As night descended upon the Su Manor, it became a place of two worlds: one clamorous with the roar of a crowd, the other silent and frigid.
Qin Jiuye felt as though she were walking along an invisible boundary between the living and the dead. The summer night breeze brushed against her, yet she felt alternating waves of warmth and icy cold.
Since childhood, she had seen more corpses than there were unmarked graves outside Dingweng Village. Aside from a few restless nights during her first years in the trade, she had rarely known fear. In truth, there were few things in this world that could frighten her, let alone a dead body.
But just now, peering through that wall—undistinguished save for a single small hole—she had felt a terror that seeped from the very marrow of her bones. It was an instinctive, uncontrollable emotion. Even now, though she had convinced herself she had escaped that place, the lingering chill clung to her skin like a layer of cold sweat that refused to dry.
She hurried through the corridors where shadows interlaced and the night wind sighed, glancing back every few steps.
There was no one behind her. Only the swaying silhouettes of trees and the mottled crags of rockeries watched her in silence.
Managing to find her way back by memory, Qin Jiuye came to a halt and listened intently to her surroundings.
The din of the banquet drifted over from not far away, seemingly as lively as when she had left. No one had noticed what had occurred in that corner of the great estate; it was as if everything in that strange room had been nothing more than a hallucination.
What exactly had she seen through the wall? And why was there the sound of a bell? Was there any reason for a bell to be used in this manor?
In the present-day Xiangliang, talk of ghosts and gods was waning. However, Qin Jiuye had heard her world-traveling master mention an ancient belief: it was said that malevolent spirits detested the sound of bells. Thus, in the old days, whenever night fell over a city, shamans would walk the streets ringing bronze bells to drive away evil and ward off calamity.
And speaking of bells... the bloodbath on Sangma Street not long ago—wasn't the victim a night watchman? On a night when dark clouds veiled the moon, he had been walking that street, ringing his gong-bell and announcing the hour, when he encountered something terrifying. Perhaps that thing loathed the sound of the bell, so it leapt from the darkness to attack and kill him...
Qin Jiuye stood rooted to the spot, her skin crawling the more she thought about it. Suddenly, a hand touched her shoulder from behind, and she jumped like a drop of water hitting a vat of boiling oil.
"What is it?"
A familiar voice spoke. Qin Jiuye turned to find Li Qiao looking at her with a furrowed brow.
Subconsciously, she breathed his name. "Li Qiao..."
He nodded and answered softly, "I am here."
Perhaps because she had found someone she knew, her panic finally began to subside. Qin Jiuye looked around warily and asked in a low, conspiratorial whisper, "When you were walking around just now, did you hear anything strange?"
"Does Sister not wish to ask about Kang Renshou’s residence?" The boy’s focus seemed to be elsewhere. He paused, then reminded her, "Was that not the task Sister entrusted to me when we parted?"
Qin Jiuye looked at him with a touch of exasperation.
In a situation like this, he should just answer whatever she asked. Why was he so concerned with the instructions she’d given him earlier? She found his train of thought peculiar, but she didn't press the matter, instead pulling him toward the front courtyard.
"Never mind. Perhaps I’m overthinking..." Seeing no sign of that dandy Xu Qiuchi, Qin Jiuye’s nerves, which had just begun to relax, tightened again. "Where is Xu Qiuchi?"
Li Qiao followed behind her and answered briefly, "He was called away by that Manager Liu."
Qin Jiuye was stunned, then grew anxious. "He just left? Did he say when he’d be back? If he burns his bridges and leaves the two of us here, are you going to help me climb over the walls to get out?"
The youth paused, then nodded thoughtfully. "That is not impossible."
Qin Jiuye wiped her forehead, feeling the sweat from her frantic walk turn cold. A gust of wind stripped the warmth from her body, making even her fingertips tremble involuntarily.
"I’m not counting on you to get me out. I only hope we don't cause trouble and get caught."
Flashes of the mysterious maid in purple and the second Miss Su standing beneath the lacecap hydrangeas crossed her mind. Li Qiao shook his head calmly.
"Rest easy, Sister. I have not startled the snake. " He paused, glancing at the incense pouch at her waist, which had long since gone out. "Sister was gone for so long. Did you discover anything?"
Thinking of what she had seen, a chill ran through her, but she tried her best to act unbothered.
"We’ll talk once we’re out."
Before she could finish, the voice of the Su Manor’s head steward, Guo Rengui, pierced through the layers of noise in the courtyard.
"The Old Madam has arrived!"
Across several thickets of shadows and winding rockery paths, Qin Jiuye caught a glimpse of a stooped figure emerging slowly, supported by a crowd of maids and servants. It was the guest of honor for today’s birthday feast—Old Madam Su.
The entire courtyard fell silent instantly. Every eye was fixed on that figure. For a moment, even the creaking of the glass lanterns swaying in the wind was clearly audible.
