Chapter Seven: The Falling Out

This was the first time Lu Ying had come to the Ping Residence since her recovery. She first requested an audience with her grandmother and her eldest aunt, the mistress of the household, but was quickly dismissed. Then she made her way to the third aunt’s chambers to request a meeting.

After a short while, a maidservant emerged. “Madam will see you now.”

Madam? Two centuries ago, only the wives of feudal lords were addressed as such, but now? Anyone with a bit of wealth was called Madam. Lu Ying lowered her head and followed the maid inside.

In the main room sat several women, chatting and laughing among themselves. When Lu Ying entered, they glanced at her but quickly returned to their conversation. Lu Ying took no offense. She stood quietly to one side, waiting for a lull in their talk before stepping forward and bowing to the woman seated in the place of honor. “A Ying greets Third Aunt.”

“So it’s A Ying. Child, really! Not that I wish to scold you, but your injury has been healed for some time now. Why come only today? You’ve made your third aunt worry for nothing.” Third Aunt’s words, like her demeanor, were brisk and edged with barbs.

Listening to these seemingly caring remarks, Lu Ying thought to herself, If you truly cared, why didn’t you send anyone to check on me after I was hurt?

With that, she raised her head.

Third Aunt was all smiles, her face beaming as she looked at Lu Ying. But those arched, thin brows and the sharp lines of her face gave her a severe air. Lu Ying curled her lips into a semblance of a smile.

Seeing Lu Ying’s eternally indifferent expression, Third Aunt felt a bit deflated. She waved her hand, “Sit, A Ying.”

After she had seen the other guests out and returned to her seat, a silence fell. Then, with a smile, Third Aunt asked, “A Ying, is your wound much improved now?”

“Yes, Aunt. It is much improved.”

“That’s good. Ah Yun has been worried all along.” With a sigh, Third Aunt went on in a heavy tone, “A Ying, it’s not that I want to criticize you, but your cold face and clumsy tongue are bad enough—now you’re neglecting your manners, too? If this goes on, how will you ever get by in the Zeng household? Why, just the other day, Madam Zeng was telling me of your shortcomings.”

Third Aunt’s criticisms poured forth, but Lu Ying only bowed her head, offering neither defense nor reply. When her aunt had finished, Lu Ying lowered her head and said softly, “Thank you for your concern, Third Aunt.”

After a while, Third Aunt changed the subject, “By the way, A Ying, there’s something I must tell you. Ah Yun must be thirteen by now, yes? You’ve heard of Li Er’s family on East Street, I suppose? Their daughter has taken a liking to Ah Yun, and I think she’s a good child. I’m preparing to arrange a betrothal for the two of them.”

As soon as Third Aunt finished speaking, Lu Ying’s head snapped up.

She stared directly at Third Aunt. Perhaps her gaze was too piercing, too bright, as Third Aunt’s annoyance flared; she raised her brows, ready to lash out.

But before she could, Lu Ying lowered her head again and decisively shook it. “Third Aunt, this cannot be done.” Without waiting for a response, she stood, meeting her aunt’s eyes with a clear, cold look. “Before he died, my father left us this command: the sons of the Lu family may be poor or suffer hardship, but must never become a son-in-law who enters another’s household. Besides, Ah Yun studies diligently every day and has made much progress. Perhaps one day he will even be recommended for filial and incorrupt conduct…”

She had only just spoken when Third Aunt burst into a shrill, mocking laugh. “Oh, listen to you! Now you speak of being recommended for virtue? A Ying, do you really believe your useless father was some great man? Do you really think there’s anyone of repute who would ever recommend your brother?” As she spoke, her voice grew higher and sharper, and she laughed so hard she nearly doubled over.

She was not alone; the room filled with laughter, and even the servants inside and out struggled to catch their breath.

In this era, with no imperial examinations, scholars could only advance by being recommended by those of high reputation. The Lu siblings had neither money nor influence—how could they ever hope to know such people? With no parents or relatives to speak for them, even if they wished to display filial piety, there was no one to demonstrate it to.

To everyone present, Lu Ying’s words seemed even more laughable than a joke.

As Third Aunt laughed heartily, Lu Ying’s gaze grew colder. Before her aunt could finish, Lu Ying suddenly raised her voice, solemn and forceful, “Third Aunt, mind your words! This was my father’s dying wish! Even as an elder, you have no right to mock the wishes of another’s parent!”

In this world where filial piety was paramount, Lu Ying’s anger in defense of her late father was entirely justified.

She was justified, but when had Third Aunt ever been treated so? All this time, Lu Ying had borne her treatment in silence. Not only Third Aunt but even her servants looked down on the impoverished Lu siblings. Now, the one she had always despised dared to rebuke her so sternly?

With a burst of fury, Third Aunt sprang to her feet, her face flushed, finger trembling as she pointed at Lu Ying. “You—you—you…” She stammered, unable to find words to scold Lu Ying. The girl had seized upon the sacred virtue of filial piety, and no argument could stand against her!

All the more enraged, Third Aunt’s fury only grew. Her finger shook as she finally screeched, “Get out! Get out, both of you! From this day forth, your lives and deaths are nothing to me!” As she shouted, a surge of satisfaction welled in her heart: Yes, this is how it should be. Without me as a backer, let’s see where this wretched girl turns! When she’s driven to despair and comes crawling back, I’ll make her beg and humiliate her yet!

But she didn’t realize this was exactly what Lu Ying had been waiting for. From the moment she mentioned the recommendation for virtue, she had anticipated their reaction—indeed, she was counting on it.

So, as soon as Third Aunt’s words fell, Lu Ying stepped back, her expression wooden. She bowed deeply, then declared in a clear voice, “Though my late father is gone, his presence remains. Though we are orphaned and unworthy, we would never dare betray the ambition of our forebears. I cannot accept your generosity, Aunt. With that, I take my leave.” With a sweep of her sleeve, she turned and walked out without hesitation.

Watching her receding figure, Third Aunt’s anger knew no bounds. She shrieked, “Very well! If you dare leave, then never—never come begging at my door!” Her voice was so shrill it drew the attention of those in the garden, who craned their necks to see what was happening.

The more Third Aunt raged, the brighter Lu Ying’s clear, indifferent eyes became as she strode away. Let her shout—let her shout as much as she likes! The more people who take notice, the further word of this quarrel will spread. When people hear she was rebuked for defending her late father’s honor, they will only hold her in higher esteem. Should the story reach someone of influence, perhaps some great man of humble origins might take pity on the siblings and open a path for her brother.

Even if luck does not favor them so, once the story spreads and public opinion sides with her, Third Aunt will not dare—nor be able—to evict the siblings from their modest quarters without consulting the other elders of the Ping Residence. As long as they had a roof, this confrontation cost her nothing. The loss was small, but she had gained, to some degree, autonomy in matters of her own marriage. By any measure, this farce was well worth it.