Chapter Twenty-One: The Plan

Zeng Residence.

Madam Zeng was seated in her own courtyard, savoring the delicacies her maids had meticulously prepared. Her husband now held the post of Commandant, and in Hanyang, their family could be counted as having achieved some standing. Always fond of showing off, Madam Zeng diligently imitated the manners of the noblewomen.

The sun was pleasantly warm, and sitting in its light, Madam Zeng squinted and mused to herself: The Chang family, that prominent official household, is said to be close to a distinguished young lord from Luoyang. As for the favor the Chang family owes us, I’ll wait until my husband returns, then we’ll discuss how best to press our advantage. Regarding the charitable Wang family, we must make them relinquish a share of their silk business. Hmph! If they refuse, I’ll have that wretched maid Lu Ying speak out about their ingratitude—force them to cough up a piece of fat even if I must shame them into it!

Basking in the spring sunshine, Madam Zeng calculated, household by household, what benefits she might extract and how to respond if they proved unwilling.

After a while, she exhaled with excitement, thinking: This truly is the Zeng family’s lucky year. The sunlight was so dazzling she could hardly open her eyes. Imagining herself in the future, adorned with gold and silver, surrounded by a retinue of servants, walking through the streets of Hanyang with everyone lowering their heads in awe—she was so pleased she could barely sit still.

At that moment, she caught sight of her son, Zeng Lang, hurrying in with a face full of anger.

Seeing her son’s furious expression, Madam Zeng stood up, her voice cold as she snapped, “Why are you so upset? Has that wretched maid refused you?” She spat in disgust. “That ignorant, lowborn girl—how dare she refuse! I’ll break off this engagement at once and let her cry her heart out!”

Her words only darkened Zeng Lang’s expression. He strode over, sat opposite his mother, snatched up a teacup, drained it in one gulp, and said bitterly, “Am I afraid she’ll refuse? Mother, you don’t know how foolish she is. She sold all those gifts at the break of dawn and used the money to buy a house.”

“What?” Madam Zeng was utterly shocked; the world seemed to spin before her eyes.

Seeing his mother sway, Zeng Lang was taken aback. Two maids rushed to support her.

Madam Zeng’s face was livid, tinged with purplish crimson, blood surging to her head. Alarmed, Zeng Lang raised his voice in a shout, “Quick, fetch the physician!”

“Yes, yes!” One maid turned and ran.

Zeng Lang stepped forward to steady his mother, calling softly, “Mother? Mother?”

With great effort, Madam Zeng raised her head. Her forehead felt as if a heavy stone was bound to it, her heart thumping chaotically in her chest. She dared not speak, dared not open her eyes—if she uttered a word, a rush of blood filled her mouth; if she opened her eyes, a wave of dizziness swept over her, and her whole body threatened to collapse.

A maid massaged her chest for a while, and after a few calming breaths, Madam Zeng sank onto the couch, her face twisted in hatred as she hissed, “That wretch! How dare she ruin our family’s prospects! Go—go tell her, we’re breaking off the engagement. My son would marry anyone but that spendthrift woman. Go, tell her now!”

“Yes, yes, Mother—please, calm yourself, don’t get angry.”

Leaving aside the chaos in the Zeng household, after Lu Ying had finished purchasing supplies and cleaning their new home to the point it was barely habitable, both she and her younger brother Lu Yun were so exhausted they could hardly move.

The next day, Lu Yun went to the academy, while Lu Ying continued to buy household necessities and tidy the house.

By the time everything was in order, it was already afternoon. There were still a few things left to do, but nothing pressing.

By now, the siblings’ savings were down to less than ten five-zhu coins. Lu Ying thought to herself that she would have to start selling her calligraphy again the next day.

After bathing and reflecting for a while, Lu Ying made her way toward the Ping household.

She didn’t enter directly, but found the gatekeeper and asked him to pass a message to Ping Yin. Then she waited in the alley.

Before long, Ping Yin arrived in haste. Seeing her cousin’s complex expression as she approached, Lu Ying smiled faintly and said, “Yin, let’s find a quiet place to talk.”

“Yes.”

The two young women, one after the other, went to a desolate, abandoned house belonging to the Ping family. Once there, Ping Yin turned her head, glancing around, but avoided meeting Lu Ying’s eyes.

Noting her cousin’s demeanor, Lu Ying pressed her lips together. Lowering her gaze, she spoke slowly, “Cousin, do you know what Zeng Lang said to me yesterday?”

What did he say? Ping Yin wondered, but kept her head bowed.

Lu Ying looked at her and smiled. “He said I’m remarkably clever and that among those I saved, seven are from influential families. Others would struggle to befriend them, yet I’ve become their honored guest with ease.”

At these words, Ping Yin’s face turned deathly pale.

Looking at her cousin’s stricken expression, Lu Ying suddenly felt a wave of indescribable sympathy. Still, she was never one for softness; even if she pitied, she would make her calculations.

Raising her head, Lu Ying gazed steadily at Ping Yin. After a while, she lowered her eyes and said, “Actually, I know in my heart that the one Zeng Lang admires is you, cousin…”

Ping Yin’s head shot up, her lips trembling, eyes glistening with unshed tears. She looked at Lu Ying with such pitiful hope that it seemed to say, “Ying, since you know we are in love, please let us be together—I beg you.”

But Lu Ying did not return her gaze. She continued, “I’ve never liked making things hard for others. If Zeng Lang wishes to break off the engagement, I won’t cling to him.” As joy flooded Ping Yin’s face, Lu Ying went on slowly, “However, I am already fifteen. Once this engagement is broken, I may never find a good match again… So, Yin, if you want me to let Zeng Lang go, it’s not difficult, but I must be compensated for my loss.”

With that, she turned and walked away at a measured pace, her final words lingering in the air: “If you’ve made up your mind, when Uncle Zeng returns, have Uncle Wen come with me to the Zeng house.” Uncle Wen was Ping Yin’s uncle and the most trusted man in the Ping family’s fourth branch.

Curling her lips, Lu Ying thought to herself as she walked away: Once I have Yin’s silver, I’ll call off the engagement. With Uncle Wen, who is always prudent and respectful, accompanying me to the Zeng house, Ping Yin will feel at ease—she won’t worry I’ll take the money without acting or go to the Zengs to slander her.

As for myself, with a bit of maneuvering, I can let Ping Yin’s parents see what kind of man Zeng Lang truly is, and what sort of person his mother is.

Hmph, if others play me for a fool, I’ll repay them doubly! Zeng Lang, not only will I break off the engagement, I’ll see to it you never marry Yin! I’ll ensure her family sees you and yours for who you are, and that your name is blackened throughout Hanyang, so you’ll never find a good match again!

After all, at fifteen or sixteen, if the matter of breaking the engagement is mishandled, it could severely damage her reputation and even affect her brother’s future. Lu Ying had never been a paragon of virtue; in fact, she was someone who repaid every slight, acting ruthlessly on instinct. She thought, the engagement must end—but why should Zeng Lang’s reputation not be the one ruined? Why can’t I play the innocent victim?