Chapter 6

Lu Qi Huai had already noticed someone approaching earlier. The cold, chilling look in his slanted phoenix eyes, which had been lowered, vanished completely. When he raised his head again, he had restored his usual demeanor.

The wind in the first month of the year was still cold—

Lu Qi Huai was being held by the arms by several young servants, his knees slightly bent. His complexion was pale, his lips colorless. Especially his eyes, which seemed full of timidity and sorrow, making people feel a pang of sympathy.

Shen Wei looked at Lu Qi Huai from a distance, her slender eyebrows furrowing. Although Lu Qi Huai was a selfish person at heart, he was still only fifteen years old. If he were in the modern world, he would be considered just a high school student. He had lost both parents and, after finally returning home, was constantly bullied, even by the servants.

It was indeed pitiful.

The people nearby heard the noise and turned their heads. When they saw Shen Wei leading a group of servants, they were startled. The young servants quickly released their hold on Lu Qi Huai’s arms and knelt to one side. The two brothers, Lu Qi Xuan and Lu Qi Yan, also quickly concealed their expressions and respectfully greeted Shen Wei with a bow, calling out, “Aunt.”

Shen Wei did not immediately speak. She continued walking and, when she reached Lu Qi Huai, paused to look at him for a moment before turning her gaze toward the two brothers.

Lu Qi Xuan and Lu Qi Yan were biological brothers, and although they looked alike, their personalities were completely different. Lu Qi Xuan, being the older of the two, was originally the eldest son of the Rongguo Duke’s family by status. To the servants, he appeared as a man of grace, always gentle and respectful. He spoke kindly, never showing anger to anyone.

Lu Qi Yan, on the other hand, was impulsive, speaking without thinking, and known for causing trouble—whether it was teasing birds, fighting chickens, or bullying others.

However, Shen Wei knew that it was always Lu Qi Xuan who instigated the mischief behind the scenes. This current incident had been stirred up by him. Lu Qi Xuan had said, “Ever since that person came to our family, the reputation of the Lu family outside has been worsening. I fear that the reputation of the Lu family, built over a hundred years, will be ruined by him.”

Lu Qi Yan, who already disliked Lu Qi Huai, was further provoked by the recent ridicule from outsiders and, after being goaded by Lu Qi Xuan, led the servants to confront Lu Qi Huai.

Shen Wei’s gaze, devoid of much emotion, slid over the two brothers before she spoke coldly, “What are you doing?”

Lu Qi Xuan, dressed in a pale moon-colored robe, his hair tied with a jade crown, spoke gently with a respectful tone, “Aunt, my brother and I were just playing around with Cousin Xuan Yue…” He continued, “But the servants were careless, almost ruining a moment of fun.”

He then bowed to Shen Wei and Lu Qi Huai, apologizing, “Regardless, this matter is our fault, and we’ve caused Aunt and Cousin Xuan Yue to misunderstand.”

Lu Qi Xuan was known for his smooth and tactful manner, earning him the nickname “Smiling Tiger.”

Shen Wei, who did not favor such people, tightened her lips slightly upon hearing his words, though her expression did not change much. Before she could respond, Lu Qi Yan angrily interrupted, “Why are you protecting him? Our Lu family’s reputation is being ruined because of him.”

“You’re always at home and don’t know, but at the academy, my brother and I are laughed at every day because we have a cousin who is unworthy of his status. I…”

“Enough!”

Before he could finish speaking, an angry voice interrupted.

Everyone turned to look and saw Li Shi supporting the elderly Madame Xie as she approached.

Madame Xie, who had likely hurried to arrive, had a rare flush on her usually calm face, though it was unclear if she was angry or for another reason.

Her arrival caused everyone to freeze for a moment, and when they saw her hurried steps and her face growing red with anger, they hurriedly bowed to her. Even Lu Qi Yan, who had been speaking angrily, lowered his head and respectfully called out, “Grandmother.”

Madame Xie rarely involved herself in the affairs of the Rongguo Duke’s household. She spent most of her time either eating at the Dazheng Hall or chanting Buddhist prayers, appearing to live a life of peace and serenity.

However, no one in the family dared treat her as an ordinary old woman.

During the upheaval in the court years ago, when the Duke had passed away, Madame Xie had single-handedly held the family together.

So, despite her not managing affairs anymore, no one dared to create trouble under her watch.

Shen Wei noticed Madame Xie’s arrival and first glanced at Li Shi. Although Li Shi was timid, she had always been kind to Lu Bu Wei and Shen Wei. It seemed that Li Shi had feared that Shen Wei would suffer, so she had hurried to the Dazheng Hall to find Madame Xie for support.

Shen Wei’s heart softened, and she said nothing as she walked over.

Li Shi quickly released her hold on Madame Xie and stepped back.

Shen Wei then supported Madame Xie’s arm gently, saying softly, “Why did you come over personally in such cold weather?”

Madame Xie did not respond immediately. She simply patted Shen Wei’s hand and looked at Lu Qi Yan. “Qi Yan, who taught you to speak like that to your elders? And who taught you to bully your brother?”

Lu Qi Yan, usually fearless and unafraid of anyone, even the likes of Wang Shi, now trembled in fear. Hearing her calm yet stern voice, he couldn’t help but shake, his words stumbling: “Grandmother, I… I…”

Lu Qi Huai had already noticed someone approaching earlier. The cold, chilling look in his slanted phoenix eyes, which had been lowered, vanished completely. When he raised his head again, he had restored his usual demeanor.

