The servants knelt down in fear after overhearing something they shouldn’t have. They regretted following Lu Yun to find Prince Chen earlier, which led to discovering Prince Chen’s big secret.
Liu Chu glanced at them, giving them a knowing look.
Though Prince Chen’s eyes flashed coldly with killing intent, he held it back… Everyone sighed in relief, thinking that as Prince Chen’s close attendants, he would find a way to keep them quiet rather than kill them.
After Prince Chen left with a displeased-looking Lu Yun, the kneeling servants wondered when Prince Chen had developed feelings for Lu Yun. It must have been a long time ago. The young master had known Lu Yun since childhood and rarely spoke to anyone else, but would talk at length with Lu Yun. They studied and practiced horseback archery together. Even when the Emperor didn’t favor the young master, Lu Yun remained steadfastly supportive. The young master must have been deeply moved. Being together daily, feelings likely developed gradually…
But Lu Yun clearly didn’t feel the same way.
…It was somewhat tragic.
Prince Chen Liu Chu pulled Lu Yun along the lake. The bell chimes from across the shore grew fainter. Green duckweed floated on the lake’s surface as mist and willow catkins drifted toward the two young men on the bank. Lu Yun resisted being dragged by Liu Chu, becoming increasingly unwilling to continue. Liu Chu frowned, his eyes still occasionally glancing toward the opposite shore — though the crowd had shifted and Zhou Zibo was no longer visible. But knowing he was there, just one glance in that direction made Liu Chu’s heart pound intensely.
His face grew paler as he became more convinced he was ill.
He wouldn’t discuss this with others, but Lu Yun wasn’t just anyone. Prince Chen Liu Chu said quietly, his face white: “I… have feelings… for a man…”
“Slap!”
After enduring briefly, when Liu Chu spoke those words again, Lu Yun could no longer stand the goosebumps and swatted away Liu Chu’s hand. Lu Yun’s brows furrowed as he stepped back three paces, his expression even more interesting. Among the upper class nobles, some kept male favorites — it was an open secret. Everyone knew about it, but those favorites were merely playthings for entertainment, their status even lower than common people… Lu Yun could barely tolerate Liu Chu having this vice, but if Liu Chu had intentions toward him… they had known each other for over ten years!
They often ate and lived together, lying close while talking late into the night… If Liu Chu harbored improper thoughts about him, what did that make him?!
Liu Chu trusted his friend deeply. He kept his head down, unbothered by Lu Yun pushing him away. Because he had to hide his stutter in front of others, Liu Chu usually stayed silent in public. Only with Lu Yun could he stammer through his words. Now, Liu Chu struggled to express himself: “If a man… confessed to you… would you be disgusted?”
Lu Yun replied firmly: “Yes!”
Liu Chu froze: “…”
Seeing Lu Yun’s cold expression, Liu Chu stared blankly for a long time, the light in his eyes dimming. Seeing him like this, Lu Yun took a deep breath. After thinking for a moment, Lu Yun walked back and sincerely tried to explain: “Ah Man, we’ve known each other for many years, our friendship runs deep. I know you don’t like women, perhaps because you’ve had no women around for so long, you’ve misinterpreted our relationship. I like women, truly… Ah Man, you must be too busy lately, must have spent too much time with me. In the future, we should see less of each other…”
Liu Chu: “…”
The more he listened, the more something felt off.
Liu Chu darkened his face, though also finding it amusing: “Who said… it was about you?!”
Lu Yun sighed: “Don’t struggle against it. You only have me around you, and with my looks, talent, character…”
Liu Chu: “It’s Zhou Young Master.”
Lu Yun: “…”
Lu Yun’s eyebrows raised ever so slightly in an elegant arc, causing a young lady passing by on the opposite bank to slow her steps. The young lord’s graceful eyebrows held a unique charm unlike other generic young lords. But Lu Yun didn’t notice Luo Lingyu and Zhou Yangling beside her — he was too absorbed listening to Liu Chu’s self-analysis.
Liu Chu stammered with a red face: “Though he’s frail, his heart is… valiant and open-minded. I-I like him very much, the more I look, the more I love. I know it’s wrong, but I… whenever Zhou Young Master looks at me, whenever he smiles at me, I always… but your cousin sister gets along so well with him!”
