The jade vase’s light turned, and thousands of trees bloomed with flowers.
Lu Yun never imagined that a small calculated move he had saved for later use would cause him to never escape the shadow of “Chen Xue” for his entire life.
The Ullambana Festival ceremony was like a temple fair. In this era, there was a custom during the Ullambana Festival of floating lotus lanterns on the water toward distant places. The lotus lanterns would flow into the River of Forgetfulness, carrying the living’s remembrance and longing for the deceased. With Buddhism flourishing, the Ullambana Festival was embraced by common people. At night, lantern lights were brilliant, and crowds of people gathered, making it exceptionally lively.
After parting with Prince Chen, Zhou Yangling still struggled to find Luo Lingyu’s figure in the crowd. She even went to the inn where Lu San and his wife were staying. The maid said that when they were cleaning the room a quarter-hour ago, the inn was already empty, and they didn’t know where the master and mistress had gone. For people with refined tastes in life, ordinary maids couldn’t appreciate their level of sophistication – often, the maids didn’t understand what games Lu San and his wife were playing.
As Zhou Yangling searched, she wandered farther and farther, moving away from the crowds. The lantern lights flickered across her peerlessly elegant face. The lady was like jade snow and frost – when she walked normally, she caused countless young men and women to turn their heads to look at her. Women marveled that Zhou Lang was female, while men were excited that Zhou Lang was female.
Zhou Yangling said gently: “Excuse me. Has anyone seen Young Lady Luo?”
Across a river channel, Zhou Yangling looked up at once, following the swaying light of lotus lanterns on the waterway, and saw the beautiful young lady crouching by the water on the opposite side. Zhou Yangling was about to call out but suddenly froze. She frowned, surprised and shocked to see that Luo Lingyu was crouching by the riverside together with another young lady—
The lady wore a face veil, with the gauze curtain falling to the hem of her skirt, concealing her very thoroughly. When the clear wind blew the veil, it rippled like water waves, making the lady’s face appear misty and hazy, as if shrouded in water vapor, neither clear nor completely hidden.
Her waist was bound with a jade belt, wearing all-white deep robes that appeared rather androgynous. Meanwhile, Luo Lingyu crouching beside her wore pink wide sleeves with an over-robe, and underneath a plain white skirt adorned with jade pendants, her waist bound with a delicate colored sash. Luo Lingyu wasn’t wearing a veil, allowing Zhou Yangling to recognize her at a glance. Yet that white-robed lady beside her, even while crouching, remained quiet and cold. The unfamiliar lady’s neck was slender, her posture excellent – every gesture and movement was as elegant and dignified as a white crane on a mountain peak.
Her presence was commanding.
The two ladies crouched together by the water’s edge, writing and drawing on lotus lanterns, occasionally turning to look at each other. At one point, Luo Lingyu even lifted the other’s veil and ducked under it, pressing her face close to whisper something, earning a pinch on her waist from the lady. Luo Lingyu then leaned on the other’s shoulder, giggling continuously. When the lady turned her face, separated by the gauze, their brows and eyes drew close – the two appeared as intimate as lovers.
Zhou Yangling: “…”
Her heart suddenly felt empty, leaving her stunned. In the instant when Luo Lingyu lifted the veil, the lantern light dimmed, and that lady’s face appeared like a fleeting glimpse – somewhat familiar yet unclear. She only felt extremely elegant, extremely beautiful, hidden beneath kingfisher feathers and pearl hairpins; this woman’s beauty was quite magnificent. She matched Luo Lingyu’s principle of only playing with beautiful people.
Zhou Yangling felt slightly disappointed, having originally thought that once she resumed her female identity, she would be Younger Sister Luo’s best friend. Yet in an instant, an unfamiliar lady had appeared by Luo Lingyu’s side, and judging from her sister’s behavior, she seemed to be quite fond of that lady. As gentle as Zhou Yangling was, she couldn’t hide the hurt in her heart at this moment, giving rise to some feelings of jealousy. In this world, not only love could spark jealousy – friendship could equally inspire it.
But Luo Lingyu remained unaware.
