Chapter 113 Demonstration

After leaving the main hall, Mingyu and Mingshuo were very attentive and walked away "unintentionally" after a while, leaving Ming Huashang and Cheng Xun walking side by side. The two of them were a little embarrassed at the same time, and Cheng Xun took the initiative to say: "Thank you for Siyue's matter, Second Madam."

Ming Huashang said, "Thanks to my second brother and the other officials of Jingzhao Prefecture who worked together to find the murderer, I dare not take credit for it."

Ming Huashang always claimed that it was luck. This statement fooled the elders, but not Cheng Xun. Cheng Xun asked: "Second Madam, was it really a coincidence that you met Lu Du in Qingchan Temple?"

Ming Huashang would naturally not admit it, and said solemnly, "Of course."

Cheng Xun's lips moved, and he looked at Ming Huashang, wanting to say something but stopping himself. Last time, she inexplicably went to Chengguo Mansion to ask him about Dr. Lu, and Cheng Xun felt something at that time. Later, he heard that Ming Huashang met the murderer in Qingchan Temple and was caught alive by Ming Huazhang who rushed over. Cheng Xun's guess became clearer.

Ming Huashang must have set up a trap with her brother to deliberately capture Lu Du. It is hard to believe that the second Miss Ming, who is regarded by the outside world as a useless person with no knowledge and good looks, would have the courage to meet the murderer alone.

It's really surprising that she has the most well-behaved and gentle face but has such a bold and reckless heart.

Cheng Xun actually didn't agree with Ming Huashang's risk. After all, she was a lady from a noble family. She should just play with cats and embroider flowers in the inner house, and shouldn't get involved in those bloody things. However, this murder case was related to his sister, and Ming Huashang had just helped them find the murderer. Cheng Xun couldn't say anything against it, so he sincerely advised: "Second Madam, I am very grateful to you and your brother for clearing Siyue's name, but it is too dangerous for a daughter to be alone outside. In the future, you should not put yourself in danger again."

Ming Huashang smiled, lowered her eyes, and stopped talking. She knew what Lady Chengguo and her grandmother meant, and naturally understood that, in a secular sense, Cheng Xun was indeed a very good marriage partner, and he said these words sincerely for her own good.

He is the most common nobleman in Chang'an. He has studied the Four Books and Five Classics since childhood and received education as an heir. He will marry a wife of equal status, give her honor and dignity after marriage, and take on the responsibility of raising children and establishing a family, but that's all.

He would not bring court affairs back to the harem, would not listen to his wife's opinions on court affairs, and would not tell a woman "Don't employ someone you doubt, and don't doubt someone you employ." This was not Cheng Xun's fault. As a nobleman, he did not visit brothels and did not have affairs with illegitimate children before marriage, which was better than most young men.

Cheng Xun didn't understand why Ming Huashang suddenly became distant when she was fine just now. The distance between them inexplicably widened. He paused for a moment and tried to find a topic: "I wonder what the second lady usually does at home and what hobbies she has?"

"I just eat and sleep." Ming Huashang said truthfully, "Apart from eating and drinking, I am not good at any talent."

Cheng Xun was embarrassed for a moment, then smiled and said, "Second Madam, you are joking. Ming Shaoyin is a famous talent in the Eastern Capital, as famous as Xie's eldest son. As his sister, how could you not be good at poetry, calligraphy and painting?"

Ming Huashang smiled at him and said, "It's true. Anyway, my second brother is excellent at everything he does. With him bringing honor to the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion, why should I work hard? I might as well enjoy life."

Cheng Xun was stunned for a moment. He looked at the bright and smiling eyes of the girl in front of him, and for a moment he seemed to fall into the mist. Ming Huashang was standing behind the mist, seemingly within reach, but elusive. For the first time, Cheng Xun felt that he couldn't understand a woman. He couldn't help asking: "Girls in Beijing are proud of being talented and proficient in needlework. If you don't learn these, won't you be anxious?"

"What's the rush?" Ming Huashang said calmly, "I know what kind of person I am and what I want. I won't learn anything I don't need. There's no need to live like everyone else."

This time, Cheng Xun paused for a long time, and looked at Ming Huashang with an ambiguous expression: "You are completely different from the rumors outside."

Ming Huashang didn't care what others thought of her. She just hummed and said nothing. The plum blossoms on both sides bloomed silently, and the fragrance floated in the air. Cheng Xun walked away for a while and tried to make conversation again: "The second lady seems to have a good relationship with Ming Shaoyin?"

"Yes." Ming Huashang said, "My second brother is the best man in the world."

Cheng Xun felt uncomfortable when he heard these words, but he thought that Ming Huashang rarely left the house. Her world was only her brother, so it was normal for her to regard her brother as her god. He said, "Ming Shaoyin is indeed a rare talent. Even my grandfather can't stop praising him. He has made great contributions in this investigation and has shown his face in front of His Majesty and the civil and military officials of the Manchu Dynasty. In the future, he will surely be able to achieve great things."

