Chapter 36: Lu Cha Dressed Up for You

A few days later, the imperial list of successful candidates was posted, and Chen Cheng’s name was indeed on it.

The servants who had previously prevented Chen Cheng from entering the Xu residence were all trembling with fear, worrying that Chen Cheng would seek revenge on them. Fortunately, Chen Cheng didn’t mind and only asked to see Xu Lu Cha.

The servants hurriedly welcomed Chen Cheng into the Xu residence, and even Xu Hong rushed out to receive her.

Even though Chen Cheng was eager to see Xu Lu Cha, she had to patiently exchange pleasantries with Xu Hong.

After chatting with Xu Hong for a while, Chen Cheng finally stated her purpose: “I’ve come mainly to propose marriage and to see Lu Cha.”

“Madam Xu, Lu Cha and I are in love. I hope you can give us your blessing.”

Chen Cheng had no money and couldn’t offer a betrothal gift, so she took out a jade pendant and handed it to Xu Hong.

“This was given to me by my late mother. Although it’s not worth much, it’s my only possession. I may not be wealthy, but I will treat Lu Cha well and do my utmost to make him happy…”

Although Chen Cheng was very poor, she had passed the provincial examinations and had a promising future. Even Xu Hong didn’t dare to look down on her. Or rather, if Xu Lu Cha were to marry her, it would be considered marrying up. Naturally, Xu Hong wouldn’t refuse Chen Cheng’s proposal.

Xu Hong gladly accepted the jade pendant and had a servant lead Chen Cheng to Xu Lu Cha’s courtyard.

…

“Young master, Miss Chen is here to see you!”

Xu Lu Cha was sitting at his dressing table applying rouge when Zi Yi rushed in. He glared at him.

“I won’t see her. Just tell her I’m not home, or that I’m not feeling well.”

“Young master, it’s different this time. She passed the provincial examinations and came specifically to propose marriage to you. The madam has already agreed and told her to come see you…”

Xu Lu Cha angrily threw the rouge box on the table and said irritably, “I won’t see her! So what if she passed the examinations? That weepy personality of hers is just annoying to look at.”

In the past, he could tolerate her personality in order to use her. Now that he had decided to no longer rely on women, the thought of Chen Cheng filled him with disgust.

“Young master, Miss Chen is already heading this way.” Zi Yi glanced outside and quickly closed the door.

Xu Lu Cha frowned without saying a word.

“Young master, if you don’t want to see her, quickly lie down on the bed and pretend to be sick. I’ll go out and deal with her.”

Zi Yi said as he was about to leave.

“Forget it, I’ll go see her.”

Xu Lu Cha changed his mind after thinking of something.

He looked at himself in the mirror, his skin as white as congealed cream, eyes like autumn waters, lips like a touch of vermilion, clear and otherworldly. If he were to walk out on the street, he would surely attract countless gazes.

He had specially dressed up, intending to go find Zhang Meng, but now this beauty would be seen by Chen Cheng instead. He felt truly reluctant.

These past few days, his complexion hadn’t been good. Zhang Meng had come to visit him twice, but he didn’t dare to see her.

He had been missing Zhang Meng for days, feeling like each day lasted a year. He had finally waited until today when his complexion improved somewhat, and was preparing to go find Zhang Meng, but his plans were interrupted by someone he disliked. Naturally, he was in a bad mood.

But he still disguised his emotions as usual. When he saw Chen Cheng, he smiled gently at her.

“Miss Chen.”

Since being led into Xu Lu Cha’s courtyard by the servant, Chen Cheng had been staring eagerly at Xu Lu Cha’s door. When Xu Lu Cha came out of the room, she was transfixed.

It wasn’t until Xu Lu Cha smiled at her that she reacted, rushing towards him with tears in her eyes.

“Lu Cha!”

She stopped a step away from Xu Lu Cha, raised her sleeve to wipe away her tears, and looked at him affectionately: “I’ve come back to marry you.”

Xu Lu Cha lowered his eyes to conceal the disgust in them, slightly furrowing his brows and saying with difficulty: “I’m sorry, Miss Chen, but Lu Cha already has someone he loves.”

Chen Cheng suddenly looked up: “Wh-what?”

Although Xu Lu Cha disliked her personality, he would be honest with her about his situation.

First of all, Chen Cheng was an imperial scholar no matter what, and he couldn’t offend her. Moreover, he knew that he had indeed wronged her. Chen Cheng’s first action after passing the examinations and returning wasn’t to curry favor with Zhong Huo or show off everywhere, but to come find him and fulfill her promise. He hadn’t misjudged her character after all.

“Miss Chen, after you left, Lu Cha was indeed waiting for you. However, father betrothed Lu Cha to someone else. When Lu Cha tried to escape the marriage, he nearly lost his life. It was a lady who saved Lu Cha, and Lu Cha developed feelings for her.” Xu Lu Cha curtsied to her, “Lu Cha has wronged you and feels very guilty.”

Chen Cheng was thunderstruck, her face pale: “Lu Cha, are you deceiving me? You… you couldn’t possibly have changed your heart…”

“I’m sorry, Miss Chen.”

“Impossible! Lu Cha, I don’t believe you… Are you blaming me for coming back late? It’s all my fault, please forgive me this once…” Chen Cheng reached out to embrace Xu Lu Cha.

Xu Lu Cha quickly dodged without showing it, but even though her hand only touched his sleeve, he still couldn’t help but frown: “Miss Chen, please don’t come looking for Lu Cha in the future. Lu Cha doesn’t want to cause misunderstandings with the one he loves…”

Chen Cheng grasped at empty air, and hearing Xu Lu Cha’s heartless words, tears of sorrow flowed freely.

