Chapter 148: Several Letters That Severely Crippled the Yang Clan

Lu Ying spoke pitifully, her expression full of grievance, yet the nobleman’s face gradually darkened.

He regarded her without a trace of emotion.

He knew all too well the true nature beneath her facade—the heart so unyielding it seemed indestructible. He understood even better that every word she uttered now, every gesture she made, was merely a tactic. She was using the least provocative manner possible, wearing various masks to tell him plainly: she did not want this, she refused. He would do well to consider carefully the consequences of taking her, to contemplate what position he should truly place her in once he had her. He might as well ponder whether it was worth the trouble, whether there remained any appeal, and whether he should even extend his hand.

After staring at Lu Ying with an expressionless and stern face for a while, the nobleman wrapped an arm around her waist and said faintly, “We are merely cabin mates; I will not touch you.” With that, he turned and walked away.

At last, Lu Ying exhaled a breath of relief.

Days passed in the blink of an eye.

Since that moment, Lu Ying only crossed paths with the nobleman briefly as they fell asleep. The atmosphere of gloom between them was so palpable that even the pleasure-seekers aboard felt the oppressive tension, aware that a rift had formed.

This oppressive mood erupted fully after the nobleman casually dismissed a beauty who had tried to seduce him, even returning her head as a blatant insult. Thereafter, everyone kept their distance from the pair. When contact was unavoidable, it was marked by caution and careful avoidance—not wanting to give the impression that they or their associates had designs on either of them.

Lu Ying welcomed this situation wholeheartedly.

Unable to expose the man’s true nature, she dared not engage in repeated dealings with Yuan Shi. After receiving confirmation of Yuan Shi’s intentions the next day, Lu Ying set her plans into motion.

That evening, Yang Lang leaned unsteadily against the ship’s railing, gulping down wine with one arm wrapped around a newly acquired beauty.

After a few swigs, he spat out curses. “Who do you think you are? How dare you turn your face from me? I will never want you, never!” Muttering, he pulled the beauty closer and kissed her a few times.

Amidst his tirade, a cold voice interrupted, “Sir, was that your mother just now? I didn’t expect you to be so devoted to her, even bringing her along for this trip.” A handsome, refined young man approached and, leaning alongside Yang Lang, took the wine cup offered to him. He spoke lightly, “I say, sir, such clinginess won’t do. If you’re out to have fun, enjoy yourself. What’s the point of bringing your wife along? You truly are a sentimental fool.”

Hearing this, Yang Lang bristled, a mocking smile curling his lips. “Her? Devoted to her? Let me tell you, she’s nothing in my heart.”

The young man frowned, looking at Yang Lang with pity. “I don’t see it that way, and neither would your wife, I imagine. You keep talking about her appearance, clearly keeping her close in your heart, afraid she might leave you.”

Yang Lang jumped to his feet, roaring, “Me, keep her in my heart? Afraid she would leave me? Ridiculous, the biggest joke! Haven’t you noticed she still wears the young maiden’s hairstyle? I tell you, I have never touched her, and I never will!”

The young man remained unconvinced and continued calmly, “You really don’t like her? If so, why keep her so close, causing yourself trouble? If I were you, I’d just divorce her. Look at that timid woman—if you truly abandoned her, she’d be crying, begging to come back.”

Though the last sentence was casually uttered, Yang Lang, drunk and furious, was taken aback. His eyes brightened as he muttered, “Yes, I’ll make her beg and regret it bitterly... How dare she show me such disdain, without knowing her own worth!” After a moment, he murmured again, “Exactly, she must think that without Zheng Shi, I have no choice but her.”

At that, he called out, “Go fetch the carrier pigeons—I’m writing letters.” Pressured by Yuan Shi’s entirely different attitude, Yang Lang’s mind was consumed by one thought: he would make her regret everything. If she dared treat him like this, he would have her crying and pleading like before. Then, like old times, he could kick her a few times and enjoy himself. Unlike now, when nothing pleased him.

While waiting for the pigeons, Yang Lang retreated to his cabin to write. The young man occasionally tapped out a comment beside him. What began as one letter soon grew into five, then ten. Fueled by the young man’s provocation, Yang Lang’s letters were filled with cold sarcasm and scorn toward Yuan Shi, as if trampling her in the mud repeatedly.

After finishing, the young man urged him on, and Yang Lang, fearing disbelief, stamped each letter with a heavy private seal.

The carrier pigeons were soon released.

Shortly after Yang Lang left, unaware, the pigeons returned to the young man’s hands.

After carefully examining Yang Lang’s handwriting on each letter, Lu Ying penned a line on every one: “Enough. I am kind-hearted; let those dowries be found quickly and returned to her without loss.”

