The soldiers lowered their heads, not daring to look or speak. But that crisp, decisive slap didn’t just strike Lu Sanglang’s face—it struck everyone’s hearts, leaving them utterly shocked. How could Lady Luo be such a fierce woman?

Shouldn’t she be gentle and delicate, virtuous and dignified, like those elegant, composed beauties in court lady paintings?

…No, it couldn’t be that Lady Luo was inconsistent in word and deed. It must be that Lu Sanglang had gone too far.

Lu Yun’s face was struck sideways. Before everyone was present, intense shame and anger swept over him simultaneously. He stared at Luo Lingyu’s retreating figure, his eyes darkening as he spoke word by word: “Luo Lingyu, come back and apologize to me!”

Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu often quarreled. Since knowing her, Lu Yun had been kicked in the knee, had wine thrown on him, been kicked in the groin, and had jade ornaments, gold, silver, and other hard objects thrown at him… Luo Lingyu was simply crazy! She acted weak and pitiful in public, but how fierce she was to him in private.

But this time was different from before. Previously, they had only fought in private, with only their servants knowing. This time, she had humiliated him in public.

This wasn’t the first time she had slapped him. The first time, when they weren’t close, he had teased her, and it was in private. Lu Yun was also at fault then, so he didn’t hold it against her. But this time, slapping him in public when he was a military officer, with all the soldiers watching… Had he been too good to her?!

Lu Yun’s angry voice came from behind, but Luo Lingyu, heartbroken, completely ignored his shouting. She lifted her skirts and ran quickly. When she turned a corner, she wiped her tears with the back of her hand, her eyelashes wet, her dark pupils glistening, her face still flushed from anger. The young lady gritted her teeth, her shoulders trembling slightly.

Her maid Lingyu tried to say, “Young Miss, that…”

Luo Lingyu interrupted: “Don’t mention that scoundrel! Who would apologize to him? Let him wait!”

She had been so worried about him… She was selfish enough that when Nanyang broke into chaos, she had only written to the Luo family expressing concern and suggesting they relocate, unwilling to risk her life returning to share in Nanyang’s troubles. Yet she had returned from peaceful Jianye to war-torn Nanyang just to warn him of mortal danger. Fearing to burden him, she worried inwardly while outwardly showing trust in him. She supported him so much—though reluctant for him to take risks, when he wanted to fight battles and do this and that, she always helped and encouraged him.

She had been so good to him!

Yet he betrayed her like this!

How could matters of life and death be treated as child’s play? He treated it like an experiment—what was he trying to prove? That he would die? Under what circumstances he would die? He didn’t take his own life seriously at all, hiding everything from her. That night when she saw his wounds, they seemed as minor as cuts from shaving, too trivial to even need medicine. But now thinking back, on the battlefield, what kind of experiments must he have conducted to wound himself?

When others faced mortal danger, they tried to avoid it. But Lu Yun rushed headlong toward it, as if afraid he wouldn’t die quickly enough. If he was so eager to die, then let him die.

He was just arrogant, and different from others. This made Luo Lingyu angry and sad.

Lingyu followed her young miss, also thinking that Sanglang had gone too far this time. However, the young miss slapping Sanglang in public was also excessive. Their Sanglang had always been pampered, everyone fawning over him, ladies pursuing him—when had he ever been slapped? And with so many people watching. The young miss hadn’t seen how Sanglang’s face had turned purple with rage, twisted with anger.

These two together… ah, what a fated misery.

Lingyu jogged after her: “My lady, my lady…”

Luo Lingyu: “I said don’t mention him!”

Lingyu helplessly said: “That’s not it… this servant just wanted to ask, what should we do? Before coming up the mountain, didn’t you plan to stay overnight in the military camp? Now that you’ve quarreled with Sanglang, can we still stay in the camp? Should we go down the mountain?”

Luo Lingyu coldly replied: “Stay! Why shouldn’t we stay? Does he own the military camp? Am I without refuge? Just because he’s dissatisfied with me, should I flee like a stray dog? This isn’t Jianye—it’s not like when he despises me I have to leave, have to coax him. I came here to improve the soldiers’ meals. Who does he think he is?”

