Chapter Forty-Four: The First Round

Lifting her head, Lu Ying gazed intently at the nobleman before her—a man strikingly handsome, upright, and lofty. The corners of her lips lifted in a cold, detached manner as she replied in a voice of utmost clarity, “I am someone who has crossed paths with you four times, my lord.”

Having answered him crisply and without hesitation, Lu Ying drew forth the Doctrine of the Mean, stepped forward respectfully, and placed the book at his feet. She spoke slowly and carefully, “This book was a gift from you, my lord.”

The nobleman turned to face her, looking down from above with an ambiguous smile. “And what of it?”

Indeed, what of it? Even if they had met four times, even if he had gifted her a book—what difference did it make?

Unless Lu Ying told him that, when he had instructed her to study the Doctrine of the Mean, he had promised her the rank of concubine if she mastered it. Unless she revealed that he had once called her “Ying Ying”… Only then could there be any tenuous connection between them.

But Lu Ying, who wished for nothing more than to sever all ties with this nobleman forever, could never utter such words. They were easy enough to say, but the consequences of saying them—those, she could never bear.

For a moment, Lu Ying found herself caught between advance and retreat. To press forward—she had no bargaining chip; aside from herself, there was nothing she could offer, nothing that could serve as leverage to seek the nobleman’s help.

To retreat—she could not. Standing before him, she felt more keenly than ever that her brother’s disappearance was connected to this man. Only if he spoke could she hope to save her brother.

Caught in this dilemma, Lu Ying did not notice that she had straightened her back, her delicate brows slightly knit upon her exquisitely clear features. Her lips pressed together, her eyes betraying a trace of hesitation.

She was unaware that, compared to the cool composure she strove to display, this rare moment of vulnerability was, in its own way, deeply moving.

The nobleman watched her quietly, towering above, a faint smile lingering on his face.

In the midst of her unease, a sudden thought struck Lu Ying: Something is wrong. For a man of his status to admit her without even an announcement—could it be that he had long anticipated her visit? Could he truly have taken an interest in her?

The thought came upon her suddenly, sharp and clear.

Lu Ying’s face darkened at once. She gritted her teeth and lifted her head.

She faced the nobleman, who stood just a few steps away yet seemed as distant as a hall on high, requiring her to look up. Slowly, she said, “I, Lu Ying, have come to seek your help, my lord. My brother has gone missing.” As if she had not heard his earlier words, Lu Ying continued calmly, meeting his gaze. “My brother left the academy two hours ago. An hour ago, I learned of it. After speaking with his teacher, I came directly to request an audience with you.”

She spoke slowly—painstakingly so. Every word was courteous and proper, yet she enunciated the times so precisely, emphasized her own movements so deliberately, that it was plain: she suspected her brother’s disappearance was connected to this very nobleman.

Truly, audacious beyond compare!

Indeed, this was not the first time she had dared to be so bold before him.

When Lu Ying finished speaking, the man’s expression did not change; his dazzlingly handsome face showed not the slightest hint of anger at her impertinence. Instead, his lips curled in a faint smile as he asked, “And so?”

Lu Ying lowered her gaze, and after a long moment, bit out, “I would ask, my lord, that you inquire of your subordinates whether any have seen my brother.”

...

After a moment of silence, the man’s deep, magnetic laughter sounded softly. “And why should I make such an inquiry?”

At these words, Lu Ying’s expression shifted.

Their stations were worlds apart—what claim had she to ask such a favor? And why should he grant it?

Her face merely flickered, but beneath her lowered lashes, Lu Ying thought, As I suspected—my brother must be in the hands of someone connected to him.

If that was so, then matters were simple enough. Those who had taken her brother must want her to yield—or perhaps they wished to see what she would do. In any case, her brother’s safety must be assured.

Lowering her head, she bowed to the nobleman and said softly, “Then I shall take my leave…”

With that, she retreated gracefully.

After several backward steps, Lu Ying turned away, seemingly oblivious to the nobleman’s sidelong gaze. Back straight, she walked slowly out of the garden.

She did not notice that, as she strode further away, the nobleman’s face at last betrayed a flicker of surprise. He had clearly not expected that, after bursting in—pleading and threatening in turn—Lu Ying would, at the end, abandon her plea so easily… Would she rather give up than compromise, even now? Was the prospect of becoming his concubine truly so unbearable? How very intriguing.

She left the manor straightaway. Glancing at the donkey cart that had waited for her, she said softly, “Let’s go.”

“Very well.”

Before long, the cart was on its way.

Staring up at the darkening sky, Lu Ying closed her eyes as she sat in the donkey cart.

Now, at last, she felt no panic.

She had come deliberately to see this nobleman; if she could secure his help and rescue her brother, so much the better. If not, she needed only to confirm the suspicion that had taken root in her heart.

Since she had guessed what he wanted, what she needed now was composure—a slow, deliberate approach.

If the enemy does not move, neither will I.

In a short while, the cart returned to the alley outside Lu Ying’s home. As she stepped down, she heard Zeng Lang call, “Ying, Ying!”

His voice drew the attention of several people—heads poked out from the side doors to watch them.

Footsteps sounded, and Zeng Lang hurried to Lu Ying’s side, asking gently, “Ying, where have you been? Has Yun not returned yet?” There was a trace of anxiety in his tone. “Did you go to Yi Garden? What did those people say?” Though tense, Zeng Lang’s face looked far better than it had earlier.

At least Lu Ying had come back… He had feared that, once she left, she would be taken into that man’s household as a concubine, never to be seen again.

“I am very tired,” Lu Ying replied, shaking her head and dismissing him coolly. “Please return home, Zeng Lang.” With that, she ignored him, striding toward her own house.

He had not expected that, even now, Lu Ying would remain so proud and unmoved. Zeng Lang’s face flushed with anger and frustration as he hesitated, torn between following and retreating.

His servant, A Gen, stepped forward and whispered, “Sir, let’s go back. It seems this Lu woman has made up her mind. Best not to concern yourself with her any further.”

Zeng Lang did not answer. He could only watch Lu Ying’s receding figure, his chest tight, his heart unwilling to accept it.

When Lu Ying reached the side gate of the Yin residence, she met a familiar gaze. She turned to look steadily at the young man, then turned again, opened the door, and stepped inside.