Lu Yun didn’t care much that the Prince of Henyang refused to send any congratulatory gifts to the Lu family. He had only casually made an excuse to declare his claim on Luo Lingyu and warn Liu Mu to stay away. The gifts meant nothing to him.
What was more important now was that since he had roughly figured out what his death tribulation corresponded to, he needed to find ways to deal with it.
For the court matters, he had someone send an urgent message to Jianye, asking Prince Chen to quickly send supplies and reinforcements without further delay.
As for Nanyang, the vanguard troops that had been training for a long time could be put to good use if they needed to rescue people.
In his dream, his defeat was caused by various reasons. In reality, Lu Yun filled these gaps one by one. Since ancient times, the court had always been wary of local governors and stationed troops privately communicating at the borders. Therefore, even after Lu Yun arrived in Nanyang, almost none of the surrounding commanderies cooperated. In the dream, Lu Yun’s death was partly due to having no support.
But now things were different.
The Prince of Henyang was also an outsider. Like Lu Yun, Liu Mu wasn’t afraid of the court’s suspicions. While other commanderies needed time to discuss cooperation, Liu Mu could agree after just analyzing the pros and cons.
The young prince was proud at his core and had the decisive nature of a great general. The life-and-death experiences at the border over the past few months had reduced much of the ferocity in his eyes. His youthful days of fine clothes and angry horses were gradually fading away, as he became increasingly silent and stern.
Standing with Lu Yun and Luo Yan in a tent with rolled-up felt curtains, they spread out terrain maps on the large table.
Lu Yun spoke about the rescue mission for the master and scholars: “…The tide of war has shifted back to the enemy’s favor. We cannot let the Master of Fire and Medicine be used by the Northern Kingdom. The master is currently under house arrest and is surely unwilling to stay. As a contemporary scholar, if I go personally, I should be able to convince the master to leave with me. We must also rescue other scholars and literati who write articles criticizing the Northern Kingdom. Since we need to launch a surprise attack first, the vanguard troops are best suited. And since it’s a vanguard operation, we’ll need support from the rear…”
In the dream, General Wei must have sent people to provide support. But at that time, Nanyang was under siege, and General Wei was split between tasks, unable to provide comprehensive coverage.
In reality… Liu Mu tapped his finger on the map laid out on the table, pondering: “My troops are already at the foot of the mountain, engaging with the northern army. If you enter from this point, I can provide support.”
Lu Yun made an affirmative sound and used vermilion to mark more points as he discussed the details with the Prince of Henyang. When the discussion came to Luoyang where the scholars were imprisoned, Lu Yun fell into deep thought.
Luoyang was a major commandery – all of the northern army’s rear supplies had to pass through Luoyang, so security was extremely tight and it wasn’t easy to enter or leave. Rescuing people from Luoyang would require some effort.
Luo Yan provided some useful information: “The Governor of Luoyang maintains very strict control and has built up considerable influence over his five years there. However, the governor has a secret weakness that few know about – he has a fondness for women but is impotent. When I was staying in Luoyang before, the governor treated me as an honored guest. I saved a young woman who had suffered at his hands. That’s how I learned that after he takes advantage of beautiful women, he kills them to prevent his defect from becoming known. He has imprisoned countless beauties in his mansion.”
Lu Yun’s gaze flickered slightly.
Suddenly, they heard a lady’s clear and gentle voice speaking.
The men standing in the tent all looked outside to see Miss Luo cooperating with the soldiers to distribute winter clothing. The lady spoke softly, her beautiful eyes rippling as she glanced back. Every young man she looked at or spoke to either blushed bright red or stared back dazedly. Men appreciated beauty, and who wouldn’t enjoy looking at such a lovely lady?
Luo Lingyu noticed the gazes from their direction and turned to look over with a graceful smile.
This was his cousin sister, and while Luo Yan felt no peculiarity, he also noticed that his younger sister Yueer had grown much more beautiful than when she was little. Lu Yun’s gaze flickered, momentarily dazzled by her alluring beauty, but his self-control was exceptional and his face remained unchanged. Liu Mu, however, was genuinely amazed by the lady’s fleeting glance, followed by a feeling of melancholy and regret.
Liu Mu muttered: “The governor likes beauty and has imprisoned many beautiful women in his mansion. But for a true beauty of devastating charm, who could be more suitable than Lady Luo?”
