Ever since Luo Lingyu arrived at the Lu family, except for Second Young Master Lu’s initially normal behavior, his actions and words have been erratic. Even his mother found him strange, so it seemed natural that everyone thought he was ill.

Standing by the veranda outside the small Buddha hall, separated by the courtyard’s willow and locust trees, Luo Lingyu felt a cathartic pleasure watching Second Young Master Lu earnestly lecture Lu San Lang until he was utterly defeated – seeing Lu Yun’s frustrated expression when he couldn’t fight back was quite satisfying.

Perhaps it was because Lu Yun usually pressured her too much.

While Luo Lingyu actively worked to improve her ability to handle Lu Yun, she also rather hoped someone could keep him in check. Now it seemed Second Young Master Lu was probably the only one in the Lu family who would speak to Lu Yun this way –

“Going to the frontier? Do you know how dangerous it is there? You even want to go to Nanyang – don’t you remember that Miss Luo’s former fiancé was from Nanyang? You’re too… too… boundlessly charitable! I know you’re worried about the war, but we’re already doing our best. Even if you went, you probably couldn’t help much. Moreover, as a noble young master who’s never been without servants, when you get there…”

Lu Yun said, “I won’t go.”

Second Young Master Lu: “…Don’t think I’m trying to intimidate or threaten you, I’m thinking of your best interests. You’re not suited…”

Lu Yun’s scalp tingled with irritation.

Especially since through the tree shadows, he could see the silhouettes of the two young ladies. While Princess Ningping’s confusion was understandable, he felt he could already see Luo Lingyu’s sneering expression. His second brother was scolding him in front of Luo Lingyu – where was his dignity?

In the Lu family, because his parents died early, Third Young Master Lu Yun’s status was somewhat special. Usually, whatever he did, the family elders would only show favoritism, as if afraid of wronging him and causing his parents in the underworld to worry. The Lu family was somewhat cautious around Lu Yun, and Second Young Master Lu Xian was the only one who would frequently speak to him as an elder brother. Lu Yun cherished this brother… even though this brother’s views often went against his own.

Lu Yun felt stifled.

On the other side, Luo Lingyu said something to Liu Tang. While Liu Tang was still hesitating, Luo Lingyu had already descended the stone steps and gracefully brushed past the weeping willows. Her elegant figure moved toward the two Lu young masters, with Liu Tang hurriedly following. As she got closer, Luo Lingyu could hear Second Young Master Lu’s voice more clearly. She indeed wore a perfect smile, but when she saw Lu Yun’s indifferent expression, the smile at her lips slightly stiffened –

Third Young Master Lu’s long lashes veiled his eyes, his nose bridge high and straight. The willow trees and sunlight created alternating shadows on his face. His expression showed little emotion.

Luo Lingyu tilted her head: Lu Yun seemed unhappy.

The fact that he maintained his lofty and otherworldly appearance even in front of his own family was indeed a sign of his displeasure.

Why was he unhappy? Because Second Cousin had scolded him and he felt he lost face? But Second Cousin often scolded him, and he hadn’t been like this before. Or was it because he disliked what Second Cousin had said?

Lu Yun interrupted Second Young Master Lu’s heartfelt advice: “Second Brother, Cousin, and the Princess have arrived.”

He lifted his eyelids and met Luo Lingyu’s thoughtful gaze. The young lady’s contemplative stare made Lu Yun feel slightly flustered, and he looked away. Though Luo Lingyu didn’t mock him, he found an excuse to hurriedly leave when Second Young Master Lu turned to face the two young ladies.

So Luo Lingyu thought even more – it seemed he wanted to go to the frontier. If he left, then who would marry her?

For the next few days, Luo Lingyu didn’t see Lu Yun. Lu Yun was busy with government affairs, and since Danyang Prefecture was too far from the government offices in Jianye, he came home even less than before. Meanwhile, after separating from Zhou Yangling, Luo Lingyu had come to Danyang Prefecture to spend the summer with the Lu family. Being unfamiliar with the area and the weather being hot, Luo Lingyu stayed in her room eating iced perfumes and even lost much interest in playing with her cousins due to the heat.

