CHAPTER 473: CHAPTER 419 CONSIDERATE

Lu Yuan carried Lu Zhaoyan all the way to the mountain summit in one go.

Whether Lu Yuan was tired or not, no one could tell, but as soon as Lu Zhaoyan got off his back, he vomited.

The temple was empty, but about a hundred steps away on an open field stood a small courtyard. It consisted of two thatched cottages, surrounded by numerous mulberry trees. To the east lay a chicken coop and pigsty, while to the west were sheep and cattle pens.

The courtyard was enclosed with a fence, though the gate in the middle seemed somewhat redundant, as the fence itself was only half a person’s height.

Lu Yuan approached politely and knocked on the courtyard gate.

"Excuse me, is anyone home?"

After asking, he didn’t knock again but waited patiently outside the gate.

After about half a quarter of an hour, a shepherd boy of eleven or twelve stepped out from the thatched cottage and opened the gate for Lu Yuan.

By this time, Lu Zhaoyan had recovered some of his strength.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and walked toward the shepherd boy.

The shepherd boy’s gaze flitted back and forth between Lu Zhaoyan and Lu Yuan before he asked, "Are you two from the Imperial City?"

Lu Zhaoyan replied softly, "We are indeed."

The shepherd boy thought for a moment before asking again, "My master said that noble guests from the Imperial City would be arriving today—a father and son. Are you those guests?"

Before Lu Zhaoyan could answer, Lu Yuan chuckled and said, "Your master has informants in the Imperial City?"

The shepherd boy shook his head, his gaze clear and unperturbed by the question from a man of status. Instead, he replied earnestly, "My master predicted it."

Lu Zhaoyan marveled, "Truly a wise man. May I ask if your master is at home?"

"Master has gone into the mountains."

It seemed that despite knowing they would come, the master had deliberately chosen this time to leave, clearly unwilling to meet them.

Lu Zhaoyan inquired, "Do you know when your master will return?"

"He didn’t say," the shepherd boy replied. "And there’s no need to wait. When my master goes into the mountains, he never follows a fixed schedule. Sometimes it’s three to five days, other times it’s ten to fifteen."

Lu Zhaoyan was mildly disappointed.

Lu Yuan smirked and pointed at Lu Zhaoyan. "Young Master," he began, "my father climbed mountains all day and is completely worn out. Could we trouble you for a drink of water?"

The shepherd boy hesitated.

Lu Yuan added, "Surely you wouldn’t want my father fainting at your doorstep, would you?"

The shepherd boy glanced at Lu Zhaoyan.

Indeed, Lu Zhaoyan looked pale, as though he might collapse at any moment.

But in truth, Lu Zhaoyan wasn’t exhausted; he was nauseous from being jostled by Lu Yuan!

The shepherd boy muttered, "But you can’t faint inside my house either."

Lu Yuan: "..."

Lu Yuan reassured, "My father only needs a little rest. Don’t worry; we won’t impose."

The shepherd boy tilted his head upward, carefully scrutinized Lu Yuan, and nodded. "You don’t seem like the sort of person who would take advantage."

Lu Zhaoyan glanced at Lu Yuan, hesitating as if wanting to say something yet refraining.

The shepherd boy opened the gate and invited them into the courtyard, pointing toward the stone table and stools. "You can rest here. Without my master’s permission, I can’t invite you into the house."

Lu Yuan smiled and nodded. "Thank you, young master."

The two of them sat down.

The shepherd boy went inside to fetch tea.

Lu Yuan softly asked, "Could we trouble you for a bowl of hot tea?"

"Of course."

The shepherd boy had intended to serve them cold tea, considering how hot they looked.

Eventually, he returned with one bowl of hot tea and one bowl of cold tea.

Lu Yuan placed the hot tea in front of Lu Zhaoyan.

Lu Zhaoyan asked, "Did you request this for me?"

Lu Yuan replied nonchalantly, "Well, I’m not the one about to pass out."

Lu Zhaoyan: ...And this culprit dares to speak?!

After setting down the tea, the shepherd boy went back to his work.

Lu Yuan began to observe the courtyard.

