The Su Manor was too large. So large it was unsettling, so large it was frightening.
Qin Jiuye had once dreamed of owning such a grand estate, with countless servants and maids attending to her every need, a constant stream of delicacies delivered to her room, and a courtyard spacious enough to raise a hundred chickens.
But now that she had experienced the reality of such an estate, she realized that the servants of the wealthy were masters of stealth; in such a vast residence, one could often walk from front to back without seeing a single soul. Furthermore, the wealthy did not seem to care for meat and feasts; their three daily meals were nothing but thin, watery soups.
The wealthy did not raise chickens either.
Here, let alone a chicken, it was difficult to spot even a single bird or insect.
During the day, it was merely quiet, but once night fell, the entire Su Manor descended into a deathly silence.
Clutching a soft quilt that smelled of incense, she rolled over, feeling enveloped by a vast void that made sleep impossible. Her stomach contracted, letting out a low, long rumble that echoed through the empty room.
For lunch, the Su Manor had provided a purely vegetarian spread. She had polished off the greens and grains, hoping for a bit of meat in the evening, only to find that the only dish that even looked like meat was a "vegetarian fish" made of tofu.
In her life of frequent hunger and deprivation, there was only one thing Qin Jiuye refused to eat: fish.
When summer arrived, puddles would form outside Dingweng Village, and the villagers would often catch small fish to supplement their diet. She never joined them. She could not stand even the slightest scent of fish. Jinbao often mocked her, saying she was born with a "lowly fate" and simply wasn't meant for the finer things in life.
At this moment, she felt Jinbao’s words might hold some truth.
She was already starting to miss the old cotton-wadded bedding at Guoran Residence, the leftover steamed buns and pickles from the wood-fired stove, and that dilapidated tile-roofed house that leaked whenever it rained.
She wondered if Jinbao had gone to Tang Shenyan’s place, if Old Tang was giving him a hard time, if it would rain tonight, and if Li Qiao had finished balancing yesterday’s ledgers...
Li... Li Qiao?
Qin Jiuye sat bolt upright in bed.
During the day, fearing that her consultation at the Su Manor might lead to trouble, she had told Jinbao to lay low for a while, but she had forgotten that Li Qiao was still at Guoran Residence.
The Su family hadn't made things difficult for her yet, so logically, Guoran Residence should still be peaceful. Even if something did happen, he was a man of the martial world; surely he could avoid such minor trouble? He was the sole survivor of the Qingping Path, which suggested he was tough and had decent luck, right?
She tried her best to convince herself, telling her bean-sized conscience to go take a hike.
With a thud, she flopped back onto the bed and tossed and turned for a while longer. Just as she was about to get up to brew herself some sedative herbs, she suddenly heard a noise outside the door.
The sound approached from a distance, sounding like someone tiptoeing past her room.
Perhaps because the Su Manor was so unfamiliar, Qin Jiuye felt an inexplicable sense of trepidation. One had to remember that she had once carried corpses down from the mountains in the middle of the night; logically, nothing in this manor should be able to scare her.
She pressed her ear to the door and listened for a while. Once she was certain it was quiet outside, she cautiously pulled the door open.
The corridor was silent; not a ghost in sight.
Her heart hammered against her ribs. Just as she was about to close the door, her peripheral vision caught something on the ground.
Placed neatly on the blue stone brick before her door was a bowl of noodles.
It was a bowl of hand-pulled noodles topped with a single egg and two small stalks of bok choy. The egg was a clean, white poached egg, and the greens were the tender hearts of the bok choy—exactly her favorites.
This... was beyond eerie.
Qin Jiuye stared at the bowl of noodles for a moment, glanced left and right down the corridor, then leaned down to carry the steaming bowl back into her room.
Placing the bowl on the small table, she first leaned in to sniff it, then drew a silver needle to test it.
No poison.
She picked up the bowl to examine it further. It was a plain, clean porcelain bowl; she couldn't see anything remarkable about it.
Who could have sent it?
The manor’s small kitchen? Did the Su Manor serve midnight snacks in addition to the three meals? Or did the Second Miss Su feel that the consultation had gone well and intended to reward her?
