Chapter Seventy-Nine: Reunion

Lu Ying smiled faintly, offering no reply.

The plan Lu Ying devised yesterday was perhaps unknown to others, but the heads of the Ping family, along with Aunt Huang and Ah Qing, were well aware. Thus, Ah Qing and Aunt Huang, standing aside, watched Lu Ying with complicated expressions.

The scheme was cruel and effective, but most importantly, it was something Lu Ying had spoken of casually. This younger sister-in-law whom they had always pitied and underestimated—what kind of person was she, truly?

It must be said, yesterday’s Lu Ying thoroughly startled everyone in the Ping household. Now, when Ah Qing and Aunt Huang looked at her, there was even a trace of fear that had never existed before.

Lu Ying noticed the fear in their eyes.

She was quite satisfied that they had learned to be afraid. She was not one of those young women intent on leaving a good impression in everyone’s mind, nor did she care much about marriage. A little fear was necessary—it was the foundation against being bullied.

After all, the world always tends to bully the gentle and fear the wicked. How many kind and generous people escape hardship? Often, those who are not bullied have shown their own ruthlessness once or twice.

After sending off Ah Qing and Aunt Huang, Lu Ying made her way to the marketplace, using the cloth given by Aunt Qi to craft two sets of spring garments for herself and Lu Yun.

Today, Lu Yun returned home early. His cheeks were flushed, and sweat gleamed on the tip of his nose. Sidling up to his sister, Lu Yun said, “Sis, today the teacher said—” He deliberately paused.

Lu Ying turned, suppressing a smile as she looked at him expectantly. “What did he say?”

Every strand of Lu Yun’s hair radiated joy and pride. “The teacher said I have talent. He wants to recommend me to study under Master Huang Wenxian.”

Master Huang Wenxian?

Lu Ying had heard of him. His reputation, though not as great as the late Master Qiu, was illustrious in Chengdu; he was a renowned scholar. To become his disciple meant her brother had a real chance at becoming a scholar.

For a moment, Lu Ying was truly moved. She asked joyfully, “Really?”

“Really!”

Lu Ying drew in a deep breath, murmuring, “If Father knew, he would be happy too.” In her memory, nothing had ever stirred her father’s emotions, but she believed this would bring him joy.

Pressing her lips together, she quietly said, “Ah Yun, let’s bring this wonderful news to Father’s memorial tablet.”

Lu Yun was excited as well.

After burning incense for their parents, Lu Ying turned and said, “Now, I must begin preparations for the journey to Chengdu.” Master Huang was in Chengdu; as his disciple, her brother would need to live there for several years. If he went, she would naturally follow. Originally, Lu Ying thought she would go to Chengdu with that nobleman, but she hadn’t expected such a fortunate turn.

After pondering a while, Lu Ying added, “Thankfully, we just received four hundred gold; it should be enough to buy a small courtyard in Chengdu.” If it wasn’t, she would simply sell their current home.

While Lu Ying was making these calculations, Lu Yun had already washed his face and earnestly begun his reading.

Listening to her brother’s clear recitation, Lu Ying thought happily: Perhaps one day, he will truly make something of himself, and I will be content.

With the decision to go to Chengdu, everything became urgent. The fifty thousand words of Records of the Grand Historian still needed copying—a task that would take at least two months, and time was running short.

After some thought, Lu Ying set aside the idea of copying, focusing instead on reading. Her memory was excellent now, and her comprehension outstanding; she figured if she could memorize the book, it would be just as well.

For several days, Lu Ying read tirelessly, day and night. Occasionally, every two or three days, the Ping family would send Ah Qing, Aunt Huang, and Aunt Qi to visit her. Each time, they brought gifts. By now, Lu Ying had received four or five bolts of fine cloth, and as for rice, grain, and meat, there was always plenty left over.

Such frequent gestures of kindness had proven remarkably effective. Now, Lu Ying exchanged pleasant words with them, and would even take the initiative to visit the Ping household every few days.

Her attitude reassured the family; for the moment, she and the Ping household had resumed the familiar warmth and bustle of a family united. Meanwhile, through casual conversation, Lu Ying learned nearly everything about events large and small within the household.

To a casual listener, such conversations might seem mere snippets of gossip. But to Lu Ying, the insights she gained often far exceeded what even the masters of the Ping household knew.

And these secrets and stories were exactly what Lu Ying wanted. She had no intention of opposing the Ping family now, but if the need arose, the information she’d gathered would prove invaluable.

One day, after reading and reciting until she felt she had memorized enough, Lu Ying took the Records of the Grand Historian and had her brother arrange a meeting with Wang Shang.

The siblings met Wang Shang at a tavern in Hanyang.

It was the best tavern in Hanyang, a two-story wooden building with private rooms upstairs.

