Translator – Xiao He Lian
This is a translation hosted on KnoxT, copies found elsewhere are either stolen or plagiarized. Please support the translator by reading it at KnoxT.
Chapter 147 Third Life: Extra 1
The eleventh year of Yuanqing, ninth month.
Golden flowers covered the ground, the weather still carried a chill despite the warmth, and laughter echoed throughout the Anhua Hall.
Several young ladies of the Xu family were gathered around Empress Xu, chatting merrily.
Empress Xu sat on a luohan couch, smiling as she spoke to Zhuang momo: “These girls grow more beautiful by the day. They’re even prettier than I was back then.”
Fourth Miss Xu, Xu Lianyi, responded, “Aunt, your grace and elegance are unmatched. None of us can compare.”
Third Miss Xu, Xu Yining, agreed, “There are no outsiders here, so let me speak freely. The consorts we met just now—none of them hold a candle to Aunt.”
“You girls are sweet as honey,” Empress Xu chuckled, casting a glance out the window. “It’s getting late. I won’t keep you. Go to the side hall to collect your presents and head home.”
The young ladies bowed in unison to thank her.
Empress Xu sipped her tea and added, “Yining, you stay. I have something to speak with you about.”
The others nodded and left the hall. Empress Xu took Xu Yining’s hand. “Ning’er, are you close with the Shen girls?”
Xu Yining nodded. “Third Miss Shen is a bit younger, so I don’t speak with her much. I’m closer to Shen Shu and Shen Yao.”
Empress Xu nodded and got straight to the point: “I have a favor to ask of you.”
Startled, Xu Yining quickly said, “Aunt, please don’t speak that way. As a Xu family daughter, it’s my duty to heed your words. Whatever you ask, it’s not a ‘favor’—it’s my obligation.”
The Empress smiled. That’s how Xu family daughters were—clear-headed and sensible.
She leaned closer to whisper in Xu Yining’s ear. As she spoke, Xu Yining’s eyes widened in shock.
“Your Majesty!”
“Don’t worry,” said the Empress calmly. “Just follow my instructions. No one will suspect you. Your friendship with the Shens won’t be affected.”
Xu Yining clenched her fists slightly. “I have one question.”
“Go ahead.”
“This Li Di… is he from a poor family?”
The Empress nodded. “Yes. That’s all you need to know. Just make sure Shen Shu attends the banquet alone.”
“I understand.”
The Empress looked her in the eye. “I know you don’t want to marry the Eleventh Son of the Lu family from Fanyang.”
Xu Yining said quietly, “Since the engagement is set, I’m willing.”
The Empress laughed. “But I also know you fancy the heir of the Marquis of Xuanping, Sui Yu.”
Blushing, Xu Yining exclaimed, “Aunt!”
“Wondering how I know?” Empress Xu rose, smiling with narrowed eyes. “At your age, a girl’s heart is written all over her face. It’s not hard to guess. Ning’er, I treat you like my own. Whether this plan works or not, I’ll help you break the engagement with the Lu family.”
She tapped Yining’s nose and added, “And I won’t let your mother find out.”
Xu Yining’s cheeks turned crimson. She whispered, “Do you truly mean it?”
Empress Xu asked, “You don’t trust me?”
Xu Yining quickly replied, “Never! I wouldn’t dare!”
The next morning, Xu Yining arrived at the gates of the Marquis of Yunyang’s residence.
The steward led her through the corridors to Lanning Court—Shen Shu’s courtyard.
As soon as she entered, Xu Yining grabbed Shen Shu’s hand. “Sister, while Yao Yao isn’t here, I have something to tell you.”
Shen Shu smiled helplessly. “Aren’t you closest with her? Why avoid her?”
Xu Yining said seriously, “There’s something I don’t want her to know. Promise you won’t tell anyone. Not even Xu Lianyi knows this.”
Shen Shu sat down and poured her a cup of tea. “Alright, go ahead.”
Xu Yining took a deep breath and whispered, “You know I’m engaged to the Eleventh Son of the Lu family from Fanyang, right?”
Shen Shu nodded. “What about it?”
Xu Yining blushed deeply and leaned close. “He’s taking the imperial exam next year, and he’s already arrived in Chang’an.”
