In the days that followed, Sanhe Academy returned to calm.

Bai Ruyi was worthy of his name as Tang’s foremost scholar. Even in a state of heartbreak, he carried out his lecturing duties flawlessly. The students listened in rapt fascination; after the main lectures ended they were still unwilling to leave — some skipped sleep to pester Bai Ruyi with questions, others stayed up through the night discussing coursework and essays. The scholarly atmosphere was extremely vibrant. Bai Ruyi was so busy he barely had time to sleep, and the grief in his heart was imperceptibly diluted.

With Hua Yifeng’s attentive care, He Sishan’s injuries improved day by day. With Qihe helping to manage daily meals and life arrangements, Fangke’s burden was lightened considerably; in her free time, she would go to the Mingli Hall to listen to Bai Ruyi lecture.

What surprised Fangke was that on this day she actually spotted Hua Yitang and Lin Sui’an in the Mingli Hall — she had no idea what these two were thinking. They sat in the very last row, and at first they held books and made a show of it — but in under a quarter-hour, both had fallen asleep. The only difference being that Hua Yitang sprawled entirely across the desk, drooling freely, while Lin Sui’an sat perfectly straight and fell asleep without a sound.

Fangke: “……”

Why bother?

Hua Yitang, presumably with a stiff neck, fumbled several books together into a pile in his sleep, rested his head on them, and handled it with practiced ease — clearly a skill honed over many years, not even requiring him to open his eyes. Lin Sui’an, dozing as she sat, suddenly jerked her head forward, nearly knocking it against the desk. She jolted awake, looked blankly around, saw that no one had noticed, pretended nothing had happened, and went back to sleep with Qian Jing in her arms.

Absolutely disgraceful.

Fangke really couldn’t bear to watch anymore. She was just about to turn and leave when through another window she caught sight of Qihe outside.

Qihe wore a plain white cotton robe with a wooden hairpin — his appearance about seventy percent similar to Bai Ruyi’s — and stood quietly outside the window, quietly watching Bai Ruyi. Fangke narrowed her eyes. It felt as though Qihe wasn’t looking at Bai Ruyi himself, but rather at the position where Bai Ruyi was seated.

Over these past few days, Fangke had interacted with Qihe considerably more, and had noticed that this person was a bit strange. When facing He Sishan, he was deferential and filially respectful, with gentle, careful speech, attending meticulously to every aspect of his food and daily life. When facing Hua Yifeng, he observed proper propriety — he would not even cast an extra glance. When facing Mu Xia and herself, he was refined and courteous, humble and polite.

Such a person should give others a warm, comfortable impression — yet Fangke always felt an inexplicable sense of unease.

Qihe was like something specially crafted — perfect in every way, yet permeated throughout by a sense of incongruity.

Soon, Fangke identified where this sense of incongruity came from.

Whenever no one was paying attention to Qihe, he would do his utmost to reduce his own presence — lingering silently off to one side, wearing that same expressionless look while gazing at He Sishan, carrying a kind of quiet, creeping dread. But the moment he noticed someone looking at him, that strange quality vanished in an instant.

Fangke had asked Mu Xia about it; Mu Xia had the same feeling.

Before long, Qihe noticed Fangke. He resumed the warm smile on his face, nodded in acknowledgment, and left.

Qihe went to the east courtyard’s Qingping Le dormitory room — originally Fangke’s quarters, now serving as He Sishan’s sickroom. Fangke naturally followed him in. Hua Yifeng was not there, presumably gone to decoct medicine. Fangke arrived just in time to see Qihe take out a white porcelain bottle and hand it to He Sishan, the bottle containing black medicinal pills.

Fangke stepped forward in a single bound, seized the porcelain bottle, and snatched the pill from He Sishan’s hand. “What medicine is this?”

Qihe was startled. He Sishan hastily explained: “These are the Blood Circulation and Pulse Activating Pills that I have been taking regularly for years.”

Fangke pinched the pill and sniffed it. “Angelica root, astragalus, salvia, marsh orchid leaf, red peony, eucommia bark, velvet antler strips, earthworm, licorice, achyranthes root, papaya, acanthopanax bark, and one more ingredient—” she abruptly raised her eyes and fixed them on Qihe. “Hemp leaf extract?!”

