The next morning, I rose as usual. Auntie Dong came to help me comb my hair, joined by Zhu Yixin and the two sisters, Feng Yao and Feng Ling. The three of them giggled and teased as they helped, fussing over my hair and claiming my new bun was beautiful.
Wei Qingming had already dressed herself respectably half an hour earlier. With bleary eyes, I had watched her straighten her lapels and fasten her belt, ready in just a few movements. I couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at the convenience afforded to men...
She had pressed a soft kiss to my bare shoulder, tucked the covers around me, and gently stroked my earlobe. "Sleep a little longer," she whispered. "I have matters to attend to."
Loath to let her go, I had mischievously tilted my head to nip at her fingertips. She frowned slightly, but then, without a word, she caught my chin and leaned down to kiss me deeply, her other hand returning the mischief. By the time I was breathless and defeated, she gave a narrow-eyed smile and turned to leave.
In truth, the banquet yesterday hadn't ended until after midnight, followed by the game of Liubo and our long conversation. It was nearly four in the morning before we finally slept. I did my best to suppress my yawns, keeping a stiff face to prevent Zhu Yixin from teasing me as we sisters made our way to the back of the mountain. Lu Kaifeng was currently leading Wei Qingming around the peaks, explaining the sect’s secrets and layout. He treated her like a true younger sibling, with Qiao Songlin accompanying them. The scene was the very picture of brotherly harmony.
Indeed, the illusionary marks my Master had shattered yesterday had been restored by the time we woke. None of us dared to ask the old woman whether she had intended it that way or if her skills had simply fallen short again...
They were currently standing beneath the Fox Fruit tree on the back mountain. Six years ago, on the day of the Grain in Ear festival in the capital, I had given Wei Qingming one of its fruits. The harvest season had long since passed, leaving only the lush, towering body of the tree. Being an evergreen species, it did not shed its leaves.
Seeing the tree, the two little foxes grew greedy again. Lu Kaifeng smiled faintly and gave them each a bag of preserved fruit, and they scurried off to eat. Zhu Yixin and Qiao Songlin were already standing together, chatting and laughing, while Wei Qingming pointed at the tree and remarked softly, "Big Brother surely knows the true name of this tree."
"Mhm," Lu Kaifeng replied with a smile. "Only A-Zhi is in the dark."
I naturally pestered them for an explanation. Wei Qingming said, "In the Wujing Sect, Deacon Cheng should have taken you all to sightsee at the easternmost Wugao Peak. There is a tree there that the sect claims is the only one of its kind in the world. This is a species mutated from the fruit of the Jianmu tree, called the Dengxian Tree."
My eyes widened in disbelief. "The Dengxian Tree? No wonder the foxes and I have eaten these since we were small, and our transformations and cultivation were so much faster than other demons..." It was also no wonder Wei Qingming had been so surprised six years ago when I pulled one out so casually. She had even kept half the pit; she must have taken it back for comparison and verification. During the days Deacon Cheng had led us around, I had been so distracted by my longing for Wei Qingming that I hadn't listened to a word of his introductions or looked closely at the scenery.
Wei Qingming’s focus was even sharper. She asked Lu Kaifeng, "That year, A-Zhi said Rumenglai had a large stock of this fruit. Is that still the case?"
Lu Kaifeng smiled faintly. "I will explain the details of that arrangement to you later, Brother Qing."
By last night, everyone surely knew that Wei Qingming was an Emissary of the Yingzhao Temple. For her safety, they all maintained a tacit understanding, treating her according to her outward identity. During lunch, Wei Qingming took the initiative to raise her glass again in apology and briefly explained her true background.
Everyone was present except for Du Chuilun, who had departed for the capital immediately after that single cup of wine yesterday. He had received Lu Kaifeng’s letter and ridden day and night for three days just to see what kind of person my beloved was.
Though she glossed over her family lineage in just a few sentences, everyone was still shocked to learn she was royalty—the descendant of the Founding Princess and the empire’s first Great General. Zhu Yixin and Ren Xuzhou hurriedly raised their glasses in a playful counter-apology, joking that they hoped the young master of the Duke’s estate wouldn't hold their ignorance and rudeness against them. As for the tragedy that befell her family, her life as a dependent, the tortures of the Yingzhao Temple, and her hard work in the Wujing Sect, she spoke of them in a flat, unembellished tone. She stated only the facts, yet it left the brothers silent and the sisters wiping away tears.
Even my most thick-skinned Third Brother sniffled as he piled food onto her plate, even giving up his favorite beast meat.
After speaking, Wei Qingming set down her chopsticks and said solemnly, "Wei Qi’s life is sold to Master Feng, but I cannot let it involve all of you. My arrangements are complete; the Yingzhao Temple outpost behind Rumenglai has been dismantled. I will ensure no outsider knows that Goumeng Mountain is connected to me. Your safety is the first priority."
