Lü Niang was completely stunned.

The identity this woman had revealed was too unexpected.

At first she didn’t know how to react. After standing frozen for a long while, she finally came to her senses and hurriedly stepped forward to bow respectfully.

Luoshen had already risen and reached out to support her.

“Sister, no need for such formality. I heard it was sister who testified clearly for my husband in court that day, allowing him to clear his name. I should be thanking sister—how could I accept sister’s courtesy?”

How could Lü Niang dare claim credit and act superior before such a distinguished young lady from a noble family?

She hastily said: “I don’t deserve Madam to address me so. I’m of lowly birth—for Madam to call me Lü Niang is already the greatest honor.”

Luoshen smiled: “A poor man’s heroic sword, chivalrous spirit fragrant in the dusty world. Sister dared to risk her life to resist evil at the time, then fearlessly came forward to testify afterward, stirring up the turbid to promote the clear, manifesting good and condemning evil. Speaking of noble righteousness, among all the people I know, not to mention women, even among men you rank among the very best. I respect your noble character, and you’re also a few years older than me—how could you not deserve me calling you sister?”

Lü Niang was dazed.

She had heard of the Gao family daughter’s talent and reputation years ago, especially after personally hearing her and the Lu family’s eldest son play xiao and qin together at the Winding Water Banquet that year—she had greatly admired her. But that was all.

How could she have imagined that one day she would stand before her and converse with her like this?

This young woman before her was not only as beautiful as a celestial being with noble bearing as the rumors said, but her manner and speech showed not the slightest trace of arrogance. Especially toward someone like herself from the world of dust, she was so courteous, praising her with words and even calling her sister.

What kind of treatment was this? How could Lü Niang not know? How could she not be moved, even overwhelmed by such favor?

She thanked her again before sitting down as instructed.

After being seated, Lü Niang gradually calmed her mind.

For someone of her status and position to humble herself to come here tonight and summon her, there must naturally be something to say.

Lü Niang waited for her to speak. After a long while, hearing no sound, she secretly glanced over and saw her gaze fixed on the cluster of candlelight at the corner of the table, slightly lost in thought as if troubled. She began to wonder wildly, suddenly thinking of a possibility that startled her. She immediately said: “General Li and I had never met before. I’ve been at Qinhuai for years, and that night was the first time I saw General Li appear at the Qin Tower. Everything was coincidence. If there was any offense to Madam, I beg Madam’s forgiveness.”

This woman called Lü Niang, though from a brothel background, acted with some dignity. Just now when meeting, seeing her come with a qin, she didn’t have the expected coquettish and seductive manner. Though the incident had started because of her, it had been resolved without real danger, and she had stepped forward to testify, contributing greatly. Calling her sister was out of gratitude.

After sitting down, Luoshen was still hesitating how to ask her questions when she suddenly heard her speak, seeming to distance herself from any relationship with Li Mu. Knowing she had misunderstood her intentions, Luoshen looked up at her and smiled.

“Sister has misunderstood. I have no such thoughts at all. Tonight I came here and presumed to invite sister aboard because I have another matter I’d like sister to tell me about.”

“If Madam has any confusion, please ask—I’ll certainly tell you everything I know.”

Lü Niang felt relieved and replied respectfully.

Luoshen thanked her, then asked: “Sister, could you tell me the detailed sequence of events that night? Why exactly did my husband injure someone so severely?”

“I heard that night, it was because that person was disrespectful to sister, and my husband happened to encounter it. Seeing injustice, he acted to help. My husband and that person had indeed had conflicts before. But I know my husband—given his usual temperament and conduct, even if he was pushed beyond endurance to teach someone a lesson, it would never reach such a degree.”

She paused.

“Sister should also know the identity of the injured person—the second son of the Lu family. Since it involves both families, it’s no small matter. I can’t understand it, and thinking that sister personally experienced what happened that night, I presume to ask.”

Lü Niang was startled again.

When Li Mu’s wife came looking for her, she had initially thought the other party suspected Li Mu had something private with her, which was why he had stood up for her, so she had hastily tried to distance herself.

When she finally spoke and explained her purpose, Lü Niang was surprised again.

Regarding what happened that night, Li Xie had repeatedly and sternly instructed her to control the people who had been present and not let them reveal a single word to anyone.

