ATLAS TRANSLATES

In the Prince of Hengyang’s mansion, tensions were running high.

Prince Chen Liu Chu knew Prince Hengyang Liu Mu was proud by nature, so he came personally to persuade him, hoping Liu Mu would agree to let the Lu family search his mansion for face’s sake.

The advisor who came with Prince Chen spoke until his mouth was dry: “Your Highness, the Lu family can’t find Lu Xian and they’re nearly going mad with worry. They’ve identified several suspicious households, and unfortunately, your mansion is one of them. Please understand the Lu family’s feelings and let them search. It’s not worth escalating this small matter into a conflict that would embarrass both the royal family and the noble houses…”

Liu Mu stood before the main hall, his young frame towering like a mountain, like a sword. His servants had already surrounded the area densely. Liu Mu coldly watched Liu Chu, who had the courage to enter his mansion as a mediator. His thick brows pressed down over his eyes, like an approaching storm: “The Lu family daring to search my mansion shows they don’t respect me at all. How dare you suggest I’m the one trying to provoke conflict between both sides?”

The advisor was sweating profusely: “This… Lu Xian has been missing for four or five days. The situation looks grim, and the Lu family can’t wait any longer…”

Liu Mu’s voice was harsh: “If they can’t wait, they come to search my mansion? I know you’re all afraid of the noble houses, making our side completely spineless, with no royal dignity. But I’m different from you — without my permission, let’s see who dares to search my mansion!”

As he finished speaking, guards on all sides drew their swords with a series of swishes, cold steel glinting with murderous intent.

The advisor suddenly remembered that this young Prince of Hengyang had crawled his way up from the battlefield. His temperament was indeed different from the usual nobles in Jianye.

Just as Liu Mu was about to order the execution of this talkative advisor, Liu Chu slowly said: “The Lu family wants to search your mansion because they have some evidence.”

Liu Mu’s gaze flashed like lightning, piercing coldly toward Prince Chen who stood in the hall – seemingly gentle and refined, yet showing no fear despite the cold glint of swords.

Liu Mu narrowed his eyes, and before he could speak, Prince Chen’s words reminded his own advisor.

The advisor suddenly came back to life, nodding repeatedly: “Indeed! The Lu family wants to search Prince Hengyang’s mansion because they discovered some things. It’s true Lu Xian kidnapped the Taoist priests you were sending to Taichu Palace, and now those priests are missing. It’s also true that your mansion suddenly changed its guard rotation. The Lu family suspects people in your mansion have mysteriously disappeared… Of course, we don’t believe it! But to clear Your Highness of suspicion, we must let the Lu family search.”

Liu Mu’s heart skipped a beat.

In that moment of hesitation, the subtle change in his eyes was caught by Prince Chen Liu Chu. Liu Chu said softly: “If this matter reaches Father Emperor, he will also blame you.”

Liu Mu felt like he’d been struck heavily in the chest. His face tensed, muscles contorting his entire expression. He looked coldly at Prince Chen — Liu Chu had touched on his most troubling concern. He now knew the Emperor wanted to kill him, so if this matter reached his royal brother, who knows if his brother wouldn’t use this excuse to hand him over to the noble houses.

Liu Mu felt contempt in his heart, but he knew the current old Emperor could maintain his throne because of the noble houses’ full support. Royal power was a complex thing – the old Emperor would appropriately give face to the noble houses to maintain peace between both sides. And naturally, Liu Mu would be the one sacrificed.

Liu Mu spoke flatly: “Prince Chen comes to my place just to persuade me to put aside a prince’s dignity, let the Lu family search my mansion, casually frame me with some crimes, and convict me?”

He mocked: “Could this be my royal brother’s intention?”

