CFB Chapter 154

Translator – Xiao He Lian

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Chapter 154: Third Life Extra 8

 

The steward of the Zhou residence led Lu Yan to the study.

As the sound of boiling water rose, Zhou Shu’an poured him a cup of tea and said, “What brings Lord Lu to my residence today?”

Lu Yan spoke slowly, “I’ve come to collect on a favor Lord Zhou owes me.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Zhou Shu’an’s lips. “Very well, Lord Lu can speak plainly,”—after all, in this lifetime, Zhou Shu’an hadn’t owed Lu Yan any favors.

The two men looked at each other for a moment. Lu Yan leaned back and sighed, “So it really is you.”

Zhou Shu’an called for the steward. “Bring some wine.”

“Yes, My Lord.”

Before long, the tea was replaced with wine. The two chatted for a long time, just as they had in their previous lives. After discussing the current political climate, Zhou Shu’an suddenly asked, “You’ve seen her, haven’t you?”

It was obvious who “her” was.

Lu Yan’s hand froze on his cup. He replied in a deep voice, “No.”

The Lu and Shen families had no dealings. If he wanted to see her, it would have to be at festivals like the Lantern Festival or at social banquets. But after what Tang Lü did, the Shen family wouldn’t let Shen Zhen out for the time being.

Zhou Shu’an looked at Lu Yan’s furrowed brows and couldn’t help recalling the powerful, high-ranking Prime Minister Lu from their past life, who had died without a wife or a child.

Zhou Shu’an swirled his cup and reminded him, “If I recall correctly, the northern war began at the end of this year. Time has changed many things.”

Lu Yan looked up.

Zhou Shu’an continued, “Perhaps due to the Tang family incident, my mother-in-law has been particularly close with the Marchioness of Changping these days.”

His words were like arrows, striking Lu Yan right in the heart.

Yes, there was still Su Heng.

In their previous life, Shen Zhen was still grieving her mother’s death at this time. Even if Su Heng wanted to propose marriage, he couldn’t bring himself to do it.

But in this life, the Marchioness was still alive. Their families were close. Even if she was only fourteen, an engagement wasn’t impossible.

Lu Yan rubbed his brow.

Zhou Shu’an said in a low voice, “Tang Lü intruded into the women’s quarters and gave our third sister quite a scare. She has frequent nightmares now. On the fifteenth of this month, my wife plans to take her to the Great Ci’en Temple to pray.”

After a moment of silence, Lu Yan replied, “Thank you.”

He downed his drink in one go.

—

Lu Yan left before nightfall. Zhou Shu’an returned to the main courtyard.

While drying her hair, Shen Shu asked, “That Junior Magistrate Lu left already?”

Zhou Shu’an wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her lightly. “Mm.”

Shen Shu looked up at him. “You’re close with him?”

Zhou Shu’an nodded. “We served in court together. We have some connection. Why?”

Shen Shu said softly, “I heard the Tang family submitted a petition to the Jinzhao Prefecture…”

Zhou Shu’an instinctively touched his nose. “You don’t need to worry. Lu Yan has always disliked spoiled scoundrels like Tang Lü. He’ll see justice for our third sister.”

Shen Shu looked into his eyes. “But Tang Lü hasn’t woken up. Will the Marquis of Chunnan escalate it to the Emperor?”

Zhou Shu’an said, “If he does, it’ll only work against the Tang family.”

Shen Shu nodded. “That’s true.”

The next morning, the Tang family’s legal advisor stood in the main hall of the Jinzhao Prefecture, eloquently portraying Tang Lü as a heartbroken man misled by love. He expected a favorable verdict, but Lu Yan gave him thirty strokes of the cane instead and warned him: if he continued to distort the facts and spread lies, he would be charged with slander.

The Tang family didn’t just fail—they were utterly disgraced.

From then on, Lu Yan’s upright image was firmly established in Shen Wenqi’s mind.

—

On the fifteenth of the seventh month.

Pine trees stood lush, wooden fish drums echoed, and the image of Amitābha radiated serenity.

Shen Shu brought Shen Zhen to the Great Ci’en Temple.

On the first and fifteenth of each month, the temple was more crowded than usual. Dozens of monks directed the flow of visitors. After offering incense money and submitting her name, Shen Shu and Shen Zhen were led to the abbot’s chamber.

The abbot had a kind, gentle face. He greeted them with a bow. “Amitābha.”

Shen Shu and Shen Zhen sat across from him.

The abbot looked first at Shen Shu. “Are you here to inquire about children?”

