Chapter Forty-Three: Who Are You

Why seek out that distinguished gentleman? Lu Ying herself could not answer this question; she merely felt that perhaps, upon seeing him, she would find an answer.

Seeing Lu Ying frowning in contemplation, Master Zeng lowered his voice, speaking gently to persuade her: “A Ying, the most urgent matter now is to find A Yun. He’s not a child anymore and grew up here—could it be that he returned to the place you used to live? Or perhaps he met some acquaintance and went to see them?”

Master Zeng’s guess held some logic, but Lu Ying could not quell the unease in her heart. She lowered her gaze in thought for a moment, then nodded: “You’re right, Master Zeng. I’ll go look for him.” She took a step, then turned back and asked, “By the way, you haven’t told me where that gentleman resides.”

Master Zeng’s face darkened. He lowered his voice, sounding displeased: “Why do you ask where he lives?”

Was he unwilling to say? Lu Ying answered calmly, “You needn’t tell me. Someone of his status—many must know his residence. I can ask others.”

Hearing her speak in such an unhappy tone, Master Zeng furrowed his brows, muttering, “He’s at Yiyuan in the northern part of the city, an estate belonging to the Chang family.”

“Thank you, Master Zeng. I must go find my brother now—farewell.”

Seeing Lu Ying stride away, Master Zeng hurried after her, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder, asking with concern, “A Ying, why do you keep everyone at a distance? I can help you.”

As he reached toward Lu Ying, Master Zeng’s eyes gleamed, scanning the surroundings. When he met the gaze of onlookers, a thought rose with his joy: Didn’t these people all accuse me of being heartless and unfaithful? If only A Ying would draw closer to me again, all such rumors would dissolve!

Just as he was smugly approaching Lu Ying, his hand about to touch her shoulder, she stepped forward, deftly avoiding him.

Turning back, Lu Ying offered him a polite bow and replied coolly, “Thank you, Master Zeng. In matters of searching for someone, I have my own plan.” Meeting Master Zeng’s flickering gaze, how could Lu Ying not understand his intentions? She thought, rather than rely on him, she’d be better off seeking help from Yin Che, or from her own teacher and classmates.

Without further delay, Lu Ying bowed again and hurried off, growing more distant as Master Zeng called out to her in disappointment.

Before long, Lu Ying caught up with Lu Yun’s teacher. After inquiring and learning that the situation was as that young man had said, she bowed to the teacher and pleaded, “My brother wouldn’t leave without reason—please, sir, help me…”

She had not finished when the teacher stroked his long beard and replied, “Why worry, young lady? Your brother left less than two hours ago. Perhaps he’s just off playing somewhere.”

He advised her, “Young lady, you should go home—perhaps he’s already returned.”

But things were not so simple, for Lu Ying’s heart was filled with unease!

After a moment, Lu Ying bowed quietly and said, “Thank you, sir.” She turned and left. Clearly, the teacher thought she was making a fuss over nothing, and seeking his help would be futile.

Not only would it be useless to ask him, but seeking Lu Yun’s classmates now would surely be futile as well. After all, night had not yet fallen, and her brother had only been missing less than two hours.

Lu Ying pondered for a moment, then made her way to her family’s courtyard. Standing outside the side gate of the Yin residence, she paused.

She was an unmarried young woman, and he an unmarried youth; strangers to each other—how could she see him? On what grounds could she seek him out and ask him to help find her brother?

…Having just been jilted, at such a sensitive time, even a hint of private dealings could ruin her reputation!

After much deliberation, Lu Ying realized she could only follow her intuition and go directly to the gentleman’s residence to seek him.

With this thought, she did not hesitate further, hurried home to fetch two items, then made her way swiftly towards the northern part of the city.

Yiyuan in the north was a famed estate of Hanyang, celebrated for its beauty; legend had it that flowers bloomed year-round and the scenery was exquisite.

Once on the street, Lu Ying used two iron coins to hire a vendor’s donkey cart to take her to the north. When she arrived, the sunset painted the sky, and the night mist had not yet fallen.

Soon, Lu Ying saw the Yiyuan signboard. She jumped off the cart and hurried to the main gate.

At the gate stood two tall, expressionless Imperial Guards. Fully armored, their faces stern, holding long spears upright, they exuded an intimidating presence that could make the timid shrink away.

Lu Ying did not shrink. She walked forward, stopping before them, lowering her head and calling out clearly, “Lu Ying of the Lu family, requests an audience with the master.”

She called three times, yet the two guards remained impassive, not so much as glancing at her. Such arrogant disregard could easily make one falter.

Lu Ying did not falter. She lowered her gaze, straightened her back, and said in a clear voice, “Will you not announce my arrival?” Her laughter carried a hint of haughtiness, “Perhaps your master would be willing to see me!”

A village girl, so self-assured! Did she overestimate herself?

At last, the two guards turned their heads.

One glanced at her, his expression darkening, and barked, “Leave!”

That thunderous command, heavy with menace! Not only would a weak woman be frightened, even a strong man would be shaken to the ground.

Lu Ying did not flinch. She simply took a wooden box from her robe.

The box was exquisite and luxurious—clearly no ordinary thing. This was a gift from the master of Yiyuan. Whether it would help, she did not know, but at this point, she had no choice but to try.

Holding the box in both hands, Lu Ying fixed her gaze on the guards and declared, “This box was given to me by your master.” After a pause, she drew from her robe a copy of the Doctrine of the Mean, saying earnestly, “This book, too, was bestowed by your master. With these tokens, may I be granted an audience?”

The two guards turned simultaneously, staring at the items, then stepped back, clearing a path.

They would not announce her, but allowed her to enter herself?

Lu Ying bowed, returned the items to her robe, and proceeded inside.

Yiyuan was quiet; apart from a few officials passing through, there were none of the lively gatherings Lu Ying had imagined.

Before long, Lu Ying learned from a kindly, honest-looking servant where the master of the estate could be found.

Following his directions, she entered a garden, where amid a profusion of blossoming peach trees and willows, she spotted the nobleman seated in a pavilion, quietly playing the zither.

Lu Ying lowered her head and took delicate steps forward. When she was ten paces from him, she bowed gracefully, waiting for the music to fade. Then she lifted her voice and said, “Lu Ying of the Lu family, greets the gentleman.”

“Lu Ying of the Lu family?” The nobleman’s deep, magnetic voice came, mingled with the casual strumming of his zither, sounding indifferent. “Who are you?”

Who are you? A man who not long ago called her “charming and interesting,” who once addressed her as “Ying Ying,” who had earlier given her a jade pendant and a book—now coldly, indifferently asking, “Lu Ying of the Lu family, who are you?”

One could imagine any young woman would feel hurt, then a sense of loss, a kind of unease… So, what she once thought was genuine concern was nothing but a joke, and the gentleman did not even recall who she was.

Lu Ying did not.