Chapter 28: Sneaking Out with Sister
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Before dawn, Lu Yuan Xiao visited Madam Xu’s room, looking visibly exhausted with dark circles under his eyes from a sleepless night.
“Mother,” he began, his voice weary, “last night was so noisy. It sounded like a thief was rummaging around.”
Madam Xu, however, seemed unbothered and in good spirits. “It was probably just a mouse. Don’t worry, I’ve set out some poison. Tonight should be quieter,” she reassured him, her tone hinting at deeper knowledge. “Keep your voice down. Your little sister had a tough night and might be sleeping in,” she added softly as they began their breakfast.
Lu Yuan Xiao quickly finished his breakfast and, grabbing his school bag, announced, “I’m going to check on my sister before I leave for school.”
Deng Zhi, a family servant, chuckled, “He always said he didn’t want a sister, afraid she’d cry too much. But now, he visits her every day before and after school. It’s adorable.”
“Sister, I’m here. I brought you milk, diapers, and new clothes,” Lu Yuan Xiao cheerfully declared.
[I’m so excited! Third Brother is taking me on a secret adventure! And he even brought my favorite floral bag to carry me!]
Lu Chao Chao, his sister, reached out with her tiny hand, and her brother carefully placed her into the bag.
[We need to hurry, or Sister Ying Xue will start looking for me…] Lu Chao Chao nestled into the bag, her little head peeking out, eyes alight with excitement.
With the stealth of a thief, Lu Yuan Xiao opened the window and leapt out, his sister secured on his back. Despite the mansion’s bustle, they managed to leave undetected.
The capital of North Zhao was vibrant and colorful. To Lu Chao Chao, it felt like a magical realm, filled with bright candy fruits and enticing toys from street vendors.
[Look at those tanghulu, they’re so pretty! I want one! And that toy looks amazing!]
Her brother bought her a piece of candied fruit, a sweet treat to enjoy.
As they walked through the streets, people were burning paper money, and homes were adorned with fresh divine paintings. Despite the festive atmosphere, a subtle tension lingered.
“Don’t worry, Chao Chao. It’s an annual tradition from the 13th to the 15th of July. It’s believed that the gates of hell open, and spirits roam among us. People burn paper money and hang divine paintings to ward off evil spirits. But we’re safe; the King had the abbot from the National Temple bless the capital,” he reassured her, patting her head.
Their conversation was interrupted. “Fat dumpling, what’s moving in your bag?”
Lu Yuan Xiao quickly concealed his sister deeper within the bag and retorted, “It’s none of your business!” He clutched the bag close, ready to protect his secret.
“Fat dumpling, you’re acting like such a girl. Why the floral bag? Couldn’t make it in school, so now you’re pretending to be a girl?” Li Siqi, the bold and mocking grandson of the Protectorate General’s family, taunted.
Accompanying Li Siqi were two notable boys: Jiang Yun Mo, the legitimate heir of the Jiang family, and a young monk, the King’s fourth son. Despite his tender age of six, the young prince was known for his delicate health and had been sent to the National Temple for his wellbeing.
“You’re the girly one! Your whole family is girly!” Lu Yuan Xiao snapped back, sticking out his tongue and hugging his school bag tightly, ensuring no one could peek inside.
“Why would you even carry a floral bag? I’d never be seen with something so flashy,” Li Siqi mocked, rolling his eyes, with Jiang Yun Mo chiming in, “Exactly.”
Lu Yuan Xiao ignored their ridicule, well aware of the Jiang family’s reputation for betrayal and exploiting others’ misfortunes. “Bah!” he thought, dismissing them internally.
“Open the bag and show us what’s inside!” Li Siqi demanded, making a grab for it.
Just then, the teacher entered with a ruler in hand, and Lu Yuan Xiao took his seat, glaring at Li Siqi. The classroom buzzed with curiosity about what Lu Yuan Xiao was concealing in his bag.