Since she possessed such devastating beauty and had a clever and cunning personality, why not make good use of her advantages? Based on Liu Mu’s understanding of Luo Lingyu, this woman had somewhat of a viper’s heart and might not be unwilling…
Luo Yan’s gaze shifted, somewhat agreeing with Liu Mu’s words. His cousin sister was indeed excessively beautiful…
However, Lu Yun immediately rejected the idea: “No.”
Liu Mu glanced at him: “I know you consider her your woman and don’t want her to display her beauty before other men, arousing their desires. But how can a great man’s actions be hindered by private romantic affairs? Since ancient times, Xi Shi and Diao Chan all worked for their lords’ causes. Why can’t Lady Luo do the same?”
Lu Yun said coldly: “No need to say more, absolutely not.”
Liu Mu’s feelings for Luo Lingyu weren’t deep, and in his heart there was an inexplicable sense of revenge-like satisfaction, wanting to see Lu Yun betray and abandon Luo Lingyu. It was as if that would prove Lu Yun was nothing special. This young prince who had never gotten along with Lu Yun squinted his eyes and mockingly smiled: “Perhaps we should let Lady Luo know and let her make her own choice? Lady Luo would surely be willing to make this small sacrifice for the greater good?”
Lu Yun raised his gaze to look at Liu Mu.
The contempt in Liu Mu’s eyes did not diminish.
Sharp gazes met, sparks flying between their four eyes as the young man and youth stood in opposition, both standing tall. One like an elegant jade tree in the courtyard, unmatched in grace; one like a steep cliff at the end of the road, with iron-like integrity.
Liu Mu’s expression sobered as Lu Yun stared at him: “I’ll say it one last time – no. If you dare put her at risk, I absolutely won’t let you off. National affairs are national affairs, but you know me – I do things because I want to, and I can also choose not to care.”
“This Southern Kingdom isn’t even mine. It doesn’t bear the surname Lu, it bears the surname Liu.”
Lu Yun said softly: “If you bully her, I will definitely make your Liu family’s rivers and mountains end in mutual destruction.”
Liu Mu: “You dare! Who do you think you are, what do you think you’re saying?! Don’t tell me you dare to commit treason?!”
Lu Yun’s eyes carried a hint of smile: “Do you think I dare or not?”
At this, anger burned in Liu Mu’s heart, but he was wary and dared not speak. He gritted his teeth inwardly, thinking how terrible these noble families were! It was exactly this kind of transcendent position of the noble families that had dragged the Southern Kingdom into the quagmire, and now the tail had grown too big to cut off, they could only sink together. Lu Yun was threatening him… He understood Lu Yun well – he acted pure and lofty, pretending to be full of righteousness for the country… but this man was actually selfish!
As the two confronted each other, Luo Yan hesitantly and awkwardly said: “…What are you two angry about? If cousin sister can’t go, Brother must have other methods. You two look ready to fight before Brother has even finished speaking? Did I miss something?”
But neither Lu Yun nor Liu Mu spoke further.
When they turned their attention back, they skipped over the topic of Luo Lingyu and discussed what came next. Liu Mu didn’t mention Luo Lingyu again, and Lu Yun didn’t say how he planned to gain the Luoyang governor’s trust. But Lu Yun was restraining himself inside, trying hard to control himself. Being so perceptive, he immediately noticed Liu Mu’s feelings for Luo Lingyu.
Liu Mu liked Luo Lingyu!
In Lu Xian’s dream, Liu Mu had even married Luo Lingyu!
How jealous and hateful Lu Yun felt in his heart, yet he couldn’t speak of it, couldn’t point it out, for fear of letting those two develop real feelings.
How frustrating!
He had to endure it!
If there was anyone else more trustworthy, Lu Yun would have wanted to make Liu Mu leave and stop hovering around Luo Lingyu.
…
While Lu Yun and Liu Mu competed in secret, what showed on the surface was their excessive attentiveness to Luo Lingyu. Whenever he had the chance, he would subtly show intimate gestures with Luo Lingyu in front of others. Holding hands became normal, and he simply took the opportunity during meals to feed Luo Lingyu one bite at a time.
Liu Mu’s face darkened as he coldly snorted and turned to leave.
Luo Yan: “…?”
