At night, the Prince of Henyang escaped from the city, while the Prince of Zhao and the Prince of Chen had an encounter. A fire broke out at Jianchu Temple… all these coincidences were orchestrated by human hands.
After the Jianchu Temple incident, leaving his attendants to help the Capital Prefect’s men handle the aftermath, Lu Yun, feeling tonight’s matters were concluded, invited his wife to leave together. Since the few attendants following them went to assist the Capital Prefect’s officials in recording tonight’s temple fire incident, when leaving this famous Buddhist temple, Third Young Master Lu and the Third Young Mistress had to walk back alone.
Walking along the Qinhuai River, Lu Yun finally explained to Luo Lingyu the reasons behind his actions tonight.
Under the bright moon, with flowers flying in the sixth month, the elegant young lord walked on the side closer to the Qinhuai River, with Luo Lingyu walking beside him. She listened as he first explained the matter concerning Yue Zihan, then explained the matter of the Prince of Henyang. Luo Lingyu was first shocked that Lu Yun knew about things Luo Yunhua hadn’t told her, then admired Lu Yun’s ability to plan and orchestrate events. With her husband taking charge, after some slight discontent, Luo Lingyu could only hit him a few times to vent her frustration. But when Lu Yun mentioned the Prince of Henyang, his tone was slightly strange. The young lady turned her head to observe his expression, and under her graceful, flowing gaze, she seemed lost in thought.
Luo Lingyu: “It seems both you and Second Brother act strange when mentioning the Prince of Henyang.”
Lu Yun’s expression suddenly froze for a moment, but he pretended nothing was wrong: “How so?”
Seeing his casual attitude, Luo Lingyu became even more certain. This man was proud and arrogant; if nothing was truly wrong, Third Young Master Lu would have sneered or mocked her for overthinking. His saying “How so?” clearly meant there was something. Luo Lingyu was extremely puzzled: “I just remembered, before I married you, whenever I talked with the Prince of Henyang, Second Brother would come to interrupt. Once when the Prince was injured because of me, I wanted to visit him, but Second Cousin insisted on going in my place. Back then I only thought he was deliberately matchmaking between you and me, but now thinking about it, it was indeed strange.”
Luo Lingyu glanced sideways at Lu Yun and said reproachfully: “You’re even more obvious! Every time I mention the Prince of Henyang, you get unhappy and secretly hold it against me. I didn’t say or do anything special. I have many admirers, but you don’t react this strongly to others. Why do you have such a big reaction specifically to the Prince of Henyang? Tonight you saved him, yet besides explaining the reason to me, you don’t mention anything else. Even before, when the Prince of Henyang was imprisoned, you didn’t even go to see him once. Without asking about the story, you only relied on fragments heard from others to guess. Being this one-sided, how does this look like someone who wants to save another?”
Lu Yun glanced at her, his voice slightly cold: “What are you trying to say?”
Luo Lingyu smiled slightly.
She remained silent at first, walking a few quick steps forward. Across the shore were layers of lights, boats, and painted barges stopped on the Qinhuai River, with lingering sounds of songs and music. The firelight merged with the reflection on the water, layer upon layer falling on the young lady’s beautiful face. Her wide sleeves were like clouds, brushing past Third Young Master Lu’s arm behind her, her fragrance enticing. She suddenly turned back, strands of hair by her cheeks brushing her lips, her eyes bright and mischievous.
Luo Lingyu smiled brightly: “I guess, perhaps in Second Cousin’s dream, I married the Prince of Henyang instead of you. Is that why you and Second Cousin are so guarded against His Highness the Prince of Henyang, unwilling to let me even speak an extra word with him?”
Lu Yun sneered.
Luo Lingyu humphed at him: “Don’t give me that attitude. Your manner admits it. Brother Xuecian, you’re even jealous of things that never happened?”
Lu Yun felt annoyed, thinking how could it be called “never happened”? If not for Second Brother favoring him, the Prince of Henyang might have stolen Luo Lingyu away. Luo Lingyu was beautiful, seemingly loving money and fame, and quite vulgar, yet to support this vulgarity, how many refined interests had she learned? She was such an interesting beauty… Lu Yun didn’t mind that she was always surrounded by admirers, but thinking that she might have married the Prince of Henyang, his jealousy and hatred were indescribable.
Luo Lingyu walked to his side, observing the cold expression beneath his cool exterior. She reached out to hold his hand, but he shook his sleeve to avoid it. Knowing he couldn’t let go of his pride, Luo Lingyu wasn’t angry but rather reached out tentatively to touch his hand again. Luo Lingyu said playfully: “Brother Xuecian, why aren’t you paying attention to me?”
After several attempts, she finally succeeded, with Lu Yun holding her hand.
