Chen Xiu sat with several ladies in the courtyard pavilion, together unfolding a replica of a portrait of a noble lady.
The painting depicted a small pavilion by clear waters, with a beauty leaning against the railing. The lady had an elegant figure, wearing plain white robes that accentuated her otherworldly grace. In the cold wind and moonlight, her robes fluttered slightly. Her profile, half-hidden in shadow and light, held an ancient allure. The scene was so serene, mirroring the landscape, that it instantly evoked a sense of melancholy, as if waking from a beautiful dream.
The ladies were momentarily stunned, then began discussing: “Which famous scholar painted this? The style is excellent.”
“Is this the renowned beauty Chen Xue from the northern capital of Luoyang? I heard she was just a musician, but with such grace, no wonder she caught the attention of famous scholars…”
As the ladies chattered their praise and agreement, Chen Xiu’s face showed traces of shock. Her fingers traced over the face of the beauty in the painting. It wasn’t easy to gain recognition from scholars, let alone be featured in their portraits. Chen Xiu prided herself as a talented woman, having been the “Flower Goddess” for many consecutive years based on her talents. This had earned her a place in scholars’ portraits. While there were countless such portraits, Chen Xiu wasn’t known for her beauty – in the rankings of top beauties, she was far from reaching the top…
This was why she harbored such jealousy towards Luo Lingyu.
And now there was another — Chen Xue from Luoyang.
After admiring the painting, one lady quietly made a subtle observation: “Looking at it this way, she does bear some resemblance to Lu Yun…”
The ladies fell silent, all harboring varying degrees of shock and doubt in their hearts. They weren’t suspecting Lu Yun of cross-dressing – such a scandalous thought wouldn’t occur to most people. What they were secretly wondering was what relationship Lu Yun had with this woman. Could there possibly be a surviving child of the Lu family in Luoyang? The Lu family was the foremost noble family of Jianye in the South, and if a surviving child of the Lu family appeared in Luoyang in the North… the political implications were chilling.
The ladies of Jianye came from such backgrounds that they all had some political sensitivity. So when one person mentioned the “resemblance to Lu Yun,” the other ladies only pressed their lips together, smiling without speaking. In their hearts, they thought this was something they should definitely let their fathers and brothers examine, as there might be something suspicious going on.
But this was actually just Lu Yun’s bad luck.
Originally there was nothing to it, but being featured in a scholar’s painting unexpectedly created a series of complications. When rescuing the scholars from Luoyang that day, Lu Xun had demanded the destruction of Chen Xue’s paintings, believing that if the scholars didn’t paint her, Chen Xue’s name wouldn’t spread far. Lu Xun didn’t intend to erase all traces of Chen Xue in Luoyang, thinking this connection might prove useful later. However, Lu Xun hadn’t anticipated that among the scholars who had promised to keep quiet, one who left Nanyang after being rescued couldn’t bear to destroy Lu Yun’s painting. This scholar didn’t share it with others, only taking it out to admire in private, secretly amused that Lu Yun had such an embarrassing moment.
Unexpectedly one day, thieves broke into the scholar’s residence. Besides other property losses, this portrait that the scholar had kept for private viewing also got leaked.
Furthermore, when the Luoyang governor was demoted, he left while keeping his silence, adamantly refusing to explain why his concubine Chen Xue had disappeared. The people of Luoyang still thought Lady Chen Xue remained in the city…
When the portrait circulated, in Luoyang, there were those who wanted to show off their connections to the scholar. Claiming they had seen the portrait, they confidently assured others they had met Chen Xue. After Chen Xue’s disappearance, those who had previously seen her began to exaggerate her beauty. After the North’s defeat and the old governor’s departure, Luoyang’s atmosphere was depressed, and discussing Chen Xue’s beauty became a bizarre way for Luoyang’s citizens to comfort themselves.
Through various coincidences, people spread detailed stories about Chen Xue, making it seem as if she truly existed.
Many swore they had seen Chen Xue, many boasted about drinking and conversing with her, and some even hinted at romantic encounters with suggestive language… With the geographical distance between North and South, how could Lu Yun in far-off Jianye know that Chen Xue had been built up into a legendary beauty by the people of Luoyang?