She had become much more indolent.

She was completely different from the former Miss Luo who loved socializing and playing everywhere.

On a summer afternoon, with cicadas chirping among the quiet willows, it was nap time. After the little sister was led to sleep by her maid, and Luo Lingyu had fanned her for quite a while, once her sister was asleep, she returned to her room and took out a half-embroidered purse and cord she had been working on. Women’s work was extremely time-consuming and sociable young ladies like Luo Lingyu didn’t particularly enjoy sitting there doing needlework. But now she had nothing to do, so she took it out to pass the time.

The door creaked open, and stepping from the stuffiness into the cool chamber, the maid Lingyu’s face was flushed red from the sun, her inner garment sticking to her back, also damp with sweat. Through the ornate curtains, Lingyu peeked in and saw fruit plates arranged on the wooden table by the armrest, and shaved ice on the golden plate. Cherries drizzled with a layer of thick cane syrup, the crimson fruit, and milky white ice water creating red and white striped “snow mountains” that looked incredibly refreshing. That hint of coolness came from the direction of the shaved ice.

Such novel “Shaved Ice” was another of Miss Luo’s clever ideas.

Miss Luo was always clever with food, games, and clothing. Knowing the maid had entered, she still kept her head down embroidering the purse. Luo Lingyu didn’t look up: “The ‘shaved ice’ sent to the Old Madam and others, did they like it?”

Lingyu: “They liked it alright, but their minds probably aren’t on food right now. Only you, Miss, aren’t anxious at all!”

Luo Lingyu’s heart stirred, guessing something, but she only smiled slightly, her attention still on the purse.

The maid Lingyu couldn’t stand it anymore and huffed, walking away through the curtains to change clothes. When she came back in and saw the young lady still the same way, not moving at all, Lingyu felt quite exasperated. Though she had only been assigned by the Old Madam to serve Miss Luo for a few months, Miss Luo was interesting and often came up with fun things to do. The young and beautiful Lingyu had already become completely devoted to Miss Luo. Now seeing Luo Lingyu like this, Lingyu said: “Miss Jiang has been invited by the Old Madam to stay as a guest, all the other young ladies have gone to see her, but you only sent over a bowl of ice… aren’t you curious about Miss Jiang at all?”

Luo Lingyu was unconcerned: “Since we’ll be staying with the Lu family for a while, we’ll get to know each other eventually. The sun is so strong at noon, there’s no need to go today.”

Lingyu: “You don’t know anything! There’s naturally a reason for asking you to go! Miss, you don’t know, but the Lu family often intermarries with the Jiang family, Chen family, and the royal family. Miss Jiang who came to Danyang is from the ‘Jiang family.’ Madam Lu is looking at potential matches for the young masters of the family, and has set her sights on Princess Ningping for the Second Young Master, she’s still evaluating. So Miss Jiang’s arrival must be aimed at our Third Young Master.”

Luo Lingyu raised her eyes, her embroidery half-finished in her hands stopped, and she smiled brightly: “Oh, so that’s how it is. Now I understand why she would come to visit in the middle of summer.”

Seeing she still wasn’t particularly concerned, Lingyu became even more anxious: “The Jiang family are old friends of the Lu family, Miss Jiang has often come to play at the Lu house since childhood and knows Third Young Master too. At least longer than when you first met Third Young Master. That Miss Jiang comes from a scholarly family and is skilled in poetry and painting, people like her.”

Luo Lingyu: “Sounds like Chen Xiu.”

