In his dream, after Lu Xian’s wedding, he kept his promise. Together with several officials, they convinced the emperor to allow Prince Liu Mu of Henyang to return to Jianye. However, due to insufficient preparation, when the imperial edict was issued, Lu Xian’s wedding had already passed.
While Liu Mu waited anxiously at the border, before receiving the edict calling him back to the capital, bandits appeared at the border. The northern army returned in force.
At the same time, various princes in Jianye fought for the throne. In that war, Luo Lingyu suffered a miscarriage.
With Jianye in chaos, no one had the heart to worry about the border war. No one anticipated the northern army breaking their agreement, launching a night raid directly targeting Yingchuan County. Liu Mu led his troops to resist. When the fires of war broke out, this young man who was both a prince and a general lit the beacon fires to request aid from the court. In his spirit form, Lu Xian witnessed Liu Mu die in that battle.
Amidst the raging flames, Liu Mu bled to death. Around him, corpses formed mountains and blood formed rivers as enemy cavalry trampled past his body. A new general took command, and the court finally sent reinforcements to stop the war. In negotiations between the north and south, this border invasion was declared not to be the north’s doing. The troops bearing northern banners were said to be northern rebels who had betrayed their court seeking revenge. The north handed over the rebels’ bodies to the south, paid enormous compensation in gold and silver, and considered the matter settled. After this, the south became extremely wary of the north, and there were no more border invasions for over ten years.
In the dream, Lu Xian’s eyes blazed with fury as he shouted: “This is wrong! This isn’t right!”
He watched intently as southern officials examined the so-called northern rebels’ bodies. As they lifted the shroud, the young general lay rigid and lifeless on the stretcher, his face cold and white as snow, his lips crimson as blood. This dead young general was handsome, with sharp, knife-like features. Even in death, his bearing remained as straight and unbending as a fine sword, striking at everyone’s hearts.
Upon first seeing the youth, Lu Xian’s expression changed dramatically.
But the southern officials examining the body only verified the name, clearly not recognizing this youth. The accompanying officials merely remarked with surprise: “…This rebel was quite young. What a shame.”
In the dream, Lu Xian stared at the corpse and shouted: “Wrong! The north is lying! They’re telling lies!”
He had seen this dead youth before in his dreams. On the day Lu Yun should have died in the snowy mist, this youth had appeared carrying a sword, though his origins were unknown. The fatal wound Lu Yun received was dealt by this youth. In reality, Lu Yun hadn’t died, and this youth never went to the snowy mountain to kill anyone.
So when Lu Xian failed to find this youth afterward, he didn’t worry too much about it.
But… but… the dream continued. The youth who should have killed Lu Yun never appeared in the snowy mountains that day, but today in the battle of Yingchuan County, he was offered as a sacrifice by the north to the south to end this chaos.
Lu Xian’s mind went blank. He vaguely felt something was wrong, but everything had developed too strangely for him to figure it out—
A prince’s death received a few laments before being forgotten. The emperor barely mentioned it, as Liu Mu had always been viewed with suspicion and targeted by the other princes. After his death, the entire royal family remained quiet, with no one seeking justice for him. Afterwards, the south stopped pursuing the matter with the north, and the north acted as if nothing had happened.
What happened next shocked Lu Xian even more.
Suddenly, Prince Chen Liu Chu was imprisoned on charges of “deceiving and disrespecting the emperor.”
The Lu family was implicated by Prince Chen and questioned by other noble families of Jianye. Just as they were at their wit’s end, unexpectedly, the Lu family rebelled. Leading them was Lu Yun, the third young master. When the battle of Jianye broke out, Lu Yun led the Lu family in rebellion against the court. The Lu family fled to Yicheng, with many common families following them.
The southern forces split in two, with Jianye’s great families and the royal family on one side, facing off against the Lu family and common families. As war broke out again… in the dream, Lu Yun’s eyes were dark as midnight, deep and unfathomable. Though still the elegant and refined noble young master like a passing wild goose, when he lowered his gaze, something seemed hidden in the depths of his eyes.
…
Lu Xian woke from his frightening dream covered in cold sweat.
In the cold night under bright moonlight, banana leaves cast shadows on the window. The young noble who had suddenly awakened at his desk turned to look at the half-written memorial before him in the moonlight. It confirmed that his earlier dream was real.
The Prince of Henyang hadn’t made it to his wedding, arriving even later than Lu Xian’s marriage. He died for his country and people at the border, with no one to make offerings after his death.
Third brother… Lu Yun he…
Suddenly enlightened, Lu Xian’s fingers trembled slightly against the desk as his face tensed — that dream was the ending!
