Chen Xiu and several ladies sat on a couch in the courtyard, together unfolding a copied Ladies’ Portrait—

In the painting was a small pavilion by emerald waters, with a beauty leaning on the railing. The beauty’s bearing was elegant, wearing plain white deep robes that emphasized her lofty, otherworldly temperament. The fierce wind and cold moon caused her deep robes to flutter slightly. Her exposed profile, hidden in the interplay of shadow and light, held an ancient charm in its serenity. That tranquility, reflected in the scenery, created a moment of melancholic awakening from a beautiful dream.

The ladies were momentarily stunned, then discussed: “Which famous scholar painted this? The spirit is excellent.”

“Is this Chen Xue, the famous beauty from Luoyang in the north? I heard she’s just a qin player, but with such bearing, no wonder she made it into the scholar’s painting…”

Amidst the chorus of praise and agreement, Chen Xiu’s face also showed amazement, her fingers brushing over the beauty’s face in the painting. Gaining a scholar’s appreciation wasn’t easy, and being included in the Ladies’ Portrait was even harder. Chen Xiu prided herself on being a talented woman, having won “Flower Goddess” for multiple consecutive years based on her talent, which had also earned her a place in scholars’ portrait collections. There were countless ladies’ portraits, but Chen Xiu wasn’t known for her beauty, and in the rankings of top beauties, Chen Xiu was far from reaching the heights…

Thus her jealousy toward Luo Lingyu.

Now there was another, Chen Xue of Luoyang.

After the ladies praised the painting, one softly made a subtle observation: “Looking at it this way, she does resemble Lu Sanlang somewhat…”

The ladies fell silent, all harboring varying degrees of shock and suspicion in their hearts. They didn’t suspect Lu Sanlang of cross-dressing, such a shocking idea wouldn’t occur to most people. What they secretly wondered was what relationship Lu Sanlang had with this woman. Could there be a lost Lu family child in Luoyang? The Lu family was the foremost noble family of the southern country’s Jianye, and if a lost Lu child appeared in Luoyang in the north… the political implications were chilling.

The ladies of Jianye, given their backgrounds, all had some political sensitivity. Thus when one said “resembles Lu Sanlang,” the other ladies only pressed their lips together, smiling without speaking. In their hearts, they thought they must have their fathers and brothers look at this when they returned home, as there might be something suspicious about it.

But this was just Lu Sanlang’s misfortune.

Originally nothing would have come of it, but entering the scholar’s painting had unexpectedly created a host of problems for him. That day when rescuing the scholars from Luoyang, Lu Yun also demanded the destruction of Chen Xue’s paintings, thinking that if the scholars didn’t paint, Chen Xue’s name wouldn’t spread far. Lu Yun hadn’t intended to erase all traces of Chen Xue in Luoyang, feeling this connection might prove useful later. However, Lu Yun hadn’t expected that among the scholars who had promised to keep silent, one who had been rescued and left Nanyang later while traveling to study couldn’t bear to destroy the painting of Lu Sanlang. This person didn’t share it with others, only taking it out when alone for his amusement, secretly laughing at Lu Sanlang having such an awkward moment.

Unexpectedly one day, thieves broke into the scholar’s residence. Besides other property losses, this portrait that the scholar had kept for private viewing also got circulated.

Furthermore, when the Luoyang governor was demoted, he left while keeping silent about why his concubine Chen Xue had disappeared. The people of Luoyang still thought Lady Chen Xue remained in Luoyang…

When the portrait circulated in Luoyang, some wanted to curry favor by showing their connection to the scholar, claiming they had seen the portrait and confidently guaranteeing they had met Chen Xue. After Chen Xue’s disappearance, those who had previously seen her also began praising her beauty. After the North’s defeat and the old governor’s departure, Luoyang’s atmosphere was depressed, and discussing Chen Xue’s beauty somehow became a twisted way for Luoyang’s people to comfort themselves.

Through various coincidences, people spread detailed stories about Chen Xue as if she truly existed.

How many people swore they had seen Chen Xue, how many boasted of sharing wine and conversation with her, and some even fabricated romantic encounters with her in suggestive tones… With the geographical distance between north and south, how could Lu Sanlang Lu Yun in distant Jianye know that Chen Xue had been built up by the people of Luoyang into a peerless beauty?

