Snow began to fall again in flurries, and New Year’s Eve arrived in the blink of an eye.
Shops along the streets and alleys closed early, leaving the empty roads filled with children’s laughter and the sound of firecrackers. The aroma of ancestral offerings, reunion dinners, and snacks for staying up late wafted from every household, with wisps of smoke rising from morning till night.
Although Lü Chang and his companions had not had an easy start in Bianjing, they still needed to celebrate the New Year.
They cleaned their rented house thoroughly, pasted up door god and kitchen god images, and made offerings to the earth god. Zeng was busy in the kitchen, while Mingshu accompanied Lü Chang to buy New Year goods.
On the way, they encountered a group performing a ritual to drive away evil spirits. Men wearing masks of the underworld judge Zhong Kui went door to door, demanding money to ward off malevolent forces. Mingshu stopped to watch for a while until she was startled by a loud explosion.
It turned out to be a vendor selling freshly popped rice, drawing a crowd of children. The white, fragrant puffed rice tempted Mingshu, who stood staring at it. Just as she was about to leave, Lü Chang stepped forward and joined the queue.
Soon, Lü Chang returned with a bag of steaming puffed rice and handed it to Mingshu. She beamed with joy, “How did Brother know…”
Lü Chang glanced at her sideways, “Wipe your drool before asking me.”
Knowing he was teasing her, Mingshu hugged the bag and leaned towards him, saying sweetly, “Brother is the best!”
Unexpectedly, Lü Chang took a step back, not allowing her to get close.
“Brother!” Mingshu quickly caught up, took two pieces of puffed rice, and held them to his mouth. “Try some, it’s delicious.”
Lü Chang turned his head away and walked faster, saying, “Don’t mess around. Let’s finish our errands quickly; Mother is waiting at home.”
“Brother, why do I feel like you’ve been avoiding me lately?” Mingshu ate the two pieces herself and followed behind him.
Though only a step apart, she couldn’t seem to catch up with him, which was frustrating.
“You’re overthinking,” Lü Chang said without looking at her.
Mingshu tossed another handful of puffed rice into her mouth, thinking to herself, was she overthinking? She felt that ever since they had settled in the capital, her brother had been intentionally or unintentionally avoiding her, though nothing seemed amiss on the surface. Perhaps she was just being too sensitive.
She pushed the doubt aside, focusing instead on the vibrant world around her. The capital city’s atmosphere was fresh and lively, and everything in Bianjing fascinated her.
As night deepened, the distant sound of the midnight watch was quickly drowned out by countless firecrackers. The explosions meant to drive away evil spirits and welcome the new year, seemed to ignite all at once. Bianjing was engulfed in a cacophony that reached the skies, with fireworks soaring upwards and bursting into vivid flowers against the heavens.
Lü Chang finished setting off his family’s firecrackers outside the door. Turning back, he saw Mingshu leaning against the doorframe, covering her ears and gazing up at the blossoming fireworks. The flickering light played across her face, casting countless specks of illumination. Her features became indistinct as if she were a vision from a dream.
Perhaps this entire encounter was indeed a dream—a nightmare intertwined with countless bewildering reveries. Fate had ultimately bound the two of them together.
“It’s beautiful,” Mingshu murmured. As she turned her head, her gaze met Lü Chang’s. She sweetly called out, “Brother.”
Lü Chang strolled to her side and pulled out a plain-colored pouch from his sleeve, dangling it before her eyes. Mingshu quickly grabbed it as he said, “You’ve grown another year older. This is your New Year’s money.”
She squeezed the pouch, her brow furrowing slightly as she felt the silver pieces inside, weighing about one tael.
“Take it. I’m going to Songlin Academy after the New Year, and I’ve already given Mother money for household expenses. This is for you. You’re a young lady now, growing older each year. You should have some pocket money to buy snacks or small trinkets you fancy. Don’t deprive yourself.”
Lü Chang couldn’t bear to see again the look in her eyes when she had stared at the puffed rice earlier—it had pained him deeply.
“But… if you give all this money to me, what about you?” Mingshu, having spent time with them, knew the extent of Lü Chang’s savings. This one tael was likely all he had left.
“I have more.”
“You’re lying!” Mingshu clutched the pouch tightly, her face suddenly gloomy.
“Songlin Academy provides room and board, so I won’t need money there. Besides, the academy gives a monthly allowance, and I’ll find some work to earn extra. I can even send money home each month. We just need to get through these three months. Don’t worry about these things.”
Seeing her tense expression, Lü Chang rarely showed his playful side. He reached out and pinched her cheek. “It’s New Year’s. Cheer up. Let’s go inside; Mother has New Year’s gifts for you too.”
He turned and entered the house. Mingshu followed, pouting, but with her plans in mind. She said nothing more to him.
Zeng had prepared New Year’s gifts for both of them—a pair of newly hand-sewn socks each, which she had rushed to make during their journey.
Mingshu happily accepted hers, tucking them close. She and Lü Chang sat on either side of Zeng, each offering wishes for her longevity and good health.
And so, New Year’s Eve came to an end.
With the spring imperial examinations approaching and only three months remaining, the New Year celebrations in Bianjing continued. The city bustled with temple fairs during the day and lantern festivals at night, exuding a festive atmosphere. However, Lü Chang remained detached from these festivities.
On the first day of the New Year, Lü Chang packed his belongings, preparing to report to Songlin Academy. Zeng busied herself getting things ready for him to take: flatbreads, two large jars of pickled vegetables and fermented bean curd, and other foods that would keep well.
After a busy morning, Lü Chang’s luggage was finally packed as evening approached. Mingshu checked the bundles piled in the hall, ensuring nothing was forgotten. She had just sat down for a drink of water when Lü Chang entered, carrying something bulky in his arms.