“I’ve been betrothed to him for years, but I don’t even know what he looks like…”
Shen Shu caught on quickly. “You want to see him? Where is he? At the Hongwen Academy?”
Xu Yining hesitated.
“Just say it,” Shen Shu said. “No outsiders here.”
Xu Yining said, “Her Majesty is holding a flower-viewing banquet at Mulan Lake on the eighth. Aside from the usual noble ladies, she’s invited several scholars to compose poetry. Young Master Lu will be there. Sister, will you go with me?”
Shen Shu said, “If I go, what about Yao Yao…”
“No!” Xu Yining insisted. “You know how she is—always making a fuss. If she found out, she’d tease me to no end…”
Shen Shu could already imagine Shen Yao’s mischief and sighed. “Alright, I’ll go with you.”
Xu Yining clung to her arm. “You’re the best sister ever.”
At noon, Xu Yining left the Yunyang Marquis estate.
She climbed into the carriage and told her maid, “To the palace.”
One leaf of parasol, one cry of autumn.
The eighth day.
The carriage stopped. Shen Shu and Xu Yining first greeted Empress Xu, then joined the other noble ladies at Shumi Pavilion to admire the chrysanthemums.
From a distance—
The usually bustling banks of Mulan Lake were unusually quiet today. Only a few young men in elegant robes stood deep in the gallery bridge, laughing and discussing scrolls.
Shen Shu whispered, “Is it over there?”
Xu Yining nodded.
Clouds curled gently, green ripples stirred the water, maples shed leaves, and cypress remained evergreen. Red fish chased ducks playfully.
As the noble ladies sipped tea and chatted, Xu Yining whispered, “Sister, come with me.”
Shen Shu smiled, “Alright.”
The two girls walked arm in arm toward the waterside pavilion. But when they arrived, Xu Yining hesitated, her face full of nervous anticipation.
“I can hardly breathe,” she said.
Shen Shu teased, “Going or not?”
“I’ll go ask him for directions. Pretend we got separated,” Xu Yining said.
“Won’t that be obvious?” Shen Shu frowned.
Xu Yining tugged on her sleeve, “Got a better idea?”
Shen Shu replied, “You’re asking the wrong person.”
Xu Yining said, “Wait here. If I’m not back in a quarter hour, come find me. okay?”
“Okay.”
Xu Yining left, while Shen Shu admired the lake. The sunlight danced on the water. How beautiful, she thought.
Unbeknownst to her, in the shadow of a nearby tree, a man found her far more beautiful than the scenery.
Her gaze shamed the autumn waters. Her smile outshone fireworks.
Li Di forgot to breathe.
So she is the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Yunyang…
Moments later, a group of seven or eight maids came toward Shen Shu with tea, snacks, and incense.
Suddenly, a gust of wind stirred, and the sound of cicadas halted. One maid stepped too quickly and stepped on another’s hem—causing them to stumble forward.
All of them fell toward Shen Shu.
Snacks, tea, and incense scattered with a clang.
Shen Shu slipped and lost her balance—
From behind a tree, one maid exchanged glances with the man. Li Di nodded. He sprinted and leaped—
With a splash, he jumped into the lake.
The maid frowned. Wait—that sounded like two splashes?!
Looking back—
What just happened?!
There was no time to think. She shouted, “Someone fell in the water!”
The others joined in, “Help! Someone fell in the water!”
Shen Shu was pulled upward through the water as it choked her lungs and muddled her thoughts.
She couldn’t see.
She couldn’t hear.
Everything felt weightless.
When she finally opened her eyes, she met a pair of long, deep eyes—clearly a man’s.
Beads of water dripped from his brow and the bridge of his nose.
Right onto her.
Shen Shu gasped for air, trying to calm herself—
But it was impossible.
She was being held in a bridal carry—soaking wet—in the arms of a strange man!
Panic filled her beautiful eyes.
She opened her mouth to speak, but coughed instead. The man gently set her down, patting her back.
“Take your time,” he said gently.
She could barely stand. Swaying, the man extended a hand. “Hold onto me. I won’t move.”
The autumn breeze brushed past. Shen Shu shivered.
Her eyes glared at his worn but clean robes. “Who are you?!”
She wobbled again.
The man stepped forward to steady her and said quietly, “My surname is Zhou, given name Shu’an, courtesy name Rongjing. I’m from Jiaxing, Suzhou.”
