Zisu: "Thank you, young lady. I'll have it later."
Seeing Helan Pei head to the inner room, Zisu followed, helping her undress, take off her shoes, and get into bed.
The young lady usually napped in the afternoon. She had stayed up today waiting for the master to return, and was now sleepy.
Zisu tucked her in, lowered the bed curtains, glanced at the silver bell hanging by the bed, and said, "Ring the bell when you wake up."
Her young lady couldn't speak, so to call someone, she only needed to pull the string attached to the bell.
Helan Pei nodded and yawned softly.
Zisu smiled and withdrew.
---
After seeing off the Duke's sons, Lu Shuo stood at the entrance of his own courtyard, dazed.
Three main rooms, two side rooms, and a twenty-foot-square courtyard—combined, his and his aunt and uncle's houses weren't this big.
Both families had lived in mud huts in the countryside—dusty, plain, just livable. But this courtyard was meticulously cared for in every corner, even the empty garden beds adorned with potted plants.
"Young master, you've traveled far. Would you like to bathe? If so, I'll have hot water prepared." Tianqing approached as Lu Shuo was lost in thought.
"Huh? Oh..." Lu Shuo snapped out of it. Hesitating, he said, "Then... go ahead."
He had bathed before entering the capital yesterday, but since the servant asked, saying no might make him seem unhygienic.
"Yes." Tianqing took the order and called to Laishou, who stood in a corner under the eaves, "Laishou, tell the boiler room that Young Master Lu wants to bathe."
Laishou acknowledged and went out with an umbrella.
Lu Shuo: "..."
He took a deep breath, trying to get used to this life. The eldest young master had told him that Tianqing would manage his daily needs, and Laishou would handle cleaning and errands. Fearing he might be uncomfortable with too many servants, they gave him only these two. If it wasn't enough, he could ask the madam for more.
Lu Shuo thought even one was too many—like now, standing face-to-face with Tianqing, it was awkward.
Tianqing said, "It's raining, young master. Won't you go inside?"
"Oh, yeah." Lu Shuo walked toward the house, feeling self-conscious under Tianqing's gaze, nearly tripping over his own feet.
Tianqing poured Lu Shuo a cup of tea, then stepped back to the side.
Lu Shuo hesitated. "You don't have to wait here. I don't need anything right now."
Tianqing: "The madam said you might have many questions, so she told me to stay close and answer them. But if you'd like to be alone, I can withdraw. Just call if you need anything."
Lu Shuo considered. He did have questions, but had been too shy to ask the madam or the young masters. Maybe he could ask this servant.
"Have you been to the Imperial Academy?" he ventured.
"No," Tianqing replied. "The Academy is strict. Students are not allowed to bring servants, to avoid disrupting studies."
"I see..."
The Academy had many rules to limit bullying by noble children, but it also meant stricter management than ordinary schools. Lu Shuo didn't know if he was relieved or more anxious.
Since Tianqing likely didn't know much about the Academy, Lu Shuo changed the subject. "The young masters showed me around earlier. I've memorized the routes, but I have a question."
Tianqing: "What is it?"
"Why are all the courtyards on the east side? There seem to be many empty ones on the west. What are they for?"
Tianqing hesitated. "Well..."
Sensing something off, Lu Shuo quickly said, "It's fine if it's not something to discuss."
Tianqing pursed his lips. "The western courtyards used to belong to the previous duke—the master's elder brother and his family. Then they got into some trouble... it involves the imperial family. You should keep that in mind and probably not bring it up again."
Lu Shuo immediately regretted being nosy.
After a pause, Tianqing added, "It was also around that time that the fourth young lady fell gravely ill and didn't receive timely treatment, which left her with lasting effects."
Lu Shuo was stunned. "So that's why she can't speak? How pitiful..."
"Young master, you mustn't say that," Tianqing warned. "The fourth young lady dislikes being pitied, and so do the master, madam, and the other young masters. I know you mean no harm, but speaking behind her back like that would anger them. Just treat her with normal courtesy."
Lu Shuo swallowed and nodded quickly.
Grateful that Tianqing had warned him, sparing him from an unwitting offense, he said, "Thank you for telling me. I'll remember it."
Tianqing seemed surprised at being thanked. He smiled. "The madam sent me to look after you. It's my duty."
Lu Shuo fell silent, not knowing what else to say. "There's nothing else for now. You can go rest."
Tianqing acknowledged and withdrew, closing the door behind him.
Alone in the room, Lu Shuo finally relaxed his shoulders, slumped into a chair, and let out a long breath.
Everything he saw was top-quality furniture and decor. He had never lived in such a nice place; it felt surreal.
But no matter how nice, it wasn't his home.
His home had been dilapidated, sometimes leaking, but he had lived there for twelve years. Every nook and cranny held familiar traces.
Not like here—the air faintly smelled of new wood.
Closing his eyes, he heard no dogs barking or roosters crowing from the fields, no neighbors shouting. It was quiet, just the sound of rain.