Dreams and reality intertwined, possibilities weaving like silk threads before his eyes, forming a web that eventually spread out into a vast labyrinth.

At the center of this labyrinth, Lu Xian, known as Second Young Master Lu, dozed briefly, his forehead beaded with sweat. He saw this night engulfed in raging flames of war, with Jianye surrounded like a city of infernal fire.

Similarly, warfare had broken out near the Lu family residence.

In his dream, it was the seventh month’s Buddhist festival, with streets crowded shoulder to shoulder to Danyang, where the Lu family estate was guarded by Luo Lingyu. In reality, it was an early sixth-month wedding, with warfare just beyond the walls, and noble youth knocking at the door seeking refuge – again with Luo Lingyu deciding to let them in.

Both involved refugee chaos, and both involved Northern spies making their final desperate moves. In Lu Xian’s dream, they used the Emperor as bait to create chaos in Jianye. It was that young man whom Lu Xian had never found who had kidnapped the Emperor!

How could personal prowess stand against thousands of troops?

In the dream, Prince Zhao Liu Huai displayed extraordinary might, descending from the heavens, and leading his private army to battle the youth who had kidnapped the Emperor outside the city. Until the Capital Prefecture Governor and Prince Chen arrived, Liu Huai fought desperately to protect the Emperor, yet that youth still managed to escape the chaos.

But Lu Xian knew in his heart that even though that youth escaped now when he reached the border several days later, he would still be killed as a sacrifice, offered as an explanation from the North to the South.

After this, Prince Zhao saved the Emperor and gained his trust. Step by step, he pushed aside other princes, framed Prince Chen, and secured his position as heir apparent…

Prince Zhao!

So not only was that youth never at the border but in Jianye, even this disaster in Jianye had Prince Zhao as an unexpected factor!

Second Young Master Lu could not rest easily in his dreams, his breathing heavy, muscles tense, sweat flowing again and again over his face and body. His new bride Liu Tang came to check on him, and seeing Lu Xian sleeping so uneasily, she became worried and frightened, reaching out to gently shake him awake with soft words.

Lu Xian awakened with a start, leaning against the bedhead and breathing heavily. Liu Tang patted his back: “Husband…”

His hand gripped hers in return as Lu Xian struggled to get out of bed, his voice hoarse: “Quick, quick, help me out! I must find Third Brother, I must tell Third Brother we were wrong, all wrong…”

He now understood why Prince Chen Liu Shu, despite being so unambitious, could still be framed. He knew who had caused trouble before Lu Yun rebelled using Prince Chen’s name. He knew who would ultimately benefit from tonight’s disaster in Jianye…

Lu Xian didn’t know about Prince Zhao Liu Huai’s cooperation with Northern spies, but just the fact that Prince Zhao responded faster than anyone else – even earlier than the Capital Prefecture Governor – to rescue His Majesty the Emperor, made Lu Xian feel something was amiss.

This wasn’t right, there must be something wrong! He needed to let Third Brother know, to let Third Brother guard against Prince Zhao, to not fall into his trap…

Lu Xian woke from his nightmare, mentally exhausted, struggling to get out of bed, but his legs had no strength. Princess Ningping Liu Tang tried hard to support him, her heart full of fear, not knowing what was wrong with him. Her new husband had given her such a fright on their first day, and Liu Tang asked fearfully: “What’s wrong with you? Please don’t be like this…”

Lu Xian was startled by his wife’s tearful voice, pausing for a moment as he realized he had frightened her. Lu Xian smiled bitterly – he was used to living a carefree life and maintaining the image of a proper gentleman in public, but he had other sides to him. He wasn’t as good as the princess imagined.

Second Young Master Lu spoke gently: “Princess, don’t cry…”

As he was consoling her, his heart still urgent about the matter of Prince Zhao, Luo Lingyu’s unhurried voice came from beyond the door curtain: “How is Second Brother? Was it a nightmare? I seemed to hear the Princess crying?”

Liu Tang quickly wiped her tears: “No…”

But Second Young Master Lu’s heart stirred, and after briefly tidying his appearance, he instructed the maid: “Please invite Cousin in to talk.”

