In the ice-cold, sharp darkness, dense fog and frost drifted like overlapping water. Separated by city walls, while civil war raged within the city, Prince Hengyang led his troops emerging through the fog, encountering Yue Zihan’s group who held the old Emperor hostage as they fled the capital.
Liu Mu quickly regained composure after a brief moment of shock, seeing that something had changed in Jianye City, with his imperial brother becoming a prize of war. Yue Zihan and his men drew their swords imposingly, guarding the Southern Emperor at the rear, while Yue Zihan stood at the front, his entire body tense, staring at the majestic Prince opposite him on horseback.
Liu Mu also had troops, but returning to the capital, he naturally couldn’t bring thousands of soldiers. The court only allowed him to bring his trusted followers—several dozen men, including Master Kong, a retainer who was panting as he followed in a carriage behind.
The group holding the Emperor hostage also numbered several dozen. To dare kidnap the Emperor in Jianye, these people must have not only inside help but also extremely high martial arts skills themselves. Calculating the situation, to save the Emperor, Liu Mu would have to sacrifice himself as well.
The Prince of Hengyang quickly assessed the situation, then met eyes with the Emperor, whose hair was disheveled and his white beard unkempt. For a moment, these brothers nearly a generation apart in age both felt a sense of desolation rise in their hearts.
The old Emperor’s face fluctuated between pale and ashen, expressions of embarrassment, humiliation, and anger flashing past in an instant. But with Yue Zihan’s grip on his throat, the old Emperor was shrouded in death’s shadow, desperately sending out signals for help: “Save Us! Quickly save Us—they are Northern Kingdom rebels, don’t let them succeed!”
“If the Southern Emperor is taken to the Northern Kingdom, what face will our Southern Kingdom have left?”
Liu Mu’s expression tightened, his eyes trembling violently.
Seeing him seemingly moved, the old Emperor’s heart suddenly sparked with hope. He urgently tried to awaken the brotherly feelings between himself and this young Prince—
“Ah Mu, save me! I am your elder brother! Your only imperial brother! Before Father Emperor passed, he instructed us brothers to support each other, to guard the Southern Kingdom together!”
“Ah Mu, Ah Mu don’t you remember? When you were small, it was your elder brother who raised you. Whatever you wanted, your elder brother gave you… Ah Mu, save me!”
Liu Mu’s pupils contracted sharply, the back of his hand holding the reins showing protruding veins, reflecting his face that seemed about to tear from tension. After a moment of silence, as both sides faced off with conflict about to erupt, Liu Mu looked down: “The flowers of the cherry tree, how glorious they bloom, among all people today, none compare to brothers.”
The old Emperor suddenly froze, his chest feeling as if struck by stone: “…!”
Liu Mu repeated: “Among all people today, none compare to brothers… this poem, it was Imperial Brother who taught it to me, do you still remember these things?”
…
The flowers of the cherry tree, how glorious they bloom. And those memories of youth remained eternally etched like a lifetime.
The previous Emperor lived long—the current Southern Emperor, while still Crown Prince, endured for over forty years without outlasting the old Emperor’s death, instead enduring until the old Emperor gave him a brother.
Having a son in old age, before Liu Mu’s birth, it had been nearly ten years since his last brother. Thus when Liu Mu was born, the previous Emperor loved him boundlessly. The young child was made a Prince before he even grew up.
The current old Emperor, whether to please his father or genuinely loving his young brother, was extremely doting toward Liu Mu. He raised Liu Mu like a son, even more intimately than his children.
Liu Mu still remembered, when his father was too old to have energy, in his youth it was this imperial brother who raised him. His development of an unrestrained, domineering nature wasn’t without his imperial brother’s contribution.
His violence, quick temper, even the straightforwardness and pride in his character, his imperial brother had contributed to it all.
