Chapter 29: Farewell, Yuhang
News of Lu Xin being promoted three levels in a row and staying in the Capital City to take office soon spread throughout the Wu Commandery officialdom. Officials great and small in Yuhang all brought their official family members to the Lu Family to see him off. Even the Commandery Governor, who had a belly full of grievances against Lu Yun, suppressed his full heart of displeasure and brought his wife over for a visit.
After all, they had been colleagues for many years, and in the future, he might still need to rely on him. Only a fool would fail to act humanely at this time.
Madam Lu was unwilling to see people, so Lu Yun had to step forward on behalf of his mother to entertain the guests. The officials of Wu Commandery were all amazed by this handsome and elegant, prematurely mature Young Master of the Lu Family, openly saying they never expected the Lu Vice Minister’s family to have such a graceful and poised prodigy!
The official wives were even more regretful, deeply lamenting why they hadn’t thought of forming a marriage alliance with Lord Lu in all those previous years. Otherwise, wouldn’t they have gained both a fine father-in-law and a good son-in-law?
But to put it bluntly, Lu Yun had always kept a low profile in Yuhang, never showing off. Occasional rumors described him only as a bookish fool out of touch with the world. More importantly, Lu Xin had been stuck in Wu Commandery for ten years, and everyone thought that was the end for him. Who would have thought he would have a day to turn things around?
Lu Ying was busy inventorying the luggage, and more importantly, preparing gifts for the return to the Capital City. The former was simple—how much luggage could a family of four have? The latter was too terrifying! The Lu Clan was one of the Seven Great Noble Clans, and Madam Lu’s maternal Xie Clan could not be slighted in terms of etiquette. And Father’s superiors and old friends, even the Xiahou Clan, all needed gifts prepared…
Lu Xin had been vague in his letter, merely saying to prepare the gifts properly. This gave Lu Ying an enormous headache; how would she know how many gifts to prepare or what kind of gifts to prepare for whom? Just as she was at her wits’ end, Lu Yun told her: “Elder Sister, no need to worry. I’ve already asked Uncle Bao to procure them.”
“Ah! Why didn’t you say so earlier?!” Lu Ying was first delighted, then dejected as she said: “It’s not that simple. Ordinary relatives and friends are fine, but there are so many that need separate preparation!” She curled her fingers to count as she said: “Grandfather, Old Master, Second Grandfather, Third Grandfather, Fourth Grandfather, Sixth Uncle…” Her ten fingers were used up in an instant, but the list still had a long string: “And Eldest Uncle, Second Uncle, all the way to Ninth Uncle… over a dozen uncles…”
“And these are just our own family’s male elders…” Lu Ying was on the verge of a breakdown by this point. She hugged her head with both hands and wailed: “There are also female elders, maternal grandfather’s family’s elders, paternal grandmother’s family’s elders…”
“Elder Sister, rest assured, they’ve all been prepared separately.” Lu Yun smiled and pulled a thick stack of paper from his sleeve, handing it to her. “Take a look. Quickly swap out anything inappropriate.”
Lu Ying took the stack of paper and saw that it was neatly written in tiny regular script, penned by Lu Yun himself:
‘Grandfather—Agarwood hand beads, agarwood crane-head cane, green-glazed lion incense burner, dragon’s saliva incense twenty taels, chicken blood stone seal material ten pieces, South Hall chicken blood stone seal one piece.
Clan Leader—Purple sandalwood screen one panel, authentic Right Army artwork one scroll, Hetian jade scholar’s four treasures set one, top-grade bird’s nest twenty catties, chicken blood stone seal material ten pieces, South Hall chicken blood stone seal one piece.
Second Grandfather—Yue kiln top-grade tea set one set, tribute new tea cakes five, chicken blood stone seal material five pieces.
Third Grandfather—Wei edition complete collection of Martial Emperor’s writings, lapis lazuli scholar’s four treasures set one, chicken blood stone seal material five pieces.
Fourth Grandfather…’
Lu Ying nodded repeatedly as she flipped through the pages. The gifts Lu Yun had prepared were truly perfect. They fully matched each person’s closeness and status, with almost no duplicates, naturally demonstrating the gift-giver’s thoughtfulness.
After looking through a few pages, she couldn’t find any issues. Lu Ying couldn’t help but say in surprise: “How are you so familiar with the affairs of people in the Capital City?”
“Uh,” Lu Yun thought for a moment and said: “Father has told me many times.”
“Really?” Lu Ying didn’t believe it at all but didn’t pursue it further. Instead, she began to worry about another matter. “Can we afford all these precious things?”
“No problem.” Lu Yun smiled and said: “First, Father has collected quite a few over the years. Second, the manor has had good yields these years. By rule, Father can take one tenth from the profits, and he’s used that money for lending, generating considerable interest.”
“Uh…” Lu Ying knew a bit about these matters but hadn’t realized Father had quietly amassed such family wealth without fanfare. She asked Lu Yun with some heartache: “You didn’t spend it all, did you?”
“Elder Sister, rest assured, your dowry money is still there.” Lu Yun smiled faintly.
“Stinky Little Yun!” Lu Ying jumped up in anger and went to tug at Lu Yun’s mouth: “You even dare to tease your elder sister!” She domineeringly commanded: “Don’t dodge. Let me vent!”
Lu Yun could only obediently let Lu Ying have her way until she was fully satisfied.
