flamboyant

Chapitre 70

"Why?"

"I'll stay with you!"

"Liar!"

"...When have I ever lied to you?"

"So you don't need to go to court or the government offices anymore?"

"Winter is the season for rest. Besides, if there is anything truly important, Yourong will come and tell me."

"You civil servants have such good benefits. You can take a two-month vacation at a time, and it's paid."

"……What?"

"What I mean is, if everyone were like you, wouldn't the government be paralyzed?"

"How could that be? It's impossible for everyone to get sick at the same time as me."

Startled: "Are you sick?"

He chuckled slyly, "It's an act."

Perhaps it was because of his attire, but Song Xiaohua felt that Lu Ziqi's face looked even paler, and he seemed to have lost some weight. However, his expression was so relaxed, with a hint of smug satisfaction at his successful scheme, that it was impossible for anyone to suspect anything.

“Dongqing, you don’t seem like the kind of person who would put personal matters before public duty…”

"I haven't abolished my official duties; I've simply changed the place where I handle official business." Lu Ziqi sat leisurely on the couch, sipping his fragrant tea. "There have been some troubles in the court lately, and I'd like to take this opportunity to avoid them."

This seemingly true yet false statement immediately put Song Xiaohua at ease. She leaned against him with a grin and said, "I know, you just want to protect yourself."

He stroked her head noncommittally and asked, "Has the baby been good these past two days?"

"I'll show you the letter I wrote later. How are Ling'er and Wuque?"

He pulled a folded letter from his pocket: "I can show it to you now."

Song Xiaohua shifted to a more comfortable position to read the letter, while Lu Ziqi half-reclined and slowly closed his eyes.

The physical pain and mental exhaustion vanished the moment I saw her. In this moment and place, all the struggles seemed distant, as if from another world.

He gave her a home where there was no wind or rain, and she gave him a place where he could find peace of mind.

Home is where my heart finds peace.

A few faint barks broke the silence, their powerful and familiar sounds breaking the stillness.

"Flawless?!"

Song Xiaohua and Lu Ziqi exchanged a surprised glance: "You came with me?"

"No, I plan to let it and Ling'er go up the mountain to see you in a couple of days after the snow stops."

He got up and looked outside, and saw two figures following the trail of the sedan chair carriers, walking together.

Black light fur coat, black fur.

One person, one dog.

"Big brother?"

Lu Ziqi hurriedly came out to greet her, and Song Xiaohua quickly tied her hair up and poured her a cup of hot tea.

Lu Ziheng's head and body were already covered in white spots, and even his eyebrows and beard were black and white, while Song Wuque had almost turned into a big white dog.

"You...how did you all get here?"

"Aren't you welcome?"

"Of course not, it was just a bit of an accident."

Lu Ziheng is calm and aloof, and usually he is dignified and serious. Although he is polite and courteous, he rarely smiles.

However, she seemed to be in a good mood at the moment, and a rare smile appeared on her face: "I don't know what's wrong with your Wuque today. He's become very affectionate with me, circling around me and I can't get rid of him. I had no choice but to take him up the mountain with me. Halfway up, the snow suddenly became heavy and covered the path. We almost got lost. I'm really grateful to have him."

Song Wuque was shaking its head and wagging its tail vigorously. Upon hearing the praise, it didn't forget to let out a proud "woof" and rub its head against Lu Ziheng's waist.

Lu Ziqi feigned anger and pointed with his finger: "Didn't I tell you to stay home and keep Ling'er company when I left? Why are you so disobedient?"

Given the usual animosity between the man and the dog, Song Wuque should at least have snorted at him to show his disdain, but this time he not only didn't do that, but instead went up to lick his hand.

This made Lu Ziqi stiffen, his hair stand on end, but he also felt a warmth in his heart.

Ever since he woke up from his coma, the dog has acted very differently, becoming unusually affectionate and clingy. Could it be because it witnessed his serious illness and is now trying to comfort him?

Thinking this, my hand reached out involuntarily and patted the huge dog's head for the first time. The thick fur was stiff, somewhat like tender pine needles that had just sprouted, making my palm tingle and tickle, and I couldn't help but twitch my lips.

"Dongqing, hurry up and let your elder brother in."

"Sister-in-law, please forgive my intrusion."

"Brother, what are you saying? We're more than happy to welcome you! Besides, this is our home, and you're the host. Don't talk about disturbing us; it's like you're just a guest. In that case, Dongqing and I are actually a little embarrassed, afraid that we haven't been able to entertain you properly!"

Lu Ziheng stamped his foot under the eaves and teased Lu Ziqi, who was helping him brush the snow off, "Sister-in-law is getting better and better at talking. Dongqing, you better watch out!"

He feigned a pained expression and said, "Brother, you don't know, I've always been the one who can only listen, and I'm completely powerless to fight back."

He stepped aside to let the two men and the dog in: "Get lost, big brother, don't listen to his nonsense."

He rubbed his hands together and stepped inside, then picked up a cup of tea and drank it himself: "I won't get involved in your little couple's affairs." He looked around the pavilion and nodded: "It is indeed a good place to brew wine and enjoy the snow."

"If you're in the mood, brother, how about we sit around the fire and chat tonight?"