Liu Chu’s eyebrow twitched slightly, noticing the dissatisfaction toward the Emperor in Prince Hengyang’s words. This left an impression in his mind that he would ponder later, but for now, he wouldn’t expand on it. Liu Chu said: “I am here to mediate between both sides. Young Uncle, please be at ease – I will watch over things here. The Lu family cannot wrongly accuse you; you also cannot wrong the Lu family.”

Liu Mu remained silent.

For a brief moment, he wavered — the Lu family wouldn’t find any trace of Lu Xian in his mansion because that person was already dead. What he feared was the Lu family fabricating crimes against him. Moreover, having his mansion searched by subjects, even knowing the noble houses’ power was great, Liu Mu’s pride couldn’t accept it.

He despised the noble houses in his heart.

But he also understood Prince Chen. Among his royal brother’s many sons, Prince Chen was very low-key. He did much but spoke little. Moreover, what he did was only settling refugees, arranging positions for common-born officials, building water conservation projects — things unrelated to fighting for succession. Thus his royal brother trusted this son. Though this person didn’t compete for the throne, he was purposeful in his actions. Liu Chu usually wouldn’t appear for useless matters. Conversely, Liu Chu appearing here meant this matter had to proceed — resistance was futile.

Right now, Liu Chu wanted to ensure that within certain bounds, both the Lu family and Prince Hengyang’s mansion would pass this crisis safely.

While Liu Mu was still hesitating whether to trust Liu Chu, outside his wide-open mansion gates came the thundering of horses and men. A Lu family young lord led the way, wearing a tall crown and loose robes, calling out loudly: “Have the two princes not reached a conclusion yet? The Lu family cannot wait any longer.”

Both uncle and nephew Liu Mu and Liu Chu looked over to see a Lu family member who held an official position leading troops to surround Prince Hengyang’s mansion. This Lu family young lord’s expression carried the unique pride and restraint of noble house children. He gave a slight nod to the displeased Prince Hengyang: “Of the several mansions the Lu family suspected, we’ve searched the others and found no suspicious evidence. Now only Prince Hengyang’s mansion remains. Please step aside, young prince, and let us search. We’ll clear your name.”

Liu Mu spoke flatly: “And if you find nothing?”

The Lu family young lord said carelessly: “If we find nothing, the Lu family will come apologize to you another day.”

Liu Mu was enraged by the arrogance flowing in the Lu family’s bones. Prince Chen beside him was too inarticulate to stop him. Liu Mu laughed in extreme anger: “Search a prince’s mansion wrongly, then try to settle it with just an apology. The Lu family truly has grand airs, completely disregarding my Liu family’s royal name. Today you treat me like this – perhaps someday when you suspect His Majesty, you’ll want to search the imperial court as well?”

The Lu family young lord’s expression changed subtly.

Actually, the relationship between royal power and noble houses was very delicate. Everyone maintained an unspoken understanding, trying hard to stay friendly. But this friendliness was extremely fragile, because the noble houses wouldn’t yield benefits and the royal family wanted to seize power – the conflict between both sides would eventually explode. When Prince Hengyang pointed out this conflict, it made this Lu family young lord who came to search his mansion look extremely awkward and regretful.

Finally, this Lu family young lord decided to stop beating around the bush with Prince Hengyang and directly signaled to the troops behind him: “Search!”

Prince Hengyang raged: “You dare!”

The troops immediately clashed – the soldiers the Lu family brought fought with Prince Hengyang’s servants. Liu Mu also drew a long sword and charged into enemy ranks. Prince Chen Liu Chu’s eyelid twitched, his heart sinking. When the fighting began, he and his advisor quickly retreated to avoid getting caught in it. Liu Chu sighed inwardly, thinking his young uncle’s temperament was too volatile and couldn’t endure humiliation. When the Lu family wanted to search Prince Hengyang’s mansion, the situation ultimately spiraled out of control.

The advisor beside him stuttered with chattering teeth: “F-f-fighting has broken out… what should we do, young master?”

Liu Chu: “No matter for now. I already had our people watching this area. They won’t be discovered yet. Both sides need to stop quickly… or this will reach His Majesty.”