The less anyone saw her, the more legendary she became.

When it reached the south, having only the portrait was already fortunate for Lu Yun.

While the ladies and Chen Xiu were appreciating the painting with varying expressions, the steward hurriedly entered the courtyard, informing them that Lu Sanlang had surrounded the Chen residence with troops. Chen Xiu’s face changed dramatically, never expecting Lu Yun to be so bold. As her companions were shocked, Chen Xiu walked out, demanding harshly: “On what grounds do you surround the Chen residence? When has our Chen family ever committed any crimes? Lu Sanlang couldn’t treat me like this… he even discussed scholarship with my father, he and I…”

The steward smiled bitterly, urging anxiously: “Young Miss, don’t be foolish! The Chen family’s private forces have already gone to resist, but the troops Lu Sanlang brought are from the Grand Marshal’s office, he…”

As they spoke, the sounds of clashing weapons and fighting came from the front courtyard. The Chen family had left Jianye last year, supposedly to escape the summer heat, and never returned. Chen the Scholar had sent many letters to Jianye, asking his daughter to come find them. Last year Chen Xiu had firmly refused, but this year after Lu Sanlang’s marriage, Chen Xiu had become dejected and her heart had softened, she had already started selling family property, preparing to go find her parents… who knew such a thing would happen before she left!

Chen Xiu couldn’t believe it in her heart, making countless excuses for Lu Yun as she ran to the front courtyard with the steward, watching in alarm as the resisting Chen family private forces were defeated, with Lu Yun’s great army surrounding the place. After the troops subdued the Chen family soldiers and servants, they ran toward Chen Xiu’s direction. Chen Xiu’s face turned pale, but she saw the troops looking straight ahead, passing right by her—”Search! Clear up everyone’s information! Don’t let anyone leave!”

In her shock, Chen Xiu watched the troops searching, bewildered about what they were looking for, only gritting her teeth in angry hatred: “Stop, halt! How dare you, how dare you search the Chen residence, you…”

Her words cut off abruptly as she saw Lu Sanlang walking behind the troops.

Wearing wide-sleeved white robes above and black skirts below, a jade crown binding his hair, and a golden belt at his waist. Lu Yun’s gaze was cold and clear as he stood at the gate of the Chen family’s great courtyard, his expressionless face gazing out over the century-old compound as the sunlight fell on his face and form. Like rare herbs and jade trees, his face like polished jade, those far-reaching features making one forget worldly concerns… Chen Xiu stared at the sight, her voice trembling: “Third Young Master!”

Lu Yun: “…”

Lu Yun looked at her, his eyes slightly darkening, still expressionless: “Miss Chen need not panic. The Marshal’s office received reports of some refugees causing trouble in Jianye city. Today we’re just here to question those refugees at the Chen residence. The Chen family won’t be affected.”

Chen Xiu’s expression turned ice-cold. The steward anxiously stood to the side but was dismissed by her glance. She straightened her back, walking toward Lu Yun: “Is this your reason for searching the Chen residence? You show such disregard for me, could it be you fear something? The feelings we once shared, you don’t consider at all. You treat me like this…”

The young lady’s pride fixed her gaze on him.

Lu Yun began to feel a headache coming on.

Still like this.

Chen Xiu was still like this.

She always thought he was as noble as she was, but while she was genuine, he had only been putting on airs to avoid trouble. Chen Xiu didn’t mention the Chen family, only speaking of herself, just like every time before. Chen Xiu refused to accept that Lu Yun wasn’t the kind of person she thought he was, believing that their near-decade of feelings couldn’t leave Lu Yun’s heart undisturbed…

Chen Xiu’s eyes were cold but fiery, tears seeming both present and absent. She harbored a heart full of grievance toward Lu Yun, reaching out tremblingly to grab his sleeve: “Lu Sanlang, you searched my home…”

A smiling female voice came from behind Lu Yun: “It’s already been said this is routine official business, why is Sister Chen so heartbroken?”

Chen Xiu’s outstretched hand suddenly froze: …heavens, that nightmarish voice, so familiar!

