"Meng City, East District, Si-Liu Street, Madam Qi-Liu."
The note contained only those few simple words. I looked up at Luo Jin, puzzled. He was staring out the window, lost in thought.
"This Madam Qi-Liu was once a senior matron at Yipin Tower. She might know something about the matter you're investigating." He turned back, fixing me with a grave look. "However, you must be extremely careful. Do not be reckless. Do not alert the enemy."
I nodded solemnly.
"Yipin Tower was once at the height of its glory in Zhongjing, but for some reason, it suddenly collapsed and closed down," Luo Jin said, his brow furrowed. "Once you find Madam Qi-Liu, you can ask if she knows the whereabouts of the others."
He then turned to instruct Chen Zhan. "Unless it is absolutely necessary, do not easily reveal your identities. After all, our relationship with the Governor of Meng City has always been strained. Avoid unnecessary trouble."
Chen Zhan’s expression was equally serious. He glanced at me and added, "Zhongjing currently needs manpower to mediate civil disputes. To find an old woman and gather evidence, I am more than enough on my own."
I gave him a secret eye-roll. I knew he also considered me too impetuous and feared I would ruin the mission. Still, saying it so bluntly was a bit of a blow to my pride.
Luo Jin seemed to catch his meaning and offered a faint smile. "You are steady and prudent; taking Xixia along will allow you to guide her more. Regardless of her being a woman, she is a member of our Ministry of Justice. Everyone has their weaknesses when they first join. Do you intend for her to remain reckless forever?"
So even this old fellow didn't trust me? I felt... quite hurt.
I sighed and said humbly, "I’ll change. I promise I’ll change."
Neither Ming Shao nor I had much experience with dating. When he came to find me, we met in the large cluster of trees outside my courtyard; when I went to find him, I waited by the old banyan tree outside his family’s side gate. This way, we didn't have to travel far, and these two magnificent trees were thick-trunked with dense canopies, providing a quiet sanctuary where no one would disturb our conversations. Only once or twice had someone passed beneath the trees, heard the low murmuring of voices, and fled screaming about ghosts—which, in turn, gave us quite a fright.
When Ming Shao arrived, the moon had just risen directly above us. Though it was a full moon, it looked cold and lonely. A gust of autumn wind swept through, making the leaves rustle loudly.
"I have something to tell you," I said. Though Meng City wasn't far, the round trip would take three to four days.
"What a coincidence, I have something to tell you as well," Ming Shao said, pulling me into the warmth of his cloak. "You go first."
"I have to go out of town for a bit, probably for three or four days." As I said it, a sudden sense of reluctance tugged at my heart.
"I also have to leave for about ten days." Ming Shao sighed, resting his chin on the top of my head. "I’m going to the Lutai Camp with my uncle’s personal guard."
I couldn't help but sigh as well. The mention of this felt like an invisible hand forcing my head down, making me look at something I desperately wanted to ignore.
Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, falling silently around us. My heart was filled with a warm yet melancholy feeling. I squeezed his hand tightly, thinking helplessly: *Things that are too beautiful always feel impossible to hold onto, and beautiful times always seem to slip away so quickly...*
"I forgot to tell you some good news." Sensing the heavy atmosphere, Ming Shao deliberately adopted a lighter tone. "When I went to the palace with my uncle today, I ran into the Crown Prince. He said the Side Consort misses you dearly and plans to summon you to the palace in a few days to keep her company. Haven't you been worried about her?"
Hearing this, I felt a mix of belief and doubt. Wuxiu wasn't the primary consort; by rights, a consort of her rank could only meet family if the Emperor personally issued a decree or the Empress Dowager gave her word. Following custom, even the Crown Princess herself could only see her family during major festivals. By so blatantly making Wuxiu the "bird that sticks its head out," was the Crown Prince bringing her fortune or disaster? If the censors accused Wuxiu of being arrogant due to the Prince's favor, wouldn't that stir up more trouble?
I wavered back and forth before finally shaking my head. "I'm afraid... it might not be good for Wuxiu."
Ming Shao gave a nonchalant smile. "Don't overthink it. You are the Side Consort’s sister; the Crown Prince has the authority to summon you. You aren't a titled lady of the court, so there's no need for the hassle of an edict from the Empress Dowager. Doesn't Qingrong often send people to the Ji Manor to pick you up?"
That seemed to make sense. I looked at him skeptically. "Is it really okay?"
"Of course it is," Ming Shao said, pinching my nose. He looked at me with genuine surprise. "I’ve suddenly realized you’re a very strange person. Sometimes you’re careless and reckless, yet over some insignificant trifles, you’ll agonize and hesitate forever."
Since more than one person had called me reckless today, I wondered if I should engage in some self-reflection.
The result of my self-reflection was depressing: I really was that kind of person.
