With Lu Chang’s permission, Ying Xun worked quickly. Within three days, he located the whereabouts of Peng Qing’s wife, his sister, and the Lu family’s wet nurse.
Peng Qing’s wife, Madam Cai, and his sister, Miss Peng, had both been sentenced to three years imprisonment. After serving their sentences, Madam Cai remarried and now lives with her current husband in West Ji’er Lane. West Ji’er Lane was a district known for its brothels, and her husband was an idle widower who lingered there without any proper occupation. Peng Qing’s sister lived on North Xie Street, another area known for its questionable characters.
Ming Shu decided to meet these two women first. As Ying Xun had no urgent matters that day and following Lu Chang’s instructions, he accompanied Ming Shu on this visit.
“Did Miss Peng never remarry?” Ming Shu asked Ying Xun as they walked.
“She married after her release, but her husband died of illness within two years, leaving behind a son…” Ying Xun shook his head. “He’s good for nothing, spending his days drinking and gambling, then demanding money from his mother when he runs out.”
“What about Madam Cai? Does she have any children? With Peng Qing or her current husband?” Ming Shu inquired further.
“Her current husband is a widower who already had a daughter who married two years ago. They haven’t had any children together but with Peng Qing… I believe they had a daughter,” Ying Xun replied.
“Where is this daughter she had with Peng Qing now?” Ming Shu asked curiously. Neither the kidnapping case files nor the Lu family documents mentioned Peng Qing and Madam Cai’s daughter. With both parents convicted and imprisoned, where had the child gone?
Ying Xun frowned at her question. “That I don’t know. Perhaps she was adopted.”
Ming Shu didn’t pursue the matter further as they had reached West Ji’er Lane. Both sides of the alley were lined with garishly decorated brothels interspersed with small shops selling wine, fruits, and sundries. Being daytime, the brothels were still closed, with only some overnight male patrons emerging yawning and looking weary. Upon seeing a young woman like Ming Shu, their eyes would light up with interest.
At such times, Ying Xun would glare back coldly while deliberately revealing the scabbard at his waist, causing those ill-intentioned gazes to quickly scatter.
They walked this way for some distance until they reached an alley entrance at the end of the lane. The alley contained residential homes, and Madam Cai’s dwelling was among them. The passage was narrow and dirty, barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side, so they proceeded one after another.
“It’s that house ahead…” Ying Xun pointed to a small wooden door, about to lead Ming Shu forward when a loud “bang” interrupted him.
Both Ying Xun and Ming Shu stopped in their tracks.
The wooden door burst open from within, and a woman tumbled out, landing in the dirty water by the entrance. A man rushed out after her, quickly grabbing her collar and delivering two solid slaps while cursing, “You worthless woman, taking my money to help your ex-husband’s sister? I’ll beat you to death…” He raised his hand to strike again.
Ming Shu and Ying Xun exchanged glances before Ying Xun quickly rushed forward, grabbing the man’s wrist and twisting it to pin him against the wall. The man howled and cursed with vulgar words until Ying Xun announced, “Kaifeng Prefecture Office! Behave yourself!” Only then did he quiet down. Meanwhile, Ming Shu had helped the woman up from the ground. She was nearly forty, her face painted stark white with powder, her lips painted bright red, and her eyebrows plucked thin. She had already been beaten before they arrived, as her makeup was smeared, lipstick smudged onto her cheeks, and her lip was split, presenting a sorry sight.
Without question, this was Madam Cai.
“Are you alright…” Ming Shu asked her.
After standing with Ming Shu’s help, she pushed Ming Shu away, spat blood onto the ground, then rolled up her sleeves and charged forward. Taking advantage of Ying Xun’s restraint of the man, she delivered several sharp slaps and clawed at his face with her long, red-lacquered nails.
“Pah! You useless wretch, your money? What money could you earn? Isn’t it all earned by me through hard work? You dare hit me, you impotent man…” she cursed while striking him, showing no mercy.
In moments, the man’s face was scratched and his hair disheveled.
The situation had completely reversed.
Ying Xun, trying to stop her assault, got scratched a couple of times himself. He immediately released his hold, and the two began wrestling. Angered, Ying Xun drew his sword and struck a small elm tree growing crookedly from the wall. The branch broke and fell on their heads, forcing them apart.
