Lu Yun was resting at home when the Old Madame summoned him. The maid she sent was quite insistent this time. Lu Yun couldn’t find an excuse to refuse, and thinking that the marks on his face had mostly faded, he agreed to go.
At the Old Madame’s courtyard, the morning greetings from the women had just finished. Birds chirped in their cages along the corridor. The courtyard was bright and breezy, with phoenix tree leaves swaying. When a maid saw him approaching, she hurried to open the curtains from afar.
The maids in the courtyard blushed as they observed Lu Yun. His robes billowed like mist carrying a crane. As always, he was impeccably dressed in fine silks and a jade crown, without a speck of dust. Their hearts raced as they watched him, thinking what good fortune it would be for any woman to become his concubine… It was more like the young lady had taken advantage of him, rather than the other way around. No wonder the young miss was unwilling to share him.
Through the window, shadows of trees danced, and a woman’s face flashed before Lu Yun’s eyes.
Lu Yun lowered his head as he entered. As he got closer, he could hear his wife’s familiar sobbing: “Grandmother, look sob this is the handkerchief Chen Xue gave him. He’s been keeping it close all this time, showing how much he treasures it. I’m not against my husband taking concubines, but how can our family let in a mere musician? And she’s from the Northern Kingdom too! Isn’t he just trying to drive me to my death?”
Lu Yun’s temple twitched as he realized the situation.
He walked past the screen into the inner room to find several sisters-in-law and aunts gathered around the Old Madame. At the Old Madame’s feet, Luo Lingyu covered her face as she cried, waving around a handkerchief for everyone to see. The women had all seen the handkerchief, and with Luo Lingyu’s constant, detailed explanations, they sighed sympathetically, promising to support her.
Lu Yun: “…”
He found his wife’s dramatic pose of crying at their grandmother’s knee rather troubling. Looking closer, he saw his wife covering half her face as she glanced back at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. When Luo Lingyu saw him, her eyes welled up with even more tears. She let out a choked sob, unable to speak.
So she buried her face in the Old Madame’s lap and continued crying.
When the Old Madame saw Lu Yun, she was furious: “You scoundrel! Look how you’ve bullied your delicate wife! How beautiful could this Chen Xue be? I bet she can’t compare to even one of Lingyu’s fingers! You have such a beautiful wife at home but you don’t care, running off to fool around outside instead. Is this how the Lu family raised you? Can you face me and your grandfather, your departed parents? Kneel down now!”
Lu Yun raised an eyebrow, maintaining a neutral expression.
When Luo Lingyu caught his subtle glance, she trembled and cried even harder: “Grandmother, he’s glaring at me…”
Lu Yun: “…”
Madame Lu couldn’t stand it anymore: “Third Son, what happened to your promises when you wanted to marry Lingyu? It’s only been a few months and you’re already bullying her like this?”
Old Madame: “Kneel down!”
Luo Lingyu was showing the handkerchief around to everyone, intentionally making a big scene. But deep down she was uncertain, afraid Lu Yun might lose his temper and embarrass her. Yet what right did he have to be angry? If he hadn’t insisted on being intimate in the carriage, if he hadn’t forced her, they wouldn’t have almost been caught. Lu Yun owed her, and should make amends. Reassuring herself with these thoughts, Luo Lingyu didn’t dare look back at Lu Yun. After a while, hearing movement behind her, she secretly peeked out from behind the handkerchief with her watery autumn eyes to see Lu Yun lifting his robes to kneel.
Lu Yun’s face was cold and pale, his eyes dark as night. He glanced at her again.
Luo Lingyu quickly looked away, clutching her chest. Her heart finally settled—though her Snow Minister brother looked displeased, he was willing to play along with her act.
Chen Xue’s handkerchief was passed among all the women in the room before finally returning to the Old Madame. The Old Madame looked down at her grandson, seeing his attitude of apology was acceptable, and advised kindly: “Third Son, are you truly involved with this Chen Xue?”
Luo Lingyu gazed at him with tear-filled eyes.
Lu Yun looked at her.
Old Madame: “Speak up! Why do you keep glaring at your wife? Third Son, I’m warning you, you are not allowed to intimidate Lingyu. If it weren’t for Chen Xue’s portrait coming to light, we would still be in the dark. How could a mere musician appear in an official portrait? Did you paint it for her, to make her famous? What are you hoping for? What’s really going on between you and Chen Xue? There must be some misunderstanding, right?”
The Old Madame was hopeful—she couldn’t believe Lu Yun would get involved with a musician. Lu Yun was so outstanding, what kind of woman wouldn’t line up to compete for him? Why would he fall for a woman of such low birth? Compared to Chen Xue’s background as a musician, Luo Lingyu’s background now seemed incredibly prestigious.
