Night had fallen, and lanterns illuminated one by one throughout the courtyard. Within the Wei Manor, besides the officials from the Kaifeng Prefecture, a squad of Imperial Guards who had arrived later surrounded the premises so tightly that not even a drop of water could slip through.
Wei Zhuo sat in the central armchair in the outer courtyard, awaiting the results of the Kaifeng Prefecture’s investigation. Ming Shu stood beside Wei Zhuo, unable to move freely or take any action.
Though Wei Zhuo had prevented her from being taken away by the constables, she still couldn’t move about as she wished.
“Feeling confined?” Wei Zhuo glanced at her and tapped the table. “Have some tea and refreshments.”
Ming Shu looked at the now flavorless tea that had been brewed several times and said helplessly, “Uncle Wei, my stomach is already full of water.”
Wei Zhuo was amused by her response, his lips curling into a slight smile. “Very well, I know you feel wronged. Bear with it a little longer. Their investigative abilities are quite good; they should clear your name soon.”
“What about Investigator Ying? How can he be so arbitrary? He doesn’t even listen to explanations. Are you certain there aren’t any wrongful cases under his supervision?” Ming Shu had a particularly strong opinion about Ying Xun, having never encountered anyone so arbitrary and self-righteous.
“They have their investigative methods and have encountered all manner of criminals. You disguised yourself as a martial artist to enter the Wei Manor, so they’re naturally prejudiced.” Wei Zhuo, though brief with others, showed particular patience with Ming Shu, engaging in casual conversation.
Just as Ming Shu prepared to speak, a group approached from outside the courtyard – the Deputy Magistrate of Kaifeng Prefecture leading Investigator Ying and others.
“Commander.” The Deputy Magistrate bowed to Wei Zhuo first.
Wei Zhuo stood and returned the gesture. “Any progress?”
“The corpse examination is complete, and the coroner’s report will be submitted shortly. We’ve finished investigating the scene and questioned all personnel in the Wei Manor. We’ve identified several suspects and have something to ask Lady Ming.” The Deputy Magistrate looked toward Ming Shu.
Ming Shu stood straight and said calmly, “You wish to inquire about the haunting at the Wei Manor, correct?”
“If you know anything, speak truthfully. Don’t conceal anything that might obstruct the investigation,” Investigator Ying stated.
“I’ll certainly cooperate with the official investigation, but Investigator Ying has already convicted me of fraud in his mind before asking any questions. I wonder, what benefits did I supposedly gain from this alleged fraud?”
“Well, you may speak now,” Investigator Ying said stiffly.
Ming Shu, angered by his attitude, nearly made a cutting remark, but seeing Wei Zhuo and the Deputy Magistrate waiting for her response, she suppressed her anger for the greater good and said, “The haunting at the Wei Manor has persisted for nearly five months. Second Madam Wei invited me to investigate the matter. I disguised myself as a Daoist nun to enter the residence to investigate this ‘ghost.’ According to my findings, this ‘ghost’ was someone’s impersonation.”
“Who was impersonating it, and why?”
“Earlier, I gathered everyone who had encountered unusual situations under the pretense of exorcism and concluded. The haunting at the Wei Manor occurred in three distinct phases,” Ming Shu ignored Investigator Ying and began explaining systematically.
The first phase centered on Lady Du Wenhui. All reports of the ‘ghost’ came directly from her, and she was the only one claiming to have seen it, leading to her diagnosis of hysteria. During the second phase, the haunting intensified, with maids and servants throughout the manor encountering strange occurrences – chickens being killed, and people nearly falling into wells. Though these events were peculiar, the ‘ghost’ never physically appeared. While Master Wei conducted investigations in the rear court, no ghost was found, and the matters were suppressed. The third phase began with Lady Xu’s encounter – the ‘ghost’ finally manifested.
Through these three phases, the ghost’s threatening nature escalated progressively.
“I always found Lady Xu’s ghost encounter peculiar. If this ‘ghost’ had been hiding in the Wei household for so long, surely its grievance would have been directed at the Wei family members. Why would it target Lady Xu, who had only recently arrived? And why reveal itself so blatantly to frighten her? There are only two possibilities. First, ‘it’ wanted to drive Lady Xu away because she was interfering with ‘its’ plans. But Lady Xu came to the Wei Manor merely to visit Lady Wei for a few days – she would return to the Duke’s Manor eventually. She mostly just conversed with Lady Du Wenhui, always under Madame Lü’s supervision. How could she interfere with anyone so significantly that this ‘ghost’ would risk exposure to frighten her away?”