He still remembered before bed at night, his imperial brother reading books to coax him to sleep. He was mischievous and active, unwilling to sleep properly, teasing his imperial brother many times. His imperial brother’s eyes showed helplessness, but no matter how he acted up, his imperial brother never grew angry. In Liu Mu’s memories, his ears were constantly surrounded by the verses he had memorized thoroughly in his youth—
“The flowers of the cherry tree, how glorious they bloom, among all people today, none compare to brothers… May your house prosper, may you rejoice with wife and children, this is the truth, indeed it is so.”
…
Each day and night was filled with the grace of being raised. Did everything change starting with the Father Emperor’s final edict?
Liu Mu still didn’t know whether the so-called final edict existed, whether it was true or false. He also didn’t care about this. He had thought that his imperial brother was Emperor, while he was a Prince. He could be domineering in his youth, and when he grew up, all the princes were respectful to him, as was natural.
But his imperial brother wanted to kill him… For him, the changes only began from this point.
In the boundless night, brothers a full generation apart in age faced each other amid enemy armies. After a long while, the old Emperor closed his eyes, his voice trembling: “The cherry flowers… I remember, I remember!”
A buzzing sound filled his mind, tears flowing freely, his thoughts blank for an instant. He had once truly loved this brother, had liked this brother. His sons were like tools, tools for him to balance and win over noble families. He had sacrificed much for the throne, had raised his brother like a son… He had thought that this brother was so young, and would have no impact on his throne.
When Liu Mu’s handsome young face saw the old Emperor close his eyes in shame, he relaxed slightly, revealing a hint of a smile. The followers behind him saw their general sit up straight, drawing the autumn rainbow sword from his waist with a swish–—
“Kill! Join me in saving His Majesty!”
Quick as lightning, after Liu Mu’s great shout, he leaped up with his tall frame. He jumped down from his tall horse, his sword cleaving through the air toward Yue Zihan. Young Yue Zihan’s pupils contracted sharply, his muscles like steel as he rose thunderously, meeting Liu Mu like a fierce dragon entering the river!
“Clash—”
Sparks flew from blade and sword, reflecting in both youths’ eyes.
The cold wind filled their bodies, splitting mountains and breaking waters!
Under their leaders’ guidance, both sides’ troops charged down with high spirits, brandishing weapons, shouting as they rushed to kill each other—
…
“Bang!”
The pounding on the door was violent, each sound more urgent than the last. The battle outside the Lu residence was fierce; through the door, one could hear weapons clashing in the alley, with enemies occasionally crashing into walls. The soldiers deployed by the Lu family surrounded the manor gates, guarding the entire courtyard as solid as gold, not letting a drop of water through.
The guests who had earlier insisted on leaving now returned with pale faces; for those who couldn’t return, everyone had their guesses, their mood heavy. At the same time, people knocked on the door seeking help, crying pitifully to open up, begging the Lu family for shelter.
The private soldiers refused to let people in, while Lu Xian anxiously tried to negotiate with these soldiers: “Those who can flee here, seeking help from the Lu family, are all people who trust us! Some left earlier but couldn’t return, how can we not open the door?!”
The private army commander remained unmoved: “Second Young Master’s pardon, Northern Kingdom spies deceived us and infiltrated Jianye, we cannot judge who is friend or foe. The most prudent course is to close the doors and protect those inside.”
Lu Xian: “You, you…”
The knocking grew more violent, with cries for help and screams mixing outside the door. Enemy troops gave chase, blood flowing under the door gap. The Northern Kingdom’s army targeted all armed forces within Jianye City, and noble families who weren’t prepared were thrown into chaos. They fled in carriages, and amid the killing throughout the city, they came seeking help at the Lu family’s gate.
A youth outside cried in anguish: “Open the door! Open up, Third Young Master sent me!”
Lu Erlang Lu Xian trembled, pointing at the door: “That’s Third Young Master Qi, Qi An outside! Can’t you recognize his voice? After Third Brother left, he entrusted household matters to me, I order you to open the door!”
