Looking more closely, Luo Lingyu, who was extremely skilled with makeup, naturally recognized that Zhou Yangling was Zhou Zibo.

When disguised as a man, Zhou Yangling had amplified the more heroic aspects of her natural temperament, showing no feminine air, and being as calm and gentle as still water. Now restored to her feminine appearance, adorned with pearls and jewelry, with yellow flower ornaments, amid the flowing radiance, even though frail and delicate, her features revealed the exquisite beauty of a young woman.

It was truly surprising that such a stunning beauty could appear so natural when dressed as a man. Her temperament could perfectly balance beauty and heroic spirit.

Luo Lingyu couldn’t do that.

Her beauty was too alluring, and her temperament wasn’t clear and pure enough – she couldn’t successfully dress as a man like Zhou Yangling.

Luo Lingyu’s expression darkened as she thought about how Zhou Lang had played with her throughout the past year. She had watched Luo Lingyu develop feelings for her, only reciprocating superficially without ever telling the truth. Moreover, with such outstanding talent, she could not only play the chimes, but also participate in all the things men did, and she had done so well that year, by Prince Chen’s side… Luo Lingyu glanced at Prince Chen and saw Liu Shu struggling to conceal the excitement in his eyes. Though he tried to maintain composure, his eyes kept stealing glances at Zhou Yangling.

Luo Lingyu’s face grew even paler: …Prince Chen had known Zhou Lang longer than she had, and he showed no surprise, clearly knowing that Zhou Lang was Zhou Yangling.

She heard him say to Zhou Tan: “Lady Zhou and I, have, have spoken… Mas- Mas- Master…”

He began to stutter, and Zhou Yangling smiled gently at how this prince always stuttered when speaking to her. Zhou Yangling’s gaze shifted, looking somewhat worriedly toward Luo Lingyu. Luo Lingyu turned away, forcing a smile while talking to Third Young Master Lu, refusing to look in her direction. Lu Yun’s expression was rather strange.

Lu Yun privately: “Ouch…”

Luo Lingyu was dramatic, refusing to acknowledge Zhou Yangling, but unable to contain her anger, she returned to pinch Lu Yun. Luo Lingyu was filled with extreme anger and shame: You all knew she was a lady, only I was deceived! You all deceived me, you’re all bad people!

Poor Lu Yun’s arm was almost bruised from her pinching.

Third Young Master Lu propped his hand against his forehead, his sleeve hiding half his face from others, concealing his discomposure. He stiffly whispered: “Enough, stop pinching me… you’re going to pinch me to death!”

Luo Lingyu glared at him, her eyes slightly red, containing unshed tears.

Lu Yun: “…”

Unable to bear his wife’s behavior, he could only say self-mockingly: “Fine, pinch away, pinch as you like.”

Only then did Luo Lingyu’s lips show a fleeting smile before she snorted at him. Though naturally very angry, and simultaneously jealous of how excellently Zhou Yangling had portrayed a man, she hadn’t reached the point of breakdown. A year ago, discovering a lady so successful at this would have made her heart ache terribly, her scalp tingling with distress. She would have wept pitifully, viewing the other as a lifelong rival. After being deceived, she would have sought revenge, trying to surpass the other in every way.

But now… though unhappy, much of that hostility was gone.

Fate is strange, and life experiences are crucial in shaping one’s character. When no one loved her, liked her, helped her, or cared about her, she took offense at everything, always competing to be the best. She would also doubt herself after failures, filled with self-reproach. But now, a year later, she had Lu Yun beside her. Though Lu Yun had also concealed this matter, she knew Lu Yun cherished and loved her, and cared for her. He had cleared away her hostility, bringing her security—

After pinching Lu Yun painfully for a while, Luo Lingyu hugged his arm tightly, nuzzling against him.

This feeling of having a husband was truly wonderful. Her previous thoughts had been right – she needed marriage, the security a husband could provide.

As Luo Lingyu hugged his arm, Lu Yun glanced down at her. Unable to resist, his inherent mischievous nature made him tease her: “Just now you were pinching me and complaining, now you’re hugging me. Is little sister Lingyu so fickle? Or is it that you just can’t bear to part with me?”