Laughing so hard inside that she wanted to roll around holding her stomach, Young Lady Luo outwardly tried to please Lu Yun: “Brother Xuecian, what are you thinking about? I love you most in my heart, even if I had married someone else, I would still love you most.” She paused for a moment, seeming to think of something, and slowly said, “I cannot imagine days without being married to you. Without you accompanying me to pick lotus in summer, boil maple leaves in autumn, without the Plum-Seeking Hermit I admire painting, without you getting angry and arguing with me… those days must be very bitter. I really can’t imagine what it would be like if I had married the Prince of Henyang.”
Luo Lingyu: “Who could be as compatible with me as Brother Xuecian? All my thoughts, the other person knows; what my husband is thinking, what kind of preferences he has, I happen to share them all. Besides Brother Xuecian, how could I like anyone else? I can’t imagine it.”
Lu Yun’s heart stopped for a moment.
But he hardened his heart and said coolly: “What’s so hard to imagine? With a clever and virtuous lady like you, if you had married the Prince of Henyang, he would surely love you deeply. How could a sister so skilled in strategy fail to capture her husband’s heart? Even without me, my sister’s marriage would be happy and blessed.”
Luo Lingyu said: “How could that be? Is surface goodness truly good? How do you know when I’m married to someone else, I won’t be thinking of you in my heart, hating you? My heart is very small, you’ve provoked me, Lu Yun, I’ll remember you for a lifetime.”
Lu Yun’s grip on her hand suddenly tightened.
His pupils contracted slightly, vaguely recalling a dream he had after that day on the snowy mountain. He seemed to have had a very long dream where he had died, and Luo Lingyu was not happy. She was melancholic, forcing smiles, yet so quiet, no longer showing her former vibrant self. Until her death, she never truly smiled again.
And she was in his heart too. Losing her, he was like a walking corpse, in unbearable pain. He still wouldn’t admit it.
With her clearly in his heart, why couldn’t they be together in that dream where Second Young Master Lu had never interfered?
Lu Yun said softly: “Who ends up together, what kind of ending do they have, while it depends on whether there’s love or not, it also depends on fate and timing. Without some coincidences in love, it’s too hard for people to persevere, to believe it’s destined.”
Luo Lingyu was stunned, feeling he spoke from experience. He spoke with such loneliness and sadness as if she had married the Prince of Henyang.
They both became emotional together, both becoming melancholic. Just then, the lights on the Qinhuai River flickered on the water, and the laughter of young ladies and their patrons from the painted barges seemed both near and far. From afar, their songs could be heard. Under the clear moonlight, the girls’ songs were filled with loss, while the Prince of Henyang, whom Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu were both thinking of, had already fled far away.
Feeling lost in her heart, Luo Lingyu unconsciously recited: “The beauty has departed and news of them has ceased, separated by a thousand miles yet sharing the same bright moon. Sighing in the wind, where shall this end? The river road is long and cannot be crossed.”
How blurry was the line between reality and dreams, was it the unknown future, or the known past life? The same moon shines over a thousand miles, who knows of this yearning? And fate wandering within, what kind of powerful and mysterious passerby is it?
As the young lady beside him sang softly, Lu Yun listened intently, his mood becoming even heavier. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Luo Lingyu, watching the boats floating on the Qinhuai River across the water, listening to the women’s songs from the boats. A cool breeze blew past, Lu Yun’s head felt cool, and coming to his senses, he couldn’t help but laugh, thinking how foolish he and Sister Yu’er were being—why were they grieving over things that never happened?
In her melancholy, Luo Lingyu suddenly heard the young lord beside her recite: “The moon has set and the dew is about to dry, the year is late and there is no one to return with. The fine meeting can still come again, as light frost touches one’s clothes.”
—The moon has set, and the morning dew will bring a new day. What does it matter if time passes, when frost and dew touch one’s clothes, the beloved will always return.
As Luo Lingyu listened, she smiled: “Beautiful poem.”
She paused for a moment, then said: “Did Brother Xuecian also dream that dream Second Cousin had? Am I the only one who hasn’t? I want to dream too…”
Lu Yun smiled and said: “Better not. After nightmares, their sister cries terribly, doesn’t she still need a brother to comfort her? Brother doesn’t want to make trouble for himself.”
Luo Lingyu burst out laughing, her beautiful eyes teasing him as she hit his arm: “You’re annoying!”
Amidst their laughter, their mood improved again. Lu Yun’s mind wandered, again listening to what the girls on the painted barges on the water were singing. His heart was heavy, thinking about that dream one moment and worrying about future matters the next, deep in thought, thus his temperament was cold, keeping people thousands of miles away. Luo Lingyu also listened with him for a while, the melody was gentle, carrying a foreign flavor, probably Hu music transmitted from the northern countries. She hummed a few lines following the rhythm, then suddenly said: “Brother Xuecian, do you know how to dance the Huxuan dance?”
