Chapter Seventy: The Third Encounter with the Nobleman

Wearing Lu Yun’s ox cart, she slowly made her way to the Pleasant Garden.

This time, not only was she not dressed as a man, she was even brought in by carriage under the orders of a distinguished gentleman.

When she saw the ox cart heading for the main gate, Lu Yun let out a long sigh of relief and thought to herself: Fortunately, very fortunately!

Entering through the main gate meant that she was still being treated as a guest. At the very least, it showed he had no intention of bringing her here to make her a nameless, titleless concubine.

Soon, the cart came to a halt, and the voice of a guard sounded from outside: “Young Lady of the Lu clan, please step down.”

Lu Yun alighted from the cart.

Their meeting once again took place in that very pavilion. Golden sunlight scattered over the eaves, the gentle sound of flowing water accompanied by the drifting melody of a zither.

The distinguished gentleman lounged lazily on a chaise, a beauty with delicate hands played the zither before him, while seven or eight other beauties stood by his side.

So many beauties, each adorned in splendid robes with exquisite makeup, all smiling sweetly as they surrounded him. Their smiles were charming and lovely, yet none dared utter a word.

Elsewhere in the garden, robust and formidable Imperial Guards in purple armor stood silent and expressionless.

For the first time, country-bred Lu Yun witnessed the full display of a noble’s grandeur.

The sheer presence alone was enough to make one weak at the knees!

Amid the lingering music, Lu Yun’s footsteps approached, steady and decisive, imbued with an air of calm detachment. Without so much as opening his eyes, the gentleman could picture her expressionless face.

Slowly, he opened his eyes.

By then, Lu Yun was already before him.

The beauties widened their eyes in curiosity as this rustic girl walked toward them unruffled.

In the midst of this silence, Lu Yun continued her approach.

She walked to his left, didn’t kneel or bow, but with elegant composure, pulled out a seat and sat down.

She poured herself a cup of wine, took a light sip, wrinkled her brow, then waved the cup behind her, “The taste is too strong. Bring me something lighter.” And as an afterthought, she added, “I’m hungry. Bring some food.”

The surroundings grew even quieter.

Swish, swish, swish—the beauties she’d so obviously regarded as mere servants shot Lu Yun furious glares, then looked up at the gentleman with aggrieved eyes.

Meanwhile, the few personal guards watching nearby were all bright-eyed, intrigued by the scene before them.

Since ancient times, the left seat was reserved for honored guests. For this country girl to sit there without hesitation, to so naturally command his people—what audacity!

At last, the gentleman opened his eyes.

He stared at Lu Yun, expressionless.

He had never encountered such a girl before—fearless to the point of recklessness, acting with abandon, and only in front of him. No matter how imposing he made himself, and no matter that her attire and status were far lower than even his household servants, she remained at ease before him, utterly relaxed on his own turf.

…Truly, she was a headache.

After a long look, the gentleman nodded and said, “Take her to change her clothes.”

A more mature beauty behind him stepped forward, dipped in a respectful curtsy to Lu Yun, and spoke gently, “Come with me, young miss.”

Lu Yun calmly set down her cup, glanced at the beauty, asked no questions, and unhurriedly followed.

Watching the two women, one leading and one following, the gentleman frowned and mused, “This Lu girl seems even more like the master than Jade Mistress. Why is that?”

None of the beauties could answer him.

Soon, Lu Yun returned.

This time, her attire had changed.

She appeared in a vivid red silk gown, embroidered with golden patterns, pearl-studded shoes upon her feet.

Her hair, styled like the noble girls of Luoyang, set off her flawless, powder-free skin, with only a touch of rouge on her lips.

As she approached, the crowd found her dazzling.

The girl was the same, yet the brilliant gown, the dark hair, and her fair skin created a striking contrast. Moreover, Lu Yun was well developed; dressed in red, there was an indescribable allure about her—one that both attracted and warned others, due to her reserved demeanor.

Nevertheless, everyone here was accustomed to beauty. In terms of looks, she was comparable to the noble girls of Luoyang. (Though surrounded by beauties, no one compared her to them, but rather instinctively set her against those illustrious daughters from Luoyang.)

It was her bearing that left everyone speechless. The finery and exquisite features could not mask the coldness in her gaze.

Before such a nobleman, in a place like the Pleasant Garden, her eyes remained frosty—a hint of disdain.

Lu Yun walked calmly past Jade Mistress, returned to her original seat, sat down with ease, then turned her head slightly and gave the gentleman a faint smile, “The dress is lovely. Thank you.”

