Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Lin Shuyan watched the Marquis of Xuanping’s carriage smoothly depart, then shook his head in resignation. Turning, he saw Lin Shuyun still standing by their own carriage.

The bright, cold moonlight illuminated the ground. His sister fidgeted with a silk handkerchief, her gaze fixed on him.

He quickly hurried over, slightly out of breath. "Don't worry, the item has been returned."

"He likely hasn't regained his memory. It was just a coincidence that he gave the jade pendant to Ying Ying."

Lin Shuyan couldn't discern his sister's expression behind her veiled hat, but he sensed a faint chill emanating from her.

"Brother, do you know? The first time I met him in the capital was because the Marquis of Xuanping’s mansion had lost its seal. I only wanted to pawn the jade pendant to return to Yun County, but I was forcibly taken by a group of men to the mansion and even mistaken for a thief."

Lin Shuyun paused, her voice growing hoarse. "And now, he just gives it away so casually. How cheap."

Lin Shuyan frowned slightly. "But earlier, he did say, 'What does it matter if I give the entire mansion away?'"

"Don't worry, he definitely hasn't regained his memory. The mansion is his foundation—how could he give it away so casually? He must have been drunk and not thinking straight."

Lin Shuyan gently patted Lin Shuyun's shoulder, attempting to reassure her.

"But..."

But he took Ying Ying's rabbit.

Just as Lin Shuyun was about to elaborate, Lin Shuyan's eyes suddenly blazed with anger. He rushed to the carriage, grabbed his mischievous son, and sternly declared, "Lin Zhaolin, just wait until we get home. I will spank you."

"Ahhh, I want to sleep with Auntie tonight!"

"No, you'll stay in the yard and take your punishment. Zhang'er has to go to school tomorrow."

Lin Shuyun watched her brother carry off her naughty nephew, then sighed helplessly and stepped onto the small stool to enter the carriage.

Inside the carriage, the two children had just finished their milk, the sweet scent instantly filling Lin Shuyun's nostrils. The dim candlelight flickered across their faces.

The tension she had felt at the palace banquet, as if walking on thin ice, finally eased considerably.

She reached out, gently pulled Ying Ying, who was clinging to Zhang'er, and whispered, "Come sleep with Mother. Don't tire your brother out."

Drowsy Ying Ying reached out towards the sound, and the object in her hand fell to the floor.

The little one was like a hoarder, remembering every single item she possessed.

Afraid the child would pester her for it tomorrow, Lin Shuyun reached down to feel around the carriage floor. Her fingers touched something shaped like the cloth rabbit she had folded.

It was identical to the one in Lu Yu's hand.

Why did he want this?

Lin Shuyun couldn't fathom why, except for one possibility: he might not have lost his memory.

But then again, her brother had already tested him. She was probably overthinking it.

Never mind. The capital is vast—it's unlikely they would frequently encounter each other.

The carriage began to move slowly.

Lin Shuyun watched Zhang'er, whose eyes were dazed yet he still sat upright. She gently massaged his stiff back and said, "Zhang'er, lean on Mother. We'll be home soon."

"Sleep now, dear."

---

The early spring morning still carried a slight chill. Lu Yu, dressed in dark red official robes, strode briskly on his way to the Wenyuan Pavilion.

The eunuch guiding him smiled obsequiously, bowing even lower. "This servant congratulates Lord Lu on your promotion. After five years in Shuobei, your hardships have finally paid off."

Lu Yu's lips curved slightly. He took a small gold ingot from his sleeve and, with a light smile, said, "I'll need your guidance and advice in the future, Eunuch."

The eunuch, Li Hua, was a second-class eunuch by the emperor's side. Though his influence was limited, no one had ever shown him such consideration. His eyes flickered as he accepted the gold ingot, his smile growing even more ingratiating. "Lord Lu, you are too kind."

"Lord Lu, look ahead. That is the Wenyuan Pavilion."

Having accepted the bribe, Eunuch Li Hua began explaining in greater detail. Suddenly, the sound of children reciting lessons reached Lu Yu's ears.

