ATLAS TRANSLATES

Luo Yunhuan was counting on her fingers, thinking about her sister’s birthday. In this world, only her little sister remembered Luo Lingyu’s birthday and wanted to celebrate it.

Luo Yunhuan cheerfully brought out the longevity noodles she had prepared early in the morning with her maid Lingxi. After her sister took a bite, she shyly pulled out a wrinkled pouch.

Luo Lingyu blinked, and her little sister immediately blushed, feeling embarrassed: “I tried really hard to embroider it! But you give me so many lessons every day, I didn’t have enough time to work on the pouch. It doesn’t look good because I was rushed. Otherwise, I definitely could have made you a prettier one.”

Luo Lingyu smiled, knowing that Yunhuan’s embroidery skills were indeed not very good.

Still, Luo Lingyu happily accepted the pouch, acting surprised: “For me?”

Luo Yunhuan sighed in relief, acting mature as she waved her hand: “If you like it, then it’s yours.”

As the sisters exchanged gifts early in the morning, the maids were surprised to learn that today was Luo Lingyu’s birthday. As her personal maid, Lingyu felt especially guilty and ashamed. Lingyu said: “Why didn’t Miss tell us earlier? Even though we’re living in the Lu family home, we shouldn’t neglect important occasions like birthdays, especially a young lady’s fifteenth coming-of-age birthday.”

When a girl turns fifteen, she comes of age and can be married.

Usually, noble young ladies’ coming-of-age ceremonies couldn’t be neglected. Lingyu still remembered how grand the ceremony was for the Lu family’s eldest daughter Lu Qingyi before she was married.

At that time, even the Emperor and Empress came to give her coming-of-age gifts…

How come when it came to the cousin Miss, the Lu family didn’t make any arrangements at all?

The passage continues with Luo Lingyu’s thoughts darkening: The only relative in the Lu family, Aunt Lu Ying, probably knew her birthday. But her aunt’s attitude toward her had always been indifferent, likely not even remembering her birthday.

If Lu Ying didn’t remember, how would other members of the Lu family know which day was their cousin’s birthday?

After all, living under others’ roof meant no one loved her.

Though her heart was bitter, Luo Lingyu still tried to cover for the Lu family: “It’s nothing, just a birthday. Second Cousin is missing these past few days, everyone is busy, who has time to remember me? I’m not as important as Second Cousin, I won’t cause trouble for everyone at this time.”

Lingyu thought about it and sighed. Indeed, even if she went to tell Old Madam Lu now that today was Miss Cousin’s birthday, the old madam wouldn’t let them hold a celebration for her – Lu Xian was still missing, what was there to celebrate?

Luo Lingyu’s joyous occasion was merely an afterthought to the Lu family, not worth mentioning.

Luo Yunhuan eagerly suggested: “We can close the courtyard gates and celebrate sister’s birthday ourselves…”

Luo Lingyu was reluctant.

She wasn’t wealthy, and her newly opened cosmetics shop hadn’t made any money yet.

To spend money on herself now, putting on airs, seemed pointless.

She waved her hand: “No need. Today Prince Chen is hosting a banquet at Fangle Garden. He sent me an invitation too. I’ll just go to his banquet, and consider that my birthday celebration.”

Originally she had wanted Lu Yun to convince Prince Chen to change the date, but after Fan Qingchen arrived, she lost interest and forgot about it. Then Lu Xian went missing, and even if Prince Chen changed the banquet date, she couldn’t hold her own celebration at the Lu house… So Luo Lingyu simply kept quiet about it.

Luo Yunhuan’s heart ached for her sister. She pretended to be happy on the surface, but went over to lean against her sister and hug her shoulders. The young lady placed her hands on Luo Lingyu’s shoulders and solemnly said: “Sister, your wish will definitely come true – to marry someone you love.”

The maids in the room: “…”

Lingyu was amused by the precocious young lady and covered her mouth with a laugh. To liven up the atmosphere, she teased: “Of course. Our Third Young Master has both talent and looks, he must be the ideal match. Don’t you think so, Miss?”

