It was a bit strange. In previous years on Dragon Boat Festival, they should have been back half an hour ago.
"Mother, Mother!" A loud shout came, and Helan Rong's figure dashed into the courtyard.
Zhang Yizhu put down the account books and scolded with a smile, "With your father away, you've got no manners!"
"I wish Father were here!" Helan Rong said. "Mother, those people from the Song Duke Mansion are so shameless! They bullied Lu Shuo!"
Helan Pei froze.
Zhang Yizhu's expression changed. "What do you mean? Explain clearly."
"Let me speak," Helan Zhen said, walking into the courtyard with his hands behind his back, followed by Helan Chang and Lu Shuo.
Lu Shuo pursed his lips, seeming reluctant to enter, but Helan Chang insisted on pulling him inside. As he pulled, he lifted Lu Shuo's injured arm and rolled up the sleeve, calling out loudly, "Mother, look how badly Lu Shuo is hurt! The doctor said he can't move it for at least half a month!"
Zhang Yizhu stood up abruptly and hurried out of the room.
Helan Pei quickly followed.
Standing in the courtyard, Helan Zhen described the afternoon's events in detail. Zhang Yizhu listened in silence, her brows tightly knitted.
Helan Pei walked over to Lu Shuo and stared at his arm, which was swollen blackish-purple and raised high, her eyes wide with shock.
This was the first time she had seen such a severe injury. It was so striking that she involuntarily shuddered.
She knew her father had suffered much worse wounds in battle, but she had never witnessed them, so she couldn't grasp it.
She had been pampered all her life, never exposed to the storms outside. Seeing this kind of injury on Lu Shuo for the first time left her momentarily stunned.
She wanted to touch his wound but didn't dare. She just looked at him, head bowed and silent, a hint of pity in her eyes.
"The friction between the Xuan Duke Mansion and the Song Duke Mansion isn't new, but it's not so deep that we can't coexist. However, Du Shenling started trouble today, ostensibly to avenge his cousin. Am I right?" Zhang Yizhu suddenly spoke.
Helan Zhen said quietly, "Yes."
Zhang Yizhu let out a long sigh. "I haven't told your father about you knocking out half of Young Master Wu's tooth last time. Since the Wu family didn't pursue it, I thought I'd pretend it didn't happen. But I was too optimistic. Who knew the consequences would drag Lu Shuo into it? Your father should be back the day after tomorrow. I'm afraid he'll be angry when he finds out."
Helan Zhen said, "Let Father be angry. I don't regret what I did. People like that Wu guy won't listen to reason; they only learn from being hit."
Helan Chang and Helan Rong echoed in unison, "Exactly, exactly."
Helan Zhen continued, "As for that Du guy, he didn't dare retaliate directly against me or the second and third sons, so he ordered an attack on Lu Shuo. That's the act of a petty man. Too bad we have no proof and can't pursue it. But Father is a court official. He'll certainly find other faults with the Song Duke Mansion and impeach them to His Majesty. The son's mistake should be paid for by the father. That's only fair."
Helan Chang and Helan Rong chimed in again, "Exactly, exactly."
"You!" Zhang Yizhu glared at Helan Zhen and lowered her voice. "Everyone always praises you for being clever and sensible, but at times like this, you only think about quick revenge! Both our families used to be close to the Empress Dowager, but recently His Majesty has been clashing with the Empress Dowager. Your father doesn't want to get involved; he just wants to watch the situation. But the Song Duke Mansion is still tangled up with the Empress Dowager's faction. If we impeach them now, we'll immediately become the Empress Dowager's target."
She then glared at Helan Chang and Helan Rong. "And you two, stop egging him on! If you hadn't thrown that egg at his head and humiliated him in public, he might not have taken it out on Lu Shuo later!"
Helan Chang and Helan Rong hung their heads.
Helan Zhen fell silent too.
Zhang Yizhu said, "You all stay out of trouble these days. Your father and I will be thankful if you just keep the peace. Don't meddle in anything else."
Helan Zhen: "... Yes."
Zhang Yizhu turned to Lu Shuo and immediately softened her tone. "That Du Shenling has poor family upbringing and vile behavior. Words from such a petty man are worthless. Don't take them to heart. Getting upset over someone like him only hurts yourself."
Lu Shuo said softly, "I understand, Madam."
Zhang Yizhu looked at his injury again, distressed. "This is truly a bolt from the blue. It's our family's affairs that have dragged you into this, otherwise you wouldn't have been bullied like this. Take good care of yourself. I'll have your meals delivered to your room three times a day, so you don't have to eat with us and risk those clumsy kids accidentally bumping into you."
Lu Shuo was startled.
He wanted to say he wasn't that delicate, and he was willing to eat with the family.
When he first entered the Duke Mansion, he indeed felt uncomfortable, watching their happy family scenes and feeling wistful.
But over two months, he had gradually grown used to it, no longer so cautious, and even enjoyed eating around a big table with everyone. It made him feel that, though he had lost his parents, he wasn't so alone.
"I, I don't need to... I can eat with everyone..." Lu Shuo mumbled.
"Oh, it's no trouble. Just setting aside a portion for you—it's easy for the kitchen," Zhang Yizhu said, gently patting his head, thinking he was afraid of causing trouble. "Take your time and eat more. That way, you'll recover faster."
Lu Shuo bit his lip, said nothing more, and just nodded obediently.
Zhang Yizhu then called for a maidservant, saying the doctor from the roadside clinic might not be reliable, and asked her to fetch the old physician who usually treated the household to check Lu Shuo again.
Soon, the old physician came, examined Lu Shuo's injury, and gave the same conclusion—the bones were fine, just flesh wounds. He would be fine with proper rest.
Zhang Yizhu was relieved, comforted Lu Shuo a few more times, and told Tianqing to accompany him back.
Dinner was already prepared. The kitchen set aside a portion and sent it to Lu Shuo's courtyard. Zhang Yizhu and the children ate in the dining hall as usual.
But with the afternoon's incident, no one felt like chatting, so they finished quickly.
The Imperial Academy only had one day off. After the Dragon Boat Festival, classes resumed tomorrow. Zhang Yizhu and Helan Pei stood at the gate to see Helan Zhen and the others off.
After the carriage disappeared into the distance, the mansion gate closed. Zhang Yizhu looked down at her daughter and asked, "What's wrong? Upset?"
Helan Pei didn't react.
Zhang Yizhu: "Still thinking about the Song Duke Mansion? Those vicious people..."
Before she finished, Helan Pei suddenly pulled away and ran headlong toward her own courtyard.
"Miss!" Zisu called out.