Chapter 86: The Deep Bond Between Sister and Brother Makes Parting Hard

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Shangqing County, Xiahe Village.

After a simple banquet, everyone returned to catch up on sleep; it was the middle of the night, after all, and they couldn’t stay up talking until dawn.

Even the next morning, Lu Jin still felt dazed. Somehow, he had become a son-in-law to a powerful family. Out of nowhere, he had gained a brother whose influence was overwhelming. Was this his sudden stroke of luck?

Ever since learning about the other family’s background, his uncle and aunt had grown far more cautious in their words, still reeling from the shock. The Shen family was certainly prestigious, but at least they were kin and didn’t wield their power too overtly. The Wu siblings, however, were another matter—their military presence was imposing, with posts as governor and prime minister among them. How could his uncle and aunt possibly remain at ease?

But Lu Jin himself was unbothered; he wouldn’t ingratiate himself over this. Yesterday he had acted out of deep feeling, and so it was today. Besides, even if he wished, could Xiao Yi make him a top scholar?

“You Ran, this is my first request as your elder brother: don’t cry anymore. We’re men, and men do not shed tears lightly, understand?” Lu Jin instructed Wu You while watching the children practice martial arts in the courtyard.

Wu You held onto Lu Jin’s sleeve, head bowed, silent.

“And the second thing: don’t keep tugging at me all the time. You don’t want your brother to lose such a good sister-in-law, do you?” Lu Jin said patiently.

“Sister-in-law is wonderful, but how can you be a son-in-law, brother? If you don’t want to be, I can introduce you to—”

“Who exactly would you introduce your brother to? Tell me, I’m curious!”

Wu You was interrupted by Shen Yanxi’s voice.

“Sister-in-law, forgive me, I was out of line…” Wu You apologized, his face flushing with embarrassment.

Lu Jin realized that Wu You’s usual masculine tone was a conscious act; around him, Wu You’s true nature slipped through, yet he was indeed a man. Even Lu Jin, with all his learning, was at a loss.

“You Ran, you are my brother, so I’ll speak plainly. Your sister-in-law and I are deeply in love, steadfast as mountains and seas. I know you mean well, but if I cannot even embrace the role of a son-in-law, how could I be worthy of your sister-in-law, or fit to be your elder brother?”

He spoke to both Shen Yanxi and Wu You. He truly no longer minded the label of son-in-law. If he let it constrain him, he might as well resign himself to a life of dependency.

Shen Yanxi, already standing beside him, quietly took Lu Jin’s hand; the distance between husband and wife vanished. She couldn’t blame him, nor did she know whom to blame—life was unpredictable. Her anger had only been at his lack of boundaries, but now she realized he had always known where they lay.

Wu You was stunned by the grandeur in Lu Jin’s words; this was a completely different Lu Nanqing from the one two years before.

“Your words are enlightening, brother. I was being narrow-minded,” Wu You said, bowing.

With a flick, Lu Jin rapped Wu You on the head. “We’re brothers; say what you mean, no need for all this ceremony.”

Shen Yanxi smiled at Wu You’s embarrassment.

“Remember what I said? We’ll take it step by step and start with no more tears,” Lu Jin instructed.

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Qingxi County Wharf, a gentle rain falling.

Wu Shu, being a woman and leading so many soldiers, naturally couldn’t stay long at the Lu residence. She had planned to take Wu You with her, but Wu You flatly refused, so Wu Shu had no choice but to return home alone.

She was already married and had matters to tend to in her husband’s household. Her family also needed her now that Wu You was absent. She had come to help her brother seek someone out, and now that purpose was fulfilled, it was time to return.

Lu Jin and his wife came to see her off at the wharf, and it was a moment of bittersweet farewell.

“Master Lu, might I have a word with you?” Wu Shu seemed uneasy.

Lu Jin was confused—what more was there to say? He had already assured her he saw Wu You as a brother. Shen Yanxi, standing nearby, sensed Wu Shu’s unspoken worries and urged Lu Jin to go.

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“Master Lu, I can see you truly care for my brother, but because his circumstances are unique, I hope you will look after him—and, please, don’t harbor any other intentions…” Wu Shu trailed off, feeling she had overstepped, yet unable to let go.

Lu Jin was baffled. Did she mean not to use their connection for power? Seeing Wu Shu’s flushed face and downcast eyes, he finally understood.

“Miss Wu, rest assured, I am an upright man with a virtuous wife and no ulterior motives. I see You Ran as a brother and wish only to help him grow into a man…”

“Don’t—”

Wu Shu grew anxious, leaving Lu Jin stunned. Why not? Did she wish for him to remain this way forever?

Wu Shu, seeing Lu Jin’s bewilderment, calmed herself and said, “I know you mean well, Master Lu, but have you considered why my brother, who is not lacking in status, values you so highly?”

Lu Jin was even more puzzled. Was he not worth valuing?

“It’s because, in the past, anyone who discovered he was truly male either developed inappropriate intentions or despised him. No one ever respected him. You are different; I can see you truly cherish him.”

“But have you considered that his nature is innate and cannot be changed? He doesn’t even possess a man’s abilities…” At this, tears streamed down Wu Shu’s face.

