Chapter 127: News of an Old Friend

After returning from Dujiangyan, Lu Ying parted ways with the others and shut herself in her room.

A while later, Lu Yun heard his sister ask from inside, "A-Yun, what kind of business do you think we should start?"

Lu Yun was taken aback. As a dedicated scholar, he had never concerned himself with such matters, so he shook his head and replied, "I do not know."

After a brief silence, he heard his sister continue, "We have some capital now. Although it is not much, we could join forces with A-Feng, A-Yan, and the others to engage in trade."

She had previously fallen into a misconception, always thinking of small ventures like selling calligraphy as she had in Hanyang. In truth, she had failed to realize that with these noble families as her backing, she could aim much higher in Chengdu and truly engage in trade.

In this world, only what one holds firmly in one’s own hands is truly one’s own. Lu Ying thought it was time to build true strength for the two siblings.

Sensing her intent, Lu Yun called out, "But sister, we have no one to help us."

Lu Ying sighed. "Indeed, we have no one."

She regretted that on the day she had helped that young man, she had left the bucket used for the fish there and had even mentioned her approximate residence as if by chance. Why had she done that? Wasn't it to give the young man a chance to repay her kindness, providing him an excuse to visit? Now, so much time had passed without a word from him, and Lu Ying knew she had hoped in vain.

"A-Yun, I will walk around these next few days to see what business might be suitable. Don't you worry."

Lu Yun nodded. He knew his sister said this because, starting tomorrow, he would be staying at Master Huo’s residence for a short period, potentially for half a month or more.

Lu Ying instructed further, "Xiao Hui also has a small group of associates; you can try to get closer to them. Remember, always be neither haughty nor humble. True friends are not won through flattery or subservience. You should simply show your true self."

"I understand, sister."

"When you are with Wen Qing and the others, try to relax. Do not think about how to please them; treat them as ordinary people. Always remember that you stand as their equal; you are no less than anyone else."

Now that she possessed the jade pendant given by the noble, it meant that if she managed it properly, her brother could one day stand above the clouds, walking side-by-side with the finest sons of the noble families. Therefore, she could not let him lose his spirit or confidence from the very start.

"I understand, sister."

The next day, Lu Ying helped her brother pack his belongings and saw him off.

After Lu Yun left, the small courtyard suddenly became empty and quiet. Sitting in the yard, Lu Ying looked up at the dense camphor leaves and thought: If one day we earn a great deal of money, I will dress as a man, take a few loyal servants with excellent skills, and travel the world like this.

At this point, Lu Ying could not imagine herself marrying, being confined to a backyard, spending year after year waiting for a man, fighting with other women, and struggling for the sake of jewelry or petty interests.

This world had opened a window for her, letting her heart take flight. Although flying alone was inevitably lonely and frightening, the thought of not being able to fly at all made her feel suffocated.

As Lu Ying searched for a business to venture into, the weather grew increasingly sultry; Chengdu had entered the height of summer.

Summers in Chengdu were scorching. The cicadas chirped incessantly, and the breeze was stagnant, leaving the sweat on one's brow unable to dry.

Lu Ying had a naturally cool constitution; even in the hottest weather, she remained composed and refreshing.

Lu Yun had completely moved into Master Huo’s mansion, and Lu Ying, who had spent a full half-month wandering the streets of Chengdu, was still at a loss.

Doing business was, to her, a truly distant concept. Moreover, such speculative trade was rarely taught in books.

Lu Ying was busy. She was not only occupied with finding ways to make money, but having read half of her family's collection, she felt she should also delve into the arts of the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. It was worth noting that although she had only read half of her family’s books, given her memory and comprehension, her depth of knowledge was already on par with those who had studied in obscurity for decades.

As for the remaining books, they were to be savored and studied carefully over a lifetime; Lu Ying felt no rush.

With her reading mostly settled, Lu Ying sought to improve herself in all aspects.

It was unavoidable. When she was with Shang Di, Xiao Yan, and the others, they would inevitably touch upon these topics, and it was then that Lu Ying, coming from the countryside, would feel her lack of refinement.

She did not want to show inadequacy. In her heart, Lu Ying felt she should not be inferior to anyone. Although she had no parents, she was no less worthy than anyone else in the world. Furthermore, she was now close friends with Shang Di and Xiao Yan, so she hoped not to fall behind them in any aspect. Besides, Lu Ying felt she was quick to master any knowledge or skill, and she was determined to give it a try.

Learning these arts was not difficult for her. She found a female zither player in the Flower Street who had a stellar reputation and lived in relative seclusion. After revealing that she was the one who had first played "Zhuo Wenjun," Lu Ying easily became her guest of honor.

Every day, she would spend an hour learning the zither from this woman, and upon her recommendation, an hour learning painting from an elderly man with white hair. If she had more time, she would practice calligraphy, read, and wander the streets of Chengdu looking for a business she could manage. Lu Ying was busy and thoroughly enjoyed it.

One day, with the glaring sun hanging in the sky, baking anyone who moved into a sweat, Lu Ying was walking through the shade of the street after her lessons. She thought: The business of inns and taverns is stable and profitable, but I am entirely ignorant of it, and I have no talent at my disposal... I must find a business I can control entirely.

