Snow began falling again in flurries as New Year’s Eve arrived.
Shops in every street and alley closed early, leaving the empty streets filled with children’s laughter and firecracker sounds. The smoke from ancestral offerings, reunion dinner preparations, and New Year’s Eve snacks rose from every household from morning till night.
Although the initial arrival in Bianjing hadn’t been smooth for Lu Chang and his family, they still needed to celebrate the New Year.
Their rented house was cleaned thoroughly, Door God and Kitchen God images pasted up, and Earth God properly enshrined. Madam Zeng was busy non-stop at the stove while Ming Shu followed Lu Chang to buy New Year supplies.
On the way, they encountered exorcism troupes, with people wearing Judge and Bell Demon masks going door to door to dispel evil spirits and collect money. Ming Shu watched for a long while until she was startled by a loud explosion.
It was a vendor making fresh popped rice, with children swarming around. The white popped rice gave off a tantalizing aroma. Ming Shu stared for a moment, about to leave when Lu Chang stepped forward to join the end of the queue.
Soon, Lu Chang returned with a bag of fragrant popped rice and handed it to Ming Shu. She smiled brightly: “How did Brother know…”
Lu Chang glanced at her sideways: “Wipe your drool before asking me.”
Ming Shu knew he was teasing her. Hugging the popped rice, she leaned toward him, sweetly saying: “Brother is the best!”
Unexpectedly, Lu Chang stepped away, not letting her get close.
“Brother!” Ming Shu quickly caught up, picking two pieces of popped rice and bringing them to his mouth, “Try some, it’s delicious.”
Lu Chang turned his head away, walking quickly forward, only saying: “Stop fooling around, let’s finish our errands, Mother is waiting at home.”
“Brother, why do I feel like you’ve been avoiding me lately?” Ming Shu ate the two pieces herself and said from behind him.
It was just one step’s distance, yet she couldn’t catch up to him. How frustrating.
“You’re overthinking,” Lu Chang didn’t look at her.
Ming Shu grabbed another handful of popped rice and tossed it into her mouth, thinking to herself – was she overthinking? She felt that ever since they settled in the capital, Brother had been consciously or unconsciously avoiding her, though nothing seemed wrong on the surface. Perhaps she was being too sensitive.
She pushed the doubt aside, as the vibrant world outside carried a fresh and lively atmosphere. Everything in Bianjing fascinated her.
Most shops closed on New Year’s Eve, and it took Ming Shu and Lu Chang half a day to finally buy everything they needed.
Besides the items Madam Zeng requested, Lu Chang additionally bought fabric and hair ties for Ming Shu to make clothes. When they returned home, Madam Zeng had nearly finished preparing the New Year’s food, with various snacks covering an entire Eight Immortals table. The small hall was filled with enticing aromas that stirred their appetite.
As dusk settled, lights filled the city. Every household gathered around their stoves to chat and stay up for the New Year, and Lu Chang’s family was no exception.
In previous years, it was just Lu Chang and Madam Zeng. Lu Chang wasn’t much of a talker, and Madam Zeng often fell asleep from boredom halfway through their vigil. This year was different with Ming Shu added. Ming Shu was talkative, chattering endlessly and making jokes, teasing both Madam Zeng and Lu Chang, keeping Madam Zeng smiling all evening.
As the night wore on, mother and daughter grew more animated, examining the newly bought fabric and discussing what kind of clothes to make for Ming Shu. Madam Zeng took out a measuring tape to take her measurements. With the charcoal fire burning in the room, Ming Shu had removed her outer clothes and was wearing one of Madam Zeng’s old dresses, originally loose and shapeless, but when Madam Zeng’s measuring tape cinched the waist… Lu Chang’s eyes suddenly burned before he could look away.
Ming Shu was barely sixteen, turning seventeen after the New Year, and had blossomed like a hibiscus flower, with a slender waist and full figure that truly caught the eye.
Lu Chang’s entire body felt as if it had been roasted by the charcoal fire. He had great difficulty turning his eyes away.
Fortunately, after the New Year, he would be going to Songling Academy, where he could avoid Ming Shu and properly calm down.
Deep into the night, the distant watch drums of midnight were quickly drowned out by countless firecrackers.
Firecrackers for driving away the old year and welcoming the new seemed to all ignite at once. Bianjing was submerged in sky-reaching explosions, with fireworks shooting upward and bursting into brilliant flowers in the heavens.
