Of the Seven Wonders Scenery of Sanhe Academy, all viewing platforms except for Stone Bridge by Moonlight — which was formed naturally — were constructed by human hands.

The Stargazing Terrace for the Summit Stargazing wonder and the Cloud-Viewing Platform for Crimson Clouds at Dusk had already been seen. The remaining four were respectively: the Snow-Viewing Platform for Three Peaks Clearing After Snow, the Rain-Viewing Platform for Misty Rain and Emerald Peaks, the Apricot-Viewing Platform for the Rosy Peaks Apricot Grove, and the Water-Viewing Platform for White Stone Clear Spring. The locations of the scenic spots ranged from high to low, and together covered essentially all the exterior scenic areas of Sanhe Academy.

“Mountain Dean He is wonderful in every way — he just can never be idle. He insists on patrolling the mountain every single day, saying that Sanhe Mountain is our home, and he can’t sleep without walking a lap of it. His leg isn’t in good shape either, yet it takes at least two hours to complete the full patrol — we all feel bad watching him, but no one can talk him out of it—” Yuanhua sighed. “Well, it’s for the best now. I’m doing the patrol on Mountain Dean’s behalf, telling him about the scenery up here, which at least gives him some cheer.”

Hua Yitang: “What is the usual route Mountain Dean He takes on his patrol?”

“Generally from low to high — he goes first to White Stone Clear Spring to listen to the water, then to Rosy Peaks Apricot Grove, then Misty Rain Emerald Peaks, and Three Peaks Clearing After Snow. By the time he reaches Crimson Clouds at Dusk, it is exactly the time of sunset, so he watches the cloud scenery and the slanting sun. When the moon rises, he arrives at Stone Bridge by Moonlight — and when it’s deeper into the night, he reaches the Stargazing Terrace. Mountain Dean especially loves observing the stars at night, and he will look for several hours at a time — sometimes he stays the entire night.”

“So the route we are walking now is the reverse of Mountain Dean He’s usual direction?” Lin Sui’an asked.

Yuanhua scratched his head. “I was thinking of patrolling from the Stargazing Terrace downward, and picking up some wine from the village on the way down.”

Lin Sui’an was greatly surprised. “The academy’s students can drink wine?”

“Book Attendant Bai says he can’t sleep at night — drinking a bit helps him sleep better.”

Hua Yitang cast a sideways glance at Lin Sui’an, his little eyes exceedingly woeful.

Lin Sui’an pretended not to notice. Bai Ruyi’s insomnia — it should have nothing to do with her — right…?

“Here we are — the Snow-Viewing Platform is just ahead.” Hao Dali called out.

The Snow-Viewing Platform was similar in style to the Cloud-Viewing Platform for Crimson Clouds at Dusk — both were small flat platforms. But it sat lower, and gazing out from the platform, one could see a range of rolling peaks opposite — covered in ten-thousand-year-old pines at the peaks, all dusted with a thick layer of snow, dark green like ink, the snow like white space intentionally left blank, arranged in pleasing layers, like a landscape painting rendered with a masterful brush.

The Snow-Viewing Platform was thirty paces long, twenty paces wide, the ground also paved with Red Mountain Stone — and like the Stargazing Terrace, showing slight irregular pitting. The wooden railing surrounding it had lost its lacquer and several sections had rotted out. Lin Sui’an gave it a gentle push — it wobbled, not very stable.

Ba Yunfei: “The railings on all these platforms need work. Overseer Qihe said the budget proposal has already been submitted and the funds should come through in spring.”

Hua Yitang: “Why not build stone railings — wooden ones rot so easily.”

Hao Dali gave a dry laugh. “Sanhe Academy is a rather famous academy in Andu — many eyes are on it. The budget goes through layer after layer of review. Stone railings cost too much — not easy to get approved.”

Lin Sui’an: “……”

Probably not layer after layer of review — more like layer after layer of skimming.

Hua Yitang arched a brow. “Understood.”

Lin Sui’an: “Then what about the bamboo fencing on the mountain paths — is it also—”

Ba Yunfei smiled. “Actually the bamboo fencing is quite nice too — come spring, plant morning glories along the ground, let them climb up the bamboo fence, and hey — it’s actually quite lovely.”

