Ling Xi was extremely flustered. The silhouette seemed like Qin Mao’s, yet she reasoned there were many similar-looking people in the world, and Qin Mao was in Nanyang – she couldn’t be in Jianye.

After leaving Lady Lu’s courtyard, the cold wind helped Ling Xi regain some composure: Even if it was Qin Mao, it might not be bad news. Perhaps Lady Luo had sent her to visit the young lady? Even if Qin Mao was just here to deliver some news to the young lady… it might not necessarily be bad news. The young lady was currently busy day and night with the cosmetics shop affairs, growing noticeably thinner. There was no need to trouble her with such vague, unconfirmed matters.

With this reasoning, Ling Xi decided to keep quiet for now. She would wait to meet that Qin Mao-like person privately, get clear answers, and then tell Luo Lingyu if necessary.

Indeed, Luo Lingyu had recently devoted her entire heart to the soon-to-open cosmetics shop. She had no prior experience with such matters and couldn’t ask other young ladies, as they would surely respond, “What are you talking about? Isn’t opening a cosmetics shop simple? Why does it need managing?” Born into comfort, these noble ladies had never worried about money. Luo Lingyu had no choice but to disguise herself and secretly learn from other cosmetics shops.

When she brought her thick stack of self-compiled research to Zhou Yangling, Zhou was utterly shocked: “So much? Did you review all this yourself?”

Luo Lingyu showed a hint of pride: “Yes. Though this is my first time, I will certainly do my best to manage everything, so Zhou Lang won’t have to worry about these matters. Zhou Lang only needs to provide the money and wait for the dividends later.”

She picked up her notes and, by lamplight, eloquently explained to Zhou Lang how she planned to proceed. Luo Lingyu was naturally articulate, and having put in great effort this time, after she spoke for a while, Zhou Yangling’s eyes were filled with admiration.

Zhou Yangling said gently: “Sister Luo is truly remarkable. I’m completely at ease leaving the cosmetics shop to you. You don’t need to constantly report to me. Since I’ve entrusted it to you, I naturally trust you completely.”

Zhou Lang sat behind the desk, looking up at her with clear, gentle eyes, demonstrating complete trust in letting her handle the cosmetics shop however she wished. Zhou Lang was broad-minded and magnanimous, showing such trust in Luo Lingyu… Luo Lingyu’s face flushed with excitement under her gaze, feeling somewhat ashamed. She had been afraid Zhou Lang wouldn’t trust her abilities, which was why she had prepared so thoroughly and exaggerated her capabilities, determined to convince Zhou Lang. She hadn’t expected Zhou Lang to be completely unconcerned…

Luo Lingyu’s shoulders slumped as she sat down and honestly expressed her anxiety: “…I’ve never managed so many accounts before, and I don’t know how to review them. Zhou Lang needs money to build connections in Jianye. I’m afraid I’ll hinder Zhou Lang’s important affairs…”

Zhou Yangling smiled: “It’s fine. I’ve already written to my father about my situation here. Even if Sister Luo loses money in the first few months, I can bear it.”

It was all because Prince Chen had been searching for Zhou Yangling. As time passed without finding Zhou Lady, Prince Chen grew increasingly anxious. The real Zhou Yangling and Zhou Zibo, who appeared daily before Prince Chen, knew best what was troubling Liu Shu. Seeing it becoming increasingly difficult to maintain the deception, Zhou Yangling had no choice but to write to her father Zhou Tan. She didn’t tell her father about disguising herself as a man, only saying she was in Jianye and would find another way to observe how Prince Chen and other noble families treated those of humble birth. Zhou Tan would then write to Prince Chen, telling him to stop searching for his daughter.

Luo Lingyu sat beside Zhou Yangling, carefully revealing her lack of confidence, while Zhou Yangling gently reassured her… By the time Luo Lingyu left Zhou’s residence and boarded the carriage back to the Lu family, her resolve had been renewed, and she vowed to manage well without causing trouble for Zhou Lang. Zhou Lang’s health was already poor; if the cosmetics shop affairs caused illness, she would truly be letting Zhou Lang down.