At this point, who won or lost didn’t matter. What was worse was that Liu Chu swept his gaze over the battlefield and sensitively noticed the Lu family’s troops were all for show, no match for Prince Hengyang’s men who had been bloodied on real battlefields… The Lu family would lose.

If his father emperor learned of this, Prince Hengyang wouldn’t fare well. Moreover, Liu Chu glanced at the young prince fighting in the crowd and frowned, wondering if he was overthinking things. Liu Mu’s intense reaction… truly made him suspect Prince Hengyang regarding Lu Xian’s disappearance.

Liu Chu thought darkly: This was the worst.

The carefully balanced relationship between noble houses and royal power might lose its balance because of this small matter. The court’s common-born forces weren’t stable, the noble houses hadn’t peaked, royal power hadn’t peaked, and outside the northern country’s armies were watching like tigers eyeing their prey… At this time, the royal family shouldn’t fall out with the noble houses, fighting internally to benefit enemies.

And to avoid internal strife, what His Majesty was most likely to do was actually sacrifice Prince Hengyang. Liu Chu pondered – sacrificing a prince for such a small matter seemed not worth it.

Liu Chu grew anxious but was hindered by having to hide his stutter, unable to speak much. He looked toward his advisor, hoping the advisor could call out to weigh the pros and cons, get both fighting sides to stop and sit down to calmly discuss how to resolve this matter.

But Liu Chu looked at his advisor, and the advisor looked back at him very innocently, even blinking stupidly.

Liu Chu: “…”

His heart sank.

He really missed having Lu Yun by his side.

Too bad Lu Yun was probably sleeping right now…

The fighting in Prince Hengyang’s mansion had broken out and grew increasingly fierce, looking like it would become a bloodbath. Both sides were seeing red. Blood had splattered onto Prince Hengyang Liu Mu’s face – his brows and eyes were heroic yet cold, killing gods who blocked his path, killing Buddhas who stood in his way. In a brief moment, several Lu family soldiers already lay around him. When that Lu family young lord who led them in met Prince Hengyang’s grim eyes and saw him walking over with sword raised, the usually noble young lord turned pale and collapsed sitting on the ground: “What are you going to do? Don’t come over here!”

Liu Mu gave a cold laugh, swinging his sword: “I’ve long despised you noble house children who rely on family status to idle away gambling and whoring all day! Since you’ve come to my door today, then stay—”

He knew in his heart the cold treatment he would soon face. Since he couldn’t avoid it, might as well strike with one sword—

Just then, overlapping shouts of a woman and man came from outside: “Stop!”

Prince Chen Liu Chu, who was watching anxiously from the side, jolted his eyelids and looked toward the people entering from outside. One look left him stunned — Lu Xian whom they had searched for many days appeared out of thin air, face pale and weak with exhaustion. The one supporting Lu Xian was actually his sister, Princess Ningping Liu Tang.

Liu Mu heard the shouts and his heart skipped, but his hand didn’t tremble at all. His sword swung down steadily. Just as the blade was about to touch the Lu family young lord sitting on the ground, Lu Xian suddenly rushed over from the side, both hands together grabbing the sword, stopping the possibility of the sword swinging down to kill that Lu family young lord.

Princess Ningping Liu Tang also rushed over, shouting: “Uncle! Stop!”

Lu Xian suddenly appearing…

He looked up, meeting Prince Hengyang’s gloomy, subtle, surprised, and finally steeling eyes.

Blood dripped down Lu Xian’s hands from the sword. Liu Mu looked down at this haggard youth kneeling beside his feet, suddenly feeling dazed. His sword stopped exerting force.

The Lu family young lord protected behind Lu Xian came back to his senses, extremely excited: “Young Master! Young Master, you’re still alive, that’s wonderful!”

Lu Xian looked back, his voice very light: “I’m fine… have everyone stop, no more fighting.”

