In the dream’s shifting landscape, Lu Erlang married. As he had promised, he joined with many ministers to persuade His Majesty to allow Prince Liu Mu of Hengyang to return to Jianye. However, due to insufficient preparation, by the time the imperial edict was issued, Lu Erlang’s wedding had already passed.

Liu Mu waited expectantly at the border, but what arrived first was not the imperial edict calling him back to the capital, but border bandits – the northern army had returned in force.

At the same time, the princes of Jianye fought chaotically for the throne, and Luo Lingyu miscarried during that war.

With Jianye in chaos, no one had the mind to worry about the border war. No one anticipated the northern country breaking their agreement, with troops launching a night raid directly targeting Yingchuan Commandery. Liu Mu led troops to resist. When the fires of war ignited, this youth who was both commandery prince and general lit the beacon fires to request aid from the court. In his spirit form, Lu Erlang witnessed Liu Mu die in that battle.

Amidst raging flames, Liu Mu bled to death. Around him, corpses piled like mountains and blood flowed like rivers as enemy cavalry trampled past his body. A new general took command, and the court finally sent reinforcements, stopping the war in time. In negotiations between the southern and northern countries, this border invasion was declared not the doing of the northern country. That army fighting under the northern banner was northern rebels who had betrayed their court and come seeking revenge. The North handed over the rebels’ corpses to the South, paid countless amounts of gold and silver in compensation, and considered the matter settled. From then on, the South became extremely wary of the North, and the border saw no invasions for over ten years.

In the dream, Lu Xian’s eyes blazed with fury as he shouted: “This is wrong! This isn’t right!”

He watched fixedly as southern officials examined the supposed northern rebel corpses. When they lifted the cloth, the young general lay stiff and lifeless on the stretcher, his face icy white, his lips crimson as blood. This dead young general was handsome, with sharp, knife-like facial features. Even without breath, his bearing remained as straight and unyielding as a sharp sword striking at everyone’s hearts.

Upon first seeing the youth, Lu Erlang’s expression changed dramatically.

But those southern officials examining the body only checked the name and rank, clearly not recognizing this youth. The accompanying officials merely remarked with surprise: “…This rebel was quite young, what a pity.”

In the dream, Lu Erlang stared at the corpse, shouting: “Wrong! The north is lying! They’re telling lies!”

This dead youth, he had seen him in dreams before. In the dream where Lu Sanlang should have died in the snowy mist, this youth had appeared carrying a sword and blade, origin unknown, but the mortal wound Lu Sanlang received before death was dealt by this youth. In reality, Lu Sanlang hadn’t died, and this youth had never gone to the snowy mountain to kill anyone.

Thus when Lu Erlang couldn’t find this youth afterward, he didn’t worry much about it.

But… but… as the dream continued, that youth who should have killed Lu Sanlang, who hadn’t appeared in the snowy mountain that day, had now died in the battle at Yingchuan Commandery, offered up by the north to the south as a sacrifice to end this chaos.

Lu Erlang Lu Xian’s mind went blank. He vaguely felt something was wrong, but everything developed too strangely for him to figure out what—

A commandery prince’s death received a few laments before being forgotten. The Emperor barely mentioned it, as Liu Mu had long been regarded with suspicion and targeted by the princes in the imperial family. After his death, the entire royal clan remained quiet, with no one seeking justice for him. Afterward, the South stopped pursuing the matter with the North, and the North treated it as if it had never happened.

What happened next left Lu Xian even more stunned.

Suddenly, Prince Chen Liu Shu was imprisoned on charges of “deceiving the emperor and defying authority.”

The Lu family, implicated by Prince Chen, was questioned by other noble houses of Jianye. Just as they were at their wit’s end, unexpectedly, the Lu family rebelled. Leading them was Lu Sanlang, Lu Yun. When the Battle of Jianye erupted, Lu Sanlang led the Lu family in rebellion against the court, with the Lu family fleeing to Yicheng, followed by commoner families.

