Chapter 10: Lu Yao Lays Bare His Heart

Chapter 10: Lu Yao Lays Bare His Heart

Lu Xin sniffled. "I'd rather stay with my sister."

Lu Yao coughed lightly and made a motion as if to reach out.

"Second brother, you're so annoying!" Lu Xin, with a pitiful expression, let go of Lu Mingchao's sleeve and ran toward the neighboring room, glancing back over her shoulder every few steps.

Lu Mingchao, smiling, clicked her tongue. "I wonder what Second Brother wants to discuss with me."

"The wound on your forehead," Lu Yao said, his tone calm but his eyes sharp as he pointed at Lu Mingchao's head. "Did you hurt yourself on purpose?"

"To stay in the Marquis's residence?"

Though it was a question, Lu Yao's voice was flat and certain.

He knew his father and elder brother too well; their eye contact and simultaneous responses had revealed the truth.

Lu Mingchao wasn't too surprised, her lips curving into a smile as she looked sincere and genuine. "Since Second Brother knows and has deliberately pointed it out, are you trying to put me on the spot?"

Lu Yao stiffened, as if struck by lightning, clearly not having anticipated this response.

He had expected Lu Mingchao to deny it or rack her brains for an explanation, not to directly admit it with such confidence and a counter-question.

He was caught off guard, unsure how to respond.

Was this how high-born ladies from prestigious families could so easily turn the tables with such nonchalance?

This was temporarily beyond his understanding.

Seeing Lu Yao's difficulty in speaking, Lu Mingchao continued, "Second Brother, suddenly learning that I'm not the Marquis's biological daughter, with no blood relation to the parents I've been filial to and close with, and realizing I'm just like a cuckoo bird taking over someone else's nest—it was both absurd and ironic."

"For any young woman, that would feel like the end of the world."

"At that moment, Second Brother, what else could I have done but cry, throw a fit, and threaten to hang myself?"

After all, people don’t just have mouths to eat with.

"Then why did you change your mind?" The coldness in Lu Yao's eyes lessened slightly.

Compared to Lu Miao, who was like a bad apple, Lu Mingchao seemed like a flower.

He didn't dislike her, and his inquiries were more for reassurance.

"Because I was scared—really scared."

"If I wasn’t afraid of dying, why would I be afraid of anything else?"

"Second Brother, there are many things in this world more terrifying than death. For example, Second Brother, have you never thought of ending your life?"

"..."

Lu Yao didn’t know how to respond to that.

He let go of his fixation and asked instead, "Do you genuinely want to be family?"

He could see that Lu Mingchao's nature wasn't bad.

"Absolutely. I want to be part of this family, truly." Lu Mingchao blinked, her eyes shining brightly.

"Are you really planning to consider marrying Xie Yan?"

"I don’t need a silly little sister making me look bad," Lu Yao said, raising an eyebrow in mock disgust.

Lu Mingchao sighed, staring at his pale, snow-like detached face. "Second brother, are you always going to be so uptight?"

"Care is care; there’s no need to cloak it in mystery."

Lu Yao furrowed his brow, a faint, cold expression crossing his jade-like face. "You’re being sarcastic and difficult. Who even wants to care about you?"

"Second brother," Lu Mingchao spread her hands, blinking mischievously, "I’m very easy to get along with. If we don’t get along, you’ll have to look for the problem in yourself."

"Little sister has only one heart, second brother. Please don’t hurt it."

She then pretended to wipe away tears that weren’t there.

Lu Yao’s breath hitched, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

Taking a deep breath, he said seriously, "Marrying in someone else’s place doesn’t give us a good reputation, and Xie Yan might not be the best match for you."

"You grew up in the capital, where things are very different. Your habits and views from growing up there are hard to change."

"We should still try to call off the marriage. You’ve only just come of age; it’s not too late to get betrothed again after a couple of years."

Lu Mingchao rested her chin on her hand. "Second brother, are you waiting to pass the imperial examination?"

"Don’t you trust me?" A flush of anger tinged Lu Yao’s pale face.

He rarely showed kindness, and Lu Mingchao didn’t seem to appreciate it.

"In your heart, do you really see me that way?" Lu Mingchao played it up. "I believe you’ll pass the exam, but second brother, a good reputation is important for both the imperial examination and your career."

"Besides, marrying one and getting three is a bargain for us."

"Soon, you’ll have three nephews calling you Uncle. Aren’t you happy and excited?"

"Big brother is getting old and still single, and you seem uninterested in marriage. The responsibility to expand our family rests with me."

"Of course, as long as Xie Yan meets my preferences; otherwise, I’ll have to reluctantly call off the engagement."

"Second brother, I’m not into that whole 'I’ll go to hell so you don’t have to' thing."

The light in Lu Yao’s eyes flickered uncertainly, his gaze towards Lu Mingchao growing more confused.

Who exactly is Lu Mingchao?

Graceful, articulate, and sharp, yet she also had a gentle side that put people at ease.

"Let’s hope so," Lu Yao blustered awkwardly, afraid of revealing his true emotions through his words.

If he accepted her so quickly, wouldn’t it make him look weak?

"Then, in return, it’s second brother’s turn to clear my doubts." Lu Mingchao leaned slightly forward, her voice filled with eagerness.

Lu Yao remained silent, frowning.

Lu Mingchao chuckled. As everyone knew, silence meant agreement; Lu Yao was waiting for her to ask her questions.

The right to explain was hers.

Lu Mingchao's eyes curved into a crescent smile as she took a few steps toward Lu Yao. "Second brother, can you tell me about the love-hate relationship between Lu Minghui and the Lu family?"

Lu Chunsheng and Yunniang were inscrutable, while Lu Lei was hesitant, his words vague and half-concealed. As for Xiao Xin, even if he wanted to explain, he couldn't make it clear.

Only Lu Yao had a clear stance, his likes and dislikes evident.

"You know I detest Lu Miao. Aren't you worried that I might twist the truth for my own gain?" Lu Yao looked Lu Mingchao over, a half-smile playing on his lips, full of teasing.

Lu Mingchao chuckled. "Second brother, you would never stoop to such things."

"Even if someone as calm and reserved as you were to exaggerate, wouldn't it be Lu Minghui's fault?"

"Rest assured, second brother, I can tell who is close and who is distant. I’m with you, no questions asked."

Hearing this, Lu Yao smiled.

It wasn't sarcastic mockery, nor cold disgust, but a genuine, heartfelt laugh that arose from the pleasure in his heart.

"I do detest Lu Miao. No, I should call her Lu Minghui now."

"Late at night, I've wished for her death countless times." Lu Yao spoke his mind without hesitation. "When Xiao Xin was young, he was as bright and charming as ever. But his arrival made Lu Miao feel that the attention she felt entitled to was being divided. In early winter, she tricked Xiao Xin into skating on the partially frozen river on the eastern side of the village. Xiao Xin fell into the water, and she ran back home and said nothing."

As they spoke, Xie Yan appeared.