As for Yun Jiangli and Qin Chenyuan, they bore too striking a resemblance to the Qin Kezou and Yun Bizhi of years past; I feared they would tread the same disastrous path. Once Ye Tan had finished tending to his wounds, I dragged him along to knock on Yun Jiangli’s door.
Qin Chenyuan was a notoriously late riser, but Yun Jiangli was quite the opposite. Though the first cockcrow had only just echoed, he was already fully dressed and halfway through his breakfast. He showed no surprise at our arrival, smiling as he invited us to sit.
I disliked wasting words and went straight to the point. "Brother Yun, what is your true purpose in approaching Qin Chenyuan?"
Yun Jiangli poured tea with unhurried grace, smiling. "I do not understand what Master Jun implies."
In truth, I wasn't certain how much Yun Jiangli knew, so I chose a more obvious question. "Does Qin Chenyuan know you belong to Taibai Tower?"
Yun Jiangli gave a cunning smile, his response watertight. "He has never asked. How can I be said to have deceived him?"
"Naturally, I hope you two can keep this matter quiet for me," he sighed leisurely. "Otherwise, I would be forced to trouble myself with other methods."
I said, "I cannot bear to see the two of you follow in the footsteps of Qin Kezou and Yun Bizhi."
Yun Jiangli’s phoenix eyes curved. "Their footsteps? And what do you know of them?"
"Indeed, and how much do you know?" I sighed. "Was losing one Yun Bizhi not enough? Do you intend to throw yourself away as well?"
Yun Jiangli caught the underlying meaning. "You know the whereabouts of Yun Bizhi."
I studied him closely. He didn't seem to be acting. I asked doubtfully, "Is he not the one inside that thin coffin in the carriage?"
Yun Jiangli lowered his head, remaining silent.
I thought to myself, *So you were kept in the dark as well.*
"I would hear the details," Yun Jiangli said suddenly.
I had no reservations and recounted the entire story from beginning to end. Yun Jiangli listened without a word, his eyes reflecting only the floating tea leaves in his cup. His expression was an unreadable mix of sorrow and joy.
When I finished, he asked, "May I ask how Master Jun came by this knowledge?"
I shook my head. "I have my own ways. I cannot tell you."
He clearly hadn't expected an answer and didn't press the matter. After a moment of quiet reflection, he said, "In that case, it is even more imperative that you keep this from Little Qin."
I was confused.
"If every word Master Jun said is true..." Yun Jiangli let out a long, ghostly sigh and gave a bitter smile. "If Little Qin and I were to know of this, I fear neither of us would be allowed to live."
That made sense.
Judging by the way that group operated back then, they must have silenced many witnesses.
I asked, "Who is the mastermind behind you?"
"It is best that you do not know," Yun Jiangli shook his head. He added, "However, you need not worry about me harming Little Qin. Now that 'Qin the Seventh's' remains have been recovered, my task is complete. I shall withdraw and have no further contact with him."
I hesitated. "Are you going to let Yun Bizhi be buried in the Qin family ancestral tombs?"
"What other choice is there? The dead are gone; the living must find a way to preserve their own lives." Yun Jiangli gave a candid smile, then fell into contemplation. "I will do my best to investigate this... I only hope the day comes when the truth is revealed to the world."
Having spoken, Yun Jiangli cupped his hands in farewell and departed alone, taking nothing with him.
As he stepped out the door and saw the crisscrossing paths leading in all directions, he seemed lost as to where to go. He sighed ruefully, "If there were no roads before the door, this life might be spared the bitterness of parting."
His departure was so abrupt that Ye Tan and I could only stare at each other. After finishing the tofu pudding on the table, we still didn't know how to explain things to Qin Chenyuan.
Perhaps Qin Chenyuan was in a particularly good mood today, for he rose earlier than usual. He burst into Yun Jiangli’s room with excitement, only to freeze when he saw me.
"Why is it you? Where is Big Brother Yun?"
Feeling incredibly guilty, I stammered, "He... he left."
"Left? Where to?" Qin Chenyuan strode inside and saw the tofu pudding on the table. "Ah, savory. My favorite. I want a bowl too."
