Chapter 38
“My lord, Lu San Niang and the others are ready. I will take them there.”
Before leaving, Tong Jin went into the courtyard to report.
The attendant by the door gestured for him to speak softly.
Tong Jin raised his head and looked down at the window of the study.
On the table were several neatly stacked official documents and open bookcases. The documents that had been read had annotations and labels indicating their order. A paperweight with a crouching lion on it rested on an unfolded accordion-folded yellow paper. A Xuan brush was inserted diagonally between the brush holders, with the tip pointing upwards. The water in the abacus-shaped brush washer had been rinsed black.
A slender, upright figure stood by the window, hands behind his back, gazing at the corridor as he watched the figure in the distance board the carriage with a beaming Xiao Suniang.
The thin dawn light of early winter spilled into the courtyard, the snow reflecting a dazzling white light. The air was cold and dry, and a cold wind blew in through the window, fluttering the turban ribbons and the blue robe he was wearing.
Wei Mingsu did not turn around and said, "After she moves out, there is no need to forbid her from meeting with other people."
Tong Jin responded with a "yes," and looking at Wei Mingsu's calm back, he felt puzzled. Why did Wei Mingsu avoid seeing Lu Huaying, yet always silently watch her leave?
He excused himself, still puzzled, and followed Lu Huaying's carriage to their new residence.
Near the temple, there are many independent courtyard houses for worshippers to stay in. Tong Jin led Lu Huaying to a secluded courtyard, pointed to a new attendant she hadn't seen in the past few days, and said, "You can stay here for now. If anything happens, have A Yu tell me. When you go out, be sure to take A Yu with you. Don't leave the city."
After saying that, he left in a hurry.
Lu Huaying applied the medicine in the morning, and the red spots on her body no longer hurt or itch. She then took out yellow paper and a pen to write the "Dan Jing" (Classic of Alchemy).
Xiao Suniang's eyes lit up, and she volunteered to help. She raised her head and asked Sunian to touch her face: "Third Sister, although your family's 'Dan Jing' can't make you an immortal, those facial recipes can really cure facial ailments. I've been using the facial recipe you taught me four years ago. Do you think I'm a little fairer than before?"
Lu Huaying looked at her carefully for a while, then nodded with a smile: "You've become much fairer and your skin has become smoother."
Xiao Suniang couldn't help but smile broadly. She moved a small table and sat down next to Lu Huaying, helping her organize the papers she had written.
A hoarse, urgent voice came from outside the courtyard gate: "Feifei?"
Lu Huaying was taken aback, immediately put down her pen, got up and walked out.
In the courtyard, Afu led Lu Hongbi and Wang Yu in.
The two men looked worried, and when they saw Lu Huaying walking to the door, they quickened their pace and rushed over.
Wang Yu held Lu Huaying's hand tightly, not daring to let go, and glanced back at Afu.
Afu had already turned and left.
Wang Yu and Lu Hongbi exchanged a glance, then turned to look at Lu Huaying, saying with tears in their eyes, "Is Governor Wei really going to let us go back to Liucheng?"
Today was the agreed-upon departure day. Lu Hongbi and Wang Yu barely slept last night, eagerly anticipating their return to Liucheng. However, after dawn, they were informed by Afu that the itinerary had been changed and would be postponed for two days.
Wang Yu thought Wei Mingsu had changed his mind, but Lu Hongbi suspected that Wei Mingsu had never intended to send them back and had been lying to them all along. When he and Chai Yong discussed confronting Wei Mingsu, Afu told him that Lu Huaying had moved out today and that he and Wang Yu could come and see Lu Huaying anytime in the future.
Lu Hongbi rushed over immediately.
“Sister-in-law, brother, the postponement of the trip has nothing to do with Governor Wei. I ate some cakes last night and somehow developed a rash. The doctor said I need to rest for two days, so the trip needs to be changed.”
Lu Huaying explained what happened last night to Wang Yu and Lu Hongbi.
The two were taken aback and, without paying attention to anything else, first looked at the red spots on her body.
"What kind of cakes or pastries did you eat? Why did you get a rash? Did the cakes or pastries go bad?"
Lu Hongbi frowned and asked.
A guilty voice came from behind him: "Second Young Master...it's all my fault...I gave Third Sister some pies..."
