Chapter 44 – Why Is It Lanterns Again??
Edited by DancingDolphinsYo
The third young miss of the Yue family was named Yue Mingzhu. She looked both enchanting and adorable, like a blooming peony. She was very pretty, her skin creamy and smooth. Coupled with a pair of thick, arched eyebrows, she was filled with a strong spirit that belonged to the girls of this border city.
She was already eighteen this year. In principle, she should already have become a mother to a few children. However, as she had always been the apple of her father’s eye, as well as being the youngest child at home, having one more mouth to feed was inconsequential to the Yue family. Her father was naturally delighted to keep her at home to pamper her further. Only when a man with a well-matched background appeared, knowing how to spoil Yue Mingzhu and one that Yue Mingzhu liked, would her father then start discussing her marriage.
Mr. Lu was naturally a good candidate.
Although he was a little old, his broad-minded appearance and his ethereal demeanour was very compatible with Yue Mingzhu. His character too was refined and cultured, and towards Yue Mingzhu, he was both respectful and loving. Old Master Yue was very satisfied with him.
The most important thing was that Yue Mingzhu liked Mr. Lu.
When Yue Mingzhu saw Mr. Lu for the first time in Mirror Temple, she fell for him immediately.
There were two large temples in Bastion City, each on top of a hill. One was in the south, and the other in the north. Perhaps because of the years of war in the borderlands, many of the residents of Bastion City had the habit of praying to the gods.
During the New Year, as well as other festivals, they would definitely head up to the temples to pray.
It was during the Spring Lantern Festival a year ago when Yue Mingzhu saw Mr. Lu while making her prayers.
Although the place where the temples of the gods were situated was a sacred place, due to the occasion, a few lanterns with scriptures written on them were hung up as well. The plain, simple strokes vividly displayed the characters within the verse. Mr. Lu happened to be standing under one of the lanterns, looking up and gazing at it.
At first glance, Yue Mingzhu felt that this man was too frail. Dressed in white, he looked even more slender. However, despite being very thin, he stood up very straight, and in Yue Mingzhu’s head, the phrase “a jade-like man” appeared. After observing him closely, she could no longer drag her eyes away.
So it turned out that there really could be such a person who could transcend worldliness, glowing like moonlight in this colourful world. Mr. Lu was half-turned away from her, and she could only see his side profile. The outline of his face was so gentle, as though it was carved by water, and his facial features were perfectly right, that any changes in them would result in imbalance. Especially those crystal-like black eyes of his were very serene, so much so that one could drown in them.
Yue Mingzhu’s wits had flown away. She ignored how embarrassing it was for her to stand foolishly in the corridor, staring at the man impolitely. Her burning gaze finally startled Mr. Lu, and he looked around uncertainly before cautiously glancing towards Yue Mingzhu.
Most girls would feel sheepish after being caught during such an act. However, Yue Mingzhu was not. She walked straight ahead, and her two maidservants were unable to stop her. They could only follow behind her until she stopped in front of Mr. Lu.
“I’m the third young miss of the Yue family, and my name is Mingzhu.” One of her maidservants, Chang Yi, paled, her eyes widening and she almost fainted dead away. Her mistress was still a virgin maiden! Although interaction was not forbidden between a male and a female in Bastion City, there was also no such thing as randomly telling a strange man one’s name!
“Miss Yue…” Mr. Lu too looked rather awkward. He cupped his hands together, quietly taking half a step back.
Who would have guessed that this third young miss would take half a step closer? With bright, beautiful eyes, Yue Mingzhu stared at him. “May I ask after your name?”
“Uhh…” Mr. Lu again retreated half a step, but Miss Yue still followed along. He had no choice but to turn his head away to avoid arousing suspicion, and replied gently, “My last name is Lu, and Miss Yue is too polite.”
“Master Lu.” Miss Yue nodded, her smile like a flower. “Does Master Lu already have a family?”
“Umm…” Mr. Lu glanced swiftly at Miss Yue. It seemed like he was shocked, and was momentarily speechless.
