Dreams and reality intertwined, possibilities weaving like silk threads before his eyes, forming a web that eventually spread out into a vast maze.
At the center of the maze, Lu Xian lay in a light doze, his forehead damp with sweat. In his dreams, he saw this night engulfed in flames, with Jianye surrounded like a city of infernal fire.
Similar fires had broken out near the Lu family compound.
In his dream, it was the Buddhist festival in July, with crowds thronging the streets, pushing and shoving all the way to Danyang. The Lu family home in Danyang was guarded by Luo Lingyu. In reality, it was early June during the wedding, with battles raging just beyond their walls. When noble youths knocked on their door seeking refuge, it was also Luo Lingyu who made the decision to let them in.
In both cases, there were refugees, and Northern spies making their final desperate moves. In Lu Xian’s dream, they used the emperor as bait to cause chaos in Jianye. It was that young man he had been searching for who had kidnapped the emperor!
How could one person’s might stand against thousands of troops?
In the dream, Prince Zhao Liu Huai descended from the heavens in all his glory, leading his private army to battle that youth who had kidnapped the emperor outside the city. When the Metropolitan Governor and Prince Chen arrived, Liu Huai managed to protect the emperor at the cost of his life, but the youth escaped in the chaos.
Yet Lu Xian knew in his heart that even though the youth escaped now, when he reached the border days later, he would still be sacrificed as a gesture from the North to the South.
After this, Prince Zhao saved the emperor and gained his trust. Step by step, he pushed out the other princes, framed Prince Chen, and secured his position as crown prince…
Prince Zhao!
So not only was that youth never at the border but in Jianye, even this catastrophe in Jianye had Prince Zhao as an unexpected factor!
Lu Xian could not rest peacefully in his dreams. His breathing was heavy, muscles tense, sweat flowing down his face and body again and again. His new bride Liu Tang came to check on him, and seeing him sleep so restlessly, she became worried and afraid. She reached out to shake him, calling softly for him to wake up.
Lu Xian awoke with a start, leaning over the bedhead gasping violently. Liu Tang patted his back. “Husband…”
He gripped her hand and struggled to get out of bed, his voice hoarse: “Quick, quick, help me out! I must find Third Brother, I must tell Third Brother we were wrong, all wrong…”
He now understood why Prince Chen Liu Shu, despite being so unambitious, could still be framed. He knew who had been causing trouble before Lu Yun rebelled under Prince Chen’s banner. He knew who would benefit from tonight’s disaster in Jianye…
Lu Xian didn’t know about Prince Zhao Liu Huai’s collaboration with the Northern spies, but just the fact that Prince Zhao reacted faster than everyone else – even reaching the emperor before the Metropolitan Governor – made Lu Xian uneasy.
Something wasn’t right, there had to be a problem! He needed to let his third brother know, to warn him to be wary of Prince Zhao, to not fall into his trap…
Lu Xian struggled to get out of bed after waking from his nightmare, but his legs were weak. Princess Ningping Liu Tang tried her best to support him, full of fear and not understanding what was wrong with him. Her new husband had given her quite a fright on their first day. Liu Tang asked fearfully, “What’s wrong? Please don’t be like this…”
Lu Xian paused when he heard his wife’s tearful voice, realizing he had frightened her. He gave a bitter smile. Having lived a carefree life and maintained the image of a proper gentleman in public, he had another side. He wasn’t as good as the princess imagined.
Lu Xian said gently: “Princess, don’t cry…”
While comforting her, his heart was still anxious about the matter of Prince Zhao. Just then, from outside the door curtain, Luo Lingyu’s calm voice came: “How is Second Brother? Was it a nightmare? I thought I heard the princess crying?”
Liu Tang quickly wiped her tears: “No…”
But Lu Xian’s heart stirred, and after tidying himself slightly, he instructed the maid: “Please invite Cousin in to talk.”
