At the end of April in the 15th year of Yuanshuo, the army returned south, entering Xuanwu Lake and setting up camp around Jianye awaiting orders. Several large ships sailed into the Xuanwu Lake waterway, carrying civil and military officials who would be staying aboard as they headed to Jianye to report on their duties. Among them, the only noblewoman was Lu Yun’s new bride, Luo Lingyu. A separate ship was arranged to accommodate her.
As dawn broke and the ship emerged from the mist, a maid delivered a message saying they would reach the dock shortly, and asked the Third Young Master and his wife to prepare. A fresh breeze rippled across the green water under a sky heavy with moisture.
Opening the window, Luo Lingyu stood there in plain wide-sleeved robes, her black hair pinned up with ornaments and a flower painted on her forehead. She cut a graceful figure with narrow shoulders and a slender waist. The young woman’s clear dark eyes gazed at the shimmering water, listening to its gentle lapping sounds.
A peculiar sense of déjà vu washed over her as she recalled the last time she sailed this waterway — when her fateful relationship with Lu Yun began. Back then, who could have imagined that in just a year’s time, she would pass through here again, and that young man she had heartlessly pushed into the water would now be her husband? Like floating clouds, the memories drifted by as Luo Lingyu’s lips curved into a slight smile.
Warmth enveloped her from behind as her husband’s tall, fragrant body pressed against her, his arms wrapping around her waist. Despite the open window, he was utterly shameless, casually turning his head to plant a kiss on his wife’s cheek. After the kiss, he frowned and complained, “Why does this taste so awful?”
He was referring to her rouge.
Lu Yun had grown accustomed to waking up each day to find his new bride meticulously applying her makeup. Luo Lingyu wouldn’t leave the house without perfect makeup. Since she mixed her own rouge and powder, which were both fragrant and sweet, Lu Yun had come to accept it… but today when he kissed her, his lips met an astringent taste.
Luo Lingyu tried to appease her difficult husband, chiding, “We were fighting in Nanyang before, and then rushed back with you — when would I have had time to make my own powder? I used up all my previous batch, so I had to buy some from outside… if my lord dislikes it so much, then please keep your hands to yourself.”
Lu Yun immediately released his hold on her waist and stepped back.
Luo Lingyu: “…”
Magnanimous as she was, she turned and began hitting Lu Yun: “You really find me distasteful?!”
Lu Yun’s lips curved into a smile as he pulled his angry wife into his embrace. Red-faced with anger, she pounded against his chest. He couldn’t help but chuckle, catching her hands and placing a kiss on them. Luo Lingyu deliberately said, “My hands aren’t edible either. Kissing everything so recklessly — aren’t you afraid I’ll poison you?”
Lu Yun laughed heartily and suddenly lifted her entire body up. Being lifted so abruptly for the first time, the young woman in his arms let out a shriek and smacked his arms, but he wouldn’t let go. He couldn’t stop laughing, his features relaxed with joy dancing in his eyes. As he spun Luo Lingyu in his arms, she cried out and clung tightly to his neck. The more nervous she became, the tighter she held on. Her body pressed close against his, heart pounding — they were so close he could feel the soft curves of her chest.
Outside the window, maids passing through the cabin heard their mistress’s voice. The women glanced over, then awkwardly averted their eyes upon seeing Lu Yun holding his wife, bending down to nuzzle her forehead, his eyes bright and luminous: “What nonsense are you saying? Your brother would gladly die in your arms.”
Luo Lingyu tilted her face up to see the tender look in his eyes, his smile as warm as spring. This striking young man had always drawn attention. Before, his smiles had been shallow and faint. But now, as he lifted her in a spin, their sleeves tangling like snow… Luo Lingyu was seeing for the first time how radiantly he could smile when truly happy, and she was stunned by his beauty.
Lost in thought, Luo Lingyu didn’t notice when Lu Yun finished laughing. He pressed his forehead to hers and asked softly, “We’re about to enter Jianye… are you sure you don’t want me to accompany you back to the Lu family?”
Although Lu Yun was on the same ship with her now, once they reached shore, he would need to enter the palace with the other officials to report to the emperor about military and political matters. But his new bride, though his cousin, would be returning to the Lu family in her new role for the first time. Though outwardly proud, Lu Yun knew the Lu family gates were not easily entered.
Luo Lingyu’s heart trembled.
