The rain pattered against the windowsill, rustling softly like lotus flowers blooming and withering in an instant. A cool breeze swept in, carrying the heavy, wet flower buds from the trees, scattering them beneath the eaves, their fragrance intoxicating.
The dim lamplight illuminated two young men kneeling by the window.
Lu Sanrang asked, “Who are you seeking to break into the prison?”
Chen Wang Liu Chu pondered before replying, “Perhaps, I need not seek anyone. I… am waiting for news.”
Their conversation had lasted barely an hour when there came a sudden knock at the door. Liu Chu turned his head, and through the misty air, saw a young lady entering with flowers in her arms. She wore a purple-jade silk double skirt with a colored waistband, her long hair simply arranged in a bun. As she revealed her face at the doorway, even that fleeting glimpse showed her beauty was enough to enthrall both fish and birds.
Lu Yun raised an eyebrow: “Why have you come?”
Luo Lingyu removed her shoes at the doorway before entering with graceful steps. Her eyes swept over the two gentlemen as she smiled sweetly, “I saw the flowers in the courtyard beaten down by the rain, all fallen—such a pity. So I gathered them with the maids. I specially arranged them, thinking that since my husband and the prince are talking late into the night, you must be tired. I brought these flower arrangements for you both. Perhaps the night’s flower fragrance will help keep your spirits up?”
Hearing this, Chen Wang couldn’t help but look at the flowers arranged in the tray she held. The vessel was a three-legged black wooden lotus petal tray, holding several different varieties of flowers he couldn’t name—red, pink, yellow, and white, varying in height and density. Each delicate stem and verdant leaf spread like a flourishing tree, supporting the blooming and falling flowers.
Such artistry… Chen Wang gave Luo Lingyu another look. She immediately understood his meaning and knelt to arrange the flowers, explaining with a smile: “These varieties are Flame Orchid, Heavenly Eye Pearl Flower, Wisteria, Peony, Early Garden Bamboo, and Dwarf Boxwood.”
Chen Wang exclaimed in surprise: “So many?!” To harmoniously arrange so many different flowers in a single tray, creating an orderly yet natural display—this was beyond the capability of ordinary ladies.
Luo Lingyu was delighted at his response, secretly proud. For the Chen Wang had always been rather cold toward her, often critical. As longtime friends naturally share similar temperaments, the flaws Lu Yun could see in Luo Lingyu, and Liu Chu could see as well. But while Lu Yun could accept and learn to appreciate them, Liu Chu—whether to avoid impropriety or from genuine dislike—had always maintained a distant attitude toward her.
Luo Lingyu felt indignant about this. She didn’t expect her husband’s good friend to bow to her, but at least he could appreciate her, couldn’t he?
Thus, despite her aching back and numb legs, she maintained an elegant appearance and graceful movements as she came to arrange flowers for Lu Yun and Chen Wang. Encouraged by Chen Wang’s appreciation, Luo Lingyu’s introduction became even more sincere and comprehensive, her smile growing more beautiful.
Lu Yun watched from the side with an ambiguous smile, commenting: “Whether we’re tired or not is another matter, but you certainly have abundant energy.”
His tone was suggestive, implying that just moments ago she had complained about Chen Wang’s intrusion, crying that she wanted to rest, yet in the blink of an eye, she had recovered and come to eagerly show herself off.
Luo Lingyu pretended not to understand, maintaining her composed smile. When the maid brought in tea, she even sat down to brew it for the two gentlemen. Chen Wang Liu Chu’s eyelid twitched as he looked at her several times. When the lady’s delicate hands served him tea, he was momentarily dazed.
Viewing a beauty by lamplight—how enchanting she was. Liu Chu couldn’t help but think of another beauty he yearned for… His eyes darkened slightly as he wondered whether she had fallen ill in the summer heat, and when he would finish his duties and see her again.
Luo Lingyu then served tea to Lu Yun, respectfully saying: “Please have some tea, husband.”
