The Buddhist music played elegantly as the Musical Celestial Maidens twirled in their dance. Under the enthusiastic gaze of the young lords and ladies, the Luo family daughter finally smiled and accepted Lian Qiniang’s repeated invitations. In this era, wealthy families emphasized pleasure and spontaneity, with dancing being extremely popular. From the nobles’ perspective, being invited to dance together was merely entertainment among themselves—if Luo Lingyu had continuously refused Lian Qiniang, she would inevitably be labeled as “aloof” or “unsporting”—just like their assessment of Miss Chen, Chen Xiu.

When Luo Lingyu began dancing with Lian Qiniang, cheers and applause erupted from the crowd.

Watching the dancers surround the long-necked, slim-waisted young lady, her movements were subtle—merely raising long sleeves and gently swaying her waist. With hands overlapped, her beautiful face slightly turned, phoenix eyes lowered, she stepped to the music and exchanged positions with Lian Qiniang. The two women stood back-to-back, upper bodies inclining toward each other, eyes lightly curved, flowing like spring waters, causing the young men in the crowd to watch with brightened eyes. As the two danced back and forth, Lian Qiniang’s style was passionate and bold, while Luo Lingyu’s was light and graceful. Their dresses flew like snow, and matching the drumbeat, Luo Lingyu brought her hands together for two light claps, the “pa-pa” sound matching the Buddhist music’s rhythm—

“Sister Luo dances so well!”

“Though her movements aren’t as skilled as the dancer’s, she’s extremely pleasing to watch—perhaps because she’s beautiful?”

Joyful without being vulgar, charming without being common—this was high praise indeed for Luo Lingyu. Everyone enjoyed appreciating such entertainment, and Luo Lingyu’s cosmetics shop made quite an impression on its first day. Surely when they returned home and recalled today’s “Musical Celestial Dance” and Luo Lingyu dancing with the performers, they would spread word of it, bringing more people to this newly opened cosmetics shop. This was exactly what Luo Lingyu wanted.

Stepping back to make room for the young lady to dance, Lu Yun narrowed his eyes, staring at the praised Luo Lingyu. Unable to control himself, though his face remained expressionless, the pressure in his chest had largely subsided. His focused gaze never left the dancing young lady in the center; he watched her waist and neck, saw her look toward him proudly and provocatively, and heard the young lords’ praise… Lu Yun couldn’t help but hold a smile in his eyes.

…Indeed… she was quite lovely to watch.

Her talents never fell short, and she only performed when confident. Though constantly employing small tricks, she never resorted to base methods, still maintaining her dignity… so why was she so different from him? Selling his arm bracelet without hesitation? Why didn’t she sell gifts from others?

Lu Yun’s emotions were complex.

At times wanting to approach and comfort her, at times knowing this woman was dangerous, falling for her would be costly. Perhaps because his feelings ran so deep, she took advantage of his favor, still able to keep him hanging…

Lu Yun’s profound, entranced gaze fell on the opposite side, where the whispers among the young ladies in the crowd grew louder. Lu Second Young Master looked up and finally noticed Lu Third Young Master, Lu Yun. Lu Xian’s heart skipped an inexplicable beat, and amidst the dance music and cheers, he involuntarily glanced at the young Prince of Hengyang who was watching just as intently beside him, then anxiously looked toward the alley entrance—

This scene, like a familiar story, had occurred in his dreams as well.

After the Flower Deity selection, Cousin Luo returned to Jianye with the Prince of Hengyang. Unwilling to stay at the Lu residence any longer, and through unknown communications with the Prince of Hengyang, Luo Lingyu hadn’t moved into the Prince’s mansion without proper status but instead acquired her residence. Whether Lu Third had helped during this process, Lu Xian didn’t know. At that time, people in Jianye had some speculations about the relationship between the Prince of Hengyang and Luo Lingyu, but it wasn’t obvious. The turning point in the Prince of Hengyang and Cousin Luo’s relationship was probably a situation like today.