Luo Lingyu: …Suddenly her husband didn’t seem so wonderful anymore.

Luo Lingyu released his arm, stepped back three paces, and angrily whispered: “She was wrong, but you were wrong too! I won’t forgive you!”

Lu Yun: “…”

He wanted to slap himself.

Serves him right for being glib.

…

Guests arrived in droves like clouds gathering.

The submission of the common-born scholars left the royal family in a difficult position and made the great families reassess Prince Chen. Few great families like the Lu family had taken sides, and they supported Prince Chen now only because he was practically family. Seeing the return of the common-born scholars, other great families naturally had to consider their future path.

By late afternoon, many young lords from great families who had heard the news came to attend the small pure conversation gathering set up by the mountain scholars.

The atmosphere was friendly and somewhat enthusiastic.

Several royal princes left dejectedly, their faces pale. As they walked in the hot wind under the setting sun and red clouds, their limbs felt numb. The princes looked back to see the mountain forest wind surging like waves, white robes like scattered snow under the pavilion, as they gathered around the mountain spring discussing opinions freely, ultimately turning unconsciously toward Prince Chen. Even the scholar Zhou Tan showed considerable approval of Prince Chen… The princes swayed, gradually sensing the tide of power shifting.

The submission of common-born scholars, the great families realigning themselves. Joining new powers, the royal family and great families reshuffling – the future situation… was too favorable to Prince Chen.

This was a beginning, a significant marker. It marked the common-born scholars’ leap onto the Southern Kingdom’s political stage, entering public view.

It also marked that, like the great river flowing east, waves sifting gold from sand, as royal princes made way, Prince Chen’s rise had become unstoppable.

…

The old emperor was declining, while the future new emperor was accumulating and consolidating power. Such was the political situation, and everyone present witnessed the arrival of a new era. Meanwhile, Zhou Yangling tried various ways to approach Luo Lingyu to explain.

Little Sister Luo indeed ignored her.

Several times when she came over, Luo Lingyu would drag Lu Yun away, pretending to be very busy. Lu Yun glanced at Zhou Yangling a few times, and for each glance, Luo Lingyu pinched him once. Zhou Yangling smiled helplessly, knowing that Little Sister Luo was petty and that she had thoroughly offended her.

Yet Little Sister Luo’s anger was so vivid, so full of vitality… Zhou Yangling found herself secretly fond and envious.

That evening at the Ghost Festival ceremony, Prince Chen presided personally, with everyone attending to observe. With the common-born scholars’ support, the Lu couple wasn’t as important anymore. Second Young Master Lu was Buddhist and went to attend the ceremony in the evening. But Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu didn’t believe in Buddhism and weren’t so reverent toward the Ghost Festival. Thus, they quarreled in their room.

Third Young Master Lu changed into an old blue robe and came out to see the young lady sitting at the desk cutting paper flowers. Third Young Master Lu coughed twice, but Luo Lingyu remained unmoved, completely ignoring him. He stood beside her for a long while, but she remained intently focused on cutting flowers, not lifting her head. Third Young Master Lu’s face grew stern as he reached down to grab the scissors, making her stop, while rolling up his sleeve to show her his arm: “You’ve gone too far! Look what you’ve done to me with your pinching, how can I show this to others? Pinch me again and I’ll cut your fingernails!”

In this beauty-conscious era, ladies all liked to keep long fingernails. The nail on Luo Lingyu’s little finger was the culprit responsible for the blue marks all over Third Young Master Lu’s arm.

Luo Lingyu glanced at him: “Bad brother, who are you going to see? Who needs you to roll up your sleeves?”

Her repeated calls of “bad brother” and the light dancing in her eyes made Lu Yun’s eyes fill with amusement: “Finally willing to talk to me?”

Luo Lingyu: “Hmph!”

Lu Yun bent down to pinch her nose, wiggling it as his eyes filled with a frivolous smile: “Just like a little pig.”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

Was he starting to attack her for being fat?!

