ATLAS TRANSLATES

Looking more closely, Luo Lingyu, who was extremely skilled at makeup, naturally recognized that Zhou Yangling was Zhou Zibo.

When disguised as a man, Zhou Yangling amplified the more heroic aspects of her natural temperament, without any feminine air, appearing as calm and gentle as still water. Now back in her female form, adorned with pearls and hairpins, with golden flower ornaments, even though she appeared delicate and frail, her features still held an exquisite feminine beauty.

It was surprising how such a stunning beauty could disguise herself as a man without seeming out of place. Her temperament perfectly balanced beauty and heroism.

Luo Lingyu couldn’t do the same.

Her beauty was too striking, and her temperament wasn’t clear and pure enough. She could never successfully disguise herself as a man like Zhou Yangling had.

Luo Lingyu’s face darkened as she thought about how Zhou had played with her over the past year. She had seen Luo developing feelings for her, yet only deflected without ever telling the truth. Moreover, Zhou was so talented – not only could she play the chime bells, but she could also participate in all the activities men did, and she had done them so well that year, staying by Prince Chen’s side… Luo Lingyu glanced at Prince Chen and saw Liu Shu struggling to contain his excited joy, trying his best to maintain composure, though his eyes kept stealing glances at Zhou Yangling.

Luo Lingyu’s face grew paler: Prince Chen had known Zhou longer than she had, and he showed no surprise, clearly aware that Zhou was actually Zhou Yangling.

She heard him saying to Zhou Tan: “Miss Zhou and I… talked about… the master…”

He began to stutter. Zhou Yangling smiled gently, as this prince always stuttered when speaking to her. Zhou Yangling’s gaze shifted, looking somewhat worriedly toward Luo Lingyu. Luo Lingyu turned away, forcing a smile while talking to Lu Yun, refusing to look in their direction. However, Lu Yun’s expression seemed rather strange.

Lu Yun privately went “Tsk…”

Though Luo Lingyu pretended to ignore Zhou Yangling, she couldn’t help but vent her anger by pinching Lu Yun. She was filled with fury and shame: They all knew she was a woman, only I was fooled! You all deceived me, you’re all terrible!

Poor Lu Yun’s arm was almost bruised from her pinching.

Lu Yun propped his hand against his forehead, using his sleeve to hide half his face from others, concealing his discomfort. He stiffly whispered: “Enough, stop pinching me… you’re going to pinch me to death!”

Luo Lingyu glared at him, her eyes slightly red with hidden tears.

Lu Yun: “…”

Unable to handle his wife, he self-deprecatingly said: “Fine, pinch all you want.”

A slight smile finally appeared on Luo Lingyu’s lips, though it quickly vanished as she snorted at him. While she was naturally very angry and jealous of how well Zhou Yangling had pulled off her male disguise, she wasn’t completely devastated. A year ago, discovering a woman so successful at this would have made her heart ache terribly, her scalp numb with distress. She would have cried endlessly in misery, viewing the other person as a lifelong rival. After being deceived, she would have definitely sought revenge and tried to outdo them in everything.

But now… she was just unhappy, with much less of that hostile mindset.

Fate is strange, and life experiences are crucial in shaping one’s personality. When no one loved her, liked her, helped her, or cared about her, she became sensitive about everything and competitive in all matters. She would also doubt herself after failures and wallow in self-pity. But now, a year later, she had Lu Yun by her side. Though Lu Yun had also hidden this matter from her, she knew that he cared for her, loved her, and valued her. He had removed the harshness from her character and given her security—

After pinching Lu Yun painfully for a while, Luo Lingyu hugged his arm tightly and nuzzled against him.

Having a husband felt so good. Her previous thoughts were right – she needed marriage, she needed the security a husband could provide.

When Luo Lingyu hugged Lu Yun’s arm, he glanced down at her. Unable to resist his mischievous nature, he teased her: “You were just pinching me and complaining about me, now you’re hugging me. Is my little Lingyu so fickle? Or is it that you just can’t bear to part with me?”

Luo Lingyu: …suddenly she didn’t think having a husband was so great anymore.

