Zhuge Jun retreated, and the study was left with only Lu Yu and Cai Zhaoji.
Rather than a study, it was more like a classroom, a classroom that ignited the imagination...
Seeing that Zhuge Jun had walked away, Cai Zhaoji spoke, "Didn't we discuss this last time? When you go somewhere, can't you tell your sister in advance? You were gone for over ten days, and your sister was worried sick, especially this time... this time..."
As she spoke, Cai Zhaoji's eyes welled up with tears. She dabbed them with a silk handkerchief, barely calming herself before continuing. "This time you went to such a dangerous place, what would your sister do if something happened to you?"
As she said this, Cai Zhaoji pointed two fingers firmly at Lu Yu's forehead.
"Sis... it hurts... it hurts..." Lu Yu said this deliberately, although it didn't hurt at all. In fact, Zhaoji-jie's delicate hands felt quite comfortable as she pressed.
"It needs to hurt for you to remember!" Cai Zhaoji poked Lu Yu's forehead "fiercely" again. "You little brother are the most disobedient!"
At this point, Cai Zhaoji deliberately turned her back to Lu Yu, feigning anger.
Lu Yu's eyes darted. He was supposed to comfort her, but inexplicably... a sentence Zhaoji-jie had just said echoed in his ears: "You little brother are the most disobedient?"
"Little brother?" Lu Yu pondered. Zhaoji-jie had never tested it, so how could she know he was disobedient?
Immediately, Lu Yu smiled slightly. "Zhaoji-jie, I promise I'll be obedient next time, especially obedient."
As he spoke, Lu Yu put his arms around Cai Zhaoji's shoulders from behind and then actively helped Zhaoji-jie smooth her hair.
Of course, such a gesture was somewhat intimate, with Lu Yu's chest almost touching Zhaoji-jie's fragrant shoulder, giving a sense of skin-to-skin contact...
But... they had grown up together since childhood, and such actions were already commonplace. They had done much more intimate things than this.
Cai Zhaoji couldn't stand Lu Yu acting like this. She had always doted on this younger brother, and as long as he admitted his mistake... after only a few words, Cai Zhaoji would usually forgive him.
"Alas..." she sighed. "You're always like this when you're disobedient. It's just because I'm your sister, and I spoil you... next time... forget it, your sister can't control you, little brother. But..."
"Your sister plans to find someone to properly manage you. Our mansion is also in need of a legitimate mistress..."
Ah... ah...
Lu Yu was a little surprised? Did Zhaoji-jie mean... she wanted him to get married? Why did it feel so strange...
Speaking of which, if another person were to marry in, then the mansion would have one man and two women. Didn't that feel a bit like... a ménage à trois?
Cough cough...
"Zhaoji-jie, a man's ambition lies in all directions, how can he be preoccupied with romantic affairs..." Lu Yu leaned his head close to Cai Zhaoji and said solemnly, "I think it's enough for you to be the only mistress in our mansion..."
"Is that so?" Cai Zhaoji retorted coldly. "I can't control you, so shouldn't I find a beautiful young woman to manage you?"
"However... boys will eventually get married. Marrying a virtuous wife... after marriage, their hearts often settle, and they become more stable in their actions. Speaking of which..."
As she spoke, Cai Zhaoji turned her head seriously. "Yu-di, what do you think of Mu'er?"
Pfft... pfft...
Lu Yu, who had just swallowed a mouthful of tea, spat it out directly.
Cao Mu? Princess Qinghe...
Not good, really not good...
"Cough cough..." After a series of coughs, Lu Yu said quite seriously to Cai Zhaoji, "Zhaoji-jie, even if we are to add a mistress to our mansion, it absolutely cannot be Cao Mu!"
"Why? Mu'er is your elder brother's eldest legitimate daughter, learned and polite, dignified and generous. You are also favored by your elder brother, wouldn't this be greatly beneficial to your future career... In my opinion, you two are a match made in heaven!"
A match made in heaven... heaven's a fart, it's an incompatible destiny!
But... how to explain this?
Lu Yu was troubled. He couldn't possibly say that this girl... had a bad reputation in historical records...
So then...
"Cough cough..." Lu Yu coughed lightly again. "Zhaoji-jie, let me whisper to you... I'll tell you a secret."
Hmm...
With Lu Yu's words, Cai Zhaoji curiously extended her ear.
Lu Yu's mouth was almost touching her ear, and a faint voice slowly emerged, "The Cao family's water is very deep... Younger brother is still young and cannot grasp it."
