"Vice Magistrate Lu, there's something I must trouble you with." Lord Zhou set down his teacup.
"Please speak, my lord."
"Of the children rescued that day, most have been returned to their families. However, one child's family seems to have... complicated circumstances. They begged me to send word to his maternal grandparents, saying someone would come for him in a few days. As I cannot remain in Yingchuan City much longer, and considering the boy has befriended your two sons, I thought it best to temporarily place him in the Lu Family until his relatives arrive. Would your household accommodate this?"
Zhou Sanwei's heart ached remembering how the child had knelt pleading before him.
"Of course, Lord Zhou. Your compassion does you honor. I shall ensure the boy is well cared for." Father Lu nearly thumped his chest in earnest promise. A request from Lord Zhou himself? The Lu Family would spare no effort—they'd host the child as long as needed. This might even grant future opportunities to report updates to Lord Zhou. Heh.
Yingge hadn't expected to see Lu Chao again. When Lord Zhou mentioned entrusting him to Vice Magistrate Lu's care, he'd been nervous about his identity being exposed. But upon learning it was Lu Chao's family, the tension in his small face melted away.
In the following days, Lu Chao received streams of gifts from the Xu and Yang Families as thanks.
Rumor had it Yang Zongze had been disciplined the moment he returned home—after all, he'd been the one who took Lu Yuanyi out. Mother Yang, too ashamed to face Lu's mother, had hardened her heart. Yang Zongze was beaten so severely he couldn't leave his bed, howling in pain. His tear-stained letter accompanying the gifts begged them to wait for his recovery before continuing the "Monkey King" stories.
Lu's mother shared Mother Yang's letter with the children: A concubine in the Yang household, driven by rivalry, had bribed a servant to plant the idea of the illusion show in Yang Zongze's mind—hoping to make Father Yang disown him in favor of a younger half-brother. Instead, the scheme nearly cost Yang Zongze his life.
"Guard against treachery. Always think twice about what you encounter."
The children nodded solemnly.
During his convalescence, Lu Chao met his half-sisters. The two demure girls kept their eyes lowered, exchanged brief pleasantries, and left—models of propriety.
Yet something felt off. Lady Lu had been acting strangely lately, her gaze evasive yet her gestures excessively doting. His room was now filled with lavish trinkets, each more extravagant than the last.
Most peculiarly, Yingge revealed that Lady Lu would sit by Lu Chao's bed as he slept, adjusting his injured right hand whenever it strayed. She always slipped away before he woke.
Soon, even Lu Yuanyi adopted the habit, tiptoeing in nightly as if avoiding him.
One evening, Lu Chao feigned sleep. Sure enough, Lu Yuanyi's hushed voice soon crept in.
"Chao asleep?"
"For a while, Second Young Master."
"Keep this loquat syrup warm. Give it to Third Young Master when he wakes."
The rustle of robes signaled Lu Yuanyi's approach.
What nonsense was this?
Skulking around like a guilt-ridden lover making amends.
As Lu Yuanyi stared blankly at him, Lu Chao suddenly opened his eyes. The older boy leapt back in shock.
"Why run?" Lu Chao croaked.
Had Lu Yuanyi been causing trouble again? Those dark circles—even pandas would envy them.
"I... I..." Lu Yuanyi stammered, refusing to meet his eyes.
"Hiding something?" Lu Chao frowned.
"N-no!"
"Is it my injury? Is my hand useless now?!"
Lu Yuanyi jerked his head up, horrified.
"Bullshit! Of course not! It'll heal! Who dared say otherwise? I'll have them flogged!"
The frantic denial confirmed Lu Chao's suspicion. So that explained Lady Lu's avoidance. Given ancient medicine, he'd braced for this.
"You've been avoiding me over this?"
Lu Yuanyi burst into tears, collapsing at the bedside.
"Chao!! It's all my fault!! sob I—I resented you! Gave you ugly fabric! Put hated dishes near you!! And you saved me!! wail I'll share everything now—even Mother!!"
Lu Chao nearly laughed. Those "ugly" fabrics were Lu Yuanyi's gaudy favorites—hardly his taste.
"LU. YUAN. YI."
Lady Lu's voice cut through the theatrics, her expression thunderous.
Lu Yuanyi paled. His barely-healed backside was doomed.
"Mother." Lu Chao glanced at the doorway.
"Chao, ignore his nonsense. I've written to your aunt in the capital. We'll find a miracle doctor."
Lu Chao flexed his right hand. It moved fine. How was it "ruined"?
"What did the physician say?"
Lady Lu's voice trembled as she relayed Doctor Hu's prognosis. She perched on the bed, fearing despair.
"If I can't serve in office, so be it. With Eldest and Second Brother here, would I ever want?" Lu Chao shrugged. Frankly, passing imperial exams was beyond him anyway. And in the Lu Family, when would he need to lift a finger?
"Chao, I'll protect you!" Lu Yuanyi sniffled.
"Then I'll rely on you, Second Brother."
Lu Chao leaned back, grinning. Years later, Lu Yuanyi would rue this promise whenever his brother weaponized it shamelessly.
Lady Lu's heart clenched. The child didn't grasp what he'd lost. But she owed him this. They'd scour the realm for healers—Doctor Hu had mentioned a sliver of hope.
After the confrontation, the main house showered Lu Chao with treasures. He grinned at his swelling coffers.
When Lady Lu gifted him two estates—guaranteeing monthly income—Lu Chao nearly wept. Damn it! In his past life, six years of backbreaking work had barely bought a tiny apartment. Now? He owned land! HAHAHA!
Let him think about it—he had read novels before. After time-traveling, was he supposed to achieve great things? Grow sweet potatoes? Plant potatoes? Or maybe make ice? Damn it, he didn’t know how to do any of that!
