“Ming Shu hadn’t expected to find Cao Hai still waiting in the flower hall after her conversation with Lu Wenhao.
“I figured you might be in a hurry, afraid it might be urgent, so I decided to wait here,” Cao Hai said, rising from his seat at the Lu residence as if granted a reprieve.
Ming Shu was surprised and apologetic. “I’m sorry for keeping General Cao waiting.”
“No worries. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have had a chance to enter the Prefect’s mansion,” Cao Hai grinned, asking, “Where are you headed next? Shall I accompany you?”
“To the Grand Xianguo Temple.”
This time, she truly intended to go to the Grand Xianguo Temple. Though uncertain of Tang Li’s intentions, Ming Shu had a strong foreboding that this year’s Ullambana Festival would not be peaceful.
Seated in Cao Hai’s carriage, she heard him call out, “Let’s go.” As the carriage started slowly and then picked up speed, Ming Shu’s heart grew heavier.
Reflecting on it, although the Third Prince’s ascension and Liu Wan’er’s prayer ceremony seemed unrelated, upon closer examination, one could discern their subtle connection.
If the Third Prince hadn’t ascended, would Liu Wan’er’s ceremony have proceeded smoothly? And if Tang Li’s only goal was the Third Prince, why go through such trouble to ensure the ceremony’s success? If her aim was merely to implicate the Minister of Works in the ceremony, she had already succeeded in delivering Liu Wan’er to the Lu family; there was no need for further action. If something were to happen to the Third Prince during the ceremony, Lu Ze’guang, as the overseer, would be held accountable, achieving two goals with one move: aiding the Prince and exacting revenge on Lu.
Then… what was the purpose of such a grand ceremony?
It didn’t make sense for Liu Wan’er to continue posing as the third Lu if the Lu family was already on the brink of collapse.
—
Lost in her contemplation, Ming Shu suddenly realized the carriage had stopped. Cao Hai’s voice came from outside, “Lady Lu, we’re here.” Ming Shu snapped out of her reverie and disembarked from the carriage.
Due to the grandeur of the ceremony, the three main streets near the Grand Xianguo Temple were sealed off. Despite the darkening sky, the streets teemed with people, lanterns adorning both sides, illuminating the entire street as bright as day.
“Lady Lu, do you need any assistance?” Cao Hai, sensing her urgency, spoke up.
Worried about potential trouble, Ming Shu thought it wise to have Cao Hai’s support. However, lacking evidence and unsure of what might occur at the ceremony, she couldn’t explain herself to Cao Hai and simply said, “Could General Cao accompany me for a while?”
“Of course, no problem,” Cao Hai readily agreed, summoning his subordinates to accompany her toward the temple gate.
“General Cao, isn’t your aide with you today?” Ming Shu inquired as they walked.
“That lad couldn’t stand watching the women’s commotion, so I let him have some fun on his own,” Cao Hai replied casually, then realizing his choice of words, he apologized, “I didn’t mean you.”
Ming Shu dismissed it with a casual response, paying no heed to his slip.
With Wei Zhuo’s arrangements and several guards protecting Ming Shu, they approached the Grand Xianguo Temple with a procession of over ten people.
Inside the temple, lights were ablaze, the scent of sandalwood mingling with the burning paper offerings permeating the vast compound.
Standing outside the temple gate, Ming Shu caught a whiff of the indescribable scent. Inside, prayer flags fluttered, and every hall was illuminated, despite the late hour. Devotees bustled about, and throughout the temple, soldiers stood guard. A golden curtain had been drawn outside the main hall, with guards stationed every few steps. Beyond the defense line rose a tall dais resembling a seven-tiered pagoda, adorned with prayer flags. Beneath it, a hundred monks sat in meditation, their chanting echoing through the night.
The platform was too far to discern clearly in the darkness, but only the Third Prince Zhao Jingran had the privilege of ascending it.”
“Ming Shu glanced from afar at the altar, surrounded by strict security measures. Wei Zhuo himself supervised, and every monk entering underwent thorough screening. The towering height of the platform made it impossible for archers or assassins to approach discreetly. Feeling reassured about safety, Ming Shu focused on finding the location of the Ullambana Festival and hurried towards it.
To accommodate the distribution of rice porridge and offerings, the temple had allocated the west courtyard and side rooms for Liu Wan’er and the ladies from various households. Along the way, Ming Shu saw crowds coming and going from the west courtyard.
