Luo Lingyu’s face turned red and blue as she stepped back, crossing her arms over her chest. She shouted sharply, “Lu Xuechen, where are you looking?!”
Lu Yun: “…”
He was staring at her chest.
Almost fifteen years old now, most people noticed her increasingly beautiful face. Sometimes even Lu Third Young Master would secretly feel startled when he looked at her, because her appearance was truly…
Lu Third Young Master sometimes thought, no wonder she not only wanted to marry into a noble family, but aimed for a top-tier one.
With looks like hers… ordinary noble families couldn’t protect her.
Not to mention her younger sister who, though still young now, would likely also attract attention when grown.
On this night, Lu Third Young Master noticed Luo Lingyu’s fine figure for the first time. The lake was clear and the breeze cool, with reeds swaying like waves behind them. The lantern lay in the reed field, and the graceful dancer Lian Qinian stood back with slumped shoulders, staying quiet after bowing to the two young masters. Prince Chen Liu Shu rarely spoke in front of others, standing silently like an invisible person.
The light from the lanterns and water rippled over them in waves. The young lady’s skin glowed like jade and water. Her neck, shoulders, chest, waist… looking down bit by bit in the darkness, Lu Yun could hear his own fierce heartbeat.
Like fresh bamboo shoots, spring had arrived, and she grew more graceful with each passing day.
Her figure was better than other girls her age… Lu Yun’s eyelids cast shadows under his long lashes as he pretended to casually look away from Luo Lingyu’s embarrassed state.
In his mind though, he suddenly thought of the several times before when she had deliberately thrown herself into his arms, and what he had felt…
Luo Lingyu glared angrily at Lu Third Young Master, but saw him lowering his head as if smiling.
Luo Lingyu: “…”
This person must be mentally ill.
Running into Lu Third Young Master was never a good thing.
But beside Lu Third Young Master was… Prince Chen Liu Shu.
Luo Lingyu looked toward the quiet Prince Chen. Liu Shu stood in the dim light, his features delicate, eyes dark and clear, with a solemn air about him. He was the type of young master who was completely overshadowed by Lu Third Young Master’s dazzling charm. When walking together with Lu Yun, few people noticed there was another young master beside him… Luo Lingyu felt conflicted. She had heard this Prince Chen and Lu Third Young Master were close friends? Did this person… truly not mind that ladies only looked at Lu Yun and never at him?
Meeting Luo Lingyu’s gaze, Liu Shu gave a slight nod in greeting.
Luo Lingyu: “…”
Hmm, this Prince Chen was strange too, barely speaking. People might think he was mute. But Luo Lingyu had seen Liu Shu at Prince Hengyang’s banquet before. Liu Shu could speak, with a clear pleasant voice. Why did he rarely open his mouth?
But this wasn’t the time to wonder about such things.
Luo Lingyu stared at Prince Chen Liu Shu, her beautiful eyes flickering softly.
In two days would be the “Flower Goddess Selection.” Based on different talents and number of participants, the “Selection” was split across five days.
After the ladies competed, the young masters and ladies would cast their votes.
Additionally, five famous scholars would judge, with each scholar’s vote worth twenty times that of regular voters. The identity of the five scholar judges wasn’t revealed until the end. But to get more votes, the ladies usually started seeking support before the Selection began.
Liu Shu’s own sister, Princess Pingning Liu Tang, was also participating in this year’s Selection.
Luo Lingyu schemed inwardly and asked the Prince in a playful tone: “Has Princess Pingning been begging you to vote for her these past days? You’ll help her, right? I imagine all the royal family members with votes will support the Princess… That’s wonderful, this year the Princess might actually beat Miss Chen and become ‘Flower Goddess.’ After all, Miss Chen has won three years in a row.”
Prince Chen Liu Shu gave a bitter smile and shook his head. These past days his sister had indeed been pestering him non-stop, begging him to seek out participating scholar judges for information, like Lu Yun…
The Prince’s expression confirmed Princess Pingning was actively seeking votes.
Luo Lingyu thought Miss Chen must be doing the same.
But royal princes and noble young masters often had overlapping identities – the southern royal family and Jianye noble families were connected by marriage. One young master might be Princess Pingning’s brother, Miss Chen’s cousin, or have business interests with other ladies’ families… At times like this, deciding who to vote for was everyone’s biggest headache.
