The referee raised the banner signaling the final victory for the Blue Side. Instantly, gongs and drums thundered in unison, and cheers shook the earth. Wen Xiang laughed heartily. "Well done! A true man! I knew I hadn't misjudged him!"
The crowd chanted Mu Hu’s name in a rhythmic roar. Ignoring his battered body, Mu Hu raised his arms and paced around the arena. No one noticed that Tao Gui had finally regained his strength and quietly sat up, cursing as he threw another punch. This blow gathered all his fury and brute strength, whistling through the air with terrifying force.
With one eye injured, Mu Hu’s vision was a bloody blur. Caught off guard by the sneak attack, he stepped back instinctively in alarm, but lost his balance and tumbled to the ground. Just as Tao Gui’s right fist was about to smash into his face, a figure flashed between the two. A counter-punch struck diagonally—precise, effortless, and light—landing squarely on Tao Gui’s elbow. Using Tao Gui’s own momentum against him, the strike delivered a massive force that reversed the joint. With a sickening *crack*, Tao Gui’s thick elbow snapped instantly. His arm dangled lifelessly, like a broken stick of firewood.
The crowd erupted in an uproar. Everyone knew that once a match was lost, one could not fight again, let alone resort to a cowardly sneak attack. Curses filled the air. When the savior, clad in the blood-red Tengu mask, turned around, the spectators realized it wasn't one of the casino’s guards, but the young master of the Blue Side’s bookmaker who had personally intervened.
Wei Qingming flicked the hem of her robe and leaned down, extending a pale, delicate hand to help Mu Hu up. Yet Tao Gui remained stubborn. He charged forward like a frenzied bull. As if she had eyes in the back of her head, Wei Qingming shifted slightly without even looking. She suddenly thrust out a palm, catching his momentum with a hook and a pull, sending the three-hundred-pound man flying out of the ring. He soared through the air as gracefully and effortlessly as a discarded rag.
Tao Gui crashed straight into a gambling table twenty paces away, the nearest one to the stage. The impact sent the table legs into the air and the tabletop to the floor. A group of people, caught off guard by the "mountain" falling from the sky, scattered in every direction with panicked cries.
Amidst the thunderous applause, Hong Lu took the lead in shouting, "Fine skill, Young Master! Fine eyes!" Wen Xiang laughed. "I can't afford to reward a man like this!"
Watching Wei Qingming stand calmly in the center of the ring, her clothes fluttering and unstained by a single speck of dust, and combining that with Hong Lu’s words, I finally understood the truth: underground brawling and genuine martial arts were two entirely different systems. There was simply no comparison.
Mu Hu regained his composure and stood up before Wei Qingming could assist him. Wei Qingming stepped forward with her hands behind her back and whispered something to him. For a fleeting moment, Mu Hu looked panicked, but he quickly steadied himself, lowered his head, and bowed to her with cupped fists. Only then did Wei Qingming gracefully leave the stage. Mu Hu bowed once more toward Wen Xiang from a distance before hurrying off to tend to his wounds.
Wei Qingming walked back to us in a few strides. Wen Xiang patted her shoulder, praising her incessantly. "You've grown capable, truly capable! As expected of my cousin!" Wen Gan added, "The other side played dirty; they’ll have to pay us extra in damages, won't they?"
Wei Qingming said nothing, only looking at me. For some inexplicable reason, I didn't quite dare to meet her gaze. I deliberately changed the subject. "What did you say to Mu Hu?"
Before she could answer, a middle-aged man who looked like a steward approached. He bowed respectfully and requested, "Young Master, my master invites you. Might you spare a moment to share some wine and conversation?"
I looked toward the source. Over there, the merchant in the Green Ox mask, who had been sitting as steady as a mountain, had stood up and was vaguely looking our way. Relying on my instincts as a demon, I sensed a strange atmosphere. I was about to tug on Wei Qingming’s sleeve to tell her not to go, but she spoke first to decline. "My apologies. Today I am traveling with my sisters and have the duty of protection upon me. It is inconvenient, so I must decline the Tower Master's kind invitation."
The steward looked surprised, but he remained smiling. "Understood. If the Young Master finds time in the coming days, please feel free to visit the Tower. My master says you are welcome at any time."
It was hard to say who had more "face"—the arrogant merchant who wouldn't even give his name, or the "Young Master Wei" who was "welcome at any time." Regardless, Wei Qingming simply gave a noncommittal "Mhm," neither agreeing nor refusing. The steward bowed and retreated to report to the merchant. The merchant gave Wei Qingming a long, deep look before departing leisurely. Then, the casino director announced, "The host has spoken! For this match, those who bet on the Blue Side will have their payout odds doubled!"
Hong Lu pursed his lips and let out a long, loud whistle. By then, Mu Hu had finished a basic treatment of his wounds and returned from the back. Two attendants followed him, carrying a chest of spirit stones—the investment from the Red Side’s bookmaker. According to the rules, it was to be split between the Blue Side’s bookmaker and the fighter. However, Wen Xiang only took a single spirit stone as a token. She smiled at Mu Hu and said, "I told you, everything you win is yours. I’ll just take one for good luck."
Mu Hu knelt and performed a grand kowtow. "Thank you, benefactor!" It seemed he truly was desperate for money; even with nearly ten thousand spirit stones before him, he still looked troubled, as if it weren't enough. I couldn't help but wonder what he needed so much money for.
By now, it was roughly the fourth watch of the night. Wen Sili was a grown man and didn't need us to worry about him. Wen Gan and Wen Xiang finally declared they had played enough. Led by Wei Qingming’s subordinates who cleared the way, our group passed directly through the Zao District and took a secret passage out of the building. The deep night was swallowed by the prosperous lights of Ziwa Street. Drunken guests coming and going, beautiful courtesans passing by, and the intermittent sounds of music and dance decorated this glittering, decadent place.
