ATLAS TRANSLATES

When the curtains were blown by the wind, two flowers bloomed together.

This wasn’t Lu Yun’s bedroom, just a small house where he usually rested during his free time. The space was small, making their private meeting even more secretive and exciting. Lu Yun lifted Luo Lingyu onto the couch and pressed down on her. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the broken table that she had hidden in the corner – the one he had knocked over earlier. His heart stirred, and he pulled her neck close to kiss her.

The young lady beneath him trembled, covering her lips with the back of her hand, laughing until her eyes turned red and tears spilled out. Luo Lingyu said coquettishly, “I… I can’t… Sister Chen Xue, I can’t…”

The veins on Lu Yun’s forehead throbbed.

Every time she called out “Sister Chen Xue,” his expression darkened a shade. He knew that the more he tried to stop her, the more Luo Lingyu would deliberately provoke him. So Lu Yun remained silent, his fingers resting on her wrist, gently rubbing. When her arm began to tingle, he leaned down and pressed against her.

He kissed her hand.

Her hand became wet, her chest trembling, her eyes growing redder.

Then, peeking through her fingers, Luo Lingyu slightly furrowed her brows. Her long hair was tangled with his, her waist held and lifted up towards his body. The beauty looking down at her was still in full makeup, with flower-like features and cloud-like black hair. The beautiful facade made one’s heart flutter. And beneath that beautiful facade, her Xuechen brother was smiling as he bit her fingers. Noticing her peeking, he lightly and playfully raised an eyebrow.

Luo Lingyu loved his eyebrows deeply – whenever he raised them, her face would burn. Her hand lovingly caressed his brow, and at the same time, unable to resist his temptation, she wrapped her arms around his neck and tremblingly parted her lips.

Sweet, soft, tender, passionate.

Both of them shuddered heavily, then Lu Yun’s eyes darkened, and his touch grew stronger. His Adam’s apple bobbed as his breathing became chaotic. His casual restraint gave way as all his wild passion threatened to burst forth — he had been carefully controlling their encounters, counting her monthly cycles, not wanting her to become pregnant. Then he had been sick for half a month. Now counting back, the last time he had touched her was a month ago.

Once a month.

Sometimes even once every two months.

Lu Yun’s self-control was remarkably strong.

…

If any servants passed by, through the curtains they would see two beautiful people kissing passionately inside.

Both in women’s clothing, the beauty’s eyes closed. In the interplay of light and shadow, their foreheads touched and necks intertwined. One as elegant as a crane by the water, one as gorgeous as a blazing orchid. Hairpins had fallen, dark hair scattered across shoulders. The two beauties kissed with closed eyes, their breaths intermingling near and far, each with their own charm. One beauty pressed down on the other, clothes half undone, kissing until the beauty below whimpered in protest. That resistance, when faced with the overwhelming waves of passion, was like mere ripples jumping twice, completely useless.

They made sounds that made one’s heart race and ears burn.

It was a feast for the eyes, yet also filled one’s heart with shock.

…

Continuously pressed down and tormented by Lu Yun, Luo Lingyu didn’t know why, perhaps because he had been sick for so long and she hadn’t been intimate with him like this for a while; perhaps because he was disguised as “Chen Xue” and the visual impact of his beauty was too intense. She was particularly aroused. No matter how he teased her, she was covered in sweat, holding him, tilting her neck back, only wanting to be close to him.

And the more aroused the young lady became, the more excited the young man got.

Even the most noble person who normally disdained female charms would, at times like these, seeing their beloved whimpering with tears in their arms, develop a desire to torment — wanting to bully her, to make her cry even harder.

Unfortunately, the conditions weren’t ideal.

There was no long couch for Lu Yun to fully express himself. A sitting couch really wasn’t enough.

He could only suppress himself, making do with what they had. Though they couldn’t fully indulge, it had its own unique flavor.

Though Luo Lingyu was excited at first, she later cried: “Are you done yet, are you done? You said it would just be a moment, my waist hurts!”

Her clothes had been pulled down, and the young man’s lips kissed her back, making her shoulder blades arch up, trembling as if about to fly. The kisses on her back fell like dense rain, the young man pressed against her back, his dark hair scattered across her body, his movements like plucking strings on a zither against her body.

Lu Yun laughed deeply: “You can’t take it anymore? Brother has never been fully satisfied.”

Luo Lingyu shuddered.