The Lu family’s people stopped first, looking at them. Liu Mu also finally slowly, unwillingly opened his mouth to have his troops stand down. Standing in the killing field, everyone panted, looking bewilderedly at Lu Xian. Seeing Lu Xian alive, Liu Mu threw down his sword and laughed self-mockingly.

Lu Xian was alive.

What was there left for him to fight for?

His wild ambitions had been discovered by Lu Xian, and his attempt to kill Lu Xian couldn’t be hidden… he was doomed this time.

His Majesty already wanted him dead, and this time he had handed over evidence himself. He blamed himself for not checking properly, for being soft-hearted toward Lu Xian and wanting to leave him an intact corpse… who knew this person didn’t die at all!

Liu Mu’s face turned ashen as he noticed a gaze from the side. He turned his head to see Prince Chen Liu Chu looking at him thoughtfully, his expression not too pleased either.

Liu Mu: “…” It seemed this overthinking nephew had also noticed something was wrong.

Liu Mu lowered his eyelids, not wanting to speak or argue anymore. Things had come to this point – he had nothing to say. Kill him or flay him— suddenly he heard Lu Xian’s weak but clear words: “You’ve all misunderstood. I just went sightseeing outside the city with the princess without telling you. I only met Prince Hengyang before I left, he didn’t harm me.”

Liu Mu: “…!”

His eyes flew open, glaring fiercely at the pale-faced Lu Xian.

Princess Ningping nodded timidly on the side, saying softly: “Indeed, I’ve been with Young Master Lu the whole time, I can verify his words are true.”

But though she was gentle, in her heart she noticed Lu Xian’s attitude toward Prince Hengyang… Her heart trembled, wondering if her young uncle was truly the one who wanted to kill Lu Xian?

The Lu family young lord laughed in relief behind them: “Young Master, really now. Leaving without telling us a word, making everyone worry.”

Lu Xian coughed once, forcing a smile. Not willing to waste energy catching up with people, Lu Xian stumbled to his feet, looking at Liu Mu and saying softly: “You should all go back, I have some words I want to discuss with Prince Hengyang.”

The atmosphere was actually quite strange, with everyone standing motionless, including Liu Mu. Finally, it was Prince Chen who spoke up. Both sides persuaded the deeply suspicious Lu family young lord to leave with his people first. Following that, Prince Chen glanced at his obedient sister standing behind Lu Xian, said nothing, and left with his hands behind his back. In the end, after Prince Hengyang’s mansion withdrew its troops, only Liu Mu, Lu Xian, and Princess Ningping Liu Tang remained standing in the courtyard.

Liu Mu turned to walk away, Lu Xian followed for two steps then stopped. He turned back, speaking gently to the princess: “Princess, please go back. I truly have things to discuss with him.”

Liu Tang: “But…”

Her face slightly red, her clasped hands nervously twisting: “But…”

The young princess said weakly and anxiously: “…He wants to kill you!”

Liu Tang: “Let me stay with you. That way he won’t dare…”

“He won’t,” Lu Xian smiled slightly. Facing this person who saved his life, his voice unconsciously softened as he patiently explained to the princess, “Things have come to this point, he won’t kill me anymore. Princess, please don’t worry.”

Liu Tang pressed her lips together, not making a sound.

Lu Xian could only say helplessly: “Then could the princess wait for me outside? After I finish talking with Prince Hengyang, we can leave together, alright?”

Liu Tang finally smiled.

She nodded, and when she looked up at Lu Xian, she suddenly turned shy and turned her face away. Liu Tang said nervously: “Then I’ll wait for you here… Young Master Lu, my young uncle is fierce, please be careful.”

Not far away, Liu Mu walked past the corner and looked back to see the young man bending down to speak gently with the young woman looking up at him. Liu Mu snorted in his heart, yet felt his feelings toward Lu Xian had become more complex.

