On the fifth day of the fifth month, Jiugao City welcomed the annual Double Fifth Festival.
The river waters rose, the grains ripened, and everything reached its peak of vitality and bustle. Every household hung mugwort and calamus beneath their eaves early in the morning, praying to ward off evil, dispel disasters, and ensure peace and prosperity.
It was the perfect season to savor river delicacies and fresh fruits. Coinciding with the conclusion of the Su family’s affairs, Tang Shenyan had a sudden whim to host a banquet at Tingfeng Hall. He invited everyone to gather, feast on the river’s bounty, and admire the crescent moon.
Du Laogou seemed to have anticipated this; he had returned to Tingfeng Hall the previous evening. Although Tang Shenyan claimed the man had been brought back by Li Qiao, Qin Jiuye found it hard to believe. Based on her understanding of Li Qiao, it was virtually impossible for him to have any intersection with Du Laogou. She wanted to press for details, but her mouth was stuffed with a package of sugar cakes, so she let the matter drop, figuring it wasn't anything important.
The decision was made just after noon, and the table was to be set by evening—a schedule that could only be described as rushed. Qin Jiuye tried to persuade Tang Shenyan to pick another day, but the more she urged him, the more stubborn he became. He insisted that today was an auspicious day, adding that if Qin Jiuye had business and couldn't make it, he would simply save on the expenses.
Hearing this, there was no way Qin Jiuye would miss it. Not only would she attend, but she would also bring the two from her Guoran Dwelling.
Since the plan was to savor river delicacies, when it came time to actually pay, no one mentioned the main course. Finally, Qin Jiuye proposed that everyone attending must "bleed a little" to contribute to the meal fund. She managed to scrape together a few taels of silver from the group of paupers, only for them to fall into a heated debate over how much to buy and where to buy it. During the commotion, Lu Zican arrived to discuss the case with Qin Jiuye. Upon hearing the situation, he couldn't help but interject, and his meddling immediately earned him the chore of doing the marketing—a task he couldn't refuse.
Lu Zican was an eccentric man. Despite being an adjutant serving under the Governor, he had a peculiar fondness for domestic chores like cooking and cleaning. Though he shouted that the situation was "absurd," his body was quite industrious. In less than half a day, he returned lugging a bucket of fish, shrimp, crabs, and snails, clearly well-versed in the trade.
Of course, that wasn't the end of it. Hardly anyone in Tingfeng Hall ate river food regularly, let alone knew how to prepare it. After a round of grumbling and complaints, Lu Zican resigned himself to his fate, hauling the ingredients into the kitchen and burying himself in work until dusk.
Xu Qiuchi arrived late, treading on the sunset glow and carrying five jars of Dalu Brew. As soon as he entered, he began fussing about preparing side dishes to go with the wine. With a sharp eye, he unearthed the duck eggs Qin Jiuye had hidden by the courtyard well. Qin Jiuye protested painfully, saying they had only been pickling for a short time and needed more days, but she couldn't win against the dandy who was determined to "taste the freshness." The entire jar of duck eggs was boiled all at once, barely counting as a meat dish for the table.
As the sky began to darken, Qin Sanyou and Jin Bao finally arrived in a frantic rush. They brought some bamboo shoots previously dug up in Suiqing and wild greens and green plums from Dingweng Village. With the recent heavy rains, the wild greens had grown wildly and become tough, past their prime for eating. However, they didn't care, having dug them up in a heap. Du Laogou took one taste and declared they were only fit for ducks.
Naturally, even the ducks wouldn't eat them.
Having not seen her for a few days, Qin Sanyou began his nagging again. From the moment he stepped through the door, his mouth never stopped, continuing right until the lamps were lit.
"Did you hear a word I said? That boy is definitely up to something. Jin Bao said he showed his face in the evening and then vanished, staying out all night. He was probably off seeing some girl."
Qin Jiuye was busy stripping vegetables with her sleeves rolled up. Her hands paused at his words, but she quickly resumed her task.
"People of the martial world are all like that. Don't worry about him."
Qin Sanyou’s throat went dry from talking. He grabbed a nearby tea bowl, drained it, and started a new round of nagging.
"It’s not that I want to manage him; I’m warning you! As the saying goes, it’s hard to guard against a thief within the house. It’s one thing for this man to rely on his decent looks to linger here and refuse to leave, but if he ends up betraying you later, don't come crying to me..."
Qin Sanyou said a great deal, but when the words reached Qin Jiuye’s ears, only the phrase "decent looks" seemed to stick.
Her hands kept moving, but her eyes darted toward Li Qiao.
