Kaifeng City, Shengmin District.
As the sun began to set, its remaining light filled the long alley. Ming Shu stepped down from the carriage with her bundle and walked from the alley entrance toward home.
Near her house, several women stood by the wall, cracking peanuts while watching people through the door opposite, their idle chatter reaching Ming Shu’s ears.
“Look at that, I heard she’s a widow!”
“She hasn’t been here long, but she’s already entangled with…”
What followed were several snickers, accompanied by the sound of teeth crunching peanuts, vividly painting unspoken implications of impropriety.
The old house opposite had its main door wide open, with two people walking out one after another. The first was a beautiful woman in her forties, wearing ordinary clothes with just a plain headscarf in her black hair, but genuinely attractive. She wore a smile while talking to the man behind her.
The man was a stranger to this street, very tall, standing more than a head taller than the beautiful woman. Despite the early spring chill, he wore only a thin collar shirt under a leather armor vest, carrying the air of someone who had traveled far. Around the same age as the woman, he had proper features and commanding eyes, though his current smile while talking to the woman softened his usual stern appearance.
“No need for thanks. Close neighbors are better than distant relatives – helping when possible is natural. But given Madam Li’s current condition, she needs someone to look after her,” Madam Zeng said as she stepped over the threshold, turning to address the man behind her.
The man sighed and said in a deep voice, “I had hired two people to care for Mother, but her illness has made her confused and temperamental. The caretakers all quit after being scolded, and before I could find new help, this happened. I’m truly grateful for your help – without you, Mother would have been bedridden with no one to bring her hot meals.” As he spoke, he untied a brocade pouch from his waist and offered it to Madam Zeng. “You’ve helped these past two days. Here’s some silver for your trouble…”
“I couldn’t possibly accept! I helped Madam Li simply because it was convenient, and besides, you helped me once before. I haven’t properly thanked you yet – I can’t take this money. Please take it back,” Madam Zeng hurriedly refused.
The man tried to persuade her to accept the money, but being awkward with words, his hand hung frozen in mid-air with the silver pouch. Just as the situation grew uncomfortable, there was suddenly a loud commotion from the wall opposite.
The gossiping women’s peanuts were knocked to the ground as a clear young voice rang out: “If you’re so bored, why don’t you say it louder so everyone can hear what kind of rotten, disgusting things you’re saying!”
Madam Zeng turned to see Ming Shu standing by the wall, her bundle thrown on the ground as she rolled up her sleeves, looking fierce and ready for a fight. Facing her were several of the alley’s most notorious gossips who, having had their peanuts scattered and being scolded by Ming Shu, were just starting to screech insults when the man’s thunderous voice commanded: “Silence!”
His naturally imposing build and stern expression, combined with the killing aura that naturally emanated from him, frightened the women into submission.
“Don’t run away! Come on, let’s have it out!” Ming Shu shouted at the grumbling women as they retreated. Dealing with unreasonable people was best done directly.
“Ming Shu!” Madam Zeng stomped her foot anxiously and pulled her to her side, carefully rolling down her sleeves. “Why bother with them?”
“Because they were speaking ill of Mother!” Ming Shu retorted, then looked at the man. “Mother, this is…?”
“Wei Zhuo, at your service.” The man clasped his hands in greeting.
“He’s a fellow soldier of Madam Li’s son next door, fulfilling a comrade’s duty by visiting the old lady,” Madam Zeng explained.
Their neighbor Madam Li had lost her husband early, and her son had died in battle years ago. Her daughter-in-law had run off with someone else, leaving the old woman living alone with an odd temperament, rarely interacting with others. Being just a wall away, Madam Zeng occasionally helped when she saw her, and Ming Shu had also helped deliver meals twice – she was a grumpy old lady but not ill-natured.
Ming Shu sized up Wei Zhuo. So he was a veteran – no wonder he carried that weathered and martial air.
“Uncle Wei, hello. I’m Mother’s younger daughter, Ming Shu.” Ming Shu greeted him with a bright smile.
Wei Zhuo smiled back and said, “Please don’t take those women’s words to heart. There’s nothing between your mother and me.” He seemed careful to explain, perhaps fearing Ming Shu might believe the gossip’s implications about Madam Zeng.
“I wouldn’t take it to heart – don’t I know what kind of person my mother is? She’s endured so much hardship raising my brother and me alone. If she were really as those people suggest, how could we have lived such difficult years?” Ming Shu replied, linking arms with Madam Zeng.
Madam Zeng felt deeply gratified and held Ming Shu’s hand tightly as she said to Wei Zhuo, “Don’t worry, I’ll keep checking on Madam Li.”
“Thank you for your help. I’ll arrange for new maids to come as soon as possible,” Wei Zhuo thanked her with clasped hands.
With their conversation concluded and Madam Zeng eager to talk with Ming Shu, they quickly bid Wei Zhuo farewell. After walking a few steps, Ming Shu looked back to find Wei Zhuo still standing at Madam Li’s door watching them leave. Seeing her turn, he smiled and nodded.
