"Mother, look, do you like it?"
Lu Chao magically produced a brocade box from his sleeve and handed it to Lady Lu.
When Lady Lu opened the box, her eyes lit up—it was a string of pearls, their lustrous purple hue marking them as extraordinary.
"Purple Eastern pearls! You’ve spent recklessly again! Such fine pearls should be saved for your future wife. I’m already old—wearing them would be a waste."
Ignoring her protests, Lu Chao pressed the necklace into her hands and picked up another smaller brocade box.
"Don’t think so far ahead. I’m still young—who knows where my wife is? Here, this is for Xingyao. A matching set for mother and daughter."
Lady Lu’s eyes softened with warmth.
"You’re not that young anymore. In a couple of years, we’ll start looking for a match for you. Your Eldest Brother is getting married next year—time flies."
Lu Chao was stunned.
His Eldest Brother was only seventeen, and already set to marry?
"Your Maternal Uncle wrote, suggesting a marriage to strengthen family ties. Your Father and I think it’s a good idea since we know each other well. We’ll ask your Eldest Brother for his thoughts. If he doesn’t object, we’ll settle it."
Lu Chao: Hard to say… No wonder Uncle was so eager to have Eldest Brother go to the capital—he’d already picked his son-in-law.
"Mother, I was just about to tell you—I’ll be going to the capital in a few days. Let me know if there’s anything you’d like me to bring for Eldest Brother. I’ll also help you get a look at your future daughter-in-law."
Lady Lu stood up in excitement.
"Why the sudden trip? Is it related to Prince Kang’s affairs? Are you well enough for the journey? Oh, you should’ve told me sooner! Let me see what to pack for you."
Her eldest son was staying with his uncle, so Lu Chao couldn’t go empty-handed. She had to prepare thoroughly. And if Yuanzhao had any intentions, perhaps she should include a piece or two from her treasured jewelry collection.
Watching Lady Lu bustle about, Lu Chao didn’t rush her.
"Mother, no need to hurry. I still have two days. I’ll go find Father first to check on the astragalus harvest."
"Alright, take the hand warmer so you don’t catch cold. Come back for dinner—I’ll have the kitchen prepare abalone tofu for you."
After leaving the county office, Lu Chao wasn’t worried about finding his way. He strolled leisurely with the crowd.
Yuxi County had transformed completely compared to three years ago. Several new herbal medicine and ironware shops lined the streets, and scattered farmers sold freshly dug herbs by the roadside. Among the locals, many out-of-town merchants now mingled.
"Yang San, why aren’t you forging iron today? What’s the occasion?"
A brawny man in cotton clothes grinned.
"My wife planted an acre of astragalus on our wasteland. I’m here to see how the harvest’s doing—gotta know what to expect when we sell it."
"Ah, your family’s got a good head for business. Times are looking up, eh?"
Yang San laughed heartily. "Thanks to Lord Lu! Folks buy my ironware now, and my wife takes the kids up the mountain to dig astragalus. We’re saving silver year after year—life’s getting better!"
"My wife wouldn’t let me plant any. Infuriating! If I see people making money off this, I’ll give her an earful when I get home."
"Don’t fret. Whatever you plant, you’ll reap something. Sow melons, get melons; sow beans, get beans—no loss either way."
Lu Chao listened with mixed emotions. When they first promoted astragalus cultivation, few had believed in it. Lord Lu visited Huichun Hall five times before finally persuading Mr. Meng, the resident physician, to teach the people how to grow it. Even then, no one dared to try.
Lu Chao had suggested setting up a demonstration field beside the road to the county. Every step—planting, fertilizing—was open for observation. The astragalus in that field grew under the watchful eyes of Yuxi’s people, who noticed every change before Lord Lu did.
As the astragalus sprouted and flourished, families gradually began planting small patches on their own slopes. It was a modest start, but a start nonetheless.
The common folk weren’t fools. Once the field proved astragalus could be grown profitably, they jumped at the opportunity.
Outside the county gates, a noisy crowd had gathered, buzzing with excitement.
"Five hundred catties per acre!"
"Quick, calculate the earnings!"
"Thirty taels of silver! Thirty taels per acre!"
"Heavens! That’s fortune! Ah, I should’ve planted more!"
At the edge of the crowd stood a finely dressed man with a rosy-cheeked little girl perched on his shoulders—none other than Lu Yuanyi and Xingyao.
Lu Chao crept up behind them and lightly poked Xingyao’s back.
She turned but saw no one and turned back.
Lu Chao poked again. Xingyao patted Lu Yuanyi’s head with her chubby hand.
"Second Brother! My back itches!"
"Lu Xingyao, stop squirming. If you fall, I won’t catch you."
When Lu Yuanyi turned and saw Lu Chao, he startled.
"Chao! You’re back?!"
"Third Brother!!"
Xingyao beamed at the sight of Lu Chao and reached out for a hug.
Lu Chao quickly took her, bouncing her lightly in his left arm. Hmm, heavier than last time.
"Can your frail arms handle her?" Lu Yuanyi eyed him with concern.
"Underestimating me? I’ll be leaving Yingchuan soon, so I came to visit."
Xingyao clung to Lu Chao’s neck, her cheek pressed against him, eyes sparkling. She adored Third Brother—he smelled nice, unlike stinky Second Brother.
Lu Yuanyi supported Xingyao’s bottom with one hand to ease Lu Chao’s burden, slightly spreading his stance as he looked down at him.
Has Third Brother lost weight again?
"How long will you be gone? No danger, I hope?"
"About a month. What danger could there be? I’ll leave things here to you. Shi Liu will keep you updated. If anything urgent arises, seek my Master at Guanfu Academy—he’s agreed to watch over the family. I’ve also left two messenger birds with you. Hope you won’t need them."
Lu Yuanyi’s heart raced. He knew Lu Chao’s role beside Prince Kang wouldn’t be peaceful, but this looming sense of storm left him breathless.
"The Emperor’s birthday decree summoned Prince Kang to the capital. I’m accompanying him and will visit Eldest Brother along the way."
"Don’t look so grim. I can’t lift or carry much—what trouble could I possibly stir?"
Lu Yuanyi forced a wry smile. His years of travel had taught him the court’s precarious state.
The Crown Prince was frail, and every prince eyed the throne. Prince Kang had withdrawn by requesting his own fief, but could one truly escape such a game?
"No matter what happens, protect yourself first. Worst case, we’ll come home and farm. I’ve even learned to grow astragalus now."
Lu Chao watched the jubilant villagers and Lord Lu by the field, a faint smile on his lips.
"Sure thing, Second Brother. I’ll count on you to feed me then."
Fortunately, Prefect Chen had been delaying Father Lu's reassignment report. With the capital so far away, it was just as well that Lord Lu remained forgotten in Yuxi County—the current situation in the capital was far from peaceful.
