Les Belles – Lin Yun, Alen Fang

Luo Lingyu's family, the Luo family of Jingyang, has always been a prestigious family in the city. Especially the orphaned daughter, Luo Lingyu, who, at a young age, was already known for her beauty. Her looks were so captivating that people from a hundred miles around came to the Luo residence on the day of her Flower Letter Ceremony just to catch a glimpse of her. As a noblewoman, Luo Lingyu was not content to be just a beautiful figurehead.

Although she had inherited vast family wealth after her parents passed away, according to the laws of the time, this wealth was under the management of the government until she married. Only after her marriage would she regain control of her family fortune. So, she didn’t oppose marriage, but she had one condition: she would only marry a man who would be willing to join the Luo family, in order to help restore the once-thriving Luo family.

After the Flower Letter Ceremony, Luo Lingyu was supposed to visit her uncle and aunt. Sitting in the palanquin, she saw the excited crowd of admirers eager to see her and the gifts in their hands. Luo Lingyu smiled brightly. Among all the precious gifts, she chose the least valuable one—a wooden bracelet given to her by a young girl from a temple who had prayed for her safety.

As the palanquin made its way down the road, her younger sister, Hua’er, asked in confusion why Luo Lingyu had not chosen the East Sea tribute pearls, which were extremely valuable and of course, worth far more than the simple bracelet. Luo Lingyu patiently explained to her sister, “If I had chosen the expensive tribute pearls, people would think I am greedy for money, and in the future, I would be looked down upon.

The pearls, no matter how valuable, still have a price, but this bracelet is different. It’s not just a gift, it’s the sincere intention of a little girl. The gift may be small, but the sentiment behind it is priceless. ”When Luo Lingyu arrived at her uncle's house, the entrance was already piled with gift boxes tied with red ribbons. Fan Qingchen, the man her parents had promised her to since childhood, had come again.

Every year on her birthday, this man would visit her, and now, after the Flower Letter Ceremony, he could hardly wait to bring the marriage gifts, preparing to marry her. Luo Lingyu’s parents had passed away, and her uncle was now the one to arrange the marriage. Her uncle and aunt were clearly money-minded, grinning widely as they looked at the generous dowry. Luo Lingyu knew there was no avoiding this marriage, but suddenly, an idea struck her.

When it came time to sign the betrothal agreement, she deliberately asked her uncle if they would give her the jewelry her mother had previously sent. Her aunt, eager to take the dowry for herself, immediately fetched an expensive set of headpieces from the guest room. After Luo Lingyu inspected them, she signed the betrothal agreement.

Her uncle and aunt, seeing that the document was signed, couldn't wait for the ink to dry and quickly handed it over to Fan Qingchen, as though the matter was already settled. Back at home, Luo Lingyu, along with her maid and sister, had already made plans to escape the marriage. She brought out a map she had prepared in advance and discussed with her maid, Lingxi, about the need to prepare a boat at a certain location.

She would escape from Fan Qingchen’s residence. They packed their gold, silver, and other valuables, as well as provisions, and made plans to carry out the escape the following day. That night was destined to be sleepless. In addition to Luo Lingyu, Lu Yun was also busy with his subordinates planning to capture the northern Chujian people’s hideout. They had already discovered that the northern Chujian people were hiding in Fan Qingchen’s residence.

The guards were strict, and there was no opportunity to search the place. However, Lu Yun learned that Fan Qingchen was going to marry the next day, which was perfect timing for him. He could take advantage of the chaos to search for the northern Chujian people. Lu Yun and his guards quietly entered Luo Lingyu’s courtyard, hiding inside the gift boxes that were to be delivered to Fan Qingchen’s house the next day.

The next day, everything proceeded according to plan. Luo Lingyu and her younger sister climbed over the wall and saw several horses tied up at the entrance. She quickly chose a strong, well-fed horse and rode off, thinking that Lingxi had a keen eye for horses. In reality, it was Lu Yun who had prepared the horse for her.

Lingxi was anxiously waiting by the dock. They were already an hour late from the scheduled time, and she had no idea how Miss Luo was doing. Lingxi was beside herself with worry. Fortunately, the horse was strong and managed to reach the dock with great effort. Because Luo Lingyu was so stunningly beautiful and was also dressed in her wedding gown, the boatman quickly recognized her. Fearing trouble from Fan Qingchen, he hurriedly pushed the boat away and fled.

Before leaving, he even returned the silver Lingxi had just paid. Seeing that Fan Qingchen's servants were almost upon them, Luo Lingyu was determined to escape her marriage. She immediately grabbed Lingxi and her sister and ran. Just as they were rushing, they encountered a handsome scholar. Upon seeing their panic, the scholar immediately understood what was happening and helped them flee. To divert the pursuers, the scholar even put on Luo Lingyu's wedding gown.

When the servants saw the bright red gown, they quickly followed after him. Meanwhile, Luo Lingyu, holding the jade pendant the scholar had given her earlier, boarded a boat and successfully escaped. Fan Qingchen's family, being a powerful household, split their forces into two. One group chased after Lu Yun, while the other pursued Luo Lingyu. Since Luo Lingyu had taken the horse Fan Qingchen had prepared, Lu Yun faced numerous difficulties.