Reward her? The Second Miss likely didn't even remember if she was a man or a woman, let alone provide a bowl of hand-pulled noodles with an egg and greens, handled with such thoughtful detail.
Looking at the noodles, an unrealistic fantasy rose in Qin Jiuye’s heart.
Could it be... could it be...
The tall, upright figure of the young Commander flashed before her eyes. Before that fluttering feeling could fully take root, she shuddered and snapped back to reality.
How could Qiu Ling possibly be in the Su Manor in the middle of the night? And why would he send her a bowl of noodles for no reason?
Besides, she had come to the Su Manor to earn silver; those unformed romantic notions couldn't put food on the table.
Qin Jiuye took a deep breath to suppress her agitation and decided to set these unimportant mysteries aside for now. She rubbed her hands together, preparing to fill her empty stomach, only to realize one thing.
She didn't have chopsticks.
At that moment, there was another sound outside the door.
She lunged from her chair and bolted for the door.
She yanked it open. On the ground lay a pair of chopsticks wrapped in oil paper. A figure was scurrying toward the end of the corridor. Recognizing the familiar back, Qin Jiuye cast aside her reservations and gave chase.
She had been sickly since childhood, and though she had managed to grow into a healthy adult, she was no sprinter. However, the fleeing person seemed to be equally clumsy; she caught up to them just as they rounded a corner.
Without stopping to catch her breath, Qin Jiuye grabbed the person’s shoulder and spun them around. A familiar face met her eyes.
"Grandfather?"
The out-of-breath old man tried to shield his face. Realizing it was futile, he dejectedly pushed her hand away and continued walking forward in silence, pretending he didn't know her.
"Old Qin! Old Qin!" Qin Jiuye hurried after him, her voice still filled with disbelief. "What are you doing here?"
Qin Sanyou was forced to stop, anxiously reaching out to cover her mouth.
"Stop shouting! Do you want to wake everyone in this courtyard?"
Qin Jiuye pulled his hand away and lowered her voice, asking the obvious.
"That bowl of noodles just now..."
The old man, who had gotten up in the middle of the night to deliver food, bristled.
"Of course it was me! Who else did you think it was?!"
Indeed, who else could it have been?
Only her grandfather knew that she often got cravings at night and liked to sneakily cook noodles behind Jinbao’s back. He knew she liked her eggs poached and her greens tender... In this world, besides her grandfather, there was no one else who would be good to her for no reason.
Qin Jiuye’s nose tickled with emotion, and she moved to lean against him affectionately, but he warily dodged her.
"What are you doing?" Qin Sanyou glanced around quickly, his tone conspiratorial. "I am a man of status now. I cannot be seen lingering here with an outsider!"
Qin Jiuye found it slightly amusing.
"What status? What exactly are you doing in the Su Manor?"
Qin Sanyou blinked at her, then beckoned with his finger. Qin Jiuye leaned in, and he whispered.
"Delivering vegetables."
Though the answer was expected, she couldn't help but laugh.
The old man’s pride was wounded, and his face darkened.
"What? You think you're better than me just because you opened a pharmacy? My business has expanded lately. I’ve secured the vegetable supply for the Sun family in the east city, and even the Qingzhong Mountain Academy. Do you know about that academy? It’s a prestigious place..."
As the old man began to boast about his capabilities, Qin Jiuye’s brow furrowed.
"Qingzhong Mountain is in Linhu. That’s very far. Even if you take the water route without delay, it would take several days to return."
"It does take time, but they pay double. They specifically want bamboo shoots from Suiqing. I’m used to the route; making do on a boat for a few nights is worth the profit."
Qin Jiuye paused, then spoke firmly.
"Stop doing it. Guoran Residence doesn't earn much, but it’s enough to support you and Jinbao."
Qin Sanyou waved her off, stubborn as ever.
"Your grandfather is sound of limb and can still jump and run. Staying at home is boring. Your Auntie Yang is gone, and now I’m the only one left in the village. It’s lonely being by myself; I consider this a way to clear my head."
Qin Jiuye fell silent.
Even after all this time, she still couldn't bear to hear Auntie Yang’s name.
Auntie Yang’s name was Yang Suyun. She was Situ Jinbao’s mother and the younger sister of Old Qin’s deceased close friend.