Lu Yu felt he had been quite polite by saying that. In his heart, Lu Yu actually wanted to say... Princess Qinghe Cao Mu was a scoundrel, and she was utterly unreasonable when it came to scheming against her husband.
Moreover... what kind of people were the entire Cao family?
If he really married Cao Mu... Lu Yu didn't know how many young women he would have!
...
...
Chenliu Commandery, Cao Residence.
Incidentally, the Cao Residence and Cai Residence were very close, separated only by a street.
But just such a street away, Cao Mu's tears were like pearls from a broken string... plop, plop... the entire carriage was wet.
Speaking of which, Cao Mu's psychological resilience was indeed not very good. She had already lost her composure after only a few words of reprimand from Lu Yu.
"Sob sob..." As she walked towards the Cao Residence, Cao Mu was still sobbing.
"Mu-mei? Who offended you?" Cao Ang, who was practicing his spear in the courtyard, noticed Cao Mu, quickly put down his spear, and hurried to her side.
Seeing Cao Mu still weeping pear blossoms, Cao Ang frowned. "Mu-mei, just tell me which young master it was? Your brother will go beat him up and get justice for you."
The reason Cao Ang directly asked which young master it was, was because... Cao Mu had been straightforward since childhood. How could ordinary girls make her cry? Even ordinary young masters were often bullied and made to cry by her... it was the first time she had cried so uncontrollably!
Who had this ability? Cao Ang became curious.
"It... it was the young master from the Cai... Cai Residence, named Lu Yu!" Cao Mu finally uttered Lu Yu's name...
Ah... ah...
Cao Ang was startled. This name sounded familiar. Wait... Father and Mother often used "other people's children" to spur him on. It seemed... that other person's child was also called "Lu Yu"!
At this moment...
Cao Ang was stunned. It was obvious that it was the same person!
He hesitated. After all, Lu Yu was a young man praised by his father and mother? He was also a favored official of the auxiliary government by his father. If his sister was bullied by someone, why did it have to be him?
"Brother... are you going to help me or not?" Before Cao Ang could hesitate, Cao Mu spoke. "He's too arrogant, and his mouth is not charitable at all... Brother, can you go beat him up for me, like Father did to Yuan Shu when he was young."
Fighting among young masters in their teens was not uncommon in Chenliu Commandery.
As for Cao Mu's mention of "like Father did to Yuan Shu when he was young," it was a "glorious deed" from Cao Cao's youth that Xiahou Yuan had once told them about!
In the past, before entering the Imperial Academy, Cao Cao attended the same private school as Yuan Shao and Yuan Shu. A very important reason for meeting this pair of Yuan brothers, and even having a close relationship with them later, was that they became friends through fighting at first sight.
At that time, Cao Cao was a "beast-like youth," and Yuan Shu was no good either. Upon seeing Cao Cao at the private school, he immediately blurted out, "Look, he's the grandson of the eunuch next door to us... hehe, haha..."
Cao Cao, having been inexplicably insulted, would not tolerate his personality to contend with his opponent with noble forbearance;
Nor would he use pastoral tolerance to make his opponent feel ashamed...
Given Cao Cao's impulsive nature, any problem that could be solved with fists was not a problem at all.
At that moment, Cao Cao crossed several students, rushed over, knocked down Yuan Shu who was kneeling, rode on him, and beat him while shouting, "I'll beat you to death, I'll beat you to death!"
Yuan Shu, pinned and unable to fight back, could only cover his head and shout, "The eunuch's grandson is hitting people, help, help!"
It wasn't until the teacher of the private school arrived that the two stopped.
Yuan Shu, clutching his sore spots, glared at Cao Cao and told him not to run after school. Cao Cao, not to be outdone, replied in the dialect of Qiao County, "I'm running, you turtle!"
Then, it was time for school to end. Yuan Shu called Yuan Ji and Yuan Shao, and the three brothers blocked Cao Cao together.
In front of the Fire God Temple between the east and west streets of Luoyang, the group of three was engaged in a fierce brawl... Cao Cao fighting three alone was naturally no match, but he stubbornly bit Yuan Shu's left index finger and wouldn't let go no matter how he shook it, like an old turtle.
To this day, there is still a tooth mark on the joint of Yuan Shu's left index finger, left by Cao Cao.