Having just awakened from his dream, firstly his physical strength was depleted and his mind was confused, secondly, he had an unfamiliar delicate wife who needed comforting, and thirdly… Second Young Master Lu darkly had to admit, that Luo Lingyu was more suited to handle these matters than he was.

Like Third Brother, she was usually calm and rarely flustered. If he told her about Prince Zhao, she would surely find a way to notify Third Brother, asking Third Brother to be careful.

…

The harsh whistling of clashing weapons swept through the city, this massive labyrinth of dreams and reality sometimes taking different paths, intersecting.

In his dream, Second Young Master Lu saw Prince Zhao leave the city to rescue the kidnapped old Emperor; in reality, those who had kidnapped the old Emperor encountered Prince Henyang Liu Mu, who had rushed back to Jianye from the border prefecture of Yingzhou.

Liu Mu battled with the youth Yue Zihan, both being martial young men, both possessing tremendous strength. Fighting for the Emperor of the South, the two youths exerted all their might, their bodies bathed in blood. Moreover, the cruelty and violence in Liu Mu’s bones meant he had no intention of letting this youth escape.

He held to one principle: only by killing this person could he save his Imperial Brother!

Yet in the dream, Prince Zhao only needed to let Yue Zihan escape to bring back the old Emperor… taking a shorter path, both Liu Mu and Yue Zihan had sustained many wounds, large and small.

But the youth stood tall, glancing at his opponent like an icy cape, charging forward once again!

The fighting strength of both sides was nearly equal, making it difficult for either side to win or retreat. However, Liu Mu was destined to be the victor, as he had broken out of the city with thousands of troops following, and Prince Chen Liu Shu arrived to provide support—

“Young Imperial Uncle! Don’t let them escape!”

Prince Chen’s army joined the battle, and the situation instantly tilted.

The old Emperor sat on the ground, his beard and long hair blown dry by the wind. Both sides were fighting over him, yet during the battle they could only leave him aside unattended. The old Emperor observed the fight between Liu Mu and Yue Zihan, his eyes like ancient wells, expression dim, gazing fixedly at Liu Mu.

Tang Di Tang Di, who was once his most beloved brother.

…

Prince Zhao Liu Huai led the Capital Prefecture’s troops out of the city. He had people notify the other princes, but he had already decided to seize the first opportunity. The cooperation with the North was unreliable – this prince appeared muddleheaded and blinded by greed, but before getting what he wanted, he hadn’t completely believed the Northern people’s flowery promises.

Tonight’s situation was wrong.

The servants sent out to scout reported that Jianye city was in chaos, with frequent battles between the two sides. However, Prince Zhao had already drawn away the Capital Prefecture Governor – where did these large armies in Jianye come from? Unless someone had mobilized troops in advance, someone who had been planning this battle systematically. First and foremost, Prince Chen Liu Shu, who had previously thoroughly investigated the identities of Jianye’s refugees, came to Prince Zhao’s mind.

Liu Huai gnashed his teeth: It’s Liu Shu again, actually Liu Shu again! This scoundrel, how many of my plans has he ruined! How can I let him go?

When Prince Zhao’s army tried to leave the city, they encountered blocking forces. The other side said nothing, giving Prince Zhao no chance to explain his identity, and immediately engaged in battle. Caught in the fighting, Liu Huai observed coldly that on the corner tower behind the city guard troops, in light robes and elegant as beautiful jade, that youth quietly watching the battle below – who else could it be but Third Young Master Lu, Lu Yun?

This conflict didn’t last long, only about a quarter-hour, before one of Prince Zhao’s subordinates explained their identity and both sides withdrew their troops. Lu Yun came down from the tower and exchanged glances with Liu Huai. Lu Yun seemed distracted as he watched Liu Huai angrily demand: “Isn’t Third Young Master Lu supposed to be preventing trouble from the city’s refugees? Why attack me?”

Lu Yun responded perfunctorily with a smile: “Northern army spies love to disguise themselves, and originally only two sides were fighting in the city. Naturally, I mistook Your Highness’s army for those spies in disguise. For any offense to the Prince, I hope the Prince will be magnanimous.”

