After spending the night out, Xu Wei sneaked back into the manor at dawn, followed by a meek-looking young boy.
"Did Grandfather notice?" Xu Wei whispered to the gatekeeper.
With Old Madam Xu's grand birthday celebration just a few days away, the elders were busy preparing for the household's hospitality duties, giving Xu Wei the perfect opportunity to stay out all night unnoticed.
"No, Old Master Xu had a social engagement yesterday and didn't return until late in the evening. He’s probably still asleep," the gatekeeper replied, weighing the purse in his hand with a flattering smile.
Xu Wei let out a relieved sigh and strode forward, his servants trailing closely behind, afraid of being caught by Old Master Xu even a step too late.
While the old master doted on his grandson and wouldn’t punish him harshly, the servants attending him wouldn’t be so lucky.
Two days later.
Lu Chao glanced at the invitation handed to him by the gatekeeper and smiled faintly. The time had come.
That day, in front of Xu Manor.
Carriages and horses crowded the entrance, creating a lively scene.
Xu Wei, along with his brothers and nephews from the Xu family, stood at the gate to welcome the guests.
Dressed in a deep crimson brocade robe with intricate and dignified embroidered trim, his tall and upright posture stood out among the young men, earning nods of approval from the aristocratic families attending the banquet. He quickly became the ideal son-in-law in the eyes of Yingchuan City’s noblewomen.
Inside the carriages, the young ladies blushed at the mere sound of his refined and handsome voice.
When Xu Wei spotted the Lu family’s carriage, he hurried forward to greet them.
"Magistrate Lu, my apologies for not welcoming you sooner. My father has been awaiting your arrival and looks forward to sharing a few drinks with you tonight."
Father Lu had already heard from Lady Lu about the conduct of the Xu family’s young master. He had expected a cunning villain, but to his surprise, Xu Wei appeared dignified and proper on the surface.
"Excellent, excellent. You must be the young master of the Xu family—truly a fine young man."
"I pale in comparison to Yuanzhao," Xu Wei replied modestly, covering his face with his sleeve in feigned embarrassment.
"You flatter me, Brother Xu Wei," Lu Yuanzhao said with a polite bow.
"To amuse my grandmother today, we’ve prepared a game of cuju. I’ve heard the Lu brothers are quite skilled—perhaps you could offer us some guidance later."
"Not at all, not at all. My sons are merely mischievous, always fooling around at home."
After exchanging pleasantries, Xu Wei barely glanced at Lu Chao. No one could tell that beneath this humble and courteous exterior lay such a filthy heart.
Once the greetings were over, the group finally entered Xu Manor.
"Yuanyi, Chaochao, you must not leave my side today," Lu Yuanzhao said firmly, gripping his younger brothers’ hands.
"Eldest Brother, don’t worry. We won’t run off. Later, we’ll go keep Mother company," Lu Chao reassured him with a smile, giving Lu Yuanzhao’s hand a gentle squeeze.
Lu Yuanzhao had initially been reluctant to bring Lu Chao along, but Lady Lu insisted. Since formally recognizing him as her son, they had yet to attend such a grand event together. Today was the perfect opportunity to introduce Lu Chao to society, and she doubted Xu Wei would dare cause trouble at the banquet.
Thus, Lu Yuanzhao hovered over his younger brothers like a protective hen watching over her chicks.
No matter how reckless Xu Wei was, he wouldn’t dare disrupt his grandmother’s birthday celebration. But the scene Lu Yuanzhao had witnessed before haunted him—if the person lying there had been his own brother, he would have killed Xu Wei on the spot.
During the banquet, Lu Chao and Lu Yuanyi spotted a few of their classmates, and soon the children were playing together.
Lu Chao’s gaze swept across the hall, landing on Old Master Xu—his hair streaked with white, his frame lean but spirited.
Imperial Concubine Xu, now favored by the emperor and with a royal son by her side, has elevated the Xu family's status to even greater heights. It was no surprise that even Prefect Meng, though absent himself, sent Madam Meng with gifts to pay respects.
The guests offered their congratulations with smiling faces, though it was hard to tell how many were sincere and how many merely feigned delight.
Xu Wei had conducted himself impeccably that day, earning endless praise from the attendees. Old Master Xu watched his grandson with satisfaction, proudly introducing him to the gathered guests.
