At the sound of knocking, Liu shi was the first to open the door, with Lu Yu following a step behind.
Inside, Lu Father knew from the sound that someone had arrived. He straightened his clothes and sat upright in his grand armchair. Though his eyes kept drifting toward the doorway, he maintained the dignified posture of the head of the household, not deigning to go out to greet them.
Outside, the sky had already darkened, tinged with gray. The household had been busy setting out the dishes, and no one had yet hung lanterns at the door.
When Liu shi opened the door, she first saw two familiar figures and immediately ushered them inside.
Only once they stepped in under the bright lamplight did the difference become clear.
Lu Ling still wore the same stern, cold expression as always, no different from his usual self. But Shu Rui—Liu shi froze.
The ge’er’s face was fair, his brows dark and defined, lips red, eyes long and graceful—lively and striking, unmistakably pleasing to look at.
Looking closely, it was the same eyes, the same nose—but now his skin was smooth and luminous, and without that mole, his fine features stood out all the more.
That formerly darkened little face had discouraged a second glance, leaving a first impression of plainness, so people never noticed how good his features truly were.
His clothing was not extravagant, yet fit him perfectly. With just a bit of tidying up, he looked exactly like a carefully raised ge’er from a wealthy household.
Liu shi had only heard Lu Ling mention before that Shao Ge’er did not look very appealing, but he had never said he looked this good!
Who knew how much grievance he must have endured—such a fine age, such a handsome face, yet forced day after day to darken his complexion and make himself look plain. What a waste of youth and beauty!
Seeing Liu shi clutching the doorframe and staring at him without restraint, openly looking him up and down, Shu Rui felt genuinely embarrassed. He softly called out, “Auntie.”
“Oh—oh!”
Only then did Liu shi come back to her senses. She hurried forward, took the food box from Shu Rui’s hands, then clasped his hand warmly. “Quickly, come inside and sit. The food’s all ready—we were just waiting for you two.”
Shu Rui pressed his lips together. “All right.”
Lu Yu came over a step later and saw his mother, beaming with pride and delight, leading his sister-in-law inside as if it were New Year’s.
Seeing him, she called out, “Second Son, you came at just the right time—look who’s here!”
Lu Yu looked at Shu Rui. Though he did not react as dramatically as Liu shi, maintaining a scholar’s composure, there was still a visible flash of amazement in his eyes.
His sister-in-law already had an excellent temperament—clear-minded and open-hearted, rare even among a hundred. Now that her true appearance was revealed, with a bearing like fresh bamboo, it was no wonder his elder brother was so utterly devoted, his whole heart tied to her.
Lu Yu couldn’t help recalling how his father had once loudly complained about her looks. The more he thought about it, the more amusing it seemed.
He gave Shu Rui a proper greeting, smiling warmly. “Sister-in-law.”
At last, he could say it openly.
Being addressed so directly, and in this setting, Shu Rui’s face reddened at once. With no dark makeup to hide it, the blush showed plainly against his fair skin.
Without his usual outward composure and practiced calm, he instead looked even more endearing.
“You mischievous child,” Liu shi scolded Lu Yu lightly. “You know Shao Ge’er is thin-skinned, and you still tease him like that.”
She turned back to Shu Rui, her tone gentle. “Still, it’s not wrong to call you that. That’s how it is.”
Shu Rui pressed his lips together and instinctively glanced at Lu Ling. Lu Ling raised an eyebrow at him, clearly the most pleased of all.
The group chatted animatedly in the courtyard. Meanwhile, Lu Father had been waiting in the dining hall for quite some time without anyone coming in. Puzzled about what they were all doing outside, he nearly thought they had set up a separate table elsewhere—if not for the full spread of dishes still waiting inside.
Growing restless, Lu Father stood up and craned his neck to look outside, only to run straight into all four of them entering together, catching him in an awkward pose.
All that dignified posturing earlier had gone to waste. Lu Father cleared his throat, straightened his clothes, and said solemnly, “You’re here.”
Seeing him, Shu Rui put away the smile he’d worn earlier and respectfully performed a proper bow. “Shu Rui greets Uncle Lu.”
Lu Father accepted the bow and finally took a proper look at Shu Rui—only to freeze.
Unlike Liu shi and Lu Yu, he had barely interacted with Shu Rui. He had seen him only twice: once in a narrow alley, just a passing glance, and once earlier that day outside the examination hall.
In his memory, Shu Rui had simply been a dark-skinned ge’er with an unremarkable appearance.
And now—what was this?
This dignity, this presence—this was practically a different person!
Seeing how clearly shocked Lu Father was, even as he tried to maintain a composed elder’s demeanor, Liu shi found it rather amusing.
Beforehand, she and Lu Yu had both warned him repeatedly to speak less today. It seemed he had taken it somewhat to heart, at least refraining from blurting out something rude like asking who this person was.
She smiled and said, “A-Ling, hurry and introduce him to your father. You’re standing there like a fool.”
Lu Ling was unusually patient, not glaring at Lu Father as he usually would. “This is Ji family’s ge’er, Shu Rui, whom I’ve often mentioned to Father.”
Then, without hesitation, he took Shu Rui’s hand. “My beloved.”
Lu Yu nearly burst out laughing at this, though he managed not to make a sound.
Lu Father snapped out of his shock, his old face flushing with embarrassment, unable to meet anyone’s eyes.
