Secret Recipe | Chapter 140 | A Heart Laid Bare | Novela.app

The night deepened, yet the air seemed to grow stiflingly hot. On the stage, a new troupe of dancers and performers appeared. Their costumes were increasingly exaggerated and bold, and their movements were no longer as sluggish or rigid as before. Amidst the fluttering of sleeves and colorful ribbons, they gradually spiraled into a post-sacrificial frenzy. Scented gold powder drifted on the wind, filling the entire flower boat like ethereal serpents slithering into the noses and mouths of the guests. Qin Jiuye let out a sharp sneeze. She had no desire to watch the suggestive dances on stage, nor did she want to look at the two men in the private booth. She could only continue to stare blankly at the "Golden-touched" Roast Goose on the table, half of which she had already consumed. After an indeterminate amount of time, the scholar in white finally broke the silence. "I did not expect that after our parting yesterday, we would meet again so soon. Might I ask how I should address you, Miss?" His voice was pleasant, carrying a quality like a spring breeze that slightly eased Qin Jiuye’s current unease. She thought for a moment before answering truthfully. "My surname is Qin. You may call me Miss Qin, sir..." Before she could finish, she was interrupted by the cold voice of the youth beside her. "You claim to be acquaintances, yet you didn't even know my sister's name. Sister, have you verified his identity? Where did you meet him yesterday? Was it perhaps at the Lotus Ferry of Lixin Lake..." "Mr. Ding informed me when we first met that he is from the Academy. Though he frequents these chaotic corners of the martial world, he is hardly a man of unknown origin." Qin Jiuye’s voice held an inexplicable chill. She did not look at the youth beside her as she spoke. The latter seemed to sense something and turned to look at her, only to see her smiling at Ding Miao. "I wonder if you boarded the ship tonight to watch the stars, sir? I heard there will be fireworks on the lake later; I fear the stars may be hidden from view." "I did not come for the stars tonight. I had heard that the Nuo opera performed here to appease the River God is quite famous. I wished to see it, so I asked a friend to secure an invitation. I nearly made a fool of myself, however; I must thank you, Miss Qin, for your generosity in sharing your table. Otherwise, I would have made this trip in vain." Ding Miao paused slightly, glancing at the wary youth. "Is this young man your brother? He doesn't look much like you..." Of course he didn't. It would be a miracle if he did. Qin Jiuye grinned, still avoiding the youth’s gaze, and said dismissively, "He is a distant cousin, surnamed Li." She finished her brief explanation and fell silent. The youth beside her could not hide the dissatisfaction in his eyes. That was it? Was there nothing more between them than the words "distant cousin"? Seeing this, the smile on Ding Miao’s face seemed to deepen. "I see. Your brother seems quite well-acquainted with the ways of the martial world. From the way he boarded the ship just now, it didn't seem like his first time." "I've been working on boats nearby these past few days; one must understand the rules of the trade. On the other hand, for Mr. Ding to recognize my sister through the layers of bead curtains outside this booth—that is truly remarkable vision." Li Qiao turned to Qin Jiuye, ignoring the man's reaction. "Sister, I have completed everything you entrusted to me. Seeing that night had fallen and you had not returned, I came looking for you." He offered this explanation of his own accord, but the woman, who usually fretted over such trivial matters, gave no response. She didn't even offer a follow-up question or a single glance. She was strange tonight. This strangeness seemed directed solely at him, leaving him restless and apprehensive. Was it because of this uninvited man? Li Qiao looked at Ding Miao, only to find the other man studying him as well. Ding Miao had observed the interaction between this "sister and brother." He clearly saw something, yet he maintained a gentle smile—one that seemed understanding, yet also indifferent. He had a scholarly face that made people want to be near him upon first meeting, but a closer look revealed sharp features hidden beneath the skin. Without that warm smile as a mask, his eye sockets and cheekbones would have cast faint, somber shadows. A subtle current moved through the air. Qin Jiuye sighed inwardly, her gaze drifting between the two men. She had survived the small-time underworld of Jiugao City. Though she was unfamiliar with the vast rivers and lakes of the greater martial world, she instinctively observed and reflected. When she boarded, she had already seen that while this flower boat appeared to welcome all walks of life, its rules were actually stricter than those of the Baoshen Pavilion. Only those of the martial world were permitted to board. And yet, the two before her—one appearing to be a mere academy teacher, the other a common villager—could move freely and even secure a private booth on the third floor. The implications were worth pondering. These people of the martial world always showed one hand while hiding the other. Since they were both such talented individuals, why did they insist on entangling themselves with a lowly physician like her? The veins in Qin Jiuye’s forehead began to throb. She suddenly felt that Old Dog Du’s divination today was likely to come true again. *Blessings are not a curse, and a curse cannot be avoided.