When Xu Qiuchi followed Gao Quan off the flower boat, he immediately spotted Li Qiao boarding from the other side.
The youth was alert, sensing Xu Qiuchi’s gaze almost instantly. However, he made no attempt to avoid it; instead, he paused for a moment, meeting Xu Qiuchi’s eyes in a brief, direct exchange.
The emotions in that single look were so distinct that Xu Qiuchi knew he didn’t need to ponder to understand them.
It was a warning.
A warning not to meddle in things that didn't concern him, and certainly not to try and come between him and that woman.
In response to that warning, Xu Qiuchi only offered a somewhat languid smile, the meaning of which was equally easy to discern.
It was a dismissal.
He ignored the youth’s warning and threat, and he certainly wouldn't back down because of them.
What he chose to do was his business, and no one else was allowed to interfere.
Not a stranger, and not even his own biological brother.
Not far away, Gao Quan stood on a swift boat, looking toward him. There was no trace of impatience in his eyes; he simply waited in silence. Xu Qiuchi tucked away his smile, snapped his fan shut, and followed him onto the boat.
The swift boat pulled away from the flower boat and soon pulled alongside a pleasure barge moored further from the shore. This barge appeared much more modest. Although faint light and the sound of voices drifted from within, a careful observer could tell the difference.
This was an "empty ship" requisitioned by the government. The boatwomen and entertainers who actually ran the business had been dismissed, replaced by "their own people" in disguise. It was decorated like a pleasure boat merely to blend into the local landscape and avoid drawing attention.
Unfortunately, to those truly seasoned in the ways of the martial world, such a vessel still practically screamed of trouble.
His elder brother seemed to have returned from the battlefield covered in blood and dust, but in truth, he was as clean as a freshly peeled lotus seed. He would feel unbearable discomfort at the slightest speck of grime, yet he was fated to walk through the chaos. As the saying went, he could neither kneel nor stand tall, making him a painful sight to behold.
After all these years, the two brothers remained exactly as they had always been.
He still remembered their childhood. The alley behind the back gate of their estate hadn't looked as it did now. After every heavy rain, a section of the path would become incredibly muddy. If one ventured out, it was impossible not to soil one's boots, even after just a few steps. Later, he had learned to sit by the roadside and play in the mud with the children from outside the estate, never again worrying about dirtying his shoes. His brother, however, would always do everything in his power to stay away from that muddy path, even if it meant climbing over the walls every day—only to be met with a silent, severe beating once their father found out.
Perhaps from that moment on, they were destined to walk two entirely different paths.
The sound of splashing water echoed across the lake. It was the sound of a drunken guest falling off a flower boat into the water, but it was quickly drowned out by the noisy music of strings and woodwinds. The ripples on the lake's surface returned to calm in an instant.
On a night like tonight, everyone had their own business to attend to. No one would waste effort investigating what had happened to someone else.
As long as others didn't get in the way of their own affairs.
As the swift boat pulled alongside the barge, Gao Quan lowered a rope ladder. Xu Qiuchi withdrew his drifting gaze and spoke abruptly.
"Adjutant Gao must have spent quite a bit of silver to book this barge and have it decorated so appropriately tonight, wouldn't you say?"
The short adjutant paused, then turned around with a smile.
"A small matter, not worth mentioning."
His brother truly was lucky. He was proud and held himself high, disdaining to deal with the stench of copper, yet he had recruited a wealthy subordinate who used gold and silver to clear the way whenever things got difficult.
Xu Qiuchi smiled as well, his voice dropping much lower when he spoke again.
"Adjutant Gao, if there ever comes a day when you've had enough of following my brother, remember to come find me."
Gao Quan gave a polite, non-committal response and said nothing more. He led the way onto the deck, keeping his head down as he guided them to the most secluded compartment in the cabin. He tapped lightly on the partition and announced in a low voice to the person inside.
"Protector, the guest has arrived."
Before his words could land and before the person inside could respond, there was a blur of movement. The silk-clad young master had already fanned himself inside.
The young Protector, now in plain clothes, sat upright by a half-open window. Before him was a simple small table holding only two small celadon cups and tea-making utensils. There was nothing else.
Xu Qiuchi stood for a moment before taking a seat directly opposite him, silently waving his waist fan.
After observing the atmosphere, Gao Quan bowed and withdrew. Before leaving, he lowered the heavy curtain outside the compartment, and the small room instantly became much quieter.
The air felt somewhat stagnant. Xu Qiuchi didn't stop fanning, his wrist stirring up a constant breeze.
"Didn't Brother go to the Su residence earlier today? I thought you were tied up with official business and wouldn't come looking for me for a while."
Qiu Ling picked up a copper kettle filled with water and placed it gently on the glowing charcoal stove.
"You are certainly well-informed."
"When it comes to being well-informed, I truly cannot compare to you, Brother. You've had people tracking my movements in the city for the past few days. If I didn't offer some response, wouldn't I be failing your kind concern?"
Qiu Ling paused before speaking truthfully.
