On Lixin Lake today, a rare northeast wind was blowing.
The wind dispersed the lingering mist over the water. The boatman briskly hoisted the sail, and as the vessel gathered speed, the sound of it cutting through the waves took on an unusual rhythm.
With the constant whistling of the wind and the splashing of water, the silence inside the cabin seemed even more pronounced.
Qin Jiuye stole a glance at the man sitting upright across from her. He seemed exceptionally quiet today, and she wondered if he was troubled by the case that refused to come to light.
She didn't know how much longer it would take to reach Qionghu Island, but it wouldn't do to remain speechless the entire way. It was awkward, and more importantly, it was a waste of an opportunity to discuss their plans.
At this thought, Qin Jiuye cleared her throat and took the lead in breaking the silence.
"The Protector seems to have changed his attire specifically for today. I wonder if the Blade-Sharpening Ceremony on the island has any particular rules? I’m not sure if my own clothes are appropriate..."
"They are appropriate," Qiu Ling replied curtly. After a pause, he added, "It is a gathering of the martial world; there are no special rules. Wear whatever makes you feel at ease."
Having said this, he returned to his previous state of solemn silence. Deathly stillness once again filled the cabin.
Qin Jiuye’s fingers curled instinctively. Her gaze swept over the battered basket she had brought onto the boat, and she hurriedly spoke again.
"Right, there is something I might need to trouble the Protector with."
As she spoke, she reached into her basket, pulled out the set of robes she had wrapped earlier, and held them out.
Qiu Ling did not move for a moment. It was unclear whether he was surprised by her gesture or suspicious of the contents within the paper parcel.
The mulberry paper was wrapped tightly in several layers, making it look like something strange indeed. She quickly explained, "These are the robes I need to return to the Second Young Master. Unfortunately, I didn't see him again last night, and this morning was quite a rush..."
Before she could finish, he naturally reached out, took the parcel, and set it aside.
"Leave it to me. I will have someone deliver it to him." After saying this, he seemed to recall something and continued with a serious expression, "I mean, it is just a set of robes. You need not go out of your way to see him for such a thing."
*How is it just a set of robes?* It represented several months of revenue for her apothecary, Guoran Hall, and was the only leverage she had against that playboy’s attitude.
Qin Jiuye sighed inwardly but could only nod with a smile, hoping the relationship between the two brothers wasn't as bad as the rumors suggested and that the clothes would eventually find their way back to their owner.
Silence fell again. She shifted her eyes, scanning the surroundings in an effort to find a topic to break the awkward atmosphere. Then, she spotted a pile of *shaobing*—sesame flatbreads—on the small table at the bow.
The flatbreads looked familiar. When she had been confined at Tingfeng Hall, she had often eaten this exact kind.
Qiu Ling noticed her gaze, and a hint of awkwardness finally surfaced on his expressionless face. He cleared his throat and explained as nonchalantly as possible.
"This was a gesture from Zican. He said we should have something to eat on the way."
Qin Jiuye looked at the mountain of flatbreads, then at the faint outline of the island ahead, and her heart began to drum.
That spendthrift Lu Zican—this massive stack of flatbreads was enough to last her and Qiu Ling all the way from Jiugao to the Capital.
After a moment of silence, she suddenly spoke. "Does Adjutant Lu believe we will be staying on Qionghu Island until winter?"
Qiu Ling was taken aback for a moment before realizing the jest in her words. A rare smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Zican is a simple-minded fellow. He was worried the martial arts gathering wouldn't provide food, and since flatbreads are filling and practical, he bought them in advance and sent them to the boat."
Qin Jiuye laughed as well.
"I think your adjutant is quite clever. He likely saw that this trip to the island is fraught with danger and backed out early. Then, feeling a bit guilty, he sent us extra rations so we could live out our final days on the island."
The smile on Qiu Ling’s lips deepened, but he did not speak further.
Thanks to Lu Zican’s flatbreads, the awkward atmosphere finally softened. Qin Jiuye’s thoughts returned to the matter at hand, and she asked with some concern, "That said, it’s one thing for the Protector to come in person, but why not bring Adjutant Lu or Adjutant Gao? Once we land, there will be many eyes. If someone recognizes you as a government official, they will surely be on guard. Not only will we fail to get things done, but if something goes wrong, it will be difficult for us to escape..."