Before he could ask, Eunuch Li Hua smiled and explained, "Behind the Wenyuan Pavilion is the Imperial Study, where the royal children, grandchildren, and the sons of nobles and ministers study. Just a few days ago, Prince Ding's grandson and the eldest son of the Marquis of Huai'an just started their studies there."

Lu Yu nodded slightly.

Today was Lu Yu's first day reporting to the Wenyuan Pavilion as the Deputy Chief of the Grand Secretariat. According to protocol, the Chief Grand Secretary should preside over the "induction" ceremony, where Lu Yu would change into the bright red python robe and jade belt symbolizing his new position.

After formally meeting the Chief Grand Secretary, he could begin his official duties.

But Lu Yu did not see Chief Grand Secretary Zhou. Eunuch Li Hua frowned and asked a minor official who was cleaning, "Where is Chief Grand Secretary Zhou?"

The official whispered, "Today is the engagement day of Chief Grand Secretary Zhou's eldest daughter."

The eunuch glanced at Lu Yu's face and shrewdly asked, "Oh? Which family's son is she marrying?"

"The eldest son of Duke An's Mansion."

Lu Yu lowered his eyes slightly, a faint smile curling his lips. "Since he isn't here, I won't disturb him further."

Duke An's Mansion—wasn't that the residence of his former fiancée?

Five years ago, he had bribed a monk from the Huguo Temple to present an extremely inauspicious marriage compatibility report to the emperor.

After quickly breaking off the engagement with Li Pingting, he hurriedly left the capital.

Everyone thought he had been exiled to Shuobei five years ago because the emperor disliked him, and that his return to the capital was merely for a prestigious but powerless position.

But following the emperor's decree, he had gradually taken control of the complex civil official system, seizing power.

Lu Yu glanced back at Chief Grand Secretary Zhou's desk, his eyes filled with intense ambition and hatred.

In that case, Duke An's Mansion would be the first target.

After five years, it was time to avenge the poisoning of his son.

---

In the afternoon, after accompanying the emperor for lunch in the deliberation hall, Lu Yu was on his way back to the Wenyuan Pavilion.

His eyes were cold as he continuously wiped his fingers with a silk handkerchief.

Suddenly, rustling sounds came from the bushes behind the Wenyuan Pavilion.

The noisy voices of young children kept drifting into his ears.

Following the sound, he saw three young boys pushing and shoving a smaller, thinner child.

Over a decade had passed, yet the practice of bullying in the Imperial Study remained unchanged since he and Lin Shuyan were students.

Children from high-ranking families are the most adept at reading social cues. Before entering the Imperial Study, their parents always instruct them, "Make friends with the descendants of nobles and high-ranking ministers."

The Imperial Study is generally divided into three types of people: the first consists of the emperor's descendants, the second includes the children of nobles, and the last comprises those from less influential families who were granted exceptional entry to study there.

Those who are bullied are either younger or come from less prominent backgrounds.

The instructors in the Imperial Study dare not offend the parents behind these children and can do little more than sigh.

Lu Yu initially had no intention of intervening, but a faint cry made him instinctively turn his gaze.

He saw the slender child lying on the ground, his round eyes filled with stubborn pride, eyes brimming with tears yet refusing to bow his head.

Such pure eyes were the very image of his beloved’s.

"Hahaha, look at him, doesn’t he look like a cowering turtle? I heard his father was a commoner who died early, and his mother is ugly too."

A chubby child crossed his arms and mocked.

The child on the ground clenched his teeth and retorted, "Don’t you dare speak about my mother."

He struggled to stand but was forcefully pressed back down.

"My Imperial Grandfather dotes on me the most..."

As soon as the chubby child finished speaking, he suddenly fell to the ground as if shoved by an unseen force.

Lu Yu slowly stepped forward, helped the little child up, and brushed off the dust from his clothes, saying calmly, "I remember you are Princess Ding'an's child."

The little child was stunned and after a long while said softly, "My name is Zhang'er."

Zhang'er—shares a character with his Yunzhang. If Yunzhang were still alive, he would be about this age too.

Lu Yu's gaze softened, and his voice grew even gentler, "Are you hurt anywhere?"

The little child shook his head.