Living in the world of dust, how could she not know that such private secrets of high officials and nobles that she had so coincidentally learned about could cost her life if she wasn’t careful? How could she take it lightly?

That Li Mu didn’t want people to know about the musical score his wife had given to Lu Jianzhi was completely natural and understandable.

What she hadn’t expected was that so many days had passed, yet even the Gao family daughter who had personally written that musical score still knew nothing about this matter.

From her tone just now, after Li Mu returned that night, not only had he not confronted her about it, he seemed to have completely hidden the matter.

What was going on?

Involving the couple’s private affairs, when even the husband himself wouldn’t speak of it, how could Lü Niang dare to speak rashly? Seeing the woman across from her directing her gaze toward her, she didn’t dare meet her eyes for a moment, lowering them as she quickly thought about how to respond.

Seeing her avoid her gaze, the doubt in Luoshen’s heart grew even stronger.

If originally it had only been three or four parts certain, at this moment that mass of suspicion had become seven or eight parts sure. What really happened that night must be different from what was announced at Tai City the next day.

This Lü Niang must know the inside story but had reservations.

“I won’t hide it from you—because I was confused about that night’s events, I asked my husband about it several times. But he always responded that it was accidental and avoided answering.”

She said.

Lü Niang cleared her throat, trying to appear casual as she continued with a smile: “General Li is a great man who surely treasures Madam greatly. Since such unpleasant matters are past, he probably doesn’t want to mention them again to avoid causing Madam unnecessary troubled thoughts. Why should Madam overthink it? Moreover, there really was nothing else that night.”

Luoshen was silent for a moment, then said slowly: “Sister, tomorrow morning I must leave Jiankang with my husband. Since I’ve sought you out here tonight, I’m not afraid of your laughter—I’ll speak honestly with you.”

“I don’t know if sister has ever devoted her heart to one person, seeking to grow old together. When I first became connected with Li Langjun, if sister has lived long in the city, she should have heard about it. That we could reach today, though others don’t know, I myself know the road has been full of twists and turns, not easy.”

“My husband severely injured someone and nearly caused legal trouble, yet in front of me he avoids talking about it. I know in my heart it must be related to me, but he won’t tell me. Tomorrow we leave, and I don’t know when we’ll return next. How can I be at peace carrying such doubts in my heart? Thinking it over, perhaps only sister can help me, so I presume to come tonight.”

“If it were anyone else I was asking, I would certainly use money to persuade them. But sister is different. Though I only learned the name Lü Niang a few days ago, a woman who could perform such righteous acts—how could she be easily moved by money? So I dare not insult you, but only sincerely ask, earnestly requesting that sister might sympathize and tell me the truth to resolve my doubts.”

The forced smile on Lü Niang’s face gradually disappeared. She frowned slightly, showing hesitation, seeming to ponder, wanting to speak but stopping.

Luoshen gazed intently at her across from her.

“Regarding that night’s events, I suspect sister may have received instructions and has difficulties. I also know that asking like this is like forcing someone. I only came with the hope of trying. If sister truly doesn’t want to help me, I wouldn’t dare force you. Tonight has been much disturbance—please forgive me, sister.”

Luoshen’s lips showed a trace of a smile as she bowed slightly to her.

No matter who else it might be, no matter how much they threatened her, regarding that night’s events, Lü Niang would never reveal a single word.

But at this moment, listening to this Gao family daughter’s emotionally charged gentle words slowly pouring out beside her ear, feeling her clearly eager hope yet restrained and courteous behavior, observing that though younger than herself, she possessed an overwhelming presence of propriety and nobility that came from within, she was completely won over.

In her heart, she even felt somewhat fortunate. Fortunately, her husband had arrived in time that day to stop that Lu family son. Otherwise, as Lu Huanzhi had said, as long as money was paid, there were plenty of people willing to do such things—by now there would surely be rumors and gossip throughout the city.

Thinking of this woman before her suffering such humiliation, she felt somewhat unable to bear it.

Lü Niang hesitated no more. She nodded and rose to go to the qin, sitting down. Quietly recalling the section of melody she had tried to play that day, she placed her hands on the strings and played it.

Luoshen watched Lü Niang’s actions, initially somewhat confused, not knowing why she had suddenly started playing qin for her.

