That night, Lu Chang did not return home. Not only did he not return, but after meeting with Zhao Jingran, he rode out of the city at night, racing at top speed to rendezvous with the escort party taking the Zhou family to the capital.
The person had been abducted near the capital. The situation was far more complicated than he had imagined.
Lu Chang’s absence for the entire night was unprecedented since he had moved back home from Song Ling Academy. Although he had sent An Lai back to inform Madam Zeng and Ming Shu, Ming Shu couldn’t forget his grave expression when she saw him leaving the government office earlier that day. His overnight absence left her worried.
Madam Zeng, unaware of the details, simply attributed it to the heavy government duties that occasionally required working through the night and didn’t think much of it. Ming Shu was still adjusting to her relationship with Lu Chang but remained as close as ever to Madam Zeng. Both tacitly agreed to conceal from Madam Zeng that Ming Shu knew she wasn’t truly a daughter of the Lu family.
By the next morning, Lu Chang still hadn’t returned. Ming Shu felt increasingly uneasy, especially after learning that Lu Chang had left the city without taking anyone with him. She sent An Lai to the Kaifeng Prefecture office to inquire about Lu Chang’s return while she stayed home to keep Madam Zeng company, foregoing her visit to the shop.
By noon, An Lai returned breathless from the office with news that Lu Chang had still not returned.
What time was it now, and he still wasn’t back?
“You’re very worried about your brother?” Madam Zeng poured a cup of tea and sat in the hall watching her.
Ming Shu avoided the term “brother” and instead asked, “Mother, aren’t you worried?”
“I noticed you two have been distant lately. I thought perhaps you no longer wished to acknowledge him as your brother.” Though neither had said anything, Madam Zeng could still discern something was amiss.
“With you here, Mother, even if we don’t see eye to eye, we’re still family after all,” Ming Shu replied.
“Yes, we’re family.” Madam Zeng sighed, saying no more as she lowered her head to sip her tea.
Mother and daughter had just finished their meal at home, and Ming Shu was helping Madam Zeng back to her room for an afternoon rest. She planned to visit the office herself once Madam Zeng fell asleep, but just as Madam Zeng lay down, someone arrived seeking an audience.
The visitor was familiar to both mother and daughter—the personal maid Wei Zhuo had arranged to attend to Old Lady Li in Shengmin Ward.
Madam Zeng put her clothes back on, and together with Ming Shu, received the maid.
“Madam Zeng, Miss Lu, the Old Lady… she’s not doing well… The doctor says her life force is exhausting, but she refuses to close her eyes, struggling in great pain. Master Wei has arrived and sent me to fetch you, saying the Old Lady has an unfulfilled wish and begs for your presence,” the maid said with reddened eyes.
Without hesitation, Madam Zeng immediately changed clothes and arranged her hair, then said to Ming Shu, “Come with me.”
Ming Shu nodded and went to prepare. Soon after, they followed the maid out the door and boarded a carriage bound for Shengmin Ward.
By the time they reached Shengmin Ward, it was approaching dusk. Ming Shu helped Madam Zeng down from the carriage, and they hurriedly entered through Old Lady Li’s open front door, making their way up to the loft and Old Lady Li’s room, a path they knew well.
The room’s windows were half-closed, the light dim, and the air was filled with a stale mixture of medicinal scents that was quite unpleasant. Wei Zhuo had already arrived and sat at Old Lady Li’s bedside, holding her hand and using his other hand to help ease her breathing. The doctor stood beside him, putting away his acupuncture needles.
Old Lady Li lay flat on the bed, her face ashen, making raspy sounds in her throat. She could no longer speak, only stare at Wei Zhuo with eyes dulled by long illness, but within those clouded eyes burned a final obsession.
“Uncle Wei,” Ming Shu called softly, supporting Madam Zeng as they entered.
The doctor stepped aside, and Wei Zhuo quickly rose to greet them, speaking in hushed tones, “I’m sorry to trouble you with this visit. The Old Lady…”
“I understand,” Madam Zeng gently cut off Wei Zhuo’s explanation, sitting down on the stool he had vacated and taking the Old Lady’s hand, then addressing her, “Old Lady, I’m here.”