"Hey! Who are you? How dare you interrupt while I’m teaching a lesson to this servant? You’d better watch it, I’ll have my Imperial Grandfather have you beaten with canes and throw you into the river to feed the fish."

The chubby child boasted arrogantly, while his cronies behind him murmured in awe, "Your Highness the Imperial Grandson."

Lu Yu turned and asked calmly, "Who is your father?"

The chubby child puffed out his chest and boasted, "Hahaha, scared now, aren’t you? My father is the Eldest Prince. Watch out, when my father takes the throne, he’ll beat you to death."

As soon as he finished speaking, the imperial grandson’s feet suddenly left the ground. He looked in shock at the man who had grabbed him by the collar.

Trembling, he exclaimed, "Y-you... you... put me down this instant!"

Sensing that this man was not to be trifled with, the imperial grandson’s followers had already scattered, leaving only Zhang'er worriedly clutching the edge of Lu Yu’s garment.

Lu Yu said softly, "It’s alright. Today, your uncle will teach you a trick so you’ll never be bullied again."

The distance from the Wenyuan Pavilion to the Council Chamber was very short. As Lu Yu gripped the imperial grandson’s collar and carried him with one hand to the Council Chamber, the Eldest Prince’s attendants happened to be standing outside.

The imperial grandson seemed to sense something was wrong and struggled to escape.

Lu Yu tightened his grip and threw him into the hall. Without saying a word, he stared directly into the Eldest Prince’s eyes.

"If Your Highness does not know how to educate your child, perhaps I can help teach him. He bullies the weak and spouts insolent boasts in my presence. How would a child know such things as inheriting the throne if not taught by an adult?"

"Your Highness, have you lived up to His Majesty's expectations?" Lu Yu said, casting a cool glance toward the emperor as he spoke.

An emperor in his prime despises nothing more than his children beginning to lay hands on his throne.

The emperor unconditionally trusted his most beloved son, Lu Yu. Seeing him seemingly wronged, he immediately turned his fury upon the Eldest Prince and rebuked, "Get out of here and reflect on your actions."

Lu Yu watched as the Eldest Prince trembled, prostrating himself on the ground to kowtow, then trembling as he took the imperial grandson and walked out.

A faint sense of vengeful pleasure stirred within him.

On the way back to the Upper Study, Lu Yu noticed Zhang'er glancing at him every so often. When he turned to look back,

Zhang'er suddenly grabbed his sleeve and shyly said, "Thank you, friend."

Lu Yu smiled. It had been a long time since anyone had called him a friend.

He silently mouthed the name "Zhang'er" several times, then said gently, "You should head back. It's almost time for dismissal anyway."

"Can you not tell my mother?"

The little child's eyes were full of worry. Lu Yu asked softly, "Are you afraid your mother will scold you?"

Zhang'er shook his head. "Mother is very gentle. I'm afraid she'll worry. I don’t want her to worry."

With that, he stretched out his pinky finger and timidly said, "Can we pinky swear?"

Seeing the seriousness in Zhang'er's eyes, Lu Yu chuckled lightly and hooked his finger with the child's. "Alright, I won’t tell."

Just then, the dismissal bell rang. Outside the Upper Study, many carriages of various sizes were parked, seemingly attended by household servants. But among them, Princess Ding'an was there.

She still wore a veiled hat, waving her handkerchief. Zhang'er darted into her arms like a little butterfly.

Lu Yu withdrew his gaze. He felt like a thief looking in on others' happiness. If his Zhang'er had grown up, he would be this big too.

He unconsciously touched the cloth rabbit hidden in his sleeve, his eyes filled with nostalgia. Suddenly, something hard brushed against his fingertips, then slipped away in an instant.

Lu Yu froze momentarily, took out the cloth rabbit, and examined it carefully. He discovered a hard object tucked inside.

His heart clenched. With trembling hands, he tried to unstitch the cloth rabbit countless times but failed. Finally, with a sudden burst of effort—a round yellow bean rolled out from the torn seam.

Countless memories instantly flooded back.

—"Wanwan, why did you put a yellow bean inside the cloth rabbit?"

—"Because a rabbit needs a heart. I’ve sewn the bean inside, so our baby won’t be able to eat it."