She stiffly looked over to see a lady stepping over the threshold, her skirts sweeping the ground like brushing plum blossoms. With exquisite makeup and clear, elegant features, Luo Lingyu walked with graceful bearing, looking over with a suppressed smile. Chen Xiu screamed internally, instantly recalling countless previous defeats when facing off against Luo Lingyu.

Chen Xiu’s voice changed: “What are you doing here?!”

She looked at Lu Yun in disbelief: “…Lu Sanlang, are you, are you humiliating me like this?! Do you despise me this much?”

Knowing her antagonism with Luo Lingyu, knowing her heart yearned for him. He had married Luo Lingyu, and now today, he brought Luo Lingyu along to watch her make a fool of herself, to humiliate her…

Lu Yun was most annoyed by Chen Xiu acting like this. In the past, he always had to waste energy to shake off this woman’s entanglements. Now with Luo Lingyu present, Lu Yun gave her a meaningful look, and Luo Lingyu nodded with understanding. To Chen Xiu, it appeared they were exchanging glances right in front of her. Chen Xiu trembled with anger, also feeling unspeakable shame. As her body grew cold, Luo Lingyu affectionately took her hand, speaking with a bright smile: “What is sister thinking? Sister really shouldn’t overthink this, my husband and I have no ill intentions. I came to explain precisely because I feared my sister would misunderstand. I worry so much about sister being suspicious…”

Chen Xiu pushed her away.

Luo Lingyu held onto her arm with absolute firmness, not letting go.

Chen Xiu cried out in shame and anger: “Let go! I…”

As she turned to check on the situation in the back courtyard, Luo Lingyu naturally wouldn’t let go while holding her: “Sister shouldn’t hurry, those refugees caused you trouble last year, creating friction between the Chen and Lu families. Why does sister still want to suffer losses, still looking after them.”

Chen Xiu laughed coldly: “I’m certainly not like you. You only help refugees to gain fame, while I see things through to the end.” She paused, looking at Lu Yun again, her voice earnest, “Third Young Master, look at the woman you married…”

Luo Lingyu interrupted, full of grievance: “Sister Chen, I don’t know why you always have such prejudice against me. You suspect evil intentions in everything I do, you’ve slandered me many times, I even fled to Nanyang, yet you still won’t let me be. Sister Chen, the Chen family now has only you, what good is there in raising tensions? I’m still trying to help you, yet you misunderstand me again…”

Luo Lingyu suddenly said many words.

Chen Xiu was astounded at how she could turn black into white with her words, constantly looking at Lu Yun with anxious gazes. However, Lu Yun stood as steady as a mountain, completely unmoved, as if he hadn’t heard the two women’s argument at all. Chen Xiu tried several times to break free from Luo Lingyu to check on the refugees in the back courtyard, hearing the chaotic sounds, her heart uneasy, inevitably overthinking. But this Luo Lingyu wouldn’t let go of her, speaking with such affected grievance that Chen Xiu wanted to spit blood.

Chen Xiu: “Let go of me!”

Luo Lingyu smiled, her eyes containing timidity: “Sister Chen, you’re yelling at me again. Let me apologize on my husband’s behalf, alright? Let’s sit down and drink tea, do some painting…”

Behind them, several ladies who had come to visit Chen Xue saw the situation wasn’t right and also ran out. As they ran out, the ladies saw troops everywhere like locusts, grabbing people, and though they were terrified, no one stopped them. Leaving the courtyard, they saw Lu Sanlang blocking the door in the front courtyard, with Luo Lingyu and Chen Xiu pulling and pushing each other, arguing incessantly.

The ladies panicked, lowering their heads to try to slip past everyone and escape the Chen residence.

Standing at the mansion gate, Lu Yun was blocking it with an intimidating presence, watching as several ladies from the Chen residence came out with lowered heads, trying to sneak past. Lu Yun stared at them, intensely judging whether to let them pass. He felt that today’s purpose in checking the refugees was to startle the grass to scare the snake, to get Jianye’s spies moving, but there was no telling if some dim-witted spy might be caught today…

As Lu Yun stared at these ladies, judging whether they were Jianye residents or spies, the ladies became even more flustered under his gaze. Being stared at by such a jade-like young master as Lu Sanlang, the ladies’ faces reddened, unconsciously lifting their heads to look back. Lu Sanlang’s bearing remained as magnificent as ever after marriage, there were stories about Lu Sanlang all over Jianye, but Lu Sanlang hadn’t appeared before the ladies for a long time.

