Lu Paizhang, the third son in his family, had two elder brothers—Lu Shengwen, the eldest, and Lu Dingfeng, the second. Unfortunately, both died young without leaving behind any sons. As a result, the hereditary position passed down to Lu Paizhang, the youngest.
The first and second wives of the Lu family lived as widows, steadfastly maintaining their chastity and refraining from involving themselves in other affairs. Consequently, the one currently managing all matters, big and small, in the Lu household was the third wife, Madam Su, who was also Lu Huaihai’s mother.
Madam Su had not slept well the previous night.
Early yesterday morning, she learned that her son had not returned home the night before. She originally intended to discreetly send someone to find him and bring him back, avoiding any disturbance to the rest of the family.
However, her husband caught wind of the situation. In the end, Lu Huaihai was caught sneaking out of the back door of Yanman Pavilion, the largest brothel in Taizhou City.
The Lu family was not particularly known for its prestige, but having the family’s young men frequent brothels was hardly a respectable matter.
Lu Paizhang, naturally furious, wanted to invoke family discipline. Despite Madam Su’s desperate efforts to intervene, she failed to stop him.
Of course, meekly submitting to punishment was not in her beloved son’s nature. That it would escalate into a chaotic scene did not surprise Madam Su.
However, the old matriarch had thrown a tantrum the day before and brought home a concubine, which Lu Huaihai conveniently used as leverage to deflect attention. Not only did this infuriate his father to the point of skipping two meals, but by evening, Lu Huaihai had audaciously spent the night in that concubine’s quarters.
This left Madam Su deeply troubled.
Madam Su, to some extent, shared the same stance as her husband. With only one son in the family, they certainly didn’t want him risking his life for military achievements. They simply hoped he could safely inherit the Lu family’s position. However, that didn’t mean she wanted to see Lu Huaihai devolve into a hedonistic playboy, indulging in unrestrained behavior and becoming infatuated with women.
Her relationship with her son had always been distant, so she did not plan to address the matter with him directly.
That morning, Madam Su first summoned the two maids, who assured her that nothing had happened the previous night. Only then did she feel relieved.
However, as for that concubine, Madam Su thought to herself, she still needed to be disciplined. Otherwise, she might become too ambitious in the future.
Unaware of Madam Su’s intentions, Xie Miao’er followed behind Zhengya, walking with her neck slightly stiffened, all the while curiously observing the sights of the Lu family estate.
The Lu family did not have a large household, and their compound was not extensive. Likely because they hailed from the northern regions, even the rock formations in the garden appeared more rugged and imposing compared to the delicate style typical of households in Jiangnan.
Xie Miao’er took in the unfamiliar scenery with a relaxed expression, entirely at ease.
Meanwhile, Zhengya had been sneaking glances at her.
The young master despised being manipulated by his elders, and everyone had expected him to detest this suddenly imposed concubine. Yet contrary to all expectations, the young master couldn’t even wait a single night before visiting her quarters.
Everyone was curious: what kind of beauty must this Xie woman possess to captivate their obstinate young master at first sight?
From Zhengya’s perspective, Xie Miao’er was indeed attractive, but she was still young, not yet fully developed, and could at best be described as three parts beautiful and seven parts adorable.
Xie Miao’er, feeling uncomfortable under Zhengya’s scrutiny, slowed her steps slightly to let the other woman pass and avoid her gaze.
Zhengya retracted her somewhat intrusive gaze and quickened her pace, leading Xie Miao’er to Madam Su’s quarters.
Xie Miao’er crossed the threshold with a calm demeanor and performed a respectful bow to the dignified woman seated at the head of the room.
When she straightened up, she discreetly lifted her gaze to observe Lu Huaihai’s mother.
She was a middle-aged woman with sharply arched eyebrows, slightly prominent cheekbones, and lips that bore no hint of a smile.
As for Lu Huaihai’s mother’s life, the historical records offered little detail. Other than noting her military household origins, Xie Miao’er only remembered one thing about her: she lived a remarkably long life.
How long? Long enough that her son, her daughter, her husband, as well as her sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews, all passed away before her.
Whether that was fortunate or unfortunate, perhaps only she herself knew.
