The sound of the grass whistle resembled Lu Chang himself – crystal clear like the person, with a gentle heart possessing the power to calm turmoil. After playing the children’s song three times, Ming Shu’s agitated mood gradually settled.
She picked up a blade of grass and blew one long whistle note, after which no further sounds came from outside. Receiving her farewell response, Lu Chang ceased his disturbance. The evening breeze passed by, bringing clarity to one’s mind. Ming Shu retrieved the Gold Ingot from her pouch, turning it over in her hands.
Floating through her mind was the image of Du Wen Hui’s pale face, vacant stare, and hopeless eyes…
She couldn’t destroy this final lifeline born from desperation.
She tossed and caught the Gold Ingot three times. On the final catch, she gripped it firmly in her palm.
Her mind was made up.
The task Lady Liu had given her – she likely wouldn’t be able to complete it. Tomorrow, she would return the deposit and leave the Wei Family.
Perfect timing to celebrate with Elder Brother.
————
With the decision made, Ming Shu’s mood improved.
Although this decision would cost her a substantial Commission Fee and impact her credibility and reputation, she still intended to withdraw.
If Elder Brother were here, he would surely tell her that neither choice was wrong, that she needn’t burden herself mentally, and that doing what she wanted was enough. She hadn’t erred in investigating the truth and exposing the “ghost” scheme; similarly, choosing to withdraw wasn’t wrong either. Choices were always difficult matters, with the standard for judgment residing only in the scale within one’s heart.
Ming Shu remained sleepless. As it wasn’t late, she took a Lantern and went out. The Wei Mansion had distinguished guests tonight; the feast in the front court hadn’t ended, so the backcourt couldn’t rest either, with Maids and Elderly Servants standing by for summons. Ming Shu encountered many people along the way, all treating her as an expert, and respectfully greeting her when they saw her. Ming Shu nodded in response, feeling somewhat guilty – she had played the role of the fake Daoist too well, and everyone believed it genuine.
Within these courtyards, she no longer ventured outward, instead sitting beneath the Osmanthus tree outside the long corridor, watching people come and go along the walkway.
“Ding Xuan, how do you find my appearance?”
Unexpectedly, a voice dripping like water came from the corridor. Ming Shu looked up at the sound, seeing several people walking along the corridor. At the front was Ding Xuan, head bowed, respectfully leading those behind him toward the outer court. The scarred half of his face remained hidden on the other side, while the half exposed in the lamplight appeared quite handsome.
One could imagine he must have been a refined young man before.
The speaker was Yan Shao, currently the Wei Family’s only concubine, whom Ding Xuan was escorting. Tonight she was dressed most alluringly – a crimson peony-embroidered bodice, gossamer-thin outer robe, her high coiffure adorned with large vibrant silk flowers. Her face was thickly powdered, with decorative spots and facial ornaments drawn with exquisite detail, beautiful in a bewitching and seductive way – not at all the proper appearance for a respectable concubine.
Now she followed behind Ding Xuan with countless charms, her misty eyes full of meaningful glances that could melt one’s heart.
Yet Ding Xuan only continued forward, responding: “Young Lady’s appearance is naturally beautiful.”
“Don’t all men prefer such attire? What do you say, Ding Xuan?” Yan Shao wouldn’t let him off, asking again. Seeing him ignore her, she laughed, “Oh, I forgot, you’re not a man…”
Her tittering laugh carried a kind of vengeful satisfaction.
The group quickly passed by, soon disappearing from Ming Shu’s sight. Ming Shu remained seated beneath the Osmanthus tree, contemplating the lantern light.
The women in this household all suffered.
After some time passed, Ding Xuan returned from outside, still walking hurriedly with bowed heads, but Ming Shu called out to stop him.
“Immortal Master Xuan Qing? Why are you here?” He turned to see Ming Shu, head still lowered but eyes glancing upward.
“Ghost hunting,” Ming Shu replied concisely.
