The next day, Madam Zeng and Ming Shu went to see the residence.
The three-courtyard mansion bestowed by His Majesty wasn’t large compared to other noble residences in Bian Jing, but compared to the Lu family’s current cramped dwelling, the difference was like heaven and earth. Moreover, throughout history, it was rare for even the top three graduates to immediately receive bestowed residences after passing the examinations. It was said that His Majesty had heard about the Lu family’s situation, knowing they were impoverished and still living in a small attic with his widowed mother and sister, without even a proper study. Yet under such conditions, he had still claimed the extraordinary honor of achieving the top three degrees, answering fluently before His Majesty and numerous examiners in the golden hall, showing no hint of timidity or humility. The Emperor, moved by talent and wanting to nurture it, bestowed this residence.
This three-courtyard mansion had a proper layout, with newly renovated walls and roof tiles. It came fully furnished, requiring no additional preparation from the Lu family – they could move in immediately after packing their belongings. Lu Chang had just become a Top Scholar and was appointed as a Sixth-Rank Compiler in the Hanlin Academy at the Golden Hall. With his imminent busy schedule, household matters could only be entrusted to Madam Zeng and Ming Shu.
“Mother, this residence is nice. The front courtyard can be Brother’s private study and bedroom, so he won’t be disturbed while studying and handling official business. We’ll live in the back courtyard – the main room for you, the west wing room for me, the east wing room for my future sister-in-law, and the back quarters for the servants. I’ve already looked into some people, and you can choose the ones you like when they come to meet you,” Ming Shu said as she walked around the residence with Madam Zeng.
She had already started looking for maids and servants while selecting employees for Man Tang Hui.
“Whatever you decide is fine,” Madam Zeng said, having lived a self-sufficient, poor life, she had no concept of such matters.
“That won’t do – Mother is the head of our household, you must be comfortable with the arrangements,” Ming Shu said with a smile, then shared her thoughts.
The Lu family was small, just her, Lu Chang, and Madam Zeng. Lu Chang had never liked having women around, so he only needed a manservant to tend his horse and carry his boxes. Madam Zeng needed help with household matters, so it would be best to find an experienced elderly maid, plus a serving maid for Madam Zeng and a doorkeeper – four people would be sufficient.
“Do as you say.” With Ming Shu around, Madam Zeng could worry less, happy to let Ming Shu handle everything.
“Let’s also buy some flowers and fruit trees, raise some lotus in ponds, dig a small pool for fish, and fill up this empty courtyard to make it beautiful,” Ming Shu said, pointing at various spots.
When it came to decorating the residence, Madam Zeng became interested. The two walked arm in arm, discussing where to place flowers and trees, chatting and laughing until nearly noon.
—
After leaving the residence, Ming Shu had the hired carriage take Madam Zeng home first, while she went to the Wei family mansion.
She still had the gold ingot that the Wei family’s Second Madam Liu had given her. Ming Shu felt she hadn’t properly resolved the Wei family’s ghost matter, so she should return the money. She had left in a hurry that night and couldn’t return it then, so she had to make another trip.
The Wei mansion had white mourning banners hung up, but the main gate remained tightly closed. They hadn’t set up the funeral hall or begun the funeral procession yet – Wei Xian’s case remained unsolved, and his body was still with the Imperial Guard, unreturned, so the funeral arrangements couldn’t proceed.
Ming Shu knocked on the door. The person who opened it recognized her and quickly went to report. Soon, Second Madam Liu came out personally to greet her.
“Second Madam…”
Before Ming Shu could complete her greeting, Madam Liu hurriedly came forward to grasp her hands, saying “Miss Lu,” while starting to cry. Ming Shu quickly supported her. Madam Liu had changed into plain mourning clothes, smelling of medicinal oils, wearing a forehead support, looking as haggard as if she had been ill for a long time.
“My husband is now imprisoned in the Kaifeng Prefecture jail, I don’t know what punishment he’ll face. I can’t do anything here, I’m worried sick. What should I do?” Madam Liu would cry to anyone she could find now.
