By late July, after several days of rain, the summer heat suddenly surged back, with bright sunlight beating down on the earth.
Kaifeng remained unchanged – endless streams of people, constant calls from vendors, teahouses, and snack shops dotting every street and alley. Ming Shu loved Kaifeng, loved its unique warmth and prosperity, like an eternal display of fireworks.
She had experienced much in this city and met many people, both good and bad, but none of it diminished her love for this place.
“What’s so interesting? You’re completely absorbed!” Wen An approached from behind, joining her at the street railing.
Today Ming Shu was hosting Wen An and Yin Shujun at Feng Lou, while also discussing Man Tang Hui’s business.
Ming Shu turned around, leaning back against the railing to face them, smiling faintly: “I love watching people on the street, love Kaifeng’s bustle. I remember my first day arriving with Lu Chang, seeing a wedding procession at the city gate – I was mesmerized.”
Recalling that day sharing a horse with Lu Chang, she could still feel their grand ambitions – her brother would achieve a high rank, and she would earn money.
They had achieved both, hadn’t they?
“It’s like this every day, what’s there to love?” Shujun came over with cups of pickled plum juice, handing them out. She couldn’t understand Ming Shu’s fascination.
Ming Shu didn’t argue, just smiled: “I’ve known you both so long and always wanted to treat you to a meal, but never had the chance. Who knew it would take until our parting to finally do it.”
Previously when out with Wen An and Shujun, knowing her circumstances, they never let Ming Shu spend money, even when Shujun complained about insufficient allowances depleting their funds. Though Ming Shu had helped them, by the end, it wasn’t clear who had helped whom more.
“What parting? I don’t like hearing that.” Wen An snorted, swaying into the room, her voice carrying from the private chamber, “Neither Miss Yin nor I are good at business. Man Tang Hui was built by you – I won’t let you abandon it. We’ll maintain it until you return to manage it again after settling your affairs.”
The news that Ming Shu was the Jian family’s daughter wasn’t kept secret and had spread throughout the capital. Wen An and Shujun were no exception. When Ming Shu proposed withdrawing her shares for dividends, they didn’t blame her or question her motives.
“Take it!” Before Ming Shu could speak, Wen An returned from the room, pressing a heavy package into her hands.
Ming Shu felt it – silver.
“This is a small gesture from Wen An and me. Though we don’t know your plans, we know you need money urgently. We can’t help with your family matters, but at least we can offer these material things. Don’t refuse.” Shujun explained, knowing Wen An’s nature of disliking explanations and sentiment.
“It’s a loan! You’ll still get your Man Tang Hui dividends – consider this an advance, and repay me after New Year when you return. Surely the young lady of Jiangning’s Jian family, running a gold business, won’t default on this small amount?” Wen An added.
Ming Shu clutched the package tightly and after a long while said: “Thank you.”
“Enough, let’s not discuss unpleasant things. It’s rare for us to come out – no depressing talk today.” Wen An gazed at the bustling street, draining her plum juice.
The sweet and sour taste somehow stung her eyes.
Ming Shu also drank, then composed herself to ask: “Miss Yin, when I was at the gold district recently getting samples, I met Fifth Brother. He said the Tao family sent word asking him to return, planning to leave within the year?”
The “Fifth Brother” Ming Shu mentioned was Yin Shujun’s cousin, Tao Yiqian, the young master of Lin’an’s Tao merchant family.
“Yes, that’s right. He’s been in the capital for over half a year. My aunt misses him terribly and sent three letters asking him to return. He’ll probably leave with the merchant convoy to Lin’an in early August, just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival at home.” Yin Shujun replied after thinking.
Ming Shu nodded without further questions.
The small feast lasted until the evening before breaking up. Ming Shu returned to the Wei mansion.
The heavy package of silver lay against her chest – Yin Shujun and Wen An had gathered seven hundred taels for her. Combined with Man Tang Hui’s funds, she now had three thousand taels. This sum would have meant nothing to her before, but now it was her entire fortune.
She returned to the Wei mansion lost in thought, coincidentally finding Wei Zhuo visiting Madam Zeng. Several people stood in the room talking. Having lived at the Wei mansion these days, Madam Zeng had grown less formal with Wei Zhuo through increased contact, and there was something between them, though unspoken. Wei Zhuo wasn’t rushing, handling things gradually, like silent nourishing rain.
