Chapter 105: Bai Was Startled

He took Lu Ying’s hand and walked along the winding wooden veranda toward the shimmering shadows at the center of the lake.

A gentle spring breeze blew softly, carrying a hint of coolness as it passed over the water. This refreshing air brushed against their faces and bodies, soothing away any restlessness.

Lu Ying no longer felt anxious.

In truth, ever since her entanglement with this nobleman, she had come to understand that worry was futile.

She regained her calm, and the nobleman beside her exuded a gentle, tranquil aura. Bathed in the moonlight, Lu Ying glanced at him.

She saw in him a rare ease and delight. Ease, she could understand; but delight—she knew that for some, it was a rare and precious thing.

It was as if there was nothing to think about, nothing to care for. All distractions faded away, leaving only the serene enjoyment of the unending spring scenery and the youthful heartbeat between them.

Suddenly, Lu Ying realized he was right. His true intention in bringing her here tonight was simply to share the beauty of the lake under the moonlight. Everything else—her nervousness, her overthinking—had been of her own making.

How simple the truth was!

Lu Ying sighed softly and let herself fully relax.

As they strolled, a group of three or four scholars leaned against the railing ahead, gazing at the moon’s reflection in the water and chatting idly.

One of them was the very scholar she had encountered earlier. Seeing the two approaching, he quickly turned his head away, whispering to those beside him, “Before everyone’s eyes, these two openly display their intimate affection… no wonder it’s said that the children of the wealthy are often arrogant and willful. It rings true.”

His voice was low, but Lu Ying, listening intently, caught every word clearly.

Moved, she lifted her eyes to the nobleman.

Beneath his veil, she glimpsed a faint smile playing at his lips, as if unaware of the scholar’s words.

At that moment, another young scholar glanced covertly at them and murmured, “Such a gem, truly a pity to lose such talent.”

Hearing this, Lu Ying, now fully at ease, looked again at the nobleman.

He bowed his head and met her gaze squarely. In the meeting of their eyes, he slowly removed her gauze hat, letting the firelight illuminate her delicate features.

Then, he gently cupped her face, turning it toward the scholars, and with a deep laugh said, “Gentlemen, don’t you think that with this young lord’s beauty, it would be better for him to favor a man like myself rather than a woman?”

His words stunned Lu Ying, and the scholars too were momentarily speechless.

Lu Ying was utterly unprepared for such teasing banter to come from the nobleman.

After a moment’s pause, the scholars looked at Lu Ying’s slender frame and her composed, elegant face.

To be honest, even if a smaller woman stood beside her, though fitting, none would seem as perfectly matched to this towering gentleman as she did.

After allowing them to appreciate the sight for a while, the nobleman replaced her gauze hat and chuckled softly, “It seems you all agree with me.”

He took Lu Ying’s hand and cheerfully strode past the group.

Feeling the lingering gazes of the scholars behind them, Lu Ying whispered in complaint, “Why did you have to make me reveal my face?”

See? It only took a moment for her to learn to complain!

The once-shocked little sister-in-law, who had nearly collapsed before him, now acted as if she were an old friend, daring to voice such grievances over trivial matters. This proved she was completely at ease in his presence.

This was the puzzle for the nobleman. Lu Ying could always sense the slightest shifts in his mood. Even if startled momentarily, she quickly adapted.

He gave no answer.

Curious, Lu Ying asked, “My lord, I still don’t know your name.”

He smiled. “My name is Jiang. You may call me Lord Jiang.”

He mentioned only his given name, not his surname, and asked to be called Lord Jiang—others might mistake him for her husband.

Lu Ying replied lightly, “I prefer to call you ‘Master.’”

The two walked side by side, their peaceful demeanor blending with the night breeze.

After a while, laughter burst from a pavilion at the lake’s center. As it died away, soft zither music began, and a veiled singer gracefully took the stage to dance.

The nobleman stopped.

He crossed his arms and watched silently, his tall figure stretched long in the moonlight.

Suddenly, footsteps approached swiftly from behind. Bowing slightly, a man in blue robes whispered respectfully, “Master?”

The nobleman turned slowly.

In that moment, the gentle smile vanished, replaced by a cold, lethal aura that made Lu Ying instinctively retreat a few steps.

In a flash, they were no longer equals standing side by side.

She barely caught his command: “Cast the net.”

“Yes, sir.”

He glanced at Lu Ying. “Escort her back.”

“Yes, sir.”

With that, he strode away under the moonlight, growing more distant.

