ATLAS TRANSLATES

The mountain path was too treacherous. Even with determination, her physical strength couldn’t keep up.

Luo Lingyu was full of fighting spirit, but her body couldn’t match it. She never liked physical activity, but now she was pushing herself to the limit to see Mr. Wang. After walking for less than half an hour, her legs were sore and she was out of breath. Little Mei Mountain was different from Mount Zhong. Mount Zhong was a famous sight in Jianye, with paths constantly maintained for nobles. No one came to Little Mei Mountain for leisure – its paths were practically nonexistent. With steep cliffs and rushing streams, those with unsteady footing frequently fell.

Luo Lingyu had been helped up by Lu Yun countless times already. Following him along a section, they came upon a path blocked by fallen rocks. She was bewildered. She was covered in sweat, her spring clothes hot and stuffy against her skin. Meanwhile, her third cousin walked casually behind her, his robes flowing elegantly in the wind. He looked so graceful he could enter a beauty contest right then.

Seeing his cousin look back at him, Lu Yun tilted his chin up, gesturing for her to look above. Luo Lingyu looked up to see worn vines hanging down from the cliff face under the scorching sun. Upon seeing this, she wanted to cry: “Brother Xuechen, do we really have to ‘climb’?”

Lu Yun smiled: “We don’t have to.”

Luo Lingyu immediately listened intently for his suggestion.

Lu Yun: “We can just go back.”

Luo Lingyu pursed her lips and glared at her handsome cousin who had carefree sleeves. Lu Yun didn’t care at all about the “Flower Goddess” – whether he saw Mr. Wang made no difference to him. Though he encouraged her to go back, Luo Lingyu wasn’t willing to give up. Other ladies might stop here, but she was different.

Luo Lingyu took a deep breath, looked up at the hanging vines, then down again to think. Then her pretty eyes fixed on Lu Yun. The third young master was calm and composed as Luo Lingyu called out sweetly: “Brother Xuechen, you must have a way, right?”

Lu Yun smiled.

He rarely smiled in front of others, but in private with her, he smiled often. His peach blossom eyes sparkled with charm. He walked two steps forward to where Luo Lingyu was resting against a rock. She was truly beautiful – for easier walking, she had tucked up her flowing sleeves and tied up all possible sashes. The beauty gazed at him with rippling autumn waves in her eyes, lifting her powder-white face to look at him hopefully—again and again, she was using her beauty to persuade him.

Lu Yun lowered his eyelids, looking at her deeply: “I can carry you on my back.”

Luo Lingyu’s eyes widened slightly. Just as she was about to happily thank him, she heard his next words: “But if I carry you, your chest will press against my back. Your… you understand, right?”

He spoke very softly, his eyelashes lowered, dark eyes staring directly at the rounded fullness below her neck. Luo Lingyu hadn’t realized anything at first. Following his gaze downward, then seeing his expression… her mind exploded like thunder. She immediately covered her chest. Lu Yun still kept his eyes lowered, a cool smile at the corner of his lips.

Luo Lingyu finally stammered after a while: “I was wrong about you! Lu Xuechen, you… you’re a complete hypocrite!”

He kept saying he “wasn’t lecherous”, but his eyes always stared at that part of her. No wonder whenever he was with her, he always kept his eyes lowered. So that was why… Luo Lingyu’s face turned from green to white as she backed away from Lu Yun. But she still looked at him with shocked eyes—why did he have to tell her his vulgar thoughts? If he hadn’t said anything, she wouldn’t have thought of it at all.

Lu Yun watched her cover her chest and sighed regretfully. The young master lifted his eyelids to look at her face, which showed an unpleasant expression but still looked lovely. Lu Yun stared at her and said softly: “So do you want this hypocrite to carry you?”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

Under his meaningful gaze, Luo Lingyu felt extremely frustrated. Then she obediently reached out her hands and said with a bright smile: “Brother Xuechen, what are you saying? I don’t mind at all. Cousin is pure and noble, you’ve never taken advantage of me. I admire how honest you are, completely different from those young men in Jianye who clearly like looking at me but don’t dare to look too much.”

