If these three were truly the descendants of his great-uncle who had not died, then they would indeed be relatives within the fifth degree of kinship. Strictly speaking, the old man would be Xing Muzheng’s grand-uncle.
Xing Muzheng rose and gave a formal bow, asking, “Might the three of you have brought a genealogy record?”
Since they had come to acknowledge kinship, a genealogy was indispensable. Xing Yanan quickly drew from his bosom a family register wrapped in brocade. Steward Ding received it respectfully with both hands, then presented it to Xing Muzheng.
Xing Muzheng said, “Since guests have come from afar, let them first go to the guest quarters to rest. Whatever needs arise, tell the steward directly.”
Second Uncle Xing looked bewildered toward Xing Yanan, and Xing Muzhao too glanced nervously at his father. Fortunately, Xing Yanan understood — Xing Muzheng clearly wished to verify the genealogy first. He calmed his kin, cupped his hands in salute, and withdrew with them.
Xing Muzheng took Qian Jiaoniang by the hand, carrying the genealogy back to the main courtyard. She saw his mind was occupied, so she did not speak. When they entered the room, she waved the maids who were tidying up to withdraw. Turning back, she saw Xing Muzheng take a volume from a locked golden-nanmu cabinet — clearly the Xing family genealogy.
She thought for a moment, tiptoed to leave, but he pressed her shoulder and pulled her back.
“Where do you think you’re running off to?”
Qian Jiaoniang turned with a smile: “I saw the marquis had proper matters to attend, so I wouldn’t disturb.”
“This is our family’s affair — don’t think to keep clear of it.” Xing Muzheng would not let her go, but made her sit beside him. “You should first take a look at our family genealogy.”
Unable to slip away, Qian Jiaoniang opened the book before her and casually asked, “Where did the marquis get this genealogy from?”
“I had hidden it at my old home and brought it along when I went to fetch you.” A genealogy was the root of a clan, something highly valued by everyone from princes down to commoners. Before enlisting, Xing Muzheng had carefully wrapped it in oilcloth and hidden it in his room. He had told his mother of it, but when Madam Xing and Qian Jiaoniang fled in haste, they had forgotten to take it.
“Oh.” Qian Jiaoniang happened to flip open to Xing Muzheng’s generation. Her gaze fell on the three bold characters of his name, beside which was written “Wife: Qian.” She pressed her lips together, let her eyes move downward, but did not see Xing Pingchun’s name.
“Why isn’t Chou’er recorded?”
Xing Muzheng glanced at it. “I’m not skilled in such things, and so forgot. Tomorrow, when the genealogy is revised, we’ll add him… and write your name properly too.”
“Isn’t mine already here?”
“There are countless Qians in the world — who would know which one? It should be written as Qian Jiaoniang.”
Qian Jiaoniang’s heart gave a heavy thump. She raised her head, staring dazedly at him.
“What are you staring at me for?” Xing Muzheng asked, puzzled.
Realizing her slip, she coughed lightly and turned her eyes aside. “No, just wondering — should our imperial decree of divorce be recorded here?”
Xing Muzheng glared at her — this woman always had to poke where it hurt. In a rough voice he said, “Did I ask you to worry about such nonsense? I told you to look at our great-grandfather’s name, and the earlier family records.”
Qian Jiaoniang obediently lowered her head and turned back a few pages.
Meanwhile, Xing Muzheng carefully examined the genealogy that Xing Yanan had presented. This record was clearly compiled by his great-uncle Xing Hejiang, and the family chronicle explained why he had never returned home.
It turned out he hadn’t been accidentally separated in wartime — he had deliberately eloped with the girl he loved. Her family had scorned the Xings’ poverty and refused to marry her to him. Xing Hejiang, having sworn eternal vows with his beloved that he would wed none but her, took advantage of the chaos to flee together. They later settled in Jiazhou.
Besides setting down this reason, the genealogy also recorded old Xing family events, clearly written from memory, so that one day they might meet their clan again and claim kinship.
After reading the genealogy of Xing Yanan’s branch, Xing Muzheng passed it to Qian Jiaoniang, then took up his own family record and re-read it. Indeed, many events matched those written by Xing Hejiang.
Qian Jiaoniang too compared them, looking especially at the names of Xing Muzheng’s great-grandfather and great-great-grandfather. The names matched in both books, and the generations lined up. She looked at Xing Muzheng, and he looked back at her.
“…That young man Xing Muzhao does look somewhat like you.”
“And that old man does resemble my father.”
The two looked at each other. Then suddenly, Xing Muzheng reached out and mussed Qian Jiaoniang’s hair.
“What madness is this!” She batted his hand away in embarrassment.
Expressionless, Xing Muzheng said, “I’m annoyed.” In the past, whatever came up, he bore it alone, and by the time he spoke, the matter was already being carried out. But now, facing Qian Jiaoniang, he suddenly just stretched out his hand — almost like… acting spoiled? Thinking of this, a suspicious flush rose on his face.
“What are you annoyed about? If those three really are a side branch of the Xing family, isn’t it a good thing to gain more relatives?” Qian Jiaoniang said.
Xing Muzheng was silent for a moment, then said, “I’m not one to enjoy visiting kin. As they say, even an upright official can hardly judge family disputes. Family matters are always the hardest to disentangle. You and I have no kin, and I actually find that freer.”
These words were grumblings he would never speak to anyone else — but now he had someone he could say them to. His wife: the one who ought to be his closest person in this world.
Qian Jiaoniang was a little surprised. She hadn’t thought Xing Muzheng would say such things to her. But she understood what he meant. Although within five degrees of kinship, in truth the blood tie was already distant. Many within three degrees hardly kept in touch, and now this great-uncle’s descendants had come to acknowledge kinship mostly because Xing Muzheng’s fame was large, and they wished to attach themselves. From what she’d seen in their genealogy, their branch was far more prosperous than Xing Muzheng’s.
Seeing her silent, Xing Muzheng nudged her leg with his knee.
“What do you think?”