Shen Shu blushed. “Not this time. My younger sister has been plagued by nightmares. Even medicine has been useless. Abbot, is there anything you can do?”

The abbot turned to Shen Zhen, nodded thoughtfully, and smiled. “This young lady has deep affinity with the Buddha.”

Shen Shu blinked. “What… do you mean?”

The abbot called for a young monk. “Take this young lady to the third prayer hall on the left.”

“Let her offer sincere prayers. It will ease the nightmares.” He smiled again at Shen Shu. 

“Madam, please remain. I have something else to discuss.”

As this was the imperial temple, no one dared cause trouble. Shen Zhen followed the monk.

After a while, the monk stopped. “This is the place.”

Shen Zhen stepped inside.

The prayer hall was empty. She looked around and found a stack of prayer mats in the corner. She gently placed one on the floor and prepared to kneel.

Suddenly, the door creaked open.

A man who had just made a large incense donation slowly stepped inside.

Shen Zhen stepped back, wary. “Who are you?”

Their eyes met. Lu Yan froze, staring at the girl who had no memory of him.

His adams apple bobbed. “Are you the third daughter of the Marquis of Yunyang?”

Seeing his official robes, Shen Zhen nodded. “And you are…?”

Lu Yan removed his badge and showed it to her. “Junior Magistrate of the Jinzhao Prefecture, Lu Yan.”

Realization dawned. “So it’s Lord Lu.”

Shen Zhen knew what had happened with the Tang family. She coughed and said, “Thank you for what you did before.”

Lu Yan lowered his gaze.

A bitter taste rose in his throat. At this moment, he didn’t know whether to regret her forgetting everything—or to be grateful that they could meet again like this.

“I was only doing my duty,” he said. “No thanks needed.”

Shen Zhen blushed under his intense gaze. “Are you also here to pray?”

“Yes.” Lu Yan continued to stare. “If I stay here, would that bother you?”

Shen Zhen shook her head quickly. “Not at all, my lord.”

Lu Yan took a prayer mat and knelt beside her. Truth be told, this was the first time in both his lives that Lu Shiyan had ever prayed.

Her red robes flowed gracefully as she knelt with palms together, eyes closed in prayer. The silence enveloped them. Lu Yan closed his eyes too.

Shen Zhen prayed sincerely, her heart fully immersed.

But the man beside her opened his eyes again not long after.

He turned his head to admire her profile and smiled unknowingly. But soon, his smile froze.

Sweat beaded on her forehead, her lips turned pale, and her body swayed.

Lu Yan whispered, “Miss Shen?”

No answer.

“Miss Shen!” he called again, alarmed.

She collapsed into his arms.

Lu Yan checked her breath and pulse. “Zhen’er, can you hear me?”

He picked her up and kicked the door open. “Yang Zong, take my badge and go to the Imperial Medical Bureau!”

Seeing this, Shen Shu ran over, shocked to see Shen Zhen in his arms. “What happened?”

“She suddenly fainted,” Lu Yan said softly. “But she’s still breathing.”

Shen Shu turned to the maids. “Don’t just stand there! Get a doctor!”

Lu Yan reluctantly handed her over. Shen Shu held Shen Zhen close. “Zhen’er, don’t scare your sister…”

Lu Yan said gently, “Madam, I’ve sent someone to the medical bureau.”

She eyed him suspiciously but nodded. “Then I thank you, Lord Lu.”

The temple was in an uproar. The watching noblewomen whispered, “Wasn’t that Lu Yan of the Duke of Zhenguo’s family carrying Miss Shen?”

—

The next day.

Duke Zhenguo’s residence, Sunning Hall, study.

The candlelight flickered as Lu Yan spun his jade ring restlessly. Yang Zong entered quietly. “We’ve inquired at the medical bureau. The young lady hasn’t woken yet.”

“What did they say?” Lu Yan asked.

Yang Zong hesitated. “The head physician said… her symptoms are similar to what you experienced a few days ago.”

Lu Yan froze.

After a long silence, he stood abruptly. “Prepare a horse.”

“It’s the dead of night. The city gates are closed. Where are you going?” Yang Zong asked.

“You don’t need to come. I’ll be back soon.”

Lu Yan had tried to resist, but in the end, he couldn’t.

He climbed over the wall into the Marquis of Yunyang’s estate.

Tonight the fog was heavy, with no moonlight. His figure blended into the night. His heart pounded with guilt—what he was doing wasn’t much better than Tang Lü.

Ahead, maids carrying water blocked his path.

He waited until they left, then slipped into her room.

