APSIL -Chapter 21 The Wise Pighead Lu

“So this is the dump?”

Pointing his riding whip toward the village in the distance, Lu Sanlang received an eager nod from his servant, who bobbed his head like a pecking chicken. The disbelief on Lu Sanlang’s face was so great that he even forgot to be angry.

Who was Zhu Ying?

She adored luxurious clothing and exquisite ornaments. Even when visiting other people’s homes, she often found fault with their furnishings and decorations. Yet her taste was impeccable. It was even said that the gardens of the Duke of Zhao’s residence had been redesigned according to suggestions made by the young Zhu Ying years ago. When the renovations were completed four years earlier, guests unanimously praised them as the finest gardens in the capital.

Every year, when the Empress Dowager bestowed gifts upon titled noblewomen and the daughters of aristocratic families, Zhu Ying’s rewards sometimes exceeded even those given to the Grand Princess, let alone the other princesses.

And yet such a spoiled young lady—who had once publicly mocked the Lu family’s old-fashioned residence, ridiculed his mother Madam Chen for dressing and behaving like a rigid old-fashioned woman who could play the role of a wicked mother-in-law without makeup—would actually be willing to live in this barren countryside?

The rumor that the Duke of Zhao had secretly arranged a fiancé for her here years ago was simply unbelievable!

Uneasily shifting his weight in the saddle, Lu Sanlang’s enormous bulk pressed so heavily upon his carefully selected fine horse that all four of its legs bent slightly. The horse’s expressive eyes clearly conveyed a trace of sorrow. Unfortunately, Lu Sanlang noticed none of his mount’s suffering. Instead, he lashed it hard with his whip, forcing the poor animal to gallop desperately toward the village.

As soon as he reached the village entrance, he immediately spotted the conspicuous brick-and-tile house.

It was impossible to miss. Compared to the crumbling houses throughout the village that were being repaired, this “luxurious mansion” stood out like a beacon.

Before he even had the chance to order someone to investigate, he spotted a pretty maid carrying a bronze washbasin out through the front gate with an exhausted expression.

“Liuyin!”

Only after calling out did Lu Sanlang remember that this little maid was every bit as fierce and aggressive as her mistress.

There had once been a fool who dared not pursue Zhu Ying herself and instead targeted Liuyin. The result…

He was beaten so badly that even his own parents could barely recognize his face.

Afterward, Zhu Ying had openly taken all responsibility and humiliated the fool’s father—a Vice Censor-in-Chief—to the point where he wished the ground would swallow him. When the Emperor heard about it, he flew into a rage and dismissed the official outright for failing to discipline his son.

Although the Duke of Zhao’s family now appeared to be standing on the brink of disaster, and although Lu Sanlang’s father was both plotting against them and still urging him to pursue Zhu Ying, Lu Sanlang felt that the old Madam of the Zhu family was more than capable of stabilizing the situation. Besides, after years of being intimidated by Zhu Ying and Liuyin, he immediately forced what he believed to be his friendliest smile.

At the same time, he quietly squeezed his horse with his knees and edged backward, terrified that Liuyin might suddenly splash the basin of water over his head.

To his immense relief, Liuyin simply dumped the water onto the ground before raising her head with an annoyed look.

“What brings Young Master Lu to this godforsaken place?”

Hearing the obvious dissatisfaction in Liuyin’s tone when she spoke of the countryside, Lu Sanlang finally felt that the sun, which had seemed to rise in the west today, had returned to normal.

Just as he had to pretend to be hopelessly infatuated with Miss Zhu, how could someone as proud as Zhu Ying—like a peacock flaunting its feathers—possibly enjoy living in the countryside?

…Though, come to think of it, only male peacocks displayed their feathers.

So Lu Sanlang quickly piled on a flattering smile.

“Of course I came because I heard Miss Zhu had arrived here. I rode all the way from the capital just to visit her. I set out before dawn. To save time, I didn’t even take a carriage—I galloped here the whole way…”

Before he could finish, Liuyin cut him off impatiently.

“My young lady appreciates your thoughtfulness. Thank you for making the trip in this scorching weather. Now please go back.”

Just moments ago, Lu Sanlang had finally heard someone complain about this miserable countryside. Yet in the next breath, she was driving him away.

He very much wanted to leave.

Unfortunately, his family circumstances simply wouldn’t allow him to return home so openly. His father’s authority completely overwhelmed him.

Instinctively, he hurried to dismount.