Luo Lingyu blushed, saying awkwardly: “How would I know! It has nothing to do with me, don’t talk nonsense!”

Even though the maids in the room already knew about her ambiguous relationship with Lu Yun, before anything was settled, they couldn’t spread rumors about it. If the Lu family elders heard, they would again call her “frivolous” and “improper.” But although she cautioned the maids not to gossip outside, Luo Lingyu felt a bit of sweetness in her heart—

So everyone could see that Lu Xuechen treated her differently.

Does that mean it wasn’t just her imagination, that Lu Xuechen really did treat her differently from others?

Lu Yun never said anything to her, neither expressing love nor showing his feelings, let alone mentioning marriage… Even when she tested him with Fan Qingchen’s marriage contract, asking Lu Yun to pretend to propose to her, Lu Yun just casually agreed. She still couldn’t tell if he would actually marry her.

Perhaps he still didn’t like her in his heart, looked down on her, just treating her as an interesting little plaything to tease.

Luo Lingyu’s gaze dimmed, her anxiety not something she could share with others.

The maids all teased her about Lu Yun, but she herself couldn’t see Lu Yun’s heart.

Love between men and women made one entangled – even the most confident young lady would feel insecure, doubtful, and hesitant before someone special. She didn’t even dare to ask…

Forcing herself to collect her emotions and push Lu Yun from her mind, Luo Lingyu then naturally arranged today’s matters: “Lingyu, didn’t you sprain your foot a couple days ago? You shouldn’t go out. Lingxi, come with me to Fangle Garden today. As for Huan…”

Luo Yunhuan quickly said: “Today is sister’s birthday! Sister should give me a day off to go play!”

Seeing her sister’s expectant eyes, Luo Lingyu smiled and agreed, being in a good mood. She just instructed Luo Yunhuan to play within the Lu family courtyard and not go outside. Lingyu and the other maids would watch the courtyard while looking after the little sister. After giving these instructions and changing into a newly tailored dress with a brocade half-sleeve over it, Luo Lingyu gracefully led her maid Lingxi and others out the courtyard gate, parting ways with her sister.

When they arrived at Fangle Garden and got off the carriage, there were already quite a few men and women there. Luo Lingyu looked around but didn’t see Prince Chen, though she saw many familiar noble young men and ladies. Just as she was about to go chat with everyone, she heard someone call from behind: “Sister Luo, you came too?”

Turning around, she saw Young Master Zhou had just gotten off his carriage.

The young man was slender, his robes flowing wide. With his jade crown and broad sash, his features delicate and beautiful, as soon as he appeared, the ladies who had been playing nearby all turned to look.

Luo Lingyu walked toward Zhou Yangling and greeted him: “When I visited Young Master Zhou’s residence that day, Prince Chen already said he would invite you to today’s banquet. I saw how serious Prince Chen was about it, I thought he would come with you. How come Young Master Zhou is alone? Prince Chen is really not sincere enough.”

Zhou Yangling smiled helplessly: “It’s just young lords and ladies having fun, nothing special. I didn’t even want to come, but he insisted I should… Well, I came, but where is Prince Chen?”

The two walked and talked, greeting others along the way. After making a round, the young men and ladies had all gathered, but still no sign of Prince Chen.

When asked, some young men said “Since Second Young Master Lu is missing, Prince Chen must be helping look for him.”

Given Prince Chen’s relationship with Lu Yun, this explanation seemed plausible.

Seeing the host wasn’t present, and knowing Zhou was weak and couldn’t handle crowds, Luo Lingyu wanted to take Zhou Yangling fishing. But the crowd surrounded them, exchanging glances, and after several changes in expression, they all raised their wine cups and smiled: “At today’s banquet, let’s first wish the birthday celebrant many happy returns!”

The crowd’s gazes were earnest and kind as they looked over, the wine in their cups clear and swaying.