Before Lu Yun could speak, Luo Lingyu quickly cut him off: “Brother Xuechen, please carry me! I really can’t walk anymore.”

After one exchange, their eyes met, and they both gained a deeper understanding of each other’s character.

Lying on the young master’s back, her breath touched his neck, and she felt his back muscles stiffen. Luo Lingyu’s face turned red as she turned her head to curse his vulgarity… Lu Yun seemed to have eyes in the back of his head: “You dare curse me?”

Luo Lingyu froze in fear: “No!”

Hugging his neck tightly, she said sweetly: “You’re carrying me, I can’t thank you enough. I would never curse you.”

Few men in the world could resist such soft fragrance and jade-like beauty. Especially someone like Luo Lingyu. Being beautiful beyond measure wasn’t enough – she was also quick-witted and eloquent. When she wanted to, she could easily win people’s favor. Lu Yun thought countless times: Don’t trust her, she deceives without remorse.

But she was lying on his back, legs wrapped around his waist, breath brushing against his ear. Moreover, those two snow-white… pressing against his back. As Lu Yun climbed the vines, Luo Lingyu didn’t want to lean back and add to his burden. Almost every inch of the lady’s skin was pressed against him… Sweat slowly appeared on Lu Yun’s forehead.

The mountain path was difficult, and carrying a beauty made it even more challenging. It was like being caught between water and fire, but Third Master Lu’s self-control was good. Not wanting Luo Lingyu to laugh at him, he persisted stubbornly. The beauty on his back used her sleeve to wipe his sweat, being considerate. Seeing the sun high in the sky, Luo Lingyu complained again: “It’s almost noon… we won’t be unable to see Mr. Wang even by nightfall, will we? Brother Xuechen, can’t you go faster?”

Knowing this cousin was heartless, but seeing her so eager, Lu Yun’s face still turned cold. Third Master Lu’s tone was strangely sour: “Your mind is full of your ‘Mr. Wang’… do you know I pushed aside other important matters to come find you?”

Luo Lingyu paused, hearing the disgust in his tone. Third Master Lu was like fine jade – he could only be treasured, not abandoned… Luo Lingyu: “I…”

Lu Yun interrupted: “Sweet words won’t work on me.”

Luo Lingyu had countless sweet words ready for other young men, but Lu Yun didn’t believe her sweet talk. Her mind was tied in knots, and after a while, really unable to think of what to say, she dryly comforted him with one sentence: “…Actually, I also pushed aside other matters to wait for you.”

Lu Yun froze slightly, turning his face to catch a glimpse of the lady’s face resting on his shoulder. He said softly: “You really pushed aside other things to wait for me? You’re not lying?”

Luo Lingyu nodded solemnly.

Seeing Third Master Lu’s face go from cold to much better in an instant, he wiped the sweat from his brow, his expression becoming peaceful again, as if finding new strength. He continued carrying the lady up the path, and she obediently lay on his back without being a burden.

Luo Lingyu was clever despite her many schemes – she knew when to be willful and when to be patient…

For the rest of the journey, even though Lu Yun kept saying he didn’t like “sweet words” and “wasn’t lecherous”, Luo Lingyu remained tender and sweet, praising him until he was pleased with himself, his expression excellent.

After all, he was a man, and it was hard to resist a beauty’s charm.

The mountain path was rugged, green shadows like tides, all part of the mortal world.

And so they continued, sometimes Lu Yun carrying her, sometimes when he was too tired, the two supporting each other as they walked. When they finally reached the thatched cottage in the forest, Lu Yun pointed it out to Luo Lingyu. She was so moved she hugged the young master’s arm, almost crying.

Their mountain climb had been so difficult – the two of them had wandered through the mountains for three hours stumbling and tripping…

Only a matching pair like them could look presentable after such an ordeal – just drink some water, fix their clothes a bit, and they could go meet people.

Mr. Wang’s thatched cottage was built deep in a bamboo grove. Two or three cottages were hidden among the bamboo, with a young servant sweeping fallen leaves in the courtyard.

