Chapter 47

Chapter 47

After Old Master Yu punished Lu Maomao by making him copy texts, it wasn’t long before everyone who needed to know found out.

“Copying texts is good—finally, I don’t have to supervise the future son-in-law anymore,” the steward said with relief. Guiding the future son-in-law in managing the estate was truly a difficult task. Imparting experience, such as how to set rents or arrange crops in the fields, was simple enough. But the politics among the servants, between the stewards and the tenant farmers—those were hard to put into words. He wasn’t selfless enough to air their dirty laundry in front of the future son-in-law.

Young Master Chang’an had told the future son-in-law to watch and learn more, and the steward thought it meant letting him figure things out on his own.

Unexpectedly, the future son-in-law was quick on the uptake but a handful. He always kept stumbling into trouble for them.

Sometimes, the steward felt that day-to-day operations were like games to the future son-in-law—games like hopscotch or cat’s cradle that he played with Young Master Xiaoyu. He would find the trick to overcome the current obstacle, then excitedly rush to the next challenge. What he enjoyed was the satisfaction of uncovering how things *really* worked, not actually handling affairs properly. One could only say he was acting every bit the future master, already considering how to take charge.

But he was getting ahead of himself. He hadn’t even married into the family yet and was already jumping so high—no wonder Old Master Yu put him in his place. The steward didn’t know the real reason Old Master Yu punished Lu Maomao with copying texts, so he assumed it was because the old master thought he was getting too ambitious.

The steward’s wife, however, had a different view. “The future son-in-law has been quite diligent these past few days. Wearing a straw hat, he’s even got a good tan. Old Master Yu probably made him copy texts out of concern, wanting him to take a break.”

Humming a tune without looking up, the steward said, “Maybe.”

“I’ve noticed that both Old Master Yu and Young Master Chang’an value the future son-in-law highly. When you guide him, put in more effort to foster good relations. Who knows, someday we might need to seek help from him or Young Master Xiaoyu,” the steward’s wife advised, as she often did, urging her husband to stay on the masters' good side.

“I just don’t know how to put in more effort for him. That future son-in-law—he’s diligent when he shouldn’t be and slacks off when he should be diligent,” the steward complained.

“That’s not his fault,” the steward’s wife defended Lu Maomao.

“What? Not his fault?”

The steward was shocked. Had the future son-in-law won over the kitchen staff and now even his own wife?

“The future son-in-law has a weak back, maybe kidney problems. That’s why he’s energetic one moment and listless the next,” the steward’s wife whispered in her husband’s ear.

The steward’s expression turned complicated. He had heard this rumor too and had even secretly wondered if the future son-in-law had some hidden ailment. But Doctor Wang had taken his pulse several times and never mentioned anything related to that, nor had he prescribed any tonics, indicating there was no major issue. He thought the rumor had been debunked, but it seemed the women and the other husbands who loved to gossip still believed it. “Why do I feel that since the rumor about his kidney problems started, you’ve all begun to pity him?”

“It’s pitiful for someone so young to be like this,” the steward’s wife said, then corrected herself. “I feel sorry for Young Master Xiaoyu.”

So that was why the future son-in-law was so well-liked in the manor. Besides being easygoing and approachable, his supposed “condition” made the women and married men sympathize with him.

“His family has their family’s special tiger penis wine,” the steward said quietly.

“But Young Master Chang’an had it put away, and besides, they’re not letting him and Young Master Xiaoyu marry yet, so drinking it would be useless anyway.”

Seeing that his wife was convinced the future son-in-law had issues in that area and unable to change her mind, the steward warned her, “Don’t talk about his matters with others.”

“I understand. Everyone discusses it privately and quietly. No one has told him.”

The steward was speechless.

When Yu Changan saw Lu Maomao’s fingers blackened from copying texts, he teased him, “Watch what you say from now on.”

Lu Maomao was indignant. “I just didn’t understand why rents were collected that way, so I asked Old Master for advice.”

“Old Master didn’t tell you to covet the clan leader’s position.”

Lu Maomao rolled his eyes. Your family has done many things that a clan leader should do. Even if he believed Old Master was noble and upright, would the clan leader believe it?

“Not everyone can play this game,” Yu Changan said, lowering his head.

“Huh?”

Hmph, the Cat King isn’t jealous of the tiger.

Rarely seeing his brother-in-law so serious, Lu Maomao unconsciously agreed and promised not to act recklessly in the future. Then, Yu Changan hit him with, “Learn by watching more, ask fewer questions.”

Not even allowed to ask questions? Lu Maomao was incredulous.

“You’ve only just begun your education, but unlike a child’s blank slate, if every question is answered for you, it won’t help you think for yourself.”

Asking for help at every problem indeed wasn’t good.

Lu Maomao accepted Yu Changan’s reasoning and, for a long time afterward, saved up his questions and tried to think them through on his own. He only sought advice for matters he couldn’t figure out on his own and was particularly curious about.

From harvesting grain to collecting rents, the Yu family members were busy for about twenty days, finishing just before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

With the festival approaching, social engagements increased. Yu Changan attended several literary gatherings alone. The people of Yu Village held a banquet for Old Master Yu, attended by respected elders and clan members with scholarly honors. Both Old Master Yu and Yu Changan had to attend, so Lu Maomao stayed home to keep Yu Xiaoyu company.

At the banquet, someone asked about Lu Maomao. Old Master Yu said he was worried about Xiaoyu being home alone, so Lu Maomao stayed to keep him company. Whether sincere or not, everyone praised Old Master Yu’s good judgment in choosing a husband for his grandson.

