Lu Shuo, stared at by the two brothers, couldn't utter a single word, his embarrassment reddening even the tips of his ears.
They, however, seemed to take pleasure in it, grinning and urging him on: "It's fine, just take a guess. If you're wrong, we won't punish you."
Lu Shuo looked to Tianqing for help.
Tianqing opened his mouth to offer a hint, but one of the brothers shot him a glare, and he immediately fell silent.
Forced to brazen it out, Lu Shuo looked at the young master who had an arm slung over his shoulder and mumbled, "You... are the Third Young Master?"
The other raised an eyebrow but didn't give a direct answer: "Are you sure? You can guess once more."
Lu Shuo: "..."
The other chimed in, "Guessing too many times is no fun. Let's just settle it with one bet."
Lu Shuo: "..."
Just as he was at a loss, a maidservant appeared at the other end of the path like a godsend.
Lu Shuo recognized her—she was the head maidservant attending to the Madam.
She approached, looked at the three gathered together with a hint of confusion, but first bowed to Helan Chang and Helan Rong respectively: "Second Young Master, Third Young Master."
Helan Rong withdrew his hand from Lu Shuo's shoulder and clicked his tongue. "Meicai, your timing is terrible."
Lu Shuo finally let out a breath of relief.
—At least he had guessed correctly.
The maidservant smiled. "May I ask what the two young masters were playing with Young Master Lu? Whatever it was, it will have to stop for now. The Master and Madam are looking for Young Master Lu."
Lu Shuo quickly responded, "What is it? Do I need to prepare anything?"
The maidservant said, "No need for anything. Please just follow me."
Lu Shuo bowed to Helan Chang and Helan Rong. "The Madam is calling for me, so I'll take my leave."
Helan Rong waved his hand. "Go on, go on."
After Lu Shuo had gone, Helan Rong rubbed his chin and asked Helan Chang, "How do you think he guessed right? Was it pure luck, or did he notice something?"
Helan Chang snorted. "Some people are rash and speak without thinking. It's obvious he's Helan Rong, not Helan Chang."
Helan Rong was furious. "And what about you? You didn't get up earlier than me, and you insisted on meat buns. So troublesome!"
"It's rare I get to come home. Can't I eat what I want? Tomorrow I won't have the chance! You know breakfast at the Imperial Academy is as tasteless as chewing wax!"
...
Lu Shuo followed the maidservant into the Duke and Duchess's courtyard. As he passed the flower bed, he saw the Duke practicing boxing in the open space, exercising.
Though he claimed to be recuperating, his injuries had long since healed. Now he was just lying low and taking a break.
"Lu Shuo, you're here?" Helan Zong glanced at him with a smile. "Did you sleep well last night?"
Lu Shuo nodded. "Thank you for your concern, Master. I slept very well."
Helan Zong looked at the dark circles under his eyes but didn't call him out on it. Instead, he stopped his boxing, walked over to Lu Shuo, and led him inside.
Zhang Yizhu was drinking tea. When she saw them enter, she smiled, put down her teacup, and said, "Master, wipe your sweat. Lu Shuo, have a seat."
Helan Zong casually wiped his forehead with his sleeve, then sat down and took a couple of gulps of tea.
Zhang Yizhu looked at Lu Shuo and said warmly, "Lu Shuo, I called you here early because there's an important matter to discuss."
Seeing her serious expression, Lu Shuo tensed and said solemnly, "Please go ahead, Madam."
Zhang Yizhu: "The Master and I discussed it yesterday. Since you haven't had any basic education and aren't yet accustomed to life in the capital, sending you directly to the Imperial Academy might backfire if you can't keep up. So we plan to have you start your basic studies at home. Once you've learned the fundamentals, there'll be plenty of time to go to the Imperial Academy. What do you think?"
Lu Shuo was stunned, but then a wave of relief washed over him.
Thank goodness! He had been worried since yesterday about how he would fit in at the Imperial Academy and embarrass the Duke Mansion. Now, unexpectedly, he had good news—he didn't have to go! The Master and Madam were indeed kind, as if they could read his mind. Not only did they spare him the Academy, but they even arranged for him to study at the mansion! This put his mind at ease.
Lu Shuo said gratefully, "Thank you for your consideration, Master and Madam. I will study hard and repay your kindness in the future!"
"Wrong, wrong!" Helan Zong shook his head. "You study for yourself, for your deceased parents, not for us. Besides, I haven't done you any favor. I brought you here to care for you because I owed it to your father. It is my duty."
Lu Shuo's eyes grew hot again.
Zhang Yizhu said, "However, the tutor in our mansion is a woman. Though she doesn't hold a scholarly title, she is more than capable of teaching children. I'm telling you this in advance so you won't be surprised when you see her."
Lu Shuo quickly replied, "I understand."
He couldn't help but marvel inwardly—this was the capital, after all, where even female tutors existed. But he was also a bit puzzled. Surely there was no shortage of male tutors in the capital, so why had they chosen a female tutor for him? Was there a reason?
Before he could figure it out, Zhang Yizhu explained: "The reason it's a female tutor is that she wasn't originally hired for you. She is specifically for Pei'er's lessons. Given Pei'er's condition, the tutor who teaches her must be patient and meticulous. I'm sure you'll adapt to the lessons quickly."
"She's Fourth Miss's tutor?" Lu Shuo was startled. "Then... when and where will I have my lessons? Would I... disturb Fourth Miss?"
Hearing this, Zhang Yizhu and Helan Zong exchanged a look of satisfaction.
This child was sensible and knew his place. He wasn't the type to get carried away by his newfound fortune.
Having such a child study with Pei'er meant there was no fear of him leading her astray.
Zhang Yizhu said, "For the tutor's convenience, you and Pei'er will study in the same room. She will study her material, and you yours. The specific arrangements will be decided by the tutor."
What?