Luo Lingyu said enviously: “How wonderful to have a brother. If I had one, his vote would definitely go to me. But I’m dependent on others now, I can’t ask too much of people.”
Liu Shu froze: “…”
His questioning gaze swept to Lu Third Young Master beside him: What? Your cousin doesn’t know you somehow got interested this year and took one of the five scholar judge positions? You’re really not going to help your cousin?
Lu Yun remained composed, though his peach blossom eyes lifted slightly, their brilliant light dazzling everyone. With a mix of teasing and playfulness, he cast a light glance at Luo Lingyu.
Their eyes met. Luo Lingyu was stunned by the flowing radiance, her heart skipping a beat. Her cheeks flushed red as she thought angrily: Why did he deliberately catch her eye like that?
Luo Lingyu suppressed the strange feeling in her heart and painfully tore her gaze away from Lu Yun, forcing herself to pretend she couldn’t see Lu Third Young Master.
She smiled genuinely at Prince Chen Liu Shu, with a hint of a young girl’s innocent charm.
Luo Lingyu said sweetly: “I’ve been practicing dance with Lian Qinian for a long time too. I’m actually quite good… Young Master, Cousin, why don’t I show you? When you’re uncertain who to vote for later, please consider me?”
Lian Qinian focused on being invisible, watching from the corner of her eye as the young lady’s skirts flew and long sleeves spread like crane wings. Luo Lingyu closed her eyes in thought. When she closed them, light and water shadows seemed to lift her. Prince Chen stared at her, while Lu Third Young Master’s averted gaze returned once again to stare at her… chest.
The young lady’s waist sash fluttered as she danced.
When she opened her eyes again, she slowly raised her hand. She spun around, her waist twisting, head tilting slightly, while one hand lifted high above her head. When the movement froze, the young lady’s opening pose was complete.
Her hand opened like a lotus flower, her waist bent like a reed, as she gazed flirtatiously. Luo Lingyu deliberately pointed her slender jade finger toward Prince Chen before her…
The Prince remained motionless.
Just as the young lady’s fingertip was about to touch him, robes rustled beside them as Lu Third Young Master stepped forward and caught Luo Lingyu’s extended wrist.
Prince Chen: “…”
Luo Lingyu: “…”
Lu Third Young Master looked down at his hand gripping the young lady’s hand, his mind freezing: What am I doing? Why did I step forward?
The three stood in silence, no one speaking for a long while. Luo Lingyu trembled at the sight of him. With him gripping her hand, her cool fingers touched the young master’s burning hand, making her fingertips quiver as she tried to pull back. Lu Yun held her hand firmly, causing Luo Lingyu’s cheeks to grow hot.
Seeing his stern expression, the smile on her face became stiff, her lips pressed together in an awkward expression. Luo Lingyu glared at Lu Yun: Let go of my hand! Don’t grab at me in front of other young masters!
Lu Yun’s eyes were dark as he continued his silence: …
Lu Yun impulsively stepped forward toward Luo Lingyu, perfectly positioned to look down at her. He felt somewhat awkward, secretly startled at his sudden approach.
When Luo Lingyu gave him that look of finding him superfluous, Lu Third Young Master grew annoyed. His mind snapped like a string, emptied of reason. Lu Third Young Master never let others mock him, so he had to find a perfect excuse for grabbing Luo Lingyu’s hand.
So he said: “Cousin naturally dances well, but is missing one thing.”
Lu Yun pulled out a glass bracelet from his robes. Under Prince Chen’s suddenly narrowed eyes and Luo Lingyu’s delighted gaze, Lu Third Young Master lowered his eyes and lifted the young lady’s sleeve.
The lady revealed a section of white arm like a lotus root. Lu Third Young Master stared for a moment before unhurriedly putting the glass bracelet on Luo Lingyu himself.
His fingers touched her cool, smooth, delicate jade-like skin. Unable to control himself, his movements grew slower and slower as he put the bracelet on her, nearly stopping entirely…
Luo Lingyu quickly pulled her wrist from his hand. She looked up and down at the beaded bracelet Lu Yun had put on her. She looked at Lu Yun differently now: Glass! It was really glass!
