Ming Shu’s hands, though soft, gripped Lu Chang’s neck firmly. Her youthful fragrance mixed with the scent of alcohol, intoxicating like the world’s strongest wine. Her allure in this moment was more potent than any drink, yet the name she uttered infuriated him like a raging storm.
Lu Chang endured a dual torment. He struggled to resist Ming Shu’s beauty while controlling the anger threatening to burst from his chest. It was a terrifying test of his self-control.
He braced his hands on either side of her head, avoiding being pulled onto her, his fists clenched tight.
“Lu Ming Shu, say it again. Who am I?” Lu Chang vowed to silence her if she uttered that name once more.
“Who are you? How should I know? You’re so annoying, always appearing blurry,” Ming Shu mumbled dreamily, growing irritated herself. She tugged him down harder.
Caught off guard, Lu Chang’s face fell beside hers on the pillow, leaving him stunned.
“Come closer. Let me see who you are,” Ming Shu turned, clumsily cupping his face.
Lu Chang’s face cycled through shades of white and red before settling on a deep blush. He lay beside her, removing her hands from his face. “Can you see now?”
“No, I can’t!” Ming Shu shook her head petulantly. She broke free of his grip and wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him close. “Never mind, just stay here with me.”
After all, it was just a dream. She could do as she pleased.
Lu Chang nearly suffocated.
He struggled to turn her face towards him. “Lu Ming Shu, listen carefully. I am Lu Chang.”
“Lu Chang… Lu Chang…” Ming Shu mumbled his name hazily.
“Yes, Lu Chang,” he emphasized.
Confused at first, Ming Shu suddenly let out a startled cry. She pushed his face away forcefully, then pulled the covers over her head. Her muffled voice came through: “Lu Chang… is my brother… Brother can’t… Go away, go away quickly!”
What a terrifying nightmare!
She couldn’t bear it.
Lu Chang’s heart was beyond exploding.
In her dream, Song Qingzhao could climb into her bed, but he couldn’t. Was that what she meant?
Lu Chang sat up abruptly, reaching to pull away her covers to clarify things, when two coughs sounded from the doorway.
He turned to see his mother standing there, holding a bowl of sobering soup, her gaze fixed on him.
“Get out. Don’t take advantage of your sister while she’s drunk!” Madam Zeng stared at him.
Lu Chang clenched his fists, then released them before storming out.
Madam Zeng shook her head, approaching to help Ming Shu drink the sobering soup.
The night passed with Lu Chang tossing and turning, while Ming Shu slept soundly.
The next morning, Ming Shu woke with a headache. She vaguely remembered a strange dream but couldn’t grasp its details. Drinking indeed caused trouble!
The house was quiet as she descended the stairs, yawning. Her yawn caught in her throat when she saw someone sitting in the hall.
Lu Chang had returned.
When did he come back? Ming Shu had no recollection. He must have arrived while she was with Wen An. Had he seen her drunk?
Feeling uneasy, she treads lightly downstairs.
“Brother,” she greeted him. “You’re back! Did you arrive yesterday afternoon?”
“Mm,” Lu Chang glanced at her, his demeanor unnervingly calm.
Ming Shu laughed nervously and slipped into the kitchen to find Madam Zeng, who was cooking.
“Take some food to Old Lady Li next door later,” Madam Zeng instructed.
“Alright,” Ming Shu agreed, then asked quietly, “About my drunkenness yesterday, did my brother…”
“He carried you upstairs,” Madam Zeng replied succinctly.
“Did I… do anything last night?” Ming Shu asked, grimacing.
Madam Zeng turned, seeing Ming Shu’s worried face, and chuckled. “You pinned your brother to the bed and… Just kidding, nothing happened. Don’t overthink it.” She patted Ming Shu’s head and added, “The imperial examination is approaching. Your brother will be studying at home. Don’t disturb him; let him prepare in peace.”
“I understand,” Ming Shu nodded solemnly, glancing at Lu Chang in the hall.