The southern country’s power split in two, with Jianye’s great families and the royal family on one side, facing off against the Lu family and commoner families. War broke out again… In the dream’s vision, Lu Yun’s eyes were like midnight, deep and dark. Still the elegant and refined noble young master, swift and graceful as a passing swan, but when he lowered his gaze, something lurked in the depths of his eyes.

…

Lu Xian awoke from the terrifying dream covered in cold sweat.

In the cold night under bright moonlight, banana leaves cast shadows on the window. The young nobleman who had suddenly awakened at his desk turned to look at the half-written memorial before him in the moonlight. It confirmed that the dream just now was real.

The Prince of Hengyang hadn’t made it to his wedding feast, arriving even later than Lu Erlang’s wedding. He died for his country and people at the border, with no one to make offerings after his death.

Third Brother… Lu Yun he…

Suddenly enlightened, Lu Erlang Lu Xian’s fingers trembled slightly against the desk, his face tightening—that dream was the ending!

He finally understood why he had to discuss his dreams with Third Brother, why Lu Yun had been evasive, saying he didn’t need to tell others about the dreams. Lu Yun naturally knew what would happen in his later dreams. Of course, Lu Yun knew because, after the series of events with Luo Lingyu’s miscarriage and Prince Chen’s imprisonment, Lu Yun’s state of mind would be the same regardless of when.

Rebellion.

It was the only path Lu Sanlang would take.

So “no need to say more,” “I can probably guess,” “Second Brother shouldn’t tell others about the dreams.”

When Lu Erlang told Lu Yun about the possible dream of Luo Lingyu’s miscarriage, Lu Yun immediately thought of the ending. And in reality… perhaps to better advance toward this ending, Lu Yun was already making arrangements. Lu Sanlang and Prince Chen’s frequent meetings, the frequent troop movements of Jianye’s Sikong府 army…

Lu Erlang laughed bitterly in shock, hand pressed to his forehead: Third Brother, Third Brother! To think you harbored such treasonous thoughts! No wonder you wouldn’t speak plainly! No wonder you wanted Cousin Luo to go directly to Yicheng that day.

It wasn’t simply worried about her miscarriage.

You realized far more than what I saw.

So that’s it, that’s it…

However, could Lu Yun be blamed?

From Lu Yun going to Nanyang to Lu Yun returning to Jianye. The attitude of Jianye’s court, the wariness of the great families toward the Lu family… it was all clear to see.

The old emperor’s inaction, the princes’ divided hearts, and the deflection of responsibility for the border war.

He had thought Lu Sanlang didn’t care.

In truth, Lu Yun cared immensely.

For someone of his noble character who held ideals supreme and couldn’t tolerate the slightest impurity in his sight, when a great mass of sand was about to blind his eyes, having nearly died several times due to the court’s inaction, how could Lu Yun truly act as if nothing had happened just because he couldn’t find the primary source of his hatred?

The princes of Jianye’s battle for succession, Luo Lingyu’s miscarriage, and Liu Shu’s imprisonment were all powder kegs.

In reality, even without these triggers, major events would still proceed according to Lu Yun’s will.

This was Lu Yun.

…

The next day after court, the Lu family’s young masters walked together. Lu Yun suddenly turned his eyes to see his second brother had been looking at him with a strange, complex gaze. Lu Erlang had been watching him all morning with such a subtle look that it made Lu Yun’s eyes flash. The young master asked teasingly: “Could it be Second Brother who had another dream?”

Lu Erlang: “…”

He suddenly came back to himself, seeing the other Lu family’s young masters looking over curiously. Lu Erlang immediately straightened his back, quickly pulling Lu Yun aside, saying angrily: “Don’t speak of strange powers and chaos! Must you speak so loudly in public?”

To treat the peculiarity of his dreams as nothing at all!

Lu Yun raised his eyes with absolute certainty, glancing at his second brother: “Such nervousness, it seems you did have a dream.” After a pause, Lu Yun pondered thoughtfully, “Second Brother must have new thoughts about me. Perhaps wanting to stop me?”

