While the adults talked inside, Luo Yunwan, who had become much more sensible after recent events, saw her sister was busy and took the initiative to lead Fourth Young Master Lu Chen out to play in the courtyard. Luo Lingyu originally had countless things to tell Yunwan, but with the two paintings before her eyes, her thoughts were in such disarray that she lost the inclination.

In the courtyard, the flowering trees rustled, pink apricots and peach blossoms drifting toward the window. Inside the room, Luo Lingyu and Lu Xian sat facing each other.

Of the two paintings, one was originally a return gift delivered by the maid Jinyue, a work by the Plum Blossom Recluse. It depicted a moonlit southern river scene, with boats drifting silently and a beauty standing at the bow. The other painting, brought by Second Young Master Lu Xian, was signed “Xue Chen.” This piece showed misty mountains, with pine waves like the sea, and a serene forest—though a landscape, it possessed a grand, sweeping quality.

The brush strokes of the two paintings had subtle differences. The “Plum Blossom Recluse” was more delicate, while “Xue Chen’s” was bolder, and more casual.

Lu Xian compared the two paintings with the strange-faced Luo Lingyu, pointing at the second painting signed “Xue Chen” and sighing: “This was painted by Third Brother when he was fourteen or fifteen. His brush strokes were more immature then compared to now, but already quite remarkable. He hadn’t yet taken the name ‘Plum Blossom Recluse’ then and used his courtesy name ‘Xue Chen’ when painting. Third Brother was exceptionally intelligent from a young age; none of us could match him in poetry or literature. In his youth, he was proud of his talents and knew his capabilities, so he painted many pieces and gave them away. This painting was one he insisted on giving to me back then.”

Luo Lingyu still couldn’t believe it: “But in recent years, the Plum Blossom Recluse’s paintings have been so rare in the market, worth their weight in gold.”

Lu Xian: “Because he hardly paints anymore. Perhaps after gaining fame in his youth, he grew tired of it. These past few years, I’ve rarely seen Third Brother paint. Not only does he paint less, he now rarely appears at banquets or social gatherings.”

Speaking of this, Second Young Master’s face darkened slightly, thinking it was because of that Prince of Chen. Making Third Brother help with this and that all day… he would rather Third Brother be like in previous years, writing poetry and painting, what was wrong with being a scholar?

Luo Lingyu’s fingertips trembled as she gently brushed over the painting, murmuring: “The Plum Blossom Recluse is a famous scholar of the South, of noble character, unparalleled in poetry and painting. When I was in Nanyang, both men and women fought over his paintings. There are many fakes in the market… I’ve sought his paintings for years, wanting to visit him. Yet who would have thought, after all this searching, the scholar I wished to visit was right beside me, was Third Cousin all along.”

Her emotions were indescribable, utterly shocked.

She had loved the Plum Blossom Recluse’s paintings for years, judging the person through his art, believing he must be someone who cared nothing for worldly possessions, pure as a blue lotus, beyond profanation. She thought this scholar must be unburdened by power and wealth, free-spirited and unrestrained, completely different from a mundane person like herself. When times were difficult, she would often look at his paintings, finding strength in them. Precisely because she was convinced the Plum Blossom Recluse was different from herself, uniquely refined and noble, she had quietly admired him for years… who would have thought that this scholar was Lu Yun?!

Unburdened by power and wealth… that part was somewhat visible.

But the rest… well, at least when Third Cousin wasn’t showing his true face, his exterior was bright and clear, much better than the old man she had imagined.

Luo Lingyu’s feelings were very complicated.

Lu Xian observed his cousin for a long while but couldn’t tell if she was happy or unhappy. Cousin Luo’s fine brows were knitted, her eyes rippling like water, appearing quite delicate. Lu Xian’s heart only paused for a moment before thinking optimistically: if cousin had a good relationship with Third Brother, that wouldn’t be bad. If his dream was true and his cousin would become Empress in the future, then perhaps through her influence, that scene of Third Brother’s death in his dream wouldn’t happen…

Luo Lingyu raised her eyes, beautiful as waves, her cheeks flushed: “Second Cousin, could you give me Third Cousin’s old painting as well?”

Lu Xian: “Ah… sure.”

Perhaps because the Plum Blossom Recluse was his brother, and many in Jianye knew this, Lu Xian didn’t feel much attachment to keeping or giving away the painting. Seeing Luo Lingyu quickly roll up the painting and adjust her expression, she smiled brightly and raised her face to ask: “By the way, I still don’t know why Second Cousin came to see me. I’m such a bad person, only talking about my matters.”

Her words were light and playful, her tone rising coquettishly when saying “I’m such a bad person,” touching one’s heartstrings. The beauty’s clear gaze looked at the young man opposite her, and Lu Xian’s heart involuntarily beat a bit faster. He coughed once, reminding himself to maintain composure.

Lu Xian asked casually: “I don’t have any important business, just some concerns… Why is cousin turning the room upside down, what are you looking for?”

It was poverty.

She wasn’t looking for anything.

The impoverished Luo Lingyu had finally been driven to consider selling her collections to save face.

But in front of Second Young Master Lu, Luo Lingyu certainly wouldn’t tell the truth. She sighed softly, saying wistfully: “It’s nothing important. The young misses invited me out to play, and since I’ve never been around Jianye and this is my first time going out, I wanted to leave a good impression on the sisters. I remember I once collected some works about Jianye scenes, so I wanted to find them for reference.”

The so-called “works about Jianye scenes” were completely made up by Luo Lingyu, they couldn’t possibly exist.