She had finally managed to invite “Sister Chen Xue” out to play, and although Chen Xue requested they stay in less crowded areas, preferring not to be seen, Luo Lingyu was already content. As beautiful as Sister Chen Xue was, she couldn’t feel any jealousy at all – she rarely had the chance to appreciate the other’s beauty. Crouching by the water with Chen Xue to release lotus lanterns, they naturally used the river lanterns to commemorate their respective parents who had died early. Yet the sadness lasted only a moment; when they began writing their wishes, the atmosphere became lively again.
Catching glimpses of the beauty writing on the lotus lantern under the veil, Luo Lingyu couldn’t help but smile, always unable to resist turning her face to look at the lady beside her.
Chen Xue’s voice was husky, containing a hint of threat within her smile: “If little sister keeps looking at me, big sister won’t be able to resist kissing little sister right here.”
Luo Lingyu’s heart skipped a beat as she covered her blushing face. Once Sister Chen Xue let loose, she still felt somewhat inadequate in comparison. She forcefully turned her head to look at the lantern in her arms, arguing: “Who’s looking at you? I just wanted to see what wish you wrote.”
Chen Xue smiled: “Naturally, I’m praying for a daughter.”
Luo Lingyu froze for a moment.
Chen Xue suddenly reached out to embrace her shoulder, and through the gauze veil, her face drew close. Under the makeup, Chen Xue’s features didn’t show many masculine characteristics – her eyes were deep-set but her features were defined, both delicate and dignified. Chen Xue’s eyes were like deep pools, her lips like touched-up vermillion. When she embraced Luo Lingyu’s shoulders, that captivating beauty pressing against Young Lady Luo’s nose bridge made even a woman like Luo Lingyu unable to resist being captivated.
Chen Xue smiled: “I want to be intimately entangled with my little sister day and night, praying for the joy of having a daughter.”
Luo Lingyu’s face turned red, stammering: “You… you shouldn’t say such things…”
How shocking.
Saying such things while wearing a woman’s face…
Chen Xue: “What’s there to fear? Haven’t we done it before?”
She leaned forward, casually tossing their river lanterns into the water to float away. Her hand gripped Luo Lingyu’s arm as she leaned in, and through the gauze veil, her lips lightly brushed against the other’s tender skin, cool yet soft. Slowly, Luo Lingyu lowered her head, wanting to laugh yet feeling her heart flutter.
Brother Xuecen knew how to play.
Being kissed by a woman is such a forbidden feeling… Chen Xue smiled ambiguously: “Little sister…”
From across the river, Zhou Yangling: “Little sister!”
Chen Xue stiffened, her eyes growing dark: “…”
Luo Lingyu’s nose was beaded with sweat, her cheeks pink as she breathed irregularly, her body softly leaning against Chen Xue. Startled by the voice from the opposite bank, she sat down on the ground and looked up in confusion to see Zhou Yangling, with her floating sashes and celestial bearing, on the other side. Seeing that beautiful appearance… Luo Lingyu let out a heavy snort and hugged Lu Yun’s arm.
Zhou Yangling came over, seeing the veiled stranger also stand up alongside Luo Lingyu. When that person had been crouching, they had only seemed to have good posture, but standing up, they suddenly seemed quite tall. Zhou Yangling’s expression became strange as she looked at the veiled lady several more times. She felt something was very odd – from what she had just witnessed, the two had seemed about to kiss… Could this person be trying to seduce Young Sister Luo?
Zhou Yangling hesitated: “This lady… I don’t believe we’ve met?”
Luo Lingyu replied distantly: “Just a friend I happened to meet. She prefers not to be seen.”
Chen Xue nodded in greeting to Zhou Yangling, displaying such noble and otherworldly grace that it left Zhou Yangling increasingly puzzled and feeling increasingly familiar.
Unfortunately, Zhou Yangling wasn’t very familiar with Lu San, and no matter how clever she was, she wouldn’t have imagined that someone as proud as Lu San would comfort his wife in such a way. Zhou Yangling was more concerned about Luo Lingyu’s distant attitude toward her. After a soft sigh, she asked gently: “Young Sister Luo, where is Lu San?”
