Xiao Huan looked somewhat flustered as he glanced at Xiao Zheng.
"Will His Majesty blame me for leaving the capital without permission? I..."
Xiao Zheng shook his head.
"No, it’s likely about the matter of the Northwest Marquis’s title. Later, have Uncle Man accompany you to the palace. He served by our grandfather’s side in his youth and is familiar with palace etiquette. You’re still young—if you don’t know how to respond, just cry. Be extra careful in handling matters."
"Ah, this old servant will surely take good care of the young master. Rest assured, General."
Though Xiao Huan was bold, facing the emperor for the first time still made him nervous. Seeing Xiao Zheng, only three years his senior, arranging everything so methodically and commanding the respect of the military officers, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of inadequacy.
His father had always said Xiao Zheng was a cut above him, and now it seemed he truly was useless in comparison.
Xiao Huan entered the palace with trepidation, expecting a stern emperor, only to find a kindly old man instead.
"Last night, I dreamed of the Northwest Marquis. He entrusted me to take good care of the last remaining bloodline of the Xiao family. Waking up, my heart ached with regret. Seeing you now is like seeing the Northwest Marquis in his youth. Train hard in martial arts! Revive the glory of the Xiao family, and do not disappoint him!"
Mention of his grandfather brought tears to Xiao Huan’s eyes.
"Good child, if you ever need anything, just present your palace token, and I will surely stand by you!"
Xiao Huan accepted the bright yellow palace token with concealed delight. With this token, once he uncovered the traitor, he could present the evidence directly to the emperor!
Suppressing his excitement, he knelt and kowtowed in gratitude.
"Thank you for Your Majesty’s boundless grace!"
"A decree is hereby issued: The Xiao family, loyal and heroic, has served the nation with unwavering devotion and made indelible contributions. By imperial decree, the Northwest Marquis’s lineage is hereby elevated to the Duke of Loyalty and Valor, enjoying the highest honors of a first-rank duke for generations. His eldest grandson, Xiao Huan, is hereby granted the title of Duke of Loyalty and Valor!"
Before Xiao Huan could return to the estate, the decree had already reached the Northwest Marquis’s residence.
Xiao Zheng received the decree and, noticing Xiao Huan’s absence, handed a silver pouch to Eunuch Li with a hint of concern.
"Eunuch Li, thank you for your trouble. This small token is for tea—please, could you share some details? Is the Duke of Loyalty and Valor still in the palace?"
Eunuch Li weighed the pouch in his hand and smiled.
"General Xiao, rest assured. His Majesty, aware of the duke’s recent hardships, has specially invited him to stay for dinner."
"Hahaha, splendid! Truly splendid! His Majesty’s benevolence toward loyal subjects is deeply moving!"
After seeing off the palace envoy, Xiao Zheng frowned, uncertain of the emperor’s intentions.
In the palace, Xiao Huan unwittingly drank a few extra cups of wine. Remembering Xiao Zheng’s warning, he feigned drunkenness, slumping over the table with a dazed expression.
"Someone, fetch a cloak for the Duke of Loyalty and Valor. I forgot how young he is—his tolerance must be low. Wouldn’t want the Northwest Marquis scolding me in my dreams again."
The chief eunuch, De Xi, chimed in, "Such an honor is coveted by many. The Northwest Marquis would be overjoyed—how could he blame Your Majesty?"
The emperor sighed.
"Ah, the death of the Northwest Marquis has weighed heavily on me. My failing health left me unconscious then, giving those schemers an opening!"
Xiao Huan’s heart pounded.
"Your Majesty has done your utmost! Exchanging the imperial army’s authority just to preserve the Xiao Army’s power—is that not enough? The Northwest Marquis’s spirit surely sees it."
"With the Xiao Army watching over him, I can rest easier. Enough of this—take the boy to the side chamber and give him some sobering tea. Send him home once he’s recovered."
Xiao Huan steadied his breathing, pretending to mumble drunkenly as he was carried to the side chamber, where he finally relaxed.
De Xi wiped his face with a handkerchief, tucked the cloak snugly around him, and quietly left. The room was silent save for the occasional crackle of the candle. Xiao Huan swallowed hard, digesting the fragments of conversation he’d overheard, unsure when to "awaken," so he closed his eyes again.