People leaving the west courtyard not only received a bowl of peace porridge but also a bag of peace rice and a sky lantern.
“Mom, when can we release the lantern?” a young boy asked, clutching his lantern.
His mother patted his head. “We’ll release it at the release pond up ahead. It won’t be long now.”
“I wrote blessings for Father and Mother on it!” The boy beamed.
“That’s good,” his mother smiled gently, taking his hand to move along.
“Mistress, may I ask where you got the lantern?” Ming Shu approached them.
“You can get one at the Lu family’s tent for the sky lantern ceremony tonight, but they only have ninety-nine left, and they might be out by now. You can watch the ceremony at the release pond up ahead if you’re interested,” the mother replied before hurrying off with her son.
Ming Shu hesitated for a moment, watching them leave, then turned to Cao Hai. “General Cao, do you know what’s going on today?”
“I haven’t paid much attention…” Cao Hai paused, feeling the wind direction from his position. As someone accustomed to leading troops, he had some knowledge of wind patterns, especially in the mountains. After a moment, he continued, “It’s probably blowing from the northwest.”
Northwest… towards the vicinity of the west courtyard.
Was she being overly cautious?
Ming Shu shook her head and continued towards the west courtyard. Within a few steps, she reached its outskirts.
The tents distributing rice porridge and other items were set up outside the courtyard. Due to the large number of people arriving at the Grand Xianguo Temple that day, the porridge and steamed buns had to be prepared on-site, either boiling in large pots or steaming with auspicious symbols imprinted on them.
The crackling fire in the stoves emitted a tantalizing aroma, but Ming Shu, who hadn’t eaten lunch or dinner, found herself too preoccupied to feel hungry.
“Ming Shu?” Someone in the crowd called her name.
“Song Qingzhuo?” Ming Shu turned to see him. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to see my mother. She promised Lu San to participate in today’s Ullambana Festival and has been busy here all day.” Song Qingzhuo greeted Cao Hai with a fist salute before answering Ming Shu. “And you? Are you here for the ceremony too?”
“No, I’m looking for Liu Wan’er and Tang Li,” Ming Shu replied.
At the mention of these two names, Song Qingzhuo frowned. “Liu Wan’er… isn’t she Lu San? She’s already preparing for the lantern ceremony at the release pond. Tang Li… what’s his relationship with these two?”
Explaining would take too long, and Ming Shu didn’t have the time. She shook her head and asked him, “Do you know which households are participating in Liu Wan’er’s ceremony?”
Song Qingzhuo thought for a moment. “I do. My mother is overseeing this ceremony. The list of participants was delivered to her, and she had me check it… though I only remember about seventy to eighty percent.”
Seventy to eighty percent was already quite impressive, considering his modesty.
Song Qingzhuo began listing the names and backgrounds of the participants. The more Ming Shu listened, the more her expression darkened. By the end, her hands were trembling.
If she recalled correctly, thirty percent of them were involved in the Su Changhua case, directly or indirectly. They either testified or condemned others. Apart from the main informant, Lu Zegang, Lu Wenhao had made it clear that the Prince’s case was widely involved. At that time, officials had been accused of climbing the people and trying to fight off opportunities for grace. Lu Wenhao mentioned the names of several officials, with all her attention on Lu’s family.
Tang Li didn’t gather these people together for no reason.
“Where are they now? Where are the Lu family members?” Ming Shu asked urgently.
Only the servants from various households distributing porridge remained; the masters had already disappeared.
“They’ve all gone back to the meditation rooms to rest,” Song Qingzhuo said, having just come out. The place was filled with too many women, making him uncomfortable, so he found an excuse to leave.
Madame Feng of the Lu family, along with several legitimate and illegitimate daughters and sons, as well as the wives of other households, had all gone to rest in the meditation rooms.
Ming Shu’s headache returned—what did Tang Li intend to do?
Just then, two figures came running from a distance—Ying Xun and his colleagues.
“We finally found you,” Ying Xun panted, clearly anxious. “We used the portrait you provided to ask Madame Peng and her son, and confirmed it’s Tang Li.”
Ming Shu made a quick decision: “Regardless since we’ve confirmed Liu Wan’er isn’t Lu San, let’s capture her first for questioning. Eliminating one threat is better than none.”
After speaking, seeing Ying Xun’s team was understaffed, Ming Shu turned to Qiu Ming and the others: “Liu Wan’er has many guards. Several of you accompany Ying Xun to the release pond and make a trip there. Given the large number of people there now, avoid causing any disturbance.”