Old Lady Li’s clouded eyes seemed to brighten at the sight of her, then laboriously searched the room for someone else. Wei Zhuo noticed and followed her gaze. Ming Shu quickly moved an embroidered stool behind Wei Zhuo so he could sit beside Madam Zeng.
“Thank you,” Wei Zhuo turned to thank her, then faced Old Lady Li again, gently placing his hand over Madam Zeng’s where she held the Old Lady’s hand.
Madam Zeng heard him whisper near her ear, “Forgive me,” before he took hold of her hand.
“Mother, we’ve returned home together, safe and sound,” Wei Zhuo spoke softly to Old Lady Li.
At these words, Ming Shu saw Old Lady Li’s ashen face light up with animation. Though she still couldn’t speak, her raspy breathing quickened as she looked between Wei Zhuo and Madam Zeng.
Madam Zeng’s face flushed slightly, but she still said, “Mother, I will live well with him, don’t worry.”
Old Lady Li slowly closed her eyes, tears streaming from the corners. In this life, she had long since ceased to want anything else—she only hoped her son, who had died on the battlefield, could return, and live happily with his wife, just as they had when first married.
The raspy breathing gradually ceased, and the room fell silent. No one spoke to break this moment of silence until, after a long while, the doctor announced, “Commander, Madam, the Old Lady has passed.”
Wei Zhuo and Madam Zeng finally came to their senses. Moved by the scene, Madam Zeng’s eyes had reddened, tears rolling down her cheeks without her notice. Wei Zhuo released her hand, instinctively reaching to wipe her eyes: “Don’t be sad. Mother fulfilled her wish and passed peacefully.”
Madam Zeng was stunned at first, but when his rough fingertips brushed across her cheek, she was startled by the strange sensation.
“I apologize,” Wei Zhuo suddenly realized his inappropriate gesture and withdrew his hand as if struck by lightning.
Madam Zeng turned away, wiping her tears with her sleeve. Wei Zhuo saw this and awkwardly pulled out a plain handkerchief to offer her.
“It’s fine, I’m alright,” Madam Zeng pushed away his hand, lightly pressed her cheeks, and stood up.
Ming Shu quickly came to support Madam Zeng, and they withdrew to the doorway. Wei Zhuo followed them out and expressed his gratitude: “Thank you for today. You helped fulfill the Old Lady’s final wish, allowing her to pass without regret. Please accept my bow.”
As he spoke, Wei Zhuo clasped his hands and made a deep bow. Madam Zeng was startled and hurriedly tried to stop him.
It was unthinkable to receive such a gesture from the Commander of the Imperial Guard.
However, the difference in strength was too great, and Wei Zhuo completed his bow despite her resistance.
“Ming Shu, why didn’t you help stop him?” Madam Zeng, having received this bow, felt uncomfortable and reproached Ming Shu for standing by.
Ming Shu was more open-minded about it: “You and Uncle Wei already pretended to be husband and wife, so receiving his bow isn’t such a big deal. Uncle Wei isn’t the type to care about conventional views or be bound by formalities, so don’t take it so seriously.”
“You…” Madam Zeng was left speechless by Ming Shu’s forthright response.
Seeing the mother and daughter beginning to argue because of him, Wei Zhuo quickly said, “Let me escort you downstairs. The Old Lady has passed, and I’ll handle her funeral arrangements. You should head back first.”
As Madam Zeng and Ming Shu descended the stairs, she said, “Ah, we knew each other for so long. The Old Lady had such a hard life. Once the funeral hall is set up, I’ll come back to offer incense for her.”
“That’s very kind of you,” Wei Zhuo replied.
After seeing them to the door, he turned back to look at the old building and sighed, “The court had given the Old Lady a pension that included a new residence. She could have moved away from here long ago, but she insisted on staying, waiting for her son. I failed to take proper care of my friend’s mother…”
“Commander, please accept my condolences. You have already fulfilled your responsibility,” Madam Zeng consoled.
Wei Zhuo nodded and said, “Alright, I won’t keep you any longer. Please head back.”
Madam Zeng bid him farewell and walked toward the alley’s exit with Ming Shu.
The sun was half-set as Wei Zhuo stood at the doorway watching them leave. Just as their figures were growing distant and he was about to turn back, he suddenly glimpsed two men in black emerging from a dark alley opposite.
