While Er Lang continued speaking in measured tones beside his ear, Lu Yun rested his elbow on the black-lacquered couch’s armrest. The small white jade crown in his hair swayed slightly as he leaned back, seeking a more comfortable position to admire the beauty before him. On the early spring day, sunlight spilled across the wooden floor outside the window. The young lady, wearing her hair in twin buns, knelt on the round couch, gently waving a fan, shyly meeting his gaze from the side.

Though her features were stunning, she was still young after all. Her upturned snow-white face retained a hint of innocence, and the red ribbons hanging from her hair down to her waist had been blown forward onto her clothes by the wind. With her flowing long dress and fluttering red ribbons, the young lady biting her lip possessed the unique charm and allure of her age. Not only was she radiantly spirited, but her figure was also graceful, her bosom full like snowballs…

Lu Yun’s luminous eyes darkened further, the smile in his peach blossom eyes growing so intense it made one blush. Though he disapproved of Luo Lingyu’s character, he was still a normal man – with such a beauty constantly turning to look at him, he didn’t mind indulging in a few extra glances.

Lu Xian, who had been speaking until his mouth was dry, noticed Lu Yun’s distraction and followed his gaze with some displeasure. Then he exclaimed in surprise: “Cousin Luo, when did you arrive?”

Now that Lu Xian had spotted her, Luo Lingyu could no longer stare at Lu Yun. Continuing to brew tea without pause, she turned her jade-snow face and smiled brilliantly: “Second Cousin, Third Cousin. I’ve been here for a while – the tea you’re drinking was brewed by me.”

Lu Xian started, glancing down at the tea he had been gulping, then back up at Luo Lingyu’s face. She was too dazzling; his face unconsciously reddened with slight discomfort.

On this point, the leisurely Third Young Master Lu beside him seemed much more immune to Luo Lingyu’s beauty – his expression didn’t change at all.

Luo Lingyu’s eyes were bright as autumn waters: “The Old Madam asked me to bring a message to Second Cousin – what about that physician you found for her last time? The Old Madam’s head is aching again, and she found that physician’s medicine very effective.”

Lu Xian kept his head down and spoke gruffly: “It’s- it’s nothing major, I’ll bring someone to see Grandmother right away.”

Luo Lingyu fell silent then, continuing to quietly brew tea.

Sunlight fell across her brows, eyes, shoulders, and waist, with both cousins watching her. Luo Lingyu straightened her back, making her movements even slower and more graceful. She turned her face slightly, her lips crimson, presenting herself most beautifully before her two cousins. In the young men’s eyes, as she sat beside the tea stove, the young lady lowered her head demurely, using the long-handled tea ladle to stir the brew. Though the act of brewing and preparing tea was commonplace, when Luo Lingyu did it, it became especially captivating.

For a moment there was silence, with only the sound of boiling water like pattering rain.

After a while, Luo Lingyu glanced over secretly, meeting Lu Xian’s gaze. Lu Xian’s face reddened deeply, growing even more flustered. This Second Young Master wracked his brains before finally thinking of a topic: “Since Cousin has been sitting here for a while, perhaps you can help us settle an argument.”

Luo Lingyu feared she had heard something she shouldn’t have, and hurriedly said: “I didn’t hear what my two cousins were discussing.”

Lu Xian didn’t mind, speaking gently: “A young gentleman once saved the life of a noble young master, and this young master has been repaying that debt for ten years out of gratitude. Some think the debt has been sufficiently repaid and the noble young master should stop and pursue his path as a scholar. But this young master believes he should repay it for life. Which does Cousin think is more reasonable?”

Lu Yun’s eyebrows lifted slightly as he also fixed his gaze on Luo Lingyu.

Luo Lingyu’s mind raced.

She hadn’t understood what her two cousins were arguing about. When the Second Cousin explained just now, Luo Lingyu instinctively felt that the one wanting to repay the life debt was the Second Cousin, while the one wanting to stop halfway was the Third Cousin. Having been toyed with by Lu Yun before, although she still hoped for marriage, Luo Lingyu couldn’t approve of Third Cousin’s character. Now thinking that Lu Yun wanted to abandon things halfway, Luo Lingyu thoroughly despised him in her heart.

But her face showed none of this. Instead, she said softly: “My two cousins are many years my senior and have experienced much more than I have – you must each have your considerations. I don’t know the full context, so if I were to rashly offer advice, I would only embarrass myself. Perhaps my two cousins could try thinking from each other’s perspective – you might reach an agreement that way.”

Lu Xian was surprised, his gaze on Luo Lingyu brightening somewhat.

Lu Yun similarly gave Luo Lingyu an extra look of surprise.

Lu Xian’s question was just forced small talk. Any young lady, not wanting to offend either party, would surely praise both sides. Luo Lingyu didn’t praise either – she spoke honestly from her perspective. This novel answer left the Second Young Master beside her thoroughly impressed.

Lu Yun glanced at Lu Xian, then at Luo Lingyu, inwardly sneering: truly indiscriminate in her taste.

Lu Yun stood up, making the perfunctory excuse to Lu Xian that he needed to go back to change his bandages, so he would leave first. Though Lu Xian knew Lu Yun was just brushing him off, he couldn’t say anything in front of Cousin Luo. They watched as Lu Yun strode past, his long sleeves trailing to the ground.

As Lu Yun went out and put on his shoes, when he was descending the steps, Luo Lingyu stole another glance at him.

Lu Yun paused. As his long sleeve brushed past Luo Lingyu, he suddenly leaned down, his elegant face drawing close to hers. Bringing his mouth near her ear, he softly spoke a few words, his voice like the striking of jade.

