“No... howling!” Ji Minzhi glared at me, his face tilted up. I suspected the boy was taking out his frustration over Father’s punishment on my leg injury. He was applying the liniment with such force it felt like he was operating a heavy grindstone.
“Gentle! Be gentle!” I howled again.
His face remained dark, completely ignoring my protests.
“I’m done! Stop!” I snapped. This was an injury, not a punching bag for him to vent his anger on.
Minzhi pushed my hand away and grumbled, “If I don’t rub it in hard, how is the stagnant blood supposed to clear?”
Though his reasoning was sound, why did I still feel like I was getting the short end of the stick?
Da Hei and Xiao Hei leaned listlessly against the table. One stared blankly at the ceiling, while the other traced water droplets on the tabletop. I guessed they were lightheaded from hunger. Although Father hadn’t said anything more about today’s incident, our secret excursion had still violated the family rules. As punishment, none of us were allowed to eat dinner tonight.
To be honest, today’s activities had been quite physically taxing, and I was truly starting to feel the pangs of hunger. My thoughts drifted involuntarily toward the Rong Pavilion; I recalled there was supposed to be fish for dinner tonight...
“It’ll be better in a couple of days,” Minzhi said, carefully pulling down my trouser leg to comfort me. “It’s nothing serious.”
Suddenly, someone’s stomach let out a loud *gurgle*. We looked at one another, and in an instant, we all burst into laughter.
Minzhi’s eyes darted around. “How about we sneak into the kitchen and take a look?”
I hesitated. Before he arrived, I had been sincerely planning to accept Father’s punishment. After all, any parent would blow a fuse if their children ran off to such a chaotic place to watch a spectacle. But to starve for an entire night...
Minzhi kept urging me with his eyes.
Suddenly, Yingxue curtsied toward someone behind me. “Second Mistress.”
I turned around to see my Little Mother. She was carrying a food box. Seeing us all there, she gave a small smile and set the box on the table. Then, her beautiful, shimmering eyes darted mischievously toward the door before she carefully lifted the lid. Inside was a plate of pastries.
I looked at her, hesitating. “Father said no dinner.”
Little Mother blinked her large eyes and said with a giggle, “These are pastries. No one said anything about pastries not being allowed for dinner.”
Before I could even move, Minzhi, Da Hei, and Xiao Hei pounced on the food like a pack of hungry wolves.
Little Mother watched us gorge ourselves with a smile. Then, as if remembering something important, she cleared her throat and intentionally put on a stern face. “You’d better hurry up. The Master is waiting for the two of you in the study.”
Minzhi grumbled discontentedly, “Is there no end to this? I’ve already taken my lashes.”
My heart skipped a beat. “Is it Uncle Luo from the Ministry of Justice?”
Little Mother’s eyes widened instantly. “How did you know?”
Minzhi also stared at me. “Why would Uncle Luo want to see you?”
I didn't have time to answer. I hurriedly stuffed the last half of a pastry into my mouth, rinsed my mouth with the warm tea from Little Mother’s hand, and pulled Minzhi toward the door. Minzhi continued to pester me for an answer. I mimicked his earlier behavior and rolled my eyes at him. “You’ll find out when we get there, won’t you?”
Father’s study was right by the pond. The doors and windows were open, and from a distance, I could see a man in a light-colored robe playing chess with Father under the lamp. Hearing our footsteps, he looked up, his sharp gaze sweeping over us as a faint smile touched his lips.
A square face, thick brows, and bright, piercing eyes. Wasn't this the official from earlier today? So, he was Luo Jin, the Vice Minister of Justice. I suddenly wondered just how high a rank a Vice Minister held. Did he have to personally preside over every case, large or small?
Minzhi bowed formally. “Uncle Luo.”
I followed suit and greeted Lord Luo.
Father’s gaze swept over our faces with a half-smile. Then, he frowned at me and tapped his own chin. I instinctively reached up and felt my chin—there was a stray pastry crumb stuck to it.
My face flushed crimson instantly. Minzhi shot me a look of utter disappointment, as if I were a lost cause. As for me, I wished a hole would open in the ground so I could crawl inside. To be caught sneaking food right after being punished... the karmic retribution had come far too quickly.
A man’s hearty laughter rang out. I stole a glance upward; Lord Luo was looking at me with a twinkle in his eye. From his expression, it seemed he knew all about Father’s "no dinner" punishment. He looked at Minzhi, then at me, and said with a smile, “I heard from your father that you wanted to see me. Why?”
