That night, staying at the Qiu Manor, Qin Jiuye lay awake, her mind drifting back to her childhood.
At first, she tried to use her real memories to dilute the descriptions she had heard from others. But as she reminisced, she realized she had no memory of anything before the age of three.
If she truly came from somewhere in Juchao, why did she remember nothing? Perhaps, as a young child, she had chosen to discard those terrifying memories just to survive without the burden of pain.
Tossing and turning, she recalled the time she had gone alone to the Su Manor to practice medicine. She was used to the cramped, chaotic, and poorly soundproofed rooms of Guoran Clinic; sleeping in such a vast, tidy space made her feel out of place. She peered out through the half-open window and saw lights burning through the night in several other rooms. Only this time, no one would sneak to her door in the middle of the night, leave a bowl of plain noodles, and flee in a panic.
The next morning, Qin Jiuye, having not slept a wink, was already waiting in the courtyard. When she heard footsteps and looked up, she couldn't help but startle.
This was the first time since entering the Qiu Manor that she had seen the two brothers standing side-by-side under the same eaves. There was an unusual atmosphere in the air. Her intuition told her that something else must have happened last night. She was itching to ask, but on second thought, the current situation was as good as it could be. If she accidentally said the wrong thing, everything might revert to the starting point. So, she held onto the hope that the two of them would offer an explanation themselves.
But her curiosity was destined to be drowned in silence; it would find no satisfaction.
After an unknown amount of time, perhaps feeling that continuing like this was a waste of time, Qiu Ling spoke first—but he addressed her.
"Is your health any better?"
Nearly a month had passed since the night she was attacked by Li Qiao. The scabs on her wounds had already fallen off, Guoran Clinic had been open for half a month, and she had personally handled Qin Sanyou’s funeral. This concern seemed a bit late; moreover, when they had met yesterday, he hadn't asked.
However, remembering their conversation while she lay in bed that day, Qin Jiuye felt she knew what he was truly asking.
She pondered for a moment and finally gave a firm nod.
"I am well, Commander. Rest assured." After a pause, she asked in return, "How have you been lately, Commander?"
Qiu Ling gave a faint smile.
It was the first time in the past month he had shown such an expression—a sense of relief mixed with the exhaustion of finally letting his guard down.
"I am also well. I didn't seek you out before because of your grandfather’s passing. But now that you’ve come, I am at ease."
He was about to say more when Xu Qiuchi, unable to restrain himself, rolled his eyes and spoke up rudely.
"Do you two really have to waste time on such meaningless pleasantries right in front of me?"
Qin Jiuye gave him a half-smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"It was my mistake to neglect the Second Young Master. How are you? When I saw you yesterday, you seemed..."
She didn't get to finish, as Xu Qiuchi had already reached out and clamped a hand over her mouth.
This was their first reunion a month after their falling out. She had thought that without Li Qiao and Teng Hu present, their discussions would go more smoothly, but it seemed that wasn't the case.
Qiu Ling shook his head inwardly, already beginning to regret a certain decision he had made this morning. But in the end, he said nothing more, only carefully spreading the items Lu Zican had delivered yesterday onto the stone table in the courtyard.
"The contents of the Qingwu Blade's scabbard have been removed."
Hearing this, Qin Jiuye and Xu Qiuchi stopped their bickering and leaned in with serious expressions.
Lying quietly on the stone table was a thin piece of fine linen. At first glance, not a single word could be seen, only some winding lines and strangely shaped dots.
Thanks to the leisure books from Lady Feng, Qin Jiuye was the first to react.
"Is this... a map?"
Qiu Ling nodded and gestured for them to look closer.
The cloth map had been sealed for a long time and had been soaked during its removal; the fabric was somewhat decayed. Qin Jiuye had initially worried that the ink might have faded due to the corrosive lacquer on the inner walls of the scabbard, but upon closer inspection, she realized the map was embroidered onto the cloth. The details remained perfectly preserved.
However, aside from the depictions of mountains and rivers, there were no labels for things like towns or cities. The embroidery was also quite crude, using common flat stitches. It was unclear if it had been made in a hurry, as there were no traceable techniques. In short, even after the three of them examined it inside and out, they couldn't be certain where the map pointed.
