Chapter 287: Deep Sibling Bonds

In the Lu family mansion, Qiu Zhiheng looked at his wife, Duan Shaoxia, and shook his head.

Lu Yuanhai cannot be cured.

"Madam, I am incompetent—I failed to protect the two young masters. I have no face to remain in the Lu household."

Qiu Zhiheng truly wanted to leave the Lu family.

This was not only because of Yao Lao's advice, but also due to Qiu Zhiheng's own guilt.

Qiu Zhiheng had indeed known nothing about the assassination of Lu Maoxian, but if he had spotted the signs earlier, perhaps there might still have been a chance to salvage things.

"Zhiheng," Duan Shaoxia grasped Qiu Zhiheng's hand, "you cannot abandon us, mother and daughter. I know the boys have been thoughtless and hurt your feelings, but don't hold it against them—Yuanshan is dead, Yuanhai is like this now—don't resent them…"

As she spoke, Duan Shaoxia wept uncontrollably.

Qiu Zhiheng did not know what to say.

The matter of leaving the Lu family could be set aside for now, but he had no idea what to do next.

Lu Maoxian would come stirring up trouble again in a couple of days; this endless stalemate was no solution.

His men brought word that Lu Maoxian's sons had secretly taken over several of Lu Yuanshan's businesses—these enterprises must be reclaimed. Qiu Zhiheng hurriedly left the house with his men.

Just as Monkey Qiu departed, Duan Shaoxia's elder sister, Duan Shaohong, arrived.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Duan Shaoxia had intended to find a chance to send Duan Shaohong away—this was no time for guests; too many words might reveal cracks.

But Duan Shaohong refused to leave, and cut straight to the heart of the matter: "Little sister, I've heard—did something happen to my two nephews?"

Duan Shaoxia froze: "Who told you?"

"Lu Maoxian spread the word—he says you and Monkey Qiu had an affair and ruined the boys."

"That old dog, he's full of shit!" Duan Shaoxia's eyes instantly reddened.

Duan Shaohong grabbed Duan Shaoxia's hand and lowered her voice: "Let's go inside and talk."

In the bedroom, Duan Shaohong said: "We grew up together—we've never hidden anything from each other. Have Yuanshan and Yuanhai really been harmed?"

"Nothing's happened…"

"You're still hiding it from me? This rumor's spread all over Lüshuicheng! That old dog Lu Maoxian has ruined your reputation!"

Lu Maoxian had leaked the news—Duan Shaoxia knew she could no longer hide it, so she told Duan Shaohong everything.

Upon hearing that Lu Yuanshan was dead, Duan Shaohong also wept: "Little sister, how could you keep such a huge secret from me? At least tell your sister—you shouldn't bear it all alone."

The sisters wept together, then Duan Shaohong turned to the matter at hand: "Little sister, Lu Maoxian won't let this go—he'll destroy you. Monkey Qiu is an outsider; there's no one in the family strong enough to hold things together—he can't bear this burden."

"But Yuanhai is…"

"Yuanhai's illness can be treated slowly. Before he recovers, we must find someone to uphold the Lu family's main lineage."

The Lu family's main lineage meant the bloodline of Lu Dongliang.

Besides Lu Yuanshan and Lu Yuanhai, did Lu Dongliang have any other blood descendants?

Many—so many even Lu Dongliang couldn't count them all.

But none of them were Duan Shaoxia's children—how could she possibly accept them?

"Little sister, we won't accept anyone else's child—won't you accept my child?"

"My sister's child? Of course I—" Duan Shaoxia stared at Duan Shaohong in shock.

Duan Shaohong's face didn't flush—it wasn't the time for blushing.

"Sister, when did this happen?"

"Before you married, after I married."

"You don't mean Huaiyi, do you?"

Duan Shaohong gave a slight nod—it was indeed Huaiyi.

Zhang Huaiyi, the eldest son of Duan Shaohong and her husband Zhang Bochu.

Duan Shaoxia flew into a rage: "How could Huaiyi be…"

"Little sister, listen to me—before you married Dongliang, I already had relations with him. This doesn't betray you…"

Duan Shaoxia grew angrier with every word, wanting to beat Duan Shaohong right then and there.

But after listening for half an hour, Duan Shaoxia calmed down.

