This was the second time Lu Chang heard Ming Shu say she wanted to marry Song Qing Zhao. From his initial shock to this pure jealousy, he gradually understood that once certain feelings begin, there’s no going back.
Even if he tried to hide or escape, it would only be a futile act of cowardice. These feelings weren’t born from impulse, nor had anything to do with youthful passion. It wasn’t even a sudden change – it simply sprouted in childhood, remained confused in adolescence, and was slowly nurtured by time until it grew into a towering tree.
Looking at Ming Shu before him, covering her mouth with an expression of someone who had said or done something wrong, Lu Chang suddenly realized how foolish his initial decision had been. The “brother-sister” relationship indeed stopped Ming Shu’s feelings but cultivated his own, completely reversing their previous positions.
Perhaps this was karma.
Bearing the title of elder brother, he could do nothing, not even have the right to feel jealous.
“Brother? I was just trying to provoke Mother Sun because she made me angry. Who knew Lord Lu would overhear it?” Ming Shu carefully explained.
She had to be cautious when her brother was in his stern father mode.
“Do you like Song Qing Zhao?” Lu Chang asked her.
Ming Shu studied Lu Chang as she looked at him. He didn’t seem angry, just somewhat resigned, but it was precisely this resignation that inexplicably made Ming Shu’s heartache.
“We’ve only met a few times. How could I have developed feelings so quickly? Brother is overthinking,” she answered honestly. “If brother disapproves, I can reduce my contact with him.”
Song Qing Zhao was the second grandson of the Duke’s legitimate line, with such noble status that contact would be difficult anyway.
Her feelings toward Song Qing Zhao were complicated. Sometimes she felt he resembled someone familiar from deep in her memories, while other times he seemed just like an ordinary friend—but one thing she was certain of was that it would never rise to the level of romantic feelings, let alone marriage.
“No need,” Lu Chang patted her head. “My young lady, you don’t need to avoid anyone.”
Just interact normally and properly.
This freedom was all he could give her.
————
The main branch of the Duke’s mansion was in chaos today.
In all her years as the heir apparent’s wife, Madam Xu had never felt so humiliated as today—scolded by her father-in-law, reprimanded by her husband, and finally disapproved of by her son.
And all this merely because she wanted to teach a lesson to a willful, unruly wild girl. Who could have imagined that girl would have connections to Minister Lu? Not only did she fail to discipline the girl, but she also created a major incident. When Mother Sun returned and knelt before her to report, she was still half-skeptical, not expecting the Lu residence to come demanding justice the next day.
One stone caused a thousand ripples, even alarming the Old Duke.
The Old Duke berated her: “Lu Wen Han was always stubborn in Bianjing. After being an official for over a decade, he’s grown even more cunning beneath that sheep’s clothing. Even I must address him as Brother Lu, yet you thoughtlessly provoked him?!”
Her husband also scolded her: “All these years of smooth sailing have spoiled you. When will you fix this arrogant attitude? Even if I’m just the heir now, and even when I inherit the title later, we should remain humble and cautious for the family’s long-term benefit. You need to change your temperament.”
Song Qing Zhao naturally couldn’t scold her, but his face was cold: “Mother should have listened to my explanation before acting. I was most clear about that day’s events, yet you chose to believe outsiders’ one-sided words over your son’s testimony. Then you sent people to speak rudely at their door. Even if she were a commoner, she shouldn’t be wrongly accused and bullied.”
Being scolded by her father-in-law and husband was one thing, but when even her son joined in the criticism and showed such disappointment, Madam Xu felt as if her heart had been pierced by countless arrows. She wanted to die from the shame.
To appease Minister Lu’s anger, Lord Song wanted to send Mother Sun bound to the Lu residence for punishment and have Madam Xu personally apologize. Having lived a comfortable life, Madam Xu’s face stung from this harsh slap of reality. Feeling shame, regret, and anger all at once, she nearly fainted from the rush of emotions. Mother Sun had to support her as she cried uncontrollably.
Finally, Song Qing Zhao spoke up: “This matter started because of me, and the misunderstanding persisted because I failed to explain things properly, leading to the current situation. Mother’s mistake is my mistake. Father, let me apologize to Miss Lu. In this matter, she is the most wronged party, regardless of whether she is Minister Lu’s daughter. The apology should be made to her first.”
Hearing that her son wanted to personally visit and apologize, Madam Xu couldn’t sit still. She struggled to her feet and said, “I’ll go, you don’t need to!”
“You’ll only make things worse!” Lord Song glared at her impatiently, then turned to Song Qing Zhao, “Very well, go and explain things properly to them. Leave Minister Lu’s matter to your grandfather and me.” After a pause, he asked Song Qing Zhao, “I heard… that Miss Lu said she wanted to marry you. What’s this about?”
Song Qing Zhao’s face reddened slightly, and he immediately lowered his head: “Miss Lu and I have only met a few times and have no deep acquaintance. These words must be rumors, and we shouldn’t mention them further lest they damage her reputation.”
“Then what are your feelings toward her…” Lord Song’s gaze was sharp.
“Your son finds Miss Lu intelligent and sincere, a fine young lady. I do have some… but it’s too early to discuss such matters. I hope father and mother can be at ease and not frighten her away.” Song Qing Zhao spoke candidly.
Lord Song stared at him for a few moments, then suddenly let out a hearty laugh: “A virtuous lady is indeed sought after by gentlemen—it’s only natural. Just be sure to maintain proper boundaries.”
“Son understands and won’t act inappropriately. Please set your mind at ease, Father.” Song Qing Zhao bowed respectfully.
Madam Xu slumped to the side, unable to interject a single word, her heart overflowing with grievance. After father and son left, she finally steadied herself against a chair and said, “This house has no place for me anymore, no place at all… Prepare my carriage, I’m leaving!”