She poured out her worries in one breath, but he suddenly interrupted her.
"Am I not more trustworthy than Zican? Shopkeeper Qin underestimates me."
Qin Jiuye was clearly caught off guard by this response. After a moment of stunned silence, she instinctively explained, "I—I didn't mean that. I only feel that venturing deep into the martial world is dangerous. I am merely a wandering doctor and worry I won't be of much help to the Protector..."
As Qiu Ling watched the woman’s frantic attempt to explain herself, something stirred in his heart for reasons he couldn't name.
He felt a bit lost at this sudden, strange sensation. After a while, he spoke slowly.
"When I was at Mount Qingzhong, besides my studies, I practiced swordsmanship diligently from dawn till dusk. Aside from my role as Protector, I am also a disciple of the Kunxu Sword Sect. Entering the martial world is, in fact, perfectly legitimate for me."
Qin Jiuye nodded in realization, her gaze falling back onto his green robes.
*So, this is the attire of a Kunxu disciple?* Perhaps he should have dressed like this long ago. He shouldn't have spent every day encased in black armor or stiff official robes; these pale green garments, understated yet full of character, suited him far better.
"Indeed. Dressed like this, I fear even Lord Fan would have to stare for a moment before recognizing you..."
Halfway through her sentence, she inexplicably remembered the moment she had impulsively sought him out.
At that time, she only wanted to quickly establish an alliance to investigate the secret formula. She had boastfully claimed that her insignificance was an advantage for moving about unnoticed. Looking at it now, if the man before her truly wanted to delve into the martial world to investigate this case, he didn't actually need a "little crab" like her meddling by his side.
With the dual prestige of Mount Qingzhong and the Kunxu Sect, he could have personally participated in yesterday’s "Golden Clang Sword Trial," and no one would have questioned him.
Meanwhile, even if she squeezed her way in, she could only pose as "Auntie Huang," just one of the thousands of salted fish at Xuanyu Shoal.
At this thought, the jade pendant at her waist suddenly felt heavy and hot, making her afraid to touch it while simultaneously making it hard to breathe.
"Shopkeeper Qin?"
Qin Jiuye snapped back to her senses and looked up, her demeanor becoming noticeably more polite and distant.
"Once we land, the Protector should call me Miss Qin. After all, the island will be full of sect leaders, masters, and cult heads. A mere apothecary shopkeeper like me is hardly fit for the stage." She finished quickly, then confirmed with rigorous detail, "Does the Protector have another name in the martial world? How should I address you?"
Qiu Ling looked at her face and felt that this was not the outcome he had hoped for.
However, he clearly couldn't figure out where things had gone wrong, so he continued to pretend he hadn't noticed.
"When traveling abroad, official titles are indeed inconvenient. The title 'Lord of Severed Jade' would make us seem too distant, which might arouse suspicion. I am ranked third in the Kunxu Sect. Miss Qin, you may follow my fellow disciples and call me Sanlang."
*Sanlang?* Didn't that sound a bit too intimate? It didn't sound like a name used between fellow disciples; it sounded more like...
Qin Jiuye froze for a moment, her flustered gaze meeting Qiu Ling’s resolute face.
Perhaps because his expression was so righteous and solemn, her stray thoughts vanished instantly. Instead, she felt she was being too petty and sensitive. Reminding herself that they were currently in the martial world and shouldn't be constrained by minor social graces, she tucked away her strange feelings and nodded seriously.
"Rest assured, Sanlang. I will do my utmost to assist you and will not hold you back."
As her words fell, she saw the man before her actually reveal a somewhat bashful smile.
This was the second time he had smiled since boarding the boat. He seemed unaccustomed to this sudden change himself; he instinctively lowered his eyes and raised a hand to straighten his perfectly aligned collar, yet he couldn't hide the slight reddening of his earlobes.
Qin Jiuye blinked, almost thinking she was seeing things or hallucinating.
Tang Shenyan, who prided himself on being a judge of character, had often reminded her: *It is better for a man to be reserved. Otherwise, you won't know if he is like this only to you, or if he is like this to everyone.*
She had taken this to heart, which was why she never gave a good face to the second Qiu brother, who was always smiling flirtatiously. But this eldest son of the Qiu family was usually stern and humorless, his most common phrase being "How audacious," and his specialty being "Take them to the dungeon." How had he also become someone who smiled at everyone?
