Painted Skin 2: The Full Moon Banquet

Li Qizong arranged for several maids to attend by the bedside, then returned to his study to pen a letter. In it, he informed Chen Shuxia’s family of the joyous news: her parents now had a grandson, both mother and child were safe, and once the first month had passed, he would visit with the infant. He also urged his father- and mother-in-law to take care of their health. Sealing the letter, he called for a servant to deliver it to the post station.

Afterward, Li Qizong paid his respects at the ancestral shrine, announcing the birth of a descendant and beseeching his forebears’ blessings upon the child.

The capital was a city bustling in every direction, filled with throngs of people, lively beyond compare, and flourishing under the rule of the Son of Heaven.

At the Chen residence.

“Father, mother, there’s a letter from my sister,” called a burly, robust man with a deep voice—Chen Zishan.

Chen Zishan had been sent by Chen Linqing, having received word last month from his worthy son-in-law Li Qizong that Chen Shuxia was due to give birth soon. Thus, Chen Zishan and two servants were dispatched to the post station to await any news.

Chen Linqing, now in his forties, showed white at his temples. Beside him sat Huo Wanping, in her thirties, gentle and graceful, the portrait of a beautiful matron, speaking with Chen Linqing about their daughter.

Nearby was a five-year-old boy with flushed cheeks, Chen Yuanwen, the son of Chen Zishan. His mother had died in childbirth and, by the time he was a year old, she had passed away; Chen Zishan had not remarried since.

“Well, bring the letter here,” Chen Linqing said upon hearing Zishan.

“Heh.” Chen Zishan scratched his head sheepishly and handed over the letter.

Chen Linqing and Huo Wanping exchanged a wry glance.

Breaking the wax seal, Chen Linqing read the letter’s contents.

“What does it say, dear?” Huo Wanping asked after a while.

“Haha!” Chen Linqing laughed heartily. “Our worthy son-in-law brings good news—our daughter has borne a healthy grandson. Mother and child are well. He’ll bring the boy to visit after the full moon.”

“That means we must prepare new clothes, hats, a seat, and a cradle to send,” Huo Wanping said with delight.

“You’re quite right, my dear. I’ll see to it,” Chen Linqing nodded with a smile. “Zishan, send word to the shopkeepers near Shuiwen County to buy gifts for your sister’s child.”

“Father, I’d like to bring Yuanwen to attend my nephew’s full-moon celebration,” Chen Zishan said, finding life in the capital rather dull under his father’s watchful eye.

“Let him go, husband,” Huo Wanping advised. “Yuanwen is still small, the journey would be too much for him. Best let Zishan go alone.”

“Very well, but mind you, don’t go carousing with your disreputable friends. If you do, I’ll break your legs myself,” Chen Linqing warned, though he felt it proper to send a family member to represent them.

“Thank you, father and mother! I’ll pack at once and set out,” Chen Zishan replied joyfully, assuring them he would not misbehave.

Having packed his belongings, Chen Zishan departed with a servant and a coachman, while Chen Linqing and his wife saw them off, reminding them to take care along the road.

In Shuiwen County, at the Li residence—

“Master, word has just come from the young master—he doesn’t like the wet nurse you’ve chosen for him,” Yuying hurried to report at the ancestral shrine.

Everyone in the Li household found it curious. Most newborns cried constantly, but this one only wailed when the wet nurse tried to feed him.

Hearing this, Li Qizong instructed the wet nurse to return the infant to Chen Shuxia.

“My lady, you’ve worked hard,” he said as he saw that, indeed, with his mother, Li Xintian stopped crying and nursed contentedly.

“It’s all worth it,” Chen Shuxia replied weakly, a pale smile on her lips.

Li Qizong arranged nourishing supplements for her recovery.

A month soon passed. Today was Li Xintian’s full-moon celebration. During these days, he never cried or fussed, which the people of Shuiwen County found extraordinary.

No longer wrinkled as at birth, Li Xintian’s skin had grown smooth, his large, clear eyes and plump, adorable cheeks endeared him to all in the household. Many longed for a child of their own. Yet, whenever others tried to hold him, he would cry—only quiet in the arms of Li Qizong or Chen Shuxia.

In truth, Li Xintian felt that newborns were too fragile, with weak resistance, so he permitted others to look but not touch. This both amused and vexed the household, and Chen Shuxia, discerning this, asked Li Qizong to forbid anyone from holding the baby.

After a month of care, Chen Shuxia had recovered; her complexion was radiant once more.

Today, the Li residence was filled with guests and merriment. Chen Shuxia had wanted to bring Li Xintian out for the festivities, but ancient hygiene being what it was, the baby began to wail. Only when she took him back to their room did he calm, so she stayed inside to care for him.

“Sister!” called a hearty voice—Chen Zishan had arrived at her door.

“Brother, you’re here!” Chen Shuxia cried happily, placing Li Xintian on the bed and welcoming her brother inside.

Li Xintian thus met his uncle for the first time.

“Father and mother were too busy to come. I wanted to bring Yuanwen, but he’s too young for such a journey,” Chen Zishan explained. “Bring those gifts in.”

The two servants brought in clothes, hats, a seat, and a cradle.

“As for rice wine and eggs, I left them in the main hall for your husband to handle,” Chen Zishan added.

“Have some tea, brother, and later you may see your nephew. But be warned, he doesn’t like to be picked up,” Chen Shuxia cautioned as she poured him a cup.

“My nephew has his own character, I see,” Chen Zishan laughed, taking a sip. Chen Shuxia led him to the small room. Li Xintian lay on the bed, waving arms and legs.

“My, what an adorable nephew I have,” Chen Zishan exclaimed, stepping closer to admire the child.

Li Xintian watched him warily, thinking, “Don’t come too close.” Having overheard their conversation, he realized this boisterous man was his uncle. As Chen Zishan leaned in, hand reaching to pinch his cheek, Li Xintian promptly urinated on him.

Chen Zishan froze, wiping his face, while Li Xintian broke into a wide, satisfied baby smile.

Children in those times wore split-crotch pants, so the ambush was unavoidable—Chen Zishan had been caught off guard.

The sight made Chen Shuxia laugh heartily, all decorum forgotten.

“Tian’er, how could you pee on your uncle’s face?” she said, though her laughter betrayed her lack of censure.

“Well, you little rascal, is this how you welcome your uncle?” Chen Zishan could hardly take offense at a baby, and joined in the laughter.

Li Xintian flailed his limbs, giggling, and even sneezed.

The servants outside exchanged puzzled glances, unsure what had transpired.

“Sister, I’d better go clean up,” Chen Zishan said, excusing himself.

Chen Shuxia watched him leave, still unable to stop laughing.

That evening, when Li Qizong had seen to the guests and heard of the incident, he, too, was amused.

Chen Zishan stayed at the Li residence through Li Xintian’s hundred-day banquet and first birthday before returning to the capital. The Li household, aware of what had happened at the full-moon celebration, took it in good humor. Chen Zishan himself joked that the event had warded off all ills, and indeed, he didn’t fall ill thereafter.

On Li Xintian’s hundredth day, the family distributed rice porridge to the beggars outside, spreading joy throughout the community.

At his first birthday, during the traditional ceremony, Li Xintian grasped a writing brush—a detail known only to the family, for few were invited.

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