She understood Lu Yun’s implied meaning. Her background was inferior — she wasn’t truly worthy of Lu Yun. Things might be better if the Third Young Master accompanied her back to the Lu family, but if she went alone, who knew how much gossip there would be. In the eyes of the world, by marrying Lu Yun she had climbed above her station, while he had lowered himself. The noble families placed great importance on status — this was a marriage between unequal ranks.
The pressure was immense.
Yet Luo Lingyu smiled radiantly, declaring with fighting spirit: “Who needs you to accompany me? If you don’t come with me, they’ll say you don’t like me; if you do come, they’ll say I’m low-class. Both are wrong. I, Luo Lingyu, set my heart on marrying into a noble family — how could I not handle this? My lord, you focus on your official duties. By the time you’re free, I’ll surely have your household affairs well in order.”
She shot Lu Yun a glance.
Lu Yun’s eyes brightened as he held her even tighter. Even though her lip rouge wasn’t to his taste, he couldn’t help but lower his head to kiss her red lips — he so loved Luo Lingyu’s capable and ambitious spirit.
If he left other young women in a great family like the Lu household, he would worry about his new bride being bullied; but leaving Luo Lingyu there… Lu Yun had complete faith in her.
Luo Lingyu turned her head to gaze at the calm lake surface—
A year ago she was a young miss, now she was the Third Young Madam of the Lu family.
Jianye, this place of hedonistic pleasures and decadent dreams — she had returned!
…
At the dock, Luo Lingyu smiled and bid farewell to the army, watching as the various generals and ministers mounted horses and carriages heading toward the imperial city. After her husband’s figure disappeared from view, she turned and gripped the hand of her maid Lingyu. In the bustling crowd of shoulder-to-shoulder people, the delicate young woman stood at the ship’s bow, looking toward the Lu family’s welcoming servants.
Her wide sleeves floated like clouds, her beauty fleet as a wild goose’s glimpse.
The Third Young Master’s new bride was even more stunning than when they last saw her, like peach blossoms in March.
The Lu family servants stared in amazement, not immediately recognizing their young miss. It was only when the excited, choked cry of “Sister! Sister!” burst from the crowd as the young miss rushed toward the elegant beauty—
“Huan’er!” Luo Lingyu’s eyes filled with excitement.
Her sister threw herself into her arms, hugging her waist and jumping up and down, crying and laughing at once. Never having been separated from her sister for so long, only upon reunion did she realize how much she had missed her. Luo Yunhuan looked up with tears in her eyes: “Sister, you’re so mean. You didn’t even invite me over when you got married — I thought you didn’t want me anymore. Wuwuwu, I’ll be good and listen from now on, don’t leave me alone for so long again…”
She sobbed continuously, hiccuping with tears. Not only did Luo Lingyu’s eyes turn red, but all the nursemaids and servants’ eyes also welled up as they chattered about how well-behaved the young miss had been and how much she had missed the young lady.
Then everyone said: “It’s good now — no longer ‘Young Miss’ but ‘Third Young Madam.’ You’re here to stay for good.”
Luo Lingyu smiled radiantly, like pear blossoms touched by dew.
Though the Lu family elders’ attitudes remained ambiguous, the servants were quite fond of this personable young miss. They warmly welcomed her and invited her into the carriage. Luo Yunhuan clutched her sister’s sleeve, obediently following her inside. After settling next to her sister, she suddenly remembered something and stuck her head out the window, waving goodbye in one direction.
“Huan’er, who are you waving to?” asked Luo Lingyu.
Luo Yunhuan quickly pulled her head back in, snuggling against her sister as she mumbled vaguely, “Just a friend, it’s nothing.”
Luo Lingyu lifted the window curtain to look outside. She caught a glimpse of a figure turning away in the corner of a teahouse, but before she could get a better look, the person had vanished. Luo Lingyu glanced back at her sister who kept her mouth shut, having to swallow her suspicions for now.
The Lu family procession departed.
In the corner of the teahouse, young Yue Zihan stood silently watching them leave. He was good friends with Luo Lingyu’s sister Luo Yunhuan, but he didn’t yet know that Luo Yunhuan’s brother-in-law Lu Yun was now meeting with Prince Chen Liu Shu. The two entered the palace together, and Liu Shu spoke concisely—
“If there’s a problem, it can only be that group of refugees.”
As their robes billowed, stepping into the golden hall and exchanging a look with Prince Chen, Lu Yun said coldly: “Then eliminate them all.”
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