On the third day of the fifth month, the clouds dispersed and the rain ceased. The sky was clear and the air was crisp as Jiugao City welcomed a rare, sun-drenched day.
Early that morning, Lu Zican personally brought two men to officially remove the seals from the entrance of Tingfeng Hall.
Of course, everyone in the courtyard knew full well that these seals were nothing more than a symbolic gesture of strict oversight. Whether they had served any substantive purpose in private was another matter entirely.
Nevertheless, everyone put on a show of great joy.
Tang Shenyan resumed his early morning vocal exercises to prepare for his consultations. Beyond that, he took the unprecedented step of spending a few copper coins on incense to revive the small shrine that hadn't seen an offering in eight hundred years. He also lit a brazier early on, dragging everyone who got out of bed to step over it, claiming it would exorcise inauspiciousness and drive away bad luck. Qin Jiuye refused to cross it, feeling it was somewhat sinister and suspecting it was some crooked idea cooked up by Old Dog Du. The two of them engaged in a chaotic skirmish for half the morning, neither managing to gain the upper hand.
Since the events of that night, Old Dog Du had not returned to Tingfeng Hall. However, the female swordsman surnamed Jiang, who served at Xu Qiuchi’s side, had come by once. She dropped off the wine gourd Old Dog Du always carried and left, which served as a sign that he was safe. Tang Shenyan was worried at first and even sent someone to Liaowu Bridge to check, only to find that Old Dog Du’s nest had been taken over by another beggar. After Qin Jiuye offered some words of comfort, he finally settled down. After all, before being confined to Tingfeng Hall, Old Dog Du had indeed made the whole world his home. Now that the dust had settled, perhaps he had simply left without saying goodbye.
Having finally escaped Tang Shenyan, Qin Jiuye walked alone to the courtyard well, nibbling on a flatbread. The ducks had now completely made a home here; they flew to the nearby river ditches to forage every day and returned in the evening, living quite comfortably and laying many eggs. She realized that although she had only been in Tingfeng Hall for a short ten days, it felt as though half a lifetime had passed, and she had grown somewhat accustomed to life here.
Aside from those heart-stopping nights and the fleeting flashes of blades, who wouldn't get used to—or even long for—days of food and drink without the need for labor?
Qin Jiuye gave her thigh a hard pinch, reminding herself to pull it together.
The storms would eventually subside, and life had to go on. She stuffed the rest of the flatbread into her mouth and headed back to her room to pack her medicine chest and belongings. When she walked out to the courtyard to check on the laundry and bedding she had hung out to dry, she discovered that Lu Zican, having finished his official business, had not left. He was standing right there in the courtyard.
Seeing her come out, he hastily withdrew his prying gaze, pretending he had just been passing by, and greeted her with a smile.
"Manager Qin, did you rest well last night?"
In the bright sunlight, a row of neat white teeth flashed from beneath Lu Zican’s freshly trimmed beard.
Qin Jiuye still remembered that when they first met ten days ago, it was hardly such a harmonious and pleasant scene.
She nodded, her hands never stopping as she swiftly flipped the drying clothes.
"Many thanks, Vice-General Lu. I am doing quite well."
Lu Zican rubbed his hands together, his tall frame appearing unprecedentedly constrained.
"Since you’ve rested well, might I ask Manager Qin to take a trip with me?"
Qin Jiuye finally stopped and looked steadily at Lu Zican.
"Does the Protector-General still suspect me of being a criminal?"
The bearded vice-general shook his head hurriedly.
"No, no. It’s just that there are some matters regarding the case where we would like your assistance. Just a day or two, at most three or four..."
Qin Jiuye’s fingers tightened, instantly bunching the two socks in her hand into a ball. She tried her best to make her voice sound polite.
"Vice-General Lu, I am not an official of the government. My previous involvement was born of necessity and coercion, as you well know. Now that the case is finally closed and my heart is at ease, I only wish to return to my small pharmacy to continue my business. Letting the right people handle the tasks they are responsible for—that is the proper way for officials to serve the people."