Qiu Ling had spent years leading troops in battle, and Qin Jiuye had traveled through deep mountains and old forests, yet neither could make head or tail of it. Although Xiangliang had Frontier Officials specialized in cartography and hydrography, most were out in the field. Finding an experienced one on short notice was no easy task. Furthermore, Frontier Officials usually mapped specific regions, and currently, no one could even confirm which province's geography the map depicted.
Since the map itself yielded no further clues, they could only look for answers from the person who made it.
"A year after the battle of Juchao ended, Li Qingdao was captured by Di Mo and taken to the Peerless Manor. What exactly was she doing during the time before that?"
Qiu Ling posed the question first, but since Li Qingdao's only descendant was not present, they could only continue to speculate.
Qin Jiuye pondered for a moment and followed Qiu Ling's line of reasoning.
"If this map was indeed completed during that time, then she must have been exploring the mountains and rivers shown on it. Even if Li Qingdao was highly skilled, Di Mo was no fool. After the battle of Juchao, he was already planning the establishment of the Peerless Manor and had his finger on the pulse of everything happening in the martial world. Yet it took him a year or two to catch her. This suggests that the place Li Qingdao was visiting was a remote location beyond the reach of both officialdom and the martial world."
She stopped there, and Qiu Ling and Xu Qiuchi both looked over at the same time.
As their eyes met, a common answer surfaced in their minds.
"Juchao... this might be a map of Juchao."
Qin Jiuye murmured the words, but Xu Qiuchi shook his head, his brow furrowed with worry and exhaustion.
"We already knew the matter of the Secret Formula was related to the battle of Juchao twenty-two years ago. Why would she need to remind us? Since she went to such lengths to hide it, why play riddles with us now?"
Hearing this, Qiu Ling seemed to think of something.
"Although the ancient kingdom of Juchao is hidden deep within the mountains and has been unvisited for years, its geography isn't entirely unrecorded. Moreover, the Black Moon Army once laid siege to its gates; they locked onto the ancient city's location long ago. Did Li Qingdao go through all this trouble just to hide a map? Could it be..." He pointed to a spot slightly to the right of the map's center, where there was a red knot embroidered with thread. It looked like it had been cut off halfway, making it impossible to discern. "...Could this be the location of the ancient city of Juchao?"
Xu Qiuchi looked thoughtful.
"But if it were a city, there should at least be ancient roads marked. This area shows mostly water systems and terrain."
"The secrets kept by the Four Gentlemen of the Black Moon when they dispersed were all related to the Secret Formula. If I'm not mistaken, the marked location isn't the city, but the place where the Secret Formula was first discovered. Here..." Qin Jiuye's finger traced over the red embroidery. "...this might be where it all began."
Though it was only a guess, as the strongest lead they had, it was a path that desperately needed verification.
"If we find the source of this Secret Formula, does it mean we can find a cure?"
Qin Jiuye thought about it and spoke truthfully.
"It's hard to say. But Li Qingdao leaving this map behind surely means it's vital information. Furthermore, if we can find the source of the plague and understand how it all started and how it was quelled, it would be a breakthrough for any physician."
Beyond that, there were some things she didn't say out loud.
During her time at the shipyard, she had failed to make any effective progress. The fact that Teng Hu was willing to share a room with her suggested he had also hit a bottleneck and hoped to get new ideas from her. Though Teng Hu had a foul personality, his skills were genuine. If Zuo Ci had left behind a final wish, then Teng Hu must have started researching this plague much earlier than she had. If even he had reached a dead end, then everything was far more difficult than imagined.
Even though she didn't voice these thoughts, the expressions on Qiu Ling and Xu Qiuchi's faces said it all.
Heading to Juchao was likely everyone's last resort.
"Father led troops deep into Juchao back then. Even if he didn't leave behind deployment maps, he should have an impression of the mountains and rivers. It's just..."
Qiu Ling's voice trailed off, but Xu Qiuchi picked up the thread.
"Besides Father, there is one other person who went to Juchao back then."
The moment he spoke, Qin Jiuye guessed who it was, because that person had sought her out just last night.
Soon, their suspicions were confirmed by Liu Caiwu. According to her, the location depicted on the map should be a valley southwest of Juchao. Because the pass to the ancient city lay just outside the valley, and the valley itself was a dead end surrounded by mountains on three sides, very few people had ever set foot there, even in the past.