But Lu Xian believed her, truly thinking his cousin was in a difficult situation. His heart was moved, thinking about how hard it must be for his cousin to live under others’ roofs. Cousin Luo rarely opened her heart to others, and now telling him these things… she must consider him one of her own. Lu Xian thought carefully for a while, then tentatively suggested: “Actually, I was planning to go to Kaishaan Temple on Bell Mountain. Cousin knows that after falling in the water, I was unconscious for a day, and I had some nightmares that day which have been bothering me these past days. Third Brother suggested I seek advice from a master… I plan to go to Kaishaan Temple to ask the abbot to interpret my dreams. If cousin doesn’t mind, why not set the meeting with the young misses at Bell Mountain?”

Luo Lingyu paused, lowering her eyes to think carefully.

If she went out alone, she would need to report to the Lu family elders and cover all expenses herself. But going with Second Young Master Lu, all expenses would be covered by the Lu family. She had already given silver when coming to the Lu family, so going out now would save her a lot of money. Money might be trivial to young masters of great families, but for her, Luo Lingyu, it could truly be a matter of life and death.

Luo Lingyu smiled gently: “That would be lovely, early spring is indeed the perfect time for an outing. The sisters will surely be willing to go to Bell Mountain.”

Lu Xian smiled, thinking his cousin was truly understanding.

The two chatted about various topics, leaving Luo Lingyu confused. Her beautiful eyes flickered, as besides the incident of falling in the water, she had rarely interacted with Second Cousin. The second Cousin didn’t know what to say either. Yet he insisted on sitting there for quite a while, talking about unimportant things. Lu Xian gazed at her with such deep eyes that Luo Lingyu almost thought he had fallen in love with her…

After finally seeing Lu Xian off, besides arranging to go to Bell Mountain and obtaining one of Third Young Master Lu’s old paintings, Luo Lingyu still hadn’t figured out Lu Xian’s purpose. After Second Young Master left, Luo Lingyu stood at the door, instructing her maid Lingyu to check if the Third Young Master was home. After Lingyu left, Luo Lingyu didn’t go out but remained in the room looking at the two paintings. Looking left and right, her expression was conflicted. The Hetian jade hairpin that she had originally placed on the small table for comparison was now completely forgotten. She stood up, carefully rolling up the painting scrolls, making a decision—

Not selling!

Not selling!

“Sister?” Luo Yunwan’s little head poked out from behind the door, calling Luo Lingyu softly and questioningly.

Luo Lingyu raised her eyebrows.

After the incident of Second Young Master Lu falling into the water was resolved, she privately led Luo Yunwan to apologize to Second Young Master Lu, and he brought Fourth Young Master Lu Chen to apologize to her as well. With Lu Xian and Luo Lingyu’s tacit agreement, the matter was considered settled, but since then, Luo Yunwan had become much more timid, always quietly staying in her room without going out. Seeing her sister like this, Luo Lingyu had been looking for an opportunity to comfort her… but hadn’t found the right moment yet.

Luo Lingyu: “Wan’er, what is it?”

Luo Yunwan lingered at the door: “Sister, are you looking at Third Cousin’s things?”

“Yes… you know I’ve admired the Plum Blossom Recluse for years,” Luo Lingyu blinked, “what’s wrong?”

Luo Yunwan lowered her head, her toes scuffing the ground. She had heard some of her sister’s conversation with Second Cousin, and she was keeping one of Third Cousin’s secrets. After the incident of Second Cousin falling into the water, she had become truly frightened. She felt she shouldn’t hide things from her sister, but she had promised Third Cousin not to tell… Luo Yunwan said softly: “Sister, have you never felt that Third Cousin… looks somewhat familiar?”

Luo Lingyu: “…!”

She quickly lowered her head, staring at her sister: “Familiar how?”

But Luo Yunwan lowered her head again, hemming and hawing, unwilling to say more.

Well, if she wouldn’t say, Luo Lingyu would think for herself. They had previously lived in Ruyang and Nanyang, and definitely wouldn’t have met Lu Yun. If they had, with Lu Yun’s appearance, how could she have no impression at all? She didn’t feel she had met Lu Yun before, but Lu Yun had asked her several times “Don’t you remember me?”, and now her sister was also asking if he “looked familiar”… In her confusion, Luo Lingyu immediately tried to search for a silhouette in her mind.

Third Young Master Lu’s appearance…

“Young Miss!” Lingyu called from outside, interrupting Luo Lingyu’s reverie, “Third Young Master wasn’t home originally, but when I was coming back, I saw him crossing the West Bridge! He’s returned from outside!”

Luo Lingyu: “Really?!”

She immediately forgot about her sister’s mention of Third Young Master Lu looking familiar, rolled up the paintings carefully and stored them in the cabinet, lifted her skirts, and quickly ran out of “Snow Tracing Courtyard,” hurrying toward “Clear Courtyard.” Whether Third Young Master Lu looked familiar was secondary; what she knew now was that Lu Yun was the Plum Blossom Recluse she had sought for years—

Lu Yun was walking leisurely through the Lu family residence, heading toward “Clear Courtyard.” He kept his head down, still thinking about what Liu Chu had told him, considering the Prince of Hengyang’s intentions. Suddenly, a woman’s breathless voice came from behind: “Cousin—!”

Lu Yun’s steps halted as he turned to look. Before he could get a proper look, a young lady crashed into him from behind, causing him to stumble back several steps until he leaned against a tree, his face immediately darkening—

Here he was, walking peacefully in his own home, and still got crashed into by a young lady!