Chapter Seventeen: Speak Frankly

Lu Yun’s face grew pale, but before he could answer, Lu Ying, standing to the side, spoke in a cool, detached tone: “Did you come for something, Sir Zeng? Let’s talk inside.” With that, she lifted her foot and walked toward the house.

Zeng’s expression shifted. He sensed that Lu Ying’s attitude toward him had indeed changed. When she looked at him, there was no longer admiration or delight; her words to him were cold and distant, making him feel both offended and frustrated.

Suppressing his irritation, Zeng spoke in a low voice, “Here is fine.” He remembered his purpose for coming and forced a smile, slowing his speech as he explained gently to Lu Ying, “A Ying, you really misunderstood A Yin that day. There’s nothing between us.”

He paused, recalling the delay tactic he had prepared, and softened his voice further, speaking lightly, “I have always liked only you. You are the one I wish to marry, A Ying. How could you misjudge me?”

“Is that so?” Lu Ying, who had just stepped inside, turned her head. Her clear, black-and-white eyes fixed coldly on Zeng, and after staring at him for a moment, she let out a cold laugh. “Didn’t you say the same thing to A Yin, Sir Zeng?”

How did she know?

Zeng’s face changed slightly, but he quickly composed himself. Frowning impatiently at Lu Ying, he spoke with an edge, “A Ying, do you not trust me anymore?” There was a warning in his stern tone.

Lu Ying knew that tone and expression well. In the past, whenever she acted against his wishes or said something he disliked, he would admonish her in this half-warning, half-contemptuous manner, making her feel guilty and afraid. Each time, she would retreat, because she cared for him, because she didn’t want to lose her support, because she had grown accustomed to his dominance and her own humility.

But now, Lu Ying felt nothing.

Her heart told her plainly that this man was only bluffing, and it was simply because she had struck at the truth.

Closing her eyes briefly, Lu Ying let a faint smile bloom once more. She lifted her head, looked Zeng straight in the eye, and replied calmly, “Yes, I don’t believe you.”

He had not expected her to answer so directly, and Zeng was momentarily taken aback.

Just then, Lu Ying glanced at the nearby alley and suddenly remarked, “A Yin is here too.”

What?

Zeng started, turning his head. As he did, he caught sight of a figure hastily pulling down a carriage curtain to hide her face—it was indeed A Yin!

That foolish woman! He had already promised her, yet she still dared to come and spy?

Frustrated at his plans being disrupted again, Zeng felt a surge of anger.

As he stood there, face darkening and breath heavy, Lu Ying’s soft laughter drifted over. “Sir Zeng, since A Yin is here as well, why not call her over? You can repeat what you just said to me. If you do, I’ll apologize to you, I promise.”

To tell A Yin directly that he only liked Lu Ying, and had always intended to marry her? Impossible!

Zeng froze, lips pressed tightly together.

Seeing his reaction, Lu Ying understood perfectly. This man said one thing in front of her and likely another behind her back.

With the truth confirmed, Lu Ying felt nothing but annoyance. She stepped lightly to stand before Zeng, lifted her head, and stared at him intently. Slowly, word by word, she spoke: “Sir Zeng, a true man must have the courage to face his actions. Since you are interested in someone else, you need not trouble me any longer. As for the engagement, when Uncle Zeng returns home, Ah Yun and I will pay your family a visit.”

This was not what Zeng wanted to hear. His face tightened as he retorted, “A Ying, it’s always you overthinking things.” He softened his tone, sighed, and pleaded, “A Ying, please don’t make a fuss with me. Look, I brought a whole carriage of gifts for you. Just for the sake of my coming twice today, can’t you let it go?” His words were in a gentle tone Lu Ying had never heard before.

Seeing that he still refused to give up, Lu Ying frowned, fixing her gaze on Zeng, her face cold as she declared, “Sir Zeng, do you not understand what I’m saying? I have never quarreled with you. I simply don’t like you anymore. I despise you, I’ve abandoned you. Do you understand?”

Her voice was sharp, and with those words and that attitude, it was more than harsh—it was biting and acerbic.

Zeng had never suffered such indignity before, especially from Lu Ying, the daughter of a ruined household whom he subconsciously looked down upon.

Caught off guard, a wave of rage surged within him. Just as he was about to spit out something vicious, the harsh words stuck in his throat when he met Lu Ying’s exquisitely beautiful face.

As the two faced each other in tense silence, suddenly, the sound of wheels clattering echoed outside. A bullock cart appeared in front of the house, and a middle-aged man in fine clothes, leading a young boy, stepped down. From a distance, his hearty, smiling voice rang out, “May I ask if Miss Lu Ying is here?”

The wet nurse, Zeng, A Yin in the nearby alley, and the neighbors were all taken aback. Lu Ying was the first to react, stepping forward and replying in a clear voice, “I am Lu Ying. May I ask who you are, sir?”

Almost as soon as she finished speaking, the middle-aged man stepped forward, bowed his head, and solemnly saluted her.

Clad in splendid attire and behaving with dignity, he was instantly recognized by all who lived in Hanyang—he was the philanthropic Master Wang from the east side of the city, whose family business was silk. In the eyes of the wet nurse and others, he was someone worth befriending.

So, when he gave Lu Ying such a grand salute, everyone was astonished.

As Zeng turned hurriedly, uncertain and anxious, Master Wang sighed, “My son is mischievous, and fortunately Miss Lu Ying lent a helping hand. The debt of saving his life cannot be repaid; I have prepared some gifts, and ask that you accept them.”

With that, he waved his hand, and four strong servants came forward carrying two wooden chests.

Witnessing this, Zeng’s eyes gleamed. He remembered his father advising him before leaving to cultivate connections with the city’s wealthy merchants and officials. If this really was a life-saving debt, these mere gifts were not enough. Yes, Lu Ying was an ignorant woman—this matter would need his intervention.

He thought that, handled well, this act of saving a life could open a door to prosperity for the Zeng household, perhaps even upgrading his carriage from a donkey cart to an ox cart.

The more he considered it, the more excited Zeng became, fixing his gaze on Lu Ying, anxiously awaiting her answer.