Though Luo Lingyu’s family had declined, she had once lived the comfortable life of a noble lady. She knew how precious glass was. Although the glass beads on her arm were somewhat cloudy in color, even cloudy glass was still glass… How expensive it must be.
Lu Yun saw her eyes brighten, and for some reason his heart softened. Lu Yun put his hands behind his back, watching the young lady happily touching the bracelet repeatedly. His eyes held a smile: “Do you like it?”
Luo Lingyu looked up: “I love it! Third Cousin, you’re so good to me!”
Though smiling along with her in his heart, outwardly Lu Yun coughed and turned away from her bright beautiful eyes: “Just something to play with. Not worth much.” His averted gaze caught Prince Chen Liu Shu’s meaningful look.
Liu Shu’s eyes said: Weren’t you going to give this to Zhou Yangling? What about the benefits? Didn’t you say you’d hold onto it first? Your cousin barely started dancing, probably just raised her hand, and you excitedly gave away the glass bracelet? You still say she’s not your lover?
Lu Yun somewhat awkwardly moved his gaze away and called to Prince Chen: “Don’t you have business to attend to? I’ll escort you out. Luo Lingyu… you, you continue with what you were doing.”
Luo Lingyu now smiled at him with special sweetness and obedience: “Yes, Third Cousin.”
Lu Yun and Prince Chen left like this. Lu Third Young Master’s steps on the stone bridge were rushed, as if something was chasing him from behind, while the Prince followed slowly behind.
Prince Chen Liu Shu pondered thoughtfully, remembering Lu Yun’s recent rejection of marriage arrangements.
Back then he said he wouldn’t sacrifice his marriage, but now it seemed Lu Third Young Master clearly had someone else in mind. The Prince’s eyes showed interest: If Lu Yun thought Luo Lingyu was full of flaws… yet still fell for her, wouldn’t that make him look quite foolish?
After the two young masters left, Luo Lingyu still couldn’t stop playing with the bracelet Lu Yun had given her.
She had always felt Lu Yun disliked her, and after the truth was revealed, she became even more self-destructive, believing her impression in Lu Yun’s heart had hit rock bottom.
But now it seemed different… Lu Third Young Master didn’t hate her that much. Something as precious as glass, he gave to her so casually… Even wealthy noble families like the Lu family wouldn’t be so wasteful.
What made Luo Lingyu happiest was that glass was truly valuable. Extremely valuable…
She had an idea in mind and couldn’t be bothered to force Lian Qinian to practice dancing anymore. The two ladies hurriedly returned to their courtyard carrying lanterns, where maids were already waiting at the courtyard gate. After instructing the maids to help Lian Qinian rest, Luo Lingyu rushed back to her own room.
Closing the door, she lit all the lamps in the room, sat down and immediately removed the glass bracelet from her arm. Under the bright lamplight, she carefully examined the bracelet. The beads were somewhat uneven in size and shape, the color wasn’t quite right, but they were polished very smoothly. Under the firelight, the beads reflected rainbow colors, dancing in her palm.
Luo Lingyu could see clearly now – given the quality of this bracelet, the glass was very crude and not as valuable as she had thought.
However, this made her even more delighted!
Holding her rapidly beating heart, she pulled the lamp closer and bent down to examine the bracelet more carefully, not missing any marks. After studying it for half an hour, she felt completely reassured: her guess was right! Such crude glass bracelet must have been somewhat defective, so there were no markings on it.
No markings from the Lu family or any noble houses.
This meant… she could sell this glass bracelet for money! Though crude, something noble families might not want, but Jianye had many wealthy merchants.
The family savings she had to empty for the “Flower Goddess Selection” suddenly seemed like they could all be earned back, with plenty extra…
Trying to calm her pounding heart, Luo Lingyu’s voice trembled as she called for her maid Lingxi to enter. Lingxi had been with her a long time. She wouldn’t trust this kind of thing to Lingyu, the maid Madam Lu had sent. She only trusted maids who had been through things with her.
Whispering into the terrified Lingxi’s ear, Luo Lingyu stuffed the glass bracelet into Lingxi’s arms: “These next few days when you go out, ask around about selling this bracelet. Be very careful, don’t sell it to any noble families.”
