The banquet at Deputy Minister Lu’s residence was indeed incredibly dull. Aside from Su Yiyun’s appearance, which roused Lin Sui’an’s spirits for a brief moment, every part of the proceedings was enough to put one to sleep.

The tedious rounds of mutual introductions and flattery filled the air with an endless stream of “long have I admired you,” “what an honor,” and “it has been far too long.” Once seated, there came wave after wave of toasting, drinking games utterly devoid of any real wit, all interspersed with sycophancy of every variety. Su Yiyun sat beside Deputy Minister Lu, holding forth with great enthusiasm. Zhang Shaoqing and Ling Zhiyan’s seats had become the epicenter of the disaster, subjected to relentless waves of flattery. Even the mutton on the table had changed its nature entirely, now exuding a distinct odor of the stables.

Lin Sui’an and Hua Yitang sat right next to Ling Zhiyan, and were unfortunately caught in the crossfire. The name of the Hua Family of Yangdu drew quite a volley of attention. Fortunately, Hua Yitang had been showered with praise since childhood and handled it all with ease, appearing even more at home than Ling Zhiyan himself. Thankfully, the guests were all scholars attending the current imperial examination, with no martial practitioners among them — none recognized Lin Sui’an, and at most they came to offer a greeting. Seeing that she was not one for conversation, they were sensible enough not to press further.

Taking advantage of the toasting round being in full swing, when no one was paying her any attention, Lin Sui’an slipped away to find a quiet corner, and finally let out a breath of relief. At a time like this, she found herself genuinely missing Fangke. If it were Brother Fang, he would likely already be sleeping soundly right there, entirely oblivious to those around him. If only she possessed that same ability to fall asleep at will.

Lin Sui’an was not the sort who could sleep under such circumstances. Bored to the extreme, she let her gaze wander about, and noticed there was one other person who seemed just as bored as she was. Bai Ruyi sat in the lower seats, neither joining in the fawning nor chatting with anyone, head down, drinking in silence. Every scholar who came to strike up a conversation was rebuffed by his impeccably courteous yet decidedly off-putting manner.

She had no idea how much Bai Ruyi had drunk — two unnatural patches of red had bloomed on his cheeks, making him look rather like the painted clay dolls sold in the South Market: face white as chalk, with two vivid blotches of crimson, which was quite amusing. Lin Sui’an glanced over at Hua Yitang and Ling Zhiyan, who were both clearly occupied as the center of everyone’s attention, and after a moment’s thought, sauntered over to sit down beside Bai Ruyi, greeting him pleasantly, “Young Master Bai the Thirteenth, long time no see — you’ve grown thinner.”

Bai Ruyi’s hand, which had been lifting his wine cup, paused. He set it down and gave a proper bow. “Lin Niangzi, long time no see. I heard you and Brother Hua assisted the Court of Judicial Review in solving the sunken corpse case — my congratulations.”

“Mere luck, all of it.” Lin Sui’an studied Bai Ruyi’s expression. His eyes were dim, and he had grown so thin his cheekbones were jutting out. “Does Young Master Bai have something weighing on his mind?”

Bai Ruyi gave a bitter smile. “Why does Lin Niangzi ask a question to which she already knows the answer?”

“Is the Bai Family head still insisting that you enter the palace as a consort?”

“The family head wrote to say that I am squandering my life, wallowing in idle despair, and am far inferior to Su the Tenth of Suizhou in ambition and diligence — an unworthy scion of the Bai clan.”

Lin Sui’an: “……”

Su Yiyun was indeed very diligent. It was just that the direction of his efforts seemed rather skewed.

“I do not understand! I spent my entire childhood pouring over tens of thousands of volumes of poetry and classics — and for what?! Was it not to carry on the learning of past sages and bring peace to all generations to come?! And yet, what have I become now?! I have become a stud horse to preserve the family line, a pawn to maintain their wealth and glory, a wretched and pitiable puppet! Now that I am this kind of worthless thing, what meaning is there in being alive — better to drown myself in wine and be done with it all!”

