They sat down across from each other, ready to play another game, when suddenly loud voices came from outside. The next moment, two almost identical heads appeared at the windowsill.
"So you really are playing Chupu?" Helan Rong said, eyeing the board eagerly. "Pei'er, can we play a couple of rounds?"
Helan Pei looked at him in surprise, then at Helan Chang.
Helan Chang said, "Father finally let us off. We went to look for you, but you weren't there. Your maid said you were playing Chupu with Lu Shuo, so we came too."
Zisu stifled a laugh. "Didn't you two lose too many times before and swear off playing Chupu with Miss?"
Helan Rong waved his hand dismissively. "Ah, that was before. It's been a while, so a few games won't hurt. Besides, if we play with you, Father won't scold us."
Lu Shuo pursed his lips, knowing when to step aside. He stood up. "Second Young Master, Third Young Master, please."
Helan Rong: "You're not playing?"
Lu Shuo: "Miss and I haven't started this game yet."
Helan Rong happily sat down, and Helan Chang also took a seat in the middle to watch.
There was no room left for Lu Shuo at the table. He thought for a moment, then said quietly, "Miss, shall I take my leave then?"
Helan Pei looked up at him, paused for a moment, then nodded.
Lu Shuo walked out of the room. Passing a drooping flower in the courtyard, he bent down and straightened it.
From behind came Helan Chang's voice: "Are you stupid? Why make that move? You should have made a different one!"
Helan Rong: "What do you know? I have my reasons! Stop butting in!"
Helan Chang: "Heh, after you lose, just go sit in the corner."
Lu Shuo straightened up and silently left the Eastern Corridor.
He wasn't her only playmate; he was merely her last resort.
-
Days passed like water. The clusters of flowers on the branches gradually withered, while the leaves grew more lush by the day.
The custom-fitted spring clothes were finally delivered to the mansion, but Lu Shuo wore them only a few days before the weather grew hotter. Not only did the afternoon sun become more intense, but even the mornings grew brighter. The wind blew drowsily, and a short jog made him break a sweat.
Lu Shuo changed into light summer clothes, and Helan Pei's skirts became even more ethereal and delicate. Occasionally, when she hurried past the corridor, her robes fluttered like a light butterfly, flitting before Lu Shuo's eyes.
At last, the Duke of Xuan ended his "convalescence"—after all, if he feigned illness any longer, the court officials would truly think him an invalid.
He held a substantive post, overseeing the Central Military Governor's Office. Upon returning to court, he was immediately busy again, sometimes spending days outside the capital on business without coming home.
Take the Dragon Boat Festival, for instance. He wasn't home, but the Duke Mansion's sons had returned for the holiday.
With the strict father absent, Helan Rong rubbed his hands excitedly. "Mother, there's a dragon boat race at the outskirts this afternoon! Helan Chang and I want to go watch!"
Zhang Yizhu said, "Let Eldest Brother take you and Lu Shuo. I won't go."
At her age, she had long lost interest in dragon boat races. Besides, Helan Pei wasn't going, so someone needed to stay home with her.
Lu Shuo couldn't help glancing at Helan Pei, afraid to see her disappointment. But she seemed accustomed to it, showing no displeasure. Instead, she wrote a note and handed it to Helan Zhen, asking him to bring back two of Zhang's fresh meat zongzi.
Word had it that Zhang's fresh meat zongzi were the best; no other shop could replicate the same texture.
Helan Zhen smiled and said, "Alright. Anything else?"
Helan Pei shook her head.
So after noon, Helan Zhen set off with his two younger brothers and Lu Shuo.
In the carriage, Helan Chang and Helan Rong chattered noisily. Helan Zhen propped his cheek on his hand, leaning against the window to watch the scenery outside, clearly finding the two too loud to bother joining their conversation.
The streets and alleys were filled with the fresh scent of mugwort and calamus. Vendors loudly hawked various sachets, colored ropes, and kites. The crowd was even livelier than the last time Lu Shuo had gone out.
Lu Shuo looked down at himself. On his wrist was a five-colored rope, which the Duchess had given him this morning. Every child had one.
The newly braided rope was brightly colored and glossy, with an exceptionally intricate knot.
His mother had also made him a five-colored rope, but it wasn't as pretty or sturdy. Their village's Dragon Boat Festival was simple—just a few coarse rice zongzi at home and a bundle of dried mugwort at the door. They still had to work in the fields or go up the mountain. As for dragon boat races, they didn't even have a river for them.
Lu Shuo glanced at the young masters' wrists. Helan Chang and Helan Rong also wore five-colored ropes, clearly visible when they gestured. But Helan Zhen's wrist was covered by his sleeve, hidden from view. Lu Shuo didn't know if he wore one or not.
He secretly guessed that the Eldest Young Master probably didn't, thinking it childish.
The carriage traveled for about an hour, arriving near a mountain path on the outskirts.
It wasn't much of a mountain—just a dozen-zhang-high earthen slope. Besides wealthy families like theirs who rode carriages up, many ordinary people were climbing the path in groups.
Lu Shuo couldn't help asking, "I thought we were going to watch the dragon boat race. Why go up the mountain instead of the river?"
Helan Chang laughed. "By the river, you're close to the boats but can only see them for a short time. From the mountaintop, you can see the entire race from start to finish. Isn't that better?"
Lu Shuo: "With such a good view, won't it be packed up there?"
"No. Every Dragon Boat Festival, the best spots on the mountaintop are reserved for families like ours. Others can watch from halfway up or climb trees," Helan Rong said, slinging an arm around Lu Shuo's shoulder. "Have you seen a dragon boat race before? Even if you have, I bet it's not as exciting as the one in the capital! All the rowers are trained soldiers. If they get a good rank, they get prizes! So they row like crazy!"
Lu Shuo was surprised. "Is it organized by the military?"
"No," Helan Chang explained. "It was an order from the Founding Emperor to show unity between the army and the people. Soldiers compete, and the people cheer. Over time, it became tradition. Later, civilians wanted to join, so after the military race, there's a civilian one—but it's not as exciting."
"But it's funnier," Helan Rong added.
Lu Shuo: "..."