The next morning, Lu Chao was pulled out of his bed by Nanny Yang. Eyes still closed, he let himself be dressed like a doll, then woke up properly when a warm towel wiped his face.
"Third Young Master, later Nanny will take you to the family shrine to offer incense. After returning, you’ll step over a fire basin, and at noon, you’ll bathe in an herb-infused cleansing ritual. May the coming days bless our Third Young Master with peace and smooth fortune."
Listening to Nanny Yang’s murmurs, Lu Chao nodded faintly.
The maids in the side courtyard had already removed all of Aunt Su’s belongings earlier that morning, and the hemp cloth no longer needed to be wrapped around Lu Chao’s arm.
Inside the Lu Family’s small shrine, incense smoke curled in the air. The main altar at the entrance enshrined the ancestral tablets of the Lu Family’s direct lineage. As a concubine, Aunt Su’s tablet could only be placed on the side table to the right. Nanny Yang led Lu Chao to first kowtow and offer incense at the main altar before paying respects to Aunt Su.
Lu Chao sighed inwardly. This was the ancient world—strictly hierarchical, where status dictated everything.
At noon, the sun was bright, and Lu Chao was about to take a nap when Nanny Yang carried him to the courtyard. Maids stood by a wooden tub holding towels and fresh clothes. The water inside the tub had a faint bluish tint, steam rising lazily from its surface.
"The weather is fine today, no wind—perfect for bathing without catching a chill."
Lu Chao, who had just had his hair washed, suddenly realized what was coming next. He’d forgotten about this part!
Being bathed was beyond awkward. Especially since his inner self was no longer a child—the idea of being scrubbed down by a group of young maids was downright mortifying!
"Nanny, no—they can’t look! There should be boundaries between men and women!" As they were about to strip off his last undergarment, Lu Chao clutched his collar tightly and shouted.
The maids all turned away, giggling behind their hands.
"Third Young Master, we’ve always been the ones to bathe you. Why can’t we look now?" Chuncao, one of the bolder maids, teased.
"That was before. I’ve grown up now," Lu Chao declared with all the solemnity of a sage, his serious demeanor breaking the long-standing gloom. Nanny Yang chuckled. "Very well, very well. Our Third Young Master is all grown up. All of you, turn around."
"Nanny, you too. I can wash myself."
Nanny Yang laughed softly. "Since when are you shy around me? You can’t reach your back—let me help with that, and you wash the front yourself. How’s that?"
Lu Chao finally agreed.
The moment he sank into the water, he let out a contented sigh. He hadn’t had a proper bath since arriving here days ago. Medical conditions in ancient times were poor, especially in winter—a simple cold could be deadly. Adults bathed only once every half-month, let alone children.
Lu Chao cherished this chance, scrubbing himself meticulously. When he noticed the oily film glistening on the water’s surface, he grimaced in disgust. Ugh, greasy. Only after drying off and changing into fresh clothes did he feel truly refreshed.
"Third Young Master, Nanny Mei from the main courtyard is waiting in the front hall. She says the master and mistress have a message for you."
Though Nanny Mei had braced herself, she was still uneasy. She wondered which concubine the mistress would assign to raise the Third Young Master.
"Third Young Master, mind your manners with Nanny Mei later. She’s the head maid serving the mistress and holds great influence."
Lu Chao nodded. This was his forte—reading the room was a skill he’d mastered in his past life.
Lately, he’d thought things through. Whether he could live comfortably depended entirely on the main household’s favor. As a concubine-born son with no backing, survival in the inner courtyard was hard enough, let alone living in leisure.
This time, Lu Chao refused to be carried. He strode into the front hall with a solemn expression.
"Greetings, Third Young Master."
As soon as he entered, a dignified woman in a blue wide-sleeved robe bowed deeply to him.
"Please rise, Nanny Mei. Does Father or Mother have instructions for me?"
"Nanny Mei, please sit. Summer Clothes, serve tea."
The tiny figure was unexpectedly well-mannered. The stool was a bit high, so when he stretched out his arms, the attending maid lifted him up, smoothing his clothes with practiced ease. His poise was impeccable.
The last time Nanny Mei had seen the Third Young Master was during the New Year celebrations. Back then, he had clung to Aunt Su, speaking little, only stealing glances at his surroundings before whispering to her.
Looking closely now, the child resembled Aunt Su more—oval face, thick brows, large eyes, a straight nose, and a small mouth unlike the master’s full lips. If not for knowing his background, one might mistake him for a delicate girl.
"The mistress sent me to check on your health, Third Young Master."
"Thank Mother for her concern. I’ve fully recovered."
Lu Chao clasped his hands toward the main courtyard—a gesture Nanny Yang had taught him, one he remembered well.
"That’s good. The mistress was deeply worried. She even instructed the household physician to take any needed medicines from her private stores. Truly, the Third Young Master is blessed. After this ordeal, your path ahead will surely be smooth." She then questioned Nanny Yang in detail about Lu Chao’s daily routine and meals.
"Today, this old servant also brings word from the master and mistress. Starting tomorrow, the Third Young Master is to move to Clear Heart Courtyard. May you not disappoint the mistress’s kindness."
Lu Chao’s eyes widened in disbelief. In this strictly hierarchical era, a concubine-born son being raised by the legal wife was extraordinary. From what he knew, the mistress came from the prestigious Meng Family, a clan of scholars—her father was the Imperial Tutor of the National Academy. Even the slightest favor from her could surpass a decade of his own struggles. A golden thigh to cling to!
After Nanny Mei left, the news spread like a stone dropped into a pond, rippling through every courtyard.
From then on, some rejoiced while others despaired.
Aunt Li, upon hearing the news, exhaled in relief. "Thank goodness I wasn’t tasked with raising a child. I’m still young—what do I know about caring for one?"
Chunlan, her maid, smiled. "When Madam bears a young master, we’ll all study hard to serve well."
"Bah! You little wretch—Xiahe, pinch her mouth for me!"
In the Listening Bamboo Courtyard, Aunt Zhou nearly tore her handkerchief apart. Her womb had failed her, never granting Baozhu and Baohua a brother. She had hoped to raise the Third Young Master herself, securing an ally for her daughters in the future. Who’d have thought the main household would be so calculating, gathering all three of the Lu Family’s male heirs under their control?
She had considered bringing it up with the master, but he had been too busy with official duties to visit the inner courtyard lately. At this thought, Aunt Zhou’s eyes dimmed further.
Unaware of the undercurrents in the rear courtyards, Lu Chao busied himself packing his belongings to seek refuge with the legal wife. To his shock, he realized just how poor he was. Aunt Su’s family had been humble—her father merely a County Magistrate’s Advisor—leaving her with little to pass down.
Rummaging through his "treasure chest"—a small rosewood box—he found only childhood toys and a few pouches containing tiny gold beads and jade buttons. Remembering the adorable little Lu Chao from his dreams, he pressed his lips together. That silly kid.
After a short rest, little Lu Chao shouldered his treasure chest and set off for the main courtyard, embarking on his quest to cling to a golden thigh.
