Wei Qingming sheathed her blade, gave them a quiet look, and then turned to pull back the curtain, leading me off the stage.
Hua Moli met us, panting for breath. "The men from the Court of Judicial Review have surrounded the guild hall. Not a single person can escape!"
Wei Qingming gave a slight nod, her expression serene, as if the slaughter just moments ago had never happened. I realized then that all of this had been her arrangement; as expected, she would never simply invite me to watch a play for the sake of it.
Boss Jiang came running over, clutching the hem of his robes, his face drenched in sweat. "Lord... Lord Wei... this humble one truly... truly did not know..."
Wei Qingming raised a hand to cut off his rambling. "If you wish to save Miss Meng’s life, bring her to the Ministry of Justice. I have already arranged for a renowned physician to wait there." Turning to Hua Moli, she added, "I will have my men escort Sister home."
Hua Moli shook her head. Though she was a daughter of a noble house who had never experienced such a violent upheaval, and her face was pale with fright, she remained remarkably resilient. "I want to go see how Sister Tingyun is doing." She did not yet know that Xu Xingze had also been injured.
Wei Qingming nodded and gave a look to her subordinates. Receiving their orders, several men followed Hua Moli. Meanwhile, Boss Jiang was frantic and witless, repeatedly begging Lord Wei for forgiveness. Once pardoned, he turned around to beg and plead with the startled patrons, attempting to soothe his wealthy benefactors.
Doubts lingered in my mind. I said to Wei Qingming, "This turn of events is strange. Why would the killer risk everything to manifest a corpse and commit murder in public?"
Wei Qingming simply said, "If Meng Tingyun had died, the Yin Gate would have been completed, and the Liujia Formation would have risen." She then offered a faint smile. "This Southern Opera is truly wonderful. I begin to understand why everyone flocks to it."
I was dumbfounded. "Don't tell me... you've never seen it before?"
"When would I have the leisure?" Wei Qingming shrugged. "Today can be considered a convenience of official business."
I nearly tripped. "Then how were you able to chat with everyone as if you've been an opera connoisseur for eight lifetimes?"
Wei Qingming smiled. "I simply spent the night reading the scripts and the Gongche notation."
As we spoke, Hong Lu and Commander Yuan approached, escorting a man bound hand and foot. "My Lord, we've caught him!"
My anger flared instantly, and I glared at the villain through gritted teeth. He was an unremarkable, withered old man with a heavy dark energy settled between his brows. If one didn't know he practiced Nether Arts, they would surely think he was at death's door. Because the copper corpse linked to his soul had been destroyed in a single strike, he had suffered a backlash; pus and blood leaked from his seven orifices, yet he still looked at the officers with a squinting, provocative gaze.
Fearing I might provoke the prisoner in my impulse and be harmed, Wei Qingming reached out to hold my shoulder, pulling me back slightly. She commanded, "Take him back for interrogation."
Although the distinguished guests present promised to keep silent about the night's events, and it was unknown how Boss Jiang greased the necessary palms, rumors still flew across the capital like wildfire. However, as they spread, they morphed into a story about a crazed female fan who was jealous of Xu Xingze’s lover, Meng Tingyun, and had plotted an unsuccessful murder.
I couldn't help but feel a deeper disgust for Boss Jiang. Such gossip involving romance, murder, and jealousy was the easiest to spread. He didn't care for his actors' feelings at all, transforming a disaster into a marketing opportunity delivered right to his door. Nevertheless, the Yushan Troupe was forced to suspend performances for five days, and the business of the Yuezhou Guild Hall was affected. But it was easy to imagine that once they resumed, the nobles of the capital—who loved chasing fresh excitement—would swarm the place, more than compensating for these few days of loss.
Boss Jiang was extremely harsh with his subordinates. Famous stars of the caliber of Xu Xingze, Meng Tingyun, and Lin Xiazhu had not had a single day off since they became famous. They were either traveling or performing. Performing every other day was considered a necessary concession to preserve their voices; even when they couldn't avoid it, they couldn't relax and still had to practice their skills. With the five-day suspension, Boss Jiang finally gave them a day of rest, allowing the fellow disciples to visit Meng Tingyun at the Ministry of Justice. I knew that while Wei Qingming claimed to be providing medical aid, she was actually keeping her under a form of house arrest. After all, there were many suspicious points in this case, and as a key witness, Meng Tingyun had to be kept under a watchful eye.
When I arrived at the Ministry of Justice that day, Wei Qingming was in the courtyard speaking with an official. It was Bureau Director Wei Maode, who had presided over Tang Xinghuai’s case. The two were chatting and laughing; they were indeed old acquaintances. I walked up with a smile to greet them.
