The Fan Tai area was heavily guarded by imperial guards, as the Third Prince had invited several scholars from Bian Jing for spring viewing. Common folk were not allowed to enter.
Lu Chang and Song Qing Zhao presented their invitations one after another and were welcomed into Fan Tai. The area was spacious and elevated above the city, offering a ten-mile view of Bian Jing’s spring scenery. The Third Prince had also invited palace musicians to perform, their melodies harmonizing with the spring landscape, delighting the soul.
The Third Prince led the scholars to the heights of Fan Tai for impromptu poetry composition and literary discussions, creating a joyous atmosphere.
Soon, each person composed a seven-character regulated verse. After the Third Prince’s evaluation, the poems were given to court attendants for copying, with Lu and Song’s works standing out. The Third Prince, admiring their talent and scholarship, kept them by his side to converse while the others dispersed to explore.
At Fan Tai’s railing, the wind whistled fiercely, making their robes flutter, adding a sense of supreme authority. Below, the flowers bloomed magnificently. Prince Zhao Jing Ran gazed for a long while, a faint smile appearing as he asked, “Whose kites are flying so high?”
Lu Chang and Song Qing Zhao looked where he pointed, seeing two kites soaring high among the green trees and red flowers – one of a beauty, one of a butterfly. Who else could it be but Ming Shu and her companions?
“Your Highness, those belong to County Princess Wen An, Miss Yan, and Miss Lu,” Song Qing Zhao answered, seeing Lu Chang’s reluctance to speak.
“Shu Jun? She’s here too?” Zhao Jing Ran’s face softened at the name. Receiving Song Qing Zhao’s confirmation, he smiled again before changing the subject to ask Lu Chang, “Miss Lu – is that Lu Chang’s sister Lu Ming Shu? I remember her from the Song Ling Academy case. A woman matching men in capability, not to be underestimated.”
Lu Chang bowed: “Your Highness flatters me.” He paused before adding, “Your Highness, I have an important matter to report.”
“What is it? Speak freely,” Zhao Jing Ran asked.
Lu Chang glanced at Song Qing Zhao, who took the hint and excused himself with a bow.
Zhao Jing Ran grew curious: “What matter requires such privacy?”
Lu Chang clasped his hands and made a deep bow: “Please forgive this student’s deception – Ming Shu and I are not actually siblings!”
Zhao Jing Ran’s brows furrowed deeply as Lu Chang remained bowed and continued: “Your Highness, Ming Shu’s surname is Jian. She is the only daughter of Jian Jin Hai, a wealthy merchant from Jiang Ning.”
“Jiang Ning merchant, the Jian family?” Zhao Jing Ran’s frown deepened. “Are they the victims of last month’s mass murder case reported to the capital?”
The shocking mass murder case in Jiang Ning had been concluded by the local authorities and reported to the capital, ruled as a robbery by bandits. The case had caused quite a stir in court.
“Precisely.” Lu Chang explained, still bowing, as he carefully detailed how he rescued Ming Shu and brought her to the capital.
Though Zhao Jing Ran made no comment after listening, his expression toward Lu Chang softened. “Rise and speak. Such a major case, brazenly seizing family property – the Jiang Ning officials are likely all implicated. The implications are serious. Do you have evidence?”
“Your Highness, I have no evidence. Being pursued and fleeing to the capital that day, I had no chance to investigate further. Everything is just my speculation, so I dared not speak rashly. However, I suspect Ming Shu must have seen or heard something before falling off the cliff, leading to the relentless pursuit to kill her. Unfortunately, she lost her memories due to soul-leaving syndrome.”
“Reasonable. According to what you say, Jian Ming Shu is likely a key witness in this case. Her identity should not be revealed too early, lest it bring danger,” Zhao Jing Ran pondered, then noticed Lu Chang still bowing deeply. “Still not rising? Don’t think I don’t know your mind – as a scholar candidate, concealing Jian Ming Shu’s identity could be considered deceiving the throne. You want me to absolve you?”
“I dare not. This student accepts punishment for deceiving the throne, but hopes Your Highness can give me a chance to make amends by investigating this case personally.”
