Zhang Yizhu: "Of course, I need your consent first before I talk to them."
Helan Pei: "If I agree, but they don't?"
"That's a later concern. Why think so much? Just tell me what you think." Zhang Yizhu couldn't help but stroke her daughter's head and said softly, "I feel that Lu Shuo is now a member of this family. Unlike your brothers who are often at the Academy and rarely home, you'll see him every day. You'll have to get familiar with each other eventually. Why not take this opportunity to spend more time together? What do you think?"
Helan Pei bit her lip gently.
She looked up into Zhang Yizhu's eyes and saw the faint hope in her mother's gaze.
She didn't really want to accept this proposal.
It wasn't that she had any issue with Lu Shuo. On the contrary, she felt a little sorry for him. But she was used to the fixed people and routines in her life. Suddenly being told that a new person would share her space for a long time—she was quite resistant.
However...
Helan Pei's eyelashes trembled. Her brush lost stability, grazing the paper and leaving a short, thin ink streak.
She knew her mother meant well.
Her mother was afraid she had no friends, that staying at home alone would make her lonely and bored. So she wanted to find someone to keep her company, even if it meant an adopted son, crossing gender and propriety boundaries.
As long as she showed a willingness to interact with more people, the family would be happy.
Helan Pei didn't want to disappoint her family.
Because of her, her brothers sometimes didn't dare let her know when they went out to play with other young masters. Her mother had also declined many dispensable banquets and gatherings, afraid that she would feel left out.
They had been held back too much by her. She couldn't do much to help, but she could at least make them happy.
So Helan Pei steadied her brush again and wrote: "Mother may decide."
"Then you agree?" Zhang Yizhu's face lit up. She couldn't help but confirm again. "Pei'er, do you really agree? You're not just saying it to make me happy, are you?"
Helan Pei smiled and shook her head, then wrote: "But if after a few lessons, I find that this affects my studies, I will change my mind."
"Of course, of course! Your studies come first. If Lu Shuo disturbs you during class, I won't let it slide!" Zhang Yizhu laughed. "I'm glad you're willing to try. We'll see how it goes!"
Having obtained her daughter's affirmative answer, Zhang Yizhu felt a weight lifted off her shoulders. She stood up, feeling light. "Then I'll send word to the Imperial Academy tomorrow to remove Lu Shuo's name. I'll also speak with Teacher Jiang."
Helan Pei also stood up to see her mother to the door.
"Alright, that's it. Since you're tired, go back to sleep now." Zhang Yizhu pinched her daughter's cheek with a smile, then turned and stepped out of the threshold.
After watching the madam's figure disappear from the small courtyard, Zisu closed the door and couldn't help saying to Helan Pei, "Miss, you actually agreed? How are you going to study like that? It's too strange! You'd have to read your own book while hearing Teacher Jiang teach Young Master Lu his characters? Could you even concentrate?"
Helan Pei got into bed, slid under the covers, and smiled at Zisu.
She also didn't know how the class would be conducted. But that wasn't something for her to worry about; it was Teacher Jiang's problem.
Zisu muttered, "I hope Young Master Lu remains sensible and doesn't disturb you, miss."
Helan Pei turned over and closed her eyes.
Seeing that her miss wanted to sleep, Zisu stopped talking, extinguished the lamp, and quietly went to the outer room to lie down on the small couch.
Helan Pei was indeed tired. Even though she tried to imagine what it would be like to study together with Lu Shuo, she couldn't picture it, and soon fell asleep.
In the main courtyard's bedroom, Zhang Yizhu and Helan Zong chatted and laughed softly for a while before finally quieting down, their breathing evening out.
In the courtyards of the other young masters, lights gradually went out as well.
To welcome the duke's return, the household had been busy for several days. Now, finally able to rest, they all slept soundly.
Only Lu Shuo, though he hadn't slept well for the past few nights and was exhausted both physically and mentally, found his mind filled with chaotic thoughts that kept him awake.
One moment it was Duke Xuan telling him to treat this place as his home, the next it was the Second Young Master lamenting that the Imperial Academy was like a prison; then Tianqing and Laishou were discussing how his father was clever and he was lucky, and then it was his uncle holding his hand before he left, forcing a kind smile and saying, "Shuo Gen'er, your uncle will definitely repair your parents' graves properly. Remember to come back and visit often..."