Wei Maode turned to look at me and laughed. "Is Miss Wen also a fan of the Yushan Troupe? Today, our yamen—which everyone usually avoids like the plague—has become quite the popular spot."
I chuckled, indicating that I wasn't entirely there to see the actors. When Wei Maode wasn't presiding over a case, he seemed exceptionally approachable and very young. He didn't look like a central official in charge of the empire's punishments; he looked more like a scholar still studying for the examinations. Hearing my response, he gave a smiling "Mm," likely understanding the relationship between Wei Qingming and me. He said to Wei Qingming, "Since Lord Wei’s cousin is here, I'll leave you two to chat." He prepared to depart.
At that moment, a group of people walked in. It was Xu Xingze, Lin Xiazhu, and several others. Many of them had appeared in that night's performance and looked very familiar. The actors of the troupe were not particularly tall, but their features were exquisitely refined, and their postures were graceful and upright. Now, dressed in everyday clothes rather than stage costumes, they looked like a flock of spirits drifting in on a cloud.
Seeing Wei Qingming standing with a young official, Xu Xingze hurried forward to pay his respects. Wei Maode was watching the spectacle with a smile, so Wei Qingming introduced Xu Xingze to him. Wei Maode acted as if he had just realized who it was, saying, "I have long heard of your great name. Your elegance is indeed striking."
Wei Qingming smiled and then asked with great concern, "How is Xingze’s injury healing?"
Xu Xingze raised a hand to touch his neck, lowering his head slightly as if shy or timid. "Many thanks for the Young Master’s Jade Skin Fragrance Salve. It has fully healed and will not leave a scar."
Wei Qingming nodded as if a weight had been lifted. The two of them were acting so cloying that even Director Wei couldn't stand it, turning his head away to stifle a laugh. I secretly gripped my sleeves, thinking fiercely: *If I don't find a moment to scratch Wei Qingming’s face so badly that no Jade Skin Salve can fix it, I’m not a cat... I’m not a Pallas's cat!*
Xu Xingze’s fellow disciples seemed accustomed to such scenes, but Lin Xiazhu, like me, could no longer bear it. She gave a loud cough and shouted fiercely in her piercing, stage-trained voice, "Fourth Brother!"
Only then did Xu Xingze remember he was there to see his Second Senior Sister. His face flushed again, and he hurriedly bowed to bid Wei Qingming farewell. He seemed a bit flustered, his steps hurried. In my heart, I cheered for Miss Xiazhu, but I couldn't help but think grumpily that Xu Xingze was simply too beautiful; even his disheveled state was alluring.
Wei Maode smiled and said, "Lord Wei, shall we go take a look together?"
I was completely speechless. I said to Lord Wei, "You just said you were going to write your case files..."
"No rush, no rush." Wei Maode looked as if he were about to pull out a fan to wave. "Official business—one should escape it for as long as one can."
I couldn't help but look at the sundial in the courtyard, not knowing whether to laugh or cry. If he escaped for another half-hour, he wouldn't have to do any work at all today.
Lord Wei leisurely followed Xu Xingze and the others. Seeing how approachable he was, several actresses smiled and struck up a conversation with him. Lord Wei flattered them in return, and in a moment, he had them delighted. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
As soon as the area cleared, I immediately jumped up and gave Wei Qingming a swipe with my claws. I had calculated that with her martial prowess, I certainly wouldn't be able to catch her. To my surprise, she didn't dodge or flash away; she didn't even blink. She just stared at me while I left four solid claw marks on her left cheek—four deep arcs crawling from the corner of her eye to her jawline.
I was stunned. My anger vanished to the nine heavens, and I stammered, "You... why didn't you dodge..."
Beads of bright red blood immediately seeped from Wei Qingming’s flawless white skin, each one full and crystalline, lending her a somewhat pale and fragile, yet eerie, beauty. She acted as if nothing had happened and even smiled. "When the cat is angry, this is bound to happen."
I was feeling distressed and guilty beyond measure, but then she calmly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe her face and added, "Besides, I have the Jade Skin Fragrance Salve."
"Bah!" I cried. "If I ever feel sorry for you again, I'm a dog!" I rolled up my sleeves in a huff and threatened her with my sharp claws. "Don't expect any medicine to fix this. These are my demon claws! The Ten Thousand Poison Hands! You'll have to beg me to detoxify you!"
Wei Qingming’s eyes crinkled with laughter, but she said nothing. I really didn't want to look at her like this anymore, so I turned on my heel and ran into the side room where Meng Tingyun was staying.
