Chapter 53

Lu Huaying wiped the snow off her saber, tied it to her belt, and looked down at her hands.

Just as she was about to draw her knife, she suddenly felt numbness in her right hand and a dull ache in her entire right arm. After forcing herself to use her knife, her right shoulder felt like it was being pricked by needles, and the pain was unbearable. The knife flew out of her hand.

She closed her eyes, and the painful memories buried deep in her heart surfaced before her. The despair she felt six years ago surged back into her mind.

The fire in the stove was almost gone, and the wind blew in, brushing against my face, icy cold.

Lu Huaying snapped out of her daze, picked up a piece of dried sheep dung, and threw it in.

Flames rose up, and the fire raged again.

Warmth came from my hands.

Lu Huaying touched the scabbard of her saber, and the gloom on her face dissipated in the warm firelight.

A shadow flickered past the doorway, and Pei Jingyao walked in and sat down opposite Lu Huaying.

"Third Sister, Sanlang and I are going back to Shendu. Before we leave, I want to tell you something."

He looked up and saw Chai Yong standing and talking with Wang Yu in the opposite corridor.

“When we were in Xizhou, I beat up Sanlang.”

Pei Jingyao said.

Lu Huaying was taken aback.

Pei Jingyao gritted his teeth and said, "Because he said he likes you too."

Lu Huaying looked up.

Pei Jingyao snorted coldly: "He didn't want to hide it from me, so he confessed to me after he found out."

He and Chai Yong had made a pact not to fall in love with the same woman. In Xizhou, Chai Yong realized he might not be able to keep that pact, so he immediately went to Pei Jingyao and frankly admitted that he had developed feelings for Lu Huaying.

Pei Jingyao punched Chai Yong hard.

Chai Yong did not retaliate.

Pei Jingyao was less angry at his good brother for being disloyal and more venting his frustration. He was no match for Chai Yong, and his elder brother had done such a thing, so he was not qualified to compete with Chai Yong.

After the fight, Chai Yong, his face bruised and swollen, took out a jar of strong liquor.

The two reconciled and lay on the snow drinking together.

Pei Jingyao thought that Chai Yong confessed because he wanted to confess his feelings to Lu Huaying.

"Sanlang, don't be like my eldest brother, using your status as the heir to pressure Sanniang. Although I am useless and incompetent, and my martial arts are no match for yours, I will not stand idly by if you dare to bully Sanniang."

Chai Yong laughed and said, "I've only known Third Sister for a short time, how could I dare to be presumptuous? Don't worry, I sincerely want to be good to Third Sister."

At that time, Pei Jingyao was skeptical, after all, Chai Yong did not know Lu Huaying before and had no relationship with her.

Since returning to Liucheng from Xizhou, Chai Yong had been practicing swordsmanship with Lu Huaying every morning, with Pei Jingyao accompanying him almost every time. Chai Yong respected Lu Huaying greatly, and his worries and doubts were completely dispelled.

Pei Jingyao looked away.

Chai Yong was genuinely pleased with Lu Huaying, yet also felt a pang of melancholy. He smiled and said to Lu Huaying, "Third Sister, I now believe that what Third Brother said that night was the truth. I have many friends, most of whom are good-for-nothing playboys like me. Third Brother is much better than us; he is exceptionally skilled in martial arts. The reason he does nothing is because he is an illegitimate son. His elder brother is narrow-minded and always suspects him. The Princess of Jinxiang treats him like her own son, and he is very grateful to his stepmother. He doesn't want to overshadow his elder brother, so he hangs out with us playboys every day. If his elder brother hadn't passed away, and if the Princess of Jinxiang hadn't worried that her younger son would be targeted by the Wu family, he wouldn't have become the heir of the Duke's mansion."

Lu Huaying was taken aback and looked up at Chai Yong opposite her.

Chai Yong was cheerful and easy-going, always with a warm smile on his face when he spoke, which made people feel warm inside. It turned out that there was also helplessness hidden under that carefree and energetic appearance.

Pei Jingyao sighed and said, "Third Sister, Third Brother is a gentleman. He is good to his family and friends. He is a good match for you."

Lu Huaying lowered her head, her gaze returning to her saber.

She remembered the day she said goodbye to Wei Mingsu and what she had said to him.

In life, there are gains and losses. If you have your own pursuits and beliefs, then ignore everything else and keep moving forward!

