The night was deep, and the night market was closing up.

Actually, business had long since ended. Tie Ci couldn’t understand why these merchants didn’t go home to sleep but insisted on staying so late. She inquired at a nearby roasted insect stall.

The stall owner flicked his blackened rag and said in a suppressed, irritated voice, “The Prefect’s birthday is approaching, and the prefecture office ordered the south market night stalls to stay open as celebration.”

Tie Ci was stunned.

Grandfather was having a birthday?

But he was just a prefect. If he wanted to celebrate his birthday, it would be fine to make merry in his own mansion, but making the night market extend hours to celebrate for him? What benefit did extending the night market give him?

Soon she saw what the benefit was.

A commotion arose, followed by a crash as a tea soup stall was knocked over, tea spilling everywhere, mixed with men’s pleas and women’s screams.

Several black-clothed bailiffs with red trim emerged from beside the collapsed stall. One of them kicked away a man clinging to his leg and angrily shouted, “Extension, extension – every day crying about poor business and asking for extensions. We’ve already given you three days!”

The stall owner wept, “Sir, sir, it’s not that this commoner won’t pay, but we really haven’t made much money. Please give us a few more days, we’ll definitely make it up later. Please don’t destroy our family’s livelihood…”

Several women knelt on the ground kowtowing repeatedly. The surrounding stall owners all gathered around. Though none spoke, their expressions were mostly dejected.

The bailiff said sarcastically, “Oh my, under Magistrate Tan’s blue-sky administration, what are you putting on this act for? Are you trying to slander Prefect Tan for unclear governance? Truly merchants who value profit above all, ungrateful lot. Prefect Tan allows you to operate your night market two extra hours each night – isn’t that enough!”

“But operating two extra hours means paying thirty percent more in overtime tax!” someone muttered. “The extra operating hours are very late anyway, with hardly any business, but the tax is added… This, this is just adding tax for nothing, isn’t it?”

The bailiff glared and shouted, “Who’s muttering behind there! Stand up!”

The crowd immediately fell silent.

The bailiff’s anger hadn’t subsided. He sneered, “What’s wrong with adding thirty percent tax? The old master is celebrating his fifty-fifth birthday, and officials from all over Qianzhou have come to congratulate him. Shouldn’t you show filial respect? Noble persons will soon inspect Qianzhou and Yannan, traveling such a long distance. Shouldn’t you show filial respect… Smash the stall!”

People rushed forward to smash the stall with crashes and bangs. The stall owner’s family cried and wailed but dared not stop them.

Feng Huan stood behind Tie Ci, seeing clearly, and angrily said, “Damn it, there are actually people in this world more arrogant than me!” He rolled up his sleeves and was about to rush forward.

Tie Ci reached out and pressed his shoulder, and he could no longer move.

Feng Huan said in amazement, “Your High… Eighteen, you’re just going to watch this? These are officials exploiting the people, someone is oppressing good citizens under your banner. You’re touring the southwest precisely to catch these parasites!”

His sausage mouth had aired out for a while and had gone down, allowing him to speak mumblingly. Obviously the other party had only given him a small punishment.

Tie Ci smiled and patted his head like a dog, saying, “If your wound breeds maggots, is catching one maggot enough?”

Feng Huan: …Why did the Crown Princess have to use such a disgusting metaphor!

He said, “Then what? If a wound breeds maggots, don’t you care about the maggots at all? Isn’t that disgusting?”

Tie Ci smiled without speaking.

Naturally, you dig out the infected flesh, and the maggots can’t survive.

…

Returning from the night market, Tie Ci told Chi Xue and Dan Shuang about this matter. Chi Xue immediately frowned.

“This so-called ‘noble person’ refers to you, doesn’t it?” she said. “The Qianzhou-Yannan route is adding taxes to the people and merchants to welcome and entertain you? What are they trying to do!”

“We haven’t heard of this matter all along our route into Qianzhou. I’m afraid this is Yannan’s method, and Pingyun Prefecture just happens to be using this excuse to collect money for Magistrate Tan’s birthday celebration?”

Dan Shuang stared wide-eyed, “What is Old Master Tan thinking? This is something that damages your reputation. He doesn’t stop it but joins in the commotion?”