This incident occurred in a beginner’s class at the royal school, where students around seven or eight years old were just starting their education. The class was small, with only twelve students. Lu Yuan Xiao, coming from a modest middle-class family, found academics challenging. This struggle was exacerbated by Jiang Yun Mo’s interference, leading to discrimination and exclusion by his classmates. With his only friend sick and absent, Lu Yuan Xiao felt isolated and became the center of curiosity for his floral bag and its mysterious contents.
As the teacher passionately lectured, Lu Yuan Xiao couldn’t help but worry about his hidden sister, glancing toward the bag’s hiding spot. Unbeknownst to him, Li Siqi, driven by growing curiosity, covertly signaled to an accomplice. Distracted, Lu Yuan Xiao didn’t notice Li Siqi stealthily taking the floral bag.
The class’s attention shifted when the bag was slammed on the table, scattering books. The teacher authoritatively asked, “Yuan Xiao, stand up. What was I just talking about? Repeat it.”
Caught off guard and flustered, Lu Yuan Xiao stood frozen for a moment before he suddenly overheard his sister’s thoughts again.
[On Governing: Meng Yizi once asked Confucius about the essence of filial piety, to which Confucius replied, ‘Do not disobey.’ Later, while talking with Fan Chi in a chariot, Confucius was asked again about filial piety by Meng Sun, and he answered, ‘Do not disobey.’ Fan Chi, seeking more understanding, prompted Confucius to explain further, ‘Live according to the rites; when they pass away, bury them according to the rites, and make sacrifices to them according to the rites.’]
Impressed by Lu Yuan Xiao’s precise answer after using his sister to cheat, the teacher nodded in approval and motioned for him to sit down.
Li Siqi, unable to resist, smirked triumphantly at Lu Yuan Xiao and then eagerly looked inside the floral bag.
What he discovered was completely unexpected: a tiny, doll-like baby with dark, shining eyes that looked at him with innocence and curiosity. The baby giggled, chewing on her toe with joyous abandon.
Li Siqi was speechless, realizing Lu Yuan Xiao had bravely brought his sister to school!
Seeing Li Siqi, Lu Chao Chao stopped, looked thoughtful, and then offered her foot to him with a friendly “Ah,” as if sharing a precious treat.
Li Siqi, caught off guard, awkwardly responded, “Thanks, but I… don’t really eat toes.” This moment highlighted the innocent generosity of a child, willing to share even something as unusual as a toe.
“Let me see!” demanded Jiang Yun Mo, curious. But Li Siqi, suddenly protective, glared at him and hid the bag from view.
As soon as the final bell rang, Lu Yuan Xiao rushed to Li Siqi, pleading with evident desperation, “Give her back to me!” His voice was panicked, his forehead sweaty.
Lu Yuan Xiao truly regretted bringing his sister into such a potentially harmful situation, terrified that Li Siqi might harm her. Tears filled his eyes as he considered the repercussions of his actions.
“How dare you talk to Brother Siqi that way? Yelling and screaming…” Jiang Yun Mo started to threaten but was cut off by a stern look from Li Siqi, who silenced him.
“Shh…” holding the floral bag gently, “Follow me!”
Jiang Yun Mo, filled with curiosity and a desire to be involved in the exciting events, tried to follow along. But Li Siqi quickly stopped him, decisively stating, “Jiang Yun Mo, you’re not allowed to follow.”
Confused and slightly annoyed at being left out, Jiang Yun Mo reacted by stomping his foot, wondering why the contents of the floral bag were so important that Li Siqi had to sharply scold him.
The royal school’s grounds were vast, filled with beautiful gardens, creating an ideal setting for their secret meeting. To keep their conversation private, Li Siqi had a bookboy stand guard outside a fake mountain display.
Unable to contain his worry, Lu Yuan Xiao urgently said, “Quickly, give my sister back to me!”
Li Siqi responded with a stern look, indignantly replying, “I haven’t touched your sister! You’re quite daring, sneaking your sister into school. Did you do this without permission?”
Despite his tough exterior, Li Siqi found the baby charming and thought about how angry his own mother would be if he brought his sister to school. This internal conflict showed the depth of his character, caught between being a tough figure in the school and a protective one in this surprising situation.