The light dimmed as she entered. A scent of dust from old scrolls mingled with the peculiar mustiness of a damp room, pressing in on her. Qin Jiuye couldn't help but cough a few times. When she raised her head, the first thing she saw was a massive, web-like diagram.
It was the city defense layout of Jiugao, drawn upon a giant scroll made of several joined sheepskins. Its four corners were nailed between the pillars, and due to its age, the edges had yellowed and curled.
Qiu Ling stood before this enormous map. He was still wearing that uniquely styled black armor; at a sudden glance, one might have thought a general’s suit of mail had been left there on a rack.
Some people were born with an aura that inspired trepidation, and after a few years in the military, that aura only grew more formidable. The bold, inquisitive spirit Qin Jiuye had displayed outside the door vanished instantly. She hurriedly withdrew her gaze and bowed in a fluster.
"This humble one greets the Protector. I was standing outside just now and felt a bit lightheaded... I stumbled in by accident..."
The figure turned around. His face looked weary, but he maintained his stern, dignified bearing as he looked at her.
"Miss Qin, do you have business with me?"
Qin Jiuye nodded quickly. With a forced smile, she pulled a somewhat crumpled paper parcel from her robe and carefully offered it forward.
"The Protector likely hasn't had breakfast yet? These are white sugar cakes from Bobo Street; they taste quite good. I bought some specifically on my way here. Please, have a taste."
This was her first time attempting what could be called "bribery," and she was both awkward and stiff in the execution.
Thinking it over, there was likely no stingier briber in the entire officialdom than her, daring to show up with only a few ounces of sugar cakes. Yet, she truly couldn't bring herself to part with anything more valuable.
She could only comfort herself with the thought that since these cakes cost very little, she was leaving a way out for both him and herself.
However, Qiu Ling did not speak. He merely stared at the paper parcel with a strange expression.
After a long time—so long that Qin Jiuye thought he had spaced out—the young Protector finally spoke in a flat tone.
"Just set it over there. If you have something to say, say it. If not..."
Why was he dismissing her the moment she walked in? Had she chosen the wrong gift after all?
Sweat beaded on Qin Jiuye’s forehead. She placed the parcel beneath the bamboo curtain and spoke up hurriedly.
"This humble one does indeed have a matter to discuss. I wonder... I wonder if the Protector has made any progress in the investigation these past few days?"
"You came just to ask that?"
"Not entirely..." She hesitated, but remembering the oppressive feeling of that "single cup of tea" time limit, she knew she couldn't be indecisive. She gritted her teeth and said, "Yesterday, I accompanied the Second Young Master into the Su Residence. I discovered some things I wish to tell you."
As her voice fell, he paused visibly, but in the next moment, he said briefly, "What things?"
Just as Lu Zican had said, he indeed already knew about her sneaking out.
At this moment, Qin Jiuye’s emotions became somewhat complicated. It would be a lie to say there wasn't a hint of gratitude. Given his status and position, he could have completely interrogated her on her motives for leaving Tingfeng Hall without permission, yet he chose to listen to her first.
Just, rigorous, and steadfast—perhaps there truly was no better candidate in all of Jiugao City. This trip seemed like it wouldn't be in vain.
After weighing her options, Qin Jiuye gritted her teeth and spoke.
"Before I speak of the matter, this humble one wishes to boldly ask a favor of the Protector."
Qiu Ling said nothing, so Qin Jiuye had to brace herself and continue.
"I am grateful that the Protector did not pursue the matter of my leaving Tingfeng Hall. That was entirely my own doing and has nothing to do with anyone else. My grandfather is of advanced age and lives in fear every day with me at Tingfeng Hall; I truly cannot bear it. If there is still no progress in the case, I implore the Protector to allow my grandfather and the pharmacy assistant to return to my residence first. As long as the Protector is willing to ensure my family's safety, I can stay behind to help, at your disposal..."
The young Protector’s voice rang out coldly.
"On what basis does Shopkeeper Qin believe she can be of help? You were kept here previously only because your suspicion has not been cleared. The same applies to Qin Sanyou and the others."
