Chapter 83: Companions on the Journey

As dusk approached, Lu Yun returned home.

He was unusually excited that day. As soon as he rushed in front of Lu Ying, he exclaimed eagerly, "Sister, it’s done, it’s done!"

Lu Ying spun around sharply, looking at him and speaking in a low voice, "Are you saying your apprenticeship is settled?"

"Yes, yes."

Lu Ying’s eyes shone brilliantly in an instant. She nodded, saying, "Good. Then let’s start preparing to head for Chengdu immediately."

She was visibly elated, pacing around the courtyard and murmuring, "The gold we have should be enough to buy a small house in Chengdu. In that case, we’ll keep this house as well—it’ll serve as a fallback in the future."

She glanced at the room filled with bamboo scrolls and added, "These books will need at least six carts to transport them all. When we arrive in Chengdu, we’ll have to find a temporary place to store them..."

Thinking of this, Lu Ying turned and said, "Ah Yun, since Master Huang is at Huadian Academy, why don’t I go ahead, find a house near the academy, and wait for you there?" She paused, then continued, "Your teacher will likely travel with you, won’t he? You can ask him to help you look after these scrolls; I believe he’d be glad to assist."

Lu Yun listened, somewhat stunned. He had never been apart from Lu Ying before, especially since her injury, after which she had become so clever and strong. He was accustomed to having his sister manage everything. Now, hearing that he would be separated from her and have to escort all those books to Chengdu himself—even with his teacher’s help—he couldn’t help but feel anxious.

After finishing her words, Lu Ying noticed her brother gazing at her blankly, his expression full of reluctance. She frowned slightly, thinking: Have I protected him too much, preventing him from soaring like an eagle?

In truth, children from other poor families, at Lu Yun’s age, might have already learned to fend for themselves. But Lu Yun had Lu Ying as his sister—no matter how difficult things were, she always took care of his food, clothing, and shelter. Compared to peers in similar circumstances, Lu Yun was indeed more sheltered.

With these thoughts, Lu Ying said, "It’s settled. Ah Yun, I’ll go see your teacher tomorrow."

With that, Lu Ying left.

This time, she went straight to the Ping residence. After finding Madam Huang, Lu Ying didn’t enter the house but spoke to her outside. She explained that she had received orders from an influential person and must go to Chengdu immediately. She also assured Madam Huang she would not forget her promise to the Ping family, and that when the opportunity arose, she would recommend Sixth Cousin to the benefactor.

After saying this, Lu Ying turned and departed. She knew the people of the Ping family wouldn’t be anxious at the news, for Chengdu was part of their holdings—they could visit whenever they wished.

The next day, Lu Ying met Lu Yun’s teacher. She entrusted the six carts of bamboo scrolls to him with utmost care, and with his cheerful agreement, she returned home.

Once home, she busied herself with household affairs.

By the time everything was arranged and ready, four days had passed.

She left some iron coins and twenty taels of gold for Lu Yun, then, carrying the remaining gold, dressed in a silver-colored gentleman’s robe, took a few bundles, and boarded a donkey cart bound for Chengdu.

Yet, to her surprise, just as her cart exited Chengdu, she encountered a grand, magnificent procession. From afar, she spotted familiar faces, heard lively laughter, and saw carts drawn by donkeys, oxen, and horses. Lu Ying couldn’t help but think: What a coincidence.

It turned out today was the day Ati and the visitors from Chengdu were returning!

With the chaos only just subdued, even the wealthiest families lacked sufficient horses, so this group of privileged youths included ox carts and donkey carts.

But this suited her well. A woman traveling alone was never truly safe; with these companions, she needn’t worry about bandits.

Thinking this, Lu Ying pulled down the curtain of her cart and closed her eyes to rest.

Amid the clatter of wheels, the laughter of the young men and women grew ever closer.

Knowing she’d eventually have to greet her companions along the way, Lu Ying lifted the curtain, composed herself comfortably in the cart, and picked up a bamboo scroll to read.

At that moment, Ati was pestering Wang Shang, her eyes sparkling as she chattered incessantly. Nearby, Mo Yuan, mounted on horseback, was surrounded by other young riders. After exchanging jokes, he sighed, "You all left so quickly this time. Fortunately, Father allowed us to escort you to Chengdu before returning. Otherwise, I’d truly regret it."

Another youth laughed, "Indeed, I do regret it."

A tall, slender youth then asked, "Ah Yuan, I’ve heard Yin Che is rather aloof—is that true?" He went on, "The Yin family is favored by His Majesty; had we known he’d stayed in Hanyang this long, we’d have visited sooner." Straightforward by nature, he voiced his intent to curry favor quite openly.

Mo Yuan detected the reproach in his words, rubbing his nose with a wry smile. "It’s not that I didn’t want to say anything, but with Ah Che’s temperament, none of us dared challenge him."

Just then, he caught sight of someone and uttered a surprised exclamation, straightening up on his horse.

Seeing him turn, the others followed suit.