The private army commander bowed deeply: “Third Young Master only put Second Young Master in charge of internal affairs. Third Young Master said the Second Young Master was too indecisive, and not good at judging situations. Please do not interfere with the battle outside, Second Young Master.”
Lu Xian: “You, you… that’s Third Young Master Qi!”
Unable to persuade this stubborn commander, he turned to find his father, wanting his father to order these soldiers to withdraw. Minister Lu and Lu family clan leaders were gathered in one place, simultaneously comforting the guests who had come to the Lu family for the wedding feast. To his son’s plea for help, Minister Lu only said: “Listen to Third Young Master. Tonight’s matters are entirely entrusted to the Third Young Master, you just need to assist him.”
With no alternative, Lu Xian could only return to the main gate. The cries for help outside grew weaker and weaker, while the troops inside refused passage. Lu Xian was so anxious his eyes nearly burst. Just at this moment of anxiety, Luo Lingyu’s voice came from behind: “Open the door, let Third Young Master Qi in.”
Lu Xian trembled as if seeing a saving star, immediately turning to grasp Luo Lingyu’s hand. He excitedly: “Cousin!”
The private army commander still hesitated: “My lady, it’s not that we’re cold-blooded, it’s just…”
Luo Lingyu smiled slightly, freeing her hand from her second brother’s shaking grasp, smoothing the black hair by her cheeks. Her beautiful eyes blinked, rippling like autumn waters. She gazed gently at the private army commander, whose face immediately reddened.
Lu Xian: “…”
The… the… the beauty strategy?!
Seeing Luo Lingyu walk to the door, she knocked on it lightly, calling out loudly to those outside: “Please, sir, state your identity, age, and family background. We must judge friend from foe before we can let you in to take refuge!”
Third Young Master Qi, Qi An, who had been desperately pounding at the threshold without receiving help, had already lost hope. His robes were stained with blood—he had merely been out with friends when they encountered this disaster. Servants died during their escape, and enemy pursuit was imminent. In his panic, he suddenly heard his beloved’s sweet voice, immediately answering loudly: “I-I-I am Third Young Master Qi, my residence is in the northern city…”
After these simple sentences, he held his breath and looked up. Slowly, the Lu residence door opened, soldiers filed out, and a beautiful lady with frost-like skirts bent down to examine him. Tears filled Third Young Master Qi’s eyes as he grasped Luo Lingyu’s hand, his voice trembling: “Sister Luo, I knew you were so kind-hearted!”
At the same moment, pursuers arrived in the alley, met by the Lu family’s private army with weapons raised!
Battle erupted!
After bringing Qi An into the manor for protection and hearing him describe the situation outside, the wedding guests felt fortunate that the Lu family had been prepared. In this way, Luo Lingyu and Lu Xian together let in several people seeking refuge.
This pattern was noticed by the enemy forces. The Northern army’s commander in the city was a middle-aged man who had been cursing Yue Zihan non-stop. Hidden in a corner, after seeing the Lu family’s actions, he formed an idea.
His eyes narrowed as he sent people to hunt down Chen Xiu, the young lady of the Chen family where most refugees were staying. Chen Xiu was terrified—before her household’s private army could block them, a great mass of refugees came attacking. Chen Xiu was protected and helped to escape. On the road, she encountered Chen Wang’s troops, who told her to seek help at the Lu residence.
In one night, Jianye City had become a killing ground, with death constantly occurring before Chen Xiu’s eyes. And many of those attacking Jianye’s army were familiar faces to Chen Xiu—some of those refugees.
Raising a tiger brings calamity; eventually, one becomes the tiger’s meal.
Stumbling as she fell from her carriage, face covered in dust and blood, she collapsed at the Lu family manor’s gate. Under the cold moon and frost, the two stone lions at the Lu manor’s gate stared at her coldly. Chen Xiu’s hands trembled as she knocked, crying: “I-I-I am Scholar Chen’s daughter, Chen Xiu, I…”
A long spear flew toward her back in the cold night, causing the young lady to scream in terror, when suddenly the door of hope before her flew open. Imposing soldiers strode out the manor gate to engage the pursuers. As Chen Xiu lay weak-handed and weak-legged on the ground, a shadow fell, and her cold hand was grasped.
