Chapter Sixty-Five: Madam Ping’s Wrath

Old Madam Ping was breathing heavily in her fury, her face twisted and dark purple with rage.

This was a blessing of the highest order, a chance for the entire household to ascend to unimaginable heights, even the chickens and dogs would rise along with them! Yet that wretched girl, that vile creature deserving a thousand deaths, showed not the slightest appreciation—she had pushed it all away!

That wretch, that wretch! Madam Ping’s teeth ground together audibly. After a long moment, a harsh sound escaped her throat. She spat out, “Where is that wretch? Have someone drag her back here at once!” Her face was contorted with malice. “If she won’t enjoy her fortune, what use is she to us? Drag her back and beat her to death!” With a single command, she sought to decide Lu Ying’s fate.

Still unsatisfied, Madam Ping barked coldly, “And that fool Lu Yun as well—drag them both back and beat them to death!” “But Madam!” The steward before her hesitated, speaking in a low voice, “Earlier, Lady Feng asked if Lu Shi should be punished, but that honored guest replied with only one word: ‘Leave!’”

The honored guest had said ‘Leave!’? What did that mean?

Madam Ping was momentarily bewildered. The steward continued, “Just now, I reported the matter to Lord Ping. He said that the wretch offended the honored guest, and only the guest should decide her fate… Lord Ping believes that ‘Leave’ means the guest hasn’t made up his mind yet, and perhaps still has some attachment. He asked me to tell Madam that the Ping family should wait and see. Let our people keep contact with Lu Shi’s daughter, but there’s no need for any extra actions.”

Hearing this, Madam Ping fell into deep thought.

After a while, she nodded with distaste. “Let that wretch be for now.” Though she said so, Madam Ping felt a burning anger in her chest, unable to vent it.

How many years had the Ping family been rooted in Hanyang? Ever since His Majesty unified the realm, they had dreamed of leaving Hanyang behind. Yet, how hard that was! Year after year, the Ping family sent their sons to the imperial examinations, but their quotas were always cut down once they reached Chengdu, never even making it to Luoyang, let alone catching the emperor’s attention.

They had swallowed this humiliation for years. Time and again Madam Ping imagined, if the Ping family ever soared to greatness, she would make sure to avenge those who had blocked their sons. Hmph! If the Ping family could dominate Hanyang, they could just as easily rule Chengdu!

This time, with the honored guest arriving in Hanyang, who else in the city’s elite would be happier than the Ping family?

They had sent out so many daughters, arranged countless encounters, both open and secret, with the honored guest—but whom had he ever favored? As Sixth Daughter said, the guest’s beauty surpassed all, unmatched in Hanyang. How could he possibly be interested in women whose looks couldn’t even rival his own?

Just as they were losing hope and thinking this attempt would fail again, they heard news that the honored guest might be fond of Lu Ying.

For this rumor, they had torn apart many eyes and ears in Yi Garden. Those people thought highly of themselves, and to win them over, the Ping family poured out money by the handful.

Finally, they confirmed the guest was truly interested in Lu Ying. Yet before they could act, that wretched servant had made such a scene!

Reflecting on all this, Madam Ping wished nothing more than to seize Lu Ying at once and teach her a harsh lesson, so the fool would finally understand what she could and could not do!

But now was not the time for anger. There was still hope; for now, she must not lose her temper.

——————— dividing line ———————

At last, everything was within her calculations.

As soon as she left Yi Garden, Lu Ying let out a sigh of relief. Yet along with that relief came a hint of regret: after all that chaos, the influence she had built for her brother through the honored guest was wasted. But, her brother was still young. Having solved the urgent matter, someday she would find another way for him to rise.

Returning home, the deep alley remained quiet, with laughter drifting from behind the walls on either side. Hearing those voices, Lu Ying thought of her parents.

Back then, her father’s expectations for her and her brother were strict, especially regarding manners—any slackness was met with stern rebuke. Sadly, her father died young. Had he lived longer, her own bearing would have been second to none, even compared to the honored guest.

Reflecting on this, Lu Ying shook her head. The loss of her parents was more than just that. From the day they left, she and her brother became rootless reeds, water without a source; anyone could trample them at their whim, just as Madam Ping had done.

But that’s the way of the world: you can plot against others, but you must always guard against their schemes as well. A lone wolf is weak, but if it bites at the right moment, it might topple a giant with one snap!

At least, after all this, she had gained time and breathing space.

Thinking thus, Lu Ying’s lips curved faintly. She lowered her eyes, hiding the coldness within.

Back in her room, changing into women’s attire, Lu Ying finally found some peace. She lay beneath the banyan tree in the courtyard, occasionally glancing at the bamboo slips, savoring their meaning, sometimes drifting into reverie.

