Bianjing, Shengmin Ward.
The setting sun cast its fading light across the long alley as Ming Shu descended from her carriage, carrying a bundle. She walked from the alley entrance towards her home.
Near her house, several women stood by the wall, cracking peanuts and gossiping as they watched people across the street. Their chatter reached Ming Shu’s ears.
“Look, I heard she’s a widow!”
“She just moved in, and already she’s flirting with…”
Their words trailed off into snickers, punctuated by the sound of teeth-crushing peanuts, as they relished in their unsavory speculations.
The old house opposite stood with its gates wide open. Two figures emerged, one after the other. First came a beautiful woman in her forties, dressed in ordinary clothes with a simple headscarf wrapped around her jet-black hair. She smiled as she spoke to the man behind her.
The man was a stranger to the street, towering over the woman by more than a head. Despite the early spring chill, he wore only a thin shirt under leather armor. His weathered appearance suggested he was about the same age as the woman. Though his features were stern, his current smile softened his usually fierce demeanor.
“No need for thanks,” the woman, Madam Zeng, said as she stepped out. “Neighbors are like close family. We should help when we can. But given Mrs. Li’s condition, she needs someone to look after her.”
The man sighed and replied in a deep voice, “I hired two people to care for my mother, but her illness has confused her mind and worsened her temper. The caretakers left, frustrated, and I hadn’t found replacements when this happened. I’m grateful for your help. Without you, my mother would have been bedridden with no one to bring her a hot meal.” He removed a silk pouch from his belt and offered it to Madam Zeng. “Please, accept this silver for your trouble these past two days…”
“I can’t take that,” Madam Zeng quickly refused. “Helping Mrs. Li was no trouble. Besides, you helped me once before, and I haven’t properly thanked you yet. Please, keep your money.”
As the man awkwardly held out the pouch, insisting she take it, a sudden commotion erupted from the wall across the street.
The gossiping women’s peanuts scattered on the ground as a young girl’s clear voice rang out: “How boring! Why don’t you speak up so we can all hear your vile thoughts?”
Madam Zeng turned to see Ming Shu standing by the wall, her bundle on the ground, sleeves rolled up, ready for a fight. She faced the neighborhood’s most notorious gossip, who, startled by her actions, began to hurl insults. Before they could finish, the man’s thunderous voice boomed, “Silence!”
His imposing presence the natural air of authority and the danger he exuded when he frowned frightened the women into compliance.
“Don’t run away! Come on, let’s have it out!” Ming Shu shouted at the retreating women. Dealing with unreasonable people, she thought, was best done head-on.
“Ming Shu!” Madam Zeng stomped her foot in exasperation, pulling her daughter close and tugging down her sleeves. “Why engage with them?”
“They were speaking ill of you, Mother!” Ming Shu retorted, then turned to the man. “Mother, who is this?”
“I am Wei Zhuo,” the man introduced himself with a bow.
“He’s a comrade of our neighbor Mrs. Li’s son, here to fulfill his duty to a fallen brother by checking on her,” Madam Zeng explained.
Their neighbor, Mrs. Li, was a widow whose son had died in battle years ago. Her daughter-in-law had run off with another man, leaving the old woman to live alone with her peculiar temperament. Madam Zeng occasionally helped her, and Ming Shu had even delivered meals to her a couple of times—she was a grumpy old lady, but not ill-intentioned.
Ming Shu studied Wei Zhuo. His battlefield experience explained his weathered and formidable appearance.
“Uncle Wei, hello. I’m Mother’s younger daughter, Ming Shu,” she greeted him with a bright smile.
Wei Zhuo returned the smile and said, “Please don’t take those women’s words to heart. There’s nothing improper between your mother and me.”
“I’d never believe such nonsense,” Ming Shu replied, linking arms with her mother. “I know my mother. She’s raised my brother and me alone, enduring so much hardship. If she were as they say, why would we have struggled all these years?”
Madam Zeng felt a surge of pride, holding Ming Shu’s hand tightly as she addressed Wei Zhuo, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye on Mrs. Li.”
“I appreciate that. I’ll find a new maid for her as soon as possible,” Wei Zhuo thanked her with a bow.
As they finished their conversation, Madam Zeng hurried home with Ming Shu, eager to talk. After a few steps, Ming Shu looked back to see Wei Zhuo still standing at Mrs. Li’s door, watching them leave. He nodded and smiled when he caught her gaze.
Ming Shu turned back to her mother and asked, “Mother, you mentioned Uncle Wei helped you too. Did something happen?”