Women like Madam Zeng weren’t easy to win over completely – it might take a lifetime… but it would be worth it.
Wei Zhuo came today because Lu Chang had proposed moving back to the Top Scholar’s residence yesterday.
They couldn’t stay at the Wei mansion forever and would have to move back eventually. Wei Zhuo had no reason to stop them, so he came to see Madam Zeng’s arrangements and offered help.
“Uncle Wei, Aunt Zeng!”
As they discussed the inner quarters’ security at the Top Scholar’s residence, Ming Shu’s voice came from outside.
Apart from slight changes in address, Ming Shu’s tone and smile seemed unchanged from before. The initial pain of family tragedy appeared to have gradually dispersed – she smiled again, though faintly and rarely.
“You’re back?!” Madam Zeng quickly rose and beckoned her over, having someone pour mung bean soup, “I made mung bean soup for the summer heat, have come quickly.”
Ming Shu agreed, accepting the soup and drinking a full bowl in large gulps before saying: “Aunt Zeng’s soups are still the best tasting and most nourishing.”
Her words remained as sweet and pleasing as ever.
Madam Zeng stroked her head, and she smiled again, stuffing a package of silver into Madam Zeng’s arms: “This is one thousand taels of silver, dividends from the shop. Please keep it safe, Aunt Zeng.”
Madam Zeng was startled: “Such a large sum – what are you giving it to me for?”
A thousand taels could cover several years of their expenses.
“For household expenses,” Ming Shu said, “Aunt Zeng should save it – there will be many expenses in the future. I promised… to earn Lu Chang’s bride price.”
Money seemed to be all she could offer them, from past to present.
“Ming Shu…” Madam Zeng wanted to say something but couldn’t get the words out, only adding, “We don’t need so much. You have such a large shop to manage – take this money back.”
“I’ve kept enough. This is specifically set aside for you.” Ming Shu pushed back Madam Zeng’s hand, unwilling to argue about money. She glanced at Wei Zhuo and suddenly smiled, “Since Uncle Wei is here today, Aunt Zeng, why not… ask the Commander to witness as I kowtow and serve tea, accepting you as my mother?”
Madam Zeng was startled again, and Wei Zhuo also froze – becoming an adopted family wasn’t an issue, but this would mean Ming Shu and Lu Chang…
“Uncle Wei, is that alright?” Ming Shu showed rare enthusiasm for these days, asking with bright eyes.
“I have no objection, but shouldn’t you wait for Lu Chang to… to discuss and choose an auspicious date?” Wei Zhuo glanced at Madam Zeng, struggling to find an excuse.
The Jian family case had been fully transferred to the Ministry of Justice, and Kaifeng Prefecture had a new magistrate. Lu Chang was busy transferring duties and wasn’t home today.
Ming Shu remained enthusiastic: “Why wait when today is perfect? I’ve been a daughter of the Lu family since coming to the capital – this just makes it official, like before.”
A legitimate daughter, a legitimate sister – no different from before.
“Ming Shu, have you… thought this through?” Madam Zeng asked after a long silence.
“I have. Ming Shu has no family left, but fortunately met you and Lu Chang – heaven’s final mercy. Mother, brother – Ming Shu’s last family.” Ming Shu answered without hesitation.
With words like these, no one could refuse. Madam Zeng nodded, and Ming Shu eagerly had people prepare cushions and tea.
The sky was dimming, with only a streak of sunset remaining. Though simple, the adoption ceremony was solemn.
Madam Zeng sat formally in the hall, the Imperial Guard Commander as witness, Ming Shu kneeling on a cushion below.
She looked very happy, kneeling to Madam Zeng and giving three solid kowtows.
The loud “thud” pained Madam Zeng’s heart. Ming Shu straightened but remained kneeling, accepting warm tea from a servant and raising it respectfully above her head: “Honored Mother, please drink this tea.”
Three kowtows showed her heart in accepting a mother, this tea showed Madam Zeng’s intent to accept a daughter.
Drinking her respectful tea would make Madam Zeng’s acceptance of Ming Shu as daughter official.
“Good girl, good Ming Shu.” Madam Zeng watched her kneeling straight-backed, eyes somewhat misty.
