On the stage, one Nuo opera followed another, and the clamor of the guests rose in wave after wave.
Inside the private room, Qin Jiuye swallowed the saliva pooling in her mouth, forcing herself not to focus her gaze on the spread before her.
But even if her eyes didn't look, her nose could not be blocked. At this moment, she utterly loathed her keen sense of smell; she didn't even need to look up to know exactly what had been placed in front of her.
Across the table, Xu Qiuchi was looking at her with a smile in his sharp, phoenix-like eyes.
A group of beautiful maidens moved between the two of them, and in an instant, the polished ebony tabletop was filled to the brim with delicacies on jade platters. Only after the final bottle of rose dew was placed on the table did the maidens gracefully withdraw.
As the room fell silent, Qin Jiuye curled the corners of her mouth and took the initiative.
"Why has the Second Young Master stopped telling his stories of the River God? If you have nothing left to say, I shall take my leave now."
As she spoke, she made a move to stand up.
Seeing this, Xu Qiuchi unhurriedly reached out and pushed a dish toward her.
"Will Shopkeeper Qin not stay if there are no stories? What a pity for this table of fine wine and food—especially this Gilded Roast Goose. From the parboiling and marinating to the slow roasting in a specialized pit oven, it requires constant, meticulous attention. Even the lychees and spices sewn into its belly to infuse flavor were brought specifically from the south. I simply do not know if it is truly as delicious as the rumors say..."
Before he could finish, the woman’s figure had already dropped back into her seat.
She snatched up the jade chopsticks before her and, with a single flick, claimed the most succulent, glistening piece of roast goose.
"In that case, I shall taste it on the Second Young Master's behalf."
The smile on Xu Qiuchi’s face deepened. He reached out to lift the lid of the largest tureen on the table, and a fresh, sweet aroma of meat immediately wafted through the air.
"This White Broth Muntjac is also a rare find."
Qin Jiuye nodded, accepting all that came her way as she filled her soup bowl to the brim.
It was said that among poultry, ducks had the largest appetites; seeing her now, it truly seemed to be the case. Xu Qiuchi finally stopped his movements.
"Wasn't Shopkeeper Qin quite wary just a moment ago? To be so bold now—are you not afraid I might have poisoned it?"
Qin Jiuye bared her teeth as she tore off a piece of fatty meat, swallowing it in a few bites.
"The Second Young Master worries too much. There is plenty of medicine at Guoran Residence, but meat is hard to come by. If there truly is poison, I’ll just detoxify myself later. I cannot let a small matter like being poisoned wrong my stomach."
Xu Qiuchi fell silent for a long while, a strange expression crossing his face.
"I didn't realize it before, but though you look honest and cautious, you are actually quite unruly and headstrong. My elder brother might not be able to handle you."
*Here it comes,* she thought. *The inevitable topic.*
Qin Jiuye slowly set down her jade chopsticks and leisurely wiped her mouth.
In truth, the reason for Xu Qiuchi’s private invitation wasn't hard to guess. Currently, she was running errands for Qiu Ling. Firstly, she knew the inner details of the Su Manor case; secondly, she seemed much easier to talk to than his cold, impersonal brother. No matter how one looked at it, she was a soft persimmon ripe for the picking.
But a guess was just a guess; the necessary opening remarks still had to be made.
At this thought, Qin Jiuye slowly picked up a waxberry the size of a hen's egg and stuffed it into her mouth in one go.
"The Second Young Master worries too much. My working for the Protector-General is a matter of public duty; my coming to this boat at your invitation is a matter of private acquaintance. The two situations are different and naturally cannot be compared."
With these words, she intended to emphasize the distinction between public and private affairs, while also cutting off any speculation he might have about a scandalous romance between her and Qiu Ling that could be used as blackmail.
Yet, the man seemed determined to play dumb, smiling shamelessly.
"Is Shopkeeper Qin saying that in terms of closeness, you and I are actually closer? That is no surprise; after all, you and I met first."
