Xu Qiuchi slowly rose to his feet.
Since the banquet began, the wine had been flowing freely, and he had stood to excuse himself from toasts many times. However, Qin Jiuye felt that this time was different. His face still wore a smile, but the emotion in his eyes had nothing to do with mirth.
After the two parties exchanged greetings, Su Lin did not seem to pay any attention to the others. Qin Jiuye, standing behind, breathed a slight sigh of relief, only to hear Xu Qiuchi speak first.
"Greetings, Uncle Su. On the occasion of the Old Lady's eightieth birthday, this junior has come specifically to offer my congratulations. The birthday gifts have already been delivered to the manor; I wonder if Uncle is pleased with them?"
He referred to himself as a "junior" and addressed the other as "Uncle" with every breath, appearing far more intimate than that cold, aloof, and socially inept prospective son-in-law.
The smile remained fixed on Su Lin’s face, but his eyes betrayed an irrepressible sense of triumph.
The Su family’s fortunes were currently at their peak. Tonight, the well-wishers were numerous, and the birthday gifts filled an entire ancestral hall. Among that mountain of treasures, the most eye-catching was the gift brought by the Second Young Master of the Qiu Mansion: a pair of twin Northern Blood Reishi.
Su Lin was in the medicinal trade himself. One look at those Blood Reishi told him they were at least a century old; even a single one would be a priceless treasure in any pharmacy, let alone a pair. That dandy was willing to give them away as a birthday gift—if he wasn't truly a fool who didn't know the value of his own goods, then he was undoubtedly using them to curry favor.
It seemed the rumors were not entirely groundless. The Qiu family was now in its twilight, their fortunes declining by the day. Not only had they lost their former glory, but they were also losing their last bit of dignity. To think they would personally send such heavy gifts to flatter him on his mother’s birthday—what was this if not a desperate attempt to secure the marriage alliance? One must remember that in the past, Qiu Yan, the head of the Qiu family, would not have spared a single glance for such social-climbing banquets.
After a moment of silent calculation, Su Lin maintained his respectful and polite facade, returning the greeting.
"The Second Young Master is truly generous; my mother will surely be delighted when she sees them. In fact, even my mistress felt a touch of greed upon seeing them, insisting that such divine medicine might help the Su family produce another noble son. She even dragged Mother into it to support her, and they had the gifts moved directly to her courtyard. Just thinking about how I shall ask her for them later gives me quite a headache."
*You bring heavy gifts to my door, yet I do not hold them in high regard.*
The subtext of Su Lin’s words was glaringly obvious. After speaking, he let out an ambiguous laugh, and the three or five guests following him joined in. For a moment, the rising and falling laughter of the middle-aged men was as eerie as could be.
The hair on Qin Jiuye’s arms stood up for no reason. She couldn't help but steal a glance at the reactions of the other two beside her. She saw that Li Qiao’s expression was so calm it could almost be described as numb, as if he were long accustomed to such scenes. Meanwhile, Liu Caiwu, who had been so ruthless in turning away guests earlier, appeared exceptionally cold now, as if she had already decided to stand by and watch this play unfold. As for Xu Qiuchi himself, he remained smiling, as if he were completely oblivious to Su Lin’s hidden barbs.
Since the main party didn't care and the two "guardians" on either side remained silent, Qin Jiuye could only suppress the urge to jump up and flee. She kept her head down and continued pouring wine until she had nearly filled every remaining cup on the table.
After a moment, Su Lin finally stopped laughing. His tone shifted as he asked with feigned concern, "Speaking of which, how has the Commandant been lately? Come to think of it, it seems I haven't seen him for quite a while. He didn't even attend the lantern lighting on New Year's Eve. Could it be..."
Lighting the Everburning Lantern on the city gates on New Year's Eve was a tradition in Jiugao.
Legend had it that this practice was established by the Water-Suppressing Commandant, Qiu Yan, to commemorate the battle at Juchao, where the Black Moon Army had achieved victory against overwhelming odds. The lone, ever-burning lantern served as a warning. After the flame was lit, the citizens of the city would follow the General’s example and keep watch over the light through the night, reminding those living in peace and security not to forget the flames of war from the past, and to always remain vigilant in times of safety.
However, as the years passed, New Year's Eve in Jiugao had become nothing more than a festive celebration. It seemed that as long as the General could be seen on the towering city gates on New Year's Eve, the coming year would be one of favorable weather and prosperity. But as the years rolled by, the General on the city gates had long since laid down his armor and grown white hair, and the joy of the people keeping watch was no longer rooted in its original purpose.
Everyone in official circles knew the connection between the Qiu family and the Black Moon Army. Now, Su Lin had deliberately brought this matter up, leaving his words hanging with a suggestive air that invited speculation. If the other party rushed to interrupt, it would only confirm those suspicions.
Yet, the Second Young Master, usually known for being wild and outspoken, for some reason remained silent, merely gazing at him with an earnest expression.
The air grew still for a moment, and Su Lin began to feel inexplicably awkward. He had tried to provoke and test the other several times, but the opponent refused to take the bait. He had dropped the conversational thread on the ground and now had to bend down to pick it up himself.
