Chapter 147
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Seventh Brother and the old rascal’s expressions on their faces made Lu Xiao certain that the two of them had a secret they were keeping from him. He urgently asked Xue Yao, “Who is he exactly? Do you know him? Is he the one you brought into the palace?”
Xue Yao also ignored what the two martial brothers were up to. Seeing the warm baby’s anxious expression, he immediately told him the truth, “Hero Gu is the Sword Saint’s eldest disciple, that is, the Seventh Prince’s Senior Martial Brother. He specifically came to the palace to guide His Highness in swordsmanship. Didn’t His Highness tell you?”
Lu Xiao’s eyes turned cold.
Gu Qingyuan and Lu Qian immediately felt a dark cloud looming over Lu Xiao’s head, a chilling atmosphere enveloping them…
In a crisis, Lu Qian immediately turned to shift the blame entirely onto his Senior Brother, innocently asking, “Senior Brother didn’t tell Sixth Brother?”
“Do you still have any sense of brotherhood?” Gu Qingyuan once again saw through his Junior Brother.
“Hero… Gu?” Lu Xiao’s chilly voice echoed.
Gu Qingyuan, unflinching, smiled at the little trickster. “I’m just a few years older than you, just call me big brother.”
Lu Xiao clenched his fist, glaring coldly at him.
Gu Qingyuan became a bit nervous, stood up straight, and explained seriously, “We’ve met before. I didn’t recognize you in the teahouse that day, only remembered when we met again in the palace. Seeing you feel guilty for swindling a meal out of me was amusing, so I decided to play along a bit.”
Lu Xiao ignored him, turning to look at Lu Qian. “And you, Seventh Brother? Find it amusing to see Big Brother blaming himself?”
Indeed, it was just a joke. Given that Lu Xiao had already enjoyed a free meal, Gu Qingyuan teasing him a bit was something he could have accepted if the timing were right.
The mistake lay in the fact that it happened right after he went through a breakup. Gu Qingyuan revealed that he had been fooling him, with the emphasis on teaming up with Seventh Brother.
As the rival who took away his love interest, whether Seventh Brother’s joke was meant kindly or maliciously, at this moment, it seemed like humiliation.
Initially finding it amusing, Lu Qian’s amusement faded as he saw Sixth Brother looking ready to devour someone. He turned his gaze, silently urging his Senior Brother to step forward and take the blame.
“My apologies, I confess.” Gu Qingyuan sensed a shift in the little trickster’s mood and earnestly offered amends, “How about I let you trick me twice at that restaurant another day?”
Lu Xiao remained silent, took a deep breath, turned, and left—
But a hand grabbed the back of his collar, preventing him from moving!
Lu Xiao forcefully turned around, only to see Seventh Brother expressionless, gripping the back of his collar.
“Let go!” Lu Xiao fiercely struggled but couldn’t break free from Seventh Brother’s grasp.
Lu Qian tugged at Sixth Brother’s back collar, forcefully pulling him in front and said, “Big Brother, sneaking off to cry again?”
“What nonsense are you talking about!” Lu Xiao’s face instantly turned red.
“Cool off before leaving.” Lu Qian looked at Sixth Brother, pointed toward Senior Brother, and righteously declared, “Give him a beating.”
“Hah?” Gu Qingyuan expressed disagreement with his eyes to Lu Qian.
“Why should I beat him? I don’t need to stoop to this guy’s level.” Lu Xiao said coldly.
“Is it worth shedding tears for him then?” Lu Qian tilted his head, looking at Sixth Brother. “Crying in hiding, is it more satisfying than tit for tat?”
Lu Xiao laughed with frustration. “Tit for tat? Like you, flipping faces at a moment’s notice, only concerned about your own pleasure?”
“Yep.” Lu Qian felt no qualms about it.
“Fine,” Lu Xiao nodded, “Then I’ll repay in kind now!”
As the words fell, he swung a fist towards Lu Qian, but Lu Qian instinctively raised his hand to intercept.
Lu Qian held Sixth Brother’s fist, puzzled. “Senior Brother teases Big Brother, but your son was forced.”
“Then who forced you to snatch A’Yao away?”
Lu Qian was momentarily stunned, his shallow eyes fixed on Sixth Brother.
Hatred gradually intensified in Lu Xiao’s eyes.
The hand gripping his fist gradually loosened. Lu Xiao looked at Seventh Brother in surprise.
Lu Qian looked at Sixth Brother. “Your grandpa decided to take Yaoyao as a wife. Big Brother is allowed to strike, but this is the only time. After this, we’ll be even.”