The youth was still wearing the same dark clothes from yesterday. His soft hair was simply tied back with a strip of cloth. The dim light made his complexion look somewhat poor, appearing even paler than usual. Aside from that...
He truly did possess decent looks.
Applying too much force, she snapped the head off a crisp stalk of bok choy. Qin Jiuye quickly withdrew her gaze and ended Qin Sanyou’s nagging with a single sentence.
"His ears are very sharp. You’re speaking too loudly; be careful he doesn't hear every single word."
Qin Sanyou froze, his voice cutting off instantly. He subconsciously shrank his neck and stole a glance at Li Qiao, only to see the youth looking perfectly normal, silently chopping wood as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Qin Sanyou glared at Qin Jiuye and finally stopped mentioning the matter. But after a brief moment of silence, he thought of something else and leaned in, lowering his voice.
"When I went back to the village this time, I heard Widow Dou say you overcharged her forty wen for her medicine. Is that true?"
Even though Qin Jiuye’s ears were as thick as cinnamon bark from years of listening to him, she finally couldn't take it anymore. She glanced at Qin Sanyou and said, "Li Qiao told me you hadn't returned to Guoran Dwelling for a while. Did you not learn your lesson from the Su family’s business and go off running boats again? If you want to run boats, fine, but look after yourself first. Stop meddling in the village’s affairs; besides, you can't handle them anyway."
Qin Sanyou was stunned, clearly not expecting his movements to be exposed. He immediately became flustered and angry.
"You... you actually had that boy spy on me? I’m asking you a question; why are you bringing me into this? Are you feeling guilty?"
*Who exactly is the one feeling guilty?*
The vein in Qin Jiuye’s temple began to throb. After a long moment, she suppressed her anger and explained, "Widow Dou’s cough is a chronic ailment. It requires high-quality Fritillaria. Even charging her an extra forty wen, I’m losing money. If she has time to complain to you, she’d be better off finding a way to quit her gambling addiction."
Only then did Qin Sanyou feel at ease, as if the one losing money was someone else’s family and not his own.
"That’s good then. A person must have a conscience. You must always remember what I told you. Others can steal, cheat, or rob, but you cannot. Because you are a healer; you are meant to treat illnesses and save lives..."
"I know, I know!"
Qin Jiuye had been in a good mood today and really didn't want to argue with Qin Sanyou anymore. Just then, a knock sounded at the courtyard gate, and she jumped up.
"Isn't everyone already here? Who else is coming?"
Everyone in the courtyard was busy with their own tasks, and for a moment, no one paid her any mind.
Qin Jiuye pulled the white cloth she used for work from her waist and walked quickly to the front door. Without thinking much, she pulled it open.
The person outside was initially facing away from her. Hearing the movement, he turned around. It was Qiu Ling.
Today, he had changed into the official uniform that military officers wore when traveling. The plain fabric looked exceptionally upright on him, without a single loose thread or frayed edge, as if someone had measured it with a ruler.
Qin Jiuye was stunned for a good while before she stiffly turned her head toward the inner courtyard and shouted, "Adjutant Lu, your Governor is here looking for you..."
"He knows I was coming," Qiu Ling’s voice sounded the next moment, still in that businesslike tone. "I heard he was here, so I brought some things. Because of the case, you all suffered some injustice. It was a failure of my duty. These items are meant as an apology."
For a grand Governor to apologize to a village doctor—no matter how one looked at it, something felt off. But if the person was Qiu Ling, it somehow seemed to make sense.
Qin Jiuye looked at the basket of round, sweet melons for a long time before reaching out to take them.
"Thank you, Governor."
Qiu Ling handed over the items, cupped his hands in a salute, and turned to leave briskly.
His pace was fast, as if he were accustomed to this hurried way of traveling. By the time Qin Jiuye called out to stop him, he had already walked six or seven paces away.
"Um..." Qin Jiuye paused, finally gathering her courage to ask, "We’ve prepared some food to celebrate. If the Governor doesn't mind, would you like to join us for a simple meal? And... and also see if these melons are ripe..."
The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them.
If you're inviting someone to dinner, just invite them. Why bring up whether the melons were ripe?
Regardless, when she had spoken, she hadn't held much hope. After all, it was the critical moment of closing the case; the fact that he could spare time to deliver a gift was already like the sun rising from the west.
As Qin Jiuye was thinking this, she looked up to see the upright figure ahead stop, then slowly turn around.
****** ****** ******
Qiu Ling sat upright in the only armchair with armrests in the back garden of Tingfeng Hall. He picked up the chipped tea bowl from the table and took a small sip of the somewhat weak tea.
