{"id":3444,"date":"2026-05-18T13:43:24","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T13:43:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/the-young-mistresss-little-romance-in-the-dukes-mansion-13\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T13:43:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T13:43:32","slug":"the-young-mistresss-little-romance-in-the-dukes-mansion-13","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/chapter\/the-young-mistresss-little-romance-in-the-dukes-mansion-13\/","title":{"rendered":"The Young Mistress’s Little Romance in the Duke’s Mansion 13"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chapter 13


Lu Chenglian’s handsome brows were heavily furrowed, his deep gaze fixed on her: \u201cDid a cat steal your tongue?\u201d Gu Xiyan felt both flustered and helpless, almost on the verge of tears.

She could only stammer out, \u201cThis\u2026 this I don\u2019t know.



Third Master should also understand, I don\u2019t step a foot outside the inner courtyard every day, how could I possibly know about outside matters\u2026\u201d After saying these words, she gradually found a bit of the feeling.



Yes, a woman secluded in her boudoir, what does she understand?



She understands nothing!



So with tears glistening in her eyes, she gently bit her lip, timidly gazing at Lu Chenglian, and whispered softly,



“If the Third Lord asks me, who am I to ask in turn?” Lu Chenglian felt his heart clench abruptly.



Her appearance was utterly delicate and innocent, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, her face filled with bewilderment.



Even her voice was soft and gentle, carrying a slight tremble, so silken and smooth it could slip right into one’s heart.



But when he thought of the scholar outside, rushing to the capital for the imperial examination, he could only think\u2014 She really knows how to put on an act!



Lu Chenglian snorted,



“Stop with the hollow talk, don’t you find it nauseating even to hear yourself?” Gu Xiyan’s misty eyes were filled with confusion.



“Why do you say that, Third Master?” Still pretending?



Lu Chenglian gritted his teeth and threw down a cold, hard remark: \u201cI can’t even be bothered to deal with you!\u201d With that, he abruptly turned on his heel and strode away.



Gu Xiyan was dumbfounded; she could sense his anger.



But he had just mentioned the case involving her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, and it seemed there was finally some progress.



She couldn’t afford to clash with him now.



If he were to say anything casually, and things not only failed to resolve but worsened because of it, wouldn\u2019t she be the one to blame?



In her haste, she quickly called out,



“Third Master, please wait!” Yet Lu Chenglian paid her no mind, not pausing for even a step, his resolve icy and absolute.



Gu Xiyan was frantic with anxiety.



In her fluster, she lifted her skirt and chased after him, desperately grabbing at his sleeve: \u201cThird Master, please don\u2019t be angry\u2026\u201d In truth, her fingertips had only lightly caught the edge of his garment, yet the man who had been striding with purpose suddenly came to an abrupt halt.



Finally catching hold of him, Gu Xiyan let out a sigh of relief.



She clenched that piece of fabric tightly, gave a small sob, and pleaded softly, \u201cThird Master, I know little of the world.



If I have done anything amiss, I beg you to be lenient\u2014please don\u2019t hold it against me.\u201d Lu Cheng Lian looked coldly ahead, his expression revealing nothing.



Gu Xiyan grew even more anxious, knowing that the opportunity was fleeting and must not be missed.



She pleaded softly,



“Third Master\u2014” Lu Chenglian could sense it, a light, delicate fragrance moved with the breeze\u2014hard to tell if it was the scent of flowers or the fragrance of a woman\u2019s body.



The aroma wafted beneath his nostrils, drifting into his chest, gently tickling a certain part of his heart.



He lowered his eyes slightly, gazing at the fingers that were clutching the hem of his robe.



Her pale, delicate fingertips looked slender and fragile, clutching helplessly at the hem of his robe, her nails already flushed with a faint pink.



A widowed woman\u2014gentle, timid, and cautious\u2014clinging to his clothes and pleading softly in a whisper.



Any man faced with such a woman would likely feel his heart soften, unwilling to trouble her in the slightest.



He remained silent for a moment before letting out an almost imperceptible sigh.



“Actually, it\u2019s nothing serious.



I just wanted to remind you that when you entrust matters to someone on the outside, you should commit to that person fully.



Don\u2019t seek help from one and then turn to another.



You may think you\u2019re applying pressure from multiple angles, but others might feel disrespected, and it could easily lead to complications.” Gu Xiyan blinked blankly,



“Exactly which family is Third Lord referring to, and who has been inquiring about this matter?



I truly know nothing about it.” Lu Chenglian slightly tilted his head, his dark eyes coolly gazing at her.



Gu Xiyan felt a pang of guilt under his stare.



She knew this man was not easily fooled, so she could only say,



“But regardless of which family it is, since this matter has been entrusted to Third Lord, it really shouldn\u2019t have been entrusted to anyone else.



I\u2019m afraid it was my sister-in-law who didn\u2019t know any better and sought someone else for information.



