Chapter 286: Filial Piety Grants Strength
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Morning.
Li Si Qi rubbed his bleary eyes as he awakened, swiftly turning to glance at the window.
Upon seeing a faint glimmer of light seeping through, the weight in his heart finally lifted.
“Young Master, can you see?” The young servant watched him anxiously.
Li Si Qi smiled faintly. “No rush, I can see.”
The young servant let out a long breath of relief. “You nearly scared me to death. May the heavens bless you with a swift recovery.”
“By the way, Lan Yuan sent over a few pots of exquisite orchids, hoping you would take care of them.” The servant huffed in displeasure.
“Young Master is the eldest legitimate son of the Protectorate Duke’s Manor, how could they expect him to raise flowers for them? Always sending difficult-to-care-for plants, treating Young Master as if he were a mere gardener. Yet, Young Master never lets us refuse.”
Li Si Qi waved a hand. “It doesn’t matter.”
“Keeping a plant alive is no simple task. If, with just a bit of care, I can help a living thing thrive, then it is my honor.” He found no trouble in it.
“Still, Lan Yuan treats Young Master well, sending over all sorts of rare and valuable plants.”
“Our Young Master is amazing! Even the hardest-to-keep plants flourish under his care.” The servant beamed, convinced that anything given to Li Si Qi would thrive.
“You’re flattering me again.” Li Si Qi chuckled, unconcerned.
To him, all things possessed life.
As long as they were treated with sincerity, all living things could sense his intent.
“It’s not flattery—it’s the truth.”
After finishing breakfast, First Madam pulled him close, scrutinizing him from all angles. Only after confirming his clarity and vigor did she finally let him go.
“Bodhisattva bless you, my son. May you always remain healthy.” She sighed deeply.
“By the way, what was all the commotion last night?” Ever since his vision had worsened, Li Si Qi never went out after dark.
“Princess Zhao Yang’s grandmother passed away, so she took a mourning leave. Heir Yu Zhou grew jealous and copied her, requesting the same leave. Before long, every court official and even the imperial concubines were rushing to offer their condolences. Last night, Prince Jing Xi nearly beat him half to death. Today, he requested a seven-day sick leave, crying himself hoarse.”
“Even the Duke went to pay his respects.”
“Such a thing happened?” Li Si Qi was taken aback.
“Go to the Imperial Academy and request an hour’s leave for me. I want to see for myself…” With that, he ordered the coachman to drive towards the Lu Manor.
The Lu Manor’s entrance was draped in white banners, paper money scattered across the ground.
Mourning-clad maids greeted and guided guests who had come to pay their respects.
Led inside, Li Si Qi had barely stepped past the threshold when he was met with utter disorder in the courtyard. From the main hall, the sound of furious shouting echoed.
His brow furrowed.
Ever since Lord Lu’s divorce, the once-glorious Zhongyong Marquis Manor had deteriorated daily.
Now, stripped of its title, the household lacked all sense of order.
The young man quickened his pace, fearing that Lu Chao Chao might be caught in the chaos.
“Get out!” Lu Yuan Ze, unshaven and haggard, bellowed at the two figures before him, his rage barely restrained.
Lu Jing Huai coughed lightly, standing beside Lu Yuan Xi.
Lu Yuan Xi stepped forward, bowing slightly. “Elder Brother, at least let Jing Huai send Mother off. After all, he was her only grandson.”
“Pah! Who do you take her for! Get lost, you have no right to call her Mother!”
“And you! You knew all along that Lu Yuan Xi was your father, yet you still conspired with him to deceive me!” Lu Yuan Ze ground his teeth in fury. At that moment, he truly understood the despair Xu Shi Yun had once felt.
The utter devastation of being betrayed by those closest to him.
“Out, out, OUT! I don’t acknowledge you! You are no son of the Lu family!” The words “only grandson” struck Lu Yuan Ze like a heavy blow, reddening his eyes.
