In the Third Lunar month, the grass grew and the warbler flew, the spring flowers bloomed, and the fragrance of flowers and herbs floated in the air.

It was the best time of the year.

People at this time loved peonies, and the peony in Luoyang, the capital of the Great Zhou Dynasty, was even more famous all over the world. In Dingzhou City, there were many people who loved peonies. Those with rich and luxurious family backgrounds often regarded the construction of peony gardens as elegant things.

The peony garden of the Ling family was very famous in Dingzhou, with dozens of varieties of famous peonies. This year, the latest variety of multi-colored peonies was also planted, which bloomed in March, a month earlier than the usual flowering period, and became famous for a while. It attracted many people’s curiosity, and they sent them a post to come to the door to enjoy the flowers.

As Old Lady Ling’s birthday was approaching, the mansion was busy preparing for the birthday banquet and had no time to entertain guests, so she politely declined the invitation. In this way, it made people even more curious, and they secretly inquired about which gardener planted it. When they learned that the multi-colored peony was planted by the Ninth Miss of Ling’s residence, Ling Jingshu’s reputation became more and more famous in Dingzhou City.

Ling Jingshu had been recuperating in Qiushui Pavilion these days, naturally, she didn’t know about this. Even if she knew it, she won’t take it to heart.

She experienced all kinds of pains and tribulations in her previous life and died of humiliation. Now that she was reborn, she was no longer the carefree boudoir girl she used to be. All she was thinking about was how to take revenge, there was no time to pay attention to these false names.

There were three gardeners in the peony garden covering an area of ​​about ten acres. There were also some servants to do manual chores. Seeing Ling Jingshu entering the garden, they each relaxed their hands and feet and quietly retreated.

At this time, the peony blooming season had not yet arrived, and the peonies in the peony garden had not yet bloomed. There were lush branches and leaves as far as the eye can see, and the buds of different colors were dotted within them, which had its own unique charm.

Ling Jingshu walked slowly in the path, her eyes wandering at will, and her mood gradually relaxed.

Bai Yu followed Ling Jingshu and said with a smile, “Miss, the pot of multi-colored peony you grafted and cultivated last year has already bloomed. Miss has been staying in the Qiushui Pavilion these days, and hasn’t seen it with your own eyes!”

Ling Jingshu raised her brows and raised the corner of her lips: “Okay, I’ll go take a look right now.” 

A large area was planted with ordinary peony varieties, and most of the real famous peonies were potted plants. By ramets, grafting, cuttings, layering, and many other methods, the rare peonies were carefully cultivated.

Ling Jingshu had been fond of peonies since she was a child, and she deliberately learned how to cultivate peonies from a skilled gardener. She was ingenious and talented. In just a few years, she had become better than her master.

In the northeast corner of the garden, there were many famous peonies, such as Bai Yujing, Jade Black Sunflower, Yao Huang, and so on. Most of the maids in Ling Mansion were named after this.

Ling Jingshu spends almost all her spare time in the peony garden, except when reading, practicing calligraphy, practicing the piano, and learning the rules. Most of these peonies were carefully cultivated by Ling Jingshu.

Ling Jingshu stopped in front of a pot of peonies.

This pot of precious and rare multi-colored peony is commonly known as Erqiao, also known as Luoyang Brocade.

The preciousness of Luoyang brocade lay in the blooming of two different colors of flowers on the same branch. Not only were the flowers different in color, but the branches and leaves on both sides were also completely different. It was like two completely different peonies merged into one. 

Breathtaking.

The pink and white flowers were tender and beautiful, the purple-red flowers are delicate and bright, the flowers were as large as the mouth of a bowl, the petals were warm and thick, and the colors were bright and complex.

The green leaves were dripping with emerald-like color.

Ling Jingshu leaned over slightly, and the refreshing aroma rushed toward her face, refreshing her heart.

She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and inhaled the faint fragrance into her belly. The corners of her lips were raised high.

……

Sudden footsteps broke the silence.

Who was it?

Ling Jingshu didn’t stand up straight, just turned her head slightly.

In the afternoon, the bright and dazzling sunlight fell on her delicate and lustrous jade-like face, her black eyes sparkled like jewels, and a strand of mischievous hair fell gently on the side of her face. The smile on the rosy lips that had not yet subsided was like a flower blooming.

The bright and beautiful peony did not take away her charm, and the smile was enough to make the onlooker pale.

All this beauty was not real, like a dream.

The brocade-clothed boy who suddenly appeared stood there in a daze, forgetting to move. His eyes were fixed on the girl in the flowers, unable to move away.

The heart of the young man, which had never bloomed before, was beating fast at this moment.

Against the light, Ling Jingshu couldn’t see the face of the person coming. But in the past few years, this person’s voice, face, and smile have been deeply engraved in her heart, and she had not forgotten for a moment.

Like a thunderclap, in an instant, blood rushed to her mind.

Lu Hong!

How dare you appear in front of me!

Why do you still have the face to see me?

……

Obviously only a short moment, but time seemed to stand still, stagnant at this moment.

Bai Yu coughed softly and broke the silence in a low voice: “Miss, this should be the young master of the Lu family.”

Not everyone can enter the inner garden of the Ling residence. Although it was an unfamiliar face, he stepped forward casually. It was obviously Lu Hong, the cousin of the Lu family that Ling Jingxian spoke of.

