Lu Duoyu’s Perspective: Some Little Daily Moments
In the year Lu Duoyu turned four, Nie Siran was married.
The wedding between the current Prime Minister and the newly risen Minister of Revenue drew immense attention. On the day of the wedding, the Nie residence was more lively than ever before. The two Emperors even suspended court for a day and personally came to lend prestige.
All the civil and military officials, as well as the great noble families, came bearing generous gifts to offer congratulations. The spectacle was unprecedented. Firecrackers resounded outside the Nie residence from morning until night, and celebratory sweets were tossed out in whole sacks, so that all who saw received a share.
Lu Duoyu even served as a little flower attendant. Carrying a basket of petals, he followed behind his two uncles. He wore a finely crafted red robe made by the Imperial Embroidery Bureau. His hair was tied with red silk ribbons, from which hung gold-thread tassels set with jade. When they set out from the palace that morning, his Ah-Die had whimsically dabbed cinnabar upon his forehead. Delicate yet adorable, he was both childlike and lovely all at once.
Upon entering the main hall, Nie Siran and Su Ruhe performed the wedding rites. Chu Yuan lifted Lu Duoyu into his arms and tapped his small nose. “Little Fish did very well today. Everyone is praising you.”
Lu Duoyu had well and truly shone today. Puffing out his little chest proudly, he leaned into Chu Yuan’s embrace and took out all the red packets he had received with his charm, handing them over.
“This is the money Little Fish earned. It is for Ah-Die to spend.” His crisp, childish voice melted the hearts of the guests around them.
“Thank you, my treasure.” Chu Yuan accepted them with a smile and planted a kiss on his cheek. Then he passed the thick stack of red packets to Lu Ronghuai beside him.
Whenever Lu Duoyu received rewards, he would hand them over. Chu Yuan would carefully keep them for him.
A court official standing behind them, seeing this, flattered, “Your Highness the Crown Prince is so filial and sensible at such a young age. Might Your Majesty teach this minister a few methods on the art of raising children? The rascal in my household is quite beyond discipline.”
Lu Ronghuai, fearing Chu Yuan might tire himself, pulled Lu Duoyu out of his arms and patted his little head. “Go play on your own.”
The little one was always accompanied by shadow guards and came to the Nie residence often enough to know it like his own home. There was no need to worry about his safety.
After Lu Duoyu ran off, Lu Ronghuai turned back and shot his official a glare. “You speak too freely. After court, return home and instruct your son. Drink less flower wine. At your age, you still indulge in such frivolities.”
A wave of suppressed laughter rippled through those nearby.
The official’s face turned alternating shades of green and red. He had never expected Lu Ronghuai to know even of his private affairs. At once, his scalp tingled with fear, and he dared not utter another word.
Lu Duoyu ran out of the main hall and, familiar with the route, headed toward the rear courtyard. It was much like his own home. Along the way, many greeted him. With bright eyes curved in a smile, Lu Duoyu returned their greetings with proper decorum. His bearing was impeccable, his aura noble beyond compare.
All present silently praised him. As expected of the child of the two Emperors Huai and Yuan, such presence and magnanimity were far beyond ordinary people.
When Lu Duoyu reached a secluded grove, a hidden guard appeared quietly. “Your Highness, the one who stepped on your shoe just now was the eldest grandson of the third branch of the Luo family. Shall this subordinate deal with him?”
Lu Duoyu lowered his head and looked at his shoe. It had been put on by his Ah-Die this morning. Now the clean surface bore a smudge of dirt. He narrowed his eyes, recalling how the seven- or eight-year-old boy had deliberately edged closer and, while he was speaking with others, stepped on his foot while feigning accident.
He smiled. That expression, that smile, was no different from that of their fox-faced Prime Minister. Had any court official been present, they would surely have been shocked.
“It is nothing. Today is Uncle’s wedding. No trouble is allowed.” With an obedient smile, he beckoned the guard closer and whispered a few words into his ear.