“Master Lu has the bearing of an immortal, it would not be strange for you to already be married.” Miss Yue clearly had misunderstood his astonishment as him having difficulty in responding. She continued in her manner, “I’m currently eighteen this year. Although I’m a little old in age, I fell in love at first sight with Master Lu, and I wish to only be able to stay by your side. Even if I can only be your concubine, I’m willing to do so.”
“Miss!” Chang Yi’s eyes were really about to roll to the back of her head. What exactly did she just hear? Did her mistress really hate getting married that much?
“Uhh… Since this young lady is still unbetrothed, these words to a strange man would harm your reputation. I hope Miss Yue would conduct yourself with dignity.” Mr. Lu had finally regained his senses, and realised that the pretty girl in front of him was declaring her affections to him.
A wretched blush suffused his pale cheeks, and his exquisite brows knitted together sternly. Cupping his hands together again, he wanted to leave with a swing of his sleeves.
Who would have known that Miss Yue was the type to be arrogant and wilful? Girls of Bastion City were originally frank and unrestrained to the point where they were somewhat unbridled. Along with Miss Yue’s nature, having finally found someone who could move her heart, how could she let this person go so easily? Without thinking, she reached out and grabbed onto Mr. Lu’s sleeve. However, in her anxiousness, she exerted a little too much strength. With a rip, the sleeve of Mr. Lu’s outer robe was torn.
Now, both of them were embarrassed, freezing right where they stood. Miss Yue finally realised that she had been too rash, and a mortifying blush crept over her face. Hanging her head down, she stammered an apology. “M-master Lu, I’ve been rude. Please, Master Lu, don’t take offense. Why don’t you come to my residence, and let me express my sincere apology?”
Mr. Lu blushed an unhappy red. He looked at his sleeve, which despite being torn, was still trapped in the young girl’s hand. A long while later, he replied in a low voice. “Then I will have to disturb you.”
A bright smile took over Yue Mingzhu’s face. Solicitously, she led Mr. Lu back to her home, and even diligently mended his sleeve for him. Through her father, she learnt that Mr. Lu was the teacher of the Great Southern Garrison General, as well as the general’s beloved according to the private discussions of many people.
But Miss Yue could care less about the Great Southern Garrison General. If Mr. Lu had any intentions towards the general, how would he still be single after all this time? She was convinced that Mr. Lu had been held captive by the general, and therefore had no romantic entanglements after so many years, becoming this unsullied.
As for her, she would be the girl who rescued Mr. Lu from his prison.
Having made her decision, the third young miss of the Yue family hence pursued Mr. Lu vigorously.
With the fuel added by her father and brothers, as well as Mr. Lu’s yielding as he put on a show of reluctance, in a span of half a year, the relationship between Miss Yue and Mr. Lu progressed rapidly. Not too long after the start of autumn, they had promised themselves to each other.
However, once the general found out about this matter, Yue Mingzhu suddenly discovered that it was now very difficult to meet Mr. Lu. Especially after Mr. Lu had accidentally fallen from a horse, she was unable to even catch a glimpse of her fiancé. Seeing how they were about to marry once spring was here, not being able to take care of her injured fiancé, along with being barred from entering the general’s estate, how could Yue Mingzhu take this lying down?
But her father instead asked her to endure it. After all, although the Yue family was the most noble family in Bastion City, in front of the Great Southern Garrison General, their worth was less than an ant.
Yue Mingzhu was spitting with fury, her chest compressed to the point of pain. She neither had an appetite, nor slept well, and her entire being turned frail. Looking at her, Old Master Yue was extremely anxious. Thickening his skin, he went up to the general’s estate to plead for a meeting with the general, hoping to allow his daughter to see Mr. Lu to lessen her heartsickness.
Three times he went to the door of the general’s estate, and three times he was rejected with malice under a veneer of politeness. Old Master Yue seemed to age a few years during that short period of time. However, whether it was because the general finally took pity on his love for his child, near the New Year, they were allowed to see Mr. Lu, and Miss Yue could even bring Mr. Lu back to their residence to recuperate.