That was both what she wanted to say to Wei Mingsu and a reminder to herself.

"Goro, thank you. Prince Chai is indeed a gentleman, a good match for me. However, I don't need a match for me now."

Lu Huaying smiled slightly, her calm tone carrying a gentle yet firm resolve.

.

Pei Jingyao was stunned for a moment, staring at her, feeling increasingly melancholy.

Four years ago, he didn't understand San Niang; he only knew to secretly watch her from afar, silently grieving. Four years later, he still doesn't understand San Niang.

He gave a wry smile, nodded, and stood up.

"Goro."

Lu Huaying called out to him.

Pei Jingyao turned around.

Lu Huaying looked at him with a bright smile: "Wulang, your elder brother is your elder brother, and you are you. What he did has nothing to do with you. Your knowledge is not as good as his, but in terms of morality and character, you are worse than him."

Pei Jingyao stared blankly at her.

The Lu Huaying before him overlapped with the bright and flamboyant Lu San Niang in his memory.

The pent-up resentment that had been weighing on his mind these past few days, making him feel ashamed and uneasy, finally began to dissipate.

...

Not long after Pei Jingyao left, footsteps sounded again at the door.

Chai Yong walked over from the opposite side, stood by the door without going inside, glanced at Lu Huaying's right hand, and asked with concern, "Third Sister, is your hand alright?"

Lu Huaying shook her head and said, "It's nothing, it's an old injury from a long time ago."

Chai Yong remained silent for a moment.

Lu Huaying's attitude towards him was by no means cold, but it was not affectionate at all. These days, she was teaching him swordsmanship, and she was really teaching him as a disciple, even more serious and dedicated than the teacher who taught him riding and archery in the Duke's mansion.

In Lu Huaying's eyes, he was no different from Afu and Chen Er, right?

Chai Yong had only ever cared about eating, drinking, and having fun, and had never experienced such disappointment and distress. He scratched his head, still with a gentle smile on his face, and said, "Third Sister, you've had a hard day again. You should rest well. I'll come back to ask for your advice tomorrow."

After saying that, he turned and left.

Wang Yu and Xiao Suniang stood outside the door, looking at Chai Yong's tall figure, and both sighed.

...

The next day, when Chai Yong came, he brought two bottles of wound medicine.

"Third Aunt, this is a family heirloom medicine. It is very effective in treating various injuries from falls and blows, and it can also be used for old joint injuries. Try applying some next time your old injury flares up."

Lu Huaying wiped her knife and said, "The family's medicine must be very valuable. Sanlang, you should keep it for yourself. My old injury is nothing serious. As long as I don't force myself to use internal energy, it won't flare up."

Chai Yong put down the medicine and smiled, "Disciple wanted to offer this to Master, but Master refused. Does Master think Disciple is too stupid?"

"Teacher, your disciple truly has a filial heart."

He spoke with a very serious tone.

Lu Huaying thought for a moment, then accepted the medicine: "Let's go, continue practicing what I taught you yesterday."

She taught Chai Yong swordsmanship just like she had a few days before, with the same attitude. Chai Yong also learned humbly as before, and apart from occasionally telling jokes to amuse her, he did not do anything out of line.

Ten days later, Chai Yong finished learning the sword technique. He and Pei Jingyao were about to set off back to Xizhou to return to Luoyang with the others.

Lu Huaying could not leave Liucheng and could not go out of the city to see them off; she could only escort them to the city gate.

The weather was clear, and it was the day the market was open every month. The festival was approaching, and the area in front of the city gate was bustling with activity, filled with laughter and the sound of bells.

Lu Huaying reined in his horse and stopped in front of the city gate. He took out the food he had prepared and several bottles of medicine for treating frostbite and gave them to Chai Yong and the other man.

"Sanlang, Wulang, thank you so much for your care and help these past few days. My brother, sister-in-law, and I are extremely grateful. We wish you a safe journey."

Pei Jingyao snatched the bundle from Lu Huaying, hugged it to his chest, and looked at Chai Yong triumphantly.

Chai Yong laughed and kicked him, then winked at him.

Pei Jingyao glared at him and rode away.

Chai Yong raised his eyes to look at Lu Huaying and said with a smile, "Third Sister, now that I'm leaving, do you feel relieved?"

Lu Huaying, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, paused for a moment, then chuckled to herself.

