The alley was dim, and though people passed by on the street, none spared a glance inside. Wei Zhuo increased the pressure of his foot, causing the man beneath to groan in pain. Then he asked, “Enough idle talk. What purpose did Lu Wen Han send you here for?”
“You…”
As the man tried to struggle, Wei Zhuo stepped down harder, nearly breaking his ribs. Cold sweat broke out on the man’s forehead as he immediately cowered, stuttering: “The… the Minister sent me to… investigate this household’s background.”
Wei Zhuo frowned at this: “It’s just an ordinary household. What’s there to investigate?”
“I… I don’t know. These were the Minister’s orders, and I’m just following commands,” the man replied.
After brief contemplation, Wei Zhuo removed his foot. The man scrambled up, not even bothering to dust off his clothes, and darted several steps away. Thinking he was now out of Wei Zhuo’s reach, he turned back and snarled: “How dare you interfere in my master’s affairs! You must be tired of living! If you’ve got the guts, tell me your name!”
Wei Zhuo gave a slight smile: “Then tell your master that Wei Zhuo will be looking after this household.”
“Wei Zhuo? Wei… Zhuo?!” The man first puzzled over the name, but when repeating it a second time, his expression suddenly changed. “You… you…” He stammered without finishing his sentence, then fled in terror, stumbling as he ran.
Wei Zhuo dusted off his robes and walked out of the alley, saying toward the entrance: “Little girl, you can come out now.”
A young lady emerged from the corner of the wall, smiling sweetly: “Uncle Wei, that was impressive.”
It was none other than Ming Shu, who had returned after escorting her mother home. She hadn’t come back because she’d discovered someone following them, but rather to ask Wei Zhuo some questions. She happened to witness Wei Zhuo teaching the man a lesson.
“Wei Zhuo will be looking after this household.”
Those words sounded so impressive that Ming Shu’s favorable impression of Wei Zhuo rose dramatically. She felt this trip hadn’t been wasted.
Wei Zhuo was amused by her reaction, his earlier murderous aura dissipating back into his usual reserved and gentle demeanor.
“Ming Shu, has your family offended anyone recently?” he asked seriously after his smile faded.
Ming Shu thought carefully—nothing particular had happened lately, but if counting people she’d offended, there were quite a few: Yin Liang Jun from the Yin family, Tang Li and Xie Xi from Song Ling Academy, along with Xie Xi’s entire family. If she were to count, they probably all held grudges against her, but surely they wouldn’t resort to secret surveillance to deal with her family.
After thinking for a while, Ming Shu shook her head: “Uncle Wei, do you know who they are?” She had arrived too late to hear the man identify himself, only knowing he served some official.
“Minister of Rites Lu Wen Han. Have you offended him?” Wei Zhuo asked.
Ming Shu was greatly surprised: “No, not at all. My brother and I even helped him at Song Ling Academy.”
She then briefly explained to Wei Zhuo what had happened at Song Ling Academy.
They talked for quite a while. Ming Shu’s legs grew tired, so she found a clean spot on some nearby stone steps to sit. Wei Zhuo sat down as well. After hearing Ming Shu’s story, he fell into silent contemplation. The situation was indeed strange, and he couldn’t fathom Lu Wen Han’s intentions.
“Don’t worry too much. If anything happens, come find Uncle Wei at the northern military camp. I’ve spent over twenty years on the battlefield and earned some rank and position—I should be able to help,” Wei Zhuo said.
“Thank you, Uncle Wei.” Ming Shu clasped her hands in gratitude, then asked, “Uncle Wei, do you know Minister Lu?”
Judging by the servant’s reaction to Uncle Wei’s name, she felt they must be acquainted.
“We’ve crossed paths once or twice, but we’re not close. These scholars, how could they respect those who practice martial arts?” Wei Zhuo said dismissively.
“What’s wrong with martial artists? Without people like you, would those frail scholars go to battle with a brush in hand? Or would they try to drown the enemy with their saliva?” Ming Shu retorted.
