Due to the birthday banquet, most of the servants from the rear courtyard had been dispatched to the front, leaving the paths eerily quiet.
A breeze swept by, carrying the fragrance of osmanthus, but Xu Wei only felt his heart grow more restless.
He slowed his steps, glancing sideways at the petite Leng Yue.
Perhaps from walking, Leng Yue’s snow-white skin now bore a faint flush, her lips naturally red without rouge, and her downcast eyes revealing only the curve of her long lashes.
Suddenly, Leng Yue seemed to stumble on a pebble, her leg buckling as she swayed toward Xu Wei, letting out an involuntary gasp.
Soft and fragrant in his arms, Xu Wei could no longer restrain himself. He pulled her close, about to hurry toward his own courtyard.
“Young Master, would you like to try something new? I’ve brought out the little braid you love so much.”
Leng Yue’s breath tickled Xu Wei’s neck, sending a shiver down his spine.
“You little temptress, are you trying to drain me dry?”
“Young Master, there’s a rockery up ahead. It’d be… mmm… more thrilling there.”
Xu Wei glanced up at the rockery. It was indeed a perfect spot—surrounded on three sides, shielding them from prying eyes. Rumor had it his grandfather had brought it back from a temple to ward off evil, forbidding servants from entering. As children, he and his brothers had often played hide-and-seek there.
Though reckless, Xu Wei wasn’t foolish. If Old Master Xu found out, he’d be in grave trouble.
“I promise I won’t make a sound.”
Leng Yue pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve, then looked up at Xu Wei with feigned innocence.
“Brother, don’t come any closer… I’m scared. I want to go home.”
She stuffed the handkerchief into her mouth, tears welling up as she put on a show of defiance.
Xu Wei’s face flushed crimson with restraint, but with a gritted teeth, he ducked into the rockery.
After all, the elders were all in the front hall—no one would notice.
Front Hall.
Lu Yuanyi competed with other children in a game of pitch-pot, while Lu Chao cheered him on. Nearby, Lu Yuanzhao sat chatting with his classmates over tea, keeping an eye on his younger brothers.
Suddenly, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
“Pingyao—Pingyao! Has anyone seen Pingyao?” A young woman frantically searched the gathering.
“About this tall, with twin braids!”
“Auntie, I saw him run off earlier, but I don’t know where he went,” someone called out.
The woman hurried outside, panic rising. That child was her mother-in-law’s treasure—if anything happened, she’d never hear the end of it.
“Quick, go to the Pines Hall and ask Second Master if he’s seen anyone!”
At the Xu Family’s banquet, men and women were seated separately. For the convenience of the ladies, the Joyful Pavilion where Lu Chao and the others gathered hosted either married women or young children, while older girls like Baozhu played in the flower hall on the other side.
Hearing the commotion from Second Lady Xu, the women began whispering among themselves.
“Isn’t that the second branch’s stepmother? She’s looking for the second branch’s grandson?”
“Must be. That child is still so young—they ought to keep a closer eye on him. One slip and he’s gone.”
“True. My little rascal gave me quite the scare last time…”
“With so many guests today, not to mention the performers and acrobats…”
Second Lady Xu’s legs nearly gave way. Without another thought for propriety, she rushed off to seek Old Lady Xu’s help.
Lu Yuanzhao glanced at his well-behaved brothers and sighed in relief. At least his family’s children knew better.
The second branch’s matriarch had been chatting amiably with Old Lady Xu when her daughter-in-law’s news nearly made her faint.
Though the second branch had prospered under the main family’s shadow, their lineage had been plagued by misfortune. The eldest son had three daughters but no sons, despite five concubines. The second son’s wife bore two daughters before finally delivering a son—only to die in childbirth. Xu Pingyao was their sole male heir, the lifeline of the Xu Family!
“Send people to search at once!”
Old Lady Xu patted her sister-in-law’s shoulder reassuringly.
“Runiang, don’t panic. The child probably just wandered to the rear courtyard. I’ll have them look immediately.”
Servants scattered to comb the grounds.
“Heavens! Look over there—is that smoke? Is there a fire?!”
“Fire! Fire! Someone, help!”
“Alert Old Master Xu at once, but don’t alarm the guests!”
Old Master Xu, sharing tea with Fuquan, turned ashen at the servant’s report but forced a composed smile.
“Perhaps today’s auspicious—prosperity and flames go hand in hand! Hahaha! Old Master, tend to this matter first. We’re old friends—no need for formalities.”
Fuquan, ever the seasoned palace steward, waved him off gracefully.
“My apologies for the disruption! I’ll return shortly!”
Old Master Xu could no longer mask his urgency. Fearing disaster, he hurried off, robes flapping.
Fuquan gave a subtle nod to his adopted son, Anshun, who discreetly followed.
Second Lady Xu, hearing of the fire, rushed toward the rear courtyard with her entourage.
Had that wretched boy been playing with fire again?
Meanwhile, the lively youths in the Joyful Pavilion couldn’t resist the excitement. At that age, chaos was irresistible, and they dashed after the crowd.
Someone even shouted about helping put out the flames.
“Should we really go? The fire isn’t near the ladies’ quarters, is it? We mustn’t intrude.”
Lu Chao’s clear voice gave the young gentlemen pause. Madam Xu, observing his manners, nodded approvingly. Such refinement—a true noble child, unlike the Xu relatives, whose polished surfaces barely hid their coarse roots.
“Madam, the fire is near the study and the rockery. No ladies are present, but with few servants there, we must act before it spreads to the study. And that rockery—Old Master Xu…”
Madam Xu exhaled in relief. As long as the women’s reputations were safe, her role as mistress of the household remained secure.
“Second Lady was just searching for Pingyao—could he be there?”
“Then dispatch people immediately!”
“We’ll help too!”
“Madam, since the ladies aren’t at risk, let us see what we can do.”
A few Xu cousins eagerly stepped forward.
“Very well, but be careful!”
With a wave, Madam Xu followed, her steps measured but swift.