Lu Xian stared at his unconcerned third brother for a long while, bitter in his heart but composed on his face. He shook his head, sighing: “How could I have the ability to stop you.”

With mutual understanding, he had practically admitted he knew what Lu Yun planned to do. Lu Erlang only worried that Lu Sanlang would lead the Lu family into a quagmire. But he didn’t consider that if Lu Yun had already guessed what choice he would make, perhaps in reality, he would have an even better path.

Standing with Third Brother on the palace steps talking, Lu Sanlang was tall as bamboo, with magnificent bearing. Officials passed back and forth around them, while Lu Sanlang’s profile remained cold and elegant, his expression maintaining its consistent indifference.

At this point, looking at his third brother’s profile, Lu Xian finally accepted, finally acknowledged: from beginning to end, his dreams were never about Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu’s love story. What he had been predicting all along was the southern country’s dire future direction. Whenever things moved toward misfortune, the dreams would illuminate it, hoping someone capable in reality would step forward to reverse that terrible situation.

As it happened, Lu Sanlang Lu Yun was that person who could drive events forward.

The survival of the South was tightly intertwined with Lu Yun’s fate.

When he died pierced by countless arrows, Liu Mu ascended the throne but the South lost its country; when he died in the snowy mountains, no one could withstand the North’s vast armies, and the South still perished; when he survived, in the south’s upcoming third calamity, the only person directing everything was Lu Yun.

Fate bestowed by heaven was so coincidental and interesting – Lu Sanlang’s every move pulled at the strings of this country.

…

This was probably the greatest secret of Lu Erlang’s dreams.

…

Lu Erlang laughed softly.

Lu Yun glanced at him.

Seeing Lu Xian relax his shoulders, he laughed and sighed: “Alright, everything as you wish. You arrange everything… if you need me to do anything, you can directly command it. Though I don’t have your broad and far-reaching vision, don’t see as much as you. But at least if you hope for me to do something to assist you, I won’t let you down. Can Third Brother trust me?”

Lu Yun’s eyes lifted in a smile: “Of course I trust you. Has Second Brother forgotten what I said? You are heaven’s favored one… if I don’t trust someone chosen by heaven as fortunate, who can I trust?”

Lu Erlang cursed him with a laugh: “Go!”

Just then a servant hurried over, saying softly that Prince Chen’s carriage was waiting outside the palace gates. Lu Yun paused, while Lu Erlang eagerly wanted to participate: “In the future Prince Chen and our Lu family will be one family, why does His Highness Prince Chen only trust you alone? Third Brother, when you have time invite Prince Chen to drink tea at home. How should I put it, I’m also his…”

Lu Erlang’s face reddened slightly, he steadied himself with a cough, his voice weakening slightly: “Brother-in-law.”

Lu Yun: “…”

He snorted with laughter, responding lazily: “Fine.”

Waving to his second brother, Lu Yun followed the servant with his hands behind his back, walking toward the great road laid out below the steps.

Lu Erlang remained standing in place, watching Third Brother’s retreating figure with deep emotion. He vaguely felt he had forgotten something, and when Third Brother had left the palace gates, Lu Xian finally remembered – “Oh no, I forgot about the Prince of Hengyang again.”

He felt guilty, because throughout, he had witnessed Liu Mu’s life and death, but his eyes had always been fixed on Third Brother. Liu Mu was just incidental. Even in last night’s dream, though he had initially felt indignant for Liu Mu, after discovering Lu Yun’s rebellion, Lu Xian’s gaze had again constantly followed Third Brother with caution. After waking he had also been concerned about Third Brother… completely forgetting Liu Mu’s death.

Liu Mu was also his friend, yet he paid so little attention to his friend.

Lu Xian felt very troubled in his heart, thinking how he had twice witnessed that youth’s death. Both times as sacrifices to the national crisis… Lu Yun’s path was of his choosing, but Liu Mu was always the unfortunate one, the one caught up in events.