Qin Jiuye choked, instantly regretting the conclusion she had just drawn about this man.
What "noble and clean conduct"? This man was purely a slab of iron, devoid of human sentiment.
Since she was already here, how could she let him shut her down with a single sentence? Taking a deep breath, Qin Jiuye spoke rapidly.
"The Protector says we are under suspicion, yet you have failed to find evidence to convict us. Is detaining us at Tingfeng Hall merely to silence the public? A doubtful crime should be treated as no crime at all. Besides, for people of common cloth and straw shoes like us, even if we were truly guilty, where could we possibly flee? Within these walls of Jiugao, the most solid thing is the heart of the people. Those in high positions should value so-called fairness and justice over empty reputation. Seeing as the Protector wears this armor even while resting, you should understand this principle best."
By the time she finished this speech, the sweat from her brow had trickled into her collar, causing a prickling itch.
But she didn't dare move, let alone look up at the man’s expression. She silently counted in her heart, thinking that if she reached ten and he still hadn't reacted, she would quickly bow her head, admit her mistake, and move on.
In the next moment, a shadow fell over her.
She knew Qiu Ling had come to stand before her.
"Look up."
Qin Jiuye stiffened as she straightened her body, looking at the man who was a full head taller than her.
His gaze remained cold and sharp. There was fresh stubble on his jaw, and his thin lips pursed before finally uttering a sentence.
"From the implication of your words, do you truly recognize this armor? Or have you heard some rumors and mentioned it now only to use flowery words to win my trust?"
Qin Jiuye was stunned, then the corners of her mouth dipped slightly.
Though she had to act subservient, she truly disliked his condescending attitude, and even more so his baseless conjectures.
Relying on the bit of understanding she had gained of him previously, she was certain he wasn't the type to impulsively resort to violence. She boldly took a step forward and, before he could react, reached out and gripped the half-moon-shaped buckle in the center of his breastplate.
"This armor is crafted with double-layered moon-shaped links. Dark iron rings, woven three-to-one; it fits like an undershirt yet is tough and indestructible. This is the legendary Moon Armor."
It was also one of the origins of the name "Black Moon Army."
But Qin Jiuye ultimately held back those last words.
She had noticed since the first time she mentioned it in Lord Fan’s yamen that, unlike the distracted Second Young Master of the Qiu family, the eldest son, Qiu Ling, clearly cared more about this family history—and this past, which few now mentioned, still stung him.
She stopped herself in time and quickly withdrew her hand, but his expression had already changed. A complex swirl of emotions instantly flooded his eyes.
"Where did you learn of this?"
Qin Jiuye paused, inwardly sighing that her haste to clear her name had indeed brought trouble. She took a step back, reverting to her timid, fearful persona.
"That storyteller friend of mine often tells legends of the martial world or interesting anecdotes from unofficial histories. Perhaps I heard it from him at some point..."
But the more she retreated, the less he was willing to let it go.
"How could the past of the Black Moon and the Qiu family be a mere matter of the martial world? Furthermore, the name 'Black Moon' was struck from the records over twenty years ago. Aside from the soldiers and officers who once served in the army, hardly anyone knows the details."
Qin Jiuye sighed deeply in her heart.
She truly hadn't come today to talk about this. It was all because she was too greedy, wanting to gain some advantage for her grandfather and Jinbao, and ended up trapping herself instead.
"It was... it was my grandfather who told me."
She whispered this sentence, and as if fearing he would press further, she hurriedly volunteered more information.
"When my grandfather was young, he spent a few years in a local military unit. Later, because his mother was gravely ill, he left early. People from the military are interested in these things and like to talk about them after they leave. I've heard him speak of these old matters since I was a child; I never truly took them to heart, and he certainly didn't mean anything by mentioning them..."
"Enough." He suddenly cut her off, his voice returning to its cold sharpness. "I have no interest in hearing your trivial family matters. Your cup of tea's worth of time has passed; I will give you a moment more at most. If you continue to beat around the bush, do not blame me for losing patience."
Was she the one who wanted to say it? Wasn't it because he kept pressing her that she was forced to speak!