"I was merely concerned and spoke out of turn. They are but words spoken over wine; the Second Young Master should not take them to heart."
Only then did Xu Qiuchi nod. Looking as though he hadn't perceived the other's schemes at all, he blinked and said sincerely, "Uncle Su, you are too kind. In recent years, my father has become quite close with some wandering Daoists. Lately, he has developed a love for watching fish and angling; he has traveled to every stream and ditch in the nearby mountains and wilderness. He says he wishes to cultivate his character and dispel turbid qi, not wanting to be disturbed by this mortal world and its vulgar people. Even I, his son, cannot catch a glimpse of him."
As soon as these words were spoken, another silence fell over the surroundings.
But this silence was different from the one before. Everyone’s eyes were darting about, silently speculating which "vulgar person" the Second Young Master of the Qiu family was subtly mocking. In the end, they all felt that he was likely just a "pretty embroidery pillow"—useless on the inside—and perhaps didn't mean anything by it, simply lacking a filter when he spoke.
However, Su Lin was the only one who didn't think so.
He had shouldered the family business since his youth and had been in trade for decades; now, he had one foot in the door of officialdom. He had grasped some of the rules of the bureaucracy, which essentially boiled down to always making one's stance clear. One either submitted or withdrew; attempting to remain independent was choosing the most difficult path.
He had originally thought the other party intended to show goodwill, so he had used his status as an elder to make some harmless jokes. But the moment the other spoke, he had slapped Su Lin's face, showing a complete lack of tact. One must know that he was no outsider, but the future in-law of the Qiu family. For a mere second son and junior to humiliate him in front of everyone—his displeasure could no longer be hidden. He spoke immediately.
"I see. It seems Commandant Qiu’s mind is entirely occupied with such matters, leaving him no time to inquire about anything else. That Jiugao can be what it is today is thanks to the Commandant’s indelible contributions. However, I have heard that bandits have been stirring again in the lower reaches of the Feng River recently. I fear it won't be long before not every corner of Longshu is peaceful. I am but a commoner living in a remote corner, knowing little of the previous dynasty or matters of war; I can only worry in vain. I wonder what my dear in-law thinks..."
However, before he could finish posing his "difficult question," the other man spoke up leisurely and cut him off.
"Why must Uncle belittle himself? I heard that during the battle of Juchao, the casualties among both soldiers and civilians on both banks of the Huan River were heavy. Within a hundred miles, grain and rice were scarce, not to mention the supply of medicinal herbs. Only Uncle’s family pharmacy had the foresight to hoard a large amount of herbs and wound medicines three months in advance. Once the battle situation stabilized, you moved into the rear. The Su family achieved its current glory because of its merit in helping treat the plague after the war. Uncle is an expert in these matters and should be called half a military strategist. Why are you so shy about discussing it now?"
After Xu Qiuchi finished this speech, everyone present fell into a subtle silence.
Everyone knew the truth in their hearts: the Su family’s current momentum was due to their deep pockets and their connection to high-ranking officials. When people spoke of Su Lin, they said he had turned the tide and built the family fortune within just a few years of taking over, calling him a master of business. But in the end, few knew exactly how that "turning of the tide" had been achieved or where the Su family’s first pot of gold had come from. Hearing the Second Young Master’s words now, they understood why no one discussed it: the battle of Juchao was a messy account. After the war, the late Emperor had personally issued a secret order to silence everyone, and since then, no one dared to speak of it. And the reason Su Lin was able to make his fortune was, in the end, because he had eaten the "blood-soaked bread" of wartime and gnawed on the bones of the suffering.
It was a perfectly good birthday banquet, yet after just a few rounds of verbal sparring over wine, no one expected the conversation to turn toward such bloody and grim topics. The atmosphere, which had been slightly tipsy and lively, suddenly turned cold. Even Su Lin himself pressed his lips thin.
What was Xu Qiuchi’s purpose in coming here today under the guise of celebrating a birthday? Surely it wasn't just to expose his old secrets in front of everyone?
Su Lin could play the diplomat and use official jargon on many things, but on this matter, he was as silent as a cicada in winter, simply because he could not afford to offend the person behind it. And Xu Qiuchi’s intention in bringing it up seemed to be exactly that.
However, Qiu Yan had also been a primary general in the battle of Juchao. How could his involvement be any less than the Su family’s? For the other to insist on bringing this up now was a tactic that killed a thousand enemies but cost eight hundred of his own.
This Second Young Master of the Qiu family wasn't just wild and reckless; he clearly had something wrong with his head. When he went mad, he would even bite himself.
After an unknown amount of time, someone finally broke the dead silence with caution.
"The banquet is half over; why haven't we seen the guest of honor yet?"
Another person quickly picked up the thread, fearing the "mentally ill" Second Young Master might say something else impossible to handle.
"I heard the Old Lady was feeling a bit unwell recently. I wonder if she is feeling better?"
Hearing this, the silent Su Lin finally regained his composure and spoke with dignity.
"I thank you all for your concern; my mother is doing well. It is just that she is advanced in years and caught a bit of a cold recently. Moreover, she dislikes noise. I insisted on holding this event, and she is still cross with me, refusing to come out. I can only go and invite her again later."