Having just woken from his dream, firstly he was weak and disoriented, secondly he had an unfamiliar wife who needed comforting, and thirdly… Lu Xian had to acknowledge glumly that Luo Lingyu was more suited for these matters than him.
Like his third brother, she was usually composed and rarely flustered. If he told her about Prince Zhao, she would surely find a way to notify Third Brother and ask him to be careful.
…
The harsh clash of weapons swept through the city. This massive maze of dreams and reality sometimes took different paths, sometimes intersected.
In his dream, Lu Xian saw Prince Zhao go out to rescue the kidnapped old emperor. In reality, those who had kidnapped the old emperor encountered Prince Xiangyang Liu Mu, who had rushed back to Jianye from the border prefecture of Yingzhou.
Liu Mu battled with the youth Yue Zihan – both were martial young men, both possessed incredible strength. Fighting for the Southern emperor, the two youths gave their all, their bodies covered in blood. Moreover, Liu Mu’s innate cruelty and violence meant he had no intention of letting this youth escape.
He held to one principle – kill this person to save his royal brother!
Yet in the dream, Prince Zhao only needed to let Yue Zihan escape to bring back the old emperor… taking fewer detours, both Liu Mu and Yue Zihan had suffered numerous wounds large and small.
But the youth stood tall like a mountain, glancing at his opponent with an icy sweep of his cloak before charging forward again!
The two sides were evenly matched in strength – it wouldn’t be easy for either side to win or escape. However, Liu Mu was destined to be victorious, as he had broken out of the city with armies following him, and Prince Chen Liu Shu had arrived to provide support—
“Young Royal Uncle! Don’t let them escape!”
Prince Chen’s army joined the battle, and the situation instantly shifted.
The old emperor sat on the ground, his beard and long hair blown dry by the wind. Both sides were fighting over him, yet during battle could only leave him aside unattended. The old emperor watched Liu Mu and Yue Zihan’s fight, his eyes dark and deep like ancient wells as he stared at Liu Mu.
Tang Di Tang Di, who was once his most beloved brother.
…
Prince Zhao Liu Huai led the Metropolitan Governor’s army out of the city. He had people notify the other princes, but he had already decided to seize the first opportunity. The cooperation with the North was unreliable – this seemingly confused and greedy prince hadn’t completely trusted the Northerners’ flowery promises before getting what he wanted.
Tonight’s situation was wrong.
The servants sent out to scout reported that Jianye city was in chaos, with frequent battles between two sides. However, Prince Zhao had already sent away the Metropolitan Governor – where did these large armies in Jianye come from? Unless someone had moved troops in advance, someone was methodically planning this battle. And first in line, Prince Zhao thought of Prince Chen Liu Shu, who had previously investigated the identities of Jianye’s refugees.
Liu Huai gnashed his teeth: It’s Liu Shu again, actually Liu Shu again! This brat, how many of my plans has he ruined! How can I let him go?
When Prince Zhao’s army tried to leave the city, they encountered blocking forces. The other side didn’t speak, giving Prince Zhao no chance to explain his identity, and immediately engaged in battle. Caught in the fight, Liu Huai watched coldly as he spotted the youth standing on the corner tower behind the city guard forces – dressed in light robes, beautiful as jade and precious stones, calmly watching the battle below – who else could it be but Lu Yun?
This conflict didn’t last long, only about fifteen minutes, before one of Prince Zhao’s subordinates explained their identity and both sides withdrew. Lu Yun came down from the tower and exchanged looks with Liu Huai. Lu Yun seemed distracted as he watched Liu Huai angrily demand: “Isn’t Lu Sanlang supposed to be stopping the refugee trouble in the city? Why attack me?”
Lu Yun gave a perfunctory smile: “Northern army spies love to impersonate, and originally there were only two sides fighting in the city. Naturally I mistook Your Highness’s army for those spies in disguise. For any offense to the prince, I hope the prince will be magnanimous.”
Liu Huai’s eyes were red with rage as he glared at him, wanting to rush over and tear this person apart — after what was done, what else could he do but be magnanimous?!
