Fan Qingchen sized up this third son of the Lu family—he had to admit that Young Master Lu was even more captivating in person than in the portrait albums.

The albums couldn’t capture the young master’s bearing, but as Lu Sanlaang came gliding across the water in his boat, his outstanding appearance and demeanor blended into one, easily drawing all eyes to him alone, making others fade into insignificance. At the very least, Luo Lingyu’s entire demeanor changed upon seeing Lu Sanlaang.

Fan Qingchen watched as Lu Sanlaang was helped by maids and Luo Lingyu to pay respects to the Old Madam and others. He let out two deep chuckles. Though his laughter wasn’t unpleasant, Luo Lingyu’s arm stiffened, which Lu Yun noticed immediately. Lu Yun explained to everyone in a calm voice that he had come to the lakeside pavilion out of boredom to play, not expecting the Old Madam and others to be present. Everyone’s expressions varied, likely not believing Lu Yun’s explanation, though they didn’t say much. When Lu Yun heard Fan Qingchen’s low laughter, the young master turned his face after taking his seat, and his eyes, still covered in gauze, “looked” toward Fan Qingchen: “How should I address this young master?”

With Lu Sanlaang’s arrival, the pavilion’s relaxed atmosphere became tense. Seeing the situation turning awkward, Madam Lu made an eye signal, and the musicians playing instruments on the waterside of the pavilion gathered their pipa and guqin. They retreated under the maids’ guidance, constantly looking back with longing expressions at Lu Sanlaang in the pavilion, their faces flushed.

Luo Lingyu coughed once: “This is Young Master Fan, the fourth son of the Fan family from Nanyang.”

Fan Qingchen’s gaze remained fixed on Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu caught between them. His voice softened: “Why is Sister Luo being so distant from me? I am your betrothed, after all.”

Lu Yun’s voice was extremely light: “Where’s the proof?”

Luo Lingyu’s pupils contracted.

Fan Qingchen was stunned for a moment.

Everyone in the pavilion looked at Lu Sanlaang as he repeated: “How can Young Master Fan prove he’s from the Fan family of Nanyang? Don’t blame me for being overly cautious—Nanyang is a thousand li from Jianye, and Cousin Luo is still quite young. It wouldn’t be strange if she were deceived, unable to recognize people properly. Since Cousin Luo is staying at our Lu family home, even if she leaves, we must ensure her safety and not let her blindly follow wolves away. Isn’t that right?”

The Old Madam and others coughed awkwardly, their faces reddening: Third Young Master’s words made it sound as if they hadn’t questioned things properly before, as if they were trying to sell off Miss Luo. But since Miss Luo herself had brought this person back, how could he be an impostor?

Luo Lingyu looked left at Fan Qingchen’s face, dark as the ink could drip from it, then right at Lu Yun’s calm yet handsome face. The anxiety in her heart was suppressed. Though Lu Yun’s eyes were covered and couldn’t see, she couldn’t help but look toward him, feeling slightly secure and sweet: “That’s right.”

Fan Qingchen’s tone turned strange: “Proving I’m from the Fan family of Nanyang isn’t difficult, but isn’t the Third Young Master paying too much attention to my betrothed? You and my betrothed, could it be…”

Lu Yun’s lips curved slightly upward.

His smile was like spring, yet carried a hint of mockery. This time he didn’t speak himself; instead, his maid Jinyue spoke for her master: “Young Master Fan is overthinking! Our master’s reputation in Jianye is illustrious, with countless young ladies admiring him. You shouldn’t interpret our master’s familial affection for his cousin so dubiously.”

Everyone turned to stare at the quick-witted, beautiful maid: “…”

Jinyue certainly had thick skin.

The smile disappeared from Fan Qingchen’s face as he stared at Lu Sanlaang. After a moment, weighing the cost of antagonizing the Lu family, Fan Qingchen took a step back and slowly said: “Proving my identity as a member of the Nanyang Fan family isn’t difficult. I have servants who came with me to Jianye who can testify. The entry records at the city gate are clear and can also prove it.”

“Servant testimony doesn’t prove much,” Lu Yun continued without pause, “You want to check the entry records? Xiulin, go find the Metropolitan Governor and retrieve the records of Young Master Fan and his group’s entry into the capital, get information about their entire journey: whom they met, what they said, where they rested. Get every detail.”