His horse was slow, and after being pursued for a long time, he was eventually shot by an arrow. In his dazed state, he fell off a cliff, and his fate was uncertain. Upon hearing the news, Fan Qingchen slammed the table in anger, blaming his subordinates for their incompetence as they hadn’t captured anyone. Hearing that Luo Lingyu’s aunt was still waiting, he immediately went to meet her.

Luo Lingyu’s aunt, knowing that Luo Lingyu had escaped, quickly returned the dowry money she had received earlier. However, Fan Qingchen smiled and refused the money, saying that he and Luo Lingyu had already become husband and wife in a way, and now she was considered a part of the Fan family. Fan Qingchen had his own plans. With Luo Lingyu's unparalleled beauty, how could he throw away such a prize? His family didn’t lack money.

He then asked Luo Lingyu’s aunt if she knew where she might have gone. The aunt guessed that she might be heading to Yuezhou, where there was another relative. As it turned out, just as her aunt had guessed, Luo Lingyu was indeed on her way to Yuezhou. There, she had a kind aunt who had treated them well when their father was still alive.

Luo Lingyu wasn’t sure if the aunt would still remember her kindness, but for now, she decided to go there to find a place to stay. Her sister hadn’t eaten for several meals and was starving. She couldn’t swallow the flatbread the boatman had given her. Luo Lingyu decided to try fishing and make some fish soup for her sister.

After a few tugs, it seemed that she had caught a big fish, but when she tried to pull it in, it turned out to be a person. To her surprise, the person had arrows in his body, wore a night outfit, and a mask. Clearly, he wasn’t someone with good intentions. Luo Lingyu, already on the run, didn’t want to take in a mysterious stranger.

Her sister, however, couldn’t bear to leave him, and persuaded Luo Lingyu to show compassion. She reminded her that when their father fought in battles, if someone had come to help in time, he wouldn’t have died. Luo Lingyu, moved by her sister’s words, quickly called Lingxi to help pull the stranger onto the boat. The man wore a mask, and Luo Lingyu didn’t want to get involved, so she didn’t try to remove it.

Since there were no doctors or medicine on board, Luo Lingyu herself took out the arrowhead from his wound and used the last bottle of healing ointment her father had left them to treat his injury. Every day, Luo Lingyu would bring a meal for the injured man. He wore a mask, so she couldn’t tell who he was. In fact, this person was Lu Yun, who had fallen off the cliff.

Fortunately, he had landed in the river, and his strong swimming skills helped him survive. Seeing the red wedding gown Luo Lingyu had left on the table, he immediately recognized it as the one who had stolen his horse. If his horse hadn’t been swapped, he would have escaped by now. But now, heavily injured, he had no choice but to hold his tongue and focus on healing. The boat was nearing the shore, and Yuezhou was almost in sight. After several days of rest, Lu Yun’s injury had mostly healed. To avoid suspicion, Luo Lingyu asked Lu Yun to disembark early and swim ashore.

Luo Lingyu still remembered her aunt, the kind English aunt, from her childhood. Back then, the aunt would often hold her and play with her. But after so many years of separation, Luo Lingyu figured that the aunt might have forgotten about her. Now, in her desperate escape from marriage, Luo Lingyu had no choice but to rely on this aunt for shelter.

When they arrived at the Lu family’s residence, Luo Lingyu and her sister were left speechless by the grand and spacious courtyard. They had never seen such wealth and luxury before. Fortunately, this English aunt was easygoing. Upon hearing their names and seeing the two relatives, both tearful and in need, she kindly settled them in for the time being. Her younger sister asked Luo Lingyu about her future plans, but Luo Lingyu had no specific plans.

For now, she could only take things one step at a time. If she met someone she liked at the Lu family, perhaps she could marry him and bring him back to help her regain her family’s fortune. With this thought, Luo Lingyu became eager and decided to investigate the Lu family’s sons. According to the English aunt, there were many young men in the Lu family, but fewer women.

Luo Lingyu was secretly pleased to hear this, as it meant she still had a chance. She paid close attention to the Lu family’s sons. The most impressive was Erlang Jun, Lu Xian. He was handsome, well-educated, and well-mannered. However, the third son, Lu Yun, was a born bastard, his mother had passed away early, and he had no one to rely on. Although he had a very handsome appearance, he was notorious for his flirtations and scandals.

Luo Lingyu carefully analyzed the situation. Erlang Jun was the Lu family’s pride and joy, so it would be difficult to convince him to marry into her family. However, Lu Yun had no one to control him, and it seemed that he was more likely to fall under her charms. Luo Lingyu decided to focus her attention on the third son. The next day, Luo Lingyu went with her English aunt to appreciate the flowers.

There, they happened to meet the matriarch of the Lu family. The old lady was plump, kind-hearted, and spoke very pleasantly. She was quite pleased to meet Luo Lingyu. That evening, Lu Yun heard from his subordinates that there would be a banquet and that a young lady from afar was visiting the Lu family. When he heard where she was from, he became very curious.

Was she the same girl he had encountered on the boat a few days ago? Intrigued, he decided to attend the banquet. What a coincidence—at the Lu family, he encountered the very person who had locked him in the cabin during their earlier meeting. Remembering how, in such heavy rain, Luo Lingyu had kept him locked outside in the downpour while he was severely injured, Lu Yun felt both angry and resentful.

It was also because of her that he had fallen off the cliff and nearly lost his life. At the banquet, Lu Yun deliberately asked Luo Lingyu if she truly didn’t remember him. When she shook her head, he handed her the fish soup he had been holding. Luo Lingyu was puzzled by his actions.

