The cold wind at night wailed like a woman crying, yet from within the Liu family’s dwelling came faint sounds of laughter from the courtyard.

Tomorrow was the autumn examination, and the Liu family’s younger son Liu Zide would be taking it first thing in the morning. Liu family’s aunt Wang Chunzhi had specially prepared a fine feast to celebrate her son’s impending departure for the examination grounds.

The table was laden with chicken, duck, and beef, with a bowl of bird’s nest soup in the center. Wang Chunzhi picked up that small cup of bird’s nest soup and placed it in her younger son’s hands, smiling with particular joy: “My child, finish this cup—tomorrow when you go to the examination cell, you’ll have to endure hardship for several days.”

The autumn examination consisted of three sessions, each lasting three days and nights. The entire nine days and seven nights had to be spent in the examination cell, unable to come out for eating, drinking, or sleeping. Forget bird’s nest soup—even dry rations would be hard to swallow.

Liu Zide wore brand new satin robes and drained the bird’s nest soup before him in one gulp, his eyebrows slightly raised, hiding a trace of barely contained smugness.

Naturally he was smug—the silver to bribe the Ministry of Rites’ chief examiner had already been delivered. Once the autumn examination was over, he too would become a successful candidate like his elder brother. After waiting a while longer and managing to secure an official position, he would no longer be the son of a noodle seller. Everyone who saw him would have to respectfully address him as “Master.”

Thinking of this title “Master,” Liu Zide’s face broke into an even broader smile.

His elder brother Liu Zixian’s brow was somewhat troubled as he said in a low voice: “The Ministry of Rites people’s appetites have grown even bigger—they’re actually raising prices on the spot…”

A few days ago, the people who handled bribing the Ministry of Rites had returned word saying the silver sent wasn’t enough, demanding an additional eight hundred taels. Eight hundred plus eight hundred—a full sixteen hundred taels of silver, a fortune that many common people couldn’t earn or spend in a lifetime!

To raise these sixteen hundred taels of silver, the family had scraped together everything they had, emptying their savings. Liu Zixian’s salary accumulated over the past year and a half had also been completely spent. Though they were blood brothers, he felt uncomfortable about it deep down.

Wang Chunzhi noticed his displeasure. Her eyes rolled around as she smiled and said: “So what if it’s a bit much? Fortunately our noodle shop’s business isn’t bad either. Once Zide passes the examination and later gets an official position, with both you brothers as officials, why worry about silver not flowing into our family? Looking at the long term, we have many good days ahead!”

These words were auspicious, and old master Liu Kun nodded repeatedly: “Exactly. In official circles, it’s not spending silver that’s scary—it’s having silver but no way to spend it. Once the connections are properly established, future days will be much easier.” He then sighed wistfully, “Back when our Liu family had to secretly set up a small stall in the capital, who would have thought we’d finally make it through these hardships.”

At these words, everyone at the table felt somewhat emotional.

Originally the Liu family had set up a stall in Shengjing’s alleys selling noodles, often bullied by local merchants. Yet in just a few short years, they had acquired a proper storefront on the bustling Que’er Street, the eldest son had passed the examination and become an official, and the younger son’s future was limitless. Those neighbors who once looked down on them no longer dared gossip to their faces, and everyone came to fawn and flatter them. Looking back, those days of bowing and scraping, wagging their tails and begging for mercy, seemed like vanished waves, long gone never to return.

It truly hadn’t been easy.

Liu Zide picked up a shrimp ball and stuffed it in his mouth, giggling with a somewhat restless tone: “Of course! Our family producing two successful candidates is a rare honor even in the capital. This is much more impressive than that boy from the Lu family in Changwu County back then…”

At this point, as if mentioning a universally known taboo, Liu Zide suddenly fell silent, and the surroundings instantly quieted.

Liu Zixian frowned deeply, and Liu Kun’s expression grew even more unpleasant. After a moment, it was Wang Chunzhi who broke the silence with renewed laughter: “In any case, after tomorrow’s examination and enduring a few more days, we’ll be completely done with these hard times!” Her words completely avoided mentioning that name just now, as if stepping over some mutually understood secret between them.

Liu Zide hurriedly agreed: “Yes, yes, yes! Everything’s been arranged. Mother just wait at home for your son’s good news!”

During the meal, because of tomorrow’s important matter, Liu Zide didn’t dare drink too much lest it interfere with his affairs. After eating a bit, he went to the inner room to rest. Liu Zixian also went to sleep, and after Wang Chunzhi finished cleaning up the dishes and bowls, she returned to their room where Liu Kun sat at the table trimming the lamp wick.

The wick was trimmed shorter, making it brighter than before. In the congealed lamplight, Liu Kun sat rigidly like a piece of withering diseased wood.

