Chapter 28: Sneaking Sister Out
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Before dawn, Lu Yuan Xiao went to Madam Xu to greet her. His eyes were shadowed with dark circles.
“Mother, it was so noisy last night, like there were thieves rummaging about. There were constant rustling sounds,” he complained, rubbing his eyes and looking groggy.
Madam Xu, looking refreshed, clearly understood the cause.
“Perhaps there were mice. Don’t worry, I’ve set some traps, and tonight it should be quiet,” she replied, a knowing smile gracing her lips.
“Keep your voice down. Your sister didn’t sleep well last night and might want to nap this morning,” she added as she joined him for breakfast.
Lu Yuan Xiao hastily ate a few bites, then slung a book bag over his shoulder.
“I’ll go check on my sister before I leave,” he said, already moving.
Deng Zhi couldn’t help but chuckle. “When I was pregnant, he kept saying he didn’t want a sister because sisters are fussy and cry all the time. Now, he has to see her every morning before school. Truly a turnabout.”
Inside the room, Lu Yuan Xiao crept quietly.
“Sister, I’m here! I brought a bottle of milk, some diapers, and a change of clothes,” he whispered as he rummaged through his things.
[Excited! Excited! Big Brother is here to sneak me away!]
[And he brought my favorite flower-patterned bag to carry me in!]
Little Lu Chao Chao spread her arms wide, and her brother tucked her into the bag.
[Quick, quick! Before Sister Ying Xue comes to check on me!]
Peeking her head out of the bag, Lu Chao Chao grinned.
Like a thief, Lu Yuan Xiao slid open the window and leapt outside, carrying his sister. The household was bustling that morning, making it remarkably easy for him to sneak her out unnoticed.
Carrying the flower bag in front of him, Lu Yuan Xiao walked through the bustling streets of the Capital City, where the lively crowds showcased Northern Zhao’s prosperity.
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes darted everywhere, sparkling with wonder.
Sugar figurines! Beautiful!
“Buy!”
Lu Yuan Xiao purchased one, taking a bite for himself and then letting his sister have a taste. Her eyes fixated on a small figurine.
“Buy, buy, buy!”
The air smelled of freedom and the thrill of money spent—as well as the faint scent of burning paper money.
Many knelt by the roadside burning spirit money, and every household’s door displayed freshly painted talismans. A subtle fear hung on the faces of passersby.
“Don’t be scared, Sister,” Lu Yuan Xiao said softly. “From the thirteenth to the fifteenth of the seventh month, everyone stays indoors. It’s the time when the gates of the underworld open, and spirits roam. These paper ingots and spirit money are offerings for them. The talismans on the doors ward off malevolent spirits.”
“Don’t worry, though. Every year, His Majesty invites the abbot of the National Temple to safeguard the city. Nothing will happen.”
He gently patted her tiny head when suddenly a voice interrupted them.
“Fat Dumpling! What’s in your bag? Why is it moving?”
Lu Yuan Xiao quickly shoved his sister’s head back into the bag.
“None of your business!” he snapped, clutching the bag protectively in front of him.
“Fat Dumpling, you’re so soft! Carrying such a flowery bag… Haha! Are you bad at studying and planning to become a little girl instead?” jeered the voice, dripping with mockery.
It was Li Si Qi, the grandson of the Protectorate Duke, flanked by two others: Jiang Yun Mo, the legitimate son of the Jiang family and younger brother to Jiang Yun Jin, and a young monk—the six-year-old Fourth Prince. Known for being born under an ill-starred fate, the prince was frail and had been sent to the National Temple to become a novice monk. Even now, he still looked weak and delicate.
“You’re the soft one! Your whole family’s soft!” Lu Yuan Xiao retorted as he reached the entrance to the Imperial Academy, sticking out his tongue defiantly. He had no intention of surrendering the bag.
“Then why are you carrying such a gaudy bag? No way would I ever carry something so flashy,” Li Si Qi sneered.
Jiang Yun Mo echoed, “Exactly.”
Lu Yuan Xiao refused to engage further. [The Jiang family—a bunch of traitorous opportunists. Spit!]