She spoke of one thing, and he veered toward another. If this continued, who knew how much more time would be wasted.
Qin Jiuye finally lost her patience and let her face drop.
"Climbing towers, watching dances, and setting banquets... such uncalled-for kindness must hide a sinister motive. Speak—what exactly are you plotting this time?"
Xu Qiuchi blinked, his gaze naturally falling to her waist. The jade pendant that had been hidden away during the day was now tied to her belt, half-tucked into the silk and half-exposed.
"I heard my brother gave you half of his Pellucid Jade. I didn't quite believe it, but seeing it today, there is no doubt."
Qin Jiuye grinned, letting out a somewhat wicked smile as she decided to throw caution to the wind.
"Indeed. This is a token of affection between the Protector-General and me. Perhaps the Second Young Master will have to call me 'Sister-in-law' in the future."
Xu Qiuchi froze for a moment, then burst into uncontrollable laughter.
Qin Jiuye watched expressionless as the man before her doubled over with laughter, his jade crown nearly flying off his head. It took a long while for him to stop.
Once his laughter subsided, Xu Qiuchi returned her gaze with a nauseatingly affectionate look.
"I would very much look forward to Shopkeeper Qin becoming my future sister-in-law. Unfortunately, I know my brother well. That jade pendant isn't just a personal item; it is his token for navigating the official world. And on the chessboard of officialdom, he has always acted according to the law, never letting personal feelings interfere. Therefore, Shopkeeper Qin must possess some extraordinary talent. I wonder if you have made some new discovery regarding that secret formula?"
The formal confrontation had begun. Qin Jiuye’s movements paused, her playful mood instantly vanishing. The look she gave him became one of scrutiny and wariness.
She had never mentioned the words "secret formula" to this man before. Whether it was Qiu Ling or anyone else involved in the interrogation, it was highly unlikely they would have mentioned such details to this dandy.
That could only mean the person before her had learned the truth through other channels. Her previous deduction had been correct: Xu Qiuchi was by no means an outsider, though his objective remained unclear.
She withdrew her gaze, and when she spoke again, her voice was no longer as emotive as before.
"The Second Young Master is getting impatient. It seems you only know part of the story, which makes it feel like there isn't much point in us talking."
Xu Qiuchi’s smile did not fade. He clearly hadn't intended to hide his motives from the start, saying meaningfully, "You know how it is. We two brothers have never gotten along. What he knows, he won't tell me; likewise, what I know, I won't tell him. But if Shopkeeper Qin and I have a pleasant chat, I might just tell you."
"How do I know you aren't just trying to get something for nothing?"
"If Shopkeeper Qin shows some sincerity first, I naturally won't treat you poorly."
"If I speak, can you tell if it's true or false? And if you speak, how can I tell if it's true or false?"
The two sides clashed, neither willing to yield a step. It was a stalemate, a deadlock. Just as Qin Jiuye thought the night would be wasted like this, Xu Qiuchi softened his stance.
"Tonight is a rare opportunity. I intended to have a heart-to-heart talk with you by candlelight. Listen to what I have to say first, then decide whether you want to be honest with me."
Qin Jiuye picked at her ear, treating his words as mere rhetoric, her heart still full of indifference.
"I am all ears."
The room fell silent for a moment before Xu Qiuchi’s voice rang out solemnly.
"Do not trust the people around you. Many are involved in this matter of the secret formula—perhaps far more than you imagine. The only person you can wholeheartedly trust and cooperate with is me. Because between us, there is still some past kindness."
Silence lingered in the room for a moment, followed by a burst of stifled laughter.
This round, it was Qin Jiuye’s turn to laugh.
She laughed until her cheeks ached and she was out of breath. It took a while before she rubbed her jaw and spoke.
"Second Young Master, you can't even be bothered to use proper rhetoric anymore? Are you so certain I will be at your beck and call just because Jinbao accepted a few stalks of ginseng from you? You probably don't know—though he took your things, he wouldn't dare touch them. He must wait for me to return and decide. If the Second Young Master has this much free time, you might as well go ask your brother directly. Why waste time here with an outsider like me?"
