From dusk onward, a light rain began to fall over Jingdu, pattering steadily throughout the night.
By the next morning, the rain had ceased, leaving everything refreshed and renewed. Progress had also been made regarding A Sui’s schooling arrangements.
After a brief midday rest, a servant from Duke Lu’s household arrived, requesting Yun Wan and her son to come over.
Having a general idea of what it might be about, Yun Wan called A Sui over, patiently gave him a few instructions, and prepared to send him off with the servant.
However, the servant hesitated, not moving.
Noticing this, Yun Wan asked softly, “Is there something else?”
The servant replied, “Third Madam, the Duke requests both you and the young master to come together. He said there is an important matter to discuss.”
Yun Wan paused, “Did he specify what important matter?”
The servant shook his head.
Frowning, Yun Wan’s intuition told her it was related to the school A Sui was to attend. After a moment’s thought, she went inside to tidy her appearance and then came out holding A Sui’s hand as they made their way to the front courtyard.
The path was soft with mud, and by the time they arrived, the soles of Yun Wan’s shoes were slightly soiled with dirt.
Entering the main hall of the front courtyard, they found Duke Lu Yuanduo had been waiting for some time. He stood in the center of the hall, hands clasped behind his back, facing away from the entrance.
Upon seeing Lu Yuanduo, though A Sui still held his mother’s hand obediently, his eyes noticeably brightened.
Hearing the movement behind him, Lu Yuanduo turned around. His gaze swept over them, lingering on Yun Wan for a moment before shifting to A Sui, his stern expression softening.
He raised his hand and beckoned, “A Sui.”
“Uncle!”
A Sui called out from where he stood, his tone cheerful.
Yun Wan released his hand, and A Sui stepped over the threshold. He hurried forward a few steps before slowing down, finally coming to a steady stop before Lu Yuanduo. He clasped his hands and bowed politely, “Good afternoon, Uncle!”
Lu Yuanduo bent down and picked up the little glutinous rice ball that was A Sui, bouncing him in his arms a few times before setting him down, a smile on his face. “Good afternoon, A Sui. I was away from the residence these past few days and heard you were ill. How are you feeling now?”
Once back on the ground, A Sui’s fair cheeks were flushed pink, his eyes shining with happiness and affection. “Don’t worry, Uncle. Your nephew took medicine and has fully recovered.”
Lu Yuanduo’s gaze shifted past him to the back, his eyes carrying a question.
Yun Wan, standing not far away, bowed slightly toward him. “Thank you for your concern, Duke. A Sui has recovered from his illness.”
Unlike other children, A Sui had rarely fallen ill since birth, possessing an exceptionally strong constitution. Even when he occasionally caught a cold, it was never serious—just two doses of medicine would have him lively again the next day.
As the physician put it, compared to other children his age, A Sui was as sturdy as a young calf.
What was particularly remarkable was his calm and steady temperament; he was never restless, much like when he was still in the womb.
Back then, Yun Wan hadn’t known she was pregnant. She had been tending to the critically ill Lu Fenglan day and night. After Lu Fenglan passed away, Yun Wan, as his wife, took charge of his funeral arrangements, fulfilling her duties diligently and hardly sleeping for nearly half a month.
Despite such circumstances, the child in her womb remained perfectly fine, showing no signs of miscarriage. It was only when Yun Wan collapsed from exhaustion and overwhelming fear that it was discovered she was already over a month pregnant.
For the following eight months, the child in her womb remained exceptionally well-behaved, never causing any disturbance.
Perhaps because A Sui had grown up without a father, Lu Yuanduo, his paternal uncle, was the only male elder who showed him affection and closeness. Thus, in his presence, A Sui tended to be a bit more lively.
Lu Yuanduo’s brow moved slightly, his tone indifferent. “You are too polite, Third Sister-in-Law.”
He was tall, and A Sui only reached his thigh. At this moment, A Sui looked up and asked, “Uncle, Grandmother said my enrollment should be discussed with you. Have you and Grandmother reached a decision now?”
As he asked this, his eyes sparkled with anticipation, bright as stars.
Lu Yuanduo lowered his head and pinched his cheek. “Is A Sui looking forward to attending school?”
Without hesitation, A Sui nodded. “Very much!”
The palm resting on his head paused. Lu Yuanduo spoke, “Your uncle also wanted to discuss this matter with your mother today. I’ll tell you the result later, alright?”
“Okay!”
Lu Yuanduo had someone prepare snacks and educational toys for A Sui to pass the time.
At that time, Yun Wan sat across from him, and a servant poured tea for both of them.
Tea leaves floated in the celadon cup, their fragrance wafting gently. After a moment of contemplation, Lu Yuanduo said, “Third Sister-in-law, are you aware of Hongwen Academy?”
Hongwen Academy?
Yun Wan nodded slightly. “I know a little about it.”
Hongwen Academy was affiliated with the Chancellery and served as the educational institution for the imperial family’s descendants, with the remaining students being children of officials ranked third grade or higher in the capital.
In short, it was an academy for the nobility.
His sudden mention of it gave Yun Wan an immediate sense of foreboding.