“What are you guys talking about?” Gu Qingyuan felt like things were veering off course but understood his Junior Brother’s intention. Planning to take a beating voluntarily to let the little trickster vent, he stepped forward and said, “You can hit, but you have to agree to one request from me.”
Lu Xiao turned to look at him. “What is it?”
“Don’t hit the face.”
Lu Xiao coldly snorted. “Fine.”
Hearing that, Lu Qian quickly seized the opportunity, “Then, Big Brother, promise your son three requests too.”
“No way.”
“Why?” Lu Qian was indignant. “Big Brother promised Senior Brother.”
Lu Xiao raised his hand, making his fist crack. “Since it’s tit for tat and no face-hitting, Big Brother feels dissatisfied.”
Lu Qian frowned. “Your son’s heart is shattered.”
“It’s useless. Big Brother won’t show mercy.” Lu Xiao stood firm, turning into a force to be reckoned with.
Xue Yao, unable to speak at the moment, felt his heart breaking first.
The warm baby wouldn’t really hit Lu Qian, right? Would he go all out?
Xue Yao felt desperate, but it wasn’t convenient for him to intervene. Lu Qian admitted it himself. If he protected him, was he trying to show affection and provoke the warm baby to the point of anger?
He couldn’t interfere, only watch as the furious warm baby struck the handsome face of his fiance.
The only one on the scene who hadn’t figured out the situation was Gu Qingyuan. How did it escalate to Junior Brother getting punched?
In the midst of confusion, Lu Xiao took a deep breath, suddenly charged, and threw a punch towards Lu Qian’s face—
Lu Qian forcefully closed his eyes, hands behind his back, suppressing the urge for self-protection…
The fist ultimately stopped at the tip of Lu Qian’s nose, unable to go further.
Lu Xiao’s mind went blank, the image of Seventh Brother closing his eyes and slightly recoiling created a nostalgic scene from their childhood.
Every time Seventh Brother showed such a fearful expression, young Lu Xiao would spread his small wings, shielding Seventh Brother and waiting to be dragged away by Third Brother.
How did it come to this day, where he became the culprit causing Seventh Brother to reveal such a frightened expression?
The fist hesitated, and the impatient Lu Qian opened his eyes to see Sixth Brother tearfully holding up his fist, staring at him dumbfounded.
After a while, Lu Xiao’s fist relaxed, slowly raising his index finger. Similar to lecturing his younger brother in their childhood, he gently poked Lu Qian’s forehead.
“If you dare to bully A’Yao in the future, Big Brother won’t go easy on you.”
Lu Qian looked at Sixth Brother with confusion.
Gu Qingyuan watched on the side, lost in thought. He had an intuitive sense that this little trickster was unlike any of the martial artists he had encountered before. A gentle kindness seemed to emanate from his very core, refreshing as a spring breeze.
However.
Lu Xiao turned his head, coldly looking at Gu Qingyuan. “It’s your turn, Hero Gu.”
Gu Qingyuan’s eyes brightened, suppressing a smile. Mimicking his Junior Brother’s manner, he closed his eyes, slightly elongating his neck, presenting his forehead to the little trickster, awaiting that “gentle poke.”
“Bang—”
“Ugh!”
Lu Xiao’s knee aimed at Hero Gu’s stomach.
Gu Qingyuan, clutching his abdomen, slowly dropped to one knee, looking up in disbelief at the little trickster. “You really kicked me? The treatment is vastly different. I am still your senior…”
Lu Xiao smirked. “Senior, do you find my move fierce enough?”
Gu Qingyuan: “……”
Was this little trickster’s gentleness all an act?
•••
Soon came the day of Old Fifth’s grand wedding.
At the celebratory banquet, Lu Jinan was thoroughly intoxicated, occasionally glancing toward the inner courtyard.
The female family members were celebrating in the inner courtyard, making it impossible for Lu Jinan to attend to his wife. Anxious throughout the night, he suddenly heard someone softly call out, “Eldest Brother.”
Turning around, he saw Old Fourth holding a bowl of tea.
“Hangover tea,” Old Fourth quietly informed Eldest Brother, “Sister-in-law couldn’t handle the alcohol. The nurse has taken her to the side courtyard to rest. Eldest Brother, no need to worry.”
Lu Jinan’s eyes lit up as he took the tea bowl, nodding at Fourth Brother.
Old Fourth nodded in return, stood up silently, and quietly returned to his own seat, as usual, observing his younger brothers’ conversations.