“And the second possibility?”
“The second possibility is that ‘it’ wanted to use Lady Xu’s status to escalate the haunting incident. Haven’t you noticed that among the servants in Master Wei’s rear court – from maids to menservants – all were personally selected by Master Wei? Information from within couldn’t reach the outside. Rumors about the Wei household were practically nonexistent in the capital. Yet since the beginning of this year, whispers about the Wei Manor being haunted gradually spread throughout Bianjing City.”
Supernatural matters differed from ordinary domestic gossip – people naturally approached them with reverence and couldn’t treat them casually. Thus, the Wei Manor’s perfect facade began to crack.
The news spread exactly this way.
Lady Xu had rushed to the Wei Manor to comfort her close friend Lady Du Wenhui precisely because she’d heard these rumors.
This was the true cause and effect.
Ming Shu paused here, allowing them to process the information.
Investigator Ying’s brows furrowed deeply, while Wei Zhuo gestured to Ming Shu, “Continue.”
Ming Shu nodded: “On the day Lady Xu encountered the ghost, she happened to meet me while I was investigating strange sounds for Second Madam Wei. We hid together in a low cave behind the rockery. Though we only glimpsed its hem, when I examined the ground afterward, this supposedly ethereal ‘ghost’ had left shallow wheel tracks and footprints in the mud beneath the rockery. Have you ever heard of a ghost with weight that leaves tracks and footprints? Someone was impersonating it.”
“Ming Shu, are you suggesting that this person’s ghost impersonation wasn’t meant to remain hidden, but rather, quite the opposite – to be discovered?” Wei Zhuo contemplated.
Ming Shu responded: “That’s my theory.”
This theory defied common sense but made perfect sense within the context of the Wei household.
“Why?” Investigator Ying asked.
“You’ve met Lady Wei, Lady Du Wenhui. What did you think of her?”
“She seemed distracted, timid, and showed no grief over her husband’s drowning.” Investigator Ying had questioned Lady Du Wenhui and indeed found Lady Wei peculiar, showing no signs of the deep marital affection reported between her and Master Wei.
“Lady Xu and Lady Du Wenhui have been close friends for over twenty years, and she knows Lady Du Wenhui well. On the night of the ghost encounter, I had a long conversation with Lady Xu. She told me that in her youth, Lady Du Wenhui was a cheerful and lively woman, completely different from her current state. After meeting Master Wei, she gradually became what she is now. For over two decades, the Wei Manor has been like a prison, with Lady Wei confined within. No one knows what transpired inside. I suggest you have a female physician examine Lady Wei – she likely has injuries. Ask her who caused them.”
Lady Xu had mentioned discovering bruises on Lady Du Wenhui’s body, and Lady Du Wenhui always kept herself completely covered in public, behaving like someone concealing physical abnormalities.
“You’re suggesting she suffered abuse from Master Wei?” Investigator Ying immediately grasped the implication. As a constable, he had encountered numerous cases of habitual abuse, sometimes resulting in death.
In the Wei household, Lady Du Wenhui was the principal wife – only Master Wei would have the authority to abuse her.
“Perhaps… she had reached her emotional limit, but trapped within the Wei Manor, she couldn’t seek outside help. She was even forced to maintain the appearance of a loving relationship with Master Wei to the outside world.”
“Ming Shu, are you suggesting this ‘ghost’ is Lady Wei Du Wenhui?” Wei Zhuo asked.
Ming Shu nodded.
Any normal woman, trapped in an environment of imprisonment and surveillance, facing a controlling and potentially abusive husband with no means of seeking help – what could she do? Using the pretense of a ‘ghost’ to communicate her cry for help to the outside world was her final lifeline.
Lady Du Wenhui wanted to escape the Wei household. Second Madam Wei had mentioned that Lady Du Wenhui had repeatedly requested to move from the main residence to a country estate for recuperation. Initially, Lady Du Wenhui’s ghost act might have been merely an attempt to escape the Wei household using this fabricated supernatural occurrence.
When Master Wei refused, she unexpectedly discovered that rumors of the haunting could reach the public. Thus, the Wei Manor’s haunting intensified – partly to spread information into the community and create public discourse, to continue finding excuses to leave the Wei household.
Gradually, the impenetrable rear court of the Wei Manor began to crack. Rumors spread bit by bit, from hauntings to the Wei family’s secrets. Many unrelated matters became intertwined due to supernatural claims, spreading through the streets. This would pressure Master Wei while giving Lady Du Wenhui breathing room and opportunities to escape.
