Chapter 106: Seize by Force?

Lu Ying continued to gaze quietly at him. She saw his eyes travel from head to toe, as if measuring her figure. Lu Ying tugged at the corner of her mouth and said calmly, "What I said that day was true."

Zhang Feng stared at her for a moment, then Lu Ying continued, "Though I am not betrothed, I have already promised to grow old with another. I appreciate your kindness, but my heart belongs elsewhere."

"Interesting! Truly interesting!"

Suddenly, Zhang Feng laughed. His teeth were remarkably white, and his smile gleamed brightly in the sunlight, dazzling and radiant.

Rubbing his fair jaw, his expression genuinely jovial, he said, "Miss Lu Ying, you have a younger brother named Lu Yun, studying at Huadian Academy. He is originally from Hanyang but only moved to Chengdu about twenty days ago... The rumor about the Lu family’s Chapter 106 ‘forcible taking’? Young lady, you have only been in Chengdu for twenty days; it seems unlikely you would have made such a solemn promise so soon."

Casually speaking, Zhang Feng sighed, "Miss Lu of the Lu family, don't trouble yourself with such nonsense… But I must say, your temperament and composure—I truly admire them." He pulled a jade pendant from his waist and placed it before Lu Ying. "This is my personal jade token. I leave it here to assure your brother. Tomorrow, I will send the betrothal gifts. It’s getting late; come with me."

With that, Zhang Feng turned gracefully and strode toward the exit, his demeanor elegant and refined.

Behind him, two servants watched Lu Ying, signaling for her to follow immediately.

What was going on?

Lu Ying felt a mixture of amusement and exasperation. She had heard of such things back in Hanyang. These wealthy scions, who had lived a life of ease, often simply abducted the women they fancied. In this era, it was not considered unusual.

To them, choosing a maiden and taking her directly home was far more straightforward than any delicate courtship or softening of hearts.

No matter how chaste the lady, once her virtue was compromised, she would settle quietly into submission. There was no need for prolonged resistance or theatrical displays of defiance and affection—a mere consummation would seal the matter.

Yet, with the lingering influence of the Ping family’s legacy in Chapter 106’s ‘forcible taking,’ Lu Ying had never imagined that such a fate would one day befall her.

Pressing her lips together, she spoke with rising frustration, "Young master Zhang, I truly have—" But before she could finish, a servant quickly approached from behind, twisting her hands behind her back and stuffing something into her mouth.

At that moment, Zhang Feng stood at the courtyard gate. Leisurely turning his head, he looked back at her and sighed, "Miss Lu, from the moment I first saw you, I knew you were fiery and intelligent. I am genuinely busy today and cannot afford to waste time sweet-talking you. If it were a more leisurely day, I wouldn’t be so abrupt."

He fixed his gaze on her for a moment, flashing his dazzling white teeth in a brilliant smile. "Look at you—still so composed even with your hands bound and mouth gagged. Your posture is straight as an arrow, and your eyes, so clear and steady, show no anger, no shame, no fear—only resignation."

As if she regarded him as a mischievous child causing a fuss.

How many such young ladies could there possibly be in the world?

A pleased smile spread across Zhang Feng’s fair, handsome face. He stepped closer, reaching out to gently stroke her delicate, fair cheek. Cheerfully and tenderly, he said, "Rest assured, I will treat you well."

Then, releasing her, he ordered, "Bring the ox cart to the mansion gate. We shall leave."

"Yes, sir."

After Lu Ying was placed into the ox cart, Zhang Feng still maintained his elegant demeanor as he had the gates closed behind them.

As the cart rolled out of the alley, Lu Ying glanced around silently, wondering if the people who had once watched over her in Hanyang were still around.

Back then, those nobles had kept a close eye on her, and she was often aware of it. Now, in Chengdu, she felt less certain. Yet, given her skills and manner of conduct, anyone would surely feel reassured about her.

Inside the cart.

Her hands were tied behind her back, her mouth gagged—such a pitiful sight.

Yet she leaned quietly against the cart wall, eyes half-closed, neither shouting nor struggling, calm and unhurried.

Sitting opposite her, Zhang Feng took out a wine cup from the cart’s wall and sipped slowly. His eyes never left Lu Ying’s face and figure.

After a while, he laughed. "Ah Ying, the more I look at you, the more I like you. That fellow Axu is quite forward with both men and women. I suppose he’ll realize soon enough and come to abduct you too. But I was quicker this time; he won’t have a chance."

Hearing this, Lu Ying opened her eyes and glanced at him.

This time, she opened them just a sliver—narrow, sharp, and bright black eyes like lightning, piercing straight at Zhang Feng.

Her gaze was so cold and sharp, yet unlike the panic and distress Zhang Feng often saw in other women’s eyes, hers held none of that. Only an unmistakable sense of helplessness.

As if she saw him as a mischievous child causing trouble.

Such a young lady—how many could there be in the world?

Zhang Feng’s smile grew wider. He said, "If I remove the cloth from your mouth, would you have a drink with me? Promise not to make a fuss."

Lu Ying stared at him a moment, then nodded.