Being watched by such a handsome young master, his eyes like stars, his robes floating… one lady in her panic dropped the scroll she was holding, which hit the ground with a “pa” sound, the painting unfurling.

Lu Yun looked down, and when he saw what was in the painting, his expression changed dramatically. That lady hurriedly crouched down to collect her painting, but Lu Yun held the other end of the scroll. The lady couldn’t pull it free, and seeing Lu Yun’s strange expression, thought it was because of the person in the painting. She stammered with a red face: “This- this is from the Ladies’ Portrait, this woman is the famous beauty from Luoyang, very well-known…”

Lu Yun’s finger rubbed the painting, his fingertip immediately collecting a layer of fine powder. His expression grew even worse: “…This is a forgery? Not the original?”

…Forgeries circulating showed how eagerly people pursued it.

He looked at that lady: “Does the lady know who has the original painting?”

…He absolutely couldn’t let Chen Xue’s paintings spread everywhere!

Although Luo Lingyu was deliberately entangling Chen Xiu, she remained observant of her surroundings and quickly noticed Lu Yun crouching on the ground, seemingly arguing with a lady over a painting. She glanced over casually and saw his tense profile, his expression… not good at all. Luo Lingyu immediately walked over, saying softly: “Husband, what’s… ah.”

She looked down and saw “Chen Xue” in the painting, her heart pausing oddly. Her shoulders trembling as she looked down, she bit her lip trying desperately to hold back wild laughter—Lu Xuezhen, haha, now you have your day! Looking at how well this forgery was painted, who knows how many people have seen the original hahaha…

That lady was still explaining: “I don’t know where the original is either, it’s just that Master Zhang’s painting is very famous, I borrowed this copy through connections…”

Chen Xiu also walked over, instantly understanding what had happened here. She glanced over, seeing Lu Yun’s frost-covered face and Luo Lingyu staring at the painting, her beautiful eyes full of interest, glistening with tears. Not knowing that Luo Lingyu’s trembling shoulders were from trying to hold back laughter, Chen Xiu thought Luo Lingyu was looking down at the painting and found an outlet for her anger. Chen Xiu snorted: “In Jianye City, some people are so shallow, praising Miss Luo as the most beautiful lady they’ve ever seen. I think not, not to mention the mystery of Zhou Yangling from Yicheng, many surpass Miss Luo…”

Zhou Yangling from Yicheng.

Luo Lingyu’s eyes darkened for a moment, snorting with laughter inside. Having never seen Zhou Yangling, she naturally dismissed it. When Chen Xiu said there were others, Luo Lingyu was even more unconvinced: More beautiful than her? Don’t believe it, don’t believe it!

Chen Xiu: “I’ll name one person you surely can’t match.”

At this point, Luo Lingyu forgot to care about her husband’s embarrassment. Lu Yun knew there was no use getting one forgery, and he stood up with a dark face, only to hear his wife arguing again about-face. Lu Yun gave an inscrutable glance, but Luo Lingyu didn’t look at all. The lady’s lips curved slightly, full of interest as she asked: “Oh? Who are you saying I can’t match?”

Chen Xiu looked at her mockingly, glancing down to see the painting on the ground. Chen Xiu enunciated each word: “Luoyang’s Chen Xue, you probably aren’t as beautiful as her.”

Lu Yun shuddered beside them: “…!”

Luo Lingyu’s eyebrows and eyes slowly raised, forming a soul-stirring arc. Her eyelashes fluttered, ripples appearing in her eyes as she exchanged a glance with Lu Yun beside her. Luo Lingyu lazily cupped her peach-like cheeks, light dancing in her eyes as she turned back to look at Chen Xiu. Chen Xiu was certain Luo Lingyu was competitive and jealous, unable to admit being inferior to others.

Unexpectedly, Luo Lingyu smiled and said: “Oh… you mean Chen Xue? As for Sister Chen Xue, I naturally defer to her and acknowledge her superiority. Toward Sister Chen Xue, I certainly bow in submission.”

“How could she be an ordinary lady?”

