Ironically, the person you least want to see is often the one who shows up.
Pushed to boil water for tea, Lu Chang kept his ears perked for any commotion outside. He desperately wanted to keep Song Qingzhao from entering, but just days ago, he had pretended to be generous in front of Ming Shu. Now, he could only swallow this bitter pill in silence.
People are contradictory creatures. What we think we’ll do often differs from how we react when faced with a situation.
He realized he couldn’t feign generosity after all.
Laughter drifted in from outside. Ming Shu’s clear, melodious giggles intertwined with Song Qingzhao’s chuckles, nearly causing Lu Chang to crush the teacup in his hand.
Quickly brewing the tea, Lu Chang carried the tray into the hall. There, he was greeted by the sight of Ming Shu and Song Qingzhao smiling at each other. Though Song Qingzhao appeared cold to others, he always wore a faint smile for Ming Shu. To Lu Chang, this made Song look like a thief coveting his family’s treasure – utterly infuriating.
Ming Shu’s elder brother, Lu Chang received polite treatment from Song Qingzhao, despite their constant underlying competition. Song stood to accept the tea with both hands. Ming Shu spoke first, “Thank you, brother.” Song then followed, almost involuntarily, “Much obliged… Brother Lu.”
Lu Chang’s expression shifted again before he coldly replied, “I dare not accept the title of ‘brother’. Please, just call me Lu Chang.”
Ming Shu fidgeted with her duster, sensing the two men were on the verge of fighting. She couldn’t understand why they always clashed in private, given how well they had cooperated at Songlin Academy.
Perhaps they were simply bored.
“Let’s not waste time,” Ming Shu hurriedly interjected. “Tell me about the Wei family situation.” She had deliberately waited for Lu Chang to return before broaching the subject.
As everyone took their seats, Song Qingzhao asked, “What would you like to know?”
Ming Shu had only discussed superficial matters with Wei’s second madam during their brief encounter, as the latter seemed unable to stay out long. After careful consideration, Ming Shu said, “Tell me everything you know.”
“To be honest, I don’t know much. I’ve only heard bits from my mother,” Song began. “The Wei family was originally an ordinary household in Bianjing. Their ancestors never held official positions. Wei Xian enlisted as a common soldier and worked his way up to become the Commander of the Metropolitan Guards – a true self-made man. His wife, Du Wenhui, was one of my mother’s close friends from her youth. She came from an official family; her father once served as Vice Minister of Works. However, about six or seven years ago, he was demoted due to mishandling a water conservancy project. Since then, he never recovered, and the Du family’s fortunes declined.”
Ming Shu and Lu Chang listened intently as Song Qingzhao recounted the details.
“Wei Xian must have taken considerable time to climb from a common soldier to his current position,” Ming Shu mused. “Yet Du Wenhui was the daughter of a prominent official family back then. Their social status was vastly different. Why would the Du family agree to such a marriage?”
“My mother often laments this very point,” Song replied. “Back then, Aunt Hui, the Princess Consort, and my mother were close friends. Their families were of similar standing, with the Princess Consort’s being the highest, followed by Aunt Hui and my mother. Even if Aunt Hui were to marry below her station, it shouldn’t have been to someone like Wei Xian. Yet, she had eyes only for him. She fought fiercely with her family to marry Wei Xian. Eventually, her elders relented, seeing Wei Xian’s ambition. They allowed the marriage, sending Aunt Hui to the Wei family.”
“I see,” Ming Shu nodded. “What happened next?”
“The first few years of their marriage seemed fine. But something changed – we’re not sure when. Aunt Hui gradually withdrew from my mother and the Princess Consort’s company. On the rare occasions they met, she appeared melancholic. My mother assumed she was unhappy in the Wei household, but Aunt Hui always insisted everything was fine. My mother and the Princess Consort discreetly inquired about the Wei family, only to hear reports of a harmonious marriage. Later, when the Du family fell on hard times, Aunt Hui became even more reclusive. My mother and the Princess Consort often visited her, returning with worried reports of Aunt Hui’s declining health and spirits.”
Song paused as Ming Shu refilled his tea. “Thank you,” he said before continuing.
“Do they have any children after all these years?” Lu Chang interjected.
“They have one son,” Song answered. “However, I’ve heard he suffered brain damage from a high fever shortly after birth. He’s been kept at home since childhood, rarely seen by outsiders.”
“Has Wei Xian taken any concubines?” Lu Chang pressed.
“He’s had two, I believe, but both passed away without bearing children. A few years ago, he brought in a courtesan as a concubine, but there’s been no news of offspring.”
Song concluded, “That’s all I know. Ming Shu, Wei Xian may be a military man, but his household is tightly controlled. Even my mother and the Princess Consort struggle to gather information. I worry about you entering their home recklessly. If Wei Xian discovers your true purpose…”
For once, Lu Chang agreed with Song Qingzhao. “Ming Shu, the Wei household is not like Songlin Academy. You’ll have no one to protect you there. If you encounter danger, I…”
“Brother, I won’t act rashly,” Ming Shu reassured them. “I’m only investigating the haunting. With the second madam’s help, I won’t take unnecessary risks. My life is precious to me; I’m quite afraid of dying.”
Lu Chang looked at her, thinking she didn’t seem afraid of death at all.
Having gathered enough information about the Wei family, Ming Shu glanced outside, noticing it was nearly noon.
“It’s getting late. I should take my leave,” Song Qingzhao said, rising.
