Chapter Forty: So It Was His Command

The benevolent and amiable smile that Steward Zhao always wore froze on his face. As expected, a country girl without the guidance of her parents—her words and conduct were shockingly blunt and rude! Did she not know what respect was, or how to act with tact? Yet in the blink of an eye, Steward Zhao cleared his throat, forced a laugh, and said, “Child, this won’t do. There is a saying: ‘One does not decline the gift of an elder.’ How can you behave and speak thus?”

He spoke with heavy gravity, but Lu Ying showed not the slightest intention of yielding. Others aside, even her own grandmother, Lu Ying understood all too well. She had no wish to be sold off by someone a second time!

Seeing Lu Ying still tilting her head, her dark eyes quietly fixed on him, as if all his words were but empty noise and she would only listen to what she wished, Steward Zhao found himself more troubled than ever before.

This young girl was truly not so easily deceived.

At last, he sighed and said, “Child, your grandfather means no harm. He only aches for you.”

As he spoke, his words faltered. He could not help it—Lu Ying’s gaze was so clear and bright, as if she saw right through him and regarded him as a fool.

Coughing once more, Steward Zhao managed another laugh and stepped outside. “All right, all right, I won’t trouble you any further, Ah Ying.”

Lu Ying walked him to the door. Seeing him about to leave with his attendants, she called out in a clear voice, “Steward Zhao, please take these things with you as well.”

Steward Zhao answered helplessly, frowning as he said, “Child, this is your grandfather’s heartfelt goodwill. He’s worried you won’t eat well or sleep warmly. Why must you be so stubborn?”

Lu Ying merely smiled—a smile that did not reach her eyes. “Steward Zhao flatters me. As they say, ‘No reward without merit.’ Please take these things back.”

He stared at her for a long while, then shook his head and forced a chuckle. “Since you insist, Ah Ying, I’ll take them away.” After a pause, he added, “There will be a banquet at the Ping household tonight. Don’t forget to attend.” With that, he waved his hand, had the servants carry away all the boxes and items, and strode out.

Once Steward Zhao had left, Lu Ying turned back. In that moment, her gaze met once more with those piercing cold eyes, ink-black and limpid as water. Their eyes met, and the young man pulled his lips into a semblance of a smile, but before Lu Ying could respond, he had already turned away, his ears growing ever redder.

Lu Ying lowered her head and quietly closed the door.

Even with the door shut, she could still feel the intensity of that gaze.

Today’s events were truly strange. What on earth had caused the Ping household’s sudden change in attitude toward her?

After pondering a while, Lu Ying picked up her scroll and began reading again.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

Lu Ying rose and walked slowly to the entrance. Standing outside was the coachman who served Master Zeng.

Meeting his eyes, Lu Ying frowned and glanced out into the alley. Though the far end of the lane was filled with voices, Master Zeng was nowhere to be seen.

Noticing that Lu Ying was searching for his master, the coachman, A’nan, grinned smugly. He drew a silk letter from his sleeve and respectfully presented it to her. “Miss, this is from my master.” Taking a deep breath, he said sincerely, “Since that day, my master has been full of regret. I wish you to know, miss, that he has not forgotten you for a single moment.”

Without waiting for Lu Ying to respond, A’nan turned and started to leave.

“Wait.”

Lu Ying stopped him. She stepped closer, coming up behind him, and spoke slowly, “Did something happen, or did some important figure speak up? Is that why everyone is coming to apologize and make amends?”

“How did you know?” A’nan was taken aback.

So it was true.

Lu Ying smiled. “Is it a distinguished guest from Luoyang?”

Only that man who called her ‘Ying Ying’ would be so idle, and only he wielded such influence that a few words could change someone’s attitude entirely.

“Miss, my master’s feelings for you have nothing to do with that guest. He truly regrets what happened—he did not understand his own heart and hurt yours. Miss, you—”

She interrupted him. “What did that guest say?”

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

Confronted by Lu Ying’s cold gaze, A’nan’s chest tightened, and he replied involuntarily, “I heard my master say that last night, when the Chang family sent a great beauty to that guest, he refused. He also said, he also said…”

“Said what?” Perhaps it was her icy tone, perhaps her commanding air—A’nan, long used to being a servant, shrank back and quickly blurted out, “He said: ‘Are Shu women not famed for their spirit? This girl is beautiful, yes, but she cannot compare to the Lu girl in wit and charm!’”

What?

Lu Ying’s pupils contracted sharply. Once again, she found herself thrust into the center of gossip by someone else’s idle words. She pressed her lips into a cold smile—this man truly had too much time on his hands.

Then another thought struck her. What did he mean by that? Did news of how she handled the shrew sent by Ping Yin last night reach his ears? Did he find it amusing?

She closed her eyes, drew a slow breath, then snapped them open. “Do many people know about this?”

As a common servant, A’nan had paid no attention and could not answer; he fell silent.

But Lu Ying reasoned that, if even a small family like the Zengs knew, then certainly many others did as well.

Drawing another breath, Lu Ying asked, “Did your master send anything besides this letter?”

“No, nothing…”

“Go, then.”

“Yes.”

Watching A’nan obediently depart, Lu Ying lifted her head.

After she had returned to her room and made herself presentable, another knock sounded at the door.

This time, Lu Ying did not open it. Instead, she went to the door and asked coolly, “Who is it?”

There was a brief pause, then her third aunt’s voice came through. “Ah Ying, it’s me, your third aunt.” After another pause, the woman lowered her voice and scolded, “Ah Ying, open the door first. I have something to discuss with you.”

Something to discuss?

Lu Ying let out a cold laugh. She returned to her room, dragged a couch behind the door, and sat down leisurely. Leaning back, she idly swung her foot in the air.

After a prolonged silence, her third aunt outside grew impatient and raised her voice. “Ah Ying, you’re not a child anymore. Now that your engagement is broken, you ought to be even more careful with your conduct! Leaving your own aunt out here—what sort of behavior is this?”

Once again, her shouts drew the attention of the neighbors, and soon the alley was abuzz with gossip.

Lu Ying lowered her gaze, thinking coldly: Open the door? This is already the third wave from the Ping household—the first to apologize, the second to curry favor, and the third, surely, to force me out? Do they think that because that nobleman fancies me, they can present me to him and win wealth?

Do they take me for a plaything? The mere Ping household cannot force me!

First chapter delivered.