After this, she enlisted the help of Zhiliu to remove the original addressees’ names at the front of several letters, replacing them with the names of Yuan Shi’s relatives. In one letter addressed to an aunt who had long ago retreated to a Taoist monastery and never involved herself in worldly affairs—once a noble of the Yuan family and the highest-ranking elder—Lu Ying added another letter from Yuan Shi herself. Yuan Shi’s letter was lengthy, detailing the situation with Zheng Shi and Yang Lang, as well as the life she had endured over the years. In the end, she begged her aunt to help recover the dowry and manage it responsibly. Yuan Shi finally admitted, “With these assets, I will no longer be destitute and alone for the rest of my life.”

Once everything was arranged, Lu Ying sent the pigeons off again.

Watching the released pigeons, Zhiliu smiled and remarked, “This time, the Yang family’s vitality will be greatly damaged.”

Lu Ying turned abruptly, astonished. After a moment, she asked, “Her dowry is really that much?”

“Not just the dowry. There’s also an extensive network. Her parents and paternal grandfather once had comrades and friends who managed a vast web of connections. During Wang Mang’s chaotic regime, they even stirred up trouble using that network. Otherwise, how do you think the Zheng family was destroyed? The transgression was one thing, but another reason was how desperately the Yangs needed to ally with the Yuans. So they helped push the Zheng family into the role of government courtesans.”

Lu Ying asked, “Did they know?”

“You mean Yang Lang and Yuan Shi? How would they? Zheng Shi knew, but she hated the Yang family so much she focused her wrath on the Yuans instead.” Zhiliu shrugged indifferently. “After Yuan Shi’s parents died, Yang Lang’s parents—who were both close friends and relatives—took over Yuan Shi’s dowry and property. When handling affairs, they often acted in Yuan Shi’s parents’ name, pressing old acquaintances. So don’t think those people always protected Yuan Shi. But if truly provoked, the Yang family’s efforts over the years wouldn’t have much effect. When we make our move, those people won’t blindly support the Yang side.”

He sneered, “Once the dowry is handed over and we take our place, Yang Lang will find it much harder to indulge himself at the Rose Fragrance Pavilion.”

Hearing this, Lu Ying thought: So serious? This really is a heavy blow.

As they parted, Zhiliu nodded toward Lu Ying and said, “You’ve got me confused, Madam Lu. No wonder the lord ordered you to have free rein. I didn’t expect your actions to truly align with his wishes.” He paused, then added slowly, “For a man like the lord, genuine feelings don’t mean so much. He’s exceptional—he can have anyone he wants. Being madly in love is just a life risk and a burden. But you’re different. If the lord ever truly cared for someone, I think you have a good chance.” He gave earnest advice: “I think you should fight for it. If you become his, you’ll have status and honor, and favor will surely follow. Your background alone is a blessing that earned the lord’s attention. While he’s interested, don’t waste time on trivialities—hold on to him and bear him sons. By then, even if you’re treated poorly or penniless, waving your hand to crush a few families will be as easy as lighting incense.”

Having given sincere counsel, Zhiliu wove his way out, his gait slightly outward-turned. Normally, someone of his standing wouldn’t speak so plainly. But seeing the recent discord between the two, and the lord’s subtle affection for Lu, he felt compelled. Yet, no matter who the lord desires, forcing an unwilling woman is beneath him. Moreover, this woman was skilled in biting sarcasm. Even Zhiliu imagined the expressions and pain Lu Ying might inflict once bound to the lord, and it seemed pointless.

By now, both he and the lord regarded Lu Ying with genuine respect. Like the daughters of Luoyang’s great clans, forcing her into a bed was not a matter to be taken lightly. This was no ordinary woman who could be tossed aside or appeased with a casual favor.

Lu Ying withdrew her gaze.

She thought: Wealth and glory are desirable, but she wished to acquire them with comfort and happiness. More than anyone, she understood her own temperament. If she truly fell for the nobleman, if she truly needed him, she would not tolerate other women around him. Then, she would unleash her cruelty—harsh, secretive, and merciless—to torment any rival to pieces. But given the nobleman’s status, any woman who could stand as his rival would surely have powerful family backing. A confrontation would be a prolonged, dark war. That would be utterly exhausting.

The letters having been sent, the ship’s arrival in Wuhan would soon stir a flurry of activity. Lu Ying began pondering strategies based on the scant information Yuan Shi had provided.

As she brooded, a figure clad in black appeared at the door, expressionless. “Lu Wen, the lord requests your presence outside.” No sooner had the words left his mouth than a sudden uproar broke out beyond.

(To be continued)