Pingjing. A capital of bustling crowds and a thirst for the novel; an imperial city of boundless majesty.
A plot of treason and assassination passed by in such silence that even the spectators in the Purple Cloud Tower that night could not say for certain what had transpired during the final act. Most believed it was simply the story of Pei Chao—framed by his brothers, fleeing through a snowy night, only to be vindicated by a wise Emperor. He had returned to the capital with the merit of a guardian, witnessing the villains' imprisonment before receiving titles for his wife and protection for his sons, enjoying infinite imperial favor. Karma and retribution; the world inside the play and the world outside seemed no different.
Qian Yong, the foremost scholar of the literati, handed over the true script of *The Kirin Hunt* to the grim-faced investigators of Yingzhao Temple. As it turned out, he had not yet finished it, and his work was not a play of political allegory at all, but a tale of immortals and demons. When compared to the opening acts already seized from Jiang Dongxing’s records, the two matched perfectly. It appeared that every word and melody of the treasonous version had been the sole work of Xu Xingze. His haste to report Boss Jiang and have him imprisoned had been, in part, to give himself a free hand in rehearsing this play.
The benevolent Emperor, naturally, did not implicate the innocent. Even the actors who had shared the stage and the rest of the Yushan Troupe were released without punishment once it was verified they had no part in Xu Xingze’s conspiracy.
I couldn't help but marvel. To have written and directed such a play himself—Xu Xingze truly had spent his life steeped in this craft, as familiar with the theater as if it were his own child.
The day after returning to the Wen household, I listened to Wen Xiang and the others chirping about what they had seen at the Purple Cloud Tower, but I was distracted and listless. Thinking I was upset because I had missed the event due to illness, they hurried to comfort me. "Actually, with so many programs piled together, one gets numb watching them. You can't really appreciate the nuances. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future; we'll go and watch them slowly together!"
The future... I feared there would be no more opportunities to be with them.
The group then egged on Wen Gan to cast a divination. Lately, her favorite toy was the abacus she had won at the night banquet. Whether she needed it or not, she would pull it out and shake it a few times, claiming that if the rattle sounded good, the prediction would surely be accurate. Amidst the laughter and play, word came from the door: someone had delivered a message.
I hurried to the side gate, only to find Hong Lu standing there alone. He had a pack on his back and held the reins of a chestnut-colored long-distance flying horse. He looked pleased to see me and gave a quick bow. "You look well, Miss. My master and I can rest easy now."
Though I knew his words meant I wouldn't be seeing Wei Qingming for a while, I still couldn't help but glance around in disappointment. He said, "I've come to bring you word. There will be imperial rewards for three consecutive days. My master has made arrangements at Xixi Tower. I'm afraid I must trouble you to make the trip every day to receive them."
I nodded. "Safe travels on your mission, Brother Hong Lu. Come back safely. Give my regards to your master. Give her my regards."
A thousand words rushed to my lips. I wanted to tell her to nurse her injuries well, to push aside official business when she could, to rest properly—how could she go on without sleep? I even wanted to tell her to break her self-imposed asceticism for once, to eat and drink her fill as a way to vent her emotions. But after those myriad thoughts swirled in my heart, only one sentence remained: "Tell her to be well."
Hong Lu gave a bright laugh and chirped an acknowledgment. "Rest easy, Miss! If I see anything fun on the road, I'll be sure to bring it back for you."
I waved as I watched him ride away, shaking my head with a self-mocking smile. Everyone knew I loved to play, and everyone was so kind to me...
As it turned out, receiving imperial favor was quite a chore. For the next three days, I headed to Xixi Tower early every morning, kneeling and rising more times than I could count. The messenger was a middle-aged eunuch named Cui. According to my Senior Brother, he was a top figure under Eunuch Feng within the inner court. His personal presence indicated that these rewards were of no small significance.
When Eunuch Cui learned that Lu Kaifeng was my Senior Brother, his smile grew even warmer, and the two of them engaged in polite conversation. After two cups of tea, Eunuch Cui asked about our sect. "I heard that Master Lu also has a biological younger sister? Surely she is also a person of great talent."
"My sister is stubborn and dull, not fit for public view," Lu Kaifeng replied with a faint smile. "She has always been restless and is currently away from the tower. Otherwise, how could she neglect to pay her respects to you, Eunuch Cui?"