* Qin Jiuye lowered her head, trying to convince herself to relax while silently eating. A moment later, Ding Miao spoke again. "We have been so caught up in pleasantries that we've neglected this fine spread of food and wine. Thanks to Miss Qin, I am able to enjoy the scenery of the lake today. I must offer a toast in return." Just as he raised his wine cup, Li Qiao picked up the jade chopsticks and skillfully tore a piece of perfectly marbled meat from the platter of braised pork hock, placing it gently on the woman's plate. "Sister, eat some meat." Qin Jiuye’s fingers curled. She truly wanted neither to touch the wine cup nor to pick up the meat on her plate. A brief silence hung in the air. Ding Miao set down his cup and picked up his own jade chopsticks. "It seems Miss Qin is not a strong drinker. While the pork hock is good, it can be greasy if one eats too much. This River White Bream was caught fresh today; it is only palatable when served live. You must try some, Miss Qin." As he spoke, he took the most tender piece from the back of the steamed fish and moved to place it on Qin Jiuye’s plate. In the next instant, the black-clad youth beside her spoke. "My sister does not eat fish." As Li Qiao finished speaking, his wrist sank, and a gust of sharp wind erupted from his palm. It swept across the table of cups and platters, heading straight for the hand of the man holding the chopsticks. The soup, garnished with radish flowers, rippled. The jade curtains outside the booth, adorned with colored glass beads, swayed with a clear clatter. In the corner, the octagonal glass lantern flickered and suddenly went out. The table fell into darkness, and the translucent piece of fish at the tip of Ding Miao’s chopsticks fell onto the table with a soft *thud*. The night wind blew through the carved lattice window, stroking the hairs on the back of Qin Jiuye’s neck with an annoying persistence. She felt an unprecedented wave of awkwardness wash over her. Sitting on pins and needles, she was about to look out at the lake and offer some cliché remark about the "beautiful moonlight" to save the situation when she heard the sound of light footsteps outside. The slender, graceful silhouette of a woman appeared against the bead curtain. The person outside did not speak, but merely reached in a hand holding a jade ewer. Qin Jiuye snapped back to her senses, belatedly noticing the extinguished octagonal lantern. In the past, when the flower boats carrying government courtesans in the Jiugao area did business, there was a rule: an oil lamp would be hung at the bow. If a guest arrived, the lamp would be extinguished, and the boat would be rowed to a secluded spot. She hadn't expected that even though the business had changed its face, the rules remained the same—only now, the extinguished lamp signaled the pouring of wine. Regardless of the rule, the timing for breaking the tension was perfect. Qin Jiuye felt as if she had been granted a reprieve and quickly called out in response. The curtain was lifted, and three beautiful maidens carrying jade ewers entered slowly, appearing as though they had known all along that there were three guests in the booth. The maidens stood still, glancing at the nearly full glass ewer on the table, then at the untouched wine cups before the three guests. Finally, they looked at Qin Jiuye with questioning eyes. No one spoke. Qin Jiuye felt a flush of embarrassment as she realized there wasn't even an empty cup on the table. How could they pour wine? Just as she was about to explain, Ding Miao spoke first. "The wind was strong and blew out the light. You may leave the wine here, ladies." As he spoke, he skillfully retrieved a fire-starter from beneath the base of the octagonal lantern. In a few moments, he relit the extinguished lamp. The lantern had an inner and outer layer and looked quite complex. Qin Jiuye hadn't paid it much attention before, but for some reason, seeing his technique for lighting the lamp felt strangely familiar. She felt as if she had seen a similar scene somewhere before... While she was lost in thought, the three maidens set down the wine ewers, bowed with a