“Rise.” Zhao Jing Ran patted his back. “You think I truly dare not punish you? I merely value talent, so I’ll spare you this time. This case needs to wait until I take over the Prefecture Court to reinvestigate. During this period, I will have someone organize the Jian family case files. If there are suspicious points, I will report truthfully to Father Emperor. If you wish to investigate, I can lend you support for secret inquiries, but do not spread word of this.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Lu Chang bowed deeply again before finally straightening.
“Lu Chang, tell me honestly – did you tell me all this because you heard news of my upcoming appointment as Prefect?” Zhao Jing Ran’s eyes suddenly turned sharp as they fell on Lu Chang.
The position of Prefect had always been ranked second or first grade, but when inherited by a prince, it was preparation for being named crown prince. Though this matter was only roughly decided and the Emperor had not yet issued the decree, he must have guessed from rumors.
Lu Chang smiled: “Since parting at Song Ling Academy, this student has admired Your Highness’s upright character, combining both benevolent nature and royal demeanor – truly rare qualities. I have long wished to report this matter. If Your Highness becomes Prefect, how could any injustice in the world remain unaddressed? On behalf of all common people, I thank Your Highness in advance.”
Such flattery was thoroughly pleasing to hear.
Zhao Jing Ran laughed: “Lu Chang, you appear aloof, but at your core…” He poked Lu Chang’s shoulder. “You’re quite the little fox.”
In officialdom, being too rigid leads to breaking, being too slick leads to corruption – it’s about finding balance between the two.
“Your Highness flatters me. I am unworthy,” Lu Chang clasped his hands.
Zhao Jing Ran pointed at him and finally said: “Thick-skinned.”
As Lu Chang was about to reply, he saw the two kites flying in the sky suddenly break their strings and get blown away by the wind. His brow furrowed.
Something had happened below?
————
In the pavilion, the Princess Consort and Madam Xu were still chatting casually, having moved from discussing the Wei family back to the topic of children’s marriages.
“You invited these young ladies for spring viewing today with ulterior motives, didn’t you?” the Princess Consort said to Madam Xu, looking at the groups of young ladies chatting under the trees.
Many young ladies had come, not just from the Prince’s and Duke’s families, but also others invited by Madam Xu.
“Ah, Qing Zhao is approaching his coming of age ceremony, but his eyes are set too high – he hasn’t found a single young lady to his liking. How can I as his mother not worry? When his brother was his age, I was already holding grandchildren. Now that his examinations are over, we must properly plan his marriage. I’ve invited all the renowned young ladies of Bian Jing, all from families of matching status. Help me look – which one is good?”
“These young ladies are all fine, but I see the issue lies with Qing Zhao himself. That child has his own mind – as elders, we shouldn’t force him,” the Princess Consort advised, seeing clearly.
“Since ancient times, children’s marriages have been decided by parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words. Does he think he can bypass his mother?” Madam Xu dismissed the concern.
The Princess Consort was about to speak when suddenly several people ran in crying, the most pitiful being one of the young ladies Madam Xu had invited for spring viewing.
“What happened?” Madam Xu stood up immediately, ordering people to help the crying young lady, whose makeup was streaked with tears, hairpins loose, and clothes covered in mud, into the pavilion.
The young lady cried to Madam Xu: “I saw Miss Lu and others happily flying kites and wanted to make friends. But when I went over and barely spoke a few words, she started berating me, saying I was trying to steal the kite Young Master Qing Zhao gave her, saying nobody could touch it since it was from him. Her words were so unpleasant. When I argued back a bit, she became violent. Later Young Master Qing Zhao came and helped her scold me, I…”
At these words, Madam Xu’s expression immediately changed.
————
Meanwhile, Ming Shu was furious.
She had been peacefully flying kites with Wen An and Yan Shu Jun when some arrogant young lady appeared out of nowhere, first making veiled insults about her low birth and poor upbringing, saying she wasn’t worthy of the Duke’s family. When Ming Shu ignored her, she ordered her maids to grab the kite. Wen An and Yan Shu Jun naturally helped Ming Shu, leading to a struggle that broke the kite strings, sending them flying away.
