Everyone at the table except me was a veteran of the world. Soon, glasses were clinking and the atmosphere grew familiar as they discussed matters of land and water freight, merchant guilds, and gangs. I understood none of it, so I simply buried my head in my food. I wasn't surprised by my Eldest Senior Brother’s eloquence; for over a decade, he had managed the meager capital he’d swindled from Master and the hard-earned blood money of his juniors so well that throwing around five million was like sprinkling water. He couldn't have done it without real skill. As for Wei Qingming, she truly lived up to her reputation as a spymaster and palace lackey, possessing a thorough understanding of the empire's market trends. However, whenever the two of them interacted, the air became somewhat awkward. Fortunately, both maintained the demeanor of refined gentlemen, so they never came to blows; instead, one would remain silent while the other simply drank.
Ling Chunan was incredibly experienced. He saw through the situation immediately upon meeting us. His speech was smooth and pleasant, acting as if he were as close as honey with everyone. Through his mediation and witty banter, the meal proceeded harmoniously.
After several rounds of drinks, Lu Kaifeng finally found an opportunity to cut to the chase. "Boss Zheng, is your Rui'an Hall truly not for sale?"
"Sigh, young brother, I'll tell you the truth." Boss Zheng was in his fifties or sixties, lean, with a round cap covering his thinning hair. "There are certain complications. I cannot betray the trust placed in me."
"Brother Zheng, why speak in half-truths?" Ling Chunan laughed. "What difficulty is there? Look at the people sitting here—is there anything that cannot be resolved?"
Boss Zheng sighed, set down his chopsticks, and leaned back. "The only son of my benefactor fell ill with a terrible malady two months ago. He requires a certain medicine for treatment, and he cannot be without it for a moment. That substance must be nurtured through secret methods; it is currently buried in the backyard of my shop. It has just begun to take shape and cannot be moved. If it is disturbed, it will be ruined."
He spoke hesitantly, leaving me utterly confused, yet everyone else seemed to understand. It was likely some sort of dark, obscure medicine. Physicians treat all living beings as equals; anything beneficial to a disease, whether spiritual or foul, can be used as medicine. While the arts of the underworld are despised, the only places they can be used openly are pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals.
Lu Kaifeng seemed to breathe a sigh of relief and smiled. "That is easily settled. My future business will also involve medicinal ingredients, so the current layout can remain as it is. If you are uneasy, Brother Zheng, you may leave a few men to keep watch. I will bear all the expenses."
"I say, little brother," Boss Zheng said in wonder, "what reason do you have for being so determined to have my broken little shop?"
Lu Kaifeng smiled and was about to speak when Wei Qingming suddenly cut in. "I have just remembered an urgent matter and must take my leave. I shall penalize myself with three cups as an apology."
With a sweep of her wide sleeve, three empty cups flew before her. Holding the wine pot, she slowly filled them to the brim. Picking up the first cup, she addressed Ling Chunan and Boss Zheng. "In the future, regarding Brother Lu’s business in the capital, I hope you will all look after him for my sake."
Neither Ling nor Zheng dared to say no; both smiled and drank a cup in accompaniment. Wei Qingming had already downed the second cup. As she picked up the third, she lifted her eyes to glance at me before lowering her head to finish it. This was the first time tonight she had looked at me directly. Having finished, she gracefully swept out of the room.
I stood up immediately, offered a hasty apology, and without caring what the others might say, I chased after her.
That day, in this very corridor, she had smiled and pressed her fist to her heart—though it was a jest, it had looked like a gesture of promise. It was also that night she had said that between friends, there are no taboos. I pushed through the oncoming crowd, looking around anxiously. Finally, I simply ran to a window facing the street, pushed open the lattice, and jumped down.
As expected, Wei Qingming was already on her horse, though for some reason she hadn't moved yet. I ran toward her as soon as I hit the ground. "Cousin!"
Only then did she turn her horse, but she merely stared at me. After a long moment, she smiled. "This fabric truly suits you."
The wind stirred the horse's mane. Her lowered lashes veiled an infinite tenderness, and in the bright lamplight, her face showed a faint flush from the wine. I reached out and grabbed the saddle, refusing to let her leave. "Did you and my Eldest Senior Brother know each other before?"
She avoided the question, asking instead, "Is it better to clink glasses inside the tower, or to be among flowers and under the moon outside?"
I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "What nonsense are you talking?" Though my words were sharp, I didn't dare meet her eyes. I turned my head away before saying, "Of course it's better to come out with you."
Suddenly, my body felt light. Wei Qingming reached down and hauled me onto the horse. A cry of surprise was still stuck in my throat when she pulled me firmly into her embrace. The horse let out a whinny and galloped several yards, picking up speed.
Furious, I hooked my feet back to kick her legs, but she remained unmoved. Only after I had exhausted my 'Fifty-six Styles of Shadowless Kicks' and 'Thirty-eight Hands of Shadowless Claws' and ran out of energy did she lean close to my ear and murmur, "You cannot run."