Luo Lingyu replied with excessive politeness: “I don’t know! If Lady Zhou wants to find him, you should go look for him yourself. I have some matters to attend to. Sister Chen, let’s go over there.”
She linked arms with Chen Xue and walked away. Zhou Yangling sighed and hurried after them. Zhou Yangling didn’t have time to investigate the mysterious lady further, only explaining softly: “Sister, hear me out. I didn’t intentionally deceive you. Given the circumstances that day, since I was disguised as a man, I didn’t want to cause any trouble or let anyone else know. I couldn’t maintain the male disguise for long, I just wanted…”
Luo Lingyu replied insincerely: “…Why is Lady Zhou telling me this? I don’t blame Lady Zhou at all. We’re not close. Why is Lady Zhou looking for me? I see many people want to get to know Lady Zhou.” Though there weren’t many people around, she casually pointed out how groups of two or three were all watching the three of them.
After all, they were too beautiful.
Zhou Yangling sighed softly: “I don’t mean to steal your spotlight, in my heart, you’re the most beautiful…”
The veiled lady beside them gave a low laugh.
Luo Lingyu’s beautiful eyes turned to look, blurting out: “Sister Chen, it’s so hot today, yet you’re still wearing a veil. Why not take it off to get some air? Sister Chen’s beauty is unmatched, in my heart Sister Chen is the most beautiful!”
Lu Yun reached out and lightly pinched her lower back.
Luo Lingyu nearly cried from the pinch, letting out a hiss, thinking in disbelief: …husband is so cruel.
Zhou Yangling froze, looking at Chen Xue again. Luo Lingyu blocked her view despite the pain, not allowing her to look.
Zhou Yangling: “…”
This was truly too strange.
For a moment, the three walked along the river channel without speaking. Luo Lingyu held Lu Yun’s hand within their wide sleeves, their fingers intertwined. From the outside, one could only see that they appeared to be holding hands. Zhou Yangling walked beside them, her bearing elegant as an orchid, refined and graceful, occasionally glancing with a smile at Luo Lingyu who was whispering and laughing with the strange lady.
The three beauties had different dispositions – one noble and cool, one charming and romantic, and one as magnificent as mountains and rivers.
To onlookers, amid the brilliant lanterns and flowers, it was a feast for the eyes. With their floating sashes and clear, elegant beauty… many people on the other bank, watching through the river lanterns and falling flowers, were entranced to the point of embarrassment. Some walked into others, some stared dazedly. Suddenly there was a “splash” as someone fell into the water, having been too busy staring at the beauties.
The three on this bank looked over together. Luo Lingyu burst out laughing, Zhou Yangling couldn’t help but smile, and Chen Xue’s laughter was very low, seemingly carrying a bewitching quality that made one’s heart tingle.
People on this bank also secretly watched the three ladies, whispering—
“Lady Zhou and Lady Luo together are truly a sight to behold. But who is that other beauty?”
“Why does she wear a veil and not let others see? Could her beauty surpass Lady Zhou and Lady Luo’s?”
“Ah, I must paint this scene! I must capture this moment!”
Some scholars immediately rolled up their sleeves to paint. Lu Yun grew slightly uneasy, attempting to leave several times, but Luo Lingyu held his arm tightly. As fireworks illuminated the sky, amid the brilliant lights, Prince Chen Liu Shu’s voice came: “Have any of you seen Lu San?”
Zhou Yangling exclaimed: “Lady Chen!”
Prince Chen Liu Shu was surprised, looking over, unexpectedly seeing that after making a full circle, he had encountered Zhou Yangling again, along with Luo Lingyu, plus a… tall, graceful lady wearing a veil.
Liu Shu narrowed his eyes, staring intently.
This time Lu Yun truly couldn’t care about Luo Lingyu, yanking his hand free from her grasp. Luo Lingyu stumbled two steps from his push, only staying upright thanks to Zhou Yangling’s timely support. Zhou Yangling, gentle and refined, showed concern for Luo Lingyu, who looked back resentfully. Then they both turned their heads to see the veiled lady lift her skirts and flee swiftly, like someone escaping in panic.