Hua Yitang nodded: “That does have a certain refined charm.”

“Oh, come off it!” Yuanhua grumbled. “That bamboo fencing is completely flimsy — the mountain soil is loose. The moment it rains, the whole thing collapses. Not only does it fail to protect people, it ends up lying across the path tripping people over. The bamboo tips are sharp — if you’re not careful it’ll slice your leg open.”

“Aiya, aiya — you can’t say that!” Hao Dali grew anxious. “Our craftsmanship is absolutely beyond reproach — it’s just that bamboo fencing isn’t suited for mountain paths. We’d also rather make stone or wooden railings, but without enough money, what can we do?”

Yuanhua let out a huff.

Lin Sui’an walked another lap around the Snow-Viewing Platform and shook her head. Apart from the slightly weathered railing, there was nothing particularly noteworthy. Hua Yitang, apparently tired, grew slower and slower. He no longer looked at the scenery and only stared at the ground as he walked. He made a full circuit of the Snow-Viewing Platform and then had Yuanhua lead everyone to the Rain-Viewing Platform.

The Rain-Viewing Platform faced a mountain valley. The valley held a grove of broad-leafed trees, which at this time of year retained nothing but bare trunks. And with no rain either, there was truly nothing worth seeing. The Rain-Viewing Platform was in a similar state to the Snow-Viewing Platform — the railing also in need of repair, with two stone slabs on the ground missing. This time Lin Sui’an learned from experience and kept a grip on Hua Yitang’s arm the entire time, fearful he might pull some trick again.

Hua Yitang was probably tired and grew slower and slower; he stomped his feet every now and then, stopped looking at the scenery, and only focused on examining the ground as he walked. He made a circuit around the Rain-Viewing Platform and then had Yuanhua lead everyone to the Apricot-Viewing Platform.

The Apricot-Viewing Platform was considerably larger — nearly three times the size of the Stargazing Terrace. It sat lower, with a thousand apricot trees straight ahead, their branches gnarled and gaunt, which had a bleakly beautiful quality. The railing here was in relatively good condition — sturdy enough, with just a few minor chips and flakes.

“The Rosy Peaks Apricot Grove is the most popular scenic spot after Stone Bridge by Moonlight — every spring, large numbers of literary men come all the way here to admire it. Even if it doesn’t look like much now, come spring when the apricot blossoms bloom, the whole mountain is a sea of rouge-red. If Adjutant Hua and Lin Niangzi came back then, it would absolutely be worth it!” Hao Dali enthusiastically introduced.

“Is it because there are many visitors here that the maintenance is done faster?” Hua Yitang stroked the wooden railing and asked.

Ba Yunfei let out a knowing chuckle. “Adjutant Hua is astute — this is a good location for business. While visitors come to admire the apricot blossoms, selling a bit of fruit and pastries and the like can earn quite a bit. So the small merchants spontaneously donated a small amount of money to Sanhe Academy for maintenance upkeep. You see — as long as the money’s there, our craftsmanship really is unimpeachable!”

Yuanhua: “Only care about money — how vulgar!”

Hao Dali laughed. “Dormitory Head Yuanhua devotes his heart to the sages’ books — naturally he looks down on such trifling material things. We are common people, and naturally we only care about trifling material things.”

Ba Yunfei clicked his tongue. “Not every scholar is lofty — there are vulgar ones too.”

Hua Yitang: “Like me, for instance?”

Ba Yunfei was so frightened his voice pitched up: “Where does Adjutant Hua get such an idea — with your status and family background, you have long since transcended the realm of common people. In the hearts of us Tang common folk, you are the God of Wealth himself!”

Hao Dali: “Exactly — Hua Family’s Fourth Young Master, fortune in your destiny, naturally treats money as dung!”

Lin Sui’an: “Pfft!”

These few strokes of flattery left Hua Yitang feeling thoroughly comfortable all over, and he promenaded with satisfied little steps. “I enjoy hearing that.”

Hao Dali: “Hua Family’s Fourth Young Master loves money — everyone knows it! Open about it, never hiding it — that’s a true gentleman! Not like certain hypocrites who put on a show of loftiness on the outside while doing foul things in the dark.”