Seeing the shifting expressions on her face, Qiu Ling assumed she was still worried about the operation on the island and hurriedly spoke.
"Miss Qin, please be at ease. I will surely protect you today."
Yes, if there was anyone loyal and reliable enough to protect her in the chaos of a martial arts gathering, it had to be the Lord of Severed Jade. Who else could it be?
After a momentary lapse in concentration, Qin Jiuye snapped out of it. She pinched the palm of her hand hard inside her sleeve and scrambled for a topic to continue the conversation.
"By the way, Adjutant Gao took the Second Young Master to find you last night. Did the two of you have a good talk?"
The smile vanished from that young face instantly. He returned to his usual cold, hard demeanor, looking even more burdened than usual.
Seeing this, Qin Jiuye immediately realized she had asked the wrong thing in her haste. She felt a wave of regret, but before she could try to salvage the situation, he spoke up of his own accord.
"Speaking of last night, I happen to have something I wish to ask Miss Qin."
Qin Jiuye breathed a small sigh of relief and said quickly, "Please speak, Sanlang."
"Does Miss Qin have any knowledge regarding dementia?"
Qin Jiuye thought for a moment and answered truthfully.
"This condition is most complex and difficult to diagnose. The causes vary depending on the patient's situation. If the patient is young and the onset is sudden, it could be a malignant disease in the head or the result of external trauma to the head and neck. If the patient is over sixty, it is most likely due to natural aging. This is the way of nature, and most physicians are helpless against it." She paused here before adding, "There is one more possibility: the patient may have had a hidden vulnerability in their youth—perhaps a head injury or erosion by toxins—that did not manifest then, but surfaced after many years. Once it breaks out, it is often uncontrollable; medicine becomes useless, and it is difficult to reverse."
With every word she spoke, his face darkened a shade further.
Qin Jiuye observed this and knew that since he was asking, someone close to him must be suffering from the condition. She instinctively glanced around.
The boat they were on was small; she could see the stern in a single glance. After confirming again, she realized there was no one else on board except for the silent boatman.
Recalling their first private encounter, it seemed to be the time she had broken into his manor to argue her innocence. Back then, she was focused only on saving Qin Sanyou and the others, giving no thought to anything else. Her words had been sharp and audacious, and he had been merciless, showing her no kindness at all. At that time, she felt he had no regard for their past acquaintance and was somewhat disheartened. How could she have imagined that they would grow closer, eventually sitting peacefully on a boat discussing family matters?
Perhaps whether he was her old acquaintance no longer mattered. She firmly believed that whether it was the late-night talk at the manor or the entrustment of the jade, the man before her had already unconsciously placed his trust in her. And she didn't ask for much; a little trust was enough.
Thinking of this, Qin Jiuye gathered her courage and took the initiative to speak.
"I wonder where this patient you are worried about is? If they are in Jiugao, I can pay a visit another day. After a face-to-face consultation, I might be able to make a better judgment."
"The person is in the Qiu Manor." Qiu Ling seemed to find it extremely difficult to speak, but he finally whispered the words, "It is my father."
Even though she had a premonition, Qin Jiuye could not hide her shock when he spoke.
Qiu Yan was ill? Since when? Did Xu Qiuchi already know? It seemed Qiu Yan hadn't appeared at this year's New Year's Eve ceremony, so he must have been ill for a while. If so, was Xu Qiuchi’s involvement in the secret formula case related to this? How would Qiu Ling handle this complex web of relationships once he knew? A perfectly good family—she hoped they wouldn't end up falling apart or turning against each other due to misunderstandings and differing stances...
Qin Jiuye’s thoughts raced through countless possibilities, her worries increasing layer by layer.
But in the end, she did not ask him anything.
In a way, she and Qiu Ling were the same kind of people. For people like them, it was a habit to turn the tide and carry the burden alone; asking others for help was extremely difficult, let alone confiding their inner struggles.