“Probably both greedy for money and somewhat still remembering his status, not wanting to be directly implicated with me, so he vaguely only mentions ‘noble persons’.” Tie Ci sighed.

There really was no limit to how outrageous things could get.

She said, “Go find any gift. I’m going out tomorrow.”

Chi Xue and Dan Shuang understood and went to comply. Tie Ci went to rest.

The next day she rose early, taking Chi Xue along, and inquired her way to Siyi Garden.

Siyi Garden was where the Tan mansion was located. It had originally belonged to a great tea merchant, and just last year, the tea merchant had presented this garden, which took ten years to build, to Master Tan.

Siyi, claiming to be “suitable for wind, snow, flowers, and moon,” was built in this southwestern land imitating the garden layouts of Zhongzhou and Jiangnan regions, with water channeled and hills built, planted with rare trees and famous flowers. Amid the green shade, pavilions spread their wings, with scenery at every step.

Today was Prefect Tan’s birthday celebration. Early in the morning, the quite spacious area outside the garden was filled with carriages and sedan chairs. Doormen and servants stood throughout the bluestone brick paths, directing the parking of vehicles and horses, sweating profusely.

Well-dressed officials and wealthy merchants alighted from their vehicles. Servants holding visiting cards stepped forward, then were led inside by the Tan mansion’s people.

The eastward Ningjui Garden in the complex received male guests, while female guests were led to the westward Jifang Garden. Master Tan’s third and fourth sons personally received guests at the entrance, while the third and fourth madams and several branch family daughters-in-law were responsible for receiving female guests.

Everyone bowed and yielded with great pleasure. After entering, they gathered in groups of three or two, chatting and admiring the garden while waiting for the banquet to begin and to offer birthday greetings.

“I don’t see Master Tan or Second Master Tan.”

“Didn’t they say they went to the capital to congratulate the Crown Princess on her birthday? We even sent ceremonial gifts at that time.”

“They should have returned by now. They can’t ignore the old master’s birthday after celebrating the Crown Princess’s, can they?”

“Haven’t you heard? I have a distant relative who serves as a supervisor at the Ministry of War’s Protocol Office in the capital. He says these Tan family members don’t seem to be valued by the imperial family. They’ve been ordered to follow the Crown Princess’s southern inspection team back to Pingyun.”

“Then they should have returned. How come we don’t see them? Isn’t the Crown Princess recently appeared in Huangzhou? There was quite a commotion along the Fuguang River suppressing bandits, and one day there was apparently a great fire on the river. Wherever this person goes, there’s no peace.”

“I think the Crown Princess’s pace is faster than expected. The Tan family members might not be able to return so quickly. That Old Master Tan also said this time the Crown Princess’s southern tour is actually to come pay him birthday respects. Otherwise, why would so many people come today? Isn’t it because they’re speculating the Crown Princess might come?”

“Yes, yes, I asked Third Master Tan about it earlier, and he was vague but seemed to have that meaning.”

“If the Crown Princess came, how could there be no commotion?”

“Maybe she’s traveling in disguise? Regardless, this is the Crown Princess’s maternal family. The Crown Princess is increasingly powerful now and will eventually ascend the throne. The Tan family is not what it used to be. We should treat them well.”

“How could we not treat them well? I heard that Yannan is even taxing the people and merchants as preparation for receiving the imperial visit. What a big commotion.”

“Can Yannan really be sincere about welcoming the Crown Princess? This action, could it be…”

“Shh, knowing it in your heart is enough. Don’t say too much.”

“Yes, yes, we’re talking about the Tan mansion now. Not just our Qianzhou, but even the Yannan Prince’s mansion and Yannan’s three great Pacification Offices have sent people to offer birthday congratulations. Naturally we should give the Tan family this face. Speaking of which, what birthday gift did you prepare?”

“Didn’t they say Old Master Tan loves gold? He was born in the year of the rabbit, so I had a solid gold rabbit made.”

“Good thing he wasn’t born in the year of the ox.”

“Old Madam Tan seems to have been born in the year of the ox. I heard she’ll also celebrate her birthday next year.”