Chen Xiu looked up, her stunned gaze meeting Luo Lingyu’s beautiful face.
That lady who had given her such difficulties many times, that wife of Lu Yun—Luo Lingyu held her hand, embracing her trembling shoulders, her voice gentle as she comforted her: “Sister Chen, don’t be afraid, you’re safe now that you’re here…”
Chen Xiu stared at her blankly. The lady was like an immortal, so sacred, descending from heaven. She gazed back tenderly, the warmth in her eyes seeming to smooth away the dust in Chen Xiu’s heart.
Tears fell from Chen Xiu’s eyes as she cried and threw herself into Luo Lingyu’s embrace: “Sister Luo, thank you.”
—She admitted defeat, completely convinced.
Luo Lingyu was Lu Yun’s wife, and that was that. Only such a Luo Lingyu was worthy of Third Young Master Lu.
…
The middle-aged man observed that Luo Lingyu would even save Chen Xiu, who had been ambiguously close to Lu Yun. His eyes showed mockery as he thought his judgment was indeed correct—this lady was merely a kind and naive noblewoman. Without Lu Yun present, naturally, whoever came seeking help, this woman would save them.
The previous attempts to scheme against Luo Lingyu—first trying to ride on her success, second trying to surround her and damage her reputation… she had avoided them all. It seemed it was merely good luck. But such luck should be at its end now.
In Jianye City, Chen Wang and Lu Yun were well-prepared, making it truly difficult for the Northern army to attack. To buy time for Yue Zihan, the Northern army couldn’t be defeated too quickly. If the Northern army wanted to gain an advantage in Jianye, they would naturally target those noble families. If the Lu residence could be breached from within, and half the noble sons died tonight, even if their side lost, Jianye’s losses would be devastating.
Thinking this, the middle-aged man disguised himself, speaking briefly with his subordinates. After taking a deep breath, he stumbled into Wuyi Alley, acting as if being pursued.
The middle-aged man cried out in varying volumes: “Help, help—”
He collapsed at the Lu family gate, pounding forcefully, just as everyone before had done. When the lady inside gently asked his identity, the middle-aged man made up a story, casually fabricating the identity of a noble young master, waiting for the door to open.
But inside, Luo Lingyu said to the stunned Lu Erlang: “We can’t open the door, he’s fake. There’s no young master of that identity among Jianye’s noble families, it doesn’t match.”
Luo Lingyu turned to instruct the waiting private army commander on the other side: “It must be enemy forces in disguise. You go out through the back door to surround them… Acting at this time, they must have originally planned to surround us. Coming to the Lu family to scout, wanting to enter—this enemy’s identity might be quite high, could be quite useful.”
The private army commander had developed immense respect for the Third Young Mistress over the night: “Yes!”
He turned to deploy troops, going out through the back door to surround them.
Meanwhile, Lu Xian questioned: “Cousin, how do you know the person outside has a fake identity?”
Luo Lingyu replied casually: “Of course it’s fake. Among Jianye’s noble young masters, from fifteen to fifty years old, which one don’t I know?”
Lu Xian: “…?”
He was even more confused.
But Luo Lingyu realized what she had said, her face suddenly reddening as she turned away, unwilling to explain further to Lu Erlang—of course she knew every detail about Jianye’s noble young masters from fifteen to fifty years old.
Because when she entered Jianye, it was with the wish to marry into a noble family. Naturally, she had done her homework thoroughly.
But Lu Xian didn’t know this.
Lu Xian praised Luo Lingyu: “Sister is truly clever, when Third Brother returns, Second Brother will certainly praise cousin much before him…”
Luo Lingyu was startled, blurting out: “No need, I-I do good deeds anonymously, I don’t want my husband to know.”