Madam Zeng blushed and stammered, “It was nothing, just a small favor.”
Ming Shu frowned, sensing there was more to the story. “If you won’t tell me, I’ll go ask Uncle Wei.”
“Don’t!” Madam Zeng grabbed her arm. “It’s just… on my way to deliver embroidery, some ruffians tried to… to…”
“Harass you?” Ming Shu’s anger flared. “Mother, who were they?!”
“Ming Shu!” Madam Zeng held her back. “Wei Zhuo taught them a lesson, and they ran off. Don’t go stirring up more trouble.”
“If Brother finds out…” Ming Shu began.
“You mustn’t tell him!” Madam Zeng moved to cover her daughter’s mouth. “If your brother learns of this, he won’t let it rest.”
She knew her son well. Lu Chang might seem calm and gentle, but when angered, he acted without regard for consequences.
“Alright,” Ming Shu agreed as they entered their home. She then leaned close to her mother’s ear and said mischievously, “Mother, those gossips are awful, but they might have a point… You’ve been alone for so long. Have you considered…”
“You wretched girl, what nonsense are you spouting?” Madam Zeng swatted Ming Shu’s head.
Ming Shu ducked away, laughing as she ran. “Mother, I’m serious! If you like someone, don’t hide it. Propriety won’t feed us. I’d support you remarrying, and I’m sure Brother would too…”
“Keep talking and I’ll tear that mouth of yours!” Madam Zeng chased after her, the two of them dissolving into playful roughhousing.
Ming Shu spent the next day dutifully at home with her mother before sending a message to County Princess Wen’an. After midday, Wen’an sent someone to escort Ming Shu to a small tavern by the Bian River for a gathering.
The tavern, a quaint bamboo structure overlooking the water, had an elegant ambiance with its draped curtains. When Ming Shu arrived, Wen’an had already reserved the entire place. Yin Shujun was there too. A clay stove warmed the wine, and freshly sliced perch adorned the table. The two sat on the floor, facing each other and sipping wine. Wen’an’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes sparkling, showing no signs of unhappiness.
“Sit anywhere you like. We won’t be disturbed today,” Wen’an waved to Ming Shu.
Ming Shu sat beside them, poured herself a cup, and drank it in one go. “Ah that’s refreshing!”
Wen’an laughed, “I didn’t know you were such a drinker. Yin can’t handle more than half a cup. Good, you can keep me company for a few more rounds.”
“I’d be honored,” Ming Shu replied, savoring some fish with mustard.
Yin Shujun grumbled but refilled their cups without protest.
After three rounds, Wen’an’s eyes grew misty. She finally spoke, “Last night, the Yongqing Marquis and his wife visited my father to discuss something important. I heard my father berate them fiercely. Ming Shu… is what they discussed related to what you wanted to tell me?”
Ming Shu thought it likely was the same matter.
She surmised that Xie Xi had been brought back to the capital by the Third Prince and was likely held in the Bianjing Prefecture jail for false testimony. The Third Prince intended to accuse the Xie family of interfering with the case by having the daughter of a criminal official take the blame, which violated imperial law. Even if not punished by law, they couldn’t escape royal censure. The Yongqing Marquis, probably heard of this, had rushed to the prefectural mansion to ask the prince to protect Xie Xi.
After all, Xie Xi was betrothed to Wen’an. If something happened to him, it would affect Wen’an’s future marriage.
“County Princess…” Ming Shu carefully recounted the events at Songlin Academy.
Yin Shujun listened intently, so engrossed that she dropped her wine cup when the murder was mentioned.
After Ming Shu finished, silence fell over the group. Only Ming Shu parched from talking, continued to drink, emptying the wine pot.
The Bian River’s breeze carried the faint singing from distant pleasure boats into the tavern. Despite the pleasant atmosphere, no one smiled.
After a long pause, Wen’an asked, “Xie Xi and I have a decade of history… Ming Shu, do you think this marriage can be salvaged?”
“County Princess, I can’t advise you on this,” Ming Shu replied.
“Then tell me, if you were in my situation, would you continue?” Wen’an pressed.
Ming Shu thought for a moment before answering, “If it were me, I’d do whatever it took to cancel the engagement. Let him soar free, and gain my freedom. Isn’t that better?”
Why force a union when ten years of devotion couldn’t win a true heart?
Wen’an’s smile grew. She drained her cup and smashed it on the ground.
