In a fit of anger, Lu Yun stepped forward and started fighting. The servants watching were stunned — this was the first time they’d seen a renowned scholar get into a brawl! This would surely become the latest trend in Jianye.
After all, whatever the scholars did, the world would follow.
However, Luo Lingyu had no interest in watching Lu Yun fight alongside the servants. Though it was also her first time seeing Lu Yun in action, she noticed his movements were fluid and natural, throwing punches without any hesitation. There was little showmanship as Fan Qingchen was forced to retreat before counterattacking.
“Stop fighting!” Luo Lingyu shouted.
But both men had cold fury in their eyes, staring at each other like mortal enemies. As they grappled, their handsome faces showed signs of distress. The servants on both sides stood dumbfounded for a moment before rushing forward to stop them. Lu Yun, his arms restrained and ears filled with persuasion, gradually calmed down. He remembered his status and how unbefitting it was to fight like this, showing no dignity.
Fan Qingchen burst into laughter.
His eyes blazed like a madman: “Lu Yun, you’re nothing but a replacement!”
“Being played like a fool by my sister Luo, bewitched by beauty — how does it feel?”
“Even if I can’t marry her, neither will you!”
He deliberately provoked Lu Yun. What man could endure such taunts? Especially since Lu Yun already had doubts about this relationship, constantly questioning what Luo Lingyu truly liked about him. Fan Qingchen was hitting his most sensitive spot, voicing his biggest inner conflict… Lu Yun’s handsome face tensed as he prepared to throw another punch.
Luo Yunhuan anxiously hopped around on the sidelines. Being too small and short, she couldn’t even break through the servants’ circle: “Sister! What should we do?”
Her sister Luo Lingyu could probably break through the circle, but she hesitated after assessing the situation. With so many servants and two men fighting blindly, what if they accidentally hurt her in their rage? She was certain Fan Qingchen didn’t hate her, but she felt Lu Yun would…
How could the always proud and aloof Third Young Master Lu not hate her?
The tall and slender young lady frowned with deep worry, saying uselessly: “It’s all my fault. Please don’t fight because of me. I’ll be sad if you get hurt…”
Obviously she had little influence, as the two men showed no signs of slowing their fight. However, the servants admired this delicate lady – she was so beautiful that she had two young masters fighting over her — one was Fan who was betrothed to her, the other was the nationally renowned scholar.
No wonder the young lady was crowned “Flower Goddess” of Jianye this year.
Off to the side, Luo Yunhuan: “…”
Her sister was always putting on an act, always making herself appear pitiful and helpless. Luo Yunhuan kept tugging at her sister’s sleeve, and Luo Lingyu was about to lose it. She originally didn’t want to say anything, but she couldn’t just watch them fight endlessly. It was fine if Fan Qingchen got beaten black and blue, but if Lu Yun ended up the same… Old Madam Lu would surely come talk to her tomorrow.
With her sister’s constant urging and Lu Yun’s servants making meaningful glances, Luo Lingyu was forced to act. She called out loudly: “You’re wrong! I’m not a shallow woman who loves money, power and status. I only love Lu Yun. Whether he has money or status, I love him regardless!”
As soon as she finished speaking, the scene fell silent.
Lu Yun: “…”
Fan Qingchen: “…”
Both men stopped and turned to look at her.
Luo Lingyu froze for a moment, not expecting her words to be so effective. Under everyone’s stares, her cheeks gradually turned red with embarrassment. Especially under Lu Yun’s obsidian-bright eyes, which made her lower her head, almost unable to look at him.
Then, Lu Yun smiled.
This young master who always appeared proud and aloof smiled like a spring breeze caressing the mountains, his eyes like stars. Even his servants were stunned.
Lu Yun dusted off his hands and stood up, giving a slight smirk to the displeased Fan Qingchen: “What does it matter if I’m a replacement? What can you compare to me? I’m happy to be a replacement.”