Bai Ruyi lifted the wine pot and tilted it straight into his mouth, which so alarmed Lin Sui’an that she hurriedly snatched the pot away. With a frame as slight as his, drinking like that would surely lead to alcohol poisoning.

“It’s not that bad, it’s not that bad — as they say, the ship will straighten itself when it reaches the bridge — ah, no wait, it’s the carriage will find a path when it reaches the mountain, and the ship will straighten itself at the bridge. Everything has room to turn around — Young Master Bai the Thirteenth, don’t go ramming your head against a wall!”

Bai Ruyi let out two hiccupping sobs, his tear-blurred eyes fixed on Lin Sui’an for a long moment. Then he staggered to his feet and, with the most solemn and proper of bows before her, announced in a carrying voice, “Bai Ruyi of the Longxi Bai Clan hereby declares his willingness to sever ties with the Bai Clan and be taken in as a son-in-law by the Lin Family!”

That single declaration rang clear as a bell, instantly drowning out every other sound in the garden. Every gaze in the room snapped over at once, and Ling Zhiyan nearly craned his neck out of joint.

Lin Sui’an’s jaw dropped.

Surely not — not again?!

A rich, fruity fragrance swept over like a whirlwind. Hua Yitang moved so fast that even Lin Sui’an had to admit she could not match him. The way he held his folding fan looked more like a butcher gripping a cleaver, his expression every bit as fierce. His robes billowed as he barreled forward, sweeping every wine pot and cup off Bai Ruyi’s table without ceremony, then seized Bai Ruyi by the back of his collar and shoved him back down into his seat, flashing a ferocious smile. “Young Master Bai the Thirteenth must have had too much to drink!”

Bai Ruyi stiffened his neck, stubborn as a fighting cock, “Every word I have spoken comes straight from the heart, each syllable utterly sincere——”

Lin Sui’an snatched up a steamed bun and shoved it into Bai Ruyi’s mouth. With a strained laugh she said, “He’s definitely had too much — please don’t mind him, everyone, please carry on!”

Ling Zhiyan gave a dry cough and raised his wine cup. “Now, where were we all?”

Zhang Shaoqing said, “That poem from the scholar just now — kindly read it again. I need to give it a proper appreciation.”

The other guests, taking the hint admirably, redirected the conversation. A light, pleasant atmosphere settled back over the garden.

Bai Ruyi sat with reddened eyes, chewing his steamed bun, his shoulders heaving in small, jerky shudders — he looked like a deeply aggrieved quail. Hua Yitang’s forehead had turned a distinct shade of green as he looked toward Lin Sui’an.

Lin Sui’an felt a pang of guilt. She pressed her palm to her forehead in an attempt to hide her face. Unfortunately, her outfit was all clean, fitted lines with close-cut sleeves — nothing like Hua Yitang’s wide-sleeved robes — so she had no way of executing the impressively dignified maneuver known as “covering one’s face and fleeing.”

“……I saw he was in low spirits and came over to offer a few words of comfort. I never imagined he still had this ‘being taken in as a son-in-law’ business on his mind……”

Both of Hua Yitang’s cheeks puffed out like a pufferfish.

“How remarkable that Lin Niangzi could have both a young hero of the great Hua Family of Yangdu and an outstanding scion of the Bai Family of Luoyang prostrating themselves at her feet,” said Su Yiyun, raising his wine cup high, his tone dripping with sarcasm. “How truly admirable — admirable indeed!”

Lin Sui’an: “……”

She felt she could detect the distinct scent of Su Yiyun stirring up trouble.

The garden fell instantly silent again. The guests were exchanging knowing, gossip-hungry glances.

“This Lin Niangzi was once betrothed to the Su Family of Suizhou, was she not? I wonder why it was called off.”

“I heard this Lin Niangzi later latched onto the Hua Family’s high branch, so she dropped the Su Family.”

