The sun rose steadily, and at the entrance of Youyang Street in the north of the city, the silhouettes of passersby appeared, everyone walking with hurried steps.
The gates of the Qiu Estate remained tightly shut. Since that carriage had returned the previous night, not a sound had emerged from the courtyard, lending an extra layer of silence to the entire alley.
Had it been any other prominent household, passersby might have whispered a few words of speculation, wondering if something had happened behind those walls to make it so desolate during the day. But since it was the Qiu Estate, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Everyone knew the Second Young Master of the Qiu family was a night owl; the estate saw people coming and going at night, while its doors remained closed to guests during the day.
Suddenly, the rapid thundering of hooves echoed from deep within the quiet alley. The sound drew closer and closer, soon coming to a halt before the main gate.
It was not the sound of a young master’s horse trotting by, nor the clatter of a carriage horse. It was the distinct rhythm of a military steed galloping at full tilt—a sound that anyone familiar with it would never forget.
Shi Huaiyu could hardly believe her ears. A moment later, the door knocker, which had not been struck in a long time, rang out against the wood.
The plate of freshly peeled lotus seeds in her hand overturned, the seeds pitter-pattering across the floor like falling rain. she stood up abruptly, her hands hovering helplessly for a moment. Ignoring the rolling seeds, she ran to answer the door empty-handed.
Outside the gate, a young man dressed in light-colored civilian robes stood holding his horse. He turned only when he heard the sound of the door opening.
He had specifically chosen soft, pale colors for his attire today, yet the traces of the battlefield etched into his features could not be hidden. Even a simple turn of his body seemed to carry the clanging resonance of armor. Only his eyes still held a flicker of his childhood self, looking at her with a mix of unfamiliarity and trepidation.
In a daze, Shi Huaiyu felt as though her eyes were piercing through the vanished years, seeing scenes from long ago. In the fine rain of late spring, there was the sigh of the General returning after doffing his armor, and the final glance of a young boy before leaving home...
"Aunt Huaiyu?"
Shi Huaiyu snapped back to her senses, her voice choked with emotion as she greeted him repeatedly.
"The Eldest Young Master is back. Come in, come in quickly." She lowered her head to lead the way, muttering incessantly. She was afraid that if she stopped or turned to look at that face, she would be unable to stop her tears. "The road by the street entrance was rerouted, and that old tree was cut down. I was always worried the Eldest Young Master wouldn't find his way back. But the courtyard is still the same as it was; only the pond has been enlarged, making it much cooler in the summer. The General went out of the city to the mountains for memorial rites the day before yesterday and only returned this morning. He is resting now. Eldest Young Master, go to the inner courtyard and sit for a while. The small kitchen happens to have your favorite fresh bamboo shoot soup ready; I’ll bring it up in a moment..."
Qiu Ling’s steps hesitated, and it took a moment before he crossed the threshold.
The warm summer breeze blew against his face, carrying a familiar, light fragrance. The blood beech tree in the center of the courtyard now towered over the swallows' nest beneath the eaves. A piece of that nest was missing—he had accidentally damaged it long ago while trying to peek at the chicks.
Now, there was no chirping from the nest, and the child who used to hold the ladder for him, looking up with a runny nose, was nowhere to be seen.
Qiu Ling’s footsteps stopped beneath that dense shade, not daring to take another step forward.
This was exactly why he had been afraid to return. Some things were fragile, tiny, and so gentle they made no sound, yet they could dismantle the most indestructible will in an instant.
He struggled to suppress the bitterness in his heart, asking in a voice as calm as possible, "In previous years, didn't he return on the same day after the rites?"
Shi Huaiyu paused, then said with a smile, "As one gets older, one's legs aren't as nimble as they used to be. I told them to walk slower. The weather has been nice these past few days, so they treated it as a trip to clear the mind."
Shi Huaiyu’s answer was gentle, yet Qiu Ling could hear a layer of worry that an outsider would never detect.
The former commander of the Black Moon Army, a Great General of immense military merit who had traveled thousands of miles, was now reduced to huddling within a single city in Longshu. Even leaving the city to pay respects to his fallen subordinates required surveillance and prompting; his every move was no longer his own.