Her words were perfectly reasonable, yet back at the prefectural office and yesterday at Baosu Pier, she clearly hadn't spoken this way.
Lu Zican knew he was in the wrong, but he suddenly seemed to lose all sense of reason, stubbornly refusing to move out of her way.
"Manager Qin’s words are logical. That is why I have come today to deliver a message on behalf of my Protector-General." Having said that, he pointedly cleared his throat, took out his small notebook made of rough-edged paper, and spoke with the gravity of one reading an imperial edict. "The Protector-General feels that this case is intricate and involves many parties. Although you are but a rural village doctor, you have remained firm in your stance from beginning to end, neither humble nor arrogant. You have repeatedly played a crucial role at key moments, showing remarkable composure and quick wit..."
He was unstinting in his praise, but the woman before him didn't want to hear another word. She lifted her foot to leave.
"Give the Protector-General my thanks. There is no need for such flattery. If you have no other urgent business, Vice-General Lu, let us speak another day. I have things to attend to and cannot chat further."
Lu Zican froze, his face unable to hide his growing anxiety. Finally, he couldn't help but blurting it all out.
"The Protector-General wishes to invite you to temporarily serve as an Aide by his side to assist in the investigation of this case. You may leave once the case is fully concluded. During this time, you will receive the salary and benefits of a military Aide, with two days of rest per month. Would Manager Qin be willing to try?"
Qin Jiuye’s retreating figure paused. She turned around, expressionless.
"The Protector-General finally remembered me? He no longer thinks I’m just a medicine peddler who only knows how to speculate and needs to be 'scrutinized'? Or is it that the case is troublesome, and he fears there is a greater power behind Su Lin? Is he afraid that if he touches some untouchable deity, he’ll need to throw me out as a scapegoat?!"
The woman clearly hadn't intended to lose her temper at first, but for some reason, as she spoke, a surge of anger rose within her. Her voice grew louder and her indignation sharper. Lu Zican listened without a word, his beard trembling slightly. He tucked his notebook away and lowered his voice, rubbing his hands.
"I understand Manager Qin’s response. I shall go and report this to the Protector-General at once."
Having said his piece, he cupped his hands in a salute and turned to walk out of the courtyard.
One step, two steps, three steps...
"Wait."
Lu Zican’s footsteps halted. The corners of his mouth twitched upward, and after adjusting his expression, he turned back with feigned solemnity.
"Does Manager Qin have something else?"
He saw the woman rubbing her socks—which were full of holes and had been repeatedly mended—her face a picture of inner conflict. After a long silence, she finally spoke in a low, haunting voice.
"Tell me honestly... how much silver does an Aide to the Protector-General earn in a month?"
***
When Li Qiao returned from the back garden carrying fresh firewood toward the small kitchen, Lu Zican was walking side-by-side with Qin Jiuye across the courtyard.
The beard on the man's face couldn't hide his high spirits; even the ducks in the courtyard didn't sound as noisy as he did.
"...As long as the case is ongoing, not only can you ride any horse you like, but the manor also provides three meals a day. The food in our manor is top-tier. Chef Li was personally brought from the camps by our Protector-General. He used to manage the rations for hundreds of men; he cooks fast and well, and the best part is, it's unlimited—you can eat as much as you want!"
Qin Jiuye nodded, though it was unclear how much she was actually taking in.
Seeing this, Lu Zican continued his incessant chatter.
"And another thing, just a few steps from the back gate of the manor, there’s a wonton noodle shop. My brothers and I are regulars there; we go at least seven or eight times a month. Does Manager Qin prefer noodles or wontons? They do both quite well. There are three types of wonton fillings and two types of noodles, thick and thin. The best part is the broth—it's incredibly fresh! At night, there are late-night snacks, and the Protector-General often treats us to their plum wine. Do you like to drink? Next time, we should all go together..."
In the next instant, a crisp *crack* echoed from the other side of the courtyard. Lu Zican’s voice stopped abruptly.
Belatedly, he turned his head. He saw Li Qiao holding two pieces of fresh firewood that had been snapped clean in half. They were as thick as a forearm, and held in each hand, they looked like two lethal weapons.