In the next few days, box after box of gifts was delivered to the residence. Lu Ying checked them one by one against the list, and there was not the slightest discrepancy. Only then did she relax.
However, Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong, who were helping her, kept muttering inwardly. Late at night, the old lady couldn’t help but ask her husband: “Old man, didn’t you say the Master is an upright official? How can he afford so many treasures?”
“Uh…” Uncle Zhong said awkwardly: “One cannot judge by appearances, nor measure sea water with a bushel…” He said somewhat irritably: “Stop gossiping and go to sleep!”
“I was just saying it casually…” Aunt Zhong muttered, not daring to say more.
.
Seven days later, it was time to depart. The twenty accompanying attendants and guards were all deathsworn trained by Uncle Bao from childhood, mostly around Yellow Rank strength, some not even reaching Yellow Rank, but they excelled in quick wits and cleverness. In the Capital City, brains were often far more useful than martial arts…
As for Uncle Zhong and Aunt Zhong, being advanced in age and attached to their native soil, Lu Yun arranged for them to stay at the Lu Family Manor and gave them a sum of money so they could enjoy their remaining years in peace.
After bidding farewell to the tearful old couple, the guards drove ten carriages toward the dock. They were to board a ship at Wulin Gate and head north along the Grand Canal.
Upon arriving at the dock, they saw a large group of young masters and misses waiting there. They had come to see off the Lu Family brother and sister. Of course, the vast majority were there for Lu Ying.
Lu Ying hurriedly jumped down from the carriage to hold hands and bid tearful farewells to her close sisters, naturally shedding tears on the spot. The young gentlemen of official families also looked crestfallen, many with red eyes watching Lu Ying, knowing that their dream girl was going to the Capital City, and they probably would never meet again in this lifetime…
Lu Yun stood to the side, looking at the familiar dock, but his thoughts flew back to that assassination attempt last month. The scene was still vivid in his mind, yet the White Ape Society’s Sihai Pawnshop had become a wasteland.
Lu Yun couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The people of the White Ape Society deserved to die, but because of his actions, many innocent people had suffered, which made him deeply uneasy…
‘In the future, I must consider the consequences more carefully and try not to implicate the innocent…’ Lu Yun thought to himself, but he also knew very well that this would be truly difficult, very difficult…
While lost in thought, a fragrant breeze came wafting over. Lu Yun focused his gaze and saw the daughter of Deputy Commandery Governor Guo standing prettily in front of him.
Lu Yun’s face reddened slightly as he subtly pulled back a bit and called out: “Miss Guo.”
“Am I a tiger?” Miss Guo gave him a white-eyed glance, reached out her fair little hand to straighten his already neat collar, and said: “Read less of those kinds of books in the future; they’ll turn you into a fool. Be more outgoing and don’t always hide from people…” At this point, Miss Guo sighed faintly: “Sigh, you won’t listen even if I say it…”
“I will listen.” Lu Yun nodded gently and sincerely said to this girl who had taken good care of him over the past few years: “Miss Guo, thank you.”
“You… why do you make people feel so heartbroken?” Miss Guo’s eyes reddened instantly as she stared dazedly at Lu Yun, suddenly tiptoeing to plant a dragonfly-on-water kiss on his cheek.
The fragrant breeze enveloped him, and Lu Yun lost his usual composure, failing to dodge as her hot lips pressed against his face.
The nearby young masters and misses immediately shrieked and cheered. Miss Guo’s powdered face turned as red as a cloth. She covered her burning cheeks with both hands but did not flee right away. Because she knew that after today, she would never see this person again.
The next moment, the official misses who had long coveted Lu Yun also surrounded him giggling, wanting to kiss this unparalleled handsome young master. Frightened, Lu Yun ignored Lu Ying and leaped onto the boat in the blink of an eye, thus escaping the flower thicket.
.
Even after the boat had sailed far away, Lu Yun still stood on the deck looking at the dock. He could clearly see Miss Guo still standing there, gazing wistfully at him.
“What are you looking at?” Lu Ying appeared at his side.
“N-Nothing…” Lu Yun hurriedly put the thing in his hand into his sleeve. At that time, Miss Guo had taken the opportunity while straightening his collar to slip a sachet into his bosom.
Seeing Lu Ying staring at him, he felt his face heating up. “Do I have something on my face?”
“Yes, two rose petals…” Lu Ying pointed to her own cheek, gesturing to Lu Yun.
Lu Yun was instantly mortified and hurriedly wiped his cheek with his sleeve, only to find nothing came off. At this point, he knew he had been teased by her.
“Elder Sister!” Looking at Lu Ying doubled over in laughter, Lu Yun’s cheeks puffed out in anger.
“Alright, alright, no more laughing…” Though Lu Ying said so, she laughed for quite a while longer. When she finished, she looked steadily at Lu Yun and softly said: “Little Brother is so good-looking; there will definitely be many girls infatuated with you in the future. Don’t break their hearts…”
“…” But Lu Yun slowly shook his head and said lowly: “I won’t develop feelings for anyone; that would only harm them…”
“Little Brother…” Lu Ying saw from Lu Yun’s expression that he meant it. Her heart ached like a knife twist. After a long while, she gently took his hand and softly said: “At least, Elder Sister will always be with you.”
Lu Yun felt a warmth in his heart. Looking at the boat sailing farther and farther, the people and things on the dock had completely vanished from sight…