"Little Ningzi, where’s Eunuch De Xi?"
"Not sure. My foster father told me to deliver pear water to the side chamber, but now he’s gone again."
"Oh, the Northwest Marquis’s servants at the side gate are asking if they’ve seen their young master."
"I don’t know—I don’t serve in the main hall. His Majesty just went to the imperial garden—maybe the Duke of Loyalty and Valor went with him?"
"Probably. His Majesty dotes on him. Before dinner, he even had the kitchens prepare dishes from Shuozhou. If you see him later, remember to be respectful."
As the voices faded, Xiao Huan opened his eyes, his expression unreadable.
Even upon returning to the estate, Xiao Huan maintained his drunken act. Xiao Zheng patted him worriedly.
"How did you get so drunk? Are you feeling unwell?"
Only a faint whimper answered him.
"Uncle Man, take Ah-Huan to his room. Have the servants stay alert tonight—don’t let him catch a chill."
Uncle Man acknowledged and summoned servants to carry Xiao Huan back.
Xiao Zheng watched them leave, his fists clenching and unclenching, his gaze inscrutable.
Meanwhile, the Lu residence was alive with laughter.
Lu Yuanyi and Zhou Qingyuan drank merrily, boasting and reveling in their good fortune. Somehow, Lu Chao had managed to calm his uncle and aunt these past few days—what bliss!
Lu Chao, unable to drink, sat sipping tea with his master.
Murong You patted his disciple’s head and smiled.
"Some days ago, Mr. Shang and I rescued a man at the foot of the mountain—Qiao Yuanxiu, a scholar of the thirty-eighth imperial examination. Though he never attained office, he has a gift for teaching. With the Guanfu Academy empty, we’ve decided to establish a proper school, the Luyuan Academy, and entrust it to him. Once Prince Kang no longer needs us, we’ll return to Yingchuan to teach and fish."
Lu Chao was overjoyed.
"Really?! Then I’ll be the academy’s senior disciple! I can strut around like I own the place! The most legitimate of the legitimate!"
"What nonsense! As the senior disciple, you should set an example! Bullying others is out of the question!"
With a smack, Lu Chao rubbed his forehead. So this was how it felt to be replaced—now that his master had new disciples, the old one got beaten!
Murong You shot him a sidelong glare and added,
"Where’s your elder brother’s essay? Bring it here."
Lu Chao clapped his hands smugly, and Liu Yao promptly fetched a scroll from the shelf.
"Hehe, been waiting for you! Once you’re done, I’ll call my brother over to receive the master’s wisdom!"
Murong You shook his head in exasperation.
Still such a child, even at his age.
"Master! If my brother passes the imperial exams, I’ll make him kowtow to you! And when he marries, you’ll sit in the place of honor!"
Murong You laughed at his absurdity.
"Why would I sit at your brother’s wedding? I’ll wait for yours!"
Lu Chao burst into laughter, hands on his hips.
"Then you’ll probably have to wait another ten years—I’m still too young!"
With Murong You’s approval, Lu Chao finally called Lu Yuanzhao over. Murong You had a keen eye; after briefly skimming the essay, he pinpointed its critical flaws. Lu Yuanzhao, naturally sharp-minded, grasped the advice instantly. What had been a superficially polished piece suddenly gained substance, leaving Lu Yuanzhao enlightened.
As night fell, moonlight gradually draped the earth, quieting the day’s clamor. Behind each window, thoughts drifted freely before surrendering to dreams.
The next morning, the door of the Lu residence was knocked upon. The moment the servant opened it, a group of eunuchs in cyan court robes stood at the threshold, holding an imperial decree adorned in bright yellow.
"Y-Young Master… has Third Young Master risen yet?!"
"A… a royal decree has arrived!!"
After a flurry of chaos in the Lu household, Lu Chao was briskly wiped down by Lu Yuanzhao, dressed, and knelt dazedly in the courtyard to receive the decree.
What had he just heard?
"Elder Brother, am I still dreaming? Who’s marrying whom?"
Lu Yuanzhao also stared blankly at his younger brothers.
"You. And someone named… Xiao Zheng, I think."