Eunuch Cui gave a smiling "oh" and said no more. He rose and cupped his hands, observing all the protocols of host and guest before taking his leave with great courtesy. I couldn't help but feel his question held a deeper meaning; his interest in Lu Lingfeng seemed to outweigh his interest in the two of us. I scratched my head in confusion.
Summer arrived with a sudden intensity. I had never felt May to be so stifling and unbearable. In the mountains, ancient trees reached for the sky, blotting out the sun, but the alleys of this flourishing capital had no such trees. Only the gardens of the wealthy held a few pampered, transplanted saplings, which did little to help.
After enduring seven or eight days, the matter of Xu Xingze was finally concluded. Just as I was counting on my fingers to estimate when Wei Qingming would be free to see me, her letter arrived. Right on its heels, Jasmine Hua also sent a note. Wei Qingming’s was concise, merely stating that a banquet would be held at Chinan Tower in three days. Jasmine Hua’s letter, written in a bold and messy hand, rambled on at length, explaining that the Yushan Troupe was about to disband and she was hosting a farewell dinner, inviting both me and Wei Qingming.
I pressed Wei Qingming’s small note to my face, closing my eyes to catch its scent. A lingering, warm affection seeped into my heart.
On the day of the banquet, I once again made a fuss, having Muyu and the others dress me up. My new summer gown was cool and smooth, feeling light as air. Lately, they had become obsessed with dressing me in shades of cyan and blue, saying it suited the season. They found a set of elegant jade and blue-inlay jewelry—a gift from Wei Qingming—and tucked a playful dragonfly-and-lotus hair ornament into the back of my head to keep the outfit from looking too solemn or aged. By the time I was decorated from head to toe, it was already a quarter past the hour of Chen. I was still nervously checking the mirror when they chorused "Beautiful, beautiful" and "Flawless, flawless," laughing as they pushed me out the door.
I arrived late and broke into a light sweat from the rush. When I reached Chinan Tower, I saw Wei Qingming at a glance. She was sitting in the adjacent tea shop reading a book, not entering the tower, clearly waiting for me. My heart sweetened as I ran toward her. Only then did she close her book and look up at me.
I truly understood the meaning of "one day apart feels like three autumns." I gazed at her hungrily, trying to find every little change, checking if she looked tired or thin. She took a handkerchief and lightly dabbed the sweat from my forehead, her movements careful and practiced so as not to ruin my makeup. Then, she held my shoulders and looked me over, smiling. "Why are you dressed so beautifully? You'll easily outshine every noble lady at the table. You're bound to make people jealous."
I coughed and turned my head, sliding the small mother-of-pearl fan she had written on from my wrist to fan myself. Her eyes brightened as she saw it. With a soft laugh, she let me take her arm as we entered the tower.
The moment we stepped into the private room, Jasmine Hua led the group in clamoring for a penalty drink. Before Wei Qingming even sat down, she had downed six cups, including my share. I was still snapping my fan open and shut, scanning the room. Sure enough, everyone from the Yushan Troupe who hadn't left yet was there, including Tong Jinhu. Seeing that the actors, both men and women, looked unharmed, I realized they truly hadn't suffered in prison. I was both surprised and relieved.
Everyone was chattering away, keeping the conversation light and wordlessly avoiding any mention of those who had passed. Lin Xiaozhu was the first to toast Wei Qingming in apology. "Master Wei, Xiaozhu’s mind was clouded by illness, and I once offended you. These past few days, as my health improved, I have felt deeply ashamed whenever I thought of it. Please, drink these three cups with me and forgive me!" With that, she tilted her head back and gulped down a cup.
Wei Qingming graciously drank three cups with her. Though her words were for Xiaozhu, she looked at me with a faint smile. "A lady's slap... if one truly receives it, it isn't much of a concern."
Xiaozhu laughed heartily and playfully mimicked the theatrical gesture of slapping her own cheeks, drawing laughter from everyone. I was so annoyed I stepped on Wei Qingming’s boot under the table. Wei Qingming, however, merely leaned her face slightly closer with a smile, pointing a finger at the spot where I had once scratched her, as if to say I might as well leave another "unconcerning" mark. I glared at her and huffed; while the instigator remained perfectly composed, my own face turned a bright, burning red.