smile, and retreated quietly without saying a word. As the sound of the clashing beads faded, Qin Jiuye looked curiously at their retreating backs, then suddenly realized something. She turned her gaze back toward the dazzling, chaotic revelry in the center of the boat. The dancers on stage were exuberant, their movements grand and sweeping. Yet no matter how they spun, leapt, or changed their footwork, their eyes never left the musicians at the sides of the stage. And those musicians mostly kept their heads lowered. If one looked closely at their faces, they would see that those people either kept their eyes closed the entire time or wore masks. Qin Jiuye’s mouth hung open, stunned by her own deduction. The maidens on this boat were mute. The dancers were deaf. The musicians were blind. Even the woman who had led her here earlier was missing two fingers. She recalled the martial artists she had encountered after boarding. Those people were all immersed in the joy found only after nightfall; no one noticed these details. Or perhaps they already knew and were simply accustomed to it. Who were the people running these flower boats? Why did they specifically seek out those with disabilities? Were these people born this way, or... "What is it?" Qin Jiuye snapped back to reality and found the man in white looking at her with concern. Unaccustomed to such a gaze, she grabbed a fresh lotus pod from a nearby bamboo basket and began peeling it, mumbling, "It's nothing. I've just never seen such a dance before. It looked novel, so I watched a bit longer." As she spoke, the youth beside her naturally took the half-peeled pod from her hand. He quickly finished peeling it and placed the lotus seeds one by one into the glass bowl before her. "Such performers and such dances are indeed not to be seen elsewhere." Ding Miao’s gaze shifted to the stage where the music continued. His expression remained unchanged, but his words were startling. "Because they were all once members of the First Manor under Heaven." The youth’s movements stopped abruptly. The woman stared at the snow-white seeds in the glass bowl as if she hadn't heard those words at all. Ding Miao’s gaze flickered over Li Qiao’s face before turning thoughtfully toward Qin Jiuye. "Have you heard of the First Manor under Heaven, Miss Qin?" The youth had completely stopped peeling the seeds. Qin Jiuye did not look at him. She picked up a plump white seed but did not put it in her mouth. "I have heard it is a most formidable presence in the martial world. The people within should all be masters; surely they wouldn't come to a flower boat to work..." Before the seed even touched her tongue, her mouth began to feel bitter. Qin Jiuye had only intended to play along with his words, but as she spoke, she began to understand. Why the maidens pouring wine walked with such light steps. Why the dancers' movements were exceptionally fluid and powerful. Why the music played by the musicians carried a faint hint of killing intent. Because they were all martial masters—or rather, they used to be. Sure enough, Ding Miao’s voice followed. "These are people who committed errors within the Manor. Of course, their mistakes were not the worst. If they were, you would not be seeing them at all." The fragrance of the lotus seeds lingered in the air. Qin Jiuye slowly rubbed the seed between her fingertips, asking as if casually, "You are from the Academy, sir; you are indeed well-informed. I am merely curious—since the people of this Manor are all so skilled, why does the martial world only hear of the First Manor under Heaven, yet never the names of its disciples? Nor have I heard of any of them appearing on the martial rankings." "All who practice martial arts must face victory or defeat. Who is superior is known once they clash. But the masters from the First Manor under Heaven, though each possesses superlative skills and peak martial arts, can never hold a place of their own in this world. This is because from the day they complete their training, they are assigned to specific masters to serve as martial attendants for life. Strictly speaking, they are merely the blades and swords in the hands of others. How can a blade have its own name in the martial world?" So, it was all a lie. His name was a lie, his origin was a lie, and even the moments they had spent together might have been lies. Qin Jiuye’s fingers stopped moving. Her gaze fell upon the reflection in the glass bowl. It was the blurred, silent face of the person beside her. She could not distinguish the expression of the person in the reflection, nor did she want to turn her head to look at him. Her throat felt as if it were blocked by a wad of ink-stained paper. This discomfort intensified with his silence, giving her a sudden, sharp urge to tear everything open. Qin Jiuye applied pressure with her fingertips. The lotus seed