Chapter Thirty-Three: Youth

... For a moment, Madam Ping’s face changed dramatically, while Grandfather Zeng, who was just about to step out of the room, felt his throat go dry and his ears ring.

They were both well-informed people, and naturally understood what it meant to be favored by that illustrious personage.

With that person’s prestige and status, even serving as a trusted and favored maid by his side was better than marrying into an ordinary household as a principal wife. If one could enter his harem and become a concubine with an official title, it would mean that a single individual’s success could lift the entire family up. Whether it was the Zengs or the Pings—such small clans could soar to the heights of Chengdu’s most powerful! At that point, the residence would be crowded with visitors, every word would command obedience, and there would be a constant stream of people currying favor—what a magnificent and dazzling sight that would be.

Of course, if she were an enemy, she wouldn’t need to do anything herself; a single word from her would be enough to wipe out small families like theirs in less than a fortnight.

Steward Zhao, seeing Madam Ping’s complexion change at his words—so much so that she could barely stand steady—felt a pang of unease.

Amidst an awkward silence, Grandfather Zeng silently gestured to Madam Ping before striding out.

Once he had gone, Steward Zhao finally spoke, “Madam, about this Zeng fellow—” Before he could finish, Madam Ping, feeling stifled and breathless, waved her hand to silence him. After signaling for quiet, she collapsed onto the couch, supporting her head with her hand, unmoving.

After a long while, Madam Ping asked hoarsely, “Tell me again—what exactly happened at that time?”

The steward repeated the conversation that had taken place, then added, “But afterward, I asked Mistress Lu about it. She said there was no connection between her and that nobleman, insisting he must have mistaken her for someone else.”

“She said the nobleman mistook her for another?”

“That’s indeed what she said. However, I think—”

Madam Ping cut him off again, exhaling deeply. “So there was no connection after all! Thank goodness, there was no connection!”

Her color finally returned somewhat. Closing her eyes, she pressed her hand to her chest and said feebly, “That’s enough, I understand. You may go.”

“And what does Madam think—?”

“We’ll discuss anything else another time.”

Seeing that Madam Ping’s face was still ashen, Steward Zhao bowed and withdrew.

As soon as they left Madam Ping’s quarters, Lu Ying and her younger brother quickened their pace. They truly disliked the people of the Ping household, and immediately turned this way and that, avoiding others whenever they saw them.

Once they stepped out of the Ping estate’s main gates, Lu Ying pressed her hand over her chest, where her marriage contract lay hidden.

Seeing his sister so silent, Lu Yun did not speak either. After walking for a while, he asked in a low voice, “Sister, are you unhappy?”

Lu Ying turned back, glanced at her brother, and answered softly, “No, I’m relieved. It’s just... I still feel a little dazed.”

At ten, springtime felt like a dream—no wonder she felt disoriented.

She looked away, gazed up at the sky, and murmured, “It’s getting dark, Ah Yun. Let’s hurry home.”

“Mm.”

After making dinner at home, Lu Ying sat before the candlelight and slowly took out the marriage contract. She read it carefully once, then held it over the flame, watching as the dull yellow silk paper gradually turned to ash.

In the flickering candlelight, Lu Ying whispered, “Before Mother died, she held my hand and said she’d never have to worry about me in this life—her only concern was you.” Curving her lips in a faint smile, Lu Ying continued, “Mother always believed the Zengs were a good match. But Father—if I recall, before he died, he said to me, ‘Ah Ying, remember, your surname is Lu. You are the legitimate granddaughter of the Lu clan! Remember, neither you nor your brother are people to be insulted by commoners.’”

Lu Ying looked up at her brother. Bathed in the soft golden glow, Lu Yun’s face seemed more handsome and gentle than ever. Lu Ying said quietly, “Ah Yun, I don’t know why, but I used to think Mother was right. Now, though, I find myself becoming more like Father.”

Lu Yun stared at her, his voice muffled but firm: “Sister, I’ll make sure you’re honored and respected! I’ll make Father proud, too!”

“Mm...”

That night, the siblings talked far into the night before finally falling asleep. The next morning, when Lu Ying awakened, Lu Yun had already gone off to his studies. Fortunately, Lu Ying now gave him ten iron coins a month, so she no longer had to worry about him going hungry.

After washing up and tidying the house, Lu Ying walked out under the banyan tree. She gazed at the lush mountains in the distance, at the peach and pear trees blooming pink and white amid the deep green, and felt a surge of vitality everywhere in the world. She couldn’t help but smile.

Just then, a suppressed cry came from the wall. Startled, Lu Ying turned around and saw a boy leaning precariously over the wall, swaying unsteadily. Clearly, whatever he was perched on was unstable; after a spell of wobbling, he grabbed the wall with both hands, raising his head in embarrassment, his handsome face flushed red as he looked in Lu Ying’s direction.

The moment their eyes met, his blush spread down his neck, and he swayed even more.

This boy was their neighbor next door. Every evening when Lu Ying walked home with Lu Yun, they would encounter him. Each time he saw her, his face would flush bright red and his eyes would dart everywhere but toward her. She never expected to catch him spying on her over the wall this time.

Seeing Lu Ying standing there quietly, the newly blossomed young woman radiated an indescribable charm, making the boy even more flustered. He teetered for a moment, then suddenly tumbled down with a thud. The next instant, a heavy thump and a muffled groan of pain sounded from next door.

It seemed he’d hurt himself in the fall. Lu Ying wanted to laugh, shook her head, and turned to go back inside. Just then, a woman’s slightly sharp voice rang out, “Che’er, climbing the wall again? Didn’t Mother tell you? That family next door is just a pair of orphans with no parents, fallen on hard times.”

After the woman spoke, the boy’s voice sounded. The two began a muffled argument, and then Lu Ying heard the woman say again, “If you really can’t let it go, I’ll speak to her for you. But with our family’s background and status, she could never be your wife...”

Before she finished, the boy suddenly raised his voice and shouted, “No, she’s wonderful—I want to marry her!”

Hearing this, Lu Ying was taken aback.

Since the rumors about her engagement began to spread, Lu Ying had noticed more and more young men turning their attention to her. Those gazes, filled with secret joy and longing, made the youthful Lu Ying realize that she was, after all, someone who could be cherished.

What she didn’t know was that all these changes began after her accident. Now, she had an air of one who had seen the world—calm, perceptive, and almost wise. This serenity, wrapped in the tender beauty of girlhood, was like a deep, green pool—crystal clear at first glance, but ever more intriguing the longer one gazed. She was endlessly captivating.

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Yesterday and today together, I still owe everyone two more chapters. I’m working hard to make up for it.