The long-absent cold air rushed into her lungs, forcing a violent fit of coughing from Qin Jiuye.
The stepping stone Old Tang had left behind was still in the distance. She used every ounce of her strength to haul it over, crawling out through the same dog hole Xu Qiuchi had once used to sneak in and out.
Ever since she had been imprisoned in Tingfeng Hall, Ding Miao had provided her with no shoes. She couldn't afford to waste life-saving seconds looking for a pair now, so she charged onto the streets barefoot.
She didn't know how many days she had been held captive; it felt as though the world had plunged into the depths of midwinter in the blink of an eye. The soles of her feet felt a bone-chilling cold as they pressed against the wet mud and bluestone slabs, but she didn't dare stop. She didn't even notice when her skin broke and bled, driven by a single breath of determination to burst out of Shouqi Street.
The world was eerily silent, save for the whistling of the cold wind through the alleys. These were the streets of the South City she knew so well, yet they belonged to a world she no longer recognized.
An ominous fog shrouded all of Jiugao. The upturned eaves of the buildings were half-hidden in the mist like the skeletal remains of giant beasts. Collapsed blue cloth shop banners lay scattered across the streets, alongside abandoned cloth and straw shoes. Carts and stalls that hadn't been cleared away in time leaned precariously, their owners—usually the most diligent of vendors—nowhere to be found. Only their spilled goods remained. Qin Jiuye stole a quick glance and saw shriveled tangerines; then, her foot caught on something. She looked down to see a corpse that had been dead for some time and scrambled away in a panic.
She did not fear the dead, but she lacked the courage to look at the body's face, terrified she might recognize someone she knew.
From fighting back against Ren Xiaohan to confronting Ding Miao and seizing her chance to escape, the sequence of events had nearly exhausted her. She could only drag her feet forward. The situation in the city was worse than she had imagined. The South City had completely fallen; she had no idea what the state of the North City was. Ding Miao’s men could pursue her at any moment. She had to get as far from Tingfeng Hall as possible. If she couldn't cross to the North City immediately, she had to find a place to hide.
She had walked the path out of Shouqi Street a thousand times; she could have navigated it with her eyes closed. Yet, every time she turned a corner or emerged from an alley, she found her way blocked. She was like an insect trapped in a lampshade, fluttering aimlessly. The only sound was her own heavy breathing echoing around her, the white puffs of her breath vanishing into the grey fog. It felt as though she were the only person left in the world.
*Click, clack. Click, clack.*
The familiar, hair-raising sound of grinding teeth echoed from deep within the fog. Qin Jiuye froze, dropping low to the ground. In that moment, she finally noticed her bloodied soles, the stains on her trouser legs a testament to her carelessness. Cursing under her breath, she untied the only ribbons she had and bound them around her feet, creeping toward the other side.
As luck would have it, just as she reached the stone bridge, the same sound erupted from the other end, trapping her in a desperate predicament.
Out of the wolf's den and into the tiger's maw—Qin Jiuye felt a sense of absurd ridicule rising from the depths of her despair. She had solved the mystery of the Ye Fuzi, handled Ren Xiaohan, and escaped Ding Miao’s prison, only to fall at the hands of a pack of raving madmen? She had no time to question the heavens. The monsters, following the scent of blood, closed in from both sides, their silhouettes emerging through the mist. She had seen the strength and speed of the infected; even at full health, she might not outrun them, let alone in her current state. Her only chance was the water.
The waters of the Jiugao River in the eleventh month were cold enough to paralyze the body. Given enough time, even a skilled swimmer would succumb to hypothermia. But she had no other choice.
Qin Jiuye gritted her teeth, preparing to leap from the bridge.
"Miss, get on the boat! Quick!"
A voice rose from beneath her feet, cautious yet urgent.
She looked down and realized a small sampan had poked its nose out from under the bridge. A figure stood at the stern, waving frantically at her.
The monstrous sounds drew closer, charging toward her position. Without a second thought, Qin Jiuye squeezed her eyes shut and jumped.
The sampan rocked. It slipped silently back into the shadows of the bridge tunnel, leaving the late-arriving predators to howl and prowl on the bridge above.