The less people saw her, the more her legend grew.
When it reached the South, having only the portrait circulate was fortunate for Lu Xun.
While the ladies and Chen Xiu were admiring the painting with various expressions, a steward hurriedly entered the courtyard, informing them that Lu Yun had surrounded the Chen residence with troops. Chen Xiu’s face changed drastically, not expecting Lu Xun to be so bold. As her companions were shocked, Chen Xiu walked out, demanding harshly: “On what grounds do you surround the Chen residence? When has our family ever broken the law? Lu Yun couldn’t possibly treat me like this… He even discussed scholarship with my father, he and I…”
The steward smiled bitterly, urgently saying: “My lady, don’t be foolish! The Chen family’s private soldiers have already gone to resist, but Lu Yun’s troops are from the Grand Marshal’s Office, he…”
As they spoke, the sounds of clashing weapons and fighting came from the front courtyard. The Chen family had left Jianye last year, supposedly for summer retreat, and never returned. Master Chen had sent many letters to Jianye, asking his daughter to join them. Last year Chen Xiu had firmly refused, but this year, after Lu Yun’s marriage, Chen Xiu had grown despondent and her heart had softened. She had already begun selling off family properties, preparing to join her parents… Who would have thought this would happen before she left!
Chen Xiu couldn’t believe it in her heart, finding thousands of excuses for Lu Xun. She ran to the front courtyard with the steward, watching in horror as the resisting Chen family private soldiers were defeated, with Lu Xun’s large army surrounding the place. After the troops subdued the Chen family soldiers and servants, they rushed towards Chen Xiu’s direction. Chen Xiu’s face turned pale, but she saw the troops pass by her without a glance — “Search! Check everyone’s information! Don’t let anyone leave!”
In her shocked state, Chen Xiu watched the troops searching around. She was confused about what they were looking for, and bit her lip in hatred and anger: “Stop, cease this! How dare you search the Chen residence, you…”
Her words cut off abruptly as she saw Lu Yun walking behind the troops.
He wore a white robe with wide sleeves on top, black skirt below, bound with a jade crown and golden belt. Lu Xun’s gaze was cold as he stood at the main gate of the Chen family compound. As he expressionlessly surveyed the entire century-old compound, sunlight fell on his face and body. Like jade and orchids, with a face like crowned jade, his features held such a distant grace that one would forget worldly matters upon seeing him… Chen Xiu stared, then trembled as she called out: “Third Brother!”
Lu Xun: “…”
Lu Xun looked at her, his eyes slightly darkening, still expressionless: “Don’t be alarmed, Miss Chen. The Marshal’s Office received reports of some refugees causing trouble in Jianye city. Today we’re just here to question these refugees at the Chen residence. The Chen family won’t be affected.”
Chen Xiu’s expression turned cold. The steward beside her was secretly anxious but was silenced by her glare. She straightened her back and walked towards Lu Xun: “Is this your reason for searching the Chen residence? Do you think so little of me, or are you afraid of something? You completely disregard our past feelings. How can you treat me like this…”
The lady’s pride showed as she stared at him unwaveringly.
Lu Xun started to feel a headache coming on.
Still the same.
Chen Xiu was still the same.
She always thought he was as noble as her, but while hers was genuine, he had only been putting on an act to avoid trouble. Chen Xiu didn’t talk about the Chen family, only mentioning herself, just like every time before. Chen Xiu refused to accept that Lu Xun wasn’t the person she thought he was. She believed that their nearly ten years of feelings couldn’t leave Lu Xun’s heart completely unmoved…
Chen Xiu’s eyes were cold but fierce, with hints of tears. She harbored deep resentment towards Lu Xun, trembling as she reached out to grab his sleeve: “Lu Yun, how dare you search my home…”
A smiling female voice came from behind Lu Xun: “It’s already been explained as routine business, why is Sister Chen so heartbroken about it?”
Chen Xiu’s outstretched hand suddenly froze: …Heaven, this nightmarish voice, so familiar!
She stiffly looked over to see a lady stepping over the threshold, her skirts sweeping the ground like falling plum blossoms. With exquisite makeup and clear, elegant features, Luo Lingyu walked with graceful charm. As she looked over with a suppressed smile, Chen Xiu’s heart screamed, instantly recalling countless previous defeats when facing off against Luo Lingyu.