“Stop fighting, or I’ll take you both back to the office!” Ying Xun shouted angrily.
The man shrank back, while Madam Cai brushed leaves from her hair and looked askance at Ming Shu and Ying Xun. Ming Shu then said, “We’re here to see Madam Cai.”
As soon as she finished speaking, the man interjected, “Whatever trouble this worthless woman has caused has nothing to do with me. Take her away quickly…”
Madam Cai raised her sleeve to charge at him again, but the man cursed and hurried away toward the alley entrance. After watching him disappear, Madam Cai examined her broken nail, speaking nonchalantly: “What do the officer and young miss want with me? There’s nothing in Ji’er Lane I don’t know about. If you want information, you know the rules…”
Her manner suggested she was accustomed to dealing with yamen runners and officials.
“We’re not here about Ji’er Lane,” Ming Shu smiled. “Madam Cai, we’re here about an old matter.”
As she spoke, she handed over some copper coins. Madam Cai accepted them satisfactorily, wiping them clean as she said, “Ask away, though I can’t guarantee I’ll know anything.”
“Don’t worry, you’ll certainly know about this,” Ming Shu smiled and continued, “Seventeen years ago, you and Peng Qing kidnapped the Lu family’s Third Miss. Is this true?”
Madam Cai’s coin-wiping gradually stopped as she looked up at Ming Shu, her casual demeanor turning wary.
“A case from seventeen years ago – the authorities closed it, my dead husband was sentenced to exile, and I spent three years in prison. Why come asking about such ancient history now?” Madam Cai countered.
“Nothing special, just some questions I hoped you could help clarify,” Ming Shu said, producing more money – this time silver pieces. “I just want to know, Third Miss Lu was in your custody for nearly half a year after being kidnapped. During this time, were you the one caring for her?”
Madam Cai took the silver but didn’t show her usual greed: “Miss, how could I remember clearly something from seventeen years ago? Besides, didn’t the authorities already investigate everything? There were several children we hadn’t sold yet, all hidden in the house under my watch. What’s strange about that? Whatever Third Miss Lu or Fourth Miss Lu you’re talking about, I can’t remember.”
“But Third Miss Lu stayed at your house for half a year without finding a buyer?”
Madam Cai thought for a moment, then dramatically exclaimed “Oh!” as if suddenly remembering. “That child? Didn’t we already explain everything to the officials? It wasn’t that we couldn’t find a buyer – the buyer’s family had issues and couldn’t come collect her. Since we’d taken their deposit, we had to keep her. Plus, things were tense at the time, so we didn’t dare look for new buyers… Wasn’t she eventually recognized and returned home? Why are you digging up this old case now?”
She questioned Ming Shu, who shook her head, still smiling: “No reason. Thank you, Madam Cai.”
“Is that all you wanted to ask?” Madam Cai seemed surprised.
“That’s all. Farewell.” Ming Shu finished and exchanged a glance with Ying Xun.
As they turned to leave toward the alley entrance, Madam Cai stood motionless, head down, until Ming Shu suddenly turned back and called out to her, startling her to attention.
“By the way, Madam Cai, I remember you had a daughter. What happened to your daughter after you and Peng Qing were arrested?”
Ming Shu stood several steps away, quietly asking while observing the sudden change in Madam Cai’s expression.
“Gave her away,” she answered quickly.
“To whom?”
“I can’t remember clearly. Giving away means giving away – are you saying it’s illegal for me to give away my daughter? Why are you asking so much? What’s it to you?” Madam Cai replied rapidly, her tone growing impatient.
Ming Shu said nothing more and just nodded to her before turning to leave with Ying Xun toward the alley entrance.
Madam Cai remained standing in place, watching until they disappeared. Only then did she stamp her feet and hurry to the alley entrance. After looking left and right, she quickly walked in a particular direction.
After she had walked about ten paces, two heads peeked out from behind a large tree at the alley entrance.
“Care to guess where she’s going?” Ming Shu asked. Leaving in such a hurry without even fixing her smeared makeup, Madam Cai’s destination must be significant.
“Why guess when we can follow and see?” Ying Xun emerged from behind the tree.
“Indeed, the old ginger is spicier – Master, you’re clever,” Ming Shu praised him. Earlier when they were leaving, she had intended to depart, but Ying Xun had pulled her behind the tree to hide. She hadn’t understood his intention at first but now comprehended his wisdom.