She never expected that the seemingly refined young man in front of her was the same man who had fallen into the water a few days ago, drenched and in a pitiful state. That night, Lingxi, the maid, and Luo Lingyu’s sister had gathered all the details about the Lu family’s sons. They all agreed that the second son seemed to be the most suitable candidate. He was adored by everyone, loved by all, and his family was wealthy.

With a bit more effort to pass the exams, he would undoubtedly secure an official position and have a bright future. However, Luo Lingyu shook her head. At the banquet, the second son’s mother had specifically instructed him to sit across from Luo Lingyu, clearly trying to keep them apart. Moreover, from the way the second son’s mother looked, she seemed to be quite a harsh and demanding woman, which could lead to a difficult mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationship.

After careful consideration, Luo Lingyu decided that the third son, Lu Yun, was the most suitable. For this reason, Luo Lingyu even wrote a list of criteria for selecting her husband, one by one. The first and most important condition was that he had to be handsome. Although she didn’t mind whether he was fond of chasing women, it was important that he be good-looking, since they would be spending a lot of time together.

Luo Lingyu, being intelligent, took the time to check the residences of the various sons. Wanting to be close to her target, she decided to prepare some pastries to please the old lady. Then, she casually suggested that she might need a place to stay, hoping to secure a residence closer to Lu Yun’s quarters.

Luo Lingyu spent the early morning wandering around Lu Yun’s residence. She had brought a map with her, planning to pick out a perfect spot for a romantic tryst—somewhere close to Lu Yun’s quarters and with a serene environment. However, Luo Lingyu’s subtle intentions didn’t go unnoticed by others. Some young women, secretly infatuated with Lu Yun, began to grow jealous and kept a watchful eye on where she might choose to set up her spot.

But Luo Lingyu, being someone who had seen much of the world, was undeterred. The more they tried to compete for his attention, the stronger her resolve became. She feigned ignorance and successfully fooled these women. By chance, Lu Yun overheard the conversation between Luo Lingyu and the other women and realized that she had deep plans. He decided to deliberately make things difficult for her. Approaching her, he claimed that he would help her choose the best courtyard.

But in reality, he was leading her further away from her intended spot. Fortunately, Luo Lingyu was quick-witted. She used a butterfly as a distraction, pretending to chase it, and in the process, returned to the original spot. There, she discovered a courtyard called Xuewu Yuan and immediately decided that it would be her new residence. Despite Lu Yun’s small trick to ruin her appearance by making her makeup smudge, hoping she would back out, Luo Lingyu remained resolute.

She reported to the matriarch, declaring her intention to live in Xuewu Yuan. The matriarch, though disappointed by the poor condition of the place—dilapidated and overrun with insects—reluctantly agreed after Luo Lingyu insisted she didn’t mind. When the maidservants opened the door to the courtyard, Luo Lingyu and her sister were stunned. What the matriarch had said was true—this place was indeed in bad shape, with no decent furniture to be found.

However, since she had already made her decision, Luo Lingyu chose to put the greater good first. She rallied the maidservants and began tidying up the courtyard. Meanwhile, the other young women, knowing that Luo Lingyu had chosen Xuewu Yuan, were furious and decided to take action. They sent over some old, unused furniture to the courtyard, hoping to make things more difficult for her. When Luo Lingyu saw all the broken items, she quickly understood their intentions.

She comforted her sister and assured her that there was no need to worry. She selected a small vase from the pile of junk and placed flowers she had just picked inside, instantly transforming the scene into a lovely little arrangement. Everyone’s spirits were lifted. There was no bed, but Luo Lingyu used this to her advantage.

She went to a neighboring courtyard to borrow some tools, and with each trip, she dressed up anew—one time inserting a pink rose by her hair, the next time a white rose, each time adding a fresh touch. Lu Yun noticed her persistence. He had never thought highly of her, but as he watched her tirelessly knock on the door, trying so hard to be accommodating, he found it amusing.

However, after dozens of interruptions, he started to feel some dread, even hearing her knocks in his dreams. Unable to bear it any longer, Lu Yun gave his subordinates orders. He planned to have Jin Chuan dress up as a ghost and scare the women, knowing that women were terrified of ghosts. He thought that after tonight’s scare, Luo Lingyu would never dare to disturb him again. Jin Chuan wrapped himself in a white cloth, and initially, it worked.

The women screamed in terror, but Luo Lingyu’s sister was oblivious to the trick and started playing with the “ghost. ” Luo Lingyu quickly figured out it was Lu Yun’s scheme and decided to turn the tables on him. She hurriedly knocked on the door of the opposite courtyard, claiming she needed to protect Lu Yun from the ghosts. At that moment, Lu Yun was applying medicine to his wounds, his upper body exposed.

Luo Lingyu felt her heart race and her cheeks flush. She left quickly, feeling flustered. That night, Lu Yun decided to change his approach. He realized that confronting Luo Lingyu head-on only fueled her determination. Instead, he opted for a more subtle strategy, letting the situation play out and responding in kind. The next morning, Luo Lingyu returned to his residence, this time bringing him a delicate folding fan.

Lu Yun happily accepted the gift, and after she left, Jin Chuan asked what kind of return gift should be given. Lu Yun casually instructed him to send over something inexpensive. Jin Chuan, being straightforward, ended up giving the original sketches of Lu Yun’s latest painting to the neighbors.

