White Clothes, Fingering, Lu Qingming

Night, the cold moon hung high.

Wearing black elegant clothes, Lu Gaosheng walked out of the tofu shop, his face twisted with bulging veins, looking fierce and frightening. Peering out from the small window of the painting shop, Zhang San saw this scene and was slightly surprised.

Although this Lu Gaosheng was vicious and overly suspicious, from the execution stand to their last meeting, this man had always given off an aura of arrogance and confidence, as if he had everything under his control.

Seeing such rage and loss of composure was Zhang San's first time.

And from the faint red imprint visible on Lu Gaosheng's face under the moonlight, it seemed he had also been slapped.

Watching this 'Magistrate' being humiliated before a woman, Zhang San secretly found it amusing. Since he had confirmed Bai Fang and her mother should be fine, Zhang San went back to rest.

Zhang San felt a little surprised at his own 'good deed', and thought he seemed a bit 'abnormal'.

After thinking about it, Zhang San could only attribute his concern for them to having had dinner with them on New Year's Eve. According to his cold-blooded personality, he should be able to return to normal soon.

Yes, that must be it!

......

......

However, that night.

Zhang San, Wang Xiaoer, and Bai Xiaoyu all slept very well.

But in the city, there were two men who couldn't fall asleep at all.

One was Ming Qing. The middle-aged man couldn't sleep once he closed his eyes. Visions of Bai Fang's smiling face filled his mind. He was excited about the engagement letter, wedding, bridal clothes, and auspicious dates.

The other one was Lu Gaosheng. He didn't even sleep.

After returning home, symptoms of chest tightness and headache grew increasingly severe, even making him smash his own head repeatedly!

Seeing this, Li Xing quickly invited the city's famous doctor to take a look. Unexpectedly, even the most skilled doctor was at a loss when facing Lu Gaosheng's symptoms.

Seeing Lu Gaosheng in such agony, Li Xing still asked the doctor to think of something as soon as possible.

In the end, the doctor could only prescribe Lu Gaosheng a dose of 'Ma Fei San' to relieve his pain and help him sleep. He said they would gather doctors from the city tomorrow to diagnose Lu Gaosheng together.

Lu Gaosheng was in too much pain to even speak clearly.

With no other choice, Li Xing agreed to the doctor's suggestion and gave Lu Gaosheng the medicine. Unexpectedly, it took effect very quickly, making Lu Gaosheng fall asleep.

......

......

Lu Gaosheng, oh Lu Gaosheng. You think so highly of yourself, don't you?

Let me guess what you're thinking.

You want power, you want to become a second Song YanShi.

You want money, to be as wealthy as JinWan Pavilion.

And you still want Bai Fang, don't you?

Do you think that no matter how many people you've killed or how much dirty business you've done, as long as you can overthrow Song YanShi in the end to avenge her parents, you can have her?

How laughable.

Don't you understand? Bai Fang will always love me, Lu Qingming.

Maybe she would fall for a simple fool like Ming Qing, but no matter how smart you are, no matter your status, she would never choose you, Lu Gaosheng!

I've told you, Lu Gaosheng, the most laughable thing about you in this lifetime is your arrogance and self-righteousness.

Lu Qingming's ridiculing and defiant voice echoed in Lu Gaosheng's dream.

......

......

The next day, Lu manor.

After a night of nightmares.

The handsome man slowly awoke.

A beautiful maid had been attending to him all night. Seeing the master wake up, she quickly came over and said, "Sir, you're awake. Do you need me to call Doctor Li over?"

The handsome man smiled gently. "No need, little Qing."

The maid was surprised, as she had never heard such a gentle tone from this master Lu before, who even called her by name.

The man got out of bed.

The maid quickly lowered her head and took out Lu Gaosheng's favorite black elegant clothes from the wardrobe.

Seeing the maid bowing her head, the man laughed. "Why do you keep your head lowered? Doesn't your neck get tired?"

The maid was shocked, even doubting who this person in front of her really was.

But the man just laughed. "Raise your head, and put down the clothes. I don't like being waited on."

Remembering this master's usual sternness, the maid trembled as she said, "This slave... dare not."

The man could only say, "What if I order you to raise your head?"

The maid had no choice but to comply. What entered her eyes was not the usual stern face.

Although identical, the man's face now held only calmness and a friendly smile.

Along with his handsome features, his smile felt like a spring breeze.

Seeing the dazed maid, the man chuckled. Then he walked past her and took out a plain white robe from the wardrobe, one Lu Gaosheng hardly ever wore.

After getting dressed, the man felt some discomfort from the white jade cloud-patterned ring on his right hand. After all, 'he' used to wear this ring on the left hand.

So the man removed the ring and put it on his left hand instead.

In white clothes with a jade ring on his left hand.

Before leaving the room, the man said to the maid still frozen in place, "Oh right, don't call me 'Sir'. That sounds strange. My name is... Lu Qingming. Just call me Qingming."

With a smile, Lu Qingming walked out the door.

Leaving the maid in turmoil in the morning breeze.

Since when did the master... change his name?

......

......

Li Xing came rushing over, looking rushed but also a little happy.

"Sir, you're awake! Wonderful. Should I call for a doctor? And there's new information about the grain convoy. It came suddenly this morning. Do you think we should...?"

Lu Qingming raised his hand with a smile, interrupting him. "No need for a doctor, I'm fine. As for other matters, let's talk after I get back."

Seeing this person's expression and completely different aura from usual, Li Xing was at a loss.

What happened?

Sir seems somehow different from before.

Lu Qingming walked past Li Xing and headed straight out of the manor...

Li Xing hurriedly asked, "Sir, where are you going?"

Lu Qingming's steps faltered as he laughed, "Me? Of course to find Bai Fang and Xiaoyu."

"Then Sir, that scholar is likely a villainous expert. Do you want me to accompany you?"

That scholar?

Lu Qingming recalled Zhang San and the painting of the hermit, forming a judgment completely different from Lu Gaosheng's. He said, "I don't think he's a bad person, no need to worry too much. Moreover, a gentleman stays composed - what is there to fear from sinister men?"

Speaking so, Lu Qingming strode away.

But halfway out, Lu Qingming suddenly stopped and turned to ask, "Oh right, is there anyone in the kitchen now?"

Still immersed in shock, Li Xing dazedly responded at Lu Qingming's question, "At this time, the kitchen should be empty. The cooks are probably still sleeping."

Lu Qingming just smiled. "Good."