After his emotions surged for a long time, the expression on Qiu Ling’s face finally returned to a forced calm.
"I have been away for too long and have become a stranger to the affairs of the house. If there are any difficulties at home in the future, Aunt Huaiyu, you can send someone to tell me..."
Before he could finish, his hand was grasped.
the woman’s hand was broad and warm, gripping him with such force that she trembled slightly.
"The Eldest Young Master has suffered so much outside all these years. It’s good that you’re back. It’s good that you’re back."
He opened his mouth, but before he could say anything else, a flurry of hurried footsteps sounded behind him. His adjutant strode through the main gate, heading straight for him.
"Commander, Lord Zhou has arrived. He says he is waiting for you at the Juzian Tea House right now."
The words he hadn't yet spoken died in his throat. Qiu Ling felt the warm, heavy pressure on his hand slowly pull away.
Shi Huaiyu withdrew her hand, her gaze dropping. She simply stood there, quietly waiting for him to say he had to leave.
Lu Zican hardly dared to look at the scene before him. He felt that even the most brutal slaughters on the battlefield were perhaps no more cruel than this moment.
"Official business calls; I dare not delay," the young Commander finally spoke. But after saying this, he immediately added softly, "Aunt Huaiyu, you can keep the soup warm on the stove. I will drink it when I return."
The woman’s eyes, which had been downcast a moment ago, instantly brightened. She nodded repeatedly, saying, "Good, good. Go on then. I’ll keep the soup warm for you; it’ll be perfect when you get back."
Qiu Ling took one last look at the quiet courtyard. Without further delay, he turned and left quickly with Lu Zican.
The moment the sound of hooves faded and vanished completely beyond the estate walls, a figure emerged from deep within the inner courtyard, slowly stopping under the shade of the blood beech.
Hearing the footsteps, Shi Huaiyu turned around, her face still carrying a trace of joy she hadn't yet shed. Seeing the newcomer, she said softly, "Second Young Master, the Eldest Young Master was just here."
Xu Qiuchi’s voice rang out, devoid of any inflection. "I know. But didn't he leave again?"
He wasn't wearing his usual brightly colored clothes today, nor did he have those gaudy emerald crowns on his head. He wore only a dark robe, his hair held by a simple green jade hairpin.
He hadn't worn such clothes in many years. He had hesitated for a long time before putting them on today.
He thought that if they were at home, he should at least meet the other man with some level of dignity. That way, they could exchange simple greetings in a harmonious atmosphere, and things wouldn't turn too ugly when they went to visit their father later. Perhaps he could even try to mention what was happening in the household; perhaps the other man would feel guilty and be willing to help him...
But all of that was merely his own imagination. His elder brother had clearly never considered any of it.
Seeing his dark expression, Shi Huaiyu couldn't help but step forward, comforting him softly. "The Eldest Young Master said he would be back soon. He even asked me to keep the soup warm. Second Young Master, why don't you wait a bit longer..."
Xu Qiuchi’s undisguised sneer echoed through the empty courtyard.
"Lord Duan Yu of Kunxu has always been a man of his word. However, the one you saw just now wasn't Lord Duan Yu, but my 'dear' elder brother. When has he ever kept his word when acting as the eldest son of the Qiu family?"
Having said his piece, he turned and walked through the moon gate toward the inner courtyard without looking back, leaving the woman standing alone in the empty garden. Her sigh was quickly drowned out by the chirping of cicadas.
***
If Tingfeng Hall was a place that caught the wind from all directions and gathered news from everywhere, then Juzian Tea House was the most airtight place in all of Longshu.
The "wind" here referred to information.
Tingfeng Hall was converted from a derelict temple. The hall master himself was somewhat slovenly; not a single table or chair in the hall was whole, the surfaces were stained with years of tea spills, and the plaque out front hung crookedly. There wasn't even a waiter to be seen. It was perpetually crowded with a rowdy bunch of wanderers from the martial world, and even the beggars from the south of the city often sneaked in in groups to steal tea.
