Chapter 82: Aura

After a moment of silence, someone snickered, “So what? Perhaps he holds her in high regard today, but tomorrow he might treat her as nothing more than a plaything… She’s just a mere village girl—could she really stand on equal ground with us, become someone of consequence?” The voice was not loud, yet everyone heard it clearly. The sparse foliage concealed the speaker, but that hardly mattered; what mattered was that as soon as the words fell, the young men and women nearby all shared a knowing smile.

It was an unspoken agreement, clearly the prevailing sentiment among them all.

Lu Ying knew this, too. In this world, to be respected was never about being given half-hearted or uncertain regard. True respect came from genuine status, from commanding true authority and obedience.

That was why she focused all her efforts on paving the way for her younger brother to ascend to greatness. Only then could their fates truly change.

Because of that one stray remark, the gazes cast toward Lu Ying shifted from astonishment back to contempt. It was a contempt that dismissed her existence entirely, laced with mutterings: “How could a country bumpkin like her set foot in the prince’s residence?” “Keep away from her, just looking at her is irritating.”

These whispers, at first cautious, soon grew brazen and unchecked.

Lu Ying lifted her head.

She could no longer spot Ati in her line of sight. On the other side, Wang Shang and Mo Yuan had already gathered with other youths to discuss poetry and essays.

Wherever Lu Ying walked, whether among the young ladies and gentlemen, or the maids and servants, everyone kept their distance as though afraid she carried some infectious disease, something they might catch if they drew near.

With a quiet sigh, Lu Ying thought: If I cannot handle today’s events well, my brother and I may forever remain the subject of ridicule.

With that thought, she headed toward the lakeside.

By the water, peach blossoms and willows mingled, and the last of the flowers had fallen.

As Lu Ying approached, the wind from the lake brushed her face and body, causing her dark hair to flutter behind her.

She wandered to a cluster of bamboo, reached up, and loosened her maiden’s coiffure, deftly tying her hair into a boy’s style with a few swift motions.

She wore a maiden’s robe, but her hair was gathered carelessly like a youth’s. On anyone else, the look would have been incongruous, but on Lu Ying, it somehow exuded a sense of ease and freedom.

A Lu Ying like this made it hard to believe she was merely a girl from the countryside—one could not look down on her.

After a few casual adjustments to her hair, Lu Ying plucked a bamboo leaf, placed it between her lips, and began to play.

The young ladies and gentlemen who had been laughing and talking together suddenly heard, drifting from a corner by the lake, a clear and lingering melody.

The music was distinctive—pure and ethereal, with a hint of unrestrained elegance amid its tenderness. Unlike the usual strains of silk and bamboo, this tune conjured images of boundless skies, a vast and brilliant moon, and endless snowy mountains. It spoke of a freedom they had never known, and a sense of gazing down upon the world.

Many of the youths here had skilled musicians in their households, some even masters, yet at this moment they were utterly entranced—not by technical brilliance, but by the effortless grace and freedom woven into the melody, a charm they had never heard before.

Gradually, the surroundings grew quiet.

In the stillness, Lu Ying, bamboo leaf at her lips, emerged unhurriedly from the peach grove. She must have stood there for some time, for her dark hair and jade-white cheeks were dusted here and there with soft pink petals.

Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders, baring her fair, slender neck. As she walked slowly, still playing that rare and beautiful tune, her gaze swept over the crowd, revealing a genuine indifference.

It was true indifference, as though this androgynous young woman had never considered them her superiors.

It was true confidence, as though deep within, she believed she would one day possess all that they did, perhaps even surpass them.

It was the aura of one well-read and wise, as if this country maiden carried mountains and rivers in her eyes and libraries in her mind.

—At this moment, the sky was indeed like snow!

With a crisp note, Lu Ying strode calmly through the gathering, and soon crossed the rockery into the side gate of the prince’s residence.

Watching her walk away, Wang Shang hurried to catch up, bowing deeply. “A Ying, are you leaving? Allow me to see you off.”

The bamboo melody faded.

Lu Ying turned, her eyes—dark as gemstones—shone as she looked at Wang Shang. She removed the leaf from her lips with deliberate calm, curved her lips slightly, and said coolly, “No need.”

She bowed to Wang Shang, and to the assembled crowd, her voice clear and cold: “Lu Ying of the Lu clan apologizes for disturbing you all. Farewell.”

With that, she strode away.

As they watched her go, a young lady giggled, “What was that? Trying to imitate the legendary master who scorned rank and fame?”

No one responded. After all, that legendary figure was said to have become a god; to imitate him, one must first be convincing.