Fan Qingchen felt like he’d been struck in the chest, his face twisting for a moment. He watched helplessly as Lu Yun gracefully stood up and walked past the girl who was avoiding eye contact with flushed cheeks. Lu Yun reached out and grabbed her wrist, and Luo Lingyu obediently let him lead her out. The younger Luo Yunhuan’s eyes curved into crescents with joy as she followed her sister and third cousin out. She even turned back to politely yet smugly wave goodbye to Fan Qingchen.
Through the window, Fan Qingchen said darkly: “Lu Yun, I won’t break off the engagement. Just you wait!”
Passing by outside, Lu Yun replied: “No matter. I can wait that long.”
He glanced through the window casually: “To marry a beauty, what’s the hurry?”
Luo Lingyu’s wrist trembled slightly in his grip, but he only held on tighter. Her heart was floating, soaring into the air with nowhere to land. She dazedly thought about how Lu Yun had already mentioned marrying her twice today, but they had previously agreed to force Fan to break the engagement – Lu Yun would necessarily have to pretend he wanted to marry her. So she still didn’t know if he was sincere or just pretending…
And those words she had shouted earlier, how much was truth and how much was false?
…
In Lu Xian’s dream, after being rescued and returned to her sister’s side, young lady Luo Yunhuan had actually told Luo Lingyu about Lu Yun wanting to marry her.
But Luo Lingyu lacked confidence.
In the dream, she and Lu Yun argued often. She actually knew he liked her, she just didn’t know how much. Unable to be certain, yet not wanting to burden him.
Moreover at that time, she had already boarded Prince Hengyang’s ship. Wanting to get off was much harder than getting Fan to break the engagement.
She didn’t believe Lu Yun would marry her.
She was certain that if given another year, if she had time to break through Lu Yun’s defenses, he would definitely marry her in the end. Even though he claimed to despise women and argued with her constantly. However, she didn’t have time. Prince Hengyang and Fan forced her to choose.
To her, Lu Yun was like the moon’s reflection in water. Though she loved him deeply in her heart, she could see but not touch him.
…
Lu Yun’s chin was bruised from Fan Qingchen’s punch. He just casually wiped it with his hand, saw the injury wasn’t serious, and let it be. But Luo Lingyu was extremely worried – the scar by the young master’s eye hadn’t fully healed yet, and now his chin had another wound. When the noble ladies of Jianye saw this, they would surely drown her in their spit: she had let their Lu Yun’s face be ruined again and again.
When Luo Lingyu got in the carriage and found they hadn’t brought any medicine, she asked Lu Yun: “Shall we buy some medicine from the street to apply?”
Lu Yun was in a great mood and agreed readily.
However, Lu Yun then pulled Luo Yunhuan aside and whispered something to the young lady. The little lady looked up at him in surprise, then immediately agreed: “Alright! Then Third Cousin, you and sister have fun, I won’t disturb you, I’ll head home first.”
Lu Yun patted her head: “Huan’er is so good.”
Before leaving, Luo Yunhuan avoided her sister’s gaze and tugged at Lu Yun’s sleeve. She looked up at him with big eyes, expectant yet shy, stammering: “Then… should I call you ‘Third Cousin’ or ‘Brother-in-law’?”
Lu Yun froze: “…”
At that moment, Luo Lingyu came down from the carriage, looking curiously at her sister and Lu Yun whispering together. Luo Lingyu felt a slight sourness in her heart, wondering how her sister could have so much to talk about with Lu Yun without him scolding her. Unlike with herself – they couldn’t speak three sentences before starting to despise each other…
Lu Yun coughed once, very seriously: “Still call me ‘Third Cousin’.”
Luo Yunhuan disappointedly: “…Oh.”
Lu Yun hesitated again, putting his hand on the young lady’s shoulder: “You can call me ‘Brother-in-law’ when your sister isn’t around.”
Luo Yunhuan: “…?!”
She actually couldn’t let her sister know?
The young lady seemed to half-understand but was very happy as she agreed, running over to jump into the carriage. She enthusiastically waved goodbye to her sister and Third Cousin Lu, leaving Luo Lingyu completely puzzled and unable to guess what was going on.
