The leftover wine from the night before fermented in his stomach, burning with a restlessness that clawed at his vitals. One had to make a personal trip to the stalls on Bobo Street for a bowl of spicy pepper soup and a few freshly baked hanging-oven biscuits to truly feel alive again from the inside out.
Lu Zican set down his soup bowl, using the last small piece of biscuit to wipe the bottom clean before popping it into his mouth.
The banquet at the Su residence last night had been a massive headache. It was all the fault of that second young master—the one who dressed in garish colors and always wore a smirk. It was one thing to target an outsider like Lu Zican, but the man had no regard for brotherly affection either, hounding his own brother, the Governor, without end. His excuses for toasts came one after another, so many that Lu Zican couldn't block them all.
The Governor was never a strong drinker to begin with, yet he had been dragged into endless chatter until late into the night before he could escape. Lu Zican finally understood why there was always a sense of distance between the Governor and his own kin.
Though they were family, they were not the same kind of people. And if they weren't the same kind of people, it was best not to force a connection.
Lu Zican sighed, carefully tidying his beard in a small bronze mirror he carried with him before heading toward Listening Wind Hall a few streets away.
Carrying a large stack of freshly baked biscuits in one hand, Lu Zican hummed a soft tune as he stepped into Listening Wind Hall. The moment he looked up, he jumped in surprise.
Qin Jiuye stood before the courtyard, dark circles under her eyes. Hearing the noise, she looked up and offered a weak smile, her voice sounding hollow and drained.
"So it is Adjutant Lu. What a coincidence, I was just looking for you."
Lu Zican set the biscuits down on a nearby stone table and deftly pulled out a small notebook tucked into his waist. He twirled a charcoal pencil between two fingers.
"Are you out of the vegetables we sent the other day? Or are you low on firewood and lamp oil again? I have it all noted down. I was just bringing you some biscuits today, fresh from the oven..."
Qin Jiuye interrupted him before he could finish.
"I wish to go out today. I ask that Adjutant Lu grant me this convenience."
Lu Zican’s fingers paused. When he looked at her again, his brow and beard were scrunched together in a frown.
"The case is still unclear. If Miss Qin insists on making trouble, I will have no choice but to report this to the Governor..."
"There is no need for such trouble. He is the very person I wish to see. You can take me directly to him."
Lu Zican’s beard twitched, a hint of suspicion entering his voice. "Why does the lady wish to see the Governor? Have you remembered something else?"
"You mustn't be angry if I tell you."
Lu Zican nodded heartily. "Speak plainly. That is for the best."
Qin Jiuye took a deep breath. "Yesterday, while you were away, I went out on my own."
Lu Zican’s expression froze. Before he could say anything, she continued.
"I went to the Su residence and attended the birthday banquet. As for the rest, I must see the Governor before I can speak of it."
Since she had to make the request anyway, it was better to go straight to the point than to beat around the bush. However, Qin Jiuye was not entirely confident about leaving Listening Wind Hall to see Qiu Ling.
She had already prepared herself: if Lu Zican insisted on being cold-faced and unyielding, she would dose herself with some "potent medicine" and have someone carry her out looking half-dead.
After what seemed like a long time, Lu Zican finally reacted.
He leaned in close to her, sniffing deeply, then pulled back in surprise.
"You say you went to the banquet yesterday? Then why is there not even a hint of wine on your breath?"
This time, it was Qin Jiuye’s expression that froze.
She used to think her own temperament was a bit eccentric, but now she realized that compared to the people around her, she was the most normal one of all.
After a moment of deliberation, she spoke carefully. "Perhaps that matter can be discussed later. Regarding the request I just made, Adjutant Lu..."
Before she could finish, Lu Zican regained his usual demeanor and spoke with righteous indignation.
"Do you take the Governor’s words for passing wind? To treat this confinement order as nothing, coming and going as you please?" He paused, then continued, "Shopkeeper Qin has failed to follow the rules of the lockdown and went out without permission. By the rules, I must report this to the Governor. As for the specifics and the details of your violation, you shall explain them to the Governor yourself."
Qin Jiuye finally looked up, only to see the bearded adjutant already striding toward the exit.
She scuffed her shoes against the ground and quickly followed.
The main gate of Listening Wind Hall was right before her, but just as she was about to step out, a familiar voice rang out behind her.
"Sister."
Qin Jiuye’s footsteps faltered. It took her a long moment to turn around.
The youth stood under the banana tree, his face pale and his eyes dark as he watched her. It was impossible to tell how long he had been standing there.
Recalling the scene from the previous night, her voice softened involuntarily. She simply waved her hand and said, "There is nothing much to do today. Stay here and help Old Tang organize the ledgers."
The youth ignored her "kind arrangement" and took another step forward.
"Where is Sister going?"
She turned her head away, no longer looking at him, and gave a vague, dismissive answer.
"I have business with the Governor. You and Old Tang wait for me for lunch. When I pass by Bobo Street on my way back, I’ll buy you some sugar cakes."
