The war between the Northern and Southern Kingdoms had not truly ended; the South’s great victory was merely the first phase of success. Moreover, the South’s victory hadn’t come easily, having only recaptured Ruyang and demonstrated Lu San-lang’s strength to the other northern provinces and commanderies.
The North, which had previously shown constant interest in peace talks, sent far fewer diplomatic messages to the South after their defeat. This made people uneasy, wondering if the North was brewing some terrible plot or hiding secret weapons that could utterly defeat the South.
The weaker factions in the Southern court tried to contact the North, asking if peace talks would continue. The response they received was that negotiations could be considered if Lu San-lang was removed from his position.
It wasn’t that they lacked fighting power, but rather that they were unwilling to fight.
Even though the South had won this battle, and the noble families in the Jianye court had breathed a long sigh of relief, some still felt that having proven their strength, they needn’t pursue victory but rather should negotiate. War required drawing money from their treasuries, and the self-interested noble factions couldn’t see the benefit, paying out reluctantly. This faction of noble families allied with forces like Prince Zhao Liu Huai, who harbored private ambitions, wanted to recall Lu San-lang to Jianye and send other famous scholars to reduce the North’s anger and restart negotiations.
This faction held considerable numbers in court.
Meanwhile, Prince Chen Liu Shu and the Lu family held the opposite opinion. They believed one task shouldn’t have two masters, that Lu San-lang had handled matters well, and that the Northerners were treacherous and shouldn’t be met with false hopes. Lu San-lang, being in the North, understood the situation better than they did. If Lu San-lang believed continued fighting was necessary, the court should fully support him.
The difference from Lu Er-Lang’s dream was that through his efforts, he had convinced his father and his indifferent family to stand with Prince Chen’s faction. The forces behind Prince Chen were stronger than in the dream, giving him more confidence while making opponents like Prince Zhao more wary and frantically opposed.
Whether to fight or negotiate, when they had strength but would also have to pay a price, they could never conclude.
As both sides argued in court, the frontier soldiers and supplies were naturally delayed. Prince Chen had raised the issue many times, but the court’s attitude remained passive. Fortunately, Zhou Yangling had already left the capital to help, and Prince Chen Liu Shu was now merely lulling his political enemies, buying time. Conveniently, the opposition also believed that delay would benefit peace talks. Both sides maintained a strange, delicate balance.
Since the scholar-officials couldn’t resolve the issue, the matter was naturally sent to the Emperor for decision.
In the deep palace, the old Emperor received the memorials delivered by the eunuchs and tossed them aside with a headache. In the center of the palace hall, dancers performed and singers played and sang. The opera vocals, fresh and melodious, drifted through the hall. The Northern Princess, accompanying the old Emperor in the high seat, secretly observed him, seeing his expression of impatience after receiving the memorials.
His Majesty closed his eyes, his hand curved on the armrest keeping time with the music, unwilling to hear the eunuchs’ mumblings about the northern war situation.
His Majesty was somewhat dissatisfied.
The Northern Princess’s heart stirred sensitively, recognizing from the Emperor’s calm expression that the old Emperor wasn’t without opinions regarding the noble families. The Northern Princess observed the Emperor’s expression, carefully recalling what she wanted to say before speaking smoothly: “…, our North is also willing to negotiate with the South, it’s just that Lu San-lang is arrogant with his talents, thinking we have schemes, and refuses to yield at the pass.”
The princess thought of that elegant and romantic young lord in her memory, her heart becoming momentarily infatuated, but quickly replaced by a more frenzied emotion hiding jealous hatred: “…Someone like Lu San-lang from the noble families must look down on others, right? Your Majesty, see how when you speak in court, you must still consider the noble families’ feelings, suffering such grievance.”
The old Emperor thought likewise in his heart.
But his face showed impatience: “Silence. What do you understand?”
The Northern Princess stiffened, her face paling slightly as she bit her lip until it bled. She had come as a proper marriage alliance, yet this old lecher not only failed to value her, favoring other beauties sent by his sons but now even humiliated her this way. Even though she had entered his harem, she was once a princess.
To have her dignity so disregarded!
It’s just the Southern Kingdom after all!
Wait until our North wins, wait until the North wins… The Northern Princess lowered her eyes, saying gently: “I only fear imperial power will slip away, that Your Majesty’s mind has been deceived by them. I’ve heard Lu San-lang’s reputation is very high in the South; if he becomes more powerful, the noble families will become even more proud. Then Your Majesty would… I’ve said too much. How could Your Majesty not know this?”
The old Emperor gave a cold snort.