Jin Chuan delivered the painting to Luo Lingyu, which was painted by Lu Yun himself. It depicted a sparkling river with a woman dressed in white, fishing alone. The boat’s graceful lines mirrored the woman’s tranquil demeanor. The entire painting felt like a natural masterpiece, which delighted Luo Lingyu. It seemed that Lu Yun still had her in his heart. When Lu Yun heard that one of his paintings had been given to Luo Lingyu, he was furious.

He had specifically instructed his subordinates to choose something inexpensive, yet they had selected the painting. Luo Lingyu misunderstood Lu Yun’s feelings and began to think about her next steps. If she wanted to stay at the Lu residence long-term, she needed a careful plan. She realized that moving into Xuewu Yuan had upset many of the young women, so she decided to put some effort into improving her relationship with the Lu family’s sisters.

She called her sister and Lingxi to make several artificial flowers. The next time she saw the other young women, she planned to give them these flowers as gifts. Although he was not the eldest son of the Lu family, Lu Yun naturally attracted countless admirers because of his elegant demeanor. Luo Lingyu wanted to earn some pocket money, so she put some thought into her own courtyard.

When she heard that many of the young women had arrived at her door, she opened it to greet them and invited them into the courtyard. She explained that her courtyard had three levels of seating, each priced based on the proximity to Lu Yun's position. The closest seats cost three hundred coins, the next ones cost two hundred, and the farthest ones only cost one hundred. With this pricing system, everyone chose what they could afford.

Luo Lingyu had Lingxi provide free fruit and flower tea, making it a very profitable arrangement. Lu Yun’s courtyard was usually quite peaceful, but this time, the noise started in the morning and continued until nightfall. He called Jin Chuan to see what was going on. Jin Chuan reported that women were gathered all around outside the windows. Lu Yun, curious, lifted the curtain and saw that it was true.

It seemed Luo Lingyu was scheming again, using his charm to make money without his consent. It was shameless, but Lu Yun seemed to have no choice but to accept the situation. Among the many admirers, there was one with a sharp mind who could not tolerate Luo Lingyu’s attention-seeking behavior. This person secretly reported what Luo Lingyu had been doing to the head matriarch. Soon, the matriarch arrived with a servant and knocked on Luo Lingyu’s door.

All the young women jumped up in fear when they saw the matriarch. The matriarch was furious when she saw how the young women were acting without decorum. She berated them for not learning proper conduct and publicly humiliated Luo Lingyu. Luo Lingyu had long been prepared. She pretended to know that the matriarch liked orchids, as their elegance resembled the matriarch herself.

She also claimed that she had taught the other young women how to make silk flowers, and when they grew tired of making them, they took a break and looked out to relax. Luo Lingyu feigned looking like a delicate, rain-soaked pear blossom, as if she had been deeply wronged. The matriarch was half-convinced, but without solid evidence, she could only admonish them briefly before leaving.

Later that day, the money Luo Lingyu earned from the young women was used to buy bouquets and a beautiful folding screen. She decorated a pavilion with fresh flowers and exquisite ornaments, hoping that in such an ambiguous environment, she would be able to pursue Lu Yun. She invited him to come visit her that evening. As promised, Lu Yun arrived. Luo Lingyu had already dressed up and was sitting quietly.

When she heard her maid’s reminder, she quickly fixed her hair. Luo Lingyu knew very well that her profile was particularly charming, so she made sure to present her best side to Lu Yun. As Lu Yun became captivated by her beauty, he reminded himself not to be swayed by her looks. He deliberately moved closer to her, their faces less than ten centimeters apart, but Luo Lingyu showed no intention of pulling away.

Unable to resist, Lu Yun whispered in her ear, accusing her of "seducing him with her beauty. " In that era, such a remark was likely the greatest insult, and Luo Lingyu, in reflex, slapped him hard across the face. She then stormed off angrily. Lu Yun had been scheduled to meet with Prince Chang Yi that evening to share some recent investigative findings.

But after receiving a slap and with a red mark on his face, he was left speechless. Prince Chang Yi, hearing about the incident, couldn’t help but laugh. It was clear that Luo Lingyu had acted impulsively. After returning to her residence, she regretted her actions more and more and, feeling helpless, decided to go back and apologize to Lu Yun.

King Hengyang had just returned victorious when he was suddenly ambushed on his way back at night. The assassins came at him fiercely, aiming to take his life with deadly precision. It seemed they were determined to kill him. Fortunately, the rescue arrived in time, and after all the assassins were eliminated, King Hengyang ordered a search for their identities. However, these men had come well-prepared: they carried no identifying items, not even poison to silence them.

King Hengyang was puzzled. His only confidant about his movements was Lu Yun, so how could anyone else have known his route? He began to suspect that the leak had come from Lu Yun. Luo Lingyu had returned again, apologizing in a roundabout manner and hoping Lu Yun could overlook her earlier actions. Lu Yun was talking with the prince when he saw her approach, and immediately signaled for the prince to hide.

He stepped out and mocked Luo Lingyu, accusing her of returning with ulterior motives. At this point, Luo Lingyu, once again acting the part of the wronged woman, claimed her earlier actions were unintentional and that she regretted hurting him. Lu Yun was both angry and amused. He pointed to the red mark on his face and asked her if she had forgotten about it.