Throughout the meal, I kept an eye on Tong Jinhu. Though he could eat and laugh, he occasionally drifted off, staring down at his wine cup in silent contemplation. When the topic turned to their future, they mentioned that while the Yushan Troupe’s assets had mostly been confiscated, their indentured contracts had been annulled. Though they were penniless, the world was now wide and they were free. Xiaozhu and a few other female leads suggested they might make a living with needlework. Regardless of gender, they were all performers from the world's finest troupe; the older ones could become instructors in other troupes, or if all else failed, they could find a smaller, reliable local troupe to settle down in. I noticed Tong Jinhu only drank and ate without saying a word, so I specifically asked, "Brother Jinhu, what are your plans?"
He finally looked up and smiled. "I will stay on the stage. I will fulfill his final wish."
The laughter died down as everyone took on a look of remembrance. Whatever else was true, Xu Xingze had truly loved this art.
Jasmine Hua sniffled and raised her cup. "Come, come, brothers and sisters! Here's to all of us having a bright future and seeing our wishes fulfilled! Once you're settled, no matter what you're doing, don't forget to let me know. I'll be there to cheer you on!"
Everyone cheered "Sister Hua is mighty!" as a dozen hands raised their cups, clinking them together in high spirits.
Wei Qingming withdrew her hand and brought the wine to her lips, but she didn't drink. She just smiled at me. I lowered my head, not daring to meet her gaze, and coughed. "What?"
She raised her finger, brushed it against her cup, and clinked it crisply against mine. "I also wish for Azhi to have a life of peace and prosperity, with every wish fulfilled," she whispered with a smile.
That sincere blessing almost made me cry again. I gave a muffled "mm," rubbed the corners of my eyes, and raised my cup to toast her back. "And I wish for Cousin Qingming to be safe and sound for a lifetime, to turn every misfortune into a blessing, for your rank to grow higher and your cultivation to grow stronger!"
"With so many wishes, the gods will think you too greedy," she said, tapping the tip of my nose. Only then did she drain her wine, adding softly, "Then, my thanks for Azhi’s kind words."
I closed my eyes and slowly drank the wine. In truth, I had one more wish—or perhaps it was just my own selfish desire. I hoped she would think of me often, and never forget me for the rest of her life.
As the wine took effect and faces grew flushed, the conversation eventually tapered off. Everyone held their chopsticks, lost in their own thoughts. In the silence, Wei Qingming lightly lifted her sleeve. A small lamp floated from her palm—a Soul-Sustaining Lantern of exceptionally high quality. She gave it a slight flick with her finger, and a cluster of orchid-like blue flames rose up, faintly reflecting a familiar figure.
Jasmine Hua stood up in shock, knocking over her cups and plates. Before she could even point at the lamp, she covered her mouth and began to weep.
The figure swayed, gradually growing larger, like a painting or a drifting kite. The flick of the lamp’s wick was the string holding the kite, which looked as though it might scatter with the wind at any moment. The room was filled with the sound of mourning. Lin Xiaozhu clutched her handkerchief and cried out heart-wrenchingly, "Second Brother..."
Tong Jinhu was the calmest. He asked Wei Qingming, "How could your lordship...?"
"Young Master Xu’s crimes were of no small matter. By law, his soul should have been scattered to ensure he could never stir up trouble again," Wei Qingming said. "However, I have asked a master to purge the evil from him, wash away his memories, and soothe his grievances. I guarantee he will cause no trouble. It is only that his soul is inevitably incomplete, leaving behind nothing but a shadow. After he enters reincarnation tonight, he will no longer remember any of you."
"That is for the best," Tong Jinhu smiled. "It is better to forget."
He was the first to kneel and perform a grand kowtow. Aside from Jasmine Hua, Lin Xiaozhu and the others who had been close to Xu Xingze also knelt on the floor. Wei Qingming accepted their gratitude calmly. Jasmine Hua wiped her tears, stepped forward, and gave Wei Qingming a heavy pat on the shoulder. "I knew the rumors couldn't be trusted. You aren't such a cold and heartless person!"
Wei Qingming looked at me and smiled faintly. "Perhaps."
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
平京 | Pingjing | The capital city.
《麒麟猎》 | The Kirin Hunt | The controversial play written by Xu Xingze.
英招寺 | Yingzhao Temple | The imperial intelligence and security agency.
熙熙楼 | Xixi Tower | A prominent building/restaurant in the capital.
初南楼 | Chinan Tower | The location of the farewell banquet.
寄魂灯 | Soul-Sustaining Lantern | A high-grade spiritual artifact used to house or preserve a soul.
崔公公 | Eunuch Cui | A high-ranking eunuch serving under Feng Zhen.
闹蛾儿 | Naoe'er | A traditional moth or butterfly-shaped hair ornament.