Chen Xiu’s voice changed: “What are you doing here?!”
She looked at Lu Xun in disbelief: “…Lu Yun, are you humiliating me like this? Do you despise me this much?”
Knowing her animosity towards Luo Lingyu, knowing her feelings for him. He married Luo Lingyu, and today, today he brought Luo Lingyu along to watch her humiliation, to mock her…
Lu Xun was most annoyed by Chen Xiu’s behavior. In the past, he always had to waste energy trying to shake off this woman’s persistence. Now with Luo Lingyu present, Lu Xun gave her a look, and Luo Lingyu understood perfectly with a nod. To Chen Xiu, it appeared the couple was exchanging meaningful glances right in front of her. Chen Xiu trembled with anger and shame, her body growing cold as Luo Lingyu affectionately took her hand, speaking with a warm smile: “Sister, what are you thinking? Please don’t take it to heart, my husband and I mean no harm. I came to explain because I was afraid you might misunderstand. I was so worried you might overthink things…”
Chen Xiu pushed her away.
Luo Lingyu held onto her arm firmly, refusing to let go.
Chen Xiu raged in shame: “Get away! I…”
She turned to head back to the rear courtyard to check on things, but Luo Lingyu naturally wouldn’t let go: “Sister, don’t rush. Those refugees caused you trouble last year, creating friction between the Chen and Lu families. Why do you still want to suffer losses by caring about them?”
Chen Xiu laughed coldly: “Of course I’m not like you. You only help refugees to gain fame, while I see things through to the end.” She paused, looking at Lu Xun again, speaking earnestly, “Third Brother, look at the woman you married…”
Luo Lingyu interrupted, full of grievance: “Sister Chen, I don’t know why you always have such prejudice against me. You suspect ill intent in everything I do, you’ve slandered me multiple times, I even fled to Nanyang, yet you still won’t leave me alone. Sister Chen, the Chen family now has only you, what good is there in starting conflicts? I’m still trying to help you, yet you misunderstand me again…”
Luo Lingyu said quite a lot at once.
Chen Xiu was astounded by her ability to twist black and white with her words. She kept looking at Lu Xun with anxious eyes. However, Lu Xun stood as steady as a mountain, completely unmoved, as if he hadn’t heard the argument between the two women at all. Chen Xiu tried several times to break free from Luo Lingyu to check on the refugees in the back courtyard. Hearing the chaotic sounds, she felt uneasy and couldn’t help but worry. But this Luo Lingyu wouldn’t let go of her, speaking with such feigned grievance that Chen Xiu wanted to spit blood.
Chen Xiu: “Let go of me!”
Luo Lingyu smiled, her eyes containing timidity: “Sister Chen, you’re yelling at me again. Can I apologize on behalf of my husband? Let’s sit down for tea and painting…”
Behind them, several ladies who had come to visit Chen Xue saw the situation turning bad and also rushed out. As they ran out, the ladies saw troops everywhere arresting people, but terrified as they were, no one stopped them. Leaving the courtyard, they saw Lu Yun blocking the front gate, with Luo Lingyu and Chen Xiu pulling and arguing endlessly.
The ladies were flustered and tried to slip past everyone to escape the Chen residence with lowered heads.
Standing at the mansion gate, Lu Xun was meant to be intimidating, but seeing several ladies from the Chen family coming out with lowered heads, he watched them closely, mentally judging whether to let them pass. He felt today’s refugee investigation was meant to smoke out the spies in Jianye, to make them move, but there might also be some dim-witted spies who could be caught today…
Lu Xun stared at these ladies, trying to determine if they were Jianye residents or spies, which made them even more flustered. Being stared at by such a jade-like gentleman as Lu Yun, the ladies’ faces turned red and they unconsciously raised their heads to look. Lu Yun’s charm remained unchanged after marriage – there were tales about Lu Yun all over Jianye, but he hadn’t appeared before the ladies for a long time.
Being watched by such a handsome gentleman, his eyes like stars, his robes flowing… One lady, in her panic, dropped the scroll she was holding. It hit the ground with a “pa” sound and the painting unrolled.