The guard was momentarily stunned. Looking up, he met Lu Duoyu’s smiling face. When his gaze met the Crown Prince’s clear eyes, he could not help but shiver. He gave a low acknowledgment and vanished again.
After the wedding ended, the Luo child who had provoked the Crown Prince would receive his due punishment.
The front courtyard resounded with drums and gongs, voices rising in waves. The rear courtyard, however, remained tranquil and refined. Red silk draped beneath the eaves, bringing festivity into the otherwise elegant and faintly cool space.
Lu Duoyu arrived at the bridal chamber. The guards at the door did not dare stop him. He pushed the door open and entered.
The room was quiet. Walking inside, Lu Duoyu saw Su Ruhe sitting alone at the table reading.
“Susu.” Lu Duoyu broke into a delighted smile and ran over.
Su Ruhe set down his book and rose, crouching before the child. “Why has Little Fish come here?”
“It is too noisy in front, it hurts my ears. I came to keep Susu company.” Lu Duoyu’s eyes sparkled as he stared at Su Ruhe in his red wedding robes. “Susu looks so beautiful today.”
Su Ruhe gave a soft cough. Under that earnest gaze, he felt a little shy. Lifting Lu Duoyu, he carried him back to the stool and sat down. “Have you eaten?”
Lu Duoyu shook his head, pressing a hand to his flat stomach. “A little hungry.”
There were delicate pastries on the table. Su Ruhe took one and fed it to him, then instructed someone outside to prepare a meal.
The hot dishes arrived quickly. Lu Duoyu sat on the stool, holding his bowl and eating happily. He even took the initiative to place food into Su Ruhe’s bowl. As the two ate, they chatted from time to time, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
“Susu, you are not nervous anymore, are you?”
Su Ruhe paused. “What do you mean?”
With wide, dark eyes fixed upon him, Lu Duoyu said gently, “When I came in just now, Susu was very nervous.”
Su Ruhe’s hand tightened slightly around his chopsticks, then relaxed. He smiled openly at the child. “Yes, I was a little nervous just now.”
He had never imagined that one day he would marry.
He could not help recalling that snowy night, beneath the collapsed ruins, the figures leaning close in the darkness, and that confession, unromantic yet stirring.
From then on, life seemed to take another path, and beside him there was always a presence whose gaze brought him ease.
“Susu should not be nervous. I will stay with you.” The little one comforted him thoughtfully.
Su Ruhe smiled. “Very well. Thank you, Little Fish.”
“Well now, what good things are you two secretly eating in here? I could smell it from afar.” Lu Rongshen pushed the door open, holding something in his arms. He closed the door behind him in a furtive manner.
The two inside turned to look. “Imperial Uncle, why have you come?”
Lu Rongshen ran over cheerfully, first ruffling the child’s hair. “Eat properly. Your words are unclear.”
Then he sat beside Su Ruhe. Under Su Ruhe’s puzzled gaze, he quickly stuffed something into his sleeve and gave him a knowing look. “I brought you something good. You will need it later in the bridal chamber. No need to thank me.”
Su Ruhe stilled. Lowering his head, he tried to take out the item, but Lu Rongshen pressed down his hand, smiling meaningfully. “Do not rush. Wait until Little Fish and I leave before you look.”
Lu Duoyu lifted his head, blinking curiously. “Imperial Uncle, what is a bridal chamber?”
The two adults both lowered their heads to look at him.
Lu Rongshen pinched his cheeks and laughed. “The bridal chamber means sleeping together with the one you like. You see your uncle and Susu...”
Su Ruhe interrupted him, ears reddening. “Your Highness, Little Fish is still a child. Do not mislead him.”
Lu Rongshen said, “We are family now. Why do you still call me Your Highness? Just call me by my name.”
Lu Duoyu jumped down from the stool and ran to Su Ruhe, placing both hands on his knees and looking up at him. “I also like Susu. I also want to share the bridal chamber with Susu.”