Lu Yun accepted the tea with one hand while pointing at her forehead with the other, half-scolding, half-sighing: “Oh, Lingyu, Lingyu.”
Such intimacy—both reproaching and appreciating her interference—Third Young Master Lu’s gaze fell on her fair face, his eyes like shimmering light, making the lady blush deeply. Luo Lingyu’s heart pounded as she turned away, covering her forehead with her hand, gently protesting: “Husband, don’t be like this, we have a guest.”
Liu Chu could only say: “A beauty serving tea—how refined, Third Brother.”
Lu Yun smiled and shook his head. Only he knew the true flavor of the moment.
With Luo Lingyu’s involvement, even though she didn’t join the conversation and only focused on brewing tea, Liu Chu and Lu Yun couldn’t ignore her presence and talk too freely into the night. After persisting for another half hour, as the rain lightened, Liu Chu firmly rose to bid farewell.
He silently regretted that after Lu Sanrang’s marriage, they could no longer talk through the night until dawn, living and dining together—those days were over. Would his relationship with Sanrang grow distant now that he had married Luo Lingyu, who seemed to dislike him?
As Liu Chu rose to leave and Lu Yun moved to get up, Luo Lingyu eagerly offered: “Let me see the prince out!”
Holding an umbrella, accompanied by servants and maids, Luo Lingyu escorted Chen Wang Liu Chu out of the courtyard. Though Liu Chu repeatedly said it wasn’t necessary, Luo Lingyu persisted. Liu Chu didn’t say much more—truthfully, he felt somewhat intimidated by Lu Yun’s new bride.
At the courtyard gate, as Luo Lingyu bid him farewell, she finally said: “Please forgive me, prince. It’s not that I forcefully inserted myself between you and my husband, preventing you from talking more. It’s because my husband has already stayed up several nights in a row for government affairs. He hasn’t been home or touched his pillow for days. When I saw him this afternoon, he fell asleep reading while reclining on the couch.”
“Normally I wouldn’t prevent you and my husband from talking until dawn, but tonight is different. My husband needs rest. I know that as a man, you might think little of such matters, but for me, I cannot bear to see my husband suffer. So if I can prevent it, I will—even if it displeases both you and my husband.”
After speaking, she bowed slightly to Chen Wang, who started in surprise and hastily moved aside. Only then did he realize it wasn’t his imagination—Luo Lingyu had indeed been making him uncomfortable, unable to stay longer.
Chen Wang said softly: “It’s fine. I was thoughtless.”
He held his umbrella, watching in the cold night as the lady smiled gently before turning away, surrounded by servants returning to her chambers. Chen Wang couldn’t help but call out to her, and when she turned back with a questioning look, he said quietly: “Sister Luo, Sanrang has always been lonely. Being able to marry you is his blessing.”
“You must take good care of him.”
“You… are wonderful. You and Sanrang, a talented scholar and beautiful lady, are perfectly matched. There are no others in the world as close as you two. You should… cherish your love and never fail each other.”
Luo Lingyu was surprised. Through the curtain of rain, gazing at the gentleman’s delicate features, her heart stirred slightly. Chen Wang and Lu Yun had been close friends for many years, but Chen Wang rarely spoke. Though Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun had been married for several months, this was the first time she had heard Chen Wang acknowledge how well-matched they were. Luo Lingyu was overjoyed—she had finally gained the recognition of Lu Yun’s friend.
She decided that since Chen Wang loved flowers, she would send more tomorrow when the weather cleared.
Luo Lingyu returned to her chambers in high spirits. Upon entering, she saw Lu Yun still sitting in his previous position, the tea tray untouched, his manner refined as he sat properly, eyes downcast looking at the tea on the table, obviously waiting for her. The lady paused, and before Lu Yun could scold her, she blinked her eyes, silently went over to him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and began to cry.