Ignoring her aching backside, Qin Jiuye scrambled up to thank the boatman. As he turned around, she blinked, recognizing the familiar face. It was Old Man Xue, the fishmonger from the East Market. She had frequented his stall before; they had even bickered over a few copper coins for some small fish and shrimp.
Old Man Xue, a businessman who dealt with countless people daily, didn't recognize her immediately. He simply punted the boat while muttering to himself.
"Why are you wandering out here alone? Did something happen at your home too?"
Who would have thought that after those hellish days, the first person to show her warmth and concern would be an old fishmonger from the East City? Qin Jiuye gripped the edge of the sampan and looked at the riverbanks, a faint smile managing to touch her lips.
"I met with disaster, but luckily I escaped with my life. Tell me, brother, what is the situation in the city now?"
"It’s a nightmare, that’s what it is!" Old Man Xue sighed miserably, though his hands never stopped working the pole. "I heard the Qiu family is holding the North City and that some order has been restored, but who knows if it’s true? The South City is a total mess. These past few days, no one dares go out, not even in broad daylight. My old woman and the second daughter of Fat Auntie next door went missing three days ago. Sigh, when I saw you just now, I thought I’d finally found one of them..."
He poured out his heart, clearly having wandered in this desperate state for a long time, his helplessness and despair reaching a breaking point.
"I need to go to the North City," the woman said suddenly, her voice low, as if talking to herself. "I must get to the North City."
Old Man Xue glanced at her.
"Miss, who doesn't want to go to the North City right now? But the roads are cut off, and there are man-eating monsters in the streets. Getting to the North City is harder than reaching the heavens. No one has the courage to take that risk."
As he spoke, the surroundings darkened. The sampan stopped under a bridge tunnel. Hearing movement, Qin Jiuye looked out and saw six or seven people—men, women, young, and old—standing there. They had all rushed forward at the sound of the boat, but seeing that their loved ones were not aboard, they sat back down, unable to hide their disappointment, quietly wiping away tears.
Qin Jiuye’s gaze swept over those grey, hopeless faces. The strength that had seemingly been exhausted suddenly surged back into her body.
She braced herself against her legs and stood up, speaking clearly and firmly.
"I can save everyone. If you just let me through, I can definitely save everyone."
Silence fell over the bridge tunnel. The people looked at her with uncertainty, as if they were looking at a fool speaking nonsense.
Old Man Xue sighed, his eyes filled with pity. He thought this sickly-looking, frail woman had been broken by the disaster and lost her mind. A woman nearby stepped forward to comfort her.
"Whose child are you? Where is your family? Even the Qiu family couldn't handle this; what can a young girl like you do?"
"Walking around the city now is no different from seeking death. Why don't you hide with us for a while?"
"These are my daughter's shoes. Wear them for now. Once you've rested, find a place to hide..."
Voices of agreement rose. Qin Jiuye opened her mouth, a thousand words trapped in her chest, but she couldn't let a single one out.
She wanted to tell them she wasn't just some girl seeking death. She was Shopkeeper Qin of Guoran Ju, the physician who had decoded the secret formula of the plague, the first person to understand the mystery of the Ye Fuzi.
The South City had fallen, and the city was blockaded. Even if Ding Miao died, his death guards would still be guarding the alleys and waterways leading to the North City and the gates. If she didn't escape the South City soon, she would eventually be caught, and this time, there would be no second escape.
But everything she wanted to say had nothing to do with these people. The mountain of life and death weighed on everyone; she had no right to ask them to sacrifice themselves for her.
She accepted the straw shoes, tying them firmly to her feet. Finally, she bowed to the wandering figures in farewell.
"I know this path is difficult, but I must take it. The city is not safe; please, all of you, take care."
With that, she turned and dragged her feet away. After a brief reunion with the outside world, she was about to step back into the thick fog alone to face her own fate.
"Wait, why do you look so familiar?" the woman's hesitant voice called from behind her. Someone grabbed her sleeve. "Are you... are you the one from Shouqi Street?"
As the woman spoke, her husband leaned in, his eyes lighting up.
"It’s the one who sold the Rejuvenation Soup! It’s her!"
"I knew it! I thought she looked familiar. She’s thinner than she was then, that’s why I didn't recognize her at first."
