Longing for Love (Twice Reborn) - Chapter 5

He never came looking for her.

Left with no choice, Juchen waited until after school one day and managed to catch his clever white steed. Knowing the horse loved carrots, she lured it out with a fishing rod.

After offering three whole baskets of carrots, she tucked her letter into the ornamental plaque on its forehead, pleading with it to deliver the message for her.

Though the horse was proud, it knew better than to bite the hand that fed it.

After giving her a sidelong glance, it raised its head in agreement.

In the letter, she had written the address of the inn and the room number.

She waited for him in the room for a long time.

As the sunset, she began to think he wouldn’t come, suspecting that the horse might have deceived her a naive girl out of her carrots.

The slandered white horse arrived sneezing, pulling a carriage in person, and took her to the Ci You Retreat.

Juchen had assumed he didn’t care for her, but once they were on the bed, he burned with passion.

Pinned beneath him, she met his gaze dark, profound, and in that hazy moment, she thought she glimpsed a trace of tenderness hidden within.

Feeling the veins on his hands as he gripped her soft curves and the scorching heat of his entry, Juchen suddenly felt grateful for her captivating beauty.

Later, that house became their secret meeting place.

Despite Juchen’s promise, as the palace banquet approached, Li Wanyu deliberately passed by the Wutong Courtyard before leaving.

Even though her father had already decided to send her eldest sister to the Empress Dowager, if Li Juchen herself harbored ambitions refusing to remain an old maid and instead leveraging the influence of the Prince of Guangping’s heir to marry into the imperial family then the family would have no way to stop her.

Li Wanyu lingered outside the Wutong Courtyard like a thief, peering in for a long time. Only after confirming that Juchen showed no signs of leaving did she finally smile, cheerfully calling for her maid, Cuckoo, to prepare the sedan chair she had a banquet to attend.

The carriage rattled as it moved from the rear courtyard to the front gate.

Stepping out, Li Wanyu carefully adjusted the golden peony patterned hairpins at her temples. Just as she turned to ask Cuckoo if her makeup was flawless, another carriage luxurious and drawn by three horses approached from the street and stopped in front of the Li residence.

Li Wanyu’s eyes fixed on the lantern hanging from the carriage, emblazoned with a gilded character: “Lu.”

The Fanyang Lu clan was one of the Five Great Families and Seven Noble Houses of the Liang Dynasty, renowned for their prestige. Their women were all distinguished socialites of the Eastern Capital. Eager to make connections, Li Wanyu instinctively took a few steps forward, hoping to greet them and leave an impression.

The carriage curtain lifted, but no elegant figure emerged.

Instead, a maidservant stepped out, walked straight past Li Wanyu, and handed an invitation to the gatekeeper, requesting an audience with the eldest daughter of the house Li Juchen.

“The Lu family… sent a carriage personally to fetch the eldest miss?” Cuckoo blurted out in shock, voicing Li Wanyu’s exact thoughts.

The maidservant was already led inside by Mingluan.

Clutching her handkerchief tightly, Li Wanyu stood rooted to the spot, as if wrestling with the air itself. Finally, she snorted and turned away.

Inside the Wutong Courtyard, Mingluan entered the inner chamber with the invitation and found Juchen resting on a daybed.

Approaching quietly, Mingluan gently shook her. “Eldest Miss?”

Juchen’s delicate brows furrowed as her eyes opened cold and commanding.

In her past life, Juchen had been busy so busy she barely had time to drink water. Rest was fragmented and rare, so she despised being disturbed.

Ming Luan was startled and couldn’t help clenching her fists. When she looked again, Juchen’s expression had softened, her youthful face as innocent and unchanged as ever.

That momentary sharpness of someone in high authority seemed like nothing more than Ming Luan’s illusion.

“The Third Miss of the Lu family has sent an invitation, asking you to join her for tea at the Drum Tower.”

Juchen straightened her posture and took the invitation, opening it.

She still remembered how, in her past life, Lu Yun had also sent her such an invitation. But back then, she had been wholly preoccupied with competing against Li Wanyu, and to spite her to the point of fury, Juchen had ultimately chosen to attend the palace banquet instead.