Liu Huai’s general reminded him: “Prince, we still have matters to attend to.”
Reminded by his subordinate, Liu Huai unwillingly came to his senses. He withdrew his hateful gaze and mounted his horse: “Let’s go—”
…Today’s debt will be settled another day!
“Hyah—”
Near dawn, the city was still in chaos with no one out on the streets. The killing in the city had also become chaotic. Lu Yun stood on the city tower pondering what had happened while watching another large army leave the city.
He smiled indifferently: This delay had held everyone back by at least fifteen minutes. In fifteen minutes, too many things could happen.
Lu Yun’s gaze was dark as he looked toward the distant mountain mists: By now, should Liu Shu have rescued the old emperor? The position of crown prince – should the first step have been taken?
He must use this chaos in Jianye to place Liu Shu in the position where he wanted him to be. As he pondered whether he had overlooked anything, the Northern princess behind him said sarcastically: “Lu Sanlang has quite the strategy. Clearly knowing Prince Chen had already left the city, yet still letting Prince Zhao follow. What did you want Prince Zhao to see?”
Lu Yun’s eyes curved upward slightly, somewhat mockingly: “Perhaps to let Prince Zhao see that his plot with the Northern army has been discovered? Allow him one last struggle before death?”
Northern Princess: “…?!”
She blurted out: “You actually knew…”
Lu Yun said carelessly: “What’s there not to know about this? At this point, everyone is hiding, afraid of getting involved. Even if they want to deploy troops, they would hesitate upon discovering Jianye already has armies fighting the enemy. Did the princess think I was standing at the city gate to enjoy the view?”
Lu Yun sighed languidly: “I was waiting for the first person to arrive. Whoever came first would be the one most afraid of their secret being discovered. Could my Jianye city be so weak that mere refugees could capture it? Without internal traitors, what use are refugees?”
Strong winds howled on the city tower, the red lanterns clanging chaotically in the wind, while the sunrise was like clouds dyeing half the sky red. But the Northern princess’s face lost all color, growing increasingly pale. Originally she had maintained composure, clinging to a thread of hope. Now she realized her foolishness – Lu Yun had anticipated everything…
She was likely going to die…
The Northern princess felt afraid now. Before Lu Sanlang, she could neither hide the Northern army’s ambitious schemes, nor count on Prince Zhao to protect her to clear his own name. She could only… only… The princess gazed at the elegant figure of the young lord leaning against the city wall, like surging waves crashing against a shore – outwardly cold but containing boundless power within.
She slowly walked closer to him, looking at his back, and said softly: “Sanlang, from our first contentious meeting in Nanyang, those were such good times. Sometimes you would even smile when speaking with me… Who could have imagined we would end up like this?”
Lu Yun: “…”
He was extremely perceptive – as soon as the Northern princess grew sentimental, he turned his head to glance at her.
The Northern princess gazed at the endless horizon beyond the city and said softly: “If at that time… I wouldn’t have been sent to an old man’s side. He was so old, how could he compare to you… You know, I’ve always admired you in my heart.”
Lu Yun smiled ambiguously: “Oh?”
He didn’t mock her, and the Northern princess was stunned, thinking there was hope. She immediately felt joy in her heart but tried to suppress the excitement in her voice as she moved closer to him. The closer she got, smelling the clean fragrance from his body, the more lightheaded she felt. Looking down, she saw his hand resting on the wall, wrist bones slightly protruding, fingers long and elegant… Unable to control herself, her heart nearly jumped out of her throat.
She had known passion and understood men’s desires. Palace life was boring, and the Southern emperor was so old – for a beautiful young woman like her to compete with a group of women for an old man’s favor in the palace, how ironic… But Lu Sanlang, Lu Sanlang! His looks were so handsome, his bearing so transcendent. He was already like this clothed, if he were to remove his clothes, revealing those smooth back muscles, that young body…
And he only had one woman! Luo Lingyu was still so weak, like a clinging vine – whatever he said, she would nod. If the Northern princess was willing to lower herself, if she… The Northern princess breathed rapidly, feelings of emptiness and loneliness rising from deep in her heart. Her long-hidden attraction to Lu Sanlang gave her courage.
