Lady Xu clutched her chest, appearing about to faint, and nearly fell backward. Fortunately, Song Qingzhao caught her.
“Mother?” Song Qingzhao anxiously called out, not understanding what had happened.
Lady Xu felt utterly mortified and wished she could faint to end this embarrassment. However, try as she might, she couldn’t, so she had to pretend while leaning against her son with her eyes tightly shut. Ming Shu, who now understood Lady Xu’s personality better, covered her mouth to hide a smile but quickly composed herself. She walked properly to Lady Xu’s other side and reassured Song Qingzhao: “Don’t worry, Aunt Xu is fine.”
Song Qingzhao looked questioningly at Ming Shu as she helped support Lady Xu.
Lu Chang only saw Song Qingzhao and Ming Shu flanking Lady Xu, and his brows furrowed tightly.
The scene was rather unpleasant, both jarring to the eyes and the heart.
“Aunt Xu, don’t worry. I swear that matter will remain known only to heaven, earth, you, and me – absolutely no third person will know,” Ming Shu whispered in Lady Xu’s ear, “Wake up now, stop pretending.”
Lady Xu sighed again and opened her eyes, holding her forehead and crying out: “My head, it hurts…”
“Perhaps it’s from the wind. Let’s help Aunt Xu inside to rest,” Ming Shu smiled, speaking to Song Qingzhao.
Song Qingzhao looked suspiciously at the two women. He sensed there was more to this, that they surely had a secret they were keeping from him, but he couldn’t make heads or tails of this feminine back-and-forth. He could only support his mother and say, “Thank you,” before apologizing to everyone and excusing himself to take his mother to rest.
As Song Qingzhao led Lady Xu away, Ming Shu smiled again, then turned to find Lu Chang staring at her intensely.
“You’re quite familiar with them?” Lu Chang asked.
“Heh, Aunt Xu and I encountered a ghost together, so we became close,” Ming Shu grinned, then pulled Lu Chang over to meet Commander Wei and the Deputy Magistrate.
“This humble one Lu Chang pays respects to Commander Wei and Deputy Magistrate,” Lu Chang said while bowing to both men.
Commander Wei stopped him: “No need for such formality. I’ve long heard of Lu Chang’s name at court. I didn’t realize you were Ming Shu’s brother – truly, like a brother, like a sister.”
“Uncle Wei, why not like a sister, like a brother?” Ming Shu refused to be ranked after Lu Chang.
Commander Wei laughed, and Lu Chang added: “Mere Lu Chang is honored by your attention, Sir.”
“Since you’re Ming Shu’s brother, no need to be so formal. Just call me ‘Uncle’ like she does,” Commander Wei said.
Though somewhat puzzled, Lu Chang complied: “Then, thank you for your kindness, Uncle Wei.”
After greetings were exchanged, Ming Shu asked Lu Chang: “Brother, you haven’t even changed clothes – did you come straight here after returning home? Have you eaten?”
Lu Chang shook his head: “Not yet.” He had rushed to find Ming Shu with no time to eat. He hadn’t noticed before, but now that Ming Shu mentioned it, he suddenly felt quite hungry. Having entered the palace for the final imperial examination at dawn, he naturally couldn’t eat properly. By the time he left the palace, it was already late, and he had hurried to the Wei Manor – he’d barely eaten a grain of rice all day.
“Uncle Wei, please…” Ming Shu immediately looked to Commander Wei, her eyes requesting refreshments.
Without Ming Shu having to say more, Commander Wei immediately had someone bring tea and snacks for the siblings. Ming Shu led Lu Chang to sit on the stone steps under an empty corridor, saying: “You must be starving? Have something to eat first, then we can talk.”
The refreshments and hot tea arrived quickly. Ming Shu blew on the tea a couple of times before carefully handing it to Lu Chang. After thanking her, he took a small sip and asked: “Ming Shu, when did you become acquainted with the Commander?”
Such a prominent figure in Bianjing City would be difficult for even the most well-connected nobles to meet, yet Ming Shu was calling him “Uncle” so freely.
“Remember I mentioned before about our neighbor, the old lady whose son died in battle? His former brother-in-arms often comes to visit and look after her – that’s Uncle Wei. While you were away, Mother and I met him several times. Oh right, he also saved Mother once.”