Luo Lingyu had thought that after apologizing, he would let it go, but little did she know, returning again only led to her own humiliation. As Luo Lingyu looked into the pavilion behind him, she noticed another unfamiliar face, and seeing Lu Yun trying to conceal something, she guessed that he had a secret. Wanting to make amends, she offered to help keep his secret, but it seemed that he was growing more wary of her.

Feeling disheartened, Luo Lingyu turned to leave but got her foot stuck in the mud, unable to move. Lu Yun deliberately watched without intervening. Enraged, Luo Lingyu pulled her foot out of her shoe and sulkily walked off. On her way back, she walked barefoot along the rugged path, feeling very uncomfortable. Luckily, she ran into Liu Tang, who, being simple-hearted, didn’t make fun of her and accompanied her back.

Late at night, Luo Lingyu began to think about her future path. She was eager to use a marriage alliance to regain the property that belonged to the Luo family, but it seemed that her efforts had been futile. Forcing things would not lead to good results. Luo Lingyu was not one to stubbornly push ahead, so she quickly decided to change her goal.

After discussing with King Chang Yi, Lu Yun learned that the king had failed to meet Zhou Yangling when he went to pick her up. He had sent a boat to bring her, but she seemed to have gone missing. Lu Yun was not in favor of King Chang Yi’s approach of trying to form a connection with a noble family through marriage and advised him to reconsider his plans carefully.

King Chang Yi, however, was still intent on finding Zhou Yangling. He had portraits made of her and posted them in busy public areas. As fate would have it, Zhou Yangling passed by one of these notices. Though there was some resemblance, she was disguised as a man, so no one recognized her, not even King Chang Yi. Zhou Yangling saw that Fan’s residence was recruiting teaching assistants, so she decided to apply, hoping to find a place to stay.

As luck would have it, she ran into Luo Lingyu, who was on her way to meet Lu Xian. Luo Lingyu had been helped by Zhou Yangling before, so their unexpected meeting in a foreign land made them naturally close. Luo Lingyu even volunteered to guide her. Originally, Luo Lingyu had planned to meet Lu Xian, but to her surprise, Lu Yun was there as well.

Seeing that Luo Lingyu had brought along another handsome man, Lu Yun immediately assumed that she was once again scheming to have one of her accomplices infiltrate Fan’s residence. His dislike for Luo Lingyu deepened. However, when Lu Xian heard Zhou Yangling’s name, he was delighted. He had heard that Zhou Yangling’s literary talents were exceptional, ranking among the best of young scholars. He quickly decided to offer her the position.

As Lu Xian took Zhou Yangling to familiarize her with her new duties, Luo Lingyu and Lu Yun began to bicker again. Lu Yun found Luo Lingyu to be clever, cunning, and deeply calculating, while Luo Lingyu was also no fan of Lu Yun. She thought he was arrogant and incredibly annoying. After seeing Luo Lingyu and Zhou Yangling leave, Lu Xian turned to Lu Yun and scolded him for not being ambitious.

He reminded him that a man’s proper path was to pass the imperial exams and pursue an official career. Lu Xian, who had long been frail and unable to fight on the battlefield, often worried about his younger brother and hoped he could enter the government. Lu Yun casually dismissed this advice, claiming he had no interest in the exams, brushing off his youthful vows as nothing more than a naïve promise from when he was young.

Fan Qingchen had arrived in Yuezhou, still with business to attend to, but he couldn’t stop thinking about Luo Lingyu. He had his servants look for her, and by coincidence, he encountered her while she was out shopping for cloth, along with her maid, Lingxi. They met in the street.

Fan Qingchen happened to run into Luo Lingyu on the street, which was a complete surprise to her. She tried to remain calm and openly confessed that she was looking for a husband who would be willing to marry into her family. If he agreed, she would immediately return with him.

Fan Qingchen sincerely promised that he would treat her well in the future, but reminded her that the Fan family in Shuozhou was a prestigious family, and marrying into it would bring much public gossip. Since she did not want to be married off, Luo Lingyu decided to lay her cards on the table. However, Fan Qingchen stubbornly grabbed her wrist and reminded her that once they had exchanged vows, she was now considered a daughter-in-law of the Fan family.

He tried to forcefully take her with him, but just then, Lingxi ran over, grabbed Luo Lingyu's hand, and helped her escape. Lu Yun and Jin Chuan were nearby, observing in secret. They realized that Luo Lingyu and Fan Qingchen were not in cahoots and learned that she had indeed fled a forced marriage. With this, they decided to offer their assistance. Soon, Fan Qingchen caught up with Luo Lingyu and Lingxi.

Lu Yun pulled Luo Lingyu aside and warned Fan Qingchen that they were not in Shuozhou and that he should behave properly and not force anyone against their will. He then took Luo Lingyu and Lingxi with him and left. In the carriage, Lu Yun asked her in confusion why she had rejected the wealthy Fan family. Luo Lingyu, grateful for his help earlier, honestly explained the reason for refusing the marriage.

This cleared up the doubts in Lu Yun's mind. He had been cautious of her background and identity, but if she was just trying to escape an unwanted marriage, it was more understandable and forgivable. Back in her courtyard, Lingxi showed Luo Lingyu a box of clothes that Jin Chuan had sent. The box contained fine satin fabrics, and Luo Lingyu had wanted to buy such cloth earlier that day but had been short on money.