Lu Ying lowered her head as she watched his retreating silhouette.

Soon after, a guard approached her. “Please.”

Lu Ying followed him to the riverbank, where a simple ox cart awaited.

Once she was seated, the silent wheels began to roll.

Four guards escorted her beyond the alley. When she reached her own door and looked back, the guards had vanished as if they had never been there.

Knock, knock, knock.

She rapped on the gate.

With a bang, hurried footsteps approached, and Lu Yun appeared before her.

Seeing his sister, a smile brightened his face. He was about to ask something but recalled her disappointed look from the day before and forced himself to ask calmly, “Sister, why did you come back so late?”

Of course, it was deliberate.

As Lu Ying closed the door, she asked, “Did you find out anything when I was gone?”

Lu Yun replied earnestly, “I used an iron coin to inquire from a beggar. I learned you took an ox cart, and its owner treated you with great respect, even avoiding sitting in the same cart with you. So I thought you were safe and waited at home until now.”

Good. Finally, he was becoming methodical.

Lu Ying reached out to touch her brother’s head apologetically. “It was sent by the nobleman. It must have been sudden. Are you hungry, Yun?”

“Don’t worry, Sister. I know how to take care of myself. I ate in the market, spending three iron coins.”

Hearing this, Lu Ying smiled with satisfaction, her eyes curving.

Lu Yun, seeing his sister pleased, felt happy too. He followed her closely, curious. “Sister, why did that man summon you?”

Why indeed?

Lu Ying thought for a moment and replied softly, “Nothing important. Perhaps he wanted to tell me where he lives in Chengdu and, incidentally, have a little chat.” He must have found her bristling with caution and strategizing amusing, right?

She had only wanted a quiet walk but hadn’t forgotten to startle her first! Thinking this, Lu Ying pressed her lips tightly.

That night, she slept poorly.

Tossing and turning on her bed, when she finally closed her eyes, she dreamed either of their intertwined hands or caught fleeting images of his head bowing, his lips lightly brushing her cheek—mocking, teasing.

Her waist still felt warm, as if his touch lingered, impossible to erase.

This feeling was unsettling for Lu Ying. Unlike with Yin Che, toward whom she had once felt affection and allowed herself freedom because she knew he was harmless to her despite their fate, this man was entirely different—completely unlike.

She tossed until dawn before falling into a shallow sleep.

Seeing she had not risen, Lu Yun made no effort to wake her for breakfast. Pocketing a few iron coins he had won, he happily went to the market to eat before heading to school.

The next day, Lu Ying awoke to bright daylight.

After tidying the house, she realized she had spaced out several times and frowned.

She refused to play games she couldn’t win or care for people she must not allow herself to care about.

After some restless thoughts, a sharp knock at the door shattered her calm around noon.

She walked slowly to the door and asked, “Who’s there?”

After a pause, a young man’s proud voice answered, “I am Zhang Fenglang of the Zhang family. You are Lady Lu, yes? Open the door.”

Ah? Zhang Feng had come?

Speaking of him, Lu Ying was indeed curious about this man who had inexplicably taken liberties with her.

She creaked the door open.

Standing there was a handsome, fair-skinned youth. Lu Ying looked him over twice and suddenly recognized him as one of the wealthy young men she had once seen waiting at the city gate for Lu Yun.

As Lu Ying scrutinized him, Zhang Feng also appraised her.

His eyes brightened the longer he looked.

With two servants in tow, he swaggered confidently into the courtyard. “Yesterday, I was to blame for my subordinates’ reckless actions. Lu Ying, please do not take offense.”

He paused, then frowned as he looked at her. “Though you are exquisitely beautiful in women’s clothing, you are no longer as dazzling as in your youth. When you come to my residence, perhaps you could serve as a scribe’s assistant.”

Lu Ying lifted her head, her dark eyes steady and sharp, a hint of mocking amusement flickering within.

Zhang Feng met her gaze and slightly softened his tone. “Though my approach was abrupt yesterday, Lu Ying, you must understand a woman’s future depends on marriage. Being with me and receiving such a rich dowry sufficient to care for your brother, most women, even if unaware of the full situation, would accept it. My steward did not expect you to have such spirit.” Remembering her demeanor at the tavern, Zhang Feng smiled. “But I like your character.”

***

Only three days left. Holding onto pink tickets will be wasteful; better to give them all to Feng Yue Wubian. After all, this book has more votes than before, yet hasn’t even reached the top fifteen on the overall list. RQ()