Xiao Zheng clutched the warm rabbit leg tightly as he strode briskly toward Lu Chao’s residence.
But when he reached the door, his steps faltered, and a little battle raged inside his heart.
“He should be asleep by now, right? Would it be rude to wake him up at this hour?”
“He’s been on the road all day, exposed to wind and rain, probably hasn’t eaten well. He’s as skinny as a skeleton. At least this rabbit leg might help him regain some strength.”
“But he comes from a wealthy family, spoiled since childhood. Maybe he wouldn’t even want this rabbit leg.”
…
Inside the room, Zhou Qingyuan was full of questions.
“What’s your good buddy doing? Taking a stroll outside our door?”
Lu Chao, now wrapped in a cloak and hat, whispered, pointing at Zhou Qingyuan.
“I’m going to check outside, maybe there’s something urgent. Don’t make a sound, just pretend you’re asleep.”
Zhou Qingyuan shrugged, closed his eyes, and let out a soft snore before whispering again.
“Finish up quickly and come back. It’s late and cold.”
“I know, you’re so naggy.”
Just as Xiao Zheng was about to leave, the door creaked open.
He turned to see Lu Chao himself.
“What are you doing out here? Did I wake you?”
Xiao Zheng was a bit surprised.
“I just got up to get some water. What’s going on? Is something wrong?”
The rabbit leg tucked inside Xiao Zheng’s sleeve felt scorching hot, making his face flush.
“Uh, no, it’s nothing, I mean, I’m fine.”
Seeing Xiao Zheng’s awkwardness, Lu Chao couldn’t help but smile. This kid’s guilty look hadn’t changed at all—just like back then.
Back when they were at the Lu family estate, Xiao Zheng was too timid to sleep on his own. He’d sneak over in the middle of the night and climb onto Lu Chao’s bed. When Lu Chao woke up and found someone there, he was startled. Xiao Zheng played dumb, stammering that he didn’t know what was going on, maybe he had some sort of delirium.
Lu Chao guessed he had just escaped from a den of thieves and was too scared to sleep alone. He didn’t expose him but pulled back the covers and invited him in. Xiao Zheng still refused and insisted on sleeping on the bench until he left the Lu family.
A sudden scent broke Lu Chao’s reverie, and he took a deep sniff.
“What’s that smell? So fragrant.”
Xiao Zheng pursed his lips and pulled the rabbit leg wrapped in perilla leaves from his sleeve, offering it to Lu Chao.
“Roast rabbit leg?! Cough, cough, where did this come from? Smells amazing!”
The oily rabbit leg steamed gently, and when the perilla leaves were unfolded, the aroma was even more tempting.
“It’s too cold here. Come with me.”
Xiao Zheng led Lu Chao a few steps away to a small room. A stove was burning with firewood, but no one was inside.
“This is a small kitchen, convenient for the masters of the house to get hot water or a fire in the middle of the night. I used to come here often with Zhang Hu and the others to roast sweet potatoes. It’s warm here. You should eat quickly, then head back.”
“Have you eaten?” Lu Chao asked.
Xiao Zheng nodded. “Yeah, I had almost half already. Zhang Hu’s cooking is pretty good. Try some.”
Lu Chao bit into the meat and frowned slightly.
“What’s wrong?” Xiao Zheng asked anxiously.
“It’s a bit salty. Want to try?”
Lu Chao broke off half the leg and handed it back to Xiao Zheng.
Xiao Zheng cursed Zhang Hu silently in his heart for being so unreliable, then took a bite. Between his lips and teeth was the tender freshness of the meat and the rich aroma of the fat—crispy, fragrant, and soft.
Xiao Zheng stared blankly at Lu Chao, who burst out laughing.
“Trying to fool me? Your mouth is so clean, it’s obvious you just washed your face—and you’ve already eaten half a leg! Let me tell you, my eyes are like rulers; don’t even think about tricking me.”
Lu Chao took another bite of the rabbit leg, clearly satisfied.
“You gotta admit, Zhang Hu’s cooking is really something! Delicious! It’s been ages since I’ve had meat!”
Actually, Lu Chao’s life wasn’t that bad. Knowing his poor health, before they set out, Xiao Youcheng had specially instructed Zhou Qingyuan to have the cook prepare extra dishes for him. Fresh meat was scarce, but there was still some cured and braised meat.
“I’m pretty good at roasting too. Next time, I’ll roast a whole one for you.”
Xiao Zheng stuffed the rest of the meat in his mouth in just a few bites, smiling as he spoke.
Anyone who’s been in the army knows that mealtime speed is a skill—if you’re even a bit slow, the soup base is gone before you get to it.
Seeing this, Lu Chao also quickened his chewing.
“Take your time eating—I, I’m used to the army,” Xiao Zheng scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
“Hmm, no worries. You’re here to feed me, right?”
Lu Chao swallowed the last bite of meat and let out a contented sigh.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
Since they were already eating, Xiao Zheng nodded frankly. Although she felt she must have been a little out of her mind at the time, she was always someone who acted without regrets, so she didn’t dwell on it.