Ming Huashang was about to respond when a clear voice suddenly came from behind her: "Mr. Cheng, you are too kind to me. I am ashamed to accept it."

Ming Huashang turned around and saw a figure walking on the snow, coming from the red plum blossoms. He pushed aside the slanting plum branches and said to Ming Huashang, "Why are you walking so fast? Are you cold?"

Ming Huashang was a little surprised. Why did Ming Huazhang come? She thought he would prefer to stay in the main hall and talk with the Duke of Zhenguo and the Duke of Chengguo.

Ming Huashang didn't answer, so Ming Huazhang took Ming Huashang's hand without hesitation, shook it, and said, "It's a little cold."

After saying this, he took off his cloak without waiting for Ming Huashang to reply, and put it on Ming Huashang. Ming Huazhang lowered his eyes and carefully tied the string for Ming Huashang. His eyelashes were drooped, and the lines on his face were cold and clean, as clear as ice and snow, except for his eyes, which were as dark as ink, and it was impossible to tell the depth.

Cheng Xun sensed a subtle hostility. How could he feel that Ming Huazhang was doing this on purpose, like a tiger asserting its ownership of an intruder?

However, Ming Huachang was only his sister, not his fiancée. His sister would have to get married sooner or later, and the Chengguo Mansion and the Ming family were well matched. No matter from which angle, Cheng Xun was a good brother-in-law. Why was Ming Huachang so repulsive?

But Cheng Xunsi and Ming Huazhang's comments in the capital made him think that he was judging others by his own standards. Ming Huazhang was a man of integrity and politeness, so how could he have such feelings for his sister? They must have a good relationship, and Ming Huazhang must have been worried when he saw his sister caught a cold.

After Cheng Xun finished explaining himself, he took the initiative to please his future uncle and said with a smile, "Shao Yin, why are you here?"

Ming Huazhang didn't even glance at him, and said calmly: "I'm here to see my own sister, why not?"

Cheng Xun's expression froze slightly, thinking to himself, this is weird, why are these siblings so hard to talk to? Is this the habit of the Ming family? He smiled again and said, "That's right, the Second Lady just escaped from Qingchan Temple, no wonder Shao Yin is worried. The Second Lady is lucky to have a good brother like Shao Yin."

Ming Huazhang was unmoved, and concentrated on straightening Ming Huashang's collar, saying in a light tone: "It's not her luck that she can become my sister, but my luck."

Cheng Xun saw Qingming Huazhang pulling Minghuashang's collar and frowned quickly, but he suppressed his anger, thinking that they were twins who grew up together, so it was inevitable that they were closer than ordinary siblings, and he shouldn't think too much. Cheng Xun smiled without any sincerity and said, "In this case, whoever can marry the second lady in the future, won't be more fortunate?"

"She is now living as a nun at home and will not consider getting married for a while."

"But I heard that the Second Lady is already seventeen this year." Cheng Xun looked at Ming Huazhang steadily and said, "The Second Lady cannot live in the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion for the rest of her life. She will eventually get married."

Ming Huazhang was furious when he heard that even an outsider could justifiably say that she would leave sooner rather than later. She was already seventeen years old, the latest age for women to marry as stipulated in the law, and everyone arranged dates for Ming Huachang without even asking for his opinion.

Ming Huazhang knew rationally that a woman who did not marry would suffer a lot of rumors, but emotionally he could not bear to see her get together with other men and talk about marriage. He could only convince himself that she did not want to get married. He was protecting Ming Huachang's wishes, not out of selfishness.

Ming Huashang tugged at the cloak belt and blinked at the two people, somewhat confused. What were they doing? Whether they could get married or not should be her business, right?

Ming Huashang smiled and tactfully interrupted this inexplicable confrontation: "Eldest sister and third sister have already gone far away, let's go find them quickly."

Ming Huazhang and Cheng Xun kept silent at the same time and followed Ming Huashang silently. Ming Yu and Ming Shuo were sitting in the pavilion to rest. From a distance, they saw a woman in a black cloak approaching, followed by two men on her left and right. There was a strange and quiet atmosphere between the three of them.

Ming Shuo saw this and pouted and complained, "Grandma is partial to me, and my second brother is partial to me too. We specially opened a place for her, and my second brother chased us out, fearing that she would suffer a loss."

Mingyu pretended not to hear and continued to act like an elder sister, greeting them gracefully: "Mr. Cheng, second brother, second sister, you are here. Second sister has..."

"My cloak." Ming Huazhang took over calmly and said, "She has been walking in the plum forest for too long, and her body can't stand the cold."

Mingyu frowned inwardly. Was it her illusion? Why did she sound so weird in these words?