True to her word, after breakfast and delivering food to Old Lady Li, Ming Shu quietly moved her belongings to Madam Zeng’s room, giving Lu Chang fresh bedding and clearing out her things.
As she packed, she pondered how to use her savings of over 200 taels of silver. She considered hiring maids for Madam Zeng and a study companion for her brother, as well as possibly opening a shop.
“What are you doing?” Lu Chang’s voice startled her.
“I’ve moved my things to Mother’s room. You can have this space to study quietly. I’ll bring your meals up, and I won’t bother you,” Ming Shu explained, smiling sweetly.
Lu Chang looked at the cleared room, then at Ming Shu’s cheerful face, so different from the drunk girl who had tormented him last night.
“You didn’t have to do this,” he said flatly.
Sensing something amiss, Ming Shu asked, “Brother, are you angry with me? I know I shouldn’t have drunk so much, but Wen An was upset about Xie Xi, so I kept her company.”
“Mm,” Lu Chang responded noncommittally.
Feeling more uneasy, Ming Shu left with her belongings.
Lu Chang entered the room, still filled with a faint scent that reminded him of the previous night. He rushed to open the window, trying to focus on his studies and calm his mind.
Ming Shu kept her promise, only entering silently to deliver meals.
At night, Lu Chang lay on the bed, the lingering scent on the pillow reminding him of Ming Shu’s presence. Unable to sleep, he eventually got up, went downstairs, and splashed cold water on his face to cool down.
The next morning, Ming Shu found Lu Chang already studying in the hall.
“Brother? Why aren’t you in your room?” she asked, noticing dark circles under his eyes.
Concerned about his apparent lack of sleep, Ming Shu decided to buy some tonics for Madam Zeng to prepare for him.
The next morning, Ming Shu rose, holding her forehead.
She felt she had a strange dream last night, but when trying to recall it, the dream slipped away like a running ball of yarn, impossible to grasp.
“Drinking causes trouble!” she thought.
Downstairs was quiet, not even a sound from Zhao Bao. Ming Shu walked down yawning, but her yawn got stuck halfway when she saw someone sitting in the hall. She swallowed the rest of it.
Lu Chang had returned.
When did he come back?
Ming Shu had no recollection. He must have returned while she was out with Wen An. That meant he had seen her come home drunk.
Realizing this, Ming Shu felt uneasy, treading lightly as she descended.
“Brother,” she greeted upon reaching the bottom. “You’re back! Did you arrive yesterday afternoon?”
“Mm,” Lu Chang looked up at her calmly. Too calmly… so calm it made her nervous.
Ming Shu laughed awkwardly and slipped into the kitchen to find Madam Zeng. The older woman was cooking and simply said, “Help me take some food to old Mrs. Li next door later.”
“Alright,” Ming Shu agreed without thinking. She glanced at the hall again and whispered to Madam Zeng, “Yesterday I was drunk, and my brother…”
“He carried you upstairs,” Madam Zeng replied concisely.
“Did I… did I do anything last night?” Ming Shu asked, frowning. She couldn’t remember what she had done.
Madam Zeng finally turned, seeing Ming Shu’s face scrunched up like a bitter melon. She laughed, “You pinned your brother to the bed and rubbed against him.”
Ming Shu was dumbfounded. Was she that bold when drunk?
“I’m joking. Nothing happened, don’t overthink it,” Madam Zeng patted her head and added, “The imperial exams are approaching. Your brother will stay home to study these days. Don’t disturb him; let him prepare in peace.”
“I understand,” Ming Shu nodded solemnly, glancing at the figure in the hall.
With over twenty days until the exams, she was determined not to interfere with her brother’s preparations.
—
Ming Shu kept her word. After breakfast, she helped Madam Zeng deliver food to old Mrs. Li. Upon returning, she tiptoed upstairs, bundled up her bedding, and moved it to Madam Zeng’s room. She replaced Lu Chang’s bedding with fresh ones and gathered all her belongings from his room, relocating them to Madam Zeng’s.