After his surprise, he seemed to realize something, but could only pretend not to know. However, when he looked at Luo Lingyu, his gaze carried much emotion: who could have imagined that the little girl from childhood would grow up to be so captivating to men? But with her being so lively and clever, sweet-tongued and skillful, it was normal for her to be well-liked.
Luo Lingyu was pleasantly surprised to enjoy Lu Yun’s intimate treatment for several days, until as the war situation became increasingly severe and plans were settled, Lu Yun came to tell her about his guesses regarding the crisis in his dream.
That night, the stars were sparse and fog rose in the mountains.
Lady Luo was naturally skillful, originally holding a diagram to study, pondering how to provide warmer clothing for the soldiers and how to get money from Nanyang’s noble families. As Lu Yun slowly explained, her heart emptied and her hand was suddenly pricked by a needle. She didn’t even notice as she immediately said: “That’s great! Now that we know what will cause your death, we can let someone else do it.”
Let others die instead.
Lu Yun crouched down and wrapped her hand with a handkerchief, but shook his head. Seeing his expression, Luo Lingyu’s heart sank and her face paled. Sure enough, Lu Yun said casually: “The most appropriate way to deal with a crisis is to face it, not avoid it. You can never escape – step back once, and variables multiply tenfold. I won’t take the path of avoidance.”
He roughly explained his plan, just to reassure Luo Lingyu: “…I have made so many arrangements, I won’t die. Trust me, Lingyu.”
Luo Lingyu’s pupils contracted sharply as she suddenly pulled her hand away.
Her face turned cold as she got up to leave. Lu Yun had anticipated this and rose with her, reaching out to embrace her. But Luo Lingyu had also anticipated this – she turned and struck his chest, trembling all over: “You just have to be noble and upright! While I’m just a cautious person, not worthy of mention! I just don’t care whether others live or die, I only care about you. You must think I’m selfish and self-serving…”
“No, no,” Lu Yun held her and comforted her, lowering his head to kiss her face but she dodged, while he continued, “I know you only care about me, and I’m happy about that…”
Luo Lingyu’s eyelashes were wet with tears as she choked: “What use is your happiness when you’re still going to die?”
Lu Yun smiled: “What nonsense. Brother hasn’t even married you yet, hasn’t had children and grandchildren yet, how could brother bear to die? I already said I won’t lie to you about matters of life and death anymore, but look, when I tell the truth you’re still unhappy. Ah, Lingyu, Lingyu…”
He sighed softly as he kneaded the displeased young lady. His hand slipped into her fluffy cloud-like hair as he lowered his face to press against hers, letting her see his focused eyes.
Lu Yun sighed softly: “Lingyu, Lingyu…”
Each call was soft, gentle, and lingering. Just breathing around her like this, calling softly, with deep emotion in his eyes, the lady in his embrace felt shivers run down her spine, her blood growing hot as his teasing made her face flush red.
Luo Lingyu pouted: “Are you calling spirits?!”
Lu Yun laughed once and pecked her lips, touching briefly before parting.
With that light touch, Luo Lingyu suddenly raised her eyes, stood on tiptoe, wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him passionately. Her sudden passion made the young man’s whole body shake heavily as he hissed hoarsely, his arms tightening around her waist. He couldn’t help but make a “mm” sound, his voice rough like sand. Lu Yun stepped back, leaning against a pillar in the tent.
He raised his hand to cover the back of her head.
Unhurried, his fingers curved, pressing against her hair.
…
The cold mountain air gradually rose as the guards changed shifts according to schedule. A full moon shone high, its clear cold light carried by the wind through gaps in the felt curtains, faint and weak, falling on the faces of the young man and woman leaning together.
Flowing like water, beautiful like peach blossoms.
That suppressed, passionate, trembling kiss.
That chase and embrace, clinging desperately. That silence, with only faint sounds of tender kisses.
The fire burning in the brazier in the tent leaped high, also burning in both their hearts. His sleeves flowed like clouds, falling by her cheeks, and the red on her cheeks dyed his sleeves a misty pink. From standing at the start, to being unable to control their passion, to their outer robes falling away as they tumbled onto the bed, all while entangled.
The lady’s long hair cascaded down like a flowing waterfall. Her eyes were crimson at the corners, waves of autumn water full of charm. She clung to him like a vine, embracing him. When he tilted his head back, she kissed his neck; when he moved away, she sought his lips.
A crow’s call outside suddenly startled Lu Yun’s foggy mind awake.