The more she spoke, the darker Lu Yun’s expression became.

Lu Yun: “Shut up! Come on, stop talking.”

Luo Lingyu was quite interested in continuing the conversation and wanted to pull the bewildered Chen Xiu aside to say more, but she was grabbed by the arm and dragged away by Lu Yun. Lu Yun couldn’t stay at the Chen residence any longer, instructing the soldiers to report when the search yielded results, as he forcibly dragged away his wife who loved watching the drama unfold.

Luo Lingyu: “Hey, hey, hey! How annoying, why are you dragging me away and not letting me talk? I was having such a nice conversation with Sister Chen… Finally found something in common with Sister Chen, Sister Chen let’s chat again another day!”

Left behind, Chen Xiu watched bewildered as the couple came and went so hurriedly. Chen Xiu was proud by nature and had always been unwilling to yield, but now she also wondered confusedly with the ladies beside her: “…What are they running from?”

Then she felt dejected.

The courtyard was in chaos. When Lu Yun was present, Chen Xiu had opposed him, not allowing him to search; but after he left, having been pulled around by Luo Lingyu for so long, she also saw that Lu Yun wasn’t targeting the Chen family. As her mind settled, her heart grew bitter seeing the husband and wife’s coordinated performance: between Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu, there was a relationship she couldn’t wedge herself into.

She didn’t want to admit it, but now she thought, Lu Yun truly did love Luo Lingyu.

…Truly, she should let go.

…

Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu sat back in their covered carriage. Seeing Luo Lingyu’s extreme disappointment, Lu Yun gritted his teeth: “I asked you to help, yet you cause such trouble! If you’re not slandering me in front of others, are you feeling lost?”

Luo Lingyu glared at him.

She wanted to scold him, but seeing his poor expression, she thought again and felt sympathy. Luo Lingyu smiled mysteriously, pouting with schadenfreude: “Hmph, and you’re scolding me. Don’t you need to please me?”

Lu Yun raised his eyebrows.

Luo Lingyu: “The famous Chen Xue portrait has spread to Jianye, how many people in Jianye are familiar with Lu Sanlang’s appearance? If Chen Xue were just an ordinary beauty that would be fine, she could compete with me for beauty… Lu Xuezhen, just wait for people to keep asking you. If you don’t want people to know about your embarrassing situation, don’t you need to seek my help to cover it up? You dare scold me, offend me, who will help you?”

Lu Yun: “…”

He sat stiffly in the carriage with a dark face. He lowered his eyes in thought, needing to quickly destroy all the paintings in Jianye. But those who had already seen it… no wonder people had been looking at him recently, wanting to speak but holding back.

After considering for a while, Lu Yun swallowed his pride and moved closer to Luo Lingyu, smiling to curry favor: “Please help me, wife, don’t let my embarrassing situation become known throughout the world.”

Luo Lingyu glanced at him: “Then how should you beg me?”

Lu Yun smiled: “Would pleasing my wife in bed suffice?”

Luo Lingyu: “…!”

She immediately punched his chest, cursing angrily: “You lewd scoundrel…”

But Lu Yun seized the opportunity to embrace her, her slender and graceful figure, full breasts, and narrow waist, such a fine form. Held sitting on his lap as he bent to kiss her, he teased her with kisses falling like fine rain from behind her ear down her spine. Luo Lingyu tilted her head back, breathing heavily, as his hand slipped inside.

Luo Lingyu was startled, pressing his wandering hand through her clothes as it roamed inside her undergarments. She exclaimed in shock: “Weren’t we discussing how to resolve the Chen Xue situation?! Why are you, why are you…”

Suddenly becoming so beast-like?

Lu Yun’s voice was hoarse as he sucked on her red earlobe, next to the cool earring swaying against her cheek: “Little sister Yuyu’s skin is like congealed cream, so soft it could squeeze out flower juice… how could brother care about discussing Chen Xue? Whatever, brother just wants little sister now…”

He smiled, face buried in her chest, voice muffled. As he panted, his breath floating over her jade-like neck, Luo Lingyu trembled, her skin instantly flushing red. She heard him sigh almost like a chant: “Want little sister crying beneath brother…”

As the carriage swayed, Luo Lingyu grabbed his hand, her voice shaking: “This is- this is outside, in the carriage… don’t be reckless… Brother Xuezhen, don’t tease…”

Lu Yun remained unmoved.