Thinking of how Lu Yun later became the finest diplomatic official in the Court of State Ceremonial, a key figure in maintaining the Liang Dynasty’s reputation as a land of propriety and rites.

Juchen rested her hand on the low table, silent for a moment, before accepting the invitation.

Yet she never expected that while she had deliberately avoided the palace banquet, she would instead fall into another trap Lu Yun had set for her.

When Lu Feng appeared at the entrance of the Drum Tower, Juchen was momentarily stunned before she laughed in exasperation, sighing inwardly that girl Lu Yun truly lived up to her reputation as the most cunning diplomat under her command.

Lu Feng hastily pushed open the private room’s door, only to find that the person inside wasn’t his biological sister, who had threatened him with death if he dared not show up. The white silk ribbon he had hurriedly brought along in his hand suddenly became useless.

Juchen’s delicate brows furrowed.

Since ancient times, marriages followed parental arrangements and matchmakers’ words. Many young women were betrothed and sent to the bridal chamber without ever having seen their grooms before the veil was lifted.

If both parties were satisfied, all was well. But if not, marital discord was inevitable, leading to chaos and strife. Worse still, some unscrupulous individuals took advantage of the couple’s unfamiliarity, impersonating the groom on the wedding night to violate the bride, driving some to take their own lives out of shame and fury.

Thus, after the Empress Dowager began her regency, she issued an edict allowing women to meet their prospective husbands before marriage to foster mutual understanding a practice colloquially known as matchmaking.

Clearly not his first time being tricked by Lu Yun, Lu Feng immediately realized his sister must have deceived someone again. He hastily tossed the ribbon aside, scratched his head with an embarrassed expression, and began apologizing to Juchen.

“As compensation, this meal is on me! But I have urgent matters to attend to first. Order whatever you like I’ll settle the bill when I return. I’ll do my best to be back before dinner.”

Juchen shook her head. “There’s no need for such trouble. I’ll just return home.”

But Lu Feng refused, stubbornly blocking her way and insisting on making amends. He demanded she order something, declaring, “Otherwise, I’ll feel guilty for the rest of my life!”

Given their childhood friendship, Juchen couldn’t refuse him and reluctantly stayed.

She still didn’t order anything, merely drinking a few cups of tea. After nearly half an hour, the private room’s door creaked open once more.

“I’ve already had tea. I should head back now.” Juchen had been sitting with her back to the door. As she spoke, she stood and turned only to freeze in place.

Lu Feng had indeed returned before dinner as promised, but he had drunk a bit too much and now had someone supporting him.

As their eyes met, Song Mi frowned slightly and asked, “Is this the girl you were meeting today?”

He didn’t mention the word “matchmaking” that Lu Feng had briefly mentioned on the way.

Having downed four large cups of liquor in quick succession, Lu Feng was now thoroughly intoxicated. He slapped his good friend’s shoulder and laughed.

“Yes, Li Juchen. You two met when you were kids.”

Lu Feng looked at Juchen, “You still remember him, right?”

Juchen: “…”

Completely oblivious, Lu Feng cheerfully whispered his thoughts about today’s serendipitous encounter into Song Mi’s ear, “What do you think? Isn’t she beautiful? Even more so than when we were kids. Truly, a girl changes eighteen times before adulthood.”

The corner of Song Mi’s mouth twitched, and his supporting hand loosened slightly whether from fatigue after helping Lu Feng all this way or something else, Lu Feng felt the movement pushing him into the chair was rather forceful.

Lu Feng’s back hit the chair with a thud, eliciting an “ow” from him. Given Song Mi’s usual reluctance to meddle in others’ affairs, he had assumed the man would leave immediately after delivering him here.

Yet Song Mi pulled over another chair and deliberately sat down beside him.

Two against one to an outsider, it might look like two officials conducting an interrogation.

Lu Feng wondered uneasily, Is he… trying to vet her for me?

Juchen coughed several times.

The tea and fruit platter from Lu Feng’s initial arrival still sat on the table. He asked why she hadn’t ordered yet, “Didn’t I say you didn’t need to wait for me?”

