Helan Zhen suddenly interjected, "Actually, not being able to speak isn't such a big deal. It just means we communicate by writing sometimes, which is a bit slower. Some people have a mouth and a tongue but can't utter a single decent sentence. They might as well not have them."
Lu Shuo blinked.
Helan Chang grinned. "Brother, did you ever compensate Vice Minister Wu's son for that half tooth you knocked out?"
Helan Rong added, "Compensate my foot! I heard he doesn't even dare show his face now."
"Watch your language," Zhang Yizhu scolded with a frown. "I haven't told your father about this yet, to avoid upsetting him. Remember, don't let it slip. Got it?"
Helan Chang and Helan Rong: "Got it, got it."
Helan Zhen drank his tea.
Zhang Yizhu turned to Lu Shuo. "Starting fights is the behavior of a brute. I've already taught them properly. Don't you learn any bad habits."
Lu Shuo clenched his palm, hesitated, then told his first lie since entering the mansion. "Madam, rest assured. I never fight."
Zhang Yizhu smiled.
Having talked about her daughter, she shifted back to practical matters. "What did you do at home?" she asked Lu Shuo.
Lu Shuo replied, "I mostly helped with farm work. On lighter days, I'd visit other families in the village."
In truth, when there was no work, he'd run wild in the mountains and fields with other kids.
Zhang Yizhu: "Have you studied any books?"
Lu Shuo said shamefacedly, "I only learned a few characters from an old man in the village. I haven't really read any books."
In the countryside, there were plenty of illiterate people. Knowing some simple characters was already decent. Since his father was often away, he and his mother had learned basic characters to avoid being cheated on land deeds and such.
Zhang Yizhu, worried he might be downplaying himself, pressed further: "Not even the 'Three Character Classic' or 'Thousand Character Classic'?"
"...No." Lu Shuo blinked in confusion, feeling even more ashamed.
He thought, 'The young masters must have studied these books long ago. Even the servants might have read them. I don't even know what they're about. How embarrassing.'
"Ah, I see..." Zhang Yizhu exhaled softly, a hint of hesitation on her face, quickly replaced by a smile. "No matter. It's never too late to learn if you're willing. Now that you're in the capital, you won't be doing farm work, but not studying won't do. Your parents raised you with great effort—surely you don't want to disappoint them, do you?"
Lu Shuo choked up, his eyes warming. "I... I will follow Madam's arrangements."
"It's already arranged," Helan Rong cut in. "The day after tomorrow, you'll start school with us at the Imperial Academy."
"So tragic," Helan Chang lamented. "You haven't even stayed a few days in the mansion, and you'll be locked up in a prison."
Lu Shuo was dumbfounded.
"Stop talking nonsense! Don't scare him." Zhang Yizhu rubbed her temple and explained to Lu Shuo, "The Imperial Academy is just a place for studying, like the village schools, but with more students, more complex subjects, and stricter management. Students usually live there, with a holiday every ten days. The boys got a two-day leave to come home for their father's return."
Lu Shuo's eyes widened in panic. "I... I have to go too?"
'If it's the school where the Duke's sons study, it must be the best in the capital. I can barely recognize characters—I'll be listening to gibberish!'
Zhang Yizhu reassured him, "Don't worry. New students always start from the basics."
Helan Chang and Helan Rong exchanged glances and winked at each other.
Not all students at the Imperial Academy were noble children; some were commoners who had passed exams on merit. But none of them were like Lu Shuo—unable to even recognize full characters. Besides, the academy wasn't a nursery school. Even the simplest lessons started from the Thirteen Classics. If Lu Shuo could stay awake in class, it would be an achievement.
Helan Zhen said, "If you have any problems at the academy, find Helan Chang and Helan Rong. They enrolled last year and are familiar with things freshmen need. I'm in a different level, so we won't see each other often."
'Everything is already arranged. Where would I have any room to refuse? And if I refuse, wouldn't that seem ungrateful?'
Lu Shuo lowered his head. "Thank you, Madam, and thank you, young masters."
Zhang Yizhu gave Helan Chang and Helan Rong another stern look until they stopped their antics, then said to her sons, "We've been talking for a while, and Lu Shuo still doesn't know where he'll be staying. You boys should share similar daily routines—why don't you take him to see his quarters?"