Wei Zhuo was startled and then burst out laughing. Ming Shu became embarrassed by his laughter, feeling she had spoken too dramatically, so she changed the subject: “Uncle Wei, I have some questions… I’d like to ask you.”
“What is it? Feel free to ask.”
“Well…” Ming Shu hesitated for a moment before speaking directly, “Uncle Wei, are you married?”
This was her real reason for coming after him.
Wei Zhuo hadn’t expected such a question and looked at her puzzled, though he still answered: “Before going to war, my family arranged a marriage for me.”
Disappointment flickered in Ming Shu’s eyes, but she quickly accepted it. How could a man of Wei Zhuo’s age with such integrity not be married?
“Unfortunately, I was ordered to war less than a hundred days after marriage. During my years campaigning abroad, my wife unfortunately fell ill and passed away.” Speaking of his first wife, guilt appeared in Wei Zhuo’s eyes. Though their brief time together wasn’t enough to develop deep feelings, his wife had fulfilled filial duties on his behalf at home, upholding his obligations. Yet before he could repay her, she had already departed.
Ming Shu immediately sobered and lowered her head: “I’m sorry, Uncle Wei…” She shouldn’t have asked.
“It’s alright, it’s been over ten years. After she passed, I never remarried. Partly out of guilt toward my wife, and partly because I felt that being constantly away at war, I couldn’t properly care for a family, so I shouldn’t waste another young lady’s time.” Wei Zhuo didn’t know why he was telling things he never mentioned to others to such a young girl. Perhaps she struck him as agreeable, or perhaps she and her mother made him realize having a family was a blessing. He had lived half his life alone, without a wife, concubine, or children, and occasionally envied others’ lively households.
Hearing this, Ming Shu couldn’t help but deeply respect Wei Zhuo. Having returned from fighting for the country, he should have been enjoying glory and wealth, and taking wives and concubines would not have been difficult. Yet half a lifetime had passed, and he remained alone out of respect for his late wife. Such character was rare indeed.
“Uncle Wei, I admire you,” Ming Shu clasped her hands respectfully.
She had originally harbored thoughts of matching him with her mother, but after hearing his words, she felt her intentions might have been disrespectful to his character, so she put aside these thoughts. As for matters of marriage, better to let nature take its course. If it was meant to be, they would naturally become family.
“Little girl.” Wei Zhuo smiled again, pointing toward her house. “You should head back now, or your mother will come looking for you.”
“Yes!” Ming Shu stood up, waving goodbye. “Goodbye, Uncle Wei.”
Wei Zhuo sat on the stone steps, smiling as he watched her leave, thinking that if he had a daughter, she would be about her age now.
————
As soon as Ming Shu got home, she started praising Wei Zhuo to Madam Zeng, until her mother wanted to stuff a ladle in her mouth to quiet her.
“If you keep chattering like this, I’ll gag you!” Madam Zeng could easily guess Ming Shu’s little scheme and scolded her irritably.
Ming Shu was helping her, holding plates and dishes, occasionally sneaking a bite. Recently she had earned some silver and given part of it to Madam Zeng to buy better ingredients, so their meals had been improving, and Madam Zeng’s cooking skills were becoming more apparent.
“If you gag me, you’ll have no one to amuse you,” Ming Shu answered with a smile, not at all worried her mother would do it.
Madam Zeng was helpless with her, feeling both love and exasperation.
“Oh, there’s one more thing,” Ming Shu said after finishing about Wei Zhuo, remembering about Lu Wen Han. “Mother, you mentioned feeling like someone was watching nearby lately? It wasn’t your imagination—someone was investigating our family. Uncle Wei just caught them in the act.”
Madam Zeng immediately became worried: “Who was it? Why are they investigating our family?”
“We don’t know why, but the person was sent by the Minister of Rites,” Ming Shu said.
“Minister of Rites?” Madam Zeng’s brows furrowed. “What rank is that official?”