The young master and lady stood at the entrance to the bamboo grove, their eyes already seeing the cottage just dozens of steps away, but walking over, there was still a formation between them.

Fortunately, Third Master Lu understood formations.

Compared to their earlier mountain trials, Mr. Wang only using a formation to block them outside his house was quite friendly. Having finally arrived, Third Master Lu was no longer in a hurry and slowly straightened his robes. Luo Lingyu had already let go of his arm and walked toward the cottage.

Lu Yun snorted and followed.

After speaking kindly with the young servant, when Lu Yun came over, he saw Luo Lingyu with smiling cheeks and flowing eyes – the beauty looked at the child, whose face was bright red as he answered her questions so obediently.

Lu Yun’s expression was bland as he glanced at the servant and Luo Lingyu, thinking she wouldn’t even spare a child under ten. Luo Lingyu had already turned her head and called out: “Cousin, Mr. Wang has guests, he’s having a clear conversation with them. The master invites us in for a meeting.”

When there were others present, Luo Lingyu always properly called Lu Yun “cousin”.

Lu Yun gave a bland response, seeing the anxiety between Luo Lingyu’s brows. She made eye contact with him, urging him to quickly go in with her. Because when she heard Mr. Wang had guests, she was greatly alarmed, fearing other ladies had already visited. After such an arduous climb, their efforts had to be worth it – if another lady had already won Mr. Wang’s favor… Luo Lingyu felt sick to her stomach with regret.

Luo Lingyu pulled at his sleeve, urgently whispering: “Cousin, cousin, cousin…”

Since Lu Yun was familiar with Mr. Wang, they still needed Third Master Lu’s introduction for this sudden visit. After nodding to the young servant, Lu Yun unhurriedly led Luo Lingyu inside. There were indeed guests who had arrived first – when Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu came in through the door, Lu Yun’s expression was bland while Luo Lingyu wore an appropriate smile. They both looked over and saw two people standing up from the meditation cushions opposite Mr. Wang. Both Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu’s faces froze for a moment.

Lu Yun’s tone was strange: “…What are you doing here?”

Luo Lingyu wasn’t sure if she should be happy: “Young Master Zhou, long time no see!”

Because the two who stood up from the meditation cushions to greet the guests were Prince Chen Liu Shu and Luo Lingyu’s “Young Master Zhou” Zhou Yangling. These two had beautiful features, standing in the room like pearls and jade, their radiant glory making Luo Lingyu momentarily not even notice the master Mr. Wang. Mr. Wang was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man, made to look dull and dusty next to Liu Shu and Zhou Yangling.

Zhou Yangling and Liu Shu both looked with surprise at Third Master Lu and Luo Lingyu who had entered.

Zhou Yangling’s gaze met Lu Yun’s, and Lu Yun’s expression changed slightly as he stared at her but said nothing.

Zhou Yangling felt nervous, because she had met Third Master Lu before in Yicheng.

Although her “female disguised as male” seemed successful, in front of Third Master Lu, she still… Seeing Lu Yun’s expression change but not saying anything, Zhou Yangling felt slightly relieved, and then looked at the beautiful and charming lady beside Lu Yun.

Zhou Yangling smiled gently: “Sister Luo, when I made an appointment with you about the bronze bells, you said you already had plans. Now I know, it turns out you were going sightseeing with… this young master.”

Luo Lingyu awkwardly: “…”

After Young Master Zhou recovered, he did indeed make an appointment about the bronze bells, but firstly, she wasn’t convinced by Lu Yun’s evaluation of the bells that day and wanted to figure out how she could be inferior to Young Master Zhou, so she wanted to delay a few days to study Young Master Zhou’s bells; secondly, Third Master Lu had just kissed her, and she felt Third Master Lu had feelings for her, so she was afraid Third Master Lu would ask to meet her – she absolutely wouldn’t keep appointments with other young men during this time. Finally, compared to background, temperament and bearing, Young Master Zhou still wasn’t as suitable as Third Master Lu… but she didn’t expect to run into Young Master Zhou like this.