“Open the bag and show us!” Li Si Qi demanded, attempting to grab it.
Just then, the teacher entered, carrying a ruler. Li Si Qi reluctantly withdrew, glaring daggers at Lu Yuan Xiao.
Inside, his curiosity only grew. What treasure could be hidden in that bag?
This was the preparatory class of the Imperial Academy, with students ranging from seven to eight years old. Altogether, there were twelve in the class.
Lu Yuan Xiao came from a middle-class family, and his academic performance was poor. Thanks to Jiang Yun Mo’s meddling, Lu Yuan Xiao was somewhat ostracized by his classmates and often excluded.
His only friend had recently fallen ill and hadn’t been attending the academy.
The teacher droned on at the front of the class, swaying slightly as he lectured. Meanwhile, Lu Yuan Xiao couldn’t help but glance down at his sister from time to time.
Li Si Qi, growing more curious, signaled to someone in the distance. Soon, someone distracted Lu Yuan Xiao, and in the brief moment of inattention, Li Si Qi snatched the flower-patterned bag!
Crash! The bag knocked over books from a desk, sending them tumbling to the ground.
The teacher’s face darkened. “Yuan Xiao, stand up. What did I just say?”
Lu Yuan Xiao’s face froze in panic. [Chapter on Governance: Meng Yi Zi asked about filial piety, and the Master said, ‘Do not go against.’ Fan Chi was driving, and the Master told him: ‘Meng Sun asked me about filial piety, and I answered, “Do not go against.”’ Fan Chi asked, ‘What does that mean?’ The Master said: ‘While your parents are alive, serve them according to propriety. When they die, bury them according to propriety, and sacrifice to them according to propriety.’]
Lu Yuan Xiao recited fluently.
The teacher glanced at him before waving for him to sit.
Li Si Qi shot him a taunting smile before peering into the flower-patterned bag.
????
Inside, he found an exquisitely doll-like child with chubby cheeks and porcelain skin. The little one was sitting with her bottom up in the air, nibbling on her toes. Her dark eyes stared curiously at him as she grinned goofily.
Li Si Qi gaped. This was too much!
Lu Yuan Xiao had snuck his sister into the academy!
Lu Chao Chao squinted at him, her face scrunching slightly before generously extending her tiny foot. “Ah,” she offered.
Li Si Qi’s expression twisted in confusion. He whispered, “Thanks, but no thanks. I don’t… like chewing on toes.” His face tightened in discomfort.
Babies chewing on their own hands and feet was one thing—but offering it to others? Perhaps in her mind, sharing good things brought happiness?
“Let me see!” Jiang Yun Mo prodded Li Si Qi, but Li Si Qi’s eyes widened, and he clutched the bag tightly, blocking the view.
Lu Yuan Xiao squirmed in his seat, sweating nervously, until the class finally ended. He rushed straight to Li Si Qi.
“Give her back!” he demanded, beads of sweat dotting his brow.
Jiang Yun Mo often instigated trouble, and Lu Yuan Xiao was always Li Si Qi’s target. What if he bullied his sister? He shouldn’t have brought her. Tears welled up in his eyes.
“Is that how you talk to Brother Qi? Shouting like that. Don’t you believe I—”
Before Jiang Yun Mo could finish, Li Si Qi shot him a sharp glare.
“Shh…” Li Si Qi gestured for silence, cradling the bag like a treasure. “Yuan Xiao, come with me!”
Jiang Yun Mo attempted to follow, but Li Si Qi immediately barked, “Jiang Yun Mo, you stay here!”
Frustrated, Jiang Yun Mo stomped his foot. What could possibly be inside that bag to make Li Si Qi reprimand him?
The Imperial Academy was vast, with gardens full of vibrant blooms. Li Si Qi ordered his pageboy to stand guard outside a rockery while he and Lu Yuan Xiao hid among the flower bushes.
Lu Yuan Xiao’s nose dripped with sweat. “Give my sister back!”
Li Si Qi glared. “I didn’t bully her!”
“You’re so bold, sneaking your sister into the academy. Did you steal her away?” He shook his head incredulously. “If I dared to bring such a pretty, adorable sister, my mother would kill me.”