The wind in the first month of the year was still cold—

Lu Qi Huai was being held by the arms by several young servants, his knees slightly bent. His complexion was pale, his lips colorless. Especially his eyes, which seemed full of timidity and sorrow, making people feel a pang of sympathy.

Shen Wei looked at Lu Qi Huai from a distance, her slender eyebrows furrowing. Although Lu Qi Huai was a selfish person at heart, he was still only fifteen years old. If he were in the modern world, he would be considered just a high school student. He had lost both parents and, after finally returning home, was constantly bullied, even by the servants.

It was indeed pitiful.

The people nearby heard the noise and turned their heads. When they saw Shen Wei leading a group of servants, they were startled. The young servants quickly released their hold on Lu Qi Huai’s arms and knelt to one side. The two brothers, Lu Qi Xuan and Lu Qi Yan, also quickly concealed their expressions and respectfully greeted Shen Wei with a bow, calling out, “Aunt.”

Shen Wei did not immediately speak. She continued walking and, when she reached Lu Qi Huai, paused to look at him for a moment before turning her gaze toward the two brothers.

Lu Qi Xuan and Lu Qi Yan were biological brothers, and although they looked alike, their personalities were completely different. Lu Qi Xuan, being the older of the two, was originally the eldest son of the Rongguo Duke’s family by status. To the servants, he appeared as a man of grace, always gentle and respectful. He spoke kindly, never showing anger to anyone.

Lu Qi Yan, on the other hand, was impulsive, speaking without thinking, and known for causing trouble—whether it was teasing birds, fighting chickens, or bullying others.

However, Shen Wei knew that it was always Lu Qi Xuan who instigated the mischief behind the scenes. This current incident had been stirred up by him. Lu Qi Xuan had said, “Ever since that person came to our family, the reputation of the Lu family outside has been worsening. I fear that the reputation of the Lu family, built over a hundred years, will be ruined by him.”

Lu Qi Yan, who already disliked Lu Qi Huai, was further provoked by the recent ridicule from outsiders and, after being goaded by Lu Qi Xuan, led the servants to confront Lu Qi Huai.

Shen Wei’s gaze, devoid of much emotion, slid over the two brothers before she spoke coldly, “What are you doing?”

Lu Qi Xuan, dressed in a pale moon-colored robe, his hair tied with a jade crown, spoke gently with a respectful tone, “Aunt, my brother and I were just playing around with Cousin Xuan Yue…” He continued, “But the servants were careless, almost ruining a moment of fun.”

He then bowed to Shen Wei and Lu Qi Huai, apologizing, “Regardless, this matter is our fault, and we’ve caused Aunt and Cousin Xuan Yue to misunderstand.”

Lu Qi Xuan was known for his smooth and tactful manner, earning him the nickname “Smiling Tiger.”

Shen Wei, who did not favor such people, tightened her lips slightly upon hearing his words, though her expression did not change much. Before she could respond, Lu Qi Xuan angrily interrupted, “Why are you protecting him? Our Lu family’s reputation is being ruined because of him.”

“You’re always at home and don’t know, but at the academy, my brother and I are laughed at every day because we have a cousin who is unworthy of his status. I…”

“Enough!”

Before he could finish speaking, an angry voice interrupted.

Everyone turned to look and saw Li Shi supporting the elderly Madame Xie as she approached.

Madame Xie, who had likely hurried to arrive, had a rare flush on her usually calm face, though it was unclear if she was angry or for another reason.

Her arrival caused everyone to freeze for a moment, and when they saw her hurried steps and her face growing red with anger, they hurriedly bowed to her. Even Lu Qi Xuan, who had been speaking angrily, lowered his head and respectfully called out, “Grandmother.”

Madame Xie rarely involved herself in the affairs of the Rongguo Duke’s household. She spent most of her time either eating at the Dazheng Hall or chanting Buddhist prayers, appearing to live a life of peace and serenity.

However, no one in the family dared treat her as an ordinary old woman.

During the upheaval in the court years ago, when the Duke had passed away, Madame Xie had single-handedly held the family together.

So, despite her not managing affairs anymore, no one dared to create trouble under her watch.

Shen Wei noticed Madame Xie’s arrival and first glanced at Li Shi. Although Li Shi was timid, she had always been kind to Lu Bu Wei and Shen Wei. It seemed that Li Shi had feared that Shen Wei would suffer, so she had hurried to the Dazheng Hall to find Madame Xie for support.

Shen Wei’s heart softened, and she said nothing as she walked over.

Li Shi quickly released her hold on Madame Xie and stepped back.

Shen Wei then supported Madame Xie’s arm gently, saying softly, “Why did you come over personally in such cold weather?”

Madame Xie did not respond immediately. She simply patted Shen Wei’s hand and looked at Lu Qi Xuan. “Qi Xuan, who taught you to speak like that to your elders? And who taught you to bully your brother?”

Lu Qi Xuan, usually fearless and unafraid of anyone, even the likes of Wang Shi, now trembled in fear. Hearing her calm yet stern voice, he couldn’t help but shake, his words stumbling: “Grandmother, I… I…”