"Wei Qingming!" I shouted. "Are you throwing a drunken tantrum? You drink wine like it's water every day and I've never seen you drunk! Could you eat a few more peanuts next time? My senior brother is discussing business; it was so rude of me to just run off! Go wherever you want, but let me back!"
She chuckled softly. "I won't."
"Wow, is there no justice or morality left? Help! A government official is kidnapping an innocent little demon in broad daylight..."
She took me straight south, passing Xixi Tower, leaving Xingye Ward, and riding through Pingkang Ward—where vermilion towers and songs were everywhere. We crossed the Dan River via Fan Bridge at the end of Changqing Avenue, then turned back west until we reached the bank directly opposite Xixi Tower.
My eyes widened as I stared at the magnificent gardens shrouded in moonlight. "Wei the Third is truly hammered! This is the royal garden, Liangyue! This is suicide, we can't go in there!"
Neither angry nor annoyed, Wei Qingming smiled as she lifted me off the horse. She still wouldn't let go of my hand, saying only, "Doesn't Miss Su want to see?"
"...I do," I said. "But I value my young life more."
"We won't go inside," Wei Qingming said. "Only to the back mountain."
The rolling skyline of the East Mountain resembled the silhouette of a slumbering, gentle old beast. The moon was more than half full, slightly flattened, looking simple and lovely. We walked slowly over the rustling grass. The cool night breeze brought the long-missed scent of mountain forests, which was quite pleasant.
I sighed. "Who would have thought that right next to the bustling city, there would be such an otherworldly scene."
Wei Qingming only looked up at the moon, saying nothing. I stepped onto a rock, standing on my tiptoes to lean close to her face and sniff. Only then did she look back at me, leaning away slightly. I grabbed her arm, wondering, "There isn't even a hint of wine on you. Why are you acting so strangely?"
"Not strange enough," she replied, not bothering to argue. She spoke carelessly and let out a smirk. This truly frightened me, and I quickly jumped off the rock to distance myself from her. Yet, without realizing it, I soon clung to her arm again. By the time I came to my senses, the two of us were half-lying on a soft, grassy slope.
Lying in the moonlight, Wei Qingming looked like a jade carving, except this carving was soft and warm. I was currently pillowed on her outstretched arm. She was usually a person of few words, and now she simply gazed into the distance leisurely, as if lost in thought, or perhaps just taking in the view.
I followed her gaze and couldn't help but gasp at the sight before me: a vast lake of ten thousand acres, its waves rolling like silver fish under the moonlight. The banks were dotted with countless tiny, ghostly blue lights, clustered together to form a dreamlike radiance. Spirit deer, meticulously raised by the imperial family, wandered leisurely among them, while snow-white swans preened their feathers in the lake.
Wei Qingming said those points of light weren't lamps, but a type of flower called "Night Lilies." They grew by absorbing the essence of moonlight and bloomed with light at night.
"The Emperor really knows how to enjoy himself!" I couldn't help but exclaim.
Wei Qingming smiled. "One day, perhaps we can go inside and see." Seeing me grow tense, she added, "Don't worry. We'll go openly and honorably; no one will lose their head."
I watched the swans for a while, then turned to see her eyes closed, unsure if she was asleep. I carefully studied every contour of her eyes and brows before asking softly, "Why are you and my Eldest Senior Brother so at odds? Like a pair of fighting cocks—if there were a pit, you two would have started pecking at each other long ago."
Her lashes fluttered. "Why not ask him?" she said lazily.
I burrowed into her embrace, acting spoiled. "Didn't I follow you out first? You two are the people who treat me best in this world. It makes my heart ache."
She rolled over to face me and said coldly, "Do you act this close to anyone who treats you well?"
"Why are you refusing to listen today?" I hit her in frustration. "I am a respectable young maiden; how could I be like this with a man!"
"Mhm." She began to laugh lazily. Taking advantage of the mood, I climbed onto her. "You are my good Cousin... good Sister Wei? Good Sister?"
I felt her chest and stomach trembling with laughter. After a long while, she said quietly, "It has been many years since I heard anyone call me that."
I took the opportunity to coax her into saying more. "Who else called you that?"
"My younger sister," she said, then fell silent again. I fidgeted with my fingers but decided to ask anyway. "Did she also... disappear ten years ago?"
"No." Wei Qingming's voice was devoid of emotion. "She died."
"Oh..." I lowered my head and pulled back slightly. "I'm sorry..."
"It's fine," she said, pulling me back and letting me rest comfortably in the crook of her shoulder. "I was too young then and didn't handle things well enough, which led to many rumors. In truth, only my parents and elder brother disappeared. My sister, Xiaoyan... her throat was slit and her belly cut open. She was discarded in the eastern courtyard of our home."
My heart ached terribly hearing this. No wonder only the western half of the massive Wei Manor was still in use... Wait, elder brother? She said elder brother? Did she take over her brother's identity?
"My elder brother was a gentle and kind man. I, on the other hand, was arrogant from a young age. Whatever
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