Luo Lingyu shed tears again: “If he drives me away now, won’t it be worse after I marry him?”

Lingyu fell silent, wanting to say that Sanglang hadn’t driven her away at all, but she dared not provoke the young miss further. When the young miss deliberately acted delicate, she could only admire her skill.

…

Lu Sanglang hadn’t received Lady Luo’s immediate apology, and couldn’t hold his head up before his subordinates. What a great humiliation—how could she do this? Seeing her run away, he wanted to chase after her, but his pride wouldn’t let him lose face. His subordinates’ strange, suppressed expressions seemed to provoke Lu Yun further. Lu Sanglang returned to camp without a word, his face dark.

An attendant carefully brought ice, suggesting the young master apply it to his face—with Lu Yun’s handsome features, being slapped by that lady with no light force, his face now bore a clear handprint.

Everyone was breathless: they saw Lu Yun’s porcelain-like face bearing that clear handprint as he returned to his tent.

He was on display the whole way.

The attendant bringing ice made Lu Yun even more embarrassed and angry. His face wasn’t like other young masters’ rough skin that showed no marks when struck. Instead, he easily showed marks… Before, when she slapped him, he only lost face within the Lu family, and people didn’t know who had slapped him. But this time, this time!

Lu Sanglang sat imposingly in his tent, seething with suppressed anger beneath his handprint. He was extremely frustrated but couldn’t ignore it, knowing that if he disregarded the mark on his face, he wouldn’t be able to see anyone for several days. Not wanting to be constantly reminded of this incident… Lu Yun had no choice but to accept, not sending the trembling attendant away with harsh words, but stiffly taking the handkerchief, wrapping the ice in it, and pressing it to his face.

Lying on his couch calming his anger, after a good while, Lu Yun felt his mood had settled and asked about Luo Lingyu.

The attendant: “…The young lady refuses to apologize.”

Lu Yun: “…”

Suppressing his anger, he said: “I also have my faults, I can apologize to her. But she must also apologize to me. I can’t indulge her habit of slapping people whenever she’s upset. What if she offends someone she shouldn’t?”

The attendant thought to himself that you can rest assured, Lady Luo only treats you this way—she’s quite kind to others. She was such a beautiful lady and she even cried, what is there to fuss about? But he dared not say this aloud, only reluctantly saying: “…Then this servant will go convey the message again.”

Lu Yun gave a faint “mm” in response.

He lowered his beautiful, thick eyelashes, lying on the couch with his sleeve covering his face. This person as elegant as jade mountain bamboo now showed frustration in every movement.

The attendant was gone for a long time. By the time Lu Yun had started his evening meal, the attendant returned with an awkward expression: “This servant conveyed your meaning to the young miss, but… but the young miss laughed coldly and said you were dreaming.”

Lu Yun: “…”

The attendant secretly observed that although the young master’s face stiffened slightly upon hearing those words, he made no large movements, his left hand still holding the cloth pressed to his face. In the cold weather, still needing to apply ice, Lu Sanglang’s face was as white as snow and jade, with strands of black hair clinging damply to his cheeks. If other ladies saw such a young master, they would surely be completely smitten. But alas, alas… The attendant mused to himself, watching Lu Yun who had been eating for a while suddenly slam down his chopsticks and say in a deep voice: “She’s always like this, always like this!”

“Every time she throws a tantrum, she wants me to coax her! Am I always arguing with her for no reason? Even if I’m wrong, why must I be the one to bow my head every time?”

It had always been this way.

Luo Lingyu usually treated him with smiles and warmth, trying to please him. But once she was unhappy, she would ignore him.

Once unhappy, she would just ignore him!

Either she needed something from him and would come apologize with a smile; or if she didn’t need anything, and he wanted to reconcile, he had to lower his pride to make her happy. Someone like Luo Lingyu who put benefits above all else, every time she tried to please him had an ulterior motive. While he, while he… The more Lu Yun thought about it, the more annoyed he became and felt that this time he wasn’t wrong. If he hadn’t experimented, wouldn’t he have died without knowing the reason? His only mistake was being accidentally seen by her…

Lu Yun said: “I’m not wrong.”