Until that first note was plucked from the strings by her ten fingers, she suddenly froze.

This piece sounded somewhat familiar, as if she had heard it before.

After a few more notes, she suddenly recognized it.

This…

It seemed to be exactly the qin piece she had written last spring at Lu Xiurong’s request for Lu Jianzhi, who was bedridden and far away in Jiaozhou at the time!

She hadn’t misheard—she could be certain.

But how could this courtesan named Lü Niang possibly know how to play this score?

Luoshen was shocked.

Lü Niang finished playing the section she could still remember, stopped, rose, and returned to sit before Luoshen.

“Does Madam find this piece familiar?” Lü Niang asked.

Luoshen came to her senses as if from a dream, looking at her.

“You… where did you get this score?”

Just as the words left her mouth, suddenly, as if a flash of inspiration struck her mind, Luoshen’s eyes widened in shock.

“Could it be Lu Huanzhi?”

She cried out, standing up abruptly.

Lü Niang nodded: “That night I didn’t yet know he was the Lu family son. At the time he came with a musical score, saying it was written by you for the Lu family’s eldest son last March, titled ‘Phoenix Cry,’ telling us to spread it widely everywhere. When I refused, he left in anger, saying he’d find others to do it.”

“Li Langjun came just then, cornered him, then closed the door and used force…”

Lü Niang recalled the scene at the time as she spoke, seeing her seem unsteady on her feet, quickly rising to support her.

Luoshen steadied herself and slowly sat back down.

In the days since the incident passed, Lü Niang sometimes pondered when she had nothing to do, also wondering whether Li Mu’s wife, the Gao family daughter, was truly as Lu Huanzhi had claimed—after marrying Li Mu, still unable to break from old feelings with the Lu family’s eldest son, using musical scores to convey romantic messages. Unfortunately, she had only played the opening section of the piece at the time and couldn’t experience what the entire musical context really conveyed, leaving her heart curious.

Tonight, after sitting face to face with this young Mrs. Li for just this short while, all the doubts in her heart had completely disappeared.

Instinct made her believe that this noble and courteous young woman before her, even if she still had lingering feelings for another man, would never do something so clearly inappropriate as sending romantic messages.

Moreover, listening to her words just now, though just a few sentences, the affection for her husband revealed between the lines was obvious.

Seeing her sit down with a pale face, eyes slightly lowered, lips tightly closed, looking somewhat dejected, Lü Niang didn’t dare speak anymore and just quietly stayed beside her.

Luoshen sat with her head down in silence for a moment, then said softly: “The score was indeed written by me, but Lu Huanzhi was slandering… The so-called ‘Phoenix’ title was also his fabrication. At the time, his brother was in a foreign place, bedridden with illness…”

She didn’t know why she was explaining to this stranger Lü Niang the reasons for composing this piece at the time, murmuring a few sentences before realizing and abruptly stopping.

She slowly raised her eyes to look at the woman watching her with worried eyes, showed her smile, and changed the subject: “Thank you, sister, for telling me. Now I understand. Tonight has been much disturbance—I’ll go first. In the future, if sister has any need of me, please don’t hesitate to speak.”

Lü Niang quickly thanked her.

Luoshen stood to leave, then stopped and asked: “Sister offended people for the sake of my reputation—I wonder if Li Xie, Imperial Guard Commander Li, has made arrangements?”

Lü Niang quickly said: “Madam can rest assured. Imperial Guard Commander Li has made arrangements and assigned people to protect me.”

Luoshen nodded and left the cabin.

Lü Niang saw her out of the cabin, watching that figure board the shore, surrounded by attendants, get into the carriage waiting on the bank, gradually moving away until it disappeared into the night.

…

Li Mu was leaving the capital tomorrow. Li Xie and others chose a famous riverside wine house on the western outskirts of the city tonight to hold a farewell banquet for him.

Unable to refuse such kindness, Li Mu naturally went to the banquet. During the feast, cups and glasses clinked, everyone toasted and conversed happily with great enthusiasm. By the time the banquet ended, it was already the end of the evening hour.

