Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to see him here. Shouldn't he be leading the assembly of officials at the Qigang Farewell Pavilion?
He, too, seemed caught off guard by our encounter, a flicker of surprise crossing his features.
There was no turning back now. I quickly dismounted and knelt upon the snow. "Official Xi Xia greets Your Highness the Crown Prince."
I couldn't tell if Crown Prince Ming De was scrutinizing me or my horse. After a long silence, his voice finally drifted down. "Rise."
I stood up properly, letting go of the reins so that Love You Ten Thousand Years could have a run. As the horse snorted happily and trotted off toward the woods, a faint smile touched Ming De’s lips. "A fine horse indeed."
I had only seen this man three times in total: first at Fuyan Tower, then during the Ministry of Justice’s martial examinations, and finally in the Imperial Study. However, this was the first time I had ever been alone with him.
I stole a glance at him. He was gazing into the distance, his brow slightly furrowed. His silence exerted an invisible pressure. A man like him, who always stood on a pedestal to be looked up to, felt as though he were an entire ocean away even when standing right beside you.
"It seems it will be a while before Ming Rui arrives." He withdrew his gaze, his eyes sweeping briefly over my face before settling on the commander of the guards outside the pavilion. His tone was brook-no-argument. "Official Xi and I shall take a walk nearby. Stay here. Do not follow."
Startled, I looked up at him, but he had already stepped out of Shangguan Pavilion with an expressionless face.
Above us, an unknown bird let out a few crisp chirps. The wind had died down; aside from our footsteps, the only sound was the soft *patter-patter* of snow falling from the branches.
I followed behind the Crown Prince, strolling slowly through the woods. Because I kept my head bowed, I could clearly see the hem of his black robe catching clusters of snow. After watching for a while, I realized with a start that the robe was made of very ordinary cloth. I couldn't help but wonder: he was the Crown Prince, yet he wore simple cotton?
I must have drifted off again, for when he suddenly spoke, the sound of his voice gave me a genuine fright. "Xi Xia, you have been with the Ministry of Justice for several months now. Tell me, in your opinion, which part of the investigative process is most prone to error?"
I blinked, quickly gathering my thoughts. "Based on my experience, when the Ministry sends constables to a crime scene, they often encounter unexpected situations. In those moments, they are frequently isolated and without aid. The two constables who died in Chenjiagou last month were lured into the mountains by a suspect; they had no backup from the local authorities and died of exhaustion during the struggle."
In truth, what I most wanted to say was that the Ministry was far too constrained by the court in every case it handled. But that wasn't a problem that could be solved just by mentioning it. So, I chose a more practical issue to present to my superior.
Ming De turned back, giving me a cool, sidelong glance. "If you encountered such a problem, what would you do?"
Was he testing me? It felt like it, yet not quite. After a moment's thought, I said rather helplessly, "I could only do my best to reason with the local people and hope for their cooperation."
Actually, every brother in the Ministry knew this trick didn't work. When gathering evidence, one often faced the suspect’s relatives and neighbors. In this era, there were few migrants; people in a village were usually of the same clan. Their sense of kinship was incredibly strong. Consequently, they almost invariably stood by the suspect. If the questioner were a high-ranking official, they might act more honestly out of fear and cooperate with the government. But we were merely the runners of the office. We held no power to intimidate them.
He likely sensed the helplessness in my voice, for a hint of an amused expression touched his lips.
Passing through the woods, we came upon a gentle slope. A string of small animal tracks was clearly etched into the snow—resembling cat prints, but much smaller.
Ming De looked out over the snow-covered plain beneath the slope and instinctively began to stretch his arms. However, just as his arms reached halfway, he seemed to suddenly remember my presence and stiffly pulled them back.
Realizing I was an intrusion made my situation feel slightly awkward. Just then, I heard him ask, "Your martial arts are excellent. If I were to transfer you to be an Imperial Guard, would you be willing?"
I froze.
He waited for my answer. I could read nothing from his eyes, and thus had no way to guess his intent.
"Unwilling?" Ming De’s eyes shifted, his deep chestnut pupils sparkling like beautiful gems as the light changed.
"Yes," I lowered my head, speaking honestly. "Though my rank is humble, being a constable for the Ministry of Justice is my ideal. I do not wish to leave the Ministry."
His expression became pensive.
Because I couldn't see through his thoughts, I had no way of knowing if my answer had offended him. My heart began to thrum with a slight, uneasy rhythm.
"If you left the Ministry, what would you do?" he asked suddenly.
I had actually thought about this before, so I answered naturally, "I would travel the lands, find a place with beautiful scenery, and live out my days in leisure."
Ming Shao had once said we would go to the grasslands together. That was our secret...
Ming De seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. "Truly... you would not go to the Ming Sect?"
