Life Simulation: My Wife from Another World Became Real - Chapter 15:

Chapter 15: The Young Master Is in Seclusion, He Won’t See Anyone!

In the corridor by Tranquil Heart Lake, two figures walked side by side. One wore patched coarse cloth and had a white jade tobacco pipe tucked at his waist. With gray hair and a slightly hunched back, he looked like a farmer just returned from working the fields. The other wore a brocade robe and ceremonial headwear, with the demeanor of a refined nobleman.

If outsiders saw them, they’d assume a noble young master was out for a walk with his elderly servant. But those in the General’s Manor knew the truth—this seemingly rustic, hunched elder was the Grand General Lu Qingshan, who had once followed the Female Emperor to conquer the lands. And the elegant young master beside him was his second son, Lu Wen.

Lu Wen had shown brilliance from a young age. At five, he had read extensively; by seven, he could compose eloquently. Now he served in the Imperial Court as a Grand Scholar at the Hanlin Academy, drafting decrees for the Female Emperor—a highly esteemed position. Nearly half the civil officials in the court were closely aligned with him. If all went as expected, he was likely to become the second Prime Minister of the Great Xia Empire after Liu Juzheng.

“Father, has Big Brother really come back?”

“Er Ya, would your father lie to you?”

“But Big Brother’s been missing for more than ten years. What if…”

“You’re worried he’s an imposter trying to sneak into the General’s Manor for food and shelter?”

“Father, in these times, you can’t be too careful. There are all kinds of people out there.”

“Relax. I’ve already checked. Big Ya has a crescent-shaped birthmark on his wrist, and this man has the exact same one. Besides, Big Ya went missing at thirteen. It’s been more than a decade, and he looks to be about twenty-four or twenty-five—his age matches perfectly.”

Lu Wen hesitated before saying, “Father, I still feel uneasy. Even if Big Brother’s identity checks out, he’s been wandering outside for so many years…”

Lu Qingshan stopped walking and glanced at his refined second son beside him, smiling as he said, “Er Ya, I know what you’re thinking. You’re worried your brother’s years of wandering might’ve changed his personality and temper, right?”

Lu Wen didn’t hide his thoughts, “Father, you’re the Grand General, head of all military officers, second only to the Female Emperor. Across the whole empire, only Prime Minister Liu Juzheng can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you. Everyone else can only look up to our Lu family. If Big Brother suddenly returns with a weak or perverse nature, wouldn’t that invite ridicule? As they say, ‘He who stays near vermilion becomes red, near ink becomes black…'”

Lu Qingshan laughed heartily, interrupting, “Er Ya, you haven’t even met your brother yet, so how can you judge?”

Turning toward the mirrored surface of Tranquil Heart Lake, his eyes seemed to drift into the past. He muttered, “Liu Juzheng and I have known each other since we were kids. He came from a scholarly family, while I was just a farmer. One time, Liu Juzheng was ambushed by mountain bandits while out on a spring outing. I happened to pass by and saved him. From then on, we became close friends. He often sneaked money and food from home to give to me…”

Lu Qingshan’s expression turned nostalgic.

Lu Wen stood behind him, puzzled as to why his father was telling him all this.

Just then, Lu Qingshan turned back and continued, “Back then, we were just brats still smelling of milk, but we copied the adults and arranged a childhood engagement. Who would’ve thought, decades later, I’d become the top military official, and he’d become the top civil official? But we’re no longer as close as before. Now we’re political rivals, each refusing to yield to the other.”

“Yesterday, Liu Juzheng heard that Big Ya had returned. He actually sent his daughter to our home to annul the engagement.”

“Guess how your brother responded?”

Lu Qingshan turned to Lu Wen.

Lu Wen thought for a moment and said, “Although Prime Minister Liu can be extreme at times, his character is still commendable. He’s honest and meticulous in nurturing talent…”

Lu Qingshan coughed and said, “I know you’re close with that second girl from the Prime Minister’s Estate, but you don’t have to speak up for that old fox Liu Juzheng in front of me.”

“Yes, I understand,” Lu Wen said, lowering his head in embarrassment.

Lu Qingshan chuckled, “Alright, let’s not talk about that old fox anymore. I just want to ask you—when the eldest Miss of the Liu family came to annul the engagement, how do you think your brother reacted?”

Lu Wen replied, “Big Brother just returned and isn’t familiar with court affairs. Plus, he’s been begging and wandering all these years. If the Prime Minister’s daughter came to annul the engagement, he probably wouldn’t dare to refuse.”

Lu Qingshan nodded, “You’re half right—he didn’t refuse. But that’s only half the story.”

“Only half?”

Lu Wen looked intrigued, “Father, don’t keep me guessing. What exactly did Big Brother do?”

Lu Qingshan then recounted how Lu Chen had taken the upper hand and forced Liu Ruqian to sign the Annulment Document.

When he finished, Lu Wen stood frozen in place, stunned. It took him a long while to recover.

“The way Big Brother handled it—ending the engagement while preserving the dignity of our General’s Manor—was brilliant!”

Lu Wen couldn’t help but clap his hands in admiration.

Seeing his son praise Lu Chen, Lu Qingshan’s expression turned proud.

“So, do you still think your brother is weak or twisted in character?”

Lu Wen quickly said, “They say a tiger doesn’t raise a dog. Big Brother’s personality is just like yours, Father.”

“Hahaha, naturally!”

Lu Qingshan didn’t usually like flattery, but hearing his own son praise him felt especially satisfying.

“Let’s go see your brother,” Lu Qingshan said, patting Lu Wen’s shoulder and leading him toward the Wutong Courtyard.

Soon, they arrived at an elegant courtyard. Upon seeing them, a maidservant quickly stepped forward to greet them, “Jiayin greets Master and Second Young Master.”

In front of the Grand General, she didn’t dare call herself Jin’er and instead used her former alias.

“Girl, where’s my brother?” Lu Wen asked eagerly.

The maidservant respectfully replied, “The Young Master is currently in seclusion in the side room.”

“In seclusion?” Lu Qingshan asked curiously, “What is Chen’er cultivating?”

“Reporting to Master, the Young Master learned a health-preserving technique from Housekeeper Zhao. He entered beginner level within half an hour and is now focusing on cultivating the technique in the room, forbidding any interruptions.”

Lu Qingshan nodded with approval. “Health-preserving techniques are great! He must cultivate them well!”

Lu Wen added, “Father, I haven’t even seen Big Brother yet.”

Lu Qingshan waved his hand, “Next time. When your brother’s free, you can meet him then. Besides, Third Ya will also be returning from the border soon. When he does, the three of you can have a proper reunion.”

“Alright then…”

At that moment, the old housekeeper rushed into the courtyard. Upon seeing Lu Wen, he gave a respectful nod before going up to Lu Qingshan and saying, “Master, I’ve invited Imperial Physician Jiang. Shall I…”

Imperial Physician Jiang was the best doctor in the capital. High-ranking officials often lined up for his consultations. The housekeeper had talked himself hoarse and finally had to invoke the Grand General’s name to bring him here.

But Lu Qingshan shook his head, “Forget it, let him return. Once Chen’er finishes his seclusion, we can call him over then.”

The housekeeper was stunned, “Uh… Understood, Master.”