The spring rain was as fine as butter, washing the stone bricks of the Capital City's streets to a gleaming shine. When passing carriage wheels rolled over them, tiny splashes of water burst from the crevices.
Inside the spacious carriage, a tall and stalwart middle-aged man lifted the curtain and glanced out. A faint smile touched his lips. "Almost there."
With the curtain no longer blocking the view, bright daylight poured in, and the clamor of voices suddenly pressed close. Lu Shuo, who had been keeping his head down, instinctively looked up and caught sight of the bustling vendors and pedestrians along the roadside.
Seasonal vines climbed over the walls, bursting into clusters of vivid blossoms that shimmered in harmony with the embroidered silks worn by passersby, fleeting before his eyes.
The middle-aged man let the curtain fall, dimming the carriage once more. Studying Lu Shuo's expression, he reached out and gently patted his head. "Don't be nervous. I've already written home, and the family knows you're coming. They will have made all the arrangements."
Lu Shuo lowered his head again, his hands resting on his knees. The plain hemp fabric of his clothes was crumpled where his fingers clutched it.
"Thank you, Duke," he murmured.
The carriage turned into a quiet, long alley. A young servant boy, craning his neck at the middle of the lane, spotted the carriage and immediately dashed back toward the mansion, shouting, "The master is back!"
The carriage stopped at the mansion's gate. The driver had just lifted the curtain and had not yet raised the umbrella when the middle-aged man swiftly bounded out, landing in a long stride on the ground.
Turning back, he saw Lu Shuo gripping his thin bundle with one hand and the doorframe with the other, crouched awkwardly at the entrance. The man reached out and grasped Lu Shuo's arm, saying gently, "Come down."
Lu Shuo pressed his lips together and jumped down, standing behind Duke Xuan.
The ground beneath his feet was paved with smooth blue-gray stone bricks, the entire path clean and tidy, with even the gaps between the bricks filled solidly, unlike the streets outside where ruts caused the carriage to jolt.
Lu Shuo kept his head down, his fingers tightening around his bundle.
Staring at the new cloth shoes on his feet, he felt as if he were seeing, in a daze, the tattered straw sandals he used to wear—so worn that his toes poked out, and the ochre earth stained his soles, never quite clean.
Whenever he brought a broken straw sandal to his mother, she would sigh, tap his forehead, and gently scold him for not taking care of his belongings. He would just grin sheepishly and not argue—it was true he was careless, running and jumping with the other village kids in those sandals. And he was still growing, so a pair of shoes wore out in a few months.
After scolding him, his mother would helplessly make him a new pair. Sometimes, while sewing, she would suddenly stare off into space. When he asked what was wrong, she would sigh again and say she wondered how his father was faring in the army—with his thick fingers, he couldn't even thread a needle, let alone mend his own torn boots.
Thinking of his parents, Lu Shuo's eyes grew hot again, and something seemed to lodge in his throat, throbbing painfully.
"Lu Shuo."
Hearing his name, Lu Shuo jerked his head up and realized that Duke Xuan had already climbed the steps of the Duke Mansion and was standing under the grand, azure-and-verdigris-wreathed eaves, looking back at him.
Lu Shuo suddenly remembered where he was.
He was at the Xuan Duke Mansion.
The lofty plaque above shimmered with vibrant colors, its bold and vigorous calligraphy said to be the personal inscription of Emperor Taizu, granting it to the first Duke Xuan who had fought alongside him through countless battles.
Beneath the plaque, the vermilion doors studded with copper nails stood wide open. Duke Xuan stood with his hands behind his back, watching him, and behind the Duke stood the mansion's family members who had just come out to greet him upon receiving the news.
Lu Shuo's throat tightened. Not daring to lose focus, he immediately stepped forward, hurried past the imposing stone lions crouching on either side, and climbed the long, five-step stone staircase, trotting to Duke Xuan's side.
Under the eaves stood a crowd of strangers. Habitually, he looked down, then remembered he should greet them, so he nervously raised his head.
A lady who looked about thirty or forty stood closest to the Duke. She wore a robe of silvery-gray brocade woven with gold, her features delicate and lips pale. She appeared dignified and gentle—undoubtedly the Duchess.
Beside the Duchess stood several young men, presumably the Duke's sons, whom the Duke had mentioned on the road.
The Duke had three sons total: the tallest and most composed-looking was likely the eldest young master, seventeen this year; the two shorter ones with nearly identical faces were the twin second and third young masters, both thirteen.
However, he had heard that the family also had a young lady, the youngest child. But scanning the group, he didn't seem to see anyone of that description.
Lu Shuo quickly glanced over them, not daring to pry into the affairs of nobles. Since no one had taught him etiquette, he tried his best to recall how the village folk bowed and scraped before the village head, then hesitantly bent forward.
But no sooner had he started to bow than the Duke placed a hand on his shoulder. Lu Shuo froze, afraid to move.
"This is Lu Shuo, the only son of the righteous man Lu Zhong who saved my life, as I mentioned in my letters," Duke Xuan said, patting Lu Shuo's nape to encourage him to look up. "Lu Shuo, this is my wife, and my eldest, second, and third sons." He paused, then added, "I also have a daughter, but she's shy and doesn't like to go out. You'll meet her later. From now on, we're one family, so don't stand on ceremony."
Lu Shuo blinked rapidly, his body stiff. "I—I pay respects to the Duchess and to the young masters."
"The boy is sincere," the Duchess said with a smile, turning to the Duke. "The rain's spitting outside. Why talk at the gate? Let's go indoors."
The Duke nodded and walked inside with his hands behind his back.
Attendants waiting by the door immediately followed their respective masters, holding umbrellas over their heads as they crossed the main courtyard and the ceremonial gate, heading toward the inner residence.
Lu Shuo was assigned a young servant boy as well.
A little flattered, he watched the boy hold an umbrella for him, unsure what to say.
Ever since the Duke brought him from his hometown to the Capital, he had received considerable care along the way, with food and clothing provided. But since they traveled with the army, he had to fend for himself in other matters. Now, at the Duke Mansion, even an umbrella was held for him—such treatment he had never imagined.
Perhaps sensing Lu Shuo's astonishment, the young servant nodded respectfully and said, "Your servant's name is Tianqing. I will be attending to the young master from now on."
"Ah?" Lu Shuo stumbled in surprise, barely catching himself on Tianqing's arm to avoid tripping in public and becoming a laughingstock.
Young master? Was he talking about him?
He had grown up rolling in the mud. Before meeting the Duke, he had never even left his village. How could he be worthy of that title?
And... the Duke Mansion had specifically assigned him a personal servant?
Lu Shuo found it hard to believe.
He had thought the Duke's words about "being one family" were just polite. He even thought it would be a blessing to work as a servant in the Duke Mansion. He never expected the Duke to mean it.
The Duke's sons walked a few steps ahead but kept glancing back at him, especially the twins, who whispered to each other about who knows what.
Lu Shuo couldn't help clenching his fists, feeling both confused and anxious. Did these young masters dislike him? It made sense—how could a person as lowly as him ever mix with a household like this? The Duke might be grateful, but his sons wouldn't necessarily accept him.
"Young master," Tianqing said at his side. "Let your servant take your bundle."
He had noticed Lu Shuo clutching it for a long time. The bundle was thin, and he wondered what was inside.