As the autumnal equinox approached, the air grew colder. Ming Shu had already donned a padded jacket, yet walking along the small path in the Cao family’s back garden, shielded from sunlight, she felt a chill as the wind rushed against her. The cold seemed to seep in from all directions.
The villagers, often beneficiaries of the old madam’s kindness, had asked Ming Shu to bring gifts for her upcoming birthday. Though not extravagant, these offerings from farmers—baskets of fresh fish and newly picked vegetables—filled an entire mule cart. To ensure freshness, Ming Shu delivered these to the Cao mansion ahead of the actual birthday.
Upon arriving, Ming Shu handed the goods to the steward. She had intended to pay respects to Lady He, but the household was busy with craftsmen setting up a stage and various other preparations. Unable to meet with Lady He, Ming Shu went to see the old madam instead.
“This mansion is truly vast. One could easily get lost without a guide,” Ming Shu remarked to the elderly maid leading her, feigning ignorance. “In Lin’an, how much would such a grand estate in such a prosperous area cost?”
“Indeed!” the maid, proud of her long service and knowledge of the family’s affairs, replied. “The land alone is expensive, not to mention building this garden. You should have seen how money poured out like water during construction.”
Ming Shu covered her mouth in feigned surprise. “Did the Third Master of your household earn all this?”
“Of course! Our entire household depends on him. People outside praise our Third Master’s capabilities. In just four or five years, he’s amassed this great fortune.”
Ming Shu gazed at the Cao family garden—a typical Jiangnan style with pavilions, towers, and exquisite landscaping. The three branches of the Cao family shared this residence, with separate courtyards for each, each area uniquely and meticulously designed.
The Cao family must have invested considerable effort and resources in creating this garden.
But how much could Cao Hai’s monthly salary as a Commander amount to? Even with additional income from subordinates’ gifts, it seemed impossible to accumulate such wealth in just four or five years.
Ming Shu recalled Cao Hai himself—a man whose military background was evident in his rugged build. Apart from his official armor and uniform, he never wore anything of value. In Bianjing, his only apparent indulgence was drinking. He maintained a humble and cautious demeanor before Wei Zhuo, as if he were still a lowly soldier on the frontlines, making people forget his current high status.
As the Commander of Jiangning’s Garrison Forces, even though his rank was below Wei Zhuo’s, he wielded immense power in Jiangning.
Ming Shu realized that Cao Hai was perhaps the most skilled at deception among all she had encountered.
If the Jian family case had been closed as a simple bandit raid, and Gao Shicai had been promoted to Jiangning’s Prefect, the collusion between civil and military officials would have left Jiangning in darkness, becoming their treasury. With enough wealth, raising an army would be effortless, allowing their influence to grow further.
Throughout history, in the power struggle, both provisions and troops were essential. Cao Hai was currently using his authority to amass wealth, which in turn could be used to gain more power. This cycle might eventually lead to greater ambitions… Perhaps these ambitions had already taken root, hidden deep within.
As these thoughts crossed her mind, Ming Shu felt a chill run down her spine.
The old Madam Cao was waiting for Ming Shu in the prayer hall. Due to her mourning status, Ming Shu couldn’t attend the actual birthday celebration, but she had brought a hand-copied sutra as an early gift.
This was Ming Shu’s first time entering the prayer hall. It was spacious, with seven-tiered candelabras on both sides and a central Buddhist shrine. Madam Cao had just finished her prayers and was kneeling on a cushion, hands clasped in devotion.
After concluding her morning ritual, Madam Cao was helped up by her maid. She turned to see Ming Shu standing at the doorway, gazing intently at the jade Guanyin statue on the altar.
“Shu Niang, you’re here,” Madam Cao smiled, approaching Ming Shu. Noticing her reddened eyes, she asked with concern, “Shu Niang?”
Ming Shu snapped back to reality, lightly pressing her eyes. “The Guanyin is so merciful. Seeing it moved me deeply… I’m sorry for embarrassing myself, Adoptive Mother.”
“Good child, you have a connection with Buddha,” Madam Cao said kindly, leading her to the adjoining meditation room to talk.
“That Guanyin statue is so lifelike. I couldn’t help but feel…” Ming Shu began.
“My youngest son brought it back as a New Year’s gift last year. I don’t know where he found it, but I too found it exceptionally merciful. Perhaps this is what they call a Buddhist affinity,” Madam Cao explained, patting Ming Shu’s hand reassuringly.
Ming Shu smiled, dropping the subject of the statue.
After chatting for a while, Ming Shu accompanied Madam Cao on a walk through the garden. Unlike typical wealthy matriarchs, Madam Cao was warm and energetic, eager to show Ming Shu around.
“Look at this good soil. If we planted vegetables or melons, imagine the harvest! Instead, it’s wasted on inedible flowers and grass,” Madam Cao remarked, pointing at a flowerbed.
“Adoptive Mother, these plants are precious varieties, meant to enhance the scenery,” Ming Shu explained with a smile.