Qiu Ming and the others wanted to stay by her side, but she firmly refused: “Now isn’t the time to worry about personal safety. With so many people today, any trouble could involve innocent bystanders. Hurry.”
Accepting her orders, Qiu Ming and Ying Xun left. Ming Shu handed the portrait to Cao Hai, saying, “This person in the portrait is dangerous. I suspect she’s inside the temple, perhaps nearby. General, please help. Let’s split up to find her.”
Cao Hai took the portrait and distributed it to his men, saying, “No problem.”
Soon after, Cao Hai scattered his men to search. Ming Shu and Song Qingzhuo both recognized Tang Li, so they didn’t need the portrait as proof and began searching separately. Song Qingzhuo searched outside, while Ming Shu looked through the temple. Despite her efforts, she didn’t find anyone resembling Tang Li. Exhausted, she stood under a tree to catch her breath when she suddenly heard footsteps.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she turned around abruptly, only to see the maid walking out from between the piles of clutter in the alley. She asked coldly, “Lady Lu is looking for me?”
The maid raised her head, revealing an expressionless face.
Who else could it be but Tang Li?
No wonder she couldn’t find anyone after searching for so long—it turned out she had switched back to women’s clothing.
“It’s you!” Ming Shu stepped back two paces, wary. “Were you the one who set me up to escort Lin Wan’er into the Lu Mansion? Did you arrange this Ullambana Festival through Prince San’s hand? What exactly are you planning?”
“Now that you’ve found your way here, shouldn’t you already have an idea? Why bother asking me?” Tang Li’s voice was cold and deep in the darkness.
“Are you working for Prince Yu to harm Prince San?” Ming Shu asked cautiously.
As soon as she finished speaking, Tang Li laughed, revealing a few bright, white teeth. “I mistakenly thought you were a formidable opponent, but it turns out you’re just as ordinary as everyone else. There’s nothing special about you. In my eyes, even the nobles are just like Zhang Song and Xie Xi, people whose desires I can manipulate at will. I’m only using them temporarily.”
Her smile and words exuded a sense of arrogance that was displeasing.
“Oh? So you’re not aiming to help Prince Yu ascend?” Ming Shu drew a sharp breath.
“In my eyes, even the nobles are just like Zhang Song and Xie Xi, people whose desires I can manipulate at will. I’m only using them temporarily,” Tang Li sneered, then seemed to chastise Ming Shu like a close confidant. “It’s all your fault. If it weren’t for you and your meddling in the Temple of Sacred Voices, I wouldn’t be following Prince Yu today and involved in all of this.”
“So…” Ming Shu took a sharp breath, “it was indeed you who manipulated Zhang Song into killing Yang Zishu at the Songling Academy, and you intended to use this case to gain favor from Prince San?”
“And then, relying on your skills, you became an advisor to the Third Prince, leaving the academy in an honorable manner, rather than as an expelled criminal. If this story had taken a different turn, it would be entirely different now.”
Tang Li smiled knowingly. “Unfortunately… all this plotting ended up benefiting you.” She had to find another way, using her charm to get close to Prince Yu through Xie Xi.
She glanced at the sky and then at Ming Shu. “What about you? Do you want to reminisce here with me?”
Ming Shu squinted. “Why not? I want to see what you’re waiting for.” She couldn’t leave Tang Li alone here; who knew what she might do?
Tang Li sighed. “Are you still entangled with me? Why not go see your brother? You know that today’s proposal for Prince San to ascend the meditation platform was suggested by your brother. If anything happens to Prince San on the platform, do you understand the consequences your brother will face? Along with your mother… They might not escape unscathed.”
Ming Shu was shocked. “It’s impossible! Why would my brother fulfill your wish for Prince San to ascend the platform?”
“I told you, those who seek can be controlled. With Zhou Xiuqing in my hands and Lu Chang left as the only witness, he risked everything for you. Are you not going to save him? According to the plan, the final step for Prince San on the platform could be fatal. If you hurry over now, you might still be able to stop it.”
Tang Li knew from Prince Yu about Prince San’s investigation into the Jian family’s robbery case in Jiangning, which had left her puzzled. So she persuaded Prince Yu to send someone to Jiangning, enacting a plot where the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Not only did they discover Ming Shu’s identity halfway through, but they also kidnapped Zhou Xiuqing from Lu Chang’s custody, using him as leverage to threaten Lu Chang.