Then she burst into tears: “Go away, you’re making my legs hurt so much, I don’t want you! I want Sister Chen Xue, wuwuwu…”

The voice behind her threatened: “There is no Chen Xue. Don’t mention her again.”

Luo Lingyu’s beautiful eyes sparkled with tears. Even though her waist hurt terribly from his grip, that thread of pleasure couldn’t be suppressed. However, as soon as Lu Yun spoke, she thought of Chen Xue. The young lady burst into laughter, having just been crying heavily, now shaking with uncontrollable laughter.

Lu Yun: “Luo Lingyu, are you deliberately trying to anger me?”

The young lady acted coy: “How could I? I just like Sister Chen Xue…”

She turned her shoulder and pressed her lips against his, shaking with laughter: “I also like Brother Xuechen.”

…

They only spent about half an hour before hastily finishing.

Luo Lingyu was covered in sweat, curled up in his arms. Lu Yun lowered his head to kiss her, both concerned and probing: “It’s so late… stay tonight?”

Luo Lingyu shook her head, struggling to get up: “I promised a sister-in-law I would play the zither with her tonight. If I say I’m not going back, won’t everyone know what I’m doing with you? I don’t want that.”

Lu Yun was displeased at being rejected. He glanced at the kiss marks on her neck: “…Even if you go back, won’t others still know?”

But how could Luo Lingyu’s determined nature be swayed? Even though Lu Yun kept trying to persuade her to stay, and her legs were so weak she could barely stand, she still insisted on returning to the Luo family. Sometimes Lu Yun was very annoyed by her unwavering will that no one could shake, but he still couldn’t change her mind. Lu Yun could only cover her eyes with his hand and sigh: “Rest a while, let me help you clean up, then I’ll send you back.”

Hearing that he wouldn’t stop her, Luo Lingyu contentedly nestled in his arms, closing her eyes to rest and ease her body’s fatigue, while allowing Lu Yun to clean up the marks on both their bodies.

Because too many things in the room had been knocked over, and the aftermath of their passion was too obvious, Lu Yun didn’t want to linger there. He didn’t call servants in to clean up, but casually put on clothes, making sure to wrap the young lady in his arms securely before carrying her out, heading to his own quarters to have someone bring water to wash her.

Lu Yun carried Luo Lingyu through the deep courtyards of the residence.

The servants passing through the courtyard’s eyes twitched slightly, all lowering their gazes not daring to look up, not daring to look at the lady’s clothes that the Third Young Master was wearing.

However, Lu Yun was now an important figure in Nanyang, and many matters required his counsel. As Lu Yun carried Luo Lingyu along the corridor, his eye twitched as he caught sight of General Wei Cong’s tall figure in his peripheral vision. General Wei was being led by servants towards Lu Yun’s study, just one corridor away, almost face-to-face with Lu Yun.

Lu Yun turned his feet, changing direction to avoid Wei Cong.

But Wei Cong was slow to react. He had been looking down, frowning about the conditions proposed by the Northern Kingdom, coming here to ask Lu Yun’s opinion. When someone passed by, Wei Cong quickly looked up and saw curtains billowing, moonlight hazy, and through the flowers and long corridor, a lady with cloud-like black hair and a delicate profile.

She seemed to be carrying someone in her arms.

General Wei had rarely seen anyone in this residence, and was struck by this lady’s side profile. He took large strides forward: “Lady, lady… hey don’t go!”

That lady, separated by several screens and corridors, walked further and further away from him. That graceful brow and eye shadow, that tall figure walking in the moonlight, that calm and indifferent temperament; those flying silk ribbons, that gauze dress like smoke… In an instant it struck General Wei’s heart, leaving him dumbfounded.

However, the beauty was extremely familiar with the corridors of the courtyard, disappearing from Wei Cong’s sight in the blink of an eye. No matter how much the young man behind called out to her, this lady’s heart was as hard as iron, never looking back.

Wei Cong stopped dejectedly, pondering for a moment before looking at the maid beside him whose head was lowering further and further, face growing redder and redder. Wei Cong clicked his tongue: “Who is this beauty? How does Lu Yun have such a beauty in his house?”

The maid held back for a long time, not daring to deceive the general, only vaguely saying: “Since it’s in the Third Young Master’s courtyard, who else could it be?”