“I never agreed to be your master!” Ying Xun frowned.
“I bet she’s going to find Peng Qing’s sister,” Ming Shu emerged from behind the tree, quietly following Madam Cai, without contradicting Ying Xun’s statement.
Ying Xun shook his head and could only follow along.
After her husband’s death, Miss Peng, who lived on North Xie Street, lost her source of income. She took up work as a spirit medium, making a living through fortune-telling, charm-writing, and channeling spirits—all fraudulent activities to deceive the local people. Few believed in her abilities, however, and her limited income barely provided subsistence.
Ying Xun and Ming Shu watched as Madam Cai entered Miss Peng’s house. Once the door closed, they were left outside.
Standing in the shade of a tree not far from Miss Peng’s house, Ming Shu remarked, “The moment we mentioned Third Miss Lu and her daughter, she rushed to find Miss Peng. There must be something suspicious between them.”
She rose on her tiptoes and added, “It’s frustrating that we can’t hear what they’re discussing.”
“No need to hurry. After Madam Cai leaves, we can try questioning Miss Peng,” Ying Xun suggested.
“Yes, I’ll follow Master’s lead,” Ming Shu nodded solemnly.
“…” Ying Xun paused for a moment. “Call me ‘Master’ one more time, and I won’t help with this case.” Seeing she was about to speak, he added, “Even your brother’s support won’t help!”
Ming Shu wisely kept quiet. Then, noticing movement at Peng’s door, she pointed, “Someone’s coming out.”
A boy of about ten emerged, wearing casual clothes with a money pouch at his waist. He was gleefully weighing some copper coins and two pieces of silver in his hand as he passed under the tree.
“That’s the money I gave to Madam Cai,” Ming Shu recognized it.
Given the boy’s age, he must be Miss Peng’s gambling-addicted son. How had Madam Cai’s money ended up with Miss Peng’s son so quickly?
She recalled that earlier, Madam Cai had been arguing with her current husband about money, specifically about her giving money to Miss Peng.
Could there be a connection?
As she pondered this, Miss Peng’s door opened again. Madam Cai stormed out, followed by a short, plump woman dressed entirely in black but wearing two large red flowers in her hair, giving her a mystical appearance—undoubtedly Miss Peng.
The two women began arguing at the doorway, mostly Madam Cai cursing and shoving Miss Peng, her voice rising, “Keep that worthless son of yours in check, and make sure he keeps his mouth shut outside!”
With that, she hurried away.
Ming Shu and Ying Xun quickly hid behind the tree, emerging only after she had gone.
“Master, I don’t think this is the right time to question Miss Peng,” Ming Shu said.
Ying Xun asked her, “When do you think would be better?”
“Let’s first investigate her background, check her income sources, starting with… her son,” Ming Shu suggested, then asked, “Am I right, Master?”
“Yes… no…” Ying Xun was about to nod but caught her addressing him as master again, his expression darkening.
“It’s getting late, I should head back before Brother worries,” Ming Shu quickly said before he could react. “Come on, I’ll treat you to a drink—I’ll get you a sweet one this time.”
As she spoke, she made a swift retreat.
As dusk fell, Ming Shu arrived at the Wei mansion gate, coincidentally meeting Lu Chang, who had just returned.
Ying Xun, who had escorted her to the gate, bowed to Lu Chang: “Deputy Magistrate, sir.”
Lu Chang asked them both, “Where are you returning from?”
“Today I accompanied Miss Lu to meet Peng Qing’s wife, Madam Cai, and then visited Peng Qing’s sister’s residence. We’re just returning from North Xie Street,” Ying Xun answered honestly.
“Any progress?” Lu Chang inquired.
“Of course there’s progress!” Ming Shu replied enthusiastically, her eyes bright.
“That’s good.” Lu Chang didn’t press further, seeming slightly relieved to see Ming Shu’s renewed spirit.
“Brother, Officer Ying was injured,” Ming Shu tugged at Lu Chang’s sleeve, pointing out the scratch on Ying Xun’s face.
A thin scratch from Madam Cai’s nails marked Ying Xun’s lower left jaw, the blood already dried.
He touched his chin. “It’s nothing, just a minor wound.”
“Brother, doesn’t this count as an injury in the line of duty? Doesn’t your office provide medical compensation?” Ming Shu asked.