As she packed, she pondered what to do with her savings. Between the silver from the Yin family and Wen An’s payment, she had accumulated over 200 taels, making her the wealthiest in the family. She wanted to put it to good use.
They needed a new house, as their current one was too cramped. However, with Lu Chang busy studying for the exams, moving wasn’t ideal. Moreover, if he passed, the imperial court would provide better housing than they could afford. So she postponed that idea. Instead, she thought about hiring two maids to help Madam Zeng with housework and a study companion for her brother. With the remaining silver, she considered opening a shop.
“What are you doing?” Lu Chang’s voice startled her.
Ming Shu snapped back to reality, realizing her brother had come upstairs.
“I’ve moved my things to Mother’s room to clear space for you. You can move up here now. With the exams coming, you need a quiet place to study and rest well at night. I’ll bring your meals up from now on, so you can focus on your studies without disturbance. I promise not to cause any trouble,” Ming Shu said, making way for him.
Lu Chang looked at the emptied room, then at Ming Shu’s beaming face. She was now the picture of a thoughtful sister, unlike the drunken troublemaker from last night who had tested his patience.
Lu Chang felt uneasy about the term “siblings,” quickly dismissing the thought. He simply said, “I’m sorry for the inconvenience.”
His tone was flat, revealing no emotion. Ming Shu sensed something was off: “Brother, are you angry with me? I know I shouldn’t have gotten drunk, but Wen An was upset about Xie Xi, so I drank more to keep her company.”
“Mm,” Lu Chang responded neutrally, without scolding her.
Ming Shu felt increasingly uneasy but couldn’t ask why he wasn’t reprimanding her—it would seem like she was asking for a scolding. So she quietly left with her belongings.
Lu Chang entered the room. Though tidied, a faint fragrance lingered—the same scent he had noticed on her pillow last night. Recalling the previous night, his heart began to race. He hurried to the window, threw it open, and sat down to read, striving to calm his mind.
True to her word, Ming Shu didn’t disturb him. She only brought dinner to his room, moving silently, and left immediately after, closing the door behind her.
Lu Chang’s mind gradually settled.
Yet this calm was like thin ice on a winter pond, easily shattered to reveal the turbulent waters beneath.
At night, as he undressed for bed, he realized the bedding had been changed, but not the mattress. Lying down, he caught that fragrance again, as if she were lying beside him. Lu Chang stared into the dark room for a long time before finally sitting up.
He felt feverish as if a fire raged within him. Unable to sleep, he could only rely on willpower to restrain himself. After sitting still for a moment, he got up, put on his robe, and went downstairs to the kitchen. He scooped two ladles of cold water and splashed his face, finally feeling somewhat calmer.
But he refused to return to that room to sleep.
The next day, Ming Shu woke up early, concerned about bringing Lu Chang breakfast. As she rubbed her eyes and went downstairs to call Madam Zeng, she saw Lu Chang already sitting in the hall, reading.
“Brother?” she greeted, puzzled. “Why aren’t you studying in your room?”
Lu Chang didn’t look up, merely grunting in response. Ming Shu walked past him, glancing at him twice.
Was it her imagination, or did her brother have dark circles under his eyes? Had he been studying here all night without sleep?
“He’s too diligent,” she thought. “I should buy some tonics for Mother to make a nourishing soup for him.”
As days passed, Lu Chang stayed home to focus on studying, while Ming Shu kept to herself, not going out. She feared distracting him, so she even declined invitations from Wen An and Yin Shujun, planning to pursue other matters after her brother’s exams.
During this quiet period, news of the murder at Songlin Academy spread through Bianjing. Even in Shengmin Ward, where Ming Shu lived among commoners, people discussed the case. The Yongqing Marquis’s heir was also caught up in rumors, and his affair with Tang Li became public knowledge.
Ming Shu heard that Wen An, the County Princess, was bedridden with grief over Xie Xi and Tang Li. The public sympathized with her. When Xie Xi returned from prison, the Yongqing Marquis personally took him to beg forgiveness at the Prince’s mansion. Despite being whipped outside the gate, they weren’t allowed in. The ailing County Princess eventually came out, tearfully telling Xie Xi she would break off their engagement for his sake.
