Lu Yuanyi led Lu Chao through the crowd until they reached a secluded spot. He rubbed his nose and gave Lu Chao an inscrutable look.
"Why are you staring at me? I don’t know who got appointed either—wait, holy crap?"
Lu Chao suddenly seemed to realize something, pointing at himself with wide eyes.
Lu Yuanyi nodded.
Lu Chao’s lips twitched.
"Well, that’s just excessive. If I’d known, I would’ve punched him twice to vent!"
Seeing Lu Chao’s exasperated expression, Lu Yuanyi couldn’t help but smirk. "Yeah, and then the people would’ve said, ‘Wow, look at young Master Lu—barely literate, yet throwing his weight around already.’"
Lu Chao was left speechless, glaring at Lu Yuanyi in silence.
Annoyed, he decided to go buy another roast chicken.
"Hey? Where are you going? To actually fight someone? They’re long gone—you won’t catch up!"
Seeing Lu Chao turn and walk away, Lu Yuanyi hurried after him.
"Why would I chase them? I’m going for roast chicken!"
Lu Chao strolled leisurely, which only made Lu Yuanyi uneasy.
"Be honest with me, Second Brother. If this is bothering you, don’t bottle it up. It’s not worth ruining your health over."
Hearing Lu Chao being criticized, Lu Yuanyi couldn’t help but feel some resentment toward Xiao Zheng—let alone how Lu Chao himself must feel.
The younger Lu Chao might’ve been furious, but now, after living two lifetimes and pushing thirty—especially after experiencing war in Shuozhou—his temper had long since settled. He wasn’t one to lose his cool easily.
A faint smile tugged at Lu Chao’s lips.
"Second Brother, I’m really not angry. Look, this official position is something countless people envy and can’t even dream of getting. Why should I be upset?"
Noticing Lu Yuanyi’s skeptical expression, Lu Chao continued.
"We need to see through this. Think about who actually benefits in the end. Xiao Zheng risked her life in the military and earned great merit—logically, the rewards should’ve gone to her. So why did the imperial decree end up with me? And why was it announced so grandly, making sure the whole country knew?"
"The truth is, there’s a deeper game here. Someone doesn’t want Xiao Zheng to gain anything. Giving me this position might seem like an honor, but it’s really meant to sow discord between us. If I resent her for it, her future will be miserable. Plus, it’s a way to tarnish her reputation—making people think, ‘Hah, General Xiao only cares about her own family’s gain.’ Who’d remember her actual achievements? So think about it—who loses the most in this whole spectacle?"
Lu Yuanyi caught on immediately.
"Xiao Zheng."
Lu Chao nodded.
"In the capital, if you toss a brick, you’ll probably hit an official. Even in your academy, most students are from bureaucratic families. Things like this will keep happening, so stay sharp. Don’t be too naive, or you’ll get burned."
He understood perfectly—if this had happened to a prideful local, it would’ve been an unbearable humiliation. Once labeled a "kept man," that stigma would stick for life. Even if he later rose to nobility, people would always bring up this shameful start, turning spouses into enemies. The emperor’s move was truly sinister—a bloodless kill.
But Lu Chao wasn’t a true ancient. As a homebody with zero ambition, idle gossip meant nothing to him. In his eyes, heck, being a kept man sounded pretty sweet! So what if people called him illiterate? Perfect excuse to slack off at work—who’d expect a man who could barely read to do anything?
"Boss, three roast chickens!"
Lu Chao stood in the bustling street, calling out to the vendor.
"Coming right up, sir!"
Lu Yuanyi, drenched in sweat amid the lively crowd, marveled at how something so simple could hide so many twists. He resolved to be more cautious from now on.
When Lu Chao returned home with the chickens, he found a letter from Xiao Zheng waiting.
Her usually bold handwriting looked hesitant, as if she’d struggled before putting brush to paper.
Xiao Zheng first apologized, then explained that the decree wasn’t her doing. She promised to discuss it in person during her upcoming leave.
Lu Chao’s expression remained unreadable as he handed one of the chickens to Li Tie.
"Tell your general I got her letter. I bought an extra chicken—consider it my treat."
Li Tie scratched his head. "Any reply for me to take back, Master Lu?"
Lu Chao shook his head. "She’ll be back on leave soon. We’ll talk then."
Ever since meeting the Grand Princess, Xiao Zheng had been avoiding him. This was a good chance to meet—and make sure she wasn’t being swayed by that nuisance Staff Officer Qin.
Li Tie, tormented by the aroma of roast chicken all the way back to the military camp, found Xiao Zheng already waiting in the hall.
"How did Lu Chao look? Was he upset?"
Though she trusted Lu Chao to see through the decree’s implications, the rumors were vicious. She worried he might’ve taken them to heart.
"General, it’s hard to say. Master Lu kept a straight face—didn’t smile at all. Just told me to bring you this chicken and said he’d talk when you’re back."
No smile—definitely angry.
How to fix this?
Xiao Zheng nibbled a chicken leg, troubled.
Time flew, and soon her leave arrived.
After much deliberation, Xiao Zheng chose to climb the wall—only to spot the Weaving Office delivering Lu Chao’s official robes. She ducked back down.
Lu Chao held the robes with a complicated expression, mourning the end of sleeping in. His reluctance was palpable.
Watching from the wall, Xiao Zheng’s guilt flared. In her fluster, she made a noise.
Hearing the sound, Lu Chao looked up—and stammered in rare surprise.
"You! You—!"
Lu Chao never expected Xiao Zheng’s idea of a "discussion" would involve scaling walls. It was equal parts exasperating and amusing.
Exasperating because he hadn’t even changed into the outfit his mother made, hoping to outshine Staff Officer Qin with his looks! Amusing because here they were—formally betrothed, yet sneaking around like teenagers hiding from their parents.
"Why are you climbing the wall? Get down here!"
Xiao Zheng awkwardly dropped down, silent. She’d been afraid he’d hear the rumors outside and get upset.
"I didn’t know the emperor would issue that decree. I’m sorry! Because of me, you’re being judged unfairly again."
"This wasn't your fault, so no need to apologize. By the way, what kind of tea do you like these days? I remember you were fond of fruit tea as a child—let me brew a pot for you."
The moment Lu Chao spoke, Xiao Zheng felt his face grow warm.
"No need, I have matters to attend to later and will be leaving soon."
"Ah, so busy? I was hoping to hear how you earned those military merits."
Disappointment flickered across Lu Chao's face before he forced a composed tone.
"If you're occupied, go ahead. I’ll just ask Prince Kang about it another time."
Xiao Zheng fidgeted, standing up only to sit back down, the cloth bag in his hand rustling.
"It’s not that urgent. I’ll tell you."
Lu Chao looked puzzled. "What’s this?"
Scratching his head, Xiao Zheng handed over the bundle.
"To make amends."
When Lu Chao opened it, his eyes nearly dazzled—the bag was brimming with gold, silver, and jewels.
"I remember your childhood letters saying counting silver coins brought you the most joy."