He suddenly became clear-headed and saw what they were doing. Holding the lady’s round shoulders, he turned his face away awkwardly, not daring to look more. This scene, ever since he first accidentally saw her naked body, he had imagined it countless times. However, however… Lu Yun said hoarsely: “No! Lingyu get up, don’t tempt me…”
But Luo Lingyu held him and nuzzled against him. Mischief appeared in her eyes as she burrowed into his burning, rigid embrace, raising her head to lick his chin: “No, I insist on tempting you.”
She crawled up, pressing her forehead against his, then bit his lip. She was like a goddess of Wu Mountain who had invaded his dreams, rising with clouds and mist, seeming both immortal and bewitching. Lu Yun’s desire grew stronger – his mouth said no, but his eyes burned bright with passion as his hands caressed the delicate skin inside her wrists.
Smooth and fragrant. Like snow and silk.
The lady smiled: “Brother Xuechen, you think I don’t know? You always avoid touching me because you’re afraid I’ll bear your child and be caught in the flames of war, unable to protect myself, and you won’t be able to protect me either. Hmph, then I insist on making love with you, on bearing your child. If you’re gone, I’ll be bullied to death by those wolf-like villains.”
“I’m just a weak little woman in chaotic times… When you’re in the underworld, you can watch your poor me be bullied to death.”
She acted delicate and weak, on the verge of tears, nestling against his neck, deliberately being naughty.
Lu Yun’s hand tightened on her slender wrist, and she cried out again: “Brother, you’re hurting me!”
Lu Yun: “…”
Both sighing and laughing, but the fire in his eyes couldn’t be extinguished anymore.
This was really fatal… once she started using these tactics, he would lose all his armor and couldn’t resist… Lu Yun flipped over, pinning her beneath him. As he kissed her, he panted: “I said I won’t die, so I won’t die! You silly girl!”
Luo Lingyu: “…” How dare he call her silly!
She immediately started whimpering and clinging, instantly draining half his life force. He suddenly felt weak yet excited at the same time, staring at her with dark, deep eyes.
…
They tumbled in passion.
The yellowed books were thrown to the ground, both candles and brazier fires extinguished, making quite a commotion in the night.
Pine wood and brocade cushions were scattered on the floor, all the bedding swept down. They had to stay quiet for fear of being heard outside. Their bodies were covered in sweat, trembling all over. Each time the lady couldn’t hold back her soft moans, the young man would silence her with his mouth. As their lips and teeth entwined, the kisses gradually turned more intimate and obscure.
He truly loved her.
Loved her waist.
Her legs.
Her chest.
He lingered most obsessively over these, becoming intoxicated, unlike Lu Yun’s usual self-restraint of status.
The night always exposes one’s deepest desires, and his desire was her. As the passionate storm raged over their bodies, he held her tight, listening to her cries and pleas, while his heart was so excited—
Wanting to be eternally entangled with her wasn’t just empty words.
In all his years, he had only loved this one enchantress.
But Luo Lingyu was troublesome. Early the next morning, her cheeks bloomed with spring color as her black hair spread across the pillow. The lady lay weakly on the bed, her shoulders covered in blue and purple marks, her arms too numb to lift. She lay on the bed resentfully, watching Lu Yun rise in the dim light, staring at the obvious scratch marks a woman had left on his back. Seeing his smooth backbone with scratch marks running up and down like footprints in snow on a mountain, Luo Lingyu looked and became happy again.
Seeing him dressed and ready to sneak out before dawn, she snorted: “Eat and drink your fill, then turn and leave. Even prostitutes get paid, but you give me nothing.”
Lu Yun’s footsteps paused.
Turning back, he smiled, his eyes sparkling like the Milky Way rippling across a lake: “Then whose essence did brother feed?”
Luo Lingyu threw a pillow at him: “…Lecher!”
Lu Yun chuckled and threw the pillow back at her. As he turned to leave again, Luo Lingyu called out to him once more. From behind him: “Lu Xuechen!”
Lu Yun: “Mm?”
Luo Lingyu was quiet for a moment, then said softly: “Don’t turn around, listen to me. I’m afraid I’ll want to cry if you turn around. I just want to tell you… I can be a widow for other men, but I absolutely won’t be a widow for you. Do- do you understand?”