Lu Xun looked down, and when he saw what was in the painting, his expression changed drastically. That lady hurriedly crouched down to collect her painting, but Lu Xun held onto the other end of the scroll. The lady couldn’t pull it away, and seeing Lu Xun’s strange expression, thought it was because of the person in the painting. She said with a blushing face: “This… this is a portrait of a lady, she’s a famous beauty from Luoyang, very well-known…”
Lu Xun rubbed the painting with his finger, immediately getting a layer of fine powder on his fingertip. His expression grew even worse: “…This is a forgery? Not the original?”
…The circulation of forgeries showed how eagerly people sought after it.
He looked at that lady: “Does the lady know who holds the original painting?”
…He absolutely could not let Chen Xue’s paintings spread everywhere!
Although Luo Lingyu was deliberately entangling Chen Xiu, she kept an eye on everything around her and quickly noticed Lu Xun crouching on the ground, seemingly arguing with a lady over a painting. She glanced over casually and saw his tense profile and expression… not looking good. Luo Lingyu immediately walked over, saying softly: “Husband, what’s… ah.”
She looked down and saw “Chen Xue” in the painting, her heart pausing subtly. She trembled at the shoulders as she looked down, biting her lip and trying hard to hold back the wild laughter in her heart — Lu Xuechen, haha, now you have your day! Look how well this forgery is painted, who knows how many people have seen the original haha…
That lady was still explaining: “I don’t know where the original is either, it’s just that Master Zhang’s painting is very famous, I borrowed this forgery through connections…”
Chen Xiu also walked over, instantly understanding what was happening here. She glanced over, seeing Lu Xun’s frost-covered face and Luo Lingyu staring at the painting with sparkling tears in her beautiful eyes. Not knowing that Luo Lingyu’s trembling shoulders were from trying to hold back laughter, Chen Xiu thought Luo Lingyu was looking down at the painting, and her anger found an outlet. Chen Xiu snorted: “In Jianye city, some people with shallow knowledge praise Lady Luo as the most beautiful lady they’ve ever seen. I think not. Not to mention the mysterious Zhou Yangling from Yicheng, there are many people Lady Luo can’t compare to…”
Yicheng Zhou Yangling.
Luo Lingyu’s eyes darkened for a moment, inwardly sneering. Having never seen Zhou Yangling, she naturally dismissed her. Chen Xiu said there were others.
Luo Lingyu’s eyes darkened for a moment, inwardly sneering with contempt. Having never seen Zhou Yangling, she naturally dismissed her. When Chen Xiu said there were others, Luo Lingyu felt even more defiant in her heart: More beautiful than her? She didn’t believe it!
Chen Xiu: “I’ll name just one person you certainly can’t compare to.”
By this time, Luo Lingyu had forgotten about caring for her husband’s embarrassing situation. Lu Xun knew getting one forgery was useless, and he stood up with a dark face, only to hear his wife arguing with someone again about appearances. Lu Xun gave an indecipherable glance, but Luo Lingyu didn’t even look at him. The lady’s lips curled slightly, full of interest as she asked: “Oh? Who do you say I can’t compare to?”
Chen Xiu looked at her mockingly, glancing down to indicate the painting on the ground. Chen Xiu said word by word: “Luoyang’s Chen Xue – you certainly aren’t as beautiful as her.”
Lu Xun trembled beside them: “…!”
Luo Lingyu’s eyebrows slowly arched upward, forming a soul-stirring shadow. Her eyelashes fluttered, her pupils rippling as she exchanged a glance with Lu Xun beside her. Luo Lingyu slowly cupped her peach-like cheeks, her eyes flowing with waves of light, then turned back to look at Chen Xiu. Chen Xiu was certain Luo Lingyu was competitive and jealous, unable to admit being inferior to others.
Unexpectedly, Luo Lingyu smiled and said: “Oh… you mean Chen Xue? As for Sister Chen Xue, I naturally submit to her beauty, of course I admit defeat. How could I compare to Sister Chen Xue?”
“How could she be just an ordinary lady?”
The more she spoke, the darker Lu Xun’s face became.
Lu Xun: “Shut up! Let’s go, stop talking.”
