ATLAS TRANSLATES

After returning to Jianye, Lu Yun was appointed as the Minister of the Central Secretariat due to his great achievements in resolving the north-south border conflicts through peaceful negotiations. Among the young lords of the Lu family in this generation, Lu Yun was the first to enter the core of central power at such a young age. Though he benefited from the war situation, his own abilities were also admirable.

Left Prime Minister Lu Mao breathed a huge sigh of relief, seeing hope for the Lu family’s future. For years, though Lu Yun was renowned, he spent his days mingling with Prince Chen without caring for politics. His own son Lu Xian loved wandering and sightseeing, clearly not interested in court politics either. Lu Mao had been worried whether the next generation could maintain the Lu family’s position in Jianye. Now that Lu Yun had entered the court’s inner circle, and was from their direct line, even though it wasn’t his own son taking the position, Lu Mao would fully support him.

The next head of the Lu family would likely be Lu Yun.

For great families like the Lu family to maintain their prosperity, when selecting the family head, they couldn’t be rigid and only focus on the eldest legitimate son. If an outstanding young lord wasn’t from the legitimate line, the Lu family’s usual practice was to have him adopted, at least into the legitimate line. Now at least Lu Yun himself was already from the legitimate line, ensuring the Lu family’s pure bloodline… Though somewhat regretful for his own son, Prime Minister Lu generally supported Lu Yun’s ascension.

If his brother were still alive, he would surely be proud to see his son’s excellence now.

…

As Minister of the Central Secretariat, sharing power with the Department of State Affairs, and using his influence to help Prince Chen Liu Shu, who currently wasn’t in the Emperor’s favor, regain his position. With many court affairs to handle, Lu Yun rarely had time for home. While he was away, many things happened in the Lu family’s inner court.

The day Luo Lingyu entered the Lu family gates as the Third Young Madam, the Lu family elders gave her a harsh welcome. By rights, as the legitimate Third Young Madam, she should enter the Lu family ancestral temple after the wedding to pay respects to the ancestors and have her name recorded in the family records. But the Lu family clan head made excuses to delay, refusing to let her enter the ancestral temple.

The Lu family clan head strongly disapproved of the Third Young Lord’s new bride being from a fallen noble family. Previously, it was only after the Old Madam Lu and the Old Lord Lu pleaded for their grandson that the clan head relented and agreed to let Luo Lingyu enter the family. But entering the ancestral temple wasn’t necessary, right? A woman from a fallen noble family didn’t match the Lu family’s status. People outside were constantly gossiping about the Lu family, mocking Lu Yun’s fall from grace… The clan head was full of anger; it was already showing great restraint not to berate Luo Lingyu to her face.

Of course, not berating Luo Lingyu to her face was also because of her great beauty – he couldn’t bring himself to scold her.

Old Madam Lu remained neutral on this matter.

Madam Lu had no right to interfere, and since Luo Lingyu wasn’t her daughter-in-law, she didn’t need to concern herself.

The entire Lu household was watching to see Luo Lingyu make a fool of herself.

However, Luo Lingyu remained remarkably composed.

She was no longer the young lady who had just entered Jianye last year and cried because no one celebrated her birthday. Back then, she had no one to rely on and an uncertain future. Her heart was tormented, crushed by various external pressures until she could barely breathe, which was why she would cry and let Lu Yun witness her embarrassment. But not anymore. She was married now, with someone to depend on. She knew deeply that Lu Yun loved her, and even if the Lu family opposed, he wouldn’t abandon her.

Only they themselves could shake the feelings between her and Lu Yun.

With no worries about the future and peace in her heart, she could stay composed to handle the current conflicts.

On Luo Lingyu’s first day back at the Lu family, she first went to visit all the elders with a smile. She was eloquent, subtly mentioning Princess Ningping who hadn’t yet married into the family, both showing off her friendship with the princess and talking about how she would take care of the princess after she married in. Through this, Luo Lingyu got Madam Lu to take action, having Madam Lu bring her to visit the Lu family elders one by one with gifts.