"Young Master Chai." She said again.

He addressed him as "Your Highness" to remind him of their respective identities, saying each word carefully, "You are a good friend and a good disciple."

Chai Yong asked, "Is this all Third Sister has to say about me?"

Lu Huaying looked at him, and without hesitation, nodded.

Chai Yong and she stared at each other for a while.

She is rejecting him.

Chai Yong put away his smile and said slowly, "Third Sister, I guess Fifth Brother must have already told you, and you already know my feelings. I didn't tell you in person because I was afraid that I would be too abrupt. You have been through a lot, and you have only just met me. You don't know my family background or my character. If I spoke rashly, it would put you in a difficult position."

He was the heir of the Duke's mansion, while Lu Huaying was still of lowly status. He could tell her his feelings without any reservations, but Lu Huaying would be in a difficult position.

Accepting him means agreeing to be his concubine.

If she rejects him, what if he turns his love into hatred and retaliates against her?

Can Lu Huaying believe the promise that he will not make her a concubine?

How can he possibly guarantee the promises he makes?

If his mother objects, or if the Chai family makes things difficult for Lu Huaying, can he protect her?

Chai Yong could not provide any guarantees.

Therefore, Chai Yong dared not speak.

"Third Sister, I can only say these things to you before I leave. Please don't feel awkward."

Chai Yong looked at Lu Huaying with a warm smile.

"Third Sister, I truly love you, I'm serious, so I dare not treat you lightly. I've been idle and unproductive all these years, without any career or achievements. I can't stand on my own two feet without the Duke's mansion. How could I dare to be presumptuous?"

Chai Yong's gaze fell on Lu Huaying's face, and his eyes slowly deepened.

"Third Sister, I will strive to improve myself. Although I may not be able to achieve great things, I will at least establish myself. Only then will I be qualified to appear before you again and tell you my feelings."

He suddenly leaned forward.

Lu Huaying was slightly lost in thought when she heard his words. Before she could react, everything suddenly went black. Chai Yong approached her, his passionate aura pressing close. He reached out and snatched a purse from her waistband.

"I need a flint and steel, can I borrow yours for the journey, Third Sister?" Chai Yong withdrew his hand, his eyes bright, and smiled, "Third Sister, take care of yourself. We'll meet again!"

He tucked Lu Huaying's purse into his sleeve, then rode off with a smile.

Lu Huaying snapped out of her daze, watched his figure disappear into the crowded flow of people and vehicles, and couldn't help but smile, rubbing her forehead.

Chai Yong is still young, and this is his first time leaving the capital. After he returns to the capital, he will think about her rejection and his thoughts will slowly change. He will inherit the Chai family business and take on the responsibility of the heir.

They will never see each other again.

...

After Chai Yong and the others left, Lu Huaying still got up early every day to practice her swordsmanship.

After Xiao Suniang and the others got up, she went back to her room to have breakfast with them and make the herbal medicine. At noon, Chen Er went out to deliver the herbal medicine and returned in the afternoon with money and a list of the herbal medicines each household had requested. She asked Wang Yu and Lu Hongbi to keep accounts and write down the prescriptions according to the requirements on the lists, so that Chen Er could go to the market to buy the medicinal materials the next day.

As the days went by, more and more people came seeking the medicine, and the family couldn't keep up. So Xiao Suniang asked all her servants to come and help.

Wang Yu calculated how much medicine they could make each month and said, "We can't agree to make medicine for everyone who asks for it in the future, or we won't be able to finish it."

Lu Huaying pondered for a moment and decided to hire someone to help her. She asked Chen Er to go back to the alley where they used to live and make a shout.

The next day, the neighbor's children came. They didn't want wages, just some food.

Lu Huaying insisted on paying her wages.

Chen Er threatened the children, saying, "You're going to get paid, so you have to be careful and meticulous in your work, or you won't get paid!"

The children were overjoyed to receive both food and wages, and readily agreed. They had experienced hunger before, were hardworking, and worked diligently, refusing to rest in order to make more noodles.

I'm obedient, but you're busy with your own things, and I'm busy with mine; it's all a mess.

Lu Huaying handed them over to Wang Yu.

Wang Yu used to manage the household affairs and servants in the Lu family.

Managing a group of children is now a piece of cake.

She set rules that the children had to follow, dividing them into groups of five, with each group doing only one thing.