Just then, a voice of surprise came from behind. "Is that you, A-Ying?"

The voice was somewhat familiar.

Lu Ying turned around.

She was met by the sight of the short and stout Aunt Yang.

Aunt Yang wiped the sweat from her forehead and trotted over. Looking up at Lu Ying, she exclaimed excitedly, "A-Ying, is it really you? That’s wonderful!" She clicked her tongue and marveled, "A-Ying, you’ve become even more handsome. With this bearing, at first glance, I thought you were a young master from a wealthy family."

Lu Ying smiled. "Auntie, when did you come to Chengdu?"

"Sigh, less than a month after you left, my good-for-nothing son started clamoring to come. He sold our house back home and forced me to come here." Speaking of this, Aunt Yang was full of bitterness. She rambled on, "A-Ying, why don't I have children as sensible as you and your brother? That little beast wouldn't rest until he drove his own mother to the brink."

Lu Ying remarked, "Luo-zi seems like a man with his own ideas."

"What ideas does he have! Sigh, I am worried to death. With such a big place as Chengdu, how is it easy to make a living? Now, I can't even find wild vegetables to pick." Lu Ying observed Aunt Yang; indeed, her clothes were noticeably worn, with stains that wouldn't wash out. She looked much older than she had in Hanyang.

Lu Ying frowned. After Aunt Yang grumbled for a while, she heard her say, "It’s a tragedy. That son of mine doesn't know what he's thinking all day. When he insisted on coming to Chengdu, he kept saying he wanted to follow you, saying he could make a fortune or something. It’s a joke, a young girl like you..."

Hearing this, Lu Ying suddenly understood.

She lowered her head and said, "Auntie, where is Luo-zi? Tell him to come and find me." She gave Aunt Yang detailed directions to her residence, and after ensuring she had memorized them, she added, "Auntie, go back and tell Luo-zi that he did not make the wrong choice!" Lu Ying’s words were firm and decisive; though spoken softly, they carried weight.

Aunt Yang looked at her, bewildered, not yet understanding Lu Ying's meaning. But Lu Ying was clear-sighted in that moment.

She, too, had the power and qualification to be followed.

It was not only because of her relationship with the noble and with people like Shang Di, but also because of the calm and wisdom she displayed when handling matters; one glance was enough to know she was no ordinary person. Had she been a man, she would have had followers long ago.

This Luo-zi, though of humble origin, had the courage to abandon everything and make a clean break. If used well, he might one day become her right-hand man!

As Aunt Yang thanked her repeatedly, Lu Ying waved her hand and strode toward home.

Back at home, Lu Ying had just washed her face when a knock sounded at the door.

Lu Ying walked over and asked clearly, "Who is it?"

A resonant voice replied, "Is this the residence of the Lu family? Is there someone named Lu Ying inside?"

Lu Ying was startled and replied, "Indeed."

"I have brought a letter from Luoyang for A-Ying of the Lu family."

With a creak, Lu Ying opened the door.

Standing outside was a merchant in his thirties, covered in the dust of travel. He was momentarily stunned to see the young man-dressed Lu Ying, but quickly assumed an understanding expression.

He reached into his robe and produced a letter. "I have just arrived from Luoyang. My benefactor asked me to deliver this letter to A-Ying of the Lu family." He paused, wiped the sweat from his brow, and said with a bitter smile, "I have suffered greatly to find this place."

The more she heard, the more confused Lu Ying became. She took the letter from the merchant.

As soon as she held it, a line of elegant, flowing calligraphy appeared before her eyes: "To be opened by A-Ying of the Lu family. Sealed by Yin Che."

It was a letter from Yin Che!

It was actually a letter from Yin Che!

Lu Ying was stunned; inexplicably, she felt a sudden stinging in her eyes.

The merchant noticed her shock and sighed with a grin, "My benefactor's letter was truly not easy to deliver."

Hearing this, Lu Ying quickly ushered him in. "Sir, please come inside and have a cup of tea."

Ever since Zhang Feng had forcibly taken her from her home, she had not easily let anyone inside. But now, thinking of how this man had traveled thousands of miles to deliver the letter, she felt that regardless of the impropriety of a man and woman being alone, she should at least offer him a drink of cool water.

The merchant was quite clever; he took a look at the courtyard and shook his head. "I won't go in. If there is anything to say, we can stand here just as well."

"Please wait a moment, I will fetch some water."

After accepting the teacup Lu Ying handed him and draining it in one gulp, the man said, "My benefactor’s parents passed away many years ago. The last time he left in such a hurry, it was because his uncle’s only son had been assassinated. He is now the heir under his uncle’s roof, which makes his actions quite constrained. However, before I left for Chengdu, my benefactor said one thing: ‘When the bright moon hangs high next year, I wish to be the green king who cuts through the spring breeze!’"

*When the bright moon hangs high next year, I wish to be the green king who cuts through the spring breeze!*

That was it. That night, she had told him that although the bright moon was beautiful, the spring breeze would not allow it. Now, he was responding to her with this line.

He was telling her that next year, she only needed to wait until next year, and he would be a powerful "green king" high above. Whether it was the bright moon or the spring breeze, neither would be able to control his decisions.

He was asking her to wait for him; he was telling her that he would soon possess the power to command his own destiny.