Li Mu thanked everyone repeatedly, said his farewells, and after everyone dispersed, he didn’t immediately return home. Walking in the moonlight to the nearby riverbank, he stood alone facing the flowing river below, silently contemplating for a moment. From his chest he took out that musical score—the one soaked by rain that night until the pages were wrinkled—rolled it up, and hurled it with all his strength toward the rolling torrents in the center of the river that flowed day and night without cease.

The thing traced a long arc through the night sky, finally becoming a small dot that fell into the whirlpool dozens of zhang away in the river’s center, instantly swallowed by the surging current and vanishing without a trace.

Li Mu turned around, mounted his horse and galloped home.

When he returned, it was already very late, and Gao Qiao had long since returned to his residence. The gatekeeper, seeing him return as well, closed and barred the door.

Li Mu returned to his courtyard, pushed open the slightly ajar room door, and entered.

The lamp was still lit in the room, bed curtains hung low, her embroidered shoes were on the floor, and he could faintly see her figure lying motionless on the bed—knowing she must be asleep, he quietly entered the bathing room. Coming out, he extinguished the lamp and got into bed.

Regarding that rainy night’s events, Li Mu knew he had frightened her. These past few days, during the day she seemed no different from usual, but at night when they shared a bed, though she remained gentle and compliant toward him, she showed little interest in intimate matters, completely lacking the passionate and clingy enthusiasm she had shown in bed before.

Li Mu knew she probably hadn’t completely recovered from the shadow he had cast over her that night. He felt regretful too. Since she had no interest, he naturally didn’t dare touch her again, lest he annoy her further.

It had been several nights already. Tonight when he got into bed and approached her, smelling the faint fragrance emanating from her hair and skin, Li Mu felt a familiar urgent longing. Forcing himself not to think about it, he tossed and turned for a long time before slowly falling asleep.

Nothing happened that night. The next morning, both of them woke up.

Luoshen got up first, got out of bed, walked to the head of the bed to hang up the bed curtains, and urged him to get up.

Li Mu silently watched, seeing her hang up the curtains, urge him once, then turn to leave. He reached out his arm to embrace her, lightly pulling her toward him. With her legs still soft from just waking up, how could Luoshen stand steady? She fell onto him.

Li Mu turned over and pressed her back onto the bed.

Luoshen shook her head, raised her hand to block his face leaning toward her, gazed at him, and said softly: “Stop playing around—we have to leave early this morning. Everyone outside is already up. Don’t make Father and Mother wait.”

From the corridor outside came the sound of servant women’s soft footsteps as they moved about.

Li Mu stopped.

Luoshen smiled slightly, gently pushed him away, sat up herself, lowered her head to adjust her clothing, then went out to open the door and call for people to bring water for washing.

Li Mu watched her back, slowly exhaled, already hearing the servant women’s footsteps entering, and had no choice but to get up.

After both had dressed and washed, they went together to see Gao Qiao and the Eldest Princess.

After much busyness and farewells, by mid-morning, Li Mu took Luoshen, still accompanied by Fan Cheng, A’Ju and others, aboard a boat to travel by waterway to Jingkou.

Several days later, the boat reached the dock and the two returned to the Li family home.

Lu Shi had received news two days earlier that her son and daughter-in-law would return home soon. She and A’Ting had been eagerly waiting, and today they finally arrived. The joyful reunion need not be described in detail.

A year had passed. Lu Shi was in good health, and A’Ting had grown taller than before, developing into a graceful young lady. Seeing Luoshen, she called “Sister-in-law” and hugged Luoshen tightly, refusing to let go, making Lu Shi laugh continuously.

That day the Li household was extremely lively. Shen Shi with her two children, many neighbors, the Jingkou Magistrate, and Li Mu’s old friends all came upon hearing the news.

Shen Shi hadn’t seen her husband for a very long time and missed him greatly. Li Mu brought back a letter Jiang Tao had written to her. He also had plans—after the situation in Longxi stabilized, he would bring over his mother, sister, Shen Shi and others. Everyone was delighted and full of anticipation upon hearing this.

Li Mu and Luoshen stayed home for several days before Lu Shi urged Li Mu to take Luoshen back to Yi Cheng early, telling them not to worry about her.

Seeing his mother was well and the household had sufficient servants, Li Mu felt relieved. After he and Luoshen fulfilled their filial duties for several more days, they planned to depart the next morning to return to Yi Cheng.