In contrast, Juzian Tea House was said to have been built with dark sandalwood specifically chosen after a master had consulted the feng shui. The manager, Ma Muxing, always stood behind the lacquered counter, every strand of her hair combed so perfectly that not a single one was out of place. Every corner of the building was spotless; even the cloths used to wipe the tables were made of fine silk. The waiters here were silver-tongued and could speak dialects from all over the country. Even the most dignified young masters of noble families would straighten their robes in front of the bronze mirror at the entrance before daring to step inside.
These two tea houses, so vastly different, sat at the southern and northern ends of the city. The master of Tingfeng Hall and the manager of Juzian had been rivals for years. Rumor had it they had arrived in the city to open their businesses in the same year and had competed on the same street for over six months. During that time, they had traded countless blows, both overt and covert. In the end, Tingfeng Hall had lost, and its master had been forced to drift to a ruined temple in the south to do business with the martial world.
When the city's tea drinkers spoke of this, they all said that such a "deep grudge" would be hard to let go of even after many years. It was just that as both had aged, they no longer competed openly. Whether there were still grievances in the shadows, however, was anyone's guess.
After all, news about Tingfeng Hall was easy to come by, but Juzian was not a place just anyone could enter.
Those who entered here had to brush off the dust and cross the threshold with an air of refined calm; those who left had to do so with a peaceful mind and in silence. Entering and leaving without leaving a trace—this was the unspoken atmosphere and rule of Juzian.
The people who came to Juzian to drink tea weren't all people with secrets; perhaps they simply liked the quiet.
Like the one who headed straight for the private room at the far end of the second floor today. Dressed in a long robe untainted by a speck of dust, every gesture was exceptionally elegant. At a glance, he was clearly a person of transcendental status, though he wasn't a regular sight among the city's nobility.
Behind the lacquered counter, the silver-haired woman only glanced up for a split second before instructing a waiter to prepare a pot of fresh tea. As soon as the noble guest took his seat, the tea was delivered along with freshly picked Buddha's Hand citrons.
That man wasn't exactly a regular, having only visited once around the fifteenth of last month, but she remembered everyone she had seen once, along with their specific tastes and preferences in tea.
However, today this quiet-loving guest seemed to be waiting for someone. After sitting down, he didn't touch the tea on the table, simply sitting by the window for nearly an hour.
In any other tea house, the manager would have already approached to ask if there was a problem with the tea or if some blind waiter had offended the guest.
But in Juzian, mutual non-interference was the tacit understanding between the establishment and its patrons. The sharp-eyed Manager Ma stood behind the lacquered counter the entire time, organizing the ledgers, only lifting her eyelids for a quick glance when a new guest entered.
After an unknown amount of time, a figure hurried into the tea house and went upstairs without a moment's pause.
So this was the person the man in the long robe had been waiting for.
Seeing this, a waiter who had only been on the job for a few days remembered his earlier experience and hurriedly approached the lacquered counter, asking in a low voice, "Excuse me, Manager, what tea should I serve this one?"
Ma Muxing didn't even look up, her fingers flying across the abacus. "Which one?"
The waiter was stunned. "The... the one who just went in."
Only then did Ma Muxing stop her fingers, which were adorned with a jade thumb ring, to stretch her shoulders. She then let out a wide yawn. "No one went in. Your eyesight must be failing."
The waiter was stunned again.
Whose eyesight was failing?
The manager of Juzian was truly strange. How could her eyes be so sharp one moment and so clouded the next, failing to see such a tall, large man pass right under her nose?
Unwilling to give up, he looked up again, but the figure had already vanished into the countless private rooms on the second floor, hidden behind indigo silk curtains.
In the private room deep on the second floor, the middle-aged man by the window heard the movement and slowly turned around, smiling as he tapped the table.
"You've finally arrived. Any later and this tea would have gone stone cold."
The young Commander took a deep breath as he entered the room. He still carried the heat of running under the sun, clearly having rushed there. But he said nothing more, standing two or three steps away to perform a solemn salute.
"This subordinate greets the Inspector. I was delayed by some matters and happened to run into the crowds on the streets. I did not dare to gallop through the city, which is why I am late. I ask for the Inspector's forgiveness."
Zhou Yaxian, the Inspector of Yuzhou, gave a gentle smile and made a lifting gesture with his hand, indicating there was no need for formalities.