“Get along with you, stop talking nonsense — it was clearly that Su Family scion who behaved improperly, which is why the engagement was broken.”

“Really? Is that true?”

“I heard it from Bai Xiang of the Qingzhou Bai Family over drinks. The Qingzhou Bai Family has never been on good terms with the Hua Family of Yangdu, so Bai Xiang would never take the Hua side — which means what he said must be true.”

“Surely the Su Family of Suizhou is a reputable clan — it can’t have come to something this unsavory?”

“Don’t you know Bai Xiang of Qingzhou? Barely a handful of true words ever comes out of that mouth. Nothing he says can be trusted.”

“Indeed — and just look at that Su the Tenth: distinguished in bearing, refined in speech — he does not strike me as a man of ill character.”

“Precisely. As the saying goes, a man’s character is written in his face. With Su the Tenth’s poise and bearing, he must be a man of virtue and goodwill. We are all men of learning, pillars of the nation — how can we simply parrot whatever we hear?”

Bai Ruyi finally finished his steamed bun and muttered under his breath, “You are all just parroting what you hear.”

Listening to the drift of public opinion, Lin Sui’an had a fair idea of why Su Yiyun had dressed so ostentatiously today. No doubt he intended to seize this occasion to restore the image of the Su Family of Suizhou and claw back their reputation.

Lin Sui’an felt a small thrill of excitement: Hua Yitang — it’s time to get to work!

Hua Yitang snapped his fan open with a crisp sound, his smile warm and utterly sincere. “Lin Niangzi is a heroine of extraordinary valor — one woman holding the pass against ten thousand men — and she is willing to call me of the Hua Family her friend. It is the Hua Family of Yangdu who is honored. What a pity some lovesick fool has been honking away all evening, and Lin Niangzi hasn’t deigned to spare him so much as a glance. I imagine the bitterness in his heart could ferment into vinegar by now.”

Su Yiyun blazed with fury. “Hua the Fourth, who are you calling a lovesick fool?!”

Hua Yitang’s fan tapped in the direction of the garden pond. “The geese Deputy Minister Lu keeps in this pond are superb specimens — white feathers, thick plumage, large heads, long necks, and quite the impressive voice. Clearly no ordinary birds!”

Everyone was taken aback. Following the direction of Hua Yitang’s fan, they looked — and sure enough, the pond did indeed contain two large white geese, with notable heads, gliding across the water with a series of honks before paddling away. Entirely white, long necks held high — the resemblance to Su Yiyun was actually rather striking.

Ling Zhiyan gave a barely suppressed “pfft” and nearly burst out laughing. Zhang Shaoqing turned away with a forced cough.

The rest of the guests busied themselves clearing their throats, gulping water, and reaching for food. The atmosphere grew distinctly awkward.

Su Yiyun’s face went green. Deputy Minister Lu rushed to smooth things over. “These geese are quite clever creatures — fierce, too, and their bite is no joke. I keep them here to guard the estate. Ah — Su Gentleman, please do not misunderstand! I was merely explaining the purpose of these geese. No other meaning intended whatsoever!”

Zhang Shaoqing could no longer help himself. He too let out a “pfft.”

Lin Sui’an looked at Deputy Minister Lu with new respect: truly worthy of a high court official — he was even better than Hua Yitang at insinuating one thing while appearing to say another.

Su Yiyun’s face went an even deeper shade of livid. Likely constrained by the Deputy Minister’s status, he narrowed his eyes, and against all expectation, swallowed his fury without a single outward sign of it. He even raised his cup to toast Deputy Minister Lu, then said, “Hua the Fourth is quite right — Lin Niangzi is a rare figure in the jianghu. Surely whoever catches her eye must be a remarkable talent. As for myself, I am unworthy. Yet today, on this auspicious occasion, I wish to challenge Hua the Fourth to a contest. Does Hua the Fourth dare accept?!”

