Remains

After Xu Nanyuan, Marquis of Yongping, died in battle, a romantic anecdote about him began circulating through the streets and alleys.

The refined Lord Xu had been infatuated with a musician at the Jiaofang Bureau while alive, so besotted that he had nearly lost his wits. He did many absurd things for her.

The musician was named Lu Luo. She was bewitchingly beautiful and unmatched on the zither, yet cold-hearted. Not long after Xu Nanyuan's death, she attended the Duke of Zhenguo's birthday banquet in full finery, playing music and pouring wine, chatting and laughing, without the slightest sign of grief.

Later, one scandalous romance after another made the rounds among Jinling's elite. This one gradually faded from memory, until no one mentioned it again.

⭐

That day, Lu Luo was trying out her strings in the pavilion as usual.

“Marquis of Yongping is here,” a servant called eagerly.

She froze, then realized that Xu Nanyuan had left no sons, and his younger brother had inherited the title after his death.

That younger brother... Xu Nanyuan had doted on him and often mentioned him in front of Lu Luo.

“Rongqing is exceptionally gifted, accomplished in both letters and arms. The only problem is that he's too willful and reclusive. I say a few words to him, and he talks back. With his elder brother to protect him, why should I learn to be so smooth and accommodating?”

By the time Lu Luo met Xu Rongqing, he had become very smooth and accommodating.

He cultivated connections with the powerful and went from one banquet to another. In his spare time, he would bring a few friends to listen to her play the zither. When those young masters occasionally made lewd jokes at Lu Luo's expense, Xu Rongqing would simply laugh it off. He would never leap up and fight them, as Xu Nanyuan would have.

Lu Luo thought this was for the best. He wasn't reclusive, and he was clever. Nanyuan could rest easy now.

Before she knew it, some time had passed, and word spread that Xu Rongqing was to be engaged.

His prospective bride was the daughter of a Minister of the Court, a noblewoman from a prestigious family. Everyone said it was an excellent match.

In the afternoon, the plantain leaves cast a broad shade.

The feathered curtain swayed gently. Before she could speak, Xu Rongqing's nonchalant voice came from behind it: “Come with me.”

Lu Luo stiffened.

Seeing her reaction, Xu Rongqing smiled even more wickedly. “I'm no worse than my elder brother.”

Lu Luo slapped him hard.

Author's Note: One should leave an unhealthy marriage behind and pursue an equal love.