The young lady had a lotus-like face with phoenix eyes, a graceful and elegant figure, moving like a willow swaying in the breeze. With smiling eyes, she responded neither humbly nor arrogantly to whatever the Lu family elders said. With such a good attitude, and bringing specialties from Nanyang too. The gifts weren’t just tailored to individual preferences, but remembered for everyone, nothing forgotten. In just one day, the Lu family elders’ expressions had improved significantly.

At least during the evening meal, they didn’t make things difficult for Luo Lingyu at the table.

That night, Luo Lingyu stayed in the “Snow Tracing Courtyard”. The next day, she organized and tidied up the courtyard with her maids, then calmly moved to the Second Branch’s “Clear Courtyard”. The maids of Clear Courtyard, led by Jin Yue, anxiously welcomed the Third Young Madam’s arrival. Though the Young Miss had visited Clear Courtyard before and often chatted easily with maid Jin Yue, also understanding their difficulties when facing someone as particular as the Third Young Lord, who knew if the Young Miss, now become Third Young Madam, would still be kind to them?

Many young lords would replace all the servants after marriage, switching to ones their wives were used to.

Luo Lingyu spent a day handling the internal affairs of Clear Courtyard. Among her own maids, aside from Ling Xi, the rest were all from the Lu family. Since they all needed to be used anyway, naturally Lu Yun’s servants would be kept too. Moreover, after Luo Lingyu asked Jin Yue about how particular the Third Young Lord usually was, she decisively decided to keep the old servants – new maids would need time to be trained, and she couldn’t let her husband’s quality of life decline after marriage, could she?

With Jin Yue’s help, Luo Lingyu used both rewards and discipline to win over these servants.

On the third day, Luo Lingyu began implementing a detailed plan targeting the Lu family clan head who wouldn’t let her enter the ancestral temple. She made indirect inquiries, starting with the clan head’s children and in-laws. The clan head wasn’t made of iron; there would always be relationships she could find gaps in to move him…

Three days later, after Luo Lingyu resolved the conflict between the clan head’s youngest son and daughter-in-law, they directly promised to let her meet the clan head.

Another day later, Lu Yun received his wife’s message in his busy schedule and returned home to enter the ancestral temple with Luo Lingyu, watching her name be written next to his own. Lu Yun only stayed for a few hours before leaving again. Behind him, the uniformly handsome young lords of the Lu family gazed wistfully at the beautiful Young Miss, who had finally abandoned them and married the Third Young Lord.

As repayment for Madam Lu’s help along the way, Luo Lingyu directly repaid it through Madam Lu’s future daughter-in-law, Princess Ningping Liu Tang. She repeatedly invited Liu Tang as a guest and created opportunities for Liu Tang and Lu Xian to be alone together. Madam Lu was extremely satisfied with Luo Lingyu’s reciprocation.

Old Madam Lu observed coldly for several days and had to admit that her husband, the Old Lord Lu’s analysis was correct. Though the Third Young Madam’s background was humble, her capability in handling matters, after shedding that urgent sense of self-interest, was quite praiseworthy.

The strong sense of self-interest was because Luo Lingyu was desperate to marry and find someone to help handle her troubles; once she found that person and no longer had such strong self-interest, she became more fully prepared to deal with various matters around her. Moreover, from Jianye to Nanyang, Nanyang’s warfare had all helped broaden this woman’s horizons.

No longer limited to small favors, having a longer-term perspective, this was the beginning of why Old Madam Lu came to value Luo Lingyu.

This day at breakfast, Luo Lingyu smiled and spoke of holding a banquet at home, inviting the young ladies and lords of Jianye to their home. Because Madam Lu consistently disliked going out, the Lu family rarely held feasts. The Third Young Madam spoke so interestingly that all the women became interested.

After breakfast, while the women gathered around Luo Lingyu to ask about specific details, Madam Lu properly accompanied her mother-in-law rinsing her mouth in the inner chamber.