It was as if a bolt of lightning had struck my mind, and I suddenly understood. I remembered the killing intent that had flared from the Emperor in Consort Qingrong’s palace when he spoke of the Ming Sect—it wasn't me they were guarding against, but the Ming Sect!
But why? How had the Ming Sect offended the imperial family? Why had Master Rong Qin never mentioned it?
I suppressed the whirlwind of thoughts and answered cautiously, "I have no desire to be a person of the martial world."
My answer seemed to satisfy Ming De, for he said with great relief, "Good. As a subject of Yantian, it is only natural to serve the state."
I nodded in agreement.
Ming De pondered for a moment, then added, "The jade pendant I gave you is a token of my Eastern Palace. Though it does not carry the weight of the Emperor's tally, it allows you to command local prefectures. Should any disobey, you have the authority to execute first and report later."
I gasped. I suddenly remembered the "privileges" Luo Jin had mentioned years ago.
"However," Ming De scrutinized me intently, his gaze carrying the heavy weight of authority, "every time you requisition local resources, you must inform me promptly upon your return. Otherwise, when the local officials' secret memorials reach the Emperor's desk, it will be difficult for me to answer for you."
I quickly dropped to one knee. "I thank Your Highness for the gift."
There were as many constables in Yantian as there were hairs on an ox; why give such a privilege to me? Was it because I was the only woman? Or because I was his sister-in-law, and thus exceptionally trusted? Or... was he planting me as a personal confidante within the Ministry?
All sorts of theories sprouted uncontrollably in my mind.
Then, an even more eerie thought surfaced: he only explained the pendant's function today, after testing my words. But the pendant had been in my possession for some time. What was the meaning of this delay?
Could it be... he had been watching from the sidelines, waiting to see if I would make any inappropriate moves?
The more I thought, the more uneasy I became. My heart pounded wildly, and for a moment, I found it difficult to breathe. I couldn't help but think of the story from *Water Margin*, where Gao Qiu tricked Lin Chong into buying a precious saber and then lured him into the White Tiger Hall with it...
Despite the bitter winter cold, a fine layer of sweat broke out on my forehead.
At that moment, Ming Rui’s bright voice rang out from behind us: "This subject greets His Highness the Crown Prince."
My heart suddenly eased, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding.
Ming De’s voice, devoid of warmth, drifted over. "Rise. We are not in the capital; dispense with the empty formalities. Xi Xia, you rise as well."
I stood up, taking the opportunity to step back.
Seeing Ming Rui’s sun-kissed, wheat-colored face at this critical juncture was an unspeakable relief. Ming Rui seemed startled by my expression; his eyes darkened instantly, and his lips pressed into a thin line.
"I waited here to give you a few final instructions," Ming De said steadily, every word seemingly weighed with deep thought. "The war in Qizhou is growing more intense by the day. Bingzhou is the largest transit hub for supplies between the capital and the front lines, so its importance cannot be overstated. Upon your arrival, Rui, you must work with the local officials to manage Bingzhou well. The stretch from Zhao Prefecture to Bingzhou is a desolate wilderness; security is lax. You must take extra care. Only if this transport route remains secure can the war at the front be guaranteed."
Ming Rui lowered his hands respectfully. "I have taken Your Highness’s teachings to heart."
Ming De nodded. "The snow has fallen, and the roads will be even more difficult. Set out early."
Ming Rui answered with another "Yes."
Ming De looked at him, then at me, nodded, and turned to depart on his own.
The moment he left, I let out a long, heavy sigh.
Ming Rui looked at me with concern. "Just now, he..."
I quickly shook my head. He was about to leave the capital; how could I bear to add to his worries? I hurriedly changed the subject. "Do you like meat? Can you handle spicy food?"
Ming Rui blinked, a look of amusement crossing his face. "What brought that on?"
I said, "I’ve prepared something special for you, so you won't lack for good food on the road." I pulled several sheets of paper from my robe—hotpot recipes I’d written last night—and handed them to him, explaining in detail: "You can have a chef make these for you once you reach Bingzhou, or you can do it yourself. Oh, and if you hunt any game on the road and don't have a soup base, plain water will do in a pinch."
Ming Rui looked at the recipes, tilted his head, and said, "It sounds quite good."
I let out a long whistle to call my precious horse, then turned back to him. "I’ve brought the copper pot we use at home for you, along with a large bag of seasonings—enough to last your journey."
Ming Rui looked genuinely amused. "You rushed all the way here this morning just to give me food?"
"That’s only part of it," I said. "I couldn't sleep last night, and I remembered two very important lines." I stared into his eyes and said slowly, "Walk to where the water ends; sit and watch the clouds rise."
Ming Rui gazed at me. "And the other?"
I said, "Unmoved by favor or humiliation, watch the flowers bloom and fall in the courtyard; indifferent to staying or leaving, follow the clouds as they roll and stretch across the sky."
