

Fu Huai’an grinned, “Brother Zhang, you’re so clever!”

Fu Yuzhang was puzzled—what had he done to earn praise? But being praised made him very happy. Another wonderful day!

At dinner, the lively Fu Yuzhang glanced around. The matriarch wore a stern expression, his father looked cold and serious, and opposite sat Fu Huai’an, showing signs of developing a mild expressionless mask.

Fu Yuzhang thought: Does the Marquis Mansion have some serious atmosphere buff? Is it mandatory to be expressionless as the lord?

The matriarch had lost her husband years ago and had meticulously raised her sons; a stern and strong personality was understandable. His father dealt with the treacherous court, so maintaining a calm, unreadable demeanor was necessary. But why was Fu Huai’an, a lively little boy, also developing an expressionless mask?

Fu Yuzhang babbled resolutely, refusing to become expressionless.

All eyes turned to him. Lady Xie took Fu Yuzhang, asking, “Are you hungry?”

The wet nurse respectfully replied, “We dare not let the young master go hungry; he was just fed.”

Lady Xie patted Fu Yuzhang’s round belly, relieved.

Fu Yuzhang’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the dishes on the table, drooling at the sight of the golden hairy crabs.

Fu Yuan couldn’t help but tap Fu Yuzhang’s forehead, “Greedy little rascal.”

Lady Xie smiled and added, “These were specially bestowed by His Majesty to the Marquis. It shows our Brother Zhang knows what treasures truly are.”

Fu Huai’an was still young and couldn’t suppress his lively nature. Seeing Fu Yuan and Lady Xie open the conversation, he couldn’t hold back either, excitedly saying, “Brother Zhang is very smart. He can count!”

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Fu Yuzhang: ???

What’s that? He couldn’t even speak properly yet, how could he count?

Fu Yuan and the matriarch took Fu Huai’an’s words as a joke. Fu Huai’an, getting anxious, stood and ran to Fu Yuzhang’s side, pointing at the preserved fruits on the plate and teaching him, “Preserved fruits.”

Fu Yuzhang humored him, “Ah ah.”

Fu Huai’an then pointed to the hairy crabs, “Hairy crabs.”

“Ah ah ah,” Fu Yuzhang responded.

“Chestnut cake.”

“Ah ah ah.”

“Hoeing the fields at noon.”

“Eee ah ah ah.”

“Grandmother, blessings and good health.”

“Eee ah ah ah ah.”

Fu Yuan understood, and the matriarch and Lady Xie also realized the situation. Lady Xie was both surprised and delighted. If the matriarch hadn’t been present, she would have hugged Fu Yuzhang tightly and showered him with kisses.

Fu Yuan’s expression was complicated. He asked the matriarch hesitantly, “Was An ge’er like this at five months?”

The matriarch, who had been strong-willed most of her life, hesitated, “After so many years, I’m not entirely sure.”

The Changping Marquis Mansion’s family was small. Fu Yuan had only one child before Fu Huai’an, who was raised under the matriarch’s care. The matriarch had only raised Fu Yuan and Fu Huai’an, and Lady Xie was a first-time mother with zero experience. Though Lady Xie had helped raise Fu Huai’an for over a year when she first came in, most of the care was done by wet nurses and maids, so she didn’t truly know what a normal child’s development looked like.

But they were all certain that no ordinary five-month-old baby was as intelligent as Fu Yuzhang.

The matriarch, seasoned by many hardships, was the first to calm down, “Let’s observe first. If Brother Zhang truly has exceptional talent, we’ll raise him like An ge’er.”

A genius prodigy? The mansion already had one, and the matriarch, confident in her experience raising prodigies, was hardly worried.

Fu Yuan and Lady Xie thought it over and quickly suppressed their excitement. However, Fu Yuan, usually stern, felt somewhat elated at having two prodigy sons when others could barely secure one. He couldn’t help but drink a couple more cups of chrysanthemum wine.

Fu Yuzhang’s pupils dilated in shock. What? The little bean sprout was so perceptive—he’d caught even the slightest slip from the male lead. The original protagonist was truly terrifying!

