It was a beautiful day for spring viewing at Fan Tai. Ming Shu woke up early, got dressed properly, and hurried downstairs. Madam Zeng had already packed everything the siblings would need for spring viewing into two bamboo baskets, including pastries, snacks, fresh fruits, and ground covers like oilcloth.
The carriage Lu Chang hired was already waiting at the alley entrance. Seeing Ming Shu come down, he picked up the bamboo baskets to load them into the carriage first. Ming Shu suddenly ran to the table and hugged the kite to her chest.
“I’ll carry this myself!” Ming Shu said.
The kite that her brother had personally painted and made – she treasured it dearly.
Lu Chang smiled, bid farewell to Madam Zeng, and led Ming Shu out.
Throughout the journey, Ming Shu held the kite close, humming a tune with an unwavering smile on her face. Her mood was infectious, and Lu Chang’s lips remained curved in a slight smile as well.
Fan Tai’s spring scenery was already in full bloom, making it a perfect spot for Bian Jing residents to enjoy outdoor excursions. Nearby stood Tian Qing Temple, which attracted a constant stream of worshippers burning incense and praying to Buddha. Today’s clear weather, pristine blue sky, blooming peach and plum blossoms, and cherry trees in full flower turned every step into a painting.
After dismounting the carriage, Ming Shu and Lu Chang went to find Wen An.
The Prince’s Manor and Duke’s Manor had already secured a pavilion. Noble families always traveled with grand entourages – servants filled the pavilion inside and out, with maids and elderly servants attending to needs, footmen, and guards stationed outside. They brought many items, even moving stoves, with cooks in attendance to brew fresh tea and prepare food on the spot.
Two noble ladies sat in the pavilion. From afar, Ming Shu couldn’t make out their features but noticed their heads adorned with pearls and jewelry, dressed in luxurious clothing. She guessed they must be Wen An’s mother, the Princess Consort, and Song Qing Zhao’s mother, the current main wife managing the Duke’s household. Outside the pavilion, many young ladies in fine dress gathered to play, admiring flowers and competing with grass games, their joyous laughter carrying like spring orioles.
Ming Shu observed for a moment before handing her invitation to the Prince Manor’s servant. The servant passed it to Wen An, who was talking with Shu Jun nearby. Both turned their heads simultaneously – Wen An waved at Ming Shu, gesturing for her to come over. Ming Shu shook her head in refusal.
“Why won’t you come over? I’ll introduce you to my mother. She especially wants to meet you after hearing how you helped resolve the Xie Xi matter,” Wen An said, pulling at her.
Ming Shu glanced at the multi-layered crowd in the pavilion and replied, “Please spare me. Today is for leisure and discussion. If the Princess Consort wishes to meet me, I’ll pay a proper formal visit another day.”
If she went in now, the ceremonial procedures would consume half the day. Ming Shu wasn’t willing to do that.
“You have a point,” Wen An looked at the pavilion and agreed that Ming Shu should avoid going in right now. Besides her own mother, her aunt was also present. Her aunt was most particular about propriety and would question them endlessly, spoiling their fun.
“Where shall we go then?” Yan Shu Jun asked enthusiastically.
“My brother found an empty grass patch nearby. Shall we go there to chat? I brought some snacks my mother made – you can try her cooking. Oh, and my brother made me a kite yesterday. Shall we fly it?” Ming Shu remembered the kite and added.
“You brought a kite? That’s wonderful!” Yan Shu Jun exclaimed with delight.
“Wait a moment, I’ll inform my mother,” Wen An nodded and turned to leave.
————
In the pavilion, the Princess Consort was chatting over tea with Madam Xu, the main wife of the Duke’s household.
“It’s rare to see Qing Zhao in the mood to accompany us for spring viewing today,” the Princess Consort smiled, taking a sip of tea while looking at Song Qing Zhao standing nearby.
Song Qing Zhao lowered his head slightly without speaking.
Madam Xu smiled and said, “Third Prince sent him an invitation. They’re also viewing spring flowers near Fan Tai today. He’s accompanying this old woman first before going to meet the Third Prince’s appointment.”