He finally understood why he needed to discuss his dreams with his third brother, why Lu Yun had been vague, saying he didn’t need to tell others about the dreams. Lu Yun knew what would happen in his later dreams. Of course Lu Yun knew, because after Luo Lingyu’s miscarriage and Prince Chen’s imprisonment, no matter when, Lu Yun’s state of mind would be consistent.
Rebellion.
It was the only path Lu Yun would take.
So “no need to say more,” “I can probably guess,” “Second brother shouldn’t tell others about the dreams.”
When Lu Yun told Lu Xian about the possible miscarriage dream, he immediately thought of the ending. And in reality… perhaps to better move toward this ending, Lu Yun was already making plans. Third Young Master Lu and Prince Chen kept meeting, and troops under the Minister of Works in Jianye were frequently mobilized…
Lu Xian laughed bitterly in shock, hand pressed to his forehead: Third brother, third brother! To think you harbored such treasonous thoughts! No wonder you wouldn’t speak plainly! No wonder you wanted Lady Luo to go directly to Yicheng that day.
It wasn’t simply worry about her miscarriage.
You were aware of far more than what I saw.
So that’s how it was, that’s how it was…
However, could Lu Yun be blamed?
From when Lu Yun went to Nanyang, to when he returned to Jianye. The attitude of the Jianye court, the way the great families regarded the Lu family with suspicion… it was clear to see.
The old emperor’s inaction, the various princes’ different intentions, the endless excuses about the border war.
Originally thought Lu Yun didn’t care.
In fact, Lu Yun cared deeply.
For someone of his noble character who held ideals above all and couldn’t tolerate the slightest impurity, when so much sand was about to blind his eyes, having nearly died several times due to the court’s inaction, how could Lu Yun truly act as if nothing had happened just because he couldn’t find the primary target of his hatred?
The princes’ struggle for the throne in Jianye, Luo Lingyu’s miscarriage, Liu Chu’s imprisonment – these were all catalysts.
In reality, even without these catalysts, major events would still follow Lu Yun’s will.
This was Lu Yun.
…
The next day after court, the Lu family young masters walked together. Lu Yun suddenly glanced sideways, seeing his second brother watching him with a strange, complex expression. Lu Xian had been watching him all morning with such a subtle look that it made Lu Yun’s eyes flash. The young master teasingly asked: “Second brother hasn’t had another dream, has he?”
Lu Xian: “…”
He suddenly came back to his senses, seeing the other Lu family young masters looking over curiously. Lu Xian immediately straightened his back, hurriedly pulled Lu Yun aside, and angrily said: “Don’t speak of strange occurrences! Must you speak so loudly in front of everyone?”
Acting as if he didn’t take his dream’s oddities seriously at all!
Lu Yun raised his eyes confidently, glancing at his second brother: “Such nervousness – it seems you really did have a dream.” After a pause, Lu Yun pondered, “Second brother probably has new thoughts about me? Perhaps wants to stop me?”
Lu Xian stared at his nonchalant third brother for a long while, bitter in his heart but composed on his face. He shook his head and sighed: “How could I have the ability to stop you?”
With mutual understanding, he had almost admitted to knowing what Lu Yun planned to do. Lu Xian only worried that Lu Yun would lead the Lu family into a quagmire. But then he thought, if Lu Yun had already guessed what choice he would make, perhaps in reality, he would pave an even better path.
Standing with his third brother on the palace steps talking, Lu Yun was tall as bamboo with an imposing presence. Officials passed by all around, while Lu Yun’s profile remained cold, his expression consistently indifferent.
At this point, looking at his third brother’s profile, Lu Xian finally accepted and acknowledged: From beginning to end, his dreams were never about Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu’s love. What he had always predicted was the south’s terrible future direction. Whenever things moved toward an unfavorable side, the dreams would reveal it, hoping someone capable in reality would step in to turn around that terrible situation.
As it happened, Lu Yun, the third young master, was exactly the person who could drive the situation forward.
The survival of the south was tightly intertwined with Lu Yun’s personal fate.
When he died pierced by countless arrows, Liu Mu ascended the throne but the south lost its country; when he died in the snowy mountains, no one had the ability to resist the north’s thousands of troops, and the south still perished; when he survived, in the south’s next three calamities, the person controlling everything was only Lu Yun.
Heaven-given fate was so coincidental and interesting – Lu Yun’s every move affected this country.
…
This was probably the biggest secret of Lu Xian’s dreams.
…
Lu Xian laughed softly.
Lu Yun glanced at him.