instantly split apart, revealing the deep green heart within. "I have a friend who loves to tell tales of the martial world, but what you just said, sir, is something I am hearing for the first time. I wonder if you would be willing to continue enlightening me? For instance, where do most of these people from the Manor go? What kind of lives do they lead after leaving the mountain?" These questions were somewhat abrupt. The moment she asked them, she didn't truly expect an answer. Yet Ding Miao’s voice rose composedly. "That brings us to the hidden connection between the Manor and the Academy. The world only knows that the Qingzhong Mountain Academy brings order to the realm in times of chaos, as pure as the bright moon in the long night. But they have never explored the secrets in the moon's shadows. Every disciple of the Academy, on the day they complete their studies and descend the mountain, may choose their own attendant from the First Manor under Heaven. Most Academy disciples come from noble families; thus, the masters from the Manor usually follow those who will become high-ranking officials. These officials do not speak of slaughter, nor do their hands touch blood. They live lives of purity and grace because their troubles are resolved by others. And those young men and women who follow their masters from their teens onward... what they consume is the poison of a life-and-death contract; what they offer up is their young flesh and blood and an unswerving loyalty. They are the sharpest knives and most obedient swords in this world. They carry out orders of slaughter day after day without asking why. Even with a lifetime of killing skills, they have no power to choose or resist. Whatever the master demands, they must do. It is common for them to become playthings at banquets, targets for venting rage, or puppets to take the blame for others. Once their purpose is served, they are discarded and trampled upon. They live their lives as walking corpses until their masters decide to abandon them completely—like a piece of soiled cloth, a pair of blunt scissors, or a tattered drum skin..." Ding Miao’s voice was soft and pleasant, but every word he spoke felt like a fingernail scratching against a bronze mirror in Qin Jiuye’s ears. For some reason, she thought of what the youth had said in the alley after she had left the Prefectural Office in the light rain. His tone when mentioning the Academy had been so disdainful—a disdain that carried an unresolvable hatred. And his hostility toward Qiu Ling, which seemed to come from nowhere, suddenly had an explanation. The youth peeling the lotus seeds had gone completely still. His hand, which had been injured only last night, was now clenched into a tight fist. His bruised fingernails had turned white, as if he were about to draw blood from his own palm. Compared to the pain of having two fingers broken last night, this punishment—of being stripped bare and having his dignity crushed to his face—was no different from being flayed alive or having his heart dissected. It was a torture that shed no blood. Qin Jiuye quickly withdrew her gaze and threw away the crushed lotus seed, finally unable to stop herself from interrupting. "Mr. Ding, you are from the Academy yourself. You should be cautious with your words lest someone with ill intent hears them and uses them against you." Ding Miao paused, then looked at Qin Jiuye. His gaze remained gentle yet firm. "Since you asked me, Miss, I must respond with sincerity. Besides, I trust your character; you are not one to stir up trouble." After saying this, he paused perfectly before looking at the person beside her. "As for this young man..." He stopped mid-sentence, but the silence was far more agonizing than if he had continued. Li Qiao, who had been silent until now, finally raised his head to look at the young man dressed as a scholar. In the art of manipulating hearts and winning the favor of others, he had rarely met an equal. Yet this refined, weak-looking scholar had pushed him to the edge of danger with just a few words. A fierce light was beginning to show in his eyes. Just then, the woman beside him spoke first. "We have only known each other for a day, sir. There is no need to place such great trust in me." As Qin Jiuye spoke, she smiled and poured a cup of the previously prepared rose dew for him, appearing completely oblivious to the tension between the two men. The sudden hostility dissipated slightly, and the atmosphere softened. Ding Miao also smiled, his tone much lighter. "Actually, what I said is not some forbidden topic or a closely guarded secret. These rules were set when the First Manor under Heaven was established. Both the martial world and the imperial court have long tacitly accepted this. Most of those who hold high positions in court today are well-versed in these ways." Qin Jiuye’s thoughts