Ming Shu’s mind went blank.
The sensation of the blade sinking into flesh was indescribable. She thought she heard a faint “shhh” sound, followed by a spreading red stain on the clothing. Soon, all she could see was red.
An overwhelming sea of crimson.
Cao Hai seemed to twitch, attempting to struggle, but Ming Shu’s hand remained firmly gripped on the dagger, showing no signs of letting go.
Then, a hoarse voice near her ear said, “Shu, you can let go now.”
A warm hand accompanied the raspy words, covering hers. Startled, she released her grip. Cao Hai’s body slowly crumpled, and Ming Shu stumbled backward, eventually falling into Lu Chang’s embrace.
“Lu Chang, I killed someone,” she said, raising her face. Blood from her forehead had smeared half her face.
Lu Chang held her tightly and replied, “You saved my life.”
Ming Shu, still dazed, asked, “I saved you?”
“Yes, you saved me,” Lu Chang repeated.
Ming Shu stared at him blankly, taking in the blood on his face and the clarity in his eyes – a contradictory image.
After a moment, she slowly exhaled.
“That’s good… that’s good…” she whispered.
Her voice faded as if all her strength had been drained. Leaning against Lu Chang, she slipped into a deep, dreamless darkness.
The flickering firelight cast a warm orange glow through her eyelids, melting away the darkness.
As the senseless blackness receded, Ming Shu gradually became aware of an ache spreading through her limbs. It felt like the soreness after a long run across open country – somewhat painful, yet oddly satisfying.
She opened her eyes slightly, taking in an unfamiliar room.
The room was small, with stone walls on three sides and no windows. Despite its size, it contained all the essentials. A candle lamp flickered on the table, its flame gently swaying. She blinked and rubbed her slightly sore eyes, then pushed herself up from the bed as her foggy mind cleared.
This was no ordinary room.
“You’re awake?” a hoarse voice sounded nearby. Soon, someone sat beside the bed and helped her sit up properly.
“You…” she looked at the person beside the bed.
Lu Chang gently smoothed her hair and carefully examined the bandaged wound on her forehead. “Shu, it’s me, Lu Chang,” he said cautiously.
Ming Shu touched the bandage on her head. “Who’s Lu Chang?” she asked.
Lu Chang’s expression froze momentarily.
Suddenly, she smiled. “Is that my brother?”
Her smile dispelled the heavy atmosphere in the room. Though still weak and tired, her mood had stabilized.
“Shu!” he sighed in relief, chiding her gently, but without any real annoyance in his voice.
Ming Shu looked around the room again. “Where are we?”
“This is… the Lin’an government office,” Lu Chang replied.
“The jail cell in the office, right?” Ming Shu saw through it immediately. “I’m fine, don’t worry. Is Cao Hai dead?”
Seeing that her expression was indeed normal, Lu Chang nodded. “He’s dead.” He then explained, “There was a chaotic battle in Raven Forest. Cao Hai’s secret forces in Lin’an and Jiao Chunlu’s men all fell into the ambush set by the Lin’an army. They’ve all been captured.”
This was part of Ming Shu and Lu Chang’s plan – using the thirty thousand taels of gold as bait to lure Cao Hai and his private army to Lin’an. Cao Hai’s greed for gold led him to mobilize his secret forces to Lin’an, as he couldn’t use the regular Jiangning garrison outside his jurisdiction. These private troops and Jiao Chunlu’s bandits clashed in Raven Forest, ultimately falling into the Lin’an army’s trap.
“The Jiangning authorities have traced the movements of this private army to their camps and armories. Uncle Wei has already reported to the Emperor, requesting permission to dispatch imperial troops to Jiangning to prevent unrest and to absorb these private forces. Additionally, the stolen goods found in the Cao residence have been seized by the Lin’an officials who arrived at the scene.”
Lu Chang had reported the robbery at Cao’s residence. When the officials arrived, they discovered two carts of valuables being moved out of the compound. Initially thinking it was related to the reported robbery, and with the aftermath of the battle still evident, they seized everything as evidence. Now it all served as proof against Cao.
This outcome was within their plan, and Ming Shu showed no surprise. However, the legal process still concerned her.