The Old Madame no longer looked down on her grandson’s wife’s humble origins.
In this situation, even the striking resemblance between Chen Xue and Lu Yun didn’t seem so important anymore.
After being questioned at length, Lu Yun pondered for a moment before saying slowly: “There’s no misunderstanding. Miss Chen Xue and I… feel a deep connection. When I see her, I always feel she should be by my side, keeping me company day after day. If not for Luo Lingyu’s interference, Chen Xue would be living in my courtyard now, composing poetry and appreciating flowers with me.”
Luo Lingyu: “…”
While pretending to cry pitifully, she deeply admired Lu Yun’s thick skin—feeling a deep connection? Keeping company day after day?
Lu Yun and Chen Xue?
With Lu Yun’s words, the Old Madame grew even angrier: “Outrageous!”
Lu Yun smiled slightly, his eyes showing distaste: “Luo Lingyu, you’re complaining to Grandmother? Aren’t you afraid I’ll divorce you?”
Luo Lingyu froze, then burst into even harder sobs.
Madame Lu was displeased too: “Third Son, how can you speak to Lingyu like that?”
Lu Yun remained nonchalant: “Grandmother, it’s perfectly normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines. When I married Luo Lingyu, I never imagined she’d be so jealous. Always arguing and making scenes with me. Such a tigress… If I’d known, I wouldn’t have married her. Chen Xue is so much better—beautiful, understanding, well-mannered, and shares my interests…”
The Old Madame was so angry she grabbed a candlestick from the table and moved to throw it at Lu Yun. As sparks and oil flew, Luo Lingyu cried out in alarm: “Grandmother!”
Though Luo Lingyu was just acting, she couldn’t bear to see Lu Yun actually get hurt or burned. As the candlestick came down, she suddenly jumped up and flew towards Lu Yun. Luo Lingyu’s movements were naturally slow, nowhere near as fast as the candlestick. Lu Yun tilted his head to dodge it, only to have his wife crash into his arms.
The candle hit the ground, flames licking up the curtains and roaring upward. The women who had been calmly watching suddenly panicked: “Someone come quickly!”
Meanwhile, Luo Lingyu knelt on the ground, anxiously touching Lu Yun’s face and hands, checking everywhere: “Did you get burned? Lu Yun, are you hurt anywhere…”
Lu Yun’s previously frost-covered eyes paused, seeing how she cared for him, forgetting her act to rush and embrace him. He was quite pleased, the ice in his eyes melting as starlight danced in their depths, a slight smile appearing. With the chaos around them and people hurrying to ask after the Old Madame and put out the fire, Lu Yun took advantage of the distraction to lower his head and peck Luo Lingyu’s lips.
He smiled teasingly: “Naughty girl, just wait and see how I’ll deal with you later.”
Tears still hung in Luo Lingyu’s eyes as his lips brushed hers coolly. His fragrance wafted over as his lips grazed her lips and face, cool yet warm. After days without intimacy, she found her resolve weakening, her heart fluttering at his touch. With so many people around, Luo Lingyu grew nervous, her face flushing bright red.
The fire only caught a small part of the curtain—the Old Madame was mostly putting on a show. The fire was quickly extinguished, and everyone sat down, calming but somewhat tired. Regrettably, Chen Xue’s handkerchief had been burned by the Old Madame in the commotion. Luo Lingyu’s eyes flickered, understanding that while the Old Madame outwardly supported her, deep down she still favored Lu Yun. She huffed, jealous of how beloved Lu Yun was, and glared at him.
The Old Madame tried to mediate between them: “Third Son, forget about Chen Xue. I don’t believe your wife could be worse than a musician. There must be some misunderstanding between you and Lingyu. Our family doesn’t do that sort of thing. I still remember how you wrote to me about how much you liked Lingyu…”
Lu Yun: “Ahem, cough cough!”
The Old Madame was startled by his coughing.
Luo Lingyu suddenly looked up: “What? He wrote about how he liked me? Grandmother, do you still have the letters? I want to see them.”
The Old Madame looked at the two of them—Lu Yun continuously coughing hints, Luo Lingyu batting her eyes charmingly with anticipation. The Old Madame was confused by their attitudes, feeling this didn’t seem like a real argument. But she couldn’t quite put her finger on why. After thinking for a moment, she had a maid fetch the letters.
The other women grew interested too, gathering around to see what Lu Yun had written—
“Grandmother, I originally didn’t want to marry. If not for her, there would be no one else.”