Luo Lingyu was too ashamed to speak and lowered her head.

Liu Shu also looked at Third Master Lu: “You told me you had matters and couldn’t see me.”

Lu Yun calmly: “…Taking my cousin to see Mr. Wang is also a matter. I didn’t deceive you.”

Liu Shu and Zhou Yangling looked at them together, their gazes making it seem like the two had abandoned their families and colluded together. The scene was truly awkward – Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu had each told others they had important matters and couldn’t meet, not expecting the two disappointed parties to end up together. Those two had come to have clear conversation with Mr. Wang, only to run into Third Master Lu and Luo Lingyu who had gotten together.

Luo Lingyu silently stood behind Lu Yun, letting him bear the others’ disapproving looks.

Mr. Wang looked left and right, then laughed heartily: “How interesting! I knew Xuechen and the Prince were close friends, but I didn’t know Young Master Zhou and this… lady were also acquainted. It seems everyone here knows each other, quickly sit, quickly sit!”

Young Master Zhou?

Lu Yun casually glanced at Zhou Yangling, whose calm expression held some panic beneath as she looked at him pleadingly several times. Lu Yun paused, then looked at Prince Chen Liu Shu beside Zhou Yangling. Liu Shu sat properly on the meditation cushion, listening to Mr. Wang’s insights. Because Lu Yun wouldn’t accompany him, he thought of Young Master Zhou whom he had met a few days ago who was similarly talented, and so they had come together. But Liu Shu didn’t know that the youth beside him was Zhou Yangling, the daughter of Zhou Tan whom he had been desperately seeking to arrange a marriage with.

Moreover, Luo Lingyu anxiously and uneasily secretly looked at Zhou Yangling…

Lu Yun felt slightly strange, frowning as he wondered why Luo Lingyu’s gaze toward Zhou Yangling seemed so familiar… Before he could figure it out, Mr. Wang’s words had fallen, smiling as he asked for “everyone’s esteemed opinions”, and Luo Lingyu moved her gaze from Zhou Yangling to begin answering Mr. Wang.

The clear conversation style, with questions and answers, debates and explanations, was currently the most popular way of discussing academic matters.

Everyone joined in the conversation, though Liu Shu and Lu Yun didn’t speak – the ones constantly talking were actually Luo Lingyu and Zhou Yangling.

The atmosphere between them was both harmonious and strange.

Luo Lingyu never lost to others in professional skills. While Young Master Zhou’s speech was steady and gentle, she had endless witty remarks to please Mr. Wang. Over the course of the afternoon, Mr. Wang developed some goodwill toward both the previously unknown Young Master Zhou and Third Master Lu’s cousin. As the sun set in the west, this topic’s clear conversation came to an end, and Mr. Wang, still eager to continue, invited everyone to rest on the mountain.

This was exactly Luo Lingyu’s goal, so she was overjoyed.

Mr. Wang looked kindly at this lady: “My mountain dwelling is austere, with nothing here. Lady Luo comes from a noble family, always attended by servants – if you can’t adapt here, please feel free to say so.”

Luo Lingyu smiled and said: “Master jests. I most admire this kind of free and unfettered life like yours, living contentedly in the mountains. How could I not like it? Although I was born to a noble family, my family experienced hardships when I was young, so I’ve known suffering.”

Lu Yun brushed the dust from his sleeves beside her: “…”

Mr. Wang became very interested and asked about Luo Lingyu’s experiences. So she vividly told the story of how when she was young, disaster struck Ruyang and the entire Ruyang Luo family perished, and how she brought her younger sister alone to seek refuge with the Nanyang Luo family. How much suffering she endured in her young years, how inferior she felt living under others’ roofs… When she finished her story, Zhou Yangling and Mr. Wang’s gazes toward her were full of sympathy and love.

Zhou Yangling said softly: “Sister has suffered much. Fortunately, your bitter days are over now – Third Master Lu is a famous scholar in Jianye, and the Lu family is powerful, surely able to protect you from ever suffering such hardships again.”

