"Master, did you see that? That fellow Xue just turned green with anger, hahaha! And that old man nearly fainted from rage. How shameless to lose an argument and then run to His Highness to complain—I haven’t done anything that childish since I was six!"
"Has Shuozhou fallen?"
"Yes—wait, no! Who’s been spouting nonsense in front of you?"
Liu Yao stared nervously at Lu Chao.
Lu Chao’s face darkened like ink.
"Your acting is rather clumsy... cough cough cough!"
A violent coughing fit seized him, harsh and grating like the wheezing of an old exhaust fan, each hack accompanied by labored, ragged breaths.
"Master!"
Liu Yao flustered about in panic, steps unsteady, wanting to support him but unsure how.
Suddenly, a hand steadied Lu Chao’s hunched form as he doubled over from the coughing.
"Go fetch Mr. Shang, quickly!"
Xiao Youcheng helped Lu Chao into the inner chamber, gently patting his back.
"Don’t get worked up. Try to calm down."
Lu Chao still couldn’t believe it.
"How could this happen? Everything was fine when I left."
Seeing there was no use hiding the truth, Xiao Youcheng decided to share the news he’d received.
"The reason we sent word urging your return was precisely because of this. But given your exhaustion from travel and your frail health, we asked everyone to keep it from you. I didn’t expect some loose tongues to slip."
Lu Chao lay on the bed, overwhelmed by weariness—disillusioned and disheartened by the sickness of this era. He couldn’t bear to imagine what had become of that once-vibrant young man.
"By the time word reached Yingchuan, the battle in Shuozhou had already been over for seven or eight days. Even if we wanted to help, it was too late."
Xiao Youcheng would have preferred Lu Chao to rage at the court or break down in tears rather than lie there, lifeless.
"What’s the latest news?"
"The Tartars have sent a peace proposal to the court. If Great Yuan cedes Shuozhou and the thirteen surrounding counties to them, they’ll cease hostilities."
"Oh."
Lu Chao closed his eyes slowly and said nothing more.
Xiao Youcheng had expected fury, an outburst—but this eerie calm unsettled him even more.
"Chao’er, yesterday several court officials and I submitted memorials opposing the cession. Don’t worry, this matter won’t be settled so quickly. There’s still room for negotiation."
Lu Chao didn’t open his eyes, only murmuring softly,
"Was it a waste, then—all the provisions we sent earlier?"
Xiao Youcheng shook his head, then remembered Lu Chao couldn’t see and added,
"Of course not. I only know that if we stood by and watched loyal subjects be betrayed and commoners suffer, I’d spend the rest of my days hating myself. I still remember what you once told me—'Act with a clear conscience. Right and wrong will be judged by history.'"
From that day on, Lu Chao seemed drained of all spirit. By day, he was listless; by night, sleepless.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the young man’s face—lit by candlelight, streaked with blood.
Despite Mr. Shang’s many prescriptions and Liu Yao’s meticulous care, his condition refused to improve.
One day, Murong Yun and Mr. Shang arrived at Lu Chao’s courtyard with books in hand, beginning a one-on-one reading session—they read, he listened. The two elders hoped the wisdom of sages might pull him from his despair.
Seeing Lu Chao remain silent, they sighed inwardly.
"Too rigid, and it breaks."
"I never imagined this would hit him so hard."
"Now he’s utterly disillusioned with imperial authority—even cooled toward His Highness. Can’t blame the boy. Aren’t we the same?"
"Such are the times... alas."
The two elders walked away, discussing which texts to read the next day.
Later, Liu Yao brought over a bowl of Laba congee.
Only then did Lu Chao realize—the New Year was approaching.
"Liu Yao, ask my second brother to come take me home for a while."
"Alright."
Liu Yao wiped the corner of his eye and hurried out.
The very next day after receiving the message, Lu Yuanyi arrived with a carriage laden with New Year gifts—for Prince Kang, the tutors, even Liu Yao and the others.
Xiao Youcheng rubbed his nose, slightly guilty.
He wondered if Lady Lu would still invite them to the Lu family’s New Year celebrations after seeing how poorly they’d cared for Lu Chao.
"Thank you all for looking after Chao’er!"