Liu Huai’s eyes blazed red as he glared at him, wanting nothing more than to rush over and tear this person apart – after what had been done, what choice did he have but to be magnanimous?!

Prince Zhao’s military officer reminded him: “Your Highness, we still have matters to attend to.”

Reminded by his subordinate, Liu Huai reluctantly came to his senses, concealing his hateful gaze as he turned to mount his horse: “Let’s go—”

…Today’s debt would be settled another day!

“Hyah—”

As dawn approached, the city remained in chaos with no one venturing out. The fighting in the city had also become chaotic, and Lu Yun stood on the city tower, pondering what had happened while watching another large army leave the city.

He smiled indifferently: This delay had held everyone back by at least a quarter-hour. In a quarter hour, too many things could happen.

Lu Yun’s gaze darkened as he looked toward the distant mountain mists beyond the city: By now, shouldn’t Liu Shu have rescued the old Emperor? The position of heir apparent – should the first step have been taken?

He must use this chaos in Jianye to place Liu Shu in the position where he wanted him to be. As he quietly considered whether he had overlooked anything, the Northern Princess standing behind him said mockingly: “Third Young Master Lu has quite the scheme. Prince Chen had already left the city, yet still let Prince Zhao follow. What did you want Prince Zhao to see?”

Lu Yun’s eyes tilted upward, somewhat sneering: “Perhaps it was to let Prince Zhao see that his plot with the Northern army had been discovered? To grant him one last struggle before death?”

The Northern Princess: “…?!”

She blurted out: “You knew…”

Lu Yun spoke carelessly: “What’s there not to know about this? At this point, everyone is hiding, afraid of getting involved. Even if they want to deploy troops, upon discovering Jianye already has armies fighting the enemy, they would hesitate. Did the Princess think I was standing at the city gate to admire the scenery?”

Lu Yun sighed lazily: “I was waiting for the first person to arrive. Whoever arrived first would be the one most afraid of their secret being discovered. Could my Jianye city be so weak that mere refugees could capture it? Without internal traitors, what use would refugees be?”

Great winds howled atop the city tower, red lanterns clanging chaotically in the gusts, the sunrise at the horizon like rosy clouds dyeing half the sky crimson. But the Northern Princess’s face lost all color, growing increasingly pale. Originally she had maintained a pretense of composure, clinging to a thread of hope. Now she realized her foolishness – Lu Yun had anticipated everything…

She would likely die…

Only now did the Northern Princess feel the fear. Before Third Young Master Lu, she could neither hide the Northern army’s predatory ambitions nor hope that Prince Zhao would protect her to clear his name. She could only, could… The Princess gazed at the elegant silhouette of the young lord leaning against the city wall before her, like surging waves against a cliff – outwardly cold but containing a boundless presence within.

She slowly walked closer to him, watching his back, and spoke softly: “Third Young Master, you and I first met fighting in Nanyang. Those were such good times – you would even smile occasionally when speaking with me… Who could have imagined we would end up like this.”

Lu Yun: “…”

With his keen perception, as soon as the Northern Princess became sentimental, he turned his head to glance at her.

The Northern Princess gazed at the endless horizon beyond the city and said softly: “If at that time… I wouldn’t have been sent to an old man’s side. He was so old, how could he compare to you… You know, I have always admired you in my heart.”

Lu Yun smiled ambiguously: “Oh?”

He didn’t mock her, and the Northern Princess started, thinking there might be hope, immediately feeling joy in her heart. She tried hard to suppress the excitement in her voice as she moved closer to him. The closer she got, smelling that clean, subtle fragrance on him, the more lightheaded she felt. Looking down, she saw his hand resting on the wall, with slightly protruding wrist bones and long, elegant fingers… Uncontrollably, her heart seemed ready to leap from her throat.