Lu Zican subconsciously swallowed his saliva. Then, feeling that his reaction was undignified, he pointedly ignored the youth and continued speaking to Qin Jiuye.
"In short, Manager Qin will certainly not regret working for our Protector-General."
Qin Jiuye nodded, her questions still never straying far from money.
"So, when can the salary be collected?"
"If Manager Qin is willing, we can consider it official today. This time next month, you can collect your silver and grain."
Qin Jiuye thought for a moment and nodded solemnly.
"In that case, I must trouble Vice-General Lu to wait outside for a moment. I will be out shortly."
Lu Zican looked delighted, feeling greatly relieved to have fulfilled his superior's instructions. He waved his hand and headed out.
"No rush, no rush. Take your time."
Seeing that the "outsider" had left, the youth immediately dropped the broken wood. With a single leap, he crossed the courtyard and landed in front of Qin Jiuye. She was startled, and before she could back away, Lu Zican—who had already walked a dozen paces—suddenly turned back. He raised a finger thoughtfully, letting it hover between the man and woman who were standing exceptionally close to each other.
"I just remembered something. Looking at the two of you... could it be..."
Qin Jiuye froze. The youth beside her raised an eyebrow, looking at Lu Zican with a hint of defiance.
In the next moment, Lu Zican slapped his thigh and said with certainty, "Could it be that you haven't had breakfast yet?"
Qin Jiuye let out a nearly imperceptible sigh of relief and quickly nodded with a forced smile.
"I've been busy packing since I woke up. We indeed haven't eaten."
Li Qiao glanced at her, then nonchalantly reached out to brush a stray bread crumb from the corner of her mouth.
Qin Jiuye kept her eyes fixed straight ahead, staring at Lu Zican until he began to feel a bit self-conscious.
"I just thought of it and wanted to ask. I'll go buy some roasted cakes at the alley entrance and bring some over in a bit."
"Many thanks, Vice-General Lu."
Having finally sent Lu Zican away, Qin Jiuye let out a long, heavy breath.
She was truly unaccustomed to such scenes. After all, just a few days ago, she had been guarded like a death-row prisoner. Now, she was discussing the quality of the food at the Protector-General’s manor with a vice-general.
In this world, who could say for sure what would happen? It truly made things difficult for the fortune-tellers.
"Is Sister really going to work for that Qiu Ling?"
Li Qiao’s voice rang out unexpectedly, making Qin Jiuye snap back to reality with a start.
She didn't look at him, but her fingers opened and closed, the two socks in her hand suffering further abuse.
"The case has a lead now, and the killer has been caught. How much longer can it last? By joining now, I'm just helping with the finishing touches at most." Her voice was soft, as if she were merely trying to convince herself. "Besides, one shouldn't pick a fight with silver, right? Lu Zican told me that serving as an Aide for a full month pays this much."
As she spoke, she solemnly held up two fingers.
Li Qiao stared at those two fingers. After a long silence, he squeezed out a few words.
"Two thousand taels?"
Qin Jiuye’s eyes widened.
"Two thousand taels? It’s twenty taels! What kind of job pays two thousand taels a month? Even in business, you have to count every penny. I doubt the Songhe Restaurant in the north city makes two thousand taels of profit a month. You have such little concept of money; no wonder you ended up so poor."
The youth bit his lip and muttered in a voice she could barely hear, "I could earn two thousand taels in a single day."
Qin Jiuye picked at her ear, assuming he was just speaking out of spite. She went back to organizing the dried clothes and took up a stick to beat the dust out of the bedding.
The summer sun climbed higher, its light warming everything it touched. The dust rising from the quilts drifted lazily in the air. Post-rain dewdrops still clung to the grass, making the surroundings sparkle. Occasionally, a bird flew through the trees, followed by a new round of cicada chirping.
Qin Jiuye’s hands didn't stop, but her eyes were fixed on the shadow on the ground.
The youth’s shadow stood right behind her, and he didn't leave for a long time.
