Chapter 114: Handling

As soon as he entered the room, the fourth young master of the Xiao family placed the jade pendant on the table and asked his mother to examine it carefully. Afterward, he repeated what Lu Ying had said in the garden earlier.

After a pause, the fourth young master asked solemnly, “Mother, is this jade pendant truly authentic?”

“Indeed, it is genuine!” The old madam of the Xiao family gasped softly and murmured, “That Lady Lu is truly not to be trifled with. When we spoke of adopting her as our sworn daughter, some narrow-minded people even said they looked down on her. Now, I wonder who was truly looking down on whom.”

However, the fourth young master’s attention was elsewhere. He said seriously, “I have discussed with Third Brother. This matter is grave; one careless step could bring ruin upon our clan. Whether or not this was done by our eldest sister-in-law, since Lady Lu insists it was her, then it must be her.” After a pause, he continued, “As for our in-laws, I have already sent someone to deal with it. Mother, do you think it would be better for her to die suddenly or be confined?”

The old madam gritted her teeth and said hoarsely, “It really was her!” Having contended with the eldest daughter-in-law for years, she knew her well. Thus, she spoke with certainty from the start.

Closing her eyes briefly, she added, “Let her die suddenly.”

“But, Mother, if she dies suddenly, rumors will spread easily, which might harm the two children and the Sun family, her natal clan,” he cautioned. The two children were the eldest madam’s own sons.

The old madam sneered coldly. “Because of that fool, all the great families have been displeased with us until now. Even when the eldest son was suspended from office, they still hadn’t swallowed their anger. The last time Lady Shang’s daughter spoke, it was quite unpleasant. For the sake of the entire Xiao family and to appease them, some sacrifices must be made. Also, once this poisonous woman is dealt with, inform the other families. And since Lady Lu insists on keeping this matter secret, then it must rot in her belly.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Do not let the Sun family know this involves Lady Lu. If some fool tries to take revenge, we might completely offend that person.”

“Yes.”

“All those who know about this in the garden must be silenced absolutely. Even if it costs their lives or they have to cut out their own tongues, not a word is to be spoken! Remember, the noble one even gave Lady Lu such a precious jade pendant, yet still let her do menial tasks and live a hard life. That means he was thoroughly entertained by this. You must not spoil his amusement!”

“As you say, Mother.”

Lu Ying returned to the manor ahead of the others.

Sitting in the courtyard, she looked up at the drifting white clouds, her thoughts surging like the waves. After a long while, she sighed deeply, thinking silently: This is truly a difficult situation now.

In the past, she had also leveraged the noble one's influence to get things done, but those matters ultimately arose because of him. Thus, Lu Ying never felt guilty about using his power.

Today, however, was different.

Today, she was borrowing his favor and relying on his authority to crush her crisis, thus saving her life.

After pondering for a moment, she resolved quietly: Very well, I shall find a time to thank him properly.

In the afternoon, a knock sounded at the door. Lu Ying hurried over, but before she could speak, an excited voice came from outside, almost singing, “Ah Ying, open the door quickly, hurry up!”

With a creak, Lu Ying opened the door.

Xiao Yan stood outside with two maidservants, her face radiant with joy. Upon seeing Lu Ying, she rushed forward and embraced her tightly.

Holding Lu Ying close, Xiao Yan exclaimed excitedly, “Ah Ying, thank you, thank you! This time you have truly opened a bright future for me and my brother.”

Overcome with happiness, she released Lu Ying and twirled around laughing in the courtyard. Between laughs, she gurgled, “Ah Ying, I’m so happy, so happy! Since my mother died, this is the first time I’ve felt this joy.”

Suddenly she called out, “Ah Ying, once my brother finishes school, I’ll bring him over. You’ve given us a new lease on life; I won’t let him forget it.”

After a moment, Lu Ying teased, “How much longer do you plan to keep laughing?”

“I’m going to laugh forever,” Xiao Yan said, still spinning and giggling. “You know, I wanted to laugh all day today, but I couldn’t in the manor. I had to hold it in. Finally, here with you, you won’t even let me laugh my fill?”

“Fine, then laugh all you want.” Lu Ying went to the kitchen to boil some water. As she moved, the two maidservants hurried over, smiling as they took over her chores. One was a fourteen-year-old girl with a melon-shaped face who said, “Lady Lu, leave these things to us. You go have fun with our mistress.”

Their tone was casual and carefree.

When Lu Ying was gently pushed out, Xiao Yan still twirled and laughed. Lu Ying was about to speak when she caught sight of tears streaming down Xiao Yan’s face despite her laughter. She sighed silently in her heart and feigned ignorance.

After a while, Xiao Yan wiped her tears and spoke hoarsely, “Ah Ying, I truly am grateful to you.” After a pause, she continued, “My brother is only thirteen this year, but so far he’s nearly drowned twice, been poisoned once, fallen from a mountain once, and gotten lost once... six times narrowly escaping death. Ah Ying, I’m always so scared, terrified that one day some unknown disaster will take him away from me forever.”

