Lu Chao had been bedridden for quite some time. When his condition finally improved slightly, his thoughts immediately turned to visiting the general's residence again, only to hear that Xiao Zheng had already departed for the military camp.
When Liu Yao returned from gathering news at the general's residence, he clutched a note in his hand. The handwriting was bold and vigorous, almost flamboyant, stating that due to urgent matters at the camp, Xiao Zheng would return once Lu Chao had fully recovered, and they would then journey to Taoyuan Mountain together.
A pang of regret stirred in Lu Chao's heart, but there was no time to dwell on it.
Lord Lu and Lady Lu, after a long and arduous journey, were about to arrive in the capital—two or three days earlier than expected—undoubtedly eager to support Lu Yuanzhao for his upcoming examination.
"Hurry, open the windows a bit more to air out the medicinal smell!"
Amid Liu Yao's flustered movements, Lu Chao was bundled into several layers of clothing while urgently instructing the servants to ventilate the room. He also quickly sent someone to the academy to fetch Lu Yuanyi.
"Liu Yao, have Auntie Meng prepare her specialty nourishing soup. Father and Mother must be exhausted from the journey, so dinner should be light. Oh, and Xingyao is still so young—she must be worn out from the bumpy ride. Don’t forget to bring out the snacks prepared for her."
Since the three brothers had moved to the capital, the household had been short on servants. Fortunately, the brothers were not ones for extravagance, so they managed well enough.
Auntie Meng had been a chance encounter. Some days ago, when Lu Chao's illness had just begun to ease but his appetite remained dull, he sent Liu Yao to fetch some snacks from the street. By coincidence, Liu Yao came across Auntie Meng, who was selling herself at a tavern.
She was a woman of bitter fate. Her husband had worked as a cook in that tavern but fell gravely ill while trying to save money for their son's wedding dowry. The family's savings were gradually exhausted.
Auntie Meng had hoped to find work at the tavern, but the capital's residents were unaccustomed to her light and simple dishes. Just as the tavern owner was driving her out, Liu Yao happened to pass by. Remembering Lu Chao's fondness for soups and broths since childhood, he brought Auntie Meng back to try her hand at a few dishes. To Lu Chao's surprise, her cooking suited his taste perfectly, and so he kept her and her daughter in the household.
Auntie Meng's skill was exquisite, her soup-making prowess unparalleled. One might wonder if her ancestors hailed from the Liangguang region, for the same ingredients transformed under her hands into something extraordinarily delicious. During Lu Chao's convalescence, when his appetite had been meager, the rich aroma of Auntie Meng's soups would waft into his nostrils, instantly reviving his hunger and allowing him to eat heartily again.
"They're here, they're here!"
Amid the servants' excited cries, several carriages came to a slow halt outside the Lu residence, their copper bells still swaying gently, emitting crisp, tinkling sounds.
Before the carriage curtains could be fully drawn aside, Xingyao could no longer contain her excitement. Ignoring the nursemaid's discreet attempts to restrain her, she thrust out a small hand and flung open the exquisitely embroidered curtain with a flourish, calling out in a bright, clear voice, "Eldest Brother! Third Brother!"
Her voice rang like a silver bell, echoing in the air.
Next, Lord Lu and Lady Lu, supporting each other, rose slowly, rubbing their stiff backs before carefully descending the carriage with the help of attendants.
Lu Chao and Lu Yuanzhao, who had been waiting nearby, hurried forward in unison, exclaiming, "Father! Mother!" Their eyes brimmed with longing and concern, their voices thick with barely suppressed emotion.
Lady Lu looked from her eldest son to Lu Chao, repeating over and over that they had grown thinner.
"Is the capital's climate disagreeable? How have both of you lost weight?"
"Though thinner, they look full of vigor! Yuanzhao, your examination is in a few days—go back and study. Your mother and I don’t need your attention," Lord Lu said, more anxious than Lu Yuanzhao himself, urging him to return to his books.