Even Wang Shang, not far away, noticed and turned as well.

After a moment’s pause, Mo Yuan called out, "Lu, Ah Ying?"

His voice was loud, tinged with surprise.

With his call, all the young men and women turned to look at Lu Ying.

Inside her cart, with the curtain wide open, Lu Ying slowly put down her scroll and lifted her head.

Though it was already the second time they’d seen her, everyone’s eyes brightened, thinking: As Mo Yuan said, she truly looks far better in men’s attire than in women’s clothes.

In the humble donkey cart, Lu Ying wore a long robe of shimmering silver, her black hair tied high. Her exquisitely beautiful features, veiled by an indifferent gaze, shone with a glow like snow or jade. Her robe was impeccably neat, and from within to without, she exuded an air of cool detachment, a refinement that kept others at a distance, and a certain disdain!

With such bearing, it was hard to imagine her seeking connections with the powerful.

As the youths stared, Ati cried out, "Ah Ying, are you here to see us off?"

Lu Ying turned her gaze to her, curled her lips in a faint smile, and replied, "No, I have business in Chengdu, so it seems I’ll be traveling with you all."

She spoke with frankness. Lu Ying noticed a few mocking smiles—some were about to make snide remarks about her associating with them. At that moment, her dark, gemstone-like eyes swept over the group, coolly stating, "You may let me go my own way."

With that, she leaned back, picked up her scroll again, and continued reading.

Just then, a breath of spring wind drifted in, brushing past the curtain, sweeping a loose strand of hair onto her long lashes before it quietly fell.

Suddenly, everyone thought: No wonder she’s compared to orchids and jade trees!

There were countless men and women in the world more beautiful than Lu Ying, but none possessed her unique grace. In her aloofness lay freedom, in her composure, a hint of coldness. For a moment, everyone understood why, despite Yin Che’s prestigious family, he wished to marry her.

The procession moved steadily forward.

The youths shifted their attention away from Lu Ying, gathering together to chat and laugh.

Unbeknownst to her, Wang Shang rode up beside Lu Ying’s donkey cart.

He chose the side where others wouldn’t notice, regarding the cross-dressed Lu Ying with a complex expression. Wang Shang realized his once calm heart was now beating faster.

Pressing his lips together, he thought secretly: If only she weren’t a maiden—how wonderful that would be.

As for what he would do if she weren’t a maiden, he, at fifteen or sixteen, hadn’t yet figured out.

Lost in thought, Lu Ying looked up.

She glanced at Wang Shang, picked up a wooden box from the side, and pushed it to the window. Leaning back, she said coolly, "This box contains the Historical Records you gifted me. The book is far too precious, and I, Lu Ying of the Lu family, dare not accept meritless gifts."

Wang Shang’s gaze lingered on her face for a long while before he replied, "Are you upset that I didn’t speak up for you that day?"

At this, Lu Ying turned her head. Her clear eyes regarded Wang Shang for a moment, then she curled her lips in a faint smile and said, "No, I am not."

In his surprised gaze, Lu Ying quietly explained, "Since childhood, I’ve known that in this world, everything must be fought for by oneself. There’s no relying on others. So, I’ve never blamed you."

Those words stung more than any scolding.

Wang Shang pressed his lips tightly. Somehow, whenever he faced Lu Ying in men’s attire, his thoughts became tangled, and he felt a faint annoyance—resentful that she, clearly a woman, should dress as a man to deceive him.

After a moment, he reached over, took the wooden box, and tossed out, "Suit yourself." With that, he rode away.

Soon, the sun was setting, and the caravan began to set up camp.

Each youth had brought a host of guards and maids, so with a single command, everything was bustling.

Lu Ying, unaccustomed to traveling and not planning to prepare a camp, decided to sleep in her cart that night.

When she got out, the others had already started fires and were cooking dinner.

She ate a few bites of dry rations, then wandered along the hillside near the woods.

Seeing her, a maiden moving freely and confidently like a man, several girls lowered their heads and giggled.

Lu Ying heard their laughter but paid no mind, continuing her walk. As she moved, she memorized the positions of the tents, the parked carts, the conversations of the servants, their expressions, and the footprints in the woods.

After circling the woods, Lu Ying emerged.

At that moment, two girls blocked her path, laughing, "You’re called Ah Ying, right? Ah Ying, are you investigating something with all this searching?" One bent over with laughter as she finished.

The other girl stood silently at the side, lips pursed in a smile. Behind her, a maid chimed in, "Lu sister, the way you look, anyone who didn’t know would think you were a general accustomed to leading troops and fighting outside."

Her words sparked another bout of laughter.

Amid the mirth, Lu Ying raised her gaze slightly, scanning the gathered servants. Her eyes lingered on a few, then she looked back at the donkey carts carrying supplies.

After surveying two carts in particular, Lu Ying turned to the girls, smiling, nodded, and said, "You’re right—I’m just bored, taking a walk."

With that, she passed them, heading toward her cart.