In the afternoon, Yun Wan took A Sui to Cixin Hall, then accompanied him to the East Courtyard to present a Jade Pen Mountain to Lu Changze.
Lu Changze was surprised, unable to comprehend why this younger cousin—so dearly loved by their grandmother—would suddenly bring him a gift out of the blue.
Yun Wan explained to him: “Now that you’re both attending Hongwen Academy, A Sui is still young and rather inexperienced. I hope you, Brother Changze, will look after him and ensure he completes his studies diligently. As brothers, you should support one another. I, as his mother, thank you in advance.”
A Sui chirped brightly: “Cousin, Uncle said you have a fondness for jade. The moment I saw this pen mountain, I thought it suited you perfectly. I hope you like it!”
He was five years younger than Lu Changze and a head shorter, holding out the brocade box with both hands.
Hearing that A Sui had specifically consulted his father before carefully selecting the gift, Lu Changze felt genuinely pleased and responded earnestly to Yun Wan:
“You’re too kind, Third Aunt. As the elder brother, it’s only natural for Changze to care for his younger cousin. I promise A Sui won’t face any bullying while I’m around. Please rest assured.”
Then turning to A Sui: “You’re very thoughtful, cousin. I truly like it.”
He stood straight-backed with refined features inherited from his birth mother, Consort Zhong, yet his mannerisms carried traces of Duke Lu’s bearing—as if consciously emulating him.
With the gift delivered and daylight fading, Yun Wan politely said: “Your reassurance puts my mind at ease. We won’t disturb you further then.”
She led A Sui away by the hand, the boy waving enthusiastically as he called out: “Goodbye, cousin!”
Lu Changze responded: “Farewell, Third Aunt and cousin.”
Returning to his quarters with the brocade box, he encountered Consort Zhong adjusting her makeup before a mirror. She inquired curiously about the gift, then sneered upon hearing his explanation:
“Thinking this trifling object can buy my son’s favor for her boy? How utterly stingy!”
Setting down her bronze hand mirror, she revealed a strikingly beautiful face adorned with gold and silver jewelry that glittered opulently—though her expression starkly undermined the elegance.
Lu Changze frowned slightly: “You misunderstand, Mother. This was a gift from cousin A Sui, given with sincere intentions.”
“Still stingy! I’ve heard your Third Aunt’s shops are highly profitable—earning mountains of gold daily, one might say. Yet she offers only this meager token.”
Consort Zhong spoke with contemptuous jealousy.
She recalled approaching Yun Wan earlier to propose a collaboration: opening a perfumery in her maternal family’s Yingzhou precinct. Her plan was clear—her family would provide the shop, workshop, and labor while Yun Wan only needed to supply the fragrance formulas, with profits split evenly each month.
Though her family would invest capital, manpower, and property while Yun Wan merely provided recipes for half the earnings—such favorable terms!—Yun Wan had refused!
The memory reignited her fury. Though a concubine, she was after all Duke Lu’s consort, with familial ties to the Old Madame as distant relatives. Having borne the Duke’s sole son without any main wife above her, she typically commanded more authority than many legitimate wives!
Yet that widow Yun Wan showed her no deference whatsoever—clearly looking down on her!
Vaguely aware of the friction between his birth mother and Third Aunt, Lu Changze had grown accustomed to it. He remarked impassively:
“Those are Third Aunt’s dowry shops—what concern are they of ours? Besides, gift-giving emphasizes ‘sincerity’ above all. I happened to need a pen mountain, and cousin’s gift arrived most appropriately.”
Consort Zhong shot him a sidelong glance, lamenting his lack of ambition: “Always so magnanimous—playing the virtuous fool who avoids contention.”
She pursed her lips: “The Duke is really something. Having one study companion for the Third Prince is already such a good opportunity—wasn’t having you enough? Now he had to go and recommend someone from the third branch too. With this additional Ge’er A Sui, what if he ends up being favored by the Third Prince and Shu Consort? Won’t you be sidelined then?”
She glanced at her son and snorted a reminder: “You should be more shrewd. Although you are the Duke’s child, the Duke treats A Sui quite well too. Don’t foolishly let others steal your father’s affection. Put more effort into making your father notice and value you!”
If her Ze Ge’er could become the heir of Duke Lu Manor, wouldn’t she have a chance to become the Duchess?
Just thinking about it made Consort Zhong feel delighted.
Lu Changze had heard such words countless times. Growing irritated, he interrupted her: “Please stop, Mother. Your son is going to study.”
With that, he picked up the brocade box and walked out without looking back.
Although his cousin A Sui received favor from their grandmother and father, it was because he had grown up without a father. Even though he was born a legitimate son, his circumstances were pitiable.
Lu Changze felt more sympathy than anything else toward him.
What did being a legitimate son matter? His cousin still had no father.
Seeing him act this way, Consort Zhong was so angry her chest heaved. She said indignantly, “You foolish child! Why can’t you understand your mother’s devoted efforts?”
………
In the blink of an eye, the tenth day arrived, and Cuiwei Courtyard was bustling with activity.
Early in the morning when the sky was just beginning to lighten, A Sui woke up. After washing up, he went to Yun Wan’s room to have the morning meal together.
The manor’s carriage would depart by 8 a.m. at the latest. Although everything had long been prepared, Yun Wan couldn’t help worrying and repeatedly reminded him:
“Once you arrive, stay close to your cousin. Follow the academic supervisor’s arrangements. I’ve already checked everything you need to bring—nothing’s missing.”
“In the dormitory, be friendly with your classmates. Carry yourself confidently—don’t be timid or afraid. If you get hungry on the way, open the food box. I’ve prepared some snacks for you.”
“Spring has just begun, and it’s still chilly morning and evening. Wear an extra outer layer—don’t chase coolness and catch a chill…”Along the way, Yun Wan couldn’t stop her rambling, afraid she might have forgotten to mention something.”
She finally understood the feeling of “a mother’s worry when her son travels far”—even though A Sui wasn’t exactly “traveling far from home.”
A Sui held his mother’s hand, his height only reaching her waist. With a serious expression, he listened attentively: “Don’t worry, Mother. Your son remembers everything.”
They happened to arrive at the main gate where the carriage had been waiting for some time. Lu Yuanduo, Lu Changze, and Consort Zhong stood beside it.
“Dragging their feet and wasting everyone’s time…” Consort Zhong muttered under her breath.
Lu Yuanduo shot her a glance, and she quickly covered her mouth and fell silent.
Yun Wan nodded in greeting to the others, then saw A Sui onto the carriage.
Before the carriage departed, A Sui lifted the satin curtain and said in his childish voice, “Don’t worry, Mother! When the ten-day break comes, your son will be able to return home!”
Yun Wan suppressed the tears in her eyes and smiled gently at him: “Good. I’ll come pick you up then.”
Hongwen Academy students had a break every ten days, usually living in the dormitories and sharing meals with classmates.
Watching the distant carriage, Yun Wan felt an emptiness in her heart, as if a piece of her flesh had been carved out.
The two most important people in her life were her mother and A Sui—both connected to Yun Wan by blood and flesh, the closest people to her in this world.
But her mother had long left Yun Wan, and her child would also grow up, gradually having his own life.
Although Yun Wan felt melancholy, what she felt more was consolation.
In the years since her husband’s passing, A Sui had been her comfort and solace. Now, he was gradually growing up.
Yun Wan didn’t allow herself to dwell too deeply in her own emotions, for she too had a beloved career to keep her busy.
Stepping into Cuiwei Courtyard, Yue Zhi rushed in excitedly:
“Madam, I have good news!”