“That kite was personally made by my brother, and he painted me on it – now it’s just gone! And it’s one thing that they insulted me, but they also insulted my brother. I couldn’t stand it…” Ming Shu’s cheeks were puffed up in anger, her chest heaving as she wiped her face roughly, only smearing more mud on her cheeks.
Both Lu Chang and Song Qing Zhao had arrived. Song Qing Zhao had persuaded the troublemaking young lady to leave, but still couldn’t calm Ming Shu’s anger.
“Don’t be angry anymore. If the kite flew away, it flew away – I’ll make you another one another day. You came out to enjoy yourself today, don’t let this ruin your mood.” Lu Chang looked up at the sky – both kites had flown out of sight.
It was rather amusing – after all his competition with Song Qing Zhao, neither kite remained in Ming Shu’s possession.
“I’m sorry, this was all because of me,” Song Qing Zhao apologized.
Seeing his apology, Ming Shu felt embarrassed to keep complaining and said: “How is this your fault?”
Wen An also consoled her: “If you’re still upset, I can help you teach her a lesson another day.”
“Yes, yes, it’s rare to come out like this, don’t be angry anymore,” Yan Shu Jun added.
With everyone consoling her, Ming Shu naturally couldn’t stay angry. She said: “Fine, if a dog bites me once, there’s no reason for all of you to help me bite the dog back.”
She turned to invite everyone to have some snacks when suddenly someone called from behind.
“Miss Lu.”
Everyone turned around. Song Qing Zhao recognized the speaker as his mother’s head maid.
“My mistress would like to request Miss Lu’s presence at the pavilion.”
“What for?” Lu Chang asked on her behalf.
“Just now, Miss He came crying to my mistress seeking justice, saying she was bullied here. Since my mistress invited Miss He for spring viewing today, and she suffered such grievance, my mistress would like Miss Lu to come over to explain any misunderstanding and apologize to Miss He, so the matter can be put to rest.”
Hearing this, Wen An sensed trouble. Before she could smooth things over, Ming Shu’s pretty face had already darkened – her childish anger now transformed into cold fury.
She shook off Wen An and Yan Shu Jun’s hands, stepped forward and said coldly: “Your mistress has already decided I should apologize to her, so she’s clearly already judged the case in her mind. Asking me to go over isn’t about hearing the cause – it’s clearly about using her authority to intimidate me. I will not apologize, nor will I go over. If they want an explanation, let them come here!”
“You!” The maid hadn’t expected Ming Shu to show no face at all and changed color in anger.
“Even the Prefect hears both sides before judging a case. Your mistress heard one side and demands my sister apologize? What kind of reasoning is this? Please inform your mistress that my sister and I decline to participate.” Lu Chang said coldly, then turned to Ming Shu, “Ming Shu, let’s go.”
“Mm.” Ming Shu turned to follow Lu Chang.
Song Qing Zhao’s brows furrowed tightly as he said: “I’ll go explain to Mother.” He followed the maid.
Behind them, Wen An shook her head, thinking his explanation would only add fuel to the fire.
————
In the pavilion, the maid related Ming Shu and Lu Chang’s words word for word to Madam Xu.
Miss He cried even harder upon hearing this. Madam Xu was so angry she nearly smashed her cup – a commoner girl openly challenging her authority, where should she put her face?
She wouldn’t even listen to Song Qing Zhao’s explanation, only saying coldly: “Well well, this Lu Ming Shu!”
At dusk, as the spring viewing party dispersed, Madam Xu sat fuming in her carriage as she instructed her trusted elderly maid Sun.
“Did you find out what I asked about?”
“This old servant has found out.” Madam Sun told Madam Xu what she had learned about the Lu family.
“Just a commoner family – even if he passes the examination, his sister isn’t worthy of the Duke’s household. A sparrow wanting to perch on a high branch?” Madam Xu sneered while pondering, “Go teach that Lu Ming Shu a lesson, let her understand what matching status means, and stop dreaming.”
“Yes,” Madam Sun accepted the order.