The blizzard came and went swiftly. The wind and snow ceased on the second day, and the sun emerged on the third. However, the deep snow made travel impossible. Lu Chang and the Tao family escort team remained stranded in these desolate mountains for five full days before resuming their journey.
Ming Shu had already grown familiar with the escort team members, especially Young Master Tao Yi Qian. After hearing Ming Shu’s embellished account of that perilous night, he deeply admired the siblings, treating Ming Shu as a righteous female warrior. He nearly wanted to become sworn siblings with them.
“We’re departing, calm yourself!” Lu Chang couldn’t bear watching her mislead people like this. They had already boarded the carriage and were about to leave, yet Tao Yi Qian still sat on his horse gazing at them longingly, as if they were the actual siblings. It was truly discomforting to watch.
“More friends mean more opportunities,” Ming Shu said after helping Madam Zeng into the carriage. She sat beside Lu Chang and waved to Tao Yi Qian.
The carriage had barely started moving at a gentle pace when Lu Chang’s whip suddenly cracked sharply. The horse burst into a gallop, causing the carriage to lurch forward violently. Ming Shu tumbled against Lu Chang’s arm, steadying herself while holding his arm. She complained, “Brother, what are you doing?”
Lu Chang glanced back – his modest carriage had already left the Tao family escort team far behind, with Young Master Tao barely visible. Only then did his mood lighten. “Driving the carriage. If you’re uncomfortable, go inside.”
“I won’t,” Ming Shu’s face was wrapped tightly like Lu Chang’s, leaving only her eyes visible. Her eyes curved upward, challenging him. “I’ll keep you company while driving. Tell me about my past.”
“What about it?” Lu Chang kept his eyes forward, already reining in the horse to stabilize the carriage.
“Tell me… where did we use to live?”
“Under the old locust tree in Chang Kang Lane, Jiang Ning County,” Lu Chang replied.
“What kind of person was I before?” Ming Shu asked again.
Lu Chang turned at her question, catching her resting her chin in her hand while gazing at him, her clear eyes as innocent as a child’s. He reflected on the past. He had known her for ten years, watching her grow from a young girl with hanging hair into a maiden in her teens. Yet if asked what kind of person she was, Lu Chang couldn’t quite answer. The Simple family was wealthy and influential; she had grown up in luxury, always surrounded by servants. She carried an inherent air of nobility that clearly showed the disparity between rich and poor. He had to admit his prejudice, viewing her through worldly eyes as a commanding wealthy daughter, causing him to forget their first meeting many years ago. Her small head had peeked out from behind her mother’s back, smiling brightly at his shy self, saying straightforwardly: “Little Brother, I am Ming Shu. Ming Shu, like the moon. Mother says I am her little moon.”
That year he was nine, still a child himself, yet she had dazzled him. He thought how could there be such an adorable girl in the world, delicate as a fairy from heaven? Back then he wondered, if he grew up and could marry someone like her, wouldn’t that be wonderful?
“Brother? Brother?!” Seeing no response, Ming Shu forcefully patted his shoulder.
Lu Chang suddenly snapped back to reality, meeting Ming Shu’s eyes and realizing he had been lost in foolish thoughts. How could childhood fancies be taken seriously?
“Does this question require such long consideration?” Ming Shu stared at him suspiciously.
Lu Chang was grateful for wearing the windscreen; otherwise, she might have noticed his embarrassment.
“I was thinking how to tactfully tell you that you were quite the troublemaker before,” he glanced at her seriously.
“Me? A troublemaker?” Hearing this obvious teasing, Ming Shu didn’t believe it.
“Yes. Fighting others, causing trouble, climbing trees, swimming in rivers – nothing was off limits…” Lu Chang spoke while thinking, his smile hidden behind the windscreen, only his curved eyes revealing his amusement – he was immersed in memories and in a good mood.
