Chapter Seventy-Seven: Interrogation

Having unexpectedly received four hundred gold coins, Lu Yun was filled with excitement. The siblings chatted deep into the night before finally drifting into a restful sleep.

The next day, after seeing her brother off, Lu Ying read for a while, then set out for the marketplace.

She had not yet reached the market when a donkey cart stopped before her. At the same time, a familiar voice called out, "Ah Ying."

Lu Ying looked up.

She met the gaze of Zeng Changzhi, whose expression was complicated, tinged with a sorrowful reluctance.

Their eyes met, and Zeng Changzhi’s lips moved, but he made no sound. Only after a long silence did he speak in a hoarse voice, "Ah Ying, I... because of Ping Yin..." At this moment, when he mentioned Ping Yin, his face was void of tenderness, replaced instead by indifference.

Perhaps that is how life works: since Ping Yin was the one he abandoned, he felt no attachment, no regret; but it was Lu Ying who had chosen to leave him, and so he could never let her go.

Searching for words, Zeng Changzhi said, "I have dissolved the engagement with Ping Yin."

Seeing Lu Ying’s black eyes watching him with utter calm, Zeng Changzhi felt a tightness in his chest.

Over the past days, if anyone was the center of attention, it was surely Lu Ying of the Lu family. Anyone with the slightest connection knew she was highly favored by the nobleman.

Zeng Changzhi had never imagined that someone as destitute as Lu Ying could rise so quickly. With this mindset, the more he looked at Lu Ying, the more he felt her beauty and presence were unparalleled, a rare gem in his life.

But this feeling only made his chest tighten further.

Having spoken about ending the engagement with Ping Yin, Zeng Changzhi looked down at Lu Ying and said in a rough voice, "Ah Ying, I was wrong before. I was enticed by Ping Yin, bewitched, and neglected you."

In the blink of an eye, the cause of their broken engagement was laid entirely at Ping Yin’s feet. It was not a deliberate evasion—he truly believed it was because Ping Yin had seduced and confused him, causing his momentary lapse and the loss of Lu Ying.

His tone even carried a hint of resentment and displeasure toward Ping Yin.

Lu Ying smiled and said, "There’s no need to speak of these things. Young Master Zeng, what’s done is done."

With that, she bowed gracefully and offered her blessing, "May you find peace and success when you arrive in Chengdu."

Zeng Changzhi was startled. He stared wide-eyed, "Ah Ying—how did you know I was going to Chengdu?"

"Didn’t you say you’ve dissolved the engagement with Ah Yin?" Lu Ying replied as if it were obvious. "If you weren’t going to Chengdu, why would your father act as he has?"

Zeng Changzhi was completely stunned.

He stared blankly at Lu Ying for a long time, and his father’s words suddenly echoed in his mind: "Changzhi, the Lu girl is extraordinarily clever. By abandoning her for Ping Yin, you have truly made a grave mistake."

He had heard this twice before and had felt its truth. But never had it struck him with such force as it did now. With just a word, she could deduce his family’s actions. Such intelligence was far beyond his grasp.

After a moment of dazed silence, Zeng Changzhi suddenly looked up, excitement and caution mingling in his voice. "Ah Ying, I—I have always loved you. Will you marry me after all?" He spoke with utmost sincerity, "Ah Ying, I know I was wrong before. I promise I’ll never make that mistake again. I will always treat you well, and my father will like you, favor you. Don’t mind my mother—once you enter our house, you’ll surely be in charge of the household affairs!"

The more he spoke, the more excited and animated he became.

As he spoke, Zeng Changzhi’s cheeks flushed red, his eyes shone, and his heart pounded with joy.

For the first time, he realized that his gloom all this time had stemmed from breaking off the engagement with Lu Ying. Only now did he understand that as long as he could be with her again, he would be truly happy.

How had he not noticed until now how much he cared for her?

At this moment, Zeng Changzhi completely forgot that there was a nobleman behind Lu Ying.

Facing Zeng Changzhi’s eager, anxious expression, Lu Ying felt a sudden urge to laugh.

She shook her head slowly, smiled, and said, "Young Master Zeng, you know that is impossible." With that, she bowed once more. "Take care, Young Master Zeng. I have matters to attend to."

With those words, she turned and walked away.

Zeng Changzhi could not hide the tidal wave of disappointment that crashed over him after her refusal. The despair was so overwhelming that, for a moment, he lost the power to speak or think. He could only crane his neck, staring blankly as Lu Ying walked away.

Lu Ying entered the marketplace and, as she selected her goods, noticed that the number of young men had increased. Some stalls were set up for writing letters, and there were boys clutching books, gazing at her in infatuation... Was the effect of those days wearing the red dress still lingering?

Faintly, Lu Ying heard someone whisper, "That’s the Lu girl, the most beautiful woman in Hanyang." At the same time, discontented voices sounded, "A mere young woman—why does she flaunt herself so openly every day, letting men gossip and point?"

Amidst these murmurs, suddenly, a familiar and intimate voice called out, "Ah Ying!"

Madam Huang’s voice was loud enough to draw many glances toward Lu Ying.

Lu Ying turned and met Madam Huang’s friendly smile. She replied, "You’re here to buy vegetables too, Sister?"

