Lu Chao glanced at Lady Lu beside him. Seeing the conversation was about to veer into which bookstore might sell those miscellaneous books, he had to intervene.
"Ahem, we’ve strayed off topic."
Lady Lu looked slightly embarrassed but then added,
"His Majesty values filial piety. Even if you’re dissatisfied, you mustn’t direct it at your father, understand? It’s only because he has a good temper—if you’d been born into another family, your backside would’ve been beaten black and blue by now."
Chao was clever, quick-witted, and kind-hearted. Because he’d injured his hand saving Yuanyi, she and Lord Lu had always wanted to compensate him. But with Lord Lu’s temperament, she worried that if he got too angry, he might wash his hands of Chao entirely.
"Mother, why are you so good to me?"
From Lu Chao’s perspective, he was a concubine’s son—by all rights, Lady Lu should despise him. Yet after all this time, she treated him as if he were her own.
"Because you’re good too. If it were another child, I might not be so attentive." Lady Lu smiled.
Lu Chao grinned back.
"I must’ve done many good deeds in my past life to be reborn into the Lu family, with such wonderful elder brothers, such a kind mother, and such a caring aunt."
Lady Lu laughed aloud.
"With such a silver tongue, why don’t you say these sweet words to your father?"
Lu Chao pursed his lips. He understood Lady Lu’s concern—she feared Lord Lu might completely disown him, ruining his future. But sometimes, he just couldn’t help it!
How could his father, with such a wonderful wife at his age, still chase after other women?
In his past life, Lu Chao had been a paragon of male virtue, yet he’d never had a girlfriend. What right did Lord Lu have to act this way?
Fine. This wasn’t the 21st century. He’d be more polite to his nominal father from now on—treat him like a boss. Report when necessary, and otherwise just nod and say, "Understood, I’ll do better next time."
When Lu Yuanyi heard his father was away on official business, he was so delighted he ate an extra half-bowl of rice.
At the dinner table, he winked and grinned at Lady Lu, laying on the charm.
"Mother, my most generous and beautiful mother, can we visit the estate again?"
Lady Lu smiled gently. Just as Lu Yuanyi thought victory was within reach, she uttered two words.
"No."
Lu Yuanyi deflated instantly.
"Why not? Father’s not here. Chao, don’t you want to go?"
He then shot Lu Chao a meaningful look.
"I don’t want to go," Lu Chao shook his head. Lately, he’d been exhausted from preparing for his shop, running around every day.
Betrayed, Lu Yuanyi pouted, snorted, and turned away.
"Father isn’t home, Mother is pregnant and busy managing household affairs. How can we go off to the estate to play?"
Lu Yuanzhao frowned at his immature younger brother, his tone tinged with reproach.
Lady Lu, wanting to temper his temperament, didn’t comfort him. Lu Chao, lost in thoughts about his shop, drifted further away. The meal passed in silence.
Back in his room, Lu Yuanyi finally let his tears fall.
"Third Young Master is really something. Always claims to be closest to Second Young Master, but I think he’s just trying to please Lady Lu."
Qiaoqiao, Lu Yuanyi’s maid, couldn’t help muttering when she saw her master upset.
Seeing that the Second Young Master didn’t scold her, she pressed on.
"Young Master, look how Lady Lu dotes on him now—takes him everywhere, treats him better than her own sons."
Lu Yuanyi buried his face in the quilt, fuming.
"Get out! If you dare gossip about your masters again, I’ll have you beaten!"
Qiaoqiao immediately knelt.
"Young Master, I... I just feel bad for you. I won’t dare again."
"Scram! Who do you think you are? I don’t need your pity!"
Lu Yuanyi hurled a pillow, furious.
When Lu Chao arrived, a pillow flew straight at him.
The maid retreating in fright trembled as she bowed and scurried away.
Lu Chao raised an eyebrow. Why was Second Brother so worked up today?
"Get out, all of you! Leave me alone!!"
Lu Chao calmly took a seat and even nibbled on a pastry with interest.
When Lu Yuanyi turned to yell, only to see Lu Chao, he snorted.
"You!... What are you doing here? Come to laugh at me?"
"Second Brother, how could you think that of me? I’m hurt."
"Traitor! Then why did you say you didn’t want to go to the estate?"
Lu Chao sighed.
"My dear Second Brother, I’ve been swamped lately. Look how thin I’ve gotten—I just want to rest for a couple of days."
Lu Yuanyi eyed Lu Chao’s round cheeks skeptically and crossed his arms.
"What serious business could you possibly have at your age?"
He’d been busy practicing archery with Yang Zongze lately. Chao hadn’t joined because of his injured arm—how could he be so busy?
"Lean in. I’ll tell you a secret, but you must swear not to tell anyone."
After listening, Lu Yuanyi sat dumbfounded. His little brother was already opening a shop? Why was his own allowance only 20 taels?!
"Waaah!! I knew Mother favored you!! Waaah!!"
As Lu Yuanyi started wailing again, Lu Chao clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Stop!! This isn’t Mother’s money—it’s mine!!"
Lu Yuanyi quieted, then glanced guiltily at Lu Chao.
"Where’d you get money?"
"I earned it. Paper flower cards, flying chess, military chess—those toys I designed. Lady Lu and I went into business together. This is my savings."
Lu Yuanyi suddenly remembered—Lu Chao’s toys had taken Yingchuan by storm.
"Chao, I’m sorry. I misunderstood."
Seeing Lu Yuanyi’s awkwardness, Lu Chao smacked his head playfully.
"Why were you so angry earlier? Skipping the estate isn’t the end of the world—no need to cry like a girl."
Lu Yuanyi lowered his head and finally mumbled,
"Mother’s birthday is coming up. I wanted to surprise her at the estate, to make her happy. But you’re all against me—even Big Brother scolded me!"
His eyes reddened again.
"Ah! Mother’s birthday is soon? I had no idea—Second Brother, you’re so thoughtful!"
Lu Chao finally understood. No wonder Yuanyi, who rarely threw tantrums, had been so upset.
Hearing the praise, Lu Yuanyi’s lips curled smugly. He was Mother’s most considerate little darling!
"If Mother knew your intentions, she’d be thrilled. But Big Brother’s right—she’s pregnant, and the journey would be tiring. With Father away, she needs to oversee the household. How about we bring the surprise here instead?"
After being scolded by his elder brother, Lu Yuanyi knew he’d been unreasonable. But in the heat of the moment, he’d felt wronged. Now, with Lu Chao’s praise, he began to reflect.
"Mm! But the surprise is still at the estate. If we bring it here now, Mother will find out—then it won’t be a surprise."
Lu Chao nodded.
"Let's go discuss this with Eldest Brother together. If he learns of your plan, he’s sure to praise you! Then we can celebrate Mother’s birthday together!"
Lu Yuanyi nodded in agreement.
Knock, knock, knock—
A sound came from the door.
The two turned to look, and who else could it be but Lu Yuanzhao?