In over a decade of studying medicine and five or six years of running her own clinic, this was the first time Qin Jiuye had been recognized on the street. Though she was known not as the master of Guoran Ju but as an anonymous vendor of Rejuvenation Soup, she was so moved that her voice choked up. She nodded.
"It’s me. It’s me."
Though the Rejuvenation Soup had been effective, some still harbored doubts, though those doubts were laced with hope.
"You said you could save the people of this city. Is it true?"
"How will you save us?"
How to save the people of Jiugao? This question could not be answered without explaining everything about the secret formula.
Where the so-called formula came from, how the illness turned people into those hideous "monsters," and how she had slowly unraveled the mystery to find the truth. It was a long story. She could have chosen to gloss over it, but she didn't. She knew that the help she needed might require people to stake their lives. Besides, in the end, what did Fan Tong matter? The people before her were the true masters of Jiugao. They had more right to know the truth than those far away in the capital, watching from the sidelines.
Qin Jiuye took a deep breath and told them everything.
The head physicians of the great pharmacies were usually men of few words, and famous doctors often disliked explaining too much to patients, fearing they would cause trouble if they only half-understood. But during her years in Dingweng Village, she had developed inexhaustible patience and a silver tongue. She had her own way of stating complex, convoluted facts simply and clearly. And her "audience" was equally attentive. They had labored for most of their lives, and many had never dealt with medical theory, yet every one of them listened intently. When she finished her last word, someone was the first to speak up.
"I think she makes sense. At least it sounds like there’s logic to it."
Another nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. It’s been so many days, and not a single pharmacy master has said anything useful. She explained it clearly in just a few words."
"To do business on Shouqi Street means she can handle things. If we don't believe her, are we supposed to believe that Lord Fan who’s currently feeding the fishes?"
"We’re waiting to die anyway. Why not give it a shot?"
In an instant, the crowd was buzzing with support, rolling up their sleeves to discuss a plan.
"Going north is hard enough. If we want to avoid the waterways near the banks, the boat can only go as far as Qiheli. The last stretch has to be through the alleys."
"I know the alleys in Qiheli best. I can call a few of my shop assistants to help. There’s strength in numbers."
"What about going around through Wenchun Alley? My husband checked Guihe Square this morning and said it looked peaceful, but he didn't know if the water route to the North City was still open."
"Liaowu Bridge! Can we take Liaowu Bridge?"
"There aren't many people there, but the bridge collapsed from the crowds on the first day, remember?"
"There’s always a way! Pan’s third daughter is the smartest; let her think of something..."
The sounds of earnest discussion were fragmented and noisy. Qin Jiuye, the person at the center of it all, couldn't even get a word in. Several times she tried to speak, only to be shushed. She didn't know whether to laugh or cry. The words stuck in her throat slowly turned bittersweet. She stared at the straw shoes on her feet, suddenly feeling that the suffering she had endured in Tingfeng Hall wasn't so unbearable after all.
When the north wind rose again, Qin Jiuye finally set out.
She had never known that the road from the South City to the North City could be so long—so long that, by her own strength alone, she might never have reached the end.
She had also never known that so many people would walk this long road with her—so many that she felt an illusion: no matter how far the road was, she could walk it forever without tiring.
She stepped off the fishmonger’s sampan and onto a vegetable vendor’s ox cart. She was tucked into a lamp oil shop for a moment’s rest, and in the blink of an eye, she was following behind the porters from the docks. She navigated the hidden life of the South City with difficulty, nearly falling several times, only to be caught by countless calloused hands and sent steadily on her way. Some were old acquaintances from the South City, some were customers who had benefited from her Rejuvenation Soup, and some were just ordinary folk living in the streets and alleys. Their faces were both strange and familiar, once just a blur in the background of the busy streets, but in this moment, they became clear. Every moment, every thought was something to be remembered.
The familiar old mulberry tree was not far away. Because the bridge had collapsed, the entire tree leaned to one side, looking precarious, as if it were about to be uprooted.
It was here, while crossing this bridge, that she had first encountered Old Dog Du. He had pestered her with that talk of a "savior of the world." She had been so dismissive then, yet now, everything seemed to have truly come to pass.