After drinking a cup of tea, Old Madam Lu said slowly: “Starting tomorrow, let Lingyu follow by your side and help you manage the household together.”

Madam Lu: “…!”

Managing the household had always been the power of the family matriarch alone. For example, Luo Lingyu only had the right to manage the Second Branch’s “Clear Courtyard”, but couldn’t extend her reach to the Main Branch. However, if Madam Lu was willing, she could interfere in Lu Yun’s courtyard matters. It was just that Madam Lu came from a very high background and didn’t want to invite gossip, which was why she never managed the Second Branch’s affairs.

Now Old Madam Lu was letting Luo Lingyu learn to manage the Lu family household by her side… Did this mean that in the future, the Lu family’s household authority would be handed over to Luo Lingyu?

What about her daughter-in-law then?

Madam Lu’s expression was very bitter: “Mother…”

Old Madam Lu couldn’t stand seeing her daughter-in-law’s bitter face and waved her hand saying: “It’s just helping you out. When Princess Ningping marries in, she can learn from you too. It’s too early to say who among the next generation’s children will hold power. If you think well of Princess Ningping, just give her more guidance regularly.”

Madam Lu said gloomily: “…Yes.”

But sharing power with Luo Lingyu? How could she have so little confidence in her own daughter-in-law?

Since Old Madam Lu had spoken, Madam Lu had no choice but to comply. Luo Lingyu was overjoyed – she never imagined she would be able to handle the Lu family’s internal affairs so early. She thought she would have to wait at least a year or two, but since Madam Lu was letting her follow along, Luo Lingyu naturally wouldn’t give up this opportunity.

Her family members had passed away early, and her only aunt-in-law liked to play around and never taught her household management. Later at the Luo family in Nanyang, she had exhausted herself just learning the four arts, where would she have more time to please the elders and learn other things? This lesson from Madam Lu, which ordinary noble young ladies wouldn’t care about, was Luo Lingyu’s first time.

Thus she put in even more effort.

With even more outstanding results.

…

The court rested every five days. When Third Young Lord Lu Yun returned to the Lu family, he heard praise from everyone in the Lu household for his wife. Even though Lu Yun usually didn’t care about such things, when everyone was praising his wife, he still felt secretly proud.

That afternoon, Luo Lingyu sat in the chamber counting on an abacus. Her younger sister was lively in nature and had slipped out early in the morning to play. So in the chamber, quietly counting on the abacus and doing accounts, there was only Luo Lingyu. Just as she was writing, she suddenly heard the sound of jade pieces clinking and footsteps approaching from outside.

The maids hadn’t announced anyone. Luo Lingyu paused for a moment, slowly raising her head to think about who had come, when her husband bent down from behind and wrapped his arms around her waist.

His nose brushed against her delicate cheek, cool to the touch, making ripples in the young lady’s heart. She heard him say with a smile: “Incredible, I hear the Third Young Madam has improved and is even managing the household now. All along my way back, servants have been asking me when this month’s allowance will be distributed. I was wondering why they were asking me… Turns out I’m benefiting from the Third Young Madam’s influence.”

Being held from behind, smelling the cool fragrance from his sleeves, her waist tingled and her mind became dizzy. She tried to stay calm and said humbly: “How could that be? I’m just helping Aunt following her instructions. I still listen to what Aunt says.”

After marriage, she naturally called Madam Lu “Aunt” along with Lu Yun, rather than “Cousin-aunt”.

Lu Yun nuzzled her face and nodded seriously: “Looks like you’ve really become impressive. You’ve even learned to be ‘humble’.”

Luo Lingyu felt in her heart that she really was impressive, she was just being modest for show. When Lu Yun teased her like this, she burst out laughing. The young lady proudly tilted her head back, her upturned nose brushing against her husband’s as he bent down. Almost but not quite touching, making her tingle all over. The young man and lady’s cheeks touched, both clear and beautiful, a pleasure to behold.