Xiao Suniang looked down at her shoes and stammered, her face even redder than last night, almost as if it were about to bleed.
Lu Hongbi then noticed that there was a young woman in the room. He glanced at Xiao Suniang with an unfriendly look.
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Su Niang twisted her handkerchief, looking very flustered.
"I'm fine now. Su Niang meant well." Lu Huaying gave Lu Hongbi a warning look, then smiled and took Xiao Su Niang's hand. "Sister-in-law, brother, do you remember Su Niang from the Xiao family?"
Wang Yu had some impression of Xiao Suniang, so she went up to talk to her.
Lu Hongbi remained silent.
Xiao Suniang secretly glanced at him.
He looked up and his gaze fell upon him.
Four years ago, the second young master of the Lu family, who was elegant and refined, seemed to have become a different person, with a decadent and gloomy look in his eyes.
Xiao Suniang was startled and turned to speak to Wang Yu, her palms burning hot.
Wang Yu and Lu Hongbi were worried about Lu Huaying, but seeing that she was safe and sound, they were relieved. They told her to rest well and not to rush off. As long as Lu Huaying was alright, they didn't care when they returned to Liucheng.
No matter where they are, they have no freedom.
Seeing Wang Yu's gloomy expression, Xiao Suniang comforted her, saying, "Sister-in-law, once Third Sister finishes writing the 'Dan Jing' (Classic of Elixir), Brother Wei will send someone to deliver it back to the capital. For the merit of presenting the classic, the Emperor will surely reward you."
Wang Yu and Lu Hongbi were both taken aback. They were worried about Wei Mingsu and did not immediately realize Lu Huaying's purpose in writing the "Dan Jing".
A deep sense of guilt welled up in Wang Yu's heart.
She had watched Lu Huaying grow up and knew that Lu Huaying must have been suffering greatly since her reunion with Wei Mingsu. While she and her second uncle were losing sleep over their worries, Lu Huaying, who had just escaped death, was already planning for the future of her family. Even before her injuries had fully healed, she was writing furiously, trying to improve their situation.
If it were her, she would only be able to cry.
Lu Hongbi felt much the same way as Wang Yu.
He looked at Lu Huaying, who seemed unaffected, remained silent for a while, then looked away, got up, walked to the desk, and picked up several sheets of yellow paper covered with writing.
Lu Huaying walked over and asked, "Brother, how much of the 'Alchemy Classic' do you remember?"
Lu Hongbi said in a low voice, "I can't recite the entire 'Dan Jing' (Classic of Alchemy), I only remember the first few volumes."
Hua Ying wanted his help, so she said, "I've finished writing it and I'll show it to you, brother. Could you check it for me a few times?"
Lu Hongbi nodded and put down the paper, then asked softly, "If I present the 'Alchemy Classic,' will the credit go to you?"
Hua Ying smiled and said, "Brother, whether the credit will go to me or not, we'll only know once it's written down. There's always a way out, and the opportunity is right in front of us. Let's give it a try first. Even if we can't get it to Shendu, I can still get a reward. With money, I can pay for the hard work."
Looking at the determined smile on his sister's face, Lu Hongbi also smiled slightly.
The atmosphere became much more relaxed, and Wang Yu couldn't help but cheer up, her eyes filled with a smile.
In the afternoon, Afu brought over cakes, vegetable soup, and medicine.
Hua Ying and Wang Yu were finally able to sit down and eat together. Even the plain pancakes and watery soup tasted delicious.
Xiao Suniang wasn't used to the food, but she had meant well last night but ended up making things worse. Knowing that Huaying wanted to eat something light today, she didn't dare to have any objections to the food.
After the meal, Hua Ying saw Lu Hongbi and Wang Yu out.
"By the way, Feifei, Prince Chai will come to see you tomorrow. He says he has something he wants to say to you in person."
Wang Yu suddenly said.
Hua Ying asked, "Why didn't he come today? What does he want to say to me in person? Is it something urgent?"
"Young Master Chai said it wasn't anything urgent, he just wanted to tell you in person. He also wanted to come today, but he's an outsider. Today, my second uncle and I came to see you, so he..."
"I won't bother you any longer, I'll come again tomorrow." Wang Yu smiled slightly. "Young Master Chai is incredibly kind and helpful. From Liucheng to Xizhou, he's been trying to find ways to help us. He comes from a military family and has practiced martial arts since childhood; I never expected him to be such a thoughtful person."