She spoke rapidly, her voice carrying a hint of forced lightness, as if trying to gloss over the matter with a few sugar cakes like one would with a crying child.
But the one who liked sugar cakes was Jin Bao, not him. How could he be such an easily coaxed child? Li Qiao’s gaze swept lightly over Qin Jiuye’s face, and he immediately understood the meaning behind her words.
She had already made up her mind. She was determined to see him.
After a long silence, the youth finally put on that submissive expression again and produced an old umbrella from behind his back.
"The sky looks like it might rain today. Sister should take an umbrella."
Qin Jiuye stared at the umbrella for a moment but ultimately did not reach out for it.
"No need. It will only take half a day at most."
Lu Zican stood a short distance outside the gate, silently urging her on. Qin Jiuye gave Li Qiao one last look, signaling for him to go back inside, then turned and hurried away.
***
Qin Jiuye followed Lu Zican through the bustling market in the east of the city.
The morning market had mostly dispersed, leaving only a few scattered vegetable vendors huddled by the roadside. Caged chickens and ducks squawked incessantly, their dirt-smudged feathers floating into the air and drifting for a long time before settling.
Qin Jiuye looked up at the sky.
The sky was overcast and the air was still; it truly was going to rain again.
The political situation was like the weather—the quieter and more windless the morning, the more it heralded an approaching storm.
It was one thing for her to be caught in this inescapable whirlpool, but she absolutely could not drag her grandfather and Jin Bao into it.
Taking a deep breath, she tucked the sugar cakes she had just bought into her robe, lowered her head, and followed Lu Zican into the Governor’s compound. It sat on a backstreet of the busy market, looking entirely unremarkable.
If one looked at the current situation optimistically, having visited the Commandery Governor’s manor and now the Governor’s compound, she had certainly gained some worldly experience. She could boast about it to her future apprentices and grand-apprentices.
Of course, that was assuming she had the fortune to survive this ordeal.
At this thought, Qin Jiuye couldn't help but lift her eyelids to cautiously scan her surroundings.
It had to be said that this new Governor of Jiugao City seemed to have arrived in a great hurry.
The compound was merely a grain warehouse formerly used to store local official salaries, and that was all. There wasn't even a plaque over the entrance. The side gate used for moving grain hadn't even been fitted with a proper door; it stood wide open toward the street corner.
The stone steps at the entrance were spacious enough to hitch seven or eight horses without issue. If it weren't for the fierce-looking military men going in and out, the place would likely have become a resting spot for passing porters.
With the Su residence’s carved beams and painted rafters as a reference, the Governor’s compound could only be described as "shabby."
The square courtyard walls were uniformly plastered in grey. From the outside, it looked no different from the neighboring civilian houses. Stepping inside, one saw grey walls, grey tiles, and grey bricks paving the way to the end. There wasn't a single shade tree to be seen, let alone flowers, plants, rockeries, or pavilions. Wild grass had grown quite tall on the eaves, but since no one looked up that high, it went entirely ignored.
The master of this compound was clearly a man so cold he was rigid, yet the yard was unkempt in every detail.
Lu Zican, however, seemed long accustomed to the atmosphere. He strode through the outer courtyard toward the inner quarters, his mouth never stopping as he gave instructions.
"You have only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. When the time is up, you must leave immediately."
"The time for a cup of tea?" Qin Jiuye was somewhat confused, but more so worried. "That is a bit rushed. I fear I won't be able to explain clearly. If the Governor asks further..."
"The Governor was stuck at the Su residence for half the day yesterday before being let out. This morning, he has been reviewing official documents and military reports without pause. To be able to spare the time for a cup of tea is already no easy feat," Lu Zican said, his tone somewhat sharp. Realizing he might have gone too far, he lowered his voice. "Don't be nervous. Based on my years of following the Governor, there is nothing he cannot have explained to him in the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Just rehearse it in your mind and don't dawdle when the time comes."
Was she the one who wanted to dawdle? If she could explain the twists and turns of the Su residence in just a few words, why would she have come to find him with such heavy concern? Besides, she didn't draw a government salary; why should she be the one worrying about this?
Qin Jiuye was inwardly frustrated, but she maintained a humble facade, nodding in agreement.
Lu Zican stopped looking at her and continued to grumble as they walked.
"The city hasn't been peaceful these past few days. The case on Sangma Street isn't over, the matter with the shopkeeper of Huichun Pavilion has caused an uproar throughout the city, and today, men from Magistrate Fan’s office reported that several beggars have gone missing. They insisted we personally send people to handle it. Isn't this clearly an attempt to work our Governor to death? If it's like this today, tomorrow it'll be every stray cat and dog..."
As he continued his mumbling, Qin Jiuye understood the underlying warning. She quickly stated her position.
"Please rest assured, Adjutant Lu. What I have to tell the Governor today is certainly no 'stray cat or dog' matter."