Qin Jiuye narrowed her eyes, peering at the Old Madam amidst the sea of people. Perhaps fearing the cold, the woman was dressed quite heavily, and she wore a veiled hat. As the wind stirred the thin gauze embroidered with bat motifs, one could catch glimpses of the gold, silver, and jewels adorning her hair—she was not outshone by any of the other ladies in the courtyard.
Though Su Lin was a loathsome man, he seemed to treat his mother exceptionally well.
Having reached this conclusion, Qin Jiuye turned and signaled for Li Qiao to follow her as they blended back into the crowd of guests. Now was the perfect opportunity; everyone’s attention was on the Old Madam, and no one would notice two dusty servants.
They carefully stepped onto a small path at the side of the courtyard. The dense beech trees and blooming wisteria vines on either side shielded them. The interplay of lantern light, tree shadows, and floral silhouettes hid them in a pocket of gloom. Those standing in the light noticed nothing, while the Old Madam, walking slowly with support, passed through the veranda just a few paces away.
Qin Jiuye timed her movements in her head. The moment those people stepped out of the corridor and into the courtyard, she would circle back to the banquet from the opposite direction.
But after only a few steps, she suddenly froze and turned her head in disbelief.
Not far away, the stooped, tottering figure had already been helped onto the mahogany grand chair at the head of the table. Su Lin followed closely behind her, obstructing Qin Jiuye’s view.
In the next moment, a chorus of toasts and birthday wishes drowned out all subtle sounds. Every gaze was fixed on the center of the flower-filled courtyard.
It was said that Old Madam Su had begun practicing vegetarianism ten years ago, devoting herself to prayer and the purification of her senses. In previous years, when her health was still robust, she would distribute congee at temples. Half of the Su family pharmacy’s sterling reputation in Jiugao could be attributed to her.
Aside from the necessary social graces, who wouldn't want to be close to such a venerable elder?
Yet Qin Jiuye did not dare take another step forward.
Because in that brief moment when their paths had crossed, she had distinctly heard a faint sound coming from beneath that bat-embroidered gauze.
*Click, click-clack...*
In that instant, she finally understood what she had heard in that strange room before the bell rang.
It was the sound of teeth chattering together.
When Jinbao used to grind his teeth in his sleep, it made a similar noise.
But she had never seen a conscious person make such a sound.
Perhaps she hadn't been mistaken. There really had been someone on the other side of that wall. And it was the most respected person in the entire Su Manor.
Countless strange thoughts flashed through her mind. Her mouth felt dry, and the icy chill she had finally managed to shake off began to crawl up her legs once more.
"Sister?"
Seeing her frozen in place, the youth stopped and looked over.
Qin Jiuye snapped back to her senses, looking around frantically. "Where is the Inspector? Did you see him just now?"
Li Qiao glanced at her expression before finally raising a hand, pointing toward the brightly lit center of the banquet.
The tall, upright young Inspector was surrounded by a crowd. He seemed to have had a few cups of wine; a faint flush touched his face, and his cold, sharp features had softened considerably. He no longer seemed so distant, though his right hand still rested instinctively on the hilt of his sword. His half-lidded eyes occasionally lifted to look toward Xu Qiuchi in the distance, his lips pressed into a tight line.
A beautiful maid in green brushed past, her fragrant sleeves fluttering as another cup of fine nectar was presented. The silk-clad young master holding the cup looked back at him with a half-smile, saying something teasing that drew a round of laughter from the surrounding guests and ladies.
The young Inspector was clearly not as adept at handling such situations as his younger brother. In the end, he simply picked up the cup and drained it in silence, falling back into another round of weary social obligation.
In truth, without his armor and official cap, he looked no different from the other young scions of noble houses.
Perhaps in a few years, she wouldn't even be able to pick him out from such a crowd at a single glance.
The cold sweat, dried by the wind, turned into a sinister chill that seeped into the gaps of her bones. Qin Jiuye hunched her shoulders, tightening her thin, decorative, and utterly useless servant’s garment, and cursed under her breath.
"That black-hearted Xu Qiuchi... he drives the two of us into danger to risk our lives for him, while he has the leisure to chat and drink? He said we’d work together and that he’d provide cover for us. I see now it was all just talk. Once his interest is piqued, he only cares for his own pleasure. What does he care if we live or die?"
Li Qiao watched her face quietly for a long moment before speaking.
"Is Sister blaming him for keeping Qiu Ling occupied?"
Her true thoughts exposed, Qin Jiuye was momentarily speechless.
It wasn't that she was unreasonable or couldn't see that Xu Qiuchi was currently maneuvering around Qiu Ling. She just had nowhere to vent her frustration and wanted to have her say.
Composing herself, she couldn't help but try to justify her words. "I was looking for the Inspector because I have business..."
However, before she could finish her sentence, Li Qiao cut her off.
"Why does Sister seek him? We were never supposed to be here tonight. Even Xu Qiuchi said that we must stay far away from his elder brother tonight."
He was right. She wasn't even well-acquainted with this new Inspector of Jiugao, and she had snuck out in defiance of a ban. In such a convoluted situation, she would be better off seeking that dandy Xu Qiuchi than Qiu Ling.
