The city was bustling with excitement. The incident that had occurred outside the Southern Gates was no secret, and those who'd been watching in the crowd didn't hold back with their descriptions. By the time Lu Yu abandoned his carriage and sat down at a noodle shop, the story became something almost unrecognizable.
"Hey, you know the scene at the Southern Gate this morning? I was there. Let me tell you. The second young master of the Xiao family and that officer from the Ban family were at it again."
"What's so interesting about that? Those two come to loggerheads every few days. If they stop bickering, then that will be something to talk about."
"Yes, but this time, someone from the crowd stood up and called himself their grandpa. That shut them both up."
"Oh really, there was such a character? Grandfather... that's a generation higher than General Xiao and General Ban. Wait till they get wind of this, that man's got some trouble to face."
Lu Yu snorted into his noodles and glanced at Uncle Shen. Indeed, he looked old enough to be their grandfather, but then the sons of these generals would be his nephews? A silly grin plastered itself onto Lu Yu's face.
He wasn't the least bit worried about Shen Pei's fate, since no one can touch him except maybe the Empress Dowager. The same couldn't be said about Mu Zhonghuai. The blockhead had proclaimed his name for all to hear, not caring if they were friend or foe. If it weren't for Lu Yu paying off the crowd to keep their mouths shut about the scholar, who knows if he'll even make it to the imperial exams?
Finishing off the noodles, Lu Yu set the bowl down and glanced at the man in question. After parting ways at the Southern Gate, Mu Zhonghuai had waited around to repay his benefactor. He'd rushed over to Lu Yu's carriage the moment he crossed the gate, startling Xiaowan, and almost causing another scene. Now, the he's is being treated to lunch by the scholar who nearly went broke that morning.
'Slurp'
Shen Pei ate without remorse, finishing his fourth bowl. Unsatisfied, he eyed Xiaowan's portion with greedy hunger, and tentatively reached towards his serving. Before he could succeed, Lu Yu smacked his hand with the back of his chopsticks.
"Xiaowan's growing, so he needs to eat. Don't bully the young. Say, why are you still so gluttonous at your age, huh?" Both Xiaowan and Old Shen rolled their eyes. They've listened sick to chidings like these at the ancestral home in Pingzhou. Lu Yu echoed his nanny, Xiaowan's mother's tone; a shrewd shrill screech that pierces the eardrum, getting his revenge on Uncle Shen's inattentiveness, and Xiaowan's nagging that morning.
Mu Zhonghuai looked on with mirth. This young master before him didn't seem like the ones he knew in his hometown, Hangzhou. He was rich enough to ride in a carriage, yet he cared deeply for his wealth.
The scholar had initially proposed to go to a better restaurant, where many upscale dishes could be served, yet Lu Yu refused, choosing a cheap noodle stall instead. Now, looking at the empty bowls that littered the table, Mu Zhonghuai felt thankful that he didn't insist.
Not only frugal, Mu Zhonghuai felt that this newly discovered little friend seemed more like a honest farmer than a gongzi or scholar, chatting with his servants without an air of superiority.
Also claiming the title of Juren at 16, Mu Zhonghuai had draped himself in fine silks for a week, drunk on his newfound acclaim. As a young master of a wealthy household who had no need for such accomplishments, he'd expected Lu Yu to have a bigger head. Needless to say, the scholar saw the youth in a different light.
Unaware of the admiration, Lu Yu had been tuning in to the conversation from a group behind him.
"Did you hear? The Emperor's going to get married this year!"
"What? Aren't they also preparing for the Grand Empress Dowager's birthday? How's the budget going to hold up?"
"I heard they're putting it together, for a double happiness event."
"Have you gotten married before? A wedding takes several months to complete, nevertheless the Emperors. Just a banquet won't cut it."
"The emperor's getting married? Already? I remember the day he was enthroned like yesterday."
"That was thirteen years ago, you old phony."
"Ah, thirteen years have gone by in a blur."
"Hey waiter, how much for the meal?"
"4 copper. Just leave it on the table."
As the conversation finished, Lu Yu refocused his attention to the table, finding that everyone was staring at him with curiosity.
"Ok, he's back. See what I told you? When his face goes like that it means he's not paying attention."
"Yeah, yeah, it looks all the same to me, but who am I to say? I'm old and my eyes are bad. Hey little Mu, you see the difference?"
"I've been reading books all my life under the candlelight, so I'm afraid that my eyesight is even worse."
"You sure you're not just imagining things, Xiaowan?"
Unable to prove his findings, Xiaowan could only shake his head and force a bitter smile.
"Mister Mu has cleared the bill already."
"Is that so? Let's go then."
Lu Yu hopped out of his seat, with the trio trailing after him, not really knowing where he was leading them. The carriage had long been taken by the servants to Lu manor, so continuing on foot, the group turned a few corners. As the stone path grew narrower and narrower, Lu Yu finally stopped before a wooden door. Xiaowan stepped forward, knocking thrice before pushing it open.
It was a small courtyard, decorated with lines of dried goods and littered with pots and such. A few plants stood on the open windowsill of the kitchen, revealing a piece of pork on the cutting board. Despite the size of the yard, a surprisingly large house encircled the area, probably accounting for most of the property. Curious as to why he was brought here, Mu Zhonghuai sped up his steps, following Lu Yu into the compound.
A girl emerged from one of the rooms, checking to see what the disturbance was about.
She had been cooking. Her hair was covered under a light blue cloth, and her sleeves tied out of the way. Holding a cleaver in one hand, she used it to part the straw curtain, as well as to point it to the intruders. The light ever so slightly reflected from the knife to her face. At that moment, Mu Zhonghuai saw a goddess.
"Who the hell are you guys? I don't know you. Get out! Leave!"