“Elder Brother, whether or not you recognize Jing Huai, he is still the only child recorded in the family registry.”
“You have no son to honor your passing. At the very least, let our parents have a descendant to tend their graves.”
Lu Yuan Xi smirked, driving Lu Yuan Ze into a dizzying rage.
The mourning hall was in turmoil, guests shaking their heads at the disgraceful spectacle. Lu Yuan Ze had squandered a once-promising future.
“Young Master Lu Yan Shu has arrived.”
“Young Master Lu Yuan Xiao has arrived.”
“Madam Xu has arrived…”
The servant announced visitors at the door, drawing everyone’s gaze.
Xu Shi Yun, dressed in somber hues, entered alongside Rong Che. The usually disheveled general had meticulously groomed himself, even tying his hair neatly.
Behind them were Lu Yan Shu and Lu Yuan Xiao, holding onto Lu Chao Chao’s hand.
“Chao Chao.” Li Si Qi approached, gently cupping the little girl’s face. He adored her bright, clear eyes—they always filled him with joy.
“Si Qi Ge Ge, hug hug…” Lu Chao Chao reached out, immediately leaping into his arms.
Li Si Qi held the tiny figure close, her milky fragrance soothing his heart.
“Si Qi Ge Ge, you hungry? Chao Chao hungry…” Lu Chao Chao rubbed her belly.
“I’ll take you to eat soon.” Li Si Qi promised gently.
Lu Chao Chao wriggled free and crouched by the brass brazier, carefully feeding paper into the flames.
Watching this, Lu Yuan Ze was deeply moved.
“Good child, Chao Chao, you are such a good child. If Grandmother could see you now, she would be so happy.” Tears streamed down Lu Yuan Ze’s face. He regretted it all—so much regret!
“Let us offer incense and send the Old Madam off on her final journey.” Xu Shi Yun nodded slightly towards him.
Rong Che took several incense sticks and handed them to Xu Shi Yun, Lu Yan Shu, and Lu Yuan Xiao.
Lu Yuan Ze looked at her with hope.
“Shi Yun, Yan Shu was the Old Madam’s favored grandson. Let him guard her spirit and carry her tablet to the mountain.”
Lu Yuan Ze would never allow Lu Jing Huai to act as filial grandson. The Old Madam had despised him in life—having him send her off would be an insult to her very soul.
Xu Shi Yun firmly refused. “Lord Lu, that would be improper.”
“Yan Shu is not recorded in the family registry; how could he be considered a grandson?”
“Out of respect for the deceased, at most, he may offer incense.” She would never allow them to exploit her son’s filial duty.
Had it not been for Chao Chao, their entire family would have been left to rot, forgotten.
The light in Lu Yuan Ze’s eyes dimmed.
Standing behind Xu Shi Yun, Rong Che exuded an aura of silent authority.
“Elder Brother, we are all family. Let it be. In the end, what matters is that the Old Madam is laid to rest.”
“Not just her—when your time comes, my son will be the one to break the funeral bowl for you. After all, Elder Brother, you have no sons or daughters to mourn you.”
A cord in Lu Yuan Ze’s mind snapped.
“Over my dead body!” he roared, consumed by hatred.
“Throw these two disgraceful wretches out! OUT!” he bellowed furiously.
The once-prestigious Zhongyong Marquis Manor was now nothing more than a joke.
Lu Chao Chao sat solemnly by the brazier, unwavering, her gaze fixed upon the flames.
Unfazed by the hall’s chaos and bitter quarrels.
“Chao Chao, are you alright?” Li Si Qi asked carefully.
Was she upset?
Chao Chao was not usually the sentimental type.
As the fights escalated, the air was suddenly filled with a sweet, tantalizing aroma.
Everyone froze, drawn towards the scent.
There, by the brazier, Lu Chao Chao sat munching on a roasted sweet potato.
From within the embers, the hushed sound of chestnuts cracking open could be heard.
Now that was true filial piety.
Filial piety that fortified the self—filial piety that granted strength.