“A thousand miles of sorrow, ten thousand miles of meaning, who doesn’t pine with longing.”
“I only want to marry her.”
“Please help make it happen, Grandmother.”
Luo Lingyu sat beside the Old Madame, reading letter after letter. The tears in her eyes gradually disappeared as she covered her face to hide her giggles, stealing glances at Lu Yun still kneeling on the ground. Those flirtatious, teasing looks fell on Lu Yun. His eyebrows rose as he tried to maintain a cold expression, but his heart burned, wanting nothing more than to pull her into his arms and press her beneath him—
How dare she flirt with him so openly in front of everyone.
The Old Madame said: “See? You two used to be so good together. How could Chen Xue compare? Third Son, don’t mention letting Chen Xue into the family again. Lingyu, forgive Third Son. You two should focus on giving me a great-granddaughter soon.”
Luo Lingyu keenly noticed that the Old Madame’s hope was for a “great-granddaughter,” not a “great-grandson.” Such pointed expectations from an elder immediately made her feel immense pressure, thinking of the Lu family’s “curse” of having many sons but few daughters, still unbroken.
While Luo Lingyu was anxious, she heard the Old Madame say half-jokingly, half-seriously: “Third Son, you can’t bully your wife. For the first three years of marriage, you’re not allowed to mention taking concubines.”
Lu Yun put on a reluctant expression: “…Yes.”
After their mutual performance, both looking sullen, the Old Madame took one of their hands in each of hers. With further persuasion from Madame Lu and the other women, the couple was forced to hold hands and walk out somewhat unwillingly. Before leaving, Lu Yun’s face was indifferent while Luo Lingyu pouted so much her lips could hang a jade vase.
After the young couple left, a maid went out for a while and returned to report that the Third Young Master and his wife weren’t arguing anymore and had truly gone back.
Only then did the Old Madame sigh: “…These two troublemakers! Not a day goes by without them causing me worry.”
Madame Lu smiled: “This is what they call a loving couple who can’t help but quarrel.”
The other women all advised: “Don’t worry, Old Madame. Those two can’t be separated. I think the children just like to bicker, but their feelings are still very good.”
…
Leaving the Old Madame’s courtyard, all the way back to the “Clear Courtyard,” Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu held hands to reassure everyone. By the end, their hands were sweaty.
When they reached the flower grove, just steps away from the Clear Courtyard, Lu Yun stopped and released his wife’s hand, looking at the sweat on it with disgust. He lifted his chin and reached out to Luo Lingyu: “Handkerchief.”
Luo Lingyu: “…You find my hand sweat disgusting but still ask me for a handkerchief to wipe it? You really are a jerk, Lu Xuechen!”
But despite her words, her enchanting eyes shot him a coquettish glance as she tossed a clean handkerchief into Lu Yun’s arms. Lu Yun lowered his head to wipe his hands while Luo Lingyu turned to leave, but her sleeve was caught. She couldn’t control herself as she fell backward into Lu Yun’s embrace. He stepped forward as she retreated stiffly. Finally, the young lady leaned against a flowering tree, looking up with feigned composure as he bent down to gaze at her.
Luo Lingyu complained: “You hurt my hand when you grabbed me!”
Lu Yun seemed to smile as his hand pinched her face. It had been so long since he’d pinched her face that Luo Lingyu had almost forgotten this bad habit of his. Now that he pinched her, she cried out, tears glittering in her eyes as she glared at him, daring to be angry but not daring to speak. Lu Yun’s phoenix eyes lowered as he said softly: “Playing this game with me again. Haven’t I told you I don’t fall for your tricks?”
Lu Yun pinched her face and sighed: “What were you making a fuss about at Grandmother’s?”
Luo Lingyu: “I wasn’t making a fuss… I was just helping explain Chen Xue’s existence… Ouch ouch ouch, stop pinching me. You’re going to make my face fat… sob I’m telling the truth, I was just explaining Chen Xue for you. I’m so good to you…”
Lu Yun hissed, thinking she was really stubborn. He raised an eyebrow, no longer listening to her nonsense. The young master hooked his hand behind her neck and bent down to kiss her as her beautiful eyes widened. It was passionate and tender, warm and intimate, growing heated and sensual. He pressed Luo Lingyu against the tree as he kissed her, flower petals rustling and falling above them. The young lady’s spine went weak from his kisses, leaving her breathless.
Her face grew redder and redder. At first she firmly resisted his sweet assault, but later, bewitched by his beauty, she couldn’t help but wrap her arms around his neck. She also tilted her head back, pressing her chest against his, her body writhing as she melted in his embrace. As she slipped down, he knelt with her.
