Chapter Ninety-Three: Changed the Name Again?

Hundreds of riders swept in like the wind, and gradually, their figures emerged through layers of yellow sand, appearing before the crowd. The young men and women waiting on either side craned their necks, curiously glancing back. As the riders thundered closer, just three hundred paces away, they moved in unison to both sides, clearing a path down the middle.

Then, a carriage painted black yet exuding comfort and luxury from every corner, emerged from the ranks, presenting itself to all. At the sight of this carriage, General Geng’s expression subtly changed, while the youths and maidens grew excited; the previously lively crowd stepped back, falling into a quieter hush.

In the midst of this, Lu Ying vaguely heard Ati urgently whisper, “Lu Ying, get off the cart.” Before her words finished, Xiao Yan retorted, “Ati, why worry? Did you forget who Lu Ying is?” Ati suddenly understood.

By now, the youths had swiftly climbed out of their own carriages, standing respectfully to the side. Lu Ying dismounted her donkey cart, and as she passed behind Ati, she heard a nervous girl ask, “Should we greet him?” Wang Shang replied, his voice lowered in warning, “Didn’t your elders tell you? When you see this lord, pretend not to know his identity. If he doesn’t say it himself, keep your lips sealed. Just pay your respects, nothing more.”

“Yes, yes,” came the cautious answers all around. Only then did Lu Ying realize why nobody ever spoke of his origins—it was a strict order of silence.

Looking up, she saw General Geng standing tall and straight as the wind, a faint cold smile at the edge of his thin lips, disappearing almost instantly. When she looked again, he had resumed his usual cold and distant demeanor.

The cavalcade drew ever closer. The black, spacious, and opulent carriage pulled up beside the young crowd. As everyone lowered their heads, the carriage rocked gently and came to a halt.

Lu Ying suddenly sensed the breaths around her growing quicker. The carriage stopped, and its occupant slowly lifted the curtain, gazing out toward them.

While the youths hesitated how to begin, General Geng stepped forward, cupping his hands in salute: “So it is you who have arrived. Greetings.” His voice was icy, neither polite nor arrogant.

“Is that so?” The figure in the carriage let out a low laugh. His deep, magnetic voice sounded gentle: “To meet General Geng in such a humble place—it is truly a pleasure... May I ask what brings the general here?”

His laughter carried a peculiar charm, as though nothing in the world mattered, as if all things could be mocked or jested, yet it was impossibly tender.

No one had expected this nobleman to speak; Wang Shang and the others carefully lifted their heads, watching the two men with curiosity. Lu Ying also looked up.

With that glance, she met the nobleman’s incomparably handsome face. He smiled, eyes fixed on General Geng, seemingly unaware of her presence—a relief to her.

Faced with the nobleman’s teasing, General Geng’s expression remained flawlessly composed. He replied in a deep voice, “I heard Hanyang is rife with bandits. I brought troops to inspect.”

“General Lian is truly loyal and righteous!” The nobleman spoke leisurely, and General Geng responded, neither humble nor overbearing, “Serving the court is my duty.”

“Serving the court, hmm?” The nobleman chuckled softly. “General Geng is indeed loyal and righteous!”

His words were ambiguous.

Just as Lu Ying was secretly pondering, the nobleman’s gaze shifted—now directed at her.

He’s looking at me. He’s actually looking at me!

Lu Ying’s heart skipped. She feared this man most of all. Though she still didn’t know his identity, she was keenly aware that with just a word from him, her fate could be irreversibly changed.

Lu Ying raised her head abruptly, her dark, ink-like eyes meeting his, serious and alert.

Under her gaze, the nobleman seemed to want to smile. He regarded her earnestly, and in that silent confrontation, his perfectly shaped lips tugged gently, revealing a slow, gentle smile before moving as if to call her name.

No, she must not let him say it!

Lu Ying narrowed her eyes, and suddenly stepped forward, bowing deeply to the nobleman. In the midst of startled silence, she declared in a clear voice, “Lu, called Wen, greets the lord…”

It was utterly quiet all around.

Seemingly unaware of the incredulous eyes fixed upon her, Lu Ying finished her salute, then strode to the nobleman’s carriage, saying respectfully, “I did not know the lord was coming—please forgive my lack of welcome.”

With that, she lowered her head and knelt on one knee before the nobleman in the carriage, performing a proper subordinate’s kneeling salute, just like an earnest retainer.

It was still very quiet—so quiet that even breathing seemed deliberately suppressed.