“What do you think?” Lu Chang asked her in return.
“The office is so stingy!” Ming Shu huffed. “Officers work so hard for just five taels a month. Officer Ying, why don’t you quit and work for me instead? I’ll pay you triple!”
“…” Caught between his superior and his superior’s sister, Ying Xun chose not to respond.
“You’re trying to poach my staff right in front of me?” Lu Chang narrowed his eyes.
Ying Xun decided it was best not to linger before these siblings: “If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”
Lu Chang nodded to him, pulling Ming Shu to his side. As they entered the mansion, he asked her, “Tell me, did you not have Qiu Ming and the others with you today?”
“We were going to meet Madam Cai, and too many people might have frightened her, so I had them wait nearby. Brother, don’t worry, I wouldn’t joke with my life, and besides, Ying Xun was with me,” Ming Shu replied, then made a bitter face. “But how long must this continue? I…”
She looked distressed.
“Soon. The Emperor issued an edict, sending swift horses to Jiangning to inform Cao Hai to quickly escort the suspect and all involved parties to the capital. If all goes well, they should arrive by early July,” Lu Chang said, carefully observing Ming Shu’s reaction.
He was gradually revealing information to Ming Shu, hoping to give her some reassurance.
“Cao Hai?” Ming Shu found the name completely unfamiliar.
“The Commander of Jiangning Garrison Forces, and an old comrade of Uncle Wei,” Lu Chang explained.
Ming Shu made a sound of acknowledgment and followed Lu Chang into a separate courtyard.
“Wait, come with me first,” Lu Chang didn’t follow their usual routine of paying respects to Madam Zeng, instead leading her to his quarters.
Lu Chang’s temporary residence in the Wei household was a three-room wing, with a reception room in the center, a study on the left, and a bedroom on the right. He led Ming Shu into his study.
“What is it?” Ming Shu asked, puzzled.
This secretive behavior was unlike Lu Chang.
Lu Chang walked to his desk, took something from his waist, and gently placed it on the table, pushing it toward Ming Shu.
“This is…” Ming Shu picked up the object and drew it with a metallic “shing.”
It was a dagger.
Palm-length, with a black scabbard, the blade was light, thin, and gleaming, with a sharp edge that caught the light.
“Keep it safe,” Lu Chang said. “It’s for your protection.”
Ming Shu fully unsheathed the dagger, gripping the handle and holding it up to examine it from all angles. Her heart suddenly began racing, her eyes mesmerized by the blade’s gleam. She slowly extended her fingertip, wanting to touch that sharp edge.
“Don’t touch it!”
Before she could make contact, Lu Chang quickly grabbed her wrist. He came around the desk to stand behind her.
“Want to try it?” he asked.
“Mm-hmm,” she responded softly.
“Hold tight,” Lu Chang whispered near her ear, his hand covering hers on the dagger’s handle, gripping both the weapon and her hand firmly.
Before Ming Shu could react, Lu Chang suddenly leaned forward, his left hand brushing past her left arm to snatch a piece of paper from the desk and toss it into the air.
A cold flash of light.
He guided her hand wielding the dagger.
The thin, soft paper split in two with a “swish,” the cut perfectly clean.
Ming Shu’s mouth fell open, her eyes wide. After a long moment, she exclaimed, “Brother, I want to do it again!”
She grabbed another paper and threw it up. Lu Chang guided her hand once more, and the paper split in two mid-air. For some reason, Ming Shu felt exhilarated, giggling as she threw another paper, and Lu Chang followed her lead, slicing again.
This continued several times until the desk was covered in paper, and Ming Shu finally stopped.
“Happy?” he asked.
“Very happy,” she answered promptly.
Lu Chang picked up the scabbard, still holding Ming Shu’s hand, and guided the dagger back into its sheath.
With a “shing,” the dagger was sheathed, and Lu Chang’s arms completely encircled Ming Shu.
When Ming Shu finally realized her situation, she found herself in his embrace.
“I’m glad you’re happy,” his voice came from behind, deep and slow.
It had been a long time since he’d seen her laugh so freely and boldly.
Ming Shu stood still, not turning around, and softly said, “Brother, thank you.”
“Mm,” Lu Chang responded, gently lowering his head.
His lips paused briefly as they touched the hair at the back of her head, and then he released his hold.
He was still her Brother, not Lu Chang.