Sunlight poured through the windows, lighting up the spacious hall.

The young men gathered here were either sons of titled nobility or sons of official families. Among them were no shortage of striking, talented youths.

Princess Changping had come specially to make an appearance here with conquest on her mind. If she found a handsome young noble who caught her fancy, there was no harm in indulging in a romantic affair — it offered a flavor quite different from the easily-had, ever-flattering male attendants always at her side.

She had not expected that, the moment she arrived, her eyes would fall on Lu Hong.

His face, handsome as carved jade, his bearing elegant and graceful, set him apart at once from the crowd. He was like a fine piece of jade mixed in among rubble — the first thing any eye would land on was him.

The desire that had lain dormant for two months stirred restlessly to life once more.

Princess Changping indifferently brushed off the advances of a few noble young men, and soon made her way to stand before Lu Hong.

“Lord Lu, it’s been a long time.” Princess Changping put on her most alluring smile, her bright eyes fixed unblinkingly on Lu Hong. “I once had invitations sent to the Lu residence, but unfortunately you’d gone off to study at the Academy, and worked so hard that you stayed there even on your days of leave.”

Facing Princess Changping, whose every glance and smile carried a thousand charms, Lu Hong behaved with great caution, cupping his hands as he replied. “My thanks for Your Highness’s generous regard. I came to the capital to lodge with my Second Uncle for the sole purpose of studying at the Academy.”

“I know my own talents are modest, and to make any progress in my studies, I must spend more time and effort than others. That is why I have not taken a single day’s leave these past two months — I had no idea I had missed Your Highness’s invitations. I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness.”

His voice was gentle and pleasing to the ear, his manner respectful and sincere.

Princess Changping found this very much to her liking, and pressed her lips together in a coy smile. “Never mind! It’s all in the past — why would I hold it against you?”

Lu Hong smiled faintly. “My thanks for Your Highness’s generosity.”

Without exception, everyone around them turned envious, resentful eyes upon him.

Princess Changping’s intentions could not have been clearer. For today’s conquest, she had already found her chosen one. This Lu Hong was truly fortunate indeed!

With the exceptionally striking Lu Hong beside him, Lu Qian — young, fine-featured, and somewhat thin — seemed unremarkable, drawing no attention at all. No one noticed the mocking, sneering glint hidden in his eyes.

…

According to the customs of the time, the procession to fetch the bride returned to Prince Yan’s residence amid great fanfare only in the afternoon.

Miss Wang, the second daughter, wore an exquisite wedding gown, her face completely concealed beneath a red veil. Still, her figure was rather slender and graceful.

Under the direction of the Minister of Rites, Prince Yan, his face bright with joy, performed the bowing ceremony together with Miss Wang.

No one could see through Prince Yan’s true thoughts at that moment.

One who would achieve great things must weigh what truly mattered, and not lose himself in beauty — everything must serve the larger plan. Taking Miss Wang as his consort was the best choice, and Prince Yan understood this very clearly in his heart.

For this reason, ever since the engagement had been settled, Prince Yan’s once-unrestrained conduct had grown considerably more disciplined. Even the beautiful women of his household had, one after another, been sent away, granting full dignity to his bride-to-be.

On this day of his wedding, Prince Yan’s conduct, too, was beyond reproach, leaving no one able to find the slightest fault. And yet, however much this might deceive others, it could not deceive himself.

Marrying a woman he had never met, whose temperament he knew nothing of — how dull, how tedious! If the woman standing beside him now were Ling Jingshu instead, surely it would feel entirely different!

Even as Prince Yan smiled and accepted the stream of congratulations pouring in, he sighed inwardly to himself.

But it was, after all, destined to be impossible. Let alone as his principal consort — even as a secondary consort, if Ling Jingshu’s illness could not be cured, Mother the Empress would never consent to it.

He could only hope that Wei Yan’s medical skill was truly as exceptional as it seemed, and that he could cure Ling Jingshu…

After the newly wed bride was escorted into the bridal chamber, the wedding feast formally began. Wave after wave of guests came to offer toasts, and Prince Yan refused none of them. However great his tolerance for drink, he could not avoid growing thoroughly intoxicated.

In the end, the thoroughly drunken Prince Yan was helped into the bridal chamber.

…

Lu Hong, too, had gotten drunk.

He rarely drank in ordinary times and had a poor tolerance for liquor, so at banquets he would simply claim he didn’t drink to excuse himself. Unfortunately, at today’s feast, this excuse no longer worked.

Among the men at his table happened to be two admirers of Princess Changping. Burning with envy over Lu Hong’s “good fortune,” the two of them independently resolved to get him thoroughly drunk, taking turns urging drinks on him.

Lu Hong had only just arrived in the capital and had not yet made any close friends to shield him from the drinking. Lu Qian, in a rare display, rose to his feet, puffing out his thin chest. “Elder Brother, your tolerance isn’t good — let me drink this in your place.”

Lu Hong felt rather touched — when it truly mattered, Lu Qian still stood by his side after all.

But as the elder brother, how could he let his younger brother drink in his place?

“Second Brother, if I get drunk, be sure to remember to take me home,” Lu Hong said quietly, refusing Lu Qian even as he drank.

A flash crossed Lu Qian’s eyes, though he answered with a smile.

By the time the banquet ended, Lu Hong was, sure enough, hopelessly drunk, with no sense of up or down.

Lu Qian had a servant boy support Lu Hong, while he himself slipped away to see Lu Ping in private.

Lu Ping, somewhat tipsy himself, asked at once when he saw Lu Qian approach, “Why are you alone? Where’s A’Hong?”

In everyone’s eyes, there was only ever Lu Hong!

The flame of jealousy long suppressed in his heart burned fiercely, and Lu Qian’s resolve only hardened further. He leaned close and spoke quietly into Lu Ping’s ear. “Second Uncle, Elder Brother has had too much to drink.”

He paused, then added with clear implication, “Princess Changping came to the hall today, and after seeing Elder Brother, she made a point of speaking with him for quite some time. Clearly she favors him a great deal. It’s just a pity that Elder Brother doesn’t quite understand such things, and hasn’t responded warmly to Her Highness’s favor.”

Something stirred in Lu Ping’s mind, and he glanced instinctively at Lu Qian.

Lu Qian shifted his words again. “Elder Brother is already dead drunk and unconscious. Wherever he’s taken right now, he won’t be able to resist.”

Every word sounded as though spoken carelessly, yet upon closer thought, each one carried a deeper meaning.

Of his two nephews, Lu Ping had naturally always favored Lu Hong.

In looks and in learning, Lu Qian could not hold a candle to Lu Hong. But it seemed now that Lu Qian was not entirely without his uses — at the very least, in reading people’s hearts and catering to what they wanted, he showed a remarkable “gift.”

At the very least, these words struck right at the heart of what Lu Ping wanted to hear.

Could he really watch such a perfect opportunity slip away?

Lu Hong had a scholar’s pride and would never willingly “seize” such an opportunity himself. But if someone gave him a “push,” then once the deed was done, whether he liked it or not would no longer matter.

Lu Ping quickly made up his mind.