Turning her head, she whispered to Lu Ying, “If it weren’t for grandmother’s love for me, if it weren’t for my powerful grandfather and Uncle Shan’s constant care, if my eldest uncle hadn’t said that as long as my brother and I live, everyone will be at peace—but if anything happens to us, no matter the cause, he will see to it that all my father’s legitimate sons perish—if it weren’t for Auntie A Ti and her family protecting me, I might have died long ago. Ah Ying, do you know that kind of fear? You know it was her doing, but you just can’t find the proof, and if you’re not careful, that bad thing might be pinned on you instead... Ah Ying, have you ever felt that?”

Lu Ying shook her head.

Xiao Yan stepped forward, embracing her and resting her head on Lu Ying’s shoulder. She murmured, “I always thought my brother would live like this forever. And I, even if I married and fled, could never escape her control... Ah Ying, do you know how grateful I am to you?”

Lu Ying wrapped her arms around her in return, softly saying, “It’s alright. It’s all in the past now.” Then she asked, “You haven’t told me yet what your family plans to do with your stepmother?”

“What plan?” Xiao Yan blinked at Lu Ying and said seriously, “She suddenly had a heart attack this morning and died on the spot!”

She actually died suddenly?

The Xiao family certainly acted decisively.

Remembering the matter at hand, Xiao Yan pulled the jade pendant from her sleeve and handed it to Lu Ying. It was nestled inside an exquisitely crafted jade box made from the finest mutton fat white jade—crystal clear and meticulously carved. The box alone was worth hundreds of taels of gold.

Handing it over, Xiao Yan said earnestly, “My grandmother said that the Xiao family will not take lightly the matter you entrusted to us. We will ensure that today’s incident never leaks out and that you face no difficulties.”

Seeing Lu Ying accept the box without a word, Xiao Yan’s heart swelled with happiness, and she smiled so brightly her eyes nearly closed to slits.

Lu Ying’s status was unique; the Xiao family dared not show her favors lightly. Even such a jade box was debated among the heads of the family for a long time before they finally agreed to present it without fearing repercussions.

After chatting a while, Lu Ying remembered something and asked, “Xiao Yan, do you know how many great scholars there are in Chengdu? What their temperaments and preferences are?”

Xiao Yan nodded immediately. “I don’t know exactly, but someone in my family does. I’ll find out tomorrow and tell you.” She then hugged Lu Ying’s arm and rested her head on her shoulder, whispering, “Ah Ying, I don’t want to go back tonight. I want to sleep with you.”

Lu Ying replied, “Alright.”

“I’m just teasing,” Xiao Yan said with a smile. “This place is too old and small; I can’t get used to sleeping here.” Then she asked cautiously, “Ah Ying, how about I give you a manor?”

Lu Ying pondered for a moment and looked up. “No need for a manor. When I come up with a profitable business, we can pool our resources together.”

“Good, good!” Xiao Yan exclaimed.

Watching Lu Ying, she propped her chin on her hand and suddenly burst into giggles. “Ah Ying.”

“Hm?”

“You’re really impressive today.”

“My grandmother even told me to be careful around you so I wouldn’t offend you carelessly. She doesn’t know that you’re just like this. When we were in Hanyang, we openly called you a down-and-out, and you were so indifferent and unbothered. Now you just flick the jade pendant and deal with my arrogant stepmother, and you’re still so calm and unfazed.”

“I always knew Ah Ying was Ah Ying. Whether good or bad, that’s just how you are.”

Those words warmed the heart.

Lu Ying smiled at Xiao Yan and continued sipping the plain water in her hand.

Xiao Yan nestled against her, chattering on for a while before slowly closing her eyes. After a moment, when Lu Ying noticed the sudden quiet, she realized Xiao Yan had fallen asleep leaning on her.

Seeing her mistress asleep, one maid took a long robe from Lu Ying’s bed to cover her, while another carefully said, “My lady is usually very alert and often has trouble sleeping. Lady Lu, would you like to have her treated with some medicine?”

Lu Ying nodded faintly, sipping water slowly as she watched the clouds drift by, motionless.

Xiao Yan slept until Lu Yun finished school, then woke with a start. She hurriedly wiped her face and shouted as she rushed home.

After Xiao Yan left, Lu Ying prepared a meal for her brother while telling him about the events of the day.

All along, Lu Ying made a point to share both small and big matters with Lu Yun. She wanted him to understand clearly who his sister had helped or offended—matters that might one day affect his fate.

The next morning, as Lu Yun was getting ready for school, he saw his sister dressed in a man’s robe, busy at work. He asked, “Sister, where are you going so early?”

Her words hung in the air as Lu Ying seemed thoughtful for a long moment before replying, “I want to visit that noble one... He gave me the jade pendant that saved my life, and I must thank him in person.” She smiled bitterly and murmured, “For someone like him, I can never find a suitable gift to properly express my gratitude.” (To be continued)