Now, someone had sent them to her. Luo Lingyu was confused about Lu Yun's intentions. She had already warned him in the carriage not to judge her through colored glasses or with pitying eyes. At that time, Lu Yun had resumed his mocking tone, so it was strange that now he was sending her gifts. Jin Chuan excitedly informed Lu Yun that he had delivered the fabrics and jewelry to Luo Lingyu’s courtyard. Lu Yun was very surprised.

These items were originally meant for his aunt, so why had Jin Chuan sent them to Luo Lingyu's courtyard without permission? Jin Chuan, however, felt that Lu Yun was being stubborn. He believed that Lu Yun had feelings for women but refused to admit it. Luo Lingyu went through the clothes and fabrics in the box, and thinking about the events earlier that day, she began to feel that Fan Qingchen was very meticulous.

Although Lu Yun had helped her out of a tight spot, Fan Qingchen would not give up easily. She feared that the next day, she would be forced into marriage again. Sure enough, early the next morning, a servant rushed to report that someone at the gate claimed to be Luo Lingyu's husband and was planning to take her back to Shuozhou. Fan Qingchen was very crafty.

He deliberately made a scene at the gate of the Lu residence, claiming that he had already married Luo Lingyu and that he was there to bring his wife back. Luo Lingyu watched helplessly as he continued to play the role of a loving husband, garnering sympathy from passersby. She had no choice but to brace herself for a battle of wits with him. The matriarch of the Lu family stepped in to mediate.

Fan Qingchen presented the marriage certificate for everyone to see, but luckily, Luo Lingyu had been cautious. She had asked Lingxi to find cuttlefish ink, which, when fresh, could be seen clearly, but would fade over time. So, the evidence Fan Qingchen had was already gone. To protect Luo Lingyu, Liu Tang revealed her hidden identity. It turned out she was none other than Princess Ningping of Nanyuezhou, a woman of high rank.

With the princess’s support, the matriarch stood by Luo Lingyu, and Fan Qingchen had no choice but to leave in defeat. After Fan Qingchen left, some of the people who had been waiting to see Luo Lingyu’s downfall felt that Liu Tang should not have revealed her identity. Now, with an unyielding fiancé from Shuozhou in the picture, everyone silently watched, curious to see how things would unfold.

A few days later, Fan Qingchen once again visited the Lu residence. Lu Yun was preparing to drive him away when, at that very moment, the Prince of Hengyang arrived. Lu Yun and the prince had been close friends years ago, and after several years, they unexpectedly met again. Lu Yun was greatly surprised and immediately stepped forward to greet him with cupped hands.

Fan Qingchen, hearing Lu Yun refer to the man as the Prince of Hengyang, wanted to ask the prince to intervene and mediate the situation. However, the prince did not give him the face he expected and followed Lu Yun into the Lu residence instead.

Luo Lingyu, who was nearby, saw how respectful Lu Yun was toward the visitor, and since Fan Qingchen was also being very polite, she guessed that the prince must be a person of great power and influence. If she could align herself with him, it seemed likely that Fan Qingchen would no longer dare to cause trouble for her. With this in mind, Luo Lingyu began to think hard about how she could get close to the Prince of Hengyang.

Yinchuan was brewing tea outside the pavilion where Lu Yun and the Prince of Hengyang were talking. Luo Lingyu excused herself, saying that she wanted to brew tea in gratitude for the ornaments Lu Yun had given her the day before. Yinchuan kindly stepped aside to give her space.

The Prince of Hengyang had come to test whether Lu Yun had revealed his plans to anyone, but since Lu Yun did not confirm this, his mood lightened, and he began to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery around the pavilion. It was a warm April day, with gentle winds and the scent of tea filling the air. The Prince quickly noticed the woman brewing tea, and since Luo Lingyu was naturally beautiful, she instantly captured his attention.

Lu Yun also noticed Luo Lingyu. As peach blossoms fluttered down from a tree, Luo Lingyu, surrounded by falling petals, appeared even more graceful. Lu Yun wondered why she was brewing tea, but the Prince of Hengyang, already captivated, was completely absorbed in watching her. Lu Yun then called for Luo Lingyu to come over and serve them. Luo Lingyu tried her best to act gracefully and gently.

Lu Yun had originally intended to introduce her and Fan Qingchen’s relationship to the prince, but Luo Lingyu quickly found an excuse to deflect, realizing that staying any longer would raise Lu Yun's suspicions. She thanked them and left in a hurry. Meanwhile, Luo Lingyu’s younger sister had gotten into an argument with one of the young men of the Lu family. Lu Xian rushed to mediate, but the two children accidentally knocked him into the lotus pond.

Fortunately, Luo Lingyu arrived just in time. Without hesitation, she jumped into the water and saved the non-swimmer, Lu Xian. When the eldest madam heard that her son had fallen into the water, she was extremely distressed. Without asking for any details, she immediately ordered Luo Lingyu to go to the ancestral hall and kneel as punishment. Luo Lingyu obediently complied.

She knew that if Lu Xian’s fall was connected to her younger sister, the Lu family would likely expel them both. So, without complaining, she went to the ancestral hall to accept her punishment. That night, a cold, rainy wind blew, and the spring chill made the night feel especially bitter. Luo Lingyu was still wearing wet clothes and was shivering from the cold.

Lu Yun, hearing Luo Lingyu’s younger sister, Hua’er, crying next door, found out the cause and couldn’t help but go to check on the situation at the ancestral hall. Luo Lingyu was kneeling without daring to move or go rest. Lu Yun, understanding her precarious situation, stayed by her side to watch over her. He remained there until Luo Lingyu fainted from a fever, at which point he quickly carried her back to his room for medical care.