Comparatively speaking, the ge’er was far more proper and composed—not like that supposedly steady but actually foolish son, acting without a shred of restraint.
Looking at Shu Rui’s lively, well-formed features, Lu Father couldn’t help thinking: so that wretch had the nerve to claim he didn’t care about looks, only sincerity—bah! Shameless. Of all people, he was the most calculating, picking only the best while still spouting lofty words.
Who knew how he’d sweet-talked and tricked someone like this into coming along.
Seeing that Shu Rui, though ill-fated, had clearly been raised in a scholarly household, carrying a faint scholarly air about him—something scholars appreciated most—Lu Father found himself quite satisfied.
His eldest son had taken up martial pursuits rather than literary ones. If not for upheavals in Shu Rui’s family and an unkind maternal household, he truly might not have found someone this good.
His tone softened. “Your situation—Da Lang has explained it all to the family. He acted recklessly and overbearingly; things have already gone this far and can’t be undone. It’s not easy, but since you two are sincere, you should live together in harmony from now on.”
“After some time, once we’re granted extended leave, perhaps we can return to your hometown. I’ll personally visit your family. With parental consent, I can then give you both a proper path to marriage.”
Shu Rui’s eyes flew up at once. He hadn’t expected Lu Father to be willing to go to such lengths!
He and the Bai family were already at irreconcilable odds. They would never want to see him do well—if they could make his life harder, they would gladly do so. If Lu Father went there, Shu Rui feared he might be humiliated instead.
He didn’t know whether Lu Ling had concealed parts of his situation when explaining things, which led Lu Father to propose this, but the mere willingness to step forward already moved him deeply.
Still, to avoid future disputes, he spoke honestly. “I wouldn’t dare hide this from Uncle Lu. I fled from a forced marriage against my aunt’s wishes. She must be deeply hurt by now. If Uncle Lu were to visit, she would likely reproach you.”
Lu Father said, “You and Lu Ling were both in the wrong here, but your maternal family was not kind either. It’s a dilemma with no perfect solution—one must be chosen.”
“Since you’ve chosen the life you have now, you must live it well. If you two stay together without formal recognition, the rites won’t be complete. While that may not affect daily life, it can’t be based solely on your feelings. You must consider future children as well.”
“Are you to deny them schooling? Or if they have the talent, should they be barred from the civil examinations because of their parents’ mistakes?”
Shu Rui fell silent.
His household registration contract was still in Jiang shi’s hands. He had wanted to take it when he left, but how could he have obtained it from her? The moment he asked, she would have seen through his intentions. In the end, he had no choice but to leave it behind.
Such documents were not often used, except in matters of marriage or important appointments. For the civil examinations, these records were required, along with verification of one’s parents’ registered origins.
It wasn’t a huge issue—but it wasn’t a small one either.
When he left, Shu Rui truly hadn’t thought that far ahead. He never imagined he would meet a kindred spirit, let alone that such a person would come from this sort of family.
Lu Father was a scholar-official. For the sake of the clan, he naturally had to consider descendants.
Seeing Shu Rui’s spirits sink, Lu Ling immediately comforted him. “It’s all right. I’ll find a way when the time comes.”
Liu shi also reproached Lu Father. “The child just arrived, and you jump straight into all this.”
“It’s something that has to be said sooner or later,” Lu Father snapped. “And I’m not saying it to trouble them. I’m Da Lang’s father—I’ll see to his marriage properly.”
Annoyed, he continued, “Even if things are difficult, they still have to be dealt with. You can’t just hide because you’re afraid and expect the problem to solve itself.”
Shu Rui knew Lu Father’s words were blunt, but they were spoken with their best interests at heart. Since he was already discussing such details, it meant he had acknowledged Shu Rui and Lu Ling as a pair and was considering their marriage seriously.
Truly, Shu Rui was moved.
“Thank you, Uncle Lu, for your consideration. I will follow your arrangements.”
Shu Rui knew when to stop while he was ahead. After stating his position, he glanced at Lu Ling standing stiffly beside him and lightly tugged at the corner of his sleeve.
Lu Ling saw the gesture. Though clearly reluctant, he still yielded to Shu Rui’s wishes. “Sorry to trouble you, Father.”
Only then did Lu Father’s expression ease. He shot a covert look at Madam Liu, as if quietly competing with her.
“All right, all right,” Madam Liu said, rolling her eyes at him. “Enough talking—by now the food’s going cold.”
She called everyone to wash their hands and take their seats. The family finally put aside the earlier tensions and, smiling again, gathered around the table.
The evening meal was lavish. Besides the dishes Madam Liu had ordered from outside, Shu Rui and Lu Ling had brought four or five more. The table was filled to the brim.
Since Lu Father had taken up his post in Tidewatch Prefecture, he no longer had many old friends or relatives nearby. Even with Lu Yu passing the xiucai exam—such a happy occasion—it wasn’t convenient for people to come by to offer congratulations that day.
Quiet though it was, having the whole family together for a hot meal was, in its own way, more comforting than endless social calls.
The moonlight was bright, spilling clear radiance over the ground.
Shu Rui held a sprig of osmanthus that Lu Ling had snapped from a tree for him. Side by side, the two of them walked back to the inn together.
His heart felt as light as the cool breeze of that autumn, moonlit night. It truly was a moment of blooming flowers and a full moon.
Though the moon was not yet perfectly round, it had already taken on much of its shape.