Before he died in the dream, was Liu Mu’s heart firmly set on serving the country, or did he also feel resentful, realizing that the court might be scheming against him?

Lu Erlang murmured: “I should not only help Third Brother, but I should also save Liu Mu… he’s not a bad person, he shouldn’t die.”

None of them were bad people, none of them should die.

Lu Erlang lowered his eyes, his expression gradually becoming determined—he must ensure Liu Mu returns, make sure Liu Mu keeps his appointment!

Oh right, and that dead youth… Lu Xian hurriedly caught up with Lu Yun, mentioning that mysterious young man, suggesting they send people to the northern border to find out where that youth might be. They must keep watch over that young man.

…

Neither Lu Yun nor Lu Xian had expected that the youth was named Yue Zihan. He wasn’t at the border at all, he had always been in Jianye, right under the Lu family’s noses. He was even friends with Lu Yun’s sister-in-law Luo Yunhua, often helping her with various matters.

Lu Yun kept his word, arranging the next meeting with Prince Chen at the Lu residence. Lu Yun’s wife Luo Lingyu was so capable, of taking the initiative to help entertain guests. After receiving an eye signal from her husband, Luo Lingyu also had someone invite Second Brother.

Lu Xian participated in Lu Yun and Liu Shu’s discussions for the first time, both nervous and excited.

During the meeting, he subtly hinted to Prince Chen that he was being closely watched by several princes and might face imprisonment. Prince Chen’s features were beautiful and gentle, but his expression was extremely cold. When Lu Xian wracked his brain trying to use evidence that existed, in reality, to subtly warn Prince Chen about the events from his dreams, Liu Shu just sat quietly, listening intently without saying a word.

Lu Xian spoke until his mouth was dry: “…”

He frowned: “You and Third Brother disrupted Prince Zhao’s opportunity to profit in the last Nanyang battle. And because of the imperial edict matter, you’ve offended His Majesty. If possible, they might find excuses to frame you… Your Highness, you must be cautious.”

Liu Shu exchanged a glance with Lu Yun, appearing thoughtful: “…Hmm.”

Lu Xian: “…”

What was wrong with this Prince Chen? He had thought the prince’s reluctance to speak and cold manner was just toward outsiders, but why did Liu Shu still barely speak even in private?

Lu Xian gave up: “What are your thoughts on the current situation?”

Liu Shu seemed to be pondering, his eyelashes as thick and long as a maiden’s. Yet he wouldn’t speak, and only Lu Sanlang, watching Lu Erlang’s increasingly stiff expression, smiled slightly and tapped his fingers on the table as he spoke: “The refugee crisis in Jianye cannot be ignored. Previously, Prince Chen had people visit various temples and Taoist monasteries to register the refugees’ information. They indeed found some people whose information didn’t match up. Among them, the refugees saved by Miss Chen at the Chen residence had the most issues. Before we were only investigating secretly, but now with several suspicious points, it’s best to start investigating directly from Miss Chen.”

Lu Yun rubbed his forehead: “The only problem is that the Chen family members aren’t in Jianye, and the only master at the Chen residence is Miss Chen. If troops suddenly surround the Chen residence, it would seem like bullying the weak, drawing public criticism. Other noble families, thinking of themselves, would also interfere.”

Lu Xian didn’t initially understand what Lu Yun was worried about, but after Lu Yun’s vague words finished, he suddenly realized: “…This Miss Chen you speak of, could it be Chen Xiu, the daughter of that great scholar Chen who pursued you for many years?”

Lu Yun neither confirmed nor denied.

Lu Xian made an “ah” sound, immediately understanding Lu Yun’s difficulty. Toward that woman, Lu Yun had always been harshly critical. After all, she was a young lady who had admired Lu Yun for many years, and everyone in Jianye’s noble circles knew about Chen Xiu’s admiration for Lu Yun. Chen Xiu had delayed her marriage for years because of Lu Yun, yet Lu Yun had quietly married Luo Lingyu. In the eyes of Jianye’s people, Lu Yun would rather marry a cousin of humble origins than give Chen Xiu a chance. What a humiliation that was for Chen Xiu.

