Days of Living Off Women in Ancient Times

Chapter 5

As Lord Lu's gaze grew increasingly icy, Lu Yuanyi grew more and more flustered. The more anxious he became, the blanker his mind went, his face turning paler by the second.Lady Lu, unable to bear seeing her younger son in such distress, was about to plead on his behalf.

"Husband—"

Lord Lu shot his wife a cold glance. "Don't you dare spoil him again—"

"A thousand-pound fur coat isn’t made from a single fox’s pelt; the silk-clad elite are not those who raise silkworms."

Lu Yuanyi's crisp voice cut through Lord Lu’s reprimand. Lady Lu exhaled in relief, glancing at her husband, whose pride now seemed slightly wounded, and quickly stepped in to mediate.heir separate ways.

"Nanny, do you think Chao truly hasn’t begun his studies?"

Nanny Mei shook her head. "This servant wouldn’t know, but the Rose Courtyard has never purchased paper or brushes. It’s likely he hasn’t."

Lady Lu rubbed her temples. Lu Chao baffled her—he was both naive and mature, innocent yet sly. She knew he was clever, yet today he had deliberately played dumb in front of Lord Lu while helping Yuanyi.

Why? He could have seized the chance to impress his father. The master’s favor far outweighed hers as a stepmother. Surely he understood that.

Giving up, Lady Lu turned to Nanny Mei. "How goes the selection of the bookboy I mentioned earlier?"

Nanny Mei bowed. "It’s settled. We chose a boy from the estate’s farm."

"Have him taught the proper manners before bringing him into the manor."

Night fell.

In this era without phones, Lu Chao’s life had become remarkably routine. Waking at dawn was no longer a struggle.

After paying respects to Lady Lu and finishing breakfast, he returned to his courtyard to "read"—though most of the time, he could only recognize simpler traditional characters. The lack of punctuation gave him headaches, so he mostly practiced calligraphy instead.

He made no effort to hide this. After all, he had no grand ambitions. It was just a way to pass the time.

Days slipped by peacefully. Lu Chao, always smiling, even grew a little rounder in the face.

Then came the day.

"Chao, I’ve spoken with the tutor. You’ll start school tomorrow. Since maids aren’t allowed in the academy, I’ve picked a bookboy to attend to you. Is that alright?"

Lu Chao nodded knowingly. "Thank you, Mother!"

Ironically, Lu Yuanyi was the most thrilled about Lu Chao’s enrollment. Now I won’t be the only one suffering during Father’s quizzes! Hah!

"Lu Chao! You’re finally joining! You’ll be in the Beginner’s Class, while I’m in the Advanced Class. If anyone bullies you, just come find me!"

Lu Yuanyi thumped his chest proudly.

Lady Lu glanced at her foolish son and sighed. His thoughts are written all over his face.

"Thank you, Second Brother. I was scared at first, but knowing you and Elder Brother are there puts me at ease."

Seeing his delicate, almost girlish younger brother, Lu Yuanyi’s masculinity surged. Forgetting his mother’s presence, he blurted, "Third Brother, let me tell you—in school, I once fought—mmph!"

Lu Chao swiftly clamped a hand over his mouth, grinning. "I know, I know! You’ve said before—if there’s a fight, we stay far away! Second Brother, even swallowing spit makes you choke? Here, drink some water!"

Only then did Lu Yuanyi remember his mother was watching.

He coughed theatrically and took a sip.

Lady Lu was well aware of her son’s schoolyard antics. Minor scuffles among children didn’t faze her—Lu Yuanyi wasn’t the unreasonable type—so she’d never intervened.

Just then, a maid ushered in a boy about Lu Chao’s age.

"This lowly one is Qingshan, paying respects to the Lady and young masters."

Lu Chao studied him—short hemp robes, sun-darkened face, clean but scarred hands. A hard worker.

"From now on, you’ll serve the Third Young Master. Know your place, attend to him well, and remember the rules of Lu Manor."

After Lady Lu’s admonishments, Lu Chao led his new bookboy back to his courtyard.