The matriarch’s face brightened. Who wouldn’t want their offspring to succeed? Fu Huai’an had been precocious since infancy—reading at one, reciting poetry at two. This year, Fu Yuan had specially hired a tutor to educate him. The tutor praised Fu Huai’an’s photographic memory and exceptional talent, predicting he would become a great figure one day.

Fu Yuan was naturally pleased with his gifted eldest son. When the younger son was born, lively and adorable, it was clear within a hundred days that his temperament was more spirited and less restrained than typical Fu family members, who conducted themselves with measured emotions. Still, there was a subtle difference between eldest and youngest. Fu Yuan was more lenient with the younger son, thinking that with the eldest to uphold the family name and the younger under his protection, a more lively temperament was acceptable.

Yet the younger son also showed signs of genius?

Fu Yuan felt divinely favored.

Fu Yuzhang felt guilty; it was all a misunderstanding. His tutor in the previous life had also praised him as a genius, but Fu Yuzhang had never attended school seriously. He mostly lived in his family hospital, only holding a school registration. He truly didn’t know how his peers performed academically. Even when he topped the middle school exams, he only found the questions too easy and thought his tutor had simply raised the difficulty level, not that he was gifted. As for the college entrance exam… Fu Yuzhang’s gaze dimmed slightly; he hadn’t made it to that stage, so he didn’t know how he would rank.

One big advantage of having a genius in the family was that Fu Yuzhang didn’t need to worry about hiding any behaviors. Since even he didn’t understand what needed to be concealed, he just relaxed and lived according to his own wishes.

Soon, the Double Ninth Festival arrived. Fu Huai’an came looking for Fu Yuzhang early in the morning.

Since Fu Huai’an had carefully noticed Fu Yuzhang’s unusual traits, Lady Xie held a bit of genuine affection for Fu Huai’an and no longer guarded against him. Hearing that Fu Huai’an wanted to lead Fu Yuzhang to offer blessings to the matriarch, Lady Xie immediately ordered the wet nurse to bring Fu Yuzhang out. She then bypassed Fu Yuan, trailing a few steps behind, holding Fu Huai’an’s hand as they went to the matriarch’s hall.

Such a good opportunity to show face before the matriarch could not be monopolized by Fu Huai’an!

Fu Yuzhang, still groggy, woke up nestled in the wet nurse’s arms, accompanying Fu Huai’an in bowing to the matriarch.

The clever servants had already prepared cornelian cherries to hand to Fu Huai’an, who personally placed them in the matriarch’s hair, then bowed and offered his blessing. The matriarch beamed, pulling Fu Huai’an into her arms with joy, no longer stern as before.

Fu Yuzhang imitated the gesture, clasping his small hands in a bowing motion, babbling in baby talk no one understood.

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The matriarch was amused, signaling Lady Xie to sit down for breakfast.

Quick as a flash, Fu Yuzhang grabbed a handful of cornelian cherries. When the wet nurse tried to take them away, he resisted. Taking advantage of Fu Huai’an’s temporary absence, Fu Yuzhang shoved the cornelian cherries into Fu Huai’an’s small braid. Fu Huai’an was both surprised and pleased, “Thank you, Brother Zhang.”

In return, Fu Huai’an wanted to place cherries in Fu Yuzhang’s hair, but the little one was still messy-headed, and Fu Huai’an couldn’t find a suitable spot, so he sadly gave up.

Seeing this, the matriarch’s smile deepened. She turned to Lady Xie and said, “I am old and lack energy. Since you’ve recovered, the household’s inner affairs will be entrusted to you. An ge’er has always been raised in your courtyard, so he will stay with you. Let the two brothers grow close. It is said that brothers united can cut through metal. Now that the family has only these two, they must watch over and support each other.”

Lady Xie was overjoyed and accepted without hesitation or refusal, making the matriarch sigh softly.

The maidservants brought out Double Ninth Festival cakes, steamed rice cakes, and mutton soup pancakes, along with two plates of red water caltrops and ginkgo nuts, filling the table.