Lu Yun came back to his senses: “Hmm?”
Luo Lingyu looked up: “I guess no lady could invite Brother Xuecian to dance, right?”
Lu Yun’s features were delicate; his expression remained unchanged, but the corner of his lips twitched slightly. How well she understood his subtle meanings—with just this comment from Luo Lingyu, Lu Yun extended his hand, his long and strong hand lifting slightly upward, his affectionate phoenix eyes raising slightly, gesturing to the lady opposite him. Luo Lingyu stepped forward with dignity and grace, her delicate hand resting on his.
Hand in hand, they turned around each other in circles, the lady’s waist graceful like a flower blooming in an instant, the young lord tall and elegant with his sleeves flying like the moistness of landscapes. One charming, one casual, and handsome.
Luo Lingyu hummed that little tune, smiling as she danced the Huxuan dance with Lu Yun under the moon by the Qinhuai River. Frost flew under the moon, flower petals floated on the water, and in the swaying wind, clusters of heavy flowers also fell from the tree branches, showering over the two of them. Under the moon, flower petals flew towards the two, the man handsome and the woman beautiful, the flowing light lingering beneath their winding, slow steps.
Her hand was gently held by the young lord as he supported her waist in the dance. The songs were melodious, the flowing water murmuring, this night was incomparably elegant.
Suddenly they heard someone clap and laugh: “How wonderful, Third Young Master Lu and Third Young Mistress are so talented and romantic, making us all envious.” At this unexpected voice, Luo Lingyu startled, clutching Lu Yun’s sleeve and hiding behind him for a moment before looking forward with blushing cheeks. It turned out that under the stone bridge over the water, a large two-story pleasure boat was slowly approaching. At the bow, under the intermingling of lamplight and water reflections, stood several men and women. Their clothes fluttered gracefully, faces touched by water vapor, all were young lords and ladies of Jianye’s noble families whom the couple knew. Among the ladies was Chen Xiu, Miss Chen, who gazed at Lu Yun with a sense of loss, and among the men was Third Young Master Qi An, one of Luo Lingyu’s admirers. Some harbored feelings, others felt lost. Yet they forced themselves to be cheerful and invited the couple: “Since marrying Third Young Master Lu, Miss Luo hasn’t gone out to play. Third Young Master Lu, why are you treating your wife so harshly? We are having a night tour of Jianye by candlelight, would you newlyweds honor us by joining?”
Lu Yun’s eyebrows raised slightly.
On this same night, there was Prince Zhao’s desperate struggle, Prince of Henyang’s prison escape, and these refined men and women of Jianye enjoying their night tour by candlelight. Such were the hundred faces of life in Jianye.
Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu exchanged glances, the lady’s eyes sparkling, clearly wanting to join the fun. Though Lu Yun hadn’t mingled with these young lords and ladies for a long time, his mood was excellent tonight, and with Luo Lingyu’s company, he smiled and agreed: “I dare not ask for such pleasure, but it is indeed what I wish.”
Everyone laughed: “Excellent.”
So the boat stopped by the shore, the water rippling, as they invited Third Young Master Lu and Third Young Mistress aboard. During the night voyage, the men and women on the boat played zithers, composed poems, painted, and sang songs, engaging in various activities.
As the young men and women enjoyed themselves this way, when the noise gradually subsided, Lu Yun was surrounded by lords and ladies discussing something. Luo Lingyu, slightly dizzy from drinking, smiled contentedly while admiring her husband’s grace for a while before going out for some fresh air. Standing at the bow holding the railing, watching the sparkling waves below, with the evening breeze blowing and moonlight like water, Luo Lingyu narrowed her eyes.
“Sister Luo.” A female voice called from behind.
Luo Lingyu turned around, the lanterns swayed twice, the boat rocked slightly, and she recognized the lady walking out from the brightly lit cabin as Miss Chen, Chen Xiu. Luo Lingyu was surprised for a moment; usually when Chen Xiu addressed her, she either arrogantly called her just “sister” with disdain or politely but distantly called her “Miss Luo.” Since when did she call her “Sister Luo” like everyone else?
Chen Xiu walked to Luo Lingyu’s side, joining her in facing the wind and watching the water. After a long while, Chen Xiu said: “My father wrote urging me to return, as I have no one keeping me in Jianye anymore, and I’ve already explained everything about the refugees to the court. Tonight’s tour is a farewell party for me… Sister Luo, I’m leaving Jianye tomorrow. My father and brothers seem to have fallen in love with Suzhou and want to move our family there. Perhaps I’ll never return to Jianye.”
Luo Lingyu paused, then said: “Ah, no one mentioned it… I didn’t know about this, I forgot to bring a farewell gift for sister.”
