Bang—
The door slammed shut heavily as Lu Chang cut off any further words from the servants of the Lu family. Outside, the Lu family members narrowly avoided getting hit on the nose by the door and had to leave reluctantly.
Calling out “Mother,” Ming Shu walked into the hall. Madame Zeng was standing beside Lu Chang, about to advise him not to get angry, when she turned at the sound of Ming Shu’s voice and said, “Why have you come down? It’s windy outside, and you’re not fully recovered.”
“It’s fine,” Ming Shu’s voice was hoarse and scratchy, unlike its usual crispness. “What’s going on?”
“It’s the Lu family again,” Madame Zeng sighed as she sat down, “They’ve been here several times recently. I just didn’t tell you about it. Lu Wenhao has sent people over multiple times with gifts, including gold, silver, and today, deeds to houses and land, saying we should move.”
Lu Chang brought tea for Madame Zeng and Ming Shu, his icy demeanor slightly thawing. “Next time they come, I’ll just throw them out.”
“There’s no need for that. After all, he is your biological father, and I have no intention of hindering your reunion. If those gifts are meant for you, feel free to accept them. However, I cannot accept the gold, silver, and deeds to houses and land.” Madame Zeng took a sip of tea and continued calmly, “Today I was angry because his servants insisted on leaving those deeds here, subtly urging us to move to the mansion he gifted. When I insisted on separating from him back then, it was to avoid being treated as a concubine. If we accept these now and move to his mansion, what does that make me?”
Accepting money and property from him and living in his mansion would turn her twenty years of steadfastness into a joke.
Even if it’s just compensation, she would never accept it.
“We understand, Mother,” Ming Shu didn’t try to persuade further. Madame Zeng appeared fragile but was an extremely determined woman, and also magnanimous. She wouldn’t stop Lu Wenhao from making amends with his children, nor would she stop them from accepting his gifts because these twenty years were a debt Lu Wenhao owed his children. However, if they accepted the gold, silver, and mansion, Madame Zeng would refuse to move there with them. That was her inherent and admirable integrity.
Madame Zeng’s lips curved into a gentle smile. “I know you understand me.” She patted Ming Shu’s hand and added, “Just worry about your brother. When you have a chance, persuade him not to hold grudges or feel unjust. In the end, it was my insistence that separated father and son for twenty years. Both sides had their difficulties and mistakes, not solely Lu Wenhao’s fault. In the end, he and I have settled our grievances, but you two are different. Don’t worry about me; I’m at peace with it.”
Although Madame Zeng addressed Ming Shu directly, Lu Chang heard every word.
“Mother, Brother has been holding onto his anger for twenty years. If we don’t let him vent, how can he feel at ease? But don’t worry, Brother knows what to do. Whether or not he acknowledges our father doesn’t matter. What matters is that we will always be with you.” Ming Shu smiled and glanced at Lu Chang, “Isn’t that right, Brother?”
Lu Chang retorted, “You’ve said it all by yourself, trying to please both sides.”
“I only have you and Mother as my family. If I don’t please you, who else should I please?” Ming Shu raised her chin, a playful look in her eyes.
Seeing her recover from a serious illness, although her face was still pale, her usual spirit had returned to her brows. Lu Chang felt somewhat relieved and pushed aside thoughts of the Lu family.
As Ming Shu had said, he only had his mother and Ming Shu. Besides them, everyone else in the world was like passing clouds, unable to influence his emotions.
On that day, as usual, Lu Chang let Ming Shu sleep in his room while he went downstairs to find a simple accommodation for the night. Ming Shu looked at Lu Chang curled up on the small rattan couch and thought to herself, “This house needs a change.”
The next day was the grand ceremony of presenting the credentials at the Golden Hall.
Though Ming Shu’s illness had come suddenly, it was quick to pass. After drinking the medicine for two days, she had recovered mostly, with only a lingering cough. She woke up unusually early.
“Ah Xiong, you should wash up properly! Clean yourself!” Ming Shu pulled Lu Chang out of bed early in the morning and pushed him into the cleansing room. Inside, the fragrant bath was ready with flower petals floating on the water, accompanied by scented soap, and even women’s hair oil and facial cream. Lu Chang could only smile helplessly as he stripped off his clothes, bathed, washed his face, and shaved. By the time he dressed and came out, Ming Shu was already waiting for him in the hall.