Until Lu Xian joined him entering the room, Lu Xian pondered for a while before opening with: “My cousin…”

Liu Mu: “…”

His pupils jolted violently.

Lu Xian asked humbly and worriedly: “My cousin… she didn’t come looking for you today, did she?”

Liu Mu: “…?!”

He leaned forward across a table, saying darkly: “Your cousin, your cousin! All you talk about is your cousin! I wanted to kill you! Such a major matter before us, yet your first words are to ask about your cousin. Is Luo Lingyu a celestial maiden or a female rakshasa, bewitching you so completely that you’ve lost your mind?”

“Lu Xian, near death still couldn’t cure your brain disease?”

Lu Xian: “…”

He just feared he came too late and tragedy had already occurred.

…

Luo Lingyu was naturally with Lu Yun at this time. It could be said that when she faced Fan Qingchen’s threats, she thought of many people who could help, but Prince Hengyang occupied very little of that consideration. After all, in reality, after Lu Xian’s tireless efforts to prevent them from meeting, Luo Lingyu wasn’t very familiar with Prince Hengyang.

On Fan Qingchen’s side, Luo Yunhuan was naturally brought to his place.

The young lady had been unconscious for who knows how long. When she opened her eyes, she felt wetness on her face and saw Fan Qingchen’s magnified handsome face. Luo Yunhuan discovered she was being held on a couch. She quickly scrambled up to hide backward, only then seeing that Fan Qingchen was using a wet cloth to wipe her face.

Fan Qingchen’s eyes darkened, yet he smiled lightly: “Such a little cat. Playing in your own courtyard until your face is covered in mud… Huan’er is so playful, how is it that your sister doesn’t even want to walk around normally?”

Luo Yunhuan watched him warily, dazedly trying to recall what happened and why she was here. Then she remembered hazily falling asleep, seemingly being fed a bowl of water by him… Who knew this person could be so wicked!

Fan Qingchen stared at her – the nine-year-old young lady was even younger than when he first met Luo Lingyu. But his Luo Sister was very clever then, already beautiful and able to properly handle adults’ questions. When looking at people, the young lady’s eyes were touching and beautiful like autumn waters. But compared to Luo Lingyu, Luo Yunhuan was raised by her sister to be completely childlike.

Fan Qingchen’s gaze changed subtly, carelessly putting away the cloth in his hand, muttering: “No, you truly are sisters… the way you glare at me is exactly the same. When Huan’er grows up, she’ll likely be as beautiful as your sister, crowned the most beautiful in the capital…”

Luo Yunhuan couldn’t stand his strange tone and couldn’t help asking: “Why did you kidnap me?”

Fan Qingchen smiled: “If I didn’t take you away, how would Luo Sister come attend her coming-of-age ceremony with me?”

Luo Yunhuan froze: “Brother Fan… you did this just to give my sister a coming-of-age ceremony?”

Fan Qingchen: “Of course.”

He said in a low voice: “At fifteen, she’s grown up, and can marry me and return to Nanyang.”

Luo Yunhuan immediately held back the grateful words that had reached her mouth. She frowned, thinking her sister was right. Having a coming-of-age ceremony just to make her sister go with him… Luo Yunhuan’s eyes darted around anxiously, worrying about what to do. She didn’t want her sister to marry this bad brother just to save her…

“Bang!”

The door was kicked open from outside.

Luo Lingyu’s tense voice came in: “Huan’er!”

The young lady and young lord appeared in the doorway together. The young lady immediately spotted her little sister who had shrunk to the innermost part of the bed, frightened by Young Lord Fan. Luo Lingyu let out a breath of relief, her eyes only seeing her sister as she immediately rushed over to hug her. Luo Yunhuan also smiled with joy, climbing over Fan Qingchen from the bed: “Sister—!”

Fan Qingchen didn’t stop them, because he turned around and saw the young man standing in the doorway.

Both strange and familiar.