Thus, as early June arrived, the cosmetics shop jointly opened by Luo Lingyu and Zhou Yangling successfully launched near the West Market. This shop was positioned to serve wealthy commoners, so it wouldn’t pursue a strategy of high quality at low prices. On opening day, Luo Lingyu invited noble young men and ladies to support her, and they all agreed. They naturally didn’t know Luo Lingyu had opened the cosmetics shop out of poverty, thinking she had casually started a business venture like they might. On Zhou Yangling’s side, several of Prince Chen’s retainers were invited. Liu Shu himself was too busy with government affairs to attend and support Zhou Zibo, so he sent his people to help instead.

The news of Luo Lingyu opening a cosmetics shop, due to her fame as the “Flower Deity,” became a minor sensation in Jianye, with many people visiting out of curiosity about her reputation. After the Flower Festival, this was the first time Luo Lingyu tasted the benefits of the “Flower Deity” fame, and she secretly rejoiced that seizing the Flower Deity title had indeed been the right decision.

The young men went to support Luo Lingyu, leaving few people remaining at the government office. While Lu Third Young Master was organizing clan records alone, when invited by other young men to see Lady Luo, Lu Third darkened his face and said coldly: “Too busy with official duties, won’t go.”

The other young men seemed to understand: “Lady Luo lives at the Lu residence, so Third Young Master Lu must see her often and doesn’t find it special anymore. But a beauty is still a beauty, we must go see her. Thank you, Third Young Master Lu, for covering for us.”

Lu Yun: “…”

Sitting behind his desk, with the room half-empty, Lu Third Young Master lowered his eyelashes, his eyes clear and dark, gradually growing irritated, his body breaking into a light sweat. With a cold snort, he opened his books, trying hard to forget someone—he absolutely would not go watch someone flirting about!

Although Luo Lingyu and Zhou Yangling had jointly opened this cosmetics shop, they wouldn’t stand at the door like shopkeepers to welcome customers. The crowd of young men and ladies stood by the road, with Luo Lingyu and Zhou Yangling among them. As the shop doors opened and the manager and servants came out to greet customers, with firecrackers going off at the entrance, the young men and ladies were eager to enter—they wanted to see what interesting items Luo Lingyu’s new shop would sell.

However, Luo Lingyu stopped Miss Wang behind her, smiling: “Sister, don’t rush.”

As she spoke, people heard light yet dignified Buddhist music, followed by some commotion from behind. When the Buddhist music started, the noble young men and ladies realized something and moved aside to the sides of the alley, leaving a space in the middle. Into this space came women from the alley entrance, carrying instruments and dancing gracefully. They were all elegant and refined, with flowing dresses and ribbons, some playing flutes, others playing pipa backward, some spinning to the drum beats.

The music was melodious, each note praising Buddha. The women’s appearances were striking, and as they played or danced with closed eyes, their long dresses and ribbons flowing, they moved with Buddhist grace in public, completely absorbed. With eyes closed, they seemed like ethereal beings, like celestial maidens stepping down from wall paintings on lotus petals—

“It’s the Musical Celestial Maidens!”

Being well-educated nobles, they immediately recognized these dancers were portraying the Musical Celestial Maidens from Buddhism. Among Buddhism’s myriad deities, there were Great Brahma, Maheshvara, and the Musical Celestials. In this era, Buddhism flourished in the southern lands; common people’s devotion aside, noble families also largely worshipped Buddha. The Musical Celestial Maidens were familiar to them. When Luo Lingyu invited dancers to portray “Musical Celestial Maidens” to celebrate her cosmetics shop’s opening, the crowd burst into spontaneous applause, thoroughly enjoying the performance.