Qin Jiuye gnashed her teeth inwardly while maintaining a flexible, submissive appearance on the outside. She went straight to the point.
"I suspect there is a plague in the Su Residence, and Master Kang was a witness to this bizarre epidemic who was murdered because he became involved. As for the sequence of events, I haven't cleared them up yet, but there is definitely something wrong with the Su Residence. I ask the Protector to personally investigate it once more to find the truth..."
These words were nothing if not bold, for the matter of the plague was her own deduction, without physical evidence.
But she knew that if she only fixated on the Kang Renshou murder case, given her current position, her words would carry less weight. Only by making the matter larger and more urgent could she possibly catch his attention. Now that the Golden Gourd was missing, if she poured out all the strange rumors from the Su Residence that she hadn't had time to verify, it would only increase the sense of alarmism. She had to prioritize the most important point and seize upon the word "sickness" in her capacity as a physician.
As expected, Qiu Ling did not immediately refute her upon hearing this. After a moment, he spoke.
"You are a physician; you should know that the word 'plague' is exceptionally dangerous. A slight oversight could lead to it spreading, affecting more than just one or two people. Yet I was personally present at the birthday banquet yesterday, and there was nothing unusual in the Su Residence. The Old Madam of the Su family also attended in person. Do you have any basis for what you say?"
She did have a basis, but it was all inside the Su Residence.
Qin Jiuye quickly composed her thoughts, striving to solidify the matter in a few sentences.
"If an ordinary family has a patient infected with a plague, they will find ways to hide them in a room to avoid seeing people, let alone a medical family like the Su? They would surely do their utmost to cover it up so no one notices. It was still early when the Su Residence hosted the guests, yet the banquet was filled with glazed flower lanterns. The incense mixed into those lamps not only repels insects but is also a common practice for preventing plagues. Does the Protector remember the Old Madam of the Su family, who arrived late as dusk was falling? She wore a veiled hat to cover her face; that is a style of dress one only adopts for protection..."
However, the man before her was not so easily fooled. Before she could finish, he cut off her speculative words.
"The Old Madam is of great age; fearing a cold and taking extra protection is normal. As for the glazed lamps with incense, they are merely decorations to please guests at a banquet. If Shopkeeper Qin has no physical evidence and is merely attacking motives, then please leave."
He took half a step closer as he finished, but she remained motionless, her feet seemingly nailed to the floor.
"Truth is hidden in the ordinary, facts appear in the minute, and one can glimpse the reality through the flow of human sentiment. Though Su Lin was verbally very attentive to his mother, he never came within half a step of the Old Madam during the banquet, only letting servants support her at her side. His intent to avoid her was obvious. The Old Madam appeared for only a moment before hurrying away. The Protector was at the banquet yesterday; you should be clearer than I about the anomalies there, otherwise you wouldn't have tried to step forward to investigate, only to be blocked by the Su family. Furthermore, since the day of the consultation, the Su family has not summoned any other physicians. If the Second Miss has recovered, why did she not appear at the birthday banquet? Was the previous grand display for treatment or for show? Was Kang Renshou merely there for the reward, or was he an insider from the start? Is the patient Su Lin is going to such great lengths to hide Su Muhe, or someone else? Has the Protector ever considered these things?"
She knew this opportunity was hard-won. She forced her brain, which had barely slept all night, to work, pouring out everything she had pondered through the night. Yet he only paused for a moment before saying coldly:
"Does Shopkeeper Qin not understand the official tongue? If you have no physical evidence, no amount of deduction is of use. The matter of a plague is of great consequence; do you know that the crime of spreading rumors is no lighter than that of murder for gain?"
After saying so much, only to be shut down by a piece of official jargon, Qin Jiuye was beyond frustrated.
But she understood that this was her current predicament.
She had ultimately failed to obtain the most powerful evidence pointing at the Su family.
And the more she rushed to grasp the truth, the more that truth led her toward darker and more terrifying places. It seemed as if Heaven intended for her to sink deeper and deeper into this fog-like case.
