Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo'

Chapter 411 - 286: Deep Sibling Bond

In the Lu Family Mansion, Butler Qiu looked at Lady Duan Shaoxia and shook his head.

Lu Yuanhai was beyond treatment.

"Lady, I am incompetent. I have failed to take proper care of the two young masters, and I cannot bear to stay in the Lu Family any longer."

Butler Qiu genuinely wanted to leave the Lu Family. This was not only because of Elder Yao’s suggestion but also due to Butler Qiu’s own sense of guilt. He was indeed unaware of the assassination attempt on Lu Maoxian, but if he could have discerned the signs earlier, there might have been a chance to reverse the situation.

"Zhiheng," Duan Shaoxia grabbed Butler Qiu’s hand, "you can’t abandon us. I know the two boys were thoughtless and hurt your feelings. Please don’t hold it against them. With Yuan Shan dead and Yuan Hai in this state, please don’t resent them..."

As she spoke, Duan Shaoxia’s tears flowed uncontrollably.

Butler Qiu didn’t know what to say. The matter of leaving the Lu Family could be put aside for now, but as for what to do next, Butler Qiu had no strategy. In two days, Lu Maoxian would come to make trouble again; dragging things out like this wasn’t a solution.

His men brought news that several of Lu Maoxian’s sons had secretly taken over some of Lu Yuanshan’s businesses. These businesses had to be reclaimed, and Butler Qiu left the house in a hurry with a group of men.

Monkey Qiu had barely left when Duan Shaohong, Duan Shaoxia’s older sister, arrived.

After some pleasantries, Duan Shaoxia wanted to find an excuse to send Duan Shaohong away. This wasn’t a good time for guests; too much talk could lead to a slip of the tongue.

But Duan Shaohong refused to leave and got straight to the point: "Little sister, I’ve heard something. Are my two nephews in some kind of trouble?"

Duan Shaoxia was taken aback. "Who told you that?"

"It came from Lu Maoxian. He’s saying that you and Monkey Qiu are having an affair and that you harmed the children."

"That old dog! He’s spouting utter nonsense!" Duan Shaoxia’s eyes turned red instantly.

Duan Shaohong took Duan Shaoxia’s hand and whispered, "Let’s talk inside."

Once in the bedroom, Duan Shaohong said, "We sisters grew up together; let’s not hide anything from each other. Did something really happen to Yuan Shan and Yuan Hai?"

"It’s nothing..."

"You’re still keeping it from me? This news is all over Greenwater City! That old dog Lu Maoxian has ruined your reputation!"

Since Lu Maoxian had already spread the news, Duan Shaoxia knew she could no longer hide it and told Duan Shaohong everything.

Hearing that Lu Yuanshan was dead, Duan Shaohong also shed tears. "Little sister, how could you keep such a big matter from me? You should’ve at least told me, so you wouldn’t have to bear it all alone."

After crying together, Duan Shaohong broached the real issue. "Little sister, that old dog Lu Maoxian will certainly not let you off this time. Monkey Qiu is an outsider, after all. With no man in the family to take charge, he simply can’t handle this."

"But Yuan Hai, he..."

"Let’s treat Yuan Hai’s illness slowly. Before he gets better, we need to find someone to support the Lu Family’s main bloodline."

The so-called main bloodline of the Lu Family was, in fact, Lu Dongliang’s lineage.

Apart from Lu Yuanshan and Lu Yuanhai, did Lu Dongliang have any other descendants? He had many, so many that even he himself couldn’t count them all. But these were not Duan Shaoxia’s children; how could she possibly accept them?

"Little sister, we certainly wouldn’t acknowledge a stranger’s child, but surely you’d acknowledge mine?"

"Your child, of course, I would..." Duan Shaoxia looked at Duan Shaohong in astonishment.

Duan Shaohong didn’t blush; this was no time for blushing.

"Sister, when did this happen?"

"Before your marriage, after mine."

"You’re not talking about Huai Yi, are you?"

Duan Shaohong nodded slightly. She was indeed talking about Huai Yi.

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

Duan Shaoxia flew into a rage. "How could Huai Yi possibly be..."

"Little sister, listen to me. Before you married Dongliang, I had already been with him. This isn’t a betrayal to you..."

The more Duan Shaoxia listened, the angrier she became, wishing she could beat Duan Shaohong on the spot. But after listening to Duan Shaohong for half an hour, Duan Shaoxia calmed down.