The attendant hurriedly said “Yes, yes, yes,” how could Sanglang be wrong? Sanglang was so handsome and talented, that everyone in the world fawned over him, he could never be wrong.

Lu Yun said: “I don’t believe she won’t apologize to me. I’ll just wait and see.”

…

Like a contest, each waiting for the other to submit, to apologize.

Previous quarrels had always been full of fire, with hitting and cursing. This time it was cold violence, with silence.

Lu Yun continued training troops as usual. Luo Lingyu stayed on the mountain for two days, growing more disappointed. By the evening of the third day, still having not seen Lu Yun come, Luo Lingyu’s heart grew cold. She instructed Lingyu to pack their belongings, preparing to go down the mountain. Lingyu sighed: “Why let things come to this? You just need to say some kind words and give Sanglang a way to save face. The young master still loves you—this servant has been constantly questioned by Sanglang’s attendants these past two days. Though Sanglang doesn’t come, he’s been watching over you, concerned whether you’ve eaten or slept well.”

Luo Lingyu sat by the couch, watching her maid busy herself while she stared blankly into space. After a while, Luo Lingyu said: “I’m truly wronged. I came specially for him, worried he might come to harm, yet he doesn’t care himself. I’m angry and heartbroken, but he’s still fixated on me slapping him in public, caring less about the crucial matter of life and death… Is he too arrogant or too confident? Does he think I’ll bow my head?”

“Is it because I usually make him happy, always try to please him, that he thinks I should always please him?”

Luo Lingyu lowered her eyes, dazed: “…Lingyu, I habitually try to please people, make them happy. But that’s just my way of doing things, because of my humble background—if people around me dislike me, my life becomes very difficult. But even Lu Yun… does even he think it’s right that I should please him?”

Lingyu: “Ah…”

Might the young miss be overthinking?

But that’s how love is.

When happy, he was the sky, the earth, her entire world; when disappointed, even his smallest flaws became infinitely magnified. How many couples have walked the path to separation over minor conflicts? And Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun weren’t even married yet, yet things had become like this.

Luo Lingyu said dejectedly: “I’m wondering if I should marry him. We’re both so proud, maybe we’re not suitable. I should have a husband who cherishes me, and he should find someone truly gentle who understands his sensitive nature…”

Lingyu was terrified hearing this, fearing that this decisive young miss might separate from Lu Sanglang. How had it come to this? Wasn’t it just an argument? Lingyu trembled: “…Let’s… let’s leave after dinner.”

Luo Lingyu didn’t stop her, watching as Lingyu suddenly became timid and darted out of the tent. Luo Lingyu remained seated quietly, head lowered, contemplating their relationship. She and Lu Yun were always like this—when things were good, they were exceptionally good; when things were bad, they could see each other’s flaws. Luo Lingyu wondered dazedly if, in Lu Er’lang’s dream, she and Lu Yun were always fated to be apart… whether it foretold that in reality, she and Lu Yun also…

“Bang—”

The curtain was suddenly lifted. Luo Lingyu looked up to see Lu Sanglang’s stern face, and behind him, her maid Lingyu peered in with an apologetic expression. Lingyu was helpless—she hadn’t wanted to betray her lady, but as soon as she went out, she was cornered by Lu Sanglang’s attendant. With Lu Sanglang’s methods… how could Lingyu resist?

Luo Lingyu naturally understood, but she just sat quietly, not speaking. She even had the leisure to glance at his face—the five-finger mark on that fair face had finally disappeared. Someone certainly had good skin.

Lu Yun spoke word by word: “You want to leave me, separate from me, marry another man?!”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

She glanced at Lingyu: how had her words been conveyed? She had just worried about their future, but now it had become as if she had firmly decided to leave Lu Yun.

Though Luo Lingyu thought this way, facing Lu Yun, she only said coldly: “So what if I do?”

Lu Yun’s face instantly turned black as ink, a vein throbbing on his forehead, his eyes growing cold.