He stepped forward, crouched slightly, and gently cupped her chin. Bathed in the light filtering through the cart curtain, he examined her closely. The longer he looked, the brighter his smile became. Reluctantly, he stroked her chin here and there, then suddenly asked, "How come you are neither shy nor angry when I touch you like this?"

Angry or shy?

She had felt that last night, with that nobleman. But the wisest people in the world are those who can control their emotions. She refused to show weakness by harboring such pointless shame or anger.

Zhang Feng didn’t expect any answer. He continued to study her face from every angle. After a long moment, he sighed, "I have never seen a young lady like you."

Then, proudly, he added, "This time, I’ve won."

Lu Ying blinked at him—those eyes seemed to speak volumes.

Zhang Feng chuckled, "Don’t blink; I understand what you mean. But I’ve thought it over, and I can’t take off the gag now. Think about it—so many people coming and going. If you scream out loud and cause a scene, it might get out, and how embarrassing would that be for me?"

He loosened his grip on her chin and leisurely took another sip of wine. Smiling, he said, "Honestly, ladies your age, who are unattached and not leaning on relatives, are rare. You are so beautiful—even if you married a humble family, trouble would surely follow. It’s best you become mine."

Lu Ying cast him a sidelong glance.

Seeing he had no intention of loosening the cloth from her mouth, she narrowed her eyes and settled into quiet contemplation.

Leaning against the cart wall, she looked serene and natural. The more Zhang Feng looked, the more pleased he became.

He sighed again, "I was impatient today. With someone like you, I should have waited a few days, brought your dowry properly, and welcomed you into the household with care. Bringing you in like this is truly unfair."

Then he added, "But I’m busy—too many things to do. And I was worried that fellow Axu would get to you first, so you had to make do."

As Zhang Feng rambled on, the cart entered a narrow alley. After a while, it jolted and pulled into a courtyard.

Amid some voices, Zhang Feng jumped down from the cart. Lu Ying heard him say to someone, "This is my newly acquired concubine. Take her inside and make sure she is well cared for."

"Yes."

Soon, the curtain of the cart flickered again. A finely dressed woman looked up, startled by Lu Ying’s presence and let out a small exclamation. A man’s voice rang out from outside, "Li Niang, what is it?"

"Nothing," the young woman replied. She climbed onto the ox cart and gently removed the cloth from Lu Ying’s mouth, untied her hands behind her back, speaking softly, "Don’t be afraid, young lady. My second young master is very refined and sentimental. You are the first person he has ever taken by force. Usually, he ignores the prettiest ladies, so I never expected this day would come."

Lu Ying was free at last.

Seeing that Lu Ying neither struggled nor made a fuss, Li Niang smiled warmly. "It seems you are a sensible young lady. You’ve truly fallen into a fortunate place. My young master has never truly been fond of anyone in the house—now you’re number one."

Lu Ying glanced at her quietly. Once her hands were fully freed, she flexed her fingers to ease the stiffness, then followed Li Niang down from the ox cart without a word.

The Zhang mansion was vast, with several small paths bustling with maids and servants coming and going. Looking back, the side gate was quite a distance away.

Lu Ying merely glanced and withdrew her gaze. She had no intention of escaping through the side gate now. Such futile efforts were meaningless.

Moreover, she did not wish to waste words with the servants. Having entered the Zhang household as a true unmarried maiden, if she were to leave, it must be done naturally and without leaving any trouble behind.

Li Niang noticed Lu Ying’s quiet obedience and lack of unnecessary movement. Surprised at first, she then thought: This young lady surely knows the Zhang family’s status and my second young master’s identity. She must be pleased with it.

Pleased with this thought, she nodded slightly, signaling the two maids and servants trailing Lu Ying to fall back discreetly.

Leading Lu Ying to a courtyard, Li Niang explained, "The third courtyard belongs to my second young master. Since the main wife has not yet moved in, you need not pay respects to her upon arrival."

Turning back, she asked, "What is your name, young lady?"

Lu Ying glanced at her, tugged slightly at the corner of her mouth, and replied softly, "Lu."

"So, you are Miss Lu of the Lu family."

Li Niang guided her into the third courtyard and stopped outside a side room. Calling to two maids, she said, "Prepare some hot water and see that Miss Lu has a good bath."

"Yes."

The maids left. Li Niang led Lu Ying inside, smiling warmly. "There have been some guests at the mansion these past days, so the second young master has been busy. But don’t worry, he will come back to see you tonight."

She looked at Lu Ying and smiled broadly.

Lu Ying showed no shyness—indeed, no emotion at all.

Li Niang paused, studying her carefully, thinking to herself: Perhaps this is exactly the temperament my young master favors.

Soon, the two maids brought the hot water. As they busied themselves pouring water into a wooden tub, scattering petals, and preparing clothes, Lu Ying lowered her eyes.

Li Niang chuckled beside her, "Take good care of Miss Lu. I’ll come back later."

"Yes," the maids answered. Li Niang twisted her waist and left, while Lu Ying stepped into the bathing room and calmly began to undress.

***

This is a patch for yesterday’s missed chapter.

I got up early, intending to write a chapter and apologize to everyone, but only managed to do so now. I’ll keep writing and see how much I can catch up on today. (To be continued)