Thinking about it carefully, Zhang Huaiyi really did resemble Lu Dongliang; he might indeed be Lu Dongliang’s son. He was also Duan Shaohong’s son, and biologically very close to her. That really was a solution...

The question was, would Duan Shaohong’s husband Zhang Bochu agree to it?

Duan Shaohong snorted coldly. "Why wouldn’t he agree? If it weren’t for our Duan Family all these years, he’d have nothing, not even the northwest wind to drink. I don’t know what I was thinking, being so blind as to choose him in the first place."

Zhang Bochu’s family couldn’t compare to the Duan Family by far, but Zhang Bochu was handsome in his youth and won Duan Shaohong’s heart. Combined with the Duan Family’s lenient upbringing of their daughters, the marriage came to be.

Duan Shaohong said, "Little sister, Huai Yi is Dongliang’s seed. He looks so much like him, you can see it at a glance. In the future, he’ll change his surname to Lu and call you ’Mother.’ It’s settled!"

Duan Shaoxia said nothing, just kept wiping away her tears.

「That evening」

Butler Qiu returned to the residence, his expression grim. The businesses hadn’t been reclaimed. Lu Maoxian’s attitude was extremely firm; he believed Butler Qiu wasn’t qualified to negotiate with him and insisted on meeting the Lu Brothers directly.

Monkey Qiu, frustrated and upset, wanted to return to his small building for a good night’s sleep, but Zhang Huaiyi suddenly arrived and bowed to Butler Qiu. "Uncle Qiu."

"Huai Yi?" Butler Qiu recognized Zhang Huaiyi but didn’t understand why he was in the Lu Residence so late.

Duan Shaohong said, "Butler Qiu, from now on, Huai Yi will be a member of the Lu Family."

Butler Qiu was taken aback, then understood Duan Shaohong’s intention. Zhang Huaiyi was Lu Dongliang’s son; Butler Qiu was aware of this because Lu Dongliang himself had mentioned it. Now that Duan Shaohong was bringing Zhang Huaiyi over, it meant he was being positioned to become the Family Head.

Isn’t this absurd?

Duan Shaoxia turned to Butler Qiu and said, "Zhiheng, do you have any other solution?"

Monkey Qiu had no reply; he really had no better solution. But to have Zhang Huaiyi act as a son of the Lu Family was certainly not a good solution. No one would acknowledge Zhang Huaiyi’s identity; even Lu Dongliang himself had never acknowledged him.

Lu Dongliang, though known for his dalliances, kept a clear line between his family life and his affairs. Of the women outside his marriage, he had only ever acknowledged one: Zhuo Yuling. As for children born outside, he only acknowledged two: Lu Xiaolan and Lu Chunying. He acknowledged Lu Xiaolan because Zhuo Yuling was indeed useful to him. He acknowledged Lu Chunying because she had found Lu Xiaolan, which was a meritorious deed, and also because he liked Lu Chunying’s temperament.

Now, suddenly, a Zhang Huaiyi has appeared. How could such a person possibly gain a foothold in the Lu Family?

Monkey Qiu shook his head vigorously at Duan Shaoxia. Duan Shaohong frowned and said, "Butler Qiu, what do you mean by this? Are decisions made by your Lady for you to question and interfere with? On the first of next month, Huai Yi will host a banquet, acknowledge his mother, and change his surname. You’d best start preparing immediately."

With only ten days left until the first of next month, if things really went ahead as planned, the Lu Family would be completely finished.

Monkey Qiu spent a sleepless night in his small building.

Duan Shaoxia stood beside Lu Yuanhai’s bed, her gaze fixed intently on her son.

"Child, Mom is finding you a brother. Mom is doing this for your own good."

After sitting in silence for a long time, a knock on the door was heard.

Duan Shaoxia opened the door. Zhang Huaiyi was standing outside; she had summoned him.

Zhang Huaiyi looked at Duan Shaoxia and called out, "Auntie," not daring to say anything else. Duan Shaohong had instructed him that, being new to the Lu Residence, he must appear timid and not arouse any suspicion from the Lu Family members.

Duan Shaoxia smiled. "Child, this is your home. There’s no need to be so formal. From now on, call me Mom, not Auntie."

Zhang Huaiyi’s face turned red. He nodded; for a man in his thirties to start calling someone ’Mom’ was somewhat awkward. The more awkward part was still to come: on the first of next month, he would have to change his surname and, in front of the entire Lu clan, serve tea to the elders one by one. He knew this was humiliating, but Duan Shaohong had told him it was his best chance to turn his life around. As long as he became the head of the Lu Family, he would have endless money, an endless supply of women, and a status and position others could only dream of.