“Qing Zhao is such a filial child. He’ll soon achieve success in the imperial examinations. With his family background, character, and scholarship, I wonder which young lady will be fortunate enough to become his wife,” the Princess Consort smiled behind her fan.
“Him? He has no thoughts of marriage at all, completely immersed in his studies. Even as his mother, I don’t know what he’s thinking. Finding a daughter-in-law seems as difficult as fishing for a needle in the sea,” Madam Xu jested while glancing at her son.
Song Qing Zhao’s gaze, however, was fixed on something in the distance.
“Who is that young lady?” Madam Xu followed her son’s line of sight and spotted an unfamiliar face beside Wen An and Yan Shu Jun.
The Princess Consort shook her head: “I haven’t met her either, but Wen An mentioned she invited a newly acquainted friend to view spring flowers today – the young lady from the Lu family who helped the Third Prince and Official Lu solve a case at Song Ling Academy in one day. Your Qing Zhao should know her.”
“It’s her,” Song Qing Zhao withdrew his gaze and replied.
Just then, Wen An returned to request permission from the Princess Consort, who yielded to her daughter’s coaxing. However, Madam Xu spoke up: “Since she’s your close friend, why not bring her over to meet us?”
“We have so many people here today. If she has to greet everyone properly, there won’t be any time left for play. Please let her off, Aunt,” Wen An explained with a grin before bowing and departing.
As soon as Wen An left, Song Qing Zhao also took his leave. Madam Xu waved him off.
After both had gone, Madam Xu remarked, “I suspect that child is afraid to come over. We’re not tigers – we won’t eat her. Young ladies from humble families ultimately lack the proper etiquette and knowledge for grand occasions.”
“Sister-in-law, the child is still young. It’s natural for young ladies to be shy,” the Princess Consort defended Ming Shu before changing the subject.
Madam Xu frowned – Song Qing Zhao had left in the same direction as Wen An. Was he going to find that Lu Ming Shu?
“Sister-in-law? Sister-in-law?” The Princess Consort’s voice rose slightly to bring Madam Xu back to attention.
“What is it?” Madam Xu asked.
“Didn’t you say you invited Wen Hui to come out and refresh her spirits today? Why haven’t we seen her yet?” The Princess Consort remembered another matter.
“Don’t even mention it,” Madam Xu’s face suddenly showed worry. “The invitation sent to the Wei family sank like a stone with no response. The last time I saw her was half a year ago. I don’t know what’s going on.”
“Recently I’ve heard some unsavory rumors about the Wei family… they say it’s haunted. Have you heard about this?” the Princess Consort asked.
“I have,” Madam Xu nodded. “The rumors are outlandish, yet the Wei family hasn’t come forward to deny them. How is Wen Hui managing as the household mistress?”
“I feel something isn’t right with the Wei family. Should we have someone investigate?”
“Who knows what goes on behind closed doors in the Wei household? We’re neither relatives nor close friends – how can we investigate? On what grounds?” Madam Xu countered.
She, the Princess Consort, and Pan Wen Hui had once been close friends in their youth, closer than sisters. But after marriage, except for herself, neither the Princess Consort nor Pan Wen Hui found happiness – truly cause for sighs.
————
Meanwhile, Ming Shu had excitedly led Wen An and Yan Shu Jun to the spot Lu Chang had found.
“Look, it’s over there,” Ming Shu pointed out to her friends when she spotted Lu Chang from afar.
Lu Chang had already laid out the oilcloth and arranged the food from the bamboo baskets neatly, waiting for their return. Hearing Ming Shu’s voice from afar, he looked up to see her waving vigorously at him. He stood to straighten his robes, about to step forward when he noticed someone following the three girls.
“Ming Shu.”
Ming Shu had just finished greeting Lu Chang and was chatting with Wen An and Shu Jun when she heard someone call her name from behind. Turning around, she saw Song Qing Zhao standing five or six steps away under a peach tree.
The peach blossoms were in full bloom, and with a gust of wind, petals scattered everywhere. Song Qing Zhao wore his usual light cyan robe, and with peach blossoms falling on his hair and shoulders, the young man appeared especially pure and refined like jade.