Zhou Yangling whispered to Luo Lingyu: “Sister Luo is truly clever. Choosing the flying celestial Buddhist dance, everyone loves the Musical Celestials.”

Luo Lingyu feigned modesty: “…Actually, it’s because Lian Qiniang owed me a favor from last time when I praised her as Chengyu House’s top dancer even though she hadn’t danced at all. When I sought her out this time, she immediately agreed to help me dance. Fortunately, I wasn’t so unlucky this time—when she agreed to dance for me, nothing went wrong.”

Indeed, some young men recognized her: “Isn’t that Lian Qiniang? The most famous dancer at the entertainment house recently!”

The dancers portraying the Musical Celestial Maidens for the cosmetics shop’s opening were indeed from Chengyu House. And the most ethereal and graceful one in the middle was Lian Qiniang. In terms of dancing ability, Lian Qiniang was far superior to Luo Lingyu. When young men went to the entertainment house to request her performances, though initially disappointed she didn’t show the spirit displayed that night by the young lady, they later all agreed Lian Qiniang’s dancing was excellent. Lian Qiniang had also risen to prominence among Chengyu House’s dancers thanks to Luo Lingyu’s help.

Lian Qiniang was grateful for Luo Lingyu’s recognition of her talent. When Luo Lingyu asked Lingyu about her availability to perform, there was no need to discuss payment—Lian Qiniang agreed immediately.

As the dancers performed their Musical Celestial dance, Luo Lingyu conversed quietly with Zhou Yangling among the crowd. Scanning the crowd, Luo Lingyu saw many familiar faces. She spotted Qi Third Young Master, who gazed at her with delighted eyes and waved, and unexpectedly saw Lu Second Young Master Lu Xian, along with Prince Hengyang Liu Mu standing beside him, watching her with cool eyes. Liu Mu had a youthful appearance and stared at her expressionlessly across the street, causing Lu Second Young Master’s face to darken increasingly. Lu Second seemed to want to drag Liu Mu away, but the Prince of Hengyang stood firm with his hands behind his back. Luo Lingyu was slightly surprised and gave a friendly nod to this young noble.

Liu Mu returned her nod.

Meanwhile, Lu Second Young Master was nearly fainting with anger. Amidst the music and dance, Lu Xian kept saying: “There’s nothing special about the Musical Celestial dance. If Young Master truly enjoys watching dance, I can recommend top-tier performers. This ‘Chengyu House’s’ level is merely average…”

Lu Second urged: “Weren’t you supposed to go to the palace? Hurry along now.”

But Liu Mu completely ignored him.

As Lu Xian tried to persuade Liu Mu, his eyes swept through the crowd, finding both expected and disappointing results—sure enough, his third brother Lu Yun was nowhere to be seen. Lu Yun was always absent at crucial moments… Wasn’t it because he repeatedly missed opportunities that the Prince of Hengyang and Cousin Luo were growing closer?

Luo Lingyu also failed to spot a certain someone in the crowd, her eyes instantly dimming as she bit her lip. She couldn’t believe that with such a grand occasion, he wouldn’t know about it.

The streets and alleys were full of young lords and ladies, with the Musical Celestial dance for support, yet he wasn’t there to see her excellence… She felt cold all over as if all her efforts were in vain. The breath she’d been holding had no one to appreciate it… Zhou Yangling turned to look at her: “What’s wrong?”

Luo Lingyu immediately banished that person from her thoughts, her autumn-pool eyes flowing with charm as she gazed enchantingly at Zhou Lang, meeting his gaze. Her face showed bashfulness, full of tender feelings: “Zhou Lang…”

Her voice was as melodious as an oriole, pleasing to the ear and stirring to the heart.

Zhou Yangling: “…”

She coughed once, pretending not to notice the young lady’s flirtatious glance: “How are things with Lu Third? Still quarreling?”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

Why did Zhou Lang always bring up Lu Third at crucial moments when she was trying to be romantic?! It had happened several times… Whenever she tried to be intimate with Zhou Lang, he would bring up Lu Yun to dampen her spirits. Was it that Zhou Lang didn’t like her, or that Zhou Lang was too fond of Lu Yun?