“By the way, I have something to give you. I was planning to give it to you tomorrow morning, but this saves us the trouble.”
Lu Chao was thin, and if he hadn’t mentioned it, Xiao Zheng wouldn’t have noticed the bulky object hidden inside his cloak.
“Is this the bracer you gave me before?”
Lu Chao nodded.
“You know, my master is pretty skilled in this area. I’ve made some modifications to the bracer—it can now shoot up to twenty yards, and it can fire multiple shots. You should keep it for yourself.”
Xiao Zheng pushed the bracer back toward him.
“It was originally meant to protect you. With my skills, I don’t need it. You should keep it for yourself.”
Lu Chao glared at him. “I’m my master’s favorite disciple. I can make ten or eight of these easily. If you don’t take it, are you looking down on me!?”
Xiao Zheng couldn’t refuse and had to accept it. Holding the bracer in his hand, its weight made his heart ache, and he silently cursed his own clumsiness with words.
“You, I owe you too much.”
Lu Chao teased, “Hehehe, are you about to repay me with your heart?”
Xiao Zheng’s heart skipped a beat.
“Nonsense!”
“Oh, I’m just joking! *cough cough cough*”
Lu Chao started coughing uncontrollably, and Xiao Zheng, worried, could only gently pat his back, silently blaming himself.
“It’s my fault for being so careless. You can’t catch any more colds. Come on, I’ll see you back.”
After giving him the gift, Lu Chao didn’t refuse anymore and reassured him.
“It’s not because of you. I cough like this even in my room; I’m used to it. Summer’s better, but in winter, I mostly just endure it with medicine. My mother says I could support an entire pharmacy by myself.”
“If that honey is any good, just write to me and say so—I’ll send you some every year.”
“Mm!”
The journey was short, and in the blink of an eye, they arrived at the doorstep.
“Thank you for your gift. You should head back early and rest.”
“All right, I’ll see you off in the morning.”
“Okay!”
Moonlight spilled over the stone slabs in front of the door, stretching their shadows longer and longer.
The eastern sky began to brighten, the rosy dawn sweeping across the dim horizon.
The bugle sounded. Five thousand cavalry stood ready in perfect formation as the Northwest Marquis led the Xiao Army to bid farewell to Lu Chao and his group.
“Young Master Lu, take care on your journey.”
Lu Chao cupped his hands respectfully. “Marquis, take care as well.”
He cast a deep look at the land and the assembled soldiers, then bowed deeply and raised the wine before him.
“To all of you guarding the border, protecting our homeland—you are the backbone of the nation. May you all be safe and sound, and return victorious soon.”
Every soldier present was moved. With a grand wave of his hand, the Northwest Marquis signaled, and the troops raised their cups in unison, drinking deeply. As the whips cracked and hooves thundered, the group galloped off into the distance. Xiao Zheng clenched the armguard tightly in his hand.
The wheels of the carriage creaked over the frost-covered grass.
The crowd behind them gradually shrank until it vanished from sight. Zhou Qingyuan shivered, quickly handing the reins to a nearby soldier, then leapt up, intending to take cover inside the carriage.
“Hey, who the hell are you?”
Inside the carriage, a cool and elegant beauty was flipping through a book. Lu Chao leaned lazily to one side, half-asleep. Little Red rested her head crookedly in Lu Chao’s arms, sleeping sprawled out in complete abandon.
Lu Chao was startled by the voice and snapped irritably, “What’s all the fuss about?”
“Chirp chirp chirp!!”
Little Red strained her neck and barked loudly—probably cursing up a storm.
Zhou Qingyuan whispered quietly in Lu Chao’s ear.
“Did the Northwest Marquis send you? Male or female?”
Lu Chao chuckled in disbelief.
“A man. This is my steward, Leng Yue—the chief steward of the branches in Shuozhou and Yingzhou!”
Zhou Qingyuan rubbed his nose, feeling a bit embarrassed.
Leng Yue nodded slightly in greeting, then spoke to Lu Chao.
“Master, should I stand guard outside?”
Lu Chao shook his head. “You don’t know how to ride, so there’s no need to go outside. The carriage is big enough for you to stay here. Zhou Gongzi is a bit rough around the edges, so don’t feel constrained.”
Since the business in Shuozhou would likely be suspended for over half a year, Lu Chao wasn’t comfortable leaving Leng Yue behind. They would pass through Yingzhou on the way back, so she might as well accompany him for a while.
“Lu Chao, do you smell that? Like roasted meat?”
Zhou Qingyuan sniffed hard. The carriage was filled with the lingering aroma of meat.
Lu Chao raised his arm and sniffed—does this guy have a dog’s nose? Could the scent of last night’s roast still be detected?
Leng Yue pulled out a familiar package from her sleeve: a rabbit leg wrapped in layers of betel leaves.
“Is this what you mean, Lord Zhou? It was a gift from a friend. I was worried you might have lost your appetite because of your illness, so I saved it.”
Lu Chao: “Your friend is... Zhang Hu?”
