Chapter 85: Dreams of Armor and Warhorses

Shangqing County, Xiahe Village.

Shen Yanxi ignored Lu Jin now, because there was another “woman” by her husband’s side. Lu Caiwei also ignored Lu Jin, as her brother had been snatched away by a “woman.”

Lu Yuanrong and Bai Li Rou could only smile wryly at the scene. Even though they had told themselves hundreds of times that person was a man, upon meeting, they instinctively still saw him as a woman.

In truth, he was a fine young man—sincere and loyal. Though he came from a wealthy family, with those looks, who knows how much hardship he had suffered since childhood. It wasn't so bad when he was younger, but as he grew older, he couldn't fit in with either the girls or the boys. Who would have thought he’d get along so well with Jin? But as for what to do now... the two, seasoned by life as they were, found themselves at a loss.

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Inside the house, Lu Jin and Wu You were chatting.

Wu You had discovered some of the things Lu Jin had written, and Lu Jin had casually explained a bit, not expecting Wu You to be so interested. What’s more, things Lu Jin thought would be hard for ancient people to grasp, Wu Youran actually accepted with ease.

If Wu Youran were truly a woman, she would be an extraordinary one, with that enchanting appearance and sharp mind. But alas, fate had made a mistake with him!

“You Youran, did I ever ask you two years ago whether you were a man or a woman?”

“No, you didn’t ask, but I told you myself!”

Lu Jin nearly coughed up blood. The original master probably noticed but never said it outright, always treating you as a young lady—which is why you’re so muddled about it. What a mess!

Still, Lu Jin didn’t intend to distance himself from Wu You because of this. This girl—no, this lad—was genuinely a good person, only the gender confused people.

“Then you never grew a beard?” Lu Jin moved closer for a look and saw nothing but smooth skin.

“Never...” Wu You answered, embarrassed.

How bizarre—could Wu You completely lack male hormones? Is that why his appearance and temperament are so unusual?

“So, tell your big brother, do you like boys... or girls?” Lu Jin wanted to see which gender Wu You identified with, in case he accidentally led himself astray.

Who would have thought Wu You would blush fiercely at that and then run off—simply ran off!

Lu Jin looked up at the sky in exasperation. Heaven, what kind of trouble have you wrought?

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“Jin! Jin! Wake up, our house is surrounded!”

In the midst of a deep sleep, Lu Jin felt the world shake. He opened his eyes groggily to see his uncle shaking him.

What nonsense—was this some aftereffect from the battlefield, or was he sleepwalking again?

Lu Jin had gone to bed late the previous night, having sorted through knowledge from his past life, and had stayed up even later talking with Wu Youran.

“Uncle, what’s wrong?”

“Jin, hurry, our house is surrounded. Get up and take your aunt and Xi’er, and take Caiwei out the back door…”

Lu Jin sat up in shock—this didn’t feel like a dream. But who would surround his house?

“Uncle, what’s going on? Who could possibly want to surround us?”

“I don’t know yet. The Shen family’s guards are already gathering in the courtyard. Hurry and take the family out while there’s chaos—”

As Lu Jin dressed, he questioned Lu Yuanrong: “Uncle, be honest, you haven’t done anything, have you? Why would someone surround us otherwise?”

“You rascal, what could your uncle possibly have done? We don’t even know what’s happening. You all must leave first; I’ll stay to see what’s going on,” Lu Yuanrong said anxiously.

“Could it be the Shen family?” That was the only possibility Lu Jin could think of, but most of the guards who came this time were stationed in Shangqing.

“They said it’s not. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be so on guard.”

After getting ready, Lu Jin followed his uncle out. It was still dark—who would be so free at this hour?

“Where are you going? Come back and take the family out first!” Lu Yuanrong tried to stop Lu Jin when he saw him heading towards the courtyard.

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“Uncle, don’t worry, I’ll go find out what’s happening first.”

Lu Jin understood his uncle’s feelings. Despite his battlefield experience, he was now middle-aged, and his family meant everything to him. In times of trouble, his first thought was always to protect them.

But who could Lu Jin take with him now? No one was even up yet, and they needed to understand the situation anyway.

“Yanxi, you’re up too.” Lu Jin saw Shen Yanxi emerge and hurried over.

“Mm,” Shen Yanxi replied coolly, offering nothing more.

Lu Jin, embarrassed, said no more. The group headed toward the gate. As they approached, they saw the guards had blocked the entrance, prepared for battle.

“Young master, young lady!” The guards hurriedly greeted them. Since Lu Jin had killed those refugees a few days ago, the guards no longer dared underestimate him. He was no mere scholar—he was a king of hell!

“What’s going on? Is it Shen Qingyun?” Lu Jin asked.

“Young master, young lady, the people outside are all armed, definitely not our own. We tried questioning them, but they won’t answer. So we blocked the gate.”

What a mess—who had they provoked, especially armed men? Had the matter with the “second-in-command” been exposed? That seemed unlikely; it was hardly a secret, and even if Lu Wei was caught, Lu Jin could deny everything.

Just then, the commotion outside grew louder. A guard on watch called out, “Young master, young lady, it’s Captain Shen!”

Lu Jin glanced at Shen Yanxi in confusion. What was a “captain”?

“That’s Shen Qingyun. The Shen family’s guards are divided into four units, each of five hundred men, led by a captain.”