The servants all followed Young Lady Luo Yunhuan back to the Lu residence, leaving just Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu standing one in front and one behind, watching the carriage slowly leave the alley. It was fine while they were watching, but once Luo Yunhuan disappeared from their sight, Luo Lingyu saw Lu Yun turn around and give her a meaningful look.
Luo Lingyu: “…”
She immediately felt awkward.
Seeing Lu Yun walking ahead with his hands behind his back, Luo Lingyu thought for a moment before thick-skinnedly following. But her face burned hot as she kept thinking about what she had said earlier about liking him – Lu Yun must be feeling quite pleased with himself. Luo Lingyu secretly looked up at his fair face, feeling quite indignant.
Luo Lingyu coughed: “Don’t take what I said earlier to heart… it was just a way to get out of the situation, to trick Fan.”
Lu Yun’s steps faltered.
Then he turned to look at her, imitating her words: “Then sister Yu’er shouldn’t take my words seriously either. It was just a way out, wasn’t that what we agreed on before?”
Luo Lingyu: “…Yes.”
She felt slightly stifled – if she had known, she wouldn’t have said anything extra.
After walking gloomily for a while, Lu Yun stopped at the alley entrance. Luo Lingyu bumped into him from behind, feeling the young master’s body stiffen. She quickly covered her nose and stepped back, noticing Lu Yun turn around. Just as Luo Lingyu was about to apologize, she saw his eyes move down, discreetly glancing at her chest below her neck.
Luo Lingyu: “…?”
This fake gentleman Lu Yun, this true lecher, he was looking at her chest again!
She couldn’t tell exactly what she was feeling, just a soft tingling sensation. She couldn’t distinguish if there was more joy, more embarrassment, or more unwillingness.
While she was staring blankly at Lu Yun, she realized why he had stopped. A pigeon came fluttering down from the sky, and when Lu Yun extended his hand, the pigeon perched on his arm. Lu Yun took a note from the pigeon’s leg – it was from Prince Chen. Liu Shu told him that Lu Xian had been found and was unharmed, so he could rest easy.
At this point, the heavy stone weighing on Lu Yun’s heart was finally lifted. He was overjoyed, laughing three times: “…That’s wonderful!”
In his good mood, when he turned to look at the dazed lady behind him, he found her full of charm and loveliness. Lu Yun beckoned: “Lingyu, come here.”
Whenever he called her “Lingyu”, Luo Lingyu felt a sense of being cherished. She sank into his star-like eyes, walking over in a daze, seeing Lu Yun’s face still wearing a relaxed smile. Though she didn’t know what he was happy about, she couldn’t help but share in his joy.
Lu Yun asked her with a smile: “Today’s coming-of-age ceremony, you weren’t able to properly celebrate it. But we can make up for it in other ways. How about I take you sightseeing, to look at stars and watch fireworks?”
Luo Lingyu shyly: “Alright.”
Lu Yun’s eyes twinkled with more amusement: “Or I could take you shopping, buy you beautiful jewelry, new clothes, and spices from the Western Regions?”
Luo Lingyu: “…!”
Her eyes sparkled like stars as she looked up at Lu Yun, laughing out loud and nodding: “Yes, yes, yes!”
Three consecutive “yes”es, showing how much more genuine she was compared to her earlier polite “alright”. She was very vulgar and real – the pleasures of scholars and artists were just external things. Compared to those intangible things, she preferred dressing up beautifully, wearing the prettiest clothes, using the best fragrances…
Lu Yun added: “And give you some money as a birthday gift, how’s that?”
Luo Lingyu’s cheeks flushed red as she expressed genuinely: “Brother Xuechen, you’re such a good person!”
Lu Yun: “…”
He was amused.
Reaching out to pinch her cheek, he gave it a hard squeeze in exasperation. She was like an inflated rubber doll – each time he pinched, she would cry out while widening her beautiful eyes to glare at him. Lu Yun sighed: “…Truly a money-loving little spirit.”
He seemed somewhat resigned — it appeared Luo Lingyu’s tastes would never change in this lifetime.
Vulgar, petty, utilitarian, selfish… he could easily list many of her flaws. However, however… he felt he couldn’t leave her. He couldn’t bear not seeing her.