But was she the only one fulfilling that prophecy?
*A gourd contains the universe; the mortal world gives birth to all things.*
It turned out that the answer to saving the world lay within the people themselves. The gods were merely the incarnations of those who stepped forward.
Qin Jiuye stood dazed at the edge of the broken bridge, watching the humble figures gather together.
Several shoulder poles of varying lengths and thicknesses were lashed tightly together, forming a single-plank bridge only a few inches wide. A man from the Wang Family Smithy hoisted the bridge high and braced it against the broken bank, gesturing for her to cross quickly.
She stepped onto that swaying, creaking bridge of poles, feeling as though she were treading upon the very flesh and blood of these ordinary people. The moment her left foot touched the ground of the North City, the loose stones of the bank gave way, and the makeshift "pole bridge" fell into the river.
In her haste, she only had time to look back once at the figures lingering in the fog of the South City. They waved to her, as if urging her on, as if saying goodbye.
Qin Jiuye bowed deeply to those figures, then turned and charged into the silent streets of the North City without looking back.
***
Sunshi Street in the North City, once a bustling thoroughfare, was now eerily silent.
The fog that refused to dissipate was growing thicker. Flocks of birds circled in the gloomy clouds, looking down upon this isolated, closed city.
The wealthy valued their lives above all else, each hiding behind high walls and deep courtyards. Sunshi Street had once been the most prosperous part of the North City, its alleys filled with fine carriages and horses. Now, after just a few days without foot traffic, it was covered in a thick layer of dust and fallen leaves. Shopkeepers had closed their doors and windows tight, even bracing them with tables, chairs, and wooden planks to prevent looting in the chaos.
Yet, amidst this tense atmosphere and strict situation, one shop remained open as usual. The area in front of the door was still swept and sprinkled twice a day, kept spotlessly clean.
The owner had nerves of steel to welcome guests at such a time, but the guests were too afraid to visit. However, people soon discovered that the shop was none other than the most famous tea house in the North City—Juxian Tavern.
The manager of Juxian Tavern was never a simple person. Those who had been watching from the sidelines finally began to emerge. More and more people chose to gather here to exchange news. Some were nearby merchants, some were scouts sent by prominent families in the North City, and some were simply outsiders trapped in the city. In normal times, they would never have shared a room, but in these dire straits, the gap created by birth and wealth had been leveled, allowing them to gather in unprecedented harmony and speak freely.
"If it’s truly as you say, why is Prince Yu'an hesitating to act? Why is he just waiting outside the city? Besides, Master Bai saw it with his own eyes—arrows wounding people, fire oil burning the city. They don't want anyone to leave alive."
Speaking of the situation inside and outside the city, a middle-aged man leaning against the porch finally couldn't help but ask. The small-mustachioed man before him was half a head shorter but lacked nothing in presence. As the central figure of this conversation, he gave a light scoff.
"Master Bai cares so much for his own life, I fear he fled before he could see clearly. My uncle was the city guard on duty that day. He said the arrows didn't come from outside the city; they were fired from the city walls. What does that mean? It means there are villains stirring up trouble in the shadows!"
His words caused an immediate stir.
Everyone felt his claim was a bit sensational, but thinking carefully, it seemed to be the case. If the people from the capital truly intended to destroy Jiugao, why had they made no move for days, instead remaining stationed outside?
"In that case, could the strange illness in the city also be the work of someone behind the scenes? No wonder the people outside are so hesitant; they must know something."
"Then we should ask Lord Fan. I heard the entire Governor's Mansion is riddled with the plague. He kept it quiet and even put on a show with that Heaven-Worshipping Ceremony, all to throw the city into chaos so he could find a chance to escape. He truly deserved to feed the fishes."
"Could it be... the news I heard earlier was also true?"
The mustachioed man spoke again, his voice filled with uncertainty. The people around him crowded closer, urging him not to hide anything and to share the intel. After a moment of deliberation, he spoke softly.
"I heard there was something wrong with the 'Blessed Rice' Lord Fan prepared. Do you remember Sizitiao Street, where the rat infestation happened in early spring?"
This hit the mark. The crowd nodded and leaned in further.
"I heard about that. They said a fire broke out afterward, and the officials sent people to clear it out."