By the time Lu Maomao returned to the classroom, the Mid-Autumn Festival had passed. After such a long break from formal study, he found he'd missed it a little. But after two days of classes, he found his assignments had multiplied several times over.

The *Three Character Classic* was nearly completed before the autumn harvest, marking an end to that phase. New lessons began on the *Thousand Character Classic*, *Hundred Family Surnames*, *Thousand Family Poems*, and *Rhythm Enlightenment*. The morning classes were so intensive that Yu Xiaoyu, dizzy and overwhelmed, couldn’t even uphold his sense of loyalty and began skipping classes frequently.

Lu Maomao should have been saddened by Xiaoyu ditching him, but he was simply too busy. Afternoon calligraphy practice time was shortened, but the required practice volume increased, forcing Lu Maomao to finish at night.

Days cycled through memorizing, studying, and writing. Tending the vegetable garden became his rare relaxation.

Being held in such high regard meant every day was exhausting.

Lu Maomao wanted to protest, but the words stuck in his throat. Could he really say he was too tired and ask his brother-in-law for more rest and playtime with Xiaoyu? If he did, he’d be looked down upon. He couldn’t use Xiaoyu as an excuse either—Xiaoyu had been avoiding his brother lately, playing enthusiastically with Sang Zhi and Xiao Cao, even learning to jump rope. He could jump remarkably high, clearing heights up to his chest. On the day they arrived at the estate, Lu Maomao had imagined taking Xiaoyu to the mountains to pick wild berries and catching fireflies on the grass at night, but there had been no chance to do so then, and now there was even less time.

The result of diligent study was sleepiness. One afternoon before class, Lu Maomao fell asleep in the study.

Yu Xiaoyu was chatting with him when Lu Maomao suddenly slumped onto the desk, eyes closed as if sleeping soundly.

He nudged Lu Maomao. “Maomao?” No response. Yu Xiaoyu pinched his ears and nose, gently stroked his cheeks. Lu Maomao even let out two soft, contented snores.

Hearing the snores, Yu Xiaoyu curiously pinched the corner of Lu Maomao’s mouth. Then, an idea struck him. He found Lu Maomao’s brush and stealthily began drawing whiskers on his mouth.

At first, he glanced at Lu Maomao after each stroke, but when there was no reaction, he got bolder.

The persistent itch at the corner of his mouth wouldn’t go away. Lu Maomao opened his eyes to see Yu Xiaoyu quickly hiding his hands behind his back.

“Xiaoyu, what are you doing?” Lu Maomao asked, still drowsy.

Yu Xiaoyu shook his head rapidly back and forth. His unusual behavior deepened Lu Maomao’s suspicion. “What are you hiding? Let me see.”

Yu Xiaoyu refused. As Lu Maomao leaned over to peek behind him, Yu Xiaoyu swiftly threw the brush on the desk and ran out.

Seeing his brush and remembering the tickling sensation on his lips while asleep, Lu Maomao touched his lips. His fingers came away stained black with ink. Realizing what had happened, he chased after him.

“Xiaoyu, don’t run!”

Cui Xi was waiting outside the study for Yu Xiaoyu. When she saw him run out, she immediately followed. As Lu Maomao chased after them, she glanced back and noticed the young master-in-law’s upper lip was black—clearly, Young Master Xiaoyu had been up to mischief again.

Told not to run, Yu Xiaoyu ran even faster, crashing into Yu Changan, who had come to teach the class.

“What’s the commotion now?” Yu Changan steadied himself and held Yu Xiaoyu.

“Teacher, look what Xiaoyu did,” Lu Maomao complained to Yu Changan without thinking. Yu Changan glanced at him—now a painted cat, truly living up to the title Cat King.

Yu Xiaoyu looked at Lu Maomao in disbelief. Maomao had actually tattled on him! Angrily, he pointed at Lu Maomao. “Maomao, bad bad!” Using two “bads” to express his displeasure.

Lu Maomao froze, his senses snapping back as he shot a timid glance at Yu Xiaoyu, then at Yu Changan. "Sir, I didn’t say anything just now, and you didn’t hear anything either."

Yu Changan had no intention of getting involved in their conflict and didn’t deliberately make things difficult for Lu Maomao. "Well, I was just looking where I was going when I got here and didn’t notice what you two were doing. Are you two fighting?"

Lu Maomao: "No."

Yu Xiaoyu: "Bad Cat."

"Work it out on your own time. Class is about to start. Xiaoyu, are you attending today?"

"No."

"Then go play." Yu Changan dismissed Yu Xiaoyu and told Lu Maomao to go wash his face.

Lu Maomao looked reluctantly at Yu Xiaoyu, but Yu Xiaoyu didn’t even say goodbye. Lu Maomao felt as if the sky had fallen, and he was distracted during class.

"Is it worth all this drama? Just find a way to win him back this afternoon."

"Sir, you make it sound easy." He and Xiaoyu usually only had minor squabbles; Xiaoyu had never been this angry with him before. What if Xiaoyu never wanted to speak to him again?

Why hadn’t he controlled his thoughts back then? If his brother-in-law had arrived just one second later, he wouldn’t have lost his head.

"You didn’t control your mouth. You never learn your lesson, and now you’re paying the price."

"Don’t gloat and kick me while I’m down."

Then, a ruler struck Lu Maomao’s back. "Have some backbone. If you keep daydreaming, your homework will be doubled." Lu Maomao ducked his head and didn’t dare let his mind wander again.