On the day of the Dharma assembly, when Chai Yong brought Lu Hongbi and Wang Yu to the temple to meet Hua Ying, he stood outside and did not go inside.
After spending these days together, Wang Yu greatly admired Chai Yong.
Hua Ying recalled the jade comb that Chai Yong had bought for her and his hearty smile when he was talking to her while leaning over the wall. She smiled and said, "Young Master Chai is indeed very thoughtful."
When Xiao Suniang heard them mention Chai Yong, her eyes darted around, but she remained silent.
After seeing Wang Yu and Lu Hongbi off, Hua Ying continued writing the "Dan Jing" (Classic of Alchemy).
"Third Sister, do you know Chai Sanlang? Is he coming to see you tomorrow?" Xiao Suniang asked, sitting down next to her.
Hua Ying nodded.
Xiao Suniang asked softly, "Have you heard about his background?"
"What's your background?"
Xiao Suniang leaned close to Hua Ying's ear and whispered about Chai Yong's background: "Chai Sanlang's birth mother was a female slave from Xiliang."
Hua Ying was not surprised at all.
Chai Yong's features do not resemble those of a Han Chinese. Since he was able to become the heir of the Duke of Huo's mansion, his father must undoubtedly be the Duke of Huo. Therefore, his birth mother was very likely a Hu woman.
Xiao Suniang then whispered to Hua Ying.
Over twenty years ago, Duke Huo served as the Prefect of Xizhou. When he was transferred to the Ministry of War and returned to the capital, he brought with him a female slave from Xiliang. The slave was of lowly status, which greatly angered the old lady of the house, who forbade her from entering the Duke's residence. Duke Huo's principal wife, Princess Jinxiang, was universally praised for her virtue and kindness. She approached her mother-in-law and generously pleaded for the slave, sending someone to bring her into the mansion. A year later, the slave died in childbirth while giving birth to Chai Yong. Chai Yong himself was also born barely alive; the doctors and midwives all shook their heads, saying the child wouldn't live more than a few days. Princess Jinxiang took Chai Yong and cared for him personally, and miraculously, he survived. The following year, Princess Jinxiang adopted Chai Yong as her own, raising him as her own son.
Xiao Suniang sighed and continued, "Last year, the county magistrate's eldest son, Chai Dalang, passed away due to illness. The Chai family still had two sons, Sanlang and Silang. Sanlang was older, but his birth mother was a female slave from Xiliang. Silang was the legitimate son. Everyone in the capital thought that the county magistrate of Jinxiang would choose Silang as her heir, but unexpectedly, the county magistrate went against everyone's wishes and chose Sanlang, who was not her biological son!"
Hua Ying was slightly surprised.
After Xiao Suniang finished recounting Chai Yong's background, she glanced at Hua Ying.
She stopped talking, and Hua Ying didn't press her for details. She lowered her eyes to look at the paper and focused on writing.
Xiao Suniang couldn't discern anything from Hua Ying's face.
The next day, Chai Yong indeed arrived, wearing a white brocade robe, standing in the snow, his clothes as white as snow, full of vigor.
Afu stopped Chai Yong from entering the courtyard and ordered his attendants to consult Wei Mingsu.
As his attendant reported this, Wei Mingsu stood by the window reading an urgent letter from the capital.
After listening to his attendant's words, he turned around, threw the letter into the brazier, and watched the yellow paper burn and turn into a ball of flames.
"No need to stop him."
The attendant returned to the courtyard to deliver the message, and Afu had no choice but to open the courtyard gate.
Just as Chai Yonggang lifted his robe, preparing to climb the wall, he saw the door open and strode in with a smile.
Hua Ying was writing alchemical texts by the window.
Chai Yong entered the room, looked at Xiao Suniang first, smiled at her, and said, "I would like to say a few words to Third Sister, please excuse me for a moment."
Xiao Suniang looked at Hua Ying.
Hua Ying nodded.
Xiao Suniang got up and went out.
Hua Ying invited Chai Yong to sit down.
Chai Yong unfastened the sword from his belt, walked to the opposite side of her, crossed his legs, and asked, "Third Sister, have you and Governor Wei severed all ties?"
Hua Ying raised her eyes.
Chai Yong looked directly into her eyes and smiled slightly.
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