Ming Shu turned back to Madam Zeng and asked, “Mother, I heard you say Uncle Wei helped you too – did you encounter some trouble?”
Madam Zeng blushed and stammered, “It was nothing, just a small matter.”
Ming Shu frowned, sensing it wasn’t so simple: “If Mother won’t tell me, I’ll go back and ask Uncle Wei.”
“Don’t!” Madam Zeng quickly grabbed her and said, “It’s just… on my way to deliver embroidery work, I met some ruffians who wanted to… wanted to…”
“They tried to harass you?” Ming Shu grew angry instantly. “Mother, who were they?!”
“Ming Shu!” Madam Zeng hurriedly restrained her. “Wei Zhuo already taught those men a lesson and they ran away. Don’t go stirring up trouble.”
“If Brother finds out…” Ming Shu continued.
“You absolutely cannot tell him!” Madam Zeng immediately moved to cover her mouth. “If your brother learns of this, he won’t let it rest.”
She understood her son well – while Lu Chang appeared calm and gentle when he grew harsh, he acted without regard for consequences.
“Alright.” Ming Shu raised an eyebrow as she entered the house with Madam Zeng, then suddenly leaned close to her mother’s ear and said teasingly, “Mother, though those gossips are annoying, they weren’t entirely wrong about one thing… you’ve been alone for many years, have you considered…”
“You silly girl, what nonsense are you spouting?” Madam Zeng swatted Ming Shu’s head.
Ming Shu ducked away, continuing as she fled: “Mother, I’m serious! If you have someone you like, and if you get along well, don’t hide it. Moral standards won’t feed you. I support you remarrying, and I’m sure Brother would agree…”
“Still talking! I’ll tear that mouth of yours!” Madam Zeng chased after her, and they dissolved into playful chaos.
—
Ming Shu spent the next day quietly accompanying Madam Zeng at home, waiting until the second day to send a letter to County Princess Wen’an.
By afternoon, Wen’an had sent someone to fetch Ming Shu to meet at a small tavern by the Bian River.
The tavern was small, built of bamboo alongside the water, with screens and curtains hanging on the riverside – quite elegant. When Ming Shu arrived, Wen’an had already reserved the entire place, and Yin Shujun was already there. The wine was warming on a red clay stove, and fresh bass sashimi was laid out on the table. The two were sitting on the floor face-to-face, drinking small cups of wine. Wen’an’s small face was slightly flushed from drinking, her eyes sparkling, showing no signs of unhappiness.
“Sit anywhere you like – no one will disturb us today,” Wen’an waved to Ming Shu.
Ming Shu sat beside them, took an empty cup, and poured herself wine, drinking it in one go before exclaiming, “How refreshing!”
Wen’an laughed, “Wouldn’t have guessed you’re such a drinker. Yin is useless – half a cup and she’s done. Perfect, you can keep me company for a few more drinks.”
“I’d be honored to obey.” Ming Shu picked up some sashimi with her chopsticks, dipped it in wasabi, and popped it in her mouth. The wasabi’s sharp heat shot through her nose – exhilarating.
Yin Shujun humphed but didn’t argue, simply refilling their cups.
After three cups of wine, Wen’an’s starry eyes grew hazy before she finally spoke: “Last night, people came from the Yongqing Marquis’s household. The Marquis and his wife personally came to discuss important matters with my father. I heard my father berate them terribly… Ming Shu… is what they discussed the same thing you wanted to tell me about?”
Ming Shu thought it must be the same matter.
Xie Xi had been taken back to the capital by the Third Prince and was likely imprisoned in the Kaifeng Prefecture jail for giving false testimony. The Third Prince would submit a memorial against the Xie family – protecting a criminal official’s daughter and giving false testimony to interfere with an investigation violated national law. Even if not punished by law, they couldn’t escape royal punishment. The Yongqing Marquis must have gotten wind of this and rushed to the Prince’s mansion, begging 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 pondered briefly, carefully choosing her words before recounting everything that had happened at Shuanglin Academy.
Yin Shujun listened as if to a storyteller, her eyes fixed without blinking, so shocked by the murder that she dropped her wine cup without noticing.
After Ming Shu finished, no one spoke. They sat in silence while Ming Shu, throat dry from speaking, drank several cups of wine until the pot was empty.
The wind from the Bian River blew into the tavern, carrying the songs of women from the pleasure boats. The lingering melody should have created a pleasant moment, yet no one smiled.
After a long silence, Wen’an finally spoke: “Xie Xi and I also have ten years of feelings… Ming Shu, do you think this marriage can still be salvaged?”
“County Princess, I cannot give you that advice,” Ming Shu replied.
“Then tell me, if you encountered something like this, would you choose to continue?” Wen’an asked.
Ming Shu thought for a moment before answering: “If it were me, I would spare no cost to break off the engagement. Let him soar free, and gain my freedom – wouldn’t that be better?”