His hand pressed against her flat belly as he kissed her, his gaze growing darker: “In the dream, you were already pregnant by now… but now we have to prevent pregnancy, what a pity…”

Luo Lingyu snorted: “I knew it, you just want me to bear your children. I’m your child-bearing tool!”

Lu Yun: “…”

He smiled ambiguously: “Don’t you know whether you’re a tool or not? Brother hopes little sister never gets pregnant. Little sister’s waist, these legs…” He hissed, pulling her against him in his embrace, seeming both pleased and pained as he held her tight: “So exciting…”

…

“Young Master, Young Mistress, we’ve arrived!” the coachman outside respectfully announced before opening the carriage door.

A woman’s voice called urgently from inside the carriage: “Don’t…”

The coachman had just opened the door, caught a fleeting glimpse, and quickly slammed it shut again. The coachman froze, then lowered his head, his ears reddening, unable to speak.

A moment later, he heard a slap from inside the carriage. No one spoke, then the door opened and their incomparably beautiful Young Mistress didn’t wait for the stepping stool, jumping directly down from the carriage and walking quickly ahead. The Young Master slowly descended afterward, and when the coachman looked up, he saw the Young Master covering his face, seemingly with a handprint… Lu Yun glanced over, and the coachman immediately lowered his head again, pretending he hadn’t seen anything.

…

That day the Lu family learned that Lu Sanlang and his new bride had a huge argument after returning to their rooms, and came to blows.

Lu Yun claimed illness and refused to see visitors for several days. Lu Yun felt guilty and spoke very kindly to Luo Lingyu after this dispute, but according to the servants’ reports, Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu had been sleeping in separate rooms for many days. This made Old Madam Lu, who wanted to hold great-grandchildren, secretly anxious.

That argument was very mysterious, and with Luo Lingyu keeping a stern face for days, even Old Madam Lu couldn’t find out what it was about. When Old Madam Lu said a few more words, Luo Lingyu gave a cold laugh.

Old Madam Lu: “…”

So even Old Madam Lu stopped asking what the young couple was arguing about.

Old Madam Lu asked about Lu Sanlang’s bedroom matters again because, in Jianye City, Chen Xue’s portraits began to be destroyed. But naturally, some people in the Lu family had heard the rumors, specifically found a forgery, and brought the Chen Xue matter to Old Madam Lu’s attention. Outsiders suspected whether the Lu family had a lost child in Luoyang, and even Prince Chen asked Lu Yun, only half-believing it and suppressing his doubts after Lu Yun’s firm denial; but Old Madam Lu knew there was no conspiracy, the Lu family couldn’t possibly have a lost child in Luoyang.

Since Lu Sanlang refused to go out and see people, they sought out Luo Lingyu to question.

Luo Lingyu was angry with Lu Yun, angry that he had acted recklessly and almost been seen by the servants. When Old Madam Lu questioned her, after laughing coldly inside, she knelt pitifully, tears falling like rain.

Old Madam Lu and Madam Lu and others were shocked and suspicious.

Seeing Luo Lingyu crying like a rain-soaked pear blossom, she sobbed: “Grandmother, Aunt, do you know why I argued with my husband? It was precisely because of that Chen Xue… Back in Nanyang, when the husband went to Luoyang for a mission, he had an improper relationship with Chen Xue… I finally convinced him to consider the Lu family’s reputation and not create a scandal. He was persuaded by me to return… Who knew that this time in Jianye, after seeing that vixen Chen Xue’s painting, he was making a fuss about taking that vixen as a concubine! He wants to take a qin player as a concubine, Grandmother, wuwuwu…”

Luo Lingyu sobbed and wailed, collapsing into Old Madam Lu’s embrace. While wiping tears and playing the pitiful one, she thought secretly: Must use this opportunity to eliminate the possibility of Lu Yun taking concubines. At least for the next few years, can’t let the Lu family elders urge Lu Yun to take concubines!

Old Madam Lu was furious: “How dare San Lang! Don’t cry, Lingyu, Grandmother will uphold justice for you… Tell San Lang to come here!”