It was just dawn, with a candle lit beside Ming Shu. Hearing movement, she turned and beckoned to him, “Ah Xiong, come here quickly.”
Lu Chang took a few steps forward, watching her tinkering with bottles and jars in her hands, and couldn’t help but frown, “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to apply powder and arrange your hair for you!” Ming Shu casually shook the bottle in her hand.
Applying powder and arranging hair was a traditional practice passed down through the ages and was quite popular during the Da’an Dynasty. It wasn’t restricted to women; many handsome young men also enjoyed applying powder and dressing up neatly, especially after the ceremony where they would be reviewed by everyone from officials to commoners in Bianjing. Lu Chang couldn’t afford to appear unkempt.
Ming Shu couldn’t help him with scholarly matters, but she was certainly adept at powdering and arranging hair.
“What kind of woman’s stuff is this? I don’t…” Lu Chang’s words were cut short as Ming Shu pulled him down onto a chair. She proceeded to take a large lump of scented cream and rubbed it between her palms before applying it to his face.
“Don’t struggle! Relax, it’s just moisturizing cream!” Ming Shu used her elbow to press down Lu Chang’s hand while swiftly spreading the cream over his face.
Although Lu Chang resisted, he couldn’t exert force against Ming Shu. He could only let her smear his face. The creamy texture quickly spread a faint fragrance of magnolia, which matched Ming Shu’s scent, now lingering on him.
“There, done.” Ming Shu finished moisturizing his face and then brought out a flat porcelain box shaped like a duck egg.
Opening the box revealed fine white powder inside.
Lu Chang couldn’t bear it anymore and turned his face away, “Don’t use this on me!” He couldn’t stand the thought of his face being painted white.
Seeing his strong resistance, Ming Shu inspected him for a moment and said, “Alright then. Ah Xiong, you’re naturally good-looking. Your smooth and delicate skin rivals that of a young lady. Whether or not you use powder doesn’t make much difference.”
Lu Chang’s forehead twitched. What kind of flattering words were these?
“Fine, no powder. How about I apply some lip rouge for you? Don’t move.” Ming Shu gave in and picked up a small round porcelain jar. Opening it revealed crimson lip rouge inside. She dabbed her fingertip into it, rubbed it lightly, and then sniffed it under her nose, “Smells nice…”
Lu Chang stared at her hand, his throat rolling slightly. He felt the urge to curse, but seeing Ming Shu more excited than he was, as though she were the one parading, he swallowed his words.
“Ah Xiong, don’t move. If the lip rouge smudges, it’ll ruin your face!” Ming Shu opened her eyes and swiftly applied the lip rouge to his lips.
Her movements were quick, precise, and decisive!
Even with Lu Chang’s agility, he couldn’t avoid it.
When her warm and soft fingertips touched his lips, Lu Chang felt as if struck by lightning. He turned into stone, unable to move, and let Ming Shu apply the lip rouge. Her touch was gentle and slow, first dabbing and then smoothing it over, as light as a feather brushing against his lips. She leaned closer to him, her scent sweet and gentle, enveloping him like a gentle yet pervasive net.
Lu Chang’s mouth felt dry, his lips itching. He wanted to lick his lips, but Ming Shu’s fingertip was right there on his lip.
This was torture for him.
After finishing applying the lip rouge, Ming Shu admired Lu Chang’s face like a precious treasure. Finally, she cupped his face with both hands.
The lip rouge she applied wasn’t as bold as that worn by women, leaving a subtle layer that complemented his skin tone, making him look like a handsome young man with vibrant lips and sharp features.
Lu Chang was snapped out of his stupor.
“I think if we shape your eyebrows and use some indigo powder, you’ll be perfect…”
Ming Shu was still thinking about dressing up Lu Chang. He stood up from the chair as if startled, his voice slightly hoarse, “That’s enough, it’s fine like this.”
Seeing Lu Chang’s firm refusal, Ming Shu didn’t insist any further. She only said, “Then let me tie your hair knot for you?”
