Before Lu Chang could speak with Ming Shu, she retreated to her room and closed the door in his face.

“Ming Shu, open the door.” Lu Chang’s voice and knocking rang out urgently, “It’s just a temporary dismissal, don’t take it to heart. Ming Shu! Ming Shu!”

Ming Shu slid down against the door, hugging her knees to her chest and burying her head between them, her knuckles white from clenching her fists.

After some time, someone else appeared outside.

“Ming Shu?” The voice was gentle and calm – Song Qingzhao.

Ming Shu lifted her head, took a deep breath, and stood to open the door. Song Qingzhao indeed stood there, having been drawn by Lu Chang’s urgent calls. Lu Chang stood behind him, eyes fixed on her.

“I’m fine,” she said, refusing to mention what she’d just heard. “Can we go now?”

“Yes, we can leave,” Song Qingzhao said, stepping aside. “Shall we? Let me take you home?” He glanced at Lu Chang, who didn’t object but followed behind them as Ming Shu left the room.

After bidding farewell to Wei Zhuo, the three left the Great Xiangguo Temple. Throughout the journey, they tacitly avoided mentioning both the Jian family case and Lu Chang’s dismissal. Ming Shu boarded Song Qingzhao’s carriage, leaving Lu Chang behind.

Through the carriage’s small window, Song Qingzhao watched Lu Chang’s figure grow smaller. He felt he should be happy, but for some reason felt no joy: “Ming Shu, you and Lu Chang…”

“We’ve known each other for about ten years. It’s embarrassing to say, but back in Jiangning, I only wanted to marry him. But he was proud and stubborn, unwilling to be someone who curried favor for wealth and status. He never saw me differently, it was just my one-sided love. Before he left for the capital examinations, I confessed to him. We should have parted ways then, each going our separate ways to marry…”

It was winter in Jiangning then, just after the snow had fallen, everything was pure white and clean.

“He always talked about repaying debts of gratitude, saying he owed our family for their care and would repay it one day. I thought he was just being pedantic – it was only a matter of a few taels of silver, why did he make such a fuss and keep it in mind for so long? Now I understand that feeling isn’t pleasant. What the Jian family gave him was just silver offered in his time of need, saving his mother’s life. What needed repaying, he’s already repaid. He owes nothing. Rather, I’m the one who can never repay what I owe him in this lifetime.”

His life, his career prospects – he had given her everything.

“Ming Shu, Lu Chang didn’t do these things to repay a debt…” Song Qingzhao frowned. He didn’t want to speak for his rival, but…

“I know! But even so, I… can’t accept it. Song Qingzhao, I’m sorry, I’ve said too much, how embarrassing.” Ming Shu rubbed her eyes roughly, looking at him with reddened eyes. “Don’t take me to the Wei mansion, please take me to Man Tang Hui instead.”

Man Tang Hui had no customers early in the morning. The shop assistants were dusting the furniture when they saw Ming Shu enter, their eyes brightening as they quickly welcomed her.

The third owner hadn’t been to the shop for several days.

“Call Accountant Li to see me in the back hall.” Ming Shu had no patience for their flattery and headed straight to the back hall.

Moments later, the accountant entered wiping sweat from his brow, but Ming Shu gave him no chance for pleasantries: “Please calculate the accounts up to now, Mr. Li, to see how much profit my shares are worth. Also, have the staff take inventory of the shop – this must be completed today.”

“Ah, this…” the accountant was startled.

This sudden accounting and inventory suggested storms ahead.

“I’ll personally explain to the County Lady and Miss Yin. You won’t be troubled. Just do as instructed,” Ming Shu said gravely.

The accountant accepted his orders and withdrew. Ming Shu sat at the desk thinking briefly before taking out the inventory books. She carefully reviewed recent business transactions and orders from various households, recording everything in a ledger for reference. After noon, she had potential shop managers brought in for interviews.

Time passed quickly with these tasks. As she returned home in the evening, Ming Shu was calculating just one thing.

If she withdrew from Man Tang Hui, she would receive two thousand three hundred taels of silver.

Returning to the Wei mansion, Ming Shu encountered people leaving.

Madam Zeng and Lu Chang were at the gate seeing off Lu Wenhan.

Lu Wenhan had come regarding Lu Chang’s dismissal. Last night’s events in the palace had enraged the Emperor, who smashed a crystal cup on the spot. This morning’s decree removing Lu Chang from office stemmed from the Great Xiangguo Temple incident.

That thousand-year-old fox Prince Yu still outmatched the Third Prince. Lu Chang and the others were too inexperienced to compete.