Years of battlefield experience had honed his vigilance, which exploded in that moment. Wei Zhuo’s eyes sharpened as he dashed after them.
After running several dozen steps, he saw Madam Zeng and Ming Shu being dragged into an alley by black-clad men who had emerged from another dark passage, their mouths covered. The first two men in black had also entered the alley, trapping them in the shadows.
Without hesitation, Wei Zhuo drew his signal arrow from his waist and shot it into the air while giving chase.
When visiting Old Lady Li in Shengmin Ward, he always dressed simply as a commoner and didn’t bring his guards, but his men were never too far away. The signal arrow was for emergencies just like this.
In the narrow, dark alley, Ming Shu was held by the neck as her captor drew a short dagger without hesitation and stabbed toward her abdomen. Madam Zeng was thrown to the ground and screamed in horror at the sight—
Ming Shu couldn’t breathe, the hand around her throat like an iron collar leaving her powerless to struggle. As she saw the blade approaching, in that split second, a stone flew from afar and struck her attacker’s elbow acupoint. His arm went numb and the dagger clattered to the ground. Everyone was startled as a figure flashed at the alley entrance, first kicking away the man beside Madam Zeng, then seizing the blade from his hand and leaping to strike at the assailant holding Ming Shu.
“Ugh!” The attacker was forced to release his grip. Ming Shu could finally breathe, coughing as she ran to Madam Zeng’s side to help her up.
“Get out of the alley,” Wei Zhuo ordered without wasting words, fending off the rushing attackers while slashing to cut off their pursuit.
Ming Shu didn’t hesitate, supporting Madam Zeng as they fled toward the alley exit. The attackers tried to give chase but were blocked by Wei Zhuo. Ming Shu could hear the constant clashing of blades behind them. Madam Zeng kept looking back, worried about Wei Zhuo’s safety. Though his movements were swift, fighting multiple opponents while protecting their escape put him at a disadvantage.
When they reached the alley exit, Ming Shu suddenly shouted, “Over here! The Commander is here! Come quickly!”
Her voice carried to the attackers’ ears. They exchanged glances and abandoned their attack, fleeing down the back of the alley. Wei Zhuo turned and sprinted to the alley entrance with his blade raised, only to find no one had arrived—Ming Shu had tricked the enemy. On reflection, though his men were nearby, they would need time to arrive for support and couldn’t have come so quickly.
“Let’s leave this place first,” Wei Zhuo decided immediately.
“Ah!” Madam Zeng took two steps before crying out in pain, breaking into a cold sweat with furrowed brows.
Earlier she had stumbled, but this time she had twisted her ankle, likely injured when she was pushed to the ground.
“Mother!” Ming Shu supported her worriedly.
Madam Zeng swayed unsteadily, forcing herself to step forward as she gritted her teeth, “It’s nothing, let’s leave first…” Though she said this, her foot was in excruciating pain.
“Ming Shu, take my blade,” Wei Zhuo tossed the bloodied weapon to Ming Shu, then apologized to Madam Zeng, “Madam Zeng, forgive my rudeness.”
With those words, he simply reached out and lifted Madam Zeng in his arms, striding toward the alley exit.
Madam Zeng was stunned, and Ming Shu also froze for a moment before quickly following, holding the blade and touching her neck.
They hadn’t gone far when a squad of mounted men galloped up to the alley entrance, stopping before Wei Zhuo. The riders dismounted and saluted him in unison.
Wei Zhuo spoke coldly, “Four men in black just ambushed civilians. All about six feet tall, armed with daggers. They fled down the back of the alley. Quickly seal off Shengmin Ward and capture them at all costs!”
After his subordinates rushed off to follow orders, Wei Zhuo turned to Ming Shu gravely, “Those attackers meant to kill you. You’re in danger. Don’t return home for now—come to my residence until we investigate the situation.”
Ming Shu, holding the blade, didn’t hesitate: “Alright. We’ll do as Uncle Wei says.”
Madam Zeng: “…” Weren’t they going to ask for her opinion?
As night fell, several riders entered the city, stopping at the South Gate.
Lu Chang sat on horseback and ordered: “You two are injured—report to the Third Palace. The remaining four, go guard my residence first.”