The five or six people around him immediately nodded like chickens pecking at grain, competing to agree.
"Brother Su is truly filial. One can see the thought put into every detail of this banquet..."
"The Old Lady understands your heart; she surely isn't truly blaming you..."
"This is how it is when people get older. My own mother also throws tantrums over minor ailments..."
Amidst the harmonious sounds, the Second Young Master of the Qiu family also nodded, then once again dropped an ill-timed comment.
"Indeed. Speaking of which, it truly is strange. The weather has clearly been wonderful lately, yet the number of sick people has increased instead." After saying this, he used his waist fan to prop up his forehead and rubbed it gently. "Eh, is the wind after the start of summer always this chilling? My head is starting to ache again."
Over there, Su Lin and the others stiffened once more, unsure what this "eccentric guest" they couldn't afford to provoke was going to pull next. Qin Jiuye, however, received the signal and immediately realized the time had come.
She hurried forward a few steps to support her "frail and delicate" young master, sycophantically pulling out a box of mint balm and pretentiously dabbing it on him a couple of times.
"My young master hasn't sobered up from yesterday's wine, and his chronic headaches have flared up again."
This was likely her only "line" in front of Su Lin tonight. Whether she would blow her cover or succeed depended entirely on this one move.
She saw that Su Lin never looked at her from beginning to end. He only spared a contemptuous glance at Xu Qiuchi, likely thinking: *This muddled and sickly dandy is truly unpleasant.* He also felt somewhat relieved that the person the Su family would have to deal with in the future was not the one before him.
"The Second Young Master is so young, yet his constitution is so weak. You should practice more moderation in the future."
Qin Jiuye’s hanging heart finally settled.
She could finally confirm the thought she had held all along: for a family like the Su Mansion, even if they shared the same roots in the medical profession, they had no interest in sparing a second glance for a village doctor. Su Lin didn't recognize her simply because he had never looked at her with his full attention.
"Please excuse me for a moment. I ask for the indulgence of all the gentlemen here," Xu Qiuchi smiled, appearing completely indifferent to the mockery in Su Lin’s words. His phoenix eyes narrowed with a hint of drunkenness as he raised a hand and patted Qin Jiuye’s head. "Little Ye, help me find a quiet place to get some air."
Qin Jiuye suppressed the urge to chop off that hand. Together with Li Qiao, she supported Xu Qiuchi from both sides, and without looking back, they headed toward the dimly lit back garden.
After walking sixty or seventy paces away and turning her head seven or eight times, Qin Jiuye’s heart finally began to calm.
Her hand was still supporting Xu Qiuchi’s waist when someone suddenly pulled her away. She only then snapped back to her senses.
Li Qiao glanced at her, his expression perfectly normal, as if the previous action had nothing to do with him.
Xu Qiuchi, on the other hand, seemed to be enjoying himself. The scent of wine still lingered around him, and his face was slightly flushed, making him look quite radiant.
"I didn't know before that Shopkeeper Qin had a talent for this kind of service. You are much more attentive than Xin'er. She is a bit too tall and usually refuses to touch me. Shopkeeper Qin’s height is just right; you're quite comfortable to lean on..."
Qin Jiuye smiled and endured, but before she could say anything to smooth things over, the youth behind her "accidentally" stepped hard on Xu Qiuchi’s brand-new boots. The latter let out a muffled groan of pain and finally shut his mouth.
The side courtyard, far from the banquet, was much quieter. The three of them stood staring at each other for a moment before Li Qiao finally asked expressionlessly.
"What do we do now? How much time is left?"
Qin Jiuye recalled the expressions of Su Lin and the others before they left, and she couldn't help but feel worried.
"Will it really be alright leaving Manager Liu alone at the banquet?"
"You certainly have the leisure to worry about others," Xu Qiuchi said, fanning himself as he looked around. He then pulled out a fire starter and lit the incense sachet tied to her waist. "This incense is timed for exactly three *ke*. It will extinguish precisely after that time. I will stay here to prevent my brother from coming to investigate. Keep track of the time yourself; if you're late, I can't guarantee there won't be trouble."
"Only three *ke*?" Qin Jiuye’s heart hammered, her breathing quickening. "It's not like you don't know how large the Su Mansion is. It will take time just to find the courtyard where I performed the consultation, let alone finding the item..."
"My brother is likely tied up by those women right now and can't get away, but no one can say for sure how many *ke* of peace he'll give us. To be safe, three *ke* is the longest time we can secure right now. Besides, didn't you come here once and even stay the night? Surely you haven't forgotten the way?"
Faced with his shamelessness, Qin Jiuye knew that arguing was useless. she could only force herself to turn her anger into motivation. She confirmed one last time.
"You will wait for us, right? You won't just leave?"
Xu Qiuchi nodded, his gaze falling on her waist.
"A friendly reminder: don't waste your time here with me."
Qin Jiuye dared not delay any longer. She checked the incense sachet at her waist, reached up to tighten her hairpin, and then walked quickly toward the depths of the courtyard.
Behind her, the youth followed like a shadow.
"I will go with Sister."
***
