Chapter Fifty-Four: Madam Huang

Just as the butcher finished speaking, Lu Ying, who had walked a few steps away, suddenly turned back. Her jet-black eyes fixed unexpectedly upon him.

The butcher was startled, but he quickly chuckled, “Is Ah Ying thinking of selling some meat?”

“Sell!” Though she’d just said she wouldn’t today, Lu Ying casually drew her knife across the meat on the chopping block. “Let’s give them this piece.”

“Alright—” The butcher had barely brought his knife down when a cheerful woman’s voice rang out, “Give me fifteen pounds of leg meat.” It was a fair-skinned woman, about thirty, who approached. Though her clothes were plain, they fit her well and looked comfortable. The smile on her face seemed habitual, bearing a restrained pride.

Upon seeing her, the butcher instantly perked up, flashing his yellow teeth eagerly. “Ah, it’s Sister Huang! How come you’re buying meat yourself today? Wait, I’ll get you the best leg meat.” With that, he quickly weighed Lu Ying’s piece and handed it off, then went to fetch the unopened half of pork nearby.

Just then, the woman seemed to notice Lu Ying and called out, “Oh, isn’t that Cousin? Cousin, you’re selling meat today too?”

Lu Ying, just about to turn away, heard the greeting and looked back.

The moment she met the woman’s gaze, Lu Ying recognized her at once. She was the one in charge of the kitchen in the second branch of the Lu family, someone Lu Ying had encountered before at the Ping Residence. From what she’d heard, this woman was clever and capable.

When Sister Huang met Lu Ying’s eyes, her own flickered briefly. Then, she smiled kindly, “Cousin, haven’t seen you at the Ping Residence lately. Oh, I’ve heard about your troubles—not just the broken engagement, right? The Ping family is still respected here in Hanyang. Your second aunt was saying the other day she wanted to arrange a good match for you.”

Compared to the way she used to pretend not to know Lu Ying, Sister Huang was now unexpectedly warm. Lu Ying listened to her chatter and, for some reason, felt reluctant to leave.

With a calculation forming in her mind, Lu Ying lowered her eyes, lips pressed stubbornly together. Mention of the Ping family seemed to strike a nerve, igniting a fierce resistance—she would rather endure hardship than reconnect with her maternal kin.

Seeing Lu Ying’s stubbornness and recalling the regretful tone of the old lady from the Ping family the other day, Sister Huang’s smile grew even gentler. She reached out, patting Lu Ying’s shoulder and spoke earnestly, “Cousin, let me tell you. You’re an orphan, and it’s rare to have a strong family behind you. Why are you so distant? You’re young, you don’t understand—once you’re married, without family support, life is hard. Say you’re wronged in your husband’s home, or framed—how will you get to the bottom of it? You need people to help, to smooth things over. Without anything, how will you stand your ground?”

Her words were heartfelt and reasonable.

Yet Lu Ying seemed impatient, replying coldly, “It was my cousin who stole my fiancé! The ones who sold me out for the Zeng family and tried to ruin my reputation were my so-called kin!” Though her voice was cold, she deliberately kept it low, so the butcher nearby couldn’t catch her words.

Though Lu Ying was full of resentment, she still knew to protect everyone’s dignity. Her mention of the Ping family carried only grievance, not hatred, and Sister Huang’s gaze flickered again.

At that moment, a youth of sixteen or seventeen suddenly rushed in from the side street. He was tall and thin, his complexion a sallow yellow, and his eyes slightly protruding. Yet his clothes were decent for a young man.

He was clearly headed for Lu Ying. Stopping before her, he lowered his head and stared. Seeing her beautiful face, his hostility faded a bit, but his words still carried anger. “Lu Ying of the Lu family?”

Who was this?

Lu Ying raised her head to look at him.

The youth glared with his bulging eyes and declared, “I know you’re a shrew! I’m telling you, no matter how pretty you are, how clever or how well you earn, I will never marry you! Hear that? I don’t want you!”

His voice was loud, drawing many ears. As he finished, countless gazes turned upon Lu Ying.

She didn’t need to look; she knew how excited the bystanders must be.

Raising her head slightly, Lu Ying frowned and asked coolly, “Who are you?” Her expression was puzzled, and despite his blatant disrespect, she remained gentle and composed. “You mentioned marrying me; so, is your family sending a matchmaker to propose? Or have you mistaken me for someone else?” At this, she curled her lips, her icy voice flowing like spring water through the crowd’s hearts. “If it’s the former, rest assured, no matchmaker from your family has ever set foot in my home.”

At this moment, Lu Ying carried herself with great dignity, like an elder facing a rude junior. The youth, so aggressive at first, was utterly disarmed by her beauty and poise—his anger vanished like snow under the sun.

A buzz rose among the onlookers. Sister Huang stepped forward, shrill with indignation, “Young man, whose son are you? How can you talk like this? Ridiculous! My cousin doesn’t even know who you are, and you rush up just to insult her? You think she’s easy prey because she’s an orphan?”

She sized him up with contempt, sneering, “With looks like yours, you dare say you don’t want my cousin? Hah! Have you looked in the mirror lately? Who do you think you are?”

Her retort was swift and sharp, and she was the first to stand up for Lu Ying at the moment of insult. In all her years, who had ever truly protected Lu Ying?

After this, Sister Huang turned to Lu Ying, took her hand, and said, “Ah Ying, ignore people like him. Don’t be upset—it’s not worth it.” Her address had shifted from cousin to Ah Ying.

Lu Ying watched as the youth, embarrassed by Sister Huang’s words, blushed furiously. She nodded, replying, “I’ve studied since childhood—I know whom to engage with and whom to ignore!”

Her words were clear and bright, and with her gentle demeanor, the crowd recalled: Yes, this Lu family girl was said to be well-read, her calligraphy praised throughout Hanyang.

With that thought, those who had previously looked down on her now saw her in a new light. Her calm grace stood out sharply against the rough crowd, outshining the youth before her.

The youth had no real grounds for his attack, and now, under the scrutiny and censure of so many, he felt the weight of Lu Ying’s black eyes—an intangible intimidation. After standing awkwardly for a moment, he spun on his heel and fled.

Watching his retreating figure, Lu Ying raised her voice and asked the butcher, “Uncle, whose son is he?”

Her question transformed the buzz of the crowd into laughter.

The butcher replied, “He’s the only son of Widow Zhang in the west of town. She’s spoiled him.”

Another passerby added, “Widow Zhang probably thinks Ah Ying is capable, and told her son she’d arrange a match.” “Widow Zhang has a shop, doing good business, I hear.” “Ah Ying’s well-educated—how could she be a shrew? Some people just can’t stand to see her succeed.” “Exactly, exactly.”

Perhaps it was Lu Ying’s calm composure, so different from the usual girls in the market, or perhaps it was the respect for her learning. Gradually, the praise for her grew, sweeping away the rumors that had once blackened her name.

Today, there will be three chapters.