Chen Xiu: “…”
She was stunned: “… Is that all you want to say? Aren’t you happy that I finally won’t be… won’t be… coveting your husband anymore?”
Luo Lingyu smiled, pressing her lips together: “About coveting my husband, I’ve never been unhappy about that. There are so many ladies who like Brother Xuecian… doesn’t this prove I have good taste and great charm? Why should I be unhappy?”
Chen Xiu: “…”
She self-deprecatingly said with disappointment: “You’re confident. But you’re so beautiful… I saw you dancing the Huxuan dance with him, you two are truly well-matched. I often wondered what kind of lady someone like Third Young Master Lu would marry… I have to admit, none of my guesses were as pleasing to the eye as when you’re together with him. I’ve never seen him look at anyone else the way he looks at you, never seen him smile so affectionately at any other lady. When he looks at you, it’s as if he’s trying to seduce you… but with me, he showed much disdain, unwilling to give even a hint of feeling.”
Luo Lingyu thought for a moment, then chose to comfort her rival’s defeat: “Maybe it’s because I’m too beautiful, and he’s fond of beauty. He pretends to be aloof, Sister Chen, you thought too highly of him.”
Chen Xiu forced a smile and fell silent.
In the darkness, Luo Lingyu suddenly heard sobbing from the woman beside her. From the corner of her eye, she saw tears falling like pearls, but Luo Lingyu’s expression remained unchanged, not even turning to look, pretending not to see or hear. Chen Xiu silently cried for a while in the darkness, finally saying: “I’ve liked him for almost ten years, and now I’m finally letting go. I still like him very much, but I know… I’m leaving tomorrow, I won’t disturb you couple anymore. I wish you a hundred years of happiness together and the early birth of noble children.”
Luo Lingyu thanked her softly, saying: “I wish Sister Chen finds a good husband in Suzhou.”
Chen Xiu smiled wistfully.
Suddenly they heard Lu Yun’s voice approaching from afar: “Lingyu, Lingyu…”
Standing at the bow, Luo Lingyu beside Chen Xiu immediately raised her voice to respond, and they both turned to see the elegant young lord stepping out from the cabin. As the boat swayed, he swayed with it. Leaning against the cabin, Lu Yun held his head with his hand, his voice unclear: “Lingyu, my head hurts…”
Chen Xiu heard Luo Lingyu beside her snort and scold: “What headache, you must have secretly drunk too much again. You clearly can’t drink, yet you still try to show off.”
Though Luo Lingyu said this, she was worried about Lu Yun. Especially since they were on a boat, she feared he would feel sick and vomit, so she immediately forgot about catching up with Chen Xiu, hurriedly saying goodbye as she rushed toward the lamplight to support the young lord who was leaning against the cabin door with closed eyes. From Chen Xiu’s perspective, as soon as that slender-waisted lady approached the young lord’s side, Lu Yun reached out and, with eyes still closed, pulled her into his embrace.
Lu Yun buried his head in the lady’s neck, speaking unclearly in an extremely low voice that Chen Xiu could no longer hear clearly.
Then she saw Lu Yun as if lost in passion, go to kiss Luo Lingyu’s lips, but just as their lips were about to touch, Luo Lingyu covered his mouth with her hand. Luo Lingyu reproached: “You’re being reckless again… stop… if you continue like this, I won’t take care of you anymore…”
Stumbling, with the help of her maid, Luo Lingyu supported Third Young Master Lu as they left to find a cabin to rest. Throughout it all, Lu Yun showed extraordinary trust and reliance on Luo Lingyu. He let Luo Lingyu lead him, and let her scold him, without any resistance or showing any attitude, presumably having been scolded many times before…
At this point, Chen Xiu finally understood clearly that it wasn’t just Luo Lingyu who couldn’t live without Lu Yun, Third Young Master Lu equally couldn’t live without Luo Lingyu.
Chen Xiu let out a soft sigh, murmuring: “Let it be this way then… goodbye, Third Young Master.”
Youthful love ending without illness was common in the world of mortals, nothing special about it.
…
That night, the men and women of Jianye enjoyed their tour, engaging in grand discussions, completely carefree.
The next day at court presented a different scene. Prince Zhao Liu Huai was brought before the throne, where the elderly emperor sat high on his dragon throne, shocked to watch another of his sons, Prince Chen Liu Shu, accuse Prince Zhao of breaking into the Grand Marshal’s Temple at night to rescue Prince of Henyang Liu Mu. Liu Mu’s current disappearance was Prince Zhao’s fault.
Liu Huai shouted fiercely: “Nonsense! Why would I rescue the Prince of Henyang? Father Emperor, this is a trap, Liu Shu is framing me! He has the heart of a wolf and the ambition of a jackal, he’s no longer the Liu Shu of before! Father Emperor, brothers, ministers, don’t be fooled by him!”