Chapter Ninety-Eight: Arrival in Chengdu

She called out three or four times, but the young master of the Zhao family, who had been so gentle with her during the day, never turned back. He hung his head low, and from this angle, his expression and demeanor were truly disheveled.

Naturally, Miss Qian was unwilling to give up. She choked back tears and called again, “Young Master Zhao, please talk to me.”

After calling twice more, finally, the young master of the Zhao family turned his head.

In Miss Qian’s eyes, filled with surprise and hope, the young master frowned slightly, his complexion sour. He glanced at her and said softly, “Don’t call me that again.” Seeing Miss Qian’s face suddenly pale, a flicker of pity stirred in his heart, but thinking of the wife waiting for him at home, he decisively turned his head away.

He really was rejecting her!

He truly no longer wanted her, yet all it took was a single piece of music, a single phrase, to make him give her up. During the day, his eyes had been so tender when looking at her. She had even thought that because of his affection, even if she was not of the highest rank among his wives, she could still command her own place through his favor.

But now it seemed she was nothing at all. The warmth and generosity he had shown her were things he could just as easily give and just as easily take away.

Miss Qian looked up in confusion and panic. At that moment, a warmth touched her hand, and she heard her younger brother speak seriously beside her, “Sister, don’t worry. No matter what happens, you still have me.” He shot a fierce glare toward the young master of the Zhao family.

The boy was a scholar. He did not blame Lu Ying, for none of Lu Ying’s words were directed at his sister.

The one who really teased his sister and then abandoned her was this young master of the Zhao family, who, relying on his family’s influence, acted as he pleased.

Yet, although he detested him, he was powerless. After all, the young master had only been gentle with his sister; he had not yet promised anything, nor had he touched her.

If anyone were to blame, it was his sister for not valuing herself...

Thinking this, the boy’s heart twisted painfully. Beside him, Miss Qian had already collapsed onto her brother’s shoulder, sobbing.

On the other side, Lu Ying glanced briefly at the young master and Miss Qian before withdrawing her gaze.

Ati was still moved; she had been crying for a while. She took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears, but the more she wiped, the more tears came. She then grabbed a sleeve to wipe her face.

Lu Ying looked helplessly at her sleeve, now streaked with tears and mucus, and sighed, “Ati, why are you so heartbroken?”

At her words, several girls glared accusingly at her.

Ati choked on her tears, “I... I am just sad.” She covered her face and said, “Why must women suffer so much in this world? Having a beloved is pain, not having one is also pain.”

She slowly looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, and asked Lu Ying, “Lu Ying, why do you think Young Master Wang doesn’t want me? I truly like him, so much it feels like my whole body is aching.”

Lu Ying glanced at her, then looked towards Wang Shang sitting not far away, his features solemn. She thought Wang Shang was a good man. At least, since he did not favor Ati, he resolutely and decisively kept her at a distance. Otherwise, with Ati’s personality, it would be easy for her to make friends with anyone, regardless of gender. Yet he gave her no hope at all, which was, in a way, a form of salvation for her.

Ati continued to weep quietly. Meanwhile, Xiao Yan and the others gradually returned to their senses.

After some commotion, night fell quickly. Even after retiring, Ati held onto Lu Ying’s hand, sobbing and saying, “Lu Ying, I really wish I could be like Zhuo Wenjun, to be a man in the next life while he is the woman.”

That night, none of them slept well. Lu Ying woke several times and faintly heard the aunts whispering and sighing.

The next morning, the group set out again.

This time, Miss Qian fell completely silent. After all, she was just an ordinary girl from a small town. After being rejected by the young master of the Zhao family, she no longer had the face to pester him or to face the others.

As they walked, when the tall walls of Chengdu came into view, the young men and women couldn’t help but cheer. Not far away, the Chen family members breathed a sincere sigh of relief.

This was Chengdu.

Lu Ying looked up, dazed. It was her first time in Chengdu. Long ago, she had heard the city’s name from others, knew it was prosperous, beautiful, magnificent, and bustling. She knew it was one of the few major cities in the realm.

Ati, who had recovered early, shouted excitedly behind her, “Ah, finally back! Wonderful!” After a few calls, she giggled, “Once we get home, I’m going to sleep for two whole days, just sleep and roll around on a soft bed!”

At these words, a maid warned, “Miss, there are many young gentlemen here; you shouldn’t say such things!”

Hearing this, Lu Ying smiled and glanced back at Ati, who looked as if she might actually tumble out of the carriage with joy. She smiled and said, “Chengdu truly is magnificent!”

Ati immediately chimed in, “Right, right? I told you before, Chengdu is the best place. There’s nowhere more beautiful in the world.” She leaned halfway out of the carriage, “Lu Ying, you don’t have relatives in Chengdu, right? Come stay with me!”

