Chapter Eighty-Five: A Change in Attitude

Along with their questioning voices came the furious shout of the black-clad leader: “You, boy, dare to ruin my plans? Men, kill him!” His voice, hoarse and shrill with rage, cut through the air.

In the face of the black-clad men's wrath and the anxious confusion of the young men and women, Lu Ying stood quietly at the edge of the forest, composed and unhurriedly observing the scene unfold. She glanced indifferently at the black-clad men brandishing their swords and charging toward her, her feet unmoving as she said calmly, “Why waste your effort for nothing?”

The black-clad men ignored her words, advancing ever closer. With casual ease, Lu Ying picked up a small wine jar and flung it far ahead with a loud crash. Instantly, the wine splashed wide, and flames erupted, spreading rapidly!

Three of the black-clad men, nearly consumed by fire, halted abruptly; even with their quick reflexes, the flames almost licked their robes.

Seeing they were powerless against Lu Ying, their leader burst into incoherent screams of rage.

Just then, Ati’s voice rang out, “A Ying, what happened?” Before her voice faded, Mo Yuan called, “A Ying, what’s going on?”

Even now, did these noble sons and daughters not grasp the situation?

Lu Ying looked back—indeed, Ati and a few others, braver than most, stood not far off, while several girls had collapsed to the ground, faces white as snow, and a boy was shrieking uncontrollably.

Such were the pampered children of noble houses, unused to hardship or peril.

Seeing they still awaited her answer, Lu Ying curled her lips and replied coldly, “It’s simple enough. These people are either assassins or bandits. They meant to kill and rob us, but I uncovered their plot.”

As the Cheng family’s eldest son and his guards came rushing with drawn swords, Lu Ying raised her voice, “Brother Cheng, quickly send some men to guard the carts!”

Her clear, ringing command and her poised demeanor amid the glow of fire made her the natural anchor for the group. The eldest Cheng son immediately assented, dispatching a portion of his men toward the carriages.

By then, the wine-fueled flames had begun to die down, and the fiery barrier separating guards from bandits lost its power.

It’s unclear who first gave the order, but suddenly, guards and bandits clashed in a chaotic melee.

Watching the fierce battle, Lu Ying quietly retreated and soon vanished into the forest.

Among the noble youths were perhaps a hundred guards in total—all well-armed and clad in fine armor. With the addition of robust servants, the bandits, having lost the element of surprise, now stood little chance in a fair fight.

The black-clad men began to fall back. The once-cowering sons and daughters now forced themselves to their feet.

The bandits, a rabble at best, lost their nerve once the tide turned. As soon as one fled, the panic spread, and a whistle sent them scattering toward the woods.

The guards, true to their discipline, did not give chase. The eldest Cheng son hurried toward them, and Lu Ying, tall and striking, emerged from the darkness.

Meeting her aloof and handsome face once more, none among the youths dared show even a hint of contempt.

Mouth opening and closing, Wang Shang stepped behind Lu Ying, unable to help himself from asking, “How did you discover it?”

Even as he spoke, he recalled Lu Ying’s wanderings over the past days and changed his question: “Why didn’t you say something earlier?”

Lu Ying turned her head quietly. In the flickering firelight, her dark gemstone-like eyes were clear and untroubled. Meeting the questioning gazes of the others, she curled her lips and answered, “Even if I had told you, you wouldn’t have believed me.”

They were momentarily stunned, preparing to protest, but the memory of their recent coldness toward her caught in their throats.

At that moment, Ati called out, “A Ying, where did you get that wine?”

Lu Ying cast a glance toward the carriages. “From that donkey cart,” she replied. Upon her words, the eldest Cheng son, who had just joined them, immediately explained, “Lady Lu mentioned the wine to me before. It was she who asked me to pour a circle of wine outside the tents.” He had opposed her at first, but seeing her insistence and willingness to bear the consequences, he agreed. Little did he expect that the wine would buy them precious time and save their lives.

Just then, Lu Ying gave him a look. The eldest Cheng son quickly moved aside with her.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two exchanged a few whispered words. Then, with a sudden, predatory air, the eldest Cheng son and a dozen guards charged into the group of servants.

In a flash, they pounced upon two sturdy servants, throwing them to the ground. With his sword pressed to their throats, the eldest Cheng son barked, “You treacherous curs!”

“No, no, it wasn’t us!” “Mercy, miss, please save me!”

The guards ignored their cries and dragged the two into a tent for questioning.