Luo Lingyu had still opened her shop, though without Zhou Zibo’s help in the dream. That day, noblemen and women had still come to support her. The same dance, the same music. This was Luo Lingyu’s first time meeting Lian Qiniang. Lu Second Young Master Lu Xian had also been among the crowd, coming to support his cousin out of guilt, when he spotted Lu Third in the crowd. Lu Third’s appearance had caused excited screams from the young ladies, but he had just stood among the people, quietly watching the dancers in the center.

In the dream, Lu Xian had merely found it strange but hadn’t thought much of it, nor realized that Lu Yun might have come for Cousin Luo. The Prince of Hengyang supported her… Lu Yun had wanted to support her too.

Then came the mad horse charging from the alley entrance. During the chaos, the Prince of Hengyang saved Luo Lingyu. As the dancers fled in panic, Liu Mu slew the horse in the street, blood spattering all over him. Before dying, the horse’s iron hooves stepped directly toward the young noble. The Prince of Hengyang saved Luo Lingyu but was injured in the process. Everyone was shocked and hurried to get medical treatment for the Prince. Cousin Luo naturally had tears in her eyes, looking only at Liu Mu.

Afterward, Lu Yun had touched his arm.

He had also helped restrain the horse, but Liu Mu had been more prominent. Neither Luo Lingyu nor others had noticed Lu Third’s injured arm, only seeing the severely wounded Liu Mu. Only Lu Xian had concerned himself with his third brother, asking: “How’s your arm?”

In the dream, Lu Yun had stood among the chaos, his gaze distant, lips curved sarcastically. Standing in the sunlight, the young lord was like an ink-wash landscape painting as he said softly: “It’s nothing.”

Lu Xian had believed it was truly nothing…

Now, seeing Lu Yun lower his eyes just as in the dream, Lu Xian was terrified. He kept watching the alley entrance, and specifically to prevent the dream’s events, he had servants block the entrance to stop any potentially mad horses. While songs and dances continued joyfully here, Lu Xian saw several servants struggling with horse reins running past the alley entrance. Lu Xian sighed in relief: This way, there should be no accidents. Liu Mu wouldn’t need to be seriously injured, Luo Lingyu wouldn’t need to sympathize with him, and Third Brother wouldn’t be completely out of the running…

Liu Mu most despised Lu Xian’s “I know everything so I’m here to bother you” look, and he moved aside. The young lord’s eyes still sparkled watching the beautiful young lady dancing with Lian Qiniang, while his mouth condemned her cousin: “Lu Second, I warn you again, don’t use that look…”

His eyes suddenly twitched.

He saw a window open on the second floor of the pavilion, with the tea master poking his head out. The young tea master joined those below in admiring Luo Lingyu’s beauty, staring so intently that the wooden prop supporting the window slipped from his hand—

The wooden pole clattered down toward the dancing ladies below.

Liu Mu tensed, while the scholarly Lu Xian beside him barely saw clearly and couldn’t stop him as Liu Mu had already rushed forward, shouting angrily: “Get away!” He leaped into the air, reaching for the falling pole. As he reached for it, a warrior-like young man on the side also noticed the danger. This warrior had been enjoying Miss Luo’s dance, but when danger struck, he too jumped to grab the pole.

Liu Mu and the warrior acted simultaneously, colliding in mid-air, both hands grasping the same wooden pole.

But the danger wasn’t over!

Lu Second Young Master screamed in horror: “Cousin, move away!”

His voice came too late, as the tea master’s teapot upstairs followed just a moment after the wooden pole. The teapot tipped over, its freshly poured boiling water cascading down. When Liu Mu and the warrior both acted, the dancers below screamed and scattered, while noble lords and ladies also fled instinctively. The scalding tea poured down from above, falling toward Luo Lingyu faster than the wooden pole.

Lu Xian’s mind exploded with a boom, his eyes filled with horror: “Cousin!”