Ming Shu could only support her as they walked into the mansion, comforting her: “Second Madam, the Kaifeng Prefecture’s detention of the Second Master is just routine procedure while they investigate the case. Don’t worry too much.”
After investigating for so long, Wei Chao remained the prime suspect, hence his detention.
Just a few days ago, Ying Xun had come here to inquire extensively before leaving hurriedly – who knew what he had discovered? Why had there been no progress after three days?
Madam Liu couldn’t accept Ming Shu’s light consolation, saying: “Don’t deceive me. Once in that prison, what hope is there? He’s probably been forced to confess by now. If he can’t get out, I won’t be able to go on living…”
She pulled Ming Shu’s hand and began crying. Ming Shu had no choice but to help her sit down on a stone bench in the courtyard, comforting her with gentle words. After a while, she calmed down and asked Ming Shu between sobs: “Why did you come to see me?”
Ming Shu finally had the chance to take out the gold ingot and say: “Second Madam, you originally asked me to investigate the ghost haunting in your mansion. I didn’t complete that task, so I cannot accept this gold.”
She had abandoned the ghost investigation, leaving it to Ying Xun, so she couldn’t claim credit for solving it.
Seeing the gold ingot, Madam Liu suddenly pushed it back forcefully, saying: “No, don’t return it to me. Keep it, and help investigate my husband’s case instead. Help prove his innocence!”
“Second Madam, this case is now fully under the Kaifeng Prefecture’s jurisdiction. I can’t be of much help,” Ming Shu said awkwardly, pushing the money back.
“I don’t care, you’ve taken my money, so you must help me,” Madam Liu became unreasonable, refusing to take back the money, her voice rising. “I know who you are – not just the new Top Scholar’s sister, but also the Minister of Rites’ daughter. Even if you can’t interfere with the case directly, you can… you can help me navigate the channels. I know this one ingot isn’t much, but that’s fine – just tell me how much you need, and I’ll scrape together whatever amount, even if I have to sell everything!”
“This has nothing to do with whose sister or daughter I am! I really cannot help with this matter!” Ming Shu was extremely distressed, feeling the small gold ingot burning in her hand like a hot potato.
“Miss Lu, I beg you. I’m just a woman from the inner quarters, my maiden family is useless, and I don’t know who else to turn to. The eldest brother is dead, and if Wei Chao is gone too, how will this family of widows and orphans survive? Please take pity on me…” As Madam Liu spoke, she suddenly tried to kneel.
Ming Shu stood up startled, trying to stop her. In their back-and-forth struggle, the gold ingot slipped from their hands, rolling away and stopping at someone’s feet.
The person picked up the ingot and exclaimed delightedly: “Ming Shu?!”
“Young Master Song.” Ming Shu looked up, surprised to see Song Qing Zhao at the Wei mansion.
“I’m accompanying my mother to visit Madam Wei,” Song Qing Zhao explained his presence, then looked into the distance.
Sure enough, Madam Xu was talking with Du Wen Hui under a tree. Having heard Madam Liu’s voice, they were both walking this way.
Madam Liu was still begging Ming Shu, determined to kneel. Ming Shu couldn’t spare time to talk with Song Qing Zhao, just pulling her hard: “Second Madam, please stand up to talk.”
However, Madam Liu was heavy, and Ming Shu was losing her grip. Just as the woman was about to fall to her knees, suddenly the weight lightened.
“Second Madam, please don’t trouble Ming Shu. She really can’t help with this matter.”
Song Qing Zhao had already supported Madam Liu’s other arm, holding her steady.
With Song Qing Zhao’s help, Madam Liu couldn’t kneel, and could only cry and wail. Du Wen Hui and Madam Xu had come over, and seeing Madam Liu’s hysterical behavior, Du Wen Hui instinctively looked behind her for help.
Behind her stood Nanny Lu, who, catching Du Wen Hui’s look, spoke up: “Take Second Madam back to her room. How can she make such a scene here?”