Ming Shu’s face turned pale, fear evident as she glanced at Tang Li before swiftly turning away. Tang Li’s smile widened, but Ming Shu halted after only a few steps and turned back.
“Do you think my brother is a fool?” Ming Shu’s face lost its fear, replaced by a mocking smile.
Even though her heart was pounding as if it might burst from her chest, she needed to remain calm right now. It wasn’t that she wasn’t worried about Lu Chang, or that she didn’t want Ma Fei to be by Lu Chang’s side, but now wasn’t the time. She had to trust Lu Chang—ever since he suggested they act together a few days ago, Lu Chang must have had his arrangements. They just hadn’t expected their adversary to be the same person.
Even in a life-threatening situation, she had to trust Lu Chang now.
This time, Tang Li’s smile faltered slightly.
“You’ve executed this two-pronged strategy quite well,” Ming Shu continued. “You arranged for Prince San to ascend the meditation platform, satisfying Prince Yu’s demands and making the Ministry of Works official, Lu Zegang, the scapegoat for your family’s revenge. The Eastern Palace struggle was just a smokescreen for your ambitions. Prince Yu thought he had found a knife, but he didn’t realize he was being used by that knife.”
Tang Li, a lone girl, could only achieve such a grand plan by leveraging others. Designing the Third Prince was just a means to gain Prince Yu’s trust; otherwise, how could Prince Yu allow her to command manpower and resources to execute this plan?
“You know all this so clearly, yet you stand here talking to me?” Tang Li sneered coldly, not bothering to refute Ming Shu’s suspicions.
“But since you said I’m as ordinary as everyone else, with no new ideas,” Ming Shu retorted, revealing a hint of forcefulness. “Tang Li, during our conversation here, do you realize you’ve glanced at the sky three times? What are you waiting for? Are you waiting for Liu Wan’er?”
Ming Shu’s words grew colder and more unnerving as she continued. “She’s just following your orders, pretending to be the deceased daughter of the Liu family, returning to the city. Wasn’t her family’s fire just an accident? Did Cai set it on fire because she was afraid others would find out that Liu Wan’er was pretending to be Lu San’s daughter? Whether it’s the real Liu Wan’er or the fake one, neither is the true Lu San of the Lu family! You picked Liu Wan’er because her identity was the easiest to fake. Cai was lured to your doorstep and then deliberately set the fire and murdered… Am I wrong?”
Tang Li’s smile gradually faded, her face growing cold as she stared at Ming Shu, speechless.
“Now this Liu Wan’er probably doesn’t know what you’re planning, right?” Ming Shu’s tone grew even colder, and as she spoke, she felt more and more horrified. These were just her guesses, but looking at Tang Li’s increasingly chilling expression, she felt her assumptions were likely correct.
“If someone tampered with the sky lanterns, they could float down nearby and appear to cause a fire around the meditation rooms… Tonight, with the northwest wind blowing, these lanterns might just blow this way. If they accidentally ignite something near the meditation rooms, it could cause a major fire…”
Ming Shu’s voice grew colder and more fearful as she spoke. This was just her speculation, but as she watched Tang Li’s increasingly icy expression, she felt her guesses were probably right.
“If someone tampered with the sky lanterns, they would either fall nearby or create the appearance of accidental fire. Both scenarios would be easily misconstrued,” Ming Shu remarked.
“Madame Lu’s imagination is truly vivid. The meditation hall is surrounded inside and out. If a fire were to start, it would be noticed immediately. Do you think they would just sit and wait to perish?” Tang Li retorted, approaching Ming Shu with a smirk.
Ming Shu glanced up at the two-story building. There were no silhouettes on the window screens, nor any sounds emanating from inside.
“What if they were drugged and unable to move?” Ming Shu questioned.
Tang Li remained silent, suddenly lunging at her, hands clawed towards her neck.
In the darkness, a glint flashed, accompanied by the sound of fabric and flesh being torn. Tang Li grunted in pain, clutching her arms and staring fixedly at the sharp dagger in Ming Shu’s hand.
Tang Li had reached the end of her rope and was forced to act. Fortunately, Ming Shu had been prepared. Gripping the dagger gifted by Lu Chang, she struggled to keep her hands steady, aiming it at Tang Li.
“Don’t come any closer,” Ming Shu said firmly, scanning the surroundings with her peripheral vision.