Running too fast, the veil fell off, revealing a flash of the lady’s beautiful features…
Liu Shu: “…”
Zhou Yangling walked over: “Your Highness, why are you here?”
Liu Shu, unusually, didn’t stammer shyly upon seeing Zhou Yangling, but instead looked at the calmly approaching Luo Lingyu: “…Who was she?”
Luo Lingyu covered for her husband: “Just a musician I recently met, one you don’t know. Could it be you were attracted to her beauty?”
Liu Shu gave her a deep look, making Luo Lingyu feel slightly guilty though she didn’t show it. She secretly worried whether Liu Shu, being so familiar with Lu Yun, would recognize him at a glance. She was just playing around with Lu Yun, she didn’t want him to lose face in front of his friends… Liu Shu glanced once more in the direction where the lady had disappeared into the darkness, slowly picking up the dropped veil.
Liu Shu said softly: “Since she’s gone, I’ll keep, the veil for now. Young Sister Luo doesn’t, mind, right?”
Luo Lingyu smiled brightly: “No- not at all.”
Liu Shu said nothing more.
…This was the advantage of people of few words.
…
After that day, Zhou Yangling made several intermittent visits to the Lu residence seeking Luo Lingyu. Though Luo Lingyu was initially polite but cold, unwilling to engage, under Lady Zhou’s gentle words, she couldn’t help but waver. Zhou Yangling was too gentle – when she gazed at Luo Lingyu with tender affection, Luo Lingyu gradually accepted Jianye’s title of the “Three Beauties.”
After Zhou Yangling personally performed a puppet show to make her smile, Luo Lingyu completely let go of her mental block, sweetly linking arms with Zhou Yangling and calling her “Sister Zhou.”
When Prince Chen Liu Shu went looking for Zhou Yangling, he ended up at the Lu residence. He sat down beside Lu San, who was brewing tea in the pavilion. From this position, they could see the two ladies leaning on the double-sided corridor’s railings feeding fish, their laughter clear and crisp. They appeared so intimate.
Liu Shu frowned: “They’ve become so close?”
Lu Yun sighed: “Yes, I’ve been watching from the sidelines for several days now. Come join me in watching. How can I be the only one keeping an empty chamber?”
Liu Shu glanced at him, ordering his attendant to bring something.
Liu Shu’s expression was calm as he gently placed the jeweled veil in front of Lu Yun, saying quietly: “Don’t lose it again.”
Lu Yun’s eyes contracted sharply as he looked up, seeing the rare playful smile in Liu Shu’s eyes. He said softly: “Could the so-called ‘Three Beauties of Jianye’ be your doing? Otherwise, how could such a saying exist when no one has seen…”
Liu Shu smiled lightly, saying nothing.
The usually cool and detached Prince Chen probably only teased Lu Yun like this.
After the joke was over, Liu Shu suddenly seemed lost in thought as he tapped the table, pondering: “Wonder if the threads, planted at Liu Huai’s place, have started to…”
…
While Jianye appeared peaceful, at the Prince of Hengyang’s residence in Hengyang Commandery, Liu Mu received a furtive visitor. The person came sneaking about, and when he removed his hat, it turned out to be the former Prince of Zhao, now a commoner, Liu Huai.
In just one month apart, Liu Huai had become much thinner, his face sallow, clearly having suffered considerably. Before Liu Mu, he viciously opened an imperial edict: “When I was taking care of that old creature, I stole the late emperor’s edict… The throne should have been yours! But now it’s benefited Liu Shu!”
“I don’t want anything else, I still have leads from the northerners! Let’s join forces – you can be your emperor, and I want Liu Shu dead and the Lu family exterminated!” The Prince of Hengyang Liu Mu looked at him calmly, then lowered his eyes to look at the imperial will that Liu Huai had stolen in his seemingly deranged state.
Author’s Note: Lu? Cinderella? Xue? Yun lifted his skirts and ran~