raced, keenly catching the hidden information in his words. She couldn't help but press further. "In that case, Di Mo, the Head of the First Manor under Heaven, may seem like a man of the martial world, but he actually has some unspeakable connection to the court?" Ding Miao set down his cup, pondering for a moment before speaking slowly. "There are many rumors regarding Di Mo, but none can be confirmed. The most widely circulated one concerns his origin. Martial world legend says his adoptive father was a descendant of a noble clan from the previous dynasty. After narrowly escaping the extermination of his clan, he changed his name and became a wealthy merchant. Out of gratitude to Di Mo's deceased biological parents, he took the boy in. Di Mo entered the Qingzhong Mountain Academy at age eight. At seventeen, he followed his adoptive father south to Lujiang. At twenty, he became the youngest Superintendent in the Lujiang area. Yet he suddenly resigned his post and vanished for many years, only to re-emerge at thirty as a commoner to establish the First Manor under Heaven. He raised a banner to gather all the world's villains and eliminate the scourges of the martial world. It has been exactly twenty years since then." "Di Mo’s former peers at the Academy once said he was a stubborn and solitary man, specializing in administrative law and obsessed with victory and defeat. Though he bowed his head to the nobles of the capital, the blood of a headstrong and ruthless man flowed in his veins. His adoptive father perhaps never truly forgot the shame of his clan's extermination, and Di Mo saw it all. He blamed the fall of the previous dynasty on the corruption of civil officials, the hoarding of power by generals, and the dominance of noble clans. When he first entered the court, he used his own power to support scholars from humble backgrounds. As a Superintendent, he traveled between the provincial camps to exercise oversight on behalf of the Emperor, yet he never touched military power. Thus, even though he had an adoptive father linked to the previous dynasty, the late Emperor never harbored deep suspicions toward him." A man with such a background would surely be a hundred times more cautious than an ordinary person. If that were the case, why would he abandon a promising career in the bureaucracy to establish the First Manor under Heaven and invite trouble? Perhaps everything Di Mo did was merely in accordance with the wishes of the one sitting on the throne within the palace walls. To the Imperial Family, the First Manor under Heaven was undoubtedly a panacea. Openly, it could control various forces in the martial world; secretly, it could be used to balance the court. Even if it grew strong, it held no military power and consisted only of "uncouth" martial artists. It was far easier to control than the dukes and generals who held hereditary titles and iron tallies. But something was still off. For instance, why did Di Mo resign his post as Superintendent? What did he do during the years he was in hiding? Why did he return as a man of the martial world? Did the late Emperor truly trust him completely? Why was he, of all people, chosen to command the martial world and secretly balance the court? Qin Jiuye’s thoughts did not stop, and she fell into a pensive silence. Seeing this, Ding Miao finally ended his discourse, a perfectly timed look of apology appearing on his face. "Look at me. I must have stayed at the Academy too long; I cannot break the habit of lecturing. Whenever someone asks, I cannot stop myself. I've made a fool of myself before you, Miss." Qin Jiuye gave a faint smile. When she looked up again, there was no trace of anything unusual in her eyes. "Not at all. Your explanation was clear and concise, Mr. Ding. You are much better than my friend who runs a teahouse; he is fond of exaggeration and secrecy, which is quite irritating to listen to." Ding Miao laughed as well, appearing to appreciate the compliment. "I simply didn't expect that you, not being of the martial world, would be so interested in its affairs. Could it be that you have some past connection with the First Manor under Heaven?" As his words landed, the youth who had been silent became even more still. The air seemed to congeal around him, carrying a chill like frost falling from the sky. Qin Jiuye seemed entirely unaware, her finger lightly tapping the table. "If we're being specific, I do indeed have some entanglements with the people of that Manor." The moment she said this, the youth’s breathing hitched. An oppressive silence filled the booth. The man in white allowed the silence to linger for a moment before asking with great interest, "Oh? Is that so? What kind of person was it? And how did they become involved with you?" Qin Jiuye cast a seemingly casual glance at the youth beside her before speaking slowly. "It was a