Lu Xian stopped his cousin Luo, telling her to stay home and take care of Third Brother.
Second Young Master Lu was now afraid of any relationship developing between cousin Luo and Prince Hengyang. Even after he tried to stop her, cousin Luo still wanted to visit Prince Hengyang.
With young men and women, after a few encounters, if something unexpected happened, wouldn’t things turn out just like in his dream?
Second Young Master Lu absolutely could not accept such an outcome.
Because of this, he checked the gifts cousin Luo wanted to send to Prince Hengyang. Seeing they were just small items meant for someone who was injured, he felt relieved. At least cousin Luo had no special feelings for Prince Hengyang.
Lu Xian himself took the gifts Luo Lingyu had prepared and drove out of Wu Yi Lane to visit Prince Hengyang’s mansion in the eastern suburbs.
Prince Hengyang Liu Mu hadn’t attended court for several days. His excuse was that on the opening day of Luo Lingyu’s cosmetics shop, while saving someone, he unfortunately aggravated an old injury.
Due to this relapse, Liu Mu requested sick leave and couldn’t attend to court matters.
When Prince Hengyang fell ill, both His Majesty and the Empress Dowager from the palace sent gifts out of concern, and many young nobles came to visit. However, Liu Mu’s temper was so fierce that he scared away all the doctors.
When Second Young Master Lu Xian firmly insisted on visiting with gifts, the doorkeeper Kong looked worriedly at this noble young master’s thin and haggard figure: “Young Master, our lord has been in a bad mood since falling ill. He scolds everyone who comes to see him, and might even hit them… With your build, perhaps you shouldn’t see him…”
If Prince Hengyang were to hit this refined and elegant noble young master, that would be quite serious!
Lu Xian was completely unconcerned. He was just running an errand for his cousin, and since Liu Mu was in a rage, there was no need to walk into the line of fire. He very politely handed the gifts to Master Kong and was about to turn around and leave gracefully, when unexpectedly, through the thick green tree shade, he heard the sound of a door opening. A young lord’s hoarse voice rang out: “Why have you come again?!”
The voice was full of impatience.
Liu Mu was thoroughly annoyed by Second Young Master Lu’s inexplicable interference with him. He was still controlling his emotions, only because he remembered that after Lu Xian left that night, he had servants wait for his return.
Second Young Master Lu: “Uh…”
He wanted to say “I’m leaving now,” but after Liu Mu gave him a look of disgust, he unexpectedly said: “Since you’re here, come in.”
Second Young Master Lu: “…”
He had originally planned to leave, but seeing Liu Mu’s unsightly expression, Lu Xian felt he should stay and assess the situation.
The doorkeeper Master Kong urged Second Young Master Lu to try his best to convince their lord to think positively, that there was no difficulty that couldn’t be overcome. Second Young Master Lu listened in confusion and nodded awkwardly. After entering the residence, when Master Kong and the other doorkeepers withdrew, Second Young Master Lu frowned, because although the doors and windows were wide open, the room still couldn’t get rid of the smell of strong wine. Looking again, he saw countless wine jugs scattered on the ground. Liu Mu sat straight against the wall, his jade crown loose, robes wrinkled, eyes very cold – his appearance was really not presentable.
Second Young Master Lu: “On behalf of my cousin…”
Liu Mu lazily interrupted him and mocked: “Come to remind me again not to bother your cousin? Your cousin might be a celestial being, but I’m so far from her, what could I possibly do to her?”
Second Young Master Lu thought, if it weren’t for my interference, she would be the one visiting you today, and you might really do something to my cousin – you’re truly a dangerous person. But although Second Young Master Lu lived somewhat simply, he at least knew some things shouldn’t be said. He awkwardly said: “…Actually I came to chat with the young lord, to help you better understand our noble families.”
Liu Mu: “…”
So instead of talking about his cousin, he was going to talk about how powerful the Lu family was and how they couldn’t be provoked?