Luo Lingyu was slightly startled, seeing them all looking her way, thinking her birthday was known and they were all congratulating her. She was both surprised and delighted, happiness blooming on her face. Her heart pounding, cheeks flushed, she shyly and modestly began: “You’re all too kind…”

A young man smiled: “This grand banquet specially arranged by Prince Chen to celebrate Young Master’s birthday, of course we’ll honor it.”

A young lady: “Prince Chen really cares about Young Master, worthy of being called ‘Zhou Gong’s courtesy.’ To win over Young Master, he prepared this banquet for over a month, and had us all keep it secret from you. Young Master Zhou, we only found out two days ago and hurriedly prepared birthday gifts, not sure if you’ll like them… Though Prince Chen isn’t here, he gave Young Master such a big surprise. I guess Young Master must be very happy now?”

The men and women surrounded the slightly dazed Zhou Yangling, who only then remembered Prince Chen had once asked about his birthday. He hadn’t paid attention then, who knew the prince would take it to heart.

When they crowded around, Luo Lingyu instinctively stepped back, her face pale.

She suddenly realized she had misunderstood, thinking this celebration was for her… It was actually for Young Master Zhou.

So Young Master Zhou shared her birthday.

Prince Chen had kept it so well hidden, probably because the Lu family had been busy these past few days, Prince Chen hadn’t had someone tell her today’s gathering was to celebrate Zhou Zibo’s birthday. Prince Chen probably thought she wouldn’t come.

Prince Chen celebrating Young Master Zhou’s birthday!

He invited all the young lords and ladies of Jianye, all the notable scholars were invited too, and famous musicians and dancers had come as well. The sound of strings and flutes was constant, everyone surrounding the surprised Zhou Yangling, offering congratulations.

Zhou Yangling was briefly stunned, turned around, and saw Luo Lingyu had been pushed out of the crowd.

Zhou Yangling wanted to walk toward her, but there were too many people. She said something, but across the crowd, Luo Lingyu couldn’t hear.

Luo Lingyu bit her lip, her face alternating between green and white, feeling unprecedented embarrassment.

Young Master Zhou was just a commoner’s son, not even willing to speak clearly about his identity, never mentioning who his parents were. Zhou was very mysterious, yet Prince Chen still specially held a banquet for him, celebrating his birthday. What about her? She was at least from a scholar family, and the Lu family’s cousin… yet no one remembered her birthday.

On her birthday, she had to watch everyone congratulate Young Master Zhou.

The funny thing was she was also one of Prince Chen’s invited guests who should be giving congratulations. Not only did she not receive gifts on her birthday, she had to prepare gifts for others on this day!

Luo Lingyu’s face was unsightly. Even knowing Zhou Yangling was innocent, at this moment, she couldn’t help but envy him. They were both guests in Jianye, why was she not as good as him? Such intense envy! Envying his generous nature, loved by all. Envying that his birthday was the same day as hers, yet people only knew his and not hers. Envying that he had Prince Chen giving him surprises, while she crashed a banquet only to lose face… She had always been petty, and now found it even harder to control herself.

Luo Lingyu’s lips were bitten red, tears welling in her eyes. Fangle Garden today was Young Master Zhou’s stage – every glance at him made her feel more of the gap between them.

Luo Lingyu was utterly mortified, not willing to stay here any longer.

Her maid Lingxi looked at her with concern, seeing Luo Lingyu turn and run out of Fangle Garden. Luo Lingyu made an excuse of feeling unwell, got in the carriage and hurried back, not willing to stay a moment longer in this place that made her uncomfortable.

Behind her Zhou Yangling called: “Sister Luo, Sister Luo!”

Luo Lingyu bit her lip hard: she wasn’t as good as him, even on her birthday she was just a supporting role… She heard Young Master Zhou’s calls, but sitting in the ox cart, her face covered in tears, choking repeatedly, she didn’t want to put on any pretense anymore.

Prince Chen never appeared.

