Chapter Thirty-Nine: Apology

The next day, before dawn had fully broken, Lu Ying was already awake. After tending to various household chores, she noticed the bright light outside and picked up her book to read with careful attention.

Her diligence was not merely due to her love of reading; more importantly, she was driven by a pressing desire to change her fate. In this era, the only way to alter one’s destiny was through books. Of course, for a woman, marriage was another possible path. Yet Lu Ying’s strong-willed nature made her reluctant to entrust her life to a man’s favor.

“Sister.”

Hearing Lu Yun’s voice, Lu Ying turned and smiled. “Ah Yun, you’re awake?”

Lu Yun’s gaze fell upon the book scroll in her hands, a flicker of shame passing through his eyes. After hurriedly washing up, he also took a book and began to read.

Gradually, sunlight enveloped the earth, and from the surrounding courtyards came a mingling of voices, barking dogs, footsteps, and birdsong.

Seeing the hour was late, Lu Yun put away his book scroll, ate the breakfast his sister had prepared, and headed off to the academy. He had barely reached the gate when his vigilant voice rang out, “What are you doing here?”

Lu Ying was startled. Setting down her bamboo scroll and rising, she heard Ping Yin’s voice, tinged with grievance and barely concealed displeasure, “I want to see your sister!”

“Ah Yun, what is it?” Lu Ying walked slowly to Lu Yun’s side and looked at Ping Yin.

Confronted by Lu Ying’s clear and composed demeanor, Ping Yin bit her lip, lowered her head, and murmured, “Ah Ying, please don’t blame me.”

Seeing Ping Yin’s trembling lips and near tears, Lu Ying asked calmly, “You came all this way just to say that?”

Did she think she wanted to? Ping Yin swallowed her anger, tears streaming down her fair cheeks as she choked out, “Yes, the maidservants last night were too inconsiderate and disturbed you, Ah Ying. I—I’m here to apologize.”

Biting her lip hard, Ping Yin bowed to Lu Ying and repeated, “Please, Ah Ying, don’t be angry with me anymore.”

It seemed she had been forced to apologize.

Lu Ying stepped forward, coming to stand before Lu Yun. She scrutinized Ping Yin, noting the hidden resentment beneath her trembling lashes, and thought coldly: Is this one visit all it takes to settle things?

She lowered her gaze and said quietly, “Ah Yin, you needn’t do this.” Pausing, she continued, “Go back, I’m not angry with you anymore.”

“Thank you, Ah Ying.” Ping Yin, hearing Lu Ying’s words, turned and left almost immediately. Watching Ping Yin depart, flanked by two maidservants, Lu Ying couldn’t help but raise her voice and ask, “Ah Yin, since you clearly didn’t wish to come, what made you willing to apologize to someone as destitute as me?”

Ping Yin bit her lip for a long moment before replying stiffly, “Who said I didn’t want to?” She clearly wished to say no more and hurried away with her attendants.

Lu Ying frowned as she watched their retreating figures.

What she hadn’t expected was that not long after Lu Yun left for school, another knock sounded at the door.

Opening the courtyard gate, Lu Ying found, to her surprise, the portly steward Zhao of the Ping household standing outside. Behind him were seven or eight servants, and on the ground lay a heap of boxes and silks.

Just as the day before, the side gates of the neighboring courtyards were open, and several heads peered out to watch the spectacle.

Noticing Lu Ying’s gaze, Steward Zhao squeezed a genial smile onto his plump face. Cheerfully, he called out, “Ah Ying, has Ah Yun gone to school?” Without waiting for a reply, he ordered with a chuckle, “Come, bring all these things inside.”

“Yes, sir.” The servants moved, but Lu Ying promptly called out, “Wait.” She gave Steward Zhao a scrutinizing look and asked bluntly, “Why have you come, Steward Zhao? What business do you have with me?”

Steward Zhao smiled warmly. “Ah Ying, it’s not very comfortable to talk out here…”

He clearly intended to step inside.

But today, Lu Ying had no desire to let him in. If he entered, they would have to accept the gifts, whether they wanted to or not. Until she understood what was going on, Lu Ying didn’t want to be entangled with the Ping family in any way.

So she remained at the gate, her smile faint but her tone resolute, “Steward Zhao, you may as well speak plainly.”

“Wouldn’t it be better to talk inside?”

“There’s no need. Here is just fine.”

Seeing Lu Ying’s firm stance, Steward Zhao sighed inwardly, cleared his throat, and smiled kindly, “It’s nothing really. After learning about last night, your grandfather was very angry. He reprimanded Fifth Aunt on the spot. By the way, did Fifth Aunt come by earlier?”

The more Steward Zhao spoke, the more sincere he seemed, his smile ever more benevolent. “Ah Ying, family members never hold grudges overnight. Yesterday, Ah Yin was in the wrong and she has come to apologize. Look, your grandfather was afraid you’d be upset, so he sent us to bring these gifts…” He glanced at the growing crowd of neighbors, then turned back to Lu Ying with a smile, “Child, it’s not proper to stand at the door talking like this. Why not go inside?”

Faced with Steward Zhao’s smiling face, Lu Ying only frowned more deeply. Something felt off.

Pressing her lips together, Lu Ying said quietly, “You may come in, but the gifts are unnecessary.” At this, Steward Zhao was momentarily taken aback. He remembered that this young lady had always been somewhat greedy—otherwise, she wouldn’t have tried to extort money when breaking off an engagement.

Yet Lu Ying’s resolve was unmistakable. She stepped back, smiling faintly, “Steward Zhao, please.”

Steward Zhao pondered for a moment, then laughed and stepped into Lu Ying’s courtyard.

As soon as he entered, Lu Ying gently pulled the gate almost closed—not fully, but enough to make clear she did not welcome other visitors.

Noticing this, Steward Zhao’s brow furrowed imperceptibly, but he quickly resumed his genial smile. As he surveyed the cramped, shabby house, he sighed, “Poor child, living in such conditions, it’s really hard on you.”

Lu Ying’s lips twitched, thinking to herself: The wooden hut I used to live in was assigned by your Ping family. It was even smaller and shabbier than this! Why didn’t you sigh about it then?

But her curiosity only deepened. What could have prompted a man of Steward Zhao’s authority to come here and ingratiate himself with her?

Steward Zhao continued to inspect the house, sighing again, “Child, you have suffered so much over the years.”

“…”

“Just think—how hard it’s been for you and your brother. Your parents died young. Alas, your grandfather was simply too busy to pay you any mind.”

“…”

“Family is family, after all. Ah Ying, your grandfather misses you. Why don’t you pick a day soon to visit him?”

“…”

After a round of sentimental sighs, Steward Zhao finally turned to see Lu Ying, who had remained silent throughout, standing quietly and watching him with an expressionless face and calm eyes. There was not a trace of emotion, no sign of being moved. Was everything he had just said in vain, all his expressions wasted?

Suddenly, Steward Zhao felt stifled.

Just then, Lu Ying curled her lips slightly, tilted her head, and fixed her gaze on him. Slowly, she asked, “Steward Zhao, you still haven’t said why you’ve come… Or rather, perhaps you should tell me, what has caused you and my grandfather to change your attitude toward me so drastically—coming here to curry favor at the expense of your dignity?”