From Lu Xian’s angle inside the room, Lu Yun’s face almost touched Cousin Luo’s, and the young lady’s face burned red. Lu Xian immediately grew displeased and spoke up in warning: “Third Brother, have you forgotten your promise to me? Don’t tease Cousin!”

Third Brother had never treated the family’s female cousins this way before – why was he now giving free rein to his nature?

Lu Yun straightened up, breaking into loud laughter. He had none of his usual cold aloofness like snow on high mountains. After casting a teasing glance at Luo Lingyu, he casually waved to Lu Xian behind him: “Yes, yes. Great monk, no need to preach.”

Lu Xian: “…”

Luo Lingyu burst into giggles, then quickly suppressed her smile. Continuing to lower her head and brew tea, Luo Lingyu felt sweet in her heart. For just now when Lu Yun had bent down, he had whispered eight words in her ear – “Among flowers beneath the moon, meet without fail.”

Luo Lingyu felt a slight thrill of joy in her heart: she knew that being so beautiful, Third Cousin couldn’t be blind to it.

Third Young Master had finally given her a chance.

Though Luo Lingyu’s person remained under Lu Xian’s veranda, her heart had already drifted far away. She pondered how to dress, what to say when to go meet Third Brother… If only she could marry Third Young Master Lu, her and her younger sister’s hand-to-mouth existence could end. After all, Luo Lingyu only realized after arriving in Jianye – the small amount of silver she had brought wouldn’t last long at all.

The young lords and ladies of Jianye had a love of luxury that was unprecedented in her experience.

…

Lu Yun had only said “among flowers beneath the moon,” without specifying a time. After much thought, Luo Lingyu felt he must mean that flower grove very close to where he lived in the “Pure Courtyard” – the same place where she had embarrassed herself last time. As for “beneath the moon,” that timing was too vague. Having no choice, but to make a good impression on her cousin, Luo Lingyu maintained her dignity for half an hour after dusk before heading out.

When Third Young Master Lu reached the depths of the flower grove, he caught sight of her from afar. The young lady wore a goose-yellow pleated dress with vertical stripes, her gauzy shawl thin, her feet in phoenix-headed shoes. In the moonlight with the clear breeze blowing, she unconsciously touched the jade pendants below her ears, her brows slightly furrowed. Such a beauty, with floating clothes and lovely form, was like a spirit of the grove.

For an instant, Lu Yun’s heart skipped a beat.

Luo Lingyu kept her head down, anxiously wondering if Third Cousin had truly arranged to meet her here. In this era, private meetings between men and women weren’t a big deal – Luo Lingyu was afraid she had misunderstood and would embarrass herself… Third Young Master Lu ran hot and cold with her. As time passed with no sign of anyone, Luo Lingyu grew increasingly uneasy. She frowned, preparing to leave.

Just as she moved, a hand reached out from behind a tree, grabbing her waist and pulling her back into an embrace. Just as Luo Lingyu was about to scream, another hand calmly reached out and covered her mouth. Her body was turned and pressed against a tree, flowers falling in a shower. As Luo Lingyu stood frozen in terror, she heard a male voice laugh huskily: “Don’t panic, it’s me.”

Lu Yun!

Luo Lingyu looked up, indeed meeting that pair of bright, beautiful eyes. The hand covering her mouth dropped away. Luo Lingyu no longer tried to struggle, though her heart still beat wildly and her face was flushed red. She gazed uncertainly at Third Young Master Lu who was pressing against her, almost holding her in his arms: this young master’s expression was flirtatious and frivolous, completely different from his usual proud and aloof manner.

Which was the real him?

Luo Lingyu’s eyes darted about as she softly complained: “Cousin, you scared me.”

Lu Yun gave a light laugh.

The sound made her face burn even more.

His face drew closer, taking a light sniff at her neck and shoulder. Luo Lingyu grew even more rigid. His face was almost touching hers, his long hair brushing her face. Luo Lingyu’s nails dug hard into her palms as she fought the urge to push him away –

This was the most suitable marriage prospect she had chosen, after all.

She would be crazy to push him away when he was finally taking the initiative.

Lu Yun’s face nuzzled against hers slightly, making her weak in heart and limbs. He asked in a low voice: “The tea you served me this afternoon had the same fragrance as the pastries you sent?”

Luo Lingyu said steadily: “I added some scented water that I mixed myself. If Cousin likes it, I can send you a bottle later.”

Lu Yun’s laughter grazed her ear like a murmur: “I do like it.”

That floating “it” made Luo Lingyu’s heart flutter as if brushed by feathers. The young master’s fingers gripped her waist, his flat chest pressed against her full bosom, his face buried down again to grind against her neck and shoulder. That shivering sensation crawled up Luo Lingyu’s spine. Her mind went blank – try as she might, she couldn’t think of what to say at this moment.

Lu Yun’s gaze held mockery: still no resistance even at this point? He had truly underestimated this cousin.

His hand stroked her porcelain-jade face as he turned his head, staring at her lips with passion in his eyes. Luo Lingyu froze for a moment, immediately understanding what he intended to do. Her eyelashes trembled once before she closed her eyes. Her cheeks, brushed by scorching wind, grew even hotter. Her heart thundered like drums as her body trembled…

Yet after a long, long while, the next step never came.

Luo Lingyu opened her eyes in some surprise.

Lu Yun’s face was expressionless: “Is this how you seduce men? Among the young masters of the Lu family, from my second brother to me, you don’t let any slip by. But let me teach you something – just standing there like a wooden block, not moving at all, no man would be moved if they weren’t attracted by your beauty.”

“Cousin, using beauty to serve others will only earn their contempt.”