Lingxi was scared: “What if… what if Third Young Master finds out… Young Miss, we’re staying at the Lu house, we shouldn’t anger Lu Third Young Master. He even gave you a bracelet, you shouldn’t…”
Luo Lingyu was calm: “Don’t be afraid, he won’t know.”
“Someone as arrogant as him, his social circle isn’t just nobles, but top noble families. As long as you’re careful and don’t sell the bracelet to Jianye’s top families, Lu Third Young Master won’t know. And even if we accidentally run into him it’s fine – I checked carefully, there are no markings on the bracelet. He’s used to fine things, with such crude beads, he won’t recognize it. And even if he does…”
Lingxi was almost crying: “What if he asks you to wear the bracelet he gave you…”
Luo Lingyu raised an eyebrow: “Why should I? Once given to me it’s my thing, it’s not a love token, why should I wear it every day? I’m not from a poor family, I have plenty of jewelry, why should I wear the same piece every day?”
Luo Lingyu gave a hard push on the timid Lingxi’s waist, frustrated: “Just sell the bracelet and get the money! Don’t worry about Lu Third Young Master, I’ll handle him.”
Luo Lingyu was confident: It was just a crudely made glass bracelet – Lu Third Young Master probably didn’t even like it, which is why he gave it to her so casually. He might not even remember… Last time he said he didn’t remember giving her the Plum Seeking Recluse’ painting.
Sell it, sell it! Once she sold the bracelet she’d have money and time to hold out until she found a good husband!
While Lingxi was forced by Luo Lingyu to go out daily, secretly asking merchants if they wanted to buy a glass bracelet, Lu Third Young Master indeed didn’t come to check where she had put the bracelet he gave her. And because Luo Lingyu now had money sorted out, she felt more relaxed and watched Lian Qinian’s dance practice even more diligently.
Luo Lingyu worked so hard that over several days, all the Lu family young masters had run into her and Lian Qinian at some point, seeing how seriously she took this “Flower Goddess Selection.”
Whether they could marry her or not, young masters all liked beautiful and clever ladies. Luo Lingyu practiced by the lake before dawn every day. After watching from the bridge for a few days, the young masters all agreed to give their votes to her. Luo Lingyu was delighted, satisfied that her daily pre-dawn trips outside had gotten results.
But while the Lu family’s branch young masters were easy to deal with, the two direct line young masters were both odd. During another early morning dance practice, she ran into Lu Third Young Master heading to court again. Thinking he must have good feelings for her since he gave her the glass bracelet, Luo Lingyu used the same flirtatious manner she used with other young masters, hoping he would give her his vote.
The busy Lu Third Young Master stood on the bridge, looking at her deeply for a long while before saying meaningfully: “My vote… you can’t afford it.”
The five scholar judges’ votes could almost determine which lady became “Flower Goddess,” so naturally Lu Yun wouldn’t give his to her.
Luo Lingyu: “…”
What a weirdo.
She knew this Third Cousin was hot and cold, giving her glass one moment then not even a vote the next.
She snorted, not having placed much hope in him anyway, and let Lu Third Young Master leave.
Never mind, if not Lu Third Young Master, there was still Second Young Master. While Lu Third Young Master was unpredictable and hard to talk to, Second Brother Lu Xian… Luo Lingyu thought that with Second Brother’s agreeable nature, he almost always granted her requests. If not for Second Young Master’s mother Madam Lu having such deep prejudice against her, Luo Lingyu felt Second Cousin would be the best marriage choice… However, when she looked up from under the stone bridge and sweetly spoke her request to Lu Xian who was heading out, Second Young Master Lu Xian’s expression was very strange.
Lu Xian rested his hands on the stone bridge railing, looking at her in surprise: “What? You’re really participating in the ‘Flower Goddess Selection’?”
Luo Lingyu: “…Yes.”
She wondered inwardly – hadn’t she signed up already? Wasn’t Lu Xian there that day? What was he finding strange now?
Lu Xian’s heart suddenly twisted, the light in his eyes flickering as his hands curled inside his sleeves on the stone railing. He recalled the details from his dream – at this time, Luo Lingyu and Prince Hengyang hadn’t returned to Jianye yet, while Lu Yun, who had left Jianye to receive the Grand Scholar Zhou’s daughter, had already returned.