Lu Yun said coldly: “Crying won’t work on me.”
After a while, feeling his neck growing damp, he couldn’t help but shift, putting his arm around her shoulders, his voice softer than before: “Why are you crying? Who upset you?”
Luo Lingyu looked up, tears in her eyes, choking out: “No one upset me. It’s just… seeing husband so exhausted yet still forcing himself to stay up, my heart aches so.”
Lu Yun: “…”
He raised an eyebrow, realizing he had once again been softened and manipulated by her.
But committed to the act, Lu Yun reached out to touch her chest, teasing: “Your heart aches? Let brother feel how much it aches—is it enough to make up for driving away my friend?”
Luo Lingyu trembled, her face flushing red, inwardly cursing him as a lecher, yet outwardly allowing his wandering touch. His fingers moved slowly and gently, making her waist grow weak, nearly swooning. Luo Lingyu bit her lip to hold back the moan in her throat, burying her face in his neck, trying hard to cry: “Really, I’m not lying. When Xuecheng’s brother doesn’t take care of himself, I love brother so much, of course, I must look after you. Brother hasn’t closed his eyes for several nights, tonight you should sleep.”
She said many things, how clever she was, hiding her concern and reasons within, repeatedly reminding Lu Yun, yet speaking so softly and gently as not to provoke his displeasure. Everything she did was meant to stroke his ego, making Lu Yun feel utterly content. He sighed, understanding why although many could see through Luo Lingyu’s self-interest, they still enjoyed being with her.
With such methods, it was too easy for her to please someone. Even someone as level-headed as he, though aware of her tactics, was indeed soothed by her.
Such a lady—whoever married her would be blessed. His close relationship with her was simply because she liked him.
Lu Yun pulled Luo Lingyu into his arms, kissing her: “Good sister, it’s late now, stop chattering and rest with your husband?”
Luo Lingyu worried: “Ah husband, lust dulls the mind.”
Lu Yun chuckled lightly: “What are you thinking? You lustful one.”
Luo Lingyu gave him a look, but sweetly wrapped her arms around his neck, letting him carry her into the bed curtains, where they extinguished the lamp and went to sleep.
All night long, the sound of rain continued to patter softly.
Lu Sanrang and Luo Lingyu slept peacefully neck to neck through the night.
…
Mr. Kong, a former retainer of Prince Liu Mu of Hengyang, secretly infiltrated Jianye City, seeking out old connections in an attempt to rescue Liu Mu. After several failed attempts, Mr. Kong realized through hints from old friends that Liu Mu was now in an inescapable situation—ordinary people dared not help, unwilling to bring trouble upon themselves.
Mr. Kong secretly sent a message to his former master, the Empress Dowager. The message vanished like a clay ox into the sea—even the Empress Dowager no longer cared about her young son’s life or death.
Mr. Kong grew terrified, only then realizing that Liu Mu must have invited a great disaster. In desperate straits, he sought help from the prominent Lu family of Jianye, approaching the Second Young Master Lu’s door. To his surprise, while all the young lords of Jianye now avoided anything to do with the Prince of Hengyang, the Second Young Master agreed to help.
Mr. Kong was half-believing, half-doubting.
Unknown to him, all his movements in Jianye City were being monitored. The day after he met with the young lord at Second Young Master Lu’s residence, someone reported this meeting to Chen Wang Liu Chu. Liu Chu pondered thoughtfully: So it was Second Brother Lu?
The Second Young Master Lu’s connections were easy to investigate. Lu Xian’s wife, Princess Ning Ping Liu Tang, was Liu Chu’s sister. When Liu Chu casually asked a few questions of Liu Tang, the little princess, trying to cover for her husband, stammered hesitantly, and Liu Chu instantly understood.
Liu Tang anxiously pleaded: “Brother, don’t be like this! I haven’t said anything—my husband hasn’t done anything!”
Liu Chu responded calmly: “Neither have I.”
