As the morning sun rose and daylight first broke, dew still clung to flowers and grass while most residents of the Wei mansion were already awake. A patrol of soldiers marched through the spacious courtyards with measured steps, dutifully guarding the security of the Commander’s residence. Lu Chang walked with his head lowered, hands crossed within his sleeves, hurrying through the empty courtyard of the Wei mansion. He nodded to the patrol soldiers before continuing onward.

It was another dawn after a sleepless night. He still wore yesterday’s clothes, his hair slightly disheveled, his complexion poor and showing fatigue. Hearing shouts in the distance, he looked up to see Wei Zhuo and Cao Hai practicing martial arts on the training ground, both moving with vigorous energy.

This was Wei Zhuo’s daily morning routine. A disciplined man, he never missed it unless occupied with urgent matters. Though in his forties, he maintained excellent physical condition. Cao Hai could barely last twenty moves against him before gasping for breath and leaning against a stone lion to beg for mercy. Perhaps life in Jiangning had been too comfortable – though the same age as Wei Zhuo, once his armor came off, a slight paunch showed through, his stocky build carrying both simplicity and worldliness.

Lu Chang paused in the corridor beside the training ground to watch. Two more people hurried past behind him, discussing the day’s tasks.

“Have the gardeners been hired?”

“Yes, they’re just waiting for the Commander’s approved plants to arrive, then they can begin planting. The plants should arrive early today. Where should they be planted?”

“In Xingbang Garden to the south. When moving and planting them, be careful not to make too much noise and disturb the residents.”

The southern Xingbang Garden was a small courtyard specifically set aside within the Wei mansion for Madam Zeng and her two children.

Though Wei Zhuo’s residence was imposing, it was austere, unlike other noble households with their abundant greenery and rockery landscapes. Here, plants were rarely seen. Madam Zeng had been staying at the Wei mansion for some time. During their occasional encounters and casual conversations, Wei Zhuo learned of her fondness for plants. This batch of flora must have been specifically purchased by him.

Wei Zhuo was a man of few words but thorough actions.

Knowing Madam Zeng loved cooking, he had the small kitchen in Xingbang Garden thoroughly cleaned and fully equipped. Seeing the garden was too bare, he sent in potted landscapes. Learning she excelled at embroidery, he somehow acquired several ancient texts on embroidery patterns and techniques for her. Knowing she preferred solitude, he ensured no Wei mansion staff entered the garden except the Lu family’s people, letting her manage it as she wished…

Lu Chang stood in the corridor a moment longer until Wei Zhuo called to him.

“Didn’t return last night?” Wei Zhuo asked as he walked over wiping sweat with a towel, his expression mild. “Have you informed your mother and Ming Shu? It’s normal to stay out for important matters, but remember to send word home to prevent them from worrying.”

It sounded like casual guidance from an elder, without putting on airs. Lu Chang bowed his head and said, “Thank you for your concern, Uncle Wei. I’ve already told them.”

“You’re a sensible child – I was overthinking. Go rest after a sleepless night.” Wei Zhuo patted his shoulder and said, “Some things shouldn’t be rushed. If you wear yourself out, who will take care of your mother and Ming Shu in the future?”

Lu Chang nodded and thanked him for his concern, but said, “Uncle Wei, I have something to discuss with you.”

Wei Zhuo glanced around and replied, “Let’s talk in my study.”

They entered Wei Zhuo’s study one after another. With the door closed, the room was very quiet. Wei Zhuo walked to the desk by the window and said, “Have some tea first before we talk.”

But as he turned to pour tea, Lu Chang’s cold voice came from behind.

“Uncle Wei, I, Lu Chang, have a presumptuous request and seek your help.”

Wei Zhuo turned to find Lu Chang kneeling on one knee before him. Alarmed, he bent to help him up: “What great matter has happened? Stand up first before speaking.”

Lu Chang only said: “Uncle Wei, if something were to befall me in the future, I beg you to protect my mother no matter what…”

Wei Zhuo never expected Lu Chang’s request would concern Madam Zeng. His expression grew solemn. Without asking what had happened to Lu Chang, he said, “With me here, I won’t let anything happen to Madam Zeng. But Lu Chang, you should know better than anyone who your mother truly cares about.”

Lu Chang stood up and said, “I know. This is just precautionary. With your word, I can act without hesitation.”

This escape route wasn’t for him but for his mother.

He had no escape route.