Wind blew in from outside the window, causing the shadows on the wall to sway and flicker. Wang Chunzhi closed the window and took off her shoes to get on the bed. Perhaps because autumn had suddenly turned cold, she pulled her clothes tighter and huddled closer to the wall side. The candlelight illuminated her wrists, where the heavy gold bracelets from before were gone, looking somewhat empty.

The gold bracelets had been made for her by Liu Zixian with his salary after taking office—solid gold that had made her happy for half a year with this practical filial gesture from her son.

However, a few days ago, these bracelets were exchanged for silver and sent to the Ministry of Rites.

She looked down at her empty wrists for a while, then suddenly spoke: “Head of household, I dreamed of that Lu family boy last night.”

Just as she finished speaking, the wind outside suddenly blew the previously half-closed window wide open with a “bang,” startling her as she looked around in alarm.

Liu Kun sitting at the bedside was also startled, though he quickly calmed down and scolded: “What nonsense are you talking?”

“It’s true!” As if fear had found an outlet, Wang Chunzhi couldn’t help shrinking further toward the wall. “I dreamed he came to our house, just standing at the door without saying a word.” She shivered, lowering her voice: “Head of household, lately my eyelids keep twitching non-stop, and I feel so uneasy inside. Could something bad happen?”

Liu Kun’s dark yellow face twitched as he scolded: “The bribe money has already been sent out—what could go wrong! Women just worry too much, what are you thinking about all this nonsense for?”

Hearing this, Wang Chunzhi fell silent, just laying down against the wall with her back to Liu Kun, muttering: “Fine, I won’t say anything then.”

Wang Chunzhi had gone to sleep, but Liu Kun still sat cross-legged at the bedside, his shadow casting an eerie dark silhouette on the ground like a spreading roc.

His long-dead father had given him the character “Kun” hoping he could soar ten thousand li like the legendary roc, flying high and far. Liu Kun also believed he would surely rise above others someday. However, his aspirations were higher than heaven while his fate was thinner than paper. Without family background or talent, after struggling for most of his life, he could still only earn hard-won silver working in Changwu County’s farmlands.

His cousin Lu Qilin was completely different from him—handsome and learned, even his son was better at studying than Liu Kun’s two boys. Liu Kun had always harbored subtle jealousy toward this cousin, though fortunately Lu Qilin seemed afflicted by scholarly pride, having talent and ambition but not understanding worldly affairs, ultimately able only to be an ordinary schoolteacher in Changwu County. So that subtle jealousy was eventually dispelled.

Liu Kun stayed in Changwu County until age thirty-five, finally unable to bear such hopeless days. So he borrowed money and brought his whole family to the capital, swearing to make something of his life.

Shengjing was wonderful—beautiful as a painting, with golden towers and jade pavilions, wealth and glory everywhere.

But that glory had no place for them.

The Liu family came with fierce ambition but repeatedly hit walls in this enchanting wealth. The magnificent prosperity left no room for them—no matter how large a roc’s wings, it couldn’t fly past those with ladders.

Without learning or connections, he could only set up a small stall in Shengjing’s alleys and lanes, still selling the most ordinary eel noodles from Changwu County. He thought Shengjing’s silver would be easier to earn than Changwu County’s silver—bit by bit, he could always earn some prospects.

Since ancient times, happy times pass easily while bitter days are hard to endure. Liu Kun didn’t know how long he had endured such days. He calculated that the silver saved over these years could probably secure a small shop on Que’er Street. He had seen that street—crowds flowed like clouds, and if he opened a shop there, he could earn quite a bit each month.

Who knew that after everything was agreed upon, just before closing the deal, the landlord suddenly raised the price by one hundred taels. All his family’s savings had been converted, all the neighbors he could borrow from had been tapped, and money was like severely ground dead wood—not a trace could be squeezed out.

The shop deal fell through. He returned home dejected, and it was then that he encountered the travel-worn Lu Qian.

Lu Qian…

Outside the door, the night was desolate and Liu Kun’s eyes flickered.

Lu Qian was Lu Qilin’s son, his nephew.

This nephew’s temperament wasn’t rigid and stern like his father’s, but like the warm sun of a March spring day in Changwu County—bright and carefree. He was also good at studying, handsome, and kind-hearted, making it hard to dislike him.

Liu Kun was also very fond of him.

His own two sons were worthless and he couldn’t be bothered managing them, but Lu Qian enjoyed following him around. Probably because Lu Qilin was too rigid while Liu Kun seemed much more amiable. Lu Qian liked following him fishing, catching loaches, and catching crabs by the stream at dusk. Neighboring households all said that compared to Lu Qilin, he looked more like Lu Qian’s father.

