Chapter 2: After Wang Gong (Part 1)

  Han Lingdi built Ning three years spring third month Bingyin, March 30, 170 AD, a rare celestial phenomenon occurred, a total solar eclipse...

  "Zhaoxiang, what's going on? Why do these strange things always happen? It's supposed to be noon, but the sky is pitch black and the sun has disappeared!"

  The speaker is a handsome young man, wearing a white loose-sleeved straight-collared robe with a white silk long shirt with black stripes outside. His face is elegant, his eyes are spirited, and he has a short mustache under his chin. At this moment, he is sitting on the couch in the house, and beside him stands a family minister of the same age.

  "Yes, my lord! It's been like this since the beginning of the year. I really don't know what other big things will happen this year. In recent years, it's either a heavenly disaster or an earthly calamity, the country's fate is worrying!" The person next to him, called Zhao Xiang, also replied with a worried face.

  The young man let out a long sigh at the words, his eyes flashing. "In April two years ago, my father was promoted from Longle Marshal to Minister of Works, and in May there was such a heavenly calamity, and in June Luoyang had a flood disaster. My father was dismissed from office and returned home because of this, and he died early last year due to depression. Alas..."

  "The old master worried about the country and its people, which led to his prolonged illness. This is also an unavoidable thing. However, with three brothers inheriting his legacy, he should be at peace even in death. So, sir, please don't grieve too much, lest you harm your own health."

  Upon hearing this, the young man gently shook his head and sighed: "Zhaoxiang, you and I are master and minister, but we've grown up together since childhood, like brothers. Let's not speak in formalities. You also know that my three brothers and I lack great talent. We can manage as officials in peaceful times, but we're not suited for this chaotic world. My eldest brother Wang Hao and I understand this point clearly. When our father passed away, he instructed us not to take office, lest we invite disaster upon our clan. My third brother Wang Qian is more worldly-wise, but he's also not destined for greatness. The heavy responsibility of supporting the Han dynasty can only be placed on the next generation. Now, my eldest brother has a son named Wang Kai and a daughter named Wang Yue. My third brother Wang Qian also has a son named Wang Fei. But I, who am approaching middle age (thirty years old), have no children, and as a member of the family, this is truly shameful!"

  After listening to the young man's words quietly, Zhao Xiang smiled and refuted: "Although it is said that the master's words are exaggerated, but the master's talent is not enough to bring peace and stability to the country, but doing a good job as a governor of a prefecture and ensuring the prosperity of a region is more than enough. It's just that the master has always been low-key in his actions, why should he belittle himself? Moreover, isn't the second mistress already pregnant now? I estimate that she will give birth in these two days, if it's a son, raise him well and he will definitely inherit the legacy of the old master!"

  Upon hearing this, a hint of comfort finally appeared on the young man's worried face. "Yes! I hope it's a son, then I can be at ease."

  As he spoke, he turned his head to look at Zhaoxiang beside him and smiled slyly: "Zhaoxiang, your beloved wife is also about to give birth. Don't forget our agreement! If they are of the same sex, we will become brothers and sisters; if they are of different sexes, we will become husband and wife. At that time, you must not go back on your word!"

  Xiao Xiang, who was standing beside him, burst out laughing: "This is my children's good fortune, it's already a high match, how could I go back on my word?"

  "Zhaoxiang, why are you always like this? You and I are as close as brothers. Don't always talk in a lofty tone, it sounds extremely unpleasant to the ear."

  Facing the young man's accusations, Zhaoxiang smiled faintly and said, "Etiquette must not be abandoned!"

  Upon hearing this, the young man sighed and shook his head. He had no good solution for this stubborn friend with whom he had grown up together since childhood.

  Just then, a young maid suddenly pushed open the door of the study. Without reporting, she rushed in quickly and exclaimed: "Master, mistress is about to give birth."

  "What?" The young man was startled and jumped up from his couch. "Go call the midwife in the backyard?"

  "It's already been called, now everyone is preparing according to the midwife's instructions." The maid said, then turned around and said to Zhaoxiang beside her: "Manager, your wife is also going into labor."

  "Huh?" Zhao Xiang was taken aback at first, then exchanged a surprised glance with the young man, and burst out laughing.

  "Zhaoxiang, I never thought that you and my children would have such a good fortune, born on the same year, month, day and time!" After sighing in admiration, the young man smiled and said to the maid: "You can go down first!"

  "Hello!"

  As the maid left the room, the young man paced back and forth in the room with an increasingly anxious expression, his impatience having reached an unimaginable degree.

  "Master, you and I are also anxious here, why don't we go to the entrance of the mistress's place together? My wife is also in the inner courtyard. To be honest, my heart is also quite nervous."

  "Alright!" The young man agreed with Zhaoxiang without hesitation and hurriedly pulled him towards the inner courtyard.

  Due to the solar eclipse, the inner courtyard was lit only by lanterns and oil lamps. The only thing that could be seen was the shadow of the maidservants going in and out, busily moving about. One moment they were carrying hot water, the next they were carrying towels, while the two big men stood in the courtyard with nothing to do but stare blankly!

  The young man was experiencing this for the first time, so he was more anxious than Zhaoxiang. Although nothing had been done, his forehead was already sweating, and Zhaoxiang beside him could only comfort him continuously.

  As time went by, the painful cries in the house grew louder and louder, and the young man became more and more tense, with beads of sweat densely covering his forehead.

  In the midst of this torment, after an unknown length of time, two beams of light suddenly flashed in the depths of the pitch-black sky and shot into the inner courtyard of this family's home.

  Just as everyone in the yard was shocked and puzzled by these two beams of light, the crying of a baby suddenly reached everyone's ears.

  Immediately afterwards, a maid rushed out of the room on the right, laughing and shouting: "It's born, Madam General Manager has given birth to a baby girl."

  Before everyone could react, another maid rushed out of another room. "Master! Mistress has also given birth, and it's a boy!"

  Facing the good news that came one after another, the servants in the courtyard who were stunned by the two beams of light just now suddenly came back to their senses and smiled. They also associated the beam of light with each other and whispered to each other.

  The young man was even more excited when he heard it was a boy and couldn't help but throw his head back and laugh, saying: "Heaven really doesn't disappoint me, Wang Yan!"

  Xiao Xiang, who was standing beside him, also had a joyful expression on his face. He took a step forward and bowed his hands in congratulations: "Congratulations to the master for having a son! Moreover, at the time of the young master's birth, there were even heavenly omens, it is likely that he will be an extraordinary person in the future."