Liu Mu found it quite incredible – was this Second Young Master Lu’s brain disease really incurable? Didn’t the Lu family have anyone to manage him?
Unfortunately, the Lu family was indeed powerful, the foremost among Jianye’s noble families. Second Young Master Lu himself didn’t see how powerful they were, as his interests didn’t lie in court politics. But Third Young Master Lu was quite capable, and the other young masters of the Lu family in court all had a say. The court appeared to belong to the Liu family, but it actually belonged to the noble families. Their Liu clan seemed more like stewards hired by the noble families, managing the realm while their power didn’t necessarily exceed that of the noble families…
While Liu Mu was deep in thought, he then spat at himself: What does it matter to me? Even my royal brother wishes I were dead – if he’s been made a puppet by the noble families, I should rejoice in his misfortune.
Liu Mu sullenly drank his wine, listening to Lu Xian ramble on beside his ear, detailing the current situation of Jianye’s major noble families.
When speaking of these things, Lu Xian was also somewhat embarrassed: “…Perhaps life has been too comfortable, by our generation, there are fewer young masters who actually do things, most prefer traveling and sightseeing, competing in wealth and luxury. My father is also very troubled, wanting to reform the noble families, but the noble families are deeply intertwined, with almost every family having marriage ties to every other. Like our Lu clan, we have many marriage alliances with the royal family, the Jiang family, the Chen family – several of my aunts are from the royal family…”
Liu Mu snorted, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
Suddenly, Master Kong pushed open the door and entered. The old man bent down to this young Prince Hengyang’s ear and said a few words. Liu Mu nodded, and Master Kong smiled again at Second Young Master Lu before closing the door and leaving again.
After he left, Second Young Master Lu naturally and casually brought up some other topics.
Since Liu Mu listened absent-mindedly, Lu Xian also spoke without much attention.
Through the window, Second Young Master Lu’s eyes suddenly caught sight of several Taoist priests walking on the moss-covered path opposite the tower.
His mind briefly went “bang”, instinctively feeling something was wrong. Second Young Master Lu stopped talking and just stared blankly at those Taoist priests.
Liu Mu followed his line of sight, his eyes narrowing.
He heard Second Young Master Lu ask in surprise: “Young lord, at such a young age… you’re already supporting Taoist priests? Are you imitating His Majesty in seeking immortality?”
Liu Mu: “Of course not.”
Second Young Master Lu looked at him.
Liu Mu casually said: “My royal brother is the one who likes alchemy and seeking immortality. This is me showing filial respect to my royal brother. I requested several famous old Taoist priests and sent them to the palace to lecture my royal brother. I imagine my royal brother is very pleased.”
Second Young Master Lu suddenly looked at him, his gaze like lightning.
In that instant, he remembered what he knew from his dream – the old emperor had died from poison in the elixirs.
The new emperor, in his grief and anger, after ascending to the throne, his first act was to destroy the alchemy furnaces and drive the Taoist priests out of Taichu Palace, banishing them from Jianye for life.
In the dream, most noble families knew clearly that the old emperor had died from elixir poisoning, so they naturally supported the new emperor’s decision…
But what if among the Taoist priests sent to the palace were those sent by Liu Mu? Or even more, what if the reason the old emperor died from elixir poisoning was because of the batch of Taoist priests Liu Mu sent to the palace who had instigated it? Liu Mu never acted personally, but he used his royal brother’s fondness for Taoist priests…
In reality, Liu Mu stared at this Second Young Master Lu who had suddenly stopped talking: “What’s wrong? Is there something inappropriate about me sending Taoist priests to the palace?”
His eyes stared unblinkingly at the young master opposite him, with a very strange smile on his face, his fingers gripping his knee. Although the young lord’s sitting posture appeared casual, his back was straight, his whole body’s muscles tense – it was a posture ready for action. If anything seemed amiss, he would act immediately—
Lu Xian’s back broke out in sweat.
