Chapter Sixteen: The Will to Grow Stronger

Staring in astonishment at the direction where Lu Ying had departed, the young man suddenly felt an urge to laugh. Only after making sure he had completely swallowed down his amusement did he turn his head, his expression solemn as he looked at his lord, his face cold as he said, “My lord, that young lady seemed to have hidden meaning in her words.”

As if afraid his lord might not understand, he emphasized earnestly, “What she just said sounded like she was admonishing those with scheming hearts.”

The nobleman cast him a sidelong glance.

The young man didn’t meet his gaze. Frowning, he said with a troubled air, “Well, my lord, you did say we should give that young lady a bit of a fright. But it seems she wasn’t startled at all. What should we do?” In that moment, his expression was the very picture of distress—utterly at a loss.

The nobleman gazed quietly at the young man. Slowly, the corners of his lips curved into a smile; as he smiled, two dimples flickered at the corners of his mouth, and his expression was as tender as could be. His voice, deep and magnetic, seemed to possess the power to soothe, “Is that so? What a pity, truly a shame.”

At the sight of his master’s smile, the young man couldn’t help but shiver. Quickly masking his face with a wooden expression, he said heavily, “My lord, I just remembered there’s an urgent matter I haven’t dealt with yet.” With that, he hunched his back and dashed off at once.

Lu Yun stared at his sister in bewilderment for a long while before stammering, “Sister, just now—?”

Lu Ying turned back, reached out and stroked her brother’s soft black hair, and said softly, “That jade was shattered long ago.”

“What?”

Seeing the worry etched on her brother’s face, Lu Ying curved her lips in a faint smile and said in a low voice, “Don’t worry. Everything should be fine now.” Whether open or hidden, any schemes would surely lose their edge after hearing what she had just said; those people would hardly bother themselves with someone as insignificant as her—a mere commoner and a woman.

Lu Yun’s schoolmate had already gone ahead, so by the time the siblings returned to the city, it was midday.

Lu Ying bought a chicken in the marketplace and half a pound of pork, planning to make a hearty dinner to ease their nerves after the day’s events.

As they reached their doorstep, Aunt Yang called out in her booming voice, “Ah Ying, you’re back!” Waddling over, she said warmly, “Hey, where did you go today? Earlier this morning, your soon-to-be husband came by with a whole donkey cart of gifts. Too bad you weren’t here.”

Lu Ying smiled and replied, “Ah Yun has the day off today, so I went out to spend time with him.”

“You left so early! Such a good husband, and no one was home to host him—how embarrassing.”

“It’s all right, he won’t run off,” Lu Ying replied offhandedly, not expecting Aunt Yang to jump up at her words. Aunt Yang glared at her, warning sternly, “Ah Ying, don’t think just because you’re pretty you can take your husband for granted. Listen to your aunt: even in a small place like Hanyang, never mind somewhere big like Chengdu, there are plenty of girls prettier than you. Don’t get careless.”

She leaned in and whispered, “You’ve lost your parents and there’s no money left at home. Aside from your looks, you have nothing to recommend you. Don’t get conceited, Ah Ying. I saw with my own eyes the other day—your cousin, Ah Yin, was sitting cozily in a cart with your future husband.”

Seeing she might have gone too far, Aunt Yang quickly added, “Still, you’re the one betrothed to him, so long as you conduct yourself properly, no one else will take your place as his wife. Just be careful in the future.”

As Aunt Yang showed no sign of stopping, Lu Ying could only force a few polite laughs until the woman was finally satisfied and left. Only then did she open the door.

Once inside, Lu Ying busied herself tidying up the room. When she was done, she picked up her copy of “The Doctrine of the Mean” and began to read.

Sensing an unusual stillness within the house, Lu Ying looked up.

As she raised her head, she caught sight of Lu Yun kneeling motionless on the pallet, his head bowed. From her angle, her brother’s thin, delicate figure looked unbearably lonely.

Lu Ying quickly put down her book and went to him, gently stroking his hair as she called, “Ah Yun, don’t dwell on it.”

Lu Yun, his forehead pressed to the edge of the table, shook his head. After a long while, his voice came out hoarse, “Sister, I almost lost my head back there, didn’t I?”

After a long pause, Lu Ying replied softly, “Yes.”

At that single word, Lu Yun’s body shook violently.

Watching her brother shudder with lingering fear, Lu Ying lowered her eyes and said quietly, “Ah Yun, that’s the way of the world. Those without power or influence are always easy prey.”

Lu Yun was still trembling. After a long moment, he asked with difficulty, “Sister, how does one gain power and influence?”

This was the question Lu Ying had been waiting for. She answered slowly, “Given our station, there is but one path—to earn recommendation as a Filial and Incorrupt Scholar.”

Lu Yun straightened his back, his voice muffled, “Sister, please explain.”

Lu Ying said in a low voice, “To be chosen by renowned scholars and elders, to have them willingly spread your reputation far and wide, you must possess two things: first, impeccable character; second, outstanding talent.” Smiling, she turned to look at her brother, enunciating each word clearly, “So from today onward, all you need to do is one thing: study, and study well! Read as much as you can.” She lowered her gaze, hiding the light in her eyes. “As for everything else, whether it’s doing good or making a name for yourself, leave it all to your sister.”

“Sister, I understand.”

...

That evening, after enjoying a hearty meal together, the siblings sat outside their house, reading by the last rays of the setting sun, when the sound of wheels came rattling down the road.

Lu Ying looked up, her brows deeply furrowed. Beside her, Lu Yun muttered, “He’s back again.”

It was none other than Zeng Lang. Lu Yun had never liked him, so his tone was rather curt.

Lu Ying closed her copy of “The Doctrine of the Mean” and said to her brother, “Ah Yun, go back inside.” She frowned and added in a low voice, “Some family matters are best kept private. This isn’t the place to talk.”

Lu Yun understood, and helped pack up the mat and table.

As Lu Ying turned to go inside, Zeng Lang’s voice called out behind her, “Ah Ying!” He strode over, scolding angrily, “Ah Ying, you clearly saw me coming—why are you hiding from me?”

Then he shot a glare at Lu Yun and snapped, “Ah Yun, you too! Don’t you know how to show respect to your elders? And you still dream of being recommended as a Filial and Incorrupt Scholar?”