Luo Lingyu released his arm, stepped back three paces, and angrily whispered: “She was wrong, but you were wrong too! I won’t forgive you!”

Lu Yun: “…”

He wanted to slap himself.

Serves him right for being glib.

…

Guests were arriving in droves, treated like honored visitors.

The submission of the common-born families put the royal family in an awkward position and made the noble families start reconsidering Prince Chen. Noble families like the Lu family rarely took sides, and they only supported Prince Chen now because he was considered one of their own. Seeing the common-born families submit, other noble families naturally had to consider their future path as well.

By late afternoon, having heard the news, many young nobles had arrived to attend the scholarly discussion meeting set up by the mountain scholars.

The atmosphere was friendly and somewhat enthusiastic.

Several royal princes left glumly, their faces pale as they departed. As they watched the setting sun and red clouds filling the sky, they felt dazed walking in the hot wind, their limbs numb. The princes looked back at the mountain forest where winds rustled like waves, and under the pavilion, white-robed figures gathered like snowflakes. They surrounded the mountain spring, freely exchanging opinions, and ultimately all unconsciously looked toward Prince Chen. Even the famous scholar Zhou Tan showed much approval toward Prince Chen… The princes swayed, gradually feeling a sense that the tide was turning.

The common-born families had submitted, and the noble families were realigning themselves. Joining the new power, the royal family and noble families were reshuffling – future circumstances seemed too favorable to Prince Chen.

This was a beginning, a significant marker. It marked the common-born families’ leap onto the political stage of the Southern Kingdom, entering the public eye.

It also marked that like the great river flowing east, waves washing away sand to reveal gold, the royal princes were making way one after another. Prince Chen’s rise had become unstoppable from this point.

…

The old emperor was growing increasingly frail, while the future new emperor was accumulating and consolidating power. Such was the political situation, and everyone present witnessed the arrival of a new era. Meanwhile, Zhou Yangling tried various ways to get close to Luo Lingyu to explain things.

But young Miss Luo indeed wouldn’t acknowledge her.

Several times when she came over, Luo Lingyu would drag Lu Yun away, pretending to be very busy. Lu Yun glanced at Zhou Yangling a few times, and each time he did, Luo Lingyu would pinch him. Zhou Yangling smiled helplessly, knowing that young Miss Luo was petty – she had thoroughly offended her.

Yet even when angry, young Miss Luo was so lively and full of energy… Zhou Yangling found herself subtly fond of and envious of this.

In the evening, during the Ullambana Festival ceremony, Prince Chen personally presided, and everyone went to observe the ritual. With the common-born families’ support, the Lu couple wasn’t as important anymore. Lu Xian believed in Buddhism and went to listen to the ceremony. But Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu didn’t believe in Buddhism, so they weren’t particularly reverent about the Ullambana Festival. Thus, they stayed in their room arguing.

Lu Yun changed into an old blue robe and came out to see his lady sitting at the desk cutting paper flowers. He coughed twice, but Luo Lingyu didn’t react, completely ignoring him. He stood beside her for a long time, but she remained focused on cutting flowers, not lifting her head. Lu Yun’s face grew stern as he reached down to grab the scissors, making her stop, while rolling up his sleeve to show her his arm: “You’ve gone too far! Look what you’ve done to me, how can I show my face to others? If you pinch me again, I’ll cut off your fingernails!”

In that era which prized beauty, ladies all liked to keep long fingernails. The nail on Luo Lingyu’s little finger was the culprit behind the blue marks all over Lu Yun’s arm.

Luo Lingyu glanced at him: “Bad brother, who do you need to show yourself to? Who needs to see you roll up your sleeves?”

She kept calling him “bad brother,” but the light dancing in her eyes made Lu Yun’s eyes fill with laughter: “Finally willing to talk to me?”

Luo Lingyu: “Hmph!”

Lu Yun bent down to pinch her nose, wiggling it as his eyes filled with a frivolous smile: “Just like a little pig.”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

Was he starting to attack her for being fat?!