"Father, it won’t take long! It’s been nearly a year since I last saw you and Mother. How can you shoo me away so soon?"
Lu Chao crouched down to ruffle Xingyao's hair. The little girl seemed energetic—apparently unbothered by motion sickness. Excellent!
Xingyao's eyes sparkled mischievously. She took a graceful step back, dipped into a slight curtsy, and clasped her hands together with practiced elegance.
"Greetings to my esteemed elder brothers."
Lu Chao's eyes widened in exaggerated astonishment.
"Wow!! Where did this refined young lady come from? This curtsy is even more polished than the palace maids’! How are you so impressive?!"
His teasing sent Xingyao into peals of laughter, and she promptly struck a proud pose, hands on hips.
Lady Lu shook her head in amusement.
"You could have at least pretended to be proper for a little longer."
Amid the family’s joyful reunion, Aunt Zhou emerged from the following carriage, her face sorrowful as she led forward a veiled girl with the help of servants.
Lord Lu and Lady Lu’s expressions darkened.
"Let’s discuss this inside," Lord Lu said tersely.
Lu Chao had reserved the main courtyard for his parents, while Xingyao, being young, was assigned quarters closer to them. Once these arrangements were settled, the family gathered to talk.
Lady Lu frowned as she explained the situation. The veiled girl was none other than Baoning.
Baoning had reached marriageable age, and Aunt Zhou had been searching for a suitable match. Eventually, she settled on the son of a wealthy merchant from Yuxi. Both families had been satisfied, and betrothal documents were exchanged—the matter should have been settled.
Yet, no sooner had Lord Lu received news of his promotion than the mother and daughter began scheming. They privately approached the merchant’s son. Out of respect for Lord Lu, the merchant family politely returned the betrothal papers without causing a scene or spreading word of the broken engagement. Still, the disgrace was immense, and Lord Lu, furious, had Baoning confined to the family shrine. After much weeping and threats of suicide, the pair eventually followed the family to the capital.
Then, remembering Lu Chao’s own marital situation, Lady Lu seized his hand anxiously.
"Chao’er, what about your marriage? How did His Majesty suddenly arrange a match for you?"
Lord Lu’s gaze sharpened as he fixed his eyes on Lu Chao, firing off questions in rapid succession.
"Yes, yes! Think carefully—have you made any missteps that might have offended Prince Kang? Or inadvertently crossed some imperial taboo? The political winds shift unpredictably; the slightest misstep could bring disaster! If there’s any truth to this, you must not hide it from me. I would sooner swallow my pride and beg His Majesty for leniency than let you suffer unjustly!"
Lu Chao shook his head vehemently.
"Xiao Zheng is wonderful—a woman of remarkable talent! The rumors don’t do her justice! If anything, I’m the one benefiting from this match!"
He sang Xiao Zheng’s praises with unrestrained enthusiasm, only to notice Lord Lu’s expression growing increasingly grim.
Lord Lu brooded silently. The war had been a necessity, but once concluded, all parties should have returned to their proper stations. Yet here was Xiao Zheng, a woman, intending to continue serving as an official after marriage—effectively outranking Lu Chao! Not only would this make Lu Chao’s position in court awkward, but the gossip alone would bring endless trouble to the Lu family.
How would people gossip about Lu Chao? What rumors would they spread about the Lu family? The mere thought made Lord Lu's brows knit tightly into a deep furrow.
And there was Lu Chao, still fervently defending Xiao Zheng. Lord Lu's heart sank—as a man himself, how could he not understand the implications?
In his mind, it was clear: either Xiao Zheng had used his martial prowess to coerce Lu Chao, or the Emperor himself was deliberately making trouble, forcing Lu Chao into such a corner that he dared not speak the truth even at home.
Lost in these assumptions, Lord Lu was overcome with anguish. His lips trembled as he uttered, "You've suffered…"