His eyes dimmed: “He should like someone like cousin Luo, right? He’s always taking care of your cousin…”
Catching sight of Luo Lingyu approaching with Zhou Yangling beside her, Lu Yun’s expression turned peculiar. Zhou Yangling, dressed as a man, still appeared quite frail and pale as if unwell. Beside her, Luo Lingyu moved with natural grace, her clothes flowing elegantly. As the two women approached, Lu Yun’s eyes held both hesitation and an unspoken anticipation of drama — waiting for Liu Chu to continue speaking and simply let Zhou Yangling’s female identity be exposed.
Liu Chu was getting worked up, his face reddening: “Zhou-Zhou-Zhou Young Master, he…”
A low, amused voice asked from behind: “What about me, young master?”
Zhou Zibo!
Liu Chu’s throat seized up as if grabbed, instantly swallowing all his words. He saw Lu Yun’s regretful look and silently cursed this friend who only wanted to watch the show instead of warning him. The object of his affections had arrived, making Liu Chu’s face flush even redder. However, Prince Chen merely turned around calmly to face Luo Lingyu and Zhou Young Master approaching. He remained silent, coldly nodding to them in greeting.
Luo Lingyu complained slightly: “Brother Xue Chen, why does the young master never talk to us? We just heard you both talking, but as soon as we arrived, he stopped speaking. Does the young master look down on us?”
Liu Chu smiled helplessly and shook his head, replying concisely: “Not at all.”
His eyelashes trembled as he lowered his gaze, somewhat evasive. His emotions were in turmoil — he dared not look at Zhou Young Master, yet couldn’t help stealing glances. When he did look, he saw that Zhou Young Master, whose face was pale to the point of appearing haggard, had turned his clear black eyes toward him. Liu Chu panicked as Zhou Yangling smiled: “Yes, we just heard the young master speaking. Young master, what were you saying about me that got you so excited you started to stutter?”
At these words, Liu Chu’s face turned deathly white.
Liu Chu’s body tensed, his face stiffening as the light in his eyes dimmed while looking at Zhou Yangling — right, they didn’t know. Except for Lu Yun and his mother, even his sister Liu Tang didn’t know about his stutter. They thought his silence was just a habit, but this defect…
Liu Chu’s face was pale as his hands clenched into fists inside his sleeves. In his youth, the imperial family didn’t favor him, and his mother’s status as a criminal’s daughter led to constant bullying at court. His mother couldn’t protect him, his father didn’t care, so as a child he had to use other means, relying on noble families for protection. When young Lu Yun returned to Jianye after losing both parents in childhood, he became Liu Chu’s perfect target.
He successfully saved Lu Yun from drowning, gaining his friendship, and life at court finally improved. But to gain this friendship through his self-directed performance, he was left with a lifelong regret from a high fever — his stutter.
He not only loved a man, but he also stuttered.
How could he dare hope for Zhou Zibo…?
Prince Chen’s gloomy silence confused Zhou Yangling and Luo Lingyu, wondering what they had said to offend him. Lu Yun glanced at the three of them and changed the subject, asking them: “Weren’t you having a tea competition? Did you come over because you saw us?”
Luo Lingyu: “No, the sun was too harsh and Zhou Young Master felt unwell, so I helped him rest in the shade here. How would I know Brother Xue Chen was here?”
The sun was too harsh?
Lu Yun looked up at the gloomy sky. The clouds were thick and the sky was gray — where was the sun? Zhou Yangling’s health seemed unusually poor… But in that moment of Lu Yun’s contemplation, Prince Chen Liu Chu beside him suddenly looked up at Zhou Yangling. Before Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu could react, the beautiful-faced Prince Chen had already stepped forward to support Zhou Yangling, lowering himself to ask: “You’re not feeling well?”
Zhou Yangling was surprised: “…”
She smiled politely and gently: “I just need to rest a bit, it’s nothing serious…”
Liu Chu insisted: “I’ll help you over there.”
Luo Lingyu was pushed aside as Liu Chu insisted on personally helping Zhou Yangling rest in the shade. Zhou Yangling thought for a moment and interpreted Liu Chu’s enthusiasm as the young master probably wanting to socialize with commoners for political connections — she understood. Zhou Yangling naturally accepted Liu Chu’s help, nodding to Luo Lingyu before being led away by Liu Chu.
Luo Lingyu pouted unhappily: Prince Chen was such a grown man, yet he was competing with her for Zhou Young Master!
But then Luo Lingyu had another thought that cheered her up. This side of the garden was covered in shade while the other side had buildings rising in rows. The tea competition was happening under the pavilions on the opposite shore, surrounded by young men and women watching. They could see that side from here, but those people couldn’t see this side. The young lords and ladies didn’t know Lu Yun was here — if not for helping Zhou Young Master rest, Luo Lingyu wouldn’t have seen her Brother Xue Chen either. These days, it wasn’t easy to see Lu Yun.