So that was Su Yiyun’s real goal. Lin Sui’an understood now. Hua Yitang had just solved a major case and was at the height of his fame. Su Yiyun had clearly come today well prepared, and was very likely planning to ride on Hua Yitang’s reputation as a stepping stone to elevate his own.

Hua Yitang blinked. “In Yangdu, I compete with others more than three hundred times a year, and have never once lost. To think Su the Tenth dares challenge me — what breathtaking audacity!”

At those words, not only the others, even Ling Zhiyan and Lin Sui’an were stunned.

Lin Sui’an: “How many times a year did you say you compete?”

Ling Zhiyan: “And what do you compete at?”

Hua Yitang sat bolt upright, his little expression absolutely bursting with pride. “Oh, quite a lot — polo, football, cockfighting, backgammon, dice games, board games, drinking contests, brawls, verbal sparring — I excel at all of them, and am intimately acquainted with each!”

From somewhere in the crowd came the faint sound of stifled laughter. The scholars murmured to one another with undisguised disdain.

Lin Sui’an and Ling Zhiyan both pressed their hands to their foreheads simultaneously.

Su Yiyun smiled and rose to his feet. “All those gathered here today are scholars who have brought their finest works. I trust Hua the Fourth has prepared something as well?”

Hua Yitang: “Ah, so that is what Su the Tenth wishes to compete at — what a coincidence, I happen to have brought a few things along today.”

“Would Hua the Fourth be willing to present them alongside mine, for Deputy Minister Lu, Zhang Shaoqing, the Judicial Inspector Ling, and all the assembled scholars to appraise?”

“Fine by me.”

Zhang Shaoqing tugged at Ling Zhiyan’s sleeve. “How is Hua the Fourth’s poetry today?”

Ling Zhiyan’s mouth twitched. “Approximately the level of a four-year-old.”

Zhang Shaoqing buried his face in his hands with a low groan.

Deputy Minister Lu was quite delighted, and immediately ordered servants to bring lamps and clear the tables. Six long tables, each about three chi in length, were arranged in a neat row at the center of the rear courtyard to serve as the stage for the competition. Su Yiyun sent word to his page boy waiting outside the garden, and the boy brought in a scroll of his poetry, which spread across all three of his allotted tables. Lin Sui’an had started out with reasonable confidence in Hua Yitang, but after looking through Su Yiyun’s work, that confidence faltered.

Because she could not make heads or tails of it at all.

Su Yiyun’s writing appeared to be in running or cursive script, with forms so intricate and unusual as to be incomprehensible to her. But judging from the way others were nodding in admiration, it was evidently fine calligraphy. Deputy Minister Lu was lavish in his praise, the scholars exclaimed in amazement, calling out “Brilliant verse! Brilliant verse!” — and had it not been for the increasingly strained expressions on Ling Zhiyan’s and Zhang Shaoqing’s faces, Lin Sui’an might almost have suspected the entire crowd was planted there by Su Yiyun.

The one dissenting opinion came from Bai Ruyi, who walked around, shaking his head repeatedly — but naturally, no one paid his view the least attention.

Lin Sui’an poked Hua Yitang’s arm quietly. “Is Su Yiyun’s poetry really that impressive?”

Hua Yitang nodded repeatedly. “Worthy of a scion of the Su Family of Suizhou — there is genuine literary talent there.”

“How does it compare to yours?”

“Rest easy,” said Hua Yitang, his expression rather smug. “I have absolutely no literary talent whatsoever.”

Lin Sui’an: “……”

And what exactly are you so smug about?!

After the guests finished admiring Su Yiyun’s work, they turned to Hua Yitang’s three tables and found them completely bare. Quite puzzled, they waited.

Deputy Minister Lu asked, “Hua the Fourth, where is your work?”

“Right here!” Hua the Fourth produced his single solitary “poem,” spread it on the table — it occupied barely one corner — and it was about as wretched a sight as wretched could be. The crowd pressed around for a look, and promptly erupted in laughter.