Lu Third Young Master had returned to Jianye in a poor mood. In the dream, Lu Xian hadn’t seen him for a long time.
But by the time of the “Flower Goddess Day,” Jianye’s annual “Selection” definitely wouldn’t be missed just because Lu Third Young Master was in a bad mood. In the dream, because Lu Third Young Master was troubled, he hadn’t taken one of the five scholar judge positions. That year, Luo Lingyu hadn’t returned to Jianye in time for the “Selection,” and Lu Yun also hadn’t gone to judge.
That year’s “Flower Goddess” was also no longer Chen Xiu.
Instead it was scholar Zhou Tan’s daughter, Zhou Yangling.
In the dream, Second Young Master had also been lucky enough to attend the “Flower Goddess Selection.” Miss Zhou hadn’t entered at first, only appearing on the last day alongside Prince Chen Liu Shu. Miss Zhou had the figure of Xi Shi and beauty of a celestial maiden, stunning everyone. With Prince Chen as her escort, people paid even more attention.
But becoming “Flower Goddess” – she earned it completely through her genuine talents, without any tricks.
That year’s “Flower Goddess” was Zhou Yangling. It wasn’t until the next year, when Zhou Yangling didn’t compete again and Luo Lingyu had returned to Jianye, that the title went to Luo Lingyu. But by then, Luo Lingyu was already empress – whether she was “Flower Goddess” or not didn’t matter anymore.
By that time… Lu Third Young Master was already gone. Without Lu Third Young Master, the Lu family no longer had beautiful young ladies visiting daily. The Luo girl who had sought refuge from Nanyang never returned.
“Snow Trace Court” stood empty, and “Clear Court” was also deserted.
His third brother had missed every possibility with Miss Luo…
In the sunlight, waves rippled on the lake. Lu Xian’s eyes held a hint of sorrow as he stared at the beautiful young lady smiling up from below the bridge. Everything was different now, everything seemed wonderful. Third Brother had firmly stated he would appear at this “Selection,” Miss Luo was in Jianye, confidently ready to compete.
Moreover, because Lu Xian constantly paid attention to his dream, he had already heard – apparently Miss Zhou Yangling had also arrived in Jianye.
But unlike in the dream, in reality, Prince Chen Liu Shu seemed to have… lost Miss Zhou?
It was truly puzzling: how could one lose someone they were meant to escort?
Below, Luo Lingyu asked disappointedly: “Second Cousin? What’s wrong? Are you like Third Cousin, unwilling to give me your vote?”
“Ah, no, I can give you mine,” Lu Xian quickly said, but then hesitated, “Cousin, do you really want to compete? Why not wait until next year? This year there are too many outstanding ladies, the chances of winning are small. You’re not very familiar with Jianye’s young masters and ladies yet – why not wait a year? Wait until you’re more confident?”
He said sincerely: “Cousin, you will definitely become ‘Flower Goddess.’ But this year, I’m afraid…”
This year there was Zhou Yangling.
Although the dream and reality seemed completely different, Lu Xian still hadn’t figured out if they were related, but at least the dream could give him hints in some areas. For example, Lu Xian knew both Zhou Yangling and Luo Lingyu’s prepared pieces for the “Selection.” In the dream, Luo Lingyu chose the “Chang’e Flies to the Moon” dance, and in reality it was the same. So Miss Zhou would likely be the same too.
Although Lu Xian felt closer to Luo Lingyu, he had to admit: at least in the “Selection,” his cousin was no match for Miss Zhou. If she competed the same year as Miss Zhou, his cousin would lose badly. Because that lady won not just with talent, but with character and principles… These were what scholars had always loved.
These things, Luo Lingyu didn’t have.
Lu Xian advised: “Cousin, wait until next year to compete, alright?”
By next year, it would be too late. Luo Lingyu dismissed his concerns: “No… Cousin, it’s just for fun. Are you afraid I’ll lose? It’s fine if I lose, I don’t mind. Just give me your vote, Cousin.”
She didn’t believe she would lose to Chen Xiu and Princess Pingning Liu Tang. And besides these two ladies, Luo Lingyu felt no one could threaten her. She believed in her abilities. She was determined to become “Flower Goddess,” have scholars paint her portrait, get on the scholars’ “Ladies’ Portraits.” Even the Plum Seeking Recluse Lu Yun… might be greatly surprised and paint her portrait.