She had known desire, had known the pleasures of men. Palace life was dull, and with the Southern Emperor at such an advanced age, for her, a flower-like young woman, to compete with a group of women in the palace for an old man’s favor – how ironic… But Third Young Master Lu! His appearance was so refined, his temperament so transcendent. He was already like this clothed, if he were to remove his clothes, revealing those smoothly flowing lines of his spine, that young body…

And he only had one woman! Luo Lingyu was still so fragile, like a clinging vine, nodding to whatever he said. If the Northern Princess were willing to put aside her pride if she… The Northern Princess’s breathing quickened, feelings of emptiness and loneliness rising from deep in her heart, her long-hidden attraction to Third Young Master Lu giving her courage.

She suddenly reached out and covered his hand resting on the railing. Lu Yun paused, about to withdraw his hand, but the Northern Princess grasped it, looking up at him with desperate eagerness: “Third Young Master, take me in. I’m willing to tell you all of the North’s plans against the South… As long as you’re willing,” her face reddened slightly – after all, for a dignified princess to do such a thing was ultimately embarrassing and awkward – “to let me stay by your side, even as a concubine, I’m willing. I don’t want to die… I’m willing to give everything.”

She gazed at him lovingly, watching his raised long eyebrows, those peaks like flying birds, sharp and handsome… Lu Yun withdrew his hand, leaving the Northern Princess feeling desolate. She watched him curve his lips and lean toward her.

Lu Yun examined this princess with her flushed face – strong-willed, yet fate not in her own hands. Beautiful too, and since entering His Majesty’s palace, when speaking with him today, she had developed a certain married woman’s charm… However, Lu Yun was an incredibly difficult man to please.

As the Northern Princess looked at him shyly and timidly, Lu Yun leaned forward with mere curiosity: “Are you trying to seduce me?”

Northern Princess: “…!”

She had never truly understood Lu Yun. She only saw Third Young Master Lu’s beautiful exterior, she hadn’t even heard Third Young Master Lu’s unpleasant words as often as Chen Xiu had. But now, she finally experienced it. Because Lu Yun said: “What makes you think I would want a woman who has been with another man? Am I so desperate?”

“I didn’t want you even when you were untouched, why would I want you now?”

Northern Princess: “…You!”

The humiliation she received from Lu Yun felt like time repeating itself, the shame from half a year ago when she had tried to seduce him naked came rushing back. She felt dizzy, her ears ringing, her gaze fixed intensely on Lu Yun, tears welling in her eyes. Her face grew even paler, her look turning to pure hatred.

The Northern Princess shrieked: “Lu Yun, treating a woman who admires you like this, you bastard!”

“You look down on women, one day you’ll meet a woman who will deal with you!”

Lu Yun dismissed her words, treating her as if she were mad. This princess was already a dead person in his eyes, and he wouldn’t waste more words. At this moment, someone came up to the city tower, footsteps approaching continuously. Lu Yun thought there might be new military intelligence and turned to look. But he froze because he saw that the person being led up the tower by several soldiers was not a messenger, but a beautiful young woman wearing a smoky red cloak.

The young woman removed the cloak covering her head and face, looking at him with a contained smile. The snow-white fur trim on the cloak complemented her snow-and-jade-like complexion. As she climbed the stairs smiling, her gaze flickered almost imperceptibly past the Northern Princess standing behind Lu Yun.

Lu Yun: “Lingyu!”

Seeing her sudden arrival, his heart jolted violently, fearing something had happened at the Lu family home or to her. He stepped forward, quickly moving to meet her.

The Northern Princess also recognized Luo Lingyu and said irritably: “What are you doing here?!”

She still thought Luo Lingyu was as weak as she had appeared before.

Lu Yun frowned, but Luo Lingyu spoke first. Her hand was held by Lu Yun, her waist embraced, but she turned her head, her beautiful eyes sweeping across the faces of Lu Yun and the Northern Princess. She smiled innocently yet cleverly, her voice deliberately sweet and soft, appearing very embarrassed: “I might just be that woman who will deal with Brother Xuezhen.”

Northern Princess froze: “…”

Lu Yun instantly understood and looked down at Luo Lingyu: “You heard what we were saying?”

—The Northern Princess had just said through gritted teeth that eventually a woman would deal with Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu had arrived just in time. To say it was a coincidence, Lu Yun didn’t believe it.