Unlike the heartless, cold Situ family, Auntie Yang was a resilient and kind woman who had treated Jiuye like her own daughter. Years ago, when the village was hit by drought and no family had surplus grain, Jiuye—young and sickly—had nearly died several times. It was Auntie Yang who had set Jinbao aside and spent three days in the mountains digging for wild yams to save her life.
Unfortunately, heaven rarely lets good people live long. When Jiuye was twenty, Auntie Yang fell ill and passed away before spring arrived.
The Situ family had never liked Auntie Yang, a daughter-in-law of humble origins, and they had no use for a "foolish" son. Shortly after her only protective brother died, they severed ties completely. Once Auntie Yang passed, Jinbao had no kin left. The only person he could rely on was Old Qin. Qin Sanyou had shoved him into Guoran Residence without a second thought, claiming he was there to "help her."
At that time, Situ Jinbao was not as he was now. Having been raised by his paternal aunt as a child, he was poor in both pocket and spirit. His lazy body couldn't carry two pounds of rice, yet he had developed a self-pitying, self-destructive temper. Even after returning to his mother, he hadn't changed much. Qin Jiuye had argued with Old Qin many times over this.
But arguments aside, for Auntie Yang’s sake, she couldn't leave Jinbao to fend for himself. Old Qin seemed to feel somewhat guilty as well; he would often stop arguing and simply say that Jinbao was the son of his best friend and had to be looked after regardless. Qin Jiuye had tried to convince him to let Jinbao find a proper, respectable job in the city. But Old Qin clearly understood Jinbao’s nature better than she did; he knew that for a somewhat cowardly country youth, the city was not a den of gold and silver, but a place that devoured people whole.
Later, Qin Jiuye gave up arguing with Old Qin. Firstly, living alone was indeed lonely, and secondly, Guoran Residence truly did need hands. Her working conditions were harsh, and she hadn't been able to hire anyone for a long time. Since she couldn't get rid of this one, she didn't want to waste time being picky. Keeping Jinbao and training him carefully was her way of repaying Auntie Yang’s kindness.
Fortunately, Jinbao’s work had finally shown some improvement over the years. Because his heart was set on the second daughter of the Fang family, he had become more motivated. Perhaps he would do well enough even without her in the future.
As for herself, she had long since made her own plans.
Qin Jiuye looked seriously at Qin Sanyou, reaching out to brush a bit of flour from his sleeve.
"Just wait a little longer. I’ll have enough silver soon. Three months... no, one month. Just one month. Wait until I buy that house in the city. Then, I won't care what you want to do in this city..."
In one month’s time, she refused to believe she couldn't cure the Second Miss Su’s "stubborn ailment."
Upon hearing this, Qin Sanyou stubbornly tucked his hands behind his back.
He knew the "money-obsessed" Qin Jiuye all too well. Even if she didn't say it, he could guess most of it.
"I knew it. You’ve overreached yourself and come to the Su Manor for a consultation just because you’ve got your eye on their gold." He looked helpless, seemingly struggling with something, before finally voicing his inner worry. "This Su Manor isn't right. Find an opportunity and leave quickly."
If he hadn't said anything, it would have been fine, but hearing this, Qin Jiuye became even more curious, thinking of the Second Miss’s bizarre symptoms.
"What isn't right? Tell me."
The reason Qin Jiuye had achieved such medical skill at a young age was partly due to hard work, and partly due to her tendency to obsess over details.
Old Qin knew he couldn't easily drop the subject. He stood on his tiptoes to listen for any movement nearby, then leaned down and whispered.
"Do you know? I only got this job in the manor because I took the place of the person before me. But after I arrived, I heard that the previous worker wasn't kicked out for being lazy—he left on his own."
The Su Manor was a prestigious household; they held themselves to high standards and naturally wouldn't mistreat servants. Although delivering vegetables and doing odd jobs weren't lucrative positions, not just anyone could get in. Furthermore, the employer was willing to provide a place to stay in the city, which many people coveted. In these times, everyone wanted a stable life. Unless they had encountered something truly terrifying, they would never voluntarily leave the manor.
"Did something happen?"
Qin Sanyou shook his head.