Qihe seemed a touch surprised. “Dr. Fang truly has outstanding medical skill and extensive learning — she can identify all the components of this Blood Circulation and Pulse Activating Pill by a single sniff alone. Qihe is in awe.”

Fangke returned the medicine bottle to He Sishan. “Are these pills being used to treat Mountain Dean He’s leg injury?”

“Precisely.” He Sishan nodded. “This injury to my right leg is over thirty years old. Every time the weather turns cold and rainy, the pain is unbearable. It is thanks to Overseer Qihe combing through medical texts and ancient records, and visiting numerous renowned physicians, that he was able to compound these Blood Circulation and Pulse Activating Pills — allowing me to endure these long winter months.”

Qihe: “Is there something improper about the prescription?”

“Nothing improper at all — it is very well-suited to the condition,” Fangke said. “Only, next time before taking the medicine, please allow me to review it first, so it does not conflict with the injury medicine currently being used.”

Qihe drew a sharp breath. “Dr. Fang’s point is well-taken! This was Qihe’s oversight!”

He Sishan: “Did I take the wrong medicine?”

Fangke: “It’s fine — no impact.”

He Sishan and Qihe both let out a sigh of relief at the same time.

Fangke: “If I remember correctly, hemp leaf extract is mostly imported from the Tianzhu kingdom and costs quite a bit?”

Qihe: “The amount of hemp leaf extract in this pill is extremely small — the academy can still afford it.”

“I’m quite fond of compounding medicines myself. Would the two of you be willing to sell me one pill?”

He Sishan was deeply flattered. “Dr. Fang, if you want some, please take as many as you like — talk of buying would put He to shame!”

Qihe immediately produced another porcelain bottle and offered it with both hands. “Mountain Dean He has been taking this pill for over five years now, and these days the effect is far less than before. If Dr. Fang could improve the formula even somewhat, the entire Sanhe Academy would be deeply grateful!”

Fangke accepted the bottle. “Fang will do her best.”

“So the Blood Circulation and Pulse Activating Pills have a problem?” Hua Yitang looked at the prescription in his hands and asked.

“Absolutely no problem,” Fangke said. “Replenishes vital energy and generates blood, expels stasis and promotes renewal, activates blood circulation and clears meridians, promotes joint mobility, reduces swelling and alleviates pain — especially effective for lower limb numbness, paralysis, and persistent aching pain.”

Lin Sui’an scrutinized it for a while and raised a question: “What exactly is this hemp leaf extract?”

“A medicinal herb imported from the Tianzhu kingdom — very expensive. Legend has it that devotees of Tianzhu’s destructive deity are especially fond of it. ‘Hemp leaf extract’ is a phonetic rendering from Sanskrit,” Hua Yitang said. “In Tang, more people refer to this medicinal substance as cannabis.”

Lin Sui’an’s mind buzzed loudly. “C-cannabis?!”

Fangke: “Others call it that too. The fruit and flowers of this plant can both be used as medicine, and it has the properties of expelling wind and dispersing accumulations.”

“You two!” Lin Sui’an said urgently. “As far as I know, long-term use of this medicinal substance is comparable in harm to the poison of the Dragon God Fruit!”

Fangke: “If used in large quantities over the long term, it is indeed harmful — and can even cause addiction. But medicine and poison have the same source; poison used well becomes the most effective medicine. The amount of hemp leaf extract in the Blood Circulation and Pulse Activating Pills is controlled with extraordinary precision — it will not produce the consequences Lin Niangzi is worried about.”

Lin Sui’an was still uneasy. “Truly no side effects whatsoever?”

Fangke thought for a moment. “If one must name something — hemp leaf extract has excellent pain-relieving effects and a mild anesthetic quality. It may cause slight slowing of physical reactions, but it will have almost no impact on daily life.”

Lin Sui’an let out a breath. Perhaps it was because she came from an era that had an absolute horror of cannabis, and so she was overly sensitive.

Hua Yitang stared at the prescription, brow creased into a knot.