He suddenly thought about how today it was him who came.
If the person who came had been cousin Luo.
Cousin Luo came to Jianye alone, unfamiliar with everything, yet particularly clever and quick-witted. If in the dream, cousin Luo had stumbled upon Liu Mu’s thoughts like this… how could she have left here alive? Then Liu Mu’s intention to marry cousin Luo would not just be surface-level meaning. Cousin Luo not being able to marry his third brother would not just be a matter of young people’s quarrels…
Liu Mu impatiently asked again: “Second Young Master Lu, what are you spacing out about?”
“Nothing!” Lu Xian suddenly came back to his senses, trying to appear natural, though his smile was somewhat stiff.
Liu Mu stared at him deeply, his fingers curved and twitching on his knee, as he slowly changed the topic.
When Second Young Master Lu left Prince Hengyang’s mansion with his back soaked in sweat, his suspicions about his guess hadn’t diminished at all. After leaving the prince’s mansion and returning to the Lu residence, Second Young Master Lu remained distracted for two hours, still feeling uneasy.
Suspicions couldn’t rely on guesses alone, there had to be corroborating evidence.
After some hesitation, Second Young Master Lu still called over his servants: “Ride quickly to Taichu Palace and intercept those Taoist priests sent by Prince Hengyang’s mansion! Replace them with our people without letting Prince Hengyang discover it. Take those people to a secret place, I need to interrogate those Taoist priests…”
In less than half an hour, Liu Mu, standing with his hands behind his back looking at the scenery in his mansion’s courtyard, received his subordinate’s hesitant report: “Young lord, as you predicted, the Lu family really did secretly send people to Taichu Palace…”
Liu Mu’s eyes darkened.
He said coldly: “Strange… I want to see what Second Young Master Lu intends to do. Could he really know those Taoist priests are problematic? He’s so stupid, yet he could see the problem? What grounds does he have to suspect me? Did I reveal any flaws in front of him? Or does Prince Hengyang’s mansion have Lu family spies?”
His sharp eyes glanced at his own subordinates, who were startled and broke out in cold sweat as they knelt down to proclaim their innocence. But Liu Mu just looked at them deeply, saying nothing.
In the June heat, the subordinates’ sweat flowed in layers – since that day their lord returned, he had become increasingly distrustful of them. Their lord’s temper seemed increasingly violent, his gaze at them increasingly dark…
They truly feared that one day their lord would no longer be able to endure and would take action against them…
Full of fear! What should they do!
…
Luo Lingyu naturally didn’t know her second cousin had helped her avoid a disaster.
She didn’t have Second Young Master Lu’s prominent background that would make Prince Hengyang hesitate. If she had been the one to go to Prince Hengyang’s mansion, she might not have been able to return whole like Second Young Master Lu.
Recently, Luo Lingyu had been busy with two things: first, the accounts of her cosmetics shop, and second, keeping Third Young Master Lu company while he recovered, taking care of him when he couldn’t move easily.
Her cosmetics shop was gradually getting on track, but there were many things she didn’t understand and had to figure out. She was particularly strong-willed and unwilling to admit being inferior to others, so she naturally spent great effort studying behind the scenes. Running her cosmetics shop wasn’t easy, and Third Young Master Lu wasn’t easy to deal with either. Working like this day and night, her spirit was somewhat lacking. To make matters worse, another worrying matter came up that troubled her.
Lingxi hesitated for a long time before finally stammering out that she seemed to have seen Nanny Qin.
Luo Lingyu was startled and unusually took the initiative to visit Madam Lu’s courtyard to ask her. Madam Lu had been busy these past two days – after Old Madam Lu complained about the relationship between Third Young Master Lu and Miss Luo, Old Madam Lu suddenly discovered that many of the young masters in their mansion were still unmarried. First in line was Second Young Master Lu Xian.