The attendants and maids were frightened, but Luo Lingyu wasn’t afraid. Lu Yun took a deep breath: “All of you, get out.”

The maid and attendant: “…Yes.”

With Lu Sanglang’s face looking so terrible, they truly feared the delicate Luo Lingyu would be bullied. What could they do? The attendant was Lu Sanglang’s man, not daring to defy Lu Yun’s orders to fetch help. Lingyu paced anxiously, knowing she had been sent by the old madam to serve as the young miss’s maid—with the young miss being so shrewd, if she sided with Lu Sanglang instead of the young miss, even if Lu Sanglang and the young miss reconciled later, she would lose her standing with the lady.

Lingyu wracked her brains: “…Ah, General Wei! Let’s go down the mountain to seek General Wei’s help!”

…

Luo Lingyu truly wasn’t afraid of Lu Yun. She just sat quietly, lowering her eyelids to stare blankly at her hands, not caring how angry Lu Yun was.

After the maid and attendant left, Lu Yun suddenly came over and sat beside her. He changed his tone, reaching to hold her hand: “Lingyu, don’t be like this…”

Luo Lingyu moved away, pulling her hand from his.

Lu Yun’s eyes darkened, his expression turning ugly. But he didn’t show it on his face, instead following her movement to sit closer, reaching for her hand again. Though internally mortified, Lu Yun’s face showed only desire to please her: “Come now, don’t be angry. You’ve already slapped me and made me lose face like that, surely your anger should be gone? I haven’t done anything since then—when you were angry, didn’t I stop provoking you? Lingyu, don’t ignore me anymore, alright?”

Lu Sanglang, who had firmly declared to his attendant that he would never admit fault, now with no one watching, abandoned his pride and came to coax Luo Lingyu.

Lu Sanglang never cared about his image in private. As she remained stiff and ignored him, he reached out and pulled her into his embrace, lowering his head to kiss her ear lightly. Luo Lingyu’s ear tingled, her earlobe suddenly flushing red. She dodged his lips, angrily slapping his arms around her: “What are you doing… don’t touch me! Take your hands away…”

“Little sister Lingyu, don’t be like this,” Lu Yun spoke humbly, murmuring against her ear, “You’re the one making me angry. How can you talk about leaving me? Who breaks up just because of an argument? How can you give me no face at all? You weren’t like this before…”

Luo Lingyu, breathless from his kisses, bit her lip refusing to yield: “Then- then go find me from before… I- I, stop touching!”

As they spoke, she found herself pressed down onto the bed by him. Dense kisses pressed against her nape, his lips, and teeth working together, making her back feel as if pierced by thorns, completely numb. Food and sex are human nature—his face came close, rubbing noses with her at close range, his lips now near now far, his handsome features infinitely magnified before her eyes. He gazed down lovingly, holding her in his arms and caressing her. Luo Lingyu gasped for breath, struggling but gradually losing strength.

Lu Yun tested: “Don’t leave me, mm? Don’t marry someone else, alright?”

The young lady’s eyes grew red, her consciousness seeming to drift away. She bit her lip, but under his gentle offense, she couldn’t help but let out a soft moan. When she opened her mouth, his lips captured hers.

This time he was completely on top, with her trembling beneath him. Luo Lingyu was annoyed, reaching up to pound his shoulders.

Her chest heaved up and down.

His eyes brightened, and knowing the taste, he moved closer.

Luo Lingyu pushed him: “…Stop it! We’re still fighting, Lu Xuehen.”

Lu Yun sighed, burying his head against her chest, his voice muffled and extremely pitiful: “I never lose my temper with others, I only get angry with you. I was wrong, but so were you. No matter how we fight, don’t ignore me. When you ignore me, I feel terrible…”

Luo Lingyu retorted: “When I pay attention to you, I just scold you, doesn’t that make you angrier?”

Lu Yun said softly: “I don’t mind you scolding me, I just fear you ignoring me. Little sister Lingyu, you always leave when you’re unhappy. As if I’m not important, you can abandon me anytime, ready to be with other men anytime. Every time you’re nice to me, you want something from me…”

Luo Lingyu said angrily: “I do not! That was before… when have I used you recently?”

