Chapter Ten: Three People

Zeng Lang spoke with utmost seriousness, his eyes fixed intently on Lu Ying, waiting only for her to nod in agreement.

But before Lu Ying could respond, a clear, cheerful voice sounded from behind, “A-Ying, A-Ying, is that you?”

It was A-Yin’s voice.

Both Lu Ying and Zeng Lang turned their heads.

A-Yin had just climbed down from her donkey cart and was now lifting her skirt as she ran toward them. She hurried, her rouged cheeks flushed, her eyes sparkling, her whole being radiant and lively.

At the sight of A-Yin, Zeng Lang’s lips curled into a smile. He glanced sidelong at Lu Ying, inwardly musing: these two young women—one refined and ethereal, the other dazzling and vivacious—were both rare beauties.

Thinking that both would soon belong to him, Zeng Lang lifted his chin higher, surveying the ordinary passersby around him, feeling a surge of pride.

Lu Ying, however, was oblivious to the change in Zeng Lang’s expression; her gaze was fixed on A-Yin.

It was the first time she had seen A-Yin since her injury.

A-Yin trotted up before them, ignoring Zeng Lang, and stood delightedly in front of Lu Ying, grasping her hands and smiling sweetly. “A-Ying, A-Ying, I haven’t seen you in days. I’ve missed you so much. Did you miss me?”

With that, she cast a glance at Zeng Lang, wrinkling her little nose and chiding him in an adorably petulant tone, “Zeng Lang, how could you make my A-Ying walk? Hmph, you’re not treating her well at all!” Though a scolding, her voice was so tender that it could only warm the listener’s heart.

Zeng Lang’s smile deepened.

Lu Ying watched A-Yin for a moment, then looked at Zeng Lang, then back to A-Yin.

A-Yin felt a pang of unease. She sensed something was amiss. Normally, when she said such things, Lu Ying would blush with shyness, and when she scolded Zeng Lang, Lu Ying would look at her with gratitude. Never before had Lu Ying looked at her with such calm, detached eyes, as if pondering, even scrutinizing.

At that thought, A-Yin gave a tinkling laugh, tiptoed closer to whisper in Lu Ying’s ear, “A-Ying, I have good news—Zeng Lang’s father has been promoted. Hehe, you’ll be the young lady of the house soon.”

Having said that, she stepped back, beaming at Lu Ying. “A-Ying is the best. Oh, if you only knew what I told my family about you yesterday. I said, my A-Ying is pure-hearted and dutiful, loved by all who meet her.”

A-Yin’s voice was clear as a bell. She was a legitimate daughter of the Ping estate, with parents of wealth and standing. For someone of her status to treat Lu Ying with such warmth and intimacy would make any passerby believe the two were as close as sisters, and that A-Yin was gentle and delightful, a joy to all.

Lu Ying lowered her head in quiet contemplation.

Seeing her remain silent, Zeng Lang cleared his throat and said softly, “A-Ying, you really ought to change your reserved nature. Not everyone is as tolerant as A-Yin. If you keep this up, you’ll offend many people.”

At his words, A-Yin’s eyes grew even brighter, but she immediately stamped her foot and protested coquettishly, “Zeng Lang, you mustn’t speak to A-Ying like that!” Still, though her words were for Zeng Lang, she exchanged a glance with him over Lu Ying’s head, sweet and brimming with delight.

At that moment, Lu Ying spoke, “A-Yin.”

A-Yin turned, her gaze expectant and bright.

Lu Ying’s lips tugged faintly, and she said slowly, “I heard from Zeng Lang that it was you who accidentally pushed me down the steps at Xuan Yun Monastery that day?”

At this, Zeng Lang froze, and A-Yin leapt in alarm. Before either could protest, Lu Ying’s lips curved in a barely-there smile as she continued, “What I meant is, regardless of how it happened, my injury is tied to you. Let alone our friendship, just for the sake that you hurt me, you should have come to visit. A-Yin, I was bedridden for so long. Why didn’t you come to see me?”

Her gaze was clear as water, her expression tranquil. “I’d really like to know the reason.”

A-Yin’s beautifully made-up face stiffened.

She was at a loss, her lips moved, but no words came. Zeng Lang frowned and interjected, “Enough. A-Yin was busy. A-Ying, must you press the matter so hard?”

“Is that so?” Lu Ying’s lips quirked as she turned her eyes to Zeng Lang, smiling faintly. “I thought perhaps A-Yin actually didn’t like me, and only befriended me because of you, Zeng Lang.”

The words struck home with uncanny accuracy. For a moment, both Zeng Lang and A-Yin were stunned.

Lu Ying glanced at them and smiled lightly. “But then again, Cousin Wu is a beauty and comes from a family far above mine. Only she is truly suited for you, Zeng Lang.” She spoke with a half-smile, then sighed softly, “In truth, if you both truly wish for me to step aside, it wouldn’t be impossible…” As if afraid they wouldn’t understand, Lu Ying swung her sleeves, making the coins in her pocket clang crisply together.

With an unhurried turn, Lu Ying strolled ahead, leaving the dumbstruck pair behind.

As she walked, her fingers brushed the coins in her sleeve pocket, and she pondered: Now that I’ve given them the idea, they’ll probably try to bribe me with money to willingly break off the engagement, won’t they? How much will they offer? Hmm, I must find out exactly how much private money A-Yin and Zeng Lang each have.

Since her injury, Lu Ying realized she had truly changed. The man to whom she had entrusted her affections for years—once she decided to let go, she could leave him completely behind.

But Lu Ying, walking with a calm and relaxed stride, failed to notice that Zeng Lang behind her showed not a trace of happiness.

He stood in a daze for some time, then suddenly turned and strode after her. He had only taken a step when A-Yin called out, “Zeng Lang!”—a note of warning in her voice.

Zeng Lang hesitated, but did not look back at A-Yin. After a moment’s pause, he continued after Lu Ying.

He and Lu Ying had been betrothed since the age of five; in his mind, she had always belonged to him. He had never imagined that one day, Lu Ying would speak of “stepping aside” in that cold, emotionless tone, as if it meant nothing at all.

Yes, he no longer intended to take Lu Ying as his wife. But it had never crossed his mind to let her go, to let her be possessed by another man. She was his woman—he could discard her, mistreat her, or demote her to a concubine, but he could never tolerate her casting him off so lightly, as if it were nothing!

Furious, Zeng Lang quickened his pace and soon caught up with Lu Ying.