Lu Yun nodded to Fan Qingchen, polite yet distant: “Please excuse the offense, it’s just a precaution.”

His servant “Xiulin” acknowledged and ran out of the pavilion, rowing away in a boat. The others in the pavilion, including Old Madam Lu, watched the scene unfold. Under Lu Yun’s overwhelming presence, they observed changing expressions but carefully avoided voicing any opinions.

Fan Qingchen’s face darkened: “Why go to such trouble? Can’t Sister Luo verify who I am?”

Luo Lingyu was quick to catch on, immediately saying: “I’m young and ignorant, still confused myself. My testimony doesn’t count—I’ll follow Third Cousin’s lead!”

Fan Qingchen: “…”

Fan Qingchen’s eyes turned cold, his lips twitching slightly, his gaze at Lu Sanlaang now like ice shards. Lu Yun was showing him his authority, demonstrating how much power he wielded in Jianye. Information from the Metropolitan Governor could be retrieved at will. And Luo Lingyu’s complete support of Lu Sanlaang… Lu Sanlaang sat there naturally, and even with blind eyes, his mind wasn’t blind.

Very well.

He has skill.

But Fan Qingchen didn’t believe Lu Yun only had this move to buy time: “What else? Once I’m proven to be truly the fourth son of the Nanyang Fan family, you’ll let me take Sister Luo away, right?”

Lu Yun: “The marriage contract must also be verified.”

He spoke softly: “Even if you are truly the fourth son of the Nanyang Fan family, the marriage contract might not be genuine. After all, Nanyang is so far from Jianye—any lies or accidents along the way would be unknown here. To ensure Cousin Luo’s safety and let the Lu family release her, I must verify if the marriage contract is authentic.”

Fan Qingchen paused a moment, understanding.

No matter what, it seemed he wouldn’t be able to take Luo Lingyu away today.

Fan Qingchen turned to address Old Madam Lu: “Old Madam, I naturally have a marriage contract with Sister Luo. If it were fake, wouldn’t Sister Luo have denied it from the start?”

Old Madam Lu actually couldn’t wait for Luo Lingyu to leave their family, and Lu Sanlaang’s stance on keeping Luo Lingyu was already displeasing her. As soon as Fan Qingchen spoke, Old Madam Lu pondered: “Young Master’s words make sense…”

Unexpectedly, her grandson immediately replied: “Besides the possibility that Young Master Fan isn’t lying, Cousin Luo’s lack of resistance could also mean she’s being threatened by Young Master Fan. If Cousin Luo is under coercion, shouldn’t we stand up for her? Since Miss Cousin came to stay at our home, even if she leaves, she must leave safely and intact. Isn’t that right?”

Old Madam Lu struggled: “Third Young Master’s words also make sense…”

Fan Qingchen laughed coldly: “I can produce the marriage contract immediately. I’ve just arrived in Jianye and haven’t even bought a residence yet—how would I have time to threaten Sister Luo?”

Old Madam Lu: “Hmm, that makes sense…”

Lu Sanlaang: “You haven’t even secured a residence yet and want to take Cousin Luo away—you have other intentions. Now I’m even more reluctant to let Cousin Luo leave with you.”

Old Madam Lu: “…”

Looking back and forth, Old Madam Lu could now see the tense atmosphere between the two young masters. Her chest tightened as she stared at Lu Yun’s elegant face with its white gauze-covered eyes. Earlier when Lu Yun had burned his eyes for Luo Lingyu, she thought Lu Yun had feelings for her. But that was just speculation—Old Madam Lu couldn’t be certain. Now, however, Old Madam Lu was sure—given her grandson’s usual indolence, he wouldn’t easily get involved in matters concerning young ladies.

Lu Yun feared trouble, getting entangled, feared being unable to break free from young ladies… yet he was so concerned about Luo Lingyu’s affairs!

Old Madam Lu’s expression became very unpleasant.

Lu Yun and Fan Qingchen continued their verbal sparring, Lu Yun maintaining a consistently calm and dignified demeanor while Fan Qingchen’s expression grew increasingly worse, the cold malice in his eyes barely concealed. His cold eyes fixed on Lu Yun, killing intent rising. However, this was the Lu residence, and even if Lu Sanlaang was blind, he was still a blind man sitting securely in his courtyard… Fan Qingchen suppressed his anger: “Whatever we say doesn’t matter. We need only ask Sister Luo to verify everything. I’ve known Sister Luo for four years—if she says right now that I’m not the Fan family’s fourth son she knows, I’ll leave immediately.”