The man lowered his voice even more, continuing with great resentment.
"Aren't you curious? When was Lord Fan ever so generous as to open the granaries? It’s because that rice cost him nothing—it was the toxic rice hauled out of Sizitiao Street!"
Another uproar followed.
Moldy rice could kill, let alone grain that had been infested by rats. By then, it wouldn't just be the person eating the rice; the whole family would be doomed. Fan Tong truly deserved his death; being blown to bits to feed the fish was too good for him.
"What do we do? They called it Blessed Rice; most of it was probably eaten long ago."
"Even if my family is fine, what about the neighbors? I’m going back to warn them so we don't all suffer together."
Finally, a sensible person spoke up, and the others snapped out of it, realizing they needed to act.
"Right, right. I heard the Qiu family is distributing medicine on Youyang Street. I don't know if it works, but it’s better to stock up just in case."
"Sigh, in the end, we can only count on the Qiu family. I heard the Water-Stabilizing Commandant is serving despite being ill, personally leading men to clear the roads. Maybe the city gates will be open in a few days."
"Then we wait a few more days?"
"Let’s wait a few more days."
The discussion was punctuated by sighs of sorrow, until the clear voice of a young waiter rang out.
"Our manager says the city is not peaceful right now. Today’s tea is on the house. Please, everyone, move about your own neighborhoods and share what you’ve learned in this tower today."
Even in business, there are levels of vision and class. Look at that—wasn't that a brilliant way to boost the shop's reputation without saying a word?
The people were stunned for a moment, then nodded in unison, their opinion of Juxian Tavern rising another level. They began to plan how to tell their families, friends, and neighbors what they had learned. Even if the waiter hadn't spoken, they would have spread the news to everyone they met; after all, being able to get news from Juxian Tavern during such a chaotic time was a symbol of status and capability.
As the last guest walked out the door, the large tea house fell silent. The polished tables and chairs gleamed, reflecting the radiant face of the manager behind the lacquered counter.
The waiter finished wiping the last table, stole three glances, and finally shuffled over, muttering in a low voice.
"I really don't understand. Why bother, Manager?"
This was Juxian Tavern, after all. Even if every other tea house on the street went under, Juxian Tavern wouldn't. Why bother opening for business now?
Ma Muxing didn't even look up, her voice as crisp as ever.
"Anyone can add flowers to a bouquet, but people remember the one who brings charcoal in a snowstorm. Only by looking far ahead can you keep the truly distinguished guests."
He was just a waiter; why did he need a long-term vision? Right now, even the needle-and-thread vendors were staying behind closed doors, yet his manager had the leisure to do business. If she wasn't crazy, she was obsessed with money. How much did he even make a month? He couldn't afford to worry about this.
Thinking only of finishing work and going home, the waiter leaned closer and spoke with undisguised concern.
"The city is in a panic right now, and things are so tense. No one knows what tomorrow will bring. We should just mind our own business and be careful with our words and actions. Didn't you tell me that on my first day of work?"
*Gather only the sounds of the worthy; do not invite the chaotic winds.* This was the business philosophy of Juxian Tavern and Ma Muxing’s personal code.
She lifted her eyelids, her thin, sharp lips pressing into a line. It was a long time before she flicked the last bead of her abacus back into place.
"Being careful with words and actions is good, but lately, I’ve found it a bit tedious. If you listen to the same song for too long, you get bored. The same goes for hearing only one kind of voice. Don't you think?"
Ma Muxing finished speaking and pushed the abacus aside. She actually stood up and picked up a copper kettle used for boiling water.
The waiter was stunned. He had worked in this tea house for three months, and this was the first time he had seen her step out from behind that lacquered counter.
"What are you doing, Manager? Just tell me what you need."
Ma Muxing didn't look back, merely shaking the copper kettle in her hand.
"Stretching my muscles. As the saying goes, no matter how big the business gets, one must never forget their roots."
In all of Jiugao, what distinguished guest could possibly move Ma Muxing, the manager of Juxian Tavern, to personally boil water and pour tea?
The waiter racked his brain but couldn't figure it out. But if he had followed his manager through the courtyard to the back to investigate, his head would have been filled with even more shock and questions.