Thinking carefully, Zhang Huaiyi did resemble Lu Dongliang—he might truly be Lu Dongliang's son.

He was also Duan Shaohong's son, so his bloodline was close to hers.

Close bloodline.

This might actually be a solution…

But would Duan Shaohong's husband, Zhang Bochu, agree?

Duan Shaohong sneered: "What's he going to refuse? For years, without our Duan family's support, he couldn't even drink cold wind. I don't know what eye I was blind with to marry him."

Zhang Bochu's family was nowhere near the Duan family's wealth, but in his youth he was handsome and won Duan Shaohong's heart; coupled with the Duan family's lax control over their daughter, the marriage was allowed.

Duan Shaohong said: "Little sister, Huaiyi is Dongliang's blood—he looks just like him, you can see it at a glance."

"From now on, he'll take the Lu surname, call you Mother—this is settled!"

Duan Shaoxia said nothing, only bowed her head and wiped her tears.

That night, Qiu Zhiheng returned to the mansion, his face grim.

He had failed to reclaim the businesses—Lu Maoxian was utterly defiant, claiming Qiu Zhiheng had no right to speak to him; he demanded to see the two Lu brothers.

Frustrated and weary, Monkey Qiu had planned to return to his small pavilion and sleep, when Zhang Huaiyi suddenly appeared before him and bowed: "Uncle Qiu."

"Huaiyi?" Qiu Zhiheng knew Zhang Huaiyi, but didn't understand why he was still in the Lu mansion so late.

Duan Shaohong said: "Master Qiu, from now on, Huaiyi is part of the Lu family."

Qiu Zhiheng froze, then understood Duan Shaohong's meaning.

Qiu Zhiheng knew Zhang Huaiyi was Lu Dongliang's son—he had heard Lu Dongliang mention it himself.

Duan Shaohong was now sending Huaiyi here—she intended for him to become the new patriarch.

This was madness.

Duan Shaoxia looked at Qiu Zhiheng: "Zhiheng, do you have another plan?"

Monkey Qiu had no answer—he truly had no better solution.

But making Zhang Huaiyi the Lu family's son was certainly not a good one.

No one would ever accept Huaiyi's identity—not even Lu Dongliang himself had ever acknowledged him.

Though Lu Dongliang was licentious, he drew a clear line between inside and outside—he had only ever acknowledged one woman outside the family: Zhuo Yuling.

Of his outside children, he had only acknowledged two: Lu Xiaolan and Lu Chunying.

He acknowledged Lu Xiaolan because Zhuo Yuling had been genuinely useful to him.

He acknowledged Lu Chunying because she had found Lu Xiaolan—she had earned merit—and her disposition pleased him.

Now suddenly, Zhang Huaiyi appeared—how could he possibly hold his ground in the Lu household?

Monkey Qiu shook his head repeatedly at Duan Shaoxia. Duan Shaohong frowned: "Master Qiu, what are you implying? Has your mistress made her decision, and now you dare to interfere?"

"On the first of next month, Huaiyi will hold a banquet to recognize his mother and change his surname—go prepare it immediately."

Ten days remained until the first of next month—if this went ahead, the Lu family was finished.

Monkey Qiu sat in his pavilion all night without sleep.

Duan Shaoxia sat before Lu Yuanhai's bed, gazing deeply at her son.

"Child, I've found you a brother—I'm doing this for your own good."

After sitting in silence for a long while, a knock came at the door.

Duan Shaoxia opened the door—Zhang Huaiyi stood outside; she had summoned him.

Zhang Huaiyi looked at Duan Shaoxia and called her "Auntie," too timid to say anything else.

Duan Shaohong had instructed him: upon arriving at the Lu household, he must appear shy and reserved, to avoid arousing suspicion.

Duan Shaoxia smiled: "Child, this is your home—don't be so formal. From now on, call me Mother, not Auntie."

Zhang Huaiyi blushed and nodded—thirty-something years old, changing his address to "Mother"—it was awkward.

Worse was yet to come: on the first of next month, he would have to change his surname and serve tea to every elder of the Lu clan in front of them all.

He knew it was humiliating, but Duan Shaohong told him this was his best chance to turn his life around.

