Chapter Twenty-Two: How Much Is It Worth

Another chapter will arrive tomorrow.

Lu Ying was walking along when a familiar voice called out behind her, “Is that Ying? Ying, Ying!”

She turned her head.

Aunt Yang, short and plump, was hurrying over, sweat gleaming on her round face. She wove skillfully through the crowd and, in the blink of an eye, stood before Lu Ying.

Raising her eyes to scrutinize her young sister-in-law, Aunt Yang couldn’t help marveling: how had Ying become even more beautiful after just two days? In truth, two days was hardly enough for anyone to change so much. It was simply that Aunt Yang had spent those two days muttering about Lu Ying, and now, seeing her suddenly appear before her, radiant and full of life, she couldn’t help comparing her to the pale, sickly girl lingering in her memory.

“Aunt Yang, what brings you here?”

Faced with Lu Ying’s questioning gaze, Aunt Yang grinned so widely her gums showed, and chided her affectionately, “Ying, where on earth did you and your brother move to? Do you know, that fellow Zeng has been searching for you everywhere these past two days?”

Zeng?

Lu Ying smiled and lowered her head.

Seeing her smile, so delicate and striking, Aunt Yang sighed inwardly before offering a gentle reminder: “But he didn’t look well, Ying. Did you do something to upset him?” After a moment’s thought, Aunt Yang suggested, “It’s just as well you’ve been avoiding him. Best to wait until his anger cools before you meet again. After all, with your looks, there’s no way he could stay angry with you for long.”

Listening to Aunt Yang’s well-meaning words of comfort, Lu Ying pressed her lips together in a smile and nodded, “You’re right, Aunt. That’s what I was thinking too.” Lowering her voice with a hint of embarrassment, she added, “I’ve only just bought a house, so money’s tight. But after a while, Ah Yun and I will host a little banquet, and Aunt must do us the honor of coming.”

See, the way a learned girl speaks—even the words are so refined they’re hard to understand. Aunt Yang’s eyes curved with laughter as she nodded eagerly in assent.

After chatting a while longer, Lu Ying turned and made her way home.

By now, dusk had fallen. The western sky was awash with crimson clouds, a beautiful backdrop to the verdant trees and brilliant flowers, filling the heart with joy.

Lu Ying narrowed her eyes to take in the scene, musing quietly: If only it could always be like this and I never needed to marry, how wonderful that would be.

Now that they had a new house and their money was nearly spent, the siblings busied themselves once more. Each afternoon, after Lu Yun returned from school, he joined his sister in writing, their brushes moving until night completely enveloped the world. Only then did they put away their ink and paper and enjoy a well-earned supper.

The next day, as usual, Lu Yun went off to school, while Lu Ying spent the morning poring over scrolls and the afternoon continuing her writing. By evening, she had filled her basket with thirteen more bamboo slips.

Carrying the bamboo slips, Lu Ying headed toward Lu Yun’s school.

From a distance, even before she drew near, she could see the tall figure of Zeng, pacing restlessly with his head lowered, impatience written clearly on his face.

It seemed he was waiting for her.

Lu Ying’s lips curled into a slight smile. She glanced at the school, thinking: This isn’t the place for conversation.

With that, she stopped.

Just as Lu Ying was about to turn away, another familiar figure caught her eye—a maid had just hopped down from a donkey cart, furtively craning her neck to peer around. When she caught sight of Zeng, she quickly ducked her head and hid.

Lu Ying’s gaze lingered on the donkey cart, and she smiled: Ah Yin is here too. It seemed that, unable to find her new address, the two had resorted to waiting here to catch her.

After a moment’s thought, Lu Ying quietly retreated a few steps, hiding herself in a nearby alley.

In less than half an hour, a burly man hurried over, spoke a few words to the pacing Zeng, and immediately Zeng scrambled onto the donkey cart and was soon gone.

At last, he had left.

Seeing Zeng depart, Lu Ying allowed herself a small, satisfied smile, then stepped out into the open.

She had barely reached the school gate when Yin’s maid hurried over, her expression conflicted as she murmured, “Cousin, Fifth Miss wishes to see you.”

“All right.”

Lu Ying agreed without hesitation, picked up her basket, and followed the maid toward Yin’s carriage.

When Lu Ying drew near, Yin lifted the curtain, lowered her head, and greeted her softly and sweetly, “Ying, come in so we can talk.”

Lu Ying climbed into the donkey cart. Amid the rustle of fabric, Yin took two wooden boxes from the carriage wall and said quietly, “Ying, you must keep your word!”

With that, she pushed the boxes toward Lu Ying.

So she had actually brought money? How obedient.

Lu Ying smiled faintly and opened the boxes.

They were exquisite, and the jewelry within was quite fine—delicate craftsmanship lending the earrings and hairpins an uncommon beauty. Unfortunately, their sheen was dull, betraying their age.

As Lu Ying opened the boxes, Yin seemed to hold her breath, watching intently and waiting for her to speak.

These two boxes were but a small part of her private stash—pieces she had set aside specifically for rewarding others. She thought, this time she would simply bestow them on Lu Ying.

Just as Yin finally exhaled, a light laugh came from within the carriage. “Fifth Cousin, you’re just the same as ever.” Lu Ying closed the boxes unhurriedly and pushed them back toward Yin. Then, lifting the curtain, she prepared to disembark.

Seeing this, Yin couldn’t help calling out, “Ying, what do you mean by this?”

“What do I mean?” Lu Ying stepped off the cart, her tone even more indifferent. “Nothing in particular. I’ve simply decided I don’t wish to break off the engagement with Zeng after all.”

What?

Yin’s face turned pale as she leapt to her feet—too hastily, for her head struck the carriage roof with a thud.

Stifling a groan, Yin clutched her head and called after Lu Ying, “Ying, please, don’t do this…”

Her plea was urgent, but Lu Ying didn’t pause. She simply hefted her basket and tossed out lightly, “Zeng is handsome, comes from a good family, and is gentle and affectionate—yet such a fine prospective husband is worth so little in your eyes, Fifth Cousin? Ah Yin, you’d best save those two little boxes for rewarding your maids. However poor I may be, I wouldn’t trade a splendid husband for such paltry trinkets!”

Her words were delivered with a laugh, light and airy, but the implication was clear—she found the offer far too meager.

Yin stared at the boxes in her hands, her face flushing as she gritted her teeth and thought: She’s right. If I truly cherish Zeng, I should be open and generous, not stingy.

With that, Yin urged the driver, “Take us home—quickly!”

The driver responded and steered the donkey cart toward the family mansion. After a while, the maid sitting beside Yin couldn’t help muttering, “Miss, wasn’t Cousin’s remark just now a little odd?”

Yin, lost in thought, asked, “What was odd?”

The maid tilted her head, pondering, “I can’t quite say. It was as if… as if Young Master Zeng were a commodity, and Cousin was haggling over his price like a merchant.”

Yin was momentarily stunned. Even when the donkey cart reached the gates of the manor, she was still lost in thought.