ATLAS TRANSLATES

Lu Xian fell into the water last night and was carried back to his courtyard. He remained unconscious, so they quickly called for a doctor.

Lady Lu and Madam Lu rushed over. Minister Lu, who had come home to check on Lu Xian’s studies, went with his wife to see their son.

While the elders hurried over, Luo Lingyu was already kneeling by Lu Xian’s bedside, soaking wet, and had been caring for him for a long time. Late into the night, the exhausted elders still gathered anxiously in his courtyard, questioning the doctor about why Lu Xian wouldn’t wake up.

Miss Luo was very thoughtful. Though she was shivering in her wet clothes, she never left to change. She willingly accepted punishment and went to pray for Lu Xian in the small temple two rooms away from his chambers.

Luo Yunhuan was terrified.

Her second cousin falling in the water was bad enough. Him not waking up was even worse. This outcome was beyond what she imagined.

She finally realized how much trouble she had caused her sister. With no one else to turn to, Yunhua went crying to the “Clear Courtyard” to beg Lu Yun for help. She held onto a faint hope that Third Young Master Lu would be kind and not let someone die, and that he wouldn’t fear facing the elders like Madam Lu.

Setting aside whether Lu Yun was kind or not, he told Jinyu to light the lamps. Rubbing his forehead with a tired face, he sat down to hear Yunhua’s plea.

Jinyu worried about her master’s injury and could only drape a loose cloak over him.

Seeing Lu Yun sit in the lamplight, his black hair scattered over his shoulders, several strands stuck to his face. His eyelids drooped, his eyelashes casting multiple shadows on his face.

His face was pale, his long fingers elegant as they supported his forehead. Sitting there disheveled and weary, compared to his usual noble snow-mountain demeanor, he now had an added air of luxurious laziness.

Luo Yunhuan finished speaking through her sobs.

Lu Yun raised his lashes, his eyes flowing with light that stunned even the crying young lady. His voice was cool: “Can Miss Luo swim?”

That day when he accidentally pushed her into the water, she sank immediately – was she really frightened, or was she deliberately trying to hook him?

Based on his understanding of Luo Lingyu’s character, Lu Yun snorted coldly in his heart.

He asked again: “You say she jumped in voluntarily to save Second Brother?”

Yunhua: “Yes…”

Lu Yun’s face turned cold. After several thoughts crossed his mind, understanding showed in his eyes as he said with a cold laugh: “Has she gone mad wanting to be my second sister-in-law?!”

It was the same situation of falling in water – that day she was cold towards him and even tried to push him in when he was seriously injured.

Why was she different with Lu Xian? What right did she have to treat them differently? The only answer Lu Yun could think of was that seeing the mountain of gold and silver, power and status before her eyes, Luo Lingyu couldn’t help herself and recklessly rushed to save him…

Yunhua froze. Just as she was about to explain that wasn’t the case, she saw Lu Yun’s face turn dark.

Lu Yun had several faces. Usually when meeting people he was noble and cold, looking down on everyone, ignoring them all. In private he was somewhat frivolous, enjoying jokes and teasing, every word and action charming. Now Yunhua had the fortune to see his third face – serious and merciless. When his cold eyes glanced at people, the huge pressure made young Miss Yunhua’s legs weak as she sat on the ground, unable to say a word.

Lu Yun had already stood up. He didn’t want to investigate what exactly happened anymore. Third Young Master Lu turned and left coldly, saying: “Since it was Miss Luo’s own choice, naturally she must bear great setbacks if she wants immense wealth. Our paths are different, why try to stop your sister.”

Yunhua anxiously said: “No, that’s not it…”

Luo Lingyu warned her not to tell anyone that she and Fourth Young Master accidentally pushed Second Cousin into the water. When Yunhua came to ask Lu Yun for help, she didn’t want to say this. But now seeing Lu Yun going into his room, with servants following with lamps, she ran a few steps. Yunhua chased after him: “Cousin, cousin…”

…

The next day, classes were cancelled. All the young masters went to visit Lu Xian. Lu Yun, who didn’t go to classes anyway, only learned during breakfast how much worse his second brother’s condition was than he thought.

Jinyu served her master breakfast. Seeing his quiet eyes lost in thought, something moved in her heart. She scooped a small dish of cheese for him: “This is what Miss Luo just sent us to try yesterday. She said it won’t keep long, so we should eat it quickly.”

Lu Yun lowered his gaze.

The blue-and-white porcelain dish had ice-crack patterns, holding a small piece of cheese. It was crystal clear, like snowy mountain peaks.

Lu Yun’s eyes flickered: “It was just falling in water. Why has Second Brother been unconscious all night? Let’s go see him.”

After breakfast, Lu Yun went to visit Lu Xian. Many young masters had gathered in Lu Xian’s courtyard. Seeing Lu Yun arrive, they pulled him aside to explain the situation inside.

They said Lu Xian started having high fevers on and off late at night. After the younger generation convinced Old Lady Lu to rest, Madam Lu cried her eyes red. Before dawn, the Lu family took their name cards to Taichu Palace to request the palace doctors.

This alarmed all the ladies and young masters in the palace. The Emperor personally sent imperial doctors. Even the Empress asked about Lu Xian’s condition.