These were all events before Ming Shu’s mother passed away. Back then they were innocent friends with deep bonds. He roamed the streets while she was the little troublemaker, both causing mischief everywhere. When he was bullied, she would stand before him with hands on her hips, bringing the household guards. Such a tiny girl already knew to stand up for him, fighting fiercely with others until chaos ensued, and he would have to clean up afterward… Thinking back now, those distant memories remained vivid.
Upon reflection, her change came after her mother’s death. It must have been a difficult time. Though Master Simple treated her well, he couldn’t replace her mother. In the vast Simple household, she was the only daughter. Issues like family fortune and inheritance matters normally considered in adulthood, suddenly pressed down upon her. When she went out, she represented the Simple family. She couldn’t let people point fingers and call her “a fatherless wild child with no maternal guidance” or “a merchant family’s uncouth daughter, unfit for proper society.” Gradually, she changed. He also visited the Simple household less frequently. When they met again after a long time, she had become a proper young lady, truly becoming that unreachable moon in the sky.
In the past, he would never have seen this version of Simple Ming Shu again. This bout of memory loss had returned her childlike nature.
“Brother, you’re smiling secretly!” Ming Shu’s mind worked differently from others. Instead of asking about the past, she stared directly at Lu Chang’s eyes.
Was Lu Chang’s smile such a rare sight?
“I am not!” Lu Chang denied it.
“You are!” Ming Shu reached out to pull at his windscreen.
Lu Chang quickly grabbed her hand, saying sternly: “Stop fooling around!”
Ming Shu was only pretending, immediately grinning: “Brother should smile more often, you look better when smiling…”
Lu Chang’s eyes curved again, listening as she continued: “Yes, just like that. When we reach the capital, who knows how many young ladies you’ll enchant…”
His smile instantly vanished, but she continued: “There must be many who want to be my sister-in-law. I must help you screen and select. Whoever wants to approach you must first win me over. Ah, the handkerchiefs they’ll gift, the snacks they’ll bring…” That’s how the stories always went – win over the little sister to have a chance with the brother, right?
She was lost in her fantasy, seemingly already tasting those sweet benefits, not noticing Lu Chang’s darkening expression.
What nonsense!
Lu Chang pressed his palm firmly on her head, trying to bring her back to reality. Ming Shu finished her daydream with curved eyes and brows, turning to look at him sweetly: “Brother, I like you.”
Having accepted this brother and this family in her heart, Ming Shu held nothing back.
Lu Chang’s chest tightened violently – this wasn’t the first time he knew her feelings, but discussing marriage without love wasn’t what he wanted. Since learning the Simple family’s intentions, he had always avoided her, maintaining distance and drawing clear boundaries. She had never said “like” before, even on the day they parted. She only spoke of marriage, not love, as if their marriage was just a monetary transaction by the Simple family, using gold and silver and their daughter to exchange for immense wealth.
Today she finally said it, but this “like” was for sibling affection, with no trace of romance between man and woman.
Vaguely, Lu Chang felt he had made the wrong decision.
—————-
Along the way, Lu Chang’s ears were filled with Ming Shu’s voice.
Ming Shu’s personality had completely changed since that night she called out “Brother.” The shadows brought by memory loss gradually disappeared, and she became someone bathed in sunlight again, no longer showing any trace of her former commanding wealthy young lady demeanor.
Lu Chang was getting headaches from her constant calls of “Brother,” but Ming Shu wasn’t the Ming Shu of the past. With sibling status as a cover, she seemed to need no more restraint or pretense, no longer having to act like a virtuous young lady. She simply happily played the role of a lovable sister, sticking to Lu Chang until he was thoroughly annoyed yet still unable to do anything about it.
Under Ming Shu’s frank revelry, Lu Chang’s coldness was thoroughly defeated.
Soon, the group reached the nearest town. Lu Chang took Ming Shu and accompanied Tao Yi Qian to escort the mountain bandits to the magistrate’s office. When they emerged, Ming Shu was delighted with the ten taels of silver in her hands.
