As she spoke, Lu Yuanqing’s mother turned to look at Lu Yuanqing, her eyes full of relief as she reached out to adjust her son’s clothing, her face beaming with smiles: “Moreover, His Majesty is precisely in need of our Lu family now. Even for your grandfather’s sake, he would never make things difficult for our family…”

“Mother, you must never say such words again.” Lu Yuanqing’s expression suddenly became solemn.

Knowing she had misspoken, Lu Yuanqing’s mother smiled awkwardly and said: “I’m only speaking within our own family, only to you. To others… Mother wouldn’t say a single word!”

“Mother must remember that disaster comes from careless words. Our Lu family’s current glory is entirely because we serve His Majesty loyally, and His Majesty has use for our Lu family! In this vast world, talents are everywhere. His Majesty values our Lu family, and everyone in the Lu family should be grateful. How could Mother develop such arrogant views? Your son strongly disagrees!” Lu Yuanqing spoke these words very sternly.

His mother had no scheming nature and showed everything on her face. If she revealed such proud thoughts outside, or even… said something inappropriate, that would truly bring eternal doom upon the Lu family.

“You rascal…” Lu Yuanqing’s mother reached out and pinched her son’s arm. “Mother just made an idle comment, and you contradict Mother like this! Yuan Peng, that brat, is the same, and so are you! Why does mentioning His Majesty seem like poking your vital organs! Is there no respect for hierarchy anymore?”

“Mother…” Lu Yuanqing knelt on one knee before his mother, grasping her hands. “Our Lu family’s glory today was granted by His Majesty. If Mother’s words… about His Majesty needing to use our Lu family were misinterpreted by others as His Majesty must use our Lu family, or depends on our Lu family, His Majesty could easily take back all our current glory and give it to others. This is imperial authority and royal majesty! Mother must remember this at all times! Maintain a reverent heart toward His Majesty!”

Lu Yuanqing’s mother broke out in cold sweat from his words, instinctively gripping her son’s hand tighter: “Yes, yes, yes! Mother understands. It’s just that during this time waiting for your return, there have been people flattering and fawning everywhere. Mother was also carried away by the praise. After all, your father and I are not particularly outstanding, yet we produced such an excellent child as you. When others flatter, it’s inevitable that…”

“It’s good that Mother understands. Others’ flattery may not be without intent to harm our Lu family. When Mother encounters flatterers in the future, listen to their words but be extremely cautious! Families like ours… every word and action might reach the imperial ears. We must be extremely careful to preserve family peace and clan glory.”

“Good! Mother remembers! You can rest assured!” Lu Yuanqing’s mother solemnly promised. “From now on, Mother will maintain a respectful and fearful heart toward His Majesty!”

For the Lu family’s Third Madam, Lu Yuanqing was different from Lu Yuanpeng. Lu Yuanpeng was an unreliable troublemaker who played around, but when Lu Yuanqing was at home, he had always been the backbone for the couple. So whatever Lu Yuanqing said, the couple generally listened to.

“It’s good that Mother remembers. Grandfather told your son to return home to bathe and change clothes. Please have Mother arrange for water to be prepared. Your son will first go see Yuan Peng.” Lu Yuanqing said to his mother.

“Good, good, good!” Lu Yuanqing’s mother smiled again. As a mother, seeing her two sons have such a good relationship, how could she not be happy? She patted her son’s hand with a face full of relief. “Go! You, as the elder brother, are better than your father! Your father only knows how to scold Yuan Peng and doesn’t care about Yuan Peng’s injuries!”

“Then your son will go first!” Lu Yuanqing maintained his warm, elegant smile.

·

On this side, Lu Yuanpeng knew his elder brother was returning and felt both happy and somewhat afraid. He lay on his bed feeling thoroughly intimidated, constantly sending people to gather information to see where his elder brother had reached and what his expression was like.

Soon, Lu Yuanpeng’s attendant returned, smiling as he told Lu Yuanpeng: “He’s back, he’s back! Young Master Yuanqing has returned. He’s smiling at everyone he meets and seems to be in a very good mood. He’s already heading toward our courtyard!”

Upon hearing that his elder brother appeared smiling and in a good mood, Lu Yuanpeng’s wounds immediately tensed, his face paled, and he quickly said: “Quick! Quick, go close the courtyard gate! Just… just… just say I’m severely injured! Nearly dead! I’ve taken medicine and fallen asleep! Go quickly!”

“Ah?”

Seeing his attendant stare at him wide-eyed without moving, Lu Yuanpeng frantically pulled out the pillow from under himself and threw it at his foolish attendant.

Others might not know his elder brother, but Lu Yuanpeng understood him well. Usually, a cold-faced gentleman like a jade carving, suddenly smiling at everyone, that wasn’t being in a good mood, that was holding back a belly full of anger, coming to twist his ears!

“Oh, oh, oh… this slave will go immediately!” The attendant scrambled to his feet and just as he turned around, nearly collided with Lu Yuanqing’s chest.

“Severely injured and nearly dead?” Lu Yuanqing, covered in travel dust, showed an even deeper, warm smile between his brows, methodically rolling up his sleeves. “What a coincidence. When your brother was in Han City, I learned some medical skills from a famous physician. Let your brother take your pulse!”

“Brother! Brother… Elder Brother!”

Lu Yuanpeng, severely injured, saw his elder brother smiling as he lifted his garment hem and stepped into his main room. He was so frightened he nearly forgot about his injuries and jumped up from the bed. He quickly used both hands to support himself and sit up, shrinking into the corner, then hurriedly pulled the quilt around himself, struggling to show Lu Yuanqing a smile…

“Bro… Brother!”

Lu Yuanqing responded and turned to look at the attendant still kneeling at the door: “Go guard the entrance. Don’t let anyone approach!”

After speaking, Lu Yuanqing raised his hand and closed the door.

It’s over… It’s over! Lu Yuanpeng felt utterly desperate. Next year’s today would probably be his ears’ memorial day. Who knows, maybe next year the grass on his grave will be as tall as a person. Anyway… today he definitely couldn’t escape.

Lu Yuanpeng immediately covered his ears with both hands: “Brother, I was wrong! I know I was wrong! I’ll never dare again! You… you be gentle!”

“I thought after training with the Bai family army for a few years, you would have improved, but you’re still so… stupid?”

“Brother… let’s talk nicely. You’re a gentleman, and gentlemen use words, not fists! Ai, ai, ai… Elder Brother!”

Subsequently, the attendant guarding at the courtyard gate heard his young master’s screams and pleas for his brother’s mercy. He couldn’t help but feel some sympathy for his young master. Setting aside everything else… just now, when Young Master Yuanqing turned to look at him and told him to guard the gate, those pitch-black eyes were simply terrifying.

Now thinking about it, the attendant felt a cold wind blowing down his spine.

The attendant stood at the gate, bowing toward the sky, hoping some passing deity… could bless their young master.