"Please, rise. You have worked hard during this period. Sit and have some tea first."
Only then did Qiu Ling slowly rise and take a seat opposite Zhou Yaxian.
Zhou Yaxian poured him a cup of clear tea and poured one for himself before speaking slowly.
"The General has already seen the case details and reports you sent. I hear that Su Lin is still being held in the dungeon of the Prefectural Governor's manor. I wonder what charges Prefect Fan intends to use to deal with him? And how does he plan to conclude this case?"
The other man got straight to the point, so Qiu Ling spoke directly as well.
"Although the true culprits of the two murders have been brought to justice, there are still suspicious points in this case, and I fear the implications behind it are vast. Su Lin did not personally kill anyone, and the spice case involves the Prince of Xiaoning's manor. It may not be easy to convict him immediately. I ask the General to grant me more time to uncover the truth of the matter, so that I may give the people of Longshu a better explanation..."
The young Commander reported in a matter-of-fact way. Although he kept his voice low, his words were devoid of any ambiguity or evasion. Years had passed, and he was no longer the youth who had just left the academy, yet he remained just as upright and loyal, untainted by the hypocritical habits of officialdom. He didn't harbor even a sliver of suspicion regarding the true purpose of this visit.
Zhou Yaxian set down the warm ceramic teapot and looked into those firm, sincere eyes, suddenly interrupting him.
"The General's meaning is that this case ends with Su Lin."
As soon as these words were spoken, Qiu Ling’s expression changed instantly. "Why?"
The other man answered with a question of his own. "Does the Commander not know why himself?"
This time, Qiu Ling said nothing. He fell into a long silence, his mind racing.
Though he was upright, he was not truly dull.
The Su family case seemed to involve only two murders, but whether it was He Yuanzhou, Su Lin, or even the entire Su family, they were merely the tip of a lotus flower emerging from a pool of black water. What secrets lay hidden beneath that black water could not yet be fully seen.
General Pingnan might have anticipated this from the start, which was why he had sent Qiu Ling. He was a sharp fishhook cast into this black water by the Pingnan faction, and Su Lin was the first fish he had pierced. Now, the entire Su Estate had become bait for an even larger fish, and the person manipulating the line had sensed something unusual beneath the surface. If they refused to let go of Su Lin, it would be like constantly tugging on that fishing line; no one knew how large the fish beneath the surface truly was, or if it would snap the line and pull the person on the shore into the water as well.
But now that the black water had been stirred, could it truly return to tranquility?
Who gave the Su family the secret recipe? Who was the contact Kang Renshou had met at Tingfeng Hall to exchange information? Counting the Su family, and the two secret recipes that had flowed out of the Fangwai Temple into the Treasure Mirage Pavilion before vanishing—were there other recipes? What exactly was that recipe? And did the one far away in the capital truly know nothing of all this?
Perhaps seeing that he hadn't spoken for a long time, Zhou Yaxian’s expression softened, and he spoke in a gentle tone.
"Even if Su Lin has a so-called backer behind him, he is ultimately just an exposed and discarded pawn. There is little point in pursuing him further. To those who don't know the truth, it would instead seem like making a mountain out of a molehill or being unnecessarily ruthless. After all, the inner details of this case are complex and terrifying; it must not be announced to the world. Making a larger scene would be disadvantageous for us and might even alert the people behind the scenes."
"I am not entirely unaware of these conflicting interests. However, there is a distinction between what is urgent and what is secondary, between profit and loss. Rumors about this matter are already spreading through the city. To terminate the investigation out of fear of 'disturbing the grass'—is that not like plugging one's ears while stealing a bell, or closing one's eyes to catch a sparrow? If the situation spirals out of control in the future and history repeats itself, the walls of Longshu will not be able to contain these secrets. How will I, or even the General, face the questioning of the people, the discussions at court, or even the Emperor's wrath?"
Qiu Ling spoke these words in one breath, feeling an unprecedented sense of relief. He was usually steady and restrained, his very bones etched with rationality, yet for some reason today, a sudden impulse surged from deep within him, impossible to suppress.