She suddenly reached out and covered his hand resting on the railing. Lu Yun paused, about to withdraw his hand, but the Northern princess gripped it and looked up at him eagerly: “Sanlang, take me in. I’m willing to tell you all of the North’s plans against the South… As long as you’re willing,” her face reddened slightly – after all, for a proud princess to do such a thing was still embarrassing and awkward, “to let me stay by your side, even as a concubine, I’m willing. I don’t want to die… I’m willing to give everything.”
She gazed at him lovingly, watching his raised long eyebrows, those peaks like flying birds, sharp and handsome… Lu Yun pulled his hand away, and the Northern princess felt a wave of disappointment. She watched him curl his lips and lean toward her.
Lu Yun examined this princess whose face was flushed red – strong-willed, yet not in control of her fate. Beautiful too, and after entering His Majesty’s harem, when speaking with him today, she had gained somewhat of a young married woman’s charm… However, Lu Yun was an extremely difficult person to please.
The Northern princess was shy and timid, while Lu Yun simply leaned forward curiously: “Are you trying to seduce me?”
Northern Princess: “…!”
She had never understood Lu Yun – she only saw Lu Sanlang’s beautiful appearance, she hadn’t even heard Lu Sanlang’s unpleasant words as often as Chen Xiu had. And now, she finally experienced it. Because Lu Yun said: “What makes you think I would want a woman who’s been with someone else? Am I really so desperate?”
“When you were still pure I didn’t want you, why would I want you now?”
Northern Princess: “…You!”
She was humiliated by Lu Yun, as if time had reversed, bringing back the shame she felt half a year ago when she tried to seduce him naked. She felt dizzy, her ears ringing. She stared at Lu Yun intently, tears welling up in her eyes. Her face grew even paler, her gaze filled with hatred.
The Northern princess shrieked: “Lu Yun, this is how you treat a woman who admires you, you bastard!”
“You look down on women, one day you’ll meet a woman who will teach you a lesson!”
Lu Yun was indifferent, treating her like she was mad. This princess was already dead in his eyes, he wouldn’t waste more words. At this moment, someone came up the city tower, footsteps approaching. Lu Yun thought there might be new military intelligence and turned to look. But he was stunned, because he saw several soldiers leading up not a messenger, but a beautiful young woman wearing a smoky red cloak.
The woman removed the cloak covering her head and face, looking at him with a contained smile. The snow-white fur trim on the cloak complemented her snow-white jade-like complexion. As she came up smiling, her gaze swept past the Northern princess standing behind Lu Yun.
Lu Yun: “Lingyu!”
Seeing her sudden arrival, his heart was greatly startled, thinking something had happened at the Lu family home or to her. He stepped forward quickly to meet her.
The Northern princess also recognized Luo Lingyu and said irritably: “What are you doing here?!”
She still thought Luo Lingyu was as weak and fragile as she had appeared that day.
Lu Yun frowned, but Luo Lingyu spoke first. Her hand was held by Lu Yun, her waist embraced, but she turned her head, her beautiful eyes sweeping over Lu Yun and the Northern princess’s faces. She smiled innocently and cunningly, her voice deliberately sweet and soft, as if very embarrassed: “I might be that woman who will teach Brother Xuechen a lesson.”
Northern Princess: “…”
Lu Yun instantly understood and looked down at Luo Lingyu: “You heard what we were saying?”
— The Northern princess had just said through gritted teeth that eventually a woman would teach Lu Yun a lesson, and Luo Lingyu arrived right after. To say it was coincidence, Lu Yun didn’t believe it.