"He went back to his hometown. He told you to... well, take care of yourself and not to worry about him," I fabricated.
Qin Chenyuan stood as still as a wooden statue, his voice filled with grief. "You... what did you say...?"
His eyes turned red, and he looked ready to burst into tears. Ye Tan and I trembled, keeping as quiet as mice.
After a moment of daze, he let out a cry of sorrow and bolted out the door.
He ran headlong into Yun Jiangli, who had just pushed the door open to return.
Me: ???
"Big Brother Yun!!" Seeing it was him, Qin Chenyuan clung to him and wailed loudly.
"What is this for?" Yun Jiangli looked puzzled. "I only went out to buy a sesame flatbread."
"This fellow lied to me! He said you abandoned me and left!! What a shameless scoundrel, who knows what he was plotting!" Overcome with grief, Qin Chenyuan unleashed a torrent of abuse at Ye Tan and me. My head was full of question marks as I stood there and took the scolding.
"Ah, it’s all a misunderstanding. What’s the rush? Hey, why did you eat my tofu pudding?" Yun Jiangli peeled Qin Chenyuan off his chest, wiped the snot from his lapel, and requested, "Little Qin, could I trouble you to ask the waiter for another serving?"
Thinking of food, Qin Chenyuan happily headed downstairs.
I looked at Yun Jiangli with a complicated expression. "Why did you come back?"
Yun Jiangli leaned in and whispered, "I thought about it, and it won't work. Leaving like that is too obvious and abrupt; I’d be found out sooner or later. I’ll pick a more natural time to leave."
He paused, then added apologetically, "I’ve caused you two to be scolded. You’ve been wronged."
I felt like weeping. "I have."
It was my first time being falsely accused; I truly felt wronged.
Meanwhile, Ye Tan’s ability to take the blame had reached a state of perfection; he was practically invulnerable. He looked at me blankly, not understanding why I felt aggrieved.
Brimming with a sense of injustice and unable to withstand Qin Chenyuan’s burning hatred, I decided that since this matter was settled and truly had nothing to do with me, I would take my leave.
We resumed our journey toward Suyang. Since we weren't in a hurry, we found a spot by the river in the afternoon to listen to some music.
I felt that since we had become entangled in this mess and unearthed truths that others wanted hidden, our future would likely not be peaceful. Some things needed to be cleared up in advance.
I said, "Ah Tan, I’m going to ask you something that might make you uncomfortable, but you must answer."
Ye Tan said, "Please give your command, Master."
I took a deep breath and asked cautiously, "How exactly was your martial arts destroyed?"
Ye Tan was much more forthright now and replied immediately, "This subordinate disabled it voluntarily."
I frowned. Last time, he had clearly said it was due to "failing to protect his master." I had assumed he had fallen into enemy hands and been tortured until his meridians were broken. I wondered what kind of blame he was shouldering this time.
"Tell me the details."
Ye Tan thought for a moment. "A year ago, this subordinate botched a major task for the Second Young Master, leaving him in a dilemma. The Second Young Master said that only by removing me from the equation could the deadlock be broken. He asked if I was willing to discard my martial arts to assist him. This subordinate joyfully accepted the command."
I was speechless. I said crossly, "Then wasn't it the Second Young Master who destroyed your skills?!"
Ye Tan argued, "It is not the same. This subordinate was willing."
"Even if you weren't willing, could you have disobeyed the order?" I snapped.
Ye Tan lifted his chin, his eyes shining like cold stars. "Naturally. After all, no one in Zhongli Manor could best me."
...He was actually proud of it.
He was going to be the death of me.
***
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
钟离苑 | Zhongli Manor | The estate/sect Ye Tan formerly belonged to.
二少爷 | Second Young Master | Ye Tan's former master at Zhongli Manor.
豆花 | Tofu pudding | A soft tofu dish, can be sweet or savory.
烧饼 | Sesame flatbread | Also known as Shaobing.
门前若无南北路，此生可免离合苦 | If there were no roads before the door, this life might be spared the bitterness of parting | A poetic sentiment regarding the pain of separation.
