Chapter Forty-Eight: Confession

Lu Yun, who had been missing for two days, finally returned, stirring up a ripple of excitement both at the school and in the Zeng and Ping households. Of course, Lu Ying remained entirely unaware of these small disturbances.

By now, Lu Ying had nearly finished studying several of the sages’ classics. Though she couldn’t claim mastery, her understanding rivaled that of scholars who had toiled for years with only average talent. With the classics firmly in her grasp, her calligraphy had grown swift and assured. Indeed, while Lu Yun had only attended school for a single day, she had already written thirty-one characters. With hundreds of commonly used characters at her disposal, she could endlessly rewrite and sell them, for there was always a steady stream of new scholars in need of her work.

As her speed increased, Lu Ying was able to devote more time to reading, resolving to spend only half a day each day copying characters.

Household concerns were no longer so pressing; now before her lay the words spoken by that nobleman.

Standing in the courtyard, Lu Ying furrowed her brow. To be honest, she truly did not understand why that nobleman was still unwilling to let go. After all, he was a genuinely clever man.

A truly clever person knows both others and themselves. He is well aware that some people, no matter how promising they seem, are not worth pursuing; he understands that even if something captures his interest, if the trouble it brings outweighs its allure, he must decisively abandon it. There is a saying: to gain, one must be willing to let go. For someone at the very center of power, if he cannot learn this, if he cannot sidestep certain troubles when necessary, then he cannot maintain his position.

After thinking for a while and still unable to decipher the nobleman’s intentions, Lu Ying shook her head and decided to set the matter aside for now.

As dusk approached, Lu Ying picked up a basket, loaded it with bamboo slips, and left the house.

She had barely stepped out when she saw a young man standing by the side gate, cradling a book and softly reciting. At the sound of the closing door, he quickly looked up. In that instant, his eyes shone with crystalline brightness.

It was Yin Che.

Meeting his gaze, Lu Ying paused in surprise. In truth, there was another way to resolve the nobleman’s unwelcome attention: she could immediately become engaged.

The youth before her was refined and handsome, his demeanor clear and elegant, with a clear fondness for her—an excellent prospect by any measure. Unfortunately, his family appeared to be of some standing, and even more regrettably, his elders seemed not to like her. Of course, that was to be expected.

In matters of marriage, if the elders do not agree, one’s own feelings are in vain.

After closing the courtyard gate, Lu Ying lifted her basket and walked forward.

Yin Che watched her approach, and as she drew near, he cleared his throat and, in a husky voice, asked, “Ying, you’re not dressing as a boy anymore?”

Lu Ying looked up and replied with a gentle smile, “No, I’m not.”

“You looked quite good in men’s clothes…”

“Thank you.”

Seeing that Lu Ying was about to leave, Yin Che quickly raised his voice and called, “Ying, I only found out yesterday that Yun was missing for two days. It was my fault—I should have come to see you.” It was his fault; he had learned of her brother’s disappearance too late. He hadn’t been able to appear before her at the first moment, nor offer his help—he truly felt inadequate.

Would seeing me have solved anything? Lu Ying gave a wry smile, curling her lips as she answered softly, “That’s not necessary.”

Yin Che’s ink-dark eyes dimmed, his lips pressed tightly together. After a long moment, he said quietly, “I want to help you.” After a brief pause, he added, his voice trembling with anticipation and a subtle joy, “I wrote to my mother. When she replies, I will send a matchmaker to your house, to propose…” At this, even before Lu Ying could react, the young man’s ears had flushed a deep, bleeding red.

Lu Ying looked up at him. For some reason, in that instant, she almost instinctively wanted to respond, but the words caught in her throat and she forced herself to swallow them.

Thank goodness she did. The young man was caught in the throes of passion; had he heard her reply, he would surely have assumed she shared his feelings. By then, if his family still disapproved, her reputation would already be sullied by their closeness. Though she had long since given up on having a good reputation.

As the two stood face to face, both so young and full of promise, just breathing in Lu Ying’s presence and the faint, delicate fragrance she carried made the boy’s heart race uncontrollably—a satisfaction and inexpressible joy rising within him.

Moreover, she hadn’t refused him. Someone as capable as Lu Ying, not refusing him—didn’t that mean she agreed?

He wished this moment could last forever.

Just then, Lu Ying said softly, “I have to go.”

With that, she stepped past him.

The youth turned quickly, watching her retreating figure. He called, “Ying!” She paused mid-step. His ink-dark eyes shone like stars. “Ying, if you ever need anything, you must tell me. Write it down on cloth or silk, and leave it on top of the wall I often climb—just weigh it down with a stone. Will you remember? When you return, I’ll climb up to show you.”

Lu Ying: “…”

He went on, his voice hoarse, eyes fixed intently on her, lips trembling with the courage it took to bare his heart: “I’ll check often. I want to make you happy, Ying.”

Lu Ying did not reply, but walked away. Sensing the scorching gaze that followed her like a shadow, her steps grew faster and faster.

She arrived outside her brother’s school in less than a quarter of an hour, and soon the students came pouring out. From afar, she saw Lu Yun, caught in the middle of the crowd, his usually pale cheeks flushed, his eyes shining brilliantly.

The group surged out of the school, and only when they had spilled beyond the gates did Lu Yun glance at his sister, before being pulled away again by a fellow student.

Watching her brother surrounded by his peers, Lu Ying smiled, set out her bamboo slips, and began to hawk her wares.

In no time, all thirty-one slips were sold, and Lu Yun’s group had dispersed. The handsome boy came cheerfully to his sister’s side.

“Sis, the teacher asked me the other day just as you said, and I answered as you taught me. Today, another teacher asked me the same thing.”

“Is that so?” Lu Ying asked, smiling. “And what did the teacher say?”

“He didn’t say much. He just told me to study hard.”

Lu Ying asked with a smile, “Those classmates just now?”

“Hehe, they had questions for me. They said I explained things well and want to be good friends with me and face everything together from now on.” The boy lifted his head, radiant with pride. “Sis, I’ll keep getting better and better—I’ll make sure you live a good life.”

Looking at her brother, so thrilled he hardly knew why, Lu Ying beamed and nodded. “Good. I look forward to your success.”

In truth, she understood perfectly: his classmates had never paid him much attention before, but now, of all times, they crowded around him, showing respect and friendliness. Rather than being because Lu Yun was truly talented, it was more likely that the answer she had taught him to give the teacher had made all the difference. These people merely sought to curry favor with Lu Yun because the nobleman had shown him preference.