Luo Lingyu swallowed hard with difficulty: “…”

She had been at a disadvantage from the start. If she had denied knowing this person from the beginning and denied any marriage contract, she could have maintained that denial throughout. But since she hadn’t denied it initially, any denial now would seem false. Lu Sanlaang was willing to lose face for her, insisting the man was an impostor. It was just to buy time.

While Lu Yun could use such delaying tactics, she couldn’t…

Luo Lingyu’s face turned pale as snow.

The complex gazes of Old Madam Lu and others, Fan Qingchen’s threatening look, and Lu Yun’s turned face all focused on Luo Lingyu. Steeling herself, Luo Lingyu stepped forward under the pressure, each step very slow. Her lips trembling, she struggled to speak: “I…”

The young lady’s delicate gaze looked pleadingly toward Lu Sanlaang.

Lu Sanlaang remained expressionless, his fingers resting on his knee curling slightly.

Luo Lingyu paused, suddenly struck by inspiration. While slowly beginning to speak about matters she didn’t know how to address, she rubbed her forehead, her steps faltering. The young lady’s face was as white as snow, and after uttering just one word, she let out a whimper and stumbled, falling to the ground unconscious.

Lu Sanlaang, being closest to her, rose immediately, his sleeve lifting. Despite his impaired vision, he accurately caught the fallen lady in his arms, his tone concerned and urgent: “Cousin! Cousin? What’s wrong… Grandmother, Cousin seems to have heatstroke.”

Old Madam Lu, Fan Qingchen, and others all froze: “…”

A divine case of heatstroke.

This act, however, had to be played out completely. Luo Lingyu lay weakly unconscious in the young master’s arms, while Lu Sanlaang dutifully played the role of a caring cousin. The women ordered someone to fetch a physician and gathered around the unconscious Luo Lingyu.

Fan Qingchen was left on the outside.

He watched all this unfold coldly.

In the sixth month of summer, his eyes burned like fire while his heart was cold as ice. Though he could see through all the crude theatrical traces, he had no way to stop this performance. Looking at the elegant jade-like profile of the young master among the people, Fan Qingchen narrowed his eyes and smiled coldly: Lu Sanlaang… heh, it seems the backbone my cousin has found this time is no simple matter.

But so what?

It was all just buying time. He wanted to see just how long these two could drag this out.

…

Lu Yun carried Luo Lingyu back to “Xueso Court.” After all the concerned visitors had left, Luo Lingyu remained at the Lu residence using “heatstroke” as an excuse. When the physician and others had departed and the room grew quiet, the young lady lying weakly in bed secretly opened one eye… she saw Lu Yun sitting quietly by the bedside.

Lu Yun sat serenely, his features elegant, the gauze over his eyes making his expression unreadable, impossible to guess his thoughts.

Luo Lingyu watched him carefully.

His ear twitched, and he turned his face toward her, saying mockingly in a cool voice: “Everyone has left.”

Luo Lingyu covered her mouth and nose with the brocade quilt, speaking softly: “Thank you, Brother Xuezhen, for helping me.”

Lu Sanlaang: “I can help you get through today, but I can’t help you get through a lifetime. You have a marriage contract with someone, and you let that person chase you to Jianye. Yet I was the last to know.”

Luo Lingyu heard the unfriendliness in his tone.

She felt wronged: “I only found out he was here today too… Brother Xuezhen, are you going to abandon me? What should I do?”

When she called him “Brother Xuezhen,” Lu Yun’s expression improved slightly. Earlier, while openly confronting Fan Qingchen, he had been internally suppressing his fury and embarrassment. He had never fought over a woman to this extent and had never been forced to rely on verbal sophistry to win… Luo Lingyu!

Lu Yun reached out and pinched her face hard.

Tears burst from Luo Lingyu’s eyes, but she dared not voice her anger, only enduring it with extreme grievance: “Brother Xuezhen, why don’t I continue pretending to be ill, waiting for you to think of a solution? You will think of something, won’t you…”

Lu Yun sneered: “Why should I help you?”

Luo Lingyu froze.

Lu Yun had played at being aloof for so long that if she used “you’re attracted to me” as an excuse, he would certainly scoff and walk away, never admitting it.