She carried her lantern to the corridor’s railing, smiling as she looked at Ding Xuan. He stood below the corridor, separated from her by the railings, his face showing no excess emotion as he asked, “Has the Immortal Master caught any ‘ghosts’ yet?”
“Almost,” Ming Shu stared at him and said, “I heard you entered the household three years ago?”
“Yes. Three years ago, this humble one met with some misfortune. It was Commander Wei who helped me and took me into the household, sheltering me,” Ding Xuan said quietly.
Such matters could be easily verified, so there was nothing to hide.
“Commander Wei trusts you greatly,” Ming Shu continued, “So what kind of person do you think Commander Wei is?”
Ding Xuan’s brow furrowed imperceptibly.
“I am but a servant, Commander Wei is the master. Servants have no right to judge their masters. This humble one has urgent matters to attend to and cannot accompany the Immortal Master in ghost hunting. Please excuse me.” He bowed and made to leave.
But Ming Shu said: “I saw that ‘ghost’ yesterday. It ‘floated’ from the rockery to the corridor before vanishing. From the corridor to the backcourt, there are old women standing guard at night everywhere except one place – Master Wei’s side chamber.”
Ding Xuan’s footsteps halted.
“The Wei Family’s old master has been gravely ill for years, paralyzed and bedridden, unable to speak, residing in the side chamber for quiet recovery. I suspect that place is the lair of the supernatural being. What do you think I might catch if I went ghost hunting there now?”
Wei Xian and Wei Chao’s father had suffered a stroke last year leaving him paralyzed in bed. Though maids attended to him daily, for tasks like bathing and turning him over, the maids lacked the strength and required male servants’ assistance. However, Wei Xian kept strict control over the inner court – ordinary male servants couldn’t enter and exit freely. Only Ding Xuan, due to his special status, wouldn’t arouse suspicion, so Wei Xian had also arranged for him to care for the old master.
At these words, Ding Xuan suddenly turned around to face Ming Shu.
That face appeared frighteningly grotesque in the firelight.
“Living in this household must be difficult, right?” Ming Shu changed the subject again, saying, “Is Young Lady Yan Shao being sent to the front court to serve the honored guests?”
Ding Xuan turned away without answering.
“Wei Xian redeemed her, waiting for just such a day when she could be put to use, right?” Ming Shu also lowered her head, fingering her lantern as she said, “Sometimes human hearts can be more terrifying than ghost hearts.”
She finished with another smile: “I won’t delay you further. I’ll return now, farewell.”
With that, without waiting for Ding Xuan to speak, she took her lantern and returned to the Second House.
————
The front court’s lights remained unextinguished, there was some commotion outside, and Lady Liu’s loud complaining voice could be heard, seemingly scolding her husband… Ming Shu smiled slightly and lay down fully clothed.
Thinking about seeing Elder Brother tomorrow lifted her spirits, and after lying in bed for a moment she fell asleep.
At dawn, Ming Shu was awakened by panicked voices from outside her room.
“My Lady, something terrible has happened!” A man’s voice rang out, startling everyone in the courtyard.
The visitor was a male servant who rushed into the courtyard, shouting outside the room.
Male servants weren’t allowed to enter the inner court without permission, especially in the early morning. If not for an urgent matter, people from the outer court absolutely couldn’t intrude into the inner court. Lady Liu was startled awake, not even taking time to arrange her hair before throwing on clothes and lifting the curtain to come out, asking: “What’s happened so early in the morning to cause such a commotion!”
Ming Shu had also come out, standing at her doorway watching.
The male servant had already knelt on the ground, stammering: “My… My Lady, something terrible has happened…”
“Just finish what you’re saying, what happened?” Lady Liu was extremely anxious, almost wanting to grab the servant’s collar to make him speak all at once.
“A death… there’s been a death… our First Master… drowned… drowned in the pool in the east garden…”
“What did you say?!” Lady Liu staggered back two steps, nearly falling.
Ming Shu had been leaning against the doorframe, but upon hearing this she involuntarily stood straight – Wei Xian was dead?
