"Alright, alright, the child's illness has only just begun to improve. Let him rest properly and not overexert himself." Lady Lu interjected at the right moment, cutting off Lord Lu's words before turning her gaze to Liu Yao.
"Bring me your young master's recent medical records. I'd like to review them." Her tone brooked no argument, yet carried an undercurrent of concern.
Lu Chao's lips curled into a slightly sheepish smile. "As expected, I couldn't hide it from Mother's sharp eyes."
Lady Lu gently patted his shoulder, her eyes brimming with tenderness. "You've always been like this since childhood—whenever you're unwell, you look utterly drained. I can tell at a glance. Fortunately, I haven't heard you coughing this time, so it seems your lungs haven't been affected. I'll have Nanny Liu prepare a nourishing soup for you. Go back to your room and lie down. Liu Yao can accompany me for a stroll around the estate."
Hearing this, Lu Chao, still weakened from his illness, felt exhaustion wash over him. He didn't insist further and nodded obediently. "Very well, then I'll return to my room to rest. Mother, you've only just arrived after a long journey—don't trouble yourself with other matters for now. Regaining your energy is what's most important. Our kitchen's new Aunt Meng is quite skilled at making soups. She's been preparing my meals these past few days, and her dishes are light and refreshing, perfectly suited to your taste. Later, you must try her cooking."
Just as Lu Chao turned to leave, hurried footsteps approached from a distance, followed by Lu Yuanyi's lively voice calling out from beyond the door: "Mother!"
Hearing this, Lady Lu's lips unconsciously curved into a smile, her eyes filled with affection. "Look at this child—already grown so big, yet his temperament remains just as spirited and unrestrained as when he was little."
"No improvement at all!"
Lord Lu, standing nearby, frowned slightly, his expression darkening as he prepared to lecture. "Both of you brothers are no longer children. You're at the age where you should be settling down, yet you still cling to your mother like little boys. What kind of behavior is this? Aren't you afraid of being laughed at?"
Lu Chao, feigning a pained expression, shot Lu Yuanyi a meaningful glance before making a swift escape.
"Father! In my heart, I hold you just as dear as I do Mother!"
Having spent some time assisting with the family's medicinal herb business, Lu Yuanyi had grown more outgoing over the years, his cheekiness reaching new heights. Grinning, he sidled up to Lord Lu.
"No respect for your elders! If your father decides to punish you, don't expect me to intervene. Come here and have a proper chat with me."
Lady Lu chuckled softly, reaching out to gently pull Lu Yuanyi toward her and seating him firmly beside her.
With Lu Yuanzhao fully occupied preparing for the imperial examinations and Lu Chao still recovering, Lady Lu naturally seized the opportunity to grill Lu Yuanyi for details.
She needed to get a clear picture of the current situation in her eldest brother's household before paying them a visit.
Lu Yuanyi didn't hold back either, pouring out everything he knew from recent days.
After listening, Lady Lu's brows knitted slightly as she pondered silently.
Her eldest brother and his wife seemed to be acting more and more unreasonably these days. Fortunately, the children were all in the capital, where they could look out for one another. Otherwise, with Lu Yuanzhao alone in the capital, who knew how much hardship he might endure?
Not wishing to speak ill of the Song Family in front of the younger generation, Lord Lu swiftly changed the subject.
"How are things at the academy? What have you been studying lately?"
Lu Yuanyi shook his head like a rattle-drum, replying eagerly, "I've only just started, but most of the students there are from official families. The atmosphere is upright and disciplined—no bullying or underhanded behavior. The instructors are all highly learned scholars, truly exceptional. You and Mother needn't worry!"
Lord Lu's expression turned stern, his tone growing heavier. "You were only able to enter that academy because Lu Chao pulled strings with Prince Kang. Such an opportunity is rare—you must devote yourself wholeheartedly to your studies and never do anything to disgrace Prince Kang's name. If I hear of you causing trouble at the academy, mark my words, I won't hesitate to take the rod to you and break your legs!"
"Father, don't worry—I know what's at stake." Lu Yuanyi tilted his head slightly, a glint of cleverness in his eyes. "Did you know that Lu Chao's mentor has agreed to review Elder Brother's exam essays? The papers were just delivered today. With such a golden opportunity, don't you want to go take a look?"
Lord Lu's eyes instantly lit up with delight, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out as he exclaimed, "Such wonderful news! Then I won't delay you two—I'll go check on Yuanzhao at once."
Finally free of Lord Lu's presence, Lu Yuanyi relaxed entirely, his triumphant expression drawing another amused chuckle from Lady Lu.
After resting for two days, Lady Lu found a quiet moment to pull Lu Chao aside, pressing a delicate little brocade box into his hands.
"What's this...?" Lu Chao blinked in surprise, instinctively opening the box to find a neat stack of banknotes inside.
"Property prices in the capital are outrageously high. You must have spent a fortune buying this estate, didn't you?"
"I've been thinking—our family is growing, and sooner or later, we'll need another residence. But choosing the right property isn't easy. It requires careful consideration of many factors, so there's no need to rush. For now, we'll stay here with you. Besides, you're on the verge of getting married. Having extra savings on hand—whether for wedding preparations or emergencies—will give you more security."
Lady Lu held Lu Chao's hand as she explained gently.
"No, I have plenty of money. I specifically asked Qingyuan to pick a larger estate so our whole family could live together. Are you trying to kick me out?" Lu Chao hastily pushed the box back, his refusal firm.
"Don't talk nonsense about splitting the family. Of my three sons, you're the youngest, yet the most decisive—always looking out for your elder brothers. I’ve taken note of your thoughtfulness. Besides, your money is yours, and what I’m giving is mine. They’re not the same!"
Lady Lu raised her hand as if to smack his knuckles sharply, but the touch that landed was feather-light.
"Ah, Mother, I really can't accept this."
Lu Chao's face instantly brightened with an ingratiating smile, his eyes sparkling as he leaned in slightly, adopting a coaxing tone.
"There’s actually something else I’d like to ask of you—a big favor. You see, on the eighth day of the fourth month next month, I was hoping you could preside over the coming-of-age ceremony for your future daughter-in-law. Would that be alright?"
Lady Lu was taken aback.
"That female general? She hasn’t had her ceremony yet?"
"Mother, she has a name—Xiao Zheng! Actually, there’s something I haven’t told anyone else, but I’ll share it with you first! Don’t get too excited!"
Hearing this, Lady Lu placed a hand over her chest and took a deep breath.
"Go on."
Lu Chao leaned in close and whispered softly,
"Mother, you actually know Xiao Zheng."
Lady Lu gave him a doubtful glance, her brows furrowed in confusion.
"She visited our home when she was little."
"She is Yingge."