Having removed the cloth covering his eyes, Lu Yun’s full face was revealed. He was already handsome with his eyes covered, but his peach blossom eyes were the most beautiful part of Lu Yun’s face. Standing in the doorway, this young lord slowly entered the room, graceful as a crane in flight. His eyes showed neither joy nor sorrow as he looked at Fan Qingchen.

Fan Qingchen’s lips curved slightly: “Lu Yun?”

Lu Yun coldly looked at this person. This was his first time seeing Fan Qingchen. While keeping his face expressionless, he found it strangely familiar in his heart. He felt that Fan’s noble bearing, handsome refinement, and the odd look in his eyes… were very familiar.

As if he saw it often.

Lu Yun didn’t waste words with him, directly nodding toward Luo Lingyu: “Come here.”

The Luo sisters immediately ran toward their third cousin’s side. Fan Qingchen gave a cold laugh, clapped his hands twice, and over a dozen people surged into the room, surrounding them. But Lu Yun also glanced behind him, and the people he brought rushed in as well. The small room was packed full with the two groups of people.

Fan Qingchen raised an eyebrow: “It seems Lu Yun wants to take Luo Sister away?”

Lu Yun smiled slightly: “Not just that.”

He said: “I also want you to break off the engagement with her.”

Fan Qingchen narrowed his eyes and said coolly: “Oh, on what grounds do you demand this?”

Lu Yun spoke unhurriedly: “Because I intend to propose to Nanyang for Cousin Luo’s hand in marriage. Though I came later, I will compete fairly with the Fan family. Do you think the Luo family of Nanyang will choose who?”

Luo Lingyu was shocked and looked up at him: He… he said he wanted to marry her?!

Lu Yun didn’t look at Luo Lingyu. His handsome face remained unchanged as he watched Fan Qingchen sneer: “The Luo family in Nanyang is extremely oppressed by my Fan family. Where does Lu Yun get the confidence to think the Luo family would choose you in distant Jianye? Does the Luo family not want to stay in Nanyang anymore?”

Lu Yun’s voice remained cool and clear, even carrying a hint of laughter: “Then what if your father, Young Lord Fan, is in Jianye?”

Fan Qingchen: “…Are you threatening me?!”

Lu Yun: “As a famous scholar of this generation, I recommended your father to His Majesty for an official position. Your father is also a famous figure in Nanyang – I think he won’t give up the opportunity to enter Jianye for the sake of one son.”

Fan Qingchen: “…!”

His expression darkened as he stared at Lu Yun with eyes that seemed ready to devour him. From the corner of his eye, he saw Luo Lingyu staring at Lu Yun in shock, which made him even more displeased.

After a long while, Fan Qingchen smiled and spoke slowly, mockingly: “Lu Second Young Master plays a good game… you want to marry Luo Sister? I’m not unwilling to step aside… but why do you want to marry her? Do you know that my Luo Sister is no simple person.”

“You think she likes you? Don’t make me laugh. My Luo Sister only loves your money, power, and influence. If Lu Yun didn’t have these things, do you think my Luo Sister would give you a second glance?”

Luo Lingyu: “Brother Xuechen!”

She nervously grabbed Lu Yun’s sleeve, seeing Lu Yun’s face freeze for a moment, very subtly. His expression remained unchanged, but his heart was already turbulent, clearly agreeing with Fan Qingchen’s words. Luo Lingyu grew anxious, desperately not wanting to be abandoned by Lu Yun, wracking her brains for a solution.

But Fan Qingchen smiled and smiled, looking at the golden boy and jade girl before him, delivering another blow: “Ah, I misspoke. Luo Sister doesn’t just love your money, power, and influence. She also loves your face. But don’t you think your temperament and appearance are similar to mine? Lu Yun, are you content being my substitute?”

Lu Yun’s face showed no emotion as he swung a fist—

The Luo sisters: “Lu Yun (Third Cousin)!”