Lu Yun hooked her shoulder: “Let’s go.”
…
He felt he couldn’t leave her.
Yet on June 19th came the catastrophe between Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu in the dream. From that day on, he only met her in private once, and they quarreled. After that, for however long, he could only silently watch as she got engaged and married to that person. She left him and never looked back.
It wasn’t until much later that he could write “Paper is short while feelings are long, yet feelings do not last.”
…
On June 19th, after the people from Prince Hengyang’s mansion had left, tea was brewing in the inner chamber. Only Lu Xian and Prince Hengyang sat across from each other.
Seeing the dejected form of the young man opposite him, Lu Xian briefly lost focus, thinking of how not long ago, he had met Liu Mu in this same place. Back then they could still talk normally – who would have thought that shortly after, Liu Mu would want to kill him? Lu Xian lowered his head and sighed: “…Now you know, killing me won’t do you any good, right?”
Liu Mu remained cold and silent.
Lu Xian: “Never mind that you’re only a prince now, even if you- even if you were emperor now, killing me still wouldn’t bring you much benefit!”
The words “being emperor” triggered Liu Mu, as this was the root of his conflict with Lu Xian. Liu Mu’s sharp gaze pierced over, but Lu Xian continued on obliviously: “Marriage alliances between noble families are all about interests. If you move against me, the Lu family won’t let you off. Nine out of ten officials at court are from noble families, and they all have marriage ties with the Lu family to some degree. If you offend these officials and they become negligent in handling court affairs, what benefit would you gain? Then it would lead to both sides fighting…”
Haltingly, he spoke of what he had seen in his dream. Though it was a dream, it was very clear and vivid, unforgettable and keeping him awake at night.
Prince Hengyang deeply resented how powerful the noble families were, holding back state affairs. But in the current situation, commoners couldn’t rise up, and the royal family still had to rely on noble families. The balance between royal power and noble families couldn’t be broken at this stage. Once broken, both sides would surely suffer.
Lu Xian said sorrowfully: “…You see, even as emperor you ended up in such a state. Now you’re just a prince, what good could you possibly gain?”
Liu Mu: “…”
Liu Mu felt this person was truly seriously ill.
He said coldly but politely: “Second Young Master Lu, what are you feeling sad about? Could it be that I really became emperor?”
Lu Xian: “…”
He felt like he was casting pearls before swine.
His chest wound ached faintly as he wiped his face, speaking sincerely: “…I’ve said so much to express that I really don’t care how you treat His Majesty or how you try to get that position. I just feel the timing isn’t right, and I’m just worried about you provoking conflict between royal power and noble families. But I won’t report you… I know you must have your reasons for doing this, and I’ll pretend I don’t know.”
“I just hope you can gain a new understanding of today’s noble families.”
Liu Mu actually didn’t believe his words.
He asked with an odd tone: “You… truly won’t report me?”
Lu Xian sighed: “What difference does it make to me who becomes emperor? I’m from the Lu family, just a scholar. From childhood I was taught about family interests – royal family struggles, I really don’t care.”
These words, Prince Hengyang believed. Indeed, noble families had always only cared about their own interests, and family members only sacrificed for the family’s interests. They didn’t care about anything else. Even if the entire country fell, noble families would only think of themselves.
Liu Mu smiled mockingly.
In truth, by this point he had nowhere else to turn. Besides trusting Lu Xian, with so many eyes watching, he could no longer try to kill Lu Xian again.
After a moment of silence, the young prince showed his flexibility: “Then I misunderstood you before, accidentally trying to kill you. I apologize and hope Second Young Master Lu won’t hold it against me.”
Lu Xian looked up, giving him a surprised glance.
Liu Mu’s lips curved in a smile as he leaned forward slightly: “In that case, Second Young Master Lu, it seems you are on my side…”
Lu Xian protested weakly: “Not exactly…”
But Liu Mu completely ignored his weak rejection, just staring at him with dark eyes: “Then shall we make a pact about you not revealing my secret? A gentleman’s word, once given, cannot be taken back.”
He extended his hand.
