Lu Chang woke up early. As he opened his eyes, Ming Shu was still asleep. She slumbered peacefully, her head resting on his arm, her soft, long hair spread across the pillow, her breathing slow and steady. Gently, he lifted her neck, withdrew his arm, and slipped a pillow beneath her head. His arm, having been pressed all night, felt sore and numb. Uncomfortably, Lu Chang sat up, shaking his arm, and gazed at her intently in the dim light.
Suddenly, a thought struck him, and a smile spread across his lips. He quickly leaned down and planted a light kiss on her mouth before getting out of bed and putting on his robe.
In truth, Ming Shu had awakened when he moved her head, but she pretended to sleep. Although they had shared a bed for several days, they hadn’t consummated their marriage. They merely slept side by side, unable to see each other in the dark. Encountering each other in the early morning still felt awkward, so it seemed best not to wake up simultaneously to avoid embarrassment.
Sounds emanated from outside the bed. Despite Lu Chang’s efforts to be quiet, the old house betrayed his movements. After he entered the kitchen, silence fell again. Ming Shu could no longer sleep, so she turned to face the room. In the quiet morning, she could hear water running, fire crackling, and pots clanging. Lu Chang wore only a faded light blue robe, his usual home attire, and moved busily about with his hair loose. Ming Shu watched for a long time, savoring this moment and the scene before her.
Half an hour passed, and daylight began to brighten the room. The aroma of pancakes wafted from the kitchen, and warm water had been poured into the wooden basin on the rack. Only then did Lu Chang return to the bedside. Ming Shu quickly closed her eyes.
Lu Chang stood by the bed, looking at her for a moment before chuckling, “Still pretending? Aren’t you tired of lying there for so long?”
Ming Shu finally opened her eyes, revealing a lazy, contented glow. Her cheeks flushed pink.
“You knew all along and didn’t…” She started to reproach him but suddenly remembered something, her face burning. “Shameless!” she exclaimed.
He had taken advantage of the situation!
“If you’re done lounging in bed, it’s time to get up,” Lu Chang said, extending his hand. “The water’s ready for you to wash up.”
Grudgingly, she took his hand, letting him pull her up. Glancing around the room, she said, “To think that I, a common woman, am worthy of being served by the top scholar. What a sin, what a sin indeed.”
Lu Chang watched her. While her mouth spoke of “sin,” her body stretched lazily, her face showing no trace of remorse. She jumped out of bed with ease, accepting his service as if it were her due. This imperious manner belonged to the Ming Shu of old.
In his care, she was gradually regaining her former spirit. Whether through coaxing, pampering, doting, or loving, he was willing to give his all.
“If you feel sorry for me, big sister, you’d better hurry… The water will get cold, and I’ll have to heat it again,” Lu Chang said.
Ming Shu had just wet her face when she heard this. She turned, her face dripping, and squinted at him. “Are you Lu Chang? You’re not some demon or ghost in human skin, are you?”
That once so serious and upright poor scholar was now saying such things? A year ago, she would have thought she was seeing a ghost.
Lu Chang asked very seriously, “Do you want to check?” He tugged at his robe as he spoke.
Ming Shu hastily wiped her face and walked to his side. Patting his shoulder, she said earnestly, “Lu Chang, I’m more used to your previous demeanor. Just raise your head a bit, make your gaze colder, don’t smile… Yes, like that, just like Song Qingzhao…”
Lu Chang had been playing along, but at the mention of Song Qingzhao, his face immediately darkened.
“Jian Ming Shu!”
How had it become him resembling Song Qingzhao? She had mistaken Song Qingzhao for him in her dreams.
Ming Shu burst into giggles, a laugh Lu Chang hadn’t heard in a long time, softening his brow once more.
“Lu Chang, thank you,” Ming Shu said sincerely after her laughter subsided.
Her mood had indeed improved significantly.
The couple finished breakfast as the hour of Chen (7-9 AM) arrived. Ming Shu had arranged to meet Jiao Chunlu at half past Si (9:30-11:30 AM) and was about to leave.
“Did you hide the whistling arrow, aromatic pellets, and lime powder well?” Lu Chang checked her belongings before she left.
Besides the dagger, Lu Chang had prepared some emergency items for her to carry: a whistling arrow for calling help, aromatic pellets to counter fainting, and lime powder—a crude but effective tool used in the jianghu.
“Yes, I’ve hidden them,” Ming Shu nodded.
“Do you remember how to use the whistling arrow?” he asked again.
Ming Shu nodded once more, “I do.”
“I’ll be nearby. If you’re in danger, use the whistling arrow, and I’ll come quickly,” Lu Chang reminded her.