…

Earlier, Prince Chen Liu Shu had finally managed to learn Zhou Yangling’s birthday. He admired Zhou Zibo but feared the young man would dislike him, so he never dared confess. Liu Shu went to great lengths to arrange a grand banquet to please Zhou Zibo, but unfortunately on Zhou Zibo’s birthday, something happened at the Lu family. To appease Lu Yun, Liu Shu hesitated but still gave up his chance to appear at Fangle Garden and interact with Zhou Zibo, going to find Lu Yun instead.

Lu Xian’s disappearance had made Lu Yun almost volatile.

Sitting in Liu Shu’s study, throwing down his wild cursive calligraphy, Lu Yun’s face was cold. Liu Shu looked down at Lu Yun’s writing – Lu Yun’s usual writing was already wild cursive, now with his injured eyes unable to see paper and brush, his writing was even more like a dragon flying in the sky. At least Liu Shu looked for half a day and couldn’t make out what Lu Yun had written. Liu Shu humbly asked: “What does it mean?”

Lu Yun’s hand knocked the table: “It must be Prince Hengyang!”

Liu Shu frowned: “He is a prince, you, you can’t casually, wrongly accuse him. Do you have evidence?”

Lu Yun’s face was gloomy: “I’ve found out my second brother visited Prince Hengyang’s residence two days before his incident, and replaced the Taoist priests that Prince Hengyang was going to send into the palace. Now those priests are gone, and Prince Hengyang’s residence has changed its defenses. Clearly Liu Mu has a guilty conscience! My second brother must have offended him, discovered some secret of his, that’s why he…”

Liu Shu was still frowning.

Lu Yun stood up, pacing in the room, explaining his analysis. In Liu Shu’s study, Lu Yun suddenly crashed into a bookshelf, Liu Shu quickly got up to help him. The Third Young Master Lu reached to tear off the gauze on his eyes, but was persuaded down by Liu Shu: “Don’t don’t don’t rush! Wait until the wound, wound heals to remove it! Dealing with Prince Hengyang, I’ll help you.”

Lu Yun coldly smiled: “I’ve already sent letters to other young masters of the Lu family. Can’t wait anymore. If someone really harmed Second Brother, after so long, evidence would have been well hidden. In my opinion, surround the suspicious households, have Lu family troops encircle them, search house by house, trick them. First and foremost, Prince Hengyang’s residence.”

In this era, noble families all maintained troops. Liu Shu paused for a moment, his mind rapidly turning over ideas.

The Lu family confronting Prince Hengyang’s residence – broadly speaking, meant noble families confronting the royal family. But Liu Shu’s heart was slightly calm, thinking of his father the Emperor’s wariness of Prince Hengyang, feeling things wouldn’t reach that point. The Lu family couldn’t wait – one more day meant one more day of danger for Lu Xian.

Although Liu Shu was unwilling to be drawn into this matter, Lu Yun was looking for his brother— Liu Shu slowly said: “I’ll arrange it.”

Liu Shu held Lu Yun’s hand, he had many things to instruct, but being inarticulate couldn’t say them, so he had to bend over the table again to write with water-dipped fingers, only realizing after writing that Lu Yun couldn’t see, and had to stutter verbal instructions— I’ll handle this matter, you don’t show yourself. If Prince Hengyang’s residence really is hiding Lu Xian, I’ll definitely tell you.

The young man’s grip brought firm strength, Lu Yun’s expression softened somewhat.

Liu Shu looked at him again, organized his thoughts, and said: “You’ve already, stayed up two nights, go back and rest. I’ll, go to Prince Hengyang’s residence for you, if there’s news, I’ll tell you.”

“Xuechen, trust me. I absolutely won’t fail you.”

Between Prince Hengyang and Lu Yun, he would definitely stand on Lu Yun’s side. The Lu family shouldn’t surround Prince Hengyang’s residence with troops yet, he would mediate in between, and slowly resolve the conflicts between the royal family and noble families later. He just hoped Prince Hengyang hadn’t really done anything to Lu Xian, truly expanding the conflicts between noble families and the royal family.