Though Madam Zeng had asked her not to mention it at the time, so much time had passed that it should be fine to tell now.
“Saved? What happened to Mother?”
Ming Shu then explained how Madam Zeng had been bullied and rescued by Commander Wei. Lu Chang’s face immediately darkened: “Why wasn’t I told at the time?”
“We were worried you’d act rashly, and you were preparing for the examinations – you didn’t need the distraction.”
Lu Chang set down his tea heavily on the stone steps: “Ming Shu, in the future, whether it concerns Mother or you, you must tell me about such things immediately.”
“Alright,” Ming Shu replied dismissively.
“Ming Shu!” Lu Chang grabbed her wrist, saying sternly, “I’m not joking. If you encounter any danger, you are not to hide it from me.”
Ming Shu was startled by his intensity. Looking up at his extremely serious expression, she felt warmth in her heart and replied softly: “Brother, I understand.”
Only then did Lu Chang release her.
A stone lantern stood beside the steps, its subtle flames making the crimson robes appear even more vibrant and Lu Chang’s face even more handsome – red lips, white teeth, and star-like eyes. Ming Shu found herself staring at him unconsciously – her brother was truly too good-looking.
Lu Chang took another couple of sips of tea when he suddenly noticed her gazing at him foolishly, her eyes seeming to reflect scattered stars fixed upon him. His heart began to pound as he leaned toward her, saying softly: “Ming Shu.”
His voice was low and heated.
Their eyes met tender and lingering.
Ming Shu felt dazed, her mind empty, suddenly speechless as she watched him draw closer, his hand reaching toward her waist, as if to embrace, as if…
“Brother…” she spoke unconsciously, sensing something wasn’t right but not knowing how to react.
Lu Chang moved faster than her, his outstretched hand passing her waist to land on the plate of snacks beside her on the steps.
“What are you daydreaming about?” he asked helplessly. “I’m hungry.”
Ming Shu suddenly snapped back to reality, her face burning hot, unable to speak, only cursing inwardly.
Male beauty was truly hateful.
Lu Chang had already picked up the plate and casually took a piece of pastry, letting its sweetness melt in his mouth.
————
In a side room of the Wei Manor’s rear court, Song Qingzhao helped Lady Xu onto the bed.
“Oh my, my head… it hurts,” Lady Xu kept complaining while rubbing her temples.
As the maid massaged her head, Song Qingzhao sat on the edge of the bed: “Let me fetch a physician for Mother.”
Seeing her son about to seek a doctor, Lady Xu quickly grabbed him: “No need, it’s an old ailment – it’ll pass soon.” She knew full well she wasn’t really suffering from a headache; it was merely matters of the heart.
Just thinking about how that girl Lu Ming Shu had seen through her embarrassing behavior made her want to dig a hole and crawl into it.
If they met again, she wouldn’t know where to put her old face.
Seeing his mother’s apparent distress, Song Qingzhao told her about achieving Second Scholar in the imperial examination. Upon hearing this, Lady Xu’s ailments vanished instantly, her joy pushing all previous events from her mind.
“You achieved Second Scholar?” Lady Xu was overjoyed. Though she had believed her son would pass the spring examination, hearing the news of his name on the golden roster still filled her with delight. Though not First Scholar, Second Scholar was more than satisfying to her.
Among all the noble families’ sons in the capital, how many could achieve success through true ability like her son, without relying on ancestral prestige?
Song Qingzhao was her pride.
After mother and son chatted for a while, Lady Xu had completely emerged from Ming Shu’s shadow – her headache gone, her heart calm, smiling as she held her son’s hand. Song Qingzhao, seeing his mother was fine, kept glancing toward the door.
On his third glance, Lady Xu’s smile cooled: “What do you keep looking at? Want to find that girl?”
“Mother…” Caught revealing his thoughts, Song Qingzhao decided to admit it. “I don’t know how Master Wei’s case is progressing. Ming Shu knows a lot – I wanted to ask her for details.”
“If you want to find her, just say so. Why make excuses? Think I can’t see through you?” Lady Xu gave her son a sidelong glance.
Song Qingzhao didn’t argue, only asked: “Mother, may I go then?”