Finally, two maids came to support Madam Liu, half-coaxing, half-forcing her away. Ming Shu finally sighed in relief and greeted Du Wen Hui and Madam Xu. Du Wen Hui still had a sickly, weak appearance, showing no initiative, while Madam Xu maintained her superior attitude, merely nodding in response to Ming Shu’s greeting.
Ming Shu ignored these reactions, only looking at Du Wen Hui and Nanny Lu, feeling puzzled.
Something felt off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
“Now that I see you’re well, I’m relieved. It’s getting late, and I’ve been out for half the day, I should go,” Madam Xu bid farewell to Du Wen Hui, then suddenly turned to Ming Shu, “Miss Lu, are you leaving too?”
Ming Shu came back to her senses: “Yes, I’m leaving.”
Madam Xu extended her hand to Ming Shu: “Let’s go together.”
Ming Shu quickly understood and stepped forward to support Madam Xu’s hand, saying: “Alright.”
As the two women walked together, Song Qing Zhao stood stunned for a moment, then followed them while fidgeting with the small gold ingot.
Madam Xu maintained her noble bearing as Ming Shu supported her. However, after a few steps, Ming Shu changed from supporting to linking arms, drawing close affectionately. Madam Xu struggled uncomfortably but couldn’t break free. Ming Shu whispered in her ear: “Aunt Xu, why is Nanny Lu still by Madam Wei’s side?”
Madam Xu gave her an annoyed look – since when were they so close that she could link arms with an elder like this?
However, despite her thoughts, Madam Xu didn’t push her away, saying: “With Wei Xian’s death, the Wei mansion lost its pillar. Ding Xuan is suspected, Wen Hui is useless, and no one can manage affairs. Though Nanny Lu was brought back by Wei Xian, she managed the household for years. Her authority remains, everyone listens to her, so she’s temporarily managing the mansion’s affairs.”
“Does the First Madam still trust her?”
“What choice does she have? Wen Hui has been under her surveillance and control for so many years, how can she adjust so quickly? However, I heard from Wen Hui that Nanny Lu has already submitted her resignation. With Wei Xian dead, she has no reason to stay, and plans to return to her hometown to retire in two or three days.”
“I see.” Ming Shu nodded, suddenly remembering that when Ying Xun left hurriedly that day, she had just mentioned Nanny Lu. So she asked, “Aunt Xu, do you know Nanny Lu’s whereabouts on the night Wei Xian died?”
“You nosy girl, getting involved in so many things – are you planning to investigate for Wei Chao?” Madam Xu gave her a strange look, but despite her complaint, she still answered Ming Shu, “That night, that old Nanny Lu was in Wen Hui’s room looking after her. Around the Hour of Hai, she left the inner quarters – I heard the maids greeting her when she went out. But there’s nothing suspicious about this. Everyone in the courtyard knows she went to the front courtyard. When she returned, Wei Xian was still alive, and everyone can testify to this. All this was told to Ying Xun and the others early on.”
“Does Aunt Xu know why Nanny Lu went to the front courtyard?”
“Probably to see Wei Xian. Whenever Wei Xian was home, she would report to him about Wen Hui’s affairs every night. But that day Wei Xian was still entertaining guests, so she had to return.”
“After she came back, did she go out again?”
“That I don’t know,” Madam Xu shook her head.
Ming Shu pondered this in her heart. After waiting a while, seeing her silence, Madam Xu said: “Miss Lu…”
“Aunt Xu, please call me Ming Shu,” Ming Shu replied.
“Ming Shu, in a few days our family will host a peony banquet. I’d like to invite you and your mother to attend.” Madam Xu said, not waiting for her response before continuing, “I met your mother that day, she’s a very gentle lady who raised such a good son who became a Top Scholar. I truly want to learn from her. There will be many young ladies your age at the peony banquet, you can all keep each other company.”
As soon as Ming Shu heard “young ladies your age,” her head felt like it was trapped in Sun Wukong’s golden band, remembering the scene at Guan Yuan Tower with lingering fear.