However, the usually smiling dandy before her didn't have a trace of a smile on his face now.
"You silly goose, there is a reason I am telling you this..."
Xu Qiuchi was only halfway through his sentence when the sound of the bead curtain being lifted came from behind him.
Qin Jiuye heard it too. her gaze shifted slightly, landing just behind Xu Qiuchi.
"Adjutant Gao?"
Xu Qiuchi turned his head belatedly, only to see that another person had appeared in the room at some point. It was the short, quiet young officer who stayed by Qiu Ling’s side.
Gao Quan first bowed to Qin Jiuye before looking at Xu Qiuchi.
"Greetings, Second Young Master. What a coincidence to run into you here. The Protector-General saw you from a distance and wasn't sure it was you, so he specifically sent me to check. He said that meeting the Second Young Master is a stroke of fate, and it is only right that you share a drink and a brief chat."
To an uninformed listener, these words would sound like two brothers who hadn't seen each other in a long time catching up. But to Qin Jiuye’s ears, it felt indescribably absurd.
Yet Gao Quan spoke with an annoying composure, managing to make the hypocritical official pleasantries sound entirely sincere. At this point, questioning the "coincidence" would instead make the questioner look like the one in the wrong.
Xu Qiuchi’s eyes darted around; he clearly didn't want to accept this sudden invitation.
"My brother invites me so warmly; how could I refuse? It's just that I have a guest tonight, and it's truly inconvenient to leave her to find him..."
Gao Quan seemed to have anticipated what he would say, replying respectfully, "The Protector-General is on a nearby boat. He happens to be investigating a case in the vicinity tonight, so there is no rush. He has asked me to wait here. Whenever the Second Young Master is free, I shall lead the way."
As soon as these words were spoken, Xu Qiuchi knew he had no choice but to go.
He glanced at the untouched feast on the table, then stood up gracefully and walked out, looking at Qin Jiuye with a hint of regret.
"It seems I have some unavoidable family matters to discuss with my brother tonight and must leave for a moment. If I cannot spend this fine evening with you, will Shopkeeper Qin resent me?"
Qin Jiuye didn't even look at Xu Qiuchi, only cupping her hands toward Gao Quan.
"I must trouble Adjutant Gao to prepare a few more pots of tea for the Protector-General. The night is long; there is no rush. They can take their time talking."
Gao Quan accepted the request solemnly. The smile on Xu Qiuchi’s face vanished instantly, and he gave the woman a cold, expressionless look.
"Shopkeeper Qin has quite the appetite. It's good to eat more, lest you lack the strength to watch the play later."
With that, he gave a cold snort, snapped his fan shut, and departed quickly. Gao Quan glanced at Qin Jiuye and followed suit.
As their footsteps faded into the distance, Qin Jiuye slowly raised her head. Looking at the table of delicacies whose names she couldn't even pronounce, she suddenly felt that everything before her was somewhat surreal—so surreal that an inexplicable unease stirred in her heart.
She suppressed that unease and, without a word, picked up the gold-rimmed white jade chopsticks.
She wasn't the type of person who lacked dignity and loved to sponge off others' banquets, nor was she the heartless type who would sleep soundly after a full meal. She simply hadn't eaten a proper meal in a very long time.
Eat. Why wouldn't she eat? Even if there were ghosts afoot, she was going to finish this meal.
The jade chopsticks danced between her fingers. In just a short while, Qin Jiuye had tasted more than half the dishes on the table. The flavors of seven or eight different foods mixed together—sweet, salty, sour, and spicy—becoming a chaotic mass in her mouth, making it impossible to distinguish one from the other.
And all of this mirrored her current state of mind.
The busy chopsticks slowly came to a halt. Her aching jaw moved a few more times, and Qin Jiuye let out a sigh through the gaps in her teeth.
That dandy had been speaking in riddles all day, seemingly trying to warn her about something. Although he hadn't said the most crucial sentence, she had actually already guessed what he wanted to tell her.
