“As for the second condition…” Yuan Jue cast a guarded glance at Qin Yao and A’Han, who had been listening in complete absorption, and very abruptly brought the subject to a close. He waved a hand dismissively and said, “It is merely some devious and heretical business — not worth going into.” He picked up his teacup again, gently blowing at the tea leaves floating on the surface, and his eyelids would not rise again.
Qin Yao’s curiosity had been wound up to its peak, and she had not been prepared for Yuan Jue to stop there. She was left thoroughly stunned.
Even A’Han, rarely given to showing dissatisfaction, revealed a trace of displeasure and said blankly, “Abbot Yuan Jue, what is the second condition? Why won’t you tell us?”
“Off with you, off with you.” Qing Xuzi, the moment he caught Yuan Jue’s expression, knew perfectly well that something was up. Knowing this bald monk’s nature, if the two disciples stayed in the room any longer, he would absolutely refuse to continue speaking, so Qing Xuzi shamelessly began ushering Qin Yao and the others out. “The two of you go wait outside. Come back in once your master and the Abbot have finished talking.”
“How can you do this?” Qin Yao was taken aback. Even as she was herded toward the door, she was unwilling to give up, and grabbed the doorframe with both hands, trying to persuade her master. “If we don’t hear the rest of it, how are we supposed to fully understand the Jade Corpse’s nature? And how are we supposed to help find it?”
Qing Xuzi replied bluntly, “Whether or not you hear the second condition doesn’t affect your ability to help find the Jade Corpse at all.” And with a bang, he shut the door. Qin Yao barely snatched her hands back in time to avoid having them caught.
A’Han showed no annoyance whatsoever. He stood obediently in front of the door, looking for all the world as though he intended to wait patiently for their master and Yuan Jue to finish speaking before going back inside.
Qin Yao, however, hunched down and crept over to the window sill. She moistened a small hole through the window paper with her finger, pressed her ear close, and strained to hear what Yuan Jue was saying to her master.
But the moment she pressed against it — crack — something flew out from inside the window and struck her ear with unerring accuracy.
“Ouch.” Qin Yao winced in pain. Feeling thoroughly aggrieved, she stood there rubbing her ear for a moment before slinking away, and went to sit on the stone steps of the veranda.
The young novice monk who had come with Yuan Jue had witnessed the whole scene. He stared for a moment, then could not help but break into a quiet, secret smile.
Lin Xiao and Jiang Sanlang came out of the Duke of Lu’s estate and were just about to mount their horses when the sound of hoofbeats rose behind them. They turned to look, and saw a rider coming at full gallop. Though the road was not a wide thoroughfare, this person rode at tremendous speed, paying no regard to the people along the roadside — clearly the manner of a pampered young nobleman.
Jiang Sanlang was startled. “Xia Di?”
Xia Di arrived in front of Lin Xiao, reined in his horse, and dismounted. He did not speak immediately, but studied Lin Xiao for a good while with a complex expression before, suppressing his anger, he finally said, “Eleventh Brother, I went to Prince Lan’s residence just now to look for you, and your household said you had come to see Third Brother Jiang here. I’ve come for no other reason than to ask — was it one of your men who injured Liu Qing?”
Lin Xiao replied coldly, “It was.”
Xia Di had not expected Lin Xiao to admit it so readily. The doubt in his mind crystallized into clarity, and he demanded angrily, “You must know that Liu Qing is my most capable man. What did he do that you saw fit to humiliate him like this with no regard for appearances — breaking his limbs outright?”
Lin Xiao’s expression was impassive. “Broken limbs can heal. But if there is a next time, I will have someone sever the tendons in his hands and feet and turn him into a cripple for the rest of his life.”
Xia Di’s mind went blank. He stared at Lin Xiao for quite some time before slowly saying, “This is because of Qu Qin Yao, isn’t it?”
Lin Xiao had already harbored resentment toward Xia Di from the time of the illusory realm incident. Now, hearing him dare to address Qin Yao by her given name, the ruthlessness in his heart surged without restraint. “That’s right! In Chang’an, you may provoke anyone you please — but not her! From this day forward, whether it is you or anyone in your company, stay far away from her. Do you understand?”
Jiang Sanlang finally understood what had happened. Seeing the tension between Lin Xiao and Xia Di threatening to snap, he had half a mind to intervene, but found he could see no way in. He had known for more than a day or two that Lin Xiao had feelings for Miss Qu — that he cherished her with unusual intensity and protected her at every turn, and would absolutely not tolerate anyone setting their sights on her.
As for Xia Di, his conduct was entirely without restraint. Though it was unclear whether his feelings toward Miss Qu were genuine, there was every chance he might act with impropriety or even presumptuousness toward her — and to Lin Xiao, that would be no different from a blade driven straight through his chest.
So, while Lin Xiao’s actions were merciless, they were the most effective method there was for cutting off any aspirations Xia Di might harbor.