Liu Caiwu’s narration was flat, but she even remembered what the locals called a certain river and provided the best time to enter the mountains. It was as if everything had been weighed and recited in her heart a thousand times.
Perhaps, during countless long nights, those who remembered the events of that year and had not given up on finding the truth were far more numerous than imagined.
The scattered sparks simply needed an opportunity to gather and burn.
And now was that opportunity.
No one knew if their speed in finding a cure could match Ding Miao’s movements. There was only one chance; missing it could mean there was no turning back. Haste would lead to waste, so they had to depart as early as possible while being fully prepared.
The journey south to Juchao was inevitable. However, since Juchao was utterly annihilated twenty-two years ago, the entire Mingshan region of Yuzhou had long been desolate—a true "no man's land."
Although Qin Jiuye didn't understand the various travel laws between local governments, she knew that "no man's land" didn't mean it was truly unmonitored; it was just a way for officials to dodge responsibility. In other words, those who entered did so at their own risk; if anything went wrong, there would be no officials to appeal to. Going to such a place would naturally not be simple. The Huan River, swollen with Jiugao's excessive rainfall, had begun to flood, and water bandits had risen again on the Feng River connecting to Yu County. For a time, natural disasters and human calamities seemed to converge. With mountain brigands and water bandits rampant, the issuance of travel permits to Baiyu Pass in Yuzhou had ceased months ago.
But the day after they set the departure date, Lin Fang, escorted by several young officers, personally delivered the travel permits. Although Qiu Ling didn't say much about it, Qin Jiuye felt he must have paid some price behind the scenes.
Sure enough, after receiving the documents, Qiu Ling made a brief announcement.
"You all go ahead. I will depart a bit later."
There was a moment of silence among the group. Only Xu Qiuchi looked over.
"Brother is allowing me to go along?"
Qiu Ling nodded, his face showing little emotion.
"I will have Zican accompany you. But along the way, switching boats and passing through checkpoints will require your management. It will take two or three days at the fastest, five at the slowest. Once I've handled the matters at hand, I will catch up with you quickly."
He didn't elaborate on what the "matters at hand" were, but no one questioned him—not even his usually difficult and suspicious younger brother.
"Fine. Little Yezi will be coming to administer acupuncture these few days. I don't know if Father's condition will improve, so you should take the time to visit him more."
After Xu Qiuchi finished his brief remarks, he said he had other matters to attend to in the manor and left first. Seeing this, Qin Jiuye also used the excuse of taking over Xu Qinglan’s medical records to withdraw, leaving the space to the young Commander and his subordinates.
In truth, even without Qiu Ling speaking, everyone could guess why he was having trouble leaving.
Setting aside the fact that the people from the General of the South's Manor wouldn't let things go easily, the river channels around Jiugao had begun to show signs of flooding again these past few days. The city's Water Control Official was currently unable to perform his duties, and the river officials from the Water Bureau were delayed on the road. The heavy responsibility of flood control naturally fell to someone else. In terms of rank, although Qiu Ling was only a Commander investigating a case, being in Jiugao gave him collateral responsibility. Moreover, he was a member of the Qiu family; if he didn't step up now and something went wrong in the city later, the Qiu family would still be unable to escape accountability.
"These permits should come in pairs—one for the journey there, and one for the return. Lord Zhou only gave me the permits for the departure. As for the return..."
Lin Fang’s voice rose. Qiu Ling snapped back to attention and said in a low voice.
"Thank you for your hard work, Lord Lin. I will go find him personally."
Lin Fang understood and stepped aside, replaced by Gao Quan, who stepped forward.
"Following your orders, Commander, we have set up checkpoints along the waterways and main official roads today. Notices have also been distributed nearby. Once a suspicious case is found, Lord Song’s side will take over. News will be reported up through the layers and won't be delayed by more than a day." He paused slightly, then lowered his voice further. "Speaking of which, it's quite a coincidence. The Prefect's office has been very quiet lately. Even the usual spies have decreased significantly. If you have any actions planned, Commander, now is the best time."
Zheng Peiyu, who was standing behind Gao Quan, stroked his chin thoughtfully upon hearing this.