As the two servants were taken away, Xiao Yan, who had earlier mocked Lu Ying, stood dumbstruck beside Ati. After a long moment, she whirled on Lu Ying, shrieking, “You’re lying! They can’t possibly be traitors!” Her voice was sharp with confusion and fear; without waiting for Lu Ying to reply, the girl buried her head in her arms and sobbed, “They’re not, they would never do this to me, they’re not her people…”

From her words, it was clear she knew exactly who meant her harm.

Lu Ying left her be, while Ati and the other girls gently led the sobbing girl aside. These noble children, acutely aware of their own circumstances, did not need prompting. Once suspicion arose, they would seek answers on their own.

Cries and sobs echoed from the tent as, outside, Wang Shang approached Lu Ying.

He looked down at her, a bitterness in his throat. After a long pause, Wang Shang asked softly, “A Ying, are you really a nun?”

It was an odd question. Lu Ying lifted her head, and in the moonlight, she met Wang Shang’s gaze—complicated, filled with longing and hope.

Was he hoping she wasn’t?

Lu Ying looked at him for a moment, then smiled faintly. “I am a nun.”

At her words, Wang Shang’s eyes dimmed.

Then another tall youth stepped forward, offering Lu Ying a deep bow. Gratefully, he said, “We owe our lives tonight to Lady Lu. Wenqing of Runan will remember this debt.”

This was exactly what Lu Ying had waited for.

A woman attracting such attention might win respect for a moment, but could also inspire fear or resentment. If word spread, rumors might turn ugly, and such notoriety could hinder a woman’s prospects for marriage.

But Lu Ying had never sought a good match.

Therefore, upon hearing the youth’s words of thanks, Lu Ying bowed and replied in a clear voice, “I dare not accept such praise.”

She said only “I dare not,” without refusing the debt outright. As before, she intended to let them owe her a favor, just as she had with those she saved during the assassination of Lord Qiu.

After Wenqing expressed his gratitude, two more young men and four young women stepped forward to thank her. Lu Ying received their courtesies with poise.

Soon, the startled girls gathered around her, asking questions one after another.

None among them slept much that night. By dawn, the eldest Cheng son and his men had completed their interrogation.

As it turned out, it was indeed internal strife among the Chengdu Xiao family. The girl close to Ati was named Xiao Yan, eldest daughter of the main branch. The two servants who tried to harm her had served her and her younger brother loyally for years, but had been bought off by her stepmother.

The stepmother’s true intention was to find an opportunity to dispatch Xiao Yan and blame it on bandits. Xiao Yan, straightforward and loyal, had always been close to Ati, and her friendship had won her favor in the family. Because of this, not only did Xiao Yan’s position remain secure, but even her younger brother, three years her junior, was able to keep his status as heir. The stepmother, wishing her own son to inherit, saw eliminating Xiao Yan as the only way. Without Xiao Yan, her brother’s claim would lose all support.

The two trusted servants, unable to find an opportunity along the way, secretly conspired with bandits. They encouraged the youths to bring extra wine, planning to slaughter the guards, smash the wine jars, and set the donkey cart ablaze. The chaos would prevent escape, allowing them to wipe everyone out and leave no witnesses.

Once the plot came to light, the young nobles were furious. As Lu Ying listened to their heated discussions, she thought quietly: Xiao Yan’s stepmother was finished, and even her father would likely face grave consequences.

Having slept poorly, the group did not set out again until nearly noon the next day.

Lu Ying once more sat in her donkey cart. All the other nobles traveled in carriages; hers alone was a donkey cart among them. Days before, they had shunned her, embarrassed by her presence. But now, they clustered around her.

Afterward, the young nobles reflected and praised Lu Ying’s keen observation and sharp instincts. As for her ruthlessness, none seemed to mind. What impressed them most was the poised and striking figure she cut, standing beside the wall of fire, calm before the woods.

Wenqing glanced toward Lu Ying’s cart, his ears flushing red. Unconsciously, he urged his horse-drawn carriage to keep pace with her donkey cart.

The wind lifted the curtain, carrying the damp scent of spring. Wenqing turned to look at Lu Ying; faced with her serene and lovely features, he suddenly found it hard to breathe.

Just then, Ati’s voice rang out from behind, “Young Master Wen, could you let me pass? I want to speak with A Ying.”

Wenqing frowned but, before he could answer, Ati shouted, “A Ying, I’ve realized I like you! Since you have no relatives in Chengdu, why don’t you stay at my house?”

Hearing Ati’s unabashed declaration, Lu Ying smiled. Before she could reply, another girl piped up, “Stay with me, stay with me! My estate has just been completed, and I haven’t even moved in yet. A Ying, come live there!”