From the moment Xie Miao’er stepped into the room, Madam Su had also been observing her.
Unlike Xie Miao’er’s cautious glances, Madam Su’s scrutiny was unabashed, her eyes sweeping up and down twice before she finally said, “Sit down.”
Xie Miao’er complied, sitting down in a chair with a respectful distance of one seat between them.
As the head of civil officials, Grand Tutor Xie’s family was impeccable in their manners. From the bow upon entering to the posture after sitting down, Xie Miao’er’s demeanor was so polished that even a court etiquette officer would find no fault.
Madam Su, upon seeing this, was secretly taken aback.
If she hadn’t already known Xie Miao’er’s background, there was no way she could have guessed this young woman came from a merchant family.
To her knowledge, the Xie family was merely a family of textile shop owners. How had they managed to raise a daughter with such grace?
Madam Su studied her closely, her lips curling into a warm smile. “Zhengya, serve tea to Concubine Xie.”
Madam Su’s expression was neutral when she wasn’t smiling—distant, but not unkind. However, when she smiled, it had an insincere, almost perfunctory quality to it.
Xie Miao’er returned the smile. “Thank you, Third Madam.”
She lowered her head and focused on drinking her tea.
Madam Su noticed that Xie Miao’er was slender, almost frail, her figure seemingly all bones, with the exception of some softness in her face. Remembering Xie Miao’er’s fall from grace—the loss of her father and the poverty that forced her to wear only a simple silver hairpin—Madam Su suddenly found herself unable to deliver the admonishments she had planned.
In the end, Madam Su merely asked, “Have you been settling in well over the past two days in the household?”
The General’s mother truly was a kind person, even going so far as to show concern for her. Xie Miao’er was deeply moved. She pressed her lips together and nodded slightly. “I’ve adjusted well, except for the supper last night, which had meat. I… am unable to eat it, and it ended up being wasted.”
The original Xie Miao’er had passed away not long after her father’s death.
Technically, as a concubine, Xie Miao’er was now considered married and part of another family. However, feeling indebted for the body she now inhabited, she decided she must fulfill the filial piety the original Xie Miao’er hadn’t completed.
Although last night’s meal included only one dish of braised chicken with bamboo shoots, Xie Miao’er assumed the other dishes had been prepared with animal fat, so she had refrained from eating them. In the end, she ate only a bowl of plain white rice.
Elders always appreciated filial piety in the younger generation.
Madam Su nodded approvingly and said, “You’re a dutiful girl. Zhengya, make sure to inform the kitchen to prepare vegetarian dishes separately for Concubine Xie to avoid any transgressions. By the way, has your father’s funeral been arranged?”
Xie Miao’er answered based on the final memories of the original owner. “Previously, my mother took my younger brother and sister to the countryside. That day, the Old Madam not only saved me but, upon hearing my tearful pleas, sent people to collect… my father’s body and transport it to the countryside, where the elders of the family handled the funeral.”
Father Xie had been a good man, willing to sacrifice his life for his daughter. The Old Madam was also a good person, going to such lengths for someone she had met by chance.
But Father Xie was gone, and the kindhearted Old Madam had succumbed to madness.
A faint sadness welled up in Xie Miao’er’s heart.
Madam Su, upon hearing this, sighed. “You’ve had a hard life. But women often face bitter fates. Sigh… Anyway, just live honestly and serve Huaihai well. You’ll get through this.”
As she spoke, she began sighing to herself, lost in her own thoughts. Xie Miao’er, unsure what she was reminiscing about, could only nod repeatedly.
Madam Su had entirely forgotten her original intent to reprimand Xie Miao’er and instead chatted with her for quite some time.
Finally, Madam Su said, “Since it was the Old Madam who brought you back to the residence, it’s only proper that you go to the main courtyard to express your gratitude to her.”
Xie Miao’er nodded solemnly, then said somewhat embarrassedly, “Third Madam, I don’t know the way to the main courtyard.”
Madam Su replied, “It’s a small matter. Zhengya can take you there. Go quickly—generally, the Old Madam is lucid in the mornings.”
The implication, of course, was that she was not lucid at other times.
