Chapter 13

Lu Hengzhi stood before the desk, gazing at the flamboyant peach blossom. His voice was cold: “I am the Chief Minister of this dynasty. Since Miss Su came to me for help, I had every reason to stand up for her. I ask that Mother not tarnish her reputation.”

Qian Wenling was momentarily embarrassed. “I didn’t mean it that way. If you have no interest, then let it be…” She had two sons, but the elder had died young, and the younger had been sickly since childhood—a walking medicine jar. So when her husband, Lu Zhi, suggested registering Lu Hengzhi under her name, she gritted her teeth and agreed, hoping to secure future support. But this Chief Minister was clearly not someone easily won over. Though they bore the title of mother and son, and he paid his respects regularly, there was always a distance between them. After all these years, she hadn’t even figured out what food he liked. These past few days, she thought he might have feelings for Su Qingluo and tried to curry favor through her but ended up hitting a wall.

Lu Hengzhi responded blandly, his gaze falling on the white porcelain vase before him. “This is quite nice. I wonder if Mother would be willing to part with it?”

The vase was a simple piece from a common kiln—pleasing in shape, but not worth much.

Qian Wenling quickly smiled. “Of course. If you like it, take it. No need to be so formal with your mother.”

Lu Hengzhi replied evenly, “Then thank you, Mother.” He instructed someone to take the vase along with the peach blossom inside.

Qian Wenling had always liked peach blossoms and had considered asking to keep them. But then she thought—it’s just one branch. She could always pick another. So she let it go, offering it as a gesture of goodwill.

*

Although Su Qingluo had never seriously considered anything romantic with Lu Hengzhi, hearing him speak so coldly—declaring there was absolutely no personal relationship between them—left her with a strange feeling. It was as if a fine needle had slowly pierced her heart: no visible wound, but a subtle sting.

She thought, perhaps it was because he had helped her several times. It was only natural that she’d developed a slight fondness for him. Nothing more.

But that feeling couldn’t be soothed so easily. During dinner with her grandmother, Su Qingluo felt dull and listless, unable to lift her spirits.

The old madam assumed she was simply worn out from days of caring for her and said, “Grandmother is fine now. Go home and get a good night’s sleep. In a couple of days, go out with your aunt to offer incense and clear your mind.”

Su Qingluo nodded in agreement. After dinner, she returned to her courtyard and instructed Zi Yuan to bring a copper basin. Then, with one decisive fire, she burned the half-embroidered wedding dress, bedding, and sachets. She had finally severed all ties with Lu Yan.

But Lu Hengzhi…

Su Qingluo lowered her gaze, sitting under the lamplight, still unable to make up her mind.

It wasn’t until Zi Yuan came to urge her to rest that she sighed and said, “Bring me the storeroom inventory.”

When she came from Jinling, Lu You had hired a security escort for her, and indeed, she had brought many fine items. She flipped through the pages one by one, finally selecting a jade Buddha, a Western-style clock, and a pot of fiery red coral.

The Su family had once been imperial merchants with a fleet that sailed overseas, so she had seen countless treasures. Anything brought to the capital was naturally the best of the best.

Though Lu Hengzhi was the Chief Minister, he too had occasions to give gifts. These three items, she thought, might be useful to him.

Su Qingluo asked Zi Yuan to bring red paper and carefully wrote out the gift list herself, stroke by stroke. After some thought, she added two century-old ginseng roots from the storeroom.

“Send this to Third Master Heng first thing tomorrow morning. Tell him it’s my token of thanks.”

Zi Yuan was stunned by the generosity. “Yes, miss.”

After finishing the list, Su Qingluo felt as if something inside her had gone hollow. Once the items were delivered, she and that man would be truly separated. There likely wouldn’t be another chance to cross paths. For reasons she couldn’t explain, her heart felt a little heavy.

Unable to sleep, she picked up the account books for the shops Madam Liu had returned. Over fifty shops—no small matter. But after flipping through just three volumes, she could already see discrepancies in each.

It wasn’t a major scandal, but it wasn’t trivial either. It all depended on whether she wanted to pursue it. After thinking it over, she chose to let it go. The shops were back in her hands, and she didn’t want to keep troubling that man.

Only when sleepiness crept in late at night did Su Qingluo finally rest. She woke up a bit late the next morning. After paying respects to her grandmother, she sent Zi Yuan to deliver the gift list to the front courtyard, while she continued reviewing the shop accounts—though her mind kept drifting.

The weather was warming. Sunlight streamed through the window, casting golden light on the peony leaves atop her desk.

Su Qingluo watched the golden flecks slowly shift across the green leaves. She didn’t know how much time had passed before Zi Yuan finally returned—still holding the red gift list.

Su Qingluo couldn’t help but ask, “He wasn’t at the residence?”

Zi Yuan replied, “No, miss. I waited all morning and finally caught Third Master Heng after he returned from court. I handed him the list, but he only glanced at it and told me to bring it back.”

He had refused the gift.

Su Qingluo’s heart tightened. “Did he say why?”

Zi Yuan nodded. “He said, ‘Save it for your young lady’s dowry.’ I think he didn’t seem very pleased.”

Tilting her head, Zi Yuan added, “Miss, who wouldn’t be happy receiving such valuable gifts?”

Su Qingluo felt even more unsettled. “I don’t know. Maybe he’s troubled by court matters, or maybe the Chief Minister is simply too upright to accept gifts.” She sighed. “Put everything away.” It seemed neither she nor her gifts were worthy of his attention.

Su Qingluo had no choice but to set aside the idea of thanking Lu Hengzhi. She spent the next few days reviewing the shop accounts. After the Qingming Festival, she accompanied Madam Qian Wenling to Shengan Temple to offer incense for her grandmother.

They rode in the same carriage. Since Lu Hengzhi’s attitude toward her had cooled noticeably, Qian Wenling didn’t seem as warm either—but Su Qingluo didn’t mind.

Just as they were preparing to return, a servant reported that the carriage had broken down. The group had no choice but to rest in a guest room and have some refreshments.

Then a teenage novice nun knocked on the door and asked, “Is Miss Su from the Lu residence here? Princess Yuyang has arrived and would like to speak with you.”

Su Qingluo was puzzled.

Shengan Temple wasn’t a royal temple. Princess Yuyang, daughter of the late empress, was noble and favored—why would she come here? Perhaps because the temple was known for its spiritual efficacy? Even if Princess Yuyang truly was here, why would she ask to speak with her? They didn’t know each other.

Qian Wenling coughed lightly and beckoned her over, whispering, “I’ve heard Princess Yuyang has feelings for Hengzhi. That might be why she summoned you. Don’t worry—just chat with her politely. She’s summoned Mingsi before, too.”

Lu Mingsi was Lu Yan’s younger sister, the daughter of Madam Liu.

Because Su Qingluo had been engaged to Lu Yan since age twelve, she hadn’t attended many social gatherings in the capital. Hearing Qian Wenling’s explanation, she relaxed, tidied her clothes, and went out with Zi Yuan.

A cool breeze swept through as they walked.

The young nun said, “It’s chilly in the mountains. If you catch a cold, it’ll be our fault. You should bring a cloak.”

Su Qingluo did feel a bit cold and asked Zi Yuan to fetch her cloak.

The nun pointed to a nearby side room. “Miss, why not wait inside? It’s warmer.”

Su Qingluo nodded and followed her. But as she pushed open the door, the room was dark and eerie, filled with a strange scent. Her instincts screamed that something was wrong. She tried to back out—but someone shoved her hard from behind, and she stumbled into the room.