Luo Lingyu couldn’t help but laugh up at Lu Yun, lounging in his embrace. Lu Yun spread his arms and directly picked her up. The young lady yelped and hugged his neck, watching him nervously as he spun her in a circle. Long sleeves flying, Lu Yun carried her and sat directly on the nearby couch.

Luo Lingyu couldn’t stop giggling, wanting to be modest but unable to help sharing with Lu Yun: “That’s right, all your family members praised me. When I get the chance, I’ll secretly increase your monthly allowance.”

She nuzzled against him affectionately: “My husband is so busy and tired, how can a few taels of monthly allowance be enough?”

Lu Yun smiled indifferently: “Then I’ll have to rely on the Third Young Madam’s care in the future.”

In fact, both he and Luo Lingyu knew well that his expenditures were extravagant, and the Lu family’s small allowance wasn’t enough to fill his teeth. Taking an allowance from the Lu family was just a symbol of status on the surface.

Lu Yun held his wife, letting Luo Lingyu sit on his knee. The young lady excitedly chattered to him about interesting things at home, talking about how amazing she was at managing the household. Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she blinked at Lu Yun, just waiting for him to praise her greatly. Lu Yun deliberately said: “Don’t get carried away. When brother’s wife marries in, you mustn’t fight with her. I don’t want to become distant from my brother because of this.”

Luo Lingyu dismissed this: “The capable should do more work. Aren’t you competing with your brother by getting promoted so quickly in court? No matter what happens later, we can’t give up from the start.”

Lu Yun smiled and didn’t mind: “Whatever you want.”

He found the affairs of a great family like the Lu family too numerous and troublesome. Since Luo Lingyu wasn’t afraid of trouble and was still full of energy, he’d let her busy herself. However, he finally had time to come home, naturally not just to watch Luo Lingyu count on an abacus… Lu Yun reached into his robes and pinched her waist.

Her skin was as delicate as flower juice.

One pinch made her cry out.

She hit his shoulder, her alluring eyes flying up, threads of love falling down, giving him an extremely charming look.

Lu Yun chuckled lowly: “…Want it?”

Luo Lingyu glared at him, and he didn’t hesitate, leaning in to kiss her lips. Luo Lingyu’s heart burned hot as she held him tight. She hadn’t seen him for so long, and he was so handsome and elegant. When she hugged his waist, her heart was already moved. Luo Lingyu closed her eyes, preparing to accept Lu Yun’s demands.

But he suddenly pulled away, his lips parting from hers.

Lu Yun’s lips were stained with a bit of crimson honey, gorgeous and bewitching, setting off his jade-like face with an extremely flirtatious beauty. But he frowned: “…Why is today’s lip rouge so sweet? Has your skill declined this much?”

He gave her a very disappointed look.

Luo Lingyu gritted her teeth: …This person was so particular, complaining it was too astringent when kissing her before, now complaining it was too sweet.

But Luo Lingyu couldn’t bear his disappointment in her and explained: “I provided the formula, Jin Yue and Ling Yu made it together. I’ve been with Madam Lu all day, how would I have time to make it myself? Don’t accuse me of being less skilled than before!”

She hooked his chin coyly and coaxed: “When Xuecheng brother isn’t around, I don’t have the heart to do other things.”

No heart to make cosmetics, yet had the heart to manage the household. Just a little woman moved by profit. Lu Yun didn’t expose her, only smiled: “Then what to do? With it this sweet, brother can’t kiss you.”

After her heart was fluttering, yet he was being so difficult. Luo Lingyu raged: “…If you think it’s too sweet then don’t kiss me!”

She was about to jump down from his embrace, no longer wanting to serve this person.

Lu Yun caught her waist from behind, pulling her back, and laughed: “Alright alright, don’t be angry, how about brother helps you make rouge together?”

Luo Lingyu’s heart stirred, and she gave him a sideways glance: “Really?”

Lu Yun stared at his incredibly beautiful wife, his eyes darkening slightly as he said in a low voice: “Of course it’s real… but before that, please go bathe first, my lady. Let your husband have some fun first.”

Luo Lingyu: “…”