I\u2019ll speak to her about it later.



From now on, she should follow Third Lord in all matters and must never act on her own.” Lu Chenglian curled his lips into a mocking smile.



“Your sister-in-law truly has a remarkable knack for usefulness.” That’s not a sister-in-law, that’s a shield, always ready to be held in front of her.



Hearing his tone soften slightly, Gu Xiyan hurriedly made her voice even more gentle: \u201cThird Master, you jest.



The truth is, my sister-in-law is foolish\u2014she keeps a true Buddha but goes elsewhere to worship\u2026 As for the scholar you mentioned, Third Master, I have a guess\u2014he must ultimately be a poor scholar from a humble background, newly arrived in the capital.



How could he possibly understand the intricacies of navigating the pathways under the Emperor\u2019s feet?\u201d As she said this, she stole a glance at him and noticed that his expression had clearly softened a great deal.



He seemed quite pleased?



She suddenly realized\u2014men, ah, all they lacked was a bit of flattery!



She could say, she’d give him a whole basketful!



She pressed on, continuing,



“Among the young masters of the household, who could even compare to a fraction of the Third Master?



Not to mention that Cheng Yuan is gone\u2014even if he were still here, wouldn’t he also have to listen to the Third Master’s guidance in all matters?” She thought her flattery was spot on, but to her surprise, Lu Chenglian let out a scoff, a touch of mockery in his tone.



“Looks like you\u2019ve truly mastered the art of bootlicking, even dragging Lu Chengyuan into your scheme.



If he knew about it in the underworld, wouldn\u2019t the lid of his coffin rattle three times from the shock?” Gu Xiyan heard the mockery in his words and felt a moment of confusion.



Had she said something wrong?



Did he dislike hearing that, or was it Lu Chengyuan he disliked?



After Lu Chenglian finished speaking, a hint of discomfort flickered across his expression.



But he quickly composed himself and said lightly,



“Enough, let\u2019s not mention this matter again.



I have something serious to discuss with you.” Gu Xiyan looked at him blankly.



“Hmm?” Lu Cheng Lian:



“Pass on a message to your sister-in-law later, tell her to wait quietly for this matter.



There will be news from the authorities soon.



Besides, she mustn’t act clever and try to pry around, or she might mess things up.” Gu Xiyan quickly replied,



“I naturally listen to Third Master and dare not disobey in the slightest.” Lu Cheng Lian:



“Mm, then I’m leaving.” Leaving just like that?



Gu Xiyan hurriedly said, \u201cThird Master, there\u2019s another matter\u2014\u201d Lu Chenglian looked at her and replied directly, \u201cYour elder brother\u2019s matter?\u201d Gu Xiyan nodded repeatedly,



“Yes, without a clear resolution to this matter, my sister-in-law will never be at ease.” Her family now has nothing else, being so poor that only cases remain, one case here and another there.



Lu Chenglian:



“The Emperor has dispatched imperial commissioners to investigate the coastal defense garrison, and the shipwreck incident at the coastal defense garrison will also be thoroughly examined.



Once the truth is uncovered, your brother will surely receive justice.



As for the compensation funds, what is due will be provided.” Gu Xiyan exclaimed with delight:



“Really?” Lu Chenglian:



“False.” Gu Xiyan was taken aback for a moment before realizing something, feeling a bit indignant:



“Third Master, you\u2014” Lu Chenglian said coldly,



“Look at how anxious you’ve become.” Gu Xiyan then stamped her foot in exasperation:



“This is, of course, a huge matter for us.



You wouldn’t understand!” She was somewhat annoyed, no longer even addressing him as



“Third Master.” Lu Chenglian saw her cheeks flushed with a hint of crimson, looking charming and enchanting, carrying even more allure than the peach blossoms on the branches in March.



He sighed softly:



“Are you angry with me again now?



How come all those flattering words you just spoke have been tossed aside in the blink of an eye?” Gu Xiyan found this both amusing and frustrating.



She muttered under her breath,



“Fine, I won\u2019t be angry.



As long as Third Master can accomplish this matter, I\u2019ll say whatever you want to hear.” Lu Chengjian laughed upon hearing this,



“Alright, then tell me, you\u2014” However, just at that moment, footsteps were heard from the corridor over there.



Gu Xiyan was suddenly startled and quickly looked over.



At the end of the corridor, a figure resembling a maidservant appeared, small in stature, her face obscured in the shadows and indistinct.



She felt a twinge of panic, her mind racing as she tried to recall exactly what she had just said to Lu Chenglian, fearing he might have overheard it.



Lu Chenglian said indifferently,



“What are you panicking about?



This is Taihe Hall.” Gu Xiyan was stunned for a moment, then immediately realized.



Taihe Hall was Princess Ruiqing’s residence, and Lu Chenglian was Princess Ruiqing’s only son.



The guards and servants here probably took orders from Lu Chenglian in the first place.