Unfortunately, he almost turned “dismounting” into “falling off the horse.”

Fortunately, one of the guards who had caught up with him reacted quickly, leaping down to support him just in time, preventing Young Master Lu from planting himself face-first into the muddy ground.

After steadying himself, Lu Sanlang sighed inwardly. I’ve really sacrificed a lot for this act.

He hurried over to block Liuyin’s path. Though she glared at him furiously, she at least didn’t hit him, so he quickly put on another ingratiating smile.

“Miss Liuyin, let’s talk this over. If Miss Zhu is facing any trouble, just tell me. Whether it’s climbing mountains of blades or crossing seas of fire, I won’t hesitate!”

Climbing mountains of blades? With all that fat, how many slices would they get before reaching the top? Crossing seas of fire? Rendering lard might actually work…

As Liuyin silently mocked him while comparing his appearance with the ethereal, almost immortal beauty of the Zhang family’s young master, she suddenly sneered.

“Since you’ve heard the rumors, then you should also know that my young lady is already engaged. The matter is settled beyond dispute. The old Madam announced it herself. Even the Second Young Master has been confined because of it. You’d better give up.”

Lu Sanlang’s skin was exceptionally thick.

Not only was he undeterred, he became even more humble.

“Big Sister Liuyin, at least help me pass on a message to Yingying. My feelings for her are absolutely sincere… Truly! If she dislikes my mother’s old-fashioned ways and endless nagging, then after we’re married, we can move out and live separately!”

Forgive me, Mother. Since you can’t stand against Father either, I’ll have to borrow your name for a while.

“Big Sister Liuyin?” How disgustingly mushy!

Liuyin cursed inwardly before suddenly remembering the important matter.

She glanced sideways at Lu Sanlang with a half-smile.

“My young lady came here to relax and recover. She isn’t receiving visitors. The old Madam even sent many guards and paid to repair the villagers’ homes. Unless you want the old Madam to fly into a rage, stop entertaining such ideas. Fortunately, Young Master Zhang has been away these past few days. You should leave while you still can.”

Zhang… So the unlucky fellow reckless enough to become Zhu Ying’s fiancé is surnamed Zhang.

Thank heavens.

Even if his calculating father believed marrying into the Zhu family would be beneficial, his mother had reluctantly agreed, and his two elder brothers were happily waiting to laugh at him, at least he wouldn’t actually have to marry that breathtakingly beautiful but impossibly ill-tempered young lady.

Taking a deep breath, he once again put on the expression of an infatuated fool.

“If I can’t see Miss Zhu, then I won’t leave!”

Liuyin snorted.

“You’re staying? Where exactly will you stay? You’ve seen the houses in this village. Aside from the Zhang residence, which is barely decent, none of the others are fit for anyone to live in. You’re the son of a Minister. Do you really think you could endure such conditions?”

“I… I’ll have someone bring a tent from home!”

The moment the words left his mouth, he wished he could take them back.

He had lived in luxury all his life. There was no way he could actually sleep in a tent.

If Liuyin took him seriously, he’d truly be doomed.

Seeing the conflicted look on his face, Liuyin spoke thoughtfully.

“There is a recluse living in the bamboo grove behind the village. He often receives visiting friends, so the villagers built a large complex of bamboo cottages for him. They’re simple, but at least elegant and refreshing. You could stay there. However, the old gentleman is immensely learned and acquainted with officials throughout the imperial court. In his old age, he retired to the mountains. Though he occasionally entertains friends, he dislikes being disturbed by vulgar people…”

“What a wonderful place!”

Before Liuyin could finish, Lu Sanlang’s eyes lit up.

“A refined scholar like that must surely know my father’s reputation. He’ll certainly allow me to stay for a few days!”

At worst, he’d simply pay generously.

Anything was better than sleeping in a tent or borrowing a villager’s house.

Liuyin gave another cold laugh.

“If only it were that simple. Hanging outside the bamboo cottages is a string of bamboo plaques, each bearing a different puzzle. Solve one, and you’re allowed to stay for one day. Solve three, and you may stay for three days… If you really manage to earn your stay, perhaps my young lady will finally look at you in a different light.”

Lu Sanlang inwardly scoffed.

Zhu Ying was famous for her beauty.

She was equally famous for disliking studying.

If she could accomplish it, how could he possibly fail?

He might not possess beauty…

But he possessed wisdom.

Whether or not he won Miss Zhu’s admiration didn’t matter.

What he truly wanted was to see just what sort of puzzles these were.