“I think the second rank?” Ming Shu wasn’t entirely sure, but she knew that the Minister of Rites was only the Prime Minister, and the position of Minister of Rites was preparation for becoming Prime Minister.
“Second rank?! Why would a second-rank official…” Madam Zeng couldn’t understand.
“Mother, do you… or does our family have any connection to this Minister? This Minister’s surname is also Lu, his name is Wen Han, courtesy name Yuan Chuan.”
As soon as Ming Shu finished speaking, there was a “bang” as Madam Zeng dropped the gourd ladle. Her expression suddenly froze, and her face turned pale.
“Ming… Ming Shu, say that again—what’s his name?” Madam Zeng’s voice trembled.
“Lu Wen Han, courtesy name Yuan Chuan. His courtesy name is the same as Father’s given name.” Ming Shu repeated, suspicions growing in her heart.
“Is this the same Minister of Rites you met at Song Ling Academy?” Madam Zeng asked again.
Ming Shu nodded, asking softly: “Mother, what’s wrong? Does our family have some connection to Minister Lu?”
But Madam Zeng stepped back three paces until she hit the stove, steadying herself against it and mumbling: “Second-rank Minister of Rites…”
Ming Shu worriedly went to support her: “Mother? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Madam Zeng collected herself and instead gripped Ming Shu’s hands to comfort her, then said, “Don’t tell your brother about this matter until after the metropolitan examination. As for the Minister, you needn’t worry, he probably has no ill intentions. Just remember, our family has done nothing wrong, we haven’t wronged them. Let them investigate as they wish. We should continue as normal, neither avoiding nor hiding.”
Though Ming Shu didn’t understand the reason, she nodded in agreement.
These days, Lu Chang focused entirely on preparing for the examination, deaf to all outside matters. Ming Shu rarely disturbed him, only bringing meals and water, and walking on tiptoes to avoid disturbing him. Occasionally peeking through the door crack, she would see Lu Chang sitting by the window reading, his expression peaceful, showing neither tension nor worry.
Her brother gave her just one impression.
Steady.
Late that night, as usual, Madam Zeng made some snacks for the siblings—sugar-coated mung beans and roasted bamboo shoots. Ming Shu arranged them and first took them upstairs to Lu Chang.
Lu Chang’s door was slightly ajar, with lamplight casting a bright strip on the floor through the gap. Ming Shu knocked twice, and hearing no response, pushed the door open slightly, saying softly: “Brother, I’m bringing you snacks, I’m coming in.”
The door opened a fraction, and the room’s lamplight flickered. Lu Chang was still sitting by the window, but now leaning against the chair back, his elbow propped on the armrest supporting his head, eyes tightly closed with slightly furrowed brows. The book lay carelessly across his knee—he seemed to be asleep. The window was open, letting in a night breeze that stirred his hair and the flame, bringing a chill to the air.
Ming Shu tiptoed in, seeing his state and thinking how mentally exhausting studying must be. Her heart ached for him. She quietly set down what she was carrying, first reaching to gently close the window, then went to the bed to get his outer robe to cover him, bending to pick up the book.
His hand still rested on the book, so Ming Shu had to lift his hand first. But just as she grasped his wrist to lift it, Lu Chang suddenly awoke, as if from some dream, his brows tightly knitted. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her toward him.
Ming Shu let out a soft cry as she fell against his chest, the clothes in her hand and the book on his knee falling to the floor.
“Brother, it’s me,” she said immediately, her palm braced against his chest.
Lu Chang’s eyes were half-open, filled with the confusion between sleeping and waking, making them appear even longer and dreamy, adding three parts of allure to his usual cold handsomeness. He didn’t release his grip at Ming Shu’s words, but held tighter, staring at her in confusion.
“Brother, did you have a nightmare?” Seeing his tightly furrowed brows and strange expression, she looked up and asked softly.
Lu Chang stared at her for a moment before suddenly starting awake, fully conscious now. His eyes had grown tired from reading by the bean oil lamp, so he had closed them for a brief rest but unexpectedly fell into true sleep and had a dream.