"It's not just these past few days. Previously, when we were coming and going from the shipyard, you specifically warned us to watch out for Lord Fan's spies in the city, but the Prefect's office showed no movement during those days. I'm worried Lord Fan has latched onto someone else and is plotting something in the shadows. If it's the Prince of Xiaoning's Manor, then..."
At the mention of the "Prince of Xiaoning's Manor," Lin Fang immediately lowered his head. The next moment, Qiu Ling’s low voice cut him off.
"Before things are clear, do not speculate wildly outside. Especially while I am away, do not lose sight of the big picture and let someone find an opening."
Zheng Peiyu immediately stiffened and lowered his head.
"This subordinate misspoke."
"If he truly is in league with people from the capital, there will surely be correspondence or outsiders coming and going. While I am away, keep a close eye on things. If anything is amiss..." Qiu Ling paused for a moment, weighing his options before continuing, "...send word to me first. If the situation is urgent, you may consult with Lord Lin first to decide on a strategy."
The Minister of Waterways, who had been waiting respectfully, finally raised his smiling face and bowed.
"This official will not fail his mission."
At the back gate of the Qiu Manor, Qin Jiuye stopped her departing footsteps and finally turned back to look at the green-clad manager seeing her off.
"Since you have helped with all your might, Manager Liu, why are you unwilling to make this trip with us?"
As someone who had personally been to Juchao, Liu Caiwu was clearly a key candidate for this southern journey. But the latter obviously had no such intention, and no one in the Qiu family could force her.
She stubbornly guarded that courtyard, seemingly waiting for someone to return, yet knowing clearly that the person she waited for would never come back.
"It's hardly 'all my might.' I just occasionally think that if someone back then had been so dedicated to seeking the truth, not hesitating to leave everything behind, crossing mountains and rivers, and enduring a thousand hardships just for an answer, perhaps the Madam's illness..." Her voice broke, and when it resumed, it had returned to its usual indifference. "...It's just a thought. It's useless."
Qin Jiuye pondered for a moment, then looked at her.
"I heard that after this year's Sword Appreciation Assembly, your major business was concluded, Manager Liu. If that's the case, why didn't you leave? Why choose to stay at the Qiu Manor?"
Liu Caiwu paused visibly, seemingly not expecting the other woman to question her directly after their previous private talk.
But strangely, she felt no anger or disgust.
"I stay at the Qiu Manor to repay a debt. But this is a debt of a life. Unless I die, the debt is not fully paid."
Qin Jiuye nodded and asked nothing more. She simply opened her oil-paper umbrella, tucked Xu Qinglan’s medical records away safely, and said one last thing before stepping into the rain.
"The Madam was a physician. I might understand a physician's heart a bit better than you. Every physician hopes their patients will live a long life; the Madam surely felt the same for you. You look strong and healthy, Manager Liu; living another thirty or forty years shouldn't be a problem. Perhaps you should think more carefully about how to spend the rest of your life."
In truth, even if Xu Qinglan were still alive, uncovering the truth about the Secret Formula might not mean a happy ending.
Qin Jiuye had repeatedly told herself this before setting out.
But even knowing that things might not go as desired, as long as there was a one-in-ten-thousand hope, she would seize it without hesitation.
Once the departure date was set, the number of things to do suddenly multiplied, and every day felt tight. It was like the approaching footsteps of autumn—silent and heart-wrenching.
There were many paths south, but choosing the one that was both fast and stable was the most important decision.
If Jiugao had one part rain, the rainfall after entering Yuzhou would be ten parts. Not only would the waterways be difficult, but many towns along the way were also in bad shape. Therefore, besides planning the route, the boat's supplies and the equipment needed for entering the mountains had to be fully prepared. Everyone was ready for the possibility of being unable to dock for supplies, hoping to reach the depths of Mingshan in one go.
Perhaps because there was so much to prepare and the planning took so long, Qin Jiuye gradually began to feel differently about the journey she was about to embark on.
In fact, this wasn't her first time traveling far. In the past, she had followed her master into the mountains to gather herbs and traveled to various towns as an itinerant physician, often for months at a time. Mountain roads were difficult and the path ahead was unpredictable; dangers were common. But for some reason, she had never felt uneasy. Each time, she would just shoulder her herb basket, grab her hoe, pack some travel money, and set off without overthinking things.
