Two days later, Helan Zong, the Duke Xuan, finished his official business and returned to the Capital City and his mansion.
He heard about the Dragon Boat Festival incident from Zhang Yizhu, his face dark. He sat in a chair, frowning in silence.
Zhang Yizhu sighed. "In your opinion, how should we handle this now? Treat it as a conflict between juniors and let it go, or escalate it to a matter between the two families?"
Helan Zong was silent for a moment, then asked, "How is Lu Shuo's injury?"
"It's fine; he's recovering slowly," Zhang Yizhu said. "That child is sensible—he said he doesn't want to pursue it. But our own sons are still thinking of having you file an official complaint against the Song Duke Mansion."
Helan Zong: "And Pei'er?"
"Zisu told me that she sulked for a while that night, then went to see Lu Shuo. I don't know what they talked about, but afterwards she seemed much better."
Helan Zong let out a long, heavy breath.
He knew that many people secretly mocked him for having a mute daughter, but as a duke, he couldn't argue over every little thing. So sometimes it was best to leave matters to the younger generation to resolve in their immature ways.
Originally, that Du kid had suffered a loss at Eldest Son's hands, and then he lost face because of Second and Third Sons. That grudge should have ended there. Helan Zong never expected him to be so petty as to bully Lu Shuo.
What if Lu Shuo hadn't blocked with his hand, and it had hit his head fatally?
But the situation was indeed delicate. First, there was no evidence. Second, the court's political climate was precarious. If he suddenly impeached the Song Duke Mansion, it would inevitably invite speculation from the emperor, the empress dowager, and his colleagues, even though his only intention was personal revenge.
He couldn't act rashly.
After much deliberation, Helan Zong could only sigh. "I feel sorry for Lu Shuo. We'll have to wait for the right moment."
Hearing this, Zhang Yizhu understood that her husband had decided not to entangle with petty men for now, to avoid stirring up trouble.
Zhang Yizhu: "Then go see him. I heard from Jiang Siji that although his hand is injured, he's still studying very hard."
So Helan Zong went to find Lu Shuo.
The morning lessons had ended; Lu Shuo was reviewing his books. Startled to see Helan Zong, he quickly realized that today was indeed the day the Duke Xuan returned home, and promptly stood up to bow.
Helan Zong looked at him kindly, chatted for a while, and examined his injury. The bruising was dark purple and looked alarming, but to a military man, it wasn't a serious wound.
Helan Zong then comforted Lu Shuo a bit, explaining that now wasn't the time to feud with the Song Duke Mansion, and asked for his understanding.
Lu Shuo felt flattered and quickly said, "I never wanted to cause more trouble."
The young masters were hot-blooded and felt that the Xuan Duke Mansion had been insulted; it was understandable they wanted revenge. But from his personal perspective, he only wanted a peaceful life and didn't want to be embroiled in any more turmoil. Ideally, people outside would completely forget about him, the "adopted son of the Duke Xuan," so he could go out without discomfort.
He sensed that the Duke Xuan and his wife were prudent people and probably wouldn't go out of their way to stand up for him. He guessed the matter would fizzle out quietly. But he never expected the Duke Xuan to come and explain things to him personally, as if afraid he might hold a grudge.
He was living in the Duke Mansion, relying on it for everything; how could he dare to have such thoughts! The Duke Xuan was truly overthinking.
But then he wondered: had he behaved disrespectfully somewhere, giving the impression that he was a petty person?
Lu Shuo's heart tightened. Having lived in the mansion for over two months, he wasn't as tense as when he first arrived. Occasionally he laughed and joked with the young masters, and he might have overstepped at times.
With that in mind, he became even more docile toward the Duke Xuan. "Madam said that worrying about petty people only holds oneself back. Right now, I don't think about anything else; I just want to study hard. Please rest assured, my lord."
Helan Zong studied him carefully for a moment before humming in acknowledgment.
The child was sensible, but his character was too soft, not like the boys in their family.
Helan Zong wanted to tell him that he wasn't a servant; he should straighten his back when speaking, raise his voice, stand firm, and show some manly spirit.
But he worried that this child might be sensitive and still not have gotten over the shadow of losing his parents. He couldn't force him to do things.
"Well... continue your studies. I'll take my leave." Helan Zong patted his shoulder and left.
Lu Shuo let out a soft breath, sat back down, and resumed reviewing.
—
Helan Zong then went to see Helan Pei.
Helan Pei had just woken from her nap. When she heard her father was home, she scrambled up, dressed quickly, and ran out.
Helan Zong stood in the courtyard, hands behind his back, looking at his daughter with a slight smile.
"Why run out with your hair not even combed?" Helan Zong reached out and touched her head. "And where did that mark on your face come from? Slipped off your pillow?"
Helan Pei wiped her face, embarrassed.
Helan Zong took a small porcelain whistle from his bosom. "I was busy with official business the whole way and didn't have time to browse the market. I just bought this from a roadside stall. Take it to play with."
Helan Pei took it. The whistle was small and white, but the craftsmanship was rough.
Still, she didn't need anything too exquisite. She just wanted her father to bring back some local products from his travels as keepsakes.
She tried blowing it; the sound was sharp and harsh, quite unpleasant.
Helan Zong laughed. "That's all there was. If you don't like it, you can throw it away."
Helan Pei put the small whistle away and shook her head.
She wouldn't be blowing it at home anyway; the sound quality didn't matter that much.
Helan Zong looked her over. Seeing that his daughter had a rosy complexion and seemed in good spirits, he felt relieved.
"Lu Shuo's hand is injured recently. If he has any trouble before or after lessons, help him out."
Helan Pei blinked, turned, and ran into the room, writing a few words. She came out and showed them to Helan Zong.
"He said he doesn't need my help and that he can manage."