Luo Lingyu suddenly froze, her eyes showing alarm: Could Zhou Lang have male preferences and fancy Lu Third?!

The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed. Luo Lingyu’s face reddened with annoyance as she gritted her teeth: “Lu Xuchen, you…”

Before she could finish calling him a “scoundrel,” she heard a clear, cool voice behind her: “Hmm? Speaking ill of me again?”

Luo Lingyu: “…?!”

Turning around, she was startled to see Lu Yun suddenly appearing behind her like a ghost. She gasped in shock, nearly stumbling backward. Not knowing how he had suddenly arrived, she felt greatly annoyed, yet somehow, seeing his face also brought a hint of satisfaction. However, what exactly was this relationship between them?

Lu Yun looked down at her, then at the Musical Celestial dancers in the alley. His expression remained neutral as he whispered very softly by her ear: “That dancer in the middle, she’s the one who should have danced that day?”

Luo Lingyu hadn’t wanted to respond to him. But when he brought this up, she couldn’t help but be alert: “How did you know it was her?”

Lu Yun said coldly: “She keeps sending you flirtatious glances.”

Luo Lingyu: “…Are you jealous?”

Lu Yun snorted, pretending not to hear: “Her figure is excellent, clearly a dancer’s build, completely unlike yours.”

He was fine talking about others, but then had to criticize her! Was there nothing good about her in his eyes? Luo Lingyu gritted her teeth. She didn’t want to talk to Lu Yun, and didn’t want to pay attention to this person, but what Lu Yun said particularly irked her. If she didn’t challenge him, she felt she might cough up blood from holding it in. Luo Lingyu’s face flushed red: “We’re both wearing dance clothes, how can you say her figure is better than mine? Have you seen it personally?”

Lu Yun looked down at her.

His eyes rippled with profound meaning, seeming both amused and not.

He bent down and whispered a few words in her ear, successfully making Luo Lingyu’s body stiffen as she wanted to cover her ears—”With your chest being so… so full, how could you dance? Naturally not as well as a professional dancer.”

While the two were talking, Zhou Yangling had tactfully stepped away.

Luo Lingyu kept her head down, her cheeks flushed crimson from his words, angrily pushing him away, wanting him to keep his distance.

Most people were absorbed in watching the Musical Celestial dance and hadn’t noticed this exchange, but the few who did have varying expressions. For instance, Qi Third Young Master’s gaze turned dim, Lu Second Young Master looked deeply gratified, and Prince Hengyang Liu Mu observed with apparent displeasure…

Just then, Lian Qiniang spun out from among the dancers, twirling to Luo Lingyu’s side. She extended her delicate hand adorned with silver chains, her enchanting eyes glancing sideways. Lu Yun raised his eyes, his robes caught by the wind as he stepped aside, watching with interest. It was rare for a lady to invite someone else rather than him in his presence.

The drum beats intensified, the music growing louder, as Lian Qiniang danced close, circling Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu. Her hands were like lotus flowers, her waist like a willow, passionately and fervently inviting the young lady to dance with her—

“Lady Luo, please show us your skill.”

Luo Lingyu lowered her eyes, then smiled radiantly. Surrounded by drumbeats, under Lu Yun’s intense gaze, the lady as beautiful as gleaming jade extended her hand to Lian Qiniang—what did he mean she wasn’t as good as Lian Qiniang? She would show that blind man where she fell short!

At that moment, a window opened in the pavilion above them, where a tea master from the establishment rubbed his eyes while grabbing a wooden pole to prop the window open, catching sight of the beautiful young lady below being invited to dance by the performer’s spinning movements. The tea master was completely stunned by the enchanting sight, forgetting about the window prop…