Lu Chang didn’t know what emotions a brother should feel in such a situation. He only knew he was furious, yet this anger had nowhere to vent. Given his current relationship with Ming Shu, he had no right to stop Song Qingzhao.
Song Qingzhao’s affection was direct and passionate, open and honest – precisely what Lu Chang found most difficult to achieve at present.
He couldn’t say anything to Ming Shu. Even with feelings in his heart, he couldn’t express them. He could only watch as Song Qingzhao said what he wanted to say, did what he wanted to do… and his heart burned with anger.
But this anger was also helpless, like an incurable illness.
Song Qingzhao could openly show his affection, while his feelings had to remain… hidden.
Wearing the mask of an older brother, he was powerless.
“Brother Lu? Brother Lu?”
Song Qingzhao had said several more things, mainly about hoping to reach an understanding and gain approval. Lu Chang hadn’t been listening, until he heard Song Qingzhao say: “…ask for Ming Shu’s hand in marriage…”
Lu Chang reflexively blurted out: “Impossible!”
Song Qingzhao gripped the lantern handle and asked: “Why?”
The fury in Lu Chang’s heart nearly burst through his chest to become a sword aimed at Song Qingzhao. Faced with Song Qingzhao’s advance, he could barely contain himself and started to say: “Ming Shu is not…”
Before he could finish, a distant voice interrupted.
“Brother! Master Song!” Ming Shu waved as she ran toward them.
Lu Chang suddenly came to his senses.
Song Qingzhao raised his lantern and smiled at Ming Shu, then asked Lu Chang: “What were you about to say, Brother Lu?”
“Nothing.” Lu Chang’s face was as cold as frost as he watched Ming Shu bounce happily to Song Qingzhao’s lantern light, excitedly talking to him. The frustration in Lu Chang’s chest grew heavier as he turned and walked into the East Garden with his lantern.
“Besides learning about Wei Chao from Second Madam, I also discovered a Wei family secret. I’m not sure if it’s related to Wei Xian’s death,” Ming Shu said, slightly out of breath from running. But before she could continue, she saw Lu Chang walk straight into the East Garden. She hurriedly followed, calling out, “Brother? Please slow down!”
Lu Chang’s steps only grew faster, as if venting his emotions. Ming Shu rushed to keep up, with only Song Qingzhao holding a lantern to light her way. The three proceeded into the East Garden in this formation.
“What’s wrong with my brother?” Ming Shu was thoroughly confused.
Lu Chang’s manner clearly showed he was angry. This was supposed to be his big day – he should be happy. Why was he suddenly in such a mood?
“Did you two argue?” Ming Shu instinctively felt it had something to do with Song Qingzhao. Her brother always became unhappy when dealing with Song Qingzhao.
Song Qingzhao shrugged, looking innocent: “No, I just had a casual conversation with him.” He explained, then reminded her, “Walk carefully, mind your step.”
The East Garden had no lights and was pitch black. Even with Song Qingzhao’s lantern lighting the way, the path was unclear. Ming Shu was focused on keeping up with Lu Chang and paid no attention to where she was stepping. Before Song Qingzhao’s warning could even register, she had already tripped on a stone.
Ming Shu let out a small cry as she stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.
“Careful!” Song Qingzhao quickly steadied her.
Lu Chang turned at the sound, immediately noticing their clasped hands. His pupils contracted as he took two quick steps to Ming Shu’s side, holding her other hand, asking: “Are you hurt?”
Ming Shu maintained her stumbling posture, bent forward with her gaze fixed intently on the ground. After looking for a moment, she suddenly pushed both men away.
“Stay back, both of you.”
“?” Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao both looked confused.
“Move the lanterns away,” Ming Shu said. The two men stepped back with their lanterns, but it wasn’t enough. She added, “Further!”
Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao had to keep walking until they were nearly ten steps away, where their lantern light barely reached the grass near Ming Shu. Only then did Ming Shu hop to a spot, crouch down, and gently part the grass with her hand, saying: “Brother, Master Song, come look at this. But don’t bring the lanterns.”
Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao set down their lanterns and hurried over in a few quick strides, crouching beside Ming Shu.
Where Ming Shu pointed, there was a faint glow.
The luminescence was very weak and mixed in with the grass blades, difficult to see even in the darkness. Ming Shu had only noticed something unusual when she almost fell.
Lu Chang rubbed the grass blades between his fingers, collecting some powder that gave off an extremely faint ethereal light on his fingertips.