Currently, Juchen’s mind was wholly occupied with thoughts of escape, sitting as if on pins and needles. How could she possibly think about eating? She shook her head vigorously, “No need, really!”

Song Mi raised his hand to summon the waiter. His fingers idly trailed over the menu as he casually ordered several dishes.

Juchen murmured weakly, “Really, it’s unnecessary.”

Closing the menu and handing it back, Song Mi curled his lips, “No need to save money for this guy. He’s not short on cash.” His tone carried a faint, deliberate lilt at the end.

Juchen stiffened, abruptly recalling their third time together.

Their relationship had been initiated by her persistence. Wanting him to stay willingly, Juchen had naturally tried to ensure he found pleasure in their encounters too, so it wouldn’t feel like a chore.

But she was utterly inexperienced in such matters. Even when she mustered the courage to climb atop him, she had no idea what to do, and it ultimately still fell to him to take charge.

The experience had been rather unsatisfactory for him she had practically wronged him. Afterwards, almost as if possessed, she had blurted out that she could pay him.

Song Mi had gritted his teeth for a long moment before smiling at her and saying exactly this: “I’m not short on cash.”

Lu Feng chimed in cheerfully, “That’s right.”

Juchen shot him a glance before calling the waiter again, “Could we get another bowl of sobering soup, please?”

“How considerate.” The smile on Song Mi’s lips deepened, yet his tone carried not a shred of warmth.

Lu Feng laughed, “Back when we were kids, Juchen was famous in our group for being both beautiful and kind-hearted.”

Alarm bells rang in Juchen’s mind. She instinctively glanced at Song Mi, terrified Lu Feng might start reminiscing about their childhood. Fortunately, the waiter arrived with their food just then, saving her.

The Drum Tower’s evening banquet was renowned. The menu was divided into appetizers, main courses, and desserts.

Lu Feng looked closely the first appetizers served were jade dew dumplings, honey glazed crispy flower, and spring water delicacies. He couldn’t help turning to Song Mi, “Since when did you change your tastes?” He never touched sweets.

Song Mi replied, “I thought the lady might like them.”

Lu Feng’s questioning gaze shifted to Juchen.

Juchen gave a soft “mm,” her face warming slightly. She had eaten these very desserts before at the Ciyuan Villa.

“Glad you like it, no need to be polite.” Lu Feng nodded, then turned to Song Mi in surprise, “Bro, you’re being unusually considerate today.” He smiled at Juchen, “This is actually the first time I’ve seen him notice there’s a lady at the table and respect her preferences.” After a pause, he added, “Not that he’s impolite, but he rarely takes the initiative to order for others.”

Song Mi said succinctly, “Isn’t she your blind date?”

Lu Feng laughed, “So I’m that important?”

Juchen coughed sharply and sipped her tea, not wanting the focus on herself, so she asked where they had just been.

Without hesitation, Lu Feng mentioned the Red Sleeve Pavilion by Yaojin Pond, the most famous pleasure house in the Eastern Capital, then nudged Song Mi’s shoulder, “Had to help this guy fend off drinks, otherwise I wouldn’t have kept a lady waiting.”

“Fend off drinks?” Juchen asked.

“Yeah.” Lu Feng paused, careful not to reveal Song Mi’s actual investigative purpose for visiting the pavilion, and just chuckled, unable to resist teasing, “Every single one was a stunning beauty, yet you wouldn’t let them touch you. Who’s really losing out here?”

Lu Feng shook his head, “Starting to wonder about you.”

“Wonder what?”

“If your preferences are… unconventional.”

The moment the words left his mouth, Lu Feng burst into laughter. The two usually spoke without restraint in private, but now Song Mi’s expression turned serious, “Mind your language.”

Lu Feng, genuinely affected by alcohol and less cautious than usual, noticed Song Mi glancing at Juchen, reminding him of the lady present. He chuckled, “Don’t worry, she’s more open minded than you. Won’t mind this stuff.”

Juchen choked on her tea, barely managing not to spit it out.

Song Mi promptly handed her a napkin, watching as her face turned crimson.

She had been set up with Lu Feng in her past life too?