"My visit to the Su residence was for a private matter. There is no need for you to fish for information."
"The Su family can barely save themselves right now. That Second Miss has all her thoughts on managing the family business. What private matter could you possibly have with them..." Xu Qiuchi stopped abruptly, then laughed as if he had realized something incredible. "You didn't go there to break off the engagement, did you?"
This marriage had been arranged by their elders long ago. It had originated from the friendship between Su Rin and their father, a bond that spanned over twenty years.
Back then, Su Rin hadn't been the obsessed man he was today. Although he was a merchant driven by profit, he had been young and vigorous, doing everything personally. During the local wars, he had collected and transported many medicinal herbs and physicians, performing an indelible service in preventing the spread of plague in Xiangliang. Many soldiers in the Black Moon Army had benefited from his efforts. Later, when their mother fell gravely ill and their father traveled everywhere seeking medicine, the Su family had also provided timely assistance. Although it hadn't ultimately changed the outcome, it was still considered a significant debt of gratitude.
Their father was a man who valued loyalty and sentiment above all else. It was only natural that he would arrange a marriage with the then-rootless Su family. However, as the years passed, hearts changed, and the circumstances of both families had undergone a world of difference. Since the Su residence case broke out, the two families were lucky not to be enemies, let alone continue their friendship.
His brother was rigid, but he wasn't entirely ignorant of the ways of the world. To personally visit and break off the engagement at such a dire time—to an outsider, it would look like he was kicking them while they were down, intentionally bullying them. The women of the Su residence surely hadn't given him a warm welcome; if not for the current situation, they might have even slapped him. Officially, he had already drawn a line between himself and the Su family through his investigation. Privately, with the Su family under criminal suspicion, no one would have brought up the marriage anyway. Yet he insisted on going in person to demand a clean break. In the eyes of the city's onlookers, this would only add to the perception of him as selfish, cold-hearted, and opportunistic.
The Lord of Broken Jade was a clever man; why would he do something so foolish?
Unless... his upright brother already had someone else in his heart and didn't want this marriage to become a point of criticism against that person.
As Xu Qiuchi’s thoughts raced, a look of realization dawned in his eyes. When he spoke again, his voice carried a hint of a sigh and an ambiguous smile.
"Brother, have you ever wondered why Miss Qin, who didn't know you before, trusted you so implicitly from the very beginning? Why was the first person she sought help from when she was sinking into the mire you, and no one else? Was it truly just because of your title as the Lord of Broken Jade?"
Qiu Ling’s expression remained unchanged. He didn't seem surprised that Xu Qiuchi had suddenly brought up Qin Jiuye. His response made it clear he had long ago found the answer.
"She is a meticulous and perceptive person. She knows how to distinguish truth from falsehood amidst chaos, and clarity from turbidity in the darkness. She trusts me not because of the kind of person I am, but because of the kind of person she is. Since you're asking this, you must have already tried to win her over. It's only natural that she wouldn't side with you; you needn't feel frustrated by it."
Who said his brother was dull and lacked social grace? Usually, he just couldn't be bothered to be "reasonable." When he chose to be sharp, he could sting quite effectively, making him almost impossible to parry.
Xu Qiuchi chuckled and clicked his tongue, seemingly unbothered by the mockery. He tilted his head thoughtfully.
"The matter isn't settled yet, so there's no need for Brother to be in such a hurry. Besides, I think she can be quite slow at times."
They were at each other's throats the moment they met, their words clashing like blades. If they continued like this, when would they ever get to the point?
Qiu Ling glanced at him and finally decided to take a step back.
"Let's not speak of these irrelevant matters. I specifically sought you out tonight because I wanted to have a proper talk. I've prepared the Lotus Fragrance Tea you like. Let's have a few cups together."
After saying this, he fell silent, focusing on the tea set on the table. He carefully placed the newly roasted tea cakes into the purple clay teapot.
Lotus Fragrance was a tea unique to Jiugao. Although not particularly precious, it was enjoyed by young and old alike, and even ordinary families could afford it. The aroma was fragrant as soon as boiling water hit the pot, but the tea cakes were dense and hard, difficult to break apart. One had to be exceptionally careful when portioning them into the cups.
Qiu Ling’s finger twitched, and a few small fragments of tea leaves flew out of the cup. He paused and instinctively looked up, only to see Xu Qiuchi’s eyes lowered, seemingly paying no attention to the table at all.
"Brother might not know, but these days I prefer wine. I'm quite particular about the fine vintages I drink, and it's common for me not to find them to my taste. As for this Lotus Fragrance Tea, I haven't touched it in many years."
The young Protector’s hand froze for a moment before he finished portioning the tea.
Hadn't he also changed his tastes? Hadn't he also long since become unfamiliar with the flavors of home?
Life on campaign was harsh. Soldiers mostly drank strong liquor for comfort. Even when they had time for tea, they usually boiled ginger and salt tea. Sometimes a pot would be boiled a hundred times; no one had the heart to distinguish the nuances of flavor