When Luo Lingyu came seeking an audience, Madam Lu was worriedly looking through the register of young ladies in Jianye, studying the famous “Flower Goddess Register” over and over. This was the trouble of not having young ladies in the family and not liking to socialize – Madam Lu could only look at registers and picture books, unable to tell what any of the young ladies’ characters were like.
Luo Lingyu stood in the hall, watched for a while, and smiled: “…If Madam is overwhelmed, why don’t I find a reason to invite the young ladies to the Lu residence for a banquet? If Madam likes any of them, tell me quietly, and I’ll talk more with that young lady to let Madam see if it’s feasible.”
Madam Lu was delighted: “That would be wonderful! You’d be doing your cousin a great favor, he will remember your kindness.”
Indeed, having a clever young lady in the family was so much more convenient. How could going out to look at young ladies compare to inviting young ladies to one’s own home?
Both were pleased and discussed the details of the banquet. Then Luo Lingyu inquired about what was going on with Nanny Qin.
After chatting happily with her young cousin, Madam Lu finally remembered this person: “…Oh, yes. Worried you might not be used to living here, I had people inquire in Nanyang to see if you had any taboos. Your wet nurse was concerned about you and begged to come along with the boat. We should let you two meet.”
Luo Lingyu smiled gratefully: “Thank you, Madam.”
How could Madam Lu possibly have sent people to Nanyang just because she was worried about her not being used to living here? Most likely it was because she was worried about her character being improper and harming the Lu family, that’s why she sent people to Nanyang, right?
But these things that both understood in their hearts were better left unsaid.
The maid Lingxi waited outside with great admiration, watching as Luo Lingyu came out having already brought out Nanny Qin, who she previously couldn’t get near at all.
Nanny Qin followed the tall and slender young lady, constantly wiping tears from her eyes with emotion. Luo Lingyu gracefully bid farewell to the maids like Lvyao who escorted her to the courtyard gate, a smile constantly on her lips.
Luo Lingyu led people away with Nanny Qin.
Her steps grew increasingly quick.
Unable to make it to “Snow Trace Courtyard”, halfway there, standing by the lake, finding a spot where no one would notice, Luo Lingyu ordered her maids to keep watch while she pulled Nanny Qin into the reeds by the lake. Luo Lingyu asked urgently: “Wet nurse, has something happened in Nanyang? Didn’t we agree before that you would retire in Nanyang? Why have you come here?”
“Nanyang won’t have war, will it?”
“No, no!” Nanny Qin hurriedly comforted Luo Lingyu. Seeing her young lady was particularly agitated, she stared without blinking at the young lady’s increasingly beautiful face, tears in her eyes as she choked out, “Everything is fine, everything is quite good! Madam Luo is doing well, and all the young ladies are fine too…”
Luo Lingyu scolded: “Then why are you crying? You scared me!”
Nanny Qin wept: “But that Young Master Fan…”
Young Master Fan!
Luo Lingyu’s eyes contracted slightly, and she said somewhat uncomfortably: “Why mention him? I’m already in Jianye… I already said I would marry soon, you don’t need to worry about me!”
Nanny Qin said urgently: “But it’s been almost half a year… young lady, stop deceiving me! I’ve asked the Lu family’s servants, none of them said your happy event is approaching!”
Luo Lingyu’s cheeks flushed slightly.
She said somewhat shyly: “I’m not deceiving you… it’s just that the young master I’ve set my sights on is quite difficult to win over, I can’t conquer him in a short time…”
Third Young Master Lu couldn’t possibly marry her in a short time. He was too proper, needing to see everything clearly, needing to trace back to the very beginning of their feelings. But he was indeed ambiguous with her, and indeed made her worry constantly. From her observation of Lu Yun’s character, he wasn’t the type to be fickle in love. If they were to part, it would only be because they weren’t compatible.
She was almost about to win over Lu Yun…
Lu Yun was already wavering terribly, he was about to admit his feelings…
How could she possibly switch to another young master and give up Lu Yun at this time?