He had prevented one accident, but was the destined accident still unavoidable? If something bad was meant to happen, would it happen regardless? No matter how much the trajectory changed, major events were undeniable. Didn’t that mean the war would continue, Lu Third would still die, and his cousin would still marry the Prince of Hengyang… Lu Xian cried out in anguish as he rushed forward, his eyes bloodshot, appearing almost mad as he tried to stop everything—”No!”

The noblemen and women nearby: “…Has Lu Second gone mad?”

The accident came suddenly—they had avoided the wooden pole, but the hot water was pouring down directly, leaving no time to dodge. Luo Lingyu looked up, only seeing the water falling toward her. She had no time to react, her eyes showing panic, and just as she was about to be drenched, a hand reached out from beside her, embracing her and pulling her into an embrace.

That person’s wide sleeve directly shielded her face, burying her in his chest. Luo Lingyu’s nose bumped against the young lord’s chest, smelling his clean fragrance, and she knew immediately who had embraced her and used his sleeve to shield her face. In that instant, her panicked heart calmed, her fingers tightly gripping his sleeve as she trembled in his embrace. However, while Lu Yun had protected her face with his sleeve, the water fell faster than his movement—he had helped Luo Lingyu but couldn’t help himself.

Under everyone’s frightened gaze, they watched helplessly as the boiling water from the teapot poured onto Lu Third’s face. The noblemen and women cried out: “Lu Third!” and rushed forward.

The tea master upstairs, frozen with fear, collapsed to the ground: “…”

Lu Yun let out a muffled groan, his sleeve brushing past Luo Lingyu’s face as he raised it to cover his own. He stepped backward, falling to the ground in the chaos, with Luo Lingyu falling with him. Seeing everyone rushing over to check, and the young lord covering his face with his sleeve, his other hand gripping her arm with tense muscles, Luo Lingyu looked up, only seeing his slightly reddened chin and the dripping water… Luo Lingyu’s face turned pale, tears instantly rolling down as she grabbed his hand: “Third Cousin, Third Cousin…”

She tremblingly reached out to pull his sleeve away, wanting to see his face, but her wrist was tightly held by him as he persistently refused to let go of the sleeve…

His, his, his face…

Luo Lingyu’s mind went completely blank.

Fortunately, at this moment, Lu Second Young Master Lu Xian pushed through the crowd, calling out loudly: “Find a doctor! Don’t worry, Third Brother, we’ll go home right away…”

“Cousin, don’t cry, Third Brother will be fine…”

“Bring me the person who spilled the tea from upstairs!”

Lu Xian was extremely busy, needing to care for both Lu Third and Luo Lingyu here while also keeping an eye on Prince Hengyang Liu Mu there. Lu Xian saw that Liu Mu had clearly caught the wooden pole together with that warrior, resolving the crisis, yet Liu Mu only paused briefly before reaching out to grab that warrior’s shoulder, seemingly wanting to detain this person. Lu Xian showed a surprised expression: Why didn’t Liu Mu stop and come to check on the chaos here, instead of getting into a fierce confrontation with that warrior?

The warrior was quite annoyed: “Young lord, please stop! I was just passing by, what is the meaning of this?”

Liu Mu’s already cold gaze pressed down further as he said coldly: “That depends on what you might have done!”

When the wooden pole fell, when he and this warrior simultaneously grabbed for it, when their techniques clashed together, in that split second, Liu Mu instantly discovered something about a case he had already closed for Prince Chen—this warrior’s martial arts technique was from the same school as those assassins he had encountered on his way from Hengyang to Jianye.

This warrior was a soldier, so were those who tried to assassinate him that day also soldiers?

Liu Mu’s heart grew cold as thousands of thoughts arrived simultaneously. He pursued this warrior, his jaw tightening with determination: Prince Chen was just an ordinary noble in Jianye without military authority, how could he have the power to mobilize troops as assassins to kill him? If it wasn’t Prince Chen who wanted to kill him, then who was it?! In all of Jianye, who had the authority to command troops?!