After setting off their firecrackers outside the door, Lu Chang turned to see Ming Shu leaning against the doorframe, covering her ears and watching the fireworks blooming in the sky. The firelight flickered across her face, casting countless spots of light, making her face appear hazy like something from a dream.
Perhaps this encounter was indeed a dream – a nightmare intertwined with countless bewildering dreams, with fate ultimately binding them together.
“So beautiful,” Ming Shu murmured, then turned to meet Lu Chang’s gaze, sweetly calling, “Brother.”
Lu Chang walked to her side and took out a plain purse from his sleeve, dangling it before her eyes. Ming Shu quickly grabbed it as he said: “You’re a year older now, this is your New Year’s money.”
She squeezed the purse, slightly furrowing her brow as she felt the loose silver inside, about one tael in weight.
“Keep it. I’m going to Songling Academy after the New Year, and I’ve already given Mother the household expenses. This is yours. You’re a young lady now, growing older, you should have some spending money. Whether you want to buy snacks or see something you like, don’t deny yourself.” Lu Chang didn’t want to see that look in her eyes again, like when she was staring at the popped rice today. That look had pierced his chest painfully.
“But… if you give all this money to me, what about you?” Ming Shu had been with them long enough to know Lu Chang’s savings, and this one tael of silver was probably all he had left.
“I have more.”
“You’re lying!” Ming Shu clutched the purse, her small face suddenly serious.
“Songling Academy provides room and board, I won’t need to spend money there. Besides, the academy gives monthly allowances for support, and I’ll find some work there to earn extra. I can still send money home each month. Just get through these three months, don’t worry about these things.” Seeing her tense expression, Lu Chang rarely showed his playful side and pinched her cheek, “It’s New Year’s, be happy. Go inside, Mother has New Year’s gifts for you too.”
He turned to enter the house, and Ming Shu followed with puffed cheeks, already having her plans but saying nothing to him.
Madam Zeng had prepared New Year’s gifts for both of them – a pair of newly hand-sewn socks each, which she had made during their journey.
Ming Shu happily accepted hers, tucking them close. She and Lu Chang sat on either side of Madam Zeng, each wishing her a long life of a hundred years and freedom from all illness…
And so New Year’s Eve passed.
With the spring examination approaching and only three months remaining, even before the New Year festivities ended, Bianjing was still bustling with temple fairs by day and lantern festivals by night, full of New Year atmosphere, but none of this revelry concerned Lu Chang.
On the first day of the New Year, Lu Chang packed his belongings, preparing to report to Songling Academy. Madam Zeng busied herself preparing things for him to take: baked flatbreads, two large jars of pickled vegetables, and fermented tofu, all foods that could be preserved for long periods.
After a busy morning, Lu Chang’s luggage was finally packed, and evening approached.
Ming Shu checked the large and small packages piled in the hall, and only after confirming nothing was forgotten did she sigh in relief. She had just sat down for a drink of water when she saw Lu Chang come in from outside, holding something bulky in his arms.
“Where did Brother go?” Ming Shu asked.
“Just went out for a bit.” Lu Chang’s expression was strange.
“What are you holding?” Ming Shu peered at his bundle, which suddenly moved, startling her, “What’s that?”
Lu Chang slowly lifted the cloth, and Ming Shu rubbed her eyes – was she seeing things? Why did it look like Brother was carrying a puppy?
“A dog?!” She bounced over from her chair, examining it with interest from all angles.
The dog wasn’t very big, with completely black fur. It had been sleeping but was now awakened by the noise, staring curiously at everyone with its black bean-like eyes.
“It’s from neighbor Wang’s big dog’s litter, already three months old and weaned,” Lu Chang slowly put the dog on the ground and said to her, “With me not at home, and just you two here, the house needs to be well-guarded, so I brought it back to watch the door for you.”
“Such a tiny dog, can it…” Ming Shu was still crouching on the ground, gently poking the little one’s forehead playfully.
“Don’t underestimate it, animals grow quickly, changing day by day, and they’re very intelligent.” Lu Chang crouched beside her.
He was truly worried about leaving these two women alone at home.
“You, having just arrived in the capital and not knowing anyone, don’t think about unnecessary things, just stay home properly, understand?” Seeing her show a hint of childishness, Lu Chang couldn’t help but lecture her.
Could she hide her thoughts from him? With the family’s tight finances, she must be planning something, waiting for him to leave before taking action. Did she think he couldn’t tell?
Ming Shu rubbed her ear, dismissively saying: “I know! Brother is so nagging.”