Luo Lingyu was quite interested in continuing the conversation and wanted to pull the confused Chen Xiu aside to say more, but she was dragged away by Lu Xun. Lu Xun couldn’t stay at the Chen residence any longer. After instructing the soldiers to report their search results, he forcibly dragged away his wife who loved watching the drama unfold and making things worse.
Luo Lingyu: “Hey, hey, hey! How annoying, why are you dragging me away and not letting me talk? I was finally having such a nice conversation with Sister Chen… Finally found something in common with Sister Chen, Sister Chen, let’s chat another day!”
Left behind, Chen Xiu was bewildered as she watched the couple come and go so hastily. Chen Xiu was proud and had always been unwilling to give up, but now she discussed confusedly with the ladies beside her: “…What are they running from?”
Then she felt dejected.
The courtyard was in chaos. When Lu Xun was present, Chen Xiu had opposed him and wouldn’t let him search; but after he left, after being pulled around by Luo Lingyu for so long, she also saw that Lu Xun wasn’t targeting the Chen family. As her heart settled, her chest ached when she saw the husband and wife’s coordinated performance: between Lu Xun and Luo Lingyu, there was a relationship she couldn’t wedge herself into.
She didn’t want to admit it, but now she thought, Lu Xun must truly love Luo Lingyu.
…She really should let go now.
…
Lu Xun and Luo Lingyu sat back in their long-roofed carriage. Seeing Luo Lingyu’s utter disappointment, Lu Xun gritted his teeth: “I let you come to help, yet you caused such trouble! If you’re not slandering me in public, are you feeling lost?”
Luo Lingyu glared at him.
She wanted to scold him, but seeing his poor expression, she thought again and felt sympathy. Luo Lingyu smiled mysteriously, gloating as she pursed her lips: “Hmph, you’re one to talk. Don’t you need to please me?”
Lu Xun raised his eyebrows.
Luo Lingyu: “The famous Chen Xue portrait has spread to Jianye, and how many people in Jianye are familiar with Lu Yun’s appearance? If Chen Xue sister were just an ordinary beauty, it would be fine, she could still compete with me for beauty… Lu Xuechen, just wait for people to keep questioning you. If you don’t want people to know about your embarrassing situation, don’t you need to seek my help to cover it up? You still dare to scold me? If you offend me, who will help you?”
Lu Xun: “…”
He sat stiffly in the carriage with a sour face. He lowered his eyes in thought, needing to quickly destroy all the paintings in Jianye. But those who had already seen it… no wonder people had been looking at him lately, wanting to speak but holding back.
After some consideration, Lu Xun swallowed his pride and moved closer to Luo Lingyu, smiling to please her: “Please help me, my wife, don’t let my embarrassing situation become known to all under heaven.”
Luo Lingyu glanced at him: “Then how should you beg me?”
Lu Xun smiled: “Would my wife like to be pleased in bed?”
Luo Lingyu: “…!”
She immediately punched his chest, cursing angrily: “You vulgar scoundrel…”
But Lu Xun seized the opportunity to embrace her. She was slender and graceful, with a full chest and thin waist, her figure so lovely. Lu Xun held her on his lap and bent down to kiss her, his teasing kisses falling from behind her ear down her spine like fine rain, soft and numbing. Luo Lingyu tilted her head back, breathing heavily, as his hand slipped inside.
Luo Lingyu was startled and pressed down on his hand that was roaming inside her undergarments through her clothes. She exclaimed in shock: “Weren’t we discussing how to resolve the Chen Xue situation?! Why are you, why are you…”
Suddenly becoming so beastly?
Lu Xun’s voice was low and hoarse as he sucked on her red earlobe and the cool pendant swaying against her cheek: “Little sister Lingyu’s skin is like congealed cream, so tender it could squeeze out flower juice… How could brother care about discussing Chen Xue? Whatever, brother just wants little sister now…”
He smiled, burying his face in her chest, his voice muffled. As he panted, his breath floated over her jade neck, making Luo Lingyu tremble, her skin instantly turning red. She heard him seemingly chant and sigh: “Want little sister to cry beneath brother…”
As the carriage swayed, Luo Lingyu grabbed his hand, her voice shaking: “This is- this is outside, in the carriage… don’t be reckless… Brother Xuechen, don’t tease…”
Lu Xun remained unmoved.