Luo Lingyu widened her eyes, seeing the slight smile in his eyes. He bent over looking at her, his cool fingers rubbing the delicate skin of her face, their breaths slowly intertwining as he drew closer. Lu Yun’s hand slowly moved down to press against the back of her neck, his fingers gently massaging. He sighed softly: “My dear Lingyu…”

Luo Lingyu was momentarily enchanted, lost in his beauty. But a sudden commotion outside brought her back to her senses. She blinked, realizing her breathing had become irregular and her nose had started sweating.

Then she grew annoyed — he was seducing her again! Did this scoundrel think he could solve all his mistakes just by getting her into bed?

Luo Lingyu’s eyes darted as Lu Yun was about to kiss her. She suddenly raised her arms to embrace his neck. He made an “mmm” sound, finding that his lady had stood up, turned around to switch positions with him, and even pushed against his waist. Her autumn-water eyes gazed at him lovingly, making him lose his composure as he stumbled backward onto the couch. His lower back hit the armrest, making Lu Yun frown slightly, while his lady had already gracefully knelt on his legs like a cat, intimately embracing him as she sat in his lap.

Luo Lingyu spoke coyly: “Brother Xuechen…”

She imitated his way of speaking, but with a seductive expression and sweet voice. That affection was like a death blow, each word teasing his iron heart.

Lu Yun secretly drew in a sharp breath, his self-control failing. He covered his reddening face with his sleeve, his voice hoarse: “Stop calling me that.”

If she continued, he wouldn’t be able to hold back from taking her right there.

Luo Lingyu naturally noticed the changes in his body as she pressed her face against his hot neck, which was swallowing repeatedly. She nuzzled against him and complained sweetly: “I’m really disappointed in you! Zhou Yangling dressed as a man for so long, and you never said a word, just watching me make a fool of myself. We’ve been in love for a year, and you could humble yourself to beg me not to leave you, yet in that whole year you couldn’t spare even a moment to tell me she was a woman. You just watched me develop feelings for her, probably laughing at me inside. If I had cried and insisted on marrying her instead of you, you definitely would have come to crush my hopes. Brother Xuechen is so mean to me, I’m heartbroken.”

Lu Yun sighed slightly, tilting his head back, his jade-white neck now covered in a thin layer of sweat, glistening. As she aroused him both physically and emotionally, Lu Yun couldn’t help but laugh softly. Zhou Yangling had deceived her, yet she came to torment him instead.

He remembered when he first met Luo Lingyu, she was a young woman full of little schemes, trying to attract men, blessed only with beauty but lacking in seductive skills. He had mocked her many times as a “wooden beauty,” teasing her for being “too reserved.” Yet now this captivating beauty had been taught so well by him… leaving him now in such sweet torment.

Lu Yun pressed his forehead against hers, his voice slightly floating, his breath kissing her lips ever so lightly. Both their faces were somewhat red, yet they both maintained their composure. Lu Yun’s mind was hazy, only wanting to embrace her and take her to bed, so he patiently said: “…Didn’t I already make it up to you before?”

Luo Lingyu: “But you haven’t fulfilled everything! Actually, I know brother has sacrificed a lot, and if Brother Xuechen makes such sacrifices, I won’t be angry anymore. When the time comes, we can do whatever Brother Xuechen wants. But I don’t know if Brother Xuechen is getting old, his memory seems to be failing. Brother promised to let Sister Chen Xue come out in a few days, but these few days have been so long, I’m afraid it’s been almost ten days, and I still haven’t seen Sister Chen Xue’s shadow, right?”

Lu Yun’s temple twitched, half of his passionate mood dissipating. His face darkened slightly as he looked at her with suppressed anger.

Luo Lingyu gazed at him lovingly, kneeling on his lap, her knees moving upward slightly. He let out a low “mmm” as his body curved, his hands gripping her waist tightly and pulling her toward his body. Luo Lingyu complied, pressing even closer to his ear, kissing and sucking on his earlobe: “Brother Xuechen likes my chest, so do you want to…”

She whispered a few extremely soft words in his ear, and Lu Yun’s grip on her tightened. As she leaned against him, she could feel him suddenly becoming excited, his blood flowing faster.