Lu Yun glanced at his second brother, saying: “You’re overthinking it.”

Lu Yun: “I don’t want to deal with her simply because she’s too annoying. She assumes she can be physical with me, and that we’re close, but in reality, I hate it most when people act that way toward me. If I have to interact with her and she acts like before, I definitely won’t be able to help but hurt her face… who knows how much gossip this will generate in Jianye’s noble circles.”

Lu Xian and Liu Shu both smiled, knowing that with Lu Sanlang’s reputation, whatever he did one day would spread throughout Jianye the next. This kind of trouble brought by Miss Chen annoyed Lu Yun. People watched every move of famous scholars, and if Lu Sanlang scolded Chen Xiu once, the world would spread it as them having deep feelings but being unable to be together… Moreover, since Luo Lingyu was of humble birth, people wouldn’t believe Lu Yun truly loved his cousin, they would only think that the cousin had used despicable means to force Lu Yun to marry her. A bad reputation affected women of humble birth far worse than noble ladies.

The vicious cousin in the eyes of the world.

Lu Xian smiled: “Third Brother truly treats cousin well, caring so much about her reputation…”

Lu Yun: “I just don’t want her crying and wailing, expecting me to comfort her.”

How could someone as jealous as Luo Lingyu tolerate being slandered? Who knows what trouble that would cause?

They discussed this matter for a while, then talked about how to deal with those northern spies. They could uncover some people, but couldn’t find those who were deeply hidden. Searching the Chen residence was meant to startle the grass to scare the snake, making those northern spies see the timing wasn’t right and act quickly. Though the plan was advancing, Lu Yun and Prince Chen had been waiting for them.

So, when should they choose to strike?

It needed to be a grand enough opportunity, when everyone was celebrating, letting the spies see it was a good chance to cause trouble.

Liu Shu finally deigned to speak: “Which upcoming festival is closest?”

The Dragon Boat Festival in May had passed, June had no festivals, and July’s Double Seven Festival, Ghost Festival, and Ullambana Festival were still two whole months away. There were too many variables.

Lu Xian murmured: “The closest… would be my wedding to Princess Ningping early next month.”

Liu Shu paused.

Lu Yun immediately objected: “That won’t do, how can we use Second Brother’s wedding for this…”

Who would want to use their wedding as bait? A once-in-a-lifetime grand wedding, only to remember it later as a time of chaos. Who would want that?

Lu Xian suddenly thought of Liu Mu and blurted out: “No, I’m willing.”

Lu Yun rarely frowned: “…?!”

Lu Xian’s heart raced as he suddenly realized Liu Mu’s death happened sometime after his wedding. If he could get Liu Mu to return early, and ensure Liu Mu came to Jianye… the Prince of Hengyang wouldn’t die!

Lu Xian stood up, looking at Liu Shu: “I’ll discuss it with the princess… if the princess has no objections, let’s use our wedding as this bait. Your Highness, it’s not that I don’t cherish the princess, it’s just that opportunities are rare. I will make it up to the princess, this wedding will be the grandest in Jianye. It’s just that, just that there will be some incidents outside… but it won’t affect the Lu family or the princess. I…”

Liu Shu: “You, need not explain. If Tang’er is, willing, I won’t object.”

…

Princess Ningping Liu Tang was a very gentle and shy princess.

When Lu Erlang gently and thoroughly explained to her why they needed to do this, when Lu Erlang crouched before her, earnestly looking up at her, the little princess nodded with a red face, stammering: “It’s- it’s- it’s fine! I don’t mind. If- if you don’t mind, I don’t mind either.”

She said softly: “I also want to help my brother, and… husband.”

Her hand was held by Lu Erlang, and both their hands trembled slightly. In the silence, neither had anything to say for a moment. After a long while, Lu Xian was heard saying gently and softly: “Your Highness… except for the wedding, I will treat you very well…”

…

For the search of the Chen residence, because Lu Yun didn’t want to deal with Chen Xiu, he had no choice but to seek help from Luo Lingyu. Lu Yun justified himself: “It’s good if you go, haven’t you two always been archenemies? Fighting every time you meet.”