Everything inside was simple. Apart from the stone table and stools, there was only a water vat and three large racks.

Each rack had three tiers, and every tier held a round bamboo sieve.

The shepherd boy was carrying one such sieve, busy with something.

Lu Yuan asked, "Are the mulberry trees around here planted by you and your master?"

The shepherd boy, focused on the sieve, replied, "Yep."

Lu Yuan sincerely praised, "Such lush and vibrant mulberry leaves. They’re quite rare."

It was the first time Lu Zhaoyan heard someone use "lush and vibrant" to describe mulberry leaves.

He couldn’t fathom this unexpected "wild child" who had suddenly sprung into their lives. Back in the day, she had been known more for mischief—like casting her little Gu charms—than for this kind of cunning wit.

Lu Yuan got up, walked over to one of the racks, and glanced at a sieve. Smiling, he remarked, "Your master knows how to raise silkworms—quite impressive!"

The shepherd boy looked up with a proud expression and corrected, "I raised them!"

Lu Yuan feigned shock, looking like he had underestimated someone extraordinary. "You’re so young and already raising silkworms this well? How many years have you been at it?"

With great seriousness, the shepherd boy puffed out his chest. "This is my first year!"

Lu Yuan audibly drew in a breath. "Only your first year! At this rate, you might raise a King of Silkworms!"

Flattery never fails.

The shepherd boy, flustered by the compliments, turned slightly red. In a small voice, he offered, "Do you want to see my silkworms? There are a few particularly large ones."

Lu Yuan grinned. "I would be honored!"

The shepherd boy led Lu Yuan to see his silkworm collection. With each silkworm Lu Yuan saw, he showered it with unique, extravagant praise. Even the most mundane cocoons were elevated to masterpieces by his words.

Lu Zhaoyan listened, dumbfounded, unable to believe that the woman who once relied solely on action—the girl infamous for her chicken Gu spells—could give birth to such a shameless child.

He murmured, "Who in the world does he take after..."

Lu Yuan, too, hadn’t realized his skills in flattering others came so naturally.

After showcasing his final silkworm, the shepherd boy cleared his throat and said to Lu Yuan, "My master usually checks the crops in the fields before heading into the mountains. He hasn’t been gone long. If you hurry, you might catch up with him there. But don’t tell him I told you—he doesn’t like me sharing his whereabouts with strangers."

Lu Zhaoyan cast Lu Yuan a meaningful glance.

Lu Yuan smirked. "Father, shall we go?"

Lu Zhaoyan would have preferred taking Lu Qi along for such an errand.

But since the shepherd boy had said they might miss the master if they delayed further, action was necessary.

"Thank you, young master."

Lu Zhaoyan offered his gratitude.

The shepherd boy watched them leave. Although he lived in seclusion, he occasionally interacted with local villagers and visitors to his master. Still, Lu Yuan was the only one who had gone to such lengths to make him happy.

Taking a deep breath, the shepherd boy called out, "Older brother, what’s your name?"

Lu Yuan turned back and replied breezily, "Just remember that my father is the Crown Prince of Great Liang."

The shepherd boy scratched his head, muttering, "So the noble my master mentioned is actually from the Imperial Family..."

Lu Zhaoyan had left Ji Feng behind to look after Lu Qi. Ji Feng, not having received orders to carry Lu Qi up the mountain, instead followed him with a meticulous air.

Lu Qi’s legs felt like they might give out. He cast Ji Feng several significant glances.

Ji Feng ignored every single one.

Lu Zhaoyan and Lu Yuan followed the shepherd boy’s directions toward the back of the mountain.

Recalling the conversation between Lu Yuan and the shepherd boy, Lu Zhaoyan asked, "You’ve raised silkworms before?"

Lu Yuan replied, "I have."

Lu Zhaoyan assumed he had done it merely for fun, but what he heard next left him unsettled. Speaking nonchalantly, Lu Yuan said, "A hundred and twenty silkworms yield one jin of cocoons. Three jin of cocoons produce one jin of silk. Five jin of silk can be sold for one tael of silver. One tael of silver is enough to stave off hunger for a month."

Lu Zhaoyan’s brow furrowed.

He... had gone hungry before?