"Yes," Helan Zhen rose and nodded to Lu Shuo. "Come with me."
Helan Chang and Helan Rong also got up.
Lu Shuo followed them, bringing up the rear. Just as he was about to step over the threshold, he heard the Duchess call out, "Lu Shuo."
He turned back.
Zhang Yizhu sat upright in the hall, the jade hairpin at her temple gleaming softly as she held a cup of tea. She gave him a gentle smile. "I know you're a good boy, but the climate and customs here might be different from your hometown. If you ever need anything or feel uncomfortable, come tell me directly—don't hold it in. And if these rascals bully you, don't hesitate to come and tattle on them."
"Who's bullying him!" Helan Rong immediately protested. "If I bullied him, Dad would beat me to death! Maybe Helan Chang is planning something bad and trying to frame me!"
Helan Chang rolled his eyes. "Someone's defensive, aren't they?"
Lu Shuo looked at them helplessly.
Helan Zhen kept his hands tucked in his sleeves and said calmly, "Ignore them. Let's go."
Helan Chang and Helan Rong pushed each other as they walked.
Lu Shuo had no choice but to hurriedly bow to Zhang Yizhu—though he wasn't sure if the bow was proper—and then rushed after them.
Helan Zhen didn't want servants following, so he held his own umbrella and walked ahead. Helan Chang and Helan Rong also found it annoying to have too many people behind them, so they snatched umbrellas from their servants, twirling them and secretly flicking water droplets at each other.
Seeing this, Lu Shuo swallowed and said to Tianqing, who was holding an umbrella for him, "I'll hold it myself."
Tianqing glanced at the young masters ahead and handed Lu Shuo the umbrella.
Lu Shuo finally had his own umbrella and breathed a sigh of relief.
As they walked, Helan Zhen explained, "Your courtyard is in the northeast corner, not far from the garden. To the west is Third Brother's courtyard; to the south are mine and Second Brother's. You have your own separate yard, closest to ours when staying in the mansion. If anything comes up, you can come find us directly. Don't be shy. Since we'll be living together as family, we should help each other out."
Lu Shuo tightened his grip on the umbrella handle. "...Thank you."
Other than 'thank you,' he didn't know what else to say.
'Help each other? They help me; I can't possibly help them.' He laughed bitterly to himself, his heart aching.
Helan Rong said, "Exactly! We're brothers in arms, stuck in class together every day!" He paused, then turned to Lu Shuo. "But since you're joining late, you might fall behind. If you don't understand something, come ask us."
Helan Chang shot him a sidelong glance. "You're pretty confident. Last month's quiz, you got a C, right?"
Helan Rong glared at him. "If I recall correctly, the month before, I got a B, and you got the C."
Helan Zhen snorted. "You two are as thick-skinned as city walls. What's there to compete about? When I was your age, I never scored below an A... Hm?"
He suddenly lifted his umbrella, his gaze fixed diagonally ahead, and a gentle smile appeared on his face.
Instead of entering the corridor, he turned and walked toward a small courtyard nearby.
Lu Shuo followed his gaze. Through the hazy rain, he saw a few brown-green vines climbing over a decorative gate. Beyond the gate, a tiny figure stood quietly under the glistening eaves.
He heard Helan Zhen say with a smile, "Pei'er, why are you standing here? Mother sent someone to measure you for summer clothes. Did they measure you yet?"
Lu Shuo stared blankly at the figure.
She had two little buns tied with bean-green silk ribbons, with pearls dangling at the tips, resting against her neck. They reminded him of freshly peeled lotus seeds in a bamboo basket. Her tender green spring dress clung to her like newly sprouted willow buds—when the wind blew, it turned into flowing freshness.
So that was the Fourth Miss of the Duke Mansion—Helan Pei.
She blinked her bright, dark eyes and nodded at Helan Zhen.
Helan Chang and Helan Rong also walked toward her.
Lu Shuo suddenly took a deep breath, realizing he had been holding it unconsciously.
The siblings stood under the eaves, talking. Lu Shuo didn't know whether he should go over, so he stood there, conflicted.
Before he could decide, Helan Pei's face turned slightly in his direction.
A fine rain fell like mist, like smoke. They looked at each other in silence.
Then, he saw her blink softly and smile at him.