Liu Tang didn’t understand his words, and could only anxiously inform Lu Xian when he returned about her brother’s visit, fearing it might affect Lu Xian’s plans. Lu Xian felt somewhat dazed—previously when Chen Wang visited, he always went directly to Third Brother, so why was he now coming straight to his door?
Lu Xian felt uneasy, and though he feared Third Brother Lu might find it troublesome and refuse to help, he was more afraid of Liu Chu making an issue of it. He had no choice but to visit the “Clear Courtyard” to seek Lu Yun’s assistance.
Though Lu Yun was surprised that Second Brother wanted to save the Prince of Hengyang, after hearing about Liu Chu’s reaction, he smirked and perfunctorily reassured his brother: “It’s fine. He’s expecting you to do this.”
The Second Young Master became even more confused, but after much thought, he still steeled himself, reasoning that since Third Brother hadn’t stopped him, it should be alright.
…
His Majesty the Emperor wanted the Prince of Hengyang dead, yet the Prince had committed no crime. Detained in the Grand Marshal’s Temple, the prison officials didn’t know what to investigate or how to convict this prince.
Their superior, Chen Wang Liu Chu, maintained an ambiguous attitude. After several days, regardless of the Prince of Hengyang’s situation, Liu Chu remained silent. His subordinates gradually recognized the delicacy of the situation and began avoiding this major trouble.
Since it was an irreconcilable conflict, Lu Xian felt nothing else would help. The Emperor would not relent—as in his dreams, most people hoped the Prince of Hengyang would simply die. Even if the Prince died, given His Majesty’s attitude, there would be few who would even pay their respects to the young prince.
Lu Xian wanted to save Liu Mu, unwilling to let him die unjustly. Since appealing to the Emperor was useless, he could only resort to breaking into the prison.
He mobilized the Lu family’s private soldiers, hastily training them and dressing them in night-raid clothing to prevent any connection to the Lu family. He investigated the Grand Marshal’s Temple’s shift schedules, learning when the guards changed posts. He drew maps of Jianye’s terrain, memorizing them thoroughly. He considered the problem of possible pursuers, night patrol personnel, and various potential accidents.
These past few days, Lu Xian had exhausted himself planning these matters.
By mid-June, the old Emperor fell gravely ill, and court officials all went to visit him. The old Emperor had nightmares of people trying to kill him, and in his anxiety, demanded troops to protect the palace. Before others could react, Chen Wang accepted the decree to station the Grand Marshal’s Temple’s troops at Taichu Palace. As a result, the security at the Grand Marshal’s Temple became less strict than usual.
When this matter was discussed in court, the Second Young Master’s heart jumped, and he couldn’t help but look toward His Highness Chen Wang. That prince’s eyes were pitch black, silently calm. Lu Xian secretly suspected—the old Emperor’s nightmare was too coincidental, and he had heard Chen Wang had sent a beauty to the old Emperor… Could there be some connection?
But he quickly abandoned this speculation, thinking it impossible. His Highness Chen Wang had always been diligently busy with official duties; others might use such scheming to harm him, but he had never been seen using such methods. The image of Chen Wang as someone who silently accomplished real work had, over the years, become deeply ingrained in his mind.
Other princes felt the same way.
The scholar-officials likewise considered Chen Wang genuine.
After the court adjourned, everyone dispersed, no one discussing Chen Wang further. Only Prince Zhao Liu Huai, recently overwhelmed with troubles, felt uneasy. Having dealt with Chen Wang several times without gaining any advantage, though there had been some misunderstandings, he couldn’t help thinking that Chen Wang must have known about Third Young Master Lu’s methods.
Unfortunately, even Prince Zhao had no energy now to make trouble for Chen Wang—he had been impeached for colluding with northerners, who were now detained in Chen Wang’s Grand Marshal’s Temple. If the northerners confessed, providing witness testimony, even His Majesty couldn’t protect him.