When Luo Lingyu woke up, she found herself in Lu Yun’s room, with dry clothes placed at her bedside. Lu Yun had brought her some medicine and urged her to change out of her wet clothes. Though Lu Yun was usually very critical of her, today he was surprisingly considerate. Luo Lingyu, feeling grateful, changed her clothes and, after thanking him, asked if he could check on Lu Xian.

She also reminded him not to mention Hua’er’s name when Lu Xian woke up. The next morning, Lu Yun visited Lu Xian’s room. The doctor said there was no major harm, and he would wake up soon. A young woman who secretly admired Lu Xian saw this as an opportunity to get rid of Luo Lingyu. She exaggeratedly spread rumors about Luo Lingyu’s behavior in front of the eldest madam.

Lu Yun overheard and couldn’t help but clarify, but the eldest madam was clearly not going to let this go. She angrily declared that she would investigate the cause of Lu Xian’s fall into the water.

In the early morning, Luo Lingyu went to the ancestral hall. Last night, Zhou Yangling had stayed in for her and misled the eldest madam’s spies. Luo Lingyu heard the eldest madam calling for her presence and quickly splashed some water from the basin onto her clothes, pretending to have been kneeling there all night. The eldest madam questioned Luo Lingyu about Lu Xian’s fall into the water.

Since this incident involved her younger sister, Luo Lingyu seemed reluctant to speak about it. At that moment, Lu Chang, who had been playing with Hua’er, rushed in and recounted the entire event. Luo Lingyu also reported the oily substance on the pebbles, explaining that it had been intentionally placed there by the girl who was always causing trouble.

With both eyewitnesses and physical evidence, the girl who had oiled the pebbles knelt and begged for forgiveness, but she was still kicked out by the eldest madam. At first, the eldest madam had forgiven Luo Lingyu, but then another scheming woman took the opportunity to frame her. She told the eldest madam that it wasn’t Luo Lingyu who had been kneeling in the ancestral hall last night and that she had been flirting with Lu Yun.

The eldest madam, who despised women with ulterior motives, immediately ordered Luo Lingyu to be expelled from the Lu family. Lu Yun wanted to intervene, but the eldest madam was even angrier. Luo Lingyu, tears streaming down her face, begged not to implicate Hua’er, and the eldest madam agreed to this request. Outside the Lu residence, Fan Qingchen was waiting. Luo Lingyu, upon hearing Zhou Yangling’s report, was shocked.

Being expelled now would definitely play into Fan Qingchen’s hands, so she knew she couldn’t leave at this moment. She calmed herself down and thought hard about a solution. Fortunately, she still had the Prince of Hengyang as an ally, so she immediately asked Zhou Yangling to help by finding the prince.

Zhou Yangling, uncertain of what to do, followed Luo Lingyu’s instructions and told the Prince of Hengyang that it was Lu Yun who wanted him to come personally to discuss important matters. The prince was somewhat skeptical, but hearing that it was an urgent matter, he rode over. Lu Yun, contemplating how to resolve the situation, decided to ask the elderly matriarch for help.

He explained in detail how he came to know Luo Lingyu, mentioning how she had saved both him, the third young master, and Lu Xian, the second young master. Given that Luo Lingyu had saved their family twice, and that she was also the daughter of a martyr, the matriarch, moved by her background, spoke with the eldest madam to convince her to give Luo Lingyu another chance. Meanwhile, the Prince of Hengyang arrived on horseback.

Zhou Yangling deliberately pushed Fan Qingchen, who had been waiting at the gate of the Lu residence, into the prince’s path. The prince hurriedly pulled the reins to stop, but the horse was startled and began to charge. Seeing that the prince was about to be thrown off, Luo Lingyu rushed to protect him in a dramatic “heroine saving the hero” moment. The Prince of Hengyang was deeply moved, and his feelings for Luo Lingyu grew stronger.

Lu Yun, having already convinced the eldest madam and the matriarch, was just about to go outside to find Luo Lingyu when he saw her standing beside the Prince of Hengyang, looking like a bird nestled close to him. If he didn’t act quickly, it seemed likely that the prince would take her to the palace.

Lu Yun hurried over to remind Luo Lingyu that the matriarch had already agreed she could stay, and Luo Lingyu was pleasantly surprised, thinking it was her younger sister’s doing. The Prince of Hengyang was very impressed with Luo Lingyu and specifically mentioned that there would be a banquet at the palace soon, inviting all his friends and their families to attend. Luo Lingyu understood his meaning but simply nodded and smiled without saying anything.

Initially, the Prince of Hengyang had come because Lu Yun mentioned that there was something important to discuss. The prince then asked what the matter was, and Lu Yun was somewhat taken aback. Luo Lingyu immediately signaled to Lu Yun to step in and save the situation, so Lu Yun had no choice but to welcome the prince into the Lu residence.

The Prince of Hengyang was chatting with Lu Yun in a pavilion at the Lu residence when, at that moment, the Prince of Changyi also arrived. As soon as the Prince of Changyi entered the courtyard, he casually called out Lu Yun’s name. There was some tension between the two princes, and as they met, the unspoken meaning in their eyes was palpable.