The night wind of late spring, nearing summer, was cool and silky, swirling between our sleeves.
Wen Xiang and the others took off their masks and shouted with joy. I also removed my white cat mask, tucked it neatly into my bag, and looked up at Wei Qingming. She held her mask in her hand, her eyes slightly raised as she gazed at the vast, distant night sky. The wind brought the moisture of the Dan River from afar, mingled with the scent of riverside flowers from the Royal Gardens. I felt as if I could hear the clear sound of the water flowing around the city, carrying the faded rouge of a thousand women after their evening makeup, the heavy wine stained with lip pomade poured from countless bustling towers, and the steaming broth from night market stalls. This river, this city—it was a dream in itself.
Unknowingly, only Wei Qingming and I were left walking side by side at the rear. Her elegant profile rose and fell within the shifting light and shadow of the lanterns.
My heart swelled for no reason, thumping against my throat. For a moment, I had so much to say, but in the end, I could only find a mundane question. "You still haven't told me what you said to Mu Hu."
Wei Qingming only smiled and remained silent. I pestered her relentlessly until she finally said, "Mu Hu is someone you have seen tonight."
I had seen a sea of people tonight; surely it couldn't be Third Master Hu? I scratched my head and thought for a long time but had no clue, so I gave up. I added, "That Red Side boss was so arrogant. He didn't even say his name, yet he wanted to invite you for wine!"
"Miss Su doesn't want me to go?" Wei Qingming smiled.
I wanted to say "Yes" casually, but after thinking, I said, "That’s your business. I’m meddling again."
"Then I won't go," she said simply.
My heart leaped with an inexplicable joy. I smiled without realizing it and caught hold of her sleeve. She slowed her pace, allowing me to linger closely by her side.
"You haven't come to see me at all lately. I’ve been so bored," I finally blurted out after holding it in for so long.
Wei Qingming looked down at me with a soft, slow smile. She said gently, "It won't happen again."
"Really?" My eyes brightened instantly. "If you ever have a use for me, just tell me! I love going out with you, and I love seeing you. Just... don't go getting yourself injured again!"
She gave a low laugh and hummed an "Mhm." I didn't know which sentence she was agreeing to, or if it was all of them. After walking for a while, we reached the wide courtyard where the carriages were stationed. According to etiquette, I should ride with Wen Xiang and Wen Gan, but I truly couldn't bear to part with Wei Qingming. Having no other choice, I dawdled toward the carriage, turning back to look at her again and again.
Wei Qingming understood my heart. She said, "Once I’ve handled some cases over the next few days, I would like to invite Miss Su to visit the Zhonghe Tomb again. There are some suspicious points that haven't been cleared up yet."
"Yes, yes!" I responded quickly. "Be sure to send word!"
Inside the carriage, I felt drowsy as the wheels rumbled along. Knowing that Wei Qingming’s carriage was following behind, silently guarding us, I felt immensely at peace. Leaning against Wen Xiang’s shoulder, I drifted off to sleep.
I don't even know how I got from the carriage into the courtyard. Regardless, when I woke up, the sun was high and bright, and I was lying in a fragrant, soft bed. Instinctively, I called for Muyu, but there was no answer for a long time. When I finally walked to the door, yawning, I was met head-on by the Great Madam. Her face was ashen as she sat in the courtyard. Six or seven people had their backs to me, facing her, kneeling in a row like a line of sparrows.
My mouth twisted in fright, and I nearly drooled. Panicked, I wiped the corner of my mouth and knelt down as well.
The Great Madam seemed so angry she didn't know what to say, or perhaps she had already lectured them into silence while I was asleep. She simply raised a finger and pointed at a brick next to Wen Gan, barking, "Kneel there!"
Those kneeling included Wen Sili, Wen Xiang, Wen Gan, and four young men like Wen Siyuan. They had all been summoned from their hangovers and spring dreams to the Great Madam’s courtyard early this morning to receive their punishment. When the two groups faced each other, they secretly thought in silent accord: *Sigh, if we’d known, we would have gone together!* Everyone knelt obediently. Only Wen Shu was missing. I later learned that Xiao Xuelin, that blockhead, deserved to be called a modern-day Liu Xiahui. He truly just listened to Wen Shu’s theories, and then, like a perfect gentleman, escorted a peerless beauty like Wen Shu back home. Thus, Wen Shu narrowly escaped the Great Madam’s dragnet.
As I tried to shrink into the shade to avoid the sun, I found myself amused for no reason: if the Great Madam knew that the one who led three of her nieces out on a night of revelry was actually Wei Qingming, would she drag her here to kneel in punishment too? Just thinking that I could see her that way made it very difficult to suppress the urge to tattle...
The Great Madam made us kneel on empty stomachs through lunch and all the way until just before dinner. When we were finally permitted to eat, the eight of us limped like a pack of starving tigers into the small dining hall. One look at the table full of vegetarian dishes, and we were stunned. In the Great Madam’s words, her vegetarian fast had somehow resulted in such a disaster, so we were to be punished by not touching a morsel of meat for a month. I grumbled inwardly—wasn't it just that your Ladyship chose a bad day for your fast, insisting on clashing with the Chunan Night Feast?
Though there was only "grass" to eat, we were all starving. We ate whatever was there. I shoveled rice into my mouth, competing for food with five hot-blooded young men and the voracious Wen Xiang; it was truly more dangerous than a battle.
In the midst of the chaos, Wen Gan didn't forget to tilt her head and look at a vegetable ball in her chopsticks that was as hard as iron. She nodded to herself, praising her own foresight: "Mhm, so the *Shi He* hexagram was meant for this moment. Truly marvelous..."
***
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