Luo Lingyu nodded with dim eyes, then turned back to smile at Lu Yun: “Third Cousin has indeed been very good to me.”

Lu Yun: “…”

When they walked out, Lu Yun finally asked Luo Lingyu in a low voice: “How much of that story was true and how much was false?”

Luo Lingyu smiled radiantly, naturally not telling him the truth. As the two pushed and joked while talking, Liu Shu and Zhou Yangling walking behind them were lost in thought, both wondering about the unusual relationship between these two.

Luo Lingyu’s tale of her tragic experiences was meant to gain sympathy, half true and half false. Nanyang was so far from Jianye, Mr. Wang wouldn’t go to Nanyang to investigate what kind of life she had lived. Nanyang was indeed declining, but Luo Lingyu, who was so good at fighting for herself, never lacked what noble ladies should learn and have. Growing up, she had never done manual labor or been self-reliant when servants weren’t around.

But having already made such claims, Luo Lingyu didn’t dare show Mr. Wang how poorly she handled hardship, fearing she would expose herself. She could only first figure things out herself. Studying things like well water, Luo Lingyu recalled how servants used to take care of her, fumbling to fetch and heat water, wanting to bathe. After climbing the mountain so long with Lu Yun during the day, she was covered in sweat and could barely stand it by afternoon.

Lu Yun meanwhile had tea with Mr. Wang and exchanged their evaluations of the Flower God’s chosen ladies. Suspecting the truth of Luo Lingyu’s words, he wanted to watch the fun and see how she managed without servants. With just two or three thatched cottages, he went to Luo Lingyu’s door just as he was about to knock, when there was a cough behind him. Lu Yun turned to see Zhou Yangling disguised as a young man.

Zhou Yangling: “Third Brother, I need to speak with you.”

Lu Yun walked a few steps away from Luo Lingyu’s room. With his back against the fence, he asked Zhou Yangling with interest: “Where’s Liu Shu?”

Zhou Yangling: “I made an excuse, saying I was feeling cold and asked him to heat some water. Since the Prince had seen me faint from weakness before, he believed it, so I could come find you.”

Lu Yun smiled faintly: “He’s been looking for you… who would have thought you were right in front of him.”

Zhou Yangling blushed slightly and bowed like a man: “That’s exactly what I wanted to discuss… I’m not asking Third Brother to cover for me, just please don’t tell the Prince my identity. The Prince and my father are fixated on this marriage, but I feel there’s no need to rush. With my weak constitution, I dare not ruin the Prince’s lifelong happiness…”

Lu Yun said blandly: “You’re afraid Liu Shu will ruin you, right… Why are you disguised as a man? What are you trying to do?”

Zhou Yangling: “To do something for children of poor families. I came to find Mr. Wang today because I heard he came from a humble background. I want to convince him to run a private school with me. The Prince also supports this, which is why he was willing to bring me to find Mr. Wang… I just don’t want the Prince to know who I really am. Please help me.”

Lu Yun said carelessly: “If your father knew you…”

Suddenly, he heard a woman’s scream from the thatched cottage not far ahead. Lu Yun’s heart tightened as he recognized Luo Lingyu’s voice and immediately strode forward to push open the door. Zhou Yangling also followed anxiously, worried about what had happened to Sister Luo.

Pink and white clothes were scattered on the floor inside, with a wooden tub of steaming water. Luo Lingyu stood naked by the tub, face pale as she backed away. Before she could react, her door was suddenly pushed open as Third Master Lu and Zhou Yangling entered together. The two came in to see the lady completely naked before them… The lady’s long hair fell to her waist, with slender shoulders, narrow waist and long legs, her breasts round as snow. Standing there so delicately naked, she was touchingly beautiful, inspiring fantasies…

Lu Yun: “…”

Zhou Yangling: “…”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

Luo Lingyu screamed even louder, crouching down in panic to cover her body with her clothes from the floor. She froze in shock, filled with terrified shame, her eyes flashing with angry tears as she glared at the two: “…Who said you could come in?!”

She… she… her body had been seen by two men at once?! How could she go on living?!

She wanted to die of shame.