He had handled many cases, but he had never visited the homes of commoners who had received justice or had their grievances redressed after a case was closed. For the sake of absolute impartiality and justice, he felt he should stay away from all unnecessary social interactions. Even if the other party held goodwill, he should stick to his principles.
But this time, for some reason, when he saw the woman standing at the door with a face that showed a hint of expectation amidst her hesitation, his mind only held the image of those few taels of sugar cakes the youth had taken that day.
Fine. He would consider this as making up for the rule he hadn't broken with the sugar cakes last time. Counting it this way, it was only once.
Only once; not to be repeated.
The thin woman emerged excitedly from the small kitchen carrying bowls and chopsticks. She placed the first bowl in front of him and then stuffed the chopsticks into his hand, signaling that he shouldn't be formal and should start eating.
Qiu Ling stared at the chopsticks that had been forced upon him. After a long moment, his fingers finally moved, picking up a newly pickled bean from the nearest plate and putting it into his mouth.
Qin Sanyou stared from the side without blinking, his face showing a rare hint of tension.
"How... how is it?"
Qiu Ling put down his chopsticks, chewed seriously for a moment, and then nodded.
"Not bad."
Light sparkled in Qin Sanyou’s eyes, like a child hearing praise for the first time. He immediately added, "This potherb mustard shouldn't be pickled for too long, and the timing for blanching the beans must be precise, otherwise they won't be crisp. I haven't made this dish in many years; luckily, I haven't lost my touch. Back when I was in the camp..."
He stopped mid-sentence, suddenly realizing something, and his voice cut off.
Beside him, Tang Shenyan only found him noisy. He curled his lip and said, "It’s just a dish of pickled beans with mustard greens; look at you getting all puffed up." Tang Shenyan pointed toward Lu Zican, who was busy at the stove. "Your skill isn't even half of Adjutant Lu’s. The Governor only said that because he didn't want to hurt your feelings. Don't push your luck."
Qin Sanyou fell silent, though it was unclear if his pride had been wounded by Tang Shenyan’s words.
At that moment, Jin Bao hurried out of the kitchen, carrying a plate of freshly cooked hot food.
Fresh Reeves shad had been steamed and then drizzled with a vinegar sauce that had been flash-fried in the wok. With one stroke of the chopsticks, the thin fish skin peeled back to reveal the white, garlic-clove-like flesh beneath. It melted in the mouth while still steaming. Followed by a sip of wine, the conversation at the table vanished instantly, replaced only by the clinking of cups and plates.
By the time Lu Zican brought out the final dish he had just finished cooking, he found that the plate served moments ago held nothing but fish bones. He immediately raised his voice.
"Where’s the fish? Where’s my fish?!"
Du Laogou was already slumped in his chair, hiccuping, while Tang Shenyan leaned back, wiping his mouth. After wiping, he took a sip of tea and shook his head as he critiqued, "Eating this shad now is a bit late; it’s fattest at the end of spring and beginning of summer. However..." His eyes darted toward the two plates of river food in Lu Zican’s hands, and his spirits rose again. "These clams and river shrimp are just right. I just don't know if they were cleaned properly or if the sand was fully purged. I’m getting on in years, and my teeth aren't what they used to be..."
Lu Zican laughed in frustration. With a *clatter*, he slammed the plates down and unceremoniously squeezed into a seat between Du Laogou and Tang Shenyan.
"You’re being picky now? You’re lucky to have anything to eat! I found Old Third Lei at the east city docks, the one who supplies the restaurants, and had him specifically save these for me. Look at them—they’re definitely no worse than what a chef for the Emperor would make!"
"You say that as if you’ve ever eaten before the Emperor..."
Jin Bao muttered from the side, his mouth not staying idle as he lowered his head to begin a new round of the "fierce battle."
Qin Jiuye didn't eat fish, so she focused on the plate of clams, frantically shucking shells and stuffing them into her mouth. Occasionally she bit into some sand, but she swallowed it all down, feeling as though she had never tasted anything so delicious in her life.
Beside her, the youth had initially only been quietly picking at the pickled vegetables and steamed buns in his bowl. But after seeing the woman’s "heaven-devouring" posture, he seemed to finally let loose a bit. He snatched the field snails from in front of Jin Bao until only a pile of shells remained, eating both quickly and silently.
For a while, no one spoke, leaving only the sound of clashing utensils. After a long moment, Tang Shenyan let out a full burp. While picking his teeth, he summarized, "Today’s meal was indeed a bit rushed; we didn't catch the season when the crabs are fattest. Next time, we should have roe crabs to go with the wine—that would be the proper flavor."