Whether due to Liu Wan’er’s exceptional luck or other reasons, her proposal to set up charity stalls during the Ghost Festival to aid the poor had initially faced embarrassment from lack of support. Unexpectedly, three days after the Qixi Festival came a major turnaround.

Third Prince Zhao Jing petitioned the Emperor, volunteering to perform the Chan ceremony on the Emperor’s behalf, praying to the Buddhas of all directions and the ancestral sages for the health of the Emperor and Empress, fulfilling his filial duty.

The Ghost Festival Chan ceremony was an annual tradition, typically performed by accomplished monks representing the Emperor. Having an imperial prince personally attend would demonstrate even greater sincerity.

But the Chan ceremony was no easy task.

The Chan platform stood seven levels high. The performer had to ascend at dawn, neither eating nor drinking throughout the day, sitting for a full day until the monks completed their chanting and the ceremony concluded before descending.

It was truly arduous.

Thus the Emperor, moved by Zhao Jing’s filial piety, issued an edict lavishly praising him. This quickly spread through Bianjing City, inspiring imitation. Under this influence, Liu Wan’er’s proposal suddenly gained attention.

Without Liu Wan’er needing to do much work, noble ladies soon volunteered to join the charitable acts, with some families setting up their porridge stalls. However, compared to Liu Wan’er’s carefully planned good deeds, they appeared to merely follow others’ lead, lacking her momentum. Within two days, Liu Wan’er’s charity event grew dramatically – rather than people shunning her, they now sought her approval to join.

The Ministry of Rites gained great face in the capital due to this matter. Madam Feng received praise from the Empress Dowager, while Lu Zegang’s status rose, leading him to increasingly favor his new Third Lady.

When Ming Shu heard these things from Wen An’s mouth, she didn’t know how to feel.

Three days remained until the Ghost Festival, and shops throughout the capital had begun selling festival items – gold and silver paper, sacrificial pastries, river lanterns, sky lanterns… a dazzling array.

Lu Chang had been too busy to come home these past few days. Ming Shu didn’t know what he was investigating. After being confined at home for two days, she grew restless. Today, receiving Ying Xun’s message, she could no longer wait. Rather than having him come find her, she arranged to meet at North Diagonal Street, with the usual crowd of guards following behind. Ying Xun waited for her under the old locust tree, immediately giving her an address.

“Daxing Gambling House again?” Ming Shu asked in surprise.

Wasn’t that where she had saved Yu Lian?

“Let’s talk while walking.” Ying Xun led her toward Daxing Gambling House, explaining recent developments as they walked. “I took the sketch around to all the pawnshops and places frequented by Peng and her associates on North Diagonal Street and Horse Market Street. Finally got some leads. Someone saw Yu Lian use this longevity lock as collateral for gambling debts with Manager Qian at Daxing.”

“When did this happen?” Ming Shu stopped abruptly, staring at Ying Xun in shock.

Ying Xun had the same reaction when he first learned of it.

“About four months ago, late February this year,” Ying Xun said.

If the longevity lock was still in Yu Lian’s possession four months ago, Liu Wan’er’s claim that “the lock was left to her as an infant” couldn’t be true.

“Also, I heard from Yu Lian’s gambling friends that while he’s a hopeless gambler drowning in debt, he suddenly paid off all his debts in March and became quite generous for a while, until he racked up huge debts again from gambling.”

“Yu Lian and his mother Madam Peng barely got by on Madam Cai’s support. Madam Cai likely couldn’t have paid off such gambling debts. The one who paid…” Ming Shu pondered, “Must have been someone else.”

And that person was who they needed to find.

They soon reached Daxing Gambling House. Due to their previous encounter, Ming Shu and Ying Xun had no trouble entering to see Manager Qian. He seemed quite welcoming toward Ming Shu, inviting them to the inner hall for tea.

After brief pleasantries, Ming Shu explained their purpose and handed the sketch to Manager Qian.

Manager Qian squinted at it for a while before saying, “Yes, this happened. I remember Yu Lian owed me over a hundred taels of silver then. Lady Lu knows gambling house rules – debts must be paid, otherwise… I gave him a deadline, but he couldn’t get the money. Later he brought this longevity lock, offering it as interest and begging for two more days. Seeing it didn’t look like something from an ordinary family, I asked where he got it. He said it was his mother’s treasured possession that he’d stolen. This silk cloth, I believe was wrapped around the lock then.”

