CFB Chapter 153

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 153: Third Life Extra 7

 

The thirteenth year of Yuanqing, early July.

Shen Zhan and Shen Yao had both recently married, leaving many in Chang’an City sighing in regret.

Men lamented that their ideal women—white moonlights of their hearts—were now married.

Women envied the beauty of the Shen daughters, wondering why they hadn’t been born with such looks. Even the political factions in court couldn’t help but sigh—truly, the Marquis of Yunyang is blessed.

At the Duke Zhenguo’s Residence, Jia’an Hall

Old Lady Lu looked at her three daughters-in-law and let out a long sigh.

The city of Chang’an was full of joyous events these days—drums beating, firecrackers going off, red silk fluttering everywhere. And yet, Duke Zhenguo’s residence was silent.

Princess Jing’an smiled and asked, “Mother, why are you sighing?”

Old lady Lu said, “Our third boy is now promoted to Assistant Magistrate. Isn’t it time to consider marriage for him?”

Princess Jing’an responded helplessly, “I’ve brought this up twice already, but looking at him, his heart clearly isn’t set on household matters.”

Old Lady Lu closed her eyes and thought for a while before speaking slowly: “Jing’an, what do you think of the ninth young lady from the Duke Ying’s family?”

At the mention of Jiang Ninth Miss, Princess Jing’an felt like something was caught in her throat.

“She’s seventeen now. Not a peerless beauty, but still exceptional. What do you think?” Old lady Lu grew increasingly satisfied as she spoke. “I recall she’s written quite a few poems. One of them—‘New Verses from the Balcony’—was even praised by His Majesty.”

After hesitating, Princess Jing’an finally said, “To be honest, the last time I brought it up with him, it was about that Ninth Miss from Duke Ying’s residence.”

Madam Lu asked slowly, “And what did he say?”

Thinking back, Princess Jing’an couldn’t help but think of his indifferent and cold attitude—

Lu Yan had set down his scroll, curled his lips slightly and said, “Mother probably doesn’t know—everyone in Pingkang Lane knows there are better poets.”

Thinking of this, Princess Jing’an took a deep breath and said, “Better not mention it again.”

Old Lady Lu gritted her teeth. “That boy’s temperament—I can guess it even without you saying anything.”

Jinzhao Prefecture’s Office – Dawn

Junior Magistrate Lu was drafting a petition.

Soon, Sun Xu entered and said, “My Lord, there’s a case that Magistrate Zheng asked me to hand over to you.”

Lu Yan put down his brush. “What’s the case?”

Lowering his voice, Sun Xu said, “Tang Lu, the only son of the Marquis of Chunnan, failed to propose marriage and instead broke into the Marquis of Yunyang’s residence at night, attempting to force himself on the young lady. He was discovered and nearly beaten to death by the marquis. He’s currently unconscious, and the Tang and Shen families have completely fallen out. Now it’s reached the government.”

Sun Xu added, “Tang Lü has a bad reputation, and anyone with eyes can tell this was a case of lust. But the Tang family insists it was Shen’s daughter who seduced him and invited him there. Both families are noble—this case is really difficult.”

Lu Yan raised his brow calmly. “What do the doctors say—will he live?”

“He’s out of danger.” Sun Xu handed him a paper. “This is the Tang family’s complaint.”

Lu Yan took it and said steadily, “It’s a fact that Yunyang Hou injured him. As for the son of Marquis of Chunnan, his actions count only as attempted assault. Given that the Tang family insists the girl lured him, if we judge by the law, the Shen family will be gravely disappointed.”

“You mean to follow the law to the letter?” Sun Xu asked.

“If we do that, neither side will win. Only then can we contain this. Otherwise, things will escalate.”

Sun Xu was stunned—he didn’t expect the new junior Magistrate Lu to be so unsentimental. “So how will you proceed?”

Lu Yan picked up his brush again. “Summon the girl from the Shen family.”

Sun Xu was alarmed. “That’s impossible! The girl is only fourteen—she’s terribly frightened. The Marquis’s household has already called in several doctors.”

As Lu Yan opened the complaint and prepared to write the girl’s name, his breath suddenly hitched.

—Shen Third Miss, Shen Zhen.

—Shen Third Miss, Shen Zhen.

The characters blurred, then split and swayed. Voices echoed in his ears:

“Shen Zhen, His Majesty has rescinded the decree. My engagement with Miss Xu is annulled. Come home with me.”

“My Lord, I’ve heard the skies of the northern desert are incredibly blue, the clouds so low you can almost reach them. I… want to see it.”

“Look me in the eye and say it—do you still have him in your heart?”

“Yes.”

“Then what do you take this past year between us for? Just a fleeting affair?”

“Being with you wasn’t my choice at the beginning.”

“When’s the wedding?”

“In two years.”

“If we meet again by then, what should I call you—Marchioness of Changping?”

“You’ve been kind to me, and I’ll never forget it. If there is another life—”

“You know I don’t believe in reincarnation. The road to the northern desert is long. Take care.”

Clutching the complaint, Lu Yan turned pale and fainted.

“My Lord! My Lord!” Sun Xu panicked.