Lu Shuo tossed and turned all night. Only when the sky began to lighten did he finally drift into a restless sleep.
But he didn't sleep long before Tianqing knocked on the door to wake him.
Lu Shuo opened his eyes, took a moment to gather himself, and got up to open the door.
The rain had stopped, and harsh sunlight streamed into the room. Lu Shuo squinted, his heart skipping a beat. "What time is it?" he asked hurriedly.
Tianqing said, "It's almost half past Chen."
Lu Shuo panicked. "Am I late?"
"Don't worry, young master. It's not that late," Tianqing said. "The master, madam, and Eldest Young Master woke up earlier. The Second and Third Young Masters seem still asleep."
Lu Shuo breathed a sigh of relief.
Tianqing brought in a copper basin and towel, and while Lu Shuo washed up, he fetched the breakfast basket from outside and placed it on the table.
Lu Shuo asked, "Don't we eat breakfast with the master and the others?"
Tianqing replied, "The master used to have to attend court early, but the young masters and misses didn't have to get up so early, so breakfast was always separate. Now that the master has been granted leave to recuperate at home and doesn't need to attend morning court, he hasn't required everyone to eat together."
Relieved, Lu Shuo finished washing and sat down at the table.
Breakfast was light: a bowl of tribute rice porridge, a plate of date cakes, and a dish of pickled vegetables.
Tianqing said, "The kitchen didn't know what you liked, so they prepared these. There are other options too. If you don't like this, or if there's something you want, I'll go and tell the kitchen."
Lu Shuo said quietly, "It's fine. I'll eat this."
He slowly finished breakfast. Tianqing packed the empty dishes into the basket and handed it to Laishou to return to the kitchen.
Now that he was awake, it was time to attend to business.
Lu Shuo asked Tianqing, "The madam wants me to go to the Imperial Academy. What should I prepare?"
Tianqing said, "As for brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, or clothes and shoes, you don't need to worry. I've already prepared them. What you most need to prepare is to quickly memorize the rules and requirements of the Imperial Academy. But I'm not clear on those. It's best to ask the other young masters."
Lu Shuo said, "You said the Eldest Young Master is already up? Is it appropriate for me to visit him now?"
Tianqing said, "At this time, the Eldest Young Master should be doing his morning exercises. He's free. You can go."
So Lu Shuo got up and went out nervously, heading toward Helan Zhen's courtyard.
The Eldest Young Master seemed calm and steady, not as lively as the Second and Third Young Masters. Asking him about the Imperial Academy should yield a detailed answer.
Lu Shuo was mentally rehearsing how to broach the subject with the Eldest Young Master when he suddenly heard a clatter of footsteps ahead. He looked up and saw two familiar figures chasing and laughing on the path.
It was the Second and Third Young Masters.
They also saw Lu Shuo, stopped, and said in unison, "Morning, Lu Shuo!"
Lu Shuo's face stiffened slightly. "...Good morning, Second Young Master, Third Young Master." Hadn't they said these two were still asleep?
The two walked toward him. One spoke, "Have you had breakfast?"
Lu Shuo: "...Yes. And you two?"
"I've eaten. He hasn't. He wanted meat buns, but the kitchen didn't make any today, so they sent someone out to buy some," the first said, clicking his tongue. "Isn't he a pain? If he wanted meat buns, why didn't he say so last night?"
Lu Shuo didn't dare to respond and could only remain silent.
The other snorted with a laugh. "If you've got the guts, don't come asking for a share when I eat mine."
"Hmph, who would want your share!"
Perhaps because Lu Shuo's silence was too conspicuous, both of them quieted down and looked at him, then exchanged glances, a strange smile curling on their lips.
"Lu Shuo," one said, putting a hand on his shoulder, grinning, and asked the question Lu Shuo least wanted to hear right now, "Do you know who I am?"
Lu Shuo: "..."
It was either Helan Chang or Helan Rong. But he really couldn't tell which was which. They were twins and looked too alike. Having only seen them for the first time yesterday, how could he distinguish them so quickly? He had relied entirely on their clothes. But today, they had both changed outfits. Lu Shuo's method had failed.
Author's Note: Just starting the story, need to control word count. Updates will follow the schedule. For the first week, updates will be every other day. Thank you for your understanding. I have a very good track record!