Yin Su's mother worked in the kitchen of the Great House. She helped prepare meals for everyone who lived there. She was required to be available whenever a meal was prepared or served. She could cut vegetables into precise squares and knew exactly when to add each ingredient so that everything finished cooking at the same time. She also cleaned the ceramic and bronze vessels to keep them ready for use. From time to time, she also assisted with carrying the food to the eating room.

Yin Su’s mother was quite pretty. Even as a young child, Yin Su noticed that the Lord of the house would walk through the kitchen on his way to the garden. He would always stop and inquire about her health and the health of Yin Su. Sometimes he spoke directly to Yin Su. He would smile and laugh if she said something clever. Other children in the kitchen never received his attention. 

Often, her mother would be ordered to bring food to his private quarters, and on occasion, she would spend entire afternoons with him. Yin Su was not invited to come along on these jaunts but spent this time in the kitchen or the garden. 

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What Yin Su loved most was staying in the learning room when the Tutor instructed Elder Brother and Younger Brother. If she remained quiet she would often be asked a question by the kindly Tutor. Over time Yin Su showed an intelligent grasp and insight into the topics discussed and, eventually, a place was added to the writing table so Yin Su could join the lesson each day. 

The Great Lord’s two sons sat in the learning room at a black lacquer table opposite the teacher. A brush for writing and the ink stone lay next to each place at the table. A small water bowl between the sons allowed them to wet their brushes, rub them gently over the ink stone, and copy the characters on bamboo. 

One day, the tutor started the lesson by reviewing the teachings of the great philosopher, Kong Fuzi. Yin Su entered quietly and placed the tray of tea and cakes on a table to the side. The tutor acknowledged her presence, “Ah, Yin Su, you have brought refreshments.” 

She raised her brows, silently asking if she should serve immediately. 

“We have just begun the lesson. Please take a seat at the learning table.”

She sat in the proffered chair. 

The Tutor was speaking of relationships one must honor. 

He spoke directly to Elder Brother. “You must remember that you have responsibilities to Younger Brother. You must be an example for him. Honor him. Live correctly. Be gentle with him, as he looks to you for guidance.” He looked at the Younger Brother. “You also have responsibilities to your Elder Brother. You must respect him for his place in the family. Listen to his teachings, for as an older brother he has had more experience in life.” 

The brothers looked at each other and smiled. 

Yin Su saw the affection between them. They smiled easily as young boys do who have played together their entire lives. 

The tutor continued, “You each must learn and obey the rituals of society. To do so will result in a happy, prosperous life. Do you remember the five basic relationships taught by the great Kong Fuzi?”

“Yes, teacher,” the elder son replied, “Besides elder brother to younger brother as you have said, there is also the relationship to our father as his sons. And between friends, older friend to younger friend.” He looked at Yin Su as he spoke. “There is the relationship between husband and wife.”

“That is correct. And there is one more that allows us to live in a civilized society. Do you remember?”

The sons stared at their teacher, unspeaking, eyes unfocused. They looked to be deep in thought. 

Yin Su filled the silence, “It is the relationship between ruler and subject. Each must respect the other.”

“You remember easily, Yin Su.” 

The elder son came to life. “I will be a great ruler one day. I will follow my father and conquer all the other War Lords. I will unite the lands.” He brandished an imaginary sword high in the air. “I will be the greatest warrior of all. All will fear me. All will respect me.”

Younger Brother and Yin Su giggled and the tutor laughed clapping his hands. Younger Brother stood and bowed to Elder Brother. “I will fight with you, Elder Brother. We shall bring glory to our family.” 

“Ah, good, good. Yes. You will be great warriors,” the Tutor said.

Yin Su stood. “I shall also fight and bring glory.” She took a fighter’s stance as she imitated the brothers in play. 

Younger Brother laughed and turned to meet her challenge. 

Elder Brother looked confused. He said, “Oh, Yin Su, you will not fight. You are a girl.” 

“I am strong. I can fight.”

“Only in play, Yin Su,” the Tutor said.

“What? Why not in battle?”

“Ah, Yin Su. You must remember the teachings of the great Kong Fuzi. We each have our place. We each have responsibilities to others. The relationships are defined. Explicitly. If we follow those rules and rites all will be well and everyone will be happy.”

“I am friends with both Elder Brother and Younger Brother. I will fight as their friend.”

The boys giggled.

“No, Yin Su. That is not to be,” the Tutor continued. “You are female; you will be a wife. Right now, as a child, your loyalty is to your father.”

“My loyalty is with the Great Lord of this house, who is also the father of Elder Brother and Younger Brother,” Yin Su interrupted.

“Oh, yes, I see. Well then, your loyalty and obedience to the Great Lord will continue until you are given in marriage. Then your loyalty and obedience will be to your husband. When you have sons, your loyalty and obedience will be to them. They will care for you when you are old.”

“But…”

“It is the way of things, Yin Su.”

Yin Su had always felt she belonged in this Great House. Her mother worked in the kitchen and only attended the lavish parties as a servant. Yet, Yin Su had played with Elder Brother and Younger Brother since her earliest memories. It was natural. Elder Brother had seen ten springs. Younger Brother had seen eight. She fit right in the middle. She had been born nine springs ago. 

“So if everyone follows Kong Fuzi and fits into the five relationships, then everyone will be happy?” Yin Su asked.

“Yes, that is so,” confirmed the tutor. Elder Brother nodded vigorously. Younger Brother looked at the nodding tutor and Elder Brother and also began to nod.

Yin Su regarded the nodding trio. “Then,” she sat up and straightened her back, “why are there still wars?”

The nodding stopped. The boys looked to their teacher. The Tutor considered for a moment before he replied. “Unfortunately, other factors exist, such as honesty, righteousness, and ritual propriety. Not everyone follows as they should. But that is a lesson for another day. Let me see how well you have learned the character for ritual.” 

“But… but… if everyone is happy, there is no reason to fight.”

“Yin Su, not everyone follows as they should.” He picked up Yin Su’s writing brush and thrust it toward her. “Ritual. The character. Do you remember it?”

“Yes, of course.” She took the brush and dipped it in water. 

Elder Brother and Younger Brother both stared intently at their respective bamboo and began to write. They both slowed their efforts and, with lowered eyes, glanced in Yin Su’s direction to see the strokes she made. She speeded up her efforts and placed her bamboo where it could be easily seen. 

The Tutor turned his attention back to the lesson and examined the writing of all three children. All resembled the efforts of children, but Yin Su’s representations were accurate and beautiful. Her character accurately represented “ritual.” Younger Brother made a readable representation. The character of Elder Brother would probably be interpreted as “clothes.” The Tutor sighed. 

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