This showed the Lu family’s power in Jianye.

Lu Yun pondered: “It was just falling in water…”

The crowd sighed: “Right? We never heard Second Brother had such poor health before. Poor Miss Luo, Madam Lu is furious…”

Lu Yun’s eyes flickered again. Everyone knew the story that Luo Lingyu pushed Lu Xian, then saved him. But just as Lu Yun didn’t believe Luo Lingyu would save someone, he also didn’t believe she would push anyone – his cousin was extremely careful with Second Brother. Her eyes screamed “wants to marry nobility.” She would never push him.

If she wanted to create an opportunity for herself… Luo Lingyu wasn’t that stupid.

There must be another story in between.

Lu Yun chatted briefly with several young masters in the corridor, his manner cold and distant. Everyone was used to this and didn’t ask more. Then Lu Yun went inside, greeted the elders, and lingered by Lu Xian’s bedside. Lu Yun even sat down and checked his pulse.

The courtyard and rooms were full of doctors and workers, everyone sighing. Madam Lu never understood Lu Yun and looked down on him. Now seeing Lu Yun check Lu Xian’s pulse, she wondered how he knew medicine. Though she didn’t trust Third Young Master Lu’s abilities, she still asked eagerly: “Third Son, can you tell what’s wrong? Why hasn’t your Second Brother woken up?”

Lu Yun stood up and said perfunctorily: “His body has no major issues. He’ll wake up when it’s time. Aunt, don’t worry.”

Madam Lu’s eyes darkened as she nodded reluctantly. All the doctors said he was fine, Third Son said the same… but why wouldn’t Lu Xian wake up?

It was all that Luo Lingyu… Madam Lu gritted her teeth. That troublemaker… she couldn’t deal with her now, but once her Lu Xian woke up, she would never let that girl off.

After leaving the medicine-filled room, Lu Yun wandered in the corridor, passing by the side temple. Luo Lingyu had locked herself in the temple to pray for Lu Xian. The Lu family elders neither approved nor opposed, and the servants dared not interfere. Passing the temple, Lu Yun walked slowly, turning his head to glance inside.

The tree shadows were thick. The wooden railings cast shadows like rippling water on his face and eyes. Through the dusty air, he saw the lady kneeling inside.

Her back was straight as a brush. She knelt devoutly. Her long hair was messy.

Walking past from the side, he caught sight of her porcelain-white cheeks. Her lips were whiter than snow. Her body trembled slightly.

The lady was incredibly fragile, making people want to pity her.

She had knelt all night and was still kneeling during the day. Not a drop of water had touched her lips. Yet she still persisted.

Lu Yun’s eyes lowered. If Luo Lingyu could go this far to marry into a noble family, he had to admire her…

Though his heart held much disdain, within that disdain Lu Yun also had some suspicions: The story about pushing someone into the water had many holes. It probably didn’t match what really happened… But Luo Lingyu herself had admitted to it. Heh.

When his second brother woke up, he would either be touched and marry Luo Lingyu despite opposition, or be furious and send her back to Nanyang.

Lu Yun turned his face away, no longer looking at the small lady kneeling in the temple. But a thorn had lodged in his heart, stuck neither high nor low. Thinking about the possibility of Luo Lingyu becoming his second sister-in-law, with her beautiful eyes and charming smile, making a pair with Second Brother, flitting before his eyes day after day… Lu Yun thought she should just go back to Nanyang.

…

Night fell again. There was still no news of Lu Xian waking up. Luo Lingyu’s heart grew colder and more afraid.

If Lu Xian woke up, scolding and punishment would be fine. But with Lu Xian not waking up, Luo Lingyu’s crime grew heavier by the day.

Luo Lingyu knelt before the shrine, sincerely praying for Second Cousin to wake up…

Let them blame her, but don’t involve her sister. She was already tainted, it didn’t matter. But her sister couldn’t carry this burden.

After kneeling for a day, she was dizzy. Her mind kept drifting in and out.

She fell several times but crawled back up. Her back was covered in sweat…

In the quiet night, she suddenly heard a very soft “pat” sound from behind.

Luo Lingyu’s thoughts were slow. Her head throbbed. She barely registered the sound.

Then suddenly, a snow-white robe brushed her face from behind.

A chill came over her. She trembled slightly and fell backward.

Someone suddenly crouched down in front of her. They held her waist and pushed her forward.

With this push, the dizzy Luo Lingyu fell straight into the crouching person’s embrace.

She smelled a clean, masculine scent.

Having crashed into the young master’s arms, an icy hand lifted her chin, raising her sweaty face.

His fingertips touched her delicate cheeks, rubbing gently twice.

Luo Lingyu’s black eyes met a pair of peach blossom eyes. Those eyes were passionate. A cool sensation hit Luo Lingyu’s burning face, startling her. She stammered: “Th-th-third…”

Lu Yun’s face showed no expression. His hand touched her forehead. His voice was cool: “You have a fever.”

He smirked: “Don’t make a sound. Your sister has been annoying me endlessly. I’ll take you out to rest.”

Author’s Note: Luo Yunhuan: No! I didn’t! I begged for help last night but didn’t dare go today!