The Prince of Hengyang asked if they had been involved in an assassination attempt on him late at night. Both Lu Yun and the Prince of Changyi immediately denied it, but the Prince of Hengyang, displeased, brushed his sleeves and left. Luo Lingyu, feeling grateful for Zhou Yangling's previous help, arranged a time to meet her for a small gathering. During their conversation, Luo Lingyu discovered that Zhou Yangling was actually a woman.

The two of them had already shared a bond, and this time, they began calling each other sisters. Luo Lingyu cheerfully promised that if Zhou Yangling ever faced difficulties in the future, she should not hesitate to ask for her help. In addition to Zhou Yangling, Luo Lingyu also remembered Lu Yun’s kindness.

That evening, she sent him two crab-shaped lanterns, explaining that her small courtyard was quiet, but without lights at night, it would be hard to see the path. Moreover, she had made these lanterns with her own hands. When Lu Yun saw the lanterns, marveling at how lifelike they were, with the crab claws even moving, he was thrilled.

However, he quickly asked if she had given similar lanterns to anyone else, repeatedly confirming that she had only given them to him, which finally put his mind at ease. Liu Tang came to visit Luo Lingyu at the Lu residence, and Luo Lingyu shared some recent events with her, including the Prince of Hengyang’s recent actions. Liu Tang was very surprised. In her impression, the Fifth Prince was someone who generally disliked meddling in others' affairs.

Yet this time, he had treated Luo Lingyu with such courtesy, leading her to guess that the Prince of Hengyang might be interested in Luo Lingyu. She jokingly called her “Fifth Sister-in-law. ” Luo Lingyu didn’t dare to think too highly of herself, but since she was eager to rid herself of Fan Qingchen, she asked Liu Tang about the Prince of Hengyang’s usual hobbies, hoping to find a way to facilitate things.

The Prince of Hengyang had originally invited Luo Lingyu to a welcome banquet, and after waiting eagerly, he had been in the mansion early that day. When his servants reported someone was at the gate, he hurried out to greet them, only to find it was a vendor selling apricots. The Prince of Hengyang scolded his servants for being careless in their duties.

Meanwhile, the Prince of Changyi arrived at the Lu residence to find Lu Yun, and by chance, met Zhou Yangling. At that time, Zhou Yangling was still dressed as a man. The Prince of Changyi, noticing the teaching tools in her bamboo basket, became interested and decided to join her for a lesson. Zhou Yangling had previously met the Prince of Changyi when she came to Yuezhou, and she quickly guessed his identity.

Despite his royal status, he was approachable and gentle, with a calm and humble demeanor, which made her think him to be an extraordinary person. The Prince of Changyi followed Zhou Yangling to attend a class, and that day’s lesson happened to be about identifying different grains. The Prince of Changyi had never seen leek seedlings before, and naturally, he couldn’t tell the difference between crops and weeds.

Zhou Yangling watched as he clumsily but earnestly tried to learn, with mud on his face, and found it quite amusing. Luo Lingyu went to the Prince of Hengyang's mansion to express her gratitude. The Prince had previously mentioned that he was looking for someone skilled in organizing banquets, and Luo Lingyu had offered her services, presenting some of her innovative ideas.

The Prince of Hengyang was very pleased with her suggestions and was about to invite her to join the evening banquet when, unexpectedly, Lu Yun arrived uninvited, urging Luo Lingyu to return home for dinner. The Prince of Hengyang was very displeased by Lu Yun's impromptu interruption, especially since he always seemed to be standing next to Luo Lingyu, like a rival. After attending the lesson with Zhou Yangling, the Prince of Changyi found it very beneficial.

He felt that Zhou Yangling was highly knowledgeable and had a broad perspective, developing an inexplicable fondness for her after their first meeting. He planned to attend more of her lessons in the future. Back at the Lu residence, the Prince of Hengyang was in a good mood, practicing his swordsmanship late into the night, feeling invigorated. Even his subordinates noticed that the Prince seemed fond of Luo Lingyu.

One of his strategists asked if Luo Lingyu had deliberately risked her life to save him that night, suggesting she might have done it intentionally. The Prince of Hengyang dismissed this, but secretly, he didn’t mind if it had been a well-thought-out move by Luo Lingyu. He found it possible that his own courage had caught her attention. Regardless, no other woman had ever left such a lasting impression on him.

Later that night, Fan Qingchen came to visit, claiming to report on the Fan family’s contributions on the military front. The Prince of Hengyang, however, noticed something unusual: Fan Qingchen had a “tail” following him. This person had no identifiable markings on their clothes, resembling the group that had attempted to assassinate the Prince that night.

The Prince of Hengyang was eager to know if this person was a spy sent to assassinate him, so he deliberately kept the individual alive, hoping to draw out more information. In fact, the person who had been caught that night was Zhao Yuan, a spy sent by Lu Yun.

Originally, Zhao Yuan had been tracking Fan Qingchen, but the cunning Fan Qingchen had noticed the surveillance and, taking advantage of a moment when they were not paying attention, had gone to the Prince of Hengyang's mansion late that night. Lu Yun, knowing that Zhao Yuan had been caught, was desperate to rescue him. The Prince of Changyi advised him not to act rashly, as this would only arouse suspicion from the Prince of Hengyang.

Instead, he suggested that Lu Yun stay calm and come up with a more detailed plan. Lu Yun, taking the advice to heart, realized that the Prince of Hengyang's banquet was approaching, and decided to use the opportunity to save Zhao Yuan.