Lu Jinan just realized that Old Fourth was seated at the far end of the table.
Perhaps due to the effects of the medicinal tea, Lu Jinan became slightly more alert. He remembered how Old Fourth had seemingly disappeared since the fall of the Tong family. Fearing attention, he only discreetly appeared when necessary, avoiding notice as much as possible.
In the past, due to the Empress’ advice, Lu Jinan dared not openly associate with Old Fourth.
To establish himself in the palace, Old Fourth had to diligently curry favor with Old Third.
Since the death of Third Brother, Old Fourth had been restless. Unsure whether, as a “remnant,” he should await punishment or take matters into his own hands.
Taking matters into his own hands showed some dignity, but if he died, Noble Lady Yi would likely be mocked to death by the palace servants.
Thinking of the promise he made to his mother in his youth, Old Fourth felt life wasn’t worth living.
They say there was always a way in life, as long as one worked hard and strove earnestly, there would be a way out. However, fate refused to offer even a single path for Old Fourth.
Despite putting in effort and skill, working a hundred times harder than his brothers, and possessing real abilities, he was still overlooked by Father Emperor in his final words to his siblings.
Born of a palace maid, wearing the royal skin but treated as a servant in front of his brothers and a false master in front of servants, he was an anomaly everywhere. The common folks privately ridiculed him as a joke.
Old Fourth lived a half-life in the squeeze, not treated as a human inside or out. Dreaming of becoming a leisurely prince, the only path he had reached turned out to be the descent into eighteen levels of hell.
He didn’t want to implicate his birth mother, so he thickened his calloused face, pretended to be ignorant, clung to life this way. In situations where he had to meet his brothers, he used every trick in the book to sincerely flatter and please, trying not to be a bother.
This was how Old Fourth lived nowadays.
Lu Jinan furrowed his brows slightly and downed the hangover tea in one gulp.
After the feast, everyone was busy celebrating in the bridal chamber. Lu Jinan patted Old Fourth and instructed him to talk in a quiet corner.
Old Fourth’s face turned pale. He wasn’t sure if his attempts to please had offended his eldest brother.
“Has the side garden at Old Fourth’s residence been renovated?” Lu Jinan asked.
Old Fourth quickly replied, “Many thanks for Eldest Brother’s concern, but my residence has few occupants, and no side chambers are needed. The side garden can be omitted.”
“It should be renovated. The funds allocated from the internal treasury were returned by you. In a few days, have someone retrieve them. It was Father Emperor’s wish, so you must not refuse,” Lu Jinan emphasized, “The restrictions on leaving the palace will be lifted soon. Once your side garden is renovated, bring your mother back to oversee the household.”
Old Fourth was surprised, looking up at his eldest brother.
Lu Jinan smiled faintly. “Did you release the Khitan Prince back then?”
Old Fourth lowered his head in trepidation, pondering how to explain.
Lu Jinan spoke softly, “Were you afraid Third Brother would kill the hostage, provoking the Khitans? If you hadn’t risked releasing the Khitan Prince, Fifth Brother might have already sacrificed himself in the enemy territory.”
Old Fourth looked up at his eldest brother, his voice trembling as he spoke, “At that time, I thought Eldest Brother was also trapped in the enemy camp. Considering the care I received from you since childhood, I couldn’t think too much…”
Lu Jinan patted Old Fourth’s shoulder. “I understand. You should know that all our brothers understand your character. Don’t dwell on past grievances. Let’s move forward and live a good life.”
With the knot in their hearts untied, the two brothers walked side by side for the first time, returning to the table. The other brothers had gone to celebrate in the bridal chamber, leaving only Xue Yao diligently peeling shrimp shells at the table.
Lu Jinan was curious why Xue Yao was only peeling and not eating. He walked over, pulling out a chair beside Xue Yao.
However, just as he sat down in the chair beside Xue Yao, a little rascal suddenly flashed out from behind him, wiggled his butt, and sent him flying!
With astonishing agility and balance, Lu Jinan stumbled a few steps before finally steadying himself. He turned around in astonishment. Seventh Brother was sitting comfortably in the seat he had intended to take, placing a plate of vinegar carefully in front of Xue Yao.
He managed to flip his own Eldest Brother away and didn’t spill a drop of vinegar!
Xue Yao’s hands, peeling shrimp, froze, looking terrified at the eldest brother who had been flipped by the lemon sprout.
Lu Jinan straightened up, maintaining some semblance of composure, and asked Seventh Brother with forced politeness, “Should you bring your head over here, or should I go to you?”
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