Zhou Yaxian remained silent, his calm face betraying no emotion.
The private room fell quiet for a moment. From outside the half-propped window, a faint sound of playfulness drifted in.
It was three or four half-grown children who had just jumped off a boat. Their eyes were wide as they looked around, their mouths moving excitedly. Behind them followed seven or eight people, young and old, looking like a large family. Everyone was carrying large and small bags; they seemed to have just taken a boat into the city to visit relatives.
This family was clearly doing well. The fabric of their clothes wasn't precious, but it was bright and decent. Though they were from out of town, they could afford to charter an entire boat. Their gestures lacked the shrinking, cautious posture of the poor, yet they weren't so wealthy as the Su family, who had eventually expanded until they stepped into the chaotic gray area between black and white.
Their situation was just right, and the happy smiles on their faces were just right.
If everything could stay at this "just right" level, perhaps the world could be spared much trouble and strife.
Zhou Yaxian withdrew his gaze. When he spoke again, he changed the subject, asking about family matters.
"I heard you just came from home. Having drifted abroad for all these years, you must have missed your family for a long time. Is everything well at the estate? Is the Colonel well?"
Qiu Ling was visibly startled.
He had come straight to Juzian Tea House after leaving the Qiu Estate, without a moment's delay, yet the news of his return had reached Zhou Yaxian's ears before he had. From this, it was clear that this Inspector was far from as kind as he appeared. A man who could monitor the three armies of Pingnan single-handedly and act as the representative of the General's Manor could never be an ordinary person.
The emotions that had briefly spiraled out of control were instantly reined in. He returned to being the rigorous and self-disciplined young Commander.
"Thank you for your concern, Inspector. My younger brother has handled the household affairs all these years. The house is safe, and my father... is also well."
He only paused for a brief moment, but it did not escape the other man's perception.
Zhou Yaxian had clearly noticed something, but he didn't want to mention Qiu Yan at the moment. Instead, he led the conversation elsewhere.
"You have always disliked socializing in official circles and never attend the banquets of noble scions. You may have heard less about matters outside the military camps. Nowadays, in this Longshu region, the name of the Second Young Master of the Qiu family is quite resonant. He has become increasingly prominent in recent years, even gaining fame in the capital. Everyone says he is wealthy, a shrewd businessman, and a social butterfly—a most interesting person. May I ask Lord Duan Yu: is it that the capital and Longshu are too close, or have the affairs of the Qiu Estate traveled too far?"
The other man called him Lord Duan Yu. This was the title he had earned while studying martial arts at Kunxu, bestowed upon him by the Sect Master himself, Yuan Zhiyi. This title was both an honor and a constraint, a constant reminder of the heavy responsibility he bore behind all his glory.
Zhou Yaxian’s voice remained gentle, but to Qiu Ling’s ears, it was like a massive boulder falling into the sea, forcing him to summon every ounce of his focus to respond.
"He simply enjoys making friends by nature; he has no other intentions. Furthermore, he has almost never left Longshu and holds no official position. How can he be called a social butterfly? The Inspector should already know all this."
However, Zhou Yaxian was clearly unsatisfied with his explanation.
"You should remember that the General allowed your request to return to Longshu out of consideration for your years away from home. However, this move ultimately carries a lot of pressure. If someone with ill intentions catches wind of it, let alone this one case, even this city and the people stationed here will be turned upside down. The General’s move was to protect you, and also to protect the Qiu family. After all, twenty years have passed, and the Qiu family’s situation has not changed. The night road is difficult to travel. Does Lord Duan Yu understand the General’s intentions?"
As the words landed, the entire tea room fell into a long silence.
Qiu Ling stared at the cup of tea that had already gone cold, his thoughts sinking into a boundless, deep sea.
He understood. Of course he understood.
From the day he had left Longshu alone, to his hard studies at the academy, to joining the military—every step he took was made difficult because of all this.
But since he was born within those walls, wore the moon-silver armor, and inherited that staff technique, he had to accept it all. He didn't ask for anyone to lend him a hand; he only asked that they didn't stand in his way.
He also understood that the road he was on now was likely not one that led to light. He both hoped it would lead him and the Qiu family out of this walled city, out of this nightmare they couldn't wake from, but he also feared that its end was actually empty, or perhaps just another nightmare.
