Chapter Ninety-Nine: Provocation

After wandering the streets of Chengdu for several hours, evening had fallen. Returning to the inn for a rest, the next day, Lu Ying focused intently on searching for a house.

In a place like Chengdu, buying and selling property always involved brokers. Lu Ying found a broker, stated her requirements, and under his guidance, arrived in front of an ordinary alley.

As they walked, the broker remarked, “Nearby, only this courtyard is priced at four hundred taels of gold. The others are too expensive; the young master probably wouldn’t be interested.”

Lu Ying had specified a price range of three to three hundred and fifty taels of gold, which was actually quite modest for Chengdu’s market. After consulting several brokers, only this courtyard near Huadian Academy matched her budget.

At the gate, the broker knocked for a while before a white-haired old servant opened the door.

“Young sir, here is the courtyard,” he said.

Lu Ying looked up and examined the place.

The courtyard was small, roughly the size of four rooms. Weeds grew thickly inside, clearly neglected, and the rear wall had collapsed by more than half.

However, unlike her house in Hanyang, this courtyard had a dedicated well—and a functional one at that.

Noticing Lu Ying’s gaze at the well, the old servant said, “This well has been here for over forty or fifty years, with a continuous flow of fresh water. If you buy this place, not to mention the courtyard itself, this well alone could be a blessing for your descendants.”

In this era, digging and maintaining wells was no easy task; often several families shared one. In many places, a well was as valuable as the house itself, a tangible asset to be passed down.

Lu Ying acknowledged this with a hum and paced around. “The wall is mostly collapsed. Just repairing it would cost several hundred iron coins. The courtyard is overgrown with weeds, and the roof of the house on the left leaks. This one doesn’t even have a door.”

She turned to the old servant and said earnestly, “At most, this courtyard is worth three hundred and fifty taels of gold. If you’re willing, we can sign the papers immediately.”

Seeing the old man hesitate, Lu Ying ignored it and muttered as she stepped away, “Such a dilapidated place—wonder if he’ll accept. If not, I suppose I’ll have to take that other courtyard.”

The old servant heard her words, clenched his teeth, and thought, “This courtyard is also rundown; it’s no good to leave it here. The difference is only about twenty to thirty taels of gold. Let it be.”

He nodded and said, “Very well, then it shall be sold.”

Lu Ying nodded in agreement, and the two exchanged documents just as the sun began to set in the west.

After another night at the inn, on the third day, Lu Ying moved into her new home. She spent three days clearing all the weeds from the courtyard, then over nine hundred iron coins to hire workers to repair the walls and rooms, and added two more rooms. The place was transformed completely.

She then specially purchased two osmanthus trees, along with several peach, pear, apricot, and pomegranate trees. Since the yard was small, she planted them along the perimeter walls, lining the entire boundary. She also removed or pruned the few banyan trees originally in the center. Only then did she stop.

Next, Lu Ying busied herself adding beds, bookshelves, and other furnishings.

After five full days of work, with less than five taels of gold remaining on her, the courtyard was renewed—neat, tidy, and comfortable.

Exhausted, after a good rest, Lu Ying could finally sit comfortably in the courtyard, sipping her wine as Lu Yun arrived in Chengdu.

The next day, Lu Ying locked the courtyard and went to the city gate.

Standing there, looking through the wide-open gate at the endless official road ahead, Lu Ying thought: The family’s precious books are a heavy burden for Ah Yun to bear—he probably has trouble sleeping some nights.

At this moment, the city gate was bustling with people and vehicles coming and going ceaselessly. Although Lu Ying wore her younger brother’s clothes, appearing as an ordinary scholar from a modest family, her clear, refined features and striking beauty still drew many glances.

Nearby, on the wooden balcony of the “Fragrance Spreads for Ten Miles” tavern by the gate, a youth in elegant clothing lingered by the window, watching her for some time.

After careful scrutiny, the youth waved and summoned a servant, saying, “Go invite that young gentleman up here.”

The servant, looking sharp and clever, glanced at Lu Ying and said, “That young man is probably waiting for someone.”

The youth shot him a look and said, “Isn’t that something you should know how to handle?”

“Yes, sir.”

Their conversation caught the attention of several other young men. Looking down, one chuckled, “Indeed, a rare find.” Another sighed, “Recently many scholars have come to Chengdu, many with flashy exteriors. But from a distance, the one Brother Xu has his eyes on is truly extraordinary.”

…

Soon, Lu Ying heard a polite laugh behind her. “Young sir, are you waiting for someone?”

She turned.