Xiahou Yuan told this story to Cao Ang and Cao Mu, intending for them to realize that children should not fight impulsively... but who would have thought that Cao Ang and Cao Mu would have taken their father in his youth as a role model!
Problems that can be solved with fists, are they problems?
Not problems at all!
This time, when Cao Mu was bullied... the first thing she thought of was to ask her elder brother to emulate their father in his youth and beat Lu Yu soundly.
Of course, Cao Ang's intention was to refuse. Before clarifying the truth, if he were to take action... and then take action against Lu Yu, whom his father favored, the consequences might be severe. But in the end... he couldn't resist his sister's persistent pleading.
Of course, although Cao Ang agreed verbally, in fact... he had no intention of actually taking action. He just planned to stop Lu Yu and make him apologize to his sister, and then the matter would be settled!
"Brother, are you going or not?" Cao Mu tugged at Cao Ang, looking pitiful.
"Let's go... let's go now! Lu Yu offended my sister, so he must apologize to my sister..." Cao Ang replied and was about to leave the mansion...
Cao Mu had already calculated that it would definitely not be possible to break into the Cai Residence directly. But wasn't Lu Yu an official of the auxiliary government? She would intercept him on the road to his office... and beat him up!
Lu Yu, with his thin arms and legs, was definitely no match for his elder brother.
However, at this moment...
A cold female voice came, "Who offended you? Who are you looking for justice from?"
As she spoke, a woman walked out gracefully, her eyes narrowed, and her face somewhat cold. It was clear that she had overheard the conversation between this pair of siblings.
Cao Ang and Cao Mu looked up and froze...
Because the person who came was none other than their mother – Lady Ding, Ding Hui.
"Come back here, both of you..." Lady Ding's voice became even colder...
Cao Mu and Cao Ang did not dare to disobey and retreated.
Lady Ding then began to scold them. "In the entire Chenliu Commandery, whose trouble would you pick if not Lu Yu's? Do you know who Lu Yu is?"
Who? Isn't he... the favored official of the auxiliary government by Father? But... that doesn't mean he can bully his sister!
Cao Ang scratched his head...
"He is..." Lady Ding's brows furrowed even tighter. She had wanted to say that Lu Yu was the husband she had painstakingly chosen for Mu'er.
But... she felt that this matter was not yet settled, so she quickly changed the subject.
"He is a hero of our Province of Yan. If it weren't for his strategy to repel Lu Bu and Guo Gong, saving the entire Province of Yan, you two, along with your mother and countless uncles and brothers, would have become prisoners of Lu Bu and Guo Gong!"
"You still dare to cause trouble for him... What can your mother say about you!"
Lady Ding's tone grew louder and more urgent with each sentence...
Hearing this, Cao Ang and Cao Mu both shivered.
Lu Yu is a hero? He repelled Lu Bu and Guo Gong?
Cao Ang knew about Lu Bu's Bing Province cavalry and Guo Gong's army of 100,000. However... during that critical period, for safety, he and his sister were confined to the Cao Residence. They only knew that the enemy had retreated... but they didn't know that the main contributor was... Lu Yu?
However, Mother never lied. Since she said so... then...
"Gulp" sound...
Cao Ang and Cao Mu swallowed almost simultaneously, muttering to themselves that it was fortunate... they hadn't intercepted Lu Yu, otherwise, it would have been a great disaster.
In fact, their plan was full of flaws. If they had really gone to intercept Lu Yu, that would be another story.
"Your child knows his mistake..." Cao Ang immediately lowered his head and admitted his mistake...
Cao Mu, on the other hand, bit her lip tightly, her eyes filled with stubbornness.
"If you know your mistake, go and redo your homework. You're not allowed to eat until you finish." Lady Ding treated Cao Ang as her own child, always doting on him, and was unwilling to punish him too harshly.
As for Cao Mu...
"Mu'er, come with me..." Lady Ding ordered coldly, then walked towards a room beside them.
Cao Mu lowered her head, her emotions complex... Not because she was scolded by her mother, but mainly because... of this Lu Yu.
He... he was so powerful? Then... perhaps what he said was not... unreasonable or unfounded?
As this thought emerged, Cao Mu bit her teeth harder. She felt a pain in her lips, but compared to this pain, her heart seemed to feel even more uncomfortable.
...
In the side room, Lady Ding dismissed everyone, leaving only herself and Cao Mu.
She lowered her voice and asked.
"I heard that Young Master Lu returned to Chenliu Commandery today..."
