Evening Meal.
Lu Yuanzhao was already ten years old this year, dressed in a goose-yellow robe trimmed with gold and wearing a leather hat. The most eye-catching feature was the exquisite dark jade embedded at the front of the hat, exuding an air of nobility.
Lu Yuanyi was only half a year older than Lu Chao and wore the currently fashionable embroidered vest adorned with gourd patterns, its collar lined with fox fur, making it look especially warm. At the moment, however, he was pressed close to Madam Lu, glaring at Lu Chao like a little wolf cub guarding its share.
"Chao'er, come here. These are your two elder brothers. You’ve met them before. From now on, the three of you must live in brotherly harmony, understood?"
Lu Chao nodded obediently, then hesitated shyly. "Mother, what does 'brotherly harmony' mean?"
"Ha ha ha, you little fool, you don’t even know that?" Lu Yuanyi’s previously guarded expression instantly transformed as he clutched his stomach and burst into laughter.
"Lu Yuanyi!"
Lady Lu’s voice turned stern.
Cough, cough. Lu Yuanyi’s laughter gradually faded, sensing the awkward atmosphere. He pretended to clear his throat a few times.
"Second Brother is so impressive!" Lu Chao showed no resentment at being laughed at. Instead, he genuinely praised Lu Yuanyi. He was just a child, afraid of losing his mother’s affection—why would he hold a grudge?
"'Brotherly harmony' means I hope you brothers can love and care for one another. He started his studies earlier, so he knows a bit more. Don’t be discouraged—you’ll understand once you begin school," Lady Lu explained.
The boys murmured their agreement, Lu Yuanyi not daring to act out further, though he pouted as he complied.
Lord Lu had sent word earlier that he wouldn’t be home for dinner, so the evening meal was just Lady Lu and her three children.
"Silence during meals, no talking in bed." The dining room fell quiet, with no clinking of chopsticks allowed. Lu Chao ate cautiously, accepting whatever the maid served him as if opening a mystery box.
What kind of meat is this? Chew, chew—a bit bland but sweet and fresh, all-natural, delicious! Is this bottle gourd? Not bad either!
Madam Lu glanced at Lu Chao, then at Lu Yuanyi, who was still playing with his rice grains.
Lady Lu felt exasperated and devised a plan.
"Chao'er eats so well, not picky at all. Tell me what you like, and I’ll have the kitchen prepare more."
Lu Yuanyi stared in disbelief at Lu Chao, who was devouring his meal, then at his mother’s doting expression. Alarm bells rang in his head!
"Mother! Look at me, I’m almost finished too!" Lu Yuanyi abandoned his games and shoveled several mouthfuls of rice into his mouth, shooting a challenging look at Lu Chao.
"Second Brother eats so fast. I still have a lot left."
Lu Yuanzhao glanced at his childish younger brother, then at Lu Chao, who had slowed his pace, and sighed inwardly. Where had those extra months of age gone for his brother? Had they been wasted?
"My, Second Young Master is truly impressive today! Setting such a fine example for Third Young Master!"
"Of course, he’s an elder brother now."
Amid the servants’ praises, Lu Yuanyi floated on cloud nine, finishing an entire bowl of rice before stumbling back to his courtyard in a daze.
"Young Master, would you like a late-night snack?"
Lu Yuanyi was a picky eater—never full after meals and often woke up hungry at night. Lady Lu had instructed the kitchen to keep snacks ready for him.
"Too full, can’t eat anymore." Lu Yuanyi rubbed his belly and shook his head. Even if his favorite white jade cakes appeared before him now, he wouldn’t have the appetite.
Hmph! That little Lu Chao could never compare to him!
That night, for once, Lu Yuanyi slept soundly without waking up hungry, not stirring until dawn.
When Lady Lu heard of this, she was pleasantly surprised—now she knew how to handle her youngest son.
Lu Family School.
Yang Zongze noticed Lu Yuanyi spacing out repeatedly. After the eighth time the teacher’s gaze landed on him, he couldn’t help but ask, "Lu Yuanyi, what’s wrong with you today? You’re so distracted."
Lu Yuanyi looked at his friend, conflicted.
"Hard to say? Is it that serious?"
Lu Yuanyi shook his head, then nodded, making Yang Zongze even more impatient. He wasn’t actually worried—he was just naturally nosy and loved hearing secrets people couldn’t easily share.
Lu Yuanyi leaned in. "Swear that whatever I tell you won’t leave this room, or you’ll never lay eyes on Master Yuwen again in your life."
Yang Zongze froze. "That harsh?"
Master Yuwen was his most revered painter! A single artwork of his was worth a fortune!
Lu Yuanyi nodded firmly.
After a moment of hesitation, Yang Zongze’s curiosity won out. "I swear! If I reveal a single word of what Lu Yuanyi tells me today to anyone else, may I never see Master Yuwen again! Now, out with it!"
"My mother wants to raise Third Brother under her care," Lu Yuanyi sighed.
Yang Zongze: "That’s it?! I swore such a vicious oath for this?!"
Was this really worth the young master’s distress?
"She seems to like him a lot," Lu Yuanyi added, somewhat embarrassed.
"But he’s a concubine’s son!" Yang Zongze didn’t understand the concern. Since ancient times, there had always been a clear distinction between legitimate and illegitimate sons—a concubine’s child posed no real threat.
"Ugh, you just don’t get it!" Lu Yuanyi flushed with frustration. He’d hoped for advice but now regretted speaking at all.
Yang Zongze: ??? The Lu family had always upheld strict traditions—was there something he didn’t know?
Lu Yuanyi was miserable. Though he was the pampered youngest son, his elder brother was outstanding. He’d seen the pride in his mother’s eyes when she looked at Lu Yuanzhao—nothing like the way she looked at him. He wanted to be that impressive too, to make her proud. But these classical texts gave him a headache, and now this smooth-talking Lu Chao had appeared. Hmph! What place did he even have in his mother’s heart now?
Had Yang Zongze lived in modern times, he’d have recognized this as a classic case of a high-needs child.
Lu Chao had no idea about Lu Yuanyi’s thoughts. Otherwise, he’d have told him he was overthinking it—real love didn’t require groveling. Like Aunt Su’s love for him, or Lady Lu’s love for her two sons.
That day, Lu Chao finally got to meet his nominal father. Lord Lu was stern and unsmiling, asking Lu Chao only a few perfunctory questions before ignoring him. In contrast, he beamed at Lu Yuanzhao, testing his knowledge and stroking his beard in satisfaction as the boy answered fluently.
Lu Chao ate in peace, unbothered. Since children had weaker chewing abilities, he used meal breaks to observe his surroundings—a habit left over from his past work life. Keeping eyes and ears open was a survival skill for any overworked laborer.
Wait, why was Lu Yuanyi shaking? Calcium deficiency? Muscle spasms?
The next moment—
"Lu Yuanyi."
Lord Lu’s voice rang out. Under the table, Lu Yuanyi’s legs trembled even harder.
"Father."
Lu Chao: Ah, so he’s a fellow academic struggler, just like me.
Lu Yuanyi glanced nervously at his mother and brother, who gave him encouraging looks. He slumped in defeat—great, now he’d embarrass himself in front of Lu Chao.
"'A sable coat, silken robes'—what does this mean?"
Lu Yuanyi’s face paled. It sounded familiar—the tutor must have covered it. But what did it mean again?
