Chapter Twenty-Three: Still Quite Valuable

However, the words of a maid would never sway Pingyin’s resolve. So, as soon as she hurried back to her room, she unhesitatingly gathered up all her private savings.

Trailing behind her, the maid whispered softly, “Miss, isn’t this too much?”

Pingyin bit her lip, her face still pale from Lu Ying’s earlier blunt refusal. “This money means nothing to me. I only want her to agree.” Yes, it is easy to find treasures beyond price, but hard to win a lover’s heart. What did this money matter, compared to becoming the proper wife of Zeng Lang?

Pingyin hurried all the way to the academy gates and was relieved to see Lu Ying still there.

Overjoyed, she failed to notice that the students had long since dispersed, yet Lu Ying remained, chatting idly with her younger brother. Wasn’t she waiting for her?

The donkey cart drew up before Lu Ying, and as the dust made the girl squint, Pingyin felt more nervous than ever. She clambered down, set all six wooden boxes before Lu Ying, and with sweat beading at her nose, she said, “Aying, open them and see. All my jewelry and pocket money are here.” Her nose twitched and her eyes glistened with tears. “Aying, I beg you.”

Lu Ying glanced down, carelessly opened a box and peeked inside, then nodded and tossed them into her basket. In a clear voice, she said, “I keep my word. As soon as Uncle Zeng returns, I’ll call at your house and withdraw from the engagement. Just be sure to have Uncle Wen there.” After a moment’s thought, she recited her new address,