Fu Yuzhang’s eyes were immediately drawn to the uniquely shaped cakes. The Marquis Mansion’s kitchen was truly a hidden treasure. Look at these exquisite pastries! Four plates of Double Ninth Festival cakes, each different! The plate nearest Fu Yuzhang featured a lifelike little deer; next to it, a lion; another plate was covered with finely shredded meat, making one’s mouth water; the last plate was decorated with cane sugar shaped like tiny oranges and pomegranates. Each pastry bore a small colorful flag, with colors matching the theme.

Fu Yuzhang was utterly impressed—these weren’t mere cakes but works of art!

The matriarch thought Fu Yuzhang was greedy, so she handed him the plate with shredded meat cakes along with mutton soup pancakes. Before long, he ate it clean.

Fu Yuzhang kept staring at the cakes, drooling uncontrollably in a pitiful and adorable way. The matriarch’s appetite was stimulated, and she quickly brought another plate of sugar cane fruit cakes, eating those up as well.

Fu Yuzhang thought bitterly: Why haven’t my teeth grown yet? I want to eat these special delicacies too!

Fu Yuzhang’s eyes sparkled as if he were speaking. The matriarch seemed to understand his meaning and found the cakes even sweeter and the mutton pancakes more delicious after eating them. She smiled at Fu Yuzhang, “You’re still too young to eat these. When you grow up, you can have whatever you want.”

Fu Yuzhang calculated in his mind that he still had to wait five or six months, and immediately felt dispirited, thinking how long the days ahead were.

The matriarch was even more amused. After all, he was her own grandson. She grew fond of Fu Yuzhang and looked towards Lady Xie. “When An ge’er was a hundred days old, he was still mourning and couldn’t have a grand celebration. Brother Zhang’s hundred-day banquet shouldn’t be lively either. Next year, at his first birthday, we shall have a grand celebration. If you’re too busy, you can spend money to hire the Four Offices and Six Bureaus to organize it.”

Lady Xie smiled and agreed, “Thank you, Mother!”

Fu Yuzhang blinked and saw his mother’s joyful face. He giggled happily.

Thinking of the matriarch’s earlier words, Fu Yuzhang felt a surge of enthusiasm for Fu Huai’an, who was about to move into the main residence. What a great chance to latch onto a big brother—he must seize it!

How did ancient people deepen bonds? By eating and sleeping together, sleeping side by side!

Fu Yuzhang lamented that since his teeth hadn’t grown yet, he couldn’t eat together, but they could certainly sleep together.

That very noon, Lady Xie, who was reviewing the accounts, received a report from the wet nurse that the young master was stubbornly lying on the heir’s bed, refusing to leave.

Lady Xie: …

Fu Huai’an was very excited. Children often have odd thoughts about growing up quickly. As a first-time older brother, his sense of responsibility was overwhelming. Coupled with Fu Yuzhang’s closeness, Fu Huai’an was determined to be a good older brother.

Fu Yuzhang was being stubborn, but Fu Huai’an couldn’t maintain his usual expressionless demeanor. He took off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, and gently patted Fu Yuzhang, soothing him to sleep just like the wet nurse did.

Fu Yuzhang laughed aloud, and his sleepiness vanished. He began practicing turning over again.

Fu Huai’an moved aside quietly and copied Fu Yuzhang’s movements, turning left then right.

Fu Yuzhang suddenly felt the bed shake a little and looked back, eyes wide with surprise.

Shocked! My male lead brother was actually imitating me turning over!

Fu Yuzhang couldn’t help but laugh. Fu Huai’an felt a little embarrassed at first, but Fu Yuzhang’s smile was so infectious that Fu Huai’an soon laughed along.

The brothers laughed and turned over again and again, then giggled some more, delighting until they both fell asleep sprawled out on the bed.

When Lady Xie arrived, she saw this brotherly scene and her expression softened. Seeing Fu Huai’an, she thought he looked much cuter than usual. She reached out to touch their rosy cheeks and suppressed the urge to poke their baby fat, thinking to herself that if Brother Zhang liked An ge’er, she wouldn’t mind paying more attention to An ge’er from now on.

Fu Yuzhang knew nothing of this. If he did, he’d probably be overjoyed, dancing with glee. That was the right mindset—why do anything harmful? It was much better if everyone lived together in harmony and happiness!