Nanny Qin became even more anxious: “You’re not talking about Third Young Master Lu, are you? I heard Madam Lu’s maids talking, they also mentioned you and Third Young Master Lu… but young lady, don’t be foolish. From what I’ve heard about Third Young Master Lu, isn’t he just like Young Master Fan from our Nanyang? You fell for Young Master Fan once, do you want to fall for this so-called Third Young Master Lu again?”
“Young lady, you need to be more clear-headed!”
“Noble young masters naturally each have their differences, but why is your taste always so similar… aren’t you afraid he’ll be a second Young Master Fan?”
Young Master Fan!
Luo Lingyu’s face turned slightly pale, her hands twisting her handkerchief forcefully. She refuted almost immediately: “Lu Yun is not that kind of man like Young Master Fan!”
She paced worriedly: “Wet nurse, don’t mind my business anymore. You should go back to Nanyang. Tell uncle and the others that I’m doing well in Jianye, tell them not to worry about me, and don’t rush me. I’m going to get married soon, really…”
Nanny Qin looked at her deeply, seeing how determined the young lady was, her eyes brightening at the mention of Third Young Master Lu. Luo Lingyu was always like this, never discouraged, actively seeking a way out. Fall down once, hit her head and bleed, yet she would still stand up again. Nanny Qin had watched this young lady grow up, knew how much hardship this young lady had endured after Ruyang City fell… how much hardship she endured just to get by in Nanyang, and then to come to Jianye.
However, however…
Nanny Qin covered her face and cried: “I’m afraid it’s too late, young lady!”
Luo Lingyu was startled and hurriedly asked: “What exactly happened? Wet nurse, don’t cry, tell me quickly! You’re killing me with worry!”
Nanny Qin said tremblingly: “The day you begged Madam Luo, and Madam Luo secretly sent you away from Nanyang, not long after, that Young Master Fan came to the Luo family to propose marriage. The Luo family really couldn’t refuse the Fan family…
For half a year, we’ve all been waiting for you to find a good marriage in Jianye, so the Fan family wouldn’t dare act rashly. But it’s been half a year, the pre-wedding gifts are almost complete, yet you… I really couldn’t wait any longer, so I came to Jianye to find you.”
Nanny Qin gritted her teeth: “Lingyu, if you really can’t manage, why not just run away? You absolutely cannot marry into the Fan family. Young Master Fan will torture you to death!”
Luo Lingyu’s face was deathly pale, her heart shocked with grief – how did she suddenly end up with a fiancé?
Nanny Qin started crying again, completely without ideas, only knowing to repeatedly urge Luo Lingyu to either marry into a powerful noble family higher in status than the Fan family of Nanyang, or to quickly run away. But how could Luo Lingyu run? What about the Luo family of Nanyang behind her? Even if the Nanyang Luo family hadn’t treated her particularly well, even if they had set her up, they had still raised her and her sister. This time coming to Jianye, Madam Luo had even supported her. If it weren’t for Madam Luo secretly sending her away, how could she have left that wolf’s den…
Luo Lingyu said angrily: “Stop crying! What use is crying! You’re so annoying!”
Nanny Qin covered her mouth, trying hard to stop sobbing. With tears in her eyes, she looked at this young lady who, when angry, had no trace of weakness about her. When angry, Luo Lingyu seemed to glow, her eyes bright, lips tightly pressed, so stubborn and unyielding, the spirit in her eyes moving…
Nanny Qin felt heartbroken as she heard Luo Lingyu murmur: “…Right now, I can only beg that bastard Lu Yun.”
Nanny Qin worried: “You mean Third Young Master Lu? Young lady, are you really so confident in him, really feel he won’t be a second Young Master Fan? Even if you’ve truly met a good man this time, and Third Young Master Lu’s character is promising, but you’ve only known each other for half a year. Will he really stand up to the Fan family of Nanyang for you?”
