During these past months, he had thought of her constantly, missing her by day and unable to sleep by night.

But Jizhou and the capital were separated by a great distance. He had not even been able to get word of her. Having endured for months, he had at last thought of a plan. He first quietly encouraged Lu Hong to come to the capital to study, then wore down his parents with persistent pleading until they finally relented and gave their consent, allowing him to follow along.

The moment he arrived in the capital, before even settling in, he had urgently pressed Lu Hong to come with him to the Ling estate. After waiting most of the day, he had finally waited for her.

Yet what came to meet him was not the joy of a long-awaited reunion, but her face, cold and filled with disdain.

Did she dislike him that much?

The grievance in Lu Qian’s heart gathered little by little in his chest, a breath lodged there, neither rising nor falling — the discomfort was indescribable.

“Elder Cousin Shu,” Lu Qian’s tone carried a thread of grievance and vulnerability: “We haven’t seen each other for so long. Are you truly so unwilling to have me come and see you?”

Ling Jingyan was outwardly firm but soft-hearted inside. Though she felt nothing but contempt for Lu Qian’s behavior, at the sight of that look of pitiful vulnerability on his handsome face, she couldn’t help but soften involuntarily. She looked toward Ling Jingshu without thinking.

But Ling Jingshu knew and understood Lu Qian very well — and she found his habitual ploy of feigning weakness utterly contemptible.

Back in the Lu household, Lu Qian had used that very expression to deceive her time and time again. She had treated him with the goodwill one shows an elder sister-in-law to a younger brother-in-law, yet he had harbored improper intentions toward her. His reckless declarations of love had pushed her into a position of humiliation and distress.

To show softness toward such a person was cruelty to oneself.

Ling Jingshu looked at Lu Qian and said without mercy: “Younger Cousin Qian, in three more months I will be fifteen, and you are nearly thirteen yourself — you are no longer a child without understanding. When you speak and act in the presence of others, you ought to exercise proper restraint, so as not to invite misunderstanding. What you said just now was highly improper. We are cousins, yes, but we must still observe the boundaries between men and women. What was your intention in saying what you said just now?”

“Fortunately, there are no outsiders present here, so no one will think too much of it or spread talk that ought not to be spread. In the future, think carefully before you open your mouth.”

Soft red lips — yet the words that fell from them were sharp as a blade.

Lu Qian was left speechless by her rebuke, his face turning faintly pale.

Ling Wuye, who had been watching the two of them closely, and Sun Shi exchanged a glance. The shared displeasure between them was plain to see.

This Lu Qian — not exactly young anymore, yet he spoke and behaved in such an off-putting manner. The way his admiration for Ling Jingshu showed so openly — was he afraid people might not notice, and wanted to stir up gossip?

Ling Wuye gave a cough: “A’Shu, you’ve been a guest at the Duke of England’s manor all day today. You must be tired by now. Leave things here to me. You go back to your room and rest first.”

Sun Shi immediately picked up the thread: “Yes, indeed. Come dinnertime this evening, I’ll send someone to call on you.”

Having someone step in and speak for her in front of the Lu brothers was exactly what Ling Jingshu wanted. She smiled and agreed at once.

The long-stifled Ling Xiao spoke up: “I’m tired too. A’Shu, I’ll go back with you.” He said this while feeling his way over to Ling Jingshu’s side.

The older and younger siblings left together, hand in hand.

Behind them, the Lu brothers were left with awkward expressions.

It was obvious — they were guests who had come uninvited and were unwelcome.

Lu Hong, four years older than Lu Qian, had a far thinner skin as well. Too embarrassed to continue imposing, he quickly spoke up to take his leave. Ling Wuye offered a few courteous words of protest, then said no more. Still, the formalities had to be observed — Ling Wuye personally escorted the two out of the estate.

Lu Qian was reluctant to leave, yet he knew that staying any longer would truly invite contempt. He followed silently behind Lu Hong.

…

The gates of the Ling estate grew farther and farther behind them, fading from sight.

Lu Qian still stubbornly stared in the direction of the Ling estate, as though doing so might allow him to catch a glimpse of Ling Jingshu.

Lu Hong frowned slightly: “Enough. We’ve already turned two corners — stop craning your neck to look back. We’ve come this far. What could you possibly still see?”

“I feel like looking, so I look — it’s none of your business!” Lu Qian ground out the words, stiff and blunt.

Lu Hong was so thoroughly choked that he could barely draw breath. After a long pause he said, his face darkened: “Lu Qian! Don’t forget what Father and Mother told you before you came to the capital. If you dare cause trouble in the capital, I will write a letter home at once. And then you can forget about staying here any longer.”

Lu Qian turned back. He gave a cold, contemptuous smile: “Is telling tales the only thing you can do?”

Lu Hong’s face shifted from pale to red, fury burning in his chest: “Lu Qian! You can bare your teeth and claws like this in front of me. If you’re so capable, why didn’t you go ahead and tell them directly back at the Ling estate that you’re in love with Cousin Shu? That you came all the way to the capital just to see her? When she came at you with cold remarks, how did you end up being a coward and meekly walking out?”

This time it was Lu Qian’s turn to go livid.

The two of them, who maintained an air of brotherly harmony before others, now faced each other like enemies, glaring with cold hostility!

Ever since Lu Qian’s feelings for Ling Jingshu had come to light, he had stopped making any effort to conceal himself before Lu Hong. The two maintained a barely functional peace in front of others; behind closed doors, a state of drawn swords and taut bows was not uncommon.

After a moment, Lu Hong gave a cold snort and was the first to break the silence: “Whatever you intend to do — remember your place, and don’t do anything to disgrace the Lu Family name.”

Lu Qian kept his face stiff and expressionless: “I know what I’m doing. No need for you to trouble yourself.”

The brothers looked at each other once more, then swiftly averted their gazes.

Two people who could not bear the sight of each other — it was nothing more than that.

The brotherly bond that had once been between them had eroded gradually from some point unknown, leaving behind only mutual hostility.

The carriage fell into complete silence. The sounds from outside were muffled and indistinct through the thick carriage walls.

It was just at this moment that the horse pulling the carriage suddenly let out a loud neigh, and the carriage lurched violently. Both Lu Hong and Lu Qian, sitting upright, were caught completely off guard and nearly pitched over inside the carriage.

“What’s happened?” Lu Qian pressed a hand to his forehead where it had been knocked, and shouted in anger.

Lu Hong’s arm had also taken a knock, and he drew in a sharp breath from the pain. But his composure far exceeded Lu Qian’s — he first stopped the agitated Lu Qian: “Hold still. I’ll go have a look.”

In critical moments, he showed quite the elder brother’s bearing, after all.

It was precisely this that Lu Qian resented most.

Wherever Lu Hong was, he always found himself overshadowed. In her previous life, Ling Jingshu had devoted her heart entirely to Lu Hong, doing everything she could to avoid Lu Qian’s obsession. This fact was like a dark and festering tumor, growing silently in Lu Qian’s heart.

“I’m going down too.” Lu Qian insisted with an icy expression, as though determined to go head to head with Lu Hong on this as well.

Lu Hong frowned but made no move to stop him: “If you want to get out of the carriage, that’s fine — but don’t speak rashly. Follow my lead in all things.”