But as the old saying goes: Evil cannot prevail over the righteous.
If you added up everyone in this courtyard, they still couldn't match the aura of righteousness emanating from that one man.
She knew she didn't truly want to find him; she was just instinctively seeking a sanctuary.
Qin Jiuye remained silent for a long time. When she finally opened her mouth, her voice was raspy and carried a slight, barely perceptible tremor.
"Do you believe there are monsters in this world?"
Li Qiao stood side-by-side with her, looking toward the shifting crowd. The maids were lighting the banquet lanterns even brighter, yet no warmth touched the youth’s pale face.
"I do not," he said, pausing before his voice took on a strange quality. "In this world, aside from humans themselves, I fear there is nothing else that deserves to be called a monster."
Qin Jiuye’s hands finally stopped trembling, and her voice steadied.
"I don't believe in them either. I only believe that everything that happens in this world will eventually come to light."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of emotion seemed to pass through the depths of the youth’s light brown eyes, only to vanish into calm an instant later.
"Is Sister always this confident in her work?"
Qin Jiuye managed a faint curl of her lips. "Heaven has its Way, but success depends on human effort."
Not far away, the succession of toasts came to an end. Su Lin rose eagerly and stepped forward, personally holding a lantern to light the way for his elderly mother while apologizing to the guests, explaining that she was unwell and needed to retire early.
The young Inspector, having taken another drink, started to stand up for some reason. The bearded adjutant behind him immediately stepped forward, blocking Xu Qiuchi from view. Meanwhile, the usually formidable second young master of the Qiu family surprisingly did not give chase. He merely smiled and turned to joke with the green-clad beauty behind him.
Qiu Ling showed no sign of intoxication as he headed straight toward the departing Old Madam Su. Just as he was about to catch up, a figure in madder-red suddenly darted out from the side, colliding squarely with the young Inspector who was in a hurry to leave.
With a startled cry, the sobering soup held by the maid in red crashed to the ground. The bowl shattered, and the liquid splashed everywhere. She immediately knelt on the ground, murmuring apologies. At the same time, another graceful figure approached—a young woman with striking features but a cold, stern expression. As she began her reprimand, the surrounding Su family servants all hung their heads, staring at their toes, not daring to breathe.
This was likely the other daughter of the Su family, Su Muzhi.
When the host personally comes out to apologize, no one can afford to be petty, especially since the eldest son of the Qiu family was not one to fuss over such trifles. He waved his hand, indicating he was unharmed. Su Muzhi cast a sidelong glance, and only then did the kneeling maid stand up, though she remained rooted to the spot, blocking the way.
In the time it took for this exchange, the veiled Old Madam, surrounded by her retinue, had already vanished into the end of the veranda from which she had come.
Qin Jiuye watched, entranced, until Li Qiao’s voice suddenly rang out.
"Sister, stop looking at him."
Qin Jiuye flinched, her fingers curling instinctively. She reflexively averted her gaze from Qiu Ling, but then, realizing the awkwardness of the moment, she whipped her head around to look at the youth beside her.
"Who’s looking at him? I was looking at the person next to—"
Before she could finish her explanation, the youth’s warm palm covered her clenched right hand, slowly tightening his grip.
"Do not be afraid. You still have me."
Not far away, the revelry of the banquet was far from over, but Qin Jiuye’s gaze no longer wandered.
She stared at her sleeve as if the hand being held belonged to someone else.
She had never been held so firmly by anyone. It felt as though every bone and every inch of skin was securely enveloped within that hand.
Back at Baoshen Pavilion, she had been the one leading him step by step into that bizarre and dazzling world. How had everything been reversed in just a few short days?
As the pressure from his hand continued to ground her, Qin Jiuye quickly regained her composure, her voice returning to normal.
"I am perfectly fine. I was just thinking about something and got lost in thought."
Li Qiao turned his face slightly toward her.
The banquet lights flashed in the depths of his eyes before turning into a void of darkness.
"I understand Sister’s thoughts. It is just that when people stand in the light for too long, they do not think to care about what happens in the shadows. They are used to occupying the bright places and will not easily leave them."
The youth’s whisper was quickly swallowed by the clamor of the courtyard. Qin Jiuye wanted to say something more, but it felt exhausting to raise her voice amidst such noise. The fatigue from half a day of living on edge washed over her, and she simply fell silent.
The merriment in the light made the nearby shadows seem darker and colder. In this moment where light and dark met, where cold and warmth were separated by a thin line, the faint sensation of someone standing beside her in the darkness—even if they were just sharing the silence—was indeed comforting.
Perhaps the only thing that can rival the light in fighting the darkness is the darkness itself.
It comes from the dark, so naturally, it does not fear it. It can see through the essence of so-called monsters, stripping away their disguises. It can silently envelop you, hiding you within a boundless, chaotic depth until everything settles.
Her fingertips twitched slightly, but in the end, Qin Jiuye did not pull her hand away.
***
