Lu Youtang lit the sparkler and handed it to Yuan’er, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she watched.
The sparks in Yuan’er’s hand took her by surprise. She had never seen anything like this before, but considering the Lu family had come from the capital, it wasn’t too strange that they had such rare items. She quickly calmed down, masking her surprise.
Seeing Lu Youtang’s expectant expression, Yuan’er smiled faintly and nodded, “It’s pretty.”
Lu Youtang immediately brightened up, clearly thrilled.
The two girls seemed happy, playing together joyfully.
However, Gu Xingzhao noticed something off. This girl, Yuan’er, didn’t seem genuinely interested. She was merely pretending to enjoy it, likely not wanting to disappoint Lu Youtang.
The other children were completely captivated by the sparklers, even the older ones like Lu Xingyao couldn’t get enough of them.
It wouldn’t have been strange if Yuan’er didn’t enjoy the sparklers, but her behavior—pretending to be excited—was unusual for a ten-year-old.
Even if she had just lost her mother.
Gu Xingzhao recalled what Lu Qing had told her about Yuan’er’s background and looked at the girl now, starting to doubt. Could it be that Yuan’er’s identity wasn’t as simple as it seemed?
With this in mind, she sought out Lu Qing and advised, “Lu Qing, you should keep a close eye on that girl, Yuan’er. Make sure she doesn’t harbor any ill intentions.”
Lu Qing was taken aback. When they had first taken Yuan’er in, he had been concerned she might have been sent by someone with ulterior motives, so he had two people watch her for a couple of days. They concluded she had no contact with anyone suspicious and seemed like an ordinary girl.
But now, hearing this from their ancestor, he grew worried. Could there really be something wrong with Yuan’er?
“Ancestor, did you notice something amiss?”
Gu Xingzhao pressed her lips together. “The child is trying too hard to please people. Her behavior doesn’t seem like that of an ordinary child. It’s quite possible she’s intentionally getting close to you.”
She recalled the first time she saw Yuan’er with Lu Qing. At that time, Yuan’er had seemed timid and grieving, making it hard for anyone to suspect her. But now, away from Lu Qing, her demeanor was entirely different.
If Yuan’er wasn’t deliberately trying to get close to them, then her current behavior revealed a heavy and calculating mind. For someone her age to be this shrewd, it was worrying.
Lu Qing fell silent. Their ancestor’s words couldn’t be wrong, which meant there must be something up with Yuan’er.
“Don’t worry, Ancestor. I understand,” he replied.
After Gu Xingzhao left, Lu Qing gathered his sons and grandsons, repeating what their ancestor had said. “Have any of you noticed anything unusual about her in the past few days?”
Lu Zhou thought for a moment. “I haven’t seen anything odd. Maybe it’s because she lost her mother, so she hasn’t been talking much.”
Lu Qing turned to his eldest grandson. “The day you went to find her mother, did you notice anything strange?”
Lu Xingyao recalled carefully and shook his head. “I didn’t even get a chance to speak with her. By the time I saw her, she was already dead.”
Thinking it over, he wondered if the woman was even Yuan’er’s mother.
Before Lu Xingyan could speak, Lu Yang, looking displeased, angrily declared, “There’s definitely something wrong with that girl!”
Everyone immediately turned to Lu Yang.
Lu Xingyan raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.
Lu Qing sternly asked his second son, “What have you noticed, then?”
Lu Yang, clearly irritated, complained, “That girl is too manipulative! She’s got my Youtang wrapped around her little finger. My daughter doesn’t even care about her own father anymore, just sticking to her all day!”
“And they even eat together!”
His words left the entire tent speechless.
Lu Qing: “…”
It was foolish to expect his simple-minded son to provide any meaningful insight.
Lu Xingyao: “…”
Second Uncle’s just upset because his daughter isn’t paying attention to him.
Lu Zhou: “…”
It’s embarrassing for Lu Yang to be jealous of a child.
Lu Xingyan cleared his throat and said, “Father, since Youtang has been spending so much time with Yuan’er, why not call her over and ask her directly? Maybe she’ll know something.”
Lu Qing nodded in agreement.
Before anyone could volunteer, Lu Yang stood up. “I’ll go!”
But Lu Qing gave him a sharp look. “You stay put.”
Then, turning to his eldest grandson, he said, “Xingyao, you go.”
Without hesitation, Lu Xingyao left the tent to find Youtang.
Lu Yang: “???” Wait, I’m her father. Why don’t I get to go?
But no one in the tent bothered to explain.
When Lu Xingyao found his little cousin, Youtang was sitting with Yuan’er, patiently teaching her to read and write using the materials their ancestor had provided. She was surprisingly focused for someone who usually found studying tiring.
His lips pressed into a thin line as he remembered how Youtang had refused to give him the fireworks earlier and instead handed them over to Yuan’er. No wonder Second Uncle was feeling slighted.
Lu Xingyao walked over and, without a word, lifted his little cousin by the back of her collar, hoisting her up onto his shoulder as if she weighed nothing. He didn’t bother saying a word to Yuan’er as he began walking back.
Lu Youtang, startled and confused, wriggled on his shoulder. “Big Brother, what are you doing?!”
Lu Xingyao, not wanting to scare her, replied calmly, “Grandfather wants to talk to you. Stop squirming.”
The moment Youtang heard that Grandfather was looking for her, she obediently quieted down, though still a bit bewildered by her sudden change of situation.
Back in the tent, the elders all watched Youtang with gentle, expectant faces, which only made her more confused. She turned to her father, Lu Yang, for some clarity. “Father…?”
Lu Yang quickly reassured her, “Don’t be scared, sweetheart. Grandfather just wants to ask you about Yuan’er.”
Still confused, Youtang blinked. “Yuan’er?”
Lu Qing, softening his tone, spoke kindly. “Youtang, since you’ve been spending a lot of time with Yuan’er lately, could you tell us how she’s been? What have you both been doing these past few days?”
Thinking hard, Youtang recounted her recent experiences, “We’ve been eating and sleeping together. Earlier, I showed her the fireworks, and she was very happy!”
Lu Xingyao’s brow twitched slightly. Look at that—his little cousin’s loyalty was entirely with Yuan’er now.
Youtang continued, “I’ve also been teaching her to read and write, but she doesn’t seem to enjoy it very much…” She pouted slightly, clearly a little disheartened, but then brightened up quickly. “But we made a promise to study together with Mr. Liu!”
Lu Yang was heartbroken. His precious daughter seemed way too eager to study now—had she lost her mind?
Lu Qing’s eyes narrowed slightly. “So, you like her, do you? Does Yuan’er seem to like you too?”
Youtang nodded enthusiastically. “I like her! But she seems to like Sister Shunyu even more. She always wants to talk to her.”
Lu Qing’s expression darkened. “You mean she often goes to speak with Shunyu?”
Youtang nodded earnestly. “Yes! But don’t worry, Grandfather! You said Sister Shunyu has important things to do, so I made sure Yuan’er didn’t bother her. I didn’t disturb her either!”
Proud of her own diligence, Youtang patted her chest confidently.
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