Chapter 04: Never Giving Up (3)
A lively cheer could be heard from outside the walls of the Su Residence.
Drum beats sounded out like rain and struck at the heart, shaking the souls of those who heard them.
âJianxin, whatâs going on outside?â Su Chen asked.
Jianxin ran out and asked around. After a short moment he returned, âThe Master has taken in a fourth concubine.â
After thinking for a moment, he added on, âIn less than one year, he had already taken in three concubines.â
Really?
Su Chen smiled bitterly deep in his heart.
Though this was a very happy day for his father, Su Chen truly had no reason to be happy at all.
After a moment of silence, Su Chen asked, âWhich clan did this young woman come from?â
âSpring Moon Buildingâs Yan Wushuang is a young woman that is said to be an outstanding beauty of many talents [1]. There are an unknown number of handsome and accomplished youths in Northface City that are fond of her. Surprisingly, she fancied the Great Master. I heard that this time, she was already pregnant before their marriage. It seems Fourth Young Master will soon have two little brothers or sisters.â
Su Chengâan had married three concubines within a single year. In addition, the second concubine had already given birth to a daughter not long ago, who Su Chengâan was deeply fond of. The Third Concubine is pregnant and will be giving birth in two months. As for this concubine, it was even better; she was already pregnant by the time they got married.
Ever since his son was blinded, the Su Clanâs Great Master had obviously been quite hard at work outside. Su Chengâan had been greatly pressured in this last year, and with additional encouragement from Su Keji, he may have held some intention to seize the opportunity to make up for his loss.
Although he could not see through Su Kejiâs plan Su Chen still felt a crisis hidden underneath this tranquil surface. After new sons were born, would Su Chengâan still be as supportive of him as before?
Su Chen didnât know.
he was incapable of knowing what would happen in the long run.
He did not have to wait long to find out.
Two months after Su Chengâan married his fourth wife, the third concubine gave birth.
It was a large healthy son.
Su Changâan named him Su Ming.
It could be considered something that Su Chen had been anticipating.
That day the Su Residence was filled with the noise of firecrackers. Cymbals and drums rang out. It was a lively scene to behold.
That night, Su Keji went to find his elder brother bearing great gifts.
He had a long chat with him.
ââââââââââ
Waking up one early morning, Su Chen washed his face and began his day. He sat down in the courtyard and listened to the world sing. He heard the whistling of wind, the rustling of leaves moving in concert. He heard the birds singing from the trees, gravel scraping across the floor, and ants carrying food. His excellent sense of hearing allowed him to not only perceive sounds that others couldnât, but also clearly distinguish between them.
âFather?â Su Chen tilted his head and turned to face behind him.
âIt is early morning.Your Third Uncle is not yet busy practicing his his Glorious Day Sword. How did you know it was me?â Su Chengâan walked out from behind Su Chen.
âIn the end, almost similar is still only similar.â Su Chen faintly smiled. âI can already make out the difference.â
Su Chengâan silently looked at his own son.
Su Chen truly was outstanding. Even after experiencing such a setback , he remained diligent and hadnât given up on cultivating. Su Chengâan should feel pleased to have such a son, but when he thought of the reason why he came here, his heart slightly sunk.
In that moment, he no longer felt pleased, but was agitated instead.
Would it have been better⊠if you werenât such an excellent child?
Su Chen started, âFather hasnât come to see me in some time. There should be a reason behind your visit today, no?â
Su Chengâan sat down on a stone bench in the courtyard, âYesterday, your Second Uncle went to find me.â
Su Chenâs heart sunk.
Su Keji had gone to see his elder brother. This was nothing strange. However, for Su Chenâs father to then personally visit him, it was most likely the same matter as last time.
The most important matter was the serious manner in which he announced his purpose. If his father had rejected Su Keji, then he most likely wouldnât have come to see him now. All things considered, things were not looking good.
Su Chenâs mind surged but he still appeared calm and collected.
He had been blind for two years now, and his heart had become far more steady than before. He had started to learn how to bury matters deep within his heart.
Su Chen said, âFor what did Second Uncle come to see Father?â
Su Chengâan replied, âHe still wanted to advise you to renounce the clanâs end of year evaluation.â
âFather didnât give him an answer?â
Su Chengâan paused for a moment,before continuing , âHe promised me that if I were to agree to change the system, he would give Su Linâs Three Pool Spring baptism to me.â
The Three Pool Spring was sole Origin Qi Springs in Northface City. It gathered Origin Energy and when one was baptised in it, it would increase the personâs perception of Origin Qi. However, it was only effective on children three years or younger.