"Brother, sorry to keep you waiting."
Ma Muxing cleared her throat. The figure in the back courtyard turned around—it was the small-mustachioed man who had been sharing news in the tower earlier. He reached up and peeled off the mustache, his timid, prying demeanor vanishing instantly to reveal a steady, young face. It was none other than Commander Gao Quan.
He said nothing, merely taking a half-gourd ladle from his waist and holding it out.
The other party offered no introduction, and Ma Muxing didn't bother to ask or doubt. She simply raised the copper kettle and poured fresh water into the half-gourd.
The sound of splashing water echoed in the empty courtyard. The moment the ladle was full to the brim, the last drop fell from the kettle.
The hands pouring and receiving the tea withdrew simultaneously, confirming their identities in silence.
Ma Muxing put away the ladle and tucked her hands into her sleeves.
"I’ve picked up the person. They’re waiting at the back gate now."
Gao Quan cupped his fists in a salute.
"I am grateful for Manager Ma’s help this time. On behalf of the people of the city, I thank you."
Ma Muxing reacted indifferently to his thanks, merely looking up at the grey sky.
"I know the North City well enough, but outside the city is beyond my reach. Are you prepared to face the bitter north wind, brother?"
Gao Quan was silent for a moment, then gave a frank smile.
"I’m afraid it’s impossible to be fully prepared for this trip. But it’s all or nothing now. Everyone has long been prepared for a fight to the death."
***
When Qin Jiuye left Juxian Tavern and slipped onto the small boat, Xu Qiuchi was leaning against the side, squinting at her.
The current situation couldn't help but recall their first meeting in the carriage, though this time the Second Young Master wasn't drinking, and the pharmacy manager hadn't provoked any house agents. Both were sober and calm.
"Everyone is busy, so this Young Master had to pick you up personally. What, not satisfied?"
His opening line after surviving a brush with death still carried a hint of banter. Qin Jiuye smiled and massaged her weak legs.
"I’m honored the Second Young Master came personally. I’ve just crawled out of an abyss; please don't lead me into a gutter."
Liu Caiwu’s figure, punting the boat, was half-hidden in the fog. Xu Qiuchi looked straight ahead and said, word by word:
"What’s wrong with a gutter? Perhaps it can connect the inside and outside, leading to an escape."
Qin Jiuye was stunned, then spoke urgently as she realized his meaning.
"You’ve opened a way out of the city? Why... why haven't you told the people..."
But her voice trailed off as she guessed the reason.
The "gutter" Xu Qiuchi mentioned likely referred to secret passages. Even if the city gates were officially cleared, they couldn't leak the news until they knew the situation outside. Not only was there the risk of being shot upon leaving, but once the first person left, a stampede of refugees would follow, and the hard-won stability would collapse into chaos.
He glanced at her expression, knowing she had guessed the reason, and continued softly.
"Things have come to this. The city can afford to wait, but the outside cannot. If we delay any longer, even if the city stabilizes, the forces outside will take drastic measures. Then, the fate of Jiugao will no longer be in our hands. Whether we succeed depends on whether this trip goes through. The East Lu Gate is blocked by the collapsed altar; the situation is complex. The South City is in Ding Miao’s hands. Outside the North Lou Gate, the Huan River has flooded, cutting off the path north. Before the trouble started, my brother had already taken men to the vicinity of Qiongtian Plain. Prince Yu'an’s carriage is coming from the north. If we want to seek help, we must go through the West Feng Water Gate, cross the Daixiao River, and bypass Zhizhu Mountain. That water gate was forced shut by the rising waters outside. Lu Zican has already taken men to the Yue Embankment to open the sluice gates. We can use the force of the water to burst through the gate, but we only have one chance."
Zhizhu Mountain. It was Zhizhu Mountain again. It seemed the mortal world was just a piece of dough in the hands of a street vendor—kneaded and rolled, only to return to the starting point.
Qin Jiuye clicked her tongue, her voice a mix of laughter and tears.
"The feng shui of that Zhizhu Mountain must be cursed. I met with disaster the last time I went there. If I go again, I’m afraid I won't keep my life."
Xu Qiuchi heard the lament in her voice. After a moment of silence, he spoke quietly.