After resting for a night, everyone set out again early the next morning, heading straight for Bian Jing.
After the blizzard, the weather was fine with no more unusual occurrences. The journey went smoothly, and within four days, the prosperous capital was within sight.
“Ming Shu, look, Bian Jing is right ahead,” Tao Yi Qian rode out a distance before turning back, pointing ahead.
After several days together, Tao Yi Qian and Ming Shu had become familiar enough to call each other by name.
“Really?” Ming Shu held onto the rail and looked into the distance, filled with anticipation.
“We’re about to enter the city. Would you like to ride?” Tao Yi Qian reined his horse to walk beside Lu Chang’s carriage, reversing his whip to offer it to Ming Shu.
Ming Shu naturally wanted to. She had seen Tao Yi Qian riding gracefully the whole way and had long been envious, but… she secretly glanced at Lu Chang.
Brother surely wouldn’t agree.
“Brother Lu, don’t worry, I’ll lead the horse for your sister. I’ll ensure her safety,” Tao Yi Qian pleaded with Lu Chang on Ming Shu’s behalf.
Lu Chang wanted to refuse, but the words caught in his throat when he saw Ming Shu’s expectant gaze. He simply watched her silently. Ming Shu knew Lu Chang’s temperament well – his lack of prohibition meant tacit approval. Overjoyed, she took the whip, already eager to try.
Tao Yi Qian’s horse was gentle-natured, snow-white with glossy fur, allowing Ming Shu to climb onto its back. Tao Yi Qian held the reins, standing before the horse, explaining riding basics to Ming Shu as she bent down. Ming Shu’s headscarf had slipped, revealing half of her face, unable to hide her vibrant beauty. Standing there with the similarly aged and handsome Tao Yi Qian, they looked exactly like the young master and fair maiden from story books, a perfect match drawing many glances from passersby.
Lu Chang felt something suddenly uncomfortable inside. Meanwhile, Tao Yi Qian finished instructing Ming Shu and noticed Lu Chang staring intently at them. Assuming Lu Chang also wanted to ride, he eagerly offered: “Brother Lu, would you like to ride too? I can have someone take over the carriage so you can stretch your legs?”
“Thank you,” watching Ming Shu rubbing her face against the horse’s mane, Lu Chang unexpectedly agreed.
Tao Yi Qian’s subordinate quickly came to take over driving the carriage. Lu Chang jumped down and walked straight toward Ming Shu. Tao Yi Qian was smiling, about to arrange a horse for Lu Chang, when surprisingly, Lu Chang walked up to them, said “No need to trouble yourself,” took the reins from his hand, and mounted the horse behind Ming Shu right in front of Tao Yi Qian.
“I’ll take her for a ride. Thank you, Young Master Tao, for watching the carriage for me.”
Before Tao Yi Qian could react, Lu Chang raised the whip, the horse leaped forward, and with Ming Shu’s joyful cry, the white horse disappeared into a cloud of dust – leaving Tao Yi Qian standing there eating dust. Wait, this wasn’t how he had planned it!
Their clothes fluttered loudly in the wind, the scenery on both sides blurring into streaks. Ming Shu was extremely excited, her headscarf blown away, her black hair streaming in the wind.
“‘The jade tree, bright clouds, and Five Phoenix Tower, Yi Gate has been the emperor’s domain since ancient times’ – Ming Shu, we’ve reached Bian Jing.” Lu Chang’s voice came from behind her, carrying traces of rare youthful excitement.
Bian Jing, they had finally arrived.
Author’s Note:
Ming Shu: Future sister-in-law, where are you, where are you?
Young Lu Chang: My little wife, how did you become my sister? tt
Note: “The jade tree, bright clouds, and Five Phoenix Tower; Yi Gate has been the emperor’s domain since ancient times.” – From “Miscellaneous Poems of Bian Liang” by Li Fen of the Jin Dynasty.