Ming Shu pressed hard against her chest again – damn it, her heart was pounding.
“Cousin Qing Zhao? Why are you here?” Wen An frowned.
Song Qing Zhao bowed to Wen An and Yan Shu Jun before stepping forward: “I came to find Ming Shu.”
As he walked from under the tree and came closer, Ming Shu’s intense feelings subsided somewhat. She took two deep breaths and asked puzzled: “Does Young Master Song have business with me?”
“I am grateful for the protective charm you gave me before. Learning that you would be here playing with the County Princess and others today, I prepared a small gift to express my thanks,” Song Qing Zhao said calmly. Seeing her expression of rejection, he added, “It’s nothing expensive, just a small trinket that young ladies like.” He instructed his attendant to bring forth the gift.
A large butterfly kite.
Ming Shu was stunned and hadn’t responded when someone spoke first: “Brother Song’s kindness is appreciated, but I accept on my sister’s behalf. She already has a kite today, so she probably can’t fly another one.”
Everyone turned to see Lu Chang bringing over the beauty kite, holding it out to Ming Shu while saying, “Ming Shu, your kite.”
The two kites created a collision of atmosphere, freezing the mood. Ming Shu looked left and right – if she took her brother’s kite and Song Qing Zhao’s face fell, but if she accepted Song Qing Zhao’s kite, she’d be in trouble when she got home.
Her brother wouldn’t speak to her for three whole days – there would be no getting past that.
Meanwhile, Song Qing Zhao faced Lu Chang without any intention of backing down: “No matter, spring days are long. If it can’t be flown this time, save it for next time – there will be opportunities to use it. Ming Shu, please accept it.”
Both kites were held out to her as if waiting for Ming Shu’s favor.
Though both men maintained calm expressions, there seemed to be a tense standoff between them, like two armies facing each other. Ming Shu had long known her brother disliked Song Qing Zhao, but he had never shown it so openly as today. And Song Qing Zhao, for some unknown reason, had abandoned his usual modest politeness and refused to yield a single step.
This peculiarity must have been noticeable even to Wen An and Yan Shu Jun. Ming Shu gave them meaningful looks, but they both shook their heads silently.
Finally, Lu Chang saw Ming Shu’s difficulty and conceded: “Very well, since Brother Song shows such goodwill, I thank him on my sister’s behalf.” As he spoke, he placed his kite in Ming Shu’s arms but accepted Song Qing Zhao’s kite and handed it to Wen An. “For three of you, one kite wouldn’t be enough. Brother Song’s kite comes at just the right time.”
The meaning couldn’t be clearer – his kite was for Ming Shu, while Song Qing Zhao’s kite would go to Wen An and Yan Shu Jun.
This provided a solution.
Ming Shu quickly nodded: “Yes, yes, there are three of us. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Young Master Song.”
Wen An inexplicably found herself holding Song Qing Zhao’s kite.
“Brother, didn’t you have an appointment with the Third Prince? It’s getting late, you should hurry over. Don’t worry about us,” Ming Shu felt Lu Chang shouldn’t stay any longer and urged him to leave.
Wen An came to her senses and added: “Cousin, weren’t you also invited by the Third Prince? Better hurry along.”
Lu Chang looked at Ming Shu and said: “Stay in this area, don’t wander far. I’ll come back here to take you home.”
“I know,” Ming Shu nodded repeatedly.
Only after he finished his instructions did Song Qing Zhao gesture “after you” to him: “Brother Lu, shall we?”
Lu Chang nodded and walked with him toward Fan Tai.
Watching their retreating figures, the three young ladies sighed in relief simultaneously.
Yan Shu Jun remarked: “Your brothers… they’re somewhat frightening.”
Ming Shu had no explanation.
Wen An had no explanation.
After walking a hundred paces side by side with Song Qing Zhao, Lu Chang broke their silence.
“Brother Lu, you seem displeased with me. Is there perhaps some misunderstanding between us?” Song Qing Zhao asked.
Lu Chang turned his head, his expression unchanged but his tone altered: “Stay away from Ming Shu, and we can coexist peacefully.”
Leaving these cold words behind, he strode away quickly.