Luo Lingyu said shyly: “I was sent by Second Brother to find you. Who knew I would hear you two having such an intimate conversation… I didn’t want to interrupt, so I listened for a bit longer.”
Her beautiful eyes caught his, her gaze explicit: By the way, checking if you were fooling around behind my back.
Lu Yun chuckled: “Then it seems my performance satisfied little sister.”
Luo Lingyu wanted to pretend to be a magnanimous lady, but when she saw Lu Yun’s smiling eyes looking at her, she couldn’t help but giggle, covering half her face. Her eyes sparkled with natural charm.
The soldiers around them kept their heads down, while Lu Yun was entranced by Luo Lingyu’s beauty, his heart skipping a beat. He also lacked self-control and couldn’t help but kiss her peach-like cheek.
Luo Lingyu was startled and pinched his waist, her eyes wide as she glared at him — Lu Xuechen, control yourself! Don’t bring your intimate bedroom behavior out here, making people think I bewitch you and you’re lustful!
Lu Yun truly loved her little glares. He could tell from her expression that she hadn’t come for anything urgent, so he wasn’t in a hurry. But the environment wasn’t right, so Lu Yun could only sigh, unable to treat her as he usually would.
Meanwhile, the Northern princess who had been ignored for so long was trembling with anger: …These shameless lovers!
These shameless lovers deliberately provoking her!
Luo Lingyu did indeed glance at her, as if confirming her guess. Luo Lingyu was pushed by Lu Yun toward the other side as she said coquettishly: “Originally I was asked by Second Brother to remind you to be wary of Prince Zhao… But when I arrived, I chatted with the soldiers below, and they said Prince Zhao had just left. I knew you hadn’t been fooled and didn’t need Second Brother’s reminder – you already knew Prince Zhao was suspicious. So I’m relieved.”
She said quite a lot, while Lu Yun just made a vague “hmm”: “You learned all this from chatting with soldiers? Which soldier?”
Luo Lingyu smiled brightly: “Stop it! Don’t be jealous over nothing, it was just conversation. Brother, let’s not talk about this. I’ve brought someone for you. A Northern soldier was impersonating a Jianye noble youth and was captured by me. I thought he might have something to say, so I brought him to you…”
Her eyes blinked as she looked up at him, unable to contain her self-satisfaction. Holding Lu Yun’s arm, Luo Lingyu’s long lashes fluttered, her eyes saying “praise me quickly”.
Lu Yun: “Oh… How did you know the Jianye noble youth was being impersonated?”
Luo Lingyu froze: “…I did my homework beforehand.”
A soldier urged: “My lord!”
Lu Yun exchanged a meaningful look with Luo Lingyu, who feigned innocence, and got her nose pinched by Lu Yun. He said softly: “You take care of yourself… I’ll deal with you when I return.”
Luo Lingyu: “Hey!”
Seeing him busy, with the soldier’s urging, he left, taking the Northern princess with him, leaving her standing there. The attendants dared not look directly at the lady’s beauty, not knowing that Luo Lingyu’s nose was almost crooked from anger at Lu Yun — Annoying! She came specially to help him, and he just focused on trivial details, getting needlessly jealous…
Luo Lingyu stood frowning on the city wall, glaring down below. But as she watched, the morning sun rose, filling the sky with red light. Seeing them ride horses, dust rising, seeing that leading young lord’s bearing… Luo Lingyu covered her cheeks and began to smile softly again.
…
Meanwhile outside the city, the battle finally ended when Prince Chen’s army arrived to help. Yue Zihan didn’t escape as in Lu Xian’s dream, because Liu Mu was too formidable. Several dozen Northern spies were all captured.
Prince Chen supported his elderly father emperor, whose face was extremely unpleasant.
Being supported back to the capital by his son, the old emperor glanced at the young talent surrounded by soldiers behind him. Lowering his eyelids, the old emperor said to Prince Chen: “Tonight’s events must not be leaked. Kill Liu Mu.”
Liu Shu: “…!”
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