Chapter Two: Let's Call Off the Engagement

Lu Yun saw his sister walking with light steps, her smile bright and clear. Though he couldn't guess the reason, he was finally able to set his worries aside.

After strolling once around the courtyard, Lu Ying felt a sharp pain at her temples and returned to her room.

The small wooden house where she lived with her younger brother was low and simple, consisting of only two rooms—a converted storehouse from her maternal family. Since their parents passed away, with her brother needing to study, the burden of the household had fallen upon Lu Ying. But what means of livelihood could a girl of fifteen or sixteen possibly have? She could only embroider a few flowers, or rely on her elegant handwriting to pen letters for the neighbors now and then.

Their income was meager, and the siblings lived a life of constraint.

At this moment, Lu Ying sat in her room, her hand caressing the patched hemp quilt on the bed, her brows knitted in thought.

She did not know how much time had passed when Lu Yun's voice came from outside, "Sister, Zeng Lang is here."

Zeng Lang is here?

Lu Ying quickly rose to her feet, and for the first time in a long while, a genuine smile broke the coldness of her face. Since the death of their parents, she and her brother had tasted the warmth and chill of the world. Toward this man she was meant to depend on for life, she felt both affection and a sincere longing for reliance.

Hearing footsteps approach, Lu Ying hurriedly smoothed her dress. Only when she reached up to touch her hair did she realize her head was wrapped in several layers of cloth, leaving no trace of grace behind.

Just then, Zeng Lang's somewhat anxious voice drifted in, "Ah Yun, has Ah Ying truly awakened?"

"My sister has woken," Lu Yun replied.

"That's good." As he spoke, a figure appeared at the low doorway. Tall and broad-shouldered, Zeng Lang stepped inside, and as he lifted his head to look at Lu Ying, she clearly saw his brows furrow in that familiar way.

I'm awake—he should be pleased, so why the frown? And why did I think it was 'habitual'?

Seeing Lu Ying standing by the bed, gazing at him so steadily, Zeng Lang smiled from the heart. With concern, he said, "As long as you're awake, Ah Ying. I've been so worried about you."

He was telling the truth, and Lu Ying knew it. Yet, for some reason, she simply continued to look at him.

After a long moment, she finally lowered her gaze, offered him a respectful nod, and spoke softly, "You have come, Zeng Lang? I am already much better." Her voice was gentle. Slowly, she lifted her head, asking in a calm tone, "Zeng Lang, do you know how I fell? No matter how I try, I cannot recall it."

Relieved to hear she was well, Zeng Lang nevertheless felt uncomfortable standing in the cramped room. He frowned again before replying in a gentle tone, "There was moss on the stone steps. A Yin pushed you as a joke, and you slipped. She truly didn't expect you to fall so easily."

Noticing the slight dilation of Zeng Lang's pupils and the trace of hidden tenderness in his voice when he mentioned A Yin, Lu Ying's eyes narrowed. After a moment, she simply said, "Oh." Seeing him standing awkwardly at the doorway, Lu Ying stepped toward him and said gently, "Let us speak outside."

"Very well."

The two of them exited the wooden house, Lu Ying leading the way. As she stopped, she caught sight of Zeng Lang glancing with irritation at the stagnant water pooled beside the house. For some reason, a vague ache stirred in her heart.

To favor the rich and disdain the poor was the way of the world. She and all she possessed had always seemed a little shabby—no wonder he frowned so often. A Yin was beautiful and charming; no wonder his voice was touched with joy when he spoke of her.

But regardless of all that, she could not accept this!

Zeng Lang looked around, then turned to see Lu Ying standing with her head bowed in silence, her face pale yet her features beautiful and frail. Unconsciously, his heart softened, filled with a fondness and contentment he could not understand. Yet, as his eyes fell upon her one presentable dress—the only one she owned, never changed since meeting him—an unexplainable irritation rose within him.

Pressing his lips together, Zeng Lang finally lowered his voice and explained, "I just came to check on you. Since you are well, take care to recover. Don't worry about the physician; I've already paid him."

With that, he turned and left.

Lu Ying watched his retreating figure without averting her gaze.

Before long, Lu Yun's mocking voice sounded behind her, "Don't bother watching—his father is a general now. Stare all you want, he won't linger for your sake."

To Lu Yun's surprise, Lu Ying—who had always respected Zeng Lang and never allowed her brother to speak ill of him—only sighed softly. In that sigh, Lu Yun heard her murmur, "Yes."

"What?"

Still watching Zeng Lang ride away in his donkey cart, Lu Ying said quietly, "You're right. He despises me..."

Turning, Lu Ying looked at her brother, who stared at her in shock, eyes rimmed red. Yet her voice was cool and clear as she spoke, "His attitude toward me is proud and impatient. His mother doesn't like me either..." Her words came haltingly, each one forced out with difficulty. After a moment's silence, she suddenly said, "In a few days, Zeng Uncle will return home. Ah Yun, you must take the marriage contract to their house and ask for the engagement to be dissolved."

"What?" In disbelief, Lu Yun's eyes flew wide. Though he had never much liked Zeng Lang, he still understood that marriage was a woman's fate. How could his sister make such a decision so lightly?

Seeing Lu Yun so shocked, Lu Ying herself was stunned—mouth agape, unable to believe such words had come from her own lips.

All this time, she had revered this man as her heaven, her lifelong support. How could she dismiss him so easily? Was it the unease that had surged up after meeting Zeng Lang, or the warning now echoing without pause inside her?

Yes. If a woman marries a husband who is dissatisfied with her, and has a mother-in-law who never ceases to find fault, never to accept her—there is no need to wonder or hope about happiness. Is that not so? This warning had sounded over and over in her heart, compelling her to say what she did.

She sighed softly and nodded to Lu Yun. "Let it be so. When Zeng Uncle returns, you must go and break off the engagement."

"But, Sister!"

"Ah Yun, do you remember what our father once said? He told us that, though he was the disgrace of the Lu clan and could never return in honor, you and I are both true children of the Lu family. No matter what, we must never bow our heads. Even in the presence of princes and lords, we should meet them with calm and a smile!"

At the mention of their late father, Lu Yun's eyes grew wet. He clenched his teeth. "I understand, Sister."

"Good," Lu Ying replied softly. "My engagement to Zeng Lang was settled when our parents were alive. As the saying goes, 'Where there are people, there is heart.' If Father were still here, I think he would not want his daughter to accept charity from others—even in marriage."

"Yes, Sister."

It is said that what is too rigid is easily broken. Lu Ying's father had, in his life, been broken by his own unyielding nature. Before she was injured, even recalling her father's teachings would have left her indifferent. Strangely, now she accepted them with ease. Perhaps it was the clarity and brightness of the spring sun shining on the green trees and red flowers before her. Or perhaps, it was the newfound sense of understanding and confidence that now filled her entire heart.