Jiang Xin'er was also from Heaven's First Villa, so Xu Qiuchi must have guessed Li Qiao's identity long ago. And judging by Qiu Ling's many previous reactions, the Lord of Broken Jade had also sensed something, which was why he repeatedly targeted Li Qiao. Thinking back to everything at the Hall of Listening Winds, perhaps even Old Tang had seen through it but was playing dumb as usual.
In the end, she was the only one kept completely in the dark.
Qin Jiuye slammed her chopsticks down fiercely. The shock and depression of learning the truth earlier that day transformed into a nameless fire that rushed to her head. She raised a hand to pour a cup of rose dew and was about to bring it to her lips when she heard a commotion outside the room.
"Guest, the newly made ice cream is ready."
Qin Jiuye gave a response, and the bead curtain was lifted. A person slipped inside—it was the boatwoman who had led the way earlier.
The boatwoman held an exquisite wooden tray with two small plates of milky-white ice cream. The ice cream was slowly melting in the warm air of the room, emitting a faint chill that looked particularly inviting.
"This ice cream is a gift for the lady, a small token of my regard. Consider it an apology for the delay when you boarded the boat."
Qin Jiuye glanced at the ice cream but didn't take it. The boatwoman’s expression turned awkward as expected. After a pause, she pretended to look around, speaking as if casually.
"Where is that wealthy young master from before?"
How strict was the security on the third floor of this flower boat? A living person like Gao Quan had come and gone; how could it have gone unnoticed?
Qin Jiuye didn't even look up, leisurely picking at a bone on her plate.
"He had business and left first."
The boatwoman first showed a look of surprise, then leaned in a few steps.
"The night is long; how can one be without a companion? Joy shared is joy doubled. It just so happens there is a gentleman outside who is also alone. Would the lady be willing to share her table? Consider it making a friend..."
Qin Jiuye sneered inwardly, noting that everything was indeed as she had expected.
She could see through it now. This boatwoman must have seen Xu Qiuchi leave from the shadows and realized he wouldn't be back anytime soon. Thus, she was using these two plates of ice cream as a stepping stone to shove someone else into her room.
She had been frustrated all day and only had this feast to vent her feelings; how could she let someone else butt in? This boatwoman truly knew how to run a stingy business—she had likely oversold the seats for the sake of silver and was now looking for a soft persimmon to squeeze. Unfortunately for her, Qin Jiuye was the ancestor of stingy business; how could she let someone take advantage of her for free?
At this thought, Qin Jiuye assumed a righteous posture, about to refuse, but the boatwoman had already read her expression and leaned in, lowering her voice.
"If the lady is willing, I can refund half of your silver."
This was truly a clash between experts who knew each other well.
Fine. Eating a few bites less was no matter; silver in the pocket brought peace of mind.
Qin Jiuye’s expression shifted, and she wordlessly extended a hand.
"That’s easy to discuss. Refund the silver first."
The boatwoman gritted her teeth and, with great reluctance, pulled the pre-calculated silver from her bulging pouch and handed it over. Only after receiving the silver did Qin Jiuye feel some sense of balance.
She had spent most of her life fighting for food with that glutton Jinbao. When it came to the skill of grabbing food, she didn't believe anyone could beat her.
She nodded to the boatwoman.
"Have them come in. However, this room isn't large, and my friend might return later. We can only add one more person to the table."
*What a stingy, ruthless girl,* the boatwoman cursed inwardly. On the outside, she had to maintain her forced smile as she responded, turning toward the other end of the corridor to clap her hands. A moment later, the sound of footsteps rang out.
To be precise, it was two sets of footsteps.
The footsteps came from both ends of the corridor. Soon, two servants appeared from either side, each followed by a young man.
The boatwoman was also stunned. She pulled the servant on the right aside and whispered, "What's going on?"
The servant looked aggrieved, but his hand hidden under his apron opened slightly to show the boatwoman a few gold nuggets.