Meng City was located to the west of Zhongjing. Among the four prefectures surrounding the capital, it was the most unremarkable. Due to geographical constraints, it lacked the convenient trade conditions of Dai County. Meanwhile, Zhao Prefecture and Fanyang were famous throughout the northern regions for their abundant fruit.
In comparison, Meng City was like an ugly maidservant standing beside a group of beauties in full dress—ignored because it had nothing to boast about.
When Chen Zhan and I arrived in Meng City after traveling day and night, it was early morning. The streets were deserted. We found a wonton stall and struck up a conversation with the proprietor about Si-Liu Street while we ate breakfast.
The owner was a sturdy man in his fifties who introduced himself as Old Bai. Hearing us ask about Si-Liu Street, he looked us up and down. "You two must have just arrived in Meng City, eh?"
Chen Zhan and I exchanged a look, an ominous premonition rising in our hearts simultaneously.
Old Bai kept his head down, his hands nimbly wrapping wontons as he spoke in a regretful tone. "If you’d come two weeks ago, the East District would have been worth a visit. But now..." He looked up at our stunned expressions and shook his head. "There was a fire. Even our most famous Shangguan Ancestral Hall was burned down. It happened about four or five days ago. There was a night of thunder and rain; later, the folks at the yamen said lightning struck a dead tree at the entrance of Si-Liu Street, sparking the fire. The whole street went up. The wind was strong that night, and they couldn't put it out. It burned until noon the next day. Half the East District is gone."
Chen Zhan and I both put down our chopsticks. He glanced at me, his eyes reflecting the same question: Was this a natural disaster or a man-made one?
Walking into the East District, we found nothing but a scene of devastation. The wide street, which could once accommodate two carriages side-by-side, was now cramped, crowded with homeless refugees.
The yamen had organized some of the younger men among the victims to clear the site. Amidst the sea of ash, Si-Liu Street was completely unrecognizable.
On the way back to Zhongjing, I reviewed the entire case from start to finish. The human trafficking case was handled by Lady Changping; all clues converged on her. The tomb-robbing case had no leads other than the ledgers; once those people succeeded, they likely contacted the mastermind directly. The illegal gold mining, however, was slightly different. From the evidence gathered, it seemed Ninth Master was always in charge. But mining required a massive workforce, and the gold dust needed a place to be stored and smelted into ingots for transport. All of this required fixed locations, and the people in charge of these tasks should be the mastermind’s trusted confidants. Was it possible that these supervisors were personally appointed by the mastermind, only nominally following Ninth Master’s orders?
When I shared this thought with Chen Zhan, he shook his head. "There were three leaders at the gold mine: one for transporting the gold dust, one for guarding the ingots, and another for handling the registration and handover when someone came to collect the goods. All three were personally recruited by Ninth Master. They didn't even know Ninth Master’s true background."
If Ninth Master was so trusted, what was his actual identity?
Regarding this man’s martial arts and appearance, while I was still recovering at the Falling Star Spring Ranch, I had asked Ming Shao to send letters to Master Rong Qin and the Poison Fairy to see if they knew of such an eccentric figure in the martial world. But so much time had passed, and there had been no reply.
By the time we returned to Zhongjing, the Emperor had officially issued a proclamation: the Kingdom of Yantian was formally at war with the Great Chu Empire. The streets were filled with many more patrolling guards. These were Imperial Guards specifically requested by the Commander of the Nine Gates to protect the capital’s security. As per custom, they did not interfere in civil administration unless a fight or brawl broke out. With these guards in their bright armor on the streets, public order had indeed improved significantly.
We, however, still had to go on our usual patrols.
Chen Zhan’s two younger brothers were required by law to join the army and head to the front lines. Consequently, he had been preoccupied and silent for days. I heard the other brothers at the Ministry whispering that Chen Zhan’s father had died young, and his current mother was his stepmother; the two younger brothers were her biological sons. Now that her own sons were going to war, she cried incessantly whenever she saw Chen Zhan. Moreover, whenever Chen Zhan’s wife tried to comfort her, she cried even harder, making Chen Zhan afraid to even go home.
Since he wasn't talking, I remained silent as well.
As I was looking around, I didn't notice a carriage suddenly stopping in front of us. Someone lifted the curtain and waved at me.
An old man with a white beard and a transcendent, sage-like air—it looked like... Xu Liufeng.
Chen Zhan and I quickly dismounted and approached him, cupping our hands in greeting. Xu Liufeng smiled faintly. "I was just heading to the Ministry of Justice. Seeing you two saves me a wasted trip." As he spoke, he pulled a dark green jade pendant from his robe and handed it to me.
The pendant was the size of a palm, carved with the image of Yantian’s guardian deity, the Thunder Beast. I had seen the Thunder Beast symbol elsewhere; flags bearing its image flew year-round on the palace walls. This creature—pitch black, winged, with sharp teeth and claws—had the fierce face of a lion and a silver-white mane extending from between its brows to the back of its neck. I had always suspected the Thunder Beast was a mythical creation, much like the dragons and phoenixes of my original world. But it was not only the national guardian but also the symbol of the royal family. So, despite my doubts, I never dared to speak nonsense about it.