Lingyu: “That’s different! Miss Chen is proud and aloof and doesn’t play with the young ladies of Jianye. This Miss Jiang has a gentle and beautiful nature and gets along well with the young ladies. Before she was visiting her uncle’s family, so wasn’t in Jianye. I heard she’d only been back a few days when the Old Madam anxiously invited her over. When Miss Jiang was little, the Old Madam even joked about betrothing her to our Third Young Master. When Miss Jiang comes to the Lu house, it’s like half a mistress returning home, and Third Young Master even taught her painting. We joke that Third Young Master is half a teacher to Miss Jiang, and Miss Jiang did call Third Young Master ‘Teacher’!”

Luo Lingyu made an “oh” sound: So the Old Madam approved of her.

She had wondered why the Old Madam disliked her but never said anything about it. So this was what she had been waiting for.

The maid Lingyu paced around the room, dutifully informing Luo Lingyu how this newly arrived Miss Jiang was eyeing Third Young Master Lu like a tiger watching its prey. Miss Jiang had brought quite a lot of things with her and was personally led by Madam Lu to meet the masters of each courtyard, showing how much the Lu family elders valued her. After all, the Jiang family had long intermarried with the Lu family, many Lu family elders came from the Jiang family, so when Miss Jiang came to the Lu house, it was no different from returning to her own home.

Lingyu: “The Old Madam called Third Young Master home, wanting him to show Miss Jiang around the garden!”

“The courtyard arranged for Miss Jiang is especially close to the Third Young Master’s courtyard. While our courtyard is the farthest from Third Young Master’s courtyard.”

“Knowing Third Young Master loves calligraphy and painting, Miss Jiang brought two carts of ancient paintings.”

“…In short, in short, Miss, this lady poses a threat to you!”

When the Lu family elders were dissatisfied with the younger generation’s marriages, maintaining their noble family’s ways, they wouldn’t interfere too directly. Their usual method was to find someone more suitable and subtly create distance from the previous relationship. Distance, time, and suspicion could easily create cracks in feelings. If it didn’t work after some time, they would wait longer, and eventually, most people would follow the elders’ wishes and choose the marriage that the elders were more satisfied with.

For example, Princess Ningping who was now invited by Madam Lu to stay at home, had been invested with high hopes by Madam Lu.

Then there was Miss Jiang, Jiang Wanyi, carefully selected by the Old Madam.

The things that the maid Lingyu noticed, Luo Lingyu naturally saw even more clearly. But she wasn’t as anxious as Lingyu: “…What’s the rush? It’s still early. If your Third Young Master were that easy to move, I wouldn’t still be here embroidering purses until now.”

Her original plan was to be married by now!

Lingyu: “You can’t say that. Maybe our Third Young Master wasn’t aware before, hadn’t thought about those matters? Now he’s been moved by you, Miss, so with another lady coming, he might come to appreciate feminine beauty too.”

Luo Lingyu sneered: Hmph, so that was their plan. Let her explore Third Young Master Lu’s feelings, and once she’d explored enough, send in someone new. She had reformed Lu San Lang’s bad side, and the good side could be directly enjoyed by latecomers. The Lu family elders’ schemes were quite thorough.

Luo Lingyu snorted: “Whatever! I want to see how this Miss Jiang moves Third Young Master Lu’s iron heart.”

She didn’t believe she was inferior to others.

She had invested so much effort in Lu Yun, how could she let someone else benefit? If just any lady could move Lu Yun’s heart… that would only show her skills were too shallow. If that were true, she would admit defeat.

Lingyu had said so much, but seeing the young lady still not anxious, just keeping her head down embroidering. Lingyu stood for a while, and after seeing clearly what the young lady was embroidering, her heart suddenly skipped, thinking of some things. Luo Lingyu would often send things to Lu Yun when she passed by – flower notes, new brushes, snacks. At first Third Young Master Lu wouldn’t accept them, but later Third Young Master’s maid Jinyue would even treat their courtyard like Third Young Master’s own courtyard to visit. The two courtyards had exchanged many gifts, but Luo Lingyu had never actually done any needlework before.