“Although all charges will be formally settled after returning to the capital for trial, given the ongoing investigation and your direct involvement in Cao Hai’s death, you’re technically a suspect. So…” Lu Chang caressed her pale face. “But don’t worry, the prefect knows your situation, and Uncle Wei has spoken on your behalf. Apart from temporary loss of freedom, they won’t trouble you.”
Ming Shu smiled, unconcerned about her current situation. Even if she had died then, she would have had no regrets.
“I’m fine,” she said, raising her hand to gently trace the purple bruises on his neck.
Cao Hai had nearly killed him, and his grip had been so strong that the marks remained. Even now, Lu Chang’s voice hadn’t fully recovered, still hoarse and low.
“You should talk less,” she said softly.
Lu Chang held her hand, and Ming Shu leaned into his embrace, wrapping her arms around his waist. She tilted her head up, her lips lightly brushing the marks on his neck. Lu Chang’s throat moved slightly as he cupped her chin.
If he couldn’t speak, they could do something else.
The candlelight cast their shadows on the wall, intertwined like mandarin ducks.
As autumn gave way to winter, snow once again blanketed the land.
The sensational Jian robbery case that had once shaken Jiangnan was reopened, once again shocking both the court and the common people.
The male members of the Cao family were imprisoned, while the women were confined to their residences. All other suspects and evidence were sent to the capital. Besides the Jian robbery case, the imperial troops uncovered additional evidence of Cao Hai and Gao Shicai’s crimes in Jiangning, including serious offenses such as embezzling military funds, secretly manufacturing and selling weapons, and illegally trading military supplies with foreign entities.
Ming Shu was also escorted to Bianjing. After three court hearings, the brutal Jian family case, which had lasted a full year, was finally settled in early December.
The Emperor himself passed judgment, finding Cao Hai and Gao Shicai guilty of numerous crimes, including conspiracy, corruption, treason, illegal weapons manufacturing and trade, and colluding with bandits to rob and murder honest merchants. The punishment extended to three generations of both the Cao and Gao families.
All the Jian family assets seized by the Cao household were returned to the Jian family. Jian Ming Shu, the lone survivor, was exonerated in court and commended for her role in capturing the criminals. The Emperor personally awarded her a plaque inscribed with the characteristics of “Honorable Merchant.”
As Ming Shu stepped out of the courthouse, heavy snow was falling again. The entire city of Bianjing was covered in frost and snow, just as it had been when she arrived.
She took a deep breath, feeling the icy air rush from her nose to her throat and fill her lungs. It was cold, but invigorating and exhilarating.
An umbrella appeared over her head, shielding her from the falling snow.
“Let’s go home,” Lu Chang said, coming to take her back.
At the residence of the Top Scholar, the previously gloomy atmosphere had lifted, and preparations for a feast were in full swing.
Though it wasn’t early, Madam Zeng, accompanied by Qingrao, stood at the entrance, anxiously awaiting Lu Chang and Ming Shu’s return. “Why aren’t they back yet? I hope nothing’s gone wrong,” she muttered worriedly.
“Don’t worry, Madam. They’ll be here soon,” Qingrao reassured her while keeping an eye on the street. Suddenly, her face lit up. “Look! Aren’t they back?”
Madam Zeng peered down the long street and indeed saw two figures approaching.
Under a single oil-paper umbrella walked two people side by side: Ming Shu in white and Lu Chang in blue, making their way through the snowy scene.
“Aunt Zeng!” Ming Shu called out as soon as she spotted Madam Zeng, waving her hand before breaking into a run, leaving Lu Chang behind.
Her footprints left a long trail in the powdery snow.
“Shu!” Madam Zeng cried with joy, pulling Ming Shu into a tight embrace. “You foolish child, you foolish child…” she said, choking back tears.
Ming Shu buried her face in Madam Zeng’s embrace, sniffling hard to hold back her tears. “I’m alright now!” she said with a smile.
Jian Ming Shu was still Jian Ming Shu.
“It’s cold outside. Let’s talk inside,” Lu Chang said as he caught up.
“Yes, yes, let’s go in. First, step over the fire basin to ward off any lingering bad luck,” Madam Zeng said, wiping her eyes and instructing Qingrao to light the fire.
The strong scent of mugwort filled the air as the fire basin burned brightly in the snow outside the Top Scholar’s residence.