But this time was clearly different from all her previous travels. There was a sense of dark clouds pressing down, of an impending great battle, and a desperate resolve, like a lone warrior entering a formation with no way back.
Thinking it over, she took the time to carry a shovel and hoe to the peach grove alone to repair Old Qin’s grave.
She held the military tag in her hand, thinking she must say something to Old Qin, but when she actually stood before the grave, she couldn't utter a single word. In the end, she sat there for half a day, planted a new peach sapling at the head of the grave, and buried the military tag beneath the tree.
She didn't know if a tree planted in autumn could survive, nor did she know what kind of plant Old Qin had meant by "the grass with nine leaves." She simply chose this small peach tree with nine branches, hoping Old Qin would understand her intent and know she was there with him.
One must always prepare for the worst. After the danger they faced in Dingweng Village, although Qiu Ling had been secretly sending people to watch over the village, she was still uneasy. So, she sought out Dou Wuniang to give further instructions.
Having left that rainy night behind, Dou Wuniang had turned back into that village woman, showing no sign of being a master. She was busy finding ways to dodge the medicine debt she had owed since last winter. Qin Jiuye stared at her face—cunning yet slightly pathetic—and suddenly felt with genuine emotion: perhaps this was her true self. After all, Jiuye had dealt with many so-called martial arts masters; the moment they laid down their swords, most were just ordinary people who couldn't even manage their daily lives.
After some fierce bargaining, a brief agreement was reached: Dou Wuniang would keep a constant eye on Dingweng Village, in exchange for three months of waived medicine fees at Shopkeeper Qin’s clinic.
Three months was not a short time; by then, it would likely be winter. But Qin Jiuye didn't know if everything would be over by then.
The truth she sought was hidden in the mountain mists, and the end she hoped for lay beyond that truth.
Thinking about how much had happened in the last three months, she buried herself in Guoran Clinic for three days, writing prescriptions. She wrote down the conditions of all her regular patients from memory, organized them into a book, and gave it to Jinbao. She also picked out the silver scraps Old Qin had left her and the gold Li Qiao had left behind, organized the rest into several portions for storage, and for the first time, disclosed the details of the silver and the ledgers to him, repeatedly warning him to use the money wisely.
Although Situ Jinbao was dull-witted, he had the intuition common to such people. At first, seeing her pack her bags, he was happy for a while, thinking he could finally be the "master of the house." But seeing this series of actions, he had a premonition that this was different from before. He kept following her, asking when she would return.
She said curtly: "When it's done."
Jinbao asked again: "How long is 'when it's done'?"
Annoyed by the questioning, she asked him in return: wouldn't it be better if she didn't come back? Then Guoran Clinic and the silver under the stove would all be his. He would never have to deal with her stingy face again, he could go see Second Miss Fang whenever he liked, and he could eat as many bowls of rice as he wanted without her nagging him.
After she finished this speech, Jinbao actually cried. Between sobs, he accused her of being a stone-hearted woman who didn't treat him like a human being. Finally, he begged her not to leave him alone, saying the men, women, and children of Dingweng Village were all waiting for her.
Qin Jiuye felt that there might be some attachment to her in those tears, but more of it was a fear of the unknown—fear of facing life alone, of having no one to share hardships with, of his half-baked medical skills being unable to cure the daily disease of poverty, and of his light, half-lived life being worth less than a handful of paper money on a grave.
She stopped his grief with a chicken.
But while Jinbao could vent his unease to her, to whom could she speak of her own?
Despite telling herself countless times that there was no need for such a fuss—it wasn't as if she wasn't coming back—she couldn't control herself. Every single thing she did felt like a farewell of "never to meet again in this life."
After settling the affairs of Guoran Clinic, she went into the city to meet Xu Qiuchi and the others. Before leaving, she took the time to return the books she had borrowed from Lady Feng, went to Tingfeng Hall in the south of the city to light a stick of incense for Old Tang, and finally went to Bobo Street. Gritting her teeth, she bought a pound of sugar cakes and sat by the side of Shouqi Street to eat them.
The rain after autumn was damp and cold; only the freshly baked sugar cakes in her hand were warm. Every brick and tile in sight was a familiar scene, but every person walking by was a stranger.
There was a sense of contradiction everywhere.
