Chapter 59: A Fortuitous Encounter

While Aunt Huang spoke, she strode in without waiting for a reply. Lu Ying's lips twitched slightly, as if displeased, yet she felt awkward about turning her away. Aunt Huang caught the subtle shift in her expression and smiled even more amiably.

Bringing two maids along, Aunt Huang entered the small courtyard, eyeing it as she said, “Ying, your place is quite nice. But once Yun gets married, it will seem a bit cramped.”

She spoke frankly. Lu Ying, awkward in social exchanges, kept her head down as she boiled water in the kitchen, and after some time she replied, “We’ll deal with things as they come.”

Aunt Huang chuckled, “Indeed, that’s true.” She looked at Lu Ying, recalling that in just a few months, this cousin had grown strikingly beautiful. Yet her temperament was rather reserved, not one to bow and scrape. With such a character, could she truly endure the opulence of a noble household and bring honor to the Ping clan of Hanyang?

Aunt Huang sighed inwardly at the thought: if only they could swap her out, she’d much prefer sending Third Cousin Yan instead. Even if Yan didn’t go, any other girl in the Ping household would please a man more than this cousin.

But such musings were pointless; after all, the nobleman had chosen this cousin and no other.

Lost in her thoughts, Aunt Huang was startled when Lu Ying’s tranquil voice sounded, “Aunt, has Yin’s wedding date been set?”

She had mentioned Ping Yin!

Aunt Huang looked up, scrutinizing Lu Ying’s expression, sensing genuine calm. She replied, “Well, I’m only a servant, so I don’t know everything.”

Lu Ying answered quietly, then asked directly, “Did you come here with the old matron’s permission?” She lifted her gaze, her dark eyes fixed on Aunt Huang.

Unsure of Lu Ying’s intentions, Aunt Huang hesitated briefly before replying with a smile, “Ying, there’s no lasting grudge among family. The old matron didn’t help you last time, but she’s still your elder, isn’t she? Besides, she’s aged—some confusion is only natural.”

Having spoken such bold words as a servant, Aunt Huang sighed again. “You don’t know, child, your grandfather scolded your grandmother quite thoroughly.”

She paused, then looked at Lu Ying and spoke earnestly, “Ying, let me tell you: you’re not young anymore and could marry at any time. Do you intend to live like this forever, with no support? Yes, you have a younger brother, but help is always needed. If you were closer to your grandfather’s family, at least you wouldn’t have to toil away, selling your writing for money.”

Unlike before, Lu Ying listened intently to Aunt Huang’s persuasion this time, tilting her head in thought. In the sunlight, her dark eyes glimmered with complex emotions, as if she were truly pondering Aunt Huang’s words.

Seeing her so attentive, Aunt Huang breathed a heavy sigh of relief, her smile growing even brighter.

After sipping some boiled water prepared by Lu Ying, Aunt Huang toured the small courtyard, then turned and said, “Ying, it’s not good for a young lady to stay cooped up indoors. Why not come for a walk with me?”

A walk together? Lu Ying was thinking the same. Her eyes flashed and she smiled, “Certainly.”

With Lu Ying’s consent, Aunt Huang was delighted. The four of them stepped out together. On the street, spotting a few girls here and there, Aunt Huang sighed, “None of these girls are as beautiful as my Ying. I must get her some new clothes—let my cousin shine as she should.”

This time, she emphasized “cousin,” making it clear she spoke on behalf of the Ping household. As soon as she finished, Aunt Huang watched for Lu Ying’s reaction.

Lu Ying remained silent. The longer she spent with Aunt Huang, the clearer her newfound feelings became.

…Perhaps her grandmother’s family, the Ping clan, truly wished to ruin her brother.

Aunt Huang, seeing Lu Ying did not refuse, relaxed even more. She chuckled, “Come, let’s go have some clothes made now.” She ushered Lu Ying into the largest clothing shop in Hanyang.

Summoning the shopkeeper’s wife, they moved to a side room where Lu Ying’s measurements were taken. Suddenly, they heard a crisp young voice outside, “Fifth Sister, hurry inside!”

The girl was evidently talkative, bursting into the shop with several calls of “Is anyone here?” She then told her companion, “Fifth Sister is so pretty, she needs new clothes! Oh, I nearly forgot—soon you’ll marry into the Zeng family. Once you’re a bride, you’ll have endless beautiful dresses!”

Ping Yin had arrived as well.

Outside, the young girl continued, “Fifth Sister, you’re always overthinking. What’s so special about that Lu Ying? Your fiancé may think of her now, but once you’re married, he’ll see your virtues and forget about that pauper completely.” At this, the girl snapped, “If Father hadn’t forbidden me from bothering Lu Ying, I’d have someone scar her face!”

Ping Yin finally spoke, her voice sharper and less clear than before. “Don’t mention her!”

With a pale face, Ping Yin cried, “How could she compare to me? That shameless wretch! If she didn’t constantly seduce Zeng Lang, he wouldn’t be so cold to me lately—and he wouldn’t have said that I’m not as good as her!”

The words “I’m not as good as her” were clearly a deep wound for Ping Yin. As soon as they escaped her lips, she choked back tears. Hearing Ping Yin’s strained sobs outside, the shopkeeper’s wife hesitated at the threshold and stopped.

Aunt Huang, meanwhile, couldn’t help but glance at Lu Ying, observing her closely and wondering: Though Ying is refined and beautiful, she’s truly cold-natured—what is it that draws men to her? Then she thought, Oh dear, just now Ying seemed to warm to the family, but hearing these cousins, she must be resentful again.

She looked at Lu Ying once more, but the girl before her, with her radiant face, betrayed no sign of resentment.

Outside, Ping Yin seemed further provoked, gritting her teeth. “Let’s go find that wretch—I want to scold her.”

“But Fifth Sister, you can’t. Grandmother said we’re not allowed.”

After a long pause, Ping Yin shrieked, “Don’t mention Grandmother! She doesn’t care for me anymore. Just like Grandfather, she only cares that the wretch can bring honor to the family!”