A few days later, the children became much more well-behaved and more organized in their work.

...

That evening, Lu Huaying sat by the stove counting money.

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Afu walked in carrying a bowl of medicine. He glanced at the money on the small table, then at Lu Huaying, his eyes filled with relief, as if the sheep he had painstakingly raised had finally climbed up the mountain to graze on their own.

"Third Sister, it's time to take your medicine."

Lu Huaying picked up the medicine bowl, drank the medicine, and said with a bitter face, "My scars have all healed, so I don't need to take medicine anymore, right?"

She applied her homemade face medicine every day, and all the scars disappeared.

Ah Fu put on a stern face and said, "No, the doctor said you need to continue taking medicine to recover!"

Lu Huaying's mouth was full of bitterness. She poured herself a bowl of tea, took a sip, and asked, "Has there been any letter from Governor Wei recently?"

Afu's expression darkened, and she shook her head: "I don't know where my lord and the others have gone. There's been no news for so long, and they haven't even sent anyone to deliver a message to me."

Lu Huaying put the money into the box, looked up at the gloomy night outside the window, and frowned slightly.

After Fan Hui arrived in Xizhou, the affairs of Xizhou were put on the right track. He was exceptionally talented and capable, and handled all matters meticulously. Although he had only been in Xizhou for a short time, his reputation had already spread to Liucheng.

Wei Mingsu left Xizhou quietly, and no one knew where he went. The people of Liucheng did not forget him, but when they spoke of him, they were indignant, believing that he had driven the Prefect of Xizhou to his death.

No one remembers Wu Yanxing, who was killed by the Xu family, Lu Huaying, who was nearly wrongfully killed, or the innocent lives that the chief clerk ordered to be killed to cover up for the Xu family.

How can the lives of ordinary people compare to the loyalty of the chief clerk?

Wei Mingsu did not send a message to Afu and Ayu.

Where did he go?

In such freezing weather, I wonder if he's been sleeping outdoors or has already reached his destination and has a warm place to stay.

Outside the window, it started snowing again.

The next morning, when Lu Huaying opened the door, the snow was already as high as the steps.

She picked up a broom to sweep the snow, practiced her knife skills in the yard for a while, worked up a sweat, put away the knife, and prepared to go back to her room to change her clothes when she suddenly felt a gaze on her.

She looked up.

The courtyard gate had opened at some point, and a figure in a red official robe stood in the snow by the gate, gazing in her direction. The robe was covered with a layer of snow, and he had been standing there for a while.

Lu Huaying and the man in the snow stared at each other for a moment.

Ayu walked over and whispered, "Third Sister, he is the young master's friend."

Lu Huaying nodded: "I know, I know him."

The man walked towards her, glanced at the knife in her hand, and said, "Third Sister, it's me."

Lu Huaying sheathed his sword and wiped his sweat: "Chief Secretary Fan."

She remembered Fan Hui, who used to look down on Wei Mingsu's background and often clashed with him, but he was also someone who truly recognized Wei Mingsu's talent. Four years ago, he denounced Lu Huaying for ruining Wei Mingsu.

Fan Hui brushed the snow off his official robe and said, "Let's go inside and talk."

The two entered the house, and the guards outside the courtyard gate followed them, along with an old man with white hair and a face full of wrinkles.

Apart from A Yu, no one else got up. Lu Huaying added a few pieces of dried sheep dung to the stove, invited Fan Hui to sit down, and asked, "Why did Chief Secretary Fan come to Liucheng?"

Fan Hui said calmly, "I came to Liucheng on business and stopped by to see you. I brought a doctor with me."

He turned to the old man and said, "Look at her, it's her."

The old man nodded, asked Lu Huaying to sit down, and gestured for her to extend her arm so he could take her pulse.

The room fell silent.

A moment later, the old man withdrew his finger.

Fan Hui asked, "Can you heal her old injuries?"

The old man frowned and said, "I can only give it a try."

Fan Hui nodded.

The old man and his personal guards retired together.

Lu Huaying was a little surprised

Surprised, she turned to look at Fan Hui: "How did Chief Secretary Fan know I had an old injury?"

He even brought a doctor with him to see her.

Fan Hui met her gaze and said, "Wei Mingsu told me that on my way to Xizhou, he wrote to me asking me to find a doctor."

Lu Huaying was stunned.