Fortune Across the World

Chapter 190: When a Confidant Leaves, Who Will Hear the Strings?

Lu Weixi snapped back to reality upon seeing Qu Ruocheng, whom she hadn't seen in a while. Composing herself, she greeted, "Xiao Cheng."

Qu Ruocheng took a couple of steps forward, casually sitting beside Lu Weixi, and playfully took her hand, "It's been so long since I've seen Sister Xi, I've missed you so much! I heard you've been busy helping Uncle Lu settle things here, so I didn't dare bother you."

A gentle smile graced Lu Weixi's lips, "It's been a while, Xiao Cheng." Remembering something, she added, "You didn't go to the academy this time; Uncle Qu might blame my brother and me." Qu Ruocheng had insisted on not attending the academy upon learning that Lu Weixi and her brother weren't going, otherwise she would have been studying there now.

Qu Ruocheng pouted, "With Sister Xi and him not going, it's no fun for me to go alone!"

"You..." Lu Weixi sighed. She had tried persuading Xiao Cheng through letters, but Qu Ruocheng was resolute, leaving Lu Weixi no choice but to give up.

Qu Ruocheng chuckled, noticing the small wooden sculpture Lu Weixi had been staring at in a daze. She exclaimed, "Wow, this little carving is amazing!" Recognizing who it depicted, she naturally thought of Ding Qiyu. Looking around, she asked in surprise, "Where's your Qiyu? I don't see her."

Qing'er was startled. Why was Miss Qu bringing this up? How was the young lady supposed to answer?

The smile on Lu Weixi's face faded, replaced by a wave of heartache and longing. "She, she..." she stammered, unable to continue. Even she didn't know where Qiyu was, or if Qiyu was still "her" Qiyu...

Qing'er had to intervene, "Miss Qu, my lady, it's not comfortable sitting outside. Why don't you go inside and talk?"

Qu Ruocheng turned to Qing'er, noticing her signaling with her eyes. Seeing Lu Weixi's change in mood, she recalled the melancholy in her sister's music earlier. Could it be that Ding Qiyu had broken ties with Lu Weixi, causing her such heartache? Quickly changing the subject, she followed Qing'er's suggestion, "Oh, right! I walked so far and haven't had water. Let's go inside and chat. I heard Lu Weiming joined the Lu army?"

...

At the mansion, while Lu Weixi and Qu Ruocheng caught up, a procession stopped at the General's Mansion. Leading them was a young man with striking features, bearing a resemblance to the General, dressed in dark armor with a deep red cape, a sword at his side. Despite his commanding presence and robust build, a closer look revealed he was missing half of his right leg, making him a cripple. This impressive young general was Lu Weizhao, the General's eldest son and Lu Weixi and Lu Weiming's elder brother.

Lu Weizhao took the cane handed to him by an aide, dismounted, and though his movement was not particularly agile, he refused assistance, balancing with one leg and the cane before standing steady.

The guards at the gate recognized him, with one rushing to report inside while the rest greeted him in unison. Eager to reunite with his family, Lu Weizhao, propped on his cane, hurried through the gates and made his way to the main hall, meeting his equally eager parents halfway.

Upon seeing their son with a cane, the General and his wife were overwhelmed with emotion, embracing him tightly. Lu Weizhao, wiping his tears, avoided discussing his injury to spare his parents worry. He looked around and changed the subject, "Where are Xiao Xi and Xiao Ming?"