His complex situation meant he was destined to be lonely. He would make decisions alone, judge directions alone, and walk the night road alone.
Before today, he might have had no answer to Zhou Yaxian’s words other than silent acquiescence and acceptance.
However, this morning, someone had come to his door and asked him: *Are you willing to walk the same path?*
The Su family case was just a snowstorm like the countless ones he had already experienced, yet it had allowed him to see a resilience in her that was no less than his own, and a difficult situation similar to his.
They were like two fellow travelers struggling through a blizzard—freezing, starving, yet remaining silent from beginning to end, waiting for the other to be the first to give up.
If one person gave up first, the other would soon be unable to hold on. They would eventually be defeated by that invisible enemy, succumb to a harsh fate, and vanish into the wind and snow.
But as his fellow traveler, she had held on.
Clearly the thinnest, most inconspicuous, and least promising one, she had accompanied him into the depths of the extreme cold. Perhaps she would even accompany him to the very end of everything.
Since that was the case, how could he be the first to give up?
The young Commander still kept his head lowered. After a long time, he slowly reached out, picked up the teacup, and drained it in one gulp.
"I must trouble the Inspector to tell the General that I have understood his intentions. However, this case is full of hidden dangers and obstacles. I have followed it this far and understand the details best. First, it cannot be abandoned now; second, it cannot be handed over to others. Since I have made my decision, I will naturally bear the consequences alone. If there is any defiance or offense, I will personally visit the General another day to ask for forgiveness and am willing to accept any military punishment without complaint."
Zhou Yaxian quietly watched the young Commander’s slightly bowed back. In a daze, he saw the scene of their first meeting again, when the other man had ridden into the military camp.
At that time, he was still just a youth, dressed in plain cloth with steady eyes. Only the long sword at his waist carried a whistling wind. Though he was someone who insisted on joining the military, he was born with a jade-like quality, standing among the iron and steel, waiting for the day he would be struck and ring out.
Fine jade was hard, lustrous, and flawless, untainted by dust, yet it was also brittle and easily broken.
Zhou Yaxian’s gaze finally landed on the water-blue jade at the other man's waist.
"Broken jade is an ill omen."
Qiu Ling sensed the other man's gaze, his fingers instinctively brushing against the jade pendant that was missing half.
"It is not broken. It has simply been divided in two, giving away half of itself."
The Inspector by the window did not respond immediately. Instead, he looked at him meaningfully for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh.
"I will not come to this tea house again. If the Commander has any confusion, return to Yuzhou to meet the General in person. This is the path you have chosen for yourself; I hope you can walk it smoothly."
Having said this, Zhou Yaxian picked up the remaining half-pot of tea and poured it all over the plate of freshly picked Buddha's Hands. He then rose and left the room without staying a moment longer.
Qiu Ling faced the direction where the departing figure had vanished at the end of the corridor, his body still bowed low in salute.
"Qiu Ling thanks the Inspector for his permission. I shall do my utmost and not fail my mission."
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 血榉 | Blood Beech | A type of tree in the Qiu courtyard. |
| 聚贤茶楼 | Juzian Tea House | A refined, secretive tea house in the north of the city. |
| 听风堂 | Tingfeng Hall | A rowdy, public tea house/information hub in the south. |
| 马牧星 | Ma Muxing | The manager of Juzian Tea House. |
| 周亚贤 | Zhou Yaxian | The Inspector (Dujian) of Yuzhou, representing General Pingnan. |
| 佛手 | Buddha's Hand | A fragrant citron fruit used for its scent and as an offering. |
| 断玉君 | Lord Duan Yu | Qiu Ling's title from Kunxu; literally "Jade-Sunderer" or "Jade-Breaker." |
| 虞州 | Yuzhou | A regional location/province. |
| 督监 | Inspector | A high-ranking supervisory official (Dujian). |
| 平南将军 | General Pingnan | "General Who Pacifies the South," the powerful figure Qiu Ling serves. |
| 邱偃 | Qiu Yan | Qiu Ling's father (implied by the context of "Colonel"). |
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