She was filled with determination, wanting Lu Third Young Master to see her differently. She wanted him to know she was much better than he thought… He was the one who couldn’t match up to her, not the other way around.
Lu Xian couldn’t convince Luo Lingyu. In the end, he was persuaded by her clever words to help get her votes and win over more young masters. Naturally, Second Young Master added Prince Hengyang Liu Mu to his targets. Liu Mu hadn’t planned to get involved in their “Flower Goddess Selection” at all, but Second Young Master seemed crazy, visiting his manor daily to tell him how wonderful Miss Luo was… Liu Mu cursed in private: “Has Second Young Master Lu gone mad? If he likes his cousin Luo so much, he should pursue her himself. Why keep chasing after me?”
The wise Teacher Kong was equally confused.
…
The “Flower Goddess Selection” lasted five days, with music and dance on the third day. After breakfast at home, Luo Lingyu took Lian Qinian and rode in a long-roofed carriage to “Huayin Garden.” Huayin Garden was originally a royal garden, but the royal family specially lent it out for these noble young masters and ladies during the “Selection.” Young Miss Luo Yunhuan was going out with her sister for the first time since arriving in Jianye. Sitting in the ox cart, leaning against her sister, Luo Yunhuan curiously lifted the curtain to look at the scenery outside, silently warning herself to be careful and not cause trouble for her sister.
Because it was still very early, there weren’t many people on either side of the street when their cart left Wuyi Lane. Luo Yunhuan couldn’t help lifting the curtain to peek outside, and Luo Lingyu also excitedly glanced out occasionally with her. Suddenly, Luo Lingyu noticed her sister staring in one direction for a long time, her small face and big eyes full of conflict – Luo Lingyu leaned over and followed her sister’s gaze to see a slender young master kneeling by the Qinhuai River bank, motionless for a long while.
Luo Yunhuan bit her finger: How pitiful… she wanted to help… but was afraid of causing trouble for her sister…
Luo Lingyu’s eyes lit up: Looking at that young master’s clothes and the quality revealed in his bearing… he must be from a noble family!
Her heart stirred and she quickly said: “Stop the carriage, let’s go see about that young master…”
Luo Yunhuan turned her head in surprise, watching her sister busily ordering the carriage to stop and send people to rescue the young master from the riverside. After helping him into the carriage, Luo Lingyu looked down and saw his long dark lashes, red lips and fair skin, with an elegant demeanor like orchids and bamboo – he was a handsome young man with delicate features. This made her even more relieved. Noble young masters were always good-looking and distinguished. With his appearance… he must definitely be from an elite family.
The Luo ladies’ dream of marrying into nobility had never faded.
“Young Miss, this young master seems to have fainted from heatstroke?” maid Lingyu hesitated, opening the window to look at the sun outside: The sun had just come up, it wasn’t hot yet, right? How could he get heatstroke?
Luo Lingyu didn’t care about that, only staring at the handsome young man they had brought into the carriage: “Never mind that, quickly give him some water. The young master must have suffered…”
Luo Yunhuan: “…”
The ox cart continued moving slowly. After quite a while, the young master they had rescued gradually woke up. His eyelashes trembled lightly, like a rain swallow awakening. When his eyes opened, they were clear and bright as stars. The young man weakly leaned against the carriage wall as he struggled to sit up. His long hair was scattered messily over his face, yet still beautiful. With his looks, everyone who was used to seeing beauty, including Luo Lingyu, froze for a moment.
After sitting up, the young master smiled shyly at them: “Thank you for your kindness… I’ve been weak since childhood, please excuse my rudeness.”
The beautiful young man sat leaning against the carriage wall, with outside light filtering through the curtains like flowing water spots on his body. When speaking, he kept his head slightly lowered, his voice soft and gentle, his glancing eyes containing an androgynous beauty.
Luo Lingyu’s beautiful eyes showed increasing delight. She leaned forward even more, taking the bowl from her maid’s hands to personally help him drink: “What is young master’s name?”
The young master said gently: “My surname is Zhou, given name… Zibo.”
Luo Lingyu: “So it’s Young Master Zhou!”
What a handsome Zhou!
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