She gazed at Lu Yun for a while, then lowered her eyes and slowly sat up on the bed. She moved sluggishly toward him, hesitated, then wrapped her arms around his neck. He remained motionless as a jade mountain, making Luo Lingyu feel awkward and frustrated, though compared to Fan Qingchen’s threats, Lu Yun merely making her feel awkward was already quite good… Luo Lingyu embraced his neck, wanting to act coquettish, yet unwilling to lower herself before him.

She said softly: “Please…”

Lu Yun turned his face toward her, his nose touching her lovely lips. He suddenly laughed lightly: “Is this how you beg? Do you even know how to beg? Is this your attitude when asking for favors?”

Being laughed at again, Luo Lingyu’s heart trembled, her fingers stiffening around his neck. She felt annoyed, thinking: I’m not a courtesan, how should I know how to please someone as difficult as you?

The young master maintained his usual posture, but his breath mingled with hers. Noble yet frivolous. Two opposite qualities exist in one person like a poppy enticing one to fall. Luo Lingyu’s fingers brushed the white gauze over his eyes, and she couldn’t help asking: “How are your eyes? Can’t the gauze be removed yet?”

Perhaps because her tone was too gentle, and her fingers stroking his face were cool. The atmosphere was so pleasant that Lu Yun’s tone also softened considerably, his breath intertwining with hers as he answered: “Almost healed…”

His expression suddenly changed again, asking sarcastically: “You haven’t begged your betrothed like this, have you? Spoken to him this way?”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

She said: “Why would I need to beg? He’s always the one begging me to play with him. Lu Xuezhen, I have plenty of admirers, do you think everyone is like you?”

Lu Yun responded coldly: “Cheap admirers are meaningless.”

Luo Lingyu cursed him internally, thinking: Tomorrow I’ll announce to all of Jianye, let the ladies who admire you see how you view them. To call people “cheap”!

Lu Yun suddenly asked again: “Your betrothed is called Fan Qingchen, my courtesy name is ‘Xuezhen’ – you treat me differently, is it because we share the character ‘chen’?”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

She was dumbfounded.

Something she hadn’t even noticed was pointed out by Lu Yun. Luo Lingyu found it laughable for a moment – when she first met Lu Yun, she didn’t even know his courtesy name was “Xuezhen”. How could she find similarities between Lu Yun and Fan Qingchen? Besides, that person’s name didn’t even use ‘chen’, he used ‘chen’ for ‘morning’.

Lu Yun continued: “When I remove the gauze, I must see what kind of person your betrothed is, whether he resembles me…”

Luo Lingyu boldly pushed him, annoyed and pouting: “Will you ever stop? I already said I don’t like him! You despise him, yet you keep saying ‘betrothed’ this and that. Can’t you just say ‘him’? Would it kill you not to say the word ‘betrothed’?”

She couldn’t stand him!

Though he disliked Fan Qingchen, he kept bringing him up. If she didn’t mention him, he would constantly talk about it… Lu Yun’s jealousy knew no bounds.

…

Luo Lingyu truly used “heatstroke” as an excuse, not daring to go out all day, staying in her room pretending to be ill. Every time Fan Qingchen visited the Lu residence, which happened several times, Luo Lingyu would become severely ill, as if she were cursed by his presence. Fan Qingchen understood perfectly well and was extremely angry, but he coldly laughed, wondering if the Lu family thought they could keep Luo Lingyu forever.

Lu Xian, the Second Young Master who occasionally came home for tea and meals, also heard about these matters. However, Lu Xian’s reaction wasn’t particularly strong, just making an “oh” sound as if remembering something. Because of that dream he had, he vaguely recalled that Luo Lingyu seemed to have an old acquaintance from Nanyang. There was also a hazy memory of a “betrothed”… but this person hadn’t caused much of a stir. At least in the dream, by the time the Second Young Master learned of it, this matter had already concluded.

These days, the Second Young Master tried hard to recall his dream, remembering that on the nineteenth of the sixth month, it was the day Luo Lingyu would pledge allegiance to the Prince of Hengyang. From this day forward, the Prince of Hengyang would openly protect Miss Luo as his consort.

The timeline in the dream diverged and converged with reality – in the dream at this point, if Lu Yun hadn’t reconciled with Miss Luo and they were still arguing, then the Prince of Hengyang indeed had an opportunity.