"Yes, yes," Madam Huang stepped closer, glanced at Lu Ying’s basket, and laughed heartily, "The same vegetables again? Eating these every day gets dull. By the way, Ah Ying, I’ve made some pickles at home—they taste wonderful. Let me scoop some for you."

Lu Ying politely declined. But the next day, she met Madam Huang again. This time it was for the celebration of the third master of the Ping family, and Madam Huang had come to invite her cousin to join the festivities.

Not long ago, the Ping household had sent her seven hundred gold coins. Naturally, Lu Ying, as their cousin, ought to attend the banquet.

After apologizing on behalf of Lu Yun, Lu Ying followed Madam Huang to the Ping mansion.

How long had it been since she last returned to the Ping household?

Lu Ying glanced at the mansion, which was quieter than before even on a day of celebration, and at the servants who once held their heads high but now bowed meekly, and thought to herself: The Ping family has indeed lost its confidence and composure.

Arriving outside the courtyard of the third branch, she could hear faint music and the scent of incense wafted on the breeze.

"Ah Ying, let’s hurry."

"Yes."

Lu Ying followed Madam Huang inside. The courtyard was crowded with dozens of guests and servants; in the pavilion nearby, a beauty played the zither with graceful hands.

When Lu Ying entered, some people noticed her, but she wore a simple white dress, carrying a wooden box and keeping her head down, making her inconspicuous.

After exchanging a few words with Madam Huang, Lu Ying spotted the young women of the Ping household seated to one side and walked over.

They were chatting and laughing, but as Lu Ying approached, they only glanced at her. When she lifted her head, the realization dawned on them, and this little corner grew increasingly quiet.

Seated on one side, the noticeably plumper second cousin, Ping Yi, came over, took Lu Ying’s hand, and smiled, "Ah Ying, is that you? It’s been so long since we’ve seen you. Come, sit by me."

She was helping Lu Ying out of an awkward situation.

Lu Ying smiled at her and took a seat beside Ping Yi.

After a while, the others gradually resumed their lively chatter.

The most beautiful sixth cousin of the Ping family kept casting glances at Lu Ying.

Among these young women, those with some favor knew that Lu Ying was esteemed by the nobleman. They had invested much effort trying to get close to him themselves. Seeing Lu Ying now, these cousins felt a measure of discomfort.

Just then, a girl exclaimed, "Eh, why hasn’t Ah Yin come?" Another replied, "She hasn’t been out for days." "She’s unlucky, running into such a man-chaser..." "Who would have guessed—a poor girl, seducing the nobleman, not letting Zeng Changzhi go—how does she manage?"

The criticism slowly turned toward Lu Ying.

These spoiled girls never learned to read the room. They had always disliked Lu Ying, and now that she was present, they seized the chance to jab at her.

Amid the murmurs and sidelong glances, Lu Ying accepted a bowl of soup from a maid and drank it calmly, her expression unchanged.

When Lu Ying wore her cold, indifferent look, there was an air of disdainful arrogance about her; even when her posture was ordinary, she exuded a certain aura. Unconsciously, the chatter died down a little, though the unfriendly gazes toward her increased.

At that moment, a young married woman moved closer, leaned toward Ping Yi, and whispered, "Second sister, what should I do now? Please, tell me." Her voice quivered, on the verge of tears.

Instantly, the attention shifted from Lu Ying to the young woman. The sixth cousin soothed her gently, "Third sister, don’t be upset. We’ll think of a way." The fourth cousin added, "A while ago, eldest and second brother would have gone over with people. Third sister, you’ve truly been wronged!" "Sigh, grandmother nearly fell ill from anger."

Amid sympathetic sighs, the third cousin pressed her handkerchief to her eyes and choked out, "I really have no way out, second sister. Last time, you handled Ah Jiao, and second brother-in-law is so good to you, listens to you so much. Surely you have a solution, right?"

Ping Yi’s rounder face showed a hint of difficulty. She looked at Lu Ying and asked softly, "Ah Ying, do you have any ideas?"

But as soon as she spoke, the other cousins chimed in, "Second sister, you overestimate her!" "Second sister, our cousin is just a girl not yet of age—what can she do?" "Don’t trouble Ah Ying."

Amid the chorus of voices, Ping Yi still explained to Lu Ying, "Ah Ying, here’s the situation: your third cousin’s husband recently took a respectable girl as a concubine. Unexpectedly, the concubine is vicious. She’s gentle before her husband and respectful to your second cousin, but whenever your third cousin’s husband isn’t around, she plots against your third cousin. Not long ago, she prepared some purgative, purposely showed it to your third cousin, and drank it in front of her. She only had diarrhea twice, yet your third cousin’s husband accused her of being cruel and ignored her for days. Worse, your third cousin’s son was pushed into the water by that woman and nearly drowned. She explained to your third cousin’s husband that his son had insulted her and pricked her with a needle, so she got scared and fell; as he laughed too hard, he slipped on a stone and tumbled into the river."

Ping Yi sighed, "That wretched woman has acted for years—your third cousin’s husband thinks her gentle, kind, patient, and generous. The two maids nearby help her, too. So not only did your third cousin’s son nearly drown, but his father hasn’t even visited him once; meanwhile, the concubine’s young son coughs twice and his father dotes on him endlessly. Sigh."