When Lu Ying arrived, she wore a gauze hat. Her newly made spring garments drifted around her as she moved, giving her an air of youthful vitality.

Ascending the stairs, Lu Ying, her gauze hat shading her eyes, saw Wang Shang standing at the door of the private room, watching her with a complicated expression.

Like Yin Che, Wang Shang was sixteen or seventeen, tall and slender, his features bearing the pampered elegance of a wealthy young man.

Now, this refined and fair young man watched as Lu Ying approached.

After a glance at his sister, Lu Yun hurried forward and called, “Brother Wang.”

Wang Shang smiled gently at him, speaking softly, “Ah Yun, is this your sister?”

“Yes, this is my sister. She said your gift was too generous, so she wants to thank you in person.”

Lu Yun’s voice was clear and cheerful, but Wang Shang seemed distracted, his gaze often drifting to Lu Ying.

At that moment, Lu Ying stepped forward, bowed to Wang Shang, and called out coolly, “Young Master Wang.”

“Ah Ying? Please, come in, come in.”

Wang Shang clearly did not wish to be dismissed with a few polite words. He quickly opened the door to the private room, inviting the siblings inside. The aroma of food and wine filled the air, with hot soup steaming in the pot.

Such obvious goodwill could not be ignored. Lu Ying followed Lu Yun into the room, and once the door was closed, she removed her gauze hat.

Wang Shang watched her closely; when she took off the hat, he was momentarily dazed.

Soon, though, he lowered his eyes, took a seat opposite them, and said gently, “Ah Ying, Ah Yun, please sit.”

After pouring wine for the siblings, he spoke softly, with a bitter smile, “That fellow Yin Che really kept us in the dark!”

Though he referred to Yin Che, his words also implicated Lu Ying.

Lu Ying lowered her gaze and replied calmly, “Circumstances forced my hand, Brother Wang, please do not blame me.”

Hearing her cold, distant tone and seeing her in feminine attire, Wang Shang couldn’t help but recall Lu Ying in male dress. He dropped his gaze, hiding the disappointment in his eyes. After a long pause, he raised his cup and drank deeply. “It’s not your fault, Ah Ying, it’s us who failed to see clearly.”

Lu Ying had come to see Wang Shang not only to thank him, but also to apologize in person. In their brief encounters, Wang Shang had treated her warmly, entirely as a friend.

After some thought, Lu Ying lifted her dark eyes to Wang Shang and spoke clearly, “No matter what, it was I who deceived you first.” She paused. “Please do not hold it against me.”

Having apologized twice, Wang Shang could not reasonably take offense without seeming petty. He smiled bitterly.

Just as Wang Shang raised his cup, Lu Yun, sitting near the window, suddenly exclaimed, “Hey, isn’t that Tian Xiaoqi? What’s he doing here?” Turning to his sister, he said, “Sis, I’ve been wanting to catch him for ages. I’ll be right back.” He said something to Wang Shang, and without waiting for Lu Ying’s reply, dashed out, leaving Lu Ying and Wang Shang alone in the room.

That rascal had left the two of them alone.

Lu Ying muttered quietly to herself.

Just then, Wang Shang spoke softly, “Ah Ying, I really never expected this. I always thought you were Ah Yun—thinking of that youth in a red robe, beautiful and aloof, I suddenly feel like drinking.”

In fact, ever since he learned Lu Ying was actually Lu Yun, he had gotten drunk several times.

After a long, silent sigh, Wang Shang looked up at Lu Ying, his smile tinged with bitterness. “So you were him. No wonder, even with that identity, everyone treated you differently.”

Hearing the disappointment in his voice, though she couldn’t quite grasp its cause, Lu Ying still whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Just as she spoke, a girl’s angry voice rang out outside, “You’re lying! I knew he was here!”

Almost immediately, Wang Shang’s expression changed. At the same time, the sound of footsteps rushed toward the door.

Hearing those approaching footsteps, Lu Ying’s expression changed as well. She quickly grabbed her gauze hat and put it on, her gaze toward Wang Shang now wary.

...She had only just met Wang Shang, and already someone was coming after her? Could this be a trap?

Though she couldn’t fathom who might want to cause her trouble, Lu Ying was annoyed.

Just then, the door banged open, and a richly dressed girl burst in with two guards!

The girl glared directly at Lu Ying. Seeing her with the gauze hat, she sneered, “What, you dare to act but not to face the consequences?”

With that, she lunged at Lu Ying, trying to snatch off her hat.

Before she could, Lu Ying had already removed it herself.

When she saw Lu Ying’s face, the girl’s anger turned to tears, her eyes reddened. Stamping her feet several times, she spun toward Wang Shang and cried bitterly, “Wang, you’ve repeatedly broken off our engagement and made me the laughingstock of all Chengdu—was it because of her?”

Only one chapter today. Still one owed. Yes, now two chapters owed to everyone.