The city admired Wen An’s character, while Xie Xi’s reputation crumbled. The Prince finally acted as a protective father, petitioning the Emperor. With the Third Prince and Chancellor’s support, an imperial decree annulled Wen An and Xie Xi’s engagement, cutting off the Xie family’s hopes of protection.
Days later, another decree stripped Xie Xi of his heir status and rights to take the imperial exams, citing his poor character. His family’s title was spared due to his father’s service.
When Ming Shu heard these rumors, she was reading a letter from Wen An. The supposedly bedridden County Princess wrote gleefully about her schemes, showing a level of cunning far beyond Yin Shujun’s.
—
Spring’s fickle weather brought both warmth and chill. Next door, old Mrs. Li’s health worsened, her cough persistent. Wei Zhuo hired two maids to care for her, easing Madam Zeng’s daily visits. However, Madam Zeng still checked on her regularly. One day, as she and Ming Shu brought pastries, they met Wei Zhuo at Mrs. Li’s door.
Mrs. Li, barely recognizing anyone, brightened upon seeing Madam Zeng and Wei Zhuo enter together. She suddenly burst into tears, grabbing their hands and sobbing, “You’ve finally come to see this old woman…”
Everyone froze as Mrs. Li placed Wei Zhuo’s hand on Madam Zeng’s, continuing tearfully, “Son, daughter-in-law, it’s good you’re back.”
They realized Mrs. Li had mistaken Wei Zhuo and Madam Zeng for her deceased son and estranged daughter-in-law.
The situation grew awkward. Madam Zeng blushed, unsure whether to withdraw her hand. Wei Zhuo also felt uncomfortable. A young maid was about to explain, but Madam Zeng stopped her.
Madam Zeng gently pulled her hand away and sat beside Mrs. Li, speaking soothingly. Wei Zhuo, understanding her intent, set aside his discomfort and played along as Mrs. Li’s son.
After crying for a while, Mrs. Li calmed down, smiling at everyone. Ming Shu stood by, glancing between Madam Zeng and Wei Zhuo, finding the situation oddly interesting. Once Mrs. Li was settled back in bed, they left her room.
The misunderstanding left Madam Zeng and Wei Zhuo feeling awkward. Madam Zeng walked ahead, arm-in-arm with Ming Shu, while Wei Zhuo followed behind as they left the Li house.
“Madam Zeng,” Wei Zhuo called out. “Thank you for earlier.”
The doctor had said Mrs. Li wouldn’t survive the spring. Fulfilling her wish provided some comfort in her final days.
“It was nothing,” Madam Zeng replied, barely meeting his eyes before bidding farewell.
As Ming Shu walked away with her, Madam Zeng suddenly stopped, looking around.
“Mother, what’s wrong?” Ming Shu asked.
“For some reason, I’ve felt like someone’s been following me when I go out lately,” Madam Zeng said, scanning the area but seeing nothing unusual. “Maybe I’m just being paranoid.”
She then continued walking with Ming Shu.
Wei Zhuo, still standing there, had overheard Madam Zeng with his keen hearing. His gaze quickly locked onto a man standing at the alley entrance opposite them. When their eyes met, the man seemed guilty and retreated into the alley. Wei Zhuo rushed over, grabbed the man’s collar, and pinned him to the ground, stepping on him.
“What lowlife dares to spy on respectable women?” Wei Zhuo demanded.
The man, lacking martial skills, couldn’t resist. He cried out in pain, clutching Wei Zhuo’s ankle and shouting, “Take your foot off! I’m… I’m a servant from the Chancellor’s household!”
“Chancellor? Lu Wenhan?” Wei Zhuo frowned.
“How dare you speak my master’s name so casually?” the man spat.
“Heh,” Wei Zhuo scoffed coldly. “And what if I do?”
The man was about to curse at him but stopped short when he saw the deadly look in Wei Zhuo’s eyes.
A man who had returned from the battlefield carried the blood he’d spilled in his gaze.