Lu Yan was the long-cherished treasure of the Grand Princess, the emperor’s own nephew—he could not be allowed to fall ill. Sun Xu rushed to the imperial clinic.

But even after decoctions and acupuncture, Lu Yan showed no sign of waking.

“What’s going on?” Sun Xu asked anxiously.

The physician replied slowly, “His life is not in danger. His pulse is steady, but he won’t wake. It’s quite strange.”

Relieved to hear “life not in danger,” Sun Xu asked, “Any idea when he’ll wake?”

“We’ll have to wait and see.”

Lu Yan finally woke up in the afternoon.

Sun Xu dropped his teacup and rushed over. “My Lord, you gave me quite a scare!”

Lu Yan remained silent.

Time blurred—night and day, dusk and dawn—all spinning. Finally, it froze.

So this was what they meant by love at first sight that lasts forever.

“My Lord?” Sun Xu called again.

Lu Yan returned to himself. “Where’s the complaint?”

Sun Xu was stunned. He didn’t expect Lu Yan to care about the case right after fainting. “My Lord, you should rest. Let me handle it.”

“I’m fine.”

“But—”

“Give it here.”

Just as Lu Yan was studying the complaint again, a constable entered. “My Lord, the Marquis of Yunyang is here.”

Sun Xu quickly warned, “My Lord, the marquis is protective of his daughter—best say as little as possible.”

Lu Yan toyed with the ring on his finger and smirked. “Let’s go.”

When the Marquis entered, he asked sternly, “Which official took the Tang family’s complaint?”

Lu Yan stepped forward. “I did.”

The marquis said, “The Tang family is outrageous. For the sake of my daughter’s reputation, I ask that this case not be tried publicly.”

Sun Xu held his breath, his temples throbbing—he knew Lu Yan was a man of unyielding principle.

To avoid embarrassment, he even shut his eyes.

But Lu Yan said calmly, “Rest assured, my lord. Tang Lü is shameless and depraved. As for the Tang family’s demands, the magistrate’s office will not entertain them.”

Sun Xu’s eyes flew open. Did he hear wrong? Or had Lu Yan hit his head too hard?

Even the Marquis was stunned. He’d been prepared to beg the chief magistrate. This was unexpected.

“You’ll be in a difficult position,” he said, knowing well the challenge wasn’t in handling the case—but the power behind each family.

Marquis of Chunnan arrogance had backing: Consort Liu, currently favored by the Emperor, was Tang Lü’s aunt.

“You’re too kind,” Lu Yan replied calmly. “Cases like this are common. If we let the Tang family twist the law, it sets a dangerous precedent.”

A subtle divine glow of righteousness seemed to fall on Lu Yan’s shoulders.

Sun Xu could barely breathe.

The marquis was deeply moved. “Thank you, My Lord.”

Lu Yan casually spun his ring. “Is your daughter ill?”

“She was frightened, but she’s alright now. If it weren’t for her quick thinking, breaking the window for help…” He clenched his jaw. “No matter. Let it go.”

After the Marquis left, Lu Yan sat in brooding silence.

Sun Xu coughed. “My Lord?”

Lu Yan looked at him. “Yes, Lord Sun?”

Lowering his voice, Sun Xu said, “When the Tang family comes tomorrow—are we really rejecting the complaint?”

“Yes.” Lu Yan replied coldly. “If she truly invited him, why refuse the marriage in the first place?”

“But their hired legalist won’t let go—he insists it was seduction, saying she lured him with feminine wiles.”

Lu Yan sneered.

Ha!

Seduce? She wouldn’t even try to seduce me, and you think she’d fancy him?

Even if you taught her the tricks yourself, she couldn’t pull them off.

He stood. “Let them take it to the emperor, then.”

After work, Lu Yan climbed into his carriage and told Yang Zong, “To the Marquis of Xuanping’s residence.”

Sui Yu greeted him, “If you hadn’t come, I was about to look for you.”

“What’s the matter?”

Sui Yu lowered his voice, “Who took the Tang family’s complaint?”

“I did.”

“Perfect. Yao Yao was so angry she nearly went to stab Tang Lü herself. Shiyan, take care of my third sister for me.”

Lu Yan looked him in the eye. “In this life… You’ve gotten what you wanted.”

Sui Yu smiled. “I have.”

Lu Yan tested him, “That second prince from Hu was strange. He came to propose marriage, but left with no one.”

Sui Yu frowned. “That’s long past. Why bring it up? As I see it, if we can trade with Hu country, why marry a princess at all?”

Lu Yan withdrew his gaze.

He didn’t remember.

Just then, a maid ran up. “My lord! Madam vomited again!”

Sui Yu stood up. “Yao Yao’s morning sickness is terrible. I’ll go check on her.”

He paused, then turned back. “For my sake, protect Shen Zhen.”

Lu Yan watched him leave and rubbed his forehead.

Leaving the Xuanping Marquis’s estate, he said, “To the Zhou residence.”

---

T/N – lol Sun Xu is one my favorite characters. His reaction to Lu Yan changing his attitude at the blink of an eye is truly funny — Sun Xu’s eyes flew open. Did he hear wrong? Or had Lu Yan hit his head too hard? 😂😂