Lu Yun said gloomily: “But when other ladies pursue me, I’ve never seen you get jealous… you don’t care about me, you always have a backup plan… you!”

He was bitten by Luo Lingyu, letting out a muffled groan. Luo Lingyu wanted to say he was blind—she had been so jealous her stomach hurt, yet he thought she didn’t care about him. But she was breathless from his kisses, and though she had many questions to ask him, Lu Yun feared she would reject him if she spoke, so he didn’t dare give her a chance to talk. The two pressed against the couch, and as they kissed and caressed, the rhythm slowly escaped Lu Yun’s control.

Deeply in love, men and women shouldn’t be alone, shouldn’t be so close to a bed. On such a small couch, once lying down, some things became hard to control.

Even if they were still fighting.

As Lu Yun kissed Luo Lingyu, she went from initial resistance to gradually becoming passionate. At first, she pushed him away, but later wrapped her arms around his neck, tightly embracing his burning body. Fire ignites easily—already liking each other, how could they resist seeing each other so passionate? Lu Yun’s eyes were half-closed, sweat beading on his forehead, his breathless, dazed appearance making Luo Lingyu’s heart race as she held his neck.

So she also began to kiss him.

Pulling at his clothes.

Trembling: “Xuehen… Lu Yun…”

His outer robe fell to the floor, his inner clothes pressed beneath her. His hand stroked her hair as Lu Yun touched his forehead to hers, his knee pressing forward between her bent legs. Gently rubbing, slowly grinding, Lu Yun spoke in something between a sigh and not: “…Brother wants to sleep beside you.”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

“Sleep beside you” sounded so elegant, but he just wanted to bed her. She was embarrassed that she now understood such provocations from him.

He was always frivolous, his bedroom techniques naturally tending toward gentle and lingering. After spending more time with her, his techniques had grown even more varied. By now, they were both covered in sweat, Luo Lingyu unable to resist, her heart filled with shame and anger, still mad at this man. But when she opened her eyes to look at him, seeing his smiling expression full of spring intentions, she couldn’t stay angry.

…He truly was her burden.

Lu Yun clung to her.

Luo Lingyu was overwhelmed by his teasing, really unable to bear it anymore, her face red with shame as she said in a trembling voice: “What do you want, you’re so annoying!”

Lu Yun remained composed, continuing to entangle with her while still trying to talk, to resolve the conflict between them. Luo Lingyu was covered in sweat, still having to listen to his romantic whispers in her ear, rambling on explaining that he wasn’t seeking death, that he had a plan… Luo Lingyu raised her hand wanting to scratch his face: who wanted to hear about this now?

But when she raised her hand, Lu Yun sensitively caught it: “Don’t raise your hand against me…”

…

With Lu Yun’s endurance and techniques, after an hour, they were both covered in sweat. Their clothes were mostly removed, and their snow-white skin was almost exposed. The air was unbearably hot, their restraint questionable. Seeing that Luo Lingyu finally no longer resisted listening to him speak, Lu Yun was secretly pleased, and only then did he bite and suck at her, wanting to enter.

However, the tent flap was suddenly pulled open, and General Wei’s casual voice burst in: “Lieutenant Lu, I heard you were bullying Lady Luo… uh!”

Lu Yun reacted extremely quickly—while Luo Lingyu pressed beneath him, was still dazed, a man’s robe was thrown over, wrapping around her. Not only that, he held the lady and turned his body outward, using his back to block the bright light. Lu Yun raged: “Get out!”

General Wei: “…”

Wei Cong was extremely embarrassed and hurriedly retreated.

…

A quarter-hour later, Lu Yun’s face was dark, his expression even worse than when he had first gone to find Luo Lingyu. The typical frustrated and annoyed look of someone whose desires hadn’t been satisfied. General Wei just crouched by the bushes, wondering blankly: why did he always catch Lu Yun and Lady Luo in intimate moments?

Didn’t those two know to mind the occasion?

They had already closed the doors and windows to hide in the tent and didn’t know how else they could be more mindful.