The capital was indeed deeply treacherous. Someone as lowly as he was would never be able to navigate it.
Soon, the dragon boat race began.
Helan Chang and Helan Rong immediately put aside the earlier incident and focused on the race, each picking a team to bet on—with leftover pastries as stakes.
Although Lu Shuo's eyes were on the racing boats, his mind couldn't immerse itself. He kept replaying the earlier scene.
Thanks to Eldest Young Master's eloquence, he had never dreamed he would get to borrow the Emperor's authority in his lifetime.
The thought that everyone now knew he was the Duke's adopted son made him feel as if he were sitting on pins and needles, the weight of a mountain pressing on his shoulders. He feared making a misstep and bringing shame to the Xuan Duke Mansion and the Emperor's face.
Though it was highly likely he had already brought that shame, given how Young Master Du had immediately spotted his difference from the capital's young gentlemen. Whether in appearance or speech, he simply didn't fit in with these nobles.
He placed his hands on his knees, the hem of his robe wrinkled from his grip.
The first dragon boat crossed the finish line, and cheers erupted from the crowd. The military race ended quickly.
Helan Chang laughed. "I won my bet! The pastries are mine!"
Helan Rong pouted. "Fine, take them. Eat until you choke."
Helan Chang held the pastries and sighed. "The dragon boat race was so exciting. The only flaw is that they're too good—it ended too fast."
"Yeah, yeah. If only there were more rounds, but there's no such rule," Helan Rong said, turning his head. "Hey, Lu Shuo, why do you look unhappy?"
"Huh? No, I'm not," Lu Shuo quickly smiled. "I've never seen a dragon boat race before. This is my first time, and I got too tense."
Helan Rong: "Don't worry. When the civilian race starts, you won't be tense anymore. There'll definitely be capsizing."
Lu Shuo: "..."
Sure enough, the civilian dragon boat race that followed was much more relaxed and fun. Several boats rowed hard at the start but capsized at the turns, drawing roars of laughter.
Helan Chang and Helan Rong commented gleefully, and even Helan Zhen cracked a smile.
Lu Shuo quietly let out a breath, released his grip on his knees, and forced a smile.
After two races, it was time to go down the mountain and head home.
Helan Zhen reminded the driver: "Go to Zhang's Shop."
"Are you buying zongzi for Pei'er?" Helan Rong asked. "I want some too! And I want their five-poison pastries!"
"Isn't Yan's Shop right next to Zhang's? Yan's ice cream is good. Let's get some to take back," Helan Chang said.
Helan Zhen: "It's not even that hot yet. Do you really need ice cream?"
Helan Chang twisted his body and whined, "Big Brother—"
Helan Zhen twitched at the corner of his mouth and turned away. "Fine. Buy some."
Helan Chang looked at Lu Shuo. "Lu Shuo, is there anything you want?"
Lu Shuo: "Uh... no, don't worry about me."
Helan Rong: "Ah, just get off and look around with us. You might see something you want!"
---
By the time they returned from the outskirts to the city, the sun was already slanting westward.
The carriage stopped in front of Zhang's pastry shop. Helan Rong jumped off first and gave a low whistle. "Quite a crowd!"
"They probably all came from watching the dragon boat race," Helan Chang said. "I'm going next door to buy ice cream. I'll definitely be faster than you."
Helan Zhen sat in the carriage, frowning at the crowd surging into the shop.
He didn't feel like squeezing through the crowd, so he sent his servant to queue up at the counter in advance, then said to Lu Shuo, "Go with the third one. Pei'er wants fresh meat zongzi, the third one wants five-poison pastries. See if there's anything you want."
Lu Shuo acknowledged and got off the carriage.
He really didn't want anything, but since Eldest Young Master had said so, he didn't want to refuse.
When he entered the shop, Helan Rong had already disappeared somewhere. Lu Shuo scanned the crowd, found the servant who was queuing, but couldn't spot Helan Rong.
Clearly, it wasn't that the Duke Mansion lacked servants, but the Third Young Master liked to do things himself.
The shop was filled with enticing aromas—sweet, savory, all mixed together, stirring hunger in the belly.
Several counters lined the interior. Most people crowded around the counter selling freshly baked pastries, eager to buy them while hot to take home. Other counters sold preserves, candies, and other snacks that could be stored longer; those had fewer customers.
Lu Shuo planned to wait outside for Helan Rong, so he walked to a counter selling preserves, pretending to browse while waiting.
The preserves at Zhang's were exquisitely made, beautifully colored, and uniform in size. Lu Shuo was examining some he couldn't identify when he heard a loud crash beside him.
He turned and saw someone bump into a shelf against the wall. The already messy shelf lost balance, and rice bags and fruit baskets tumbled down with a clatter. Caught off guard, Lu Shuo was hit directly by the falling wooden shelves.
Thud!
Lu Shuo felt his bones go numb; his entire arm lost sensation instantly. He fell to the ground, still keeping his arm over his head, as tears of pain welled up almost immediately.
Author's note:
This chapter also has red envelopes within 48 hours~ And another chapter is posted together.