Fangke thought for a moment. “Don’t you both feel that Qihe is a bit strange?”

Hua Yitang: “Can’t stand the sight of him.”

Lin Sui’an: “Hard to read.”

Fangke clicked her tongue. “So it really isn’t just my imagination.”

Lin Sui’an: “But this person’s manner and conduct are above reproach. Merely going on our instincts to suspect him isn’t quite right.”

Fangke nodded. “After all, he hasn’t actually done anything.”

“He hasn’t done anything?” Hua Yitang raised his eyes, a flicker moving through his gaze. “Not necessarily.”

Lin Sui’an and Fangke both raised their eyebrows and looked at him.

Hua Yitang put on his cloak. “Let’s go take another look at the Stargazing Terrace.”

Hua Yitang was already in not very good shape on the climb up, growing slower and slower, short of breath with stiffening legs. Lin Sui’an had no choice but to help prop him along. They managed with great effort to reach the Stargazing Terrace, and Hua Yitang pulled his cloak tight around himself, eyelids drooping, spirits low — a far cry from his state inside the room a moment ago.

Lin Sui’an: “Are you coming down with a cold?”

Hua Yitang let out a yawn. “I grew up in Yangdu and am accustomed to the warmth — it’s too cold here. When it gets cold, I get sleepy.”

Lin Sui’an: “……”

Are you a hibernating bear?

Coming to the Stargazing Terrace by daylight was a different scenery entirely.

Looking out in all directions: layers upon layers of peaks, lingering snow not yet melted, the whole mountain clothed in silver, mountain mist drifting — like an immortal realm.

Hua Yitang yawned his way around in a circle, looked at the star chart, went over to look at the spot where He Sishan had fallen, and then wrapped himself in his cloak to examine the stone surface of the ground.

“What kind of stone is this?” Hua Yitang asked.

“I don’t know,” Lin Sui’an said. “But it’s very absorbent and also slip-resistant — quite fitting to place here.”

Hua Yitang felt it with his fingers. “Indeed it doesn’t slip.”

Just as the two were examining it, a team of craftsmen came climbing up, carrying axes, saws, hammers, and bamboo poles. The two leading craftsmen were approximately in their thirties, broad-shouldered and thick-waisted. In this cold weather they wore only single-layer garments and were still sweating from the exertion, steam rising off the tops of their heads. They directed the other craftsmen to set up bamboo fence railings amidst the surrounding shrubs.

Hua Yitang’s gaze flashed. He slowly sauntered over, looked the craftsmen over one by one, and exclaimed with admiring clicks of the tongue: “Fine craftsmanship — truly fine craftsmanship! What does Lin Niangzi think?”

Lin Sui’an: Huh?

Hua Yitang’s voice grew louder. “Hasn’t Lin Niangzi been dissatisfied with all the craftsmen Hua has found? Take a look at this crew — how does their craftsmanship seem?”

As he spoke, he blinked frantically at Lin Sui’an, sending a whole sequence of meaningful looks.

Lin Sui’an rolled her eyes and went along with a reluctant “So-so.”

Hua Yitang lifted a hand in greeting: “Which brother here is the team lead?”

The craftsmen had in fact noticed Hua Yitang and Lin Sui’an the moment they came up the mountain, but had not dared to approach. Now hearing Hua Yitang call out, the two lead craftsmen hurried over, respectfully replying: “The small ones greet Adjutant Hua and Lin Niangzi.”

Hua Yitang raised his brow: “You know me?”

“We craftsmen have been staying at Sanhe Academy for a while now — naturally we recognize you two distinguished guests.”

Hua Yitang nodded. “I find your craftsmanship not bad — where are you from? What are your names?”

The big-faced craftsman: “My name is Hao Dali, and this is my brother Ba Yunfei” — the square-faced craftsman quickly bowed — “we are both first-rank craftsmen from Andu.”

Hua Yitang: “The bamboo fence railings around Sanhe Academy — did you all build those?”

Hao Dali: “Yes, yes, all built by us.”