It wasn’t a good dream—he dreamed of Ming Shu recovering her memories and drawing clear boundaries with him, saying the same words she had said on their day of parting, words that rang with finality.
“You have lofty ambitions, while I have no intention to stay. Let this tea serve as wine in farewell. We shall not meet again after this parting. May your remaining years be like bamboo, rising higher with each joint, successful year after year.”
His heart had beaten rapidly, confused and afraid before he awoke.
“I’m sorry,” Lu Chang released his grip.
Ming Shu rotated her wrist, bent to pick up the clothes and book, and advised him: “Brother, are you alright? You don’t look well. Have you been studying too hard lately, straining your spirit? The imperial examination is just the culmination of ten years of preparation. You already have those ten years of accumulation, so why struggle for these few days’ gain? Better to rest well and maintain your energy.”
“I know,” Lu Chang said.
Ming Shu saw him raise his hand to pinch his brow hard until it reddened, so she pulled his hand away: “Brother, does your head hurt? Did you catch a chill from the wind? Shall I massage your temples? Or rub your shoulders?”
“No need,” Lu Chang shook his head.
“Then will you eat something? Shall I keep you company for a while?” Ming Shu put the clothes and book on the bed and brought over the sugar-coated mung beans.
Lu Chang picked up the bowl and stirred it a few times but had no appetite. He only asked her: “Ming Shu, have you been uncomfortable living in the capital?”
“Not at all. Mother and Brother both dote on me, and the capital is so prosperous—it’s the life many people dream of. I think it’s wonderful.” Ming Shu leaned against the desk, her smile particularly bright in the candlelight. “Brother, why do you suddenly ask this?”
“Nothing, just feeling that such a hard life is unfair to you. Once I pass the examination, I can surely let you…”
Before he could finish, Ming Shu interrupted: “Brother, I don’t find it hard. Mother is open-minded, and you dote on me. When I make trouble outside, you don’t stop me but help me instead. In this world, how many women can do what they want to do? I don’t want to be like Shu Jun, waiting for the family to arrange a marriage, nor like Wen An, exhausted by inner palace struggles daily. You and Mother make me feel I can take a path that’s not so conventional, and I’m very happy.”
Lu Chang sat up straight, quietly gazing at her. He had thought that falling from the clouds, losing her life of silk and jade luxury, would be painful for her, and he had tried his best to let her return to her former life. But for her, life in the capital might be another kind of life after escaping the cage.
She had her world in her heart and didn’t wish to live a prescribed life.
And her family’s support was the force behind her spreading wings.
Before she had been a pearl in the palm, but now she might become the bright moon in the sky.
“I understand,” Lu Chang slowly spoke. “Ming Shu, do what you want to do, become who you want to be. Lu Chang will be behind you, supporting you.”
Ming Shu was somewhat surprised—he hadn’t referred to himself as ‘brother,’ but she was still immensely happy.
Brother had acknowledged her thoughts, which were extremely, extremely important to her.
His approval meant more than anyone else’s praise.
“Then I’m the same—I’ll always be with you, whether you rise steadily in officialdom, soar straight to the top, or remain in simple poverty as now. I’ll stay with you.”
Her eyes sparkled, her expression reverent, speaking like making a vow.
Lu Chang narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at her more clearly.
“Always?”
“Yes, always,” Ming Shu nodded.
“Good!” Lu Chang’s response was simple but solemn.
Ming Shu smiled sweetly, and a smile also appeared on Lu Chang’s lips, his mood greatly improved.
“Ah!” Ming Shu suddenly stood straight, saying, “I just remembered, those calming pills that Song Qing Zhao sent should help with headaches. I’ll go get them for you—take one tonight and get a good rest!”
The tenderness that had just filled the air instantly shattered at the three words “Song Qing Zhao.”
————
Time flew swiftly.
In March, as spring reached its peak, the metropolitan examination drew near.