Unfortunately, the good days never lasted. Not too long after the New Year, Vice General Man sent people over to bring Mr. Lu back home, and the reason given was hard to refute: Customs dictated that it would bring bad luck for the betrothed couple to see each other before the wedding, so would living in the same residence not be worse? The general did not want the future of Mr. Lu and Miss Yue to be affected, and so it would be best if they did not meet before the wedding. It would be better to believe in such superstitions, than for bad luck to happen if they did not, right?
The words were logical. Old Master Yue cared for his daughter, and naturally was not willing to break this taboo. As such, he allowed Man Yue’s people to bring Mr. Lu home.
However, Miss Yue was unhappy. In her eyes, the general was deliberately keeping her and Mr. Lu apart. He was definitely up to no good! She was convinced that Guan Shanjin liked Mr. Lu, and it was just that he did not want to tear down the veil between them. As Mr. Lu’s fiancée, she could not leave her fiancé in such a dangerous place!
Hence, Yue Mingzhu would make a huge fuss from the moment she opened her eyes till the moment she fell asleep every day. It vexed Old Master Yue, and he could only allow his oldest son to bring Yue Mingzhu to the general’s estate. Whether Mr. Lu could come to the Yue’s residence or not, it was naturally Guan Shanjin who would decide. However, if he could say a few words to appease Old Master Yue’s daughter, it would be enough.
According to Man Yue, this was Yue MingZhu coming to their door to collect her man.
These days, he had been extremely busy. Other than his official duties, he still had to help Guan Shanjin to arrange for Mr. Lu’s wedding. Every item, every detail had to go through him. Previously, when Guan Shanjin still liked Mr. Lu, these trifles would naturally be handled personally by the general. Now that there was an Adviser Wu occupying the general’s heart, most of the matters now fell to Man Yue. Man Yue really wanted to curse and sweat!
What did Mr. Lu have to do with him? There was completely nothing between them. If he had to put it into words, this marriage should just be left to the Yue family to deal with it, and all they had to do was assist. However, Guan Shanjin’s feelings for Mr. Lu were still rather profound, and so he chose to take over many of the details… Damn it! Since he wanted them, he should do it himself!
Man Yue rebuked Guan Shanjin internally over and over again, yet not a trace of his emotions could be detected on his face. With a warm smile, he welcomed the eldest young master and the third young miss of the Yue family, inviting them to take a seat.
“Hmph! In no way am I honoured enough to drink the general’s tea! I just want to ask Vice General Man, where is my husband?” Yue Mingzhu was filled with anger. With a proud, unbending neck, she looked sideways at Man Yue. Not only did she remain standing, her expression was not pleasant as well. If not for her brother pacifying her, she might have started shouting all manner of awful words.
“He’s in Wangshu Residence right now.” Man Yue’s answer came swiftly.
Yue Mingzhu froze, momentarily unable to respond.
“If you’d like to see Mr. Lu, I’ll get someone to invite him over on your behalf. Miss Yue, you don’t have to be this aggressive.” Man Yue was too lazy to remain courteous. This third young miss of the Yue family had come to the general’s estate to make a fuss one too many times. He no longer had the patience to deal with her.
“What are you saying?!” Yue Mingzhu was now completely enraged. Her entire face flushed red, and with a hand on her hip, she wanted to release her wrath, only to be held back by her brother and seated on a chair. He then shoved a cup of tea into her hands. “Big brother!”
“Enough, for Vice General Man to spare the time to see us, it is all thanks to Mr. Lu. You ought to speak a little less!” Young Master Yue’s brows creased deeply. His spoilt little sister was giving him a great headache.
“Isn’t it so? Just Miss Yue alone, with her face, it’s not enough to draw me here.” Man Yue was still smiling pleasantly, but his tongue was as though it had been dipped in acid. Young Master Yue had no choice but to laugh awkwardly in accompaniment.
Yue Mingzhu definitely did not have her brother’s forbearance. Leaping up in anger, she pointed at Man Yue, scolding, “Who the hell are you?! In Bastion City, our Yue family still holds a position above all. Your Great Southern Garrison, without the support of the Yue family, would it still be able to have such a steady footing here? The hounds are killed for food once the hares are caught — no wonder you’re this size!”