The tension in his mind stretched taut, disbelieving, unwilling to believe, his whole body alternating between hot and cold. At this moment, Prince Hengyang Liu Mu had completely forgotten about saving Luo Lingyu. His sinister gaze coiled around the warrior like a snake as they chased each other—he was determined to know the truth! To know why he had been targeted for assassination!

Lu Second Young Master Lu Xian’s anxious calls grew increasingly distant: “Prince Hengyang! Liu Mu! Liu Mu, come back…”

Liu Mu heard nothing, single-mindedly pursuing the annoyed warrior. The two chased and fought, leaping onto walls and out of the alley. Unable to call him back and more concerned about Lu Third’s injuries, Lu Second Young Master could only leave servants to find Liu Mu while he boarded a carriage with his cousin and Cousin Luo, hurriedly driving back to the Lu residence.

Luo Lingyu sat in the same carriage, tears in her eyes, as Lu Yun covered his face with his sleeve. She kept trying to look: “Let me see what happened to your face…”

Her mind was in chaos, completely forgetting her previous anger with Lu Yun. She felt she was wrong—if apologizing could undo his injury, she would do so without hesitation. The closer they got to the Lu residence, the more frightened Luo Lingyu became, with Lu Second’s reassurances failing to comfort her. Her mind was filled only with thoughts of how she had harmed Lu Yun… if anything happened to Lu Yun, what would she do…

At the Lu residence, Lu Third was immediately taken for medical treatment by Lu Second and others. Both imperial physicians and civilian doctors were summoned to examine Lu Third’s burns. Luo Lingyu followed along, but when she tried to enter the “Clear Courtyard,” she was stopped by a maid. Jinxue spoke urgently: “Young Miss, please don’t enter! Third Young Master instructed that Young Miss shouldn’t see…”

Luo Lingyu was angry: “Even at a time like this, you’re still stopping me!”

But with the “Clear Courtyard” in chaos due to Lu Yun’s injury, Luo Lingyu was too worried and afraid to argue with Jinxue now. She paced in the courtyard, while her maid Lingyu who had followed her looked extremely troubled. Seeing more and more doctors going in and out, sighing repeatedly, Luo Lingyu’s legs weakened and she collapsed against the wall…

The Old Madam Lu, supported by her daughter-in-law and daughter, came personally to visit, crying miserably: “Third Young Master… Third Young Master… oh my poor grandson… if anything happens to you, how can I face your parents in the underworld…”

Luo Lingyu struggled to stand up using the wall for support. She saw Old Madam Lu stumbling along, with Lu Ying (Lu First Young Master’s wife) and Lady Lu Zhang Minglan closely following, trying to comfort the old madam. Other female relatives and young lords also arrived, creating quite a crowd.

The more people came, the more color drained from Luo Lingyu’s face… Old Madam Lu passed by without even glancing at her. Since it wasn’t her son, Lady Lu wasn’t as anxious as when Lu Second was injured last time. Lady Lu merely glanced at Luo Lingyu before having someone attend to the young miss and telling her to rest, maintaining proper behavior.

Lu Ying rarely showed concern for this niece, saying: “I heard it’s just burned on his face… a young man’s face being slightly burned should be fine, you needn’t worry…”

No, how could she not worry?

It would be bad enough if anyone else’s face was burned, but Lu Third was Jianye’s famous “Jade Young Lord,” known for his face! As just a cousin, if she had caused his injury, the Lu family would… she had been thinking about a good marriage, but if Lu Yun was injured even slightly, she could forget about having any peace.

Moreover, she was truly worried about him. Thinking about how he was injured saving her, her heart twisted in pain, making it hard to breathe. Her Brother Xuchen…

Lingyu trembled beside her: “Young Miss, don’t be afraid, it’s not as serious as Second Young Master’s time. The young lord received immediate treatment, and our Lu family has plenty of miraculous medicines and skilled doctors… if Young Miss is truly troubled, why not pray for Third Young Master at the Buddhist hall like last time?”