The Second Young Master only wanted to cut off the Prince of Hengyang’s path, making certain that on the nineteenth of the sixth month, Miss Luo wouldn’t meet the Prince of Hengyang.

After merely hearing about the family matters and learning that Lu Yun had spoken up for Miss Luo, the Second Young Master visited Luo Lingyu once and didn’t return. He had more important matters – he was eager to know if the Emperor’s “dan poison” in his dream might be a trap.

After replacing several Taoist priests sent to the palace by the Prince of Hengyang, Lu Xian didn’t spend much time at home. He was busy with both official duties and interrogating these Taoist priests.

On this day after dusk, the sky was dark and cold, with a few raindrops drifting under the heavens. Despite Madam Lu’s nagging, when Lu Xian’s servant informed him that there had been progress, he took an umbrella and carriage to the outskirts of the city. Lu Xian had hidden those Taoist priests in the mountains and questioned them for several days. Today these men had finally started talking, so naturally, he wanted to know the truth immediately.

Arriving in the mountains, passing through the grove, he came to a thatched hut. Outside the hut, he closed his umbrella as muffled thunder rolled across the sky. Lu Xian brushed the water from his robes and entered. Inside there was only one candle, and Lu Xian sat down, seeing the bound Taoist priests before him beaten until their flesh was torn. The priests lay on the ground, breathing weakly.

In the days since learning these priests were suspicious, this was Lu Xian’s first time coming to see them personally.

Lu Xian: “Well? Speak, and I’ll ensure you live out your remaining years.”

One of the priests gasped intermittently: “We’ll… we’ll talk… The Prince of Hengyang never asked us to poison… he just wanted us to compete with the other palace Taoists for a favor, to make His Majesty like us best.”

“Yes, yes! That’s right! His Majesty likes Taoist priests, so the Prince of Hengyang just wanted us to make more elixirs.”

Lu Xian interrupted: “Did he personally tell you to make more elixirs for His Majesty to consume?”

Throughout history, many emperors have sought immortality, yet none have ever achieved it. Well-educated noble young masters like them, having read extensively, knew better that these Taoist priests were merely deceiving people. Who knew what these so-called elixirs were made of? His Majesty didn’t trust court physicians but believed in Taoist priests. Consuming medicines recklessly, death wouldn’t be surprising.

And this “elixir” was what the Prince of Hengyang wanted…

Lu Xian’s tone grew slightly urgent, confirming again: “Did he tell you to make more elixirs, to persuade His Majesty to take more, did he?”

The Taoist priests’ heads were dizzy and heavy, hearing everything hazily. Among their groans, no one answered the Second Young Master. Lu Xian watched as a guard beside him lashed out with a whip, striking the men. Lu Xian closed his eyes, unable to bear watching or listening. He was supposed to be a refined young master, yet had to hear such things… The guard’s burly figure cast shadows on the wall as he wielded the whip ferociously: “Didn’t understand our master’s question, did you? Answer our master!”

“Answer our master’s question—”

Boom—

Thunder rumbled again in the sky, and amid the clanging and crashing, torrential rain swept across the horizon, pouring down. The sound of heavy rain thundered as the Taoist priests’ screams rose and fell in the thatched hut. Mountain rain and lightning flashed, creating an extremely oppressive atmosphere. The Second Young Master felt uncomfortable and stopped the guard’s whipping: “Enough, just let them answer properly, no more beating…”

But suddenly a low laugh came from outside the door: “Answer? What great secrets could such insignificant people know? If Second Master Lu wants to know, wouldn’t it be more convenient to ask me directly?”

The guards accompanying the Second Young Master in the hut were startled, drawing their swords in quick succession. Lu Xian rose abruptly and turned to look. The door was kicked open from outside with a “bang,” and the young Prince of Hengyang entered, bringing with him the chill air and rain.

Lightning flashed in the sky as rain fell like spears and halberds. In the lightning, rows of guards standing outside the thatched hut created a cramped yet imposing sense of pressure. At their front was Liu Mu, the Prince of Hengyang, advancing into the hut with a sword drawn. Liu Mu pointed his sword forward as Lu Xian retreated, face pale.

Lu Xian: “What are you doing? You dare!”

Liu Mu: “Who told you to discover this secret… I didn’t want to confront the Lu family either, but Second Master Lu, your curiosity was too great. When you saw something amiss, you should have just turned and left. Why did you have to let me see you?”