Prince Zhao paced in his residence, humbling himself to send people to seek Chen Wang’s mercy. Chen Wang, upright and unbending, reported this matter in court the next day, leaving Prince Zhao’s face alternating between green and white. He had originally planned to slander Chen Wang before the Emperor, but unexpectedly, the old Emperor had fallen ill and would see no one.
Moreover, the old Emperor trusted Chen Wang’s ability to handle matters, even entrusting court affairs to him. Usually, many of these trivial matters were already handled by Chen Wang. The court officials subtly sensed something different—could this be a sign of the heir apparent?
Chen Wang Liu Chu’s expression remained neutral, regardless of others’ speculation. He knew his father Emperor had never trusted him, and might even harbor thoughts of killing him. But once someone fell ill, they lost control over many things.
Others wondered if the beauty he had sent to the palace had done something to the old Emperor, but Chen Wang neither confirmed nor denied it. Women could only be used for their beauty. The old Emperor’s body was depleted, yet he still indulged—how could he blame him for being ruthless?
Chen Wang’s schemes and years of forbearance, after he had made a certain decision, all became factors he could utilize.
…
That mid-month evening, when the Grand Marshal’s Temple’s security was relaxed, Second Young Master Lu Xian specifically changed into night-raid clothing and used his connections to visit Liu Mu in prison.
Through the bars, Lu Xian hurriedly called: “Your Highness, Your Highness…”
The young prince, wearing only inner clothes, sat cross-legged with closed eyes on the withered grass, his clothes stained with much blood. He had grown much thinner, his beard unkempt, sitting silently with a steadiness he had never shown before.
Lu Xian: “Liu Mu!”
Liu Mu’s eyelids twitched as he raised his eyes. As if not recognizing the young man outside the prison, he stared. That young man was like a nobleman from a landscape painting, gentle as jade, smiling at him—it felt like meeting across lifetimes.
Liu Mu gazed at him in a daze, after a while croaking: “You… have you come to laugh at me?”
Second Young Master Lu: “Quick! Change clothes, come with me!”
He signaled his followers to unlock the cell, directly stepping in and pulling up the dazed youth. Second Young Master Lu looked back reproachfully: “Why are you dumbfounded? Quickly come with me. I’m here to rescue you.”
Liu Mu shuddered: “What… a prison break?!”
How had it come to this?
Were he and Lu Xian such close friends?
…
That same night, following closely behind, Prince Zhao Liu Huai also bribed his way into the Marshal’s Temple to deal with someone. The old Emperor was ill and couldn’t handle affairs; to clear himself of crime, Liu Huai came directly to the Marshal’s Temple, intending to kill the key figure detained by Chen Wang. As long as that northerner didn’t implicate him, even if those court officials suspected him, they would find no reason.
Prince Zhao would remain the glorious Prince Zhao!
Prince Zhao brought his private soldiers to the Marshal’s Temple, climbing over the wall, saying in a sinister voice: “That leader is already dead, the Northern Princess is probably dead too… as long as we kill that Yue Zihan, no one will know what I’ve done!”
…
At this time, Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu were at Jianye Temple seeking an audience with a Buddhist nun. Luo Lingyu was completely confused, not understanding why, late at night instead of sleeping, she had to accompany her husband to meet some nun for a discussion.
Accompanied by many servants, the lady sat below Lu Yun’s seat, helping him watch the chess game. Luo Lingyu occasionally glanced out the window, then back at Lu Yun. Lu Yun lowered his head, smiling slowly: “Tonight, the husband will let you watch a good show, how about that?”
…
And at the same moment, Chen Wang Liu Chu, who should have returned to his residence, was surprisingly in the Marshal’s Temple. Sitting in a pitch-black chamber, he played chess with himself in the dark.
Hearing Second Young Master Lu and Prince Zhao successively making their entrances, Liu Chu’s lips curved slightly upward.
The show had finally begun.