Wei Cong was shocked – that outstanding beauty clearly couldn’t be Miss Luo. Miss Luo wasn’t that tall, and couldn’t possibly be strong enough to carry another person… The maid thought she had already hinted at the answer to Wei Cong, but unexpectedly this General Wei’s whole body trembled as he exclaimed in shock: “Lu Yun is so bold! He actually dares to hide such a beauty in his own home!”

The maid: “…”

Then hearing the general’s indignant words: “How could he do this? Isn’t having Miss Luo enough? Is he planning to collect all the beauties in the world? Is he not giving other men any chance? Even if he’s good-looking, he can’t do this!”

The maid was speechless as she watched General Wei break down.

…

General Wei didn’t see Lu Yun that night. He couldn’t accept that Lu Yun was hiding a beauty in his residence and left in a daze. In the following days, when he saw Lu Yun again, Wei Cong tried to probe indirectly, but Lu Yun avoided answering and wouldn’t admit to hiding any beauty.

Wei Cong then went to inquire with Luo Lingyu, after all, he was also acquainted with her and worried that the beautiful Miss Luo had been deceived by Lu Yun.

Luo Lingyu’s reaction was even stranger.

Almost laughing but not quite, the young lady lowered her head, her shoulders shaking violently, her voice hoarse from holding back: “I know… Chen Xue… isn’t an outsider. General, don’t overthink it, my third cousin hasn’t deceived me.”

Wei Cong was stunned, then became infatuated: Chen Xue… just hearing the name, one could tell she was a beauty.

…

Lu Yun didn’t pay much attention to these trivial matters. After recovering from his illness and regaining his health, he began handling government affairs, getting much more involved in matters concerning peace talks between the two countries. Lu Yun was quite perceptive, always able to see the bigger picture from small details. With such a superior, subordinates needed to be extra vigilant, afraid of having their reports seen through by this young master at a glance.

But there were also those who didn’t submit to Lu Yun’s reputation.

They believed Lu Yun relied only on his family background, and that others in his position might not be inferior to him.

This person was the peace talks official sent by the court, called Han Mingzi. As long as Han Mingzi cooperated with Lu Yun to complete the agreement between the two countries, after Lu Yun returned to Jianye, this prefecture’s governor position would be his. While Lu Yun was sick, the peace talks had progressed well. When Lu Yun suddenly asked him to bring detailed files one day, Han Mingzi was also full of confidence.

In the room, Lu Yun looked through the records of several negotiations while listening to Han Mingzi speak confidently.

Han Mingzi said: “These conditions were negotiated with the Northern Kingdom over half a month. If the young master finds no problems, we can report to His Majesty for final decision…”

Lu Yun suddenly interrupted: “Why give Ruyang to the Northern Kingdom?”

Han Mingzi still smiled: “The Northern Kingdom has paid compensation…”

Lu Yun: “If I remember correctly, in this year’s new imperial decree, among the commanderies involved in this war, except for Ruyang, Yingchuan, Nanyang and others have been merged with neighboring commanderies, incorporated into the territory of adjacent prefectures. That prefecture is under Prince Zhao’s name.”

Han Mingzi’s expression changed slightly: How could Lu Yun’s memory be so good? Such complex changes in prefectures and commanderies, the merged areas were just an inconspicuous change. Lu Yun was still sick… how could he remember?

Seeing Lu Yun raise his eyes and glance at him: “Hmm, Prince Zhao’s man? Prince Zhao must have spent quite some effort at court to have you sent for peace talks, right?”

Han Mingzi’s face turned red: “Lu Yun, don’t sully my name, I just…”

Lu Yun closed the files, speaking softly: “Negotiate again. The current conditions are unacceptable. I will not watch Prince Zhao use public office for private gain.”

Han Mingzi struggled: “But we’ve already negotiated for half a month, the Northern Kingdom has accepted…”

Lu Yun looked at him quietly: “Negotiate again. I don’t care what Prince Zhao plans to have you do in Nanyang, or what collusion there is with the Northern Kingdom. Since I’m in charge of the peace talks, you must listen to me.”

Han Mingzi was shocked, closed his mouth, and when leaving the room, his face was pale. He had heard Lu Yun was formidable, but didn’t expect him to be so perceptive…

In the room, Lu Yun closed his eyes, his fingers curved and tapping on the wooden table: It seems Prince Zhao hasn’t given up, wanting to use the war between North and South to stir up some trouble. And if Prince Zhao can stir up this trouble, Prince Chen naturally won’t interfere.