As soon as the temple incident occurred, Prince Yu received word that the plot might be exposed. He rushed to the palace two nights ago, kneeling in the rain outside the Emperor’s chambers for a day and night. Yesterday afternoon, he even performed a fainting act, finally earning the Emperor’s sympathy and an audience in the study.

Though evidence was lacking for the platform incident, everyone knew Prince Yu was behind it. The Emperor had his suspicions, but Prince Yu’s dramatic display of contrition effectively shifted all blame to Tang Li. He claimed complete ignorance of her actions at the temple and against the Lu family, presenting himself as another victim deceived by her revenge plot. With Tang Li dead and Liu Wan’er only implicating her, he managed to absolve himself completely, bearing only the minor shame of poor judgment in associates and being deceived by treacherous people.

The Third Prince Zhao Jingran’s side bore greater guilt. He and Lu Chang had conspired to switch places, deceiving both superiors and commoners. They had caused disaster at the Ullambana Festival, not only embarrassing the court before the people but also desecrating sacred ground and deceiving the Emperor. Add to that their claims about the Jian family case – which showed no progress while the only witness Zhou Xiuqing died in Lu Chang’s custody – and these crimes together could have cost Lu Chang his head. This was why he had entrusted his mother to Wei Zhuo. Now all three were punished: Prince Yu and the Third Prince were confined to their residences for a year and copying scriptures at the Imperial Tombs for three months respectively, while Lu Chang only lost his position. This lighter sentence came through Zhao Jingran’s plea to the Emperor.

Lu Chang had anticipated this outcome and showed no surprise, but Lu Wenhan’s visit to explain everything earned the gratitude of both mother and son, who saw him at the gate.

“The ups and downs of official life are common. You’re still young and truly talented – you’ll surely be used again. Don’t let this small storm trouble you, but learn from it – avoid royal affairs when possible. I’ll put in a good word with the Emperor when I can. Once this blows over, you should be reinstated.” He patted Lu Chang’s shoulder and advised earnestly. Though his words seemed final, Lu Chang was still his son – he couldn’t completely abandon him. “The Jian family case will likely transfer to the Ministry of Justice. Use this time to rest well, and don’t stir up any more trouble, understand?”

Lu Chang nodded and bowed: “Thank you for your guidance, Lord Lu.” Madam Zeng bowed with him in thanks. Lu Wenhan looked at the mother and son, sighed, and took his leave.

After Lu Wenhan left, Madam Zeng said to Lu Chang: “It’s so late, Ming Shu hasn’t returned. Go fetch her.”

Song Qingzhao had already informed Lu Chang of Ming Shu’s visit to Man Tang Hui. He nodded: “Mm…”

“No need, I’m back.” Ming Shu emerged from around the corner. Looking at Madam Zeng and Lu Chang, the familiar form of address didn’t come out. Her lips moved, and finally, she called out, “Aunt Zeng.”

That was what she had called her back in Jiangning.

This was Madam Zeng’s first time seeing Ming Shu since she regained her memories. Seeing her careful manner, Madam Zeng’s eyes reddened as she took Ming Shu’s hand and led her inside: “Come, let’s talk inside. Mother… Aunt Zeng made your favorite dishes…”

The candle flickered as servants were dismissed to their quarters. In Madam Zeng’s room, only she, Lu Chang, and Ming Shu remained. Lu Chang served the dishes while Ming Shu sat with Madam Zeng on the couch, chatting. Everything felt like those early days in the capital when just the three of them relied on each other.

“Aunt Zeng, I’m sorry…” Ming Shu sat close to Madam Zeng, drawing comfort from her motherly warmth.

“Silly child, what are you apologizing for?” Madam Zeng didn’t ask why or try to console her, just stroked her head and said softly, “Your Aunt Zeng has always dreamed of having a daughter like you. Though our time in the capital wasn’t long, you made that dream come true. I should thank you.”

“Aunt Zeng…” Ming Shu had countless things to say – thanks for saving her life, apologies for causing trouble – but couldn’t speak a word.

“Ming Shu, say no more. I understand everything you want to say. Treating you as my daughter makes us family, and family shouldn’t dwell on such things. Child, I know your path is incredibly difficult, and I can’t help much, but no matter how far you go, whenever you look back, I’ll always be here waiting for you.” Madam Zeng raised her hand to wipe away Ming Shu’s falling tears.

Ming Shu could no longer speak. She threw her arms around Madam Zeng as before, burying her face in her chest, and sobbing silently.

Mother was still here.