“I know. You’ve told me many times,” Ming Shu cupped Lu Chang’s face. “I’m just meeting Jiao Chunlu to discuss the Cao family’s birthday banquet, not going to battle with them. Top Scholar, relax a bit. I didn’t see you this nervous even when you entered the Golden Luan Hall.”
“Who knows if they might change their minds at the last moment? It’s better to be cautious,” Lu Chang replied as he tightened his cloak and helped her put on her hood before letting her leave.
Ming Shu met Jiao Chunlu in a secluded grove not far from the village. Thick layers of dead leaves covered the ground, crunching with each step. Jiao Chunlu was already waiting with four men nearby, while other figures lurked in the distance. He had chosen this small, desolate grove after thoroughly searching it to ensure safety.
Ming Shu lowered her hood and approached Jiao Chunlu with a cold expression, bowing slightly and addressing him as “Lord Lu.”
Jiao Chunlu, seated on a dead tree trunk, eyed her coldly with his remaining eye, which protruded like that of a fierce crocodile. Ming Shu stood before him like a rabbit awaiting slaughter. He found it hard to believe that a mere rabbit would dare to walk alone into a den of crocodiles and wolves.
“Girl, you’re not trying to deceive me, are you?” he asked again.
Having participated in the massacre of the Jian family, he wondered how Ming Shu could spare him if she sought revenge. He feared working in vain, only to benefit others. He knew well the consequences of wiping out Cao Hai’s entire clan.
“I’m just a lone woman. What could I possibly deceive you about, Lord Lu?” Ming Shu replied nonchalantly. “I want revenge, but my enemy is too powerful. I have no choice but to take this risk. Whoever helps me get revenge will receive those ten thousand taels of gold. I came to you because we share a grudge against Cao Hai. If you’re still worried, we can call off this deal. With thirty thousand taels of gold, I’m sure I can find someone else to help me seek revenge.”
As a merchant, Jiao Chunlu understood that profit and risk always went hand in hand. Those who lived dangerously would sell their lives if the price was right.
Jiao Chunlu lowered his gaze, tapping his knife. When his brother had excitedly spoken of finding a powerful patron for a better life, he never imagined they’d end up as homeless dogs. They had taken such a risk to rob the Jian family’s wealth but didn’t even get a small share. His brother died mysteriously, and his men were either killed or maimed, completely wiped out. He wanted revenge, but his life was also important. Compared to his hatred, the temptation of thirty thousand taels of gold was even greater.
“Tell me, what’s your plan?” he asked.
Ming Shu explained the details of Madam Cao’s birthday celebration on September 10th, which would last for three days. She suggested that Jiao Chunlu send two men disguised as cooks to infiltrate the Cao mansion.
“Cao Hai has sent a letter to his wife, Lady He, saying he’ll return on September 18th,” Ming Shu continued. “Jiangning and Lin’an are close, a two-day journey. He’ll arrive in Lin’an by September 19th at the earliest. We should act on September 17th, when they’re busy preparing for the banquet.”
She outlined the timing, emphasizing the three-day window between their action and Cao Hai’s return, giving Jiao Chunlu enough time to escape with the gold.
“Oh, and the Cao mansion likely hides ill-gotten goods. Even if you doubt my thirty thousand taels, finding their loot should be enough for you to live comfortably,” Ming Shu added with a sudden smile. “Lord Lu, you saw the antiques, jades, and jewels taken from my home, didn’t you?”
Jiao Chunlu’s eyes lit up at this. He hadn’t even touched that treasure after it was taken from the Jian family vault.
“Consider those as a down payment,” Ming Shu said generously.
The antiques and jewels were worth more than eighty thousand taels of silver.
None of the emergency items Lu Chang had prepared for Ming Shu were needed, which was fortunate.
By afternoon, Ming Shu led the two undercover cooks to the Cao mansion. Lady He received them. Thanks to Ming Shu’s connection, she didn’t suspect anything, only asking detailed questions about the banquet and arranging a tasting for the next day.
As evening fell, Ming Shu returned home. Lu Chang, who had been following her all day, entered almost simultaneously—she through the front door, he through the back window.
“Someone might think we have a thief,” Ming Shu laughed, catching Lu Chang climbing through the window.
Her heart, tense all day, finally relaxed.
The window had been left open for Lu Chang’s use. After entering, he closed it, dusted himself off, and stood there as if nothing unusual had happened.
They settled into their normal evening routine, with Lu Chang cooking and Ming Shu tending the fire.
As the fire grew stronger, it flushed their faces red.
“Lu Chang, Jiao Chunlu’s men will act on September 17th,” Ming Shu said, tossing another piece of wood into the stove and listening to the crackling sound.
Lu Chang dropped a vegetable into the pot and simply replied, “Oh.”
There were thirteen days left until September 17th.