He pointed at the sketch of the silk cloth.

“Then what? Did Manager Qian accept the lock?”

“Of course I did! Why wouldn’t I? Though I didn’t take the silk cloth – he kept that.” Manager Qian returned the sketch to Ming Shu and continued, “But that very night someone came wanting to buy the lock, offering ten times the price, so I sold it.”

“What did the person look like? Man or woman?”

“A man, refined and handsome, like a scholar.”

A man? So not Liu Wan’er herself.

Did she have an accomplice?

Ming Shu exchanged glances with Ying Xun before asking, “We heard Yu Lian later paid off his gambling debts with interest. Is this true?”

“Ha! That kid must have had incredible luck, repeatedly encountering benefactors who paid his debts. Lady Lu paid once, and in March, seems someone else paid another sum.”

“Does Manager Qian know who paid?”

“That I don’t know, never saw the person. Just heard him bragging about meeting some great benefactor.” Manager Qian said.

Ming Shu and Ying Xun asked a few more questions, but Manager Qian claimed ignorance. Unable to learn anything more, Ming Shu and Ying Xun took their leave.

On the road, Ying Xun and Ming Shu found an outdoor tea stall to rest, choosing a shady spot under a tree.

“I’ve visited the family of the Qing’an Hall doctor. Didn’t hear anything unusual from them, but the situation is similar to Yu Lian’s. After the doctor’s death, his family suddenly moved to a new residence several times larger than their old one, and their circumstances much improved,” Ying Xun said while drinking herbal tea.

A Qing’an Hall doctor’s monthly salary was only two taels of silver, barely covering daily expenses for the whole family. How could they afford such a large residence?

“Money makes the mare go,” Ming Shu showed little surprise after hearing about Yu Lian’s situation.

As expected, the person who bribed the doctor was likely the same one who bought the longevity lock.

“The longevity lock was stolen by Yu Lian from Madam Peng, proving it had been in her possession all along. This makes sense – kidnappers seeking profit wouldn’t leave valuables with an infant. With the lock kept by Madam Peng, Liu Wan’er’s background story was fabricated to smoothly enter the Lu family. In early March, the mysterious person obtained the lock, probably discovering then that Third Lady Lu’s background was questionable. ‘Liu Wan’er’ recovered and moved back to the Liu family from Qing’an Hall in April. In early June, she sought Man Tang Hui’s help through me. Yu Lian and Madam Peng were coerced into providing false testimony, then fled after success…” Ming Shu spoke slowly, all the pieces fitting together, but the more she deduced, the more chilled she felt. “None of this was improvised, but planned since March. Master, someone is deliberately setting up this scheme, using me to send Liu Wan’er back to the Lu family.”

But why?

Just for the position of Third Lady Lu?

Ying Xun nodded: “This person must be very familiar with the Lu family, otherwise they couldn’t have discovered and exploited the seventeen-year-old Lu family case.”

“Could it be someone from the Lu family setting up this scheme?” Ming Shu speculated.

Otherwise, it was inexplicable why someone would be so invested in the Lu family and consistently investigate them.

“Could be enemies.”

“Though Minister Lu is somewhat ambitious, he’s been in officialdom many years and is quite diplomatic. I haven’t heard of him offending anyone,” Ming Shu said while holding her head, frustrated with herself. “Ah, so annoying, I can’t figure it out.”

“If you can’t figure it out, take a break,” Ying Xun leaned back in the rattan chair, gazing at the street vendor near the locust tree.

The vendor was selling river lanterns, folded into lotus shapes in various colors, quite beautiful.

“This year’s Ghost Festival ceremony should be quite lively,” he casually remarked, changing the subject to let Ming Shu’s mind rest. “Will you go?”

“Where? Daxiang Temple?” Ming Shu asked.

“Yes. The court is taking it very seriously this year. The Ministry of Revenue has allocated substantial funds for the ceremony, the Ministry of Works and Daxiang Temple are jointly overseeing it, and the Third Prince will attend personally. It should be quite spectacular.” Ying Xun added with a sigh, “This Ghost Festival truly brings glory to the Lu family.”

“The Lu family? You mean Liu Wan’er again!” Ming Shu felt pain at those words.

“Who’s talking about her? I meant Lu Zegang.”

As the Ministry of Works was responsible for overseeing the ceremony construction, Lu Zegang, being the Minister of Works…