Lu Zican paused, turning back to give her and the package of sugar cakes in her arms a very subtle look.
"Actually, the Governor already knew you left Listening Wind Hall yesterday. If you truly came to seek him out to apologize, you can keep your words brief later."
Qin Jiuye’s entire body stiffened, and for a moment, she was speechless.
She had thought that confessing of her own accord was a "surprise move" that would give her a slight advantage. She hadn't expected that they already knew her secrets and had seen through her little scheme from the start.
Her palms began to sweat. She thought back to yesterday, when she had hidden behind Xu Qiuchi to peek at Qiu Ling. She couldn't recall at what point he might have noticed her. Or had that playboy turned around and betrayed her, telling his older brother all about her antics last night with added embellishments?
At this thought, Qin Jiuye felt awkward all over, yet Lu Zican was still talking incessantly.
"My Governor may seem a bit cold and heartless, but he is someone who cannot turn away a person in distress. Once, while on the march in a county, he listened to an old woman complain about her fields for half an hour and ended by resolving her troubles. Because of this, no matter where he goes, there are endless trivial matters to handle. He rises at cockcrow and is still burning the midnight oil at the third watch. He hasn't taken a single day of rest in three years. I told him long ago that while working this way might lead to quick promotions, he certainly won't be able to find a wife. Unless some lady is willing to bring her bedding and squeeze in with him every day amidst military reports and criminal evidence, and then endure his habit of not showing his face for three days or coming home for five..."
Qin Jiuye nodded like a chicken pecking at grain, but her inner self was rolling its eyes to the heavens.
Rising at cockcrow, toiling until the third watch, no rest for years. What was there to boast about? Wasn't that just her daily life?
Besides, he held an official post and received a government salary; what was wrong with working a bit hard? It wasn't just her—everyone who ate by the sweat of their own brow lived like this, didn't they?
After finishing her mental eye-roll, Qin Jiuye’s thoughts drifted elsewhere.
Then again, given Qiu Ling’s background, it was indeed rare for someone to live this way. And on second thought, based on their schedules alone, they were actually quite well-matched.
She wouldn't complain about him living a hard life, because her life was even harder than his.
After everyone finished their daily toil, they could even have a brief exchange about whose day was more grueling. The atmosphere would surely be very harmonious...
Qin Jiuye’s thoughts were beginning to wander when Lu Zican reached their destination. He stood before her, holding a half-closed door, his voice more serious than ever.
"Wait here for the Governor to call you in. The Governor sleeps here while investigating cases. You may only wait in the outer room. Do not touch a single piece of paper or a single brush inside, otherwise..."
"This lowly one understands. Please put your mind at ease, Adjutant Lu."
Someone nearby called out Lu Zican’s name urgently. He answered, gave her one last look, then turned and hurried out of the courtyard.
Silence fell. Separated by the bamboo curtain used to block the light at the doorway, Qin Jiuye could hear almost no movement from the inner room.
Was Qiu Ling truly inside? Was he already awake or still sleeping? How long was she supposed to wait?
After pacing in place and looking around for a while, Qin Jiuye found she couldn't stand still.
She wouldn't touch anything, but surely a quick peek wouldn't hurt?
Using her pinky finger to hook the bamboo curtain that separated the inner and outer rooms, she squinted and peered inside.
The light where her gaze landed was very dim, as the windows were covered with white cloth. The entire room was nearly submerged in various scrolls, books, and ledgers. The only place where one could stand was around the ten-foot-wide long table in the center. That table was also piled high with a chaotic mess of items. Seven or eight oil lamps were crowded together, their oil nearly spent. It seemed the person toiling through the night didn't even want to waste the time to get up and refill them, instead simply having new lamps brought in.
Could such a meticulous, restrained, and serious person truly live in such a messy, disorganized state in private?
What puzzled Qin Jiuye even more was that in the entire room, let alone a bed, there wasn't even a slightly wide chair. She had no idea where the master of this room slept, or how many nights he had spent in such a place.
Was this a place for a human to live? Even the place where the horses lived in a military camp might be more comfortable than this.
Qin Jiuye shook her head, preparing to carefully withdraw, but unexpectedly, the bamboo curtain caught on her hair bun.
She felt a sharp tug on her scalp and couldn't help but let out a low cry. Her foot slipped, and she stumbled headlong into the inner room.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
--- | --- | ---
钵钵街 | Bobo Street | A street known for its food stalls.
胡辣汤 | Spicy Pepper Soup | A traditional spicy soup often eaten for breakfast.
吊炉烧饼 | Hanging-oven biscuits | A type of sesame flatbread baked in a specialized oven.
督护府 | Governor’s Office | The administrative compound/residence of the Governor (Duhu).
参将 | Adjutant | A military rank/position; Lu Zican's title.
果然居 | Guoran Pavilion | Qin Jiuye's shop/residence.
回春堂 | Huichun Pavilion | A medical hall mentioned in the text.