“Oh? The way you two put it — could it be that you’ve been taken advantage of by some hypocrite in the past?” Hua Yitang made one of his elegant turns and promenaded on with little steps. “You might as well tell Hua — Hua is willing to stand up for you—aiyou?”

Good heavens — another high-difficulty twisting-at-the-waist, tilting-at-the-shoulder, two-hundred-and-seventy-degree sprawl toward the ground. Lin Sui’an didn’t even look — she casually extended Qian Jing and with one block of the sword hilt, levered Hua Yitang back upright.

Hao Dali and Ba Yunfei stared with mouths agape. Yuanhua covered one eye with a single hand: “Avert your eyes—”

Lin Sui’an shot a sideways glare: “Hua Yitang, you’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you?”

“Heaven and earth be my witness — Hua genuinely isn’t doing this on purpose.” Hua Yitang grinned and bared his teeth, wrapped up his cloak, stamped his feet, swaggered back a couple of steps, then squatted down, rubbed his hand along the surface of the ground, and fell silent.

Lin Sui’an’s heart stirred. She also squatted down. “Found something?”

Hua Yitang: “I wasn’t doing it on purpose — but someone else was.”

“What?”

“To White Stone Clear Spring!”

The Water-Viewing Platform of White Stone Clear Spring was perched on a steep cliff face. Below was a mountain spring — in the dry season nothing more than a trickle, but come the rainy season the mountain stream flowed swift and strong, forming a small waterfall. The basin below the waterfall was carpeted in white rounded pebbles, clear water, white stones — like precious jade.

This time Hua Yitang had learned, and walked with great care — one might even call it “one shuffle at a time.” Especially when within roughly one foot of the railing, he made a point of stopping to carefully feel the surface of the ground with his hand. The material was again Red Mountain Stone — and because it was so close to the mountain spring, it was more damp than the other platforms, making the pitting and unevenness of the surface more pronounced. Frost had also formed along the edges of the railing.

Hua Yitang pulled his sleeve close around his hand and surveyed all around. “If one were to lose one’s footing and fall here — I’m afraid the odds of survival would be very slim—”

“Adjutant Hua is overthinking it — this spot has nothing of interest in winter and almost no one comes here. Come spring, the railing will be repaired before the rainy season.” Hao Dali said.

Hua Yitang smiled with an elusive and distant expression. “Right — almost no one comes here—”

Lin Sui’an looked at Hua Yitang’s expression, and a strange, ominous premonition rose in her heart.

“You all said earlier that all the viewing platforms were designed by Overseer Qihe — were the specific supervision, inspection, acceptance, and the management of income and expenditure also handled and overseen by him?” Hua Yitang asked again.

Hao Dali: “That’s right.”

Yuanhua: “All the academy’s account books are managed by Overseer Qihe.”

Hua Yitang: “Yuanhua, move on to the next stop.”

Yuanhua: “What? But this is the last of the Seven Wonders.”

“To Overseer Qihe’s dormitory.”

“Huh?”

Qihe’s dormitory was in the southernmost section of the west wing, called “East Wind’s First Sprig.” It was originally a single room, but was now temporarily shared between him and two students.

Sanhe Academy’s daily schedule was very regular: rise at 5 a.m., breakfast at 5:30 a.m., morning reading begins at 6 a.m. From 7 a.m. to noon, it was the Mountain Dean’s lecturing time — once every ten days off, without exception. Noon meal at noon. From 1 p.m., students were free to pursue their own studies or borrow books from the Royal Scriptures Pavilion. The Royal Scriptures Pavilion opened at 1 p.m. and closed at 9 p.m. At 9:15 p.m. the dining hall opened for dinner; those arriving after 9:45 p.m. would find no food left. After that, students managed their own time.

As Academy Overseer, Qihe had to supervise food safety in the kitchen and dining hall at all three meals — morning, noon, and night. After dark, he also had to make rounds of the dormitories. Hua Yitang stood before the door of “East Wind’s First Sprig” at exactly 9:15 p.m. — meaning that at this time, Qihe would not have returned to his dormitory.

Yuanhua was quite puzzled. “What brings Adjutant Hua to Overseer Qihe’s dormitory—”

“Curious — just having a look.” Hua Yitang tapped the lock on the dormitory door with a finger. “Other than Qihe, who else has a key?”