Luo Lingyu complained that embroidery took too much energy.

But now Luo Lingyu was embroidering a purse… Lingxi said: “Ah, it seems I worried for nothing. Miss, you’re finally willing to do some needlework. If Third Young Master could wear something you embroidered during the Qiqiao Festival, that would be wonderful.”

Luo Lingyu was secretly pleased but responded casually: “Qiqiao Festival? He might not even come back.”

After Lingyu stayed a while longer, she advised again: “Miss, since you always have such clever ideas, why don’t you use that cleverness to please the Old Madam? Just making Third Young Master happy doesn’t seem enough. Third Young Master’s marriage still needs the elders’ approval in the end.”

The maid was truly looking out for her, advising her about her marriage. Luo Lingyu sighed, put down her needlework, and explained to Lingyu: “I know that parents’ command and matchmakers’ words naturally make for the most secure marriage. But my background isn’t good enough; in a great family like the Lu family, even if the elders like me usually, when it comes to marriage, they won’t choose me. I could certainly try to please the Old Madam… but it wouldn’t be very useful, and would only make the Old Madam look down on me more, making her even less likely to choose me.”

“Why should I waste energy on something that won’t be effective?”

But Lu Yun was different.

Having Lu Yun fight with his grandmother was much better than her fighting with his grandmother and offending her.

Luo Lingyu said: “It’s better to be neither overbearing nor servile. I’m not desperate to marry into the Lu family, I want the Lu family to know that it’s Lu Yun who wants to marry me, not that I’m just clinging to him.”

Lingyu was happy for her: “Third Young Master Lu said he wants to marry Miss? That’s wonderful, I always knew Miss would marry into our family.”

Luo Lingyu: “…”

Her heart suddenly stalled.

She covered her face: No, he hadn’t.

The Old Madam wanted to test her, and she also wanted to test Lu Yun – she wanted to know if he simply didn’t want to marry her, or if he just didn’t want to marry at all. The two reasons would lead to different results, and for different causes, she needed different remedies.

Luo Lingyu was always actively planning things around her. While Lingyu worried that Jiang Wanyi’s arrival would threaten her, she felt this might be her opportunity.

…

On Jiang Wanyi’s first day with the Lu family, she didn’t see the famous Miss Luo she’d heard so much about. But during morning tea the next day, she saw Luo Lingyu when she came to give morning greetings to the Old Madam. Upon first seeing Luo Lingyu, Jiang Wanyi twisted her handkerchief, somewhat understanding why among so many young ladies in the Lu family, the Old Madam always mentioned this one.

Luo Lingyu had a graceful and elegant figure, and beautiful features, yet her temperament wasn’t overbearing. On the contrary, Luo Lingyu was extremely easy to talk to. In the hour she was there, even the usually stern Madam Lu was made to smile once. The Old Madam had smiled several times.

The Old Madam finally said: “…Lingyu, why don’t you show Wanyi around the garden?”

Luo Lingyu agreed.

Jiang Wanyi paused, then affectionately held the Old Madam’s arm and coquettishly said: “Old Madam, what do you mean having Sister Luo accompany me around the garden? I’ve been to Danyang before, and this might be Sister Luo’s first time. I should be the one showing Sister Luo around the garden. Old Madam, you’re confused!”

Luo Lingyu’s smile deepened at the corners of her lips: This was a show of force, wasn’t it?

The other young ladies looked left and right, some seeing through the situation. A battle between two beauties – truly an exciting drama. The Lu family’s young ladies had known Luo Lingyu for half a year and had known Jiang Wanyi even longer. In their view, Luo Lingyu never admitted defeat and was extremely talented, so the competition between her and Jiang Wanyi would surely be fierce. With unclear motivations, the young ladies were quite eager to see whether Jiang Wanyi or Luo Lingyu would prove more formidable.

However, they were disappointed.