Seeing Lu Xian relax his shoulders, he smiled and sighed: “Alright, I’ll listen to you. You arrange everything… if you need me to do anything, you can directly command me. Though my vision isn’t as broad and far-reaching as yours, and I don’t see as much as you do. But at least if you hope for me to help you with something, I won’t let you down. Third brother, do you trust me?”
Lu Yun’s eyes lifted in a smile: “Of course I trust you. Have you forgotten what I said? You are heaven’s favored one… if I don’t trust heaven’s chosen lucky one, who can I trust?”
Lu Xian cursed him with a laugh: “Go!”
Just then a servant hurried over, saying softly that Prince Chen’s carriage was waiting outside the palace gates. Lu Yun paused, while Lu Xian eagerly wanted to participate: “From now on, Prince Chen and our Lu family will be one family. Why should Prince Chen only trust you alone? Third brother, when you have time, invite Prince Chen to drink tea at our home. After all, I am his…”
Lu Xian’s face reddened, and he steadied himself with a cough, his voice slightly weaker: “Brother-in-law.”
Lu Yun: “…”
He snorted with laughter and lazily agreed: “Fine.”
Waving to his second brother, Lu Yun walked with his hands behind his back, following the servant toward the road laid out below the steps.
Lu Xian remained standing in place, watching his third brother’s retreating figure with deep feeling. He vaguely felt he had forgotten something, and when third brother had left the palace gates, Lu Xian finally remembered — “Oh no, I forgot about the Prince of Henyang again.”
He felt guilty, because although he had witnessed Liu Mu’s life and death, his eyes had always been fixed on his third brother. Liu Mu was just incidental. Even in last night’s dream, though he initially felt indignant for Liu Mu, after discovering Lu Yun’s rebellion plans, Lu Xian’s gaze had constantly followed his third brother with caution. After waking, he was also concerned about third brother… completely forgetting about Liu Mu’s death.
Liu Mu was also his friend, yet he paid so little attention to his friend.
Lu Xian felt very bad, thinking how he had twice witnessed that youth’s death. Both times he was a sacrifice to national crisis… Lu Yun’s path was self-chosen, but Liu Mu was always the unfortunate one who got dragged in.
Before Liu Mu died in the dream, was his heart firmly willing to devote everything to the country, or would he also feel resentful, realizing the court might be calculating against him?
Lu Xian murmured: “I should not only help third brother, I should also save Liu Mu… he’s not a bad person, he shouldn’t die.”
None of them were bad people, none of them should die.
Lu Xian lowered his eyes, determination slowly settling in them — he must get Liu Mu to return, to keep their appointment!
Right, and that dead youth… Lu Xian hurriedly chased after Lu Yun, bringing up that suspicious young man, saying they should send people to the northern border to check where that youth was. They must keep watch over that youth.
…
Neither Lu Yun nor Lu Xian had expected that youth was named Yue Zihan. He wasn’t at the border at all, he had always been in Jianye, right under the Lu family’s noses. He was even friends with Lu Yun’s sister-in-law Luo Yunhuan, often helping her with various matters.
Lu Yun kept his word – his next meeting with Prince Chen was arranged at the Lu residence. Lu Yun’s wife Luo Lingyu was capable and took the initiative to help host guests. After receiving an eye signal from her husband, Luo Lingyu also had someone invite second brother over.
Lu Xian nervously and excitedly participated in Lu Yun and Liu Chu’s meeting for the first time.
During the meeting, he subtly hinted that Prince Chen was being closely watched by several princes and might face imprisonment. Prince Chen’s face was beautiful and gentle, but his expression was extremely cold. When Lu Xian wracked his brains trying to use evidence that existed in reality to subtly remind Prince Chen of things from the dream, Liu Chu just sat quietly listening, without saying a word.
Lu Xian spoke until his mouth was dry: “…”
He frowned: “You and third brother ruined Crown Prince Zhao’s chances of profiting in the last Nanyang battle. And because of the imperial edict matter, you offended His Majesty. If possible, they might find excuses to frame you… Your Highness, you must be cautious.”
Liu Chu exchanged a glance with Lu Yun, appearing thoughtful: “…Hmm.”
Lu Xian: “…”
What was wrong with this Prince Chen? He thought the prince didn’t like talking and was cold only to outsiders, but how was it that even in private conversation, Liu Chu still seemed unwilling to speak?
Lu Xian gave up: “I don’t know what thoughts you two have about the current situation?”
