Lu Chao was raised by his grandfather, so how could he not recognize this phrase?
"You—you! You unfilial descendant, daring to compare yourself to your great-great-grandfather! I’ll beat you to death!"
In the end, Lu Chao’s backside bore a few red marks. If Lady Lu hadn’t arrived in time, he was certain his backside wouldn’t have survived.
The next day, Lu Chao buckled down, gathering references everywhere and submitting an essay titled "The Meaning of Reading." The content was filled with quotes from literary giants about their reading habits, along with his own grievances about the unjust punishment inflicted on his backside. The academy teacher couldn’t help but laugh, spitting out his tea mid-sip. The essay was well-reasoned, even invoking the example of their Great-Great-Grandfather to justify his own carefree approach to reading.
Within two days, the essay landed in Lord Lu’s hands. Watching his colleague’s trembling beard, Lord Lu’s face cycled through shades of green, red, and black.
"Lord Lu, your son is truly well-read—even aspiring to emulate Great-Great-Grandfather’s appreciation for the ‘delicious taste of ink.’ Hahaha! Truly, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree."
The phrase originated from their Great-Great-Grandfather, who, while leading troops to reclaim the Central Plains, became so engrossed in a rare book he found in Anding City that he neglected his meal. As he read and copied, ink spilled into his food. When his mother asked how the meal tasted, he absentmindedly replied, "Delicious."
Lord Lu sighed and shook his head. "This child is too blunt. He’s still holding a grudge over those lashes. How can he compare himself to Great-Great-Grandfather? If he learns even a fraction of his wisdom, it’ll be a blessing from our ancestors."
Lu Chao, of course, didn’t change. In Lord Lu’s presence, he behaved properly, but the moment his father was out of sight, he reverted to his usual self—flexible and unrestrained. Sometimes, when servants spotted Lord Lu’s robe from afar, they’d cough pointedly, and Lu Chao would obediently straighten up. Lord Lu would pretend not to notice, and peace prevailed.
The sunlight warmed his skin.
Lady Lu’s lips curled into an involuntary smile. For some reason, she felt transported back to her maiden days, embroidering under a tree while her grandmother basked in the sun beside her—quiet yet deeply comforting.
Today, Lu Chao held a copy of The Hundred Grains Manual, a book Yingge had picked up in the northern deserts. Knowing Lu Chao’s fondness for eclectic reads, Yingge had sent him a steady supply of such books.
"Ahem!"
The attendant at the door suddenly cleared his throat.
Lu Chao straightened with a frown, glancing toward the entrance.
Sure enough, Lord Lu strolled in, leisurely stroking his beard.
"What frivolous book are you reading now?"
Lu Chao held it out without hesitation—it wasn’t anything scandalous, so he had no reason to hide it.
Lord Lu skimmed the pages before handing it back, unimpressed.
"Nothing but nonsense. Your academy teacher mentioned you scored only second-tier marks last month."
"Oh."
Lord Lu glared at his rebellious son before pointedly looking away, embodying the adage out of sight, out of mind.
"My lady, how have you been feeling lately? I’ve procured some black lingzhi mushrooms to nourish you."
"I’ve been better recently, though still a bit lethargic and lacking appetite. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, my lord."
Lady Lu smiled in response.
"I’ll be leaving for Yuxi tomorrow. Oversee the household affairs in my absence. I’ll leave Uncle Zhong with you—don’t hesitate to call on him if needed."
After dismissing the servants, Lord Lu took a sip of tea and revealed the purpose of his visit.
There had been unrest at the mines in Yuxi. The local magistrate had failed to quell the disturbances, and the situation had escalated. Yuxi bordered Sanjin City—territory under Prince Ningyang’s jurisdiction. The prefect had decided to lead a delegation personally, and Lord Lu was among them.
Lu Chao studied his father’s unusually spirited demeanor and frowned.
Lord Lu was a civil official, responsible only for grain transport. Normally, such matters wouldn’t involve him. Had his father received hints of a promotion?
"If these rascals trouble you while I’m away, save it for me to handle when I return!"
Lu Chao ignored Lord Lu’s sidelong glare. In his absence, the family of four got along just fine.
"Is there any danger? I’ll be perfectly safe here. Uncle Zhong should accompany you—I’d feel better knowing he’s with you."
Lady Lu patted Lord Lu’s hand, her worry evident.
"Don’t fret. Commander Xie is joining us."
Lady Lu shook her head.
"Yuanzhao is grown now—he should learn to take charge. The county office isn’t far. If anything arises, he can handle it. It’ll be good practice for him in managing social affairs. Uncle Zhong must go with you. He traveled everywhere with the old master—having him by your side will put my heart at ease."
Lord Lu didn’t argue further. He expected to return within ten days to half a month, so bringing Uncle Zhong wouldn’t be an issue.
"Very well, as you wish. I’ll depart shortly—Uncle Zhong is already packing. Just take care of things here."
"Of course. Should I arrange for a concubine to accompany you?"
Lady Lu lowered her voice.
"No need. This is official business, urgent and time-sensitive. When Yuanzhao and Yuanyi return, inform them for me."
With that, Lord Lu hurried off.
Lady Lu turned to Lu Chao, who seemed lost in thought, and gently tapped his head.
"Back to earth. What’s on your mind?"
Lu Chao shook his head.
"Did you have something to tell me today? You’ve been distracted."
Again, he shook his head.
"Nothing. I just came to mooch some layered pastry off you. Don’t tell me you’re tired of me?"
Lady Lu poked his forehead but didn’t press further. The boy’s eyes had widened noticeably at the mention of a concubine, and his look of disdain toward his father had been unmistakable.
"You and your father were getting along well recently. Why the sudden disdain? What did he do now?"
Though their relationship had been tumultuous lately, Lord Lu had privately praised Lu Chao’s talent to Lady Lu, even keeping that essay tucked in his drawer. He found his youngest son unruly but undeniably brilliant.
Lady Lu sighed at the pair’s endless squabbles.
Lu Chao snorted but stayed silent. A son shouldn’t speak ill of his father—he had nothing to say.
"Is it because of the woman he brought home?"
Lu Chao’s eyes widened.
Lady Lu fanned herself, smiling knowingly. She’d guessed right.
"Were you worried I’d be hurt?"
With the servants dismissed, Lu Chao nodded honestly.
"Fifteen years ago, perhaps I would have been sad. But not now, Chaochao. Your father may be strict, but he’s still one of the better ones."
Lu Chao’s expression twisted with disbelief and skepticism.
"Have you been reading those romantic tales—the ones about ‘one love for a lifetime’?"
Lady Lu flushed slightly, feeling almost embarrassed. Sometimes, Lu Chao felt less like her son and more like a friend—someone she could speak to without reservation.
"Those are all impoverished scholars, dreaming of marrying a noble lady and moving the heavens with their devotion. It's like a fat man making a wish—he'd probably say, 'I'd gladly give up ten pounds of my weight for a good marriage.' Because that extra weight means nothing to him. For these poor scholars, just being able to find a wife is a blessing, so of course they'd swear eternal loyalty to one woman."
"Mother, aren’t you getting a bit off-topic?"
Lu Chao's lips twitched. Good grief, he was still just a kid.
