The golden rays of the afternoon sun streamed into Lu Chiyue's study as he leaned back in his chair, the gentle hum of palace life carrying on beyond the windows. His mind was alight with thoughts of his younger sister, Lu Xiuying, and her first week of training. Her determination and growth had inspired him deeply, and now, he found himself wondering about his other siblings.
He couldn't help but think of the limitations society had placed on them. Talented and full of potential, his siblings were being groomed for roles that felt so... small. His heart ached at the thought of them being trapped by expectations, their brilliance extinguished before it could fully shine.
"Why should they wait for marriage to define them?" he murmured to himself. "They're capable of so much more."
His resolve hardened. If Lu Xiuying could step onto the training field and defy tradition, then his other siblings could also carve their own paths.
His first stop was the Jade Hall, where his soft-spoken sister, Lu Qingyan, spent most of her time. The eldest daughter of the Lu family, Qingyan was known for her extraordinary talent in painting. Her works—delicate landscapes, intricate portraits—were nothing short of masterpieces. Yet, despite her skill, she rarely sought recognition.
Lu Chiyue found her in her studio, a quiet corner filled with the scent of ink and paper. She was hunched over a scroll, her brush gliding across the parchment with practiced precision.
"Qingyan," Lu Chiyue called gently.
She looked up, startled, and quickly set her brush aside. "Brother Emperor," she said, bowing her head. "What brings you here?"
He stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the paintings stacked neatly along the walls. "I came to see you. I've been thinking about your talent."
Qingyan's cheeks flushed. "It's nothing worth mentioning," she said shyly.
"On the contrary," Lu Chiyue said, picking up a nearby scroll and admiring the detailed mountain scenery. "Your work is extraordinary. It's a gift, Qingyan. One that shouldn't be hidden away."
Her brow furrowed. "But... what else can I do with it? Painting is a pastime, not a profession."
"Who says it can't be both?" he countered. "Imagine if your art reached people beyond the palace walls. Merchants and nobles would pay handsomely for work as exquisite as yours. You could create something greater—a business, a legacy."
Qingyan hesitated, her hands clasping tightly in her lap. "But what about marriage? Mother Hua Ming has already begun looking for suitors."
Lu Chiyue smiled gently and sat beside her. "Marriage can wait. You're only nineteen, Qingyan. There's no rush. You have the freedom to pursue your dreams first, to find fulfillment in your own way. Let me help you."
Her golden eyes shimmered with uncertainty. "Do you really think I can do it?"
"I know you can," he said firmly. "And I'll ask Scholar Ji to teach you the basics of business. You won't be alone in this."
After a long pause, Qingyan nodded, a spark of excitement flickering in her expression. "If you believe in me, Brother Emperor, then I'll try."
Next, Lu Chiyue sought out Lu Shuyin, the second son of the Jade Hall. He found his seventeen-year-old brother in the library, poring over a collection of military texts. Shuyin looked up as his elder brother entered, his face lighting up with a cheerful grin.
"Brother Chiyue! What brings you here?"
Lu Chiyue sat beside him, his gaze briefly flickering to Shuyin's leg, which was stretched out stiffly beneath the table. The injury from a childhood accident had left his brother with a slight limp, but Shuyin had never let it dampen his spirits.
"I've been thinking about the future," Lu Chiyue said, his tone thoughtful. "You've always been diligent, Shuyin. But have you ever considered where your talents could take you?"
Shuyin tilted his head. "I've thought about it. But with my leg..." He trailed off, shrugging lightly.
Lu Chiyue placed a hand on his shoulder. "Your mind is sharp, Shuyin. Strategy, planning, trade—there are so many ways you can contribute to the empire without stepping onto the battlefield. Have you considered pursuing business?"
"Business?" Shuyin echoed, intrigued.
"Imagine this," Lu Chiyue continued, his voice taking on a persuasive edge. "You and Qingyan could work together. She creates, you manage. Scholar Ji will teach you both everything you need to know."
Shuyin's eyes brightened at the idea. "You really think I can do it?"
"I know you can," Lu Chiyue said with a smile. "Your injury doesn't define you, Shuyin. Your determination does."
Shuyin nodded, his grin widening. "All right, Brother. I'll try do it."
Later that evening, Lu Chiyue made his way to the garden, where he found Lu Meiyu sitting alone on a swing beneath the plum trees. The youngest of the Jade Hall siblings, Meiyu was usually a source of light and laughter in the palace. But tonight, her bubbly energy was gone.
Her head was bowed, her black hair cascading over her shoulders. She didn't notice him approach until he spoke.
"Meiyu?"
She looked up, startled. "Brother Emperor," she said softly.
He sat on the swing beside her, his heart sinking at the sight of her dull expression. "Why are you out here alone?"
She hesitated, her fingers twisting in her lap. "I was just thinking."
"About what?" he pressed gently.
A tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away. "About how useless I am."
Lu Chiyue's breath caught. "What?"
"I can't do anything," she said, her voice breaking. "I'm always sick, and no one wants a wife who might not live to see twenty. I don't have any talents like Qingyan or Shuyin. I'm just... a burden."
Her words hit him like a blow. Meiyu, who had always been so full of life, now sat before him, weighed down by despair. He reached out, taking her hands in his.
"You are not useless," he said firmly. "And you are not a burden. You're my sister, and you matter."
"But what can I do, Brother?" she whispered, her golden eyes filled with tears.
Lu Chiyue's mind raced. In the novel, Meiyu had died at eighteen, her frail body unable to withstand the chaos of war. But this time, he had the chance to change her fate.
"You said you don't have any talents," he said after a moment. "But I disagree. You just haven't found your path yet. And I think I know where you can start."
Meiyu looked at him, her expression a mix of confusion and hope. "What do you mean?"
"In my studies," he began, "I learned about medicine. Healing. It's a skill that can save lives, including your own. If you're willing, I'll teach you everything I know."
Her eyes widened. "You'd teach me?"
"Yes," he said, his voice gentle. "You may be sick now, but I believe we can change that. Together."
Tears streamed down her face as she threw her arms around him, sobbing into his chest. "I don't want to die, Brother. I want to live."
He held her close, his heart aching. "You will live, Meiyu. I promise you."
Over the next few days, Lu Chiyue set his plans into motion. Scholar Ji, a renowned expert in economics and trade, was summoned to the palace to mentor Qingyan and Shuyin. The siblings threw themselves into their studies, their confidence growing with each passing day.
Meanwhile, Lu Chiyue spent hours with Meiyu, teaching her the basics of medicine. He showed her how to identify herbs, how to prepare simple remedies, and how the human body worked.
For the first time in her life, Meiyu felt a sense of purpose. Though her hands trembled and her energy waned, she persevered, determined to prove to herself—and to her brother—that she could make a difference.