As soon as she spoke, two other girls called out, “Come to my house! Come to my house!” “Hehe, Lu Ying should come to my house.” Nearby, Wen Qing and others were also staring at Lu Ying, waiting for her answer.

Lu Ying’s heart warmed, and she smiled, eyes narrowing in happiness. “No, I’ll stay in an inn and try to buy a house as soon as possible.”

“You’re so stubborn,” Ati muttered unhappily, then called out, “Lu Ying, we’ve given you our home addresses and even tokens. Once you find a place, be sure to let us know!”

“All right, I will,” Lu Ying replied, her smile free of coldness, filled only with warmth.

Nearby, the Chen family and Miss Qian and her brother watched this scene. Compared to Miss Qian’s sullen and jealous expression, Chen Zhen and the others bore more complicated looks.

Amid laughter, the caravan soon reached the city gate.

Here, relatives from each family waited to welcome them. Ati laughed as she threw herself into someone’s embrace. Lu Ying smiled faintly and told the driver, “No need to wait for them. Let’s enter the city quickly.”

The driver was eager to complete the task and go home, so he happily agreed and urged the donkey cart swiftly into the city.

Compared to Hanyang, Chengdu was truly a place teeming with people and horses. Lu Ying’s donkey cart moved amidst the crowd, stopping every few steps, then moving a bit more before pausing again.

After being stuck for a while, the driver asked, “Miss, where are you planning to stay?”

Lu Ying answered, “Just drop me off near the Huadian Academy. It’s getting late. I’ll give the uncle some extra money to find an inn to stay at. If he’s lucky, he might find a passenger going from Chengdu back to Hanyang.”

The driver chuckled, “You’re very thoughtful, miss.” In his heart, he thought: This miss usually doesn’t talk much, but she has a good heart.

After about an hour of weaving through the streets, they finally found the Huadian Academy. Lu Ying paid the remaining fare for the carriage and some extra for lodging, then carried her bundle toward a nearby inn.

After finding a room and paying for two days, she carefully hid her bundle and stepped out.

Chengdu, known since ancient times for its remarkable people, offered not only grand and elegant architecture but also refined citizens. Lu Ying’s simple male robe had made her stand out in Hanyang, but here, though still noticeable, she was not so rare.

From a town with few people to a place where the streets were packed and every step was difficult, even Lu Ying, usually calm and reserved, felt tremendously excited.

The people of Chengdu were skilled artisans. Along the way, stalls displayed exquisite hand-woven trinkets. Not far ahead, Lu Ying even saw bamboo slips inscribed with characters.

Seeing the piles of bamboo slips and their detailed annotations, Lu Ying smiled bitterly to herself: It seemed she would have to find another way to make a living.

The streets were filled with performers, jugglers, and calligraphers. Shouts and cries mixed together, ringing painfully in the ears.

As Lu Ying looked around while walking, suddenly a woman darted out from an alley.

The woman stopped directly in front of her.

Lu Ying was startled and turned to look.

Meeting Lu Ying’s gaze, the woman with a round face and radiant smile asked, “May I ask, young sir, how old are you this year?”

Ah?

Lu Ying was momentarily stunned. Sensing no hostility, she replied, “Sixteen.”

“Are you betrothed?”

Lu Ying’s eyes widened. After the woman repeated the question, she answered expressionlessly, “No.”

“That’s wonderful!” The woman’s joy was so great her eyebrows nearly disappeared. She pointed behind her and leaned closer to Lu Ying, saying, “Young sir, you are as pure as jade and moonlight, exceptionally handsome. My lady was delighted the moment she saw you and wishes to promise you as her match!”

Ah? Having never faced such a situation, Lu Ying instinctively looked up.

Not thirty steps away, a pair of master and servant stared intently at her. When their eyes met Lu Ying’s, the young lady dressed as a maid blushed deeply. Despite her shyness, she did not look away but widened her eyes and met Lu Ying’s gaze sincerely.

Lu Ying had heard that the people of Chengdu, regardless of gender, were naturally generous and sincere, but only now did she truly understand.

This girl was truly bold—to reveal her feelings so openly in the street and promise marriage on the spot!

Perhaps Lu Ying’s direct gaze and cold expression made the girl shy. She lowered her head, but only for a moment before glancing at Lu Ying again, her eyes filled with joy.

Watching her, Lu Ying’s heart softened. She sighed inwardly: life’s pressures had made her more calculating and less impulsive and courageous. This young lady was truly admirable.

Lowering her head, she bowed deeply toward the girl’s direction and said gently, “Though I have no betrothal, I already have someone in my heart. Please forgive me.”

At her refusal, the woman looked disappointed, while the young lady nearby widened her eyes, filled with eager anticipation and nervousness, straining to listen though she heard nothing.

Lu Ying added, “Your young lady is very kind, but the world is full of fickle people. Since she is young, it is inevitable that she might misjudge others. Matters of marriage are best handled through parents and family. I must take my leave.” With that, she straightened and turned away.