“A grown son doesn’t listen to his mother, his heart already turning outward! Why did I even bear you!” Lady Xu angrily slapped her shoulder, then said, “Go, go, go find your Lu Ming Shu!”
“Mother, does this mean you agree?” Song Qingzhao’s lips curled up.
“Would you listen if I didn’t?” Lady Xu snorted and turned away.
“Then I’m going…” Song Qingzhao said with a smile.
Lady Xu turned her head away, refusing to look at him. Song Qingzhao smiled again and took his leave. At the door, he heard Lady Xu call out.
“Qingzhao…”
“What else does Mother wish to say?” Song Qingzhao turned back to ask.
Lady Xu looked at her son’s face but swallowed what she had meant to say: “Never mind, it’s nothing. Go ahead.”
She decided not to tell her son that she had already revealed his feelings to Lu Ming Shu.
————
Lu Chang was indeed famished – he quickly ate half the large plate of snacks. Ming Shu even gave him her cup of tea to go with the pastries.
Feeling sorry for him, she said: “Brother must be exhausted today.”
With his stomach half full, Lu Chang had the energy to inquire about the Wei Manor case. He patted her head: “It’s nothing. Tell me about what happened at the Wei household.”
Ming Shu nodded and was about to speak when they heard Song Qingzhao’s voice from afar.
“Brother Lu, Ming Shu,” Song Qingzhao called out as he approached.
Though Ming Shu still felt somewhat awkward seeing him, she was no longer as shy as before. Holding the plate of snacks, she smiled at him: “Young Master Song, is Aunt Xu feeling better?”
“Thank you for your concern. My mother is fine now.” Seeing the two sitting on the stone steps, Song Qingzhao casually sat down next to Lu Chang, speaking to Ming Shu across from him. “Since my mother is also a suspect in Master Wei’s case, I came to learn more about the situation from you. Is this a good time?”
“Of course, I was just about to explain it to Brother.” Ming Shu replied, then noticing he too wore crimson robes, assumed he like Lu Chang had rushed over straight from the palace. She pushed the plate of snacks toward him: “You haven’t eaten either, right? Please have some to tide you over?”
Seeing them conversing across him, Lu Chang was already uncomfortable. Looking at the plate of snacks, he said: “Weren’t these for me?”
Ming Shu gave him a strange look: “We can share. I’ll ask Uncle Wei for more when these are gone. Young Master Song, please don’t be polite.” As she spoke, she pushed the plate further over while giving Lu Chang a “Don’t be stingy” look.
Lu Chang felt somewhat stifled and fell silent. Beside him, Song Qingzhao gave his thanks and indeed didn’t stand on ceremony, reaching for the snacks at the same time as Lu Chang.
Three pastries remained on the plate, and by chance, both men reached for the same one, each pinching opposite sides of the pastry.
Song Qingzhao, Lu Chang, and Ming Shu all froze. It was just a pastry, and surely both Song Qingzhao and Lu Chang were well-mannered enough to yield. Ming Shu didn’t think much of it at first, but as she held the plate, neither man released their grip, and there seemed to be an underlying competition between them.
Ming Shu couldn’t understand – it was just an ordinary osmanthus pastry, not some immortality elixir. Why were these two being like this?
“There are two more pieces, they’re all delicious,” Ming Shu said, completely puzzled.
“Those two can be for Brother Song. I only want this one.”
“No, this Song only wishes to try this osmanthus pastry. I hope Brother Lu will oblige.”
Neither would yield, speaking in what sounded like riddles to Ming Shu. Her arms were getting tired from holding up the plate, so she frowned and said: “Let go!” When that didn’t work, she emphasized: “I said let! Go!” She pulled back the plate.
Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao had no choice but to release their grips.
Ming Shu stared at Lu Chang, then at Song Qingzhao, before taking a plum blossom cake and giving it to Song Qingzhao, then a chestnut cookie to Lu Chang. They both accepted, leaving only the originally contested osmanthus pastry on the plate. Ming Shu picked it up and waved it in front of them.
“Want it?”
Neither answered, only watching as Ming Shu answered her question: “Not giving it to you!” Then she popped the osmanthus pastry into her mouth.
Want to fight over it? Then neither of you gets it!