“Both of you, together!” Madam Zeng urged Lu Chang.
Ming Shu lifted her skirts and gracefully jumped over the fire basin, with Lu Chang following closely behind.
Stepping over the fire basin was meant to burn away all the misfortune of the past, ushering in a brand new day.
Madam Zeng had prepared a lavish meal, featuring all of Lu Chang and Ming Shu’s favorite dishes.
Inside, a charcoal fire was lit. Ming Shu removed her heavy outer robe, wearing only her usual light silk dress. She sat beside Lu Chang, eagerly eating from her bowl piled high with food while pushing away the chopsticks trying to add more to her plate. “Stop adding more! I can’t eat anymore!” she protested.
Finally, Madam Zeng and Lu Chang relented. Lu Chang poured her a cup of sweet salted plum juice, which Ming Shu accepted but first pressed against her cheeks to cool them.
Her face was flushed, whether, from happiness or the warmth of the fire, it was hard to tell. The simple dress she wore only accentuated her vibrant beauty.
Just as they finished eating, Wei Zhuo arrived. Madam Zeng cleared the table and invited him to sit. The four of them began to talk.
Wei Zhuo had come primarily to discuss the return of the Jian family assets with Ming Shu, but also to see Madam Zeng. Since she had moved back to the Top Scholar’s residence, their opportunities to meet had decreased, and he missed her, often finding excuses to visit.
After discussing business, Wei Zhuo didn’t rush to leave. Instead, he sighed to Madam Zeng, “The food at my home is tasteless. I haven’t had a proper meal in ages.”
“Did you change cooks?” Madam Zeng asked, glancing at him.
“No, it’s just that after enjoying such delicious meals recently, I can’t stomach what he cooks anymore,” Wei Zhuo said, patting his stomach pitifully.
“You’ve never been picky about food, and you’ve been eating his cooking for ten years. How can you suddenly not be used to it?” Madam Zeng retorted.
Wei Zhuo smiled and said, “It’s because I hadn’t met the right person before. Now I can only think about those delicious meals… I miss them terribly.”
The implication was clear to everyone present.
It wasn’t the food he missed, but the person.
Madam Zeng blushed.
Ming Shu shivered and spoke up, “Uncle Wei, if you want to join us for meals, just say so. Don’t speak in riddles, it’s tiring to listen to.” She then smiled and nudged Lu Chang, “I want to go rest in my room. How about you?”
Lu Chang understood her meaning but didn’t agree. Instead, he stood up, holding her hand, and said, “Wait a moment.”
Ming Shu raised an eyebrow, watching as he walked to the center of the hall. His words echoed those he had spoken when he had asked Madam Zeng to be his mother.
“Since the General is here, he can serve as a witness. Mother, I have a request,” he said, lifting his robe and kneeling before Madam Zeng.
Madam Zeng was surprised, and Ming Shu was puzzled.
“Mother, I wish to ask for your permission to marry Shu,” Lu Chang said solemnly, bowing deeply.
Ming Shu’s face turned bright red. She poked his back, urging, “Get up quickly.”
Madam Zeng looked from Ming Shu to Lu Chang, her surprise giving way to a knowing smile. “You want to marry Shu? Shouldn’t you be asking her? Why bow to me?”
“Shu has no elder relatives left and sees you as a mother figure. I wanted to ask you first. Moreover, Shu has a three-year mourning period to observe, and I… I will be leaving the capital for three years. This marriage would have to wait for three years. Mother, do you approve?” Lu Chang explained.
Before Madam Zeng could respond, Ming Shu exclaimed in surprise, “You’re leaving the capital for three years? Why?”
Lu Chang looked up at her. Having been confined in the jail until now, she didn’t know what had transpired outside.
“Shu…” he began, hesitating.
“As a court official, Lu Chang left the capital without imperial permission during his suspension, albeit to investigate the Cao Hai case. Though his merits and faults balance out, the Emperor has decreed that he be reassigned as the magistrate of Zhangyang County for a three-year term,” Wei Zhuo explained with a soft sigh.
Ming Shu stared at Lu Chang in shock.
Still kneeling, Lu Chang asked, “Shu, will you wait for me?”
Three years was the term, and he was asking her to be his wife.