His hand pressed against her flat belly as he kissed her, his gaze growing darker: “In my dreams at this time, you were already with child… Now having to make you avoid pregnancy is truly a pity…”
Luo Lingyu humphed: “I knew it, you just want me to bear your children. I’m just your child-bearing tool!”
Lu Xun: “…”
He smiled ambiguously: “Don’t you know whether you’re a tool or not? Brother actually hopes little sister never gets pregnant. Little sister’s waist, these legs…” He hissed, pulling her closer into his embrace, seeming both pleased and pained as he held her tight: “Really gets me going…”
…
“My lord, my lady, we’ve arrived!” the carriage driver outside respectfully announced, then opened the carriage door.
A woman’s urgent sharp voice from inside: “Don’t…”
The driver had just opened the door when, after a fleeting glimpse, it was quickly slammed shut again. The driver was stunned, then lowered his head, his ears turning red, unable to speak.
A moment later, he heard a slap from inside the carriage. No one spoke, then the door opened and their incomparably beautiful lady didn’t wait for assistance, jumping straight down from the carriage and walking away quickly. The lord slowly descended afterward. The driver looked up to see his lord covering his face, seemingly with a handprint… Lu Xun glanced over, and the driver immediately lowered his head again, pretending he hadn’t seen anything.
…
That day the Lu family learned that Lu Yun and his newlywed wife had a big fight after returning to their room, and seemed to have come to blows.
Lu Xun claimed illness and refused to see visitors for several days. Lu Xun felt guilty and spoke kindly to Luo Lingyu after this dispute, but according to servants’ reports, Lu Xun and Luo Lingyu had been sleeping in separate rooms for many days. This made Old Lady Lu, who wanted to hold her great-grandchild, secretly anxious.
That fight was very mysterious. Luo Lingyu had been frowning for days, and Old Lady Lu couldn’t get to the bottom of it. When Old Lady Lu said a few more words, Luo Lingyu gave a cold laugh.
Old Lady Lu: “…”
So even Old Lady Lu stopped asking what the young couple was fighting about.
Old Lady Lu asked about Lu Yun’s bedroom matters again because in Jianye city, Chen Xue’s portraits began to be destroyed. But the Lu family naturally had people who heard the rumors and specifically found a forgery, bringing the Chen Xue matter to Old Lady Lu’s attention. Outsiders suspected whether the Lu family had a surviving child in Luoyang. Even Prince Chen asked Lu Xun, only half-believing his firm denial before suppressing his doubts. However, Old Lady Lu knew there was no conspiracy – the Lu family couldn’t possibly have a surviving child in Luoyang.
Since Lu Yun refused to see visitors, she sought out Luo Lingyu for answers.
And Luo Lingyu was angry with Lu Xun for his reckless behavior that almost got seen by servants. When Old Lady Lu questioned her, she gave a cold laugh inside, then pitifully knelt down, tears falling like rain.
Old Lady Lu and Lady Lu and others were shocked and puzzled.
Seeing Luo Lingyu crying like a rain-soaked flower, she choked out: “Grandmother, Aunt, do you know why I fought with my husband? It’s because of that Chen Xue… Back in Nanyang, when my husband went to Luoyang for a mission, he had an unclear relationship with that Chen Xue… I finally convinced him to consider the Lu family’s reputation and not cause a scandal. I persuaded him to come back… Who knew that this time in Jianye, after seeing that fox spirit Chen Xue’s painting, he’s making a fuss about wanting to take that fox spirit as a concubine! He wants to take a musician as a concubine, Grandmother, sob sob sob…”
Luo Lingyu wailed and sobbed, falling into Old Lady Lu’s embrace. While wiping tears and acting pitiful, she thought secretly: take this opportunity to eliminate the possibility of Lu Xun taking concubines. At least for the next few years, don’t let the Lu family elders urge Lu Xun to take concubines!
Old Lady Lu was shocked with anger: “How dare Third Son! Don’t cry, Lingyu, Grandmother will settle this for you… Tell Third Son to come to me!”
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