The young Protector looked at the stubborn, enduring expression on the woman’s face. He caught sight of her outer robe, worn white at the elbows, and the cloth shoes on her feet, which had been patched with several layers of soles. Finally, his tone softened.
"I know you are anxious to clear your family’s name. But in my position as Protector, if I were to make judgments based only on one-sided accounts and unverified statements, I fear there would be more wronged people in prison than actual criminals, and Shopkeeper Qin and your circle of friends would already be held for trial in the Prefect’s yamen."
Qin Jiuye raised her head, looking directly into the man’s young, sharp eyes.
"As the Protector says, though Lord Fan interrogated me that day, he found no evidence of murder against me or my grandfather. From beginning to end, he was merely judging our intent. If I truly had something to hide, I should have used the opportunity last night to plan my escape, so why would I risk getting myself into trouble at this critical juncture by doing something so foolish as to try and cover things up? It would be better to keep my mouth shut and stay quietly in Tingfeng Hall."
When Qin Jiuye said this, she didn't hold much hope. She had already seen that the man before her was an iron-willed general who only recognized public justice and was unmoved by human sentiment; a tactic like "appealing to emotion" wouldn't last a single round with him.
But to her surprise, this time, he didn't say anything more.
After last night’s events, she didn't know if the Su family had sensed any movement. But even so, while the Golden Gourd could be moved, that strange secret room and the "secret" within it couldn't possibly be dealt with without a trace in such a short time. If they could thoroughly investigate the Su Residence as soon as possible and catch them off guard, they would surely find more clues.
Thinking of this, Qin Jiuye, nearly driven by the thought of burning her bridges, continued in one breath.
"The time and place of Master Kang’s disappearance are full of suspicion; the Su family cannot escape blame. The Protector should have thoroughly investigated the Su family from the very beginning. Didn't the Protector say that as long as this case remains unsolved, there will be no peace in Jiugao? It has been five full days since Kang Renshou’s body was found at Ershui Bank. Everyone in the city is discussing this, criticizing the Prefect’s incompetence and the government’s inaction. For the Protector to delay advancing this matter—is it to intentionally embarrass Lord Fan, or have you truly already considered the Su family your own and do not wish to offend your future father-in-law..."
"Presumptuous!"
Qiu Ling’s voice was more severe and cold than ever before.
He stared at the thin, frail frame of the woman before him, seemingly beginning to doubt some of his previous judgments.
They say shallow streams have many turbulent currents and fine grass easily cuts the skin; looking at it now, it was indeed so.
"Miss Qin looks as if she could be blown away by the wind, yet her courage is quite large."
Now that the words were out, Qin Jiuye no longer wanted to maintain her previous cowering act. She couldn't quite control her volume, and her tone became hurried.
"I am but a rustic physician, without roots or reliance in this city. How would I dare question the famous Lord Jade-Severer, who is backed by the General’s Manor? My bold remarks today are born of desperation, merely to urge the Protector of the urgency of this matter. It does not matter if the Protector does not believe my words; you can personally investigate the back courtyard of the Su Residence, and you will naturally be able to judge for yourself. If this is delayed any further, I fear..."
She spoke urgently, fearing her advice would backfire and make him even more cautious due to his lack of trust in her.
Just then, a voice rang out in the courtyard through the door.
"Is the Protector still in his room and not yet risen?"
Qin Jiuye was stunned when she heard the voice, then realized something. In an instant, it felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
It was the voice of Su Lin.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 月甲 | Moon Armor | A legendary, high-quality armor associated with the Black Moon Army. |
| 钵钵街 | Bobo Street | A street name in Jiugao City. |
| 白糖糕 | White sugar cakes | A traditional Chinese steamed rice cake. |
| 秦三友 | Qin Sanyou | Qin Jiuye's grandfather's full name. |
| 果然居 | Guoran Residence | Qin Jiuye's home/pharmacy. |
| 断玉君 | Lord Jade-Severer | Qiu Ling's title or sobriquet, implying sharpness or decisiveness. |
| 苏沐禾 | Su Muhe | The Second Miss of the Su family. |
| 二水滨 | Ershui Bank | The location where Kang Renshou's body was found. |