I looked at Father. His expression had softened, and he was watching me with an encouraging smile. Seeing that, my courage grew. Besides, if I didn't ask now, I might never get another chance.
I organized my thoughts and asked my deepest question directly: “I just wanted to ask Uncle Luo, why didn't you summon the girl that Li Liang went to see at Hongyan Pavilion?”
Luo Jin’s expression froze. He turned to look at Father.
Father stared back at him, dumbfounded. Luo Jin turned his gaze back to me, the playfulness gone, replaced by a touch of skeptical seriousness. “Who told you to ask that?”
I looked at him curiously. “I went to the Ministry of Justice today to watch the trial.”
Luo Jin stared at me without blinking, and I met his gaze unflinchingly. After a long moment, he let out a soft sigh and leaned back into his chair. His fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest, appearing somewhat undecided.
“Uncle Luo, I don’t mean anything by it,” I explained, seeing his hesitation. “I just don’t understand. That should be the most important lead. Why would the Ministry of Justice keep it suppressed?”
Luo Jin turned to gaze at me, a hint of shrewdness suddenly appearing in his eyes. He watched me intently for a moment, weighing his words, then said seriously, “If I tell you, can you both promise not to reveal it to anyone else?”
Minzhi and I exchanged a look and nodded solemnly.
Father seemed to hesitate for a fraction of a second, but before he could voice an opinion, Luo Jin began to explain the case. “This case was reported by Li Liang’s family servant. He said he watched Young Master Li enter Hongyan Pavilion, but when he went to pick him up the next morning, the Pavilion claimed he never came. Later, they changed their story and said he left before dawn.” At this point, Lord Luo’s gaze focused intently on me. “The old servant searched everywhere and found Li Liang’s body two days later in an abandoned house in the south of the city. The coroner confirmed he died of Xurong Grass poisoning. The servant insisted his master was murdered by Hongyan Pavilion, and somehow, he managed to find that apothecary shopkeeper...”
“Since someone said he left before dawn, it means he did spend the night there. Who exactly received this guest that night?” I interrupted Luo Jin, noting the very peculiar expressions that surfaced on both Father’s and Lord Luo’s faces.
Lord Luo coughed twice and shot a meaningful look at Father. “Madam Yan said she went to bed early that night and truly has no recollection. Furthermore, none of the girls admitted to receiving Li Liang.”
I couldn't help but laugh. “Isn't that the biggest red flag? Uncle Luo, why don't you isolate those girls and interrogate them one by one?”
Lord Luo gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “Hongyan Pavilion has powerful figures backing it. If I dared to seal the building and arrest the girls, I’m afraid by tomorrow’s trial, the presiding official would be someone else.”
So that was it. I nodded in understanding. Since Hongyan Pavilion had such delicate ties to the bureaucracy, it was no wonder Lord Luo was being so passive. I asked cautiously, “If we don't alert the people backing them—I mean, if you sent someone to sneak into Hongyan Pavilion to gather evidence, would that evidence be admissible in court?”
I was asking in earnest, as I knew nothing about the laws of the Kingdom of Yantian.
Luo Jin looked at me, his expression shifting through various emotions. Then he turned back to glance at the wryly smiling Ji Ziyu and joked, “Ziyu, I truly admire you. How did you raise such a clever little imp?” He laughed heartily and turned back to me. “It would count. I already have a waiter inside who is one of my men, but he’s been there for half a month and has found nothing so far.”
I could tell that at first, Lord Luo had been humoring me as a child, but gradually, his gaze had changed. It was as if... he was listening to my opinions as an equal. His attitude allowed me to relax.
Hearing his arrangement, I couldn't help but shake my head. “I’m afraid that won’t work. You need to send someone who can get close to the girls.”
Lord Luo reached out and patted the top of my head, sighing softly. “The rules inside Hongyan Pavilion are very strict. Moreover, with the Madam in custody, one can imagine the atmosphere inside. Even if I could buy a suitable maidservant now, she wouldn't be able to get in.”
Minzhi had been listening quietly. At this point, he suddenly chimed in, “Children are less likely to be suspected. You could send me!”
Father’s mouth dropped open so wide it could have fit a duck egg.
Luo Jin choked on his tea, coughed a few times, and laughed. “Minzhi, you are far too young to go to a place like that.”