Qiao Songlin frowned upon hearing this, showing a rare flash of slight anger. "If you speak like that again, you aren't treating us as family."
"Exactly!" the others chimed in. "We may not trust the Imperial Court, but we trust your character. If you ever have need of us, just say the word."
Lu Lingfeng also managed a rare sensible comment. "With illusions at our disposal, we come and go as we please. Whenever we meet you, we can have ten thousand different faces. What is there to fear?" As she spoke, she generously pulled out a stack of hideously ugly drawings—illusionary personas she had crafted herself—and told Wei Qingming to use them freely. I could tell at a glance that these were faces so ugly even a ghost wouldn't want them. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Lord Wei, however, was exceptionally good-natured. She carefully folded the useless things and tucked them into her robes, thanking her solemnly.
She had already mentioned last night that war was imminent and the country would soon be in turmoil. Master Feng had summoned her back to the capital as soon as possible, so after staying for three days, we prepared to depart. Lu Kaifeng said he had hired people to build a courtyard; once we left, construction would begin to add a bedroom and a study for her. It would be located on the southeastern part of the mountain, separated from Lu Lingfeng’s courtyard by a stream and a mile of mountain path.
Everyone saw us off with lingering reluctance. As usual, Auntie Dong fretted and complained out of concern, and everyone gave us a mountain of parting gifts. We returned to our room to fetch our luggage. Once everything was packed, Wei Qingming stood in the courtyard, her hand tenderly brushing the paper cut-outs pasted on the doors and windows. Besides the usual seasonal patterns of flowers under the moon or phoenixes singing in harmony, Lu Lingfeng had designed one of a cat sunning itself, pasted alone in a corner of the window. This was the one Wei Qingming was smiling at.
Rarely seeing her so whimsical, I moved to peel the cut-out off for her to keep as a memento. But she caught my hand to stop me. The faint red of the paper rubbed off onto her fingertips and then onto my hand. She said softly, "It’s better to leave it here."
The day we entered the capital was in the eleventh month. The first heavy snow of winter was falling. Outside the Nanxun Gate, the snow was swept away only to fall again, and the road was choked with carriages and horses. Since it was near the end of the year, many were officials and merchants rushing back to the capital for the New Year festivities. Even though we used the side gates, we still had to wait for a long while.
The weather was biting cold. Hong Lu jumped down from the driver's seat, intending to run to a nearby teahouse to buy us some hot wine to ward off the chill. I quickly pulled back the curtain and called out with a smile, "Brother Hong Lu, get some for yourself too!"
He waved to show he understood. When he returned, he was indeed carrying three piping hot bottles, cradling them in his arms under an umbrella to keep the wind and snow from cooling them.
And so, the three of us sipped the wine in small gulps while chatting and watching the dignitaries pass by the gate.
Speaking of which, over the years, Fifth Brother Wen had been stationed at the border with his father and had risen to the rank of roving general of the fifth rank. It was unlikely he would return to the capital for a reunion. Many of the faces passing by were familiar regulars from Rumenglai; I even saw a few of the Wen family sons coming out to receive friends of their age, surrounding them to head to Ziwa Street for a warm welcoming drink. The most talented of the Wen generation, Wen Siming, had long since passed the palace examinations. Because the Emperor wished to show favor to Chancellor Wen, he had specifically named him the runner-up (Bangyan) and appointed him to the Hanlin Academy as a scholar-in-waiting. The Wen family’s prestige was currently at its peak.
Although I had spent the most time in the capital these past few years, now that my beloved was by my side, my state of mind was different. Every face I saw seemed to carry the warmth and joy of the New Year.
The three gates on the left and right were for commoners, and they were even more crowded. From the throng emerged a group of three men, all wearing snow hats and coir raincoats. Various sundries and tools were tied around their waists, and their legs were wrapped in worn, tattered fur leggings. Carrying broadswords, they were clearly wandering mercenaries who spent their years traveling the martial world. As they strode past our carriage, Wei Qingming lifted a corner of the curtain with one finger, revealing her eyes, and gave a faint nod. The leader of the three, a short, dark-faced man, tipped the brim of his hat and gave a mischievous wink before passing by.
Following my instructions, Hong Lu climbed into the carriage to escape the snow. Holding his wine bottle, he smiled and said, "Lord Hou has been sent out of the capital too. The Master is going to be even busier!"
Wei Qingming took the initiative to explain to me, "That was the other Emissary, named Hou Yi. Among the Emissaries in the Temple, he has the most seniority and is a life-and-death friend of Master Feng. His character and martial arts are both exemplary."
