Chapter 26: The Shen Household Welcomes a New Life, and the Riverbank Rejoices at the Descent of the Star of Literary Talent

“Hurry, let me see our little Kun!” Young Master Shen could hardly contain his excitement.

Just as he was about to pick up his son, the young madam quickly stopped him. “Don’t move! That’s not how you hold a child.”

“What, there’s a proper way to do this?” Young Master Shen was startled by her sudden maternal instinct.

“Mother just explained it. Like this.” As she spoke, the young madam demonstrated, “Support his head with your left hand, his waist with your right. A newborn is so fragile! Kun, let mother hold you so your father can see you.”

“Heavens, why is the child so ugly?” Young Master Shen exclaimed at the sight of his son’s jet-black hair and wrinkled skin, so unsightly that he could barely look.

“Are you truly foolish or just pretending? You looked exactly the same when you were born.” Madam Xu entered the room, laughing at her son’s words. “Our grandson will only grow more handsome with time, isn’t that right?”

The baby gurgled softly, his eyes wandering aimlessly.

Master Shen bent down, grasped his son’s tiny, tender hand, and said, “Kun, say ‘Father!’”

The three women in the room burst into laughter. Madam Xu playfully tapped her son’s head, “You silly child, did you start calling for your parents the moment you were born?”

Xiao Ling chimed in from the side, “Young Master is so overjoyed, he doesn’t know east from west.”

History is always wondrous and unrepeatable. In that ancient canal town, aside from the neighbors noticing the joyous news at the Shen household, the birth of the young master was but a drop in the ocean to the vast He Xia town.

Yet none could have imagined that, years later, little Shen Kun from the depths of Bamboo Alley would become the first top scholar in the history of Huai’an Prefecture, an honor that would bring pride to every resident of the ancient town.

Of course, they could not have foreseen that this top scholar, Shen Kun, would later lay down his brush for the sword, raising a mighty army of scholars to defeat the rampant pirates and earn a place in the annals of history—his spirit immortal, venerated by generations to come.

At this moment, the ancient town had fulfilled its role in birthing two future stars. Though this is a tale for later, it must be said that history always weaves inevitability from the threads of chance.

Little Cheng’en of the Wu family in Copper Alley and young master Shen of the Shen family, in this magical canal harbor of He Xia, unfurled their lives as freely as infants cradled in their mother’s arms…

Such is the serenity of passing years.

The ancient town of He Xia once again perfectly fulfilled its sacred duty, welcoming a star of literature to the mortal world. Yet the townsfolk were oblivious to the boundless future awaiting young Shen Kun, nor could they know that one day he would leap like a steed, rising above all in the imperial examinations.

Still less could they imagine the rollercoaster that would be the top scholar’s life, buffeted by the unseen hand of fate, just as it governs the tides of all living souls and shapes the fortunes of this very scholar from Shanyang County in Huai’an Prefecture.

Thus, the Shen household celebrated the birth of their precious son, the entire family brimming with joy. The young master and his wife cherished their baby as the saying goes, held so gently for fear he might fall, cherished so dearly for fear he might melt away.

From the moment his grandson entered the world, Master Shen was all smiles, praising the child’s loveliness to everyone he met. Madam Shen treasured her grandson as a pearl, tending with utmost care to her daughter-in-law’s postpartum recovery. Having experienced it herself, she knew childbirth was like a grave illness, draining a woman’s vitality.

Now was the best time to restore her strength. If the nourishment was good, a woman’s health would last a lifetime; if not, regrets and resentment toward her mother-in-law might last just as long.

There was milk to be brought in for the grandson—chicken, fish, meat, eggs, anything that would help. Madam Shen was generous with all things nourishing.

“Madam Shen, just caught two live grass carp. Look how lively they are! Your daughter-in-law needs this for her milk,” a fisherwoman called out, her eyes already fixed on Madam Shen.

Whenever Madam Shen visited the market, she was greeted by all the vendors; everyone in He Xia’s marketplace knew her for her kindness and was aware that her daughter-in-law was in confinement. Whenever something good came in, they would recommend it to her at once.

“Hmm, not bad, and a good size too. I’ll take one,” Madam Shen bent down to choose, knowing the darker ones were best.

“Madam, please, take both. I’m in a hurry to get home—my elderly mother is waiting for me to fetch her medicine.” The fisherwoman pleaded.

Moved by the woman’s filial piety, Madam Shen replied at once, “Such devotion! Very well, I’ll take them both.”

“Thank you, madam!”

Leaving the money, Madam Shen picked up the fish and continued her stroll through the morning market. Suddenly, the fish seller pushed through the bustling crowd and called out, “Madam, wait! You’ve given the wrong amount.”

Her words turned Madam Shen into the center of attention. Smiling, Madam Shen asked, “Gave too little?”

“No, you gave too much.” The fisherwoman put the extra money in her basket.

“Child, your filial heart is commendable. Take the extra and buy the medicine—your mother’s health is most important!”

Onlookers clicked their tongues in admiration at their exchange. “Madam is truly a great and kind soul!”

To find out what happens next, stay tuned for the following chapter.