“Where did you go, Brother?” Mingshu asked.
“I went out for a bit,” Lü Chang replied, his expression odd.
“What are you carrying?” Mingshu peered at his bundle, which suddenly moved, startling her. “What’s that?”
Lü Chang slowly uncovered the bundle. Mingshu rubbed her eyes—was she seeing things? How did her brother end up with a puppy?
“A dog?!” She bounced over from her chair, examining it with fascination.
The puppy was small with jet-black fur. It had been sleeping but now awoke, staring curiously at them with button-like eyes.
“It’s from neighbor Wang’s dog. Three months old and weaned,” Lü Chang explained as he gently placed the puppy on the ground. “With me gone, there’ll only be the two of you at home. The house needs protection, so I brought it back to guard the door for you.”
“Can such a tiny dog really—” Mingshu crouched down, gently poking the puppy’s forehead.
“Don’t underestimate it. Animals grow quickly and are quite intelligent,” Lü Chang said, squatting beside her.
The thought of leaving the two women alone at home made him uneasy.
“Listen, you’re new to the capital and unfamiliar with things. Don’t get any ideas; just stay at home obediently, understand?” Seeing her childlike expression, Lü Chang couldn’t help but admonish her.
Did she think he couldn’t guess what she was planning? With the family’s tight finances, she must be scheming something for when he left, thinking he wouldn’t notice.
Mingshu rubbed her ear, dismissing his concerns. “I know, I know! Brother, you’re such a nag.”
“…” People only thought him taciturn and serious, but no one had ever complained about him talking too much before.
“Quick, let’s name it. What should we call it?” Mingshu petted the dog for a moment, then grinned mischievously. “How about ‘Chang Chang’?”
“Lü Mingshu!” Lü Chang’s face darkened immediately.
“Lü Chang, what are you shouting about now?” Zeng emerged from the kitchen, shaking her head at the sight of them crouched on the floor playing with the dog.
Before Lü Chang could explain, Mingshu had already tattled, “Mother, he’s being mean to me!”
“…” Lü Chang realized he had indeed said too much and decided it was best to keep quiet.
The next day, on the second day of the New Year, Lü Chang departed for Songlin Academy as dawn broke.
With his departure, the two-story pavilion suddenly fell silent. Though not large, it now seemed oddly spacious. Mingshu felt restless, seeing Lü Chang’s shadow everywhere she went.
After sitting in gloom for a while, she finally moved her bedding to Lü Chang’s room at Zeng’s urging.
In Lü Chang’s absence, his room now belonged to Mingshu.
The small room contained only a bedstead, two trunks, and his old study desk, all now empty. Mingshu sat on the bed, hugging her quilt. A faint woody scent lingered in the air—Lü Chang’s scent left behind.
She missed her brother already.
—
The New Year passed quickly.
With Lü Chang away, only Mingshu and Zeng remained at home.
To supplement their income, Zeng found embroidery work to do at home through an acquaintance. Mingshu, eager to help, tried to learn embroidery alongside Zeng. However, the needle felt like a thousand-pound hammer in her hands. The fine needle refused to obey, either veering off course or pricking her fingers. Unable to watch any longer, Zeng gently persuaded her to give up.
“Stop trying, dear. You’ve never been cut out for needlework. Why don’t you get some fruit and keep Zhaobao company?”
Zhaobao was the name of their new family member—the puppy Lü Chang had brought home.
Mingshu left, disheartened. Zeng resumed her embroidery by the window. She had barely begun when a loud crash from downstairs made her heart race. Rushing down to investigate, she found Mingshu standing helplessly by the stove.
A broken earthenware pot lay on the floor, rice scattered everywhere, and a pot of half-boiled water on the stove. Mingshu stood frozen, her first words upon seeing Zeng were, “Mother, I’m sorry.”
She had made a mess of things.
Zeng immediately understood what she had been trying to do.
Mingshu just wanted to be useful. Since embroidery was beyond her, she thought she could at least cook. This would free up Zeng’s time for embroidery during the day, sparing her from straining her eyes under lamplight at night.
But while the idea was admirable, the execution proved challenging.
Mingshu seemed to have no concept of housework. She didn’t know how to light the stove, how much rice to use, or how much water to add… This wasn’t her first time being confused by such tasks. It was as if she had never encountered these chores before, not even knowing the most basic steps.
“Did you cut yourself? Let me see!” Zeng carefully stepped over the broken pottery to reach Mingshu.
Mingshu shook her head.
“Good girl, I understand your intentions,” Zeng said, relieved. “Let me handle these things; don’t worry about it. Why don’t you visit Neighbor Wang’s daughter? She’s about your age. You could chat with her. Leave this to me, alright?”
As Mingshu was ushered out of the kitchen, she watched Zeng turn to clean up the mess. Zhaobao barked twice at her feet. Feeling dejected, Mingshu spoke to the puppy, “Am I really this useless? I can’t help at all and only cause trouble.”
“Woof, woof, woof,” Zhaobao replied, circling her feet.
Feeling faced with the greatest challenge of her life, Mingshu stood still for a moment. Suddenly, she clenched her fists and called out to the kitchen, “Mother, I’m going out for a while!”
Before Zeng could respond, Mingshu had already dashed out the door.
Asking for directions as she went, it took nearly two hours before she found her destination.
Staring at the vermilion gates and high walls before her, Mingshu steadied herself.
The red plaque with gold lettering above the gate read “Yin Residence.” This was the home of Yin Fan, a former imperial secretary to the previous emperor and the father of the current emperor’s favored consort.
It was also the maternal grandfather’s home of Tao Yiqian.
Mingshu had come to find Tao Yiqian, hoping to secure a job.