Chapter 73. The unease on Madam He's face...

The unease and fear on Madam He's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a cold smile and indifference as she stared at her father. "Since you say so, I am relieved. I will certainly not disappoint you in the future."

“Since you’ve already seen it, I’ll be going now. Madam, please get some rest.” Father He still seemed unconcerned, but instead kindly took Lu Hun’s hand. “As for the child, I’ll take him to his lodgings for you.”

Madam He was too lazy to stop him and told him to take Lu Hun to the side room next door. Little Lu Hun seemed to think that it didn't matter whether he was with Madam He or his father, so he didn't object and let his father take him away.

The adjacent side room was where Madam He used to let her niece, Chen Xuanhua, live, so that she could take care of her and keep her company. After Chen Xuanhua got older, she got another place to live, and the room has been empty ever since.

When Father He brought Lu Hun here, he saw that the child had a beautiful face, like a porcelain doll, with dark and bright eyes. Although he was young, he looked like he had a lot on his mind, but he was also well-behaved and sensible.

He asked Lu Hun, "Child, how old are you?"

"In six months, she will be five years old."

"Have you started school yet?"

"It's in."

"Oh? So early? Have you been reading any books?"

"My teacher said I was learning too fast and that he was going to teach me the Analects."

Upon hearing this, Mr. He suddenly became lost in thought. Then he chuckled and stroked the top of his child's head, "You're really smart. I was just as smart as you when I was young. I started my studies early and achieved academic success before I was even twenty..."

Lu Hun asked maturely, "Then, sir, why don't you go to the court and instead spend all your time drinking outside?"

Father He's eyes dimmed, and a desolate smile forced onto his lips. He stopped answering Lu Hun's question and said meaningfully, "Alright, child, you shouldn't ask so many adult questions. Remember, you're not allowed to wander around in the He residence, especially... you can't go to the old man's place, understand?"

Lu Hun nodded his little head. "I understand."

After He's father left, Lu Hun stood alone by the door for a while before getting up. He Wenqing arrived shortly after and was greeted by the servants and maids and taken to Madam He's room. Madam He was overjoyed to see her son and immediately had the osmanthus cheese she had brought back brought to He Wenqing. She also had a table full of various exquisite dishes, all of which He Wenqing liked. He Wenqing was old enough to have started learning etiquette, and he bowed respectfully to Madam He before accepting the food.

Lu Hun stared at He Wenqing. This was the first time he had seen He Wenqing, his half-brother.

Lu Hun sat alone in the room, looking at the mother and child in the main room next door for a long, long time.

Madam He was busy taking care of He Wenqing, asking him all sorts of questions, completely forgetting that there was another son in the side room next door. She also didn't send anyone to ask Lu Hun what he wanted. There was only a little candle left in Lu Hun's room. He stopped listening to the voices next door, took out a small book from his pocket, wrapped his cloak tightly around himself, and started reading by the dim light. However, the oil lamp burned out quickly. Lu Hun couldn't sleep, so he picked up the book and went outside.

He found a quiet, well-lit spot to sit down and continue watching.

Little Lu Hun had no idea.

He arrived near Grandpa He's residence.

It's unclear whether it's true or not, but Old Master He didn't go to sleep tonight. He was strolling around the mansion with his old butler when he noticed a beautiful child reading intently under the eaves. He asked, "Oh? Whose child is this?"

The old butler glanced at it and chuckled, "I heard it was brought back by the madam."

"Judging from his appearance, he is a poor but ambitious child." Old Master He smiled and instructed, "I'll go back first. You can let this poor child come to my room to study later. This little light will hurt his eyes."

The old steward then came to Lu Hun and said that the old master saw that he was cold and was hurting his eyes while reading here, so he asked him to go to the old master's room to see him and talk to him. Lu Hun was still a young child, and it was his birth mother's house, so he didn't think much of it and obediently followed the old steward.

When Lu Hun entered Grandpa He's room, he immediately smelled a strong, sweet fragrance that made his head spin a little. Then, he saw the dignified old man sitting at the head of the table, whose gaze made Lu Hun very uncomfortable.

"What a beautiful child! Come here and sit next to me to read a book."

Lu Hun hesitated for a moment, but still walked over.

However, as soon as he sat down, he felt his eyes were about to close. He struggled to open them a crack and saw a pair of withered, root-like hands untying his cloak...

Lu Hun tried to break free in fear, but his eyelids were too heavy to lift.

The next day.

Lu Hun was small, but his back was hunched. He was carrying a cloak, barefoot, and wearing only a large white linen robe. He walked stiffly toward Madam He's room. The robe he was wearing was extremely wide and almost covered his ankles. The child's face was pale, and his lips were pressed tightly together, leaving deep bloodstains.

A gust of wind carrying the earthy smell blew against him.

He seemed to have his soul ripped out, completely oblivious and feeling nothing at all.

Sometimes, his fingers would twist uncontrollably into an abnormal shape, and he would just numbly clutch his cloak, knowing nothing else.