Lu Yun knew Liu Shu caught in the middle wasn’t easy either, he rubbed his temples, his expression displeased as he nodded. As Liu Shu said, he was mentally exhausted now, his eyes inconvenienced, going to confront Prince Hengyang wouldn’t end well. Liu Shu as a prince would first go probe Prince Hengyang’s residence. The Lu family troops were outside – if anything was amiss, they could surround Prince Hengyang’s residence.

Lu Yun was persuaded by Liu Shu to return home to rest, Liu Shu himself drove to Prince Hengyang’s residence, giving himself a headache as he called for an advisor to help him talk with his temperamental royal uncle.

At the same time, Princess Ningping Liu Tang was still staying in her manor. While Liu Tang was planting flowers in the fields with her maids, she learned that the young master they had rescued earlier had woken up. The maid said: “That young master had a high fever, was panting even while walking, I told him to lie down but he wouldn’t. After knowing where this was, he said he wanted to see the princess.”

Princess Ningping crouched in the field, looking up in surprise, her face like jade and snow: “See me? How does he know me?”

She had rescued an injured young master at her manor, and that young master wanted to see her… Could it be some young master she knew?

Liu Tang was a princess without airs, when the rescued person said he wanted to see her, she really stood up, handed the flowers in her hands to a nearby maid, lifted her skirts and curiously followed the leading maid. Seeing the princess as approachable as ever, her maids pursed their lips and resignedly followed.

Pushing open the door, Liu Tang timidly and curiously widened her watery eyes, looking at the young master struggling to sit up on the couch. The doctor earnestly advised the young master to lie down, but he insisted on getting up. His long hair was half loose, his features gentle, but his temperament stubborn… Liu Tang blurted out: “Second Young Master Lu!”

Lu Xian suddenly raised his head, seeing Princess Ningping carefully peeking in from the doorway.

His heart rejoiced, coughing violently: “Your Highness! It really is you, cough cough, here! I- I need to leave, cough, can’t waste time here…”

The doctor scowled, unhappily saying: “Your injuries are so severe, even for something extremely urgent you shouldn’t get up.”

But how could Lu Xian listen?

He had constant nightmares, finally broke free and woke up, asked the maid the date and learned today was June 19th. Lu Xian was anxious, worried he would be too late, wanting to get up as soon as he opened his eyes to go to Prince Hengyang’s residence. His body was weak, he couldn’t drag his sick body to find Miss Luo. The only option now was to go to Prince Hengyang’s residence to wait.

At the same time, since Prince Hengyang had wanted to kill him before, Lu Xian predicted that now that the Lu family knew something had happened to him, things outside must be chaotic.

Lu Xian insisted firmly: “Even if I die, I must go out!”

The doctor exploded: “You…”

Liu Tang said softly: “Where does Second Young Master want to go? How about I take you there? The doctor can come with us in the carriage to look after you. Would that work?”

Lu Xian looked at Liu Tang. Usually this princess was quite unremarkable among the fierce princesses and ladies of Jianye. Because her nature was too gentle, she could almost be called the most easily bullied princess. Liu Tang had almost no presence, this was the first time Lu Xian seriously looked at this princess. Liu Tang saw that sweat-covered, pale-faced young master look over, and her face turned bright red as she hid behind the door again. Compared to the ladies of Jianye, Liu Tang was a thoroughly shy and timid princess.

Lu Xian smiled gratefully: “Thank you for your help, Your Highness!”

Liu Tang softly made an “mm” sound. Turning back and seeing her etiquette matron’s disapproving eyes, Liu Tang said quietly: “My brother is close with Lu Yun, when Lu Yun’s brother is in trouble, I must help.”

Although they were now at Princess Ningping’s suburban manor, they didn’t know that Jianye had gone mad looking for Lu Xian. Liu Tang ordered people to drive the carriage, helped the weak-breathing Lu Xian get in, and headed back to the city toward Prince Hengyang’s residence.