“Luminous powder?” he and Song Qingzhao exclaimed in unison, recognizing the substance.
The luminous powder was made from ground-up luminous stone or luminous stone fragments. What Ming Shu had discovered tonight was the powdered form of luminous stone. Large pieces of luminous stone could be polished into night pearls, which only the wealthy and powerful could afford. Ordinary rich families couldn’t afford such luxuries.
“This is quite valuable – how did it end up scattered here?” Ming Shu was quite familiar with the value of luminous powder and stones. “Even in powder form, ordinary people would have difficulty obtaining it.”
Lu Chang temporarily set aside his emotions and looked at the ghostly glow on the ground: “It’s not just here – there’s more over there. Let’s take a look.”
The three got up and followed the trail. The glow appeared intermittently, winding toward the lake before disappearing.
“Isn’t this where Wei Xian was dragged?” Song Qingzhao suddenly asked.
Ying Xun and his men had been busy all day, and the scene had already been cleaned up. The body had been removed. They had only heard Ying Xun describe the scene but hadn’t investigated it themselves. Ming Shu shook her head; she couldn’t be certain.
“Although luminous powder is expensive, the military keeps it in stock. High-ranking officers generally carry luminous powder to leave markers in case of emergencies,” Lu Chang walked to the lakeside and peered into the water. “This luminous powder might have been Wei Xian’s. If this is where he was dragged, it’s very likely that the container of luminous powder he carried accidentally opened during the dragging, causing the powder inside to leak and leave these traces. There isn’t much powder here, and it’s scattered among the grass. Not only would it be invisible in daylight, even at night, if Ming Shu hadn’t accidentally gotten close, no one might have noticed it.”
Ying Xun had conducted a thorough search here during the day but hadn’t discovered the luminous powder. If the killer had been in a hurry, they wouldn’t have noticed it either.
“But if it was Wei Xian’s item that accidentally opened, Ying Xun should have discovered it during the autopsy,” Ming Shu said.
Given Ying Xun’s thoroughness, if he had found a damaged container of luminous powder, he should have specifically searched for traces of the powder at the scene.
“There’s another possibility – the container could have broken completely when Wei Xian was pushed into the lake and fallen in, which is why no one found it. But these are just theories. We need to have Ying Xun’s team drag the lotus lake again to see if there are any discoveries,” Song Qingzhao added.
“Another advantage for Ying Xun,” Ming Shu was truly reluctant to share their investigative findings with Ying Xun, but cooperation in the investigation was their duty, so they couldn’t keep it private.
The three talked while retrieving their lanterns, walked around the lake two more times finding nothing new, then returned to the front courtyard.
It was very late. The magistrate’s office personnel had been investigating the Wei residence all day and were preparing to leave. Wei Xian’s body examination was complete, and due to the military secrets involved, it was handed over to Wei Zhuo. When Ming Shu’s group returned, Ying Xun had just come to report to Wei Zhuo. Besides the magistrate’s office and Imperial Army personnel, what surprised Ming Shu was that two other people were standing in the courtyard.
“Mother?” Ming Shu and Lu Chang exchanged glances before hurrying forward.
On that side, Song Qingzhao also furrowed his brow and said: “Mother?”
Unexpectedly, Madam Zeng had come.
Lady Xu also came out from the back courtyard accompanied by her maid.
Madam Zeng was speaking to Wei Zhuo with her head slightly lowered. Though she was extremely surprised by Wei Zhuo’s identity, her manner showed no nervousness, remaining much the same as when they had met in Shengmin Ward. Wei Zhuo’s expression had softened considerably, his eyes even showing tenderness as he consoled Madam Zeng: “Don’t worry, both brother and sister are fine…”
Midway through his words, they heard Ming Shu’s voice. Both turned their heads, and Madam Zeng put on a stern face toward Ming Shu and Lu Chang.
“Mother, why did you come?” Ming Shu asked.
“How dare you ask me that? One finishes the palace examination and leaves home immediately, not saying where you’re going or what you’re doing. The other has been out for three days without sending any word back. If I hadn’t known Ming Shu was at the Wei residence, I wouldn’t have known where to look for you! Do you think your mother’s heart is made of stone? That I don’t worry or fear for you?” Such a gentle and kind person as Madam Zeng showed no hesitation when angry.
This was the first time Ming Shu had seen Madam Zeng angry, and she immediately apologized: “Mother, I was wrong.”
Madam Zeng’s anger hadn’t subsided, and Wei Zhuo tried to mediate: “Madam Zeng, don’t blame them. They were helping with an official investigation, trying to solve the case quickly.”
