Old Madam Lu reached out and patted his hand lightly, a gentle smile playing at her lips, "Thank you, Ah-Zhen, always so attentive."
He paused, then nodded once before returning to his seat beside Ting Cheng.
As the maids began placing bowls of steamed vegetables, poached eggs with soy drizzle, and sliced braised beef onto the table, the dining room fell into a moment of peaceful silence.
Outside, birds chirped faintly among the sprawling garden trees, unaware of the storms this family weathered silently each day.
Old Master Lu sipped his tea slowly, eyes scanning his grandsons with an intensity that belied affection hidden behind stoic discipline.
Finally, he set his cup down and spoke again, his voice low but steady.
"After lunch, come to my study room. There are updates from the northern front I want you both to hear."
"Yes, Grandfather," both boys replied in unison.