Unlike before when she had to be first in everything, this time facing Jiang Wanyi, Luo Lingyu’s temperament was much milder. Not fighting or competing, indolent in trivial matters, letting Jiang Wanyi have her way. If Miss Jiang wanted to organize a poetry society, then organize it; if Miss Jiang wanted to be the hostess, then let her be. After just one day with the Lu family, Jiang Wanyi had relaxed her guard. That evening, speaking with her maid, Jiang Wanyi’s tone was hesitant: “…I think Sister Luo is quite nice. Why is the Old Madam so wary of her? Sister Luo doesn’t compete with me at all, and when I tested her about Third Cousin, she did not react, just like an ordinary cousin… I wonder if the Old Madam might have guessed wrong, and Sister Luo has no designs on Third Cousin?”

The maid: “We still can’t let our guard down! This year’s ‘Flower Goddess’ of Jianye is Miss Luo, and even Chen Xiu lost to her. Miss Luo must not be as simple as she appears, my lady, you shouldn’t trust her easily.”

Jiang Wanyi nodded half-believingly, and the maid further encouraged her with talk of Third Young Master Lu, rekindling her fighting spirit. In truth, Jiang Wanyi herself didn’t like competing, but the implications in the words of the people sent by the Old Madam made her anxious. The Lu and Jiang families had intermarried for many years, and Third Young Master Lu was so outstanding, that she had wanted to marry him since childhood. First, there was Chen Xiu who made her frustrated, and now came Luo Lingyu… Jiang Wanyi sighed in the complaint: “Why does Third Cousin always attract so many admirers like bees to flowers?”

Since childhood, all the young ladies around had liked him.

As they grew up, even more young ladies surrounded him.

Every time she came to visit the Lu family, the young ladies would dress up beautifully, all for Third Young Master Lu. Even though they clearly wouldn’t see him more than a few times.

Under the bright moon, Jiang Wanyi sat by the window and murmured: “…Even if I win against Luo Lingyu, will I never have peace in the future? He’s too outstanding, there will never be a shortage of people coveting the position of Third Young Master Lu’s wife. I’ll need to always be on guard against all crises. I’ll have to be nervous every time he sees or speaks with any young lady. When he comes home, young ladies from the Lu family linger and won’t leave, and when he doesn’t come home, I have to wonder what renowned scholar he might be composing poetry and painting with…”

The maid faltered.

She could only advise: “Outstanding people are all like this. If my lady likes him, you should learn from other young ladies and actively pursue him. As for my lady’s worries, once you become close with the Third Young Master in the future, you can gently advise him.”

Jiang Wanyi sighed and said no more, but thought in her heart – Advise him? He’s never listened to what I say since childhood. Everyone says we’re childhood friends, but why do I feel Third Cousin treats me just like he treats others? Is it his nature to be so aloof, or does he simply not confide in me?

Moreover, even if I try to make young ladies dislike him, will they dislike him?

The next day, when the young ladies’ poetry society began, Jiang Wanyi set aside the previous day’s melancholy, disguised herself, and continued to face Luo Lingyu’s provocations with full fighting spirit. She had heard that Luo Lingyu was this year’s “Flower Goddess,” able to surpass Chen Xiu in scholarly accomplishments, so she couldn’t be simple. As the young ladies were composing poetry and painting in the courtyard, amid their play, a maid ran over breathlessly: “Young ladies, Third Young Master has returned. The Old Madam says he’s coming this way!”

Everyone: “…!”

They still remembered how the Old Madam had said earlier that she would have Third Young Master Lu return to guide their calligraphy and painting. But Third Young Master Lu hadn’t come back, so the Old Madam’s promise couldn’t be fulfilled. On Jiang Wanyi’s third day with the Lu family, she finally saw Lu Yun for the first time. It had been half a year since they last met.