Yuanhua: “The two students Chuyāng and Yaqin share the room with Overseer Qihe, so they should have keys as well. If Adjutant Hua needs one, I can go and fetch—”

“Never mind, too troublesome.” Hua Yitang pulled the hairpin from his head, flexed it open to reveal a thin iron needle, fiddled around in the keyhole for a moment, heard a click, the lock gave way. He put the hairpin back, and pushed the door open and walked right in as though it were his own room.

Yuanhua was flabbergasted, pointing at Hua Yitang: “Is this — this this this this this is — is is is is—”

Lin Sui’an: “Ahem — Criminal Adjutants are responsible for criminal cases. This is a necessary technique for apprehending suspects and gathering evidence. It is required by the job.”

Yuanhua: “That’s allowed?!”

Lin Sui’an had no way to finish that fabrication. She dragged Yuanhua in and shut the door behind her.

Yuanhua was completely stunned: the upstanding Fourth Young Master of the Hua clan of Yangdu — Criminal Adjutant of Andu — was searching and rummaging through Overseer Qihe’s desk and bookshelves. His technique was practiced — the more one looked, the more it resembled an experienced thief with years of professional expertise.

Before long, he found a small wooden box on the bookshelf. It had a brass lock, which he also pried open the same way. Inside the box were the academy’s account ledgers. Hua Yitang flipped through them quickly — swish swish swish — finished, let out a soft hum, returned the ledgers to their place, relocked it, and kept searching. Shortly after, he also found a black wooden case in the concealed compartment beneath the bookshelf. Same procedure — pry lock, take out the scroll inside and examine it. This time, the examination moved at a noticeably slower pace.

Yuanhua’s fingers pointing at Hua Yitang were actually trembling. “Is this — this this this this also allowed?!”

Hua Yitang shot a vicious glare back. “Keep your voice down!”

Yuanhua: “Huh?”

“Say a word of it and you’re finished.”

“Oh!”

Lin Sui’an glanced quietly at Yuanhua. She didn’t know whether it was because she looked too terrifying, but Yuanhua’s knees actually buckled and he sat right down on the floor, clamping his mouth shut, nodding repeatedly with a series of “Mmm mmm mmm (I understand), mmmm mmmm mmmm (I will absolutely keep silent).”

The scroll in Hua Yitang’s hands was exactly the design drawings for the Seven Wonders viewing platforms. The draftsmanship was superb, the lines elegant; the design style was simple and unadorned — a genuine work of art. Below the drawings were notations of the design date: the eleventh year of the Xuanqi reign — approximately ten years ago.

Since these were design drawings, they naturally specified construction material requirements and project budgets in meticulous detail — complex enough that Lin Sui’an really couldn’t make heads or tails of it. She skimmed over it several times, and one term caught her attention.

【Six viewing platforms — flooring material: Red Mountain Stone.】

In Lin Sui’an’s mind there was a loud buzzing, and a torrent of scattered fragments came surging into her thoughts:

He Sishan plummeting down out of the pale moonlight, Hua Yitang wrapped in his cloak yawning, the Blood Circulation and Pulse Activating Pills in Fangke’s hand, He Sishan’s death-pale face hanging by a thread, Hua Yifeng’s tears falling in unbroken streams, the neat bamboo fencing along the mountain path, the wounds covering He Sishan’s entire body, the snapped shrubs on the Stargazing Terrace, Hua Yitang stumbling and falling with his “aiyou aiyous,” the crumbling fragments of Red Mountain Stone, the rotting railing — all these images suddenly contracted in unison, and froze on one final frame.

A pitch-black snowy night; Lin Sui’an shoves the door open; a fleeting flash of joy on Qihe’s face.

Lin Sui’an’s heart pounded wildly. Hua Yitang’s brow was deeply knit. The two looked at each other simultaneously.

Hua Yitang: “I have a very frightening theory.”

Lin Sui’an drew a deep breath. “…Is this — actually possible?”

Hua Yitang’s fingers lightly traced over Qihe’s design drawings. His gaze was like ice. “Countless minute possibilities, accumulated day after day over many years — will become one inevitable certainty.”

I know you’ve all already guessed it!