“L-leaving?” Mother Sun was shocked. “Where to?”
“Back to my maiden home…” Madam Xu’s words trailed off halfway as she suddenly remembered her parents would likely send her straight back if she went there. She changed her mind, “To the Wei residence, I’ll go see Wen Hui!”
————
The rain finally stopped after another full day, and sunshine once again filled the sky.
Minister Lu hadn’t returned since leaving, and no one else from the Lu family had come either. The three members of Ming Shu’s household continued their lives as usual. Seeing that Madam Zeng remained unchanged, unaffected by Minister Lu’s appearance—eating, sleeping, and laughing as if she had never reunited with him—Ming Shu gradually put her mind at ease.
Minister Lu’s appearance was like a small pebble thrown into a vast lake, creating only the slightest ripples.
After eighteen years, any previous feelings had long since dissipated. To Madam Zeng, Minister Lu was nothing more than her children’s father, nothing else.
Ming Shu deeply admired Madam Zeng’s resolution.
Lu Chang was also calm, showing no changes despite having a Minister of State Affairs as his father. He remained undisturbed by whatever rumors circulated through Bianjing.
In the end, only Ming Shu was causing a stir.
Of course, Ming Shu wasn’t stirring things up because she had suddenly become the Minister’s daughter, but rather because she was preparing to investigate the haunting at the Wei residence.
She was considering what pretext would be best to use to approach the Wei family and investigate.
After much thought, she came up with what seemed like a questionable idea.
To Lu Chang, it was a questionable idea.
“Brother, look, do I look the part?” Ming Shu emerged from her room after getting dressed.
Lu Chang felt a headache coming on: “Are you sure you want to go to the Wei residence like this?”
“Of course!” Ming Shu stood before him, erased her smile, adopted a solemn expression, tossed her horsetail whisk over her arm, made a Taoist hand seal, and said coldly, “Amitabha. My dear believer, I am Tian Xuan Qing, third disciple under Master Ling Xiao of Mount Zhongnan. I practice demon-subduing techniques, and have descended the mountain on my master’s orders to gain experience…”
Lu Chang’s headache intensified as he looked at Ming Shu. She had changed into female Taoist robes from who knows where with all her hair bound up in a Taoist cap. Besides the horsetail whisk, she had an Eight Trigrams mirror at her waist and a peach wood sword on her back. Her pretty face wore a righteous expression, making her look like… a small-time swindler.
“Why don’t you think of another way…” Lu Chang tried to persuade her to change her approach, but before he could finish, there was a knock at the door downstairs.
With Madam Zeng not at home, the two upstairs would have to answer the door. Ming Shu stopped Lu Chang: “I’ll get it.” She rushed downstairs like a whirlwind, but before opening the door, she adjusted her cap, straightened her robes, wiped the smile from her face, and put on a cold expression.
Outside was Song Qing Zhao, who had come to apologize.
He had rehearsed his apology twice in his mind. Hearing the door open, Song Qing Zhao stepped back half a step, preparing to bow with clasped hands, but his greeting froze halfway.
He never expected to find a female Taoist…
And this female Taoist was Ming Shu.
Song Qing Zhao’s hands remained frozen in mid-air as he stared at her in surprise, momentarily forgetting to speak.
Thinking back, he realized he had seen many different sides of her. At their first meeting, she seemed like a noble young lady, graceful in every movement. Later, she became a lively, spirited neighborhood girl. Then, when she helped at the academy, she dressed as a page boy, looking fresh and playful. And now today…
Ming Shu was naturally beautiful, usually smiling in a way that made people feel close to her. But now, suddenly wearing this cold and clear expression, she had an otherworldly air about her, truly looking like a small immortal.
“Believer Song?” Ming Shu repeated what she had just said to Lu Chang, asking, “Why do you fall silent before this immortal?”
Song Qing Zhao finally came to his senses: “This humble one pays respects to the immortal.”
As he was about to bow, Ming Shu burst out laughing and stopped him: “My brother says I look like a fraudulent mystic, what do you think?”
Song Qing Zhao shook his head and asked, “Why are you dressed like this?”
“Haven’t you heard the Wei residence is haunted? Someone asked me to investigate what’s going on with the ghost, and I thought this outfit would make the Wei family more likely to believe me.” Ming Shu lowered her voice.
“The Wei family? Commander Wei Xian of the Imperial Guard’s residence?”
“You know them?” Ming Shu asked.
“I do. Commander Wei’s wife is my mother’s close friend from their maiden days.” Song Qing Zhao said, mentioning that his mother had angrily gone to the Wei residence early this morning.
Before Ming Shu could respond, Lu Chang’s voice came from upstairs: “Ming Shu, who’s here?”
“Brother, it’s Song Qing Zhao. He came to…” Ming Shu looked at Song Qing Zhao, “What did you come for?”
“I came to apologize on behalf of the Duke’s mansion. Previously, my mother wrongly accused you due to a misunderstanding and spoke rudely, causing you distress. I sincerely apologize.” Song Qing Zhao said.
“Oh, that? I’d forgotten about it.” Ming Shu waved her hand, completely uninterested in apologies. She stepped aside to make way, beckoning Song Qing Zhao to enter, then called up to Lu Chang, “Brother, heat some water for our guest.”
“…” Lu Chang watched silently as she led the guest inside.
Song Qing Zhao’s and Lu Chang’s gazes met in midair, seeming to spark with tension.
“Please sit.” Ming Shu invited him to sit down, then took a seat across from him, staring at him with interest. “Quick, tell me about the Wei family.”
“…” Song Qing Zhao realized this apology wasn’t going to happen as planned.