The negotiation with his uncle went better than Lu Yu expected. Although he had anticipated that Lu Song would agree to the separation eventually, he thought it would be settled privately, between the two of them. Instead, the decision was finalized in a room full of elders, silenced by Lu Song's authority, and given no chance to protest.
Without their consent, Lu Yu's father, Lu Feng had been unable to separate from the household some thirty or so years ago, when he just became an official. He'd tried again on several occasions; after getting promoted to Chancellor, before he divorced Ning Wan, but none of his attempts succeeded despite his efforts, thanks to the elders' influence. Contrasted with the present situation, where one word from Lu Song and the matter was settled, one couldn't help but sigh at the disparity.
The one responsible for this change was Lu Yu's little sister, Lu Chuxiang. Despite her tender age, her presence influenced many outcomes within the household.
Her custodianship originally should have belonged her brother Lu Yu, but while he was away in Pingzhou for 6 years, she needed a proper guardian. That title fell upon the matriarch of the Lu family, Old Madam Lu.
She was Old Master Lu's second wife, Shen Pei's distant aunt, and Lu Yu's grandmother. After becoming Lu Chuxiang's guardian, the Old Madam stepped away from taking part in household affairs, retreating to her courtyard to focus on educating the little girl. This subtracted a large portion of the Elders' influence since the rest of them were not direct relatives, only promoted for the sake of tradition.
The Old Madam didn't care of course. She closed the door to all guests, focused on teaching Little Chuchu all the wisdom she's accumulated through the years. That's probably why Lu Yu felt so pressured when meeting with his sister, who's become quite hard to handle.
"Dear older brother, you've been away for so long. I have waited endlessly at the window, pining for the day you might return."
Lu Yu sighed at the unfamiliar eloquence. He'd sat in the Old Madam's courtyard waiting for his sister to return from her lessons, wondering how he would be greeted after such a long time. He remembered her as an annoying ten-year-old, and expected a childish anger, not this cordial greeting with a hint of sarcasm. Caught off guard, Lu Yu replied reservedly.
"Chuchu, these years have been hard on you. Brother has wronged you greatly."
"Wronged? Since you've wronged me, how should you compensate?"
'There it was,' Lu Yu let out a breath of relief. Comforted by her mischief, he continued,
"How about a box of your favorite Haitang Su?" Lu Yu coaxed with all seriousness.
"Only one?" Lu Chuxiang's tone raised in warning.
"I also have calligraphy samples and a few sticks of good ink. They're yours if you'll take them," Lu Yu offered, knowing her response.
"Heh, what a wonderful scholar my brother's become. No more than three sentences and we're back to calligraphy and ink. You send a box of this stuff every month. I won't be able to get through them in ten years, why would I ask for more? Such a simpleton, I don't even know how we're related."
Lu Yu wasn't angered by her criticism, instead, he was amused. His baby sister had suddenly grown up, no longer the girl easily cheated by a box of pastries. 'I need to find another way to placate her temper,' he thought subconsciously, but for now, he'll play along.
"Well, if you don't want calligraphy or ink, I have nothing else. Too bad I guess-"
"What?! You really didn't bring anything?"
"That's all."
"Then as compensation, you'll need to come to the poetry meeting with me."
"A poetry conference? When?"
"Tomorrow."
"But the exam's is so soon, I need to prepare-"
"I have everything ready. This meeting is for the exam anyway. I heard the Imperial Tutor's grandson had some insights onto the types of questions that will be asked."
In reality, Lu Chuxiang couldn't give a goat's fart about the exam, and she knew her brother wouldn't need this information either. Being the student of Master Yang, he had his own methods. Despite so, she had her own reasons for dragging her brother to a poetry conference of such a large scale. Resolved to bring him along, she was almost pulling on Lu Yu's arm for him to agree.
Lu Yu noticed her irregularity, but didn't have the heart to reject her for a second time. He relented,
"It seems you've prepared everything for me. Then there's no reason to decline. But why do you want me to go so badly?"
"Because you won't be let into the exam room at this rate. Not unless you show your face publicly."
"Show my face?" Confused, Lu Yu turned to look at Xiaowan who'd been standing at the side, asking for an explanation. Xiaowan raised his eyebrows and shrugged, as if to say, 'I'm just as confused.' Fortunately, Chuxiang was willing to elaborate. Furrowing her thin brows, she started,
"You've been gone for too long, so there are a few things you might be unaware of. Long story short, there have been rumors that you're female, but it's ridiculous since Dad never hid you away or anything. So as long as you go around, show your face, talk with some old company, those rumors will dissipate themselves."
Lu Yu squinted at the absurdity of the situation. 'I'm female? Then what's this?' He looked down. Xiaowan snorted his master's actions, while Chuxiang rolled her eyes.
"Have some faith in yourself, brother," she deadpanned. The room burst into a fit of laughter, where even Chuxiang's maid, Xing'er, giggled bearing a furious blush.
With that, the ice seemed to melt away, as the siblings began reminiscing about their days in Pingzhou. They talked until dinner, teasing and joking at each other's expense. A Momo* who had come to summon them to the family banquet reached the limits of her vocabulary to paint this harmonious scene to the Old Madam.
"That grandson of mine sure is capable. I've taught Chuchu for 3 years, watched her grow from a little flower bud, waited patiently until she blossomed grand peony. Look at him! He's been back for 3 hours, and now she's abandoned me. Ai, the person's grown old, the pearl has yellowed, can't be compared to the new love!"
"Who says Grandmother is a yellow pearl? She's the brightest Yemingzhu*, as dazzling as Yaoguang*, my guiding star." Lu Chuxiang bounded into the room with Lu Yu in tow. After greeting with an unceremonious half-salute, she continued,
"Your grandchildren have come to escort you to the banquet!"