Upon hearing this, Song Xiaohua quickly put on her cloak: "You two brothers chat here for a while, I'll go and have the servants prepare some wine and food."

Before Lu Ziqi could speak, his elder brother interrupted, "Sister-in-law, you're not feeling well, let Dongqing accompany you."

At this moment, the snow stopped a little and the wind subsided slightly, but the sky remained a hazy gray.

The snow was just enough to cover the top of my shoes, and it felt soft and fluffy under my feet.

Lu Ziqi was worried that Song Xiaohua would fall, so he simply picked her up horizontally, 'ball' included, and Song Wuque led the way with four hoofprints in front of him.

She buried her face in his chest and greedily inhaled a few breaths. When she looked up, she could see Lu Ziheng standing with his hands behind his back in the pavilion with the curtains wide open. His figure, shrouded in black, contrasted sharply with the surrounding whiteness, making him appear even more aloof.

For so long, Song Xiaohua and this uncle had practically no interaction. They had only met a few times at family gatherings, exchanging greetings and nods without saying a word of unnecessary chatter. This seemingly casual greeting was a first for them.

"Dongqing, don't you think Big Brother seems a little strange today?"

"How so?"

"Hmm... he seems to have suddenly become quite familiar with me."

Lu Ziqi chuckled, his warm breath turning into a cloud of white mist that made the face so close to his seem somewhat ethereal: "Don't talk nonsense again. We're all family, how could we not know each other?"

Song Xiaohua hugged him tighter, her voice a little muffled: "I can't really explain it, but... I just feel like he's weird, you're weird, and Wuque is weird too!"

Upon hearing his name called, the big black dog that had led the way immediately trotted back, circled around Lu Ziqi a few times, and gently bumped its head against him a few times. It didn't seem like it was trying to please him, but rather like a friend comforting and encouraging him.

After being ignored for so long, Song Xiaohua finally couldn't hold back and exploded: "So, you two actually dared to have an affair while I was away from home!"

"…………"

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Night fell, and the mountain wind was cold.

Outside the pavilion, there were no stars or moon, only snow.

Inside the pavilion, there was tea and wine, but no snow.

The fire in the stove crackled and popped, and a pot of wine boiled, dispelling the chill that filled the room.

Lu Ziqi and Lu Ziheng sat wrapped in fur coats, in the same posture, with similar features, one aloof and the other gentle, one drinking wine and the other tea.

Another gust of wind blew by, and even the thick curtains could not keep out the snowflakes, which took the opportunity to drift in, turning into water droplets in the blink of an eye and slowly disappearing.

Lu Ziheng frowned slightly, took off his light fur coat and handed it to the person next to him: "You haven't fully recovered yet, be careful not to catch a chill. I've had some wine in my body, and I'm very hot."

Lu Ziqi wanted to decline, but he compromised under that unwavering gaze: "Thank you, elder brother."

"Brothers, no need for thanks." He stirred the fire with iron chopsticks, making it burn even brighter, and looked at the pale face that was now partially illuminated by the firelight. His voice was deep: "You've gone too far this time!"

He was completely wrapped in two large cloaks, holding a teacup and smiling in a very endearing way: "I was prepared long ago, waiting for my elder brother's scolding."

He gave a cold snort: "You're probably prepared for the beating your father gave you, aren't you?"

In a serious tone: "Not yet, that's why I came here specifically to prepare. I estimate it will be ready in about two more months."

Without even looking, he raised his hand and tossed the empty cup, hitting him right between the eyebrows: "Keep joking!"

Without dodging or flinching, he obediently took the hit, then promptly caught it, saying, "I won't do it again."

She glanced at the red mark left by the blow, her tone softening slightly: "When have you ever been afraid to do something but then dared to do it even more? Did you think you knew Dad and I couldn't do anything about you?"

"How could that be? At least, from childhood to adulthood, when have I ever escaped your grasp?"

He paused, holding the iron chopsticks in his hand: "Yes, either we don't turn the pages at all, or once we do, it takes four years, and a thousand miles."

His previously playful expression suddenly darkened: "Big brother..."

“Back then, it was my fault for failing to guide you, which led to your imprisonment. It was my fault for failing to manage the household, which caused you to suffer the pain of losing your wife. It was my fault for being powerless and incompetent, which led you to die with resentment. Dongqing, there is something I have wanted to say for a long time: I am sorry for you, and I am sorry for failing to fulfill Mother’s dying wish.”

"Why bring up the past? It was my own recklessness and impulsiveness that led to this disaster and implicated Tong'er. What does it have to do with you, brother? I understand your good intentions and your difficulties. Besides, we are brothers, so how can we say who wronged whom?"

He slowly shook his head: "The reason I'm telling you this four years later is because it would have been futile to say it before."

A spark ignited in his eyes: "Brother, what do you mean?"

His equally dark, bright eyes were as deep and unfathomable as a still pool: "Dongqing, my Lu family has been loyal and virtuous for generations. No matter how we fight openly or secretly with our colleagues, or how we struggle to the death with our political enemies, there is one rule that we must never break: we must not do anything that would harm the foundation of the nation or dishonor the dignity of the country! Anyone who violates this rule will be punished by any member of the Lu family! Not to mention those who are not members of our clan."