Lu Yuanyi took in his younger brother’s pallid face. Though he had countless questions, he held them back, simply cupping his hands in gratitude before helping Lu Chao into the carriage.
Liu Yao tactfully took the driver’s seat.
"I’ll handle the reins. The two young masters must have much to discuss after so long apart."
Lu Yuanyi didn’t refuse, stepping inside instead.
Inside, Lu Chao lay weakly against the carriage wall, gazing through the gap in the curtains.
"Have a piece of ginger candy. It’ll settle your stomach."
Lu Yuanyi pulled out a ceramic jar, plucking a sugared ginger slice and pressing it into Lu Chao’s mouth.
The tangy-spicy flavor soothed the churning in his gut, and Lu Chao relaxed slightly, eyes narrowing.
Lu Yuanyi pinched his arm, heart aching.
"When did you return? How’d you get so thin?"
"Just recently. Caught a chill a while back—only starting to recover now. Same old troubles."
"Not sleeping either? Those dark circles look like you’ve smeared ink under your eyes. Tired? Lean on me and rest awhile."
Watching Lu Yuanyi fuss over him, Lu Chao’s lips curved faintly. The little brat he once had to look after had truly grown into an elder brother.
"What’re you grinning at? Sleep! If Mother sees you like this—even Xingyao won’t let you off easy. That little menace talks a mile a minute now, scolding people left and right. I can’t even win an argument with her."
Lu Chao obediently closed his eyes. Perhaps from constant exposure to astragalus roots, Lu Yuanyi’s clothes carried a faint medicinal scent, transporting Lu Chao back to the herb fields of Yuxi County.
Once certain Lu Chao was asleep, Lu Yuanyi stopped watching him.
But when his gaze drifted to Lu Chao’s right hand—usually clad in an armguard—he stiffened. It was bare. His already-knitted brows furrowed deeper.
Chao’er had always been prone to illness, but even at his worst, he’d still joke and laugh with them. Now he was like a withered leaf, lifeless, waiting only to yellow and fall.
At the county office gates:
Upon hearing her third brother was coming home, little Xingyao refused to budge, planting herself at the entrance to wait. She counted and recounted on her fingers—she couldn’t remember how many days it had been, only that it felt like forever since she’d last seen him.
Just as Shishu was about to coax her young mistress inside—whoosh!—a small figure darted forward. Shishu startled, then spotted the familiar carriage pulling up.
"Third Brother!!"
Before Lu Chao could step out, Xingyao’s clear voice rang out. He quickly responded,
"Here!"
Lu Yuanyi blocked the carriage door, bending with mock indignation.
"What, am I invisible now?"
"Second Brother! You’re in the way!"
Lu Yuanyi tapped her little head.
"Ungrateful runt."
After some time apart, Xingyao seemed to have grown a little taller, her round face framed by two braids, standing obediently by the carriage with her head tilted up—utterly adorable.
Seeing her dazed expression, Lu Chao reached out to pick her up.
"Come here, let Third Brother carry you. What, don’t you recognize me anymore?"
Lu Yuanyi had already braced himself to share the weight when he saw Xingyao wiggle slightly, reaching out to grasp Lu Chao’s hand instead. With a sensible tone, she said,
"I’m heavy now—no more carrying. I’ll just hold Third Brother’s hand and walk."
Lu Chao crouched down to her level.
"Xingyao isn’t heavy at all. You’re as light as a feather."
Little Xingyao covered her mouth, giggling, then pretended to scold him.
"Third Brother, have you been eating properly? You’re too thin! I’ll only let you carry me once you’ve gained some weight. Hmm… if you eat two bowls of rice tonight, then you can carry me!"
"Deal! Third Brother will eat two whole bowls tonight!"
"Then how many bowls does Second Brother have to eat before he can carry me?"
"A hundred bowls!"
"Wow, what a cruel little girl! Are you trying to burst Second Brother’s stomach?"
Peals of silvery laughter rang out.
Liu Yao watched as his young master finally showed a hint of vitality, his eyes growing moist.
"Are you just going to stand there?"
Shishu shot Liu Yao an exasperated glance. Scratching his head, Liu Yao hurried after the group, trailing behind them like an eager puppy.