“Lu Cha, you…”

She looked at Xu Lu Cha with tear-filled eyes, seeing that Xu Lu Cha no longer had the gentle expression he had when facing her before. Although he was still polite, he treated her like a stranger. Even though she didn’t want to admit it, she knew that Xu Lu Cha had changed his heart.

“Lu Cha, you must think my proposal was too abrupt, right? I’ll give you time to accept me, I won’t force you. As long as you’re willing to forgive me.”

…

After Chen Cheng left the Xu residence in a daze, Zi Yi walked to Xu Lu Cha’s side and hesitantly spoke: “Young master, are you really not accepting Miss Chen? I think she seems quite nice.”

Xu Lu Cha picked up a folding fan and tapped Zi Yi’s head with it, saying disdainfully: “What’s so good about her? Always crying, it’s so annoying.”

He really didn’t know how Chen Cheng had grown up. As a woman, she was as weak as a man, only knowing how to cry when faced with any situation. She should look at Zhang Meng, who didn’t make a sound even when severely injured by a sword. That’s what a real woman is like.

Thinking of Zhang Meng, Xu Lu Cha’s handsome face flushed. Although she denied liking him, she still came to see him and take care of him when he was sick, clearly showing that she cared about him.

Although he was heartbroken after being rejected by her, the fact that she worried about him proved that he still had a place in her heart. With his charm, Xu Lu Cha found it effortless to capture a woman’s heart.

Xu Lu Cha pushed Zi Yi: “How do I look today? Am I beautiful?”

He spread his arms and turned around twice, his light green robe swaying gently, his long hair tracing a beautiful arc in the air. His skin was as white as jade, his eyes naturally alluring, every movement filled with charm. His thin lips were lightly painted with rouge, not exaggerated, only making them appear as delicate as flowers.

He was naturally beautiful and had never applied powder or rouge before. If it weren’t for being sick and his complexion deteriorating, and having to see Zhang Meng, he wouldn’t have applied rouge.

Xu Lu Cha was clear and otherworldly, with a transcendent aura. Even Zi Yi, as a man, couldn’t help but admire Xu Lu Cha when he saw him. He smiled slightly and said, “Young master has always been beautiful.”

Xu Lu Cha seemed to have expected Zi Yi’s answer. In response to Zi Yi’s sincere praise, he only slightly curled his lips.

“Zi Yi, I’m going out to see Zhang Meng now. Help me deal with those annoying followers.”

“Yes,” Zi Yi responded.

Xu Lu Cha walked out through a small door in the depths of the back courtyard. That small door was secretly dug by him and Zi Yi, very hidden. In the Xu residence, besides him and Zi Yi, no one else knew about it.

The previous few times Zhang Meng came to visit Xu Lu Cha, she entered the Xu residence through this small door.

The streets of Yun City were bustling, with the sounds of hawkers never ceasing.

Xu Lu Cha saw Zhang Meng in a somewhat secluded alley.

Zhang Meng was pressing a rough-looking woman against the wall with her hands behind her back, quickly tying the female ruffian’s hands with a rope. A man standing nearby, still in shock, hugged his recovered money bag and gratefully bowed repeatedly to Zhang Meng: “Thank you, Constable Zhang. This is money to buy medicine for my father. If it weren’t for Constable Zhang, this ruffian would have caused my father’s death.”

“No need to thank me, it’s nothing,” Zhang Meng smiled and nodded at the man. “You should hurry and get medicine for your father.”

The man nodded repeatedly and turned to leave. As he passed by Xu Lu Cha, he happened to look up and see Xu Lu Cha’s face, slightly surprised. Then he smiled shyly at Xu Lu Cha before walking away.

Xu Lu Cha glanced at the departing man and slightly furrowed his brows.

To actually receive Zhang Meng’s help and smile, he was nothing but an ugly man.

He also felt somewhat resentful that Zhang Meng was too flirtatious, being so nice to everyone, able to smile at any man she saw, without any bottom line.

“Oh, Young Master Xu, I didn’t expect to see you here. What a coincidence.”

Zhang Meng’s pleasant voice sounded, and Xu Lu Cha looked up at her. Seeing Zhang Meng smiling at him, her eyes curved, her smile warm like the sun, Xu Lu Cha’s heart skipped a beat.

The jealousy and darkness entangling Xu Lu Cha’s heart seemed to disperse like clouds driven away by the sun, quickly disappearing without a trace.

Such a beautiful smile could only be revealed when truly happy, right? It was much warmer than the smile she gave that ugly man just now. Zhang Meng must indeed feel differently about him, even though she wouldn’t admit it.

So, she was just saying one thing and meaning another, with a sharp tongue but a soft heart.

Xu Lu Cha’s handsome face grew slightly warm, and he nodded at Zhang Meng.

“Zhang Meng, I have something to tell you,” he said.

“Alright,” Zhang Meng smiled.

Zhang Meng pushed the struggling woman out of the alley, and coincidentally, a constable was walking by not far away. Zhang Meng called out to her, asking her to help take the woman back to the government office.

Xu Lu Cha set their meeting place at the Yingyue Teahouse. As soon as Zhang Meng heard “Yingyue Teahouse,” she thought of the more than 100 taels of silver she owed Zhong Huo, and felt extremely reluctant. But her mouth still politely said: “Young Master Xu, why don’t we talk outside the teahouse? I have to patrol the streets later.”

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