Sure enough, while she was still processing this, she heard him say, “I intend for A Sui to study at Hongwen Academy, serving as the Study Companion to the Third Prince.”
“No!”
Yun Wan blurted out without thinking.
Her reaction made Lu Yuanduo glance at her sideways, and even A Sui, who was solving a Luban lock, looked over in confusion.
Realizing her reaction was too intense, Yun Wan took a deep breath and said slowly, “I disagree because A Sui is just an ordinary child. His father held no official rank, and he’s still young. How could he possibly take on the role of a prince’s Study Companion?”
All the students at Hongwen Academy were descendants of officials ranked third grade or higher, while Lu Fenglan had never entered officialdom due to his frail health.
“You needn’t worry about that. After court today, I already reported this matter to His Majesty, and he has graciously approved it,” Lu Yuanduo stated concisely.
Yun Wan looked at him in disbelief.
This wasn’t a discussion with her at all. He had clearly already made the decision and was merely informing her now.
Yun Wan’s face turned cold. “In that case, why does the Duke need to pretend to discuss it with an ignorant woman like me? You could have just sent someone to Cuiwei Courtyard to notify us.”
She struggled to contain her anger, her voice trembling slightly, her words laced with sharp sarcasm.
Reason told her that this man was the head of the Lu Family, her husband’s elder brother, who held natural authority in the Lu Family. Defying him would bring harm to herself and her son.
But when it came to A Sui’s future, Yun Wan couldn’t remain calm.
His gaze fell on her cheeks, flushed with suppressed anger, and the fullness at her collar rising and falling with her breath.
Lu Yuanduo averted his eyes and explained calmly, “A Sui is exceptionally gifted, pure-hearted, and possesses a photographic memory. He is a rare talent in our time. With careful nurturing and proper guidance, he will surely astonish everyone one day and become a pillar of Da Qi.”
“Hongwen Academy gathers great scholars and has the finest instructors of the court, with rich curriculum and abundant resources. It would only benefit A Sui. Why do you disagree?”
The current Emperor only has two sons—the Crown Prince and the Third Prince. Precisely because imperial heirs are scarce, the position of a prince’s Study Companion is particularly valuable. Why would Yun Wan, as a mother, resist something so beneficial for A Sui?
Lu Yuanduo looked puzzled, his eyes revealing a hint of inquiry.
Yun Wan lowered her gaze, her dark lashes fluttering slightly.
Her expression remained placid, her voice clear and cool: “Though Hongwen Academy is excellent, its intricate web of relationships concerns me. I only wish for A Sui to grow up safe, healthy, and happy.”
With imperial princes, other royal relatives, and children of noble ministers attending Hongwen Academy, Yun Wan feared others might bully four-year-old A Sui.
Most importantly, Yun Wan didn’t want A Sui to become entangled with the imperial family.
Lu Yuanduo: “Are you afraid A Sui might be bullied?”
Yun Wan pressed her lips together, remaining silent.
Lu Yuanduo, thinking he had guessed her worries, relaxed his sword-like brows and said: “Though our Lu Family doesn’t dominate the capital, we’re not to be trifled with. Anyone who dares bully A Sui insults the Lu Family, and I, Lu Yuanduo, will be the first to object.”
“Moreover, with the Third Prince present, others will show more restraint. I’ll also instruct Changze to look after A Sui.”
He rarely explained with such patience, solely to ease her concerns.
Yun Wan glanced toward where A Sui was and pleaded earnestly: “Duke, is there truly no room for reconsideration?”
The distant form of address made Lu Yuanduo frown slightly.
By kinship etiquette, as the wife of his younger brother, Yun Wan should address him as “elder brother-in-law.”
But Lu Yuanduo had inherited the title young and navigated official circles for over a decade. Being six years older than his brother Lu Fenglan, they weren’t close. Thus since her marriage, Yun Wan had followed the second branch’s sisters-in-law in calling him “Duke.”
Lu Yuanduo remained silent.
Seeing this, Yun Wan’s heart sank to the depths.
She knew Lu Yuanduo never went back on his word – this matter was settled.
As for the elderly madam, she must have known as well.
Lu Yuanduo: “Hongwen Academy begins in ten days. Mother has requested an audience at the palace. In two days, you’ll accompany her with A Sui to the palace.”
What more could Yun Wan say?
Her expression cooled: “Your sister-in-law understands.”
With that, she called A Sui, and the mother and son prepared to leave.
Lu Yuanduo waved his hand, and servants brought two items for A Sui.
They were a Qilin Auspicious Beast paperweight and a bag of pastries.
Back at Cuiwei Courtyard, Yun Wan remained troubled by A Sui’s impending enrollment at Hongwen Academy.
A Sui placed the paperweight on his study desk before returning to the main room.
He unwrapped the oiled paper and picked up a pastry, offering it to Yun Wan’s lips. “Mother, eat.”
The sweet fragrance tickled her nose. Yun Wan glanced at the chestnut cake in his hand and shook her head. “Mother isn’t eating. You have it.”
A Sui was puzzled.
Wasn’t this his mother’s favorite pastry? Especially this Osmanthus Chestnut Cake from Wu Xiang Zhai in the capital, made with extra butter.