He knew the North probably had some small schemes, but he didn’t take them seriously. The North merely coveted those few commanderies like Ruyang, and would still compensate the South. That was negotiation. The old Emperor had maintained his throne by balancing various powers, such as the balance between imperial power and the noble families. He had initially gained this throne through noble family support. But now, this balance was becoming increasingly difficult. Prince Chen had even brought in the common families; the old Emperor wanted to see how far Prince Chen could go.
Times had changed.
He had grown old.
The noble families’ ambitions had grown, and the royal family’s ambitions had grown too. When these two collided, trouble was inevitable.
The old Emperor felt he was too old and unwilling to play peacemaker between them, pandering to both sides. He wouldn’t live much longer; originally his advanced age had already affected his health, relying on ginseng, jade fungus, and medicines to sustain him; now with his indulgence in women, he was even more depleted. The old Emperor knew he couldn’t achieve any more great accomplishments; he only wished to spend his final years as emperor in debauchery, enjoying what life he had left. The South’s problems could be left for the next emperor to worry about.
The old Emperor’s thoughts drifted as he waited for the court to argue a solution, after which he would issue an imperial edict that wouldn’t offend either side. But perhaps thinking of his successor, he couldn’t help but recall the secret edict his father had given him before passing—that testament which, out of love for his youngest son, designated Prince Hengyang as heir.
Prince Hengyang Liu Mu. His youngest brother, their father’s favorite son in life, their mother’s most cherished filial child, heh.
The legendary testament drew much attention. Royal family relationships were inherently different from common families, especially when brothers became entangled with the throne, making relationships even more complex.
The court music had become somewhat cloying after listening for so long, and the Northern Princess listened in a daze. Inadvertently, she seemed to hear His Majesty the Emperor murmur: “…If he dies in the North and doesn’t return, that would be good.”
Saving the trouble of dealing with him after his return.
The Emperor’s tone was aged, his voice low as if sleep-talking, mixed with the decadent sounds of song and dance. The Northern Princess’s heart suddenly jumped, and she stiffly turned her face to see the Emperor’s gaze fixed on the falling leaves in the empty courtyard outside. The Northern Princess dared not think too deeply about who exactly the Emperor hoped would die on the battlefield and not return.
…
Prince Chen and Lu Xian ultimately held back the imperial edict from Jianye, buying time for the northern war situation’s stalemate. After that great battle, other commanderies saw hope for victory and came to ally with Nanyang’s three commanderies to jointly attack the enemy forces. The battle situation was deadlocked, not too intense. Even General Wei Cong had time to lead soldiers in field battles, seizing food from the Northerners.
Since the court wouldn’t approve supplies, they could only steal from the Northerners, enduring one more day at a time.
The northern situation was relaxed yet serious.
While they could steal supplies from the Northerners, for their shortage of soldiers, they needed to recruit commoners into the army, training them intensively with the requirement that they could be sent to battle in a short time. Simultaneously, they felt their previous victory hadn’t come easily, that the enemy must have hidden cards, and that they must remain vigilant. After discussion, the generals approved Lu San-lang’s report and entrusted him with training the troops.
The generals meanwhile studied the Northern army’s equipment, hoping to find a breakthrough in weapons and equipment since they couldn’t match the enemy in manpower and physical fitness.
Since Lu San-lang was tasked with training troops, after applying to General Wei, he led the recruits up Mount Funiu, actively helping them familiarize themselves with the terrain. After all, Mount Funiu was Nanyang’s most important military position; familiarity with this area would undoubtedly prove invaluable in warfare. As a result, Luo Lingyu didn’t see Lu San-lang for several days.
Perhaps because she couldn’t see him, her heart felt strange, and the more she thought, the more Luo Lingyu felt that the wounds she had seen on Lu Yun that night were unusual. Unable to get answers from Lu Yun himself, Luo Lingyu grew increasingly worried, unable to feel at ease about him. With this in mind, Luo Lingyu and her maids steamed vegetable dumplings and various pastries, filling several large carts. She specifically climbed the mountain to visit Lu San-lang while also rewarding the army and improving their meals.
Maid Lingyu said, “While visiting the Third Young Master is proper, and the young lady should bring some small gifts, why prepare so much food? There are many soldiers, and every time the young lady goes to such trouble, even I feel exhausted watching.”
Luo Lingyu smiled gently and self-pityingly: “It’s not trouble. Small gifts aren’t practical; practical things are what people remember. The soldiers train all day, protecting home and country – making some food is the least I should do.”