The Fan family of Nanyang was also a powerful noble family.
If they weren’t a powerful noble family, how could they pressure the Luo family to the point where they couldn’t raise their heads, forcing them to marry Luo Lingyu over?
Luo Lingyu gave a bitter smile.
Her heart was actually also uneasy, but what she was uneasy about was different from what her wet nurse worried about – her wet nurse hadn’t interacted with Third Young Master Lu, didn’t know what kind of person Lu Yun was. Her wet nurse feared Lu Yun wouldn’t help her, but what Luo Lingyu feared more was telling Lu Yun frankly that she had a fiancé.
She had just caused such a big fuss over a glass bracelet, resulting in Lu Yun almost having his eyes burned. This chapter had finally been turned over, he had finally started talking to her again… was she now supposed to go tell Lu Yun that she was someone who had a fiancé…
Even if she cried and told him she didn’t know about it, but with Lu Yun’s intuition that picked apart everything like unraveling silk… Luo Lingyu’s head started to hurt.
Coming out of the reeds, the maids saw the young lady’s face looking unwell, her expression dazed. Nanny Qin’s shoulders trembled as she sobbed, and Luo Lingyu, feeling annoyed and distracted, had them arrange for Nanny Qin to stay in her courtyard. When Luo Lingyu asked about Lu Yun again, Lingyu gave her a strange look: “Third Young Master currently has his eyes covered with gauze and can’t move easily, so of course he can’t go out and is staying at home.”
Luo Lingyu made a sound of acknowledgment: “Have someone go to Clear Courtyard and tell Jingyue that after I freshen up a bit, I’ll go play with Third Cousin.”
Lingyu: “Freshen up? Is that necessary? Young lady, you’re already so beautiful, your clothes and makeup aren’t messy… besides, Third Young Master can’t see with his eyes covered, no matter how beautifully you dress up, he won’t know!”
Luo Lingyu said softly: “What do you know? When meeting a young master, you must always be fully prepared. After all, before meeting him, you never know what might happen.”
“If due to a moment’s negligence, he happens to see you in a bad state, some fate might unknowingly fly away because of it.”
Lingyu: “…”
Her expression was strange, suddenly feeling ashamed.
Actually, these maids had already decided that the young miss would definitely marry into the Lu family in the future, that they would definitely continue serving the young miss.
Third Young Master Lu’s attitude toward the young miss, compared to his indifferent attitude toward other young ladies, was so strikingly different… yet the young miss was still not satisfied, still putting her heart into dealing with Third Young Master Lu.
Compared to the young miss’s dedication, they had really been too perfunctory in their daily duties.
They had never thought about always dressing beautifully and charmingly, ready to face any unexpected situations.
…
Because his eyes were covered with gauze, there were many things he couldn’t do. At noon when the sun was blazing overhead, Lu Yun simply fell asleep under the grape trellis.
Hazily, when he woke up, he heard a sweet female voice exclaim happily by his ear: “Brother Xuechen, you’re awake? I peeled some grapes for you and made some pastries, cooled with snow water. Would you like to try some?”
Lu Yun: “…”
Lu Yun slowly sat up and said languidly: “You have something to ask of me?”
Luo Lingyu: “…!”
Lu Yun: “Your voice is so sweet, running over to please me before I’m even fully awake… tell me, what is it?”
Luo Lingyu struggled: “…It’s not really anything major… just, if I had done something wrong before, would you forgive me?”
Lu Yun carelessly: “Sure. I’m such a magnanimous person… go ahead and say it.”
Luo Lingyu gathered her courage and looked at him timidly: “I have a fiancé…”
Under the white gauze, the young master’s handsome face was lit by the sun so that it showed no darkness, but rather appeared somewhat pale. This jade-faced young master who had just sat up had a trace of a smile at the corner of his mouth one moment, but the next instant his face turned cold. He remained silent, not saying a word, supported himself on the grape trellis, and got up to leave.
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