Minzhi’s small face flushed bright red. He shot an angry glare at Lord Luo and hurriedly explained to Father, “I mean I could sneak in as a chore boy. I’m small; they won't be on guard against me.”
Father looked at Minzhi with a massive headache, his brow furrowed deeply. I guessed he would reject Minzhi’s suggestion without a second thought. However, Minzhi’s words gave me an idea.
I looked at Luo Jin and said seriously, “It would be better for me to go than Minzhi. I’m a girl; I can sneak in to serve those ladies. I might be able to fish for information. Besides, my martial arts are better than Minzhi’s. Uncle Luo, you can have that waiter say I’m a distant relative who came to seek his help.”
Luo Jin’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Father slammed the lid of his teacup onto the table and let out an unbearable roar: “Both of you, shut up! What kind of place do you think that is, that you siblings are competing to go there?! This is... absolutely preposterous!”
Father was truly angry. I stole a glance at Minzhi; his head was hanging low, but his face was full of defiance.
In truth, disguising myself to go undercover behind enemy lines was nothing new to me; I was a genuine expert at it. Occasionally playing a food delivery person or partnering with a male officer to pose as a couple was practically routine.
Father’s hand, still resting on the teacup, was trembling. Luo Jin’s eyes, however, remained fixed on me, shining brightly. I knew Lord Luo was tempted by my proposal. I secretly winked at him, and he smiled knowingly.
“Ziyu...” he said. “I...”
Father jumped up as if by reflex and roared again, “You shut up too!”
Someone outside began to chuckle. A clear, bright voice said, “How lively. I’ve truly never seen Ziyu lose his temper like this.”
Both Father and Luo Jin were startled.
I turned around curiously. In the misty night of the courtyard, a man in a white robe was walking leisurely along the gravel path toward the study. The moment he appeared, he brought with him a brightness like the clear moon breaking through the clouds, making everything seem to light up.
Father and Luo Jin hurriedly knelt to pay their respects. “This humble official greets the Sixth Prince.”
Minzhi and I followed suit and knelt.
The Sixth Prince helped Father and the others up. His gaze shifted, landing on me. I suddenly felt that besides curiosity, there was a hint of scrutiny in his eyes.
“Are your martial arts truly better than your elder brother’s?” He looked at me calmly, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. He looked to be a few years older than Father, with a face as warm as jade and bright phoenix eyes that seemed to hold a permanent hint of a smile. Though he wasn't as handsome as my father, the innate regal aura between his brows commanded involuntary respect.
I answered truthfully, “Yes.”
The Sixth Prince clapped his hands twice. Immediately, an expressionless young guard drifted into the study.
The Sixth Prince gave a casual command: “Test this child’s skills.”
Father stepped forward. “Your Highness, my daughter...”
The Sixth Prince cut him off with a half-smile. “This Prince knows what he is doing.”
The gaze Father turned toward me was filled with anxiety. I guessed he was currently regretting following my suggestion to invite Lord Luo over. I smiled at him, signaling him to relax—it was just a test of skill, not an execution. Lord Luo, on the other hand, was much more composed, standing with his hands behind his back, looking quite ready to enjoy the show. Little Minzhi clenched his fists tightly, glaring fiercely at the guard.
“Are you ready, little one? I’m going to move now.” The guard before me took a stance similar to a Tai Chi opening move, kindly offering a warning.
In that instant, every cell in my body adjusted to its peak combat state.
Deep inside, Xi Xia’s thirst for battle began to surge with an uncontrollable passion.
***
**Glossary**
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 二太太 | Second Mistress | Refers to the protagonist's mother, a concubine. |
| 小娘亲 | Little Mother | An affectionate term for a concubine mother. |
| 侍郎 | Vice Minister | A high-ranking official rank (Shilang). |
| 罗进 | Luo Jin | The Vice Minister of Justice. |
| 鸿雁楼 | Hongyan Pavilion | A high-end brothel/entertainment house involved in the case. |
| 须绒草 | Xurong Grass | A fictional poisonous plant used in the murder. |
| 焰天国 | Kingdom of Yantian | The name of the fictional country/setting. |
| 六王爷 | Sixth Prince | A member of the imperial family. |
| 丹凤眼 | Phoenix eyes | A specific eye shape considered beautiful/noble in Chinese culture. |
| 西夏 | Xi Xia | The protagonist's name in her previous life. |