Luo Lingyu’s eyes widened as she saw the slight smile in his eyes. He leaned down to look at her, his cool fingers caressing the delicate skin of her face, his breath slowly intertwining with hers as he drew closer. Lu Yun’s hand slowly moved down to press against the back of her neck, his fingers gently massaging. He sighed softly: “Little sister Lingyu…”

Luo Lingyu momentarily lost herself, drowning in his beauty. But a sudden commotion outside brought her back to her senses. She blinked, realizing her breathing had become irregular and her nose had begun to perspire.

Then she grew annoyed—he was seducing her again! Did this scoundrel think he could solve all his mistakes just by luring her to bed?

Luo Lingyu’s eyes darted, and just as Lu Yun was about to kiss her, she suddenly raised her arms to embrace his neck. He made a “mmh” sound as he realized the young lady had stood up, turning to switch positions with him, even pushing at his waist. Her autumn-water eyes gazed at him seductively, making him lose his composure as he stumbled back to sit on the couch. His lower back hit the armrest, making Lu Yun frown slightly, but the young lady had already nimbly knelt on his legs like a cat, intimately embracing him as she sat in his lap.

Luo Lingyu whined coquettishly: “Brother Xuecian…”

She imitated his way of speaking but with a seductive expression and honeyed voice. Her affection was like a death sentence, each word stirring his iron heart.

Lu Yun secretly drew in a sharp breath, his self-control failing. He covered his reddening face with his sleeve, his voice hoarse: “Stop calling me that.”

If she called him again, he wouldn’t be able to resist taking her right there.

Luo Lingyu naturally noticed the change in his body as she pressed her face against his burning neck that kept swallowing. She nuzzled against him, complaining sweetly: “I’m disappointed in you! Zhou Yangling dressed as a man for so long, and you said nothing, watching me make a fool of myself. We’ve been in love for a year, and you could humble yourself to beg me not to leave you, yet you couldn’t spare even a moment in that year to tell me she was a woman. You just watched me fall for her, surely laughing at me inside. If I had cried and shouted about wanting to marry her instead of you, you would certainly have come to crush me. Brother Xuecian is so mean to me, I’m heartbroken.”

Lu Yun sighed slightly, tilting his head back, his jade-white neck covered in a thin layer of sweat, glistening. As she aroused him to contentment, Third Young Master Lu couldn’t help but laugh softly. Zhou Yangling had deceived her, yet she came to torment him.

He remembered when he first met Luo Lingyu, she was a young lady full of small schemes, trying to attract men, frustrated by having only beauty but insufficient skill in flirtation. He had often mocked her as a “wooden beauty,” teasing her for being “uptight.” Yet now this alluring young lady had been taught so well by him… leaving him now in such sweet torment.

Lu Yun pressed his forehead against hers, his voice slightly floating, his breath ghosting over her lips. Both their faces were somewhat red, yet they both maintained their composure. Lu Yun’s mind was hazy, wanting only to take her to bed, so he said patiently: “…Haven’t I already made it up to you?”

Luo Lingyu: “But you haven’t fulfilled everything! I know brother has sacrificed greatly, and if Brother Xuecian makes the sacrifice, I won’t be angry anymore. Then Brother Xuecian can do whatever he wants, we can continue as before. But I don’t know if Brother Xuecian has gotten old, or advanced in years, as his memory seems to have gotten worse. Brother promised to let Sister Chen Xue come out in a few days, but these few days have been so long, I fear I’ve waited almost ten days without seeing a trace of Sister Chen Xue?”

Lu Yun’s temple twitched, half his arousal dissipating. His face darkened slightly as he looked at her with suppressed anger.

Luo Lingyu gazed at him lovingly, kneeling on his lap, her knees sliding upward slightly. He let out a low “mmh” as his body curved, his hands on her waist pressing her firmly against himself. Luo Lingyu complied but pressed even closer to his ear, kissing and sucking his earlobe: “Brother Xuecian likes my chest, so do you want to…”

She whispered a few extremely soft words in his ear, and Lu Yun’s grip on her tightened. Leaning against him, she felt him suddenly become excited, his blood flowing faster.

Lu Yun panted: “You… you… what exactly have you been reading in my study…”

Luo Lingyu smiled brightly: “It’s all thanks to Brother Xuecian’s good teaching.” She kissed his temple, watching as he seemed unable to resist, propping himself up on the desk with his elbow, head lowered as he breathed heavily. His eyes were closed, his ink-black eyelashes trembling. Such a Lu Sanlan made her heart race.

