As Madam Xu clutched her chest, seemingly about to faint, Song Qingzhao quickly caught her. “Mother?” he asked anxiously, unsure of what was wrong.
Feeling utterly embarrassed, Madam Xu wished she could truly faint and be done with it. Unable to do so, she leaned on her son, pretending to be unconscious. Ming Shu, now understanding Madam Xu better, stifled a laugh before composing herself. She moved to Madam Xu’s other side, reassuring Song Qingzhao, “Don’t worry, Aunt Xu is fine.”
Song Qingzhao watched puzzled as Ming Shu supported his mother.
Lu Chang observed the scene, his brow furrowing as he saw Ming Shu and Song Qingzhao flanking Madam Xu. The sight unsettled him, pricking both his eyes and heart.
“Aunt Xu, relax. I swear, only heaven, earth, you, and I know about that incident. No one else will find out,” Ming Shu whispered in Madam Xu’s ear. “Wake up now, stop pretending.”
Madam Xu sighed and opened her eyes, holding her forehead. “Oh, my headaches…”
“Perhaps it’s the wind. Let’s take Aunt Xu inside to rest,” Ming Shu suggested to Song Qingzhao with a smile.
Still suspicious but unable to decipher the woman’s secret, Song Qingzhao thanked Ming Shu and excused himself to escort his mother inside.
As they left, Ming Shu turned to find Lu Chang staring at her intently.
“You seem quite familiar with them,” he remarked.
“Oh, Aunt Xu and I encountered a ghost together, so we bonded,” Ming Shu replied cheerfully, then led Lu Chang to meet Wei Zhuo and the Deputy Magistrate.
After exchanging greetings, Ming Shu asked Lu Chang, “Brother, you haven’t changed clothes. Did you come straight here? Have you eaten?”
Lu Chang shook his head. He had rushed to find Ming Shu without stopping for food. Now that she mentioned it, he realized how hungry he was.
“Uncle Wei, could we…” Ming Shu looked at Wei Zhuo, silently requesting refreshments.
Understanding immediately, Wei Zhuo ordered snacks and tea for the siblings. Ming Shu led Lu Chang to sit on the stone steps of an empty courtyard corridor. “You must be starving. Let’s eat and talk.”
As they settled with their refreshments, Lu Chang asked, “Ming Shu, when did you meet the Palace Commander?”
Ming Shu explained their connection through their neighbor’s late son and mentioned Wei Zhuo’s visits and how he had once saved their mother.
Lu Chang’s face darkened. “Why wasn’t I told about this incident with Mother?”
“We didn’t want to worry you during your exam preparations,” Ming Shu replied casually.
Lu Chang set down his tea forcefully. “Ming Shu, from now on, you must tell me immediately if anything happens to you or Mother.”
“Alright, I understand,” Ming Shu responded, unperturbed.
“Ming Shu!” Lu Chang grasped her wrist firmly. “I’m serious. Don’t hide any dangers from me again.”
Startled by his intensity, Ming Shu met his gaze and softened. “Brother, I promise.”
As Lu Chang released her, the nearby stone lamp cast a soft glow on his handsome features. Ming Shu found herself staring at her brother’s beauty.
Noticing her gaze, Lu Chang felt his heart race. He leaned towards her, softly calling, “Ming Shu.”
Their eyes met tenderly. Ming Shu froze as Lu Chang moved closer, his hand reaching toward her waist. She couldn’t react, only managing a whispered “Brother…”
But Lu Chang’s hand bypassed her, reaching for the plate of snacks beside her. “What are you daydreaming about?” he asked, bemused. “I’m hungry.”
Ming Shu snapped back to reality, her face burning with embarrassment. She silently cursed the allure of male beauty as Lu Chang casually ate a sweet pastry, its flavor melting in his mouth.
In a side room of the Wei mansion’s rear courtyard, Song Qingzhao helped Madam Xu onto the bed.
“Oh, my head… it aches,” Madam Xu groaned, rubbing her temples.
As a maid massaged her head, Song Qingzhao sat on the bed’s edge. “Should I fetch a doctor for you, Mother?”
“No need,” Madam Xu quickly grabbed his arm. “It’s just an old ailment. I’ll be fine soon.” She knew well it wasn’t a headache but a matter of the heart.
The thought of Lu Mingshu seeing through her embarrassing act made her want to disappear.
