At the conclusion of the dragon boat race, King Yan, along with Wei Luo, Wei Xuan, and the three Guo brothers, young generals, disembarked and proceeded to a waterside pavilion on the riverbank to change their clothes. They swapped their river attire for brocade robes, partially concealed behind curtains to shield themselves from onlookers. King Yan wiped his face and then instructed Eunuch Hai, who was stationed outside, saying, “Bring Da Lang and his five brothers to Ziqi Donglai.”
On that day, King Yan was hosting a gathering at Ziqi Donglai Pavilion for civil and military officials.
Eunuch Hai promptly dispatched a young eunuch to fulfill the task.
Upon their return to the Ziqi Donglai Pavilion, the five brothers, Da Lang and his siblings, were already in attendance, those with fathers remaining close to them. Given Wei Luo’s absence, Xiao Heng had been entrusted to the fifth master Wei Jing, who was keeping him company in playing. Despite Xiao Heng not often having the opportunity to see his uncles, the child displayed no regard for their hierarchy and sat contentedly, fiddling with the jade pendant he held. Even when Wei Luo approached, he didn’t rush to leave.
The seats reserved for Wei Luo and his brothers were on the eastern side, and when Wei Luo passed by Wei Jing, he took Xiao Heng with him.
King Yan reseated himself on his throne, gesturing for his son and other officials to do the same.
Feeling thirsty, he took a sip of tea while the civil and military officials around the table showered him with praise for his courage during the dragon boat race. King Yan set his tea bowl aside and responded with a smile, “What brave? You young folks are too afraid to speak the truth. I would have been pulled into the river by my third and fourth sons.”
The fourth brother, Wei Xuan, snorted, “If I had known you were going to team up with the third brother to trick me, I would have let you fall into the river.”
King Yan chuckled, “Talking about it now is futile. The competition is like a battlefield. Nobody will give you the chance to regret.”
This was, in fact, a lesson, Wei Xuan contemplated.
King Yan then beckoned his five grandsons to approach him. Da Lang, Er Lang, and San Lang came over, but the youngest, Si Lang, hesitated and had to be nudged forward by Wei Yan.
Xiao Heng, being quite young, was a bit slow in his reaction. Eventually, he walked steadily over to his grandfather. However, the little one had become tired from shouting too much earlier, so when the older brothers stopped and lined up, Xiao Heng went straight to his grandfather, reaching out to be picked up. The young child’s thinking was uncomplicated, much like how Uncle Wu and his father would hug him.
King Yan lifted Xiao Heng onto his lap, rubbed the child’s head, and inquired with an affectionate smile, “Wu Lang, during the dragon boat race earlier, did you want grandfather or your father to win?”
Wei Yang and Wei Yan wore amused smiles, enjoying the spectacle.
In reality, Xiao Heng didn’t understand the concepts of winning and losing. He had simply called out for his father on the arch bridge because he had seen him. When his grandfather mentioned the dragon boat race, Xiao Heng leaned up to peer toward the river, but by then, all five dragon boats had vanished. The young boy looked around in confusion, his innocent little face filled with bewilderment.
King Yan released him and turned to ask Da Lang and his siblings. Da Lang, Er Lang, and San Lang simultaneously responded with “grandfather”. Surprisingly, Si Lang abruptly turned to Wei Yan and declared, “Daddy.”
Wei Yan was taken aback and nearly tumbled out of his chair, coughing repeatedly due to choking on his saliva. Who would have thought that Si Lang would answer incorrectly even when his brothers had already responded correctly? Such a question didn’t require any thinking at all!
King Yan chuckled and patted Si Lang’s head for the first time. Si Lang glanced at his grandfather and then at Wu Lang, who was seated in his grandfather’s arms, as if grasping something.
King Yan had the wet nurse escort the grandchildren back and proceeded to discuss matters with the officials.
At the conclusion of the meal, it coincided with the hottest part of the day, as the sun shone brightly overhead.
King Yan led the way, and Princess Xu, seeing him depart, also led the palace family members towards the Donghua Gate.
“Congratulations, my lord, on winning first place in the dragon boat race,” Princess Xu said with a smile.
King Yan waved his hand dismissively, saying, “It’s not worth mentioning.” The couple walked side by side at the front, followed by Concubine Li and other concubines, and finally the younger generation.
Upon their arrival, King Yan instructed the juniors to return and rest.
As the elders departed, Wei Yan heaved a sigh of relief, wiping the sweat from his brow, and remarked, “It’s a scorching day.”
Wei Yang glanced at Wei Luo and said with a smile, “I haven’t congratulated my third brother yet. You secured second place.”
Wei Luo turned to his fourth brother Wei Xuan, saying, “If the fourth brother hadn’t fallen into the trap set by our father, he would have gotten second place.”
Wei Xuan replied, “It’s all right. We can compete again next year.”
Ji Xianxian couldn’t help but feel that these masters were insincere and unpleasant. She simply wanted to return quickly, take a bath, and rest.
Fortunately, the eldest, Wei Yang, took the initiative to lead the way.
Once they had all gone their separate ways, Wei Luo approached Yin Hui.
Yin Hui volunteered an explanation, saying, “Xiao Heng fell asleep before the meal, so I asked the wet nurse to take him back first.”
Wei Luo nodded in understanding, thinking it was better to return early, considering the heat, and concerned about Xiao Heng possibly suffering from heatstroke if he stayed out for too long.