“Hahaha, what on earth is this thing?”

“Could it be the doodling of a small child?”

“Certainly not — I wrote better than this at ten.”

“To have this level of skill and still dare to enter the imperial examinations?”

“Brother, you are too harsh. The Hua Family of Yangdu is no ordinary clan — naturally, when he sits the examinations, he takes no ordinary path.”

“You mean——”

“Ah, we understand one another.”

Su Yiyun held his head high, his expression one of supreme and unprecedented triumph, regarding Hua Yitang the way one might look at a performing clown.

Deputy Minister Lu’s face shifted with surprise. He shot repeated significant glances at Zhang Shaoqing, who could only pretend not to notice. Ling Zhiyan threw a rapid glance at Lin Sui’an, who averted her eyes and also pretended to see nothing.

Hua Yitang shook his fan and smiled pleasantly at the crowd, waiting until everyone had laughed themselves out before asking, “What is everyone laughing at?”

His expression was so utterly natural, without a trace of embarrassment, that he actually left the others momentarily without an answer.

Su Yiyun gave a cold laugh. “Such a degrading and contemptible piece of inferior verse — how could it ever grace a respectable gathering? Hua the Fourth has included this poem in his submission portfolio, and rather than feeling shame, he wears it as a badge of honor. Is that not laughable?!”

“Ah, so that is what everyone is laughing at.” Hua Yitang shook his head. “But who said this was something I intended to submit in my portfolio?”

With that, he reached into the depths of his wide sleeves and produced an enormous roll of paper, which he unfolded across the tables one sheet after another. The sheets were covered in dense rows of tiny, immaculate clerical script — there had to be over a hundred of them.

Consumed with curiosity, the crowd pressed forward to look. The more they read, the more their expressions changed — Zhang Shaoqing and Deputy Minister Lu most of all, staring at Hua Yitang as though they had just stumbled upon some rare and priceless treasure.

“The imperial examination is decreed by the Son of Heaven himself, to summon the extraordinary talents of the world. The world’s talents — how could they possibly be numbered? Who ever said that only poetry and essays could be talent?” Hua Yitang spread the last of the sheets across the tables and stepped to one side, his smile gone, his expression stern and composed. “These are the records of one hundred and sixty-eight cases, large and small, that I personally handled and solved — not all of them, but enough to represent my capabilities and experience in investigating cases. I am not here to advance my career, or to bring glory to my family name, or to rise to high office. I am here because I wish to secure a position as a local magistrate, so that I may right the wrongs of the realm!”

The night wind rustled through the case records, white pages whispering and rustling. Hua Yitang stood motionless in the breeze, his robes billowing with the same sound — as though in communion with every one of those records. The brilliant moonlight washed away the laughter and banter that usually played across the young man’s face, and what was left was pure and sharp: a radiant, cutting light.

Every person present was visibly shaken, and all bowed in unison.

“Hua the Fourth’s aspirations are lofty — we are deeply moved!”

Su Yiyun’s fists clenched. His whole body trembled, his expression twisted and contorted, as though possessed by some malevolent spirit.

“Well, well — they say you can’t steal a chicken without losing the rice you used as bait. He came to make a name for himself by trampling on the reputation of the Hua Family of Yangdu, and instead found himself thoroughly outmaneuvered. I ask you, my dear Su — why can’t you just think it through? Why must you pick a fight with this Hua Yitang, who has schemes within schemes? Isn’t this just bringing suffering upon yourself for no reason?”

A voice dropped from the night sky — clear and bright as a drop of dew caught in a glass lamp. Lin Sui’an gave a start, and her head snapped upward. There, standing on the high ridgeline of the main hall’s roof, was a figure dressed in all black, face uncovered, with a bulging, stuffed bundle slung across his back.

Behind him, a great round moon illuminated his features with perfect clarity — and he looked exactly like Deputy Minister Lu.