The water was a soft green, and the sound of oars splashed through the surface of the ice-cracked water.
In the vast expanse of white mist, a boat emerged, breaking through the fog.
It traveled through mountains and hills, along ponds and waterways, passing by Xuanwu Lake and connecting to the tidal channels north of Jianye.
By dawn, it entered the waterways surrounding Jianye City—spring had just arrived, the ice and snow had melted, and the weather was gradually warming.
The two Luo sisters were about to enter the city.
It was the fourteenth year of Yuanshuo.
The boat was wide and short, agile and fast, perfect for sailing.
It had only one cabin, with an old man and an old woman rowing. Compared to the extravagant trends of the time, this boat was much simpler.
As they sailed into the waterways of Jianye, where bandits dared not harass them, the old woman rowing the boat let out a sigh of relief. As she paddled, she couldn’t help but stand on her tiptoes to peer through the cabin’s window lattice at the fairy-like lady inside.
Dressed in moon-white and water-green, the lady wore a silk shawl and a flowing robe, her waist tied with a plain sash that trailed to the ground, her skirt adorned with scattered flowers that reached her feet.
Her hair was styled in a Lingxu bun, dark and cloud-like; her forehead was adorned with a five-petal flower design in gold powder and foil, shimmering brilliantly; her fair wrist bore a jade-green bracelet, pure as snow and fresh as bamboo.
The beauty knelt on a long couch, a table in front of her piled with books and wooden boxes.
Her peach-blossom cheeks were tinged with pink, her phoenix eyes glistening like water… Her gaze out the window, filled with a quiet sorrow, resembled a flame orchid blooming under the moonlight—stunning yet serene.
The old woman was struck by her beauty: truly a lady who captivated at every moment.
The Ruoyang Luo family was no more, but with the eldest Luo daughter’s beauty and grace, entering Jianye City would surely stir up a frenzy among the young men vying for her affection. Even if the Luo sisters were bringing along a child and living under someone else’s roof, their lives would undoubtedly be comfortable. Compared to the hardships faced by the poor, the orphaned Luo sisters were already quite fortunate.
As the old woman marveled at this peerless beauty, Luo Lingyu, the eldest Luo daughter, was leisurely organizing the items on the table with her maid, Lingxi.
In the corner of the couch, the nine-year-old younger sister, Luo Yunhuan, lay on her stomach, clutching a book and reciting it haphazardly. The little girl’s eyes darted around, peeking through the pages to see what her sister was doing.
With her jade-like hands adorned with crimson nail polish, Luo Lingyu deftly flicked the abacus beads, murmuring, “The old marquis is in Jiaozhou, a treacherous place. I’ve prepared a peace charm to send to him once we reach Jianye; these silk shoes, light as clouds yet sturdy, I made myself for the old madam; these ten boxes of rose pastries are for the aunts, especially the eldest aunt who loved them back in Ruoyang; this calligraphy scroll is a masterpiece by Master Ming, perfect for Brother Yan; as for the two cousins I’ve yet to meet, fine brushes and inkstones from Huizhou will surely do; and then there are the sachets, books, old paintings, and sheepskin robes…”
Lingxi, the maid, busily followed her mistress’s instructions, organizing the items on the table. She worked quickly, while Luo Lingyu spoke slowly. Having served her mistress for years, Lingxi glanced at the elegant lady, whose voice was as melodious as a nightingale’s, and couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Mistress, we haven’t even entered Jianye City or stepped into the Lu family’s home yet. With only the few of us on the boat, you don’t need to put on such a show when there’s no one else around.”
“At least take a break.”
Luo Lingyu’s phoenix eyes flickered as she shot her maid a reproachful look. “What do you mean, ‘put on a show’? This is just how I am.”
As the mistress and maid conversed, Luo Yunhuan, lying on the couch with her book, tapped the wooden bed and wailed, “Sister, I’m so hungry—”
Luo Lingyu replied, “Then stay hungry. Keep reading, and the hunger will pass.”
Luo Yunhuan puffed out her cheeks, blowing at her bangs in frustration. Still a child, she was delicate and pretty, but lacked her sister’s striking beauty.
Her sister was busy giving away all the nice things to their relatives, and now she was starving with nothing to eat…
The little girl cupped her cheeks, daydreaming about their future in Jianye: “I can’t wait to get to the Lu family! Then we’ll have water shield soup, roasted suckling pig, and pickled fish…”
Luo Lingyu leaned against the window, her posture like a painting of a noble lady. She continued softly, “Hua’er, you mustn’t. The Lu family is a prominent noble family in the south, with a high reputation. We may be from a fallen family, but we mustn’t disgrace the Luo name and become a laughingstock. When we arrive at the Lu family, if the old madam offers you food, you must be reserved. Don’t pounce on it like you’ve never eaten before. If the aunts ask if you’re hungry or tired, you must say no, no, not at all. If you eat greedily and without restraint, I’ll spank you when we’re alone.”
Luo Yunhuan cried, “But I’m so hungry—!”
Luo Lingyu ignored her sister and returned to her abacus.
The crisp sound of beads clicking filled the air as Lingxi cast a sympathetic glance at the little girl, who had grown noticeably thinner since boarding the boat.
Luo Lingyu not only maintained her own grace and composure at all times but also kept a close eye on her sister.
Poor little Yunhua had been living on vegetable soup for two days, with not a grain of rice in sight. But Luo Lingyu wasn’t being harsh—truth be told, they were simply too poor.