There was silence in the meditation hall and no one passed through the corridors. Despite the commotion outside, even shouting wouldn’t likely attract attention.
“Tang Li, your father’s crimes were well-documented and undeniable. No one owes him anything! If you have doubts, you should seek justice for your family’s grievances through legal means, not through reckless retaliation. Among those in this meditation hall, how many were involved in harming your father? Leaving aside the few who have connections to your family, over seventy percent are completely innocent. Yet, you would condemn them all?” Ming Shu’s voice was filled with resolve.
The coldness on Tang Li’s face lasted only a moment before she burst into sharp laughter.
“Innocent? So what? Wasn’t I innocent back then? Wasn’t my mother innocent? My brothers and sisters? The entire Su family, innocent? My father, an honest official for half his life, couldn’t afford the medical fees for my grandmother, so my younger brother fell ill. He took that hundred taels of life-saving silver, which ultimately led to his downfall, despite reluctantly working against his conscience, only to end up losing everything and being exiled. Our men and women were sold into slavery and prostitution! Meanwhile, those who climbed on my father’s back enjoyed wealth and glory! Why? I want them to taste the bitterness of ruin and loss. Only then will I find solace! I know there are innocent people inside, so what? The powerless innocent are nothing more than ants, unworthy of pity. Don’t lecture me about righteousness and justice. I don’t believe in any of that!”
With these words, she began to step back.
“It doesn’t matter anymore…” Tang Li released her bloody arm, allowing the sleeve to soak through. From her waist, she retrieved a fire striker and ignited it.
The firelight illuminated her face with a frenzied expression, perhaps realizing she would no longer wait for Liu Wan’er’s sky lantern. Cold determination replaced the glint in her eyes.
“What are you planning to do?” Ming Shu watched her reckless demeanor but dared not approach, letting her retreat to the end of the alley.
Tang Li smiled again, reaching out to grab the oilcloth laid against the wall.
Beneath the oilcloth lay neatly piled cotton wadding, with several porcelain jars on top. Seizing the moment before Ming Shu could react, she smashed them fiercely.
The smell of lamp oil assaulted Ming Shu’s nostrils, and suddenly she understood.
Stored here in the alley were materials Tang Li had arranged ahead of time under the pretext of making porridge and preparing sky lanterns for Liu Wan’er: cotton wadding, dry hay, firewood, and lamp oil—a contingency plan she had set.
If the sky lantern scheme failed, she would set the fire herself.
“I won’t allow any mishaps in my revenge.”
“No, don’t!” Ming Shu exclaimed in horror.
The lamp oil had already splashed onto the cotton wadding, surrounded by flammable hay. Inside the meditation hall were numerous prayer flags and gauze curtains. If a fire broke out, it would be uncontrollable and beyond salvation.
At this critical moment, a dark figure suddenly darted around the corner and lunged at Tang Li. Ming Shu froze halfway in her rush, her eyes fixed on the fire striker, fearing it might fall onto the cotton wadding.
The identity of the dark figure was unknown, but it was a man. He tightly grasped Tang Li’s hand, and Tang Li struggled frantically. There was a sound of flesh being pierced, a knife thrust from abdomen to back, penetrating both figures.
Tang Li turned incredulously, looking at the person behind her.
“A-Li, you must be exhausted. Let me help you rest well.”
Xie Xi’s voice rang out.
The fire striker was thrown far away, and as Ming Shu rushed forward to stamp it out, she was stunned to see the two figures embracing tightly in front of her.
Blood gushed out wildly, soaking the ground.
Ming Shu didn’t know when Xie Xi had arrived; he must have followed Tang Li and been listening nearby for a long time.
“Xie Xi… Why did you…” Tang Li lowered her head to look at the knife piercing both of them. “Didn’t I tell you… not to interfere with me…”
“A-Li, I don’t blame you for using me… If only I had been more decisive at the beginning… refused the county lord’s marriage proposal… perhaps you wouldn’t have been so desperate… Am I right? It’s my fault… I’ll be with you… wherever you go…” His voice gradually weakened.
Tang Li’s face turned pale, then she laughed again. “Why are you so foolish… I told you it was just using… I never loved you! You don’t need to accompany me… No need…”
She struggled to break free from Xie Xi’s grip but was already too weak.
Footsteps approached from outside, getting closer, seemingly searching for someone. Faint shouts could be heard, calling Ming Shu’s name several times. Soon, someone arrived.