So, recalling how Fifth Young Mistress had been sent away earlier\u2014was that also intentionally arranged?



Lu Chenglian glanced lightly at the young maid.



“However, it seems I must go pay my respects to my mother now.” Gu Xiyan hurriedly said,



“Then, Third Lord, you should go quickly.



Don\u2019t let it be delayed.” She was afraid, terrified of that imposing Ruiqing Princess.



If she were to find out about the affairs between her and her son, she feared the princess might just slap her to death!



Thinking of this, she hastily added,



“Third Lord, then I shall take my leave first.” With that, she flusteredly tried to run.



Who would have thought that after just one step, the man grabbed her sleeve.



She gasped slightly, \u201cThird Master?\u201d Lu Chenglian snorted, \u201cYou were just eagerly chasing after me, but now you\u2019re avoiding me like the plague?\u201d Gu Xiyan stamped her foot, aggrieved and helpless:



“Haven’t I already said everything I should?” Lu Chenglian gritted his teeth near her ear:



“Finished?



Are you sure you’ve said everything?” His hot breath brushed against her neck, making her flustered as she wondered, what else was there?



What more was there to say?



Flattery, sweet talk?



She had a basketful of them!



But now…



She stole a glance at the little maid, a particularly sturdy one with dark, tanned skin.



With such a little maid standing right there, how could she have the nerve to say more!



In her anxiety, sweat beaded her forehead.



“Third Master, what exactly do you want?” Lu Chenglian whispered softly,



“I can smell a very pleasant fragrance on you.



What is this scent?” The distance was too close, making Gu Xiyan even more flustered.



“Fragrance?



What fragrance?” Lu Chenglian:



“Rose?” Gu Xiyan immediately understood.



She took a sip of rose dew, perhaps leaving a lingering fragrance in her mouth?



Her heart raced, and she felt somewhat flustered.



This had been given by Yingtong, his chief maid\u2014did he not know?



Or had he guessed and was deliberately trying to embarrass her?



She had no choice but to admit,



“It must be because of the rose dew.



I used a drop or two.” Lu Chenglian’s lips curved slightly upwards as he smiled.



“The fragrance suits you quite well.” With that said, he finally let go of her hand.



Gu Xiyan hastily retreated three steps after being released from his sleeve.



Only after keeping some distance did her heart settle slightly.



Looking at Lu Chenglian again now, he wore a faint smile on his face, making him exceptionally handsome and pleasing to the eye.



She whispered softly,



“I quite like this scent too.” Lu Chenglian said,



“You should head back now, lest you remain restless here.” Gu Xiyan felt as if pardoned from a death sentence.



\u201cMm, mm, mm!\u201d After saying this, she lifted the hem of her skirt and walked quickly away without looking back.



Lu Chenglian stood on the steps, watching her slender figure retreat in haste.



After gazing for a while, he finally composed himself and turned to the young maidservant waiting respectfully by his side.



The little maidservant was named Amole, whom he had rescued during the western expedition.



She possessed immense strength and exceptional martial skills, and because of her half-ghost slave lineage, her complexion was as dark as ink, with slightly curly hair.



After years of his guidance, she had become quite proficient in the language and customs of the dynasty and remained fiercely loyal to him.



He now intended for her to gain practical experience, believing that, given time, she could become someone to rely on.



He said calmly,



“Speak.” Amole replied in a slightly stiff and peculiar accent,



“Second Master Ye received rose dew, which is why he agreed to help Madam.” Lu Chengli\u00e0n immediately frowned.



“Rose Dew?



You mean Rose Dew?” Amol\u00e9, thinking he didn’t believe her, hurriedly pulled out a white porcelain bottle and offered it to Lu Chengli\u00e0n with both hands.



“This was given to Master Ye by Madam.” She felt this was a terrible thing.



Rose Dew belonged to Third Master and shouldn’t be given to anyone else, so she stole it back for him.



Lu Chengli\u00e0n took it with suspicion, opened the wooden stopper, gave it a slight sniff, and instantly turned pale with anger.



The scent unmistakably matches the one from just moments ago!



He gripped the white porcelain bottle, almost crushing it in his hand.



So, the fragrance he had been so deeply immersed in just moments ago had actually been shared by her with some man on the outside!



The scent of that wild man was exactly the same as the one on her body?



Seeing the expression on his master’s face, Amole realized he was truly angry and felt that he had indeed done the right thing.



She cheerfully claimed credit, gesturing as she said,



“So Amo stole the rose dew and brought it back!



Third Master’s fragrance belongs to Third Master again!” Lu Chenglian\u2019s face darkened like dripping water: \u201cShut your mouth!\u201d<\/p>","protected":false},"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}}},"novel":[],"class_list":["post-3444","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3444"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3444\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3445,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/chapter\/3444\/revisions\/3445"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"novel","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/velvetink.xyz\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/novel?post=3444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}