Lu Yun’s heart trembled violently – being so clever, how could he not understand? He was always different in her heart… whether in love or hate, showing no mercy, it was all the same.
He said hoarsely: “I understand. You… don’t worry.”
…
That was Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu’s last intimate moment before he left. Afterwards he was busy arranging matters, and Luo Lingyu had backup affairs to handle, so the two never had time to say more than a few words together. Their occasional exchanged glances were full of lingering affection, making both Luo Yan and Liu Mu uncomfortable – the subtle, neither far nor near feeling between these two left no room for others to intervene.
On the winter solstice, when yin and yang forces shifted, all things died down to begin their cycle anew. Lu Yun led a team of vanguard troops, under the cover of General Wei and the Prince of Henyang’s forces, to leave Mount Funiu and secretly infiltrate the Northern Kingdom, determined to rescue people.
Luo Lingyu stood at the mountain peak watching them depart, her skirts and sashes blown by the wind.
Since they needed to hide from enemy forces, naturally she couldn’t see Lu Yun’s team’s movements from the peak. After watching for a while, she turned and descended the mountain to continue handling military backup matters. In Lu Xian’s dream, had she chased after him? Had she waited for him? Had they gradually grown distant in the blink of an eye…
Fate was silently changing – at first as gentle as spring rain, but later surging forward with the momentum of great waves!
…
Lu Yun and the vanguard troops made their way to Luoyang. As Luo Yan had indicated, enemy guards were strict and it was difficult to sneak in. They barely managed to enter the city, dispersing in small groups. The Master of Fire and Medicine was imprisoned in the governor’s mansion, and after much inquiry, they learned of the governor’s reputation for liking beauty.
However, beauties trembled in fear, not daring to enter the governor’s mansion.
Besides soldiers reporting daily, the only others who could enter the governor’s mansion were singing and dancing girls selected by the governor.
Everyone was frustrated: “We’re not familiar with the Northern Kingdom, where can we find beauties? My lord, what should we do?”
Could they really charge in with so few people to rescue someone?
Lu Yun stroked his chin, unconcerned: “What’s so hard about finding a beauty?”
Everyone: … Such arrogance! You’d think they actually brought a beauty with them!
But the governor clearly wanted no ordinary beauty – common beauties wouldn’t catch his eye. And for that kind of devastating beauty, forgive their words, but in all these years they had only seen one like Lady Luo, Lu Yun’s fiancée… There was no way Lu Yun would let his fiancée get involved in this mess.
Soon, they discovered they were wrong.
They followed Lu Yun into a random singing and dancing house, where he asked them to wait a moment. Everyone dispersed in small groups, worriedly eating melon seeds and discussing how to sneak into the governor’s mansion. Suddenly, someone’s shoulder was tapped from behind.
This person turned around with a gasp. Others became alert and turned to look, then all froze in shock: before them stood a tall, coldly elegant beauty. The beauty had clouds of black hair and a flower-like face, wearing light flowing clothes. With a turn of her eyes, she showed such arrogance and indifference. The contradictory qualities of sharpness and allure combined in one body made her appear extremely cold yet enchanting.
This was a beauty with a powerful presence, cold yet alluring.
Everyone was nearly stunned, excited and stammering when the beauty tapped their shoulder: “My- my lady called me?”
Until this beauty spoke, revealing a male voice: “How is it, not bad right?”
Everyone shuddered.
Their faces gradually paled: “Th-th-third Young Master?!”
— It was actually Lu Yun himself disguising as a devastating beauty to seduce the governor?
Seeing their strange expressions, Lu Yun raised an eyebrow, casually picking up a mirror to examine himself: “Is it that strange? I think it’s not bad, this is how my dear Yueer usually dresses. Don’t I look fine?”
Lu Yun would never know how to do a woman’s makeup, but he had Luo Lingyu as his lover. His dear had always valued appearances – every time they went out to play, she wouldn’t leave or be willing to see people without spending several hours getting ready. Lu Yun had also complained about it, unable to understand why she needed such fuss when she was naturally beautiful.
However, under Luo Lingyu’s stubborn insistence, Lu Yun had learned embarrassing skills like drawing eyebrows, applying rouge, and painting flower designs… which now came in handy.
Everyone was dumbstruck: Third Young Master was really… really… truly worthy of being the famous jade youth of Jianye! How could he so shamelessly look in the mirror so naturally?
Leave a Reply