The young man was about fifteen or sixteen years old, with a slender body, wearing a light blue brocade garment, sword eyebrows, and star eyes, a nose like a gall, lips like Danzhu, and a face like a crown of jade.

Although Ling Xiao was also exceptionally good-looking, compared to the young man in front of them, he lacked that spirited and visionary aura.

No wonder Ling Jingxian begged her regardless of a girl’s reserved face. This young master, as expected, was an elegant and beautiful young

The man was like no other in a thousand miles… Bai Yu was secretly amazed, but when her eyes fell on Ling Jingshu’s face, she couldn’t help but be startled.

Her expression was stiff and her eyes were cold. It was not like meeting a distinguished guest, but like meeting a mortal enemy…

“Bai Yu, let’s go!” Ling Jingshu forced herself to lower her eyelids, and there was nothing wrong with her indifferent tone.

Bai Yu hesitated for a while, then said in a low voice, “Miss, since we met, let’s say hello! It seems a bit rude to leave like this.” 

The visitor was a guest! What’s more, this young master was the eldest son of the Lu family, with a distinguished status. Even looking at Ling’s face, he can’t be neglected. Otherwise, Old Lady Ling must be unhappy when she finds out.

Bai Yu didn’t need to say these words, Ling Jingshu knew it well.

After a hesitation, Lu Hong had already walked over.

Now, even if she wanted to avoid it, she can’t avoid it!

Ling Jingshu calmed down and looked up.

Lu Hong’s appearance was very good, and his temperament was even more outstanding. When walking, he was not hurried or slow, and his demeanor was graceful.

It was precisely this grace and charm that captivated the noble princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty. She was willing to endure the reputation of snatching someone else’s husband just to keep him in the princess’s residence…

“I have met the two biǎomèi^[1]female cousin younger than you from the maternal side ​​in the Ling mansion, you must be Shu biǎomèi of the fifth room!” Lu Hong said as he stopped two meters away, clasped his fists with both hands, and gave an equal salute: “My surname is Lu, and my name is Hong. You can just call me Hong biǎogē.”

Warm and courteous, personable with impeccable courtesy.

In contrast, Ling Jingshu’s reaction was much colder, and she returned a salute very casually: “It turns out to be the cousin of the Lu family.”

The reluctant perfunctory expression on her face was clearly visible.

Lu Hong touched a soft nail and was not angry. A slightly eager gaze settled on Ling Jingshu’s unusually indifferent pretty face: “My second brother and I came to Ling’s house with my mother, and I heard that my cousin was ill, and I have not visited to see my cousin, I am sorry for that.”

As he spoke, he was secretly annoyed in his heart.

He actually wasted three days in vain?

He should have gone to visit her on the first day of his arrival. That way he could have known her sooner.

……

The familiar eyes made Ling Jingshu’s repressed resentment and hatred surge in her chest again.

Day after day of waiting, day after day of despair, struggling in endless humiliation and pain. Waiting for his return day and night to save her from water and fire. But what she waited for was the bad news that he had another heart and another embrace.

How much I loved him back then, and how much I hated him later.

How could she deal with him casually?

She can’t wait to have a blade in her hand and stab into his chest fiercely!

Lu Hong was immersed in inexplicable excitement and joy so did not notice Ling Jingshu’s silence for a while, and continued with a smile: “On the first day I came here, I heard my grandmother talk about you. I heard that you are good at cultivating famous peonies and also planting them. The multi-colored peonies came out. Today I went to the home school to study, and I had a half-hour break after lunch. So I came to the garden to enjoy the flowers. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

When Lu Hong waited for a while for Ling Jingshu to speak, he finally realized that something was wrong, and when he met Ling Jingshu’s cold and hostile eyes, he became more and more puzzled.

The two met for the first time. He was observant everywhere and did not dare to be disrespectful to this beautiful woman. Why was her attitude so bad?

“Shu biǎomèi,” Lu Hong suppressed the confusion in his heart and tried his best to show his best demeanor: “I have liked peonies since I was a child, and the Lu family has also planted a lot of famous peonies, but these multi-colored peonies are not easy to grow. I don’t know if I can ask my biǎomèi to give me some pointers?” 

After giving me one or two instructions, I can ask the second time with a cheeky face…

Ling Jingshu refused expressionlessly; “This is my unique secret skill, and it has never been shared.”

Lu Hong: “…”

The smile on Lu Hong’s face froze.

Growing up so big,  he had met many boudoir girls. Some were shy and timid, or dignified and polite, while some were more daring, and secretly greeted him with affection.

It’s the first time in his life that he took the initiative to strike up a conversation with someone like today, but he met someone with a grey nose.

Embarrassed, angry, annoyed… he wanted to walk away, but he can’t move.

All kinds of complicated emotions intertwined, making the arrogant eldest young master of the Lu family stand on the spot, not knowing how to react for a while.

Ling Jingshu let out the wicked anger in her heart, she only felt very happy in her heart, and gave a light command, “Bai Yu, let’s go back.” 

As she spoke, she walked past Lu Hong without looking at Lu Hong.

Bai Yu was stunned for a moment and hurriedly chased after her.

Only Lu Hong was left, standing blankly on the spot, watching the slender but indifferent figure of the beauty go away.