Chapter 51: After Everything, Grandfather's Reflections

Having made up her mind, the Third Madam let out a long sigh and said with pity, “Ah, how did you and your brother end up entangled in such trouble?” Though her words were full of sympathy, there was a subtle undertone of evasion.

Lu Ying understood her implication. She retreated two steps, then knelt on the ground, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded, “Madam, I beg you to save us!”

To save their lives—good, that was precisely the plea she had been waiting for! The Third Madam’s eyes flickered, and after a long pause, she spoke with apparent difficulty, “Alas, this matter is truly not simple…” Lowering her gaze, she noticed that Lu Ying’s sobs grew even more intense at her words. Only then did the Third Madam reluctantly add, “But after all, Ying has done me a great service. I suppose I must try.” As she spoke, she cast a meaningful glance at a nearby maid.

The maid, quick-witted as ever, immediately chimed in, “Madam, I’ve heard of those ruffians. They’ve gathered a gang on Hanyang Street—they’re not to be trifled with. Besides, Madam, weren’t you hoping to keep a low profile? To get involved in such a mess at a time like this…”

“Enough!” the Third Madam gently chided before explaining in a softer tone, “You know well that it was thanks to Ying that San’er was saved. A life saved must be repaid in kind.” So, just this once—there will be no next time. Lu Ying, do not think that because you saved my son you may come asking favors so boldly again.

Lu Ying, no fool, clearly heard the warning behind the words. Overjoyed, she bowed deeply to the Third Madam, then took several jewelry boxes from her basket, opening them one by one. She spoke with heartfelt gratitude, “Thank you, Madam. These pieces are compensation I received from Ping’s family. I understand those ruffians have lived in Hanyang for many years and hold considerable sway. Such people, if not thoroughly dealt with, would continue to threaten me and my brother Yun. Yet to eradicate them would bring immense trouble upon you, Madam. This is all I have—though not much, it represents my everything. I know it is a paltry sum to grease the palms of the authorities, but, but…” She faltered, biting her lip, a quiver in her voice both choked and unyielding, “But I truly have no other way. Your immense kindness, Madam, I can only hope to repay in the future.”

At these words, both the maids and the Third Madam fell silent. None expected that this girl of merely fifteen or sixteen years would so calmly speak of “eradicating the root”!

At such a young age, what a ruthless heart she possessed!

After a moment’s quiet, the Third Madam coughed softly and sighed, “Very well. Achun, take these and put them away.”

“Yes, Madam.”

A maid stepped forward and gathered up the jewelry boxes Lu Ying had set on the ground.

Thus, the transaction was formally sealed!

Lu Ying quietly let out a long breath, closing her eyes to steady herself. Since it was getting late, she exchanged a few more words with the Third Madam before taking her leave.

She did not return home at once, but with the little iron coins in her pocket, found an inn where she spent the night.

The next afternoon, Lu Ying, having kept a careful ear to the city’s rumors, learned that the four ruffians whose eyes had been burned blind, along with several of their associates, had left Hanyang City, supposedly to seek out a famous physician.

Lu Ying let out a great sigh of relief!

This must be the handiwork of the Third Madam. Otherwise, with those ruffians’ hatred, how could they all set out together to find some doctor? Surely, at least one or two would have come to her home seeking revenge.

Now, though it was said those men had left, whether they had truly departed or simply disappeared for good, no one could say.

Moreover, Lu Ying understood clearly that she and her brother no longer needed to fear retaliation from the ruffians’ families. Why? Because the Third Madam came from a family of officials. If she chose to act, she would see the matter through thoroughly; having promised “to eradicate the root,” she would make sure nothing was left unresolved.

Relaxed at last, Lu Ying hurried to wait outside her brother’s school. Only when classes were dismissed did she take his hand and walk him home.

As they walked, a familiar donkey cart appeared before them. Seeing the young man who jumped down from the cart, Lu Ying frowned slightly.

The young man was, of course, Zeng Changzhi. His gaze upon Lu Ying was lingering and covetous, yet beneath it lay a complexity impossible to decipher.

Striding over, Young Master Zeng pressed his lips together and called gently, “Ying, Yun.”

This time, Lu Ying did not reject him as coldly as before—after all, she still wished to learn more about those who had targeted her brother.

So, she looked up at Young Master Zeng and softly replied, “Mm.”

Seeing her uncharacteristic gentleness, Zeng was overjoyed. His eyes lit up, and glancing at Lu Yun, whose face and body still bore fading bruises, he asked with genuine concern, “Yun, are your injuries serious? Did you see a doctor? Ying, let Yun ride in my cart—I’ll take you both to the doctor for a proper checkup.”

Lu Ying answered quietly, “We’ve already seen a doctor. The injuries aren’t serious.”

“That’s good, that’s good,” he repeated. After a moment, Zeng turned to look at Lu Ying again, his expression complicated. After a long while, he said in a low voice, “Ying, have you heard? The ruffians whose eyes you blinded have left Hanyang City.”

As he spoke, his gaze fixed intently on her, his face a tangle of emotions—amazement, wonder, and a deep sense of loss.

In truth, Zeng Changzhi had not noticed anything amiss about the ruffians’ collective departure to seek a doctor—his father had pointed it out to him.

Just half an hour ago, for the first time, Zeng’s father had sighed. After several sighs, he turned to his son and said gravely, “Those ruffians have left Hanyang City—did you know that?”

Zeng remembered his reply, “They say the four of them, being blind, were desperate to find a doctor.”

Hearing this, Zeng’s father was clearly disappointed. With another sigh, he murmured, “I was wrong, and so was your mother.”

Startled by his usually unyielding father’s admission of fault, Zeng gazed at him in bewilderment.

Seeing his son’s confusion, the elder Zeng sighed yet again and patiently explained, “Changzhi, think carefully about this matter… To blind someone is a mortal grievance. Why would those ruffians not seek vengeance on the Lu siblings who maimed them, but instead all go off together to see a doctor?”

At this, Zeng gasped and lowered his head in thought. His father continued, “Changzhi, that former betrothed of yours is no ordinary girl. Whatever means she used to settle this affair, her intelligence is extraordinary. You are my only son, and the Zeng family’s future rests with you. Had I known the Lu girl possessed such astuteness, even if it meant taking you to her to apologize in person, I would never have returned the marriage contract. Compared to her, that Ping girl you went to such lengths to acquire is sorely lacking.”