After a moment of contemplation, Qin Jiuye’s expression returned to normal. She picked up the tea cup on the table, which had already gone cold, and asked while drinking, "Then... is there anything you need me to do? If I can do it, I will certainly try my best. Although I am an old acquaintance of that Tingfeng Hall shopkeeper, I don't have his silver tongue; I’ll likely never be able to make a living that way. Plus, my apothecary business is quite tedious, and I’m always dizzy with work, so I’ve become quite lazy with my words. Every drop of spit is worth money, as my old acquaintances in Dingwen Village know. They rarely ask questions, and even if they did, I wouldn't say much..."
She "complained" volubly, seemingly saying nothing of importance, yet Qiu Ling found himself at a loss for words as he listened.
The woman before him seemed mundane, but she was actually extremely sharp and wise, like an awl hidden under a skin. If anyone tried to manipulate her, she would reveal her stinging point. As clever as she was, it was impossible for her not to guess the implications behind his words. But this time, she had tucked her sharpness away.
She used a joking tone to considerately tell him: she would not speak of his father's illness to anyone. And when she subtly conveyed this meaning, she didn't swear oaths like those in the martial world, nor did she make grand promises like officials at a banquet. Yet, he felt her words were so sincere and true, as solid as gold and stone.
The woman finished the tea in her cup, and her voice finally stopped. She looked at him, her eyes seemingly speaking for her, making him look down involuntarily.
"This is a private matter of mine and has nothing to do with our agreement to investigate the case. If Miss Qin has any reservations, you may certainly refuse. If you are willing to try, I will sincerely thank you on behalf of the entire Qiu Manor. You may name your price for the consultation fee, and if you have any other needs, you can inform me as well. As long as it is within my power, I, Qiu, will not refuse."
He certainly trusted her, making such a broad promise. Wasn't he worried she would make some strange or excessive demand?
Qin Jiuye pretended to be deep in thought for a moment before slowly speaking.
"The consultation fee is easy to discuss, but I do want Sanlang to promise me one thing."
Qiu Ling didn't speak; he only looked up and stared at her fixedly.
His heart suddenly began to beat very fast—faster than the year he had charged alone into the river pirates' camp and slain sixteen men in a row.
He seemed to be anticipating some strange request, and then felt ashamed of the unstoppable fantasies in his mind.
The woman before him was always perceptive. She had clearly read the trepidation in his gaze, but she only assumed he regretted his "bold words" and was worried about losing several months' salary. She found it somewhat amusing and, while rubbing her hands together, comforted him.
"I’m not afraid of Sanlang laughing at me, but in the past, I wouldn't even waive a single copper coin for medicine, and I’ve never gone without discussing the consultation fee. That is my situation and my limitation. However, I pride myself on having some self-awareness. Having run a small business for a few years, I understand the principle of equal exchange. Rest assured, I will not ask for anything too precious."
His racing heart suddenly felt empty. The young Protector slowly released his grip on the hem of his robe.
How was he to explain to her that his silence wasn't because he was worried she would "open her mouth like a lion," but because... because...
Clearing his throat, he also grabbed his tea cup to hide his expression.
"What is your request? Let's hear it."
Qin Jiuye took a deep breath, organized her words, and then spoke truthfully.
"As Sanlang saw before, I don't have many relatives. Aside from my apprentice and my distant younger brother, there is only Old Qin. My father-in-law is elderly and stubborn. He isn't like me, a greedy person; all the money he’s earned from hard labor over the years has been to support me. Getting involved in the Su family’s affairs was an accident for him and a lesson for me. Being able to clear our names and escape with Sanlang’s help is already a blessing from our ancestors, but if a similar situation arises in the future, the outcome is uncertain. I know Sanlang’s ambitions lie far away, and you are meant to be a high official in the Capital. I only ask that after this secret formula case is completely settled, Sanlang uses your status as the Jade-Bearing Protector to recommend capable people for Jiugao City. Do not let Lord Fan become the new master who sits firmly in the seat of power here."
Though her words were roundabout, the underlying meaning was not hard to grasp. She wasn't the type of reckless person who lost her sense of self after receiving a bit of appreciation. Even if she hated Fan Tong to the core, she couldn't directly say he was a muddled official who was truly useless.
But she didn't believe that after the Su Manor case and dealing with Lord Fan, Qiu Ling didn't have his own judgments.