She thought of the legendary stories Old Tang used to tell—how sigh-inducing, astonishing, and lingering the endings were. Yet when the next story began, one was plunged into another tale. It was just like how no matter how difficult the hurdle or how rough the life, it could all be overcome by "enduring." Any great storm or life-and-death struggle would pass in the blink of an eye.
It was just that before everything began, no one knew what would happen in the process, or if the ending could still return to this original starting point.
On the day of departure, after much hesitation, she chose the copper mirror with "No Hiding" engraved on the back from the two mirrors and carried it with her. As soon as she boarded the boat, Xu Qiuchi spotted it.
"That's a nice mirror. How about letting me have it? I won't let you lose out."
Qin Jiuye turned her body slightly and gave a half-smile.
"This is for self-defense. If you don't understand, shut up."
She was telling the truth; this mirror had indeed saved her twice at critical moments.
Xu Qiuchi withdrew his gaze, already understanding somewhat. He spoke slowly.
"Are you still expecting something? If your neck is itchy, I'll have Xin'er scratch it for you. She has a very strong grip."
Since the two of them had recognized each other and grown close in a strange way, they couldn't say two sentences without poking at each other's sore spots. Qin Jiuye fell silent for a moment, then pulled something out from her person and handed it over.
"The thing you wanted."
Xu Qiuchi’s gaze swept over the rough paper package. Perhaps out of disdain for the crude packaging, he didn't reach out to take it.
"Keep it with you for a while. When we return from this trip, I'll come to get it from you personally."
Since the medicine money was already in her pocket, Qin Jiuye happily tucked the package away again. Then, half-jokingly and half-probingly, she asked, "Why not give it to her personally now?"
Xu Qiuchi fanned himself. His gaze looked out through the half-closed bamboo curtain, his voice carrying an indiscernible mix of sincerity and jest.
"Perhaps, deep down, I don't actually want to do it."
Not far outside the bamboo curtain, the woman in red stood at the bow of the boat with her blade, arguing with Lu Zican about the boat's draft. She was unaware of the conversation behind her.
Qin Jiuye turned to look at the dandy buried in silks and satins, and suddenly felt a surge of pity.
With the antidote to the Qingfeng Powder, Jiang Xin'er's life would have the same possibilities as Li Qiao's. She could try to resist, try to break free from the Peerless Manor, and try to have a life that truly belonged to her. But at the same time, her connection to the Qiu family, rooted in the past, would be severed.
When a bird spreads its wings to leave its cage, will it look back? She might be briefly lost or nostalgic, but in the end, she would choose to fly far away. Xu Qiuchi clearly understood this, which was why he treated this trip as the final journey.
The sky was not yet bright, and the river in the light rain was somewhat turbid. The lights had dissipated, and everything was hidden in chaos.
The cabin was a bit stifling. Qin Jiuye pulled up the bamboo curtain outside the boat window and looked out, surprised to find many swaying figures on the gray riverbank.
People of all kinds emerged from the shadows of large and small streets, flocking to the bridges and riverbanks, then lighting sparks of fire in the gloom.
The Longshu area had many towns besides Jiugao. Every ten miles along the water, there were different customs, yet everyone lived harmoniously in the same city. Bobo Street had shops selling everything; no matter where a person's hometown was, they could find a taste to soothe their homesickness there.
The glowing river before her was the best illustration of this.
Countless river lanterns drifted out from various waterway branches—large and small, ornate or simple. Some were filled with new rice and seasonal fruits; some carried flour dolls or sugar figures. There were colored paper lanterns, lotus lanterns, and wormwood lanterns of all kinds, but the light was the same. Those lights gathered together, following the river in the same direction, as if intending to use these sparks to ignite the dawn that had not yet risen.
Qin Jiuye watched blankly, unable to help but sigh softly.
"I never realized before, but this city is truly lively."
"Today is the Zhongyuan Festival. Those are people releasing water lanterns to pray for blessings." Xu Qiuchi’s voice sounded lazy as he playfully opened one eye. "What? Did you think they all came to see you off?"
The fifteenth day of the seventh month—the Autumn Harvest Sacrifice, the return of the dead.
This day meant the end of summer and the coming harvest season; it also meant the Official of Earth granting pardons, delivering souls, and distinguishing good from evil.
Qin Jiuye lowered her eyes, masking the sorrow in her heart.
