Chapter Thirty: Audacious Beyond Measure

That laughter was extremely pleasant, filled with an irresistible warmth, yet as it reached Lu Ying’s ears, she could distinctly sense that the person behind it must be truly cold and devoid of emotion.

While she was still stunned, the corpulent steward sitting across from the siblings seemed to realize something; his plump face suddenly turned pale. Sweat breaking out on his brow, he lifted the curtain of the carriage and bowed obsequiously toward the outside, saying, “Your humble servant greets you, sir. I would not dare trouble you; I was merely reprimanding these two ignorant youngsters…” As he spoke, the steward hurriedly called for the ox cart to stop, struggling to climb out in order to pay his respects.

He had seen the occupant of the opposing carriage before. Years of servile habits had taught him to be especially attentive to those who commanded absolute respect. The moment this nobleman spoke, the steward recognized his identity.

The steward knew that his own status was so low he was not even qualified to address this distinguished figure by name. The instant he alighted from the carriage, he prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to raise his head to look upon the nobleman’s face.

At that moment, the nobleman’s gentle, deep voice sounded, “Yingying, where is the jade pendant I gave you?”

What?

The steward was shocked, dumbly raising his head to look at Lu Ying.

Lu Ying was equally astounded. Her rosy lips parted in surprise, her eyes widened as she gazed at the young lord before her, whose beauty was so dazzling it seemed to blaze like the sun at dusk, like flames that scorched the eyes. It was a long while before she swallowed and thought: He called me Yingying… No, how can he call me Yingying? I am unmarried, now in such an awkward situation—if he addresses me so and others misunderstand, I’ll never find a husband!

Suddenly, Lu Ying recalled that two months ago, the very person who urged her to study The Doctrine of the Mean had casually remarked that she should hurry and dissolve her engagement, for his master would grant her a “concubine’s place”!

At this thought, Lu Ying’s heart tightened, and her gaze became wary as she looked at the man. She curled her thin lips into a forced smile and replied in a cool, clear voice, “Sir, you must have mistaken me for someone else!” With resolute certainty, she raised her chin and continued indifferently, “You should know, sir, that your appearance is unparalleled; your eyes, so lively and enchanting, leave all who see you utterly captivated…” She spoke these mocking words in an icy, arrogant tone—something no one could have predicted. The steward gaped in astonishment, while the two black-clad guards beside the carriage could not help but stifle their laughter, quickly lowering their heads so their lord would not notice, though their suppressed mirth still rumbled in their chests.

The young noble’s eyes narrowed slightly. Though he had suffered from his appearance since childhood, he had never imagined that someone would dare use terms meant to describe a beauty to speak of him! Moreover, the speaker was a girl of such humble standing. Under the increasingly sharp gaze of the youth, Lu Ying, utterly unmoved, maintained her proud composure. Her tone was cold and her expression severe as she warned, “So, sir, you must never, ever mistake your intentions.”

Having finished her words with calm, icy composure, Lu Ying glanced at the nobleman, who seemed born to rule, and thought to herself: Compete with me? Hmph, I can anticipate your every change of mood, discern your virtue and vice—so long as I judge you won’t use your power to oppress, what should I fear from you?

Lu Ying’s speech concluded, she looked down at the steward sprawled on the ground like a terrified pig, shaking as if his bones were rattling. She frowned and called coolly, “Steward Zhao, it’s time we left.”

She called twice before Steward Zhao finally lifted his sweat-soaked face, casting a nervous glance at the nobleman. Seeing no sign of anger, he stammered, “Leave? Ah, yes…” He struggled to climb back onto the carriage, slipping down twice before finally managing to seat himself.

Once he was settled, Lu Ying called to the driver, “Let’s go, why are you still dawdling?”

The stunned driver came to his senses and, unable to resist Lu Ying’s command, cracked his whip and drove the carriage onward.

Even as their carriage receded into the distance, the young noble still frowned, while his two attendants continued to struggle with their laughter, shoulders shaking and muffled chuckles escaping now and then.

After pondering for a while, the young noble turned and asked in confusion, “Did I not exert my authority today?”

The two guards were busy suppressing their laughter, but it was the driver who answered, “Of course, sir, your presence is always commanding.”

The noble’s frown deepened; rubbing his chin, he thought for a moment before asking, “Is she simply reckless and fearless?”

Again, it was the driver who replied, shaking his head solemnly, “Since you gifted her the jade pendant, Master has had her watched constantly. Judging from her recent behavior, she is bold, but not completely unaware of propriety—not a fool or a brute.”

“But she truly does not fear me!”

The driver remained silent.

The young noble clearly still could not understand. He murmured, “Why does she not fear me?”

At last, one of the guards regained his composure, raising his hand to say, “I know, sir. That woman was dazzled by your beauty, so eager to distance herself from you that she forgot your authority.” The words were incoherent and impertinent; immediately, the nobleman’s eyes narrowed as he turned to look.

Meeting his master’s gaze, the guard quickly dropped his arm, his expression stiffening as he adopted a solemn demeanor.

Inside the carriage, Lu Yun was clearly startled by his sister’s display; after a long while, he edged closer and whispered tremulously, “Sister, that was a nobleman—what if he becomes angry?”

Lu Ying lowered her eyes and softly replied, “He won’t be angry.”

“How do you know, sister?”

I just know. After a moment’s thought, Lu Ying decided to give her brother a reason. “Such nobles are praised and flattered day after day. My behavior struck him as novel, so he won’t be angry.” Seeing her brother was still anxious, she added softly, “Since ancient times, men of humble birth have mingled with the powerful. Scholars, bearing noble pride, walk among princes and lords; if they fawn and flatter like commoners, how can they earn respect?”

Turning to look at Lu Yun, Lu Ying understood that perhaps their hardships had made her brother timid and shabby, despite his good looks. She thought, this was not what their father would have wished for; perhaps her words might inspire him. Yet her brother’s caution was ingrained, so she need not fear he would become reckless and offend those who must never be offended.

To avoid the steward’s notice, the siblings whispered in hushed tones.

Opposite them, Steward Zhao listened for a while but made nothing of it. At last, he could not resist asking, “A Ying, that nobleman mentioned a jade pendant—was it the one that broke the day you saved someone?” His attitude now was worlds apart from before; the ever-present disdain had turned to caution and suspicion, and even a hint of shock.