She had always sought reputation and profit. After meeting Lu Yun, Luo Lingyu became even more aware that she couldn’t relax for a moment—once she relaxed and gained a bad reputation, people like Lu San-lang would nitpick, remember forever, and oppose her at every turn. It would be very difficult to shake off such a terrible established impression.
Previously she had wanted to marry into a wealthy family; now she was wholly focused on becoming Lu San-lang’s wife. Without a powerful family backing her status, she could only rely on her reputation. As Lu San-lang’s wife and the mistress of the second branch, she would need to do more than ordinary wives. But Luo Lingyu wasn’t afraid at all; she was full of fighting spirit, determined not only to marry Lu Yun but also to make the Lu family satisfied with her as their daughter-in-law.
When they returned to Jianye, she would take a different approach with the Lu family elders than before. This time, she would make the Lu family elders like her, rely on her… The young lady rested her chin in her hand, daydreaming about married life, so happy she couldn’t help but smile.
But she couldn’t get too lost in fantasy. After all, the war wasn’t over, and Lu San-lang’s fate was still uncertain.
With crimson lips and rosy cheeks, she moved gracefully. Both classical and alluring, captivating in her charm. When the young lady reached the military training ground in the mountains, she distributed food together with her maids. Such a beautiful young lady specifically doing these things filled the soldiers with goodwill toward Lady Luo. They surrounded her, reluctant to leave, wanting to speak a few more words with her.
The soldiers now knew that Lu San-lang and Lady Luo were engaged, the cards had been sent, and the Luo family had agreed, though everything was simplified due to the busy wartime. Likely once the war ended, the two would return to Jianye to marry. If an ordinary young lord married such a beautiful lady, men would inevitably feel envious, but with Lu San-lang… thinking of the constant stream of beauties around him, everyone had complex feelings, thinking these two were well-matched.
They both always attracted admirers of the opposite sex.
After Luo Lingyu had delivered several cartloads of pastries and vegetable balls, successfully winning people’s goodwill, a kind-hearted soldier told her: “My lady should visit Military Advisor Lu more often. These past few days, besides you, other young ladies have come to the mountain to see us.”
The meaning was clear – they had come for Lu Yun.
Luo Lingyu was surprised, tilting her face slightly, feigning shyness and confusion: “But Lu San-lang is engaged to me. He is my… my betrothed.”
The young lady bit her lip, her beautiful eyes flickering with flowing light, appearing so helpless and moving. That soldier then sighed that Lady Luo was truly kind-hearted and unaware of human treachery: “Men, who don’t like having multiple wives and concubines, embracing beauties left and right? Although you’re already very beautiful, my lady, but, but… you still must be vigilant!”
Luo Lingyu then said firmly: “That won’t happen, I believe Lu San-lang isn’t that kind of person.”
Everyone was shocked by her innocence, speechless for a long while: “…”
The observing maid Lingyu beside her: “…”
Lingyu mentally rolled her eyes, amazed at how her young miss deliberately set up Lu San-lang while maintaining her good reputation. She thought pensively that perhaps capable ladies didn’t treat other women who coveted their men as imaginary enemies, making themselves constantly tense.
At least with her young miss, Lingyu had never seen her become enemies with any lady because of Lu San-lang.
Chen Xiu who had been infatuated with the Third Young Master, and Jiang Wanyi who was favored by the Lu family elders, were both defeated by her young miss. Yet oddly enough, despite being defeated, these three ladies didn’t fight or become hostile when meeting.
She should learn from the young miss another day.
After Luo Lingyu had made a round among the soldiers, having sufficiently enhanced her reputation and ensuring everyone knew of her good deeds, she was finally satisfied and asked where Lu San-lang was, deciding to find him herself and give him a surprise. A soldier volunteered to lead the way, guiding Luo Lingyu toward a small training ground cleared in the mountains. In winter the vegetation had withered, weeds had been pulled out, and Luo Lingyu and her maid saw from afar a group of archers practicing by the cliff.
Drawing bows and shooting arrows with imposing momentum.
Naturally, what caught the eye was Lu San-lang standing at the cliff’s edge, his long robe flowing in the wind. He stood at the precipice, sunlight falling on his face, half in shadow, half in light. Before Luo Lingyu approached, she vaguely heard Lu Yun say something, and those archers standing several zhang before him simultaneously nocked their arrows and drew their bowstrings taut.
Luo Lingyu’s lips had worn a joyful smile at seeing her beloved, but in the next moment, she froze, eyes widening—
“What are you doing?!”