The Three Pool Spring was controlled by the Northface City Lord, Yue Weixiong. Because he only allowed three uses of it each year to external parties, it would attract much contest between clans. Su Chengâan was the clan headâs eldest son, so he was able fight for a spot for Su Chen to be baptized in the Three Pool Spring. Aside from Su Chenâs great diligence and the clanâs resources, it was one of the reasons why Su Chen cultivated so quickly.
But because he had already obtained a baptism for Su Chen, Su Chengâan found it very difficult to fight for an opportunity for his second son. After all, The Su Clan was extensive and large and there were no small amount of disciples in the third generation. If the benefits only went to Su Chengâan, the others would certainly be unwilling.
Su Keji had a new son last year named Su Lin. Due to his seniority and influence, Su Keji was able to fight for a slot for the Three Pool Spring as it was his turn. In fact, there were those who suspected Su Keji had timed the birth of his child with the next opportunity the Su clan had to use the Three Pool Spring.
Although Su Lin had a good name, his natural constitution wasnât anything special and his future prospects were quite limited.. But this didnât stop Su Keji from fighting for the opportunity. However, he had used it for an exchange instead.
When Su Chen was blinded, Su Chengâanâs hopes for an heir were destroyed. Naturally, he desired a new, healthy son.
âAs a result, Father wishes to fight for this slot for Little Brother Ming?â
Su Chengâan replied, âIt isnât for Su Ming.â
Su Chen was stunned.
Su Chengâan said, âUpstream Wind Hallâs Doctor Yuan examined your fourth motherâs pregnancy a few days ago. Itâs a boy.â
Relationships would inevitably grow close or distant.
Su Chengâan was very fond of his new fourth concubine and was deeply involved with her, so much so that he fought for the Three Pool baptism slot for his unborn child.
This was Su Chengâanâs decision. Even if Su Chen didnât agree, it didnât matter.
Su Chen heard Su Chengâanâs words, but did not respond. .
Su Chen was still young and was three months away from his next birthday.
But despite his young age, his mind had already begun to mature. This was not the first time he encountered this problem. Last yearâs experience was deeply ingrained within him, and he had already prepared his heart.
In this world of darkness, he was determined to guard that bit of light that still remained. . At times, it wasnât an easy matter and even required a few slightly unusual methods.
Su Chen was silent.
After a long while, he said, âTruthfully Father, there is something that I have been hiding from you.â
âWhat is it?â
âMy eyesight is currently recovering.â
âWhat did you say?â Su Chengâan stood there for a moment, before grabbing his son.
If Su Chen was able to recover, that would be the best news.
Although Su Chengâan was fond of Su Ming and that unborn child, he clearly understood that Su Chen held the greatest talent of all the children in the Su Clan. Rather than spending great strength to cultivate an unknown, unborn child, it was far wiser to spend that effort to aid a child who was already incredible.
In this world where strength was king, this was well understood. Why else would Su Keji be willing to abandon the Three Pool Baptism he had obtained for Su Lin? It was because, regardless of Su Linâs poor natural constitution, his talent might not prove to be better than that of his eldest child, Su Qing, even with the baptism. After all, there were too many variables to a personâs growth. Just look at Su Chen.
Evading risk was something every person understood and the best way to control risk was to decorate an already blooming flower instead of planting charcoal in snow and hoping for a good harvest.
Thus, if Su Chen was truly able to recover his sight, Su Chengâan wouldnât have any reason to abandon him.
âIs what youâre saying true? Why didnât you say this earlier?â Su Chengâan asked again.
Su Chen answered, âI can only see a bit indistinctly. I thought I would wait until for it to improve further to give Father a pleasant surprise.â
âBeing able to recover is a great matter!â Su Chengâan said with great happiness.
Two years before, Su Chen couldnât see the slightest bit of light and his world was naught but endless black.
Perhaps Su Chen didnât speak incorrectly and he could truly recover.
Su Chen said, âHowever, to recover completely I will likely need one or two more years.â
âYou still need one or two more years?â Su Chengâan muttered to himself for a moment before nodding his head. âThat is of no matter.So long as you are able to recover in two years, it still wouldnât be too late.â
âThen that matter with Second UncleâŠâ
âI will go back and refuse him.â Su Chengâan firmly said.
After walking a few steps, Su Chengâan stopped.
He then waved his left hand at Su Chen.
Su Chen smiled and said, âAre you waving your hand? Father, I can only see a vague image. I am not certain.â
Su Chengâan exhaled, âYou should properly rest.â
He turned around and left.
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