“This really never ends…”

“Exactly. After congratulating Old Master Tan on his birthday, we have to hurry to Yannan’s Kunzhou. Princess Sijie is getting married in ten days, and we need to attend the wedding feast.”

“Ah, wasn’t it said they were still selecting candidates? How come we haven’t heard who was chosen, but she’s already getting married?”

“Didn’t Princess Sijie say she would support her younger brother and never marry? How come she suddenly wants to marry?”

“Which family’s son is she marrying?”

The official surrounded by the crowd looked around mysteriously, making sure there was no one nearby except someone who seemed to be sightseeing on the small bridge across the lake, their figure elegant from a distance.

The distance was far enough. He felt reassured and whispered, “She’s marrying a direct descendant of the Chang family of Huichuan.”

“This family background barely matches, but from what you’re saying, this descendant has no official position or scholarly achievements?”

“They say he’s an outstanding scholar from the Chang family, but recently went to the capital for examinations and was expelled. Looking at it this way, he’s quite ordinary.”

“Ah, now that you mention it, I remember. Is it Chang Yuan? He wasn’t just expelled – I heard he offended the Crown Princess, was clearly on the list but then expelled. This way, his future prospects are hopeless.”

“I heard about it too. Not just hopeless prospects – they say he was so affected that he’s become somewhat mad. What status does the Princess have? How can she marry such a person?”

“Why can’t she marry him?” someone laughed. “In the end, the Yannan Prince’s mansion is controlled by You Weinan. If she doesn’t marry, she remains the heir apparent. How can You Weinan completely control the Yannan Prince’s mansion?”

After these words, the crowd fell quiet for a moment. After a while, someone muttered softly, “Aren’t there still male descendants…”

“Hey, have you heard any news about that person in the past half year? My relatives in Yannan’s Kunzhou said that since the second half of last year, they haven’t seen that eldest young master. Some say…” The person paused, and everyone knowingly gathered closer, “…he’s already dead!”

Everyone was shocked.

Looking up at the speaker again, dense green shade overhead, sunlight broken and dappled by leaves, casting on the person’s face in light and shadow, creating an eerie atmosphere.

Everyone shivered, suddenly realizing they were discussing serious matters, felt uneasy, and dispersed with awkward laughter.

As someone dispersed, he saw that on the nine-curved covered bridge across the lake, the graceful young man seemed to be feeding fish.

He thought of today’s birthday celebration, of the wedding feast in a few days, of the legendary Crown Princess’s southern tour with uncertain whereabouts but many incidents – today auditing accounts in Huangzhou, tomorrow suppressing bandits on the river, the day after toppling Xizhou’s officialdom, causing endless disturbances. No one knew exactly where she was, no one knew who would be unlucky next.

But coming to curry favor with her maternal family shouldn’t bring bad luck, right?

The birthday celebrants dispersed. On the small bridge over the lake, Tie Ci quietly scattered the last handful of fish food.

Below the bridge, red fish wagged their heads and tails, clustering together. Each was fed to be plump and adorable, yet still endlessly pursued the fish food, grabbing whatever was scattered, never knowing satisfaction.

These officials were just the same.

Chi Xue said softly, “Young Master, what did you hear?”

She knew that just a few days ago, when Tie Ci encountered that martially skilled person in blue, she was easily forced into reverse qi flow and again activated the talent ability she had deliberately sealed away and hadn’t opened for a long time.

The ability that emerged this time was divine hearing – as long as she wished, she could hear conversations within three li around her.

But this wasn’t a good ability. When it first appeared, because she hadn’t learned how to filter, countless loud noises suddenly poured into her ears, instantly making her dizzy.

Now she had gradually learned to seal part of her hearing, only listening to what she wanted to hear.

Tie Ci said lightly, “I heard something quite good.”

Chi Xue smiled trustingly.

Tie Ci’s gaze turned toward the continuous pavilions and multi-story buildings ahead, saying lightly, “Someone celebrates a birthday, someone gets married. Before the storm comes, Yannan has joy.”

…

In the third courtyard of the eastern wing, because it didn’t bear today’s birthday banquet reception duties, it seemed quite peaceful.

Only the room was peaceful, not the person.

Today’s birthday celebrant hadn’t gone to receive guests in front but was holding his head and pacing frantically, constantly muttering, “Are you sure there’s no news?”