…Please, Second Cousin, definitely don’t let Lu Yun know she was so thoroughly familiar with the identities of Jianye’s young masters! Lu Yun would skin her alive!
Lu Xian: “…?”
Luo Lingyu, anxious to change the subject, urged Lu Xian: “Second Brother, I see tonight has many matters, with both of us standing guard, our energy will inevitably flag. Why don’t we take turns? Second Brother can rest first, then come replace me in the latter half of the night?”
Lu Erlang’s heart stirred, forgetting his cousin’s strangeness, because he had been busy all night and had wanted to sleep and dream, to see if he could dream something to help the current situation.
…
Lu Erlang went to rest, actually entrusting the Lu residence’s internal protection to Luo Lingyu. The Lu family elders naturally had reservations, but Lu Erlang insisted on trusting Luo Lingyu’s methods, and Old Madam Lu and the other women hesitantly assured the men that Luo Lingyu’s handling of matters was quite good.
The Lu family clan leader still had reservations: “Being able to manage household affairs doesn’t mean she can handle tonight’s matters! What is Erlang thinking?”
But the inner residence couldn’t fall into chaos. Though the elders continued to voice concerns, under Minister Lu’s suppression, they hesitantly decided to wait and observe. Minister Lu also didn’t trust that a lady like Luo Lingyu could do anything, but his wife Madam Lu supported Luo Lingyu at this time.
Madam Lu said: “You men are usually outside and don’t understand Lingyu. I can vouch for our Third Young Mistress. Third Young Mistress’s methods are probably much more formidable than your son’s.”
Thus, the Lu household, though doubtful, supported Luo Lingyu’s actions tonight. As for Lu Erlang, who had been discussed by Minister Lu and Madam Lu, after returning to the bridal chamber, he hurriedly exchanged a few words with his new bride, Princess Ningping Liu Tang.
Liu Tang had already changed out of her wedding clothes, learning to care for others like an ordinary wife. She was particularly sensible, her face red as she tucked in the blanket corners for her husband: “Husband rest assured, I’ll wake you in an hour to replace Sister Luo.”
Lu Xian held the princess’s hand, looking at her tenderly. He opened his mouth to speak, but in the end, only softly said “Thank you.” Lowering the bed curtains, the young lord, half uneasy, forced himself to quickly fall asleep to enter his dreams.
…
Lu Erlang’s guess wasn’t wrong.
He indeed dreamed of what should have happened at this time.
Jianye is in chaos, Luo Lingyu miscarrying, and the Emperor is kidnapped from the capital by Northerners. When the Southern Emperor’s life hung by a thread, Prince Zhao Liu Huai stepped forward—
…
A thunderbolt suddenly splits the sky, lightning dancing like a dragon!
In Prince Zhao’s residence, Prince Zhao Liu Huai, who had kept most of the Capital Prefecture’s troops, suddenly opened his eyes, saying softly: “Wrong, something’s wrong…”
The movement outside wasn’t right, the strategy needed to change!
…
Meanwhile, in Wuyi Alley, the Lu family’s private army surrounded from behind, advancing step by step toward the Northern army’s main force led by the middle-aged man.
In the city’s alley battles, Third Young Master Lu, Lu Yun, had people escort away the Northern Princess. Walking out of the alley, clouds covered the moonlight. The handsome young lord looked up, his thoughts turning hundreds of times as he pondered, moving once again.
Lu Yun said softly: “The time should have been delayed enough, right?”
His eyes were dark—he didn’t need to ask about his second brother’s dream, he could roughly guess that two different lines were developing so differently—seeing Prince Zhao’s troops deploy, coordinating with the Capital Prefecture to suppress the enemy forces in Jianye. Prince Zhao Liu Huai personally left the city to aid the Emperor. Even faster than him was Chen Wang Liu Shu, whose troops had already left the city gates.
Prince Hengyang Liu Mu’s army and Yue Zihan’s group faced off outside the city, unaware that forces were winding in from all directions, surrounding them!
The situation turned out again!