She embraced him, kissing his neck. He turned his head impatiently to exchange breath with her, kissing deeply. His hand pressed against the small of her back where it curved toward his body, a fine line that his long fingers traced, making her breath flutter too. Third Young Master Lu’s eyes filled with teasing laughter as he pulled the young lady close, embracing her as they fell onto the couch.

Lips touching, Luo Lingyu said softly: “Please? Let brother enjoy, won’t brother agree? I don’t usually do this sort of thing.”

Lu Yun snorted, thinking to himself, if I wanted you to do this normally, wouldn’t I have ways? But since Luo Lingyu rarely this initiative, he naturally didn’t want to dampen her spirits. Lu Yun smiled: “So if brother dresses as Chen Xue, you’ll give brother… that?”

Luo Lingyu spoke in a soft voice: “I want Sister Chen Xue to accompany me to see the Ghost Festival ceremony.”

Lu Yun: “…!”

His face fell again, veins pulsing. Seeing his reaction, Luo Lingyu quickly covered her face and began to fake cry with whimpers. Lu Yun stared at her expressionlessly for a long while, then his eyes suddenly lifted, and he showed a slight smile, pulling her into his embrace and saying softly: “Alright, don’t cry, what wouldn’t brother do for you?”

Seeing his expression, Luo Lingyu felt he wouldn’t easily agree, and didn’t understand.

But Lu Yun, after being intimate with her for a moment, immediately got up to change clothes. His eyes glanced at Luo Lingyu provocatively, making her start in surprise before happily following him in—

Brother Xuecian knew how to play.

…

At the Ghost Festival, as the ceremony ended and people began to enjoy themselves, exploring this festival as grand as a temple fair, Zhou Yangling weaved through the crowd, asking everywhere for Luo Lingyu’s whereabouts. She was anxious to find her, not wanting to be found by Prince Chen first.

Seeing her orchid-like face, Liu Shu couldn’t help but stutter: “I- I have some- something to…”

Zhou Yangling said anxiously: “Your Highness, we can discuss our matters later. I want to find Little Sister Luo, does Your Highness know where she is?”

Her eyes dimmed: “She must be angry with me, unwilling to speak to me anymore.”

Prince Chen: “…”

Prince Chen had long known that Lu San’s wife was a beauty who brought trouble. Not only did she trouble the fair youth, but also… the fair maiden.

…

“My lord, what are you looking at?” In a tower of the temple, Second Young Master Lu leaned on the railing, looking down at the surging crowd below with a strange expression.

Liu Tang stood beside him, curiously following his gaze to see Liu Shu and Zhou Yangling pulling at each other in the crowd. Liu Tang was surprised for a moment, but after a day, most people in Jianye recognized Zhou Lang. Even Liu Tang, such a simple foolish princess, could recognize her. She said happily: “I’ll have a sister-in-law, won’t I? I like Young Master Zhou… ah, no, Sister Zhou.”

Second Young Master Lu said: “Who wouldn’t like Lady Zhou, being like that…”

An almost perfect lady.

In dreams, Zhou Yangling and Luo Lingyu had never crossed paths, as one beauty avoided another, with Luo Lingyu disliking ladies who might surpass her. Luo Lingyu avoided Zhou Yangling at every turn, absent on every occasion when Zhou Yangling appeared.

Just like tonight.

Everything was developing in a good direction, except that whenever Lady Zhou appeared, their Third Young Mistress Lu automatically disappeared. Different from the dream, in reality, Luo Lingyu had disappeared together with Third Young Master Lu.

Lu Xian only saw Luo Lingyu avoiding Zhou Yangling and Prince Chen clinging to Zhou Yangling. He naturally didn’t know about Prince Chen and Zhou Yangling’s conversation, didn’t know that Zhou Yangling had made up her mind to win Little Sister Luo’s heart—

She loved Little Sister Luo like her own sister, having never seen such a vibrant and interesting beauty as Little Sister Luo. She didn’t want to lose Little Sister Luo.