Liu Su never cared about these matters. The Liu Su that Lu Yun knew, as long as his brothers didn’t sell out the country or do anything harmful to the nation, he wouldn’t interfere in the brothers’ conflicts. Let the princes fight for power as fiercely as they wanted. Liu Su neither participated nor intervened.

Allowing Prince Zhao to send Han Mingzi to Nanyang to seek power for Prince Zhao.

A cold light flashed in Lu Yun’s closed eyes: Liu Su never cared about these matters. But now… Liu Su should start caring.

After Lu Yun had insight into his second brother’s dream, after Lu Yun could guess more clearly than his second brother the direction that dream pointed to… Lu Yun’s thoughts raced quickly, even if by force, he had to force Liu Su onto the path he wanted him to take.

The only headache was that Han Mingzi, such an unstable factor, jumping up and down, causing trouble in Nanyang. If Lu Yun wanted to suppress this person, then the time to return to Jianye would be delayed again.

When would he be able to marry Luo Lingyu?

Lu Yun felt somewhat irritated.

…

After Lu Yun regained consciousness, the peace talks were overturned and started anew, causing some dissatisfaction from both countries. But in Nanyang where the governor held the most power, neither side could say anything, they could only cooperate with Lu Yun and negotiate again. The Northern Kingdom originally didn’t want to face Lu Yun – they didn’t want to face any skilled scholar. A scholar’s eloquence was not something ordinary people could match.

However, Prince Zhao was rash, sending useless people, ultimately letting Lu Yun personally take the field to deal with these Northern envoys.

The Northern people were made to want to vomit three bowls of blood every day by Lu Yun’s words. The lonely governor of Luoyang in the Northern envoy team had complex feelings every day listening to his superiors cursing Lu Yun — he really missed his Xuexue.

But his Xuexue would probably never appear again.

He could only see Lu Yun’s proud and arrogant face, looking down on them all day.

As the peace talks continued, the noble families of Nanyang came back to life after the war. Luo Lingyu was in the mood again to visit the military camp to see the soldiers, bringing them food and clothes. Her future husband was elegant and charming, praised daily by the Southern people and cursed by the Northern people. The young lady felt proud.

One evening when she came to the military camp, she saw the lights were bright and knew the two countries’ people were still arguing in the camp. Lu Yun’s servant told her to wait a while, saying his master would have dinner with her after the talks finished. Luo Lingyu agreed with a smile, not wanting to go into the tent to wait. She watched the soldiers arguing over food, sitting quietly to the side, smiling as she watched them.

Out of boredom, she picked up a tree branch and randomly wrote characters on the ground.

As she wrote aimlessly, she wrote a few words—

“Through the ages I ask for one word from you, may love be as unchanging as mountains.”

In the dim lamplight, Luo Lingyu stared at her own words for a long time. Just as she was about to use the branch to erase them, Lu Yun’s voice suddenly came from behind: “Lingyu, let’s get married. Let’s not return to Jianye, let’s get married here in Nanyang.”

Luo Lingyu was startled, not knowing when he had come over. She turned back quickly, looking up at him in surprise. Her face reddened again, thinking her random writing made him feel she was pressuring him to marry. Luo Lingyu opened her mouth to explain, but Lu Yun crouched down, leaning in from behind, holding her hand with the tree branch, embracing her.

Lu Yun held her hand, his wrist exerting force, and silently wrote two lines next to her words—

“Through the ages I return one word to you, love itself is as unchanging as mountains.”

Luo Lingyu was stunned, her hand trembling, strength completely gone. Lu Yun steadily held her hand, transferring his burning warmth to her. He lowered his head to kiss her forehead, saying softly: “This is my reply to you… let’s get married, right here. Alright?”

His voice was hoarse and restrained: “I don’t want to wait anymore… brother loves you too much…”

His breath brushed against her face, Luo Lingyu’s collarbone contracted as she trembled: “I… I… I wasn’t pressuring you…”

Lu Yun held her, about to explain further when a boisterous male voice came from behind: “Official Lu, you’re hiding here? Hey, what are you hiding for, are you that afraid of me? I just wanted to ask you about that Miss Chen Xue, can’t you say something, give a brother a chance? Since we know each other, let me marry a beauty, what’s there to be unhappy about?”

Lu Yun stiffened: “…”

Luo Lingyu in his arms shuddered, looking up in disbelief to see her lover’s face black as ink: absolutely furious.

The romantic atmosphere was completely ruined.

The beauty in his arms just laughed until she nearly fainted.