Luo Lingyu turned, about to show off her charm to Lu Yun, but saw him already walking away. He was indeed aloof, not sparing her a single glance.
Luo Lingyu wanted to ask him for money, having her own calculations: if she asked Lu Yun for money, this third cousin might mock her with sarcasm, but she might not have to repay him; asking others for money would be too embarrassing, she couldn’t bring herself to let others know about her difficulties… So scamming Lu Yun was clearly the most profitable option.
Luo Lingyu chased after him, smiling sweetly: “Brother Xue Chen, we haven’t seen each other in so long, yet you ignore me. You just arrived but are leaving again — where are you going?”
Lu Yun: “Back to the office to review case files.”
Luo Lingyu instinctively went along with his words: “That must be so tiring. You’re busy every day, working yourself to exhaustion without a day’s rest. I really feel for cousin…”
Lu Yun glanced down at the beautiful young lady following him and casually teased: “Then why don’t you help me do it, let me rest?”
Luo Lingyu’s flattery got stuck: “Uh…”
In her heart she cursed that Lu Xue Chen was consistently so difficult to please!
Luo Lingyu maintained her smile, her phoenix eyes slanting upward with flirtatious charm as she glanced at him. She complained: “How can Brother Xue Chen say such things! I heard from Sister Jin Yue that there’s fighting at the border between the Southern and Northern countries, it’s quite chaotic and the situation doesn’t seem good. Brother Xue Chen is busy with this every day, getting less than two hours of sleep. While those young lords are having tea competitions… They can’t compare to you at all, Brother Xue Chen. I especially admire you…”
Lu Yun stopped walking, a smile playing at his lips as he looked down at her: “Your flattery is making me nauseous.”
Luo Lingyu: “…”
Lu Yun hooked her chin with his finger, waves of emotion flowing in his eyes: “Get to the point. I’m busy, don’t beat around the bush with me.”
Luo Lingyu: “I want money.”
Lu Yun: “What for?”
Luo Lingyu: “Nothing special. Just daily expenses. Eating, drinking, having fun…”
Lu Yun: “You live in the Lu family household, with food and lodging provided by the Lu family, and you even get a monthly allowance for spending money. What do you need money for? Besides, I see you wearing fine silks every day with no shortage — what are you lacking?”
What she lacked was what other noble ladies had but she had to work hard to obtain.
Luo Lingyu was annoyed inside, thinking that the daily life Lu Yun spoke of meant staying in the Lu household without going out to socialize.
If she didn’t go out to socialize, was she waiting for a young lord to fall from the sky in front of her? She dared not pin all her hopes of finding a good husband on Lu Yun alone. Lu Yun was the most unmoved by her sweet words and clever speech among all the young lords she’d met — how many years would she have to wait for Lu Yun to think of marrying her?
Fortunately Lu Yun was very busy, so he couldn’t see what she did all day… In any case, the money needed for all social activities couldn’t be covered just by selling one glass bracelet — she needed much more.
But she actually knew Lu Yun didn’t like her behaving this way.
So Luo Lingyu hemmed and hawed: “…I’m dependent on others, I only get along with you…”
Lu Yun interrupted: “Alright, I have to go. If you really need money, write me a letter stating how much you need and what it’s for. Write it clearly and give it to Jin Yue. I’ll look at it when I return.”
Luo Lingyu: …What?!
She would have to write him a detailed letter telling him what she needed such a large sum of money for? Even after seeing her letter, he might not give it to her… He might even humiliate her, scold her…
Luo Lingyu’s face flushed red, naturally unwilling to be held accountable by Lu Yun. As she expected, Lu Yun didn’t care about money — if she was truly poor, he would give it to her. Asking him for money was indeed more acceptable than crying poor in front of other Lu family members. But Lu Yun’s conditions were too harsh, and Luo Lingyu had a sense that she couldn’t meet them… Seeing Lu Yun about to leave again, and that they were almost out of the garden, Luo Lingyu followed him and could already see the guards loitering outside the garden gate.
Once out of this garden, Lu Yun would go to his office, and she might have even less chance to ask him!
With these thoughts racing through her mind, she decided to take a bold risk. Luo Lingyu ran to catch up, taking quick steps to catch up to his long strides, grabbing his wrist from behind. Lu Yun stopped, seeing his cousin suddenly move in front of him. She turned unsteadily — she wasn’t very athletic to begin with, yet insisted on turning, getting dizzy and stumbling into Lu Yun’s embrace.