“He calls himself ‘little brother’ and tries to act like a man, but can you not see he is forcing himself? If you insist on making him behave like a man, to outsiders he’ll appear neither male nor female. Have you thought how painful that would be? How others would see him? Would he not become a monster in their eyes?”

Wu Shu’s words struck Lu Jin like a great bell.

“Though he dresses as a man, anyone can see it’s a charade. Even if told the truth, no one would believe it. Whether he claims to be male or female, people won’t treat him differently—unless their relationship with him is as close as yours…”

Lu Jin was silent.

“So I ask you, let him be. At least, as a ‘girl dressed as a boy,’ he can live well enough.”

At their parting, Wu You clung to his sister, sobbing uncontrollably, while Wu Shu gave instruction after instruction, leaving behind several maids and ten female guards.

Standing on the riverbank watching the boats disappear, Lu Jin was filled with confusion and helplessness.

He understood Wu You’s situation better than most, but what could he do? He felt utterly powerless. Perhaps all he could do was let Wu You be.

“Brother, when we return, should I learn to walk like a man?” Wu You asked, tugging at Lu Jin’s sleeve.

“No need. You Ran walks just fine as you are.”

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“Su Nian, why don’t you train with Wu You as well?”

Inside the house, Lu Jin sat with Shen Yanxi, calling Su Nian in to discuss arrangements.

“Ah?” Su Nian was at a loss. If Wu You were a woman, it would be fine; if a man, it might be awkward, especially as Wu You was nearly an adult.

“Just treat him as you would a girl. It’s not as though Yuan Fang could teach him—that would be even stranger,” Shen Yanxi added.

On their way back in the carriage, Lu Jin had already explained Wu You’s situation to her. Other than sighing over it, the couple could only muddle through.

“I’ll do as you say, Miss,” Su Nian finally resolved.

When Wu You entered, Lu Jin explained his desire for Wu You to learn martial arts. In troubled times, some self-defense was always wise, especially for Wu You.

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“But brother, I already know how!” Wu You’s words astonished everyone.

“You do? How could you? I never noticed, and you don’t even carry a sword!”

“Yes, my father is a governor and commands troops—half a military man himself—and there are several generals in our family. My sister and I both learned from a young age…”

“How skilled are you?” Lu Jin asked curiously.

“Brother and sister-in-law, come with me!”

By the riverside clearing, as Wu You wielded his sword with fierce elegance, Lu Jin’s jaw dropped. Not only was he shocked that Wu You knew martial arts, but even more so by the high level—and the beauty—of Wu You’s swordplay. The others were equally surprised; none had ever imagined this side of Wu You.

“Su Nian, how was that?” Lu Jin asked.

“Master, you wanted me to teach him? He should be teaching me!” Su Nian replied, crestfallen.

“That’s even better. You can learn from each other, improve together, and reflect on your strengths and weaknesses. That’s the quickest way to progress.”

“My husband is right; better than you practicing alone,” Shen Yanxi agreed.

“Brother, is my skill acceptable?” Wu You asked, returning, his face glistening with sweat.

“Today, a beauty named Wu Youran, with a single sword dance, moves all under heaven. Onlookers gather like mountains, awed and subdued, as heaven and earth bow in silent admiration.

‘Swift as Hou Yi shooting down the nine suns, lithe as dragons soaring at the emperor’s call. He arrives like thunder’s wrath, and withdraws as rivers and seas in tranquil light.’”

At the word “beauty,” Wu You blushed and lowered his head. Lu Jin sighed inwardly; in appearance, manner, and heart, Wu You was all woman.

He had intentionally left the word “beauty” in the poem—not because he couldn’t change it, but because, after speaking with Wu Shu, he realized he hadn’t been thoughtful enough. Now, he simply wanted to hint to Wu You that he could choose the life he wished for.

Lu Jin dared not be too explicit—what if Wu You really donned women’s clothes? At least now, he could keep up the pretense and maintain peace.

As the poem ended, Wu You’s face was aglow with happiness, never expecting his sword skills could have such presence, nor that his brother could compose such verses so easily.

Shen Yanxi’s eyes sparkled. She had heard her husband speak of life’s fleeting autumns, seen him write of blood spilled at Xunyang’s mouth, even forced him to compose the “Beauty of Jiangzhou,” but she’d always thought these flashes of talent were coincidence. Today, she realized otherwise—her husband’s poetry flowed unbidden, each piece a masterpiece.

(Lu Jin: Actually, it depends on whether I have something to plagiarize.)

Others always praised her talent, but compared to her husband, she felt lacking. Writing a song took her ages, but her husband composed with effortless ease. For a moment, Shen Yanxi felt she had nothing to boast of but her family and looks.

As for Wu You, her husband had explained it was a congenital condition. Before meeting Wu You, Shen Yanxi might have been repulsed, but upon meeting, she found only an ordinary young woman, kind-hearted and pitiable. Had it not been for Wu You’s privileged background, who knows how many old men might have made her their plaything. All Shen Yanxi could do was try to accept her.

Little did Lu Jin know that a few casual lines had made his wife feel so inadequate.

Next came sparring; arrogant Yuan Fang didn’t last thirty moves.

Was it that Yuan Fang was too weak, or Wu You too strong? And why did Yuan Fang seem to lose to everyone? Lu Jin was left in deep doubt.