Watching as thousands of arrows were released simultaneously, the archers’ aim was unwavering, arrows leaving their bows like flying lightning toward Lu Yun standing at the cliff’s edge. The young lord’s expression was solemn, his robes flying as he stepped back to dodge the arrows. The arrows became a dense rain, surrounding Lu Yun. The soldier guiding Luo Lingyu hadn’t yet reacted and hadn’t had time to warn her when suddenly Luo Lingyu lifted her skirts and ran toward the arrow rain.
Lingyu was horrified, chasing after Luo Lingyu: “You’re killing the Third Young Master?! Have you gone mad?!”
Luo Lingyu’s face was pale, her running speed no match for the arrows’ flight. She watched helplessly as the arrows mercilessly pierced Lu Yun; as he dodged left and right, he seemed to freeze for a moment, and while turning his body to avoid arrows, his backward step met empty air and he fell from the cliff. Seeing his grey robes falling into the clouds and mist below, Luo Lingyu’s mind suddenly emptied with a boom.
Her legs suddenly went soft and numb.
She cried out sharply: “Lu Yun—”
Everyone was at a loss, suddenly bewildered, seeing Luo Lingyu suddenly rush out from behind, throwing herself to the cliff’s edge. She fell to the ground, face white as paper, reaching downward. But she was far too late, she couldn’t possibly save him. Her hand reaching into the cloudy waves caught nothing, and her face grew even paler.
Luo Lingyu trembled: “Lu Yun!”
She had watched him fall, seen it with her own eyes!
What was happening, why… The sun was bright, but her whole body was covered in sweat, her heart empty.
Suddenly panicked, suddenly terrified.
What to do, what to do… She bit her lip, desperately trying to think of something, but tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes.
The soldiers who had run over saw the tears in her eyes, their hearts contracting as they hurriedly said: “My lady, you…”
Luo Lingyu shouted fiercely: “Have you all gone mad?!”
She suddenly stood up, warily turning her back to the cliff, staring at these helpless archers. She tensely assessed all their expressions. First calmly having her maid Lingyu, whose face was as distraught as her own, come to stand behind her, she faced these soldiers and said coldly: “If you save him, bring him back up, I’ll…”
Lingyu suddenly cried out in alarm.
The wind stirred behind them.
At her maid’s warning, Luo Lingyu turned around, but froze, seeing the person who had fallen off the cliff leap up and land on the ground. The jade crown in his hair had been hit by an arrow and fallen off the cliff, his robes were somewhat disheveled and torn in several places. But he stood there like jade, behind her, completely unharmed.
Luo Lingyu stared blankly, eyes wide, still containing traces of tears.
She murmured: “What’s going on…”
The wrongly accused archers hurriedly explained all at once to clear their names: “The lady misunderstood, this was Military Advisor Lu’s order for us to shoot, we were just following military commands.”
Luo Lingyu looked at Lu Yun.
Lu Yun’s eyes contained a smile as he said gently: “It was just a training exercise. You misunderstood.” He reached out his hand, showing her, and speaking very softly as if afraid of frightening her: “I’m fine.”
Lu Yun reached out, wanting to pull her over. But Luo Lingyu calmly stepped backward, making Lu Yun’s eyes narrow slightly.
Luo Lingyu: “What kind of military training is this?! Don’t think that because I’ve read fewer books because I’m not a famous scholar like you, you can deceive me! Tell me the truth, what’s going on? Don’t lie to me!”
Lu Yun: “…”
With all the soldiers watching, Lu Yun was somewhat embarrassed, his face stiffening. Naturally, he had never given face to anyone who publicly scolded him like this before. But this person was Luo Lingyu, his future wife; he couldn’t give her a face. Lu Yun was silent for a long while before saying awkwardly: “It’s about that death prophecy… I was experimenting, to see exactly what kind of fate it was, whether I could arrange it myself.”
That tear contained in Luo Lingyu’s eyes clung to her long eyelashes, her face snow-white, eyes soft and black, giving her an additional pitiful and moving quality. The surrounding soldiers couldn’t understand what Lu Yun was vaguely saying, but she froze for a long while before sudden realization struck: “…The wounds on your body that night, were they also results of your experiments?”
“No one hurt you, you did it all to yourself?”
Lu Yun nodded slightly.
Then in the next moment, before everyone’s eyes, Luo Lingyu’s hand flew across Lu San-lang’s face in a slap that turned his head to the side. Lu San-lang’s face instantly darkened, while Luo Lingyu gave a cold laugh and turned to leave. Before she left, the young lady shouted in anger—
“Go ahead and die then! Since you want to die so badly, just go!”
The soldiers watched Lu San-lang’s gloomy expression, all lowering their heads, no one dared to look—someone like Lu San-lang, being publicly slapped… would the marriage be called off?