With a teacup in his hand, Man Yue was currently skimming the thin layer of scum on top of the tea. Hearing Miss Yue’s words, he burst out laughing, and looked straight at her in amusement. “I had never known that the Southern Garrison needed the Yue family’s support! Six years ago, Miss Yue was already thirteen or fourteen years old, right? Do you still remember the Battle of the Drifting Sun?”
Once she heard the words “Battle of the Drifting Sun”, Miss Yue’s expression too changed. Despite her stiffened neck and arrogant manner, she was no longer as aggressive as before. Instead, she shrank a little.
“Seems like you do remember.” Man Yue took a sip of his tea, clicking his tongue. “Miss Yue, there are things that shouldn’t be said, and you need to know when to shut your mouth. The South Garrison General’s estate is not your Yue family home. We don’t cater to your feelings here.”
Man Yue’s words were very effective, and embarrassment was written across Young Master Yue’s face. Reproachfully, he glared at his sister, then stood up and cupped his hands towards Man Yue to express his apology.
Till now, the Battle of the Drifting Sun was fresh in the minds of the people of Bastion City. That was the most heroic battle the Great Southern Garrison General had with the southern barbarians. If they did not manage to hold the barbarians back then, Bastion City would have fallen. The southern barbarians had a custom of massacring all citizens within a conquered city. Bastion City was originally not a city on the border, and there used to be a Centipede City further south.
Thirty-odd years ago, Centipede City had fallen, and barely anyone was left alive. The entire city had been set ablaze, the flames soaring up to the skies and only gradually dying out after seven days and seven nights. If not for Guan Shanjin’s army fighting fiercely against the southern barbarians, Bastion City would have long followed the footsteps of Centipede City.
With his sister’s words today, the Yue family was now made to seem like an ingrate.
“Young Master Yue doesn’t have to stand on courtesy, I’m not going to argue with a young lady.” Man Yue waved him off. He continued with a smile, “I’ve already sent someone to invite Mr. Lu over. He should be arriving soon. Just wait for a while more, and have some tea and snacks. Don’t let others say that I don’t know how to treat guests.”
“Vice General Man is too polite, too polite.” Young Master Yue signalled his sister not to aggravate the situation further with his eyes. Only after seeing Yue Mingzhu reluctantly nodding in response, did he then heave a breath of relief and sipped at his tea.
In reality, towards his sister, he had relaxed too early.
Man Yue was not being perfunctory. He did send people to invite Mr. Lu over. After a few moments of waiting, Mr. Lu entered with slow steps.
He was still dressed in white, but he looked a little haggard. While cupping his hands together, it was very obvious that he was concealing his right hand. No one would be able to turn a blind eye to his actions, and so Yue Mingzhu naturally jumped into action. Shooting straight to Mr. Lu, she pulled his right hand out from his sleeve. Unhappy with Guan Shanjin, as well as convinced that he would do something to Mr. Lu before the wedding, Yue Mingzhu was therefore insistent on dragging Mr. Lu out of this place no matter what.
In front of her, there was a hand wrapped in clean white bandages all the way down to his wrist. It seemed like Mr. Lu had been injured, and his complexion was also paler than normal. He hurriedly pulled his sleeve back down to hide his injury, and Yue Mingzhu’s heart ached fiercely. Sputtering, she asked, “What happened? Huh? Are you badly injured? How did you get injured?”
“It’s nothing, don’t you worry.” Mr. Lu put on a melancholic smile, comforting her gently. “I was careless, and ended up scalding myself. It has nothing to do with Haiwang, so don’t let your imagination run away.”
Hmm?
Man Yue lifted his lids, sneering internally.
These words sounded very sincere, and they were true. However, to say them right at that moment, it would really cause one to… ruminate.
With no surprise, Yue Mingzhu exploded upon hearing him. Tears of anger welled up in her eyes, and ignoring the persuasions of her brother and her fiancé, she pointed at Man Yue, screaming, “Call Guan Shanjin out to see me!”
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