Liu Chu seemed to be pondering, his eyelashes thick and long like a maiden’s beauty. But he wouldn’t speak, only Lu Yun stared at Lu Xian’s increasingly stiff expression, smiled slightly, and rapped his knuckles on the table saying a few words: “The refugee crisis in Jianye cannot be ignored. Previously when Prince Chen sent people to visit various temples and Taoist monasteries to register those refugees’ information, they indeed found some people whose information didn’t match up. Among them, the refugees saved by Miss Chen had the most problems. Before we were only investigating secretly, now that there are several suspicious points, it’s best to investigate directly from Miss Chen.”
Lu Yun rubbed his forehead: “The only problem is that the Chen family members are not in Jianye, the only master of the Chen residence in Jianye is Miss Chen. If troops suddenly surround the Chen residence, it would seem like bullying the weak and invite criticism. Other noble families, thinking of themselves, would also interfere.”
At first Lu Xian didn’t understand what Lu Yun was worried about, but after Lu Yun’s vague words finished, he suddenly realized: “…The Miss Chen you speak of, could it be Chen Xiu, the daughter of that great scholar Chen who pursued you for many years?”
Lu Yun neither confirmed nor denied.
Lu Xian made an “ah” sound, immediately understanding Lu Yun’s difficulty. Toward that lady, Lu Yun had always been harsh and cold. After all, she was a lady who had admired Lu Yun for many years – Chen Xiu’s admiration for Lu Yun was known to every noble family in Jianye. Chen Xiu had even delayed her own marriage for many years because of Lu Yun, yet Lu Yun had quietly married Luo Lingyu. In the eyes of everyone in Jianye, Lu Yun would rather marry a cousin of humble birth than give Chen Xiu a chance. What a humiliation that was for Chen Xiu.
Lu Yun glanced at his second brother, saying: “You’re thinking too much.”
Lu Yun: “I’m unwilling to deal with her simply because she’s too troublesome. She assumes she can be handsy with me, that we have an intimate relationship, but in reality I’m most annoyed by people acting this way toward me. If I interact with her and she acts like before, I’ll definitely end up ruining her face again… who knows how much gossip this would create in Jianye’s noble circles.”
Both Lu Xian and Liu Chu smiled, both knowing that with Lu Yun’s fame, whatever he did one day would spread throughout Jianye the next. This kind of trouble brought by Miss Chen clearly annoyed Lu Yun very much. People watched every move of famous scholars, and if Lu Yun rebuked Chen Xiu once, the world would spread it as them having deep feelings but being unable to be together… Moreover, since Luo Lingyu was of humble birth, people wouldn’t believe Lu Yun truly loved that cousin, they would only think that cousin used underhanded methods to force Lu Yun to marry her. Bad reputation had a worse impact on ladies of humble birth than on noble ladies.
The vicious cousin in people’s eyes.
Lu Xian smiled: “Third brother truly treats cousin well, caring so much about her reputation…”
Lu Yun: “I just fear she’ll cry and wail again, requiring me to comfort her.”
How could someone as jealous as Luo Lingyu tolerate being slandered? Who knows what troubles would arise.
The group discussed this matter for a few words, then talked about how to deal with those northern spies. They could investigate some people, but couldn’t find those who were deeply hidden. Searching the Chen residence was to startle the snake in the grass, making those northern spies see the timing was wrong and act quickly. The plan was moved up, but Lu Yun and Prince Chen had been waiting for them.
So, when should they choose to take action?
It had to be a grand enough opportunity, with all people celebrating, letting the spies see it was a good chance to cause trouble.
Liu Chu finally deigned to speak: “Which upcoming festival days are closest?”
The Dragon Boat Festival in May had passed, June had no festivals, and July’s Qixi, Zhongyuan, and Ullambana festivals were still two whole months away. There were too many variables.
Lu Xian murmured: “The closest… would be my wedding to Princess Ningping early next month.”
Liu Chu paused.
Lu Yun immediately objected: “It cannot be, how could we use second brother’s wedding for such convenience…”
Who would be willing to use their own wedding as bait? A grand wedding that happens once in a lifetime, yet afterward the memory would be of chaos. Who would be willing?
Lu Xian suddenly thought of Liu Mu and blurted out: “No, I am willing.”
Lu Yun rarely frowned: “…?!”
Lu Xian’s heart beat rapidly as he suddenly realized Liu Mu’s death happened some time after his wedding. If he could get Liu Mu to return early, make sure Liu Mu definitely came to Jianye… the Prince of Henyang wouldn’t die!
Lu Xian stood up, looking at Liu Chu: “I’ll discuss it with the princess… if the princess has no objections, let’s use our wedding as bait. Your Highness, it’s not that I don’t cherish the princess, but opportunities are rare. I will definitely compensate the princess, this wedding will definitely be Jianye’s grandest wedding. It’s just that… just that there will be some accidents outside… but it won’t affect the Lu family or reach the princess. I…”
Liu Chu: “You, no need to explain. If Tangyi is willing, I won’t object.”