…

Lu Xian urged time in his heart.

Hurry, hurry!

Whether it was the conflict between the Lu family and Prince Hengyang, or Miss Luo’s troubles, everything needed to be resolved at Prince Hengyang’s residence!

As long as today’s difficulties were resolved, almost all of that bleak future from his dreams would become impossible.

…

Lu Yun was personally sent back to the Lu family by Liu Shu, who only left after watching him enter the Lu family gates, then went to Prince Hengyang’s residence. Lu Yun had indeed not slept for two days, since Liu Shu was going to act for him, he could only go home to sleep. At the same time, Lu Yun pondered calling the doctor to remove the gauze from his eyes — there should only be a slight mark left, nothing serious. The gauze covering his eyes was affecting his daily life now.

Unexpectedly, as he was helped back to his courtyard by a servant, he first smelled the choking scent of burning artemisia throughout the courtyard. The courtyard was full of smoke and haze – as soon as Lu Yun stepped in, he was choked out of “Clear Courtyard.”

He coughed: “What are they doing in the courtyard?”

The servant Xiulin stretched his neck to look into the courtyard, replying: “Sister Jinyue is leading the maids in cleaning the courtyard, pulling weeds and planting flowers. They’re burning artemisia, probably wanting to use the ashes as fertilizer for the flowers.”

Lu Yun was silent for a moment, clearly he had returned early without anyone in the courtyard knowing. So this was how the flourishing flowers and plants in the courtyard were nurtured… With the courtyard full of smoke, Lu Yun didn’t want to go back to sleep now. Thinking for a moment, he thought of a place to sleep. With the servant, they went to the large lake connecting the Lu family residence to the Qinhuai River, and the two felt their way along, pulling out a small boat from under the corridor’s pine and cypress bushes.

Now in summer, the lake was full of clear lotus flowers. Lu Yun planned to sleep on the boat, hiding for half a day.

The young master slept on the boat as it drifted with the water, floating along the shore deeper into the lotus flowers. In the dappled sunlight, servant Xiuzhu watched from shore for a long time, only seeing his master’s form completely hidden by the boat’s cover. There was nothing for him to do waiting by the lake now, so Xiulin thought for a bit and simply left, returning to “Clear Courtyard” to find Jinyue and tell her to quickly clean up the courtyard, as the young master had returned early.

Lu Yun slept among the deep lotus leaves, the boat swaying, drifting without trace. Through a layer of gauze, sunlight fell on his eyes alternately bright and dim as he used his hand as a pillow behind his head, smelling the lotus and pine cypress fragrance as he drifted off to sleep in the boat’s rocking. Not knowing how long the boat had drifted, not knowing how long he had slept, in his sleep Lu Yun intermittently heard a young lady crying.

That crying wouldn’t stop, seeming ready to cry all afternoon, crying until he felt annoyed, crying until he woke from his hazy sleep. Even awake he didn’t know where the boat had drifted, but the lady’s crying above was clearer now.

Luo Lingyu: “Wuwuwu…”

On the boat tangled in the reeds, the just-awakened Lu Yun: “…”

He raised an eyebrow in surprise, his lips curling slightly upward.

…

Fate sometimes becomes particularly interesting at branching points.

In Lu Xian’s dreams, Lu Yun always seemed to lack the luck to meet Luo Lingyu.

But in reality, through Lu Xian’s constant interference, Lu Yun could casually hear Luo Lingyu crying while taking a nap on a boat. He could easily and effortlessly run into Luo Lingyu when she was feeling sour, throwing tantrums, exposing her true nature.

…

Lingxi persuaded: “Miss, don’t be sad. Prince Chen didn’t know about your birthday…”

Luo Lingyu covered her face, her heart unbearably sour: “Why is it that on the same birthday, even a man gets people celebrating his birthday. While I, a woman, have no one care about me. Why is he so much luckier than me, why does everyone love him… They only say nice things about me, but on my birthday, not a single person knows… wuwuwu…”