It was only after entering the Su Residence that Qin Jiuye truly understood the meaning behind Xu Qiuchi’s words.
Unlike the profound silence and emptiness of her previous visit for a medical consultation, the Su Residence tonight was festooned with lanterns and streamers, alive with the sound of drums and music. If one wasn't careful, they might trip over a wealthy merchant or bump into a government official.
It felt as though she had encountered all the "nobles" she was meant to see in her entire lifetime in a single moment. Every man and woman within arm's reach was someone she couldn't afford to offend. Tonight, she not only had to keep her head down and behave, but also find a way to sneak into the host’s quarters to steal something...
She suddenly regretted not bringing more people with her, but logic told her that within her small circle, there wasn't a single "decent cabbage" to be found. Old Dog Du was half-mad, a danger to himself and others; Tang Shenyan and Situ Jinbao had poor tolerance for alcohol and narrow horizons, unable to handle grand occasions; and as for Old Qin, he was well into his years—how could he endure any more of these absurdities?
What would more people achieve anyway? In the end, it would likely just be more people sharing in her misfortune.
The hour of the Sheep had just passed, and the sun had dipped lower in the west. Clouds drifted in from the east, veiling half the sunlight.
The sky grew dim, though it was still far from nightfall. Nevertheless, maidservants were already carrying glass lanterns to each table. The lanterns seemed to contain incense that repelled insects, leaving a heady, intoxicating fragrance in the air. Furthermore, whenever a breeze drifted through the beaded curtains and jade railings, the layers of carved landscapes, birds, and flowers on the glass lanterns would slowly rotate. It looked like a flowing landscape painting—radiant, colorful, and truly beautiful.
Qin Jiuye looked left and right. As her initial curiosity faded, she began to realize where the inexplicable sense of strangeness she’d felt since entering came from.
She had always heard that when great families hosted birthday banquets, they preferred to hold them at high noon to capture the auspicious omen of being "like the sun at its zenith." They usually avoided starting a feast as the sun was setting, as it carried the melancholy air of "twilight approaching, with few days remaining." Setting aside such superstitions, the candles and oil required for illumination alone would cost a fortune for a single night. Moreover, there was currently a curfew in place; if the banquet dragged into the night, wouldn't it cause a great deal of trouble?
Qin Jiuye sighed inwardly: the thoughts of the wealthy were truly inscrutable to a poor person like her.
Su Lin was conversing privately with several distinguished guests in the inner courtyard. The gentlemen at the tables were already slightly tipsy. Clearly, their intent was not to celebrate a birthday, but to use the occasion to network. Consequently, everyone was immersed in chanting to the wind and moon, passing wine cups and goblets back and forth. The scent of wine mixed with the clamor of voices, filling the vast courtyard so completely that there was nowhere to hide.
Qin Jiuye huddled in a dark corner at the end of the banquet, like a quail that had wandered into a flock of cranes. She could only pull Li Qiao close and hide behind Xu Qiuchi, terrified that something would go wrong before they could act.
That playboy was wearing a brocade robe of emerald-blue today. Among the crowd of elegantly and decorously dressed "refined guests," he looked like a colorful peacock among cranes. He had left the red-clad Jiang Xin’er outside the residence, and at the gates, he had been met by a beautiful maidservant in green who had clearly been waiting for him. Upon taking his seat, he had several flasks of wine warmed, looking perfectly at home. When he flirted with the green-clad beauty beside him, his laughter was unnecessarily loud.
At first, seeing so many guests from noble families who were self-disciplined and observant of etiquette, Qin Jiuye cursed Xu Qiuchi in her heart for being so ostentatious. She feared his indiscriminate playfulness would cause trouble. But she soon realized that the more he acted this way, the fewer inquisitive gazes were directed at them. Everyone seemed long accustomed to it; people constantly approached to greet and converse with him, and his interactions were perfectly natural.
As she watched from the corner, she began to understand the hidden subtext of the scene.
Perhaps this was the "baseline" determined by one's birth. Even if those people held a poor opinion of the Second Young Master of the Qiu family, they still had to offer insincere pleasantries for the sake of the Qiu Residence. Their words were hollow, and they would likely gossip about him the moment they turned away. This was the unspoken "game" played among these noble guests.
"Little Leaf."
Qin Jiuye remained kneeling in place, not reacting for a moment.
"Little Leaf!"
That cursed voice called out again. She shuddered, realizing this terrible nickname belonged to her. Her hair stood on end, and it took her a moment to steady her emotions before she spoke through gritted teeth.