Wei Zhuo’s intervention didn’t calm Madam Zeng; rather, it seemed to add fuel to the fire.
“I know my children. What official investigation? They’re just being reckless! Even recklessness should have limits. Whether as children or as officials, there must be accountability!”
Madam Zeng scolded both Lu Chang and Ming Shu together. Watching them bow their heads and accept the scolding, Wei Zhuo immediately changed sides.
“Your mother is right – people must be accountable! I just told you to go home earlier, but you wouldn’t listen!”
“…” Ming Shu looked up, her gaze questioning Wei Zhuo: Earlier when they had wanted to stay, Uncle Wei had been quite pleased. How had he changed so completely in front of their mother?
Wei Zhuo could only clear his throat – being a peacemaker wasn’t easy.
“Mother, we know we were wrong. We’ll return shortly,” Lu Chang spoke up, offering no excuses, then added, “We made some discoveries in the East Garden. Once we report to Constable Ying, we’ll go home.”
Ying Xun, who had been waiting nearby, couldn’t help but look at the two of them.
Meanwhile, Lady Xu was speaking with Song Qingzhao: “They said I could go home, so I came to find you.”
Song Qingzhao nodded, exchanged a few words with his mother, and then walked toward Wei Zhuo’s group to report their lakeside discovery with Lu Chang and Ming Shu. As they were discussing the case, Madam Zeng stepped aside, not wanting to overhear.
“Are you… Lady Lu’s mother?”
After standing for a moment, Madam Zeng heard a gentle voice beside her. She turned to see a noble lady about her age.
“I am. And you are…?”
“I am Qingzhao’s mother,” Lady Xu said.
“Ah, the Prince Consort’s wife. My respects,” Madam Zeng hurried to bow, but Lady Xu stopped her.
“No need for such formality. There were some misunderstandings between our families before. I should be the one apologizing to you,” Lady Xu continued.
“If it was just a misunderstanding, let’s put it behind us. Why bring it up again, my lady?” Madam Zeng held her hand as well.
Lady Xu smiled and exchanged a few more pleasantries with Madam Zeng before saying: “Pardon my boldness, but I’d like to ask you something. Has Ming Shu been betrothed to anyone?”
Madam Zeng shook her head: “Not yet.”
“With her brother becoming the Top Scholar, once the imperial list is posted tomorrow, I fear your doorstep will be worn down by suitors. Do you have any particular requirements for their marriages?”
Madam Zeng found Lady Xu’s questions strange but considered briefly before replying: “No particular requirements. As long as they approve and it’s a respectable family, that’s fine.”
Lady Xu nodded, looking at Madam Zeng with increasing warmth.
————
Meanwhile, Ming Shu had thoroughly reported their lakeside discovery and the Wei family secret to Ying Xun.
Ying Xun’s deductions matched theirs almost exactly. He said: “I’ll send people to examine the scene again immediately and drag the lotus pond first thing tomorrow morning. I’ll also investigate the matter of the two concubines thoroughly.”
“If these traces came from Commander Wei’s luminous powder, the killer’s clothes and shoes might have picked up some of it. That could help identify suspects,” Ming Shu said.
This was an extremely useful lead.
Ying Xun nodded in agreement with Ming Shu’s words.
Ming Shu stared at him: “Is that all?”
Ying Xun said coldly: “Is there something left unsaid?”
“Constable Ying, don’t you think you’re forgetting something?” Ming Shu kept staring at him intently. “This was discovered by me, my brother, and Master Song. Shouldn’t you show some appreciation?”
Ying Xun was silent for a moment, then finally bowed: “Many thanks to Lady Lu, Master Lu, and Master Song.”
Ming Shu was finally satisfied and said: “Then I’ll await your good news about solving the case!” With that, she walked with Lu Chang toward Madam Zeng.
With their mother coming in person, she dared not stay any longer.
“Brother Lu!” Song Qingzhao suddenly called out to Lu Chang.
Lu Chang didn’t turn around, only Ming Shu turned back, puzzled.
“What I said earlier – I meant every word.”
As soon as Song Qingzhao finished speaking, Ming Shu heard Lu Chang take a heavy breath.
Lu Chang still didn’t turn around or answer Song Qingzhao, quickly continuing forward. Only Ming Shu followed beside him, quietly asking: “Brother, what riddles are you and Song Qingzhao speaking in?”
“Nothing,” Lu Chang said in a deep voice.