Hearing the words "roe crabs," Du Laogou’s eyes instantly lit up.
"Those words make sense; they should be recorded. Say... say..." His tongue was tied, and after stammering for a while, he finally found the feeling. He spoke drunkenly, "Say that in the fifteenth year of Yongxi, on the fifth day of the fifth month, Tang, the Master of Tingfeng Hall, feasted with his guests. During the meal, everyone was sated and happy. Speaking of the day they would meet again, Master Tang boldly declared that when the frosty days arrive, he would surely host a banquet of roe crabs and drink until dawn..."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone came to life, clapping and cheering.
If there was anything in this world that could make one happy, it was certainly eating a meal oneself while someone else paid the bill.
Over there, Lu Zican had already pulled out a notebook and was writing rapidly. Tang Shenyan hurriedly propped himself up, cursing.
"When did I ever say I would host everyone? Don't talk nonsense!"
Qin Jiuye pressed him back down and said leisurely, "Old Tang, you were the one who brought up the crabs! You’ve been a storyteller for so long that your tongue is well-trained, but your brain has gone soft!"
Lu Zican laughed so hard his beard twitched. He was a big, burly man, but he was an expert at eating crabs; he could easily put away seven or eight catties in one sitting.
"Exactly, exactly. Is Shopkeeper Tang going to go back on his word? We all heard it, and the Governor can bear witness!"
The young Governor rarely refrained from scolding such rowdiness. He neither agreed nor disagreed, merely tapping his empty plate before clearing his throat.
Xu Qiuchi smiled, drained his wine cup, and delivered the final blow with a knowing look. "Brother Tang is a man of integrity; how could he lose his credibility over a few crab claws? You all worry too much!"
Tang Shenyan was completely defeated, unable to fight against so many. But he was well-versed in the way of survival and lingering on, still trying to salvage some advantage from this settled matter.
"If I am to host, the place and time must be chosen by me. If you can't make it then, you can't blame me."
Qin Jiuye was instantly amused by this. Others might not know, but didn't she? Since she had known Old Tang, this black-hearted shopkeeper had almost never left Tingfeng Hall. His true form was likely a tortoise.
"Don't worry, don't worry. Even if you carry the stones of Tingfeng Hall and hide at the peak of Mount Xizhu, I will definitely follow you to the end."
Seeing this, Lu Zican immediately followed suit.
"I’m used to working night shifts. Even if Shopkeeper Tang wants to hold the banquet in the middle of the night, I will certainly be there!"
Seeing Tang Shenyan in trouble, Qin Sanyou didn't forget to add his piece.
"A man must be as good as his word. We will be there on time. If we don't see any crabs, Old Tang, you can just climb onto the table and crawl around yourself."
The group erupted in another round of laughter, and even Qin Sanyou himself cracked a grin.
As he aged, he usually wore a somewhat bitter and resentful expression; now, even his smile looked a bit awkward. But seeing it, Qin Jiuye felt comforted, thinking the silver she had spent today wasn't in vain.
Tang Shenyan, being "roasted over the fire" by everyone, knew his one mouth couldn't beat this pile of spit. He shrank back into his seat.
"I’ve been in this martial world business for many years and haven't traveled for a long time. I can't go anywhere except Tingfeng Hall. I advise you all to be kind with your words and not say anything too harsh. You might still have use for me in the future, and by then, my price will be more than just a table of crabs."
To someone unfamiliar, these words would surely provoke a laugh. However, Qin Jiuye was far too familiar with him; her focus wasn't on his resentment at all.
"Old Tang, oh Old Tang. From your tone, could it be that you offended someone back then and that’s why you’re huddled in this broken alley, afraid to go out? If that’s the case, the name you chose is quite inappropriate. Clearly, trouble always comes from your mouth, so how can you talk about 'Shenyan'—speaking with caution?"
Tang Shenyan rolled his eyes and gave her an unceremonious glare.
"Just because my name is Tang Shenyan, I have to be careful with my words? Then your name is Qin Jiuye—does that mean you have nine leaves growing out of your head?"
Before Qin Jiuye could speak, Qin Sanyou beside her shouted loudly, "Of course! I gave her that name; if I say it’s appropriate, then it is." After saying this, he instinctively looked toward Lu Zican. "Adjutant Lu, you be the judge. How is this name?"
Wine was truly something that shouldn't be drunk in excess.
Qin Jiuye looked at the inexplicably excited Qin Sanyou, feeling caught between laughter and tears. However, she saw Lu Zican think quite seriously for a moment before speaking.
"Miss Qin’s name comes from between heaven and earth. Although it sounds simple, it is actually grand and open."