Luo Lingyu gave him a fierce glare. He found Chen Xiu troublesome, but did he think she didn’t find Chen Xiu troublesome?

But since this was the first time her husband had asked for her help after marriage, Luo Lingyu still agreed.

…

Having helped countless refugees, provided shelter and food, and done many good deeds, Chen Xiu’s mood wasn’t very good.

Because Lu Sanlang had married.

He had married, wed Luo Lingyu, and even held the wedding in Nanyang. Chen Xiu hadn’t even seen it. The young master she had loved for so many years, in the end, wouldn’t give her a chance. What was so good about that little vixen Luo Lingyu? Why didn’t Lu Yun choose her, instead choosing a woman of such vile character? Chen Xiu stayed glumly in her residence, and because of her bad mood, she didn’t even know about the recent investigation of refugees.

Several young ladies who cultivated friendship with the great scholar’s daughter naturally knew Chen Xiu’s heartache. They came to the Chen residence to comfort Chen Xiu, joining her in cursing that little vixen Luo Lingyu who had stolen Lu Sanlang. The ladies sat together, harboring jealousy, constantly attacking Luo Lingyu. Chen Xiu’s expression was still unhappy, so one lady advised: “Miss Chen, no need to think that Luo Lingyu is anything special. She only got the Flower Goddess title last year, this year’s Flower Goddess has returned to sister’s hands, hasn’t it?”

Chen Xiu snorted.

Another lady continued: “Moreover, in this year’s Ladies’ Portrait, the most beautiful isn’t necessarily her.”

Chen Xiu: “Oh?”

She was surprised, could there be a woman in the world who surpassed Luo Lingyu’s beauty? Though Chen Xiu wouldn’t admit it, she had always felt that Luo Lingyu being so evil-hearted yet able to trick Lu Sanlang into marrying her was largely because Luo Lingyu was extremely beautiful. Such excessive beauty had blinded the young master’s eyes, making Lu Sanlang unable to see the deep darkness of her scheming heart.

The lady informed Chen Xiu: “A new person was added to this year’s Ladies’ Portrait, a famous beauty from Luoyang in the northern country, called Chen Xue. That lady was evaluated as ‘Luoyang’s First Beauty’ and selected for the Ladies’ Portrait. She truly is extremely beautiful, Luo Lingyu might not compare to her. It’s just that, it’s just that…”

The lady hesitated in her speech.

Chen Xiu curiously pressed for more.

That lady blushed: “I always feel that that Luoyang beauty Chen Xue and Third Young Master… seem to look very similar.”

Chen Xiu immediately said: “Is that so? Do you have the Ladies’ Portrait? Bring it for me to see. I want to see whether Chen Xue or Luo Lingyu is more beautiful. Hmph, if Chen Xue is more beautiful… I’d like to see what face Luo Lingyu has left to show off in front of me!”

She had been angered by Luo Lingyu too many times, and especially wanted to see that woman who valued her beauty so much suffer setbacks—this way, it would slightly ease her heart’s hatred of the other woman marrying Lu Sanlang.

As the ladies were opening the Ladies’ Portrait in the courtyard to admire Lady Chen Xue’s beauty, Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun drove their carriage to the Chen residence gate, presenting their calling cards. Lu Yun needed to search for people, and Luo Lingyu was waiting to argue with Chen Xiu to provide an opportunity for her husband. The couple hadn’t expected that after months of traveling between the southern and northern countries, Miss Chen Xue would become the leading topic of gossip among jianye’s ladies—

“One of Jianye’s mysteries: why does Luoyang beauty Chen Xue look so similar to Lu Sanlang of Danyang? Is the Lu family consorting with the enemy, or has their bloodline spread outside? Could it be possible that the Lu family, known for having more sons than daughters, had lost a daughter to the northern country?”