Luo Lingyu: “Oh my!”
Lu Yun: “…”
With soft fragrance willingly sent into his arms, Lu Yun looked up and suppressed a laugh: after getting used to Luo Lingyu’s touches, he no longer wanted to push her away like other women when she got close; but her occasional flirting with him had strong ulterior motives, making him both helpless and understanding, while also finding it somewhat cute.
Lu Yun looked down, his cool gaze meeting her bright eyes looking up at him from his embrace. Lu Yun teased: “What are you doing now?”
Luo Lingyu pressed on stubbornly: “Brother Xue Chen, do I look pretty today?”
Spring willows flew in the wind, falling in clusters onto the lake. The deep and light green shade made it hard for others to see clearly. In the deep willow grove, the young lord stood with his hands behind his back, watching the young lady step back to let him see her whole figure. Lu Yun looked her over — today she wore a begonia red open-collared short jacket on top, with a snow-white long skirt decorated with flowers at the hem below. Luo Lingyu was already striking, and wearing such clothes while smiling up at him with raised eyebrows made her incredibly charming and alluring.
Lu Yun’s gaze deepened: “Naturally beautiful.”
Luo Lingyu led him on: “Don’t you think something’s missing?”
Lu Yun looked her over again, focusing mainly on her full breasts under the jacket. His throat feeling a bit dry, his gaze flickered as he asked: “What’s missing?”
Luo Lingyu’s face was completely red, because ever since Lu Yun had pointed it out to her, she knew that when he lowered his eyes, he was looking at that part of her. But to seduce him, today she didn’t shy away, only wishing he would be captivated by desire, so dazed that he would do whatever she asked.
Luo Lingyu said coquettishly: “Hairpins and ornaments! Don’t you think my outfit today is very simple, without any hairpins or makeup?”
Lu Yun: “…”
Simple?!
She called her alluring appearance “simple”? What misunderstanding did she have about the word “simple”? Did she know what it meant to be “pure as a lotus rising from the mud”? That was a style nine levels of heaven apart from hers!
Lu Yun said sincerely: “…I really didn’t notice.”
When men look at women, it’s usually just face, chest, waist, legs. Lu Yun really hadn’t noticed what hairpins she wore, what earrings, or what clothes. These all looked about the same to him, the differences not as great as she thought.
Luo Lingyu glared at him: “…”
This person was really hard to talk to!
However, Lu Yun was ultimately a person with keen senses. Though he couldn’t see Luo Lingyu’s “simplicity” anywhere, he knew what she was thinking. Touching his chin, Lu Yun laughed twice: “So what does little sister Yu’er want from me?”
Luo Lingyu was delighted, coquettishly hugging his arm like an obedient little wife and coaxing him: “I don’t want much…” Afraid Lu Yun would immediately say “Then I’m leaving,” she quickly stated her request, “Brother Xue Chen is busy with work all day, shouldn’t you take a break sometimes? I want to go to the market to buy some things for ladies, and I need a gentleman’s eye. Won’t Brother Xue Chen accompany me, treat it as taking a break?”
Luo Lingyu gave him reassurance: “If you don’t go, I’ll have to find second cousin.”
Lu Yun’s face darkened a bit.
Luo Lingyu added fuel to the fire: “Qi Third Young Master would surely be willing to accompany me…”
“And there’s the Prince of Hengyang…”
Lu Yun stared at her coldly for a long time while she blinked back innocently.
Lu Yun said: “Let’s go.”
…
Lu Yun really took half a day off, not going to the office but accompanying his cousin to shop in the market. Luo Lingyu’s thoughts were clear – if Lu Yun wouldn’t give her money directly, she would find another way. She could have Lu Yun buy her expensive things that she could secretly sell for money… This was much better than his method of requiring her to write a detailed letter explaining what the money was for.
One alley was full of gold, jade, and silver shops. Luo Lingyu had been here before with other ladies from Jianye. Back then she could only afford to buy some inexpensive items to save face, but today she had brought Lu Yun.
Excited, she had the shopkeeper bring out all the hairpins, rouge, and powder she had liked but couldn’t afford before, trying them slowly. With her beauty and a noble young lord accompanying her, the street’s wares were prepared for noble ladies after all, Luo Lingyu had needs, so the shopkeeper enthusiastically served her, praising her—
“No rush, take your time trying things, miss. Try everything you like.”