The young ladies instantly quieted down, each adjusting their appearance. Jiang Wanyi was at a loss for a long time, her face flushed red, and as she lowered her head to paint, the wrist holding her brush trembled slightly. Perhaps because everyone had been anticipating this scene, when it arrived, even the protagonist herself became nervous. Jiang Wanyi secretly looked over at Luo Lingyu’s side, but was startled –

Luo Lingyu wasn’t nearly as nervous as she was.

They had gathered to paint, with a seven or eight-zhang-long piece of white paper spread on the table, the young ladies standing around it, each painting their section. After everyone finished, they would judge whose painting was the best. Third Young Master Lu was a nationally renowned scholar, and since he was coming, the young ladies wanted to show off their talents, so they all stood by the table, holding their brushes and painting.

Only a few young ladies who had no particular interest in Third Young Master Lu sat to the side drinking tea, eating fruit, and cracking melon seeds.

For example, Princess Ningping Liu Tang.

Surprisingly, sitting there chatting and drinking tea with Liu Tang was Luo Lingyu, whom Jiang Wanyi viewed as her fierce rival. Luo Lingyu hadn’t finished her painting either and wasn’t rushing to come over to perform. She was still cracking melon seeds, watching them bustle about with smiling eyes. Luo Lingyu’s behavior made Jiang Wanyi’s heart skip, but before she could figure it out, her eyes had already caught sight of Third Young Master Lu’s elegant figure walking out from the tree shadows.

Third Young Master Lu walked very quickly.

Making the maids and servants behind him all run to keep up. Jinyue and several other maids ran until their faces were red, too out of breath to speak, while the male servants had it even harder, still having to report various matters to Third Young Master Lu.

Lu Yun’s handsome face and tall figure gradually became clear in everyone’s eyes. Jiang Wanyi nervously lowered her head, already able to hear her rapid heartbeat. After keeping her head down for a while, she couldn’t help but look up again, seeing Third Young Master Lu raise his eyebrows in surprise, seemingly very unexpected to see so many young ladies.

Lu Yun frowned and asked Jinyue: “…Why are they here?”

On the necessary path back to his courtyard.

Jinyue smiled and said: “Miss Jiang has come to stay as a guest.”

Jiang Wanyi’s heart jumped when she saw Lu Yun’s eyes look over. She put down her brush and walked over gracefully, moving very slowly. However, Lu Yun merely glanced this way before coming over. Jiang Wanyi had always thought him cold, but when he walked over, she was overjoyed, thinking Lu Yun was finally giving her face.

Lu Yun said: “What are you doing here?”

Jiang Wanyi: “…Ah?”

She looked up in surprise, only to see that Lu Yun wasn’t looking at her. Following Lu Yun’s line of sight, she saw Third Young Master Lu frowning, staring at Luo Lingyu who was sitting by the stone table drinking tea.

Luo Lingyu put down her tea but still didn’t stand up. Beside her, Liu Tang looked at her admiringly as she smiled and said: “Would you like to try my newly blended flower tea?”

Under the shocked gazes of all the young ladies, Lu Yun walked over. He looked down and asked amid the gasps around them: “Which is your teacup?”

Luo Lingyu pointed with her lips, and in front of everyone, he drank her tea and commented: “Not that great.”

But the young ladies were already dazed: …He drank from Luo Lingyu’s teacup. Although the one Luo Lingyu pointed out to him hadn’t been used before.

Jiang Wanyi’s face turned pale, finally witnessing Luo Lingyu’s threat to herself – even though that young lady hadn’t stood up, Lu Yun had walked over to her. So her lack of competition wasn’t due to magnanimity, but because she did not need to compete at all.

In a place Jiang Wanyi couldn’t see, Luo Lingyu smiled with satisfaction: To be honest, she quite enjoyed this kind of crushing victory. Liking Third Young Master Lu, being viewed as an enemy by all the young ladies, this feeling of being collectively elevated… was wonderful.

The more young ladies who liked him, the more it proved her capabilities.

She had found some benefits to liking him.

…After all, Luo Lingyu and Jiang Wanyi were completely different types of young ladies.