"What's wrong with me pretending they came to see us off?"
Xu Qiuchi gave a light laugh.
"How many people in this city know what we are about to do? What kind of hero is a hero that no one knows about?"
"If you want to be a hero, get the job done first. When the time comes, I'll personally find someone to write your biography and erect a monument for you. I guarantee people will line the streets to see you off wherever you go."
She finished with a smile and turned her gaze back to the riverbank.
In current Xiangliang, many did not believe in ghosts or gods. The festival sacrifices were far less lively than in the past. But the various memories of the great flood twenty-two years ago still lingered in the minds of many elderly people. They seemed to sense something from this long, unceasing rain and brought their families to the riverbanks. They prepared river lanterns carrying five-colored rice for blessings, and while silently murmuring something, they sent the lit lanterns into the water.
The current was swift. The lanterns swirled in the middle of the river and were soon washed downstream, disappearing into the morning mist.
As more people gathered on the banks, the waterway became crowded. The moment a lantern left one's hand, it was impossible to tell which one was their own. They could only watch the glowing river and recite a few last words. The two words heard most often were "Peace and Safety."
Praying for their family's peace, their own peace, and Jiugao's peace.
Only when people are most helpless do they seek help from the gods, hoping the gods can give them the strength to overcome difficulties.
But the gods are so ethereal and intangible. Sometimes, the deeper the faith is rooted in the heart, the greater the fear when falling into confusion.
Having believed in ghosts and gods, in Buddhas, in all living things, and even in mountains, rivers, and seas—if there was anything that had remained eternal and was pursued and revered by all, it was light.
People sang of the sun's generosity in nourishing all things, thanked the moon for its purity in lighting the long night, and even the stars could point the way for those in the darkness.
Whether it was releasing sky lanterns during the New Year or water lanterns during the Zhongyuan Festival, it was all the same.
For once, Qin Jiuye also lightly closed her eyes and murmured a few words in her heart.
She didn't know if there was some indescribable existence in the void that heard her heart's voice; she just treated those wishes as words spoken to herself.
At the last moment before leaving the city, the two of them stood at the bow, looking back at Jiugao, which was about to be left behind. Xu Qiuchi suddenly asked.
"Going to Juchao this time, have you thought about investigating your own origins?"
He clearly knew about Qin Sanyou. Qin Jiuye thought for a moment, then shook her head very seriously.
"I don't really want to know anymore."
When she was young, she had indeed once desperately wanted to know where she came from, who her biological parents were, and why they had abandoned her. It felt as if only by knowing these things would her feet have roots and her heart have a home.
But at this moment, she felt she no longer craved that answer.
She chose to accept her imperfect grandfather. Regardless of what Qin Sanyou was thinking when he adopted her, or what her origins were, it wouldn't change the fact that they had supported each other for half their lives.
Xu Qiuchi neither agreed nor disagreed. Then, he produced several thin sheets of pale green paper from somewhere.
"Today is an auspicious day. I'll give you a chance to say goodbye to him."
Qin Jiuye stared at the stack of paper in her hand for a long while before asking, "What is this?"
"A tradition in the Jiugao area. They say paper made from Rhinoceros Grass can reach the Yellow Springs. When I was young, I often used this paper to write letters to my mother, then burned them."
Xu Qiuchi didn't continue, only watching her quietly.
Qin Jiuye understood. He wanted her to write down her unspoken words and regrets on the paper. As the wood-pulp paper burned to ash, the longing and reluctance might also fade a little.
The Second Young Master of the Qiu family took after his mother; inside, he was a delicate and sensitive person. Qin Jiuye took the papers and sincerely expressed her thanks, then sat alone at the stern for a long time.
In the end, she didn't write a single word on the paper.
Her grandfather didn't know many characters. If she wrote a long, grand speech, he would only get anxious because he couldn't read it.
She simply took one sheet of Rhinoceros Grass paper, folded it into a paper boat, and placed it into the swift river flowing into the distance.
If Qin Sanyou’s soul was still wandering in the river, she hoped he would board this boat and go anywhere he wanted to go. From then on, he would be free and unburdened, no longer needing to worry about anyone or cling to anything.
Let her, the living one, bear the remaining turmoil.
The Huan River flowed south, vast and mighty, an unstoppable force.
And so did she.
***
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