Ati, Wang Shang, Wen Qing, and General Geng all stared at Lu Ying in disbelief. Every person here knew her identity, knew she was a woman.

Yet this proper young lady, before so many, gave the subordinate’s salute to the nobleman, as if truly a youth, as if really his retainer… Was she deceiving, or had she gained his permission?

In the hierarchy of sins, deception against one’s superior was always among the most serious, often unforgivable.

In the heavy silence, the nobleman narrowed his eyes at Lu Ying. After a long moment, his deep, half-smiling voice sounded, “Lu, called Wen?”

Just look at that—how little time had passed since he last saw her, and she’d already changed her name! Unacceptable…

Lu Ying’s expression did not change, as if she hadn’t heard the irony in his voice, replying solemnly, “I am here.”

The nobleman leaned back lazily. “So… what did you say your name was last time?”

Lu Ying remained unfazed, answering seriously, “Whatever the lord calls me, that is what I am called.” Her tone was loyal, though her face was far too cold to be servile.

The nobleman’s lips twitched. He drawled, “Come here.”

Why did he want her to come closer? She was already kneeling before his carriage. Any closer and she’d have to enter it!

Lu Ying lifted her head abruptly, meeting his smiling gaze. Her dark eyes held him for a moment, then dropped. “My lord, I do not wish to.”

Her refusal was resolute.

A faint gasp rippled through the crowd.

The nobleman slowly leaned forward, looking down at Lu Ying kneeling before him. Her silver-white gown, her black hair, the elegant curve of her fair neck, the long, fluttering lashes—he could imagine her lips pressed tight, bracing herself as if facing a formidable enemy.

After watching her for a while, the nobleman lazily said, “Enough, let’s be on our way.”

With a single command, dozens of voices responded at once: the carriages rolled forward; the youths, dazed, climbed back onto their own vehicles.

As soon as the nobleman’s words fell, Lu Ying rose swiftly and properly, walked naturally to her donkey cart, sat down, lowered her eyes, and as usual, picked up a scroll to read.

Even General Geng glanced at Lu Ying, unable to help himself.

Wang Shang stared for a moment, exchanging looks with the other youths.

Truth be told, it was the first time they’d seen someone so calm and fearless before this man. His moods were unpredictable, his methods ruthless, and his reputation notorious. How many had knelt for days without his permission to rise?

Lu Ying—perhaps fearless because she knew nothing?

With the nobleman’s arrival, the caravan quieted. Even Ati, usually the most talkative, shrank into silence.

Yet there were some who, though fearful, looked at the luxurious carriage and its enigmatic occupant with admiration and longing.

Chen Shu, silent for a while, leaned towards Chen Zhen and whispered hoarsely, “Second Brother, do you think, with this one’s character, if he takes a liking to Ayan, he’ll no longer care what she’s done?”

Chen Zhen was shocked, glaring at his brother, whispering harshly, “Shu, how can you think that? Would you risk the fate of the Chen clan? I know you care for Ayan, but this isn’t the way!”

Chen Shu looked at Lu Ying’s donkey cart, retorting, “I’m not gambling… Look at how he treats this Lu girl. Whether she speaks nonsense or wants to be a man, whether she breaks etiquette or defies him, he doesn’t mind. Brother, we both know, at his level, if he wishes, all rules and rituals are nothing but jokes.”

“You’re mad!” Chen Zhen refused to listen, glaring impatiently. “Shu, I know what you’re thinking—you want to bring Ayan back, hoping she’ll catch his eye. You’re insane.” With a wave, he summoned several guards, ordering quietly, “Keep watch on Fourth Brother. No one is to approach him!”

“Yes, sir.”

The guards moved toward Chen Shu. As they drew near, he took a deep breath, did not resist, but turned to look at Lu Ying’s cart.

Staring at Lu Ying, his eyes narrowed to slits. In those thin, obsessive eyes was a trace of hatred.

He disliked Lu Ying, convinced her arrival was what led his sister to her current fate. He could not accept that this plain, talentless, awkward girl could rise to glory through the favor of that lord, while his beautiful, pitiable sister would be left forgotten.

More than anything, he hated that his own resentment could not be acted upon, for fear of reprisal! What scared him most was the prospect of her soaring to power, leaving him with no chance for revenge. He thought, the lord must lose interest in her—someone else must replace her, so justice would be served.

At that moment, several guards reached Chen Shu’s ox cart, pulling down the curtain, their strong bodies completely blocking his view.