Ming Rui turned the words over in his mind. After a long silence, he nodded. "A fine 'unmoved by favor or humiliation.' I appreciate your kind intentions; I shall take them to heart."
Love You Ten Thousand Years came galloping toward us along the snowy slope. After its bout of freedom, its spirits were indeed much higher. Ming Rui helped me take the large pack off the horse's back, and I introduced the items inside one by one. "This copper pot was custom-made by a smith for me two years ago. You burn charcoal inside. This small copper plate is for damping the fire, and these copper chopsticks are for poking the coals..."
"These are chilies, these are dried ginger slices, and here is the peanut sauce..."
Ming Rui watched, dazzled, as I pulled things out like a magician.
In truth, being able to eat hotpot here had taken a great deal of effort. Locals rarely used things like chilies and ginger; in Yantian, they only grew wild in small amounts in northern Bingzhou and southern Qingcheng. I had asked my master, the Poison Fairy, to find these for me from the south. As the saying goes: if you have the conditions, eat; if you don't, create them. No sesame? Use peanuts. No Sichuan peppercorns? Use seeds from the Purple Sunflower tree. No mutton? There was beef and other exotic game, and the taste wasn't bad at all.
Ming Rui tucked the items away as if they were treasures, then tilted his head. "Then what should I give you?"
I mimicked his posture, tilting my head. "I hear Bingzhou produces Wind Sunflower and Black Willow. The seeds of those two trees are vital ingredients for wound salves. I’ll have to trouble you to collect some for me."
"No problem," Ming Rui said brightly. He raised his palm like a child, and I didn't hesitate to strike it with mine.
The sound of three claps rang out exceptionally crisp across the silent, snowy plain.
Both Ming Rui and I burst into laughter.
Ming Rui left the capital with a smile, a smile that greatly thinned the sorrow of parting in my heart.
He was a boy who had lived in shadows since childhood, yet he always radiated the warmth of the sun. His honest eyes always held a straightforwardness that disdained schemes, making one instinctively trust him and claim him as a friend to be proud of.
A most important friend.
As I watched the caravan disappear into the distance, I suddenly felt certain that we would meet again.
I had a premonition.
When I reached the gates of the Ministry of Justice, I ran into Chen Zhan coming out.
Despite the heavy snow, he was wearing thin boots, and the red ribbon on his hat was fluttering haphazardly behind his head. I wondered if his mother had been crying at him again, leaving him so flustered he’d fled before dressing properly.
At the thought, I felt a surge of genuine sympathy for him.
"Xi Xia, don't go in," he said, waving me off. "I’m going to get my horse. Come with me to Lizhuang Village."
Lizhuang Village? I quickly searched my memory for the name.
Lizhuang was only about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense away from the capital. Geographically, it was practically a suburb. It had a population of about four or five hundred, and more than two-thirds of the vegetables consumed daily in the capital came from there. It was said that besides vegetables, Lizhuang had several famous orchards. One of them, called Li Garden, was our destination.
"The village head of Lizhuang sent a messenger on a fast horse this morning to report a murder in Li Garden," Chen Zhan said as he sat atop his horse. He didn't rush off immediately, but first briefed me on the case. "Li Garden is a property belonging to Manager Li of the Li Family Cloth Shop in the capital. The young master, Li Qiao, and his wife would occasionally stay there for short periods. This morning, a tenant farmer came to see the young master. When the servant went in to announce him, they found the couple dead in their bedroom. Judging by the blood, the time of death was likely between the second and third watches of the night. We won't know more until we get there."
Having finished the briefing, Chen Zhan spurred his horse, and I followed. Before long, a medium-sized farmstead appeared in the distance amidst the vast, white expanse of snow.
Wisps of cooking smoke rose above the farm, looking as peaceful and serene as a hidden paradise.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
明德 | Ming De | The Crown Prince of Yantian.
东宫 | Eastern Palace | The residence and administrative office of the Crown Prince.
先斩后奏 | Execute first, report later | A traditional Chinese term for delegated imperial authority to act without prior approval.
冥宗 | Ming Sect | A mysterious organization or sect mentioned with apprehension by the Emperor.
行到水穷处，坐看云起时 | Walk to where the water ends; sit and watch the clouds rise | A famous line from a poem by Wang Wei (Tang Dynasty).
宠辱不惊 | Unmoved by favor or humiliation | Part of a famous couplet about maintaining inner peace regardless of external circumstances.
李庄村 | Lizhuang Village | A village near the capital known for its produce and orchards.
李园 | Li Garden | An orchard/estate in Lizhuang Village, the site of a murder.
李桥 | Li Qiao | The young master of the Li Family Cloth Shop; the murder victim.
陈战 | Chen Zhan | A colleague of Xi Xia at the Ministry of Justice.