Ming Shu, being polite, invited him to stay: “You’ve been so helpful today. Why not stay for a simple meal?”
She expected the refined young master to decline, but to her surprise, Song Qingzhao accepted after a moment’s consideration: “In that case, I’ll impose on your hospitality.”
Ming Shu was taken aback and instinctively looked at Lu Chang, whose face all but screamed refusal. With Madam Zeng absent and Ming Shu unable to cook, Lu Chang usually prepared meals. However, he only cooked for his mother and Ming Shu, certainly not for Song Qingzhao.
“I… I’ll cook. Please, make yourself comfortable,” Ming Shu stammered.
“Thank you for your trouble,” Song Qingzhao seemed intrigued by Ming Shu’s culinary skills.
Meanwhile, Ming Shu was desperately hoping she wouldn’t burn down the kitchen or accidentally poison Song Qingzhao.
Unable to bear the situation, Lu Chang stood up and said, “I’ll assist her in the kitchen. Excuse us.”
With that, he followed Ming Shu into the kitchen.
As Ming Shu stood in the kitchen staring blankly at the stove, feeling utterly lost, she contemplated asking Song Qingzhao to dine out instead. Just then, the curtain behind her was lifted, and Lu Chang entered with a cold expression.
“Brother!” Ming Shu exclaimed, seeing him as her savior.
Lu Chang gave her a cold stare but said nothing. He went straight to the stove and crouched down to start the fire. Ming Shu quickly handed him firewood.
She knew her brother wouldn’t let her embarrass herself.
Silently sticking out her tongue, she stayed to assist Lu Chang in the kitchen.
Lu Chang rolled up his sleeves and began heating the wok while skillfully chopping vegetables. He directed Ming Shu to do simple tasks like washing vegetables. Ming Shu loved watching him cook. The usually aloof man became full of life at the stove, not at all diminishing his gentlemanly demeanor as some might think, but rather appearing more dignified and impressive to Ming Shu.
“What are you looking at?” Lu Chang asked, turning his head after finishing with the bamboo shoots. He noticed Ming Shu staring at him intently, her bright eyes filled with an indescribable emotion. Feeling his ears heat up, he flicked her forehead.
Ming Shu snapped out of it. “Brother, you’re so handsome. I wonder which lucky girl will become my sister-in-law.”
Lu Chang didn’t answer, only extending his hand to say, “Bring me the dough.”
Madam Zeng had prepared the dough before leaving. It only needed to be rolled out before eating. The chicken soup was also simmering. Lu Chang worked quickly, and by the time the soup boiled, he had finished rolling the noodles.
Soon, a pot of chicken noodle soup with bamboo shoots was ready, making Ming Shu’s mouth water.
“It smells so good!” Ming Shu couldn’t wait. She scooped some noodles and soup into a small bowl and, despite the heat, tasted it with satisfaction like a cat stealing cream. “Delicious! Brother, you should try some too.”
As Lu Chang was about to serve the dish, he turned to see Ming Shu already holding out a bite of noodles for him.
That chopstick…
He hesitated for a moment, then accepted the noodles under Ming Shu’s clear gaze.
Indeed, it was sweet.
Whether from the stove’s heat or something else, Lu Chang felt his whole body warm up, his ears and face burning.
Ming Shu had already turned to fetch pickled vegetables for a cold dish.
Soon, the siblings carried out three bowls of chicken noodle soup with bamboo shoots and three plates of cold dishes. Lu Chang, Ming Shu, and Song Qingzhao took their seats.
“It’s a simple meal. I hope you don’t mind, Brother Song,” Lu Chang said.
Though from a privileged background, Song Qingzhao was unpretentious. “I should be thanking you both for your hospitality. I came to apologize and ended up imposing on you for a meal.”
Ming Shu, impatient with formalities, gestured to the soup in front of him. “Try it quickly.”
Song Qingzhao thanked them again before tasting the soup and noodles. His eyes immediately brightened.
“The noodles are chewy, the soup is rich, and the bamboo shoots are crisp. The cooking is perfectly timed. Ming Shu, you have great culinary skills,” he praised.
Ming Shu scratched her head, noticing Lu Chang didn’t want Song Qingzhao to know who cooked. She could only smile awkwardly and say, “You’re too kind.”
Unwittingly, she had taken credit for her brother’s work.
How sinful.
After seeing Song Qingzhao off, Ming Shu helped Lu Chang clean up the dishes and table. They sat in the hall drinking digestive tea.
“Ming Shu, what are your plans regarding the Wei family?” Lu Chang asked.
“I want to inquire around the Wei household first, see if I can uncover any clues before entering,” Ming Shu replied. She wasn’t in a hurry to enter the Wei house, preferring to be fully prepared.
Lu Chang nodded. Unable to stop her, he said, “Alright, I won’t prevent you. But I have one condition. You can stay in the Wei household for a maximum of three days. If you don’t come out after three days, I’ll go in to get you. Also, you must leave a sign for me every morning at the corner gate of the Wei house. I’ll check daily to ensure your safety. If I don’t receive your safety signal, I’ll likewise enter to find you. Do you understand?”
“Brother…” Ming Shu’s hand, holding her tea, paused midair. She stared at Lu Chang for a long while before speaking, “Am I being too willful? Always making you worry.”
“If you know I worry, then protect yourself well,” Lu Chang said.
Ming Shu looked at him with a sweet smile. “I definitely will.”