Ming Yu quickly glanced at Ming Huazhang, who was cold and dignified, as bright as the moon, and thought that she must have overthought. She smiled and said, "It was my negligence that I forgot to remind my second sister to wear a hooded cape when she went out. Lian Xuan, bring my red fox fur coat over to my second sister to protect her from the cold."

The maid was about to agree, but Ming Huazhang stopped her coldly and said, "No need, she can just wear mine."

Mingyu choked, feeling an invisible enclosure of protest. This feeling was really ridiculous, Mingyu smiled awkwardly and said, "That's right, second brother and second sister are twins, so they must know second sister's preferences best. Since second sister is cold, come in quickly, don't be blown by the wind outside."

Ming Huachang was forced to be wrapped in Ming Huazhang's cloak. Before she could say a word, she became a porcelain doll that was afraid of the cold and wind, and was welcomed into the pavilion by the stars. She was very helpless. What was wrong with Ming Huazhang today? He was like a firecracker, sneering at everyone he met.

The five of them sat in the pavilion, speechless, so silent that they could only hear the sound of the wind outside. Even Ming Shuo, the most arrogant one, sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere and bowed her head in silence.

Ming Huachang felt the cold wind for a long time and could no longer bear it. She said, "There is nothing to see in the garden in winter. There is only the plum forest. The elders may be waiting impatiently. Let's go back."

Cheng Xun also breathed a sigh of relief. Although he regretted not being able to talk to Ming Huashang, it was better than wasting time here. Sitting next to Ming Huazhang, he inexplicably felt that he was morally corrupt, wanted to steal someone's love, and was caught by the real owner.

Madam Ming and the wife of Duke Chengguo had just talked for a while when they suddenly saw Ming Huashang and Cheng Xun coming back. Madam Ming frowned and said, "Madam, are you back from the garden?"

Mingyu replied: "Yes. Second sister is a little cold, so we came back first."

Upon hearing this, Lady Chengguogong slowly replied, "It's windy today, so we should come back early. It won't be too late to visit the garden when the weather is good. Lady Ming is so lucky. All her grandchildren are so beautiful and have great potential. They are really enviable. I wonder if the Duke of Chengguo's Mansion has any plans for the Lantern Festival?"

Ming Huazhang frowned and wanted to refuse, but he couldn't make the decision in front of the elders. Duke Zhenguo replied, "Not yet. Second Mother had been clamoring to go to see the lanterns, but I had something to do that day and couldn't leave the house. Second and third sister-in-law were not in good health and couldn't go out to the streets. I was afraid that she would run around in the street without the elders watching, so I didn't agree to her."

Ming Huashang heard this and snorted softly, her face full of unhappiness. Cheng Xun noticed this and couldn't help but smile.

He initially thought that Ming Huashang was a young lady from a common mansion, who was justified by her status as a spoiled girl. Later, she came alone to inquire about Lu Du and comforted him at the door. The boldness and carefulness she showed made Cheng Xun feel ashamed. Cheng Xun gradually realized that Ming Huashang was not the fool as rumored, but perhaps a very smart lady.

Today was actually his first official contact with Ming Huashang. He saw her rebellious nature, and also her coquettishness in front of her family. Every side of her was a new her, and Cheng Xun couldn't help but wonder how many surprises Ming Huashang had in store, and what she was really like.

When Lady Chengguo saw Cheng Xun's eyes, she knew that Sun'er was interested in the second lady of the Ming family, so she said, "Girls are different from boys. They can only go out happily during these few days of the year. The Cheng family will also watch the lights that day. If Duke Zhenguo trusts us, why not let the ladies go with the Cheng family's team? The Duke has arranged guards and has cleared the way to ensure that the people are sent back safely."

The Cheng family had said this, so it was difficult for the Duke of Zhenguo to refuse, so he said, "Then it's up to the Duke of Laocheng and his wife."

The two families agreed on a time and place to meet on the Lantern Festival, and then the Cheng family said goodbye. Ming Huashang was finally able to go out, and she couldn't hide her joy. Ming Yu and Ming Shu were also very happy, and they chattered about the clothes and jewelry for the Lantern Festival.

Ming Huazhang looked coldly at Ming Huashang, who was crowded among the maids, happily discussing the Lantern Festival with her sisters, as if she didn't care at all about the meaning behind the meeting of men and women during the Lantern Festival. Ming Huazhang looked at her for a long time, but Ming Huashang didn't even look at him. He couldn't suppress his unhappiness any more, and turned away with a cold face.

Ming Huazhang deliberately did not hold back his movements when he went out. After he left the main hall, he walked slowly in the corridor, waiting for Ming Huachang to catch up. However, this time he waited for a long time, even to the gate of Qinghui Courtyard, but still did not hear the sweet and crisp "Second Brother" from behind.

Ming Huazhang felt a heavy sigh of relief. Could it be that she was really considering marrying Cheng Xun? However, she had clearly said that she did not want to get married and wanted her second brother to support her for the rest of her life.