The two kissed passionately, faces flushed and eyelashes trembling, holding each other, both deeply moved.
In this deeply emotional moment, Lu Yun’s lips left Luo Lingyu’s to suck on her earlobe. Luo Lingyu shivered in his arms, letting out a distressed whimper like a crying cat. Her hands tightly gripped the back of his neck. Having tasted passion before, she fell even faster to his teasing now.
But as Luo Lingyu’s mind wandered, she heard Lu Yun suddenly ask: “Besides explaining Chen Xue, you had no other purpose?”
Luo Lingyu: “…”
She snapped back to reality.
She suddenly realized he was seducing her, and still… Luo Lingyu grew annoyed: “You’re using these tactics again! Every time you want me to submit to you, you do this!”
Lu Yun: “What else can I do? With enemies, I either kill them or torture them. But since sister Lingyu is as delicate and beautiful as a flower, how could I bear to use other methods to bully you? You’re not even happy when I kiss you, hmm?”
Luo Lingyu punched his shoulder.
Lu Yun looked down at her with a half-smile: “So shall we keep kissing?”
Luo Lingyu pouted: “…Yes.”
She sweetly offered her kiss, earning his light laugh. Though they had quarreled and fought over the carriage incident, neither was truly angry. This was their mildest argument yet, tinged with flirtation. As soon as there was a way down, both eagerly rushed down the steps and into each other’s arms.
After Lu Yun teased her a few more times, since Luo Lingyu still refused to do anything outdoors, he had to carry her back to the Clear Courtyard, burning with desire. Once the door was closed, the two masters didn’t emerge from their room all afternoon.
The maids understood.
…
After searching Chen’s residence, the refugees had investigated everything they could. People without permits in Jianye hid everywhere, unstable elements stirring. The Northern Kingdom’s spies hidden in the Southern Kingdom’s capital had to contact Prince Liu Huai of the Southern Kingdom. Liu Huai originally only wanted a few counties, but now the Northern Kingdom offered better terms—
How about helping Your Highness ascend the throne?
Liu Huai was skeptical about how the Northern people could help him, but they made their request: “How about inviting the Southern Emperor to visit our Northern Kingdom?”
“Young Master, opportunities slip away in an instant, don’t miss such a good chance. Jianye is now guarded by Prince Chen and the Lu family, everyone is being forced into a corner… If you don’t take a risk, Young Master, do you plan to lose to Prince Chen? His methods are strong, and he has the Lu family backing him. Fighting alone with false hopes, Young Master cannot win.”
The Prince trembled: “If we fail…”
The Northern spy smiled: “We’re not asking you to act directly, Young Master just needs to help us draw away Jianye’s army. Even if we fail, it won’t implicate you.”
“Young Master, rest assured, we have plans for the battle in Jianye. We also have people to escort His Majesty. You just need to clear the way in Jianye.”
Though the Prince hesitated, ambition ultimately drove him to agree.
…
Around the same time, at the border, Liu Mu finally received the imperial edict that Lu Xian had promised to obtain for him—
The court granted one month’s leave for the Prince of Xiangyang to return to Jianye and attend Lu Xian’s wedding.
Upon receiving the edict, Liu Mu jumped up, his shoulders trembling with excitement: Lu Xian had actually done it! He could return to Jianye!
…
In Yi City, the scholar Zhou Tan had his wife pack their belongings at home. The renowned scholar stood before a wall painting in the main hall, contemplating his journey to Jianye. Prince Chen had invited him and other commoner representatives to take up residence in Jianye, officially breaking the nobles’ dominance. Prince Chen showed great sincerity, corresponding with Zhou Tan for two full years. Their continued cooperation deepened their mutual understanding, and this time, after Prince Chen detailed his political aspirations, Zhou Tan immediately agreed.
Zhou Tan pondered silently: Was it right to increase opportunities for commoners to enter high society and participate in government affairs?
“Father,” a beautiful female voice like a song came from behind as the door opened, “I am familiar with the situation in Jianye. The noble families there are deeply entrenched. I worry for you, so I’ll go to Jianye with you.”
Zhou Tan turned to see his beautiful daughter smiling in the doorway.
Zhou Yangling wore a maiden’s dress of white and pink, her hair in an ethereal style, her features incomparable. Like a celestial maiden, she was delicate yet possessed the magnificence of mountains and rivers. Such an exquisitely beautiful woman was even more captivating when she frowned, like Xi Shi herself, rarely seen in this world.
This was Zhou Yangling’s true appearance.
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