After a day of playing outside, Xingyao had just returned home when she saw Lady Lu directing the servants with a grave expression as they packed the family's belongings. Even the attendants moved cautiously, creating an atmosphere thick with tension.
"Mother, I'm back!"
Lady Lu nodded but continued instructing them about the management of their lands and properties.
"Where have you been running off to again? Say your goodbyes to your little friends these next few days—we'll be leaving for the capital soon."
"Yay!! Are we going to see my brothers?"
Xingyao jumped with excitement.
"It's been so long since I last saw them!"
At the mention of her sons, Lady Lu sighed again, gently stroking her youngest daughter's hair. Though their years in Yuxi had been modest, Xingyao had lived freely and without restraint. But in the capital, such behavior would only invite ridicule.
"You're nearly four now—you can't keep acting so carelessly. On the journey, I’ll have the maids teach you proper manners!"
Xingyao pouted in protest.
"But I'm still little!"
Lady Lu tapped her forehead, torn between exasperation and amusement.
"When I was your age, I was already learning needlework! None of your cousins at your aunt’s house behave so wildly. If they saw you like this, they’d laugh at us. Don’t you love your mother? Would you really let people mock me?"
Xingyao frowned and waved her hand with an air of worldly wisdom.
"Adults are so troublesome, always comparing everything! Fine, I’ll learn properly. I won’t embarrass you."
Lady Lu ruffled her daughter’s fluffy hair and chuckled.
"Good girl. When your brothers see how well-mannered you’ve become, they’ll be stunned for days!"
Xingyao covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Her third brother spoiled her the most—even if she climbed trees, he’d cheer her on. If she suddenly acted prim and proper, he’d probably faint from shock.
Ten days later, a convoy of carriages quietly departed the Yuxi magistrate’s residence at dawn.
Just outside the gates, the streets were lined with townsfolk. The sky was still dark, the morning mist lingering, yet they had waited there for who knew how long. Lord Lu’s eyes grew moist as he clasped his hands in salute.
"The dew is cold—please, everyone, return home."
An elderly man stepped forward, presenting a heavy canopy densely inscribed with names, the ink strokes uneven—some neat, others crooked.
"My lord, this is the heart of Yuxi’s people! Please accept it!"
The crowd knelt and kowtowed, some quietly weeping. Without Lord Lu, they might still be starving and ragged as in years past. Now that he was leaving for greater prospects, how could they selfishly stand in his way?
"Take care, my lord!"
Lord Lu took a deep breath, his hands trembling as he accepted the ceremonial canopy. His throat tightened, and he bowed deeply.
"Thank you, my good people."
As the carriages rolled away, the townsfolk remained, watching until the convoy disappeared into the distance. Inside the carriage, Lord Lu wept openly, overcome by memories of the past five years. Xingyao, too young to understand, kindly offered her handkerchief—embroidered with a chubby kitten—and mimicked the nursemaid’s soothing words.
"Don’t cry, Father. Crying makes you less handsome!"
Lord Lu didn’t refuse, dabbing his eyes with the childish handkerchief until Lady Lu, who had been gloomy, nearly laughed.
---
In the capital, the Emperor sat across from Prince Kang.
Stroking his beard, the Emperor studied the board before placing another white stone.
"How is your grand-aunt’s health?"
"She is well and sends her regards."
The Emperor scoffed. Regards? More like curses, no doubt.
"Between the Song and Wang families, which do you favor?"
Prince Kang pondered before setting down a black stone.
"To speak frankly, Miss Song is talented and spirited, while Miss Wang remains composed under pressure, dignified and clear-headed. As a princess consort, Miss Wang would be more suitable."
The Emperor nodded. The incident at the flower banquet had already been reported—the Song family had overstepped.
"Good. Well said."
He offered no further comment, and Xiao Youcheng fell silent.
"Have you never wondered about Lu Chao’s situation?"
The Emperor narrowed his eyes. Prince Kang’s expression flickered before he lowered his head.
"Father’s foresight regarding me is something I’ve always understood."
"Since you know, remember this—military power is a blade. It must remain firmly in our grasp!"
"You grew up close to Lu Chao, so you must handle this carefully. He saved your life, and this marriage arrangement does him little favor. Still, I am not ungrateful. His father will return to the capital next month for reassignment, and the Lu family will be compensated in time."
"Father is wise!"
Xiao Youcheng’s eyes shone with admiration, pleasing the Emperor.
"Hah! Observe a man’s actions, scrutinize his motives, and discern his heart—these are the arts of leadership you must still learn."
An incense stick’s time later, Xiao Youcheng exited Qianqing Palace. Once beyond the gates, his warm smile vanished as he strode briskly from the palace grounds.
---
At the Lu residence, Lu Chao was busy selecting dates with Lu Yuanyi.
"The eighth day of the fourth month—an auspicious day for all matters!"
Though he’d had time to adjust, Lu Yuanyi still struggled to accept the situation.
"Father and Mother should arrive in the capital within ten days. The house is ready. What if we hold the coming-of-age ceremony on the eighth?"
Lu Yuanyi’s lips twitched.
"And General Xiao’s opinion?"
The imperial decree had been issued long ago, yet he hadn’t seen the female general once. Instead, his younger brother was running himself ragged, as if fearing she might reject the marriage.
"She’s been away, assigned to the military camp by His Majesty. I haven’t had the chance to ask."
Lu Chao rested his chin on his hand, brooding.
He wondered if Xiao Zheng’s arrival at the camp had gone smoothly—whether the soldiers resisted her authority. But she was a skilled warrior and a capable commander. Surely it wouldn’t be a problem.
Lu Yuanyi seethed inwardly, resentful on his brother’s behalf. A woman’s place was in the home, not—well, never mind.
Remembering his master’s words, Lu Chao nudged Lu Yuanyi.
"Master said you still haven’t reported to the academy. With me looking after Eldest Brother, you should go. Stop idling at home. ‘If young you don’t strive, old you will grieve.’"
He’d recently stirred up trouble for their uncle’s family, keeping them too busy to pester them. Through his master’s connections, he’d also secured Lu Yuanyi a spot at another academy. But Lu Yuanyi kept delaying, worried Lu Chao couldn’t handle things alone.
Watching Lu Chao lecture him like an elder brother, Lu Yuanyi’s heart ached. The youngest of them all, Lu Chao now took charge of everything. If not for the injury to his right arm—sustained while saving Lu Yuanyi—that barred him from the imperial exams, he wouldn’t be scorned by the public so.
"Chao… I—I’ve failed you."
Lu Chao laughed.
"None of that. Even without the exams, I’ll rise in rank. You’d better work hard, or I’ll leave you in the dust!"
Lu Yuanyi pressed his lips together.
"Don't worry, I’ll study hard and make sure no one—especially that woman—dares to humiliate you again!"
To hell with generals and their titles. If he and his brother could secure their standing in the imperial court, even that Xiao Zheng wouldn’t dare bully Lu Chao!
At that moment, Xiao Zheng sat in a private room at the Zhuming Teahouse in the capital, her face hidden beneath a travel-worn veil. She had followed the woman into the teahouse, watching as she slipped into the right-hand booth. Her fingers tightened unconsciously around her sleeve as she waited for the right moment.
Then, from the left-hand booth, a woman’s playful voice drifted over.
"Zhao’er, I heard you caught a glimpse of that female general’s husband at the flower-viewing banquet the other day?"
Xiao Zheng’s hand froze.