This was the first time Xia Di had ever seen Lin Xiao speak with such fierce ferocity. He was so stunned he forgot to respond. After quite a while, he said resentfully, “On what grounds?! You and she have no betrothal. What right do you have to prevent me from associating with her? Besides, you clearly have—”
He bit down on his words and did not let the name “Xia Yan” past his lips. He said only in fury, “You clearly already have another match arranged. Both sets of parents have an understanding, just waiting for the Emperor to formally decree the marriage next year. You know this perfectly well. Why must you keep holding onto Qu Qin Yao and refusing to let go?”
Lin Xiao regarded Xia Di with cold eyes and said, one word at a time, “Aside from Qu Qin Yao, I will marry no one. You had best redirect your scheming attentions elsewhere. If you dare go near her again, do not blame me for forgetting that we are kin.”
At this point, Jiang Sanlang finally managed to insert himself into the conversation. He forced a laugh and said, “You are all family, why wound the peace over such a small matter? There are people coming and going everywhere here — let’s not let this fall on the ears of outsiders and become a laughingstock. Xia Di, didn’t you say the other day that you had gotten hold of a dragon’s saliva bow that you wanted to show me? Why don’t we go to your estate today and take a look?”
Xia Di did not respond. It was a long while before he dragged his gaze away from Lin Xiao’s face, turned around, mounted his horse without a word, and rode off in the same thundering style in which he had arrived.
Jiang Sanlang watched Xia Di’s retreating figure and said, “Second Young Master Xia has grown far too willful in all his years in Shu. By the looks of him, I’m afraid he still has not given up on Miss Qu. You will have to put in no small amount of effort to keep problems from arising.”
He knew these words were little more than empty caution. If Lin Xiao was sincerely set on protecting someone, there was no reason he would fail. But the two of them were not yet married, and no matter how vigilant his guard, there would inevitably be moments when he could not watch over her. Fortunately, Miss Qu was not the kind of helpless young woman who was entirely without means of protecting herself, so at least she did not require constant worry.
Lin Xiao let out a cool sound of acknowledgment, and did not look away until Xia Di’s figure had vanished at the end of the alley. Only then did he say, “I am leaving now. That matter I mentioned to you earlier — keep a close eye on it. Don’t let that person slip out of Chang’an and ruin our plans.”
“Rest easy, we are watching.” Jiang Sanlang replied, then turned and clapped him on the shoulder with a grin. “Judging by that energy of yours this morning, you must have won her over at the Flower Festival yesterday. Go on then — don’t keep the lady waiting.”
Lin Xiao gave a somewhat flustered cough, his face flushing red as he mounted his horse and rode straight for Qingyun Temple.
By the time Qin Yao had listlessly counted every last unripe peach just beginning to form on the peach tree in the courtyard, the door behind her finally gave a creak. Qing Xuzi and Yuan Jue emerged from within.
She hurried over to her master’s side, eyes bright and eager, and was just about to open her mouth when Qing Xuzi said, “When we came out of the Cangheng River last time, we left behind a few items for dealing with the Jade Corpse. We need to go back there at once. You and A’Han take the divination compass and first go searching around the Western Market and nearby areas. The Jade Corpse is most drawn to places of noise and bustle. If you find anything suspicious, do not act rashly. Wait until your master and Abbot Yuan Jue return from Mount Wuniu before doing anything.”
Yuan Jue added from beside him, “Several of this old monk’s disciples will also be making rounds of the Eastern and Western Markets. If anything unexpected should arise, you are welcome to consult with them.”
Qin Yao saw that the two of them were already turning to leave, and called out quickly, “Wait—”
She ran to the storeroom and retrieved a bottle of antidote pills for corpse poison, then handed them to Qing Xuzi. “Master, Abbot Yuan Jue — the Jade Corpse moves unpredictably. It may suddenly return to its burial site. You must both take great care.”
Yuan Jue saw this and glanced at Qing Xuzi with a look of faint understanding. No wonder the old Daoist doted on this child from the bottom of his heart — she was so sharp and considerate.
Qing Xuzi pocketed the pills, kept his expression stern, and gave A’Han a pointed look of warning — the meaning unmistakable: Keep an eye on your junior sister! Don’t let anything go wrong!
A’Han looked at his junior sister sideways and felt that their master was worrying over nothing. He gave a dutiful sound of assent to set the master’s mind at ease and let him depart.
After Qing Xuzi and Yuan Jue had left, Qin Yao rummaged through the storeroom for a while, gathering some talismanic paper and pills to bring along. She had intended to change into her Daoist robes, but thinking back on what had happened at the Pei family residence, she could not stop worrying about Pei Min. Since she planned to visit the Pei family shortly, female attire would make things more convenient, so she abandoned the idea.
Once she had gathered everything, she told Fu Yuan to keep watch at home, and then came out with A’Han.
The moment they stepped outside, she saw a young man standing before the horses. He wore close-fitted sleeves and a light robe, a sword hanging at his waist — his back tall and straight.
The young man had been quietly studying the scenery around the Daoist temple with his hands clasped behind him. Hearing the movement, he turned. The moment he saw Qin Yao, his eyes filled at once with warmth and a smile. “A’Yao.”
Qin Yao watched Lin Xiao walk toward her, her face burning with heat wave after wave, yet her heart felt sweet — as if she had swallowed honey.