On the night before departure, he had some late social obligations. Returning to find Luoshen hadn’t slept but was waiting for him, not only serving him in bathing but also helping him dress, extremely gentle—she seemed to have completely forgotten previous unpleasantness. Relieved, after getting into bed and with the help of some wine, he gently embraced her, tentatively placing his palm on the silk-smooth skin beneath the covers.

Having restrained himself for many days, he now felt increasingly urgent desire. Seeing her lying beside him like a docile kitten, he completely relaxed, embraced her, and began being intimate.

Luoshen said softly: “Langjun, do you really have nothing to tell me?”

Li Mu paused, mumbled “no,” and continued being intimate with her.

“I have something I want to tell you.”

“Last spring, after you went to Yi Cheng and Father brought me home, I learned that Lu Jianzhi was depressed and unwell in Jiaozhou, ill for a long time. The Lu family’s younger sister asked me to help. So I composed a qin piece, using music in place of words, and gave it to the Lu family’s younger sister to pass to Jianzhi.”

Li Mu slowly stopped.

Luoshen continued: “The piece wasn’t titled ‘Phoenix Cry.’ There was no romantic content in the music. I only encouraged him to lift his spirits out of old friendship with Lu Jianzhi.”

“Not telling you was my oversight. Lu Jianzhi and I did indeed have past exchanges. But after marrying you, I’ve regarded him as an elder brother.”

“Langjun, do you believe me?”

Li Mu raised his head from her chest and looked at her beneath him. The passionate look that had appeared in his eyes moments before slowly faded.

He slowly rolled off her and said in a muffled voice: “I believe you.”

Luoshen bit her lip tightly, staring at the canopy, and said: “Then is there anything else you want to tell me?”

Li Mu was silent for a moment, then said: “I’ve already destroyed the musical score. You needn’t worry—no one will know about this matter in the future.”

Luoshen also fell silent. After a long time, she finally said softly: “Thank you this time for preserving my reputation.”

Li Mu seemed to have fallen asleep. After a long while, he slowly reached his arm over and drew her body back into his embrace, his palm soothingly patting her back as he said gently: “The matter has passed—you needn’t think about it anymore either. Sleep—we have to rise early tomorrow.”

Luoshen hummed in agreement, was lost in thought for a moment, then closed her eyes.

…

Early the next morning, before dawn, to avoid having everyone come to see them off, Li Mu deliberately rose early with Luoshen, bid farewell to Lu Shi, and prepared to leave Jingkou for Yi Cheng.

They would again travel westward along the great river, taking the water route for the first segment. Unexpectedly, on the road to the ferry, when they had only gone halfway, the Jingkou Magistrate caught up carrying things.

Unable to refuse such kindness, Li Mu had to stop.

Luoshen spoke through the carriage curtain to greet the Jingkou Magistrate, then said: “You take your time talking. I’ll go ahead.”

Li Mu thought she was impatient with waiting and didn’t think much of it, telling Fan Cheng to escort Luoshen’s party to board the boat first while he would catch up.

That Jingkou Magistrate was a talkative person with proper etiquette who kept Li Mu talking continuously. Finally, after drinking three farewell cups, he let him go.

Li Mu remembered that Luoshen had seemed somewhat downcast this morning when bidding farewell to his mother and A’Ting, and hadn’t spoken to him on the road after departure. Afraid of keeping her waiting too long, as soon as he got free, he immediately rushed to the ferry.

When he hurriedly arrived, he was shocked to discover the boat was gone, and Luoshen with all her people had completely disappeared. Only several trunks containing his clothes and miscellaneous items remained on the shore, with an attendant squatting beside them watching the things.

Li Mu stood stunned for a long while before coming to his senses, running over and asking: “Where is Madam?”

The attendant saw him arrive and quickly stood up from the ground, saying with a long face: “Madam said she won’t accompany Li Langjun to Yi Cheng—told you to go by yourself while she returns to Jiankang. She just had people take the boat and left!”

Li Mu’s heart skipped a beat as he immediately ran to the ferry front, standing by the river and gazing eastward.

But he saw only the river flowing onward, surging forward with favorable wind and current. Before his eyes was only vast emptiness—where could he see even half a shadow of that boat?