“It’s settled then. I’ll have someone send an invitation to your home.”
As they talked, they reached the gate where the Duke’s mansion’s carriage was waiting. Madam Xu gave Ming Shu no chance to refuse before making her decision. As she stepped onto the mounting stool to enter the carriage, she suddenly turned back.
“Did you come alone?”
Ming Shu nodded, and Madam Xu said: “Qing Zhao, escort her home.” With that, she lifted her skirt and entered the carriage, saying nothing more.
Song Qing Zhao had followed behind them the whole way, unable to interrupt their intimate conversation. Now he stepped forward and said to Ming Shu: “My mother rarely gets so close to younger people. You must have a special connection.”
Ming Shu smiled slightly – if Song Qing Zhao knew how this connection came about, he probably wouldn’t say that.
“Young Master Song, I can go back by myself, no need to escort me,” Ming Shu said.
“Ming Shu, you don’t need to be so formal. We’ve known each other for some time now, just call me Qing Zhao,” Song Qing Zhao stood facing her, speaking gently.
The girl before him seemed to always maintain a certain distance, forthright yet hard to get close to. He wanted to know her better, but they had too few opportunities to interact.
Ming Shu lightly touched her temple, tilting her head to look at the ground, feeling uncomfortable. Madam Xu’s words from that day echoed in her mind again, and seeing today’s invitation from Madam Xu and Song Qing Zhao’s attitude, she naturally realized something.
“Why so quiet?” Song Qing Zhao noticed her silence and her slightly reddened cheeks, a rare show of shyness. He smiled, not pressuring her, and handed her the item in his hand, “Here, this is yours.”
Seeing the gold ingot, Ming Shu’s embarrassment completely vanished, replaced by a headache.
“Thank you,” Ming Shu sighed as she took the gold ingot.
“Don’t be discouraged, there’s always a solution,” Song Qing Zhao comforted her, then said, “Come, let me take you home. The first time we met, I escorted you too. Why so polite now?”
Put this way, if Ming Shu refused further, it would seem affected. Just as she was about to nod, a voice came from beside them.
“Ming Shu.”
Ming Shu turned to see Lu Chang standing a few steps away. She brightened: “Brother, why are you here?”
“To pick you up,” Lu Chang said concisely, holding a horse’s reins.
After finishing his work and returning home, he learned from Madam Zeng that she was at the Wei mansion, so he rode there to pick her up.
“Thank you, Brother.” Ming Shu felt relieved and turned to Song Qing Zhao with a smile: “My brother has come to pick me up, so I won’t trouble you. Thank you for your kindness, I’ll take my leave now.”
With that, she quickly ran to Lu Chang’s side, reaching out to pat the horse’s back, saying happily: “Brother, I want to ride.”
Lu Chang held out his palm. Ming Shu placed her hand in his, stepped on the stirrup, and with Lu Chang’s help, jumped onto the horse’s back. She waved to Song Qing Zhao, who could only nod to her, his glance meeting Lu Chang’s cold gaze as it swept past.
Ming Shu sat happily on the horse as Lu Chang led it forward a few steps. Looking back, he saw Song Qing Zhao still standing there. He frowned slightly, then suddenly mounted the horse, sitting behind Ming Shu, and firmly gripped the reins, spurring the horse forward. Ming Shu hadn’t expected Lu Chang to mount, much less suddenly urge the horse forward, and exclaimed in surprise: “Brother?!”
“Ming Shu, what did Song Qing Zhao say to you?” Lu Chang’s low voice sounded in her ear.
Ming Shu’s fine brows furrowed tightly.
Should she tell her brother?
Perhaps if she told him, he could help her decide.
Between her and her brother, there were no secrets.
Thinking thus, she spoke: “Brother, you’re a man too, analyze this for me…”
“Hmm?”
“Song Qing Zhao… he seems to… like me…”
“…” Lu Chang suddenly gripped the reins tightly.