Lu Yun panted: “You… you… what exactly have you been reading in my study…”

Luo Lingyu smiled sweetly: “It’s all thanks to Brother Xuechen’s good teaching.” She kissed his temple, watching as he seemed unable to resist, propping himself up on the table with his elbow, hanging his head and breathing heavily. His eyes were closed, his eyelashes trembling, black as ink. This version of Lu Yun made her heart race.

She embraced him, kissing his neck. He turned his head impatiently, exchanging breath with her in deep, passionate kisses. His hand pressed against the small of her back where her body curved into his, his long fingers trailing over the delicate line, making her breath quicken as well. Lu Yun’s eyes filled with teasing laughter as he pulled his lady close, embracing her as they fell onto the couch.

Pressing against his lips, Luo Lingyu said softly: “Please? Let brother enjoy himself, why won’t you agree? I don’t usually do things like this.”

Lu Yun snorted, thinking to himself that if he wanted her to be like this normally, didn’t he have ways? But since Luo Lingyu was rarely this proactive, he didn’t want to dampen her mood. So Lu Yun smiled: “So if brother dresses up as Chen Xue, you’ll give brother… that?”

Luo Lingyu whispered softly: “I want Sister Chen Xue to accompany me to the Ullambana Festival ceremony.”

Lu Yun: “…!”

His face fell again, veins pulsing. Seeing his reaction, Luo Lingyu quickly covered her face and started fake crying with soft whimpers. Lu Yun watched her expressionlessly for a while, then his eyes suddenly lit up with a smile. He pulled her into his embrace and said gently: “Alright, don’t cry. What wouldn’t brother do for you?”

Seeing his expression, Luo Lingyu felt he wouldn’t agree so easily, and didn’t understand why.

But Lu Yun continued to be intimate with her for a moment before getting up to change clothes. He gave Luo Lingyu a flirtatious look, and she was stunned before following him in happily—

Brother Xuechen really knew how to play along.

…

At the Ullambana Festival, after the ceremony ended, everyone began enjoying themselves, exploring this grand festival that was like a temple fair. Zhou Yangling weaved through the crowds, asking everywhere about Luo Lingyu’s whereabouts. She was anxious to find her, not wanting Prince Chen to find her first.

When Liu Shu saw her lotus-like face, he couldn’t help but stutter: “I-I have some-something to…”

Zhou Yangling said anxiously: “Your Highness, we can discuss our matters later. I want to find Miss Luo, does Your Highness know where she might be?”

Her eyes dimmed: “She must be angry with me and won’t want to speak to me anymore.”

Prince Chen: “…”

Prince Chen had long known that Lu San’s wife was a beautiful trouble-maker. Not just trouble for men, but also… for women.

…

“Husband, what are you looking at?” In a tower of the temple on the second floor, Lu Xian leaned against the railing, looking down at the surging crowd below with a strange expression.

Liu Tang stood beside him, curiously following his gaze to see Liu Shu and Zhou Yangling pulling at each other in the crowd. Liu Tang was surprised for a moment – after a day, most people in Jianye had recognized Zhou Lang. Even a simple-minded foolish princess like Liu Tang could recognize her. She said happily: “I’ll have a sister-in-law soon, right? I really like Zhou Lang… ah no, Sister Zhou.”

Lu Xian said: “Who wouldn’t like someone like Miss Zhou?”

An almost perfect woman.

In his dreams, Zhou Yangling and Luo Lingyu had never crossed paths, because beautiful women avoided other beautiful women, and Luo Lingyu disliked ladies who might surpass her. Luo Lingyu always avoided Zhou Yangling, and was absent from every occasion where Zhou Yangling appeared.

Just like tonight.

Everything was developing in a positive direction, except that whenever Miss Zhou appeared, their Lu family’s Third Young Master’s wife would automatically disappear. Different from the dream was that in reality, Luo Lingyu had dragged Lu San away with her when she disappeared.

Lu Xian only saw Luo Lingyu avoiding Zhou Yangling and Prince Chen clinging to Zhou Yangling. He naturally didn’t know about Prince Chen and Zhou Yangling’s conversation, didn’t know that Zhou Yangling had made up her mind to win young Miss Luo’s heart—

She loved young Miss Luo like her own sister, she had never seen such a vibrant and interesting beauty as young Miss Luo. She didn’t want to lose young Miss Luo.