"Mm..." Cao Mu nodded.
In fact, Lady Ding had specifically arranged for Cao Mu to go to Cai Zhaoji's place today.
Because she had received news of Lu Yu's return in advance. Based on her judgment, given Lu Yu's attachment to his sister Cai Zhaoji, he would definitely return home immediately. Then... Mu'er would be able to meet him, right?
With Mu'er's beauty and talent... under normal circumstances, shouldn't this Lu Yu be amazed?
However... judging from what Cao Mu said just now, it seemed that the first meeting between these two youngsters was not pleasant...
"What happened at Cai Residence today?" Lady Ding signaled Cao Mu to sit, and the mother and daughter chatted patiently.
Cao Mu recounted the events of the day in detail...
Including Lu Yu tiptoeing outside the study to eavesdrop, being caught by her, and then acting arrogantly. Finally, when the topic of the "Hundred Crafts" lesson came up... his pronouncements left her speechless, and he even said she was half-informed and half-empty... showing no chivalry or gentlemanly demeanor.
As these words came out, Lady Ding shook her head repeatedly, "Mu'er, you are no longer a young girl. How can you have such a willful temper?"
"This Cai Residence is already Young Master Lu's residence. Let alone eavesdropping, even if he smashed the study, as long as he's happy, you shouldn't criticize him, nor should you be hostile towards him."
"As for this 'Hundred Crafts' lesson... alas..."
Lady Ding suddenly felt a sense of disappointment, as if her efforts were about to fail because of Mu'er's performance after she had finally persuaded Cai Zhaoji to arrange a match between them...
Where could she find such a good son-in-law?
Lady Ding felt bitter... "Mu'er, do you know your father's connection with the 'Hundred Crafts' lesson?"
Mm... Father?
Cao Mu looked up, suddenly curious. Lady Ding continued to speak.
"I heard your father tell me. Back then, when he entered the Imperial Academy, he thought that the field training for military courses was the hardest. But compared to the 'Hundred Crafts' lesson, it was not even one-tenth as difficult. It can be said that the 'Hundred Crafts' lesson was the dirtiest, most tiring, and hardest period of your father's four years at the Imperial Academy."
"At that time, your father chose several 'Hundred Crafts' courses, such as carpentry, bricklaying, and casting. He intended to learn as much as he could, but after trying, he realized it was not that easy!"
"Take carpentry for example. Carpentry is hard work, but the required skill far surpasses strength. Your father sat opposite Zhang Miao under the scorching sun, sawing long pieces of wood. Every half an hour, he had to use a file to sharpen the saw teeth, and he also had to learn to snap ink lines. If the ink line was not snapped well, his hands and entire body would be covered in ink!"
Lady Ding paused here. When Cao Cao told her about this matter... she felt quite heartbroken.
"But precisely because of this, your father learned to use chisels and planes, learned to make tenons and mortises, and drill holes. Your father once said that every profession is different. One can conquer cities, but not necessarily be a good carpenter..."
"And in the smelting class, your father was busy working the bellows, pretending to add charcoal and control the fire. Clumsily, he took glowing red copper bars from the furnace, swung a large hammer, and smashed them with Zhang Miao, causing dust to cover his head and face..."
"But what was the result? In carpentry, it took several days to make a few small stools that were unstable and could not stand straight. Sitting on them would make them wobble and fall apart. In smelting, the swords made were not swords, spears were not spears, nor were they sickles. They had to be put back to be forged again, taken out and hammered and beaten, and then made into another shapeless bronze lump."
"Not to mention building houses. The holes for doors and windows that your father prepared were either too large or too small, and they were clearly crooked. The roof was not built properly, and the entire house collapsed. Your father was buried under blocks of earth and stones. His classmates rushed to rescue him, but he patted off the dirt, limped, and picked up his tools to rebuild the wall... Finally, he built a house about the size of a pigsty, which had exhausted him."
So, it turned out that Father had so many connections with the "Hundred Crafts" lesson in the past...
For a moment, Cao Mu listened intently...
But it seemed that although Father learned the "Hundred Crafts," he did not fully master them. Then... what was the connection with Lu Yu's judgment? Were the "Hundred Crafts" really that important?
Just then, Lady Ding patted Cao Mu's shoulder gently and continued, "You must be wondering why your father repeatedly failed in the 'Hundred Crafts' but insisted on persisting?"
At this point, Lady Ding's tone became extremely serious.
"This... is precisely because..."
...
...