…
Princess Ningping Liu Tangyi was a very gentle and shy princess.
When Lu Xian gently and thoroughly explained to her why they needed to do this, when Lu Xian crouched before her and earnestly looked up at her, the little princess nodded with a red face, stammering: “It-it-it’s fine! I don’t mind. If-if you don’t mind, I don’t mind either.”
She said softly: “I also want to help my brother, and… husband.”
Her hand was held by Lu Xian, and both their hands trembled slightly. In the silence, neither spoke for a moment. After a long while, Lu Xian said softly: “Your Highness… except for the wedding, I will treat you very well…”
…
For the search of the Chen residence, because Lu Yun really didn’t want to deal with Chen Xiu, he had to seek help from Luo Lingyu. Lu Yun justified himself: “It’s better if you go too, aren’t you always enemies with her? Every time you meet you argue.”
Luo Lingyu gave him a fierce glare. He found Chen Xiu troublesome, but didn’t she find Chen Xiu troublesome too?
But since this was her husband’s first request after marriage, Luo Lingyu still agreed.
…
Having saved countless refugees, provided housing and food, done many good deeds. Yet Chen Xiu’s mood wasn’t very good.
Because Lu Yun had married.
He had married, wed Luo Lingyu, and even married in Nanyang. Chen Xiu hadn’t even seen it. The young master she had loved for so many years still wouldn’t give her a chance. What was so good about that little demon Luo Lingyu? Why did Lu Yun choose her over herself? Chen Xiu sulked in her residence, and because of her bad mood, she didn’t even know about the recent investigation of refugees.
Several ladies who were friendly with the great scholar Chen’s daughter naturally knew Chen Xiu’s heart knot. They came to the Chen residence to comfort Chen Xiu, joining her in cursing that little demon Luo Lingyu who had stolen Lu Yun. The ladies sat together, harboring jealousy, constantly attacking Luo Lingyu. Chen Xiu’s expression was still unhappy, so one lady advised: “Miss Chen, no need to think that Luo Lingyu is anything special. She just got the Flower Goddess title last year, but this year’s Flower Goddess has returned to sister’s hands, hasn’t it?”
Chen Xiu snorted.
Another lady continued: “And in this year’s Ladies’ Portraits, the most beautiful isn’t necessarily her.”
Chen Xiu: “Oh?”
She was surprised – could there actually be a woman in the world who could surpass Luo Lingyu’s beauty? Though Chen Xiu wouldn’t admit it, she had always felt that such an evil-hearted Luo Lingyu could trick Lu Yun into marrying her largely because Luo Lingyu was extremely beautiful. Such excessive beauty had blinded the young master’s eyes, making Lu Yun unable to see her scheming and dark heart.
The lady informed Chen Xiu: “A new person was added to this year’s Ladies’ Portraits, a famous beauty from Luoyang in the north called Chen Xue. That lady was evaluated as ‘Luoyang’s First Beauty’ and selected for the Ladies’ Portraits. She is indeed extremely beautiful, Luo Lingyu may not compare to her. Only… only…”
The lady hesitated in her speech.
Chen Xiu curiously pursued the question.
That lady blushed: “I always feel that Luoyang beauty Chen Xue looks very similar to… Third Young Master.”
Chen Xiu immediately said: “Really? Do you have the Ladies’ Portraits? Bring them for me to see. I want to see who’s more beautiful – Chen Xue or Luo Lingyu. Hmph, if Chen Xue is more beautiful… I’d like to see what face Luo Lingyu has to strut around in front of me!”
She had been angered by Luo Lingyu too many times, and especially wanted to see such a woman who valued her own beauty be humbled — this way, it would slightly ease her hatred of the other party marrying Lu Yun.
As the ladies opened the Ladies’ Portraits in the courtyard to admire Lady Chen Xue’s beauty, Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun drove their carriage to the Chen residence gate, presenting their name cards. Lu Yun needed to search for people, and Luo Lingyu waited to argue with Chen Xiu to provide an opportunity for her husband. The husband and wife hadn’t expected that after traveling between north and south for months, Lady Chen Xue would become the top topic of conversation among Jianye’s ladies—
“One of Jianye’s unsolved mysteries: why does Luoyang beauty Chen Xue look so similar to Lu Yun of Danyang. Is the Lu family consorting with the enemy, or is there bloodline leakage? Could the male-dominated Lu family possibly have left a daughter in the north?”
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