“But if Lady Du Wenhui was under constant surveillance, her every move watched by others, how could she accomplish these things?”
“She had help. Some people, though recruited by Master Wei, couldn’t stand by watching and wanted to assist Lady Wei,” Ming Shu answered.
“Who? Is there evidence?”
“No evidence. I had planned to abandon this case. I intended to resign this morning and return Second Madam’s deposit, but unfortunately, before I could explain, we discovered Master Wei dead in the East Garden pond,” Ming Shu replied.
“Why?”
“This ‘ghost’ never harmed anyone from start to finish. If it was merely a desperate person’s attempt at self-preservation, what would happen to Lady Du Wenhui if I exposed the truth?” Ming Shu sighed, then continued, “However, speaking of evidence, if you act quickly enough, you might find some. The night before last when we encountered the ghost, it vanished along the corridor. I asked the Wei household servants – they have maids and servants on night duty in the rear court. The area from the rockery corridor to the main building was staffed, except for the wing where Master Wei’s father resided. I suspect that person fled into that wing, and the ghost disguise might still be there.”
“Who could it be?”
“Ding Xuan is the one caring for Old Master Wei in that wing.”
Investigator Ying summoned his colleagues to search the wing for evidence immediately. Before leaving, he turned to ask Ming Shu: “If you didn’t want to reveal this and harm Lady Du Wenhui, why disclose everything now?”
Ming Shu gave him a look that clearly said “Are you stupid” and replied, “I chose not to continue investigating because I felt the haunting was harmless and involved a pitiful woman’s attempt to save herself, so I kept quiet. But now Master Wei is dead – the nature of the case has changed. I must tell you what I know. While I sympathize with Lady Du Wenhui, I can’t deny that she and her accomplice had strong motives for murder! As an upright citizen of Da’an, I must assist in your investigation. Is there a problem with that?”
Investigator Ying was rendered speechless by her outburst and turned away.
Wei Zhuo laughed: “Little one, look how angry you are, like a small tigress.”
“Uncle Wei, I just can’t stand him,” Ming Shu complained.
Wei Zhuo laughed heartily and was about to comfort her: “Alright, now that everything’s clear and your suspicion is cleared, you’re free to go. Deputy Magistrate, wouldn’t you agree?”
“This humble official agrees with the Commander’s assessment.” The Deputy Magistrate was about to smooth things over when a yamen runner stationed at the gate hurried over.
“Commander, Deputy Magistrate, two men outside claim to be this year’s Top Scholar Lu Chang and Second Scholar Song Qingzhao. They request to see the Deputy Magistrate.”
Before the Deputy Magistrate could respond, Ming Shu’s eyes widened as she rushed to the runner: “Who did you say? Who’s the Top Scholar?”
“Lu Chang…”
“That’s my brother! Did he become a Top Scholar? Uncle Wei, he’s a Top Scholar!” Ming Shu nearly jumped three feet high, excitedly repeating to Wei Zhuo, then asked, “He must be here to pick me up. May I go greet him?”
“Your brother is the new Top Scholar?” Wei Zhuo was quite surprised and looked toward the Deputy Magistrate. “May she?”
“Of course, escort Lady Ming to see Young Master Lu.” The Deputy Magistrate nodded.
Ming Shu couldn’t stop smiling as she followed the runner.
————
Before the screen wall at the Wei Manor’s main gate, Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao stood side by side, waiting for someone to announce their arrival.
After a moment, what they heard first was a clear, melodious female voice.
“Brother—”
Lu Chang had been studying the couplets hanging on the Wei Manor’s lacquered pillars when he suddenly heard this voice, causing his heart to flutter. Though it had been only three days since they’d last met, when her voice suddenly rang out, it penetrated straight into his soul.
Three days, merely three days – he hadn’t thought much of it, but when her swallow-like voice reached his ears, he realized how deeply he had missed her.
Ming Shu was overjoyed. As she rounded the green trees, she saw two figures standing beneath the lanterns.
The young men in crimson robes were bathed in brilliant lamplight, both smiling at her. Their appearance was breathtaking, like the grandest dream in countless maidens’ hearts.
Ming Shu stared in amazement, unconsciously slowing her pace as she approached the screen wall, walking to Lu Chang’s side.
“What are you daydreaming about?” Lu Chang gently tapped her forehead.
