Chapter Fifty: The Chang Residence

Reaching out to pat Lu Yun on the shoulder, Lu Ying spoke softly, “Your face and body are both injured. Go see a doctor first before meeting with your classmates.”

“Alright. But, Sister, if you’re not going to the authorities, where will you go? Oh right, let’s go find Grandfather. No matter what, we’re family; he’ll surely help us.” At this, Lu Yun’s eyes sparkled with hope.

Seeing his sister shake her head, Lu Yun’s gaze dimmed, but immediately he called out again, “Sister, or maybe we should look for Zeng Changzhi. His father is a captain…”

Lu Ying shook her head once more. Turning to look at Lu Yun, she smiled and said, “A Yun, don’t worry. I have my own plans.” Sensing his lingering unease, she offered another calm smile and reassured him earnestly, “Trust me, I really do have a way.”

“Really?”

“Really!”

“Then, Sister, please take care.”

After sending off the anxious Lu Yun, Lu Ying realized it was already late. She glanced up at the sun sinking in the west and quickened her pace. Renting an ox cart at the market, she said, “Take me to the Chang residence.”

“You mean the Chang family in the south of the city?”

“Yes.”

The driver cast a discreet glance at Lu Ying’s plain attire and the lack of any fine jewelry, silently puzzled. The Chang family held little prominence in Hanyang; their main influence was in Chengdu. Hanyang was merely a branch, and not one they exerted themselves to maintain. Even so, theirs was not a household just anyone could approach. Lu Ying’s simple dress, without even a maid by her side, hardly marked her as someone fit to enter the gates of the Chang residence.

Still, whatever his suspicions, the driver sped along, and before long, Lu Ying found herself outside the Chang family’s gates.

Lu Ying told the driver to wait for her, then made her way to the main entrance.

In such a grand household, the main gate and the side entrance were two entirely different concepts. Only honored guests passed through the main gate, and Lu Ying, by all appearances, did not belong to such a class.

She well knew that, given her status, it would be wiser to enter by the side door, lowering herself, starting with the gatekeeper, then the maids, then the steward, ingratiating and cautious, working her way in layer by layer. The advantage of this approach was that the Third Madam would see her as someone who knew her place, not someone who presumed too much merely because she had once saved her son’s life. Perhaps she would even be inclined to befriend her. The drawback, however, was that such delays could drag on for days, with no guarantee of seeing the Third Madam even after several visits.

By coming directly to the main gate, her request was both an appeal and a challenge. She put herself in the position of an honored guest, compelling the Third Madam to receive her at once. Should the Third Madam refuse or treat her discourteously, word would spread that the Chang family was ungrateful to their benefactor—a stain upon their reputation.

As the gatekeeper and two servants watched her approach, Lu Ying smiled and addressed the gatekeeper, “Please inform your Third Madam that Lu Ying of the Lu family has come with urgent business.”

Noting her familiarity, the gatekeeper gave her a quick once-over and nodded. “Wait here.” With that, he strode off, sought out a middle-aged man dressed as a steward, whispered a few words, and pointed in Lu Ying’s direction.

The steward examined Lu Ying carefully before nodding and heading inside.

Soon, a maid came over. “Where is A Ying? My mistress invites you in!”

“Thank you.”

Lu Ying followed the maid into the estate. The Chang residence was vast, its grounds extensive and its pavilions and gardens far more exquisite and opulent than the ostentatious Ping family’s.

After entering a courtyard, the maid smiled and said, “A Ying, my mistress is waiting for you inside.” She addressed Lu Ying simply as “A Ying,” with neither honorific nor deferential title, as one might address a peer. In this context, it might seem friendly, but more than that, it was a subtle reminder: do not think yourself exalted just because you once saved our young master and dared to request entry through the main gate. In truth, your status is no higher than that of a household servant, so do not overestimate yourself or make unreasonable demands.

Lu Ying understood perfectly. She bowed her head and replied softly, “Yes, I’ll go in now.”

Inside the drawing room sat a young matron, resplendently dressed, with several maids whose attire outshone even Lu Ying’s best. At that moment, the maids clustered around their mistress, some serving tea, others massaging her legs.

Stopping five steps from the lady, Lu Ying offered a deep curtsey and, with her head bowed and her voice hoarse, said, “Forgive my presumption, but I, Lu Ying of the Lu family, have come to pay my respects to the Third Madam.”

At the sound of her voice, the maids’ whispers ceased. The lady glanced at the basket set to one side, its cloth covering removed to reveal several jewelry boxes, and her annoyance at Lu Ying’s bold entrance through the main gate dissipated.

She rose and approached Lu Ying, gently taking her arm with a courteous air. “A Ying, what are you saying? As for my youngest boy, it was thanks to your help that he is well. Ah, I’ve only myself to blame for being so busy that I haven’t come to thank you in person.”

Her smile was warm and her gaze upon Lu Ying affectionate. Seating Lu Ying beside her, she leaned in to speak, “So, A Ying, what brings you here today?”

At this, Lu Ying stepped back and bowed again, her voice still hoarse as she recounted what had happened in the market.

Pressing her lips together, Lu Ying’s voice trembled, “At the time, everything happened so quickly. All I could think of was rescuing my brother—I didn’t consider the consequences. Only after flinging the lime did I realize that we had made deadly enemies of those ruffians.”

Here, Lu Ying bowed low, her voice choked, “Third Madam, I truly have no other recourse. Though those four are but street thugs, my brother and I cannot contend with them. I thought long and hard, and could only come to beg your ladyship for aid.”

Understanding the situation, the Third Madam’s expression softened further. After all, these were just a few street bullies—she could snuff them out with a flick of her finger.

She had initially worried that Lu Ying, emboldened by having saved her son’s life, might come to make excessive demands. But this? Dealing with a few ruffians was a trivial matter. To repay a life-saving debt with so small a favor was, in fact, most fortuitous.

As for the rumors that Lu Ying was highly regarded by some great noble, the Third Madam thought little of them. What sort of person was that noble? If he truly took a fancy to a young woman, he could have her at a word. Such talk was mere idle gossip, nothing more.