Using the image of the Thunder Beast as an ornament was a privilege reserved for those in the palace. Furthermore, though I was no expert on jade, I could tell from its luster and texture that it was a rare treasure.
I looked up at Xu Liufeng in confusion. He simply stroked his beard and smiled. "This is the Crown Prince’s personal pendant. With this, you may enter the palace at any time to visit your sister." He paused, then added as if as an afterthought, "The Side Consort is virtuous and kind, and she is highly regarded by the Crown Prince. This can be considered a reward for her."
I thanked him quickly. Though I still felt a bit uneasy, my joy outweighed my worry. It seemed Wuxiu was indeed favored; her devotion hadn't been in vain. And with this pendant, I could be by her side immediately if anything happened.
Having delivered his message, Xu Liufeng departed in his carriage. As I watched him leave, I noticed a woman in a red dress by the roadside, watching me intently.
This woman, dressed as a young matron, appeared to be around twenty-seven or twenty-eight. She was strikingly beautiful. Her red attire drew the attention of many passersby. Beside her was a maid of sixteen or seventeen, carrying a basket of incense, candles, and ritual paper, looking as though they were heading to a grave.
The woman looked familiar, but I couldn't place her for a moment. Just as I was about to turn away, she called out, "Xiao Qing!"
Hearing that name, I suddenly remembered—it was the top courtesan of Hongyan Tower from years ago, Miss Hongmei.
I turned back to look at her, puzzled.
It really was her. She had put on a little weight, but it only added to her mature charm. Her features hadn't changed much.
"Sister Hongmei, it really is you?" I walked over, looking her up and down. "I didn't expect you to still be in Zhongjing."
Hongmei was also studying me. Hearing me speak, a playful smile touched her lips. "Even if you had expected it, what of it? I’ve never heard of a respectable young lady visiting an old friend in a brothel. I’m the one who’s truly surprised. I’d heard long ago that a formidable female constable had appeared in Zhongjing, but I never imagined it was you. You’ve truly gone up in the world."
I looked at her attire and asked curiously, "Sister Hongmei, you are now..."
Hongmei gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Me? I’m still at Hongyan Tower. Sister Yu had someone redeem her, and she went back to her old home in Qingcheng. I’m now a manager in the house. People like me can only take things one step at a time."
I sighed softly. "I’m also in Zhongjing. If you ever need help with anything..."
Hongmei quickly waved her hand. "You’re a government official now."
I didn't know what else to say, so I glanced at the basket the maid was holding and made small talk. "Who are you burning paper for, Sister?"
Hongmei said, "Today is the forty-ninth day since Lady Changping’s passing. The sisters in our house are going to burn some spirit money for her to see her safely on her way."
This left me completely bewildered. "You aren't related to her, and she was a major criminal of the state..."
Hongmei waved her hand again. "My little lady, you mustn't say such things now. In our line of work, we all revere her. Besides, she was once a girl from our Hongyan Tower. Even if we aren't kin, we share a bond."
Was this similar to how courtesans used to worship Liang Hongyu? Hoping that these predecessors who rose from the "dusty world" to wealth and status would bless them with a good end? However, her last sentence caught my attention. "Lady Changping... wasn't she at Yipin Tower back then?"
Hongmei curled her lip. "You wouldn't know the details of that, of course. She started out at Hongyan Tower and was later sold to Yipin Tower by the Master. But very few people know about that anymore."
My mind felt like it had been hit by a thunderclap. I suddenly remembered that night I spent undercover at Hongyan Tower, the voice I heard in Madam Yan’s courtyard—that cold voice that sounded like ice clinking against a crystal glass. It was pleasant to the ear, yet it carried an indescribable chill.
"What’s wrong?" Hongmei looked at me in surprise.
I shook my head. "Sister Hongmei, who exactly is the Master of Hongyan Tower?"
Hongmei shook her head and explained, "Xiao Qing, I’m not trying to hide it from you. I truly don't know. There’s a Chief Manager above me. Any orders from the Master are delivered through him."
The Chief Manager... he must be the one who stood behind "him" and pleaded for Madam Yan.
I forced myself to relax and curled my lip in feigned disdain. "Why be so mysterious? It’s not like he’s shameful."
Hongmei patted my arm and laughed. "Even if it’s not shameful, for someone with wealth and power, it’s never good to have it get out that they made their fortune through this trade."
I was just thinking of how to fish for more details about the Chief Manager when Chen Zhan called out impatiently from a distance, "Xixia!"
Hongmei quickly said, "I won't keep you. If you truly don't mind, find some time to come see me. We can catch up then."
I nodded quickly.
***
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