Chapter Fifty-Two: Reactions

For a rising military officer like him, belonging to a newly established family such as the Zengs, and having an only son with little talent, what he needed most was a capable wife—one with strength, cunning, and the ability to manage the household affairs. Only such a woman could lead the Zeng family to greater prosperity. Alas, what a shame! Such a rare and exceptional wife had slipped from his grasp, and he had let her go with his own hands!

Just then, the servant his father had dispatched returned, whispered a few words, and Zeng's father turned to Zeng Changzhi. “Changzhi, if you were that Lady Lu, faced with such circumstances, how would you respond?”

If he were Lu Ying? Zeng Changzhi pondered for a moment, then cautiously replied, “I... I would seek help.”

“From whom? If you were Lady Lu, who would you turn to?”

Who else could it be? Zeng Changzhi answered earnestly, “Naturally, I would ask Lady Ping.”

Upon hearing this, Zeng's father shook his head, disappointment clouding his gaze as he looked at his son. He forced himself to be patient and said, “Lady Lu sought help from the third lady of the Chang family.” Then, with a stern face, he asked, “Why did she not turn to Lady Ping but instead sought the third lady of the Chang family? Think carefully about the reason. When you've figured it out, come and tell me.” With that, Zeng's father turned and left. In that moment, as his father departed, Zeng Changzhi—who had always seen his father proud and satisfied with him—caught, for the first time, the unmistakable hint of disappointment and reproach.

That look from his father made Zeng Changzhi uncomfortable; he stood rooted to the spot, unable to move for a long time. When he finally regained his composure, he went in search of Lu Ying.

At this moment, Zeng Changzhi lowered his gaze, staring at Lu Ying’s face—so familiar, yet so strange. He looked at the girl’s graceful figure, which made his throat tighten from time to time, and suppressed his sense of loss and inexplicable anxiety to say, “You know about this, don’t you, A Ying?”

Lu Ying lifted her head, her dark eyes quietly fixed on Zeng Changzhi. She replied calmly, “How did you find out, Young Master Zeng?” With a slight smile, she added, “Young Master Zeng, you do seem to have quite the network.”

Zeng Changzhi refused to show weakness in front of Lu Ying; he stiffened his voice and said, “I just know.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Ying gave him another glance. This time, she felt nothing from him. Perhaps he didn’t even understand why those thugs targeted her brother.

With this thought, Lu Ying no longer wished to entangle herself with him. She nodded, her tone indifferent, “Young Master Zeng, you must be busy. A Yun, let’s go. If we don’t hurry, we’ll have to eat dinner in the dark.”

Without waiting for Zeng Changzhi to reply, she took her brother’s hand and strode away.

Leaving Zeng Changzhi behind, Lu Ying walked on, asking as she did, “A Yun, with everything that happened today, what did everyone say?”

“They all asked what was going on, and some even said they wanted to go beat those people up.” Lu Yun replied gloomily, then looked at Lu Ying. “Sister, those people went out of town to find a doctor? Does that mean they won’t be coming back?”

“Mm, they probably won’t return.” Lu Ying nodded, gazing at her brother as she spoke softly, “Last night, I went straight to the Chang family. You know, during that affair with Lord Qiu, the third lady’s youngest son was implicated as well. I used that favor, along with the jewelry Lady Ping gave me, to secure the third lady’s help.”

Hearing this, Lu Yun’s eyes brightened and he exclaimed joyfully, “Ah! Of course, we can ask Lady Chang, and also the great philanthropist Wang! Oh, why didn’t I think of it? I spent all last night worrying.” He looked at Lu Ying with admiration, thinking to himself: Sister is so clever. I thought after she accepted the gifts from those people, the debt would be considered repaid. But she could still turn to them for help.

Young Lu Yun did not realize that in this world, favors and relations alike can be settled at equal value. Especially among wealthy families, when you receive a favor, you must repay it—and repay it completely. This time, Lu Ying’s approach with the Chang family was an application of the customs typical of their social class.

Lu Ying touched the twenty-odd iron coins in her sleeve pocket, bought another two pounds of meat and a few vegetables at the market, then took her brother by the hand and hurried home.

Seeing Lu Ying deep in thought, Lu Yun asked softly, “Sister, are we running out of money?”

“Mm, not much left.” Lu Ying nodded. “All that remains at home are the two hundred or so iron coins left from selling calligraphy recently. Other than that, there’s nothing.”

“Sister, I’ll keep working hard on my calligraphy.”

“Yes, we’ll work hard together.”

Laughing and chatting, the siblings returned to their alley. Lu Ying didn’t notice that as they entered the courtyard, the side door of the Yin mansion creaked open. Yin Che came out, raised his head, pressed his lips together in silence, and stared at the gate of the Lu residence.

Just moments ago, a servant whom he had secretly instructed to keep watch over the Lu siblings came to report.

When Yin Che heard about the confrontation and Lu Ying’s appeal to the Chang family for help, a tightness filled his chest.

He wanted to help her, wanted to protect her, but when trouble befell her he could not even learn about it in time. She was so clever, always able to find solutions to the most difficult problems with ease. Yet how he wished that in her moment of helplessness last night, he could have stood before her and said, “Don’t be afraid. Leave everything to me.”

Thinking thus, Yin Che closed his eyes and cursed inwardly: Yin Che, you’re still not enough! You must become stronger—stronger than ever before!

He stared at the Lu family’s gate for a while, then turned resolutely. Seeing the steward hurrying toward him, Yin Che pressed his lips together, his expression cold and impassive as he asked, “Who is the most renowned strategist in Chengdu? Send several people, take lavish gifts, and invite them here. If there’s more than one, invite them all!”

The steward pondered for a moment and replied, “Young Master, those strategists, having made a name for themselves in Chengdu, won’t be so easily persuaded…”

Before he could finish, Yin Che ordered, “Then use the name card of the Yin family of Luoyang!”

At this command, the steward instantly responded, “Yes. Rest assured, Young Master, I’ll bring them all.”

Yin Che watched the steward stride away, his face still devoid of any relief. He had always believed that as long as he studied diligently and mastered the classics of the sages, the difficulties that once blocked his path would cease to exist. He had devoted himself to his studies, befriended talented peers, and never considered the need for loyal servants to obey his commands.

Thus, when he realized the Lu siblings were not safe, he had no one to assign to watch over them. Now, even if he learned of the incident in time, what could he do besides begging the aunt who cared little for Lu Ying to intervene?

He simply had no power of his own to help them.

He thought, he must become stronger—stronger than anyone else!