"The person is gone; who am I supposed to ask? But I’ve been paying attention these past few days, and I’ve indeed found some things that aren't right. First, every day when I come and go to deliver vegetables, I have to use the back gate of the estate. The back gate doesn't lead to the inner courtyards, and for the convenience of the servants, it’s usually left unlocked. But for some reason, after nightfall, all seven gates of the Su Manor are locked. No one is allowed in or out until dawn."
The Su family had so many rules for a simple medical consultation; it wasn't surprising that they were like this normally.
Qin Jiuye nodded dismissively and continued listening.
"Second, I’ve long heard that the Old Madam of the Su family is a devout Buddhist. Everyone in the manor has followed her lead and eaten vegetarian for many years. Except for the occasional distinguished guest or festival sacrifice, meat is rarely seen. But while delivering vegetables these past few days, I’ve run into Old Gantou from the east city market several times."
Recalling the Second Miss’s answer during the consultation, Qin Jiuye finally began to ponder with a frown.
Old Gantou was a famous meat butcher in the east city market. Many livestock farmers near Dingweng Village did business with him, but he only supplied meat to the grand households in the city. He rarely dealt with poor folk like her.
Perhaps a master in the Su Manor had changed their palate? Or perhaps the head of the house, Su Lin, only put on a show to please his mother while secretly indulging in meat?
But thinking of the two meals she’d had in the manor today, Qin Jiuye’s doubts weren't entirely dispelled.
Would a family that enforced its rules even on guests truly sneak meat in private?
"If it were just some meat, it wouldn't be a big deal; perhaps it was a reward for the servants. But when Old Gantou ran into me the other day, he mentioned with some frustration that the manor’s steward had asked him for several live chickens."
Jiugao City had a specific market designated for the trade of live poultry. Selling such live animals was prohibited elsewhere because birds like chickens, ducks, and geese easily spread diseases; one had to be especially careful during the changing seasons.
For a family like the Sus, even if they wanted to break their vegetarian diet and eat something fresh, they only needed to send a servant to the market to buy it. Why would they need several live chickens to be slaughtered on-site? Or even to be raised? And from yesterday until now, she hadn't seen a single chicken in this courtyard.
Let alone a chicken, she hadn't even heard a cluck. Either the estate was truly too large and the soundproofing too good, or those chickens... were already gone.
Could the Su Manor be raising something strange?
As Old Qin spoke, he became increasingly spooked. His voice grew dry and dropped even lower.
"All these things started happening shortly before the Second Miss fell ill. I’m afraid it’s all connected, but the specifics aren't for outsiders like us to investigate. In short, don't get involved in the affairs of the wealthy. Find an excuse to leave first thing tomorrow morning..."
He finally stopped, looking up to see Qin Jiuye rubbing her hands together with the expression of someone watching a play. Realizing his efforts were in vain, his suppressed temper flared up again.
"Forget it, forget it! I must be out of my mind. If I’d known you wouldn't listen, I would have let you go back and eat your noodles sooner!"
True, the noodles were going to get soggy. No matter how big the problem, it could wait until tomorrow.
"Grandfather, you should also find an excuse to leave this place soon. I can't say for sure about other things, but this family is actually quite stingy and has too many rules. Be careful they don't dock your pay later."
Qin Jiuye waved her hand and turned back toward her room.
Behind her, Qin Sanyou’s voice came low, tinged with an inexplicable anxiety and urgency.
"Did you hear what I said? Tomorrow... at the latest, you must leave tomorrow..."
With a thud, Qin Jiuye closed her door.
After a moment, the slightly hunched figure in the corridor turned and hurried away.
The Su Manor fell into silence once more.
But within that silence, something was clearly stirring in the darkness...
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 秦三友 | Qin Sanyou | Jiuye's grandfather figure. |
| 杨素云 | Yang Suyun | Auntie Yang, Jinbao's late mother. |
| 老甘头 | Old Gantou | A well-known meat butcher in the city. |
| 九皋城 | Jiugao City | The city where the story takes place. |
| 绥清 | Suiqing | A local region known for its bamboo shoots. |
| 青重山书院 | Qingzhong Mountain Academy | A prestigious school. |
| 陵湖 | Linhu | A geographical area/lake region. |