The child stumbled into the main room, his steps faltering. Madam He had already risen and was anxiously pondering something. Seeing Lu Hun return, she seemed to finally breathe a sigh of relief and hurriedly said, "Hun'er, where have you been so early in the morning? Didn't I tell you not to run around? Luckily, your older brother hasn't woken up yet. What if he saw you and became suspicious..."

She quickly cut off her words, because at that moment she noticed Lu Hun's frightening expression and strange clothes.

Madam He slowly reached out and touched him. The child was dressed so coolly, but his body was burning hot. As soon as she touched him, the child trembled violently like a frightened rabbit, but his eyes were dull and empty.

Although Lu Hun is usually sensible and quiet, he is still like a child at heart.

But now, he's acting like a fool.

She gasped softly.

"Soul, what's wrong with you?!"

Madam He quickly carried him to the small couch, and when she lifted his clothes, she discovered that his body was covered with blue and purple finger marks. These marks clearly indicated that someone had... done this to the child...

Lu Hun allowed Madam He to touch him the entire time, and apart from trembling violently all over, he remained motionless like a fool.

"Soul, who is it..."

Lu Hun's eyes didn't move at all; he had stopped blinking. Madam He couldn't get a single question out of him, nor did she dare disturb the child. She only said that she would be getting up later today and that no one was allowed to come in without her permission.

Madam He was completely at a loss. In desperation, she prepared to carry Lu Hun to the room first and then send someone to invite Lu Mingli to the mansion. But as soon as her hand touched the white fox fur cloak in little Lu Hun's arms, the child, who had not reacted at all before, suddenly bit her hand like a madman, not allowing her to touch his cloak.

Madam He asked with a pale face, "My dear, what's wrong? Tell your mother."

Lu Hun seemed to regain his senses, and said to Madam He with eyes full of terror, "...that old man He...that old fellow, I'm going to tell Grandmother, I'm going to tell Grandmother..."

Madam He stared wide-eyed.

Lu Hun pushed Madam He away, hugged his cloak tightly, and wanted to go home. After being stunned for a while, Madam He suddenly woke up and immediately grabbed little Lu Hun tightly, "No, no, Hun'er, you can't say it, you mustn't say it. This matter can't be spread. If it gets out, how can your mother and your older brother stay in this house? How can they face people outside?"

Lu Hun turned around and stared at her blankly.

"My dear, listen to your mother," Madam He said anxiously. "Your eldest brother's surname is He. If people find out about his grandfather... how will he ever study again and pass the imperial examinations..."

Lu Hun didn't react, still staring blankly at her. Madam He sighed, "I'm doing this for your own good. You're still young. What will people think of you if this gets out? Besides, the He family is powerful. If you offend them, how will you, your father, and your grandmother fare in the future?"

Lu Hun was at a loss, clutching his cloak blankly.

"My good child." Madam He patted his head. "It's nothing. Just think of it as a nightmare. You don't remember anything. How about I take you home?"

Lu Hun stared at her for a long, long time. Finally, he lowered his eyes, clutched his cloak tightly around himself, ignored Madam He, and left without looking back. Madam He did not dare to stop him, but secretly had someone escort him out of the mansion.

After leaving the He family, Lu Hun stood trembling on the street. He dared not look up or meet anyone's gaze. He desperately wrapped the fox fur cloak tightly around himself, leaving only his eyes showing, as if that way, others would not be able to see what he looked like.

"Little Lu Hun? What are you doing here?"

Some people still recognized him.

He looked over and saw Wei Yin leaving with her maid.

Lu Hun remained expressionless, lowered his head, and was about to walk away, but Wei Yin grabbed him. "Silly boy, why did you run away when you saw your sister? Why are you wrapped up so tightly? If I hadn't seen this cloak, I wouldn't have known it was you."

Lu Hun seemed not to recognize her, staring at her blankly.

"You're burning up." Wei Yin noticed quickly. She held Lu Hun's shoulder and looked at his face, which was hidden under his cloak. "Why is your face so pale? Did you not go home last night and make yourself sick?"

Lu Hun pursed her lips tightly and remained silent.

Wei Yin gripped his hand tightly and wouldn't let go. Lu Hun's breathing was heavy, and his head was spinning. He was clearly very ill. Wei Yin was worried about the child wandering alone on the street, so she took him back to the Wei family. Lu Hun remained unmoved throughout, letting her do whatever she wanted.

Wei Yin sent someone to fetch a doctor. The doctor was about to take his pulse, but he remained unmoved. Suddenly, he began to tremble violently and shrank back into the blankets. He only stopped trembling after the doctor left.

The doctor had no choice but to prescribe some medicine based on the symptoms of fever caused by cold.

He trembled when it was time to take his medicine and refused to eat it.

Wei Yin doesn't really like children, but she really likes Lu Hun, who is usually very well-behaved. Now that he has suddenly become like this, she has no choice but to personally and patiently feed him the medicine. Lu Hun also trembles subconsciously, so Wei Yin gently coaxes him.

"Little Lu, be good. It's your older sister. Do you remember Sister Wei who gave you the cloak last night? Sister Wei is feeding you medicine. Be good and don't move. Let Sister Wei feed you, okay?"