Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Chapter 14

The scholar's case couldn't spare Lu Wuyou any chance to slip away elsewhere, so he spent his days shuttling between the Eastern Palace and the Lu residence. Later, when he learned that Fang Zhihe had summoned Grand Tutor Chen and Gu Chenyi back as teachers, he even went to the Eastern Palace less often.

Though he'd somehow taken it upon himself to make Fang Zhihe eight-treasure rice that one time, deep down he looked down on the guy. That was a one-time thing, and after that, he stopped going to the palace altogether.

As if he already knew what Lu Wuyou was thinking, Fang Zhihe did not send anyone to disturb him. He even granted Lu Wuyou leave from the morning court due to illness.

Chen Yu, eating a bowl of beef noodles while watching him, asked, "Brother Lu, what's this all about now?"

Having long accompanied Lu Wuyou by his side in the military, their relationship was closer than that of ordinary soldiers, and they addressed each other as brothers.

Lu Wuyou lifted the white cloth from the table, furrowing his brow at the mess underneath. Muttering to himself, "I haven't opened this study in five years—how did it get so many scratches? Who came here to practice their moves?"

Chen Yu leaned in for a look. The lacquered peach wood table was covered in chaotic scratches, with a few faint characters visible. Before he could look closer, Lu Wuyou shot him a glare, covered it with the white cloth, and said softly, "Those small border states won't dare to invade for at least ten or twenty years. There's no need to rush deciding who gets to be 'General' over the next few years."

Chen Yu grunted an acknowledgment and nodded. He thought to himself: Who else could be General but you? The Emperor is a benevolent ruler who advocates kindness. Among the court's military officers, who else but you could handle it? Even if there were seven or eight others, no one could match you.

He slurped a mouthful of noodles, then paused in thought. "...You're worried the guys might go to the Emperor to demand justice for you?"

Lu Wuyou glanced at him and said quietly, "The Rector of the National Academy is a low post, but pair it with being the Crown Prince's tutor, and it's the best way to get close to my son. He put real effort into pissing me off, and he also worked hard to make my son acknowledge me."

Chen Yu's eyes widened. "Lu Yuan is really your son?"

Lu Wuyou said coldly, "Have some respect. You want to be caught with proof and reported to the Emperor for directly calling the Crown Prince by his name?"

Chen Yu clicked his tongue in disbelief. "That's wild—having the Emperor raise your kid, and so... wholeheartedly. Is the Emperor really into you?"

Lu Wuyou said nothing. He looked up at the plum tree in the courtyard outside the window. It was blooming brilliantly, the heavy snow from the night before weighing down the branches, pressing the fiery red buds low, and then a few flakes fell away.

A long while passed before Chen Yu set down his bowl. Finally, Lu Wuyou turned his gaze back. "Nobody wants his affection. I don't need it. Even if I have to give people something to talk about, I won't let it be with him."

Chen Yu opened his mouth to say something, but in the end, he didn't know what to say.

Lu Wuyou said flatly, "I've been off duty these past few days. I went for a walk outside the city and saw a woman who looks a lot like my son. I found out she lives in a town ten li outside the city gates, and her name is Fang Minshu. Go today, take two men, and bring her to the mansion."

Chen Yu frowned. "What for?"

Lu Wuyou said, "This woman might be Xiaoyuan's birth mother."

Chen Yu shook his head instinctively. "What do you want her for? Aren't you afraid the Little Emperor will tear her apart?"

Lu Wuyou's eyes snapped up to meet his, and after a long moment, he said hoarsely, "He wouldn't dare."

"..." Chen Yu was at a loss for words. It was strange to hear someone say that the current Son of Heaven had something he dared not do—and over a mere woman. Why would he not dare? Chen Yu's mind was full of the strict codes of ruler and subject. He looked at Lu Wuyou with a complicated expression. "Then, Brother... are you going to marry her?"

Birds chirped outside the window. Lu Wuyou paused, glanced at a white bird on a branch, and pressed his lips together. "If she really is, then I'll give her a status. That way Xiaoyuan can have a mother."

Chen Yu acknowledged the order and turned to leave.

Lu Wuyou stood at the desk and lifted the white cloth again. Among the chaotic scratches were a few lines of tiny, cramped characters, carved so deeply they seemed about to pierce through the entire wooden table.

Lu Wuyou reached out and touched them. He murmured: "Lu Yuntai is a big yellow dog."

"..." Lu Wuyou's face darkened. He read on.

—Lu Yuntai is a big yellow dog.

—Missing him.

—He loves me.

Lu Yuntai froze for a few seconds, then abruptly tossed the white cloth aside and strode out the door.

Sometimes he hated Fang Zhihe to the bone. This man stripped him of his power, stole his love, always acting high and mighty.

But other times, inexplicably, just thinking about him would unsettle him, make him irritable and confused, so he didn't want to see him.

Besides, that night, the man in his arms, on the verge of tears, had confessed all those foolish things he did pretending to be someone else. He was moved; he was willing.

If someone treated him like that, why wouldn't he enjoy it?

But at the last moment, he felt something was off. He could get what he wanted—but what about Fang Zhihe? Would he be stuck in this situation forever?

…Even though he despised the man, he didn't want to do this to him.