“The young lord looks very patient. Would the young lord like to try our new powder too?”
Lu Yun firmly refused, just watching Luo Lingyu fuss about. His eyes serene, he steadily watched her excitedly extend her jade-like arms, putting on a string of beautiful bracelets that clinked melodiously when shaken. She fluttered about like a peacock between the various shops, selecting items she liked. She was born to dress up this way, beautiful things should accompany beauty. Gold and jade complemented beauty – Lu Yun had to admit, she seemed even more eye-catching.
Beautiful almost to the point of glowing.
After picking many items, Luo Lingyu shook her wrist, showing him the long string of jade bracelets on her arm. The young lady turned her head, smiling sweetly at Lu Yun who had only been watching silently: “Brother Xue Chen, is it pretty?”
Lu Yun: “…Mm.”
Satisfied, the lady waved her hand, wanting to buy all the expensive items she had picked out. When it came time to pay, the shopkeeper instinctively looked at Lu Yun. Lu Yun didn’t move, glancing at Luo Lingyu. Luo Lingyu pretended to reach for her money pouch, then put on a troubled face and turned back: “Brother Xue Chen, I seem to have forgotten to bring money. Could you pay for me first?”
Lu Yun glanced at her, understanding in his eyes as he smiled: “Little sister Yu’er knows, I don’t carry money when I go out.”
Luo Lingyu’s face froze.
Lu Yun smiled casually, unhurried, nodding to the shopkeeper: “Put it on credit first, Yu’er can pay later…”
Luo Lingyu: “…?!”
What? Credit? And she would have to pay it back slowly later?!
This man… was so annoying!
Luo Lingyu couldn’t keep up the act anymore, flinging her hand down with a long face. She knew full well Lu Yun was toying with her, extremely angry inside, she simply ignored him and turned to leave. Not caring how this scene would play out behind her. Lu Yun hadn’t even teased her much before she stormed off, so he had to say a few words to the shopkeeper. Lu Yun indeed didn’t carry money when he went out, he really had no money to pay, but he had his identity as Lu Yun. After telling the shopkeeper to send the items to the Lu residence, Lu Yun rushed out to chase after Luo Lingyu.
Catching up to the lady at the door, Lu Yun grabbed her hand, saying softly: “Already unhappy? You can scheme against me but I can’t scheme against you?”
Luo Lingyu twisted away, feeling sad and somewhat guilty inside.
Lu Yun hugged her waist briefly, bending down to look at the misty tears in her eyes, sighing internally. Wiping her eyelashes with his finger, Lu Yun said gently: “Alright, don’t cry. What good are gold and silver? Want me to give you glass instead?”
Glass! That was so precious!
Luo Lingyu immediately broke into a smile through her tears, hooking his sleeve: “Yes.”
Lu Yun felt complicated: …She was too honest.
Afraid of making Luo Lingyu cry again, Lu Yun dared not tease her anymore for the rest of the time. He led her through the streets and alleys to his glass shop. Lu Yun’s glass shop wasn’t open to the public yet as he wasn’t satisfied with the techniques. Leading his cousin inside, he let Luo Lingyu freely select items. Luo Lingyu was immediately captivated by the brilliant glass light, letting go of Lu Yun’s hand…
Just as Lu Yun was about to follow her, he was stopped by his shopkeeper: “Young master, you’re here? You haven’t come in so long, this old servant has missed you. This servant has something to report to you – some time ago, our shop received a glass bracelet. The craftsmanship seems the same as the one you took away…”
The old shopkeeper worried: “Didn’t you say the South currently has no glass-making technology? How could someone have something identical to our glass shop’s work?”
The same glass bracelet? How could that be?
Instinctively, Lu Yun’s gaze jumped to glance at Luo Lingyu. Something like an instinctive hunch made him look at her unconsciously. Luo Lingyu was oblivious, lifting her face to smile at him, beautiful as pear blossoms reflected in water. Lu Yun moved his gaze away, hiding his quickened heartbeat, saying coldly to the old shopkeeper in a low voice: “Show me.”
A quarter hour later, Lu Yun held that string of glass bracelets, his eyes deep, listening to the old shopkeeper explain how he had recovered these bracelets… The old shopkeeper went on and on, watching their young master Lu Yun’s face grow darker and darker, as if thunder was about to strike.
Before the shopkeeper finished speaking, Lu Yun gave a cold laugh, his fingers trembling as he gripped these glass bracelets he had once given away, going to find that lady who was flitting between various glass pieces next door, picking items to her heart’s content!
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