Luo Lingyu choked: “How can I be in the mood to pray to Buddha? What use is praying, no one hears anyway. I just want to see Brother Xuchen with my own eyes! If Brother Xuchen… I don’t want to live either!”

Lingyu: “…”

Even in this panic, the young miss’s words made her pause. She thought you weren’t like this with Lu the Second last time. You prayed quite sincerely then. It was because of your sincerity that Lady Lu and others felt you deserved forgiveness. But now you say you’re too distraught to pray…

In the chambers, the doctors worked together to apply medicine to Lu Third. Lu Yun had been splashed with boiling water on his face, but thanks to raising his sleeve in time, only the eye area was hit. The doctors applied ointment and wrapped his eyes with bandages. When Old Madam Lu and others came to visit and saw the handsome young lord with bandages around his eyes, the old madam thought the Third Young Master had been blinded and became immediately distressed.

She was quickly informed that his eyes were fine.

The doctor said: “…This is just to protect the injured area. As long as the young lord rests well, we guarantee there won’t be a single scar on his face.”

Lu Yun, his eyes wrapped in bandages, nodded to the doctors. Facing the tearful old madam, though he couldn’t see, he could imagine everyone’s distress. Lu Yun only pleaded with Old Madam Lu: “Grandmother, please don’t blame Cousin Luo, I chose to save her, it has nothing to do with her.”

Old Madam Lu was angry: “You’re in this state and still speaking up for her…”

Lu Yun: “Grandmother…”

Lady Lu observed the situation and coughed once: “The most hateful is that tea-pouring person, why pour water for no reason, was it intentional to hurt Third Young Master?”

Old Madam Lu: “Yes, this matter must be investigated thoroughly.”

Lu Yun consistently disagreed with Old Madam Lu wanting to hold Luo Lingyu accountable. When Lu Second came in, he also helped plead her case, with Lady Lu and Lu Ying agreeing on the side. Seeing that Lu Yun truly wasn’t seriously injured, Old Madam Lu’s resentment toward Luo Lingyu lessened after her mind was put at ease. Old Madam Lu just found it strange why they were all speaking up for Luo Lingyu. It made sense for Lu Ying to help her niece, but why were Lu Second and his mother Lady Lu involved?

After leaving the inner chamber, Lady Lu explained her observations to her mother-in-law: “From what I know, Lu Third and Miss Luo have feelings for each other. Let these young people handle their affairs, we shouldn’t interfere.”

“What?!” Old Madam Lu was shocked, “Miss Luo and Third… how is this possible? How can Miss Luo’s family background be worthy of our Third Young Master?”

Lady Lu: “I’m afraid Third Young Master has made up his mind, he never listens to what we say, mother should not interfere.”

Old Madam Lu fell silent, saying nothing more, but her expression remained unhappy. When she and Lady Lu left her grandson’s room, they saw the young lady pacing in the corridor outside, extraordinarily beautiful. But thinking of her background, Old Madam Lu disliked her even more. However, as soon as Luo Lingyu saw them emerge, she rushed over. Her gaze was anxious, but she forcibly contained it, trying to stay calm: “Old Madam, Lady Lu, I questioned that tea master. It wasn’t intentional…”

Luo Lingyu proceeded systematically, calling the tea master to answer key questions in front of all the female relatives. She was orderly and composed, showing no confusion. Lady Lu nodded at her, other female relatives were surprised by her composure, and even Old Madam Lu showed astonishment. Finally, Old Madam Lu looked at her and sighed deeply, her voice weathered and sorrowful: “Such trouble, truly a pair of star-crossed lovers…”

Anxiety showed again on Luo Lingyu’s face.

She watched helplessly as the group of women accompanied the old madam away, leaving her alone and unattended, not knowing what to do.

…

The Lu family was in complete chaos due to Lu Third’s injury, the commotion continuing until early evening when lanterns were first lit. Outside the Lu residence, in an alley, Prince Hengyang Liu Mu stood with dark eyes, a pale face, and tense muscles. The night loomed like a great beast, layers of shadows pressing down on him.