So, he had brought her new clothes on purpose?

Her ease and proprietorship made the gentleman chuckle despite himself. After sipping from a cup of wine, he offered it to her lips and said with a low laugh, “This wine is quite light—try it?”

Was this a tease?

Lu Yun reached out to take the cup. As her fingers brushed the rim, the gentleman’s eyes narrowed.

Instantly, a chilling pressure emanated from him. Lu Yun met his gaze and saw the warning within.

…He didn’t like being refused!

If she didn’t refuse, was she supposed to let him feed her wine? What would that make her?

Lu Yun sighed inwardly—she let go, ignoring the cup pressed to her lips.

Her dark eyes met his steadily, utterly unmoved, and after a tense moment, she slowly raised her hand.

Her fair, slightly calloused fingers covered the mouth of the cup. Blocking it, she continued to look at him impassively.

Seeing his unyielding gaze, she sighed again.

She released the cup, stepped back a few paces, and though dressed as a woman, bowed to him as a man would, and declared in a clear voice, “Lu Ayun of the Lu clan, well-versed in the classics and confident in my learning, wishes to serve as your adviser!”

If he was determined to take her in, then so be it—but as a man, and as a strategist.

The gentleman’s eyes narrowed dangerously, his voice cold: “Are you Lu Ayun of the Lu clan?”

There was murder in those simple words—an accusation of deceiving her superior.

Lu Yun’s expression did not change. Maintaining her bow, she replied calmly, “You are mistaken, my lord. I am called Lu A-yun—‘yun’ as in sunlight, though it sounds like ‘cloud,’ the character is different.”

How interesting—she made up a name right before him.

But not only did she invent one, she did it with such poise and composure.

Instead of anger, the gentleman laughed. He nodded, “So you are Lu Ayun of the Lu clan.”

At these words, the beauties all collapsed to the floor, faces pale, the atmosphere growing heavier.

The gentleman stared at the still-bowing Lu Yun and spoke slowly, “Last time, you provoked my anger to make Lady Ping give up her designs—so be it. But who told you to meet that boy from the Yin family at the wall? And to achieve your aims, you dared use yourself as bait to trap Ping’s seventh son… Who gave you permission?”

The slower he spoke, the more the beauties dared not move.

Lu Yun lifted her head.

Her face was unsightly—in fact, she looked almost black with displeasure. She shot a glare at the gentleman.

She pressed her lips together and said, “My lord, this is not good—this is very bad!”

Indeed, when had this gentleman begun to treat her as his possession?

All her calculations had come to nothing.

Looking him in the eye, her lips pressed tight, she said with no expression, “My lord, this is not good at all. You must change.”

…

A pair of soft laughs came from somewhere in the room.

But at that moment, neither the gentleman nor Lu Yun cared who it was.

The gentleman stared hard at Lu Yun, eyes narrowing even more.

As his oppressive presence spread, the beauties pressed their faces to the floor.

…He knew very well the situation wasn’t good. Since their last game of chess, and hearing her recite scripture, he’d found reason in her words and had vaguely considered letting go. He had kept an eye on her only because she was interesting, and her actions piqued his curiosity.

Now, he agreed—it was not good at all. He had grown too attached to this little country girl.

But how did Lu Yun know? How did this woman always speak exactly what was on his mind?

Like a bystander, like a wise elder, Lu Yun gravely admonished him, “You must change,” then looked up at him once more.

She bowed again and declared, “If you have affairs to attend, Lu Ayun will take her leave.”

…You should think carefully before making your decision.

As one in power, especially of your stature, keeping a woman who unsettles your heart is unwise. If she were ordinary and meek, it would be nothing more than favor. But she is not—she is cunning and ruthless. So you should think twice.

Having delivered this warning—half caution, half advice—Lu Yun retreated gracefully, not waiting for a reply.

Beside the pavilion, Jade Mistress tilted her head and was reminded, “Until you’ve decided, my lord, it’s better not to let word spread.”

If word got out, it would bring her endless trouble—such as being brought into the residence by the gentleman in women’s attire, being fed wine by his very hand, or wearing clothes and shoes he had bestowed.

See? What a mountain of trouble! Truly, a great many troubles indeed!

With these words—part warning, part counsel—Lu Yun departed with elegant composure.

Jade Mistress turned to watch her go, secretly astonished: This young woman saw through her at a glance, realizing she was the one who managed the inner quarters of Pleasant Garden—what perceptive eyes!

(To be continued)