"Here... what are the Second Young Master's orders?"
Xu Qiuchi tapped the empty wine cup on the table and spoke bluntly.
"Can't you see a guest has arrived? Pour the wine."
Disgusting as it was, Qin Jiuye had to serve him diligently. She currently had to rely on this man; if she accidentally offended this petty master and he abandoned her here in a fit of pique, she would be in serious trouble.
Qin Jiuye glanced at the table crowded with cups, plates, and vessels. After a moment, she grabbed a delicate mandarin-duck wine pot and poured until the small glass cup was nearly overflowing.
Seeing a pot-bellied gentleman approaching with a raised cup to offer a toast, she prepared to watch the show. However, a slender, jade-like hand reached out from the side and deftly picked up the brimming glass cup.
Qin Jiuye followed the hand with her gaze and saw it belonged to the green-clad beauty beside Xu Qiuchi.
"Greetings, Third Young Master Jia. I heard your lady wife has visited the Guanyin Temple three times to pray for a son without success, and has been quite troubled lately. Seeing you today, Third Young Master, your complexion is excellent. You must have already drawn a top-tier fortune slip, ensuring your household's peace. A-Wu shall drink this cup on behalf of my master to offer our congratulations."
Having spoken, the green-clad beauty rose from her seat. With one hand shielding her face and the other steadily holding the cup, she drained it in one gulp. Her movements were clean and swift; not a single drop of wine was spilled.
The visitor, Third Young Master Jia, looked respectable enough, but his face was oily and his gaze shifty. Initially, he hadn't known the beauty's identity and intended to flirt, but he hadn't expected her to immediately identify him and point out his family's scandals. Suddenly unsure of the situation, he could only offer a couple of fake, polite laughs and scurried away before Xu Qiuchi could even speak.
Qin Jiuye watched with her mouth half-open, suddenly feeling a sense of security. Amidst her relief, she felt a bit sour. Glancing at the leisurely, carefree playboy in front of her, she finally couldn't help but whisper.
"I was wondering why you didn't bring that inseparable, fierce woman in red. It turns out you've forgotten the old for the sake of the new."
Xu Qiuchi fanned himself, his voice equally lazy.
"You mean Xin’er? Her temperament is a bit too stiff and direct; she isn't suited for an occasion like today. It's better for her to wait outside."
That was true. Given Jiang Xin’er’s personality, that Jia fellow probably wouldn't have even reached them before the wine in the cup was shaken out completely.
At this thought, Qin Jiuye couldn't help but steal another look at the green-clad woman.
It was hard to tell this woman's age. At first glance, her eyes seemed full of affection, but a closer look revealed a certain sharpness. Even under heavy makeup, she didn't seem vulgar, commanding a respect that made one hesitate to treat her lightly. When she spoke, she was extremely tactful and flawless. Compared to Jiang Xin’er, her manner was indeed much more supple and clever.
This profligate young master certainly knew how to enjoy his blessings. He chose his beauties based on the occasion, and each one was more capable than the last. It was like a cluster of fresh flowers surrounding a piece of useless wood—it made one sigh with regret while simultaneously feeling a surge of envy.
Qin Jiuye sighed sourly. "I see, I see. The Second Young Master is never short of beautiful companions. It was my lack of worldly experience."
Xu Qiuchi glanced at her, seemingly guessing her thoughts, and laughed.
"This is Manager Liu Caiwu, the head accountant of the Qiu Residence. Normally, we juniors have to respectfully call her 'Auntie.' It's just that we are out in public today and formalities are inconvenient, so she isn't holding it against me."
Qin Jiuye froze, then felt both shocked and embarrassed. Unsure if her previous words had offended the woman, she hurriedly tried to make amends.
"So it is Manager Liu. My apologies, my apologies! With your beauty that makes fish sink and birds alight, I only thought... I only..."
Before she could squeeze out any more flattery, the other woman laughed.
The green clothing complemented that bright face like a dark lotus silently blooming. Even her laughter was soft, melodic, and quite pleasant to the ear.
"Don't let him intimidate you. I've never been one for such formalities."
Qin Jiuye breathed a secret sigh of relief but didn't dare say anything more. She shrank back into her corner and focused on peeling walnuts.
Just then, a figure emerged from the deep shadows not far away. It was the eldest son of the Qiu family, making his first public appearance since returning to the city. Behind him followed a bearded adjutant, also silent. The gazes of those around them lingered surreptitiously on the two for a moment before everyone put on smiling faces and stepped forward to greet them.
