Chapter Seven, Falling Out

As she spoke up to this point, the third aunt let out a sharp, cold laugh, "Oh, oh! You really are panting when I say you are fat! What nonsense is this? Have you really mentioned the recommendation of a filial and virtuous person? Ah Ying, you can't possibly think that your useless father is truly a son of a prominent family, can you? You can't really believe that any esteemed person would be willing to recommend your brother, can you?" At this point, the third aunt laughed with a high-pitched voice, truly laughing so hard that she was doubled over.

It is Ah Ying. You really are something! It's not that Third Aunt is saying this, but you have been unwell for some time now. Why did you only come today? Aren't you just making Third Aunt worry unnecessarily for you? Third Aunt's words, like her person, are straightforward yet laced with sharpness

Even if it was not so fortunate, after the conversation with her third aunt was made public and public opinion stood on her side, the third aunt dared not and could not bypass the other elders of the Ping family to arbitrarily reclaim the wooden house where she and her brother lived. As long as there was a house to live in, the commotion between her and the third aunt would not result in any significant loss. With minimal loss and a certain degree of marital autonomy gained, this farce was worth it.

Seeing her figure disappearing into the distance, Aunt San's anger surged uncontrollably. She raised her voice sharply and shouted, "Fine, fine, fine! If you dare to step out of this door, then never come to me, your aunt, for help again!" Aunt San's voice was piercing and loud, drawing the attention of those on the other side of the garden who also looked in curiously.

Several women were sitting in the hall, chatting and laughing among themselves. When they saw Lu Ying enter, they merely glanced at her and then ignored her. Lu Ying was not annoyed; she quietly stood to one side. After they had calmed down a bit, she stepped forward and greeted the woman sitting in the main seat, saying: "A Ying pays her respects to Aunt San."

After a short while, a maid came out and said, "The lady requests your presence inside"

Seeing Lu Ying's eternally indifferent demeanor, Aunt San felt a bit disheartened. She waved her hand and said, "Ah Ying, please take a seat"

This is Lu Ying's first visit to Pingfu after her recovery. She first sought an audience with her grandmother and her authoritative aunt, but after being hastily dismissed, she went to the outside of her third aunt's room to request a meeting.

Therefore, in the eyes of the public, Lu Ying's words are simply more amusing than a joke

Aunt San criticized Lu Ying incessantly, while Lu Ying merely lowered her head, offering no defense or response. It was only after she finished speaking that Lu Ying gently said, "Thank you, Aunt San, for your concern"

With a sudden sound, Aunt San stood up, her face flushed as she pointed at Lu Ying, shouting in a sharp voice: "And you, you, you..." Repeating the word "you" several times, she found herself at a loss for how to criticize Lu Ying effectively. The woman before her, glaring fiercely, had firmly grasped the concept of "filial piety," and no matter how much she argued, she could never win against her!

Therefore, as soon as the voice of the third aunt fell, Lu Ying immediately took a few steps back. With a wooden expression, she bowed to the third aunt and said aloud: "Although my late father has passed away, his voice and image remain forever. Though the orphaned son and daughter are unworthy, we would never dare to diminish the aspirations of our ancestors! I cannot accept your words, esteemed aunt. Thus, I take my leave!" After saying this, she flicked her sleeve and turned around, walking out without hesitation.

"That's good, Ain has been worried all along." At this point, Aunt San sighed and said earnestly, "Aying, it's not that Aunt San is criticizing you, but you, my child, not only have a cold expression and clumsy speech, but now you even disregard manners? If this continues, how will you manage at the Zeng residence? Just the other day, Madam Zeng was still complaining about you to me."

Thinking of this, she raised her head

Madam? Over two hundred years ago, only the wives of feudal lords could be referred to as 'Madam'. And now? Anyone with a bit of wealth can be called 'Madam'.

At that moment, Lu Ying lowered her head again and resolutely shook her head, saying: "Aunt San, this matter is not feasible." Before Aunt San could get angry, Lu Ying had already stood up, raised her head, and looked at Aunt San coldly, saying: "My father had long left instructions that the descendants of the Lu family may be poor or suffer, but they must never become a son-in-law to others. Moreover, Ah Yun studies diligently every day, and his academic performance has greatly improved; it is possible that one day he will be recommended for the title of filial and incorrupt."