Why force something when ten years of devotion couldn’t win a true heart?
Wen’an’s smile gradually widened. She suddenly threw back her head and drained her cup, then smashed it violently on the ground.
As the porcelain shattered, she said: “Well said – ‘let him soar free, and gain my freedom’ – I like your free spirit. I will break off the marriage, but Xie Xi… I won’t let him soar free. Ten years – I’ll make him repay it a hundredfold.”
“Wen’an, what are you planning to do?” Yin Shujun stared at her in shock.
Wen’an brushed back her hair, looking at her two friends with beautiful, coquettish eyes, smiling like an innocent young girl: “Since he wants to be with Tang Li, I’ll help them be together.”
She laughed as she finished speaking, her eyes filled with both hatred and pain.
“What? Wen’an, have you gone mad? That shameless pair – how can you help them?” Yin Shujun stood up anxiously.
“Sit down!” Ming Shu pulled Yin Shujun back down. “That’s not what the County Princess means.”
This simpleton was too single-minded.
“I want all of Kaifeng to know how shameless they are. I want Xie Xi’s reputation completely ruined!”
Wen’an ground out each word between her teeth. Unlike Yin Shujun, when dealing with people, she showed no mercy.
“Then you need to be careful of Tang… Su Tangli. She’s not simple,” Ming Shu suddenly remembered something and warned Wen’an.
Wen’an smiled mockingly: “Someone who could disguise herself as a man at the academy for ten years without being discovered, and even entangle the Yongqing Marquis’s heir – how could she be simple? I understand, thank you.”
Ming Shu nodded, while Yin Shujun spoke again: “Wen’an, aren’t you sad at all? I remember before… you liked Xie Xi.”
Wen’an fell silent at these words, lowering her head to play with a new jade cup. Ming Shu stuffed a piece of sashimi into Yin Shujun’s mouth.
“Stop talking.”
She knew how to bring up the wrong topic. Even an iron heart would ache – how could ten years of misplaced feelings not hurt? She was just crying on the inside.
“You simpleton, if you married into the royal family, you’d probably be eaten alive without even bones remaining,” Wen’an mocked Yin Shujun.
Just as Yin Shujun was about to retort, Ming Shu said: “Speaking of the royal family… I met the Third Prince…”
“How was he?” Yin Shujun’s eyes brightened, her cheeks flushing red – though whether from the wine or embarrassment was unclear.
“Him?” Ming Shu pinched her cheek teasingly. “He’s quite good. If as a ruler, he would be a wise one.”
As for a husband… that remained to be seen…
With three thousand consorts in the rear palace sharing the imperial favor, historically wise rulers were often heartless.
—
Because of the Xie Xi matter, Ming Shu and Yin Shujun accompanied Wen’an drinking until nightfall. Though the fruit wine wasn’t strong, drinking too much still went to their heads.
Yin Shujun passed out halfway through, and even Ming Shu couldn’t keep up, drinking herself completely drunk with Wen’an before being sent home by people from the Prince’s mansion.
The carriage stopped at the alley entrance, and an old nurse accompanied Ming Shu home, calling out “Miss, watch your step” while trying to support her. But Ming Shu shook off her hand, saying with a giggle: “I’m fine.”
She stumbled toward home, still able to recognize the way, and soon reached her door.
The lamps were lit, and outside stood a figure in green robes, tall and straight as bamboo in the light from inside. Ming Shu stopped, standing several steps away, tilting her head as she stared – countless fragmented images flashed through her mind, but she couldn’t grasp or touch them. She couldn’t remember who he was, but her heart began beating uncontrollably.
“How did you get so drunk?” The person turned, frowning deeply upon seeing her, and strode to her side.
Ming Shu’s drunken eyes were as if covered by gauze – she couldn’t see the person’s face clearly and could only stare at him. The old nurse exchanged a few words with him before leaving, entrusting her to his care.
“Lu Ming Shu?!” He shouted at her angrily.
Ming Shu bit her lip and reached out, suddenly pinching his face hard, grabbing his cheek flesh while muttering: “How dare you be blurry, not letting me see you! Come on, show your true form to this lady.”
Lu Chang’s cheeks visibly reddened where she pinched. He took three deep breaths to suppress his anger, then bent down and hoisted her onto his shoulder, storming through the door and giving Madam Zeng a terrible fright.
“Mother, please make her some sobering soup,” Lu Chang said before carrying her upstairs to her room.
Ming Shu fell onto the bed, the world spinning with stars dancing before her eyes.
Lu Chang removed her shoes, straightened her body, and pulled up the blanket. Just as he was about to cover her, the motionless figure suddenly threw out her arms, circling his neck and pulling him down.
Ming Shu half-opened her eyes, drunk and drowsy, her cheeks flushed as she said: “I know who you are… you’re… Song Qingzhao…”
“…” Lu Chang’s mind exploded with a boom.