Ba Yunfei warmly introduced: “Sanhe Academy has been our long-standing client. Not just these bamboo fences — the main gate, the archway of the book garden, the Stargazing Terrace, the Cloud-Viewing Terrace, the Apricot-Viewing Terrace, the Water-Viewing Terrace, the Rain-Viewing Terrace, the Snow-Viewing Terrace — all built by us brothers. Top-notch craftsmanship, guaranteed!”

Hua Yitang nodded. “Indeed not bad — especially this Stargazing Terrace. Grand and magnificent, with a splendid view — I’m quite fond of it.”

Hao Dali grinned broadly. “Adjutant Hua flatters us — we’re just workers. For the real credit, that belongs to Overseer Qihe.”

Lin Sui’an: “What does this have to do with Overseer Qihe?”

Ba Yunfei: “Lin Niangzi may not know — all the viewing platforms of the Seven Wonders Scenery were personally designed by Overseer Qihe.”

Lin Sui’an and Hua Yitang exchanged a composed glance.

“Goodness — so it seems that if Lin Niangzi’s new residence is to be built beautifully, not only must one engage the finest craftsmen in Andu, but Overseer Qihe must be invited back as well.” Hua Yitang said.

Hao Dali perked up with interest: “May I ask where Lin Niangzi’s new residence is located?”

Hua Yitang’s expression turned bashful, and his cheeks turned a delicate pink. “Andu City’s Taiping Ward — just one wall away from the Hua clan’s residence.”

Hua Yitang wearing that expression made Hao Dali and Ba Yunfei immediately understand. They thought to themselves: Good heavens! Property in Taiping Ward goes for gold by the foot — and right next to the Hua residence, that’s gold ten times over! No wonder he’s Yangdu’s foremost pampered dandy, Hua Family’s Fourth Young Master — truly a man who throws gold around for love!

Ba Yunfei swallowed. “I wonder if you two have already hired craftsmen for the renovation?”

“We’ve found quite a few craftsmen, but Lin Niangzi hasn’t been satisfied with any of them. Day after day she sulks at Hua, and Hua has been at his wits’ end — heard that the Stargazing Terrace has a beautiful view, so I brought Lin Niangzi here to lift her spirits a bit. Who would have thought we’d come across such satisfying craftsmanship right here—” Hua Yitang’s long lashes fluttered meaningfully in their direction.

What was this creature doing with that nauseating expression? Lin Sui’an’s eyebrow twitched involuntarily.

“Ah, don’t be upset, don’t be upset, Lin Niangzi—” Hua Yitang tugged at Lin Sui’an’s sleeve and swayed it back and forth. “Hua will offer a handsome sum to invite Overseer Qihe to design your new residence — it’s only whether Overseer Qihe would deign to consider something as vulgar as money—”

Lin Sui’an yanked her sleeve back: Will you give it a rest?!

Hua Yitang’s eyes reddened, his expression utterly aggrieved.

“Ahem!” Hao Dali cut Hua Yitang off. “Not to be modest with Adjutant Hua — we two have a bit of a connection with Overseer Qihe. If Adjutant Hua entrusts the work on the new residence to us, we can help invite Overseer Qihe.”

Hua Yitang’s eyes lit up brightly. “You mean it?”

Hao Dali: “How would we dare deceive Adjutant Hua!”

“Wonderful!” Hua Yitang reached into his robes and tossed over a pouch of gold leaves. “Consider this a deposit.”

Hao Dali and Ba Yunfei nearly got knocked senseless by the gold leaves, grinning from ear to ear, beaming all the way to their earlobes. “Adjutant Hua, just wait for our good news!”

Hua Yitang wore a very satisfied look. He crouched down and ran a hand over the stone surface of the Stargazing Terrace. “In Lin Niangzi’s new residence, this same kind of stone slab must be used — with this same technique.”

Hao Dali and Ba Yunfei crouched on either side of Hua Yitang and both shook their heads simultaneously. “Best not to use Red Mountain Stone — better to use Blue Mountain Stone.”

“Why?” Lin Sui’an also crouched down. “I think this stone is excellent — it doesn’t pool water and it’s slip-resistant.”