In the past, when Qiu Yan presided over the city as the Water-Suppressing Commandant, although the laws and regulations were strict, those seeking profit were greatly suppressed under that atmosphere of self-restraint and propriety. The people and the poor of Jiugao City had a decent life. Now, although Qiu Yan’s illness was not yet public knowledge, the decline of the Qiu family was already apparent. The situation in the city was delicate. The reason Fan Tong had dared to shield the Su family before was clearly because he wanted to curry favor and pave his own future path. If he were allowed to continue acting like a local tyrant, the foundation Jiugao City had built over the years would eventually be completely destroyed. The city walls that should have been straight were already beginning to tilt; it was hard to say they wouldn't collapse into a pile of rubble with a loud bang in the future.
Although she used her own elder as a pretext, what she mentioned was far more than just her own small patch of land. This was a far cry from her usual image of being cautious and minding her own business, yet upon closer reflection, it didn't feel out of place.
Qiu Ling set down his tea cup. His heart was no longer beating out of control as it had been, but another kind of faint, itchy throb spread out, plunging him into an even stranger state.
He understood the deep meaning in the woman's words, but he couldn't respond immediately. After some deliberation, he spoke.
"Since Miss Qin cares so much for the elder in your family, why not simply have him return to his hometown to recuperate? After all, traveling abroad inevitably leads to trouble. Rather than worrying day and night, it is better to eliminate the hidden danger."
"I won't hide it from Sanlang. Firstly, my Old Qin has been hardworking for most of his life and is used to running around; he certainly won't settle down for me to support him. Secondly..." Qin Jiuye paused here, seemingly weighing how much to reveal, but finally decided to speak truthfully, "I have no other relatives left in my old home in Suiqing. Money can buy many things, but it cannot replace eating salted vegetables and steamed buns with family and chatting about daily life. I cannot bear to send him back to the countryside to live out his days alone. I would rather he move about and interact with people, and when he’s free, come talk to me and vent his frustrations."
Qiu Ling was stunned.
The woman's tone as she spoke was very plain, as if she were just chatting with him about common things. But he hadn't chatted with anyone about family in a long time. Hearing someone speak of it in such a natural tone gave him a strange sense of unfamiliarity.
And it was this most ordinary conversation that, like a ray of sunlight piercing through dark clouds, awakened his memories.
In fact, a long, long time ago, he had also sat at a table with his parents and younger brother, chatting about everything under the sun until late at night. Summer insects and cold winter nights were no obstacle to them drawing close and confiding in each other. Their shadows merged, and no matter where they went, they carried each other's voices, scents, and warmth.
He had once been so familiar with all of this, yet now even sitting at the same table with family had become so foreign.
And in this instant, he suddenly understood the look his playboy, lazy younger brother had given him last night across the hissing copper kettle.
Perhaps his brother had never changed; it was only he who had forgotten how family members were supposed to interact.
"It is because I left home young and my family ties grew thin that I failed to consider this. I have made Miss Qin laugh."
She had only spoken some plain truths, yet it had caused the man before her to show such a sorrowful look. Qin Jiuye was inevitably a bit flustered. She scratched her head and comforted him.
"I truly didn't mean anything else by saying those things, Sanlang. You needn't overthink it. In truth, every family has its own difficulties. Take my Old Qin, for example; he’s still worrying about me every day at his age, yet the words out of his mouth are always so unpleasant. It’s also because I don't have greater ability. If I could save more money, perhaps both he and I would have fewer worries."
Although the person before him was in a difficult situation, she never avoided it and was always open and honest with him. And he was able to glimpse his own troubles through hers, thereby gaining an opportunity to face himself honestly.
Qiu Ling pondered for a moment and said softly, "If I can stand at a higher place, my father won't have to be trapped in this stone city, and A-Chi can go see the vast world outside instead of being confined to the manor as he is now."
Qin Jiuye looked at that grave face and suddenly felt that although the man before her had changed into those green robes long ago, it was only at this moment that he had truly shed that black armor and become a person willing to reveal his flesh and blood.
She didn't know how many people had seen this side of Qiu Ling, but she was familiar with his current expression. That kind of frustration often appeared on the face of the unsuccessful Situ Jinbao; it really shouldn't appear on the face of the Lord of Severed Jade, who had achieved fame at a young age and possessed an untarnished reputation.