Third Master Tan said, “None. We heard the Crown Princess’s retinue also reached Qianzhou’s Guangfeng. We’ve sent people to meet them, and the news that came back said they didn’t see mother and elder brother and sister-in-law. They said someone with the Crown Princess’s orders took them away.”

Old Master Tan exhaled and said, “If they were taken away, why haven’t they arrived yet? And where has the Crown Princess gone?”

“Your Highness’s whereabouts are even more beyond our ability to inquire about.”

Old Master Tan exhaled again, not knowing if it was disappointment or relief. He sat down and said to Third Master Tan, “Now there are some bad rumors outside, saying our family members aren’t favored by the Crown Princess in the capital. How is this possible? We’re the Crown Princess’s maternal family!”

Third Master Tan said carelessly, “Why should you care about outside gossip, Father? With the Crown Princess in power, the Tan family can only become more illustrious. Look at your birthday banquet – the Right Deputy of the Provincial Administration Commission personally attended, the Provincial Administration Commissioner sent someone specially to deliver birthday gifts, and the Yannan Provincial Administration Commission also sent gifts. Who has your prestige!”

Old Master Tan quite proudly hummed in agreement and said to his two sons, “Precisely because of some gossip, my birthday must be celebrated grandly to let the important officials of Qianzhou and Yannan see that the Tan family is not what it used to be.”

Fourth Master Tan said, “It’s a pity the Crown Princess didn’t appear. She probably doesn’t know about father’s birthday. Otherwise, if she had sent birthday gifts, today’s banquet would be perfect.”

Old Master Tan also looked regretful. Third Master Tan curled his lip and said, “What’s the matter! We’ll just find something from our house, cover it with yellow cloth, and say the Crown Princess sent someone to deliver birthday gifts. Who would know? Even if the Crown Princess finds out later, what then? Can she really argue with her grandfather and uncle? She’d probably have to quickly apologize and make up with a real gift.”

All three clapped their hands in approval. Old Master Tan quickly had the steward open the storehouse to find something suitable.

In front, Tie Ci had already begun taking her seat.

She came under the identity of a judicial clerk under one of Yannan’s three great chieftains, the Mubang Chieftain. First, the official position was lowly and wouldn’t attract attention. Second, even if Yannan wanted to curry favor with Old Master Tan, the Yannan chieftains wouldn’t send people to participate, at most sending gifts. Impersonating wouldn’t fear being exposed. Third, Qianzhou, Yannan and other places had many legends about chieftains and daily taboos, so she needn’t fear people clinging to her for social obligations.

Today’s guests were like clouds. Seating was arranged according to official rank. Important guests along with the birthday celebrant’s family were all in Danhuai Hall at the center of Ningjui Garden, while with Tie Ci’s status, she was arranged in the side flower hall outside Danhuai Hall. It was actually a good place with gentle breezes, surrounded by hanging flowers and vines beside artificial hills with flowing water. She could see the large open windows on the second floor of Danhuai Hall above, from which loud conversation and laughter emanated clearly.

Presumably the people upstairs, standing high and looking far, seeing such a scene of clustered flowers and brocade, must feel very pleased.

Tie Ci didn’t rush to take her seat but leaned against the strange rocks at the entrance of Danhuai Hall, smiling as she watched the arriving guests. The honored guests who could go upstairs would all pass in front of this rock, and servants would announce their names. She came here today precisely to see how many flattering officials in Qianzhou would shamelessly congratulate even a sixth-rank official’s birthday, and to see what the relationship was like between Yannan and Qianzhou officials.

A large group of officials in brocade robes and jade belts came toward the building entrance, accompanied by Third Master Tan. The Tan mansion’s steward came forward, standing left and right to prepare for announcements. Seeing Tie Ci standing by the entrance stone blocking the way, noting her ordinary clothing and the waist token marked with “Judicial Clerk,” he frowned and said in a drawn-out tone, “This official, your seat is in the side flower hall. Here at Danhuai Hall, distinguished guests are arriving. Please step aside.”

Before he finished speaking, an official following behind him said coldly, “Where did this person with no sense come from? Still not moving aside!”