Impressive—their family treated ranks so formally.

While they stood dumbfounded, two groups outside faced each other in standoff.

Now that reinforcements had arrived, Lu Jin felt more at ease and had the guards clear the entrance. When the gate opened, both sides stood arrayed in rows, weapons gleaming in the dark, creating a chilling atmosphere. Thankfully, the courtyard was large enough to hold them all.

But who were these armed strangers? The Shen family was formidable, but these newcomers seemed even more so.

Lu Jin was about to inquire when two carriages approached.

They stopped at the entrance, and the coachman placed a stool behind the carriage. When the door opened, a delicate maid jumped down, followed by a young woman she helped out.

Shen Yanxi felt a surge of discomfort. Another woman? What was her relationship to Lu Jin? She promptly pinched Lu Jin at the waist, leaving him bewildered—what did this have to do with him? And with such force! Where had she learned that?

As the young woman stood, the armored guards immediately turned and saluted. “Miss!”

The sudden movement startled Lu Jin. He looked at the woman—dressed in a crimson skirt with a silver-gray cloak, her features delicate, brows like willows, almond-shaped eyes, a dainty nose and mouth—a true beauty.

Accompanied by her maid, the young woman approached Lu Jin and his companions. “May I ask if Lu Jin, Young Master Lu, is here?”

Heavens! Another one the original master had entangled with? Lu Jin felt another pinch at his waist from Shen Yanxi, who, once a dignified lady of a noble house, had been reduced to a jealous little vinegar jar in just a few days.

“I am. May I ask who you are?” Setting aside the pain, Lu Jin hurried to respond, hoping for a quick explanation. Not just for Shen Yanxi’s sake, but for his own sanity.

“I am here to seek—”

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The young woman had just begun when someone in the courtyard ran over, shouting as he came.

“Sister, why are you here?”

Wasn’t that his little brother—wait, sister? Family?

The woman ignored Lu Jin and immediately grabbed Wu You, looking him up and down anxiously, while those nearby shifted awkwardly.

“Sister, didn’t I leave you a note?” Wu You felt embarrassed under her scrutiny.

“You have some nerve, running off by yourself. What if something happened? How would I answer to Grandmother?” The young woman relaxed only after confirming her brother was unharmed.

“What could happen? I’m just here at Big Brother’s place,” Wu You replied.

“Big Brother?” The woman frowned. Since when did he have a big brother?

“Right, let me introduce you. This is the Lu Jin I always mention, Lu Nanqing, now also my big brother…”

The young woman scrutinized Lu Jin again, making him feel awkward under her gaze.

“Miss Wu, how do you do,” Lu Jin said with a gesture of respect. Surely there could be nothing more to this?

“I am Wu Shu. Wu You is my younger brother. When he left home without permission, I was frantic. But knowing he’d seek you out, I hurried here overnight. I intended only to wait outside until morning, but I did not expect to alarm your household. I deeply apologize for the disturbance.”

Goodness! You were only looking for your brother, but my whole family nearly fled. That was truly terrifying.

He’d guessed yesterday that Wu You came from a good family, but never imagined such a display of martial power.

Wu You introduced everyone else, who paid their respects in turn, and then, with nothing else to do, they all went into the house.

A commotion ensued as the Lu family hosted unexpected guests in the middle of the night. Uncle and aunt sat at the head, Wu You and his sister as guests, with Lu Jin and Shen Yanxi alongside.

“I wonder if Youran has told you about our family?” Wu Shu asked.

“Sister, why bring that up? Big Brother doesn’t mind,” Wu You said, embarrassed.

Seeing everyone’s confusion, Wu Shu ignored her brother’s objections and explained:

“Our family has many daughters, but only one elder brother and Wu You as sons. Our mother died young, and our father serves as an official far away. My elder brother is always with him, so only my grandmother and us sisters are at home. Youran was born male, but his appearance is feminine, and he grew up among us girls, so his temperament is somewhat gentle…”

Somewhat? He’d cry at the drop of a hat, and when sitting together, they looked just like a pair of sisters. Growing up among women, wasn’t he like Jia Baoyu?

“Since Youran met you two years ago, he’s always thought of you. When he heard you’d taken first place in the exam, he insisted on coming to congratulate you. I couldn’t dissuade him, so I accompanied him. When we didn’t find you in Jianglin, we meant to wait there, but he slipped out without telling me…”

Lu Jin was left speechless. Aunt, however, grew fonder of Wu You the more she looked at him—this Wu girl—no, this Wu lad, truly treated her son well.

“So if he’s done anything to make you uncomfortable or caused any misunderstanding, please don’t take it to heart. And thank you, Lu Jin, for treating my brother so sincerely,” Wu Shu said politely.

“There’s no need for such formality, Miss Wu. Youran is already like a brother to me; it’s only right for an elder brother to look after his younger brother. Besides, Youran is sincere and loyal—our whole family likes him very much,” Lu Jin replied.

“The armed men outside?” Lu Jin asked cautiously.

“They’re soldiers my father left at home—our family’s private troops.”

“Your father is...?” Uncle Lu Yuanrong inquired. To command private soldiers, he had to be a military man, which naturally piqued his interest.

“My father is Wu Han, Governor of the Southwest. My maternal grandfather is Xiao Yi, Prime Minister.”

Everyone: (⊙ˍ⊙)