"Does Sanlang view protecting someone as too complicated?" After saying this, Qin Jiuye grabbed a flatbread from the mountain on the table. "Actually, protecting someone is very simple. For example, Adjutant Lu’s flatbreads are his way of protecting you. And for me, earning a few more copper coins is my way of protecting everyone. Would Sanlang blame Adjutant Lu for not giving more?"
"Of course not."
He answered quickly and firmly. Qin Jiuye nodded, took a large bite of the flatbread, and continued.
"Then that’s it. Protecting each other is an instinct between close people; there’s no need for measurement or comparison. You have already given much. Those who care about you won't resent you for the things you couldn't do, and you needn't worry about it."
*Is that so? Is it truly so?*
Once, his mother was the one who protected him. Later, when his mother was gone, it was only he who protected others.
"Protection" was deeply engraved in the blood and bones of the Qiu family. His father had protected countless cities, his mother had protected countless people, and if he wanted to rescue the Qiu family's fate from that endless curse, he could only take up this burden and move forward. Along the way, he had never thought there could be anyone else to protect him.
Seeing him remain silent, Qin Jiuye spoke again.
"What? Does Sanlang look down on Adjutant Lu, or do you look down on me?" As she spoke, her clear eyes sparkled with light. "Even if a person is poor and small, they will have things they want to protect. When I was young and sickly, Aunt Yang and Old Qin protected me. Now it’s my turn to protect them. No matter what the future holds, I will persevere."
After Qin Jiuye finished, she smiled with a sense of relief.
The man before her stared blankly at that smile, and a thousand words stopped at his lips.
In the moment she had smiled at him just now, he suddenly understood why the youth with the defiant eyes and obedient appearance was so subservient and persistent toward her.
She was someone who had suffered much, endured much injustice, and been repeatedly battered by life. Yet, someone like her was willing to give trust, kindness, and even reveal a moment of ease before him. To him, this was incredibly precious.
This kind of preciousness was something the high-ranking and well-born people he dealt with had never given him.
He thought that the reason he had chosen to don the Moon Armor, leave his home, and fight on the battlefield was to protect this kind of preciousness.
It was just that back then, he couldn't accurately describe the shape of this preciousness, nor was he certain he had seen it somewhere. He could only convince himself over and over that the thing he wanted to protect truly existed.
But just a moment ago, he suddenly felt that thing beginning to take on a concrete outline. Even its color, sound, and scent became specific and vivid, dancing before his eyes like this emerald-blue, clear lake water. And what he had to do was use all the strength of the rest of his life to protect it all.
Finally, he spoke slowly.
"Longshu is the commandery with the least presence in Xiangliang, but the post of Commandery Governor is no small matter. The recommendation and appointment of such an official often involves power struggles between various factions, followed by layers of reporting and verification, finally decided by the current Emperor. With my current status and position, even if I have the heart, I am powerless to interfere."
Because she had prepared herself before he spoke, Qin Jiuye, though disappointed by his words, did not show too much regret. She was about to say something to smooth things over when his voice sounded again.
"However, I can stay." He looked at her fixedly, a gentle yet firm expression appearing in his sharp eyes. "If that is what you wish. When everything is over, I will go nowhere but stay in Jiugao City. I will take up the burden from my father's shoulders and continue to guard this city."
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
璃心湖 | Lixin Lake | The setting of the boat journey.
琼壶岛 | Qionghu Island | The destination for the martial gathering.
开锋大典 | Blade-Sharpening Ceremony | A major martial arts event/gathering.
昆墟剑门 | Kunxu Sword Sect | Qiu Ling's martial sect.
三郎 | Sanlang | "Third Brother/Son"; an intimate way to address Qiu Ling.
痴症 | Dementia | The illness affecting Qiu Ling's father.
断玉君 | Lord of Severed Jade | Qiu Ling's title in the martial world.
九皋 | Jiugao | The city where the story is primarily set.
丁瓮村 | Dingwen Village | The village where Qin Jiuye's apothecary is located.
绥清 | Suiqing | Qin Jiuye's hometown.
龙枢 | Longshu | The commandery/region where Jiugao is located.
襄梁 | Xiangliang | The broader kingdom or state.
