The crape myrtles in the Wisteria Courtyard had unknowingly burst into full bloom with buds.
In just half a month, Lu Yuanyi returned from school begging Lu Chao to paint a few more copies to give away as gifts. Sensing a business opportunity, Lu Chao dragged Lu Yuanyi straight to the main courtyard to seek support from their influential mother.
"Mother!"
"Mom!"
Lady Lu was busy calculating the accounts, troubled by the dwindling profits of the Hundred Treasures Shop, when she heard the boisterous voices of her two troublemakers.
Rubbing her throbbing temples, she sighed.
"What is it now?"
The two stood properly and bowed with exaggerated formality.
"I don’t know. Chao says he has something important to discuss with you."
Lu Yuanyi had been pulled along without explanation, equally curious about Lu Chao’s so-called "big matter."
"Mother, look at this. I drew these while recovering from my injury—just something to pass the time. But they’re actually quite fun to play with. Second Brother took them to school, and many classmates wanted copies. I was thinking we could mass-produce and sell them. There’s money to be made here."
"You child, always thinking about profits," Lady Lu chided, taking the paper slips from Lu Chao.
The square pieces of paper bore crude drawings and rough edges, hardly anything remarkable.
Noticing her skepticism, Lu Chao quickly interjected, "Mother, let’s play a few rounds. You’ll understand once I teach you."
"Mom, I can teach you too! It’s really fun!" Lu Yuanyi chimed in.
After a brief explanation of the rules and the meaning of the symbols, the three began playing.
"I call Landlord!"
"Ah, you’re stealing my turn again!"
"Straight!"
"Royal Bomb!"
...
"Again! Let’s play again!"
After a few rounds, Lady Lu got the hang of it. The card game was simple, easy to learn, and perfect for passing time—something the women of the inner quarters would surely enjoy.
"Chao, what’s your plan?"
"Mother, we can have them printed uniformly with prettier designs. People will definitely buy them."
"But how will they learn the rules?"
"We’ll teach the shop assistants first. Buyers will likely already know how to play. And if this catches on in the capital, the market will be huge."
Lu Chao wasn’t delusional. During winter, when everyone stayed indoors, these playing cards would be perfect entertainment for all ages.
"Very well. Tomorrow, I’ll summon Shopkeeper Xu from the Hundred Treasures Shop. You two can explain your ideas to him."
The thought of being among the first in the Great Yuan Dynasty to master the game thrilled Lu Yuanyi, who nearly burst into laughter.
"But we can’t call it 'Fight the Landlord.' That’s politically sensitive. Think of another name. Also, the paper quality is too flimsy—it’ll tear easily. I’ll have some rattan paper sent over. Once painted, we’ll coat it with tung oil and test a prototype."
Lady Lu, having managed the household for over a decade, had sharp political instincts.
Lu Chao didn’t care about the name, as long as it wasn’t "Fight the Landlord." But what else?
"How about 'Paper Blossom Game'? They’re made of paper, after all," Lu Yuanyi suggested without hesitation.
"Have you heard of 'Leaf Game'?" Lu Chao suddenly recalled an ancient card game.
"No, why?" Lu Yuanyi shook his head.
"Never mind. 'Paper Blossom Game' it is. Second Brother, don’t take these to school yet. Just say they’ll be available for purchase soon."
In this era, copyright didn’t exist. If someone else beat them to it, they’d lose out big.
A few days later, Lady Lu sent word that the Paper Blossom Game was ready. She invited Lu Chao to inspect it and join them for dinner.
Since his injury hadn’t fully healed, Lu Chao had avoided certain foods and stayed indoors to prevent complications. It had been a while since he last dined in the main courtyard.
"Mother."
"Chao, you’re here! Come see if the Paper Blossom Game meets your expectations."
Lady Lu beckoned him closer, then felt his hands to ensure they weren’t cold before relaxing.
"Next time, wear an extra layer. You’re still recovering—don’t let the cold seep into your body."
Warmed by her concern, Lu Chao nodded obediently.
"Don’t worry, Mother. I’m bundled up. I won’t catch a chill."
"This is Shopkeeper Xu from the Hundred Treasures Shop. Get acquainted—he’ll oversee the game’s production." Lady Lu gestured to a thin, unassuming man standing nearby.
"Madam, you’re truly blessed. Your sons are exceptional. This young master—I can’t help but admire him! The tales of his bravery are spreading far and wide. When I return, everyone will envy me for meeting him."
Shopkeeper Xu’s flattery wasn’t grating. His twitching mustache even added a comical charm. The maids nearby stifled giggles behind their sleeves.
"Shopkeeper Xu, no amount of praise will make up for your shop’s losses," Lady Lu remarked, though not unkindly. The Xu family had her trust.
"Ah, Madam, if this game takes off, the Hundred Treasures Shop will be unmatched next month!"
Shopkeeper Xu gave a thumbs-up, then bowed obsequiously to Lu Chao, handing him a stack of cards.
"Young Master, please inspect them."
Lu Chao examined the cards. The rattan paper was far sturdier. Each card bore simple designs corresponding to the numbers, with traditional numerals at the top. The backs were stamped with the Hundred Treasures Shop’s seal. Perfect.
Seeing Lu Chao’s satisfied nod, Shopkeeper Xu wiped his brow. Lady Lu had warned him—fail this task, and he’d be demoted to pig farming on the estate.
"Good. Produce two hundred sets for the shop. Get to it."
"At once! I’ll have them made immediately."
As Shopkeeper Xu left, Lu Yuanyi returned home. Hearing the shopkeeper had just departed, he nearly bolted after him to glimpse the cards—until Lady Lu scolded him into submission.
Dinner.
Lu Chao ate slowly with his left hand, eyeing the dishes before glancing repeatedly at his mother.
"What is it?" Lady Lu asked, assuming he had something to say.
"Are you unwell?" Lu Chao hesitated before voicing his concern.
"Not at all. Why do you ask?" She seemed puzzled. Had her complexion worsened?
At his words, the entire table turned to stare at her.
"Then why are you only eating vegetables? When Uncle Yingge visited last time, you did the same. I thought it was just a passing loss of appetite, but it’s been so long."
Throughout the meal, Lady Lu had only served the children, barely touching anything but the plain dishes before her.
She froze momentarily.
"Mom, are you sick? Call the physician!" Lu Yuanyi leapt to his feet.
"Summon the doctor!" Father Lu ordered.
"No need. I’m fine," Lady Lu insisted.
Shishu at her side bowed slightly and whispered, "My lady has been abstaining from meat for the sake of the two young masters. When she heard they had been kidnapped, she made a vow before the Buddha, willing to give up meat in exchange for their safe return. That's why..."
As Shishu spoke, the dining table fell into silence once more.
"Mother..." Lu Yuanyi's heart was filled with guilt.
Lady Lu was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. She had been vegetarian for nearly two months, yet neither her husband nor her son had noticed. Lu Chao, however, had discerned it after just two meals with her.