“Hahaha...” Lu Rongshen laughed so hard he thumped the table.
Su Ruhe could not help but smile. Placing a hand on Lu Duoyu’s cheek, he spoke in his gentle, steady tone, “When Little Fish grows up and meets the one he truly loves, he will naturally marry and share the bridal chamber with them.”
Lu Duoyu frowned in confusion and said clearly, “Then Susu, wait until I grow up. I will marry you.”
Lu Rongshen nearly laughed himself senseless. Shaking his head deliberately, he said, “You are too late. Susu has already married your uncle. Will you contend with your uncle for him?”
Lu Duoyu pouted, soup still clinging to his lips. Nestling into Su Ruhe’s arms, he said, “I will not contend with Uncle. I also like Uncle.”
Then, lifting his head, he asked obediently, “Susu shares the bridal chamber with Uncle because he likes Uncle, right?”
Lu Rongshen’s laughter stopped. Both pairs of eyes, large and small, looked at Su Ruhe with curiosity.
Under their burning gazes, Su Ruhe grew shy. Turning his head slightly aside, he remained silent for a long while. At last, pressing his lips together, he answered in a near whisper, “Mm.”
“Wow.” Lu Rongshen clapped his hands.
Lu Duoyu held onto the hem of Su Ruhe’s robe, his small face bright with joy. “That is wonderful. Uncle also likes Susu. They love each other.”
“You little rascal know quite a lot.” Lu Rongshen flicked his forehead lightly, then lifted him into his arms and wiped his mouth with a handkerchief.
Lu Duoyu sat obediently in his arms, smiling happily and swinging his legs.
Lu Rongshen found it amusing and could not resist poking the child’s cheek. Turning to Su Ruhe, he said, “Since Little Fish has been learning from Nie Siran, the more I look, the more I feel that uncle and nephew are becoming alike in temperament. Look at Little Fish’s smile. It is exactly like that fox of yours.”
“...” Su Ruhe lowered his gaze involuntarily and met Lu Duoyu’s eyes. The child, with red lips and white teeth, beamed sweetly at him.
He could not, in honesty, deny the resemblance.
He was simultaneously amused and at a loss.
“All right, it is getting late. If we stay any longer, Nie Siran will come back and throw us out,” Lu Rongshen said, rising with Lu Duoyu in his arms. His steps were light as he walked toward the door. At the threshold, he stopped Su Ruhe. “No need to see us out. Go back and sit. While no one is here, take out that good thing I gave you and study it carefully. Hahaha.”
Su Ruhe closed the door. As he turned back, the item slipped from his sleeve and fell to the ground with a soft sound.
Lowering his head, his gaze landed upon the boldly written words “Spring Palace Illustrations.” His face instantly flushed crimson.
Elsewhere, Lu Rongshen, carrying Lu Duoyu, did not return to the front courtyard for the banquet. Instead, they slipped out through a side gate of the rear courtyard. The two of them immediately agreed to go out and seek amusement.
The banquet at the Nie residence continued until deep into the night.
Watching the groom depart with an easy smile, many felt a keen sense of regret. Such a rare opportunity had passed without them managing to get the groom drunk. Yet with General Bai and Emperor Huai standing beside him, none of them, no matter how bold, dared step forward to press wine upon him.
After all, with the Emperor personally blocking the drinks, who would dare go forward?
Setting down his wine cup, Bai Qingyu asked the attendant beside him, “Where is Rongshen?”
The attendant replied, “His Highness went to the rear courtyard earlier and has not returned.”
Bai Qingyu nodded. Lu Rongshen had guards with him. Just as he summoned a shadow guard to inquire further, he saw another guard appear before Lu Ronghuai.
“Your Majesty, the young prince left the residence half an hour ago with Prince Jing. They are currently in Huasan Alley in the southern part of the city watching street performances.”