Shen Zhen lay peacefully in bed. He sat beside her, touched her earlobe gently with his fingers.

In the silence, he let out a bitter laugh.

Without that catastrophe, just to see her face again took this much effort.

On the way here, his heart raced. He’d kept thinking—if she remembered everything from their past life too…

But now, standing here, he no longer wished for that.

She was only fourteen—too young. She deserved a carefree life. Those painful memories… perhaps it was better she forgot.

He leaned in, lips almost brushing her cheek, then stopped.

Clenching his jade ring, he stood to leave.

Just then, Shen Zhen slowly opened her eyes.

She saw a tall, refined man with sharp features standing by her bed.

At first, she didn’t react—then she gasped, about to scream. Lu Yan quickly covered her mouth. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.” In that instant, he knew—she didn’t remember him.

She pushed his hand away weakly. “Lord Lu, what are you doing in my room?”

Caught red-handed, even eight mouths couldn’t explain it.

Lu Yan swallowed and forced an answer. “At the temple, you fainted beside me. I was worried… so I came to check on you.” He nearly bit his tongue saying that.

Shen Zhen glanced at the water clock. “Lord Lu… do you know what time it is?”

He was speechless.

“And how did you get in? The main gate? The side gate? Who let you in?”

“…I climbed the wall,” he admitted quietly.

She frowned. “What exactly are you here for?”

But his shamelessness was beyond her imagination. He stared at her until she felt prickles down her spine, then said, “If I said I fell for you at first sight that day, would you believe me?”

Her soft white hands clenched. Her large eyes widened even more.

Having gone this far, Lu Yan had abandoned all pride. “I heard you hadn’t woken and couldn’t sleep. That’s why I came so rashly.”

She choked on her breath and began to cough violently. He poured her a cup of water, helped her drink, and gently rubbed her back. “Drink some water.”

She sipped it.

He was too close. She weakly pushed him, signaling she wanted to get up.

Lu Yan didn’t move. Looking at her tenderly, he lowered his voice. “It’s my fault. I apologize. Please don’t be angry.”

Her expression shifted slightly. Their eyes met again—and for a moment, time froze.

A breeze stirred her hair. It felt like they were back on the night they were separated.

She had said to him, “You have done me a great kindness, Lord Lu. I will never forget it. If there’s a next life…”

Lu Yan held his breath and pulled her into his arms. “Next life or not, I will be the one to protect you.”

 

(The End)

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[Extra Scene]

Ten years later, outside the imperial exam venue.

Shen Hong walked out of the crowd, frowning and sighing deeply.

A man in green beside him asked, “Did you not do well?”

Shen Hong nodded. “Not great. I was a bit nervous..”

The man patted his shoulder. “It’s always like this the first time. Don’t worry. You can try again next year.”

Behind them, Xu Shiba gritted his teeth, furious. “You’re comforting him?! Do you even know who he is?!”

The man in green shook his head. “I just know we’re all scholars.”

Xu Shiba huffed, hands on hips. “He’s Shen Hong! The heir of the Marquis of Yunyang! His eldest brother-in-law is the Minister of Justice, his second brother-in-law is the Minister of Revenue, and his third brother-in-law is the current Prime Minister! What does he have to worry about?!”

Shen Hong gave him a helpless look. “You can’t truly understand someone else’s burdens unless you’ve walked in their shoes.”

Xu Shiba fumed. “You just don’t know which brother-in-law to live up to!”

Shen Hong fell silent.

Those words hit home.

 

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T/N –

Hi guys,

So this marks the end of a long journey—Chang’an’s First Beauty is officially fully translated! 🎉 It’s been nearly a year and six months of hard work, late nights, and a lot of love for this story. I just want to say a huge thank you for all your support along the way. ❤️

The main reason I chose to translate this novel was because of the unique portrayal of Lu Yan’s rebirth. I found it fascinating how he only gets snippets of his past life and has to navigate the present with those incomplete memories. It kept both him—and us, the readers—on our toes, unsure of what happened before or what’s coming next. I really loved how the author slowly unraveled the mystery of his past, piece by piece, and let us grow with him.

It’s been an honor to share this story with you all. Thank you again for reading, commenting, and staying with me on this journey. 💛

Check out the other novels that I have translated, Forced to Marry the Enemy Prince and Transmigrated to become the Tyrant’s Male Concubine on knoxt. 💖💖

Until the next project,
Xiao He Lian

P.S.- haha poor Shen Hong!!😂😂❤️

Support me on Kofi : ) (Your support is much appreciated) 💖