Ming Shu seemed to awaken from a dream, finally regaining her senses: “Brother, you’re Top Scholar?”
Lu Chang nodded, and Ming Shu tugged at his sleeve, jumping with joy: “My brother is Top Scholar! That’s amazing!”
Her joy was completely unrestrained, making Lu Chang smile along with her. Song Qingzhao then greeted her: “Ming Shu.”
Ming Shu had noticed him earlier, but the news of her brother becoming the Top Scholar had been too overwhelming, causing her temporary excitement. Song Qingzhao’s greeting brought her back to propriety, and she started to say: “Song…” Suddenly remembering Lady Xu’s words, she inexplicably blushed, shrinking closer to Lu Chang before continuing, “Congratulations on achieving Second Scholar, Young Master Song.”
“Not as impressive as your brother,” Song Qingzhao smiled.
Lu Chang sensed something unusual about Ming Shu. She had never been shy before, always carrying herself naturally around Song Qingzhao, but today she suddenly became demure.
This realization didn’t sit well with him, and he merely said: “Brother Song is too modest.” Then he asked Ming Shu, “Ready to go home?”
“Not yet. There’s been a murder at the Wei Manor – Master Wei is dead.” Ming Shu walked ahead of them, explaining the situation while saying, “Young Master Song, you’re here to collect your mother, right? Come with me, I’ll take you to see the Commander and the Kaifeng Deputy Magistrate.”
“Commander?” Both men exclaimed in unison.
While the Deputy Magistrate’s presence for a murder case was understandable, why was the Imperial Guard Commander here?
“I’ll explain as we walk,” Ming Shu led them inside.
————
By the time Ming Shu had briefly explained Master Wei’s death, they had reached the outer courtyard’s central court.
Wei Zhuo and the Deputy Magistrate were still there, but now joined by another person.
“Mother?” Song Qingzhao recognized her from afar.
Lady Xu, supported by a maid, was angrily addressing the Deputy Magistrate: “How does your Kaifeng Prefecture conduct investigations? Are you treating me as a suspect? I’m the Duke’s heir’s wife – how could I do such a thing? You keep me confined like a criminal, openly and secretly suggesting I’m suspected of murder because Wenhui and I are close friends, so I must have killed Master Wei?”
“Please calm down, My Lady. That’s certainly not their intention – there must be some misunderstanding. I’ll discipline them later,” the Deputy Magistrate, ever the peacemaker, hurried to console Lady Xu.
“Mother!” Song Qingzhao’s voice cut through her angry words.
She turned to look, and upon seeing Song Qingzhao, her face lit up, forgetting her earlier anger with him: “My son Qingzhao.”
Song Qingzhao quickly reached Lady Xu’s side: “Mother, what happened?”
“Investigator Ying from the Kaifeng Prefecture claims Wenhui and I conspired to kill Master Wei. Qingzhao, you must defend your mother – I won’t stand for such baseless accusations.” Lady Xu grabbed Song Qingzhao’s hand.
“A misunderstanding, surely a misunderstanding.” The Deputy Magistrate was getting a headache.
Ming Shu stepped forward, taking Lady Xu’s hand: “Aunt Xu, don’t be angry. This is just their reasonable deduction. The murder occurred late at night when most of the household was asleep – hardly anyone has an alibi. We’re all suspects, not just you and me, even the Commander is a suspect. But they need evidence to catch a thief – they won’t falsely accuse you without proof.”
After her explanation, Lady Xu’s anger subsided somewhat: “But that Ying’s words were too harsh.”
“I agree, but we should be magnanimous and not stoop to his level!” Ming Shu consoled.
Lady Xu finally calmed down. Song Qingzhao, hearing Ming Shu call his mother “Aunt Xu” and seeing their friendly interaction, couldn’t help but wonder.
“Mother, you and…” he gestured toward Ming Shu.
Lady Xu came to her senses: “She’s the spirit medium that the Wei family invited to catch ghosts…”
Before she could finish, Ming Shu had already released her hand, touching her nose sheepishly and lowering her head: “Aunt Xu, I’m not Tian Xuanqing – that was my alias for entering the Wei Manor. I’m… Lu Ming Shu.”
Lu Ming Shu?
The name sounded familiar.
Lady Xu looked at Ming Shu, then at Song Qingzhao.
Could it be such a coincidence?
“Are you…”
“I am!”
This cryptic exchange made sense only to Ming Shu and Lady Xu.
Lady Xu sighed deeply – she felt like dying.