While Lingxi was lost in thought, Luo Lingyu had moved on to discussing their finances. “We’ll reach Jianye in two days. After delivering these gifts, we’ll have about two hundred taels of silver left. Once we disembark and pay the boat fare, we’ll give a hundred taels to the old madam as payment for our stay at the Lu family. The remaining hundred taels will be used to tip the servants and attend various banquets and outings… If we’re frugal, it should last us about half a year. In that time, if I can marry a suitable husband, our troubles will be solved.”
Her words were enough to bring tears to one’s eyes and tug at the heartstrings.
Luo Lingyu rested her chin on her hand, gazing wistfully at the green mountains outside the window, her fate in Jianye weighing heavily on her mind…
Meanwhile, Luo Yunhuan continued to wail, “Sister, I’m hungry—”
“I’m so hungry—! There’s no beauty or gold in books—I’m hungry!”
Her cries grew louder and more drawn out, disrupting Luo Lingyu’s melancholic reverie.
Finally, Luo Lingyu relented. “…Fine, let’s ask the boatman to stop for a while. We’ll try fishing.”
Luo Yunhuan immediately cheered, tossed her book aside, scrambled off the couch, and urged Lingxi to help her find her shoes and socks.
The little girl dashed out of the cabin, leaning over the bow of the boat, her mouth watering as she stared eagerly at the water, waiting for fish.
The old boatman and his wife, worried that the pretty little girl might fall overboard, tried to dissuade her. After much persuasion, Luo Lingyu finally emerged from the cabin, holding a fishing rod, with Lingxi carrying a fish basket.
The beauty’s long skirt fluttered in the wind as she stood on the boat, a breathtaking sight. Such a delicate lady holding a heavy fishing rod, the rod nearly touching the ground, made the old woman’s heart tremble. She hurried over to stop her. “No, no! Mistress, please sit down and rest. Leave the rough work of fishing to us—oh!”
Luo Lingyu smiled gently, saying softly, “It’s alright,” and with a flick of her wrist, she cast the fishing line.
The line flew out like a leaping wave, tracing a bright arc in the air before landing with a splash in the water. Luo Yunhuan clapped her hands, cheering for her sister, not at all concerned that her sister might be too frail to catch anything. Lingxi placed the fish basket at Luo Lingyu’s feet, equally composed. The sudden motion of Luo Lingyu casting the line startled the old boatman and his wife.
The lady looked delicate, but it seemed she wasn’t as frail as she appeared—
Without bait, within half an hour, she caught a small fish.
Luo Yunhuan, watching from the side, sighed in disappointment. “Sister, catch more. This little fish isn’t enough for us to eat!”
Another half hour passed, and she caught another fish. The old boatman and his wife, impressed by the lady standing at the bow, her sleeves fluttering, her expression calm as she held the fishing rod, joined Luo Yunhuan and Lingxi in cheering her on.
But perhaps her luck had run out. Luo Lingyu’s wrist ached, and she couldn’t catch any more fish. Brushing a strand of hair from her cheek, she regretfully reeled in the line—
“Alright, that’s enough for now… Ah!”
The boat suddenly jolted, and with a loud “thud,” everyone stumbled backward. But Luo Lingyu, still holding the fishing rod, felt a heavy pull on her wrist, dragging her forward. She staggered, nearly falling into the water. Everyone shouted, “Mistress, be careful!” Luo Lingyu tripped and fell onto the wooden deck. The fishing line sank rapidly, and Luo Lingyu, clutching the boat with one hand, dared not let go—
Her body pressed against the deck, her legs weak, the fishing line tangled in her skirt, pulling her toward the edge of the boat. Luo Lingyu screamed, “Quick, quick, help me—!”
The boat, having just stabilized from the impact, was now in chaos as everyone rushed to pull Luo Lingyu back. Luo Yunhuan, terrified and on the verge of tears, clung to her sister, fearing she’d be left alone if something happened to her.
Lingxi, pale-faced, tightly wrapped her arms around Luo Lingyu’s waist, dragging her back.
With the little sister and maid in such a state, the experienced old boatman and his wife took charge.
The old woman exclaimed, “Huh?” while the old man reached into the water, muttering, “It seems someone bumped into the boat.”
The sky was gray, and everyone’s clothes were soaked. The women struggled to pull Luo Lingyu back, her body numb from the strain, her lips trembling too much to speak.
The old man, exerting his strength, tugged at the fishing hook and indeed felt a person. He called out, and everyone turned to see what the hook had caught. Luo Lingyu, pale-faced and surrounded by the others, vaguely saw a half-drowned figure emerging from the water. His wide, straight robe was soaked, his cotton clothes clinging to him, covered in fish eggs, flotsam, and duckweed. His black hair, dripping wet, clung to his face as he floated up to the boat’s edge.
It seemed to be a man.
Dressed in rags, clearly a poor man. Saving a poor, drowning man could lead to unforeseen consequences…
Luo Lingyu immediately leaned over, untangling the fishing hook and line. Everyone thought she was going to save him, but instead, she grabbed his arm, leaned over the boat’s edge, and pushed him back into the water with a firm shove.
Her actions were decisive, her strength not insignificant. Luo Yunhuan screamed in horror, “Sister, no—!”
At that moment, no one knew that this man was Lu Yun, the third son of the Lu family in Jianye and the Luo sisters’ cousin. Years later, when Lu Yun had risen to a position of power, he would recall his first encounter with his wife with a cold laugh—
His wife was ruthless. Truly unforgettable!
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