Luo Lingyu said shyly: “I was sent by Second Brother to find you. Who knew I would hear you two having such an intimate conversation… I didn’t want to interrupt, so I listened to a few more words.”

Her beautiful eyes hooked his, her gaze explicit: By the way, checking if you were being unfaithful behind my back.

Lu Yun chuckled softly: “Then it seems my performance has satisfied little sister very much.”

Luo Lingyu wanted to pretend to be a magnanimous proper lady, but when she saw Lu Yun’s smiling peach blossom eyes looking at her, she couldn’t help but burst into laughter, covering half her face. Her glancing eyes naturally exuded charm.

The soldiers nearby lowered their heads, not looking, while Lu Yun was captivated by Luo Lingyu’s beauty, his heart skipping a beat. He too lacked self-control and couldn’t resist bending down to kiss her peach-like cheek.

Luo Lingyu startled, pinching his waist, her eyes widening to glare at him—Lu Xuezhen, show some restraint! Don’t bring your intimate bedroom behavior out here, making people think I’ve bewitched you and you’re lustful!

Lu Yun truly loved her little glares, and he could tell from her expression that she hadn’t come with any urgent matters, so he wasn’t in a hurry. But the environment wasn’t appropriate, so Lu Yun could only sigh, unable to treat her as he usually would.

Meanwhile, the Northern Princess, who had been ignored for so long, trembled with anger: …these shameless lovers!

This pair deliberately provokes her!

Luo Lingyu indeed glanced at her, as if confirming her guess. Luo Lingyu, pushed by Lu Yun toward another side, said to him coquettishly: “Originally, Second Brother asked me to remind you to be wary of Prince Zhao… But when I arrived and chatted with the soldiers below, they said Prince Zhao had just left, so I knew you hadn’t been fooled. Without Second Brother’s reminder, you already knew Prince Zhao was suspicious. So I can rest assured.”

She said quite a lot, while Lu Yun made a vague “hmm” sound: “You learned all this just from chatting with the soldiers? Which soldier?”

Luo Lingyu smiled brightly: “How annoying! Don’t be needlessly jealous, it was just a conversation. Brother, let’s not talk about this anymore. I’ve brought someone for you. A Northern soldier was pretending to be a Jianye noble youth who was captured by me. I thought he might have something to say, so I brought him to you…”

Her eyes blinked repeatedly, unable to contain her self-satisfaction as she looked up at him. Holding Lu Yun’s arm, Luo Lingyu’s long lashes fluttered upward, her eyes saying “Praise me quickly.”

Lu Yun: “Oh… How did you know the Jianye noble youth was an impostor?”

Luo Lingyu faltered: “…I did my homework in advance.”

A soldier urged nearby: “My lord!”

Lu Yun exchanged a meaningful glance with Luo Lingyu, who pretended to be innocent and got her nose pinched by Lu Yun. He said softly: “You take care… I’ll deal with you when I get back.”

Luo Lingyu: “Hey!”

Seeing him busy, urged by the soldiers, he left, taking the Northern Princess with him, leaving her standing there. The attendants nearby dared not look directly at the young lady’s beauty, and thus didn’t know that Luo Lingyu’s nose was almost crooked with anger at Lu Yun—How annoying! She had come specially to help him, and he just focused on trivial details, being needlessly jealous…

Luo Lingyu stood stern-faced on the city wall, glaring down below. But as she watched, the morning sun rose, filling the sky with red light. Seeing them riding horses, seeing the dust rising, seeing that leading young lord’s elegant bearing… Luo Lingyu covered her cheeks and began to laugh softly again.

…

Meanwhile, outside the city, the battle finally ended when Prince Chen’s army arrived to provide support. Yue Zihan hadn’t escaped as in Second Young Master Lu’s dream, because Liu Mu was too formidable. Dozens of Northern spies were all captured.

Prince Chen supported his elderly father emperor, whose face looked extremely unpleasant.

As his son helped him onto the sedan chair to return to the capital, the old Emperor glanced at the young talent surrounded by soldiers behind him. Lowering his eyelids, the old Emperor said to Prince Chen: “Tonight’s events must not be leaked. Kill Liu Mu.”

Liu Shu: “…!”