That familiar sense of irritation crept over her again. She sighed inwardly and said in a heavy voice, "I am the manager of Guoran Ju. As long as you are working there, you must listen to me. I’m going with Lu Zican to look into the case. You go back to Guoran Ju first, take some of the luggage back, and check if that useless Jinbao is working properly. I’m terrified he’ll accidentally set the house on fire; if he does, we’ll have to sleep in the cow shed next door when we return..."
"What Sister promised before... when will you teach me?"
The stick in her hand jerked. Qin Jiuye nearly poked another hole in Tang Shenyan’s patched bedsheet. Her back was stiff, but her voice remained firm.
"Who promised you? I said we’d talk about it later."
Not far away, a faint sound came from the other side of the courtyard. A suspicious shadow was peeking out from behind a banana tree—it was the paranoid Tang Shenyan.
The youth withdrew his gaze, then crouched down close to her and lowered his voice.
"Fine. Then we will talk about it later."
Qin Jiuye shifted her gaze slightly and saw the youth’s fair, young face. The expression on that face was so earnest—so earnest that she wished she could go back in time and slap her past self for talking such nonsense.
She had to admit, if she were blind, she might have been able to cultivate the coldest heart in the world. Yesterday, when he had tugged on her sleeve, looking up and pleading for her to teach him, that look had inexplicably reminded her of the stray yellow dog at the entrance of Dingweng Village.
She had been moved by the expression on his face, and before she could react, she had been bewitched into agreeing.
She couldn't quite remember how that long-drawn-out conversation had ended, because every time she tried to recall it, an uncontrollable sense of embarrassment and regret would grow like weeds after a rain, making it impossible for her to focus on anything else.
The "Demon-Suppressing Pagoda" she had built brick by brick in her heart had collapsed, yet Qin Jiuye still tried her best to maintain an air of nonchalance.
She put down the stick, flipped the clothes for the third time, and said tonelessly, "In any case, stop asking. When the time is right, I will naturally teach you."
The youth paused, backing away slightly, his voice tinged with suspicion.
"Is Sister just brushing me off?"
He had been so easy to deal with then; why had he suddenly become so difficult to fool?
Qin Jiuye fell silent again. Just as she was about to say something, she looked up and saw Lu Zican hurrying back into the courtyard with the roasted cakes.
As if granted a divine reprieve, she stood up and waved her hand at Li Qiao.
"Lu Zican is back. I have to go. Don't forget what I told you to do."
To her surprise, Li Qiao stood up with her.
"Those things aren't urgent. I'm coming with you."
Qin Jiuye frowned, just about to use her authority as manager to "suppress" him, when the youth continued.
"If Sister refuses again, I’ll have no choice but to return to Guoran Ju and ask Brother Situ about those matters. I’ll inevitably have to explain things to him. If he can't resolve my doubts, I’ll just have to go find Qin Sanyou..."
Qin Jiuye nearly stumbled on the spot. She took a deep breath to steady herself.
As Lu Zican approached, he was pushed back by Qin Jiuye.
"We'll eat the cakes on the way. Lead the way, Vice-General Lu. You don't mind if I bring an extra pair of hands, do you?"
Qin Jiuye didn't wait for a response. She grabbed the youth’s hand and hurried past Lu Zican toward the main gate.
Lu Zican, holding a stack of roasted cakes, watched blankly as the youth flashed past him. For a fleeting second, it seemed the youth had glanced at him.
He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but he felt as though the corner of the youth’s mouth carried a trace of a triumphant smile.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 参佐 | Aide / Assistant | A staff officer or administrative assistant in a military or governmental office. |
| 督护 | Protector-General | A high-ranking military and administrative official, often governing a frontier region. |
| 邱陵 | Qiu Ling | The name of the Protector-General. |
| 果然居 | Guoran Ju | The name of Qin Jiuye's pharmacy/residence. |
| 金宝 | Jinbao | A character mentioned as working at Guoran Ju. |
| 司徒 | Situ | A character mentioned as being at Guoran Ju. |
| 秦三友 | Qin Sanyou | A character mentioned by Li Qiao. |
| 松鹤酒楼 | Songhe Restaurant | Literally "Pine and Crane Restaurant." |
