Chapter 100: Pursuit of Knowledge

After waiting nearly an hour, Lu Ying saw a caravan approaching. Most of the caravan consisted of donkey carts, each carrying a scholar who nodded rhythmically while reciting Confucian texts—so conspicuous they were.

As she watched, her eyes brightened, and she surged forward with the crowd. Almost as soon as she stepped out of the city gate, a young boy rode a donkey swiftly from behind, calling out, “Sister! Sister!”

The boy’s handsome face and jet-black eyes mirrored her own; it was Lu Yun.

Seeing her younger brother had indeed returned safely, Lu Ying heaved a great sigh of relief, her eyes misting. She stepped forward, calling out, “Ah Yun—” Her voice, carried by the bustling noise and the spring breeze, faded into the distance; she wasn’t sure if Lu Yun heard her clearly.

Once the donkey stopped, Lu Yun leapt forward and grasped his sister’s hand. His eyes reddened before he lifted his head proudly and said, “Sister, I brought every single book from home.” Clearly, he had exerted great effort to collect those texts. His voice was hoarse as he added, “I hardly got any sleep.”

Lu Ying saw through his fatigue. Her eyes sparkled as she smiled warmly, “I knew it—my Ah Yun is the best.”

Though her tone was that of coaxing a child, Lu Yun was delighted. He chuckled quietly for a moment before saying, “Sister, many scholars are heading to Chengdu. Look, they’re all people we’ll meet along the way.”

As Lu Yun held Lu Ying’s hand, sharing a lighthearted moment, several young gentlemen glanced furtively at Lu Ying. When she smiled back, they all looked awkward.

Scholars were endearing, she thought, contrasting them with the wealthy youths she had just seen.

After some more greetings, the caravan that had just paused set off again. Lu Ying expressed thanks to Lu Yun’s tutor before hurrying to her newly acquired home with eight donkey carts loaded with bamboo slips and essentials.

They toiled the entire day, hiring a few people to help place the bamboo slips properly and move all necessities into their rooms. After paying off the donkey drivers who had come all the way from Hanyang, the siblings’ total wealth amounted to only seven taels of gold and three hundred iron coins.

In two days, Lu Yun would begin apprenticing anew. The costs for his attire and various fees would quickly drain their remaining funds. Suddenly, the issue of survival loomed large once more.

This time, Lu Ying did not shoulder everything alone. She explained the difficulties of selling books in Chengdu to Lu Yun, then entered the kitchen with a worried expression. Lu Yun, who had never seen his sister so troubled, paced anxiously, racking his brain for ways to earn money.

After organizing everything, Lu Ying spent the entire night composing notices. She clearly wrote their new address, intending to send them to A Ti and others in the coming days.

Since Ah Yun had also arrived in Chengdu, everything was finally on track.

The siblings slept soundly that night, but the next day dawned with persistent spring rain. Watching the fruit trees they had just planted sprout new buds, Lu Ying and Lu Yun knelt in the main room, beginning to plan for the days ahead.

First priority: finding a way to earn money.

Second: Lu Ying recounted in detail everything she had done along the way. Since she intended to pass some of the good relationships she had built to her brother, he needed to understand the situation. After carefully describing the personalities, conduct, and backgrounds of A Ti, Xiao Yan, Wang Shang, Wen Qing, and the Chen family members, Lu Ying asked about Lu Yun’s experiences.

Compared to Lu Ying, Lu Yun’s journey had been simpler. However, his kind nature had earned him several friends of similar age. Though their families were modest, two of them were reportedly as proficient in Confucian studies as he was.

Lu Yun also said that after Lu Ying left, the Ping family from Hanyang had visited him twice, even providing him with a residence in Chengdu where he could seek help if needed.

Their discussion lasted until mid-afternoon when the spring rain eased. Lu Ying then planned to buy rice, meat, and vegetables at the market, while Lu Yun prepared for his meeting with the new tutor the day after tomorrow.

Their home was situated in the lower-middle area of Chengdu, where many ordinary families lived and small vendors thrived. About two thousand steps from home was a small market.

Though Lu Ying’s male attire was striking, wearing female clothes in an unfamiliar place was even less suitable. So, for this market visit, she wore Lu Yun’s old clothes.

Though small, the market was at least ten times livelier than Hanyang’s. Vendors lined the streets for hundreds of steps, offering a wide variety of goods amid the clamor of voices and the sounds of chickens and ducks, leaving Lu Ying dazzled.

After browsing the entire market, she bought some rice and vegetables and headed out.

Despite the tour, her mind remained blank—she could think of no way to make money.

Seeing it was still early, Lu Ying went to a bookstore about five hundred steps away.