“Then, then what about Second Master?” After a moment’s shock, Lady Liu thought of her husband.
Wei Chao had also been entertaining guests in the front court last night, not returning all night.
“Second Master… The second Master drank too much last night and rested in the front court. He hasn’t awakened yet,” the servant said.
“This good-for-nothing!” Lady Liu cursed in anxiety, fear, and anger, then turned back into her room, ordering her maids to immediately help her dress and fix her hair – she needed to go to the front court herself.
Ming Shu had already gone ahead of her, heading toward the East Garden.
————
The hour was still early, the air slightly cool.
The pool in the East Garden wasn’t large, surrounded by stacked rocks and greenery. It wasn’t lotus season, and the lotus leaves hadn’t grown out yet, leaving only a few carp occasionally swimming through the empty water.
When Ming Shu arrived, many people had already gathered around the pool.
A corpse floated on the water’s surface, with Ding Xuan leading the Wei household servants in retrieving it. The body had been pulled to the shore, its clothing, appearance, and features all visible – it was indeed Wei Xian whom she had glimpsed briefly last night.
Besides Ding Xuan and the Wei household servants, Wei Zhuo was also present, accompanied by two personal guards, watching intently as the Wei household servants retrieved the corpse. From his appearance, he still wore his military armor, sword at his waist, face cold and stern, his whole being emanating a killing aura that made people keep their distance – almost unrecognizable as the Uncle Wei she had met in Victory People’s Ward.
Additionally, Yan Shao was also present, hugging herself as she stood to the side, seeming cold, her makeup and clothing identical to the previous night, though where she had been alluring last night, this morning only terror remained.
Ming Shu knew that last night, to entertain him, Wei Xian had not only called in several courtesans from outside but had also sent his concubine Yan Shao to the front court to serve guests, presumably all to curry favor with Wei Zhuo. However, it was unknown what exactly had transpired overnight – Wei Zhuo and Yan Shao showed no signs of change.
“Careful, careful! Quick, lift him!” someone called from the front.
The corpse was finally lifted onto the shore, and laid dripping wet on the ground. People around immediately began crying out one after another: “Master Wei!” The cries soon spread.
The wailing became disturbing until Wei Zhuo coldly commanded: “Silence!”
Though few in words, he immediately subdued everyone. The crying stopped at once, and he continued: “Has this been reported to the authorities?”
Ding Xuan replied: “Someone has been sent.”
Wei Zhuo nodded, personally crouched beside Wei Xian’s body to examine it briefly, then stood and said: “Everyone immediately leaves the East Garden. Ding Xuan, find some people to guard all entrances and exits of the East Garden, let no one enter.” He then ordered his guards, “Guard the poolside, protect the scene. Wait for the Kaifeng Prefecture officials to investigate. During this time, no one is to touch Wei Xian’s body. Go wake all the Wei household members, and bring whoever first discovered the body to the front court.”
These orders were given methodically, and no one dared object.
As Wei Zhuo prepared to leave, he turned and saw Ming Shu standing in the crowd.
He frowned and beckoned to her.
Ming Shu quickly ran to his side, walking alongside him toward the garden exit.
Wei Zhuo’s steps were steady, his light armor making subtle scraping sounds as he moved, carrying himself with a general’s bearing, full of power.
“Commander…” Ming Shu considered, then said, “Field Marshal.”
Wei Zhuo glanced at her sideways: “No need for formalities.”
“Uncle Wei,” Ming Shu changed her address.
“Why are you at the Wei household?” Wei Zhuo asked her.
“I was hired to investigate the haunting at the Wei house,” Ming Shu didn’t conceal anything from Wei Zhuo.
“Haunting?” Wei Zhuo was puzzled.
Ming Shu briefly explained about the haunting in the Wei household’s inner court, then said: “I wonder if Wei Xian’s death is related to this. He was drinking with you last night, wasn’t he?”