"I cannot contact my brother. No one knows what savage sights await outside the city. The mountain paths are treacherous, and there will be ambushers and pursuers. We are fighting with our backs to the wall, and the enemy is also desperate. It won't be a lonely journey. I came personally to give you the chance to refuse. If you are unwilling, tell me now, and I will arrange for someone else to go."
Qin Jiuye fell silent.
In terms of meticulous planning, Xu Qiuchi was no less capable than Qiu Ling. Moreover, his understanding of the city's situation was currently unmatched. She knew that if he hadn't already exhausted all other options, he would never have made this request of her. Sending word about the Ye Fuzi seemed like a success, but if they couldn't convince Prince Yu'an of their resolve to end the plague, all their previous efforts would be for naught. As a physician who had fought the secret formula for so long, she was the best person for the job.
And she knew that this opportunity was something everyone had sacrificed everything to gain.
Xu Qiuchi was being his usual difficult self, dumping such a heavy burden on her at the last moment. Was it too late to say she was afraid of death? The problem was, staying in the city didn't guarantee life either. The safety of all Jiugao now rested on her shoulders, and her own fate was tied to it.
But mountain after mountain, river after river—to ask an exhausted person to leap into an icy river and trek through mountains was still a bitter pill to swallow.
"Can't the Second Young Master see? My legs aren't what they used to be. I’m probably worse off than you were with your broken leg."
She voiced her protest half-jokingly, half-resentfully. Xu Qiuchi answered with unprecedented seriousness.
"I will gather all my men to protect Shopkeeper Qin. We will fight for every moment we can. Once you’re out of Zhizhu Mountain, you can make contact with Prince Yu'an’s people."
After a long time, Qin Jiuye sighed and finally spoke.
"Do you have a brush and ink?"
She didn't explicitly say she would go, but Xu Qiuchi understood. He reached out and handed her a piece of charcoal.
Qin Jiuye took the charcoal and tore off a piece of her hem. As she wrote feverishly, she asked softly:
"While I was away, is everyone... okay?"
She asked simply, and Xu Qiuchi answered just as casually.
"They’re all still alive."
Alive is good. Alive is enough.
Qin Jiuye nodded, her hands never stopping, but her eyes involuntarily reddened. Only someone who had lived through the most desperate days in this city could understand her feelings.
Xu Qiuchi saw her expression. His long, narrow eyes lowered, as if he couldn't bear to look. He spoke softly.
"He was injured before. After learning you were taken by Ding Miao, he went mad. I was worried he would lose control and disrupt the plan, so I didn't dare let him wander outside, let alone let him go find you alone. If you want to blame me for this and demand silver, then come back alive and collect it from me personally."
Even though she hadn't named him, he knew exactly who she was asking about. Although Gao Quan had already told her a bit, hearing him "make excuses" still made Qin Jiuye laugh in spite of herself. The smile quickly faded, her lips trembling for a moment before she said hoarsely:
"I waited so long in Tingfeng Hall, I almost didn't make it. You won't get out of this one; I’ll definitely demand an explanation when I get back."
The moment the small boat docked at the water gate, she finished the last word. The charcoal had snapped several times. Qin Jiuye looked one last time at the scrap of cloth, folded it neatly, and handed it to him with both hands.
"I’ve already explained everything about the Ye Fuzi to Commander Gao in as much detail as possible. If I don't come back, go to the Su Residence and ask the Second Miss for help. She is the best person to take my place. As for this letter..."
If they were destined to meet again in this life, this was a letter for him. If her luck ran out, this was her final testament.
A sudden sob made it nearly impossible to continue. After a moment to compose herself, she went on.
"...It’s a letter for Li Qiao. Please deliver it for me, Second Young Master."
Xu Qiuchi stared at the object in her hand, making no move to take it. He merely looked toward the stern of the boat.
"Why doesn't Shopkeeper Qin give it to him herself?"
Qin Jiuye’s hand froze in mid-air, as if she hadn't yet processed the meaning of his words.
"The Second Young Master knows your heart, Miss. As soon as we heard news of you, he told Little Brother Li. By my count, the timing should be just right."