Ba Yunfei: “You two must be new to Andu and may not know — the winters here are bitterly cold, and the summers are swelteringly hot. So the people of Andu all prefer Red Mountain Stone or Blue Mountain Stone for their floors — both are cool in summer and warm in winter, water-resistant and slip-resistant, suitable for indoors and outdoors alike. The only difference is the price.”

“What’s the difference?” Hua Yitang asked.

“In the short term, not much difference,” Hao Dali said. “The only thing is — Red Mountain Stone doesn’t hold up well. If laid outdoors, exposed to wind, sun, and rain, it deteriorates in just a few years. Especially in winter when it gets cold — and add some snow — it becomes brittle.”

As he spoke, Hao Dali pulled a hammer from behind his back and struck the ground three times — sure enough, the stone slab crumbled like a biscuit, scattering many fragments. “See — it cracked, it crumbled.”

Ba Yunfei swept the fragments away with his palm. “Whether it’s Red Mountain Stone or Blue Mountain Stone, it’s mostly laid indoors, so that you can walk barefoot on a summer day — cool and comfortable. You two can see for yourselves — when Red Mountain Stone cracks like this, the eye can’t detect it, but stepping on it leaves it lumpy and uneven underfoot. For people of modest means that’s one thing, but Adjutant Hua and Lin Niangzi are distinguished guests — such inferior stone material is naturally unsuitable.”

Lin Sui’an: “If Red Mountain Stone is inferior, why was it used for the Stargazing Terrace?”

“The money for building and maintaining structures in Sanhe Academy all comes from Andu’s government office,” Hao Dali said with a meaningful smile. “It passes through many hands, and the procedures are lengthy — so the budget ends up a bit short.”

Ba Yunfei kicked Hao Dali, then added: “But rest assured, you two — we brothers know several quarry owners and can source the finest Blue Mountain Stone directly from the origin. We would never substitute inferior Red Mountain Stone to deceive you!”

Hua Yitang nodded approvingly. “You two are truly men of integrity!”

Ba Yunfei: “But of course! We’ve worked as craftsmen all these years — integrity is what we prize above all! Only — the price of Blue Mountain Stone is more than three times that of Red Mountain Stone—”

“Do I, Hua Silang, look like a person short on money?” Hua Yitang said with a smile.

Hao Dali and Ba Yunfei nodded and agreed fervently.

“How about you take us to see the other viewing platforms as well,” Hua Yitang said, rising to his feet. “Perhaps we’ll discover even more interesting designs — aiyou!”

Before he could finish the sentence, his foot slipped and he staggered uncontrollably, his whole body tilting sideways. Lin Sui’an caught Hua Yitang’s waist with quick hands and clear eyes. Hua Yitang swiftly hooked his arm around Lin Sui’an’s neck. The two of them immediately struck a gracefully — and rather contrived — pose of “hero rescuing a beauty.” The hero was Lin Sui’an. The beauty was Hua Yitang.

Hao Dali and Ba Yunfei gaped, open-mouthed. The craftsmen working all around let out a collective “Whoa.”

Lin Sui’an hissed through clenched teeth: “What are you doing?!”

Hua Yitang gave a dry laugh: “Squatted too long — my foot went numb.”

“Ah, ah, ah — avert your eyes, avert your eyes!” Yuanhua had just appeared at the top of the mountain path, and the sight before him frightened him so badly he covered his face and fled.

“Dormitory Head Yuanhua — a moment!” Hua Yitang called out, scrambling upright. “Hua still has a matter to ask.”

Yuanhua froze in place, and with a stiff neck turned back jerkily, “Ah?”

Hua Yitang hastily straightened his clothing, hair, and cloak, assumed the air of a proper Criminal Adjutant, and asked: “Are you here on behalf of Mountain Dean He to make the rounds of the mountain?”

Yuanhua was astonished. “How did Adjutant Hua know?”

Hua Yitang gave a bright smile. “Perfect timing — come along with us.”

Skit

Ba Yunfei: Hey, Fourth Young Master Hua’s waist is rather flexible — look at that little pose, the way his little toes curled up — Lin Niangzi’s eyes went perfectly straight.

Hao Dali: Tsk — no wonder he’s Yangdu’s foremost pampered dandy. He has a whole bag of tricks for captivating young ladies.