Chapter 10: Chatting

Lu Jinnian had been staying indoors for the past two days, studying.

He loved drinking and having fun, but since he was still young and didn’t dare to be too reckless, he had only shared flirtations with the handsome young servant boys and pretty maidservants in his own house. He wasn’t like his second brother, who indulged in debauchery outside.

Recently, their grandmother had been troubled by his second brother’s indulgent lifestyle, so Lu Jinnian didn’t dare to go out and had been stuck at home for several days.

He was just thinking—wasn’t it a waste of time to spend his break idling at home?

And just as he was feeling drowsy, someone sent a pillow his way.

Hearing that Zheng Qiao had arrived, Lu Jinnian had him brought inside.

This Zheng Qiao lived at the end of Apricot Blossom Alley. He was of average height, with upturned lips and eyes that always seemed to smile. He wasn’t particularly handsome, but he had a naturally charming demeanor.

His family originally made a living from paper effigies, not exactly wealthy but well-off enough to never worry about food or clothing.

The Zheng family had two daughters, with Zheng Qiao being their only son.

By all means, their family should have been able to live a decent life.

But when Zheng Qiao was around thirteen or fourteen, his parents passed away one after another. His two older sisters worked hard to raise him until he was seventeen or eighteen, then they each got married.

Now, he was a bachelor, continuing his family’s business. His shop was mostly managed by clerks and assistants, and without anyone to supervise him, he started frequenting pleasure districts from the age of eighteen.

Lu Jinnian’s second brother met Zheng Qiao in a brothel, and the two immediately hit it off. In just a year, they had become so close that they were like two peas in a pod.

Because of his second brother, Zheng Qiao also became acquainted with Lu Jinnian. Though they weren’t as close due to their age difference, they still got along well.

Zheng Qiao was good at socializing and had befriended several attractive young officials and wealthy men with a preference for male lovers.

He often acted as a go-between, facilitating connections, earning some money from it, and occasionally taking advantage of these young officials.

To be fair, most of those officials came from struggling families and had no choice but to enter that world—only a few did it out of vanity or greed.

Even if it was all voluntary, Zheng Qiao’s dealings weren’t exactly honorable.

Fortunately, his parents were no longer around. Otherwise, what kind of parent could tolerate seeing their son making a living like this?

It took a full quarter of an hour to walk through the three courtyards of the Lu residence. By the time Zheng Qiao arrived at Lu Jinnian’s quarters, the household was just about to have lunch.

Zheng Qiao always showed up around mealtimes, conveniently catching a free meal.

Lu Jinnian sent word to his grandmother, saying that since he had a guest, he would be dining in his own quarters.

Wen Ruyu, his mother, didn’t know much about Zheng Qiao—only that he was a bachelor from Apricot Blossom Alley, seemed to have no parents, but had an optimistic personality and rarely visited their home.

Since he was polite when he saw her and had connections with her second and fourth sons, she instructed the kitchen to prepare two additional dishes and send them over.

Although Lu Jinnian was a bit scheming—acting obedient, subtly extracting money from his mother, and avoiding trouble—he hadn’t committed any serious mistakes. Moreover, he had a talent for studying.

Wen Ruyu didn’t expect much from him. She only hoped he could at least pass the imperial exam at the scholar level so their family could get some tax exemptions on their land.

As for correcting his worldview, that would have to be a long-term project.

Raising sons in ancient times wasn’t like raising daughters—they couldn’t be kept indoors and slowly taught.

Men were unpredictable creatures. Even if they agreed with you to your face, they could turn around and act completely differently once they stepped outside.

Wen Ruyu was a merchant, not an educator. In her previous life, she had chosen to remain single and childless largely because she was afraid she wouldn’t be a good parent.

Now that she had transmigrated into the past, she wasn’t any more confident about raising children—especially teenagers going through their rebellious years.

While she was still figuring out how to discipline them, Lu Jinnian and Zheng Qiao had already finished lunch and were drinking tea at the table.

Zheng Qiao, satisfied from his meal, crossed his legs, sipping tea while admiring a celadon vase in the room.

Comparing the decorations in Lu Jinnian’s room with those in Lu Bainian’s (his second brother’s), he secretly noted that the fourth young master’s living quarters were actually more refined than the second young master’s.

Setting down his teacup, Zheng Qiao turned to Lu Jinnian and asked, “Don’t you get dizzy from studying indoors all day?”

“What’s there to get dizzy about? Studying has always been like this. If anything, I’m quite lazy. The ones who are really working themselves to death are my eldest and third brothers. They don’t even step outside, spending their entire days buried in books.

“From the moment they finish breakfast, they study straight until midnight.

“They only leave the house when they’ve accumulated enough questions to ask their teacher.”

Zheng Qiao asked, “Are both of them government students?”

Lu Jinnian was surprised. “You’re so close to my second brother, yet you don’t know this? My eldest and third brothers both have official scholar titles. They’re studying so hard because they’re preparing for next year’s provincial exams.”

Zheng Qiao laughed. “We get a headache just looking at books—who would talk about this stuff for fun and torture themselves?”

“I heard your brother is home, so I should probably go visit him first. After that, let’s go out for a bit.”

“It’s freezing outside. What’s there to do? I’d rather stay home where it’s warm.”

“There are two very handsome young men over in Pear Blossom Alley—charming personalities, too. Want me to introduce you?”

Zheng Qiao knew both Lu brothers well enough to understand their preferences.

Lu Bo’nian wasn’t interested in men—he only liked soft and delicate beauties. But Lu Jinnian? He definitely had a taste for pretty boys.

Just looking at his personal attendants and study companions, all delicate and effeminate, was proof enough. Zheng Qiao was certain he’d be interested.

Even if he was wrong, asking wouldn’t hurt.

Lu Jinnian was tempted, but he hesitated. “I’m afraid Mother won’t allow it. I should just stay home and study.”

“She gave you a break, didn’t she? How could she not allow you to go out? It’s rare to have a holiday—how can you not enjoy yourself? Just be back by tonight. I’ve got your back!”

At that, Lu Jinnian stopped objecting.

Zheng Qiao stepped closer, gave his shoulder a little shake, and urged, “Come on! Change your clothes while I go check on your second brother. I’ll be back soon, and then we’ll head out.”

Without waiting for a response, Zheng Qiao strode out of Lu Jinnian’s room.

Though Lu Jinnian feigned reluctance, his heart was already racing with anticipation.

Thinking about those handsome young men Zheng Qiao mentioned, he quickly began changing his clothes.

Meanwhile, Zheng Qiao made his way to Lu Bainian’s quarters.