Upon arriving at Clear Heart Courtyard, Lu Chao noticed Shishu, the head maid serving his stepmother, waiting at the entrance. He sidestepped slightly to avoid accepting her full bow and nodded with a polite smile. "Thank you, Miss Shishu."
For now, he had no intention of getting overly familiar with the people from his stepmother’s household. Courtesy and propriety were enough—his priority was to avoid missteps.
He wasn’t sure if other families were like his, but from what he’d observed, the boundary between masters and servants was absolute. If he dared call Shishu "elder sister" today, no one would praise him for being warm and courteous—they’d mock him for lowering himself to fraternize with servants.
Besides, countless eyes were surely watching him. A newly arrived illegitimate son who imdiately tried to win over the servants would seem too calculating and unlikely to be well-received.
"Third Young Master, as per Lady Lu’s instructions, you’ll be staying in the east wing. The servants have already cleaned it up these past few days. Would you like to show you around?"
Lu Chao clasped his hands in acknowledgnt. "Then I’ll trouble you, Miss Shishu."
Shishu’s skirt fluttered lightly as she began the tour.
"This is the study. Lady Lu ntioned you’ll soon begin your education, so she specially selected so books for you. If there are others you’d like to read later, you may visit the main courtyard’s study—the master, Eldest Young Master, and Second Young Master often read there as well."
Lu Chao nodded, silently raising his opinion of his stepmother a few notches.
Being a stepmother in ancient tis wasn’t easy—she even had to arrange things for the children of concubines.
The east wing wasn’t large, so the tour ended quickly. Just as Shishu prepared to return and report, Lu Chao’s clear voice piped up.
"Miss Shishu, I’d like to go thank Mother now. Would that be convenient?"
"I’m not entirely sure. How about this—have a young maid follow back, and once I’ve asked Lady Lu, she can bring you the reply?"
Lu Chao sent Chuncao along. Before long, the girl returned excitedly, saying Lady Lu happened to be free. Nanny Yang re-tied Lu Chao’s hair, changed his clothes, and tidied herself up before they nervously set out.
"Young Master, why are you carrying this little bundle?"
Only after passing the second gate did Nanny Yang notice the small bag on Lu Chao’s back.
It was a satchel Aunt Su had made for his future schooling, embroidered with a dog nad Weifeng—a creature Lu Chao adored despite never having t it.
Weifeng was a clever little dog Aunt Su had raised as a child at her grandparents’ ho, brave enough to stand guard and even fight.
Aunt Su might seem delicate now, but in her youth, she’d been a little troublemaker—climbing trees for bird eggs, catching loaches in the river, there was nothing she wouldn’t dare.
Young Lu Chao had always loved hearing Aunt Su’s childhood stories and constantly pestered her to let him raise a puppy.
mories flashed through his mind, and he shook his head slightly. He wondered if little Lu Chao could finally have a dog now.
"This is a gift I prepared for Mother."
Nanny Yang’s anxious heart settled a little. For such a young child to think of bringing a gift was unexpected.
Lady Lu had been rapidly flicking her abacus beads but paused upon hearing this, instructing servants to bring out pastries and fruits.
"Lu Chao pays respects to Mother and thanks you for your care."
Before Nanny Yang could even offer a cushion, Lu Chao dropped to his knees with a thud, startling Lady Lu.
"Oh, child, must you be so earnest?"
She quickly had soone help him up.
Lu Chao studied his "golden thigh" closely—her hair was elegantly coiled, her features refined, her gaze gentle, exuding an air of scholarly grace. Her voice was soft and unhurried, instantly putting others at ease.
His father was truly fortunate—no, all n in this dynasty were.
"Co closer."
Lady Lu’s lips quirked at the sight of the tiny figure before her.
Aunt Su rarely went out and didn’t keep up with fashion trends, so for formal occasions, she dressed Lu Chao in the standard outfits provided by the household—safe choices that wouldn’t draw criticism.
But the clothes she made for him were entirely to her taste—miniature versions of adult garnts. On Lu Chao’s small fra, complete with a little belt cinching his round belly, the effect was utterly endearing. Now, with his chubby cheeks puffing as he solemnly bowed, Lady Lu’s heart lted instantly.
Resisting the urge to pinch those plump cheeks, she settled for squeezing his small hand instead.
"Chaochao, from now on, you’ll live here. If any servants disobey you, tell Mother."
Lu Chao nodded obediently.
"Alright, thank you, Mother."
"There’s plenty of ti ahead. Go rest now, and co back later for dinner. You’ve t your elder brothers—no need to be nervous around them."
Lu Chao nodded again, then began rummaging through his little bag. Soon, his chubby hand extended toward Lady Lu.
"Mother, this is for you!"
After a brief pause, Lady Lu accepted it.
"What is this?"
Lu Chao scratched his head sheepishly. "Thank you for raising . Raising costs money, so these are all my treasures—I’m giving them to you."
Lady Lu glanced up at Nanny Yang, whose surprised expression confird this wasn’t rehearsed.
"You’re a child of the Lu family. Providing for you is only natural—we lack no resources. How could we take what’s yours?"
Lu Chao pressed his lips together. "I... eat a lot."
A laugh burst from Lady Lu. "With your tiny fra? How much could you possibly eat? Don’t worry, Mother can afford to feed you. Keep your treasures."
Nanny i teased, "My lady, it seems we’ll witness Third Young Master’s appetite tonight!"
Blushing, Lu Chao dug out another item—a handkerchief.
"This... this is also for Mother."
It bore an exquisite feather embroidery—just two plus, one blue, one white, intertwined against a clean background. The delicate stitching made the design appear almost ethereal from every angle.
"What’s this?"
"Aunt Su left it for . She told to give it to you."
Lady Lu watched as Lu Chao’s face lit up at the ntion of Aunt Su, his eyes sparkling with innocent fondness.
"Chaochao, your aunt..."
Lu Chao smiled. "Mother, Aunt Su went to the heavens. She said she found work there and can watch over every day. When I grow old, I’ll go find her—she’ll recognize then."
A pang struck Lady Lu’s heart. As a mother herself, she could imagine how Aunt Su must have explained her impending departure to her five-year-old, how she’d comforted him.
Aunt Su had gambled on a mother’s compassion—and won.
Nanny Yang had already turned away to wipe her tears.
"Mother loves it. Thank you, Chaochao... and thank Aunt Su too."
Lu Chao had co bearing a handkerchief but left laden with gifts—several bolts of fabric from the Jiangnan Weaving Bureau (reserved for imperial tribute), a set of scholar’s treasures, and a gold-inlaid jade longevity lock.
Hehe. Profit!
Back in the side courtyard, Lu Chao swung her short legs thoughtfully—tonight, there were still three influential figures she needed to win over. She just hoped none of them would turn out to be spoiled brats!
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