However, she did not expect that what Lu Ying and the others were waiting for was precisely this statement from her. She had anticipated their reaction long before she mentioned the proposal of filial piety and integrity, and she was even more eager for this reaction!

Aunt San, with a beaming face, looked at her amiably. Upon meeting those thin, upward-arching brows and the slightly sharp cheekbones, Lu Ying tugged at the corners of her lips, managing a smile.

She is understandable, but how could Aunt San have ever endured such humiliation? All along, Lu Ying has been submissive in front of her, whether it is her or the servants in her household, all of them have felt a sense of superiority in front of Lu Ying, this fallen family. Yet at this moment, this person whom she has always looked down upon actually dares to reprimand her so sternly?

The more this was the case, the more the unnameable anger of Aunt San surged. She pointed at Lu Ying, her finger trembling, and after a long while, she sharply shouted: "Get out! Get out! From now on, whether you two siblings live or die has nothing to do with me!" As she shouted this, a wave of satisfaction surged in her heart: Yes, this is how it should be. Without me as a backing, I want to see where this promiscuous woman can go! When she is left with no choice and kneels before me to beg, I will humiliate her properly and vent this resentment! A wave of satisfaction surged in her heart: Yes, this is how it should be. Without me as a backing, I want to see where this promiscuous woman can go! When she is left with no choice and kneels before me to beg, I will humiliate her properly and vent this resentment!

Having said this, she stood up again to see off a few guests, and then returned to sit down in the main seat.

She stared intently at her third aunt's face; perhaps her gaze was too bright and her eyes too sharp, causing her third aunt to become extremely angry. One could see her raise her eyebrows, ready to erupt.

The more fiercely the third aunt scolded, the brighter the eyes of Lu Ying, who hurried away, became on her cold and beautiful face. What a great scolding! It was simply excellent! The more she was scolded, the more people paid attention to the matter; the more attention it garnered, the further her dialogue with the third aunt spread. When the public learned that she was being reprimanded for defending her deceased father, they could only hold her in high regard. If by chance this reached the ears of those with influence, it might evoke sympathy from certain prominent figures who also came from humble beginnings, thereby paving a path to success for her brother. When the public learned that she was being reprimanded for defending her deceased father, they could only hold her in high regard. If by chance this reached the ears of those with influence, it might evoke sympathy from certain prominent figures who also came from humble beginnings, thereby paving a path to success for her brother.

In response to my aunt, it is indeed a great improvement

Not only her, at this moment, the hall is filled with laughter, and the maids both inside and outside the room are laughing so hard that they can hardly catch their breath

Lu Ying lowered her head and followed behind the maid as they walked forward

After a moment of silence, Aunt San smiled and asked, "Aying, has your injury healed well now?"

In this era, there is no imperial examination, and scholars must strive for progress by being recommended by individuals of high repute. The Lu family has only two siblings, lacking both wealth and influence, so how could they possibly have the means to associate with those of renown? Furthermore, these two siblings have no parents or relatives; even if they wished to demonstrate filial piety to gain fame, there is no one to whom they could showcase their efforts.

As soon as the voice of the third aunt fell, Lu Ying immediately raised her head.

This is a world where "filial piety comes first"; it is only reasonable for Lu Ying to lose her temper with her aunt in order to uphold the dignity of her deceased father

Listening to these seemingly caring words, Lu Ying thought to herself: If you truly care about me, why have you not sent anyone to check on me after my injury?

Aunt San said after a while of teaching, "By the way, Ah Ying, I have something to tell you. That child Ah Yun is already thirteen, right? Yes, you have heard of the Li Er family on East Street, haven't you? Their daughter has taken a liking to Ah Yun, and I also think that child is quite good, so I am planning to arrange a marriage contract for the two children."

Aunt San laughed heartily, but Lu Ying's gaze was very cold. Before she finished laughing, Lu Ying suddenly raised her voice, speaking seriously and sternly to Aunt San: "Aunt San, please be cautious with your words! This is my father's last wish before he passed away! Even as an elder, you should not mock the wishes of another elder in such a manner!"