Hearing this, Wei Zhuo gave a cold laugh, seemingly mocking Wei Xian: “I came to the Wei house on official business, and yes, he was drinking with me, however…” he paused mid-sentence, “he left halfway through.”
“Do you remember what time, Uncle Wei?” Ming Shu asked.
“Around the middle of the Hai Hour (9-11 PM). I heard the watch drum, and sometime after that, he left.” After answering, Wei Zhuo looked at Ming Shu again, “Little girl, why are you asking this? Don’t wade into the Wei family’s troubled waters.”
Ming Shu chuckled “hehe” twice, but before she could speak, someone came to report: “The Kaifeng Prefecture officials have arrived.”
————
The case was reported early before the Kaifeng Prefecture Court had officially opened. The first to arrive was Chief Constable Dong Cheng Wu, along with two young constables Ying Xun and Wang Shang, plus coroners and other minor officials.
“Field Marshal, this case has been reported to the Deputy Magistrate. Fearing the scene might be disturbed, I brought my subordinates to investigate first. The Deputy Magistrate will arrive shortly in person,” Dong Cheng Wu bowed to Wei Zhuo.
Given the deceased’s unusual status and the involvement of Imperial Guard Commander Wei Zhuo, this couldn’t be treated lightly – the Kaifeng Deputy Magistrate would oversee it personally.
Wei Zhuo nodded while directing people to lead the constables to the scene, he also told Dong Cheng Wu: “Wei Xian was involved in military secrets. You cannot remove his body; conduct the autopsy here at the Wei house. I will speak with the Deputy Magistrate personally later. I will also remain at the Wei house to investigate this case with you.”
Ming Shu, finding it inappropriate to listen further, quietly withdrew to the inner court.
All the women of the inner court had been awakened and were now gathered in the courtyard, each looking confused and whispering among themselves. Du Wen Hui sat absent-mindedly with Lady Xu in the flower hall, eyes blank, not shedding a single tear. The loudest crying came instead from Second Lady Liu of the Second House, who rushed into the flower hall reeking of medicine, holding her head and wailing: “He was fine just yesterday, how could he be gone so suddenly…”
With a murder case on their hands, Lady Xu also lost her bearings, only able to comfort Du Wen Hui, growing more headache-stricken upon hearing Lady Liu’s wails.
With no one managing the inner court, chaos began to spread.
Ming Shu looked through the crowd and found two elderly servants responsible for daily cleaning near the East Garden, approaching them for casual conversation. She had barely chatted for a moment when Ding Xuan brought in the Kaifeng Prefecture constables.
“Ladies, Second Lady, this is Constable Ying Xun from the Kaifeng Prefecture. He’s been ordered to question the women of the inner court.”
Ming Shu looked over – this Ying Xun was around twenty years old, wearing a constable’s close-fitting garment with a sword at his waist. His angular face and serious expression made him appear somewhat cold.
She had heard of Ying Xun’s name before.
Previously at the Song Ling Academy, Ming Shu had met several Kaifeng Prefecture runners. Though none of them were here today, they had mentioned then that Kaifeng Prefecture had a young detective called Ying Xun.
This must be him.
————
Ying Xun had everyone gather in the inner court. After asking Ding Xuan to verify that no one was missing, he posted guards to prevent people from whispering among themselves and then began his interrogation.
The questioning took place in a side hall separated from the inner court by a wall. People from the inner court were brought in one by one for questioning, and thoroughly investigated. Those completely clear of suspicion were released back, while those with issues would be temporarily detained.
The Wei household had many servants, so the questioning wouldn’t end quickly. Naturally, the Wei family ladies were questioned first, with others arranged behind them.
Ming Shu waited in the long corridor. With Wei Xian’s death, everyone in the household was suspect, herself included. She probably wouldn’t be able to see Elder Brother today, and couldn’t even leave a safety signal for Lu Chang. She felt vaguely uneasy, worried that Lu Chang would be concerned.
Time passed slowly, and by evening, it was finally Ming Shu’s turn.