Lu Xian stared at Prince Hengyang’s outstretched hand for a long while. He was slightly confused yet melancholic. Though somewhat slow, Lu Xian immediately noticed the young prince’s small scheme to bind them together. They weren’t really on the same side… However, if this could put Liu Mu at ease, what harm was there in giving him that trust?
Lu Xian slowly extended his hand and clasped it with Liu Mu’s.
They looked into each other’s eyes — “A gentleman’s word, once given, cannot be taken back.”
After Lu Xian gave his promise, Prince Hengyang’s mood improved somewhat. People of this era took promises very seriously. If they couldn’t do something, they would rather refuse than make an oath. Since Lu Xian had made this oath with him, it meant Lu Xian wouldn’t turn against him for now.
This was just giving himself some comfort… Liu Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly as he gazed absently at Lu Xian. In truth, he trusted no one now, and didn’t know if he could trust Lu Xian.
After making the pact with Lu Xian, Liu Mu sat back contentedly, waiting for Lu Xian to leave. After all, wasn’t there a princess waiting outside? But while Liu Mu felt relieved of a great burden, so did Lu Xian. After the tea was ready, instead of leaving, Lu Xian sat there leisurely sipping tea and making small talk.
Liu Mu grew impatient: “Why haven’t you left yet?!”
The matters were all settled, so why was Lu Xian still sitting here?
Lu Xian replied sheepishly: “…Waiting for my cousin.”
Liu Mu: “…”
His tone was slow but dangerous: “I’ve told you many times, she won’t come here. I’m not close to her at all, why do you insist she will come?”
Seeing him about to get angry, Lu Xian quickly tried to pacify him: “I know, I know. I’m just waiting here in case… If she really doesn’t come, I’ll leave.”
Being injured now, it wasn’t convenient for him to run around looking for his cousin Luo to tell her not to seek help from Prince Hengyang.
In Lu Xian’s view, it seemed that without a third party interfering, the emotional issues between his cousin and third brother could be resolved through their own arguments. So Lu Xian wasn’t in a hurry to advise either his cousin or third brother what to do – he just needed to guard Prince Hengyang’s place to ensure his cousin wouldn’t come.
Luo Lingyu naturally wouldn’t come.
Liu Mu’s face darkened. In the end, he even called in his niece, Princess Ningping. The two of them drank tea right in front of him, and he even had to provide them dinner. Only when night fell and Liu Mu was thoroughly impatient did Lu Xian finally choose to take his leave. Liu Tang followed Lu Xian out with a red face, not daring to look at her young uncle’s gloomy expression.
Liu Mu: …This Lu Xian truly has such thick skin!
…
Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu spent an entire day shopping, with Luo Lingyu thoroughly enjoying herself. With Lu Yun’s financial support, she bought many things for herself. Since coming to Jianye, this was her first time spending money so freely. At first she watched Lu Yun’s expression, but after seeing he didn’t care about money, Luo Lingyu became even more delighted: if he doesn’t love money, I do!
Jewelry, clothes, fragrances – she loved them all!
Lu Yun sneered: A young lady who usually gets winded after walking a few steps now has endless energy after shopping all day. Truly shows her love of money.
When they returned home, it was already very late. Just as she was about to bid farewell to Lu Yun, he led her to the “Clear Courtyard.” Having accepted his gifts, Luo Lingyu couldn’t complain and followed him. When they reached the courtyard, the gates were wide open, lanterns lit brilliantly, creating a lively atmosphere. Many young lords and ladies were there, turning to look at the two of them.
Zhou Yangling was there.
Even Prince Chen was there!
Zhou smiled and cupped his hands: “…Coming to celebrate little sister’s birthday.”
Luo Lingyu: “…”
Standing beside Lu Yun, her breathing quickened.
Luo Lingyu said tensely: “Brother Xuechen, is this your big gift to me? This banquet… is it for me?”
Lu Yun: “No, I just organized it for fun.”
Luo Lingyu: “…”
As he walked past her, she shot him a fierce glare before following, but her heart was sweet: It’s for me! It must be for me!
She really liked Lu Xuechen’s wealthy and generous nature!
She wanted to marry him!
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