Liu Caiwu’s voice came from the stern. This time, Qin Jiuye slowly lifted her head, her face—haggard from days of torment—seeming to light up. She was speechless, her gaze following theirs.
The current in the river grew swifter, and the small boat began to toss in the waves. Not far away, the bare, cold street corner swayed in her vision. Time seemed to freeze for an instant, then accelerated after a long, endless wait, allowing the figure she had only touched in hazy dreams to appear in her world.
The youth was running toward her with all his might, his soft hair flying behind him. The winter dust dotted his silhouette like stars. The coarse cloth clothes of Guoran Ju clung to him in the wind, like a tattered flag behind a general. He was panting heavily, his white breath mingling with his pale face. Only his light brown eyes shone like stars, piercing through the long winter night, flickering tirelessly, seeking only to give his beloved a moment of light in an accidental upward glance.
She instinctively leaned forward, her mouth opening, but before she could make a sound, the air was shattered by the harsh noise of combat.
Three or four dark shadows lunged from the side, heading straight for her boat.
She didn't know how many partings and deaths a person had to endure in a lifetime, but she knew that this unfinished reunion would become the obsession she could never let go of.
Forcing her tears back into her heart, where they felt sour and scalding, Qin Jiuye knew she couldn't wait any longer.
The chance to leave the city was right before her. She might be willing to gamble her own life, but she carried the hopes and trusts of countless people behind her. She couldn't drag them down with her.
Liu Caiwu had already leaped into the fray. Amidst the flash of blades, Qin Jiuye shoved the scrap of cloth into Xu Qiuchi’s hand. She took one last look at the youth’s figure. The fiery connection between their two souls pierced through eternity and time. A parting smile lingered on her face for a fleeting second before vanishing.
The sounds of fighting drew closer. Qin Jiuye took a deep breath and leaped into the cold, rushing river.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 听风堂 | Tingfeng Hall | Listening Wind Hall; the place where Qin Jiuye was held. |
| 守器街 | Shouqi Street | Tool-Keeping Street; a location in South City. |
| 九皋城 | Jiugao City | The main setting of the story. |
| 壬小寒 | Ren Xiaohan | A character who guarded Qin Jiuye. |
| 老薛头 | Old Man Xue | A fishmonger who rescues Qin Jiuye. |
| 邱家 | Qiu Family | A prominent family in Jiugao City. |
| 果然居 | Guoran Ju | "As Expected" Residence/Clinic; Qin Jiuye's pharmacy. |
| 回春汤 | Rejuvenation Soup | A medicinal soup sold by Qin Jiuye. |
| 樊统 | Fan Tong | The corrupt official/governor of Jiugao. |
| 笋石街 | Sunshi Street | Bamboo Stone Street; a prosperous street in North City. |
| 聚贤楼 | Juxian Tavern | Gathering of Sages Tower/Tavern; a famous tea house. |
| 马牧星 | Ma Muxing | The female manager of Juxian Tavern. |
| 高全 | Gao Quan | Commander/General Gao; an ally. |
| 许秋迟 | Xu Qiuchi | The Second Young Master of the Xu family. |
| 柳裁梧 | Liu Caiwu | Xu Qiuchi's associate/guard. |
| 虞安王 | Prince Yu'an | A high-ranking royal figure outside the city. |
| 李樵 | Li Qiao | The male lead; Qin Jiuye's close companion. |
| 野馥子 | Ye Fuzi | Wild Fragrance/Wild Scent; the plant/toxin causing the illness. |
| 西葑水门 | West Feng Water Gate | A water gate used for the escape. |
| 洗竹山 | Zhizhu Mountain | Bamboo-Washing Mountain; a treacherous mountain path. |
| 扁担 | Biandan | Shoulder pole; used by porters to carry loads. |
| 七和里 | Qiheli | A neighborhood/district in the city. |
| 闻春巷 | Wenchun Alley | Spring-Scent Alley. |
| 桂和坊 | Guihe Square | A district in the city. |
| 了无桥 | Liaowu Bridge | A bridge that collapsed during the chaos. |
| 幽阳街 | Youyang Street | A street in North City. |
| 玥堤 | Yue Embankment | An embankment/dam near the water gate. |
| 黛绡河 | Daixiao River | A river outside the city. |