Since the emperor’s strong promotion of Confucianism, many bookstores had been newly established. Vendors beside the shops sold calligraphy, jade, paintings, old books, and bamboo slips. Though less bustling than the market, the bookstores had their own charm, exuding the scent of ink.

At one bookstore, Lu Ying saw shelves filled with bamboo slips painstakingly copied by the owner for readers to borrow—at ten iron coins per day, no take-home allowed. Yet the place was full of scholars.

It seemed the people of Chengdu had explored every avenue to make a living.

Frowning, Lu Ying retraced her steps but gained no insight. She had to return home empty-handed.

The next day was Lu Yun’s apprenticeship day. Not only did a nervous Lu Yun rise early, but Lu Ying also couldn’t sleep, busy cleaning the house and organizing the bamboo slips, her mind endlessly rehearsing everything she needed to remember.

She worried whether Lu Yun’s apprenticeship would succeed—it was crucial to their future. They had come to Chengdu with no turning back. If Lu Yun failed to become a disciple under Master Huang, their path ahead would be far more difficult.

As they both focused on their tasks, daylight soon brightened the room.

Seeing Lu Yun off at the door, Lu Ying noticed her brother’s tightly pressed lips and pale face. She smiled gently and said clearly, “Ah Yun, don’t worry too much. No matter what, you have your sister.”

That simple phrase relieved Lu Yun greatly. He approached and pressed his face against her neck as he did in childhood, whispering, “Sister, I’ll do well.”

“Yes, you will.”

Lu Ying watched Lu Yun leave, then remained indoors. She read for a while, glanced toward the door, read more, and glanced again.

At midday, footsteps approached.

Lu Ying dashed out and opened the door with a creak.

She saw Lu Yun, his head bowed, face pale, eyes vacant. Two young men supported him. When they saw Lu Ying, they first froze, then respectfully asked, “Are you Lady Lu?”

Lu Ying pressed her lips and replied, “Yes, I am Lady Lu. Thank you both for bringing my brother back.” She reached out to steady Lu Yun.

The moment her hand touched him, Lu Yun collapsed into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Seeing her brother gasping for breath as he cried, Lu Ying nodded toward the two young men and forced a smile. “My brother is unwell. We will thank you properly another day.”

“Lady, you are too kind.”

“No need, no need.”

After bidding the two young men farewell, Lu Ying closed the door and helped Lu Yun inside.

She sat him on the bed, holding his knees gently, and asked calmly, “Ah Yun, tell me—what did Master Huang ask you, and how did you answer?”

Lu Yun covered his face, tears streaming. After a long moment, he said, “Eight students from across the lands met with Master Huang. He spoke much to each. When he saw me, he asked only one question: ‘Ke ming jun de, yi qin jiu zu. Jiu zu ji mu, ping zhang bai xing. Bai xing zhao ming, xie he wan bang.’ What does this mean?”

The phrase was from the Classic of Documents—Lu Ying remembered discussing it with her brother. She asked, “What did you say?”

Lu Yun tearfully replied, “I said it speaks of governing the world: first ‘to be close to the nine clans,’ meaning to manage one’s own clan well; then ‘to regulate the people,’ meaning to govern the state; and finally ‘to harmonize the nations,’ meaning to foster peace among all countries.”

“That’s not a wrong answer,” Lu Ying frowned.

Lu Yun shook his head, sobbing, “When Master Huang heard my answer, he sneered coldly, ‘Since you know one must “be close to the nine clans,” why then does Hanyang’s Ping family say you are unkind and unjust?’”

So that was the truth!

Lu Ying stood abruptly.

Lu Yun’s tear-filled eyes looked up in grievance. “Sister, how could Master Huang say that about me? How am I unkind and unjust to the Ping family?”

Lu Ying paced a few steps, then said calmly, “The key isn’t that. It’s how Master Huang learned of your ties to the Ping family. Who is scheming against us? Who wants to cut off our future?”

She turned to look at the despondent Lu Yun. Slowly, she said, “Ah Yun, leave this matter to me.”

Lu Yun’s eyes widened.

Lu Ying gazed at him gently. “You can already enroll at Huadian Academy. Go ahead and study. The matter of apprenticing under Master Huang, leave it to me. There are many renowned teachers and scholars here in Chengdu, not just him. I will find a way for you to have a proper master.”

Hearing her resolute tone, Lu Yun slowly calmed. After a while, he said hoarsely, “But sister, Master Huang’s words will surely spread through the academy.”

Of course they would. The words “unkind and unjust” could ruin a person’s future. Lu Yun would be barred not only from official positions like filial candidate but even from entering as a scholar. He would be mocked by his peers and never raise his head among Chengdu’s scholars.

Who had deceived Master Huang into saying such things to ruin Lu Yun’s prospects?

Thinking this, Lu Ying narrowed her eyes and straightened her posture.

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