Looking up, she saw the banyan tree shading the entire house, old leaves mixed with new, deep green blending with pale; sunlight dappled through, and the tender green seemed brimming with vitality.

Just then, laughter echoed from the house next door—the Yin residence. This time, mingled with many men’s voices, as if a gathering was underway.

Such liveliness was something Lu Ying had never experienced.

She tilted her head, frowned at the wall, and thought: Yin Che comes from an extraordinary background, with talents of his own. If Yun got close to him, perhaps he could benefit.

But in a moment, she shook her head: friendships among scholars depend on their hearts, and Yun is several years younger than Yin Che, unlikely to connect deeply. Even if Yin Che treated him well for her sake, it would be no match for the Yin family’s subtle machinations. Better to keep some distance.

Just as Lu Ying’s thoughts wandered, a clear voice rang out from the lively gathering next door: “Ah Che, is that where little Lu lives? Why not wait for him after school, and invite him over?”

It was the voice of the young man surnamed Wang.

Another youth chimed in, “Yes, it’s been days since we saw little Lu—rather miss him.”

“Little Lu’s elegance is truly admirable,” said another.

In these bright voices, Lu Ying heard Yin Che’s clear reply: “He’s not here lately, says he’s gone traveling with his teacher.”

When Yin Che spoke, the two young men let out a mournful cry, but soon their lament turned into playful banter.

Within the hour, the Yin residence was quiet again, and under the tree, Lu Ying heard a low, urgent call: “Ying, Ying…”

Lu Ying turned.

She met the gaze of Yin Che, who was perched atop the wall. The wall he often climbed was sheltered by a tree; a slight shift hid most of his figure behind the trunk, escaping the notice of those in the Yin house.

Now, the youth sat on the wall, under the chinaberry tree whose branches hung overhead, strings of pink and white buds falling. With a breeze, petals landed on his shoulders and face. Spring wind swayed, flowers fell like snow, settling on his plain brocade, adding beauty and distance to his handsome features and slender form.

Lu Ying walked to the wall, looked up, her eyes black and steady, waiting for him to speak.

Caught by her gaze, a flash of indescribable joy and infatuation flickered in Yin Che’s eyes, only to be replaced by disappointment and a hint of sorrow.

For a moment they stared at each other in silence, until Lu Ying spoke softly, “Your parents sent word?”

Yin Che started, hesitant, and asked in a hoarse voice, “How did you know?”

Of course she knew. The sadness in his eyes as he looked at her could only mean his parents opposed their marriage—what else could it be?

Though she had expected it, Lu Ying still felt a little disappointed. She thought, Yin Che would truly be a worthy match, but fate would not allow it.

Yin Che blurted out his question, but Lu Ying did not answer, only blinked her long lashes and gazed at him with those clear, dark eyes. Her gaze, like herself, seemed cool yet resolute.

Suddenly, Yin Che felt a heaviness in his chest, as if something pressed down, making it hard to breathe. He clutched at his chest, pressed his lips together, and said in a rough voice, “Ying, I’ll keep trying. You, you mustn’t…”

You mustn’t give up on me!

Lu Ying lowered her eyes.

He saw how her long lashes cast a curved shadow beneath her eyes, and in that moment, the graceful girl appeared utterly lonely. Yin Che felt his eyes sting.

He turned his head to let the wind cool him, then after a while faced her again, voice hoarse: “Ying, I’ve heard about the guest at Yi Garden too.”

His lips drew tight, and he declared to Lu Ying with firm resolve, “I’ll hurry things along!” He paused, clenched his jaw, and said, “Don’t be afraid of him. I’ll help you!”

“I’m not afraid of him.” Lu Ying shook her head, gazing at the youth sitting amidst the flower rain, noticing a few petals clinging to his nose. Her hand itched to brush them off.

But of course, she wouldn’t do such a thing. Standing tall, Lu Ying turned her head and said slowly, “Some things cannot be forced.”

Was she rejecting him? Was this a refusal?

A surge of indescribable pain flooded the youth’s chest, and his hand gripping the branch turned pale from the force.

His ink-black eyes were tinged with red as he stared at Lu Ying, seriously declaring, “Ying, listen to me. My grandfather has always indulged me; he’ll agree if I ask. I’ll find a way to make him agree!”

His tone was urgent.

Lu Ying wanted to tell him it was all pointless, but when she met his reddened eyes, the words would not come. After a long pause, she nodded and murmured, “I don’t wish to stay in Hanyang, nor will I settle my marriage here.” She meant, she would not wed soon.

With that, Lu Ying straightened her back and turned away.

Yin Che watched her graceful yet always distant figure, unable to tear his gaze away for a long time.