“...” Bai Qingyu pressed a hand to his forehead. His playful Highness always loved going out. To think he had even spirited the Crown Prince away at night. “I shall go bring them back, then escort the young prince back to the palace.”
Lu Ronghuai waved his hand. With a lazy, calm gaze that carried a hint of amusement, he said, “No need for such trouble. Since he enjoys being with Xiao Ba, let him stay at your residence tonight. He can be sent back tomorrow.”
Bai Qingyu nodded. Lu Duoyu had stayed at his residence many times before, and everything was prepared for him. It would be quite convenient.
Just as he was about to speak, he saw Lu Ronghuai wrap an arm around Chu Yuan’s waist and stroll out leisurely. Leaning close to Chu Yuan’s ear, he laughed softly. “At last, that brat has been sent away. Tonight belongs only to you and me. Ah-Yuan, let us return to the palace quickly.”
Chu Yuan pushed his face away, smiling in mock reproach. “Your Majesty truly has no shame.”
Lu Ronghuai pulled him closer and whispered something else. A radiant smile bloomed across Emperor Yuan’s face, his brows and eyes unmatched in grace beneath Heaven.
Hand in hand, the two departed together.
In the third year of Yuanping, when Lu Duoyu was five, he followed the others out to sea for the first time.
Everything upon the sea was new and fascinating to him. After several months of sailing, they finally reached an island.
They stayed there for over ten days, gathered all valuable items aboard the ship, and then set sail for home once more.
This journey lasted nearly half a year. All affairs of court had been handed entirely to Nie Siran. Upon their return to the capital, Nie Siran, without the least ceremony, tossed the mountain of memorials before the two Emperors and took his wife’s hand, turning to leave at once.
“Will Prime Minister Nie not stay a while longer?” Lu Ronghuai’s provoking voice sounded from behind.
Nie Siran let out a cold laugh and glanced back. “No need. For the next three months, I shall take leave. Your Majesty may handle these memorials yourself.”
Lu Ronghuai replied, “That will not do. At most I grant you one month. Without the Prime Minister, this humble one feels most distressed.”
Nie Siran did not even turn his head, merely flicking his sleeve in a gesture of refusal as he walked away.
Serving as Prime Minister under such a tyrant, sooner or later he would be worked to death.
Bai Qingyu also missed Lu Rongshen deeply. Restraining himself, he finished reporting the affairs of the capital. Once granted leave, he immediately rode hard for home.
In an instant, only Lu Ronghuai, Chu Yuan, and Lu Duoyu remained in the Imperial Study, the latter still chattering endlessly to Xian Yu.
Xian Yu was now the chief steward of the palace, responsible for all visible palace affairs. At this moment, he listened with a beaming smile as the young prince recounted the interesting things he had seen at sea, offering praise from time to time and flattering him a little.
“Lu Duoyu, come here.” Lu Ronghuai raised his voice, and the child at once pattered over.
“Father, what is it?” he asked obediently, standing before the desk.
Resting his chin on one hand, Lu Ronghuai tapped the memorials on the table with the other. “From today onward, I will teach you to read memorials. You are already this old. It is time for you to learn to share the burden of your father emperor.”
The child’s eyes slowly widened.
He was not yet as tall as the desk before him. Looking up at the towering pile of memorials, Lu Duoyu swayed slightly.
He looked to Chu Yuan for help, his expression on the verge of tears.
“Little Fish is only five, and you are already teaching him this?”
Lu Ronghuai raised a brow. “Five is not too early. If he begins now, by ten he can attend court, by fifteen he can preside over governance. Once he ascends the throne, the two of us may travel the mountains and rivers. Thinking of it this way, is it not just right to begin now?”
Chu Yuan laughed. He instructed Xian Yu to take Lu Duoyu out to play, then picked up a memorial. “Little Fish is clever. It would not be too late to teach him a few years later. Elder Brother also said he learns quickly. Rather than burdening him so early, I would prefer he have a carefree and joyful childhood.”