Lu Chang glanced at her twice, confirming she wouldn’t touch his face again, before sitting back down. Ming Shu stood behind him, untied his loose hair, picked up a wooden comb, dabbed a little hair oil, and gently combed his hair.
Even a man’s long hair could be soft and smooth, flowing like water in her hands.
Ming Shu combed meticulously, every strand neatly gathered at the crown of his head, tied into a knot, and smoothed at the temples. Finally, she brought a golden flower black gauze, and placed it on his head.
On the black gauze hat, there was a cluster of live flowers—mostly peonies with roses, vibrant and delicate.
Lu Chang couldn’t see his appearance, but he saw Ming Shu move to stand in front of him, asking him to lower his head so she could adjust his hat, and then asking him to stand up so she could straighten his clothes…
Gentle and meticulous, every detail was perfect.
With her… it felt as if they were husband and wife.
After seeing Lu Chang off, Ming Shu didn’t idle either. She quickly drank her medicine and hurried out. She had arranged with Yin Shujun and Wen An to meet at the Guan Yuan Lou on Dong Yong Street. This street connected to the Imperial City Gate, and it was where the horse-riding parade would pass after the ceremony at the Golden Hall. Guan Yuan Lou, a three-story tavern located in the heart of Dong Yong Street, had the best view for watching the parade of scholars.
On this day, nearly all the noble ladies of Bianjing would gather here to watch the parade. Guan Yuan Lou had been fully booked early on, but luckily Wen An had secured an excellent spot. Ming Shu relied on her fortune and could also witness Ah Xiong’s most glorious moment from Guan Yuan Lou.
Even before the parade began, the entire street was packed with people. Tea houses and restaurants on both sides were overflowing. Guan Yuan Lou, filled with officials’ families from Bianjing, was particularly crowded. Wealthy ladies and young wives sipped tea and chatted while waiting for the parade.
Ming Shu sat with Wen An and Yin Shujun. The Prince’s consort had also come out today to join familiar noble ladies at another table, laughing and chatting. After a couple of rounds of tea, someone approached them.
“Are you Lady Lu, I presume?” It was a lady of similar age, elegantly dressed and quite beautiful.
Ming Shu quickly stood up, “I am Lu Mingshu, and you are…?”
Yin Shujun smiled, “This is Miss Lu from the Ministry of Works’ household, Miss Lu San.”
Ming Shu bowed to her, and she returned the gesture warmly, pulling Ming Shu into a friendly conversation for a while before having her maid present a silk handkerchief as a gift to Ming Shu.
“Today’s meeting with Lady Lu is fate. We get along well. If Lady Lu doesn’t mind, let’s meet often in the future and have fun together. This handkerchief is just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it.”
The handkerchief wasn’t anything precious, so Ming Shu graciously accepted it after thanking her. They made plans to play together in the future, and Miss Lu San left happily.
When the lady left, Wen An smirked, “The drunkard’s intentions are not in the wine.”
She moved closer to Ming Shu and said, “As the sister of the newly appointed top scholar, let me tell you, Lady Yin and I are your true confidantes. If you let those with impure motives dazzle your eyes and neglect us, I’ll be upset.”
Yin Shujun nodded, “Exactly. We won’t spare you.”
This small circle rejected those with ulterior motives from joining them.
“It’s not as exaggerated as you say!” Ming Shu took a sip of tea and said.
Wen An sneered again, “Just wait and see. You’ll experience it today.”
Ming Shu hadn’t fully grasped the situation when another voice nearby said, “Is Lady of the Lu family here?”
Ming Shu remained silent.
Guests near their tables began to arrive in droves.
The horse-riding parade hadn’t even started, the new top scholar hadn’t made his appearance, but his sister had already received a table full of gifts.
Looking at the table full of handkerchiefs, beaded necklaces, sachets, and other gifts from the girls, Ming Shu had already realized the power of attracting bees and butterflies that her brother possessed.
So many young ladies in Bianjing took roundabout routes just to please her. Did they all want to become her sister-in-law?
The jokes she made in front of Lu Chang when they entered the capital had suddenly come true.
Would pleasing her younger sister-in-law give them a chance to get close to their elder brother?