Whenever he thought of such glory, Zhang Huaiyi felt blood rush to his head; the current difficulties seemed insignificant.

"Mom!" Zhang Huaiyi called out sincerely.

Duan Shaoxia nodded and brought Zhang Huaiyi to Lu Yuanhai’s side.

"Huai Yi, this is your brother Yuan Hai. You know Yuan Hai is sick."

Zhang Huaiyi nodded; Duan Shaohong had told him about these matters.

"Huai Yi, you must take good care of your brother in the future."

Regarding Lu Yuanhai, Zhang Huaiyi had his words prepared. "Mom, don’t worry. The bond of blood is deep. Even if I have to risk my life, I will find a way to cure my brother’s illness."

Duan Shaoxia nodded. "Quick, look at your brother. Yuan Hai can hear you speak."

Zhang Huaiyi looked at Lu Yuanhai, a teardrop clinging to the corner of his eye.

It had to be said, Lu Yuanhai and Zhang Huaiyi looked somewhat alike, even more so than Lu Yuanshan did.

Zhang Huaiyi sighed to himself. This boy’s life is over. My mother told me that when the time is right, she’ll arrange for someone to send him on his way. He’s had over twenty years of glory; that’s more than enough. It’s my turn for the good life now.

"Brother, I’ll come see you again next time." Zhang Huaiyi was just about to rise when he noticed Lu Yuanhai’s hand gripping his tighter.

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

Duan Shaoxia interjected from the side, "Huai Yi, keep talking to your brother. He hasn’t spoken to anyone in a long time. He must be tired of seeing only me every day."

Talk? Can he even speak?

Zhang Huaiyi was inwardly displeased but dared not show it on his face. He continued holding Lu Yuanhai’s hand, maintaining an expression of profound sadness.

Lu Yuanhai’s tears fell, one after another.

Seeing Lu Yuanhai cry continuously, Zhang Huaiyi felt a sharp pang in his chest.

What is this? Am I feeling sorry for him? Why should I feel sorry for him? Neither of those brothers ever gave me the time of day. Especially Lu Yuanshan! When I tried to borrow some money from him, he went out of his way to humiliate me! Lu Yuanhai wasn’t so bad; at least he never gave me a hard time about money. Actually, he was always pretty good to me...

At this thought, Zhang Huaiyi felt a surge of emotion, and his eyes moistened.

He’s actually my own brother. This bond of kinship... it’s real.

"Yuan Hai, rest well. You can recover. Believe me, Brother, you will definitely recover..."

Zhang Huaiyi spoke a few words to Lu Yuanhai, and the more he spoke, the more heartbroken he felt. Tears welled, blurring his vision completely. He couldn’t see Lu Yuanhai; he couldn’t see anything clearly.

Zhang Huaiyi wanted to wipe his tears but found that his own hands wouldn’t move.

What’s happening? Don’t tell me I’ve been infected by Lu Yuanhai?

Duan Shaoxia said, "Huai Yi, don’t be too upset. Go back to your room and rest."

Zhang Huaiyi was anxious; he also wanted to return to his room to rest, but he couldn’t move. His hands wouldn’t move, nor would his feet.

"Mom, you should rest early too."

Did someone speak? Who was that?

Zhang Huaiyi’s vision was still blurry, and he could only hear the voice faintly. He couldn’t move his hands or feet, nor could he utter a word. He couldn’t even focus his attention; the only thing he could clearly feel was an indescribable numbness spreading throughout his body.

Duan Shaoxia took "Zhang Huaiyi" to another bedroom.

Once inside the bedroom, "Zhang Huaiyi" immediately lay down on the bed and began to gasp heavily for breath. He was very uncomfortable in this body, and blood vessels bulged on his face.

Duan Shaoxia was also in bad shape, sitting beside the bed, drenched in sweat.

"Zhang Huaiyi" said, "Mom, I feel like this body can’t contain me."

Duan Shaoxia touched "Zhang Huaiyi’s" forehead. "Zhang Huaiyi and you share close blood ties. This is the most compatible physique Mom could find for you."

"Mom, it hurts so much, I really can’t take it..."

"Don’t worry, Mom has an Elixir for you. You must endure."

"Mom, now that I have the body, what about the identity?"

"Let your Uncle Qiu figure out the identity; he will definitely have a way."

PS: High-level Emotion Cultivators are very powerful.

But what can Monkey Qiu possibly do?