Before her stood a servant from a wealthy household, dressed neatly with a sturdy, open ox cart. Even the servant’s attire suggested his master’s distinguished status.

Lu Ying glanced at him, then at his face—short stature, long thin face, eyes darting rapidly—an evidently sharp, calculating mind.

The man smiled politely; Lu Ying replied courteously, “Yes, my younger brother has just returned today.”

The thin man smiled, “So you’re waiting for your brother. Many wait for their kin here, but usually it’s servants doing the watching. This young gentleman is clear-eyed and handsome, not inferior to the sons of noble families. Yet without servants trailing him or waiting luxuriously at the tavern, it’s clear his family is humble.”

With that, the thin man chuckled. “My master is also waiting here.” He pointed behind him to the tavern and said, “Coincidentally, I saw this young gentleman and was told to invite him up for a drink.”

What?

Lu Ying looked up toward the balcony three hundred steps away.

Meeting her gaze, a handsome youth raised his cup to her.

That gesture didn’t strike Lu Ying at first, but the thin servant beside her thought silently: The master seems to value this young man greatly.

He then smiled directly at Lu Ying and said, “Young sir, shall I escort you?”

His tone brooked no refusal.

Lu Ying turned, looked him in the eye, and smiled faintly. “Please thank your master on my behalf, but my brother will arrive shortly.”

“Tell me what he looks like, and we’ll wait together.”

Lu Ying smiled. “People resemble those who are alike—hard to say for certain.”

That was a clear refusal.

The servant frowned, stepped closer, bowed slightly, and said gently, “You should know, my master never tolerates being refused.”

Lu Ying frowned.

The servant smiled, staring unwaveringly at her.

After a long moment, Lu Ying smiled and said, “If that is so, please lead the way.”

As she walked slowly up the stairs, the youth on the balcony found her increasingly captivating—the more he looked, the deeper his gaze became.

Before long, Lu Ying arrived at the balcony.

The spacious tavern balcony had five private rooms. As Lu Ying appeared at one room’s door, four or five young men simultaneously glanced at her.

Up close, the youth by the window’s eyes suddenly brightened. Another pale, handsome youth appraised Lu Ying from head to toe and smiled, “Truly a remarkable beauty. Xu has good taste!”

Despite their unabashed scrutiny, Lu Ying’s expression did not change.

She had long heard of Chengdu’s wealth and luxury, renowned throughout the realm.

But she hadn’t imagined that the scions of power and influence here casually entertained refined young women or pure, handsome scholars as a pastime.

Indeed, Chengdu was remote; whether under Wang Mang’s chaotic Han or the new emperor’s unification, this place remained largely unaffected. Many proud, century-old families had grown arrogant and lawless, looking down on everyone.

Today she had come dressed in old clothes. Had she known, she would have hired a donkey cart to wait inside.

The young men’s staring and jesting went unchecked. Other scholars in such situations would either pale or shrink back timidly.

Her calm composure, standing so serenely, was something they had never seen.

They muttered among themselves: Could she be a noble’s child in disguise?

But then they thought, they knew all the noble scions in Chengdu. If she were one of them, they would have heard of her.

Since she wasn’t from a noble family, her poise made her stand out even more. The handsome youth by the window’s gaze deepened.

The thin servant on the side smiled and said, “Young sir, this is my master.” As soon as he spoke, the handsome youth smiled and said, “Come.” He motioned for Lu Ying to sit beside him.

Lu Ying remained still.

Her clear, discerning eyes studied the youth for a moment, then slowly reached out her right hand.

With a gentle tug, she pulled off the cloth band binding her hair. Her glossy black hair cascaded down to her waist as she gave the youth a respectful bow and smiled softly: “Pardon me, sir, but in our customs, men and women do not touch each other.”

She was a woman!

Such a handsome, refined young man—graceful in every move—was in fact a woman?

For a moment, everyone was stunned.

The handsome youth was clearly taken aback. As he froze, Lu Ying bowed again to the group and smiled lightly. “Forgive my forwardness. I dare not intrude further. Please excuse me.”

With that, she turned, swaying her slender waist as she walked away.

Watching her delicate figure disappear at the stairway, one youth exclaimed, “This young lady truly disguised herself as a man—so convincingly—and now back in women’s clothes, she is a beauty indeed.” When she came, her gait was that of a composed gentleman; now, she was completely transformed, hence his amazement.

As she reappeared outside the tavern, having re-tied her hair in a young man’s bun, the pale handsome youth called out, “Well done, what a fine young lady! Xu, I claim this young miss.” Waving his hand, he commanded, “Go find out whose daughter she is.”