"This one also came looking just now, saying he was searching for someone. I... I really didn't dare refuse..."
Before he could finish, the person behind the servant on the left stepped forward. It was an elegant man in white robes, leaning on a goosefoot staff.
"I am an acquaintance of the lady in this room and I have a flower invitation. I ask this gentleman who arrived later to show some consideration and stop competing with me."
The boatwoman heard this and was about to turn and offer a few words of persuasion when the person behind the servant on the right also stepped forward.
"The person in this room is my elder sister, and I am her younger brother. It is better for this gentleman to step aside."
It was a youth dressed in coarse cloth. His features were exquisite, and his eyes held a hint of obedience, yet for some reason, his gaze was incredibly cold.
He looked toward the scholar leaning on the goosefoot staff, and his next words carried a touch of rudeness.
"The gentleman says he is an acquaintance of my sister, yet why have I never heard her mention you?"
The scholar’s gaze slowly fell upon him. After a long moment, he gave a slight smile. Though he appeared to have an honest and gentle temperament, he did not yield an inch.
"Perhaps some relatives simply do not visit often; it is inevitable to become a bit estranged."
The two sides were at a standstill, and the atmosphere was quite unpleasant. The boatwoman had been in this business for over a decade and had seen even more awkward situations. She didn't dare speak up rashly, likely calculating which of the two looked more approachable so she could smooth things over, when a sound came from behind the bead curtain.
Seeing that no one had entered for a long time, the woman inside the room impatiently poked her head out.
"The food is getting cold. Are we sharing or not..."
Qin Jiuye froze halfway through her sentence.
She looked at the two men standing at the door. Before she could say anything, the two of them spoke in unison.
"It's me."
Qin Jiuye looked at Li Qiao, then at Ding Miao. Suddenly, she felt the pieces of roast goose she had just eaten churning in her stomach as if they were about to fly out.
She couldn't figure out where this tumultuous feeling came from; she only instinctively felt that she didn't want to see either of them. She immediately began brewing a way to reject both of them and clear the air.
Before she could come up with a result, the boatwoman seized the opportunity, eagerly rubbing her hands together.
"Since everyone knows each other, it's fate that brings you together. Why not just squeeze in..."
The boatwoman had collected several sets of silver and was desperate to assemble this table. But Qin Jiuye felt she was exceptionally unlucky today. It was bad enough to share a fine feast with others, but she had to share it with two large men.
Qin Jiuye thought this and gave the boatwoman a fierce glare. Before she could speak, her vision blurred as the young man leaning on the goosefoot staff nimbly slipped behind the bead curtain and found a place to sit down on his own.
"My legs and feet are not very convenient, and I cannot stand for long. I hope the lady does not mind."
To think she had previously thought this man was polite. Could he be a poor wretch like her, craving this shared feast?
Qin Jiuye opened her mouth, but the words of rejection could no longer be spoken.
In the next moment, the other figure followed him in, sitting down on the other side without a word, completely occupying her original "prime spot" by the window.
Seeing that everything was settled, the boatwoman contentedly offered a few auspicious blessings. Finally, she very thoughtfully lowered the outermost bead curtain and ushered the two servants away.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
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点金烧鹅 | Gilded Roast Goose | A specialty dish mentioned in the chapter.
白汤小麇 | White Broth Muntjac | A rare meat dish made from muntjac (small deer).
玫瑰露 | Rose Dew | A type of fragrant syrup or wine.
水苍玉 | Pellucid Jade | A type of pale, translucent jade; also translated as water-blue jade.
断玉君 | Lord of Broken Jade | Qiu Ling's moniker/title.
天下第一庄 | Heaven's First Villa | A powerful organization/sect mentioned in the story.
藜杖 | Goosefoot Staff | A traditional walking stick made from the woody stem of the goosefoot plant, often associated with scholars or recluses.
拼席 | Share a table | The practice of sharing a restaurant table or private room with strangers.
冰酪 | Ice cream | A chilled dairy dessert, similar to frozen yogurt or traditional Chinese iced cream.