As the porcelain shattered, she declared, “Well said. Let him soar, and I’ll be free. I like your carefree attitude. I’ll cancel the marriage, but Xie Xi… I won’t let him off easily. He’ll pay tenfold for these ten years.”
“Wen’an, what are you planning?” Yin Shujun stared at her, shocked.
Wen’an brushed back her hair, looking at her friends with a coy smile, “He wants to be with Tang Li? I’ll make it happen.”
She laughed, her eyes filled with hatred and pain.
“What? Wen’an, have you lost your mind? How can you help those shameless people?” Yin Shujun stood up, agitated.
“Sit down!” Ming Shu pulled Yin Shujun back. “That’s not what the County Princess means.”
This simpleton was truly single-minded.
“I want all of Bianjing to know how shameless they are. I’ll ruin Xie Xi’s reputation completely!” Wen’an gritted out each word.
Unlike Yin Shujun, Wen’an wouldn’t show mercy when dealing with enemies.
“Be careful of Tang… Su Tangli. She’s not simple,” Ming Shu suddenly remembered, warning Wen’an.
Wen’an smirked, “Anyone who can disguise herself as a man in the academy for ten years without being discovered, and even seduce the Yongqing Marquis’s heir, can’t be simple. I know, thank you.”
Ming Shu nodded. Yin Shujun then asked, “Wen’an, aren’t you sad? I remember you used to… really like Xie Xi.”
Wen’an fell silent, toying with a new jade cup. Ming Shu stuffed a piece of fish into Yin Shujun’s mouth.
“Stop talking,” she scolded gently.
Even hearts of steel would ache. Ten years of misplaced affection couldn’t be painless; she was simply crying on the inside.
“You simpleton, if you married into the royal family, you’d be eaten alive,” Wen’an teased Yin Shujun.
As Yin Shujun was about to retort, Ming Shu interjected, “Speaking of the royal family… I saw the Third Prince…”
“How was he?” Yin Shujun’s eyes lit up, her cheeks flushing – whether from the wine or embarrassment, it wasn’t clear.
“Him?” Ming Shu pinched Yin Shujun’s cheek playfully. “He’s fine. As a ruler, he’d likely be a wise one.”
As for a husband… that remained to be seen.
With three thousand consorts in the imperial harem sharing the emperor’s favor, historically, wise rulers were often not the most devoted husbands.
Due to Xie Xi’s incident, Ming Shu and Yin Shujun accompanied Wen An for drinks, laughing and joking until nightfall. Though the fruit wine wasn’t strong, excessive consumption still caused intoxication.
Yin Shujun succumbed first, collapsing halfway through. Even Ming Shu couldn’t last, drinking herself into a stupor with Wen An before the Prince’s staff escorted her home.
The carriage stopped at the alley entrance. The old nanny accompanied Ming Shu, cautioning, “Mistress, watch your step.” She tried to support her, but Ming Shu brushed her hand away, giggling, “I’m fine.”
Swaying, Ming Shu made her way home, still recognizing the path. Soon, she reached her doorstep.
Lamps were lit, and a tall, slender figure in a green robe stood outside, bathed in the warm glow from within, resembling a graceful bamboo. Ming Shu halted, tilting her head to stare from a distance. Fragmented images flashed through her mind, elusive and intangible. Unable to recall his identity, her heart still raced uncontrollably.
“Why are you so drunk?” The man turned, frowning deeply as he strode to her side.
Ming Shu’s vision blurred, unable to discern his features. She stared intently as the old nanny explained the situation before departing, leaving Ming Shu in his care.
“Lu Ming Shu!” he shouted, slightly angered.
Ming Shu bit her lip and reached out, pinching his cheek hard. She mumbled, “I’ll teach you to be blurry, not letting me see clearly! Come on, show your true form to this lady.”
Lu Chang’s cheek visibly reddened from her pinch. He took three deep breaths to calm himself, then bent down and hoisted her over his shoulder. He stormed through the door, startling Madam Zeng.
“Mother, please prepare a sobering soup for her,” Lu Chang requested before carrying Ming Shu upstairs to her room.
Ming Shu fell onto the bed, her world spinning, stars dancing before her eyes.
Lu Chang removed her shoes, positioned her properly, and was about to cover her with a blanket when the motionless figure suddenly threw her arms around his neck, pulling him down.
Ming Shu half-opened her eyes, her gaze unfocused and cheeks flushed. She murmured, “I know now… you’re… Song Qingzhao…”
Lu Chang’s mind exploded at her words.