Xie Miao’er expressed her gratitude to Madam Su and followed Zhengya out.
Halfway down the path, Zhengya suddenly let out a soft gasp of surprise. Her face flushed with embarrassment as she said, “Concubine, my apologies, I have a sudden stomachache. If you keep heading north along this path, you’ll find the way. Please excuse me for not accompanying you.”
Nature’s call spares no one, not even sages. Xie Miao’er nodded in understanding. After all, the Lu family estate wasn’t large, and as long as she knew the direction, she could manage on her own.
As she rounded the final flowerbed, she suddenly felt something graze the back of her head at an angle.
Before she could react, her already precariously tied bun unraveled completely with the breeze.
The incident happened so abruptly that Xie Miao’er spun around in haste.
The “culprit,” holding a wooden sword, crouched behind the flowerbed, staring at her motionlessly.
It was a little girl, seemingly around ten years old. Her fingernails, clutching the edge of the flowerbed, were caked with dirt. Her behavior was childlike, and there was even a trace of a shiny, drool-like glisten at the corner of her mouth.
She had a pair of eyes that bore a striking resemblance to Madam Su’s.
—
Yanman Pavilion.
The most famous pleasure house in Taizhou City.
Its name evoked a garish allure, and its business revolved around the flesh trade.
At noon, the calm river surface reflected a few elegant pleasure boats. The intricately designed decks rose four to five stories high, and at the railings of each level stood women waving toward the shore, beckoning customers.
The shimmering water, vibrant flowers, and lush greenery painted a picturesque scene.
However, Lu Huaihai, who was carrying a newly forged sword on his back, strode through the revelers with a grim expression, completely out of place in the lively atmosphere.
One of the boats had docked, and the men and women onboard were intimately entwined, resembling pairs of wild mandarin ducks.
Of course, among them were also… less traditional “wild ducks.”
Lu Huaihai’s sharp gaze quickly picked out the person he was looking for from the crowd. Without hesitation, he marched over with determined strides.
The man onboard parted the group of giggling women surrounding him and leapt off the boat.
He warmly slung an arm around Lu Huaihai’s shoulder. “How was last night? Enjoy yourself?”
Lu Huaihai brusquely shoved his hand away. “What nonsense are you talking about?”
“Didn’t you just take a concubine? You should be spending your nights as a groom, not looking for me. Don’t tell me you still have the energy to practice swordsmanship today.”
This man had never been known to restrain his tongue. Lu Huaihai wasn’t surprised, but he was more concerned about another matter. “Li Chenglan, when did you find out?”
Li Chenglan, the magistrate’s son, stretched lazily under the sunlight, letting out a massive yawn. Having stayed on the boat all night without seeing a sliver of daylight, his eyes teared up as soon as the sunlight hit them.
He replied, “Who in Taizhou City doesn’t know? Your grandmother’s heroic rescue story is spreading so fast that even the storytellers are preparing to make it their next public performance.”
Lu Huaihai fell silent, lost in thought.
Seeing his reaction, Li Chenglan seized the chance to tease him further. “Come on, let’s not keep Master waiting. But first, tell me—what does your concubine look like? Does she know how to serve her husband?”
Unwilling to waste time entangling with someone like Li Chenglan, Lu Huaihai drew his sword and pointed it horizontally in front of him.
Li Chenglan was the type who didn’t care about anything and certainly wasn’t afraid. He even leaned his neck toward Lu Huaihai’s sword with a cheeky grin, “Oh, don’t tell me you’ve caught feelings. Can’t a brother even joke with you anymore?”
Lu Huaihai neither denied nor admitted it. He glanced at Li Chenglan indifferently. “You’d better worry about what’s going on below your own waist first.”
Seeing that Lu Huaihai was serious, Li Chenglan stopped teasing.
Lu Huaihai sheathed his sword, but Li Chenglan’s sudden mention of the concubine made him think of her again.
That morning, her eyes had sparkled as she watched him practice swordsmanship.
Last night, she had murmured his name in her sleep.
Yet, all he knew about her was that her surname was Xie—he didn’t even know her given name.
Lu Huaihai thought to himself, perhaps the next time he saw her, he should ask her what her maiden name was.