Chapter 22: I will make them pay 2 (1/2)

Duke Wu's residence.

it was already dark when Lu Yaozhu returned to his family's residence, by then everyone had eaten their dinner and was preparing to go to bed. Lu Yaozhu walked to his residence with his servant Yu Tao holding up the lamb, lighting his way to the residence.

Light reflected from the previously quiet courtyard belonging to his younger sister Lu Yuling. He could faintly hear the sound of a soft feminine laughter from the courtyard. Lu Yaozhu slowed down his pace, turned slightly and asked in a low tone ”is Xiao Ling back home?”.

Yu Tao nodded ”Yes she is, young Miss got back a few hours ago”.

Lu Yaozhu lips curved up and he increased his pace, he had on this one younger sister and was very fond of her. Lu Yuling was spoiled by everyone, she was the youngest in the family and the only girl.

Even though she was a little naughty, Lu Yuling was very soft-hearted and kind. Lu Yuling was closest to Lu Yaozhu since she was a child, back then she always followed him around. Even during his battles and campaigns around the grasslands, Lu Yuling always kept in touch. She even visited him a few times, which always made their mother worry.

His mood got lighter as he got closer to her courtyard. He called out her name fondly as he walked into her courtyard ” Xiao Ling!!!”.

Lu Yuling, who was seated by the window rushed out as soon as she heard her brother's voice. She ran into his widespread hands and hugged him tightly. ”Second Brother!”

Lu Yaozhu looked down at her fondly and he hugged her, patting her back gently. ”Hello little troublemaker, how was your trip back”.

”It was good” she replied rubbing her cheek on his chest. She stayed that way for a few minutes before unwrapping her hands from around him.

Lu Yuling pulled back slowly and looked up at her brother's smiling face. ”I missed you so much, staying at the hometown with grandmother and the third branch family was so boring. All the young ladies are so proper, talking to them was like talking to a palace Etiquette Mistress”.

”Then it was a good idea sending you to learn under third aunt Xu,” He said his mouth hooked up.

Lu Yuling on the other hand felt wronged by his words, she hit him on the shoulder, pulled out of his hands and stood back. She folded both hands on her shoulder and pouted ”Hey! I was just fine in the capital you know. Mother didn't have to send me away to the countryside for a year. It was so boring there”.

”Hmm” he placed his hand on his jaw thoughtfully ”it didn't seem that way in the letters you sent. They were always filled with a full recap of your adventures with Xu Yicheng.”

”It was boring before Brother Yicheng came. That reminds me, I must thank you for sending him over, I was starting to get suffocated by all of third aunt's rules” she said her chick getting brighter as her lips curved up.

”There is no need to thank me, I didn't send Xu Yicheng to accompany you. He was there to gain more experience and protect the borders”.

”Yes! Yes! that must be true” she replied.

”You!” Lu Yaozhu flicked her forehead playfully. He stayed back to catch up with his sister before returning to his courtyard.