Noticing his mother’s distress, Song Qingzhao shared the news of his second-place finish in the imperial exams. Instantly, Madam Xu’s mood lifted, her earlier troubles forgotten.
“You placed second?” she asked, overjoyed. Though she had faith in her son’s abilities, hearing the official news filled her with pride. While not in the top spot, second place was more than satisfying.
Among all the noble families in the capital, how many sons could claim such success without relying on family connections?
Song Qingzhao was her pride and joy.
As they chatted, Madam Xu fully recovered from her earlier embarrassment. Her headache vanished, and her heart calmed. She held her son’s hand, smiling broadly. Seeing his mother at ease, Song Qingzhao began glancing repeatedly towards the door.
On his third glance, Madam Xu’s smile cooled. “What are you looking at? Wanting to find that girl?”
“Mother…” Caught, Song Qingzhao decided to be honest. “I wanted to ask Ming Shu about Wei Xian’s case. She seems to know a lot.”
“If you want to find her, just say so. Why make excuses? Do you think I can’t see through you?” Madam Xu rolled her eyes.
Not arguing, Song Qingzhao simply asked, “Mother, may I go then?”
“Children grow up and leave their parents. What use was there in raising you!” Madam Xu exclaimed, slapping her shoulder. “Go on, go find your Lu Mingshu!”
“So you agree, Mother?” Song Qingzhao’s lips curled into a smile.
“As if you’d listen if I disagreed,” Madam Xu snorted, turning away.
“Then I’ll go…” Song Qingzhao said, still smiling.
Madam Xu refused to look at him. As he reached the door, she called out again.
“Qingzhao…”
“Yes, Mother?” he turned back.
Looking at her son’s face, Madam Xu swallowed her words. “Never mind. Go on.”
She decided against telling him that she had already revealed his feelings to Lu Mingshu.
As Lu Chang devoured the snacks, Ming Shu offered him her tea, saying sympathetically, “Brother must be exhausted today.”
With his hunger partially sated, Lu Chang turned his attention to the Wei family’s case. “It’s nothing. Tell me about what’s happening at the Wei household.”
Just as Ming Shu was about to speak, Song Qingzhao’s voice rang out. “Brother Lu, Ming Shu,” he greeted, approaching them.
Ming Shu, still slightly uncomfortable but no longer shy, smiled and asked, “Young Master Song, is Aunt Xu feeling better?”
“Thank you for your concern. My mother is fine now,” Song Qingzhao replied, sitting down beside Lu Chang. “I came to ask about Wei Xian’s case since my mother is also a suspect. Do you mind filling me in?”
“Of course not. I was just about to explain it to my brother,” Ming Shu responded, noticing Song Qingzhao’s crimson robes. Realizing he too must have come directly from the palace, she offered him the plate of snacks. “You haven’t eaten either, right? Please, have some.”
Lu Chang, feeling uneasy as the two conversed across him, said, “Weren’t these for me?”
Ming Shu gave him a puzzled look. “We can share. I’ll ask Uncle Wei for more if needed. Don’t be shy, Young Master Song.”
As she pushed the plate closer, Lu Chang felt a twinge of annoyance but remained silent. Song Qingzhao thanked her and reached for a pastry at the same time as Lu Chang.
There were three pastries left, and both men happened to grab the same osmanthus cake. All three froze for a moment. Ming Shu expected them to politely yield, but neither let go. Instead, there was a subtle tension between them.
Confused, Ming Shu said, “There are two other pieces. They’re all delicious.”
“The other two are for Brother Song. I only want this one,” Lu Chang insisted.
“No, I’d like to try this osmanthus cake. I hope Brother Lu will oblige,” Song Qingzhao countered.
Their cryptic exchange baffled Ming Shu. Growing impatient, she frowned and commanded, “Let go!” When they didn’t comply, she repeated more forcefully, “I said, let! Go!” She pulled the plate away.
Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao had no choice but to release the cake.
Ming Shu looked at them both sternly. She handed a plum blossom cake to Song Qingzhao and a chestnut pastry to Lu Chang. Only the disputed osmanthus cake remained. She picked it up, waving it before them.
“You want this?” she asked. Without waiting for an answer, she declared, “Too bad!” and popped it into her mouth.
If they wanted to fight over it, she decided, neither of them would have it!