The court meetings had dragged on longer than usual, testing even Lu Chiyue's patience. By the time the final minister bowed and left, he felt a mix of relief and exhaustion. He rubbed his temples as he made his way back to the royal study, longing for a moment of solitude.
The palace corridors were unusually quiet, the early morning bustle having faded into a tranquil lull. But as Lu Chiyue approached the Sun Tower gardens, the sound of raised voices broke the calm.
"Give it back!"
"Not a chance, sister. You'll have to catch me first!"
He turned the corner just in time to see Lu Lingyu, the youngest of the Sun Tower siblings, darting across the courtyard with something clutched in his hands. Behind him, Lu Xiuying chased with fiery determination, her crimson dress swirling as she ran.
"Lingyu, if you don't give it back, I swear—!"
"You swear what?" Lingyu called over his shoulder, laughing. "You'll shout me to death?"
Lu Chiyue raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. It wasn't unusual for his youngest siblings to get into mischief, but this seemed particularly intense. As he moved closer, he caught sight of the item in Lingyu's hands—a hairpin with intricate jade carvings.
"Lu Lingyu!" Xiuying shrieked, coming to a halt and stomping her foot. "That's my favorite hairpin! Mother gave it to me. Hand it over, or I'll—"
"You'll what? Tell on me?" Lingyu taunted, a devilish grin on his face. "Go ahead. I'm not scared."
Before Xiuying could respond, Lingyu ducked behind a stone pillar. But his victory was short-lived—he stumbled over a loose tile and fell with a yelp, the hairpin flying out of his hands and landing in a nearby flowerbed.
"Oh no!" Lingyu scrambled to his feet, but Xiuying was faster. She darted to the flowerbed, snatching up the hairpin and holding it aloft like a trophy.
"Serves you right!" she crowed, sticking out her tongue.
"Xiuying, you monster! That could have broken!" Lingyu retorted, looking genuinely horrified.
"You're the monster for stealing it!"
The argument quickly escalated, their voices rising in pitch and volume. Just as Lu Chiyue was about to intervene, a third figure appeared—a whirlwind of silks and stern authority.
It was Ji Xian, the Sun Concubine and mother of both troublemakers. Her piercing gaze landed on them like a bolt of lightning.
"What is going on here?" she demanded, her hands on her hips. "Lingyu! Xiuying! Do you have any idea how improper this behavior is? Fighting like commoners in the garden!"
Both siblings froze, guilt flashing across their faces.
"Mother, it wasn't—" Lingyu began, but Ji Xian cut him off.
"Don't 'Mother' me! Look at you, Lingyu—your robes are filthy! And Xiuying, a lady should never yell like that!"
"But he started it!" Xiuying protested, clutching her hairpin protectively.
"And she—" Lingyu tried to counter.
"I don't care who started it!" Ji Xian snapped. "You're both equally at fault. What if the emperor saw you behaving like this? Do you want to bring shame to our family?"
The siblings shrank under their mother's withering glare. But before Ji Xian could launch into a full lecture, Lu Chiyue stepped forward, clearing his throat.
"Mother Ji Xian," he said smoothly, "perhaps we can forgive a bit of youthful energy. After all, they're still growing and learning."
Ji Xian turned, startled by his sudden appearance. Her stern expression softened slightly. "Your Majesty, I didn't see you there."
Lu Chiyue offered a disarming smile. "No harm done, Mother Ji Xian. In fact, I find their liveliness rather endearing. They remind me of how my friends and I used to play when we were younger."
Xiuying and Lingyu exchanged hopeful glances, sensing a potential ally.
"Really?" Xiuying said, inching closer to Lu Chiyue.
"Absolutely," Lu Chiyue said, ruffling her hair affectionately. "Though I do think Lingyu owes you an apology."
Lingyu sighed dramatically but relented. "Fine. I'm sorry for taking your hairpin, Xiuying."
"And Xiuying," Lu Chiyue added, "perhaps you can forgive your brother. After all, it wasn't damaged, was it?"
Xiuying hesitated, then nodded. "I guess I can forgive him. This time."
Ji Xian sighed, her frustration giving way to resignation. "You have far too much patience with them, Your Majesty. But I suppose I'll let it go for now."
As Ji Xian turned to leave, Lingyu and Xiuying both darted to Lu Chiyue's side, clinging to him like vines.
"Thank you, Brother Chiyue," Lingyu said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're the best!"
"Don't let it go to your head," Xiuying muttered, though she didn't let go of his arm.
Lu Chiyue chuckled, guiding them back toward the palace. "Come on, you two. Let's get cleaned up before lunch."
By the time the family gathered for lunch, news of the garden incident had spread. Lu Chiyue found himself seated at the head of the table once again, with his siblings chattering around him.
"So, Lingyu," said Lu Meiyu, her eyes twinkling with mischief, "I hear you took up gardening this morning. How's that working out for you?"
The table erupted in laughter, Lingyu groaning in mock despair.
"Hey, it's not my fault the ground attacked me," he said, earning more laughter.
"And you, Xiuying," Lu Jianhong added, adjusting his monocle, "I didn't know you had such a flair for dramatic speeches. 'Give it back, or else!' Very commanding."
Xiuying flushed but managed to laugh along. "At least I didn't trip over my own feet like someone."
Lingyu gasped in exaggerated offense. "Says the one who lost her temper over a hairpin!"
"Mother gave me that hairpin!" Xiuying shot back.
"And I was just borrowing it," Lingyu countered, grinning. "Besides, it looks better on me."
"You—!"
"Enough, enough," Lu Chiyue interjected, laughing as he held up his hands. "Let's not start round two of the Great Hairpin War, shall we?"
The siblings dissolved into laughter again, their teasing good-natured. Even the quieter ones, like Lu Qingyan and Lu Shuyin, couldn't hide their smiles.
A Cheerful Crown Prince
As the meal continued, Lu Chiyue found himself swept up in the lively atmosphere. He teased Lu Jingxuan about his meticulous eating habits, poked fun at Lu Chenhai's brooding expressions, and even dared to challenge Lu Wenqing to an arm-wrestling match (which he narrowly lost, much to everyone's amusement).
For a moment, it felt as though the weight of the crown had lifted.
"You know," Lu Chiyue said as he leaned back in his chair, "I think this might be the happiest lunch I've had in years."
"Really?" Meiyu asked, her tone curious.
"Really," Lu Chiyue said, smiling. "There's nothing better than being surrounded by family."
His siblings exchanged glances, their expressions softening.
Lu Chiyue, Their eldest brother, The strict one had changed.
He has changed for better and they liked this one.