The young Governor’s stature was exceptionally upright among the crowd of scholars and merchants. Even when bowing to converse with others, his back did not bend, standing as straight as the wild bamboo and fir trees of Xizhu Mountain.
Qin Jiuye watched with some fascination. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a splash of pink and white enter the courtyard. Three to five beautifully dressed women walked with slow, graceful steps toward Qiu Ling.
The one leading them was brightly made up; from her bearing, she seemed to be the Su family's eldest daughter, Su Muzhi. Following her were the daughters of various families who were close with the Su family. The group of charming women smiled and bowed to the young Governor, and only then did Qiu Ling’s rigid back incline. After returning the greeting respectfully, a gentle smile seemed to appear on his face. He even lowered his voice; from a distance, she couldn't hear him clearly.
Qin Jiuye had never seen Qiu Ling with such an expression.
The image of the firs and bamboo of Xizhu Mountain in her mind suddenly receded, leaving only a desolate mountain range silent under a cold moon.
In the next instant, for some reason, the young Governor suddenly turned toward her direction. Startled, Qin Jiuye guiltily lowered her head. She waited a moment before daring to look up again, only to find that he was already conversing with several other noble young masters. In truth, he hadn't looked at her at all, let alone noticed her.
Suddenly, Xu Qiuchi spoke from the table.
"What? Do you find that my elder brother isn't as cold and socially inept as you imagined?"
Having her thoughts guessed, Qin Jiuye spat out a walnut skin and ate several sour apricots to cover her tracks.
"The Governor is a man of integrity. Even if he engages in some social pleasantries, it doesn't hide his true nature."
The other man chuckled lightly again.
"You've only known him for a few days. How did you reach such a conclusion? Or is it that because he was strict with you and watched you like a prisoner, you've developed some... unusual feelings?"
Mocked repeatedly, Qin Jiuye couldn't hold back her temper and blurted out, "I've known him for a bit longer than you think."
"You actually..." A flash of surprise crossed Xu Qiuchi's face. After a long pause, he suddenly laughed. "I never would have thought Shopkeeper Qin was such a sentimental person."
Qin Jiuye huffed, too lazy to deal with this sarcastic man. When she looked up again, Qiu Ling was no longer in the crowd, having gone who-knows-where.
She felt inexplicably disappointed and lost interest in everything else. As she reached for a half-peeled walnut on the table, she didn't notice the embroidery on her sleeve snagging on the intricate base of the glass lantern. In a moment of distraction, the heavy, table-height lantern stand began to topple.
Qin Jiuye gasped. In the split second before the lantern could fall on her, only one thought jumped into her mind: if this lamp broke, she would surely have to pay an entire year's revenue from Guoran Ju.
She barely had time to reach out her hand, but in the next moment, someone else had already caught the lamp.
The light reflected from the multi-colored glass flickered across Li Qiao's face, making him look like a figure from a freshly painted fine-line scroll. The glass, which had been burning for half an hour, was incredibly hot, yet he held it with his bare hands as if he couldn't feel it at all. He steadily placed the lamp back in its original position—the entire sequence took only an instant.
Qin Jiuye finally snapped out of it and looked down at her sleeve.
She had changed into this new wide-sleeved jacket today, which had embroidery on the cuffs and collar. She had never worn such an outer garment before; when working, she was used to rolling up her sleeves and moving with rough abandon. How could she have known that wearing fine clothes would come with so many inconveniences?
"Thank you. I wasn't paying attention and almost caused a disaster..."
Halfway through her sentence, she looked up into the youth's eyes, and her words came to an abrupt halt.
Li Qiao didn't speak. He seemed to have been silent like this for a while, but there was clearly an emotion swirling in his eyes that made her heart skip a beat.
"What is it?"
He replied nonchalantly, "Nothing."
There was clearly *something*. Who was he being so moody for?
Qin Jiuye grumbled inwardly. The light around them dimmed as the lamp on the table flickered and went out. She assumed the oil had been spilled earlier, but looking at it, she couldn't figure out how to open the glass lantern.
In the next moment, Li Qiao reached out and skillfully removed the glass cover without error.
"How can you keep looking elsewhere, Sister? That slip just now was one thing, but you must stay sharp from now on."