The four dishes and soup were ready, but Lu Chang didn’t hurry them to eat. He just poured water into the basin and wrung out a cloth.

After crying against Madam Zeng for a while, Ming Shu’s heart felt somewhat lighter. She rubbed her eyes and released her, sniffling: “Aunt Zeng, why don’t we find time for me to properly serve you tea and kowtow, accepting you as my mother?”

Before Madam Zeng could answer, there was a splash from behind.

They turned to see Lu Chang’s wrung cloth had fallen back into the basin.

If she became an adopted daughter, accepting Madam Zeng as her mother, he would truly become her adopted brother.

Their relationship as siblings would come full circle, back to the beginning.

“Wipe your face.” He retrieved the cloth, wrung it out again, and handed it to Ming Shu, calling to them, “Let’s eat first before it gets cold.”

The rain that had fallen for days finally stopped on the fifth day after the Ullambana Festival.

Long-absent sunlight broke through the clouds, and life suddenly seemed to calm. Both the Great Xiangguo Temple case and the Jian family case fell silent.

Without an official position, Lu Chang spent his days either at home or accompanying Ming Shu on her errands. Apart from her plain mourning clothes, Ming Shu seemed to have forgotten the massacre of the Jian family, busy with Man Tang Hui’s affairs. She had found suitable new managers and was busy transferring everything to them, teaching them all aspects of the business in detail.

On the fifth day, Cao Hai bid farewell.

As Commander of the Jiangning Garrison, he had come to escort Gao Shicai and other criminals to the capital. His official duties were complete and he should have returned to Jiangning earlier, but the temple incident had delayed him several days. He could delay no longer and finally requested leave from Wei Zhuo.

Both Ming Shu and Lu Chang attended his farewell banquet.

“If not for the General at the Great Xiangguo Temple, the Tang Li incident might not have ended well.” During the feast, Ming Shu raised her porcelain bowl to toast Cao Hai, smiling sweetly: “Sadly, Ming Shu is in mourning and can only toast you with tea instead of wine. Thank you for your righteous assistance, and I wish you a smooth journey and broader prospects in your career. Having you guard Jiangning is a blessing for its people. I drink first in respect.”

She finished by draining her bowl of tea.

“Lady Jian is generous!” Everyone was playing Cao Hai with wine. He was already half drunk, his cheeks flushed red as he squinted at Ming Shu. Whether from the wine or something else, his gaze held a predatory gleam.

Ming Shu smiled and asked casually: “Where is the General from?”

“Hic.” Cao Hai downed another bowl of wine and said, “I’m… from… Lin’an.”

“Cao’s ancestral home is Lin’an, his mother, wife, and children are all there. He’s the only one stationed at the Jiangning Garrison.” Seeing his drunken state, Wei Zhuo patted his shoulder and said, “Right? Alright, stop drinking! You’ll be drunk!”

“Not drunk!” Cao Hai swayed closer to Ming Shu, still squinting: “Lady Jian, don’t worry… the Jian family case… will surely be solved…”

In his drunken state, he suddenly placed his hand on Ming Shu’s shoulder.

Lu Chang quickly pulled Ming Shu to his side, saying: “General Cao, you’re drunk.”

Behind him, Ming Shu said brightly: “I await that day, as the General says.”

Lu Chang glanced back at her to see her expression unchanged, but the hand he had shielded was gripping her tea bowl with white-knuckled force.

Late at night, the lamp still burned as Ming Shu lay sleepless.

A sheepskin lamp flickered in the corner of her desk, casting her shadow on the wall. The half-closed door creaked open, wind rushing in from outside, making the wall shadow waver as if about to overwhelm the person sitting at the desk.

Ming Shu still stared down at the dagger in her hand.

The blade reflected a cold, bloodthirsty gleam. Ming Shu held it upright, her fingertip tracing toward the edge…

The image of spurting blood seemed to appear in her mind, but suddenly someone gripped her wrist tightly.

“Ming Shu…” Lu Chang growled softly.

“Let go, it’s fine,” Ming Shu said calmly.

Lu Chang couldn’t see her eyes – those eyes that loved to smile were hidden in shadow.

He didn’t take the dagger away but didn’t release her wrist either, just held it as he slowly walked in front of her and knelt.

“Ming Shu, put down the knife, alright?” he said gently.

Ming Shu showed no sign of letting go.

The dagger remained tightly gripped in her hand.

“No,” she slowly raised her head, refusing without room for compromise.

For a moment, Lu Chang thought he saw a hint of mad bloodlust in her formerly smiling eyes.

Like Tang Li.

And he couldn’t guess what she intended to do.