Though I had only caught a glimpse of the man, I could tell from that wink that he was a bold and humorous warrior. His movements possessed the steady grace of one accustomed to combat, yet he suppressed his killing intent so thoroughly it was almost invisible. His eyes shone with a sharp light; he was no ordinary man. Hearing her explanation, I felt he truly fit the role of an Emissary. I teased, "Lord Wei still needs to look up to others as examples? At your age, your achievements are already beyond compare!"
Wei Qingming only shook her head with a smile and said nothing.
Finally, we entered the city. Hong Lu did not drive north; instead, he turned the horse toward the west. We went neither to the Wei estate nor to Rumenglai, but into the southwest of the city. The southwest was where the city’s gardens clustered, centered around the imperial Luming Park. For miles around, there were hills and greenery, with the Jin and Qing rivers flowing through, surrounded by the private villas of high officials. Hong Lu drove straight toward Yongzhao Ward. The neighboring properties were all private residences of princes and marquises; just over the wall was the grand estate of the current Chief Grand Secretary, Zhang Guibai.
I clicked my tongue in amazement. While living at the Wei estate wasn't discreet enough, it was reasonable for Wei Qingming to spend a fortune to buy property in this prime real estate for me—but this was too extravagant! Since we were becoming a family, I felt a bit of heartache over the spending...
When I scolded her for being spendthrift, she laughed. "A-Zhi stayed with the Nie family; do you know what their annual income is?"
To deflate her ego, I intentionally stated a high number. Lord Wei was neither angry nor annoyed. She said calmly, "They have a bit more in spare change than I do."
I was even more terrified. I had never seen her look at an account book, use an abacus, or handle a single contract. This couldn't all be from embezzlement, could it...
"What are you thinking?" She saw through my thoughts, tapped my forehead gently, and then stroked my face, wrapping my fur cloak tighter around me. "Legitimate businesses. From now on, they will be managed by Madam Su."
At this time, the mountain woods were laden with snow. The Jiangnan-style residence sat quietly under a roof of white tiles. A-Wan, dressed in a silver-red jacket and a light yellow skirt with red plum patterns, stood gracefully before the gate under an umbrella. Seeing the carriage arrive, she lifted her skirt and walked forward, tilting the umbrella toward the carriage door and helping me down.
She looked me up and down in my new "married woman" attire and heaped praises upon me, though she said regretfully, "It truly does a disservice to the Mistress’s beauty; from now on, you must wear such an ordinary face."
I pointed at the small plaque above the door and laughed. "What does it matter? From today on, our household takes my surname, Su."
Wei Qingming had designed an entire background for me. I was the daughter of a merchant family from Jinzhou. If one dug deeper, they would only find that I belonged to the Su family, one of the Ten Great Merchants of the Myriad Demon Stockade. The family business wasn't large and wasn't particularly famous among the ten, but given the underworld background, it was normal to need a cover. Those intent on investigating would always need to find *something* before they stopped; a lie had to be nested in several layers to be safe.
As for my relationship with Lord Wei... I would be whatever the status of a woman living in a villa in this ward was supposed to be. Because it was all fake, I had mischievously chosen a fake name: Su Zhenzhen. It perfectly fit the persona of a provincial social climber who had come to the capital to latch onto a high official.
Initially, she hadn't wanted to slight me and intended to take me back to the Wen estate to meet her elders. She said that even without a command from parents, it was a formal marriage. I had refused her vehemently. As the descendant of a Duke, how could she marry a lowly demon woman? Doing so on her own authority would surely cause an uproar. This identity was my own request; it was easier and safer for her, for me, and for the Wen family.
A-Wan covered her mouth and giggled upon hearing this, then struck a mock-serious pose, performing a formal bow. She pushed open the door and gestured inside. "The wind is strong and the snow is heavy. Madam Su, Young Master Su, please come in!"
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
登仙树 | Dengxian Tree | "Ascension Tree," a mutated species from the Jianmu tree.
建木 | Jianmu | A legendary tree in Chinese mythology that connects heaven and earth.
英招寺 | Yingzhao Temple | The secret intelligence/security agency Wei Qingming works for.
令使 | Emissary | A high-ranking official or "Order-bearer" within the Yingzhao Temple.
永昭坊 | Yongzhao Ward | An elite residential district in the southwest of the capital.
苏真真 | Su Zhenzhen | A-Zhi's fake identity; "Zhenzhen" (真真) means "truly true" or "very real."
侯奕 | Hou Yi | An elder Emissary of the Yingzhao Temple.
榜眼 | Bangyan | The person who ranks second in the highest level of the imperial examinations.
翰林 | Hanlin | Referring to the Hanlin Academy, an elite group of scholars.
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