“You sound just like my daughter-in-law, saying a single plant here is worth a whole field of vegetables,” Madam Cao pouted childishly. “You can’t eat scenery!”
“You’re right, Adoptive Mother. Why don’t we plant some cabbage and yams in that plot outside the city?” Ming Shu quickly appeased her.
Madam Cao’s smile returned.
As they approached the largest courtyard in the garden, they encountered Lady He scolding servants loudly.
“You’re all blind! How could you let outsiders wander in here? Are you all dead?” Lady He’s angry voice carried far.
From a distance, Ming Shu saw two maids kneeling before Lady He, with several servants standing behind her. About five steps away stood two men, clearly not from the Cao household, dressed in short jackets and carrying tools – likely craftsmen.
After berating the maids and servants, Lady He turned her anger on the craftsmen. Still unsatisfied, she ordered the maids to be caned and the craftsmen to be expelled without pay.
Madam Cao, watching from afar, grew increasingly displeased. Coming from a humble background and being devoutly religious, she disliked such scenes. She instructed her maid: “Tell my third daughter-in-law that scolding and docking wages is enough for the servants’ mistakes. Those craftsmen earn their living hard; don’t withhold their pay.”
As the maid left to deliver the message, Madam Cao sighed to Ming Shu: “My third daughter-in-law is good in many ways, but her temper is terrible. She’s always threatening to sell people or beat them. This courtyard probably holds a fortune in gold and silver, so she’s overly cautious, not even letting family members near…”
As this was a Cao family matter, Ming Shu remained silent.
The craftsmen were being led away, passing by them. One of them glanced at Ming Shu, their eyes meeting briefly before looking away.
Ming Shu recognized him as one of Jiao Chunlu’s men. Besides those handling the banquet, Jiao Chunlu had sent some men disguised as craftsmen to infiltrate the Cao household and gather information about the missing Jian family treasures.
It seemed they now had some leads on the whereabouts of those jewels and antiques.
That night, Lu Chang returned. He had recently received a reply to his letter to Wei Zhuo and had been discussing matters with the Lin’an Garrison Commander for the past few days. During his absence, he had assigned someone to watch over Ming Shu.
As usual, he climbed through the window into the dark room, filled with the strong scent of alcohol. His brow furrowed with concern when Ming Shu didn’t respond to his calls.
Lighting a lamp, he hurried to the bedroom, kicking an empty wine jar that rolled away. He found Ming Shu curled up on the floor, clutching a wine jar, reeking of alcohol.
“Ming Shu!” Lu Chang crouched beside her, brushing her hair aside to reveal her flushed face and tear-stained cheeks. “What happened?”
Her mood had seemed to improve lately, so why this sudden breakdown?
In her drunken haze, Ming Shu recognized Lu Chang and instinctively sought his embrace, mumbling, “Lu Chang, hold me.”
Lu Chang sat on the floor, cradling her. He counted four empty wine jars nearby. Despite her high tolerance, this amount had left her half drunk.
She had abstained from alcohol while in mourning, but tonight she couldn’t resist. Only in drunkenness could she find a moment’s peace.
Alone in a strange town, facing an empty hut, with all her family gone and a blood feud weighing on her shoulders… the burden was unbearable.
“Lu Chang, I saw… the jade Guanyin,” she murmured brokenly against his chest. “It was my mother’s… She was kind and believed in Buddha too… My father personally chose the jade… and found the best craftsman in Jiangnan… to carve it in her likeness…”
Her voice cracked with emotion: “I miss my mother, my father, Lu Chang. I miss them so much!”
Lu Chang could only hold her tightly, stroking her back as she poured out her grief.
Suddenly, she gripped his collar fiercely, her bloodshot eyes fixed on him, whether from alcohol, tears, or hatred, it wasn’t clear.
“Lu Chang, do you know? When I saw that Guanyin, I wanted to kill them all… I… I promised, but I’m afraid I can’t control myself…”
Her pain pierced Lu Chang’s heart like a knife.
“Soon, very soon. Be patient, Ming Shu. Just a few more days…” he comforted her, clenching his fist.
The night was dark, clouds obscuring the moon. Inside, only a faint lamp illuminated their embracing silhouettes.
A night of sorrow passed this way.
On September 14th, under clear skies, the Cao mansion bustled with activity.
Six days before the old madam’s birthday, preparations were in full swing. The stage was nearly complete, servants decorated the mansion with fresh flowers and red silk, the celebration hall was being arranged, and tailors and jewelers arrived with new clothes and accessories. Lady He was overwhelmed with tasks.
Outside, tables lined the streets. Materials for temporary kitchens and rain shelters were piled against walls, waiting for the banquet chefs to set up. Supply carts shuttled back and forth, delivering ingredients.
Madam Cao’s seventieth birthday celebration was about to begin in grand style.
September 16th arrived, just one day before the planned action on the 17th.
However, outside Lin’an city, a group of horsemen approached at full gallop.
Cao Hai, originally expected to depart from Jiangning on the 18th, was returning early and unannounced.