Receiving this praise, Qin Sanyou smiled so widely his eyes were barely visible. Tang Shenyan, even more displeased, turned the conversation toward Lu Zican.
"Adjutant Lu has such insight into names; I wonder what the origin of your own name is?"
Lu Zican put down his wine bowl and gave a bashful smile.
"I’m not afraid of you all laughing, but my name comes from the stars in the sky; it means a 'General Star.' I was born on the night of the first day of the New Year, and at that time, those three stars were hanging high in the southern sky. My mother said it was heaven’s will and that I was destined to earn my living this way. My family is from Hongcaoliang in the north. The village was plagued by bandits every year. Since I was a child, I heard my father say that thieves fear officials and bandits fear the army. To completely drive those scoundrels out of the village, one must mount a horse and take up arms. I’ve always remembered those words, and now I haven't failed that name."
He spoke candidly, making it hard for Tang Shenyan to continue being difficult. Tang Shenyan raised his wine bowl in a gesture of respect.
"Good ambition. I wish Adjutant Lu success in his goals and an early promotion to General."
These words clearly hit home for Lu Zican. His expression became even more bashful. He stole a quick glance at the young Governor beside him, who was as silent as a stone statue, and instinctively said, "What does my ambition count for? It’s nothing compared to my Governor. When the Governor was at the Qingzhong Mountain Academy, he excelled in both civil and military studies. He received the personal sword techniques of the Old Man of Kunxu and then joined the ranks. Such spirit—you’d be hard-pressed to find a second like him even in the academy..."
Qin Jiuye finally turned her gaze toward the man who had been silent since entering. Borrowing some courage from the wine, she asked, "In that case, what is the origin of the Governor’s name?"
As soon as she spoke, the surroundings fell silent.
After a long moment, Qiu Ling finally raised his head. Seeing the look the woman was giving him, his usually cold expression softened slightly. He spoke softly.
"The river is long because it meanders; the mountain is high because it rises gradually. That is the origin of the names of us two brothers."
The "stone statue" had spoken. Everyone simultaneously breathed a sigh of relief.
However, before Tang Shenyan could offer any polite words of praise, the young Governor’s tone shifted, and his voice turned cold.
"But my younger brother never liked that name and has never used it while traveling. There is no need to mention it now."
The atmosphere, which had just become somewhat harmonious, suddenly turned stiff again. Tang Shenyan, observing the situation, quickly spoke to change the subject.
"I say, Brother Li’s name is also quite interesting. It has the flavor of a 'great recluse hiding in the city.' Why don't you tell everyone where your name comes from?"
Once he said this, everyone’s eyes focused on Li Qiao. Only Qin Jiuye kept her head down, staring at the pile of empty clam shells on her plate.
She didn't even need to look up to know that Li Qiao wouldn't answer that question.
Sure enough, Li Qiao’s voice sounded indifferent a moment later.
"A crude name, not worth mentioning." Having said that, he stood up and picked up several empty plates from the table. "There are some roasted sweet potatoes in the kitchen; I’ll bring them up for everyone."
Without looking at anyone else’s expression, he turned and left the courtyard.
Unexpectedly, Qiu Ling also stood up.
"I’ll go help."
*Just a few sweet potatoes—can they really move a Governor like you?*
Qin Jiuye had a bad premonition. Seeing this, she also hurried to stand up.
"I’ll also—"
She was only halfway up when Qin Sanyou pulled her back down onto her stool.
Qin Sanyou looked at her with a gaze that seemed to pierce right through her.
"What are you in such a hurry to follow them for? What kind of man is the Governor? Do you think he’s going to eat that boy?"
Qin Jiuye was bewildered. Where did she look like she was worried about Li Qiao? She was just... she was just...
"I ate too much! I’m standing up to help my digestion!"
Having said that, she shook off Qin Sanyou’s hand and huffed as she left her seat to pace in circles around the table.
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
重五节 | Double Fifth Festival | Another name for the Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu Festival).
大庐酿 | Dalu Brew | A specific brand or type of local wine.
鲥鱼 | Reeves Shad | A highly prized seasonal fish in Chinese cuisine.
永羲 | Yongxi | The era name of the current emperor's reign.
青重山书院 | Qingzhong Mountain Academy | The prestigious academy where Qiu Ling studied.
昆墟老人 | Old Man of Kunxu | A legendary figure or martial arts master.
陵迟 | Lingchi | Meaning to rise or slope gradually; used here as the literary source for Qiu Ling's name (陵).
樵 | Qiao | Meaning "woodcutter"; the character in Li Qiao's name.