As she reached for the tea, fingers nearly touching the cup, a shout came from outside.
“Stop this!”
Everyone turned to look except Ming Shu. That voice belonged to Lu Chang.
Lu Chang’s forehead showed slight sweat as he strode into the hall, snatching the teacup from Ming Shu’s raised hands and slamming it onto the table with a “bang.”
Tea splashed across the table.
“I object!” He seemed to lose control, his face extremely dark.
The scene froze at Lu Chang’s sudden intrusion. Madam Zeng and Wei Zhuo had stood up, with Madam Zeng urging: “Lu Chang, don’t be like this.”
Ming Shu remained kneeling straight-backed: “I don’t understand why you object. Since you saved me and brought me to the capital, we’ve always been siblings. Now we’re just making it official – what’s wrong with that?”
Lu Chang took several deep breaths to suppress the boiling flames in his chest before managing to say calmly: “We’ll discuss this matter later. Get up first.”
“Why discuss later? Why not today?” Ming Shu didn’t back down, pressing forcefully.
Lu Chang looked at her, then at the startled Madam Zeng, the speechless Wei Zhuo, and all the servants in the hall. He clenched his fist: “Are you forcing me to state my reasons in front of everyone?”
Ming Shu recalled his apology to Man Tang Hui in front of Ying Xun – don’t mention it, Lu Chang was truly capable of such things.
She stood up abruptly: “No need. If you object, let it be.”
But she spoke too late.
“I never want you as a sister – I want to marry you!” Lu Chang had already spoken.
Ming Shu’s breath caught, her face suddenly flushing.
How happy she would have been to hear these words back in Jiangning – how happy her father would have been.
“Lu Chang, though I was unconscious then, I heard some outside voices. ‘Tell others she’s your daughter, my dear sister, to prevent her from developing other thoughts.’ Weren’t those your words?”
Though muddled then, she had heard bits that merged into her confused memories. Now with all memories returned, those muddy things gradually became clear.
Other thoughts? What other thoughts could she have?
Lu Chang was shocked, unable to refute her.
“I sincerely want to accept Aunt Zeng as mother and you as brother – wasn’t this your hope originally?” Ming Shu stared at him asking, “I fulfill your wish, you achieve my hope – isn’t that a perfect solution?”
“Ming Shu…” Lu Chang’s heart ached at her questioning. The words were his own – now used to question him, he had no response even if he regretted them.
“You’re unwilling for this and that – let’s drop today’s matter! I won’t force it.” Ming Shu didn’t want to discuss this further and turned to leave.
She took two steps, not yet out the door when Lu Chang grabbed her wrist.
“Come with me!” He pulled her quickly from the room, away from others’ view.
Ming Shu had to jog to keep up with his pace, stopping with him in a deserted spot along the outer corridor. He hadn’t released her hand, still holding it.
“Ming Shu, we’ll discuss our matters later.” Lu Chang didn’t want her to consider feelings in the current situation. He had been too impulsive earlier – thinking calmly now, he suddenly sensed something slightly wrong.
Ming Shu wasn’t one to press forcefully without leaving the room – even if she resented his past coldness, she wouldn’t act this way.
“Tell me, what are you planning to do?”
Ming Shu lowered her head: “Lu Chang…” she called his name, “I plan to leave.”
“You’re going to Jiangning?” Lu Chang wasn’t surprised, “Fine, I’ll accompany you. Give me a few days to properly hand over my duties.”
“No need for company, I’ll go alone,” she said.
She just wanted to call Madam Zeng “mother” and him “brother” before leaving. That way, she wouldn’t be completely alone without family.
“Go alone?” Lu Chang’s grip tightened, as if afraid she’d run far beyond reach if he let go. “To do what?”
“Naturally to pay respects to my father and the dead of the Jian family. I never saw my father’s face one last time, never paid respects, never even offered incense…”
He interrupted before she finished: “You’re lying! You’re not going to Jiangning just to pay respects to your father. You’re going for… revenge.”
“What are you saying? I don’t understand. Revenge? Who would I seek revenge against?”
“The third person whose name you heard outside Water Fairy Temple.”
Ming Shu trembled slightly, then heard Lu Chang’s name: “That person is Cao Hai – am I wrong?!”