woman. We only met a few times. Because of some misunderstanding, she nearly turned me into a pincushion. Fortunately, I have a sturdy life, so I survived." As she finished, the frozen expression on Li Qiao’s face finally softened slightly. He picked up another lotus pod and resumed peeling seeds in silence. Ding Miao laughed, seemingly amused by her blunt self-deprecation. After laughing, he added with concern, "Fortunately, it was only a brief acquaintance; it shouldn't leave any lasting trouble. However, kind-hearted people like you often suffer from being too soft-hearted. I advise you to avoid such people early on next time. If you are unfortunate enough to encounter them, you must first ensure the safety of yourself and those close to you." His words fell lightly, but Qin Jiuye’s tapping finger paused for a fraction of a second. She had struggled to survive in this muddy world for over twenty years. Having been tempered for so long, she might appear to fear death, but she actually possessed a certain fearlessness. Yet she also had weaknesses and lines that could not be crossed—namely, her family under the broken tiles of their village. She might not mind risking her own life, but she could not accept those around her being in danger because of her. If that day ever came, she would certainly sacrifice many things to protect her own. The youth beside her saw all of this. His fingers tightened into a fist. After a long while, he spoke in a heavy voice. "From your words, sir, you seem to know far more about the First Manor under Heaven than most. Could it be that you were as unlucky as my sister and ran into a few of their assassins? Or perhaps you once spent time there and have a past you cannot mention?" As he spoke, a bloodless strike had already formed within his words, waiting for the other man to show a weakness. Ding Miao looked calmly at the hostile questioner and responded quite frankly. "You may not know, young Master Li, but I once saved a child from that Manor. He had a very bitter life. I often counseled him to ease his heart, so naturally, I came to know some things about the Manor. However, that past is truly painful; I haven't mentioned it in many years." If Qin Jiuye had been suspicious of the man's motives before Li Qiao spoke, hearing him openly explain the reason behind his knowledge made it difficult for her to press further. "My brother was impolite. Please do not take offense, sir." "It's no matter. It was a long time ago." Ding Miao closed his eyes slightly, his tone tinged with regret. "That child was fortunate to meet me. Unfortunately, others are not so lucky. I heard that the Manor Head, Di Mo, has appeared in Jiugao specifically to personally hunt down a traitor who fled the Manor." *Clatter.* The wine cup beside the youth was knocked over onto the table. The liquid instantly spilled across the surface. Qin Jiuye was sitting right next to him. Being so close, she couldn't dodge in time, and her sleeve was soaked. The conversation ended abruptly. Both men rose from their seats almost simultaneously. The man in white pulled out a square handkerchief and offered it, while the youth in common clothes simply stood there, his body more rigid than ever before. Qin Jiuye glanced at the hand holding the handkerchief and instinctively waved it away. "No need, no need. It's just a bit of wine." The other man did not withdraw his hand, still holding the handkerchief out and looking at her intently. Qin Jiuye paused. Feeling that further refusal would be ungrateful, she took the handkerchief, gave herself a cursory wipe, and stood up. "This dress was lent to me by a friend. If it gets a stain that won't come out, he'll surely settle the score with me later. Since we're on a boat, I'll go find some water to handle this." Before she could finish, the youth beside her finally moved. "I'll go with you." "No need. I can manage on my own." She refused him quickly, as if she had no desire to be alone with him at all. Li Qiao’s figure froze in place. He watched as the small, thin figure slipped out of the booth and quickly vanished behind the swaying bead curtains. *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 天下第一庄 | First Manor under Heaven | A powerful and mysterious martial arts organization. 青重山书院 | Qingzhong Mountain Academy | A prestigious academy whose disciples often become high-ranking officials. 狄墨 | Di Mo | The Head of the First Manor under Heaven. 督监 | Superintendent | A government official post, often involving oversight or inspection. 傩戏 | Nuo Opera | A traditional form of Chinese opera involving masks, originally for exorcism and sacrificial purposes. 点金烧鹅 | "Golden-touched" Roast Goose | A specific dish mentioned in the text. 江白鲂 | River White Bream | A type of freshwater fish. 火折 | Fire-starter | A small, portable tool used to start fires (often a paper roll that glows).