After a few days, Meng Tingyun had become thin beyond recognition. Once as vibrant and beautiful as a red leaf in water, she was now as withered as dead wood. I began to feel sad as well, listening to Lord Wei ramble on. "It’s fine, it’s fine. The doctor is looking after her well; Miss Meng’s life is not in danger... The resentment has been purged. She will wake sooner or later."
Lin Xiazhu was slumped by Meng Tingyun’s bed, having cried for quite some time. Xu Xingze seemed to be lost in thought, standing quietly with his head bowed. Tong Jinhu had also wanted to come, but unfortunately, Boss Zhang of the Qinglong Troupe, seeing his rival suspended, had been spreading blackening rumors while stepping up his own rehearsals. Tong Jinhu had already performed three shows in a row and had another one today. Hua Moli had visited earlier and spent a lot of money to buy many precious medicinal herbs.
An actress who played older female roles said to Xu Xingze, "Fourth Brother, you should persuade Ninth Sister. Her crying won't help. Second Sister isn't going to die, so there's no need for this endless weeping."
Only then did Xu Xingze move, walking behind Lin Xiazhu and gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
Lin Xiazhu suddenly turned around, her tear-filled eyes wide. "Fourth Brother, you promised! You said if she could no longer perform, you would marry her!"
"Ninth Sister, why bring this up for no reason..." Xu Xingze seemed very reluctant to discuss such matters in front of outsiders, his expression becoming awkward.
Lin Xiazhu gritted her teeth and glared at him, then shifted her gaze to glare resentfully at Wei Qingming. She continued to say to Xu Xingze, "Sister Tingyun no longer cares who you flirt with, so I won't argue with you either—as long as you marry her in the end!"
Seeing her glare, Wei Qingming didn't get angry but instead smiled. Lin Xiazhu jumped up, intending to slap her. "Brother Jinhu is one thing; they have a childhood bond. But who do you think you are? Some profligate, relying on a bit of stinking money to dare set your sights on my Fourth Brother..."
Wei Qingming didn't even bother to raise her hand. It wasn't clear how she moved, but Lin Xiazhu’s fingertips were just a fraction short; she didn't land the blow. Instead, it was Wei Maode who grabbed Lin Xiazhu, frantically pressing down her flailing arms and soothing her. "Miss, Miss, please calm down..."
Strangely, not a single one of her fellow disciples tried to stop her. They were all exceptionally cold, huddled together and talking amongst themselves.
On one hand, I felt a sense of satisfaction, but on the other, a doubt arose: the actors of the Yushan Troupe all seemed a bit strange. Either they were mentally unstable or their hearts were like stone. None of them acted like normal people...
Lin Xiazhu was still sneering, shouting loudly, "What if I hit you? I've hit plenty of princes and dukes! Every single one of them, haha, every single one of them was happy about it!"
I couldn't bear to listen anymore, feeling so embarrassed I wanted to return to Mount Gomeng immediately. Xu Xingze also seemed unable to endure it; he pulled Lin Xiazhu back into his arms, soothingly stroking her head. Lin Xiazhu laughed and cried, her mouth babbling nonsense that no one could understand.
Once he finally managed to calm her down, Xu Xingze entrusted Lin Xiazhu to the actress who had spoken earlier. With a dark expression, he said to Wei Maode and Wei Qingming, "Lords, may we speak outside?"
I followed the three of them back into the courtyard. Seeing the strange look on Xu Xingze’s face, Wei Maode thoughtfully found an empty duty room and invited Xu Xingze to sit and talk. Before he could finish his pleasantries, Xu Xingze swept his robes aside and fell to his knees with a thud.
"This humble commoner wishes to accuse the owner of the Yushan Troupe, Jiang Dongxing!"
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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寅门 | Yin Gate | A mystical gate or point used in occult rituals.
六甲阵 | Liujia Formation | A powerful Taoist/mystical formation.
工尺谱 | Gongche notation | Traditional Chinese musical notation.
幽冥术 | Nether Arts | Dark or underworld cultivation techniques.
郎中 | Bureau Director | A high-ranking official rank within a Ministry.
玉肌生香膏 | Jade Skin Fragrance Salve | A high-quality medicinal ointment for skin and scars.
兔狲 | Pallas's cat | Also known as a manul; the protagonist's true form.
票友 | Connoisseur / Amateur performer | A dedicated fan of Chinese opera who often learns to perform as a hobby.
万毒手 | Ten Thousand Poison Hands | A hyperbolic name Wen gives to her "technique" of scratching.
草民 | This humble commoner | A humble way for a commoner to refer to themselves before officials.