“Ming Shu…” It was Song Qingzhao. Seeing the scene in the dark alley, he was shocked and quickly pulled Ming Shu close to him.
Ming Shu regained her senses, her legs trembling like sieves. She barely stood firm, pushed Song Qingzhao away, and gritted her teeth. “The people in the meditation hall must have been drugged by Tang Li. Tang Li intended to set fire to the hall, but was stopped by Xie Xi… I’ll explain the details to you later. You stay here to take care of things. Remember not to release the sky lantern. I… I need to go to the Third Prince’s place!”
The matter was far from settled.
Just as Ming Shu turned away, Tang Li unexpectedly spoke again, her voice faint, “You need not worry. Without my signal, Lu Chang cannot find Zhou Xiuqing… If I die, Zhou Xiuqing won’t survive either… The Jian family’s case is destined to remain unsolved… You… you will become like me… I look forward to seeing you become like me…”
With her final word, she breathed her last.
Ming Shu stood stunned, shaken awake by Song Qingzhao.
Song Qingzhao looked at her with a complex expression. “Don’t listen to her. Hurry to the Third Prince’s place. Leave this to me!”
Ming Shu snapped back to reality, the situation was urgent. She had to temporarily set aside the matters at hand and rush towards the Hall of Great Achievement.
—
Drops of sweat rolled down her forehead, soaking her back, yet her hands and feet were icy cold. Ming Shu realized she had never run so fast in her life.
Midway there, she encountered Cao Hai. After a brief explanation, Cao Hai swiftly dispatched someone to inform Ying Xun, while he accompanied Ming Shu with two attendants to find Zhao Jingran.
Outside the Dharma Altar, a perimeter had been set up. The sky was pitch black, and those on the raised platform were barely visible. Ming Shu and Cao Hai arrived outside the Dharma Altar, declaring their identities, which unexpectedly alerted Wei Zhuo. Both were escorted to a loft on the western side of the hall to meet him.
After Ming Shu explained the situation, Wei Zhuo was taken aback. “Such heinous acts have occurred?! Your elder brother is currently waiting inside the Third Prince’s study and cannot be disturbed…” After a moment’s thought, he added, “Very well, come with me.”
He led Ming Shu away, leaving Cao Hai in the loft.
Ming Shu followed Wei Zhuo to the outside of the main hall, where she instructed the eunuch guarding the door to inform them. Shortly afterward, the eunuch emerged to escort her inside.
“Lady Lu, please. The Lord Chancellor is waiting for you inside.”
To Ming Shu’s surprise, she was the only one permitted to enter.
“Go ahead,” Wei Zhuo patted her shoulder.
Ming Shu nodded and hurriedly followed the eunuch into the study.
The study was spacious, with a huge folding screen dividing the room. Behind the screen, a man’s figure could vaguely be seen. The eunuch stood outside the screen, gesturing for Ming Shu to proceed. She frowned—since when did Lu Chang adopt such formalities?
She hurriedly circumvented the screen, about to call out “Elder Brother,” but halted mid-sentence, her voice stuck in her throat.
Behind the screen, it wasn’t Lu Chang but the Third Prince, Zhao Jingran.
Relieved to see the Third Prince safe, Ming Shu first felt a wave of relief. After paying her respects, she hesitated and asked, puzzled, “Third Prince, where is my elder brother?”
“Zi’ao has taken my place on the meditation platform.”
Ming Shu was shocked on the spot.
Her Lu Chang hadn’t violated his principles because of her; instead, he had chosen an even riskier path.
—
On the meditation platform, people had been sitting cross-legged all day, from dawn till dusk, without a drop of water or a grain of rice passing their lips. Their legs were now numb.
The wind on the platform blew fiercely, rustling their clothes. In a little while, the ceremony would conclude, and Lu Chang hoped he could still stand up straight.
The sky had grown completely dark, yet as far as the eye could see, both above and below, were scattered with twinkling lights. The night view of Bianjing City lay before him, but Lu Chang had no idea how Ming Shu was faring right now.
Nor did he know… how that matter was progressing.
As he pondered, a cluster of silver fireworks suddenly soared into the sky from a distant place, exploding with a “whoosh” halfway up.
A faint smile played on Lu Chang’s lips.
Mission accomplished.
Zhou Xiuqing had been found by his men at last!
At long last, he had taken the first step ahead.