“…” Only others thought he was taciturn and serious, no one had ever complained about him talking too much.
“Quick, let’s give it a name, what should we call it?” Ming Shu petted the dog for a while, then smiled mischievously, “How about Chang Chang?”
“Lu Ming Shu!” Lu Chang’s face immediately darkened.
“Lu Chang, what are you shouting about?” Madam Zeng came out from the kitchen, saw the two crouching and playing with the dog, and shook her head.
Before Lu Chang could explain, Ming Shu had already tattled: “Mother, he’s being fierce with me!”
“…” Lu Chang felt that he had indeed talked too much, so he just kept quiet.
The next day, the second day of the New Year, as dawn broke, Lu Chang departed for Songling Academy.
After he left, the two-story building suddenly became silent. Though not large, it suddenly felt empty. Ming Shu felt uncomfortable everywhere, seeming to see Lu Chang’s shadow wherever she went.
After sitting dejectedly for a while, she finally moved her bedding to Lu Chang’s room at Madam Zeng’s call.
With Lu Chang gone, his room belonged to Ming Shu.
The small room only fit a frame bed, two trunks, and his old study desk which he used daily for reading, all now empty. Ming Shu sat on the bed holding her bedding, seemingly catching a faint woody fragrance in the air – Lu Chang’s scent, left behind here.
She missed her brother already.
The New Year quickly passed.
With Lu Chang away, only Ming Shu and Madam Zeng lived together.
To help with household expenses, Madam Zeng found embroidery work to do at home through someone’s introduction. Ming Shu, wanting to help, tried to learn embroidery alongside Madam Zeng, but holding the needle was like wielding a thousand-pound hammer. The fine needle never obeyed her – either the stitches went crooked or she pricked herself. Madam Zeng couldn’t bear to watch and kindly advised her to give up.
“Stop trying, you’ve never been meant for needle and thread since childhood. Go get some fruit and keep Zhao Bao company.”
Zhao Bao was the name of their new family member – the puppy Lu Chang had brought home.
Ming Shu went dejectedly, and Madam Zeng returned to embroidering by the window. She had barely sewn a few stitches when she heard a “bang” from downstairs, startling her heart into racing. Hurrying down to check, she found Ming Shu standing helplessly by the stove in the kitchen.
On the ground was a broken pottery jar, rice scattered everywhere, and half-boiled water in the pot. Ming Shu stood frozen, her first words upon seeing Madam Zeng were: “Mother, I’m sorry.”
She had wasted food.
Madam Zeng instantly understood what she was trying to do.
Ming Shu just wanted to help somehow. Embroidery was hopeless for her in this life, so she thought she’d try cooking, allowing Mother to focus on embroidery during the day without straining her eyes under lamplight at night.
But while the idea was good, execution proved difficult.
She seemed to have no concept of these household tasks, not knowing how to start the fire or operate the stove, not knowing how much rice or water to use… This wasn’t her first time being confused – she seemed to have never encountered these things before, not even knowing the most basic steps.
“Did you cut your hand? Let me see!” Madam Zeng stepped over the scattered pottery shards to Ming Shu’s side.
Ming Shu shook her head.
“Good child, Mother understands your intention.” Madam Zeng finally relaxed and said, “Let Mother handle these things, don’t worry about them. Neighbor Wang’s daughter is about your age, why don’t you go chat with her? Leave this to me, go on.”
Ming Shu was persuaded to leave the kitchen, watching as Madam Zeng turned to clean up. Zhao Bao on the ground barked “woof woof” at her, and she dejectedly asked the dog: “Am I really this useless, unable to help and only causing trouble?”
“Woof woof woof.” Zhao Bao circled her feet in response.
Ming Shu felt she was facing life’s greatest challenge. After standing still in the house for a moment, she suddenly clenched her fists and called out to the kitchen: “Mother, I’m going out for a bit!”
Before Madam Zeng could respond, she had already rushed out the door.
Walking and asking directions, it took nearly an hour before she found her destination.
Looking at the vermillion gates and high walls ahead, Ming Shu steadied herself.
The plaque above, with a red background and gold paint, bore two characters – Yin Residence. This was the home of Yin Fan, the former emperor’s Secretariat Drafter, and the current emperor’s favored consort’s father.
It was also Tao Yiqian’s maternal grandfather’s house.
Ming Shu had come to find Tao Yiqian, hoping to secure some work.
Author’s Note:
Ming Shu’s career path begins, my Brother Lu briefly goes offscreen for one chapter but will be back soon, haha.