Instead, a young man turned to Mo Yuan and said, “No wonder you said she could pass for a boy—even you couldn’t tell. That maiden—” he paused, then nodded, “has remarkable presence!”

Indeed, though her beauty was not unparalleled, and the music merely a clever novelty, what truly subdued the crowd was her presence. These sons and daughters of noble families, cloaked in inherited privilege, had yet to mature enough to be unfazed by the overwhelming self-confidence of someone who believed themselves capable of mastering all things.

Soon, Lu Ying had left through the main gate of the prince’s residence.

No matter how composed her departure, she had been, in effect, driven out by the others. Glancing back at the high walls, Lu Ying pressed her lips together and thought: One day, I will be your equal.

The feeling was not a pleasant one. She had been invited by Ati, and both Wang Shang and Mo Yuan were acquaintances, yet when she was shunned, not one person spoke for her. This isolation and exclusion felt utterly humiliating.

She resolved, then and there, to become stronger.

Deep in thought, Lu Ying returned home.

As she neared her alley, she saw a donkey cart parked outside. Upon seeing her approach, Aunt Huang called out with a laugh, climbing down to greet her. Looking her over—her attire a curious mix—Aunt Huang chuckled, “A Ying, I heard you went to the gathering at the minister’s residence? My, our A Ying truly is blessed! Even the Chang family wasn’t invited. But why are you back so soon?”

Lu Ying did not answer, but smiled instead, “Did you need me for something, Aunt?”

Aunt Huang was straightforward. She complained, “I came looking for you this morning, but you weren’t willing to see me. Had no choice but to make another trip.” She paused, then said, “A Ying, your third aunt wants to see you.”

“What for?”

Lu Ying continued walking toward her house.

Aunt Huang hurried after her, lowering her voice, “A Ying, were you driven out by those people?”

Lu Ying stopped.

Aunt Huang went on, “You were there less than half an hour before leaving. You must not have been able to stay. A Ying, do you understand now? This is how people are—if you have nothing, why would anyone respect you? Without family or connections, you’re nothing! Now do you see why your mother’s family wants you to get close to that nobleman?”

She paused, then continued, “If you ask me, that nobleman truly cares for you. If you’re with him, you’ll at least have a proper status. Once you have that, who among those young ladies and gentlemen would dare look down on you?”

Glancing at Lu Ying’s unreadable expression, Aunt Huang added, “You were humiliated at the prince’s residence, weren’t you? Even yesterday, a legitimate daughter from the Chang family was so upset she cried all the way home. How much more so for you?”

The people of the Ping family certainly kept close tabs on her. Even her minor affairs were watched tightly—she suspected someone was stationed outside the alley just to keep an eye on her.

Arriving at her door, Lu Ying opened it, turned, and cut off Aunt Huang’s chatter. “What does my grandmother want?”

Her eyes narrowed, and she spoke crisply, “You all know my temperament by now. I’m not someone to be pushed around. Speak plainly—what new scheme has Madam Ping, or my third aunt, devised?”

Such bluntness! Aunt Huang’s smile froze, but she dared not retort. The Ping family had already learned their lesson with Lu Ying; they no longer risked offending her lightly.

After a long pause, and only after Lu Ying had busied herself in the house for a while, Aunt Huang finally mustered the nerve and said, “Cousin, your third aunt wants you to put in a good word for your sixth cousin the next time you meet the nobleman.” She added, “If your sixth cousin prospers, she won’t forget your help.”

This was the Ping family’s plan. They thought Lu Ying’s strong-willed, blunt, and willful nature stemmed from growing up without her parents’ guidance, and so she was unlikely to hold on to wealth and favor for long. The nobleman might favor her now out of novelty, but eventually her temperament would wear thin.

Therefore, the Ping family decided they could not pin all their hopes on Lu Ying. After much thought, they chose to promote their most beautiful sixth daughter instead—a gentle, dignified, and perceptive girl. If she became close to the nobleman, she would surely secure a lasting place in his household.

So this was their scheme.

Lu Ying’s lips curled in a faint smile. At least they were making progress—no longer relying on schemes or coercion, but speaking openly.

She considered for a moment, then nodded. “Very well. If I see the nobleman and the occasion permits, I will mention it.”

Seeing Aunt Huang’s delighted expression, Lu Ying added seriously, “But you must understand—he is of exalted status, and has seen all manner of beauties. Though my sixth cousin is lovely, he may not be interested. Don’t place too much hope on this.”

Aunt Huang nodded eagerly, beaming. “It’s enough that you’re willing, A Ying. I’ll go report to Madam Ping right away.”