Chapter Sixty-One: Insight

The clamor of approaching footsteps drowned out everything else; in the blink of an eye, more than a dozen people burst into the room. The screaming maid lunged to Lu Ying, seized her sleeve, and produced a jade pendant from within.

The maid moved with practiced swiftness, but those who followed were even quicker. As soon as they entered, their eyes fell upon Lu Ying’s sleeve, gripped tightly by the maid, and the jade pendant, more than half of which jutted out conspicuously.

Everyone froze.

All eyes fixed upon Lu Ying, their gazes a tangled mix of disgust and disdain.

Someone whispered, “She’s always been from a fallen family.”
“Fine clothes can’t make up for poor character.”
“I never would have thought she was that sort of person.”

Just a quarter of an hour ago, these same people had been all warmth and familiarity toward her. Now, in an instant, their faces twisted with contempt and anger—though mostly, with scorn.

Such looks could surely shatter a young woman’s delicate pride and confidence. They could plunge even the boldest into despair and fear.

In the hush that followed, someone shrieked, “Send her to the authorities!”

“Yes, send her at once!”
“How could she do such a thing? How shameful!”

A chorus of murmurs and accusations rose from every side.

Lu Ying stood motionless, and several maids sprang from the corners. Twisting her arms, they cried, “Come, take her to the Matron! Let the Matron decide her punishment.”

“Yes, let the Matron deal with her.”

Shoved along, Lu Ying was quickly herded down a corridor and into another grand hall, where the Matron awaited, resplendent in her finery.

Seeing Lu Ying pushed forward and standing still amidst the crowd, the Matron turned to the assembled women. “What is the meaning of this?”

The Fourth Cousin stepped forward. She bowed crisply and announced, “Grandmother, my betrothal jade was missing, and then A’Tao found it in my cousin’s sleeve.”

“Is this true?” The Matron’s glare bore into Lu Ying.

After a moment, the Matron’s voice grew cold. “Who is A’Tao?”

The maid who had accused Lu Ying stepped out. “I am A’Tao.”

“Tell me, how did you discover the jade?”

A’Tao bowed her head respectfully. “I found it in Cousin’s sleeve pocket. She happened to lower her arm, and a corner of the jade became visible.”

No sooner had A’Tao finished than the Fourth Cousin cried out, “Grandmother, our family has never harbored criminals! Such behavior will sully our name. Send her to the authorities!”

If an unmarried woman were sent to the authorities for theft, Lu Ying’s life would be utterly ruined. Not only would marriage prospects vanish, she would have nowhere to live, and even her younger brother, Lu Yun, would be implicated.

Such a move was ruthless—utterly destroying the siblings.

The Matron turned, fixing her gaze on Lu Ying, her tone sharp. “A’Ying, what do you have to say?”

What could she say? The trap had been laid, and it was only half-played; the matter wasn’t over yet. She would not truly be handed over to the authorities. For now, it was best to quietly observe.

Seeing Lu Ying keeping her head bowed, the Matron’s eyes flashed shrewdly.

The murmurs grew louder.

Clearing her throat, the Matron silenced the assembly, then suddenly barked at A’Tao, “Kneel!”

What?

Everyone was taken aback. So was A’Tao. Realizing she was the one being addressed, her face went ashen, and she dropped to her knees with a thud.

The sudden turn left the room in silence.

The Matron glared at A’Tao. “Wretched girl, how dare you frame your cousin!”

Her words set the room abuzz, while Lu Ying, playing her part, lifted her head, looking toward the Matron with a mixture of shock and gratitude, as though snatched from the jaws of despair.

A’Tao, startled, protested, “Matron, it’s not like that—not at all…”

But before she could finish, the Matron slammed her hand on the table. “Take this wretch away and make her confess!”

A few servant women advanced. They seized the shrieking A’Tao and dragged her out.

Once A’Tao was gone, the Matron turned to Lu Ying, her voice gentle. “Child, why didn’t you defend yourself when you were wronged? Oh, how can this be?”

She beckoned Lu Ying closer, took her hand, and said kindly, “You are a stubborn one, but your grandmother trusts your character implicitly. That A’Tao tried to frame you, but though I am old, my eyes are not blind.”

At these words, Lu Ying slowly raised her head. She murmured gratefully, “Thank you, Grandmother.”

The Matron, seeing her gratitude, was pleased. She patted Lu Ying’s hand and continued, “Silly child, it is only because your mother died young and no one taught you the ways of a household. From now on, live with me. I will have someone instruct you in the arts women need in a household. Once you learn, you won’t suffer when you marry.”

Her words were earnest and her demeanor full of kindness.

Lu Ying looked up.

Now, at last, she understood the purpose behind the drama staged by the Ping family.

First, it was a warning—she had shown too little respect for the Ping family. Now, whether A’Tao truly framed Lu Ying or Lu Ying had actually stolen the pendant, the Matron’s intervention made the truth impossible to untangle. Should Lu Ying step out of line, this incident could always be brought up again.

Second, it was a gesture of goodwill. Having experienced the agony of being falsely accused and utterly alone, Lu Ying should now feel deeply grateful for the Matron’s unwavering belief in her. Furthermore, she had learned the importance of having powerful support behind her.

Third, it was a pretext to keep her in the Ping household, to keep her firmly under control.

Thinking all this, Lu Ying closed her eyes.

She had gained something else from this visit: in that instant she saw the Matron, she realized with chilling clarity that it was this very woman who had plotted against her younger brother.

She truly meant to destroy Lu Yun, forcing Lu Ying to become dependent on the Ping family.

A thousand-year-old fox indeed—cunning beyond measure.

Calming herself, Lu Ying opened her eyes and curtsied to the Matron. Quietly, she said, “Thank you for your kindness, Grandmother, but I would prefer to return to my own home.”

She pressed her lips together and, with a hint of grievance, added, “Grandmother… I feel uncomfortable here. It’s too noisy, too crowded, and trouble finds me too easily. I wish only for peace.”

She spoke softly, “You spoke of marriage, Grandmother, but I will never marry into a grand household.”

With that, she took several steps back, bowed deeply, her eyes red with unshed tears, and said, “Grandmother, I take my leave.” Without waiting for a reply or observing any further etiquette, she turned, gathered her skirts, and walked swiftly away, disappearing from view in an instant.

Even after she was gone, the others stood in stunned silence. In the gaze of so many, the Matron’s kindly expression slowly gave way to displeasure.