Since the attackers could strike outside the capital, their forces had likely already infiltrated Kaifeng. He feared for Ming Shu’s safety and needed men to protect his home. Yet it was strange—he had kept the search and escort of Madam Zhou into the capital completely secret to avoid alerting anyone, so why was she abducted outside the city?
He frowned in thought for a moment, but instead of returning home with the four men, he rode alone to another location.
The sky had grown completely dark when Song Qingzhao, leaving his duty at the Hanlin Academy, was riding slowly through Yulin Lane on his way back to the Duke’s mansion when suddenly someone galloped up from ahead.
“Whoa.” Lu Chang reined in his horse in front of him, blocking his path. “Brother Song, I need your counsel.”
A moment later, they tied their horses to a nearby tree and found a quiet spot to talk.
“There shouldn’t have been. My men only secretly inquired about your family situation and didn’t investigate the Jian family case, so it shouldn’t have alerted anyone,” Song Qingzhao answered Lu Chang’s question, then asked, “What happened?”
Lu Chang’s gaze was intense, his brow deeply furrowed as he said, “There were some complications. Did your men notice anything unusual when gathering information in Jiangning?”
“No unusual situations, but…” Song Qingzhao considered briefly, speaking with some uncertainty, “My men did encounter Prince Yu’s people in Jiangning. Does that count?”
“Prince Yu…” Lu Chang suddenly clenched his fist, then quickly cupped his hands to Song Qingzhao, “Thank you for telling me.”
Song Qingzhao nodded and asked about Ming Shu: “Ming Shu, she…”
“She overheard our conversation that night and knows we’re not blood siblings, but she didn’t hear about the Jian family tragedy,” Lu Chang reported truthfully.
“…” Song Qingzhao’s expression froze.
“Well, I have urgent matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave,” Lu Chang cupped his hands in farewell, but before he could turn away, he heard a faint whistling through the air. His body tensed as he shouted “Watch out!” and pushed Song Qingzhao aside.
An arrow whizzed past, embedding itself in a nearby tree trunk.
Song Qingzhao was startled and looked with Lu Chang toward the direction the arrow had come from. Lu Chang stepped forward, shielding Song Qingzhao behind him as he said gravely, “They’re after me. You leave first, quickly! Please go to my residence—I’m worried about Ming Shu’s safety.”
Since they had found him, Ming Shu’s identity surely couldn’t be kept secret any longer.
As he finished speaking, several more whistling sounds came from afar as multiple arrows shot toward them. Rustling footsteps sounded in the darkness as several figures leaped out.
“Go!” Lu Chang shouted deeply, dodging two arrows as he moved to engage the enemy.
Song Qingzhao hesitated briefly before decisively retreating from the alley. His martial skills weren’t on par with Lu Chang’s—staying would only be a burden.
Lu Chang was unarmed, forced to fight bare-handed against multiple opponents, and quickly found himself at a disadvantage. The attackers were indeed targeting him, ignoring Song Qingzhao as they struck at Lu Chang with lethal blows.
Seeing Song Qingzhao disappear down the alley, Lu Chang fought the enemy while considering his escape route. Just as he was struggling, a horse’s urgent whinny suddenly came from the alley entrance.
Lu Chang looked up to see Song Qingzhao had returned on horseback, leading another horse by its reins—Lu Chang’s horse following behind Song Qingzhao’s mount.
“Lu Chang, get on the horse, quickly!” Song Qingzhao called.
Lu Chang gritted his teeth and summoned his remaining strength, kicking away the nearest attacker before dodging to the alley entrance. He vaulted onto his horse, gripping the reins tightly as he turned the horse around, its hooves kicking back approaching attackers as he shouted, “Let’s go!”
With two sharp cries, Lu Chang and Song Qingzhao rode side by side, galloping down the long street.
The wind whistled past as they rode to a more crowded area before slowing their pace. Song Qingzhao guided his horse forward and turned back to look at Lu Chang. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Lu Chang’s face had gone pale, and in the streetlight, an arrow protruded from his left shoulder.
“You’ve been shot! I’ll take you to find a doctor!” Song Qingzhao’s brows furrowed.
Lu Chang gripped the exposed arrow shaft and twisted hard, breaking off the protruding part as he said through gritted teeth, “No need! Home, I must get home!”
Ming Shu was still at home!
He was terrified.