Ming Shu was led into the side hall, but before she could speak, Ying Xun coldly stared at her and said: “So you’re the one claiming to be Tian Xuan Qing from Mount Zhongnan, able to subdue demons and monsters?”
“Tian Xuan Qing isn’t my real name. I’m called Lu Ming Shu,” Ming Shu answered honestly.
Unexpectedly, Ying Xun smirked: “A fraudulent street performer, why not continue the deception?”
“I’m not a fraud. I entered the Wei mansion because someone requested my help,” Ming Shu prepared to explain everything.
But Ying Xun interrupted: “I know, you were hired by Second Lady Liu to enter the mansion, yes or no?”
“Second Lady did ask me to enter the mansion, that was for…”
“Silence! Answer only what I ask, no quibbling!” Ying Xun interrupted her again, “So you now admit to conspiring with the Second House?”
“…” Ming Shu felt anger rising at Ying Xun’s questioning. How had she said anything about conspiring with the Second House? “I don’t understand Constable Ying’s meaning.”
“Wei Chao is strongly suspected of fratricide, and since you’re a street fraud brought in by him and his wife in collusion, you must be connected to this matter. Guards, take her away and keep her under watch. After I finish questioning the others, I’ll properly interrogate her!” Ying Xun declared decisively.
“Constable Ying, you determine I’m connected to this matter without even questioning me? Isn’t that too arbitrary!” Ming Shu grew anxious, not understanding why the Second House’s Wei Chao had become a suspect.
“Whether or not you’re connected to this case, impersonating a street performer is certainly true. I’ve seen plenty of frauds like you. Take her away!” Ying Xun didn’t say more, just signaled to those beside him.
People immediately came to seize Ming Shu. Unable to resist the prefecture runners, she was taken outside the hall, extremely annoyed, and shouted: “Let me go!”
“Behave yourself!” The runner had no sympathy for beauty, barking at her.
Ming Shu struggled but couldn’t break free. Just as she was secretly growing anxious, suddenly a voice called from ahead: “Wait!”
She looked up to see Wei Zhuo appearing before her.
————
At dusk, a swift horse galloped out of the palace gates, its rider holding the imperial roster, racing through the streets and markets.
The daylong palace examination had finally ended, rankings determined on the spot, with the roster announced to all under heaven.
Soon after, the examination candidates gradually emerged from the palace gates, the top three wearing crimson robes, surrounded by crowds. These candidates had entered the palace at dawn, and after paying respects, first underwent the written examination. The grading officials selected ten people to present to the Emperor, who then summoned them for an oral examination, finally determining the top three ranks with his imperial brush.
The golden roster wouldn’t be posted until tomorrow morning, with the grand announcement ceremony two days later, not yet public.
This spring examination produced a Triple First Scholar (achieving first place in all three levels of imperial examinations). When this news spread, it would surely cause great discussion throughout Kaifeng.
Lu Chang first rode home, eager to see his mother and Ming Shu.
When he arrived home, it was completely dark. The house was lit, with Mother Zeng sitting in the hall embroidering while waiting for him.
He rushed in excitedly but didn’t see Ming Shu.
————
The Wei household’s lanterns were also hung high, the main gate tightly closed. Those inside the mansion were destined for a sleepless night.
Song Qing Zhao handed his horse’s reins to a servant boy and adjusted his clothing before stepping toward the Wei household’s main gate.
“If Madam sees that Young Master achieved Second Place and came personally to take her home, she’ll surely calm down,” the servant boy said.
Song Qing Zhao remained silent, suddenly stopping ten paces from the Wei household’s main gate.
Someone was approaching from the other end of the street.
Three days had passed, and Ming Shu hadn’t returned. Lu Chang came to the Wei house but didn’t see Ming Shu’s safety signal.
He had come to retrieve his sister.
Under the lamplight, Lu Chang and Song Qing Zhao, both wearing crimson robes, came face to face.
One came for his sister, one came for his mother.