As he spoke, he removed the oil reservoir from inside the lamp. His other hand took a thin goat-horn scraper from the inner wall of the intricate cover, and he skillfully scraped away the spilled wax that had congealed on the glass, returning it to the reservoir. Though the scented wax had cooled, it didn't stick to the scraper at all; with a few strokes, it was smoothed down perfectly. He then picked up a taper from beside the reservoir, took a flame from another lamp to light it, and replaced the cover.
Qin Jiuye watched blankly the entire time. The layers of the lantern cover were as thin as cicada wings; let alone opening and closing it, her hands would shake just touching it. As for the scraper, she had no idea where it came from or what its original purpose was. Yet Li Qiao’s movements were too practiced, as if he had done this a thousand times before. Even his posture was perfect, making the scene exceptionally pleasing to the eye.
While she was still marveling, Liu Caiwu glanced over, her red lips parting as she spoke softly.
"Shopkeeper Qin is a fine teacher. You've trained this child to be quite clever and capable."
Guoran Ju taught people how to identify, decoct, and dispense medicine, how to keep books, calculate accounts, and collect debts—but when had it ever taught someone how to light scented wax in a multi-colored glass lantern?
Qin Jiuye felt a wave of guilt and bitterness, but she couldn't show it. She could only close her eyes and nod randomly.
"It's nothing, it's just that he's quite diligent."
"Thank you for the praise, Sister. Actually, I know a few other things. In the future..."
Before he could finish, Qin Jiuye quickly grabbed a flower-juice powdered dumpling and stuffed it into the youth's mouth.
"We're out in public; you talk too much."
A faint commotion came from the center of the courtyard. Xu Qiuchi withdrew his gaze from the spectacle and looked toward the white jade platform not far away.
Su Lin, surrounded by several people, was slowly walking to the center of the platform to begin a new round of grand speeches. The setting sun cast a golden glow around the platform, making every gold and silver thread on his clothes stand out clearly.
The air gradually grew restless. Looking at Su Lin’s smile-filled face and the shifting shadows of the crowd, the unease Qin Jiuye had suppressed earlier resurfaced.
"Can't we just leave now?"
Xu Qiuchi raised his fan to cover half his face and lowered his voice.
"The host and guests are just beginning their formal toasts. If you leave now, are you trying to ensure everyone notices you?"
Qin Jiuye had no choice but to give up, praying in her heart that Su Lin wouldn't come over personally, or if he did, that he wouldn't stay long.
But perhaps tonight was destined for something to happen. Before she could finish her silent prayers, Su Lin changed direction and, accompanied by several others, began walking toward them.
"Once you've spoken and drunk with a few people, they will have an impression of you. Even if someone investigates later, we at least won't be the most suspicious ones."
After Xu Qiuchi whispered this, his face transformed into a brilliant smile, as if the person approaching wasn't the wrinkled, oily-faced Su Lin, but some fair-faced enchantress from a brothel.
It turned out attending a banquet in a wealthy house was so exhausting; it was better to stay home alone and gnaw on flatbread with pickled vegetables.
Qin Jiuye suppressed her complaints, rose slightly, and continued pouring wine.
After the "training" from the previous groups of people, she had now mastered the technique. Her movements while pouring wine looked quite convincing, though she was still anxious, fearing she would reveal a flaw in her behavior.
She had wondered if she would come face-to-face with Su Lin, but she hadn't expected it to happen so soon.
That day at the Prefect’s office, she had been hauled in early by Fan Tong’s men. Not only was she haggard from staying up all night, but her clothes were also old and tattered. Today, she had changed into the beautiful clothes Xu Qiuchi had provided, and her hair was styled like a maidservant from a wealthy family. She looked like a completely different person.
But the events of that day were still fresh. It was hard to say if he wouldn't have some impression of her. If Su Lin recognized that a rustic physician who was a suspect just a few days ago was now following the Qiu family under a different identity, anyone would be suspicious. Wouldn't that ruin everything?
Qin Jiuye lowered her head even further as she thought. Just as the wine was poured, Su Lin’s voice sounded close by.
"Second Young Master."
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 柳裁梧 | Liu Caiwu | Manager/Accountant of the Qiu family. |
| 阿梧 | A-Wu | Liu Caiwu's self-reference/nickname. |
| 贾三少 | Third Young Master Jia | A guest at the banquet. |
| 苏沐芝 | Su Muzhi | Eldest daughter of the Su family. |
| 洗竹山 | Xizhu Mountain | A location mentioned in relation to Qiu Ling. |
| 羊角薄片 | Goat-horn scraper | A thin tool used for cleaning wax. |
| 褙子 | Beizi | A type of traditional Chinese jacket/coat. |