Lu Ronghuai took the memorial from his hand and wrapped an arm around his waist, lifting him up.
“Your Majesty?!” Chu Yuan was startled and quickly looped his arms around his neck.
Lowering his head, Lu Ronghuai kissed his lips and continued walking toward the inner chamber of the Imperial Study. Setting him upon the bed, his dark eyes gleamed with a smile. “What I said just now was only to tease him. Ah-Yuan need not take it seriously. This journey must have been tiring for you. Rest here for a while.”
Chu Yuan refused. “No, there are still so many memorials—”
“With me here, Emperor Yuan need not worry.” He smiled and kissed him again, lips and teeth lingering gently.
After a while, Chu Yuan no longer insisted. Lu Ronghuai covered him with a soft, thin quilt and stroked his cheek before rising to return outside to review memorials.
With Prime Minister Nie on strike, Lu Ronghuai and Chu Yuan were exceedingly busy each day. After playing in the palace for a few days, Lu Duoyu grew bored and ran to the Imperial Study.
“Ah-Die, why are Royal Uncle and Susu not coming to play with me?” Lu Duoyu lay across Chu Yuan’s lap, looking up with a wronged expression.
In the past, they would come every few days to fetch him. He was familiar with both the Bai residence and the Nie residence. Now, after so many days, not a single person had come. Had they forgotten Little Fish?
Chu Yuan set down his brush and gently stroked the child’s hair. “Does Little Fish miss them? Your Royal Uncle and Uncle Susu are on leave these days. When they have time, they will come find Little Fish.”
Lu Duoyu gazed at him eagerly. “Why are they on leave?”
Lu Ronghuai, reviewing memorials, let out a scoff. Tossing aside the one he had finished, he had been working for days on end and now carried resentment like a vengeful ghost. “Because your Uncle Bai and Uncle Nie are busy making a child.”
“Mm?”
The child’s large eyes were filled with confusion. He knew he had been born from Chu Yuan, but his grandfather had told him that his father’s constitution was special, and ordinary men could not bear children. Looking puzzled, he turned to Chu Yuan. “Ah-Die, can Uncle and the others also have children?”
“Uh...” Chu Yuan did not know how to explain. Under that clear and innocent gaze, he forced himself to say, “Perhaps... it is possible.”
He could not be certain. Su Ruhe and Lu Rongshen had indeed drunk the spring water, but whether it would have any effect on them was unknown.
The child’s previously confused eyes suddenly lit up. With a cheer, he dashed out to find Xian Yu.
“Uncle Xian Yu, Uncle Xian Shuang, I am going to have younger brothers and sisters!” he loudly announced the joyful news. His laughter could be heard from afar.
The room fell quiet.
Chu Yuan turned helplessly to Lu Ronghuai. “Wangli, Elder Brother and General Bai do not know of this matter. Little Fish will surely spread it everywhere. And... what if there is no pregnancy...”
He had still been somewhat worried, but seeing the triumphant smile on Lu Ronghuai’s face, he suddenly understood. “You did this on purpose?”
“Of course. Let us sit back and watch how this unfolds.” Lu Ronghuai smiled and drew Chu Yuan into his arms, clearly delighted to stir up trouble and watch the fun unfold.
Leaning against his broad, solid chest, Chu Yuan gave a helpless smile. He felt he was becoming ever more indulgent of him.
“Let it be said in advance, if you offend Elder Brother, I will not help you.”
“If Ah-Yuan does not help me, whom will he help?” he asked, pinching that slender waist.
“Your Majesty plays tricks on Elder Brother. Hmph. Pray for your own good fortune.”
“Very well, then I shall pray for good fortune. When the time comes, remember to help your husband.” The man laughed softly, biting his earlobe, and one hand slipped in through an opening with practiced ease.
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
One more chapter and it will be finished! (excitedly rubbing hands) Thank you to all the little angels who have supported me this past year. Thank you, everyone. If you enjoyed it, remember to follow the author. Muah!
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