The young lord’s face was deathly pale, his eyes showing desolation: So this was how things were?

The person who wanted to kill him was never Prince Chen, never Lu Third. It was the current Emperor, that sovereign who always showed him meticulous care and concern for his daily life.

Thinking that staying quietly in Hengyang would avoid suspicion, thinking that avoiding any major moves would keep him safe… yet his brother still wanted to kill him! Even though he had done nothing!

The warrior couldn’t defeat Liu Mu and answered his questions under duress. Liu Mu’s mind was empty as he stumbled through the dark alley, involuntarily letting out a cold, self-mocking laugh. His brother wanted to kill him, yet he had actively come to Jianye to await slaughter… Was it just his brother who wanted to kill him, or did his mother know too? Did the Empress Dowager also approve of his brother’s actions?

People’s hearts were unfathomable, and good and evil were hard to distinguish. The retainers around him were all sent by the late emperor, current emperor, and empress dowager. At this moment, Liu Mu couldn’t tell which faction the people around him belonged to, whether they were helping the emperor monitor and deal with him. In this world, who could he trust…

The young lord with his cold expression and fierce eyes was suddenly called out to by a servant hiding in the alley: “Young Master…”

Liu Mu stopped and turned to look. His cold, hard expression made the servant tremble. But Liu Mu recognized him: “You’re… Lu Second’s person? Waiting for me?”

The servant trembled: “Yes… Our third Young Master was injured, and my lord returned with him. Our lord left me here to wait for you, to report to him when you returned safely.”

Liu Mu’s eyes flickered with uncertain emotions as he stared blankly at the servant. After a long while, his ferocity lessened somewhat, and he said softly: “Mm, tell him I’ve returned, no need to worry.”

How laughable life was. His brother wanted to kill him, his mother might be helping. Yet it was a noble young lord he had always disliked who cared whether he was alright.

…

Luo Lingyu refused to leave the “Clear Courtyard.” By evening, as she still wouldn’t leave and was reportedly crying constantly, Lu Yun had no choice but to have Jinxue bring her in. He didn’t want to see her in this state, but when the maid relayed his words, she didn’t believe them, and her crying was giving him a headache.

Luo Lingyu was led behind the screen, as Lu Third would only agree to speak with her from behind it. Luo Lingyu looked up to see the young lord on the couch behind the screen, his hair loose and eyes wrapped in bandages. The lamplight fell on his turned face, showing much of his handsome beauty, with a touch of fragile loneliness. Luo Lingyu completely failed to appreciate the aesthetic beauty of Lu Third with his disheveled hair and loosened collar.

She saw his face and the bandages over his eyes. Luo Lingyu wrung her hands, her forehead breaking out in a cold sweat.

Lu Yun spoke calmly: “You’ve seen me now? I’m not badly hurt, you should go rest.”

Luo Lingyu stared blankly, unable to hear any outside sounds, only those few words from Lu Yun. Seeing the bandages on Lu Yun’s face, she feared she had ruined his eyes, her heart sinking sharply; then seeing his neither warm nor cold attitude when speaking, she worried he had been traumatized and his personality had changed, becoming gloomy and difficult to talk to.

She had ruined him…

He must hate her to the bone…

Forget about marriage, even if she became his slave now, she would surely be bullied. He would torment her, abuse her, and humiliate her to vent his hatred. The young lord whose temperament was already twisted only saw her flaws, and now her flaws must be infinitely magnified in his eyes, magnified again and again…

Lu Yun had turned his face to speak, having only said one sentence, when he heard no response at all. In the silence, suddenly there was a “thud.” Lu Yun was alarmed and called out: “Lingyu?”

No response.

The young lord got out of bed barefoot, anxiously feeling his way past the screen, and gathered the unconscious young lady into his arms. Lu Yun raised an eyebrow, caught between laughter and exasperation as he pressed her philtrum—she had been so delicate and trembling that she had fainted straight away from his frightening appearance.