If he became the Lu family patriarch, he would have endless money, endless women, and a status no one could dare to look up to.

Whenever he thought of that glory, blood rushed to Zhang Huaiyi's head—this hardship meant nothing.

"Mother!" Zhang Huaiyi called out sincerely.

Duan Shaoxia nodded and led Zhang Huaiyi to Lu Yuanhai's side.

"Huaiyi, this is your brother Yuanhai—he's ill, you know that."

Zhang Huaiyi nodded—he had already heard all this from Duan Shaohong.

"Huaiyi, you must take good care of your brother."

For Lu Yuanhai, Zhang Huaiyi had prepared his words: "Mother, rest assured—blood is thicker than water. Even if I must sacrifice my life, I will find a way to cure my brother."

Duan Shaoxia nodded: "Look closely at your brother—Yuanhai can hear you."

Zhang Huaiyi looked at Lu Yuanhai—tears glistened at the corner of his eye.

To be fair, Lu Yuanhai and Zhang Huaiyi bore a resemblance—more so than Lu Yuanshan had.

Zhang Huaiyi sighed inwardly: this boy's life is over. My mother told me that when the time is right, she'll arrange for someone to put him to rest.

He's had twenty years of luxury—he's gotten his due. Now the good days should be mine.

"Brother, I'll come see you again," Zhang Huaiyi said, rising—then he noticed Lu Yuanhai's grip tightening.

What's going on? What does this boy want?

Duan Shaoxia said from the side, "Huaiyi, talk to your brother. He hasn't spoken to anyone in a long time—he's tired of just staring at me."

Talk?

Can he even speak?

Zhang Huaiyi felt resentment inside but dared not show it on his face; he kept holding Lu Yuanhai's hand, maintaining a look of heartbroken despair.

Lu Yuanhai's tears fell one by one.

Watching Lu Yuanhai cry endlessly, Zhang Huaiyi's chest ached in waves.

What's going on?

Do you feel pity?

Why should I feel pity for him?

They never even looked at me properly before—especially Lu Yuanshan. When I asked him for money, he never failed to disgust me!

Lu Yuanhai wasn't bad—at least he never made things hard for me over money.

Actually, he's always been kind to me…

Thinking of this, Zhang Huaiyi felt something stir inside him, and his eyes grew damp.

He's truly my younger brother.

This bond of blood is real.

"Yuanhai, rest well and recover. Believe me—you will get better…"

Zhang Huaiyi spoke a few words to Lu Yuanhai, and the more he spoke, the more his heart ached.

Tears piled layer upon layer, completely blurring his vision—he could no longer see Lu Yuanhai, nothing at all.

Zhang Huaiyi wanted to wipe his tears, but his hands wouldn't move.

What's going on?

Did I catch it from Lu Yuanhai?

Duan Shaoxia spoke: "Huaiyi, don't grieve too much. Go back to your room and rest."

Zhang Huaiyi was anxious too—he wanted to return to his room and rest—but he couldn't move.

His hands wouldn't move. His feet wouldn't move.

"Mom, you should rest too."

Did someone speak?

Who spoke?

Zhang Huaiyi's vision remained blurred; the voice sounded muffled.

His hands wouldn't move. His feet wouldn't move. He couldn't speak.

He couldn't even focus his attention. The only thing clear was an indescribable numbness spreading through his entire body.

Duan Shaoxia took "Zhang Huaiyi" to another bedroom.

In the bedroom, "Zhang Huaiyi" immediately lay on the bed and began gasping for breath.

He was deeply uncomfortable in this body; blood vessels burst across his face in thick lines.

Duan Shaoxia's condition was also poor; she sat by the bed, drenched in sweat.

"Mom," said "Zhang Huaiyi," "I feel this body can't hold me."

Duan Shaoxia touched "Zhang Huaiyi's" forehead: "Zhang Huaiyi shares close blood with you. This is the best body I could find—most compatible with yours."

"Mom, the pain is unbearable—I can't hold on…"

"Don't fear. I have pills here. You must endure."

"Mom, I have the body—but what about my identity?"

"Your Uncle Qiu will figure out the identity. He'll find a way."

PS: High-level spiritual cultivation is extremely powerful.

But what can Uncle Qiu possibly do?

(End of Chapter)