Only after going to the capital, aside from exchanging occasional letters with the Lu family every year or two, there was no further contact.

Many years passed in a flash. The once bright and carefree youth looked much more composed, and while Liu Kun was surprised and delighted, Lu Qian’s smile seemed forced.

Lu Qian had come regarding Lu Rou’s funeral arrangements.

Lu Rou was dead.

Liu Kun had long known this news and felt quite sorry about it. When Lu Rou first married and came to Shengjing, she had visited the Liu family once. But she had married into a wealthy merchant household with strict rules, especially with that particularly harsh mother-in-law. Liu Kun didn’t feel comfortable repeatedly visiting with a thick face, and gradually contact ceased.

Liu Kun thought Lu Qian had come to attend the funeral, but Lu Qian told him that Lu Rou’s death had hidden circumstances.

Lu Rou had been murdered.

The secret from Lu Qian’s mouth was terrifying, leaving Liu Kun shocked senseless. The young man was as stubborn as in his youth, gritting his teeth and swearing to seek justice for his wrongfully deceased elder sister.

“Qian boy, this isn’t child’s play. Do you know how high an official the Grand Tutor is… When he stamps his foot, all of Shengjing trembles! If you rashly rush out to accuse him, forget overturning the case—even your parents would be implicated. Listen to your uncle, go back home, otherwise you won’t even keep your life!”

At the time, this was how he advised Lu Qian.

But Lu Qian wouldn’t listen at all.

Though the young man’s temperament was completely different from his father’s, the stubbornness in his bones was identical. He looked at Liu Kun: “Uncle, my sister is dead. I clearly know the truth yet have to cower and endure in silence, while those evildoers can still stand high above others. There’s no such logic in this world.”

“Under broad daylight, at the feet of the Son of Heaven, with grievances that cannot be voiced and wrongs that cannot be redressed—don’t you find it absurd?”

“Even if it means death, I will seek justice for my sister.”

He was too young, not yet understanding how worldly power could easily crush a family’s backbone.

Liu Kun couldn’t dissuade Lu Qian, so he could only watch helplessly as Lu Qian went all-in at the Court of Judicial Review, like a moth flying toward an already woven web.

Sure enough, not long after, Lu Qian’s wanted poster appeared on Shengjing’s streets. Charges of insulting others, stealing property—all sorts of chaotic accusations were heaped upon the person in the portrait. Looking at the small print offering a hundred taels reward, he thought the Court of Judicial Review people were quite generous.

He dragged his weary and numb body home. Wang Chunzhi was crying and making a scene at home, saying the Que’er Street shop couldn’t be rented and the deposit wouldn’t be returned. Fifty taels deposit—they would need to save for a very long time. Zide and Zixian went to confront the shop owner but were beaten and thrown out.

The house was in chaos, with the sons’ curses mixed with the woman’s wailing, giving him a headache. He felt it was sorrowful and bitter—not as happy as life in Changwu County. He unknowingly fell asleep in the midst of all the noise, and when he awoke it was deep night. Someone was calling by his ear: “Uncle, uncle!”

Liu Kun raised his head.

Lu Qian stood before him. He had come under cover of night, his gaze haggard yet somewhat anxious.

“Qian boy?” Liu Kun sat up straight, momentarily at a loss for words.

But Lu Qian said: “Uncle, the Court of Judicial Review’s detailed judgment official Fan Zhenglian has secretly colluded with the Grand Tutor’s manor, slandering me to put me in prison.” He walked several steps to a jar containing dried fruits in the room and pulled out something wrapped in paper from the jar.

Liu Kun was surprised: “What is this?”

Lu Qian smiled. At this point, he could still smile, his eyes seeming to hold a trace of cunning: “Evidence.”

“Evidence?”

“Evidence my sister left for me. I thought it over, and uncle, your worries weren’t wrong, so when I went to find Fan Zhenglian, I first hid this thing at your house. Today I came to retrieve it.”

He walked back to Liu Kun and after a moment of silence, spoke solemnly: “Uncle, now that the arrest warrant is out, I’m a wanted man and cannot stay here to implicate you.”

Liu Kun asked: “What will you do from now on?”

“Naturally continue finding ways to seek justice for my sister. Uncle,” he slightly lowered his gaze, “if I die, don’t worry about my corpse. Please write a letter back to Changwu County to deceive my parents, deceiving them as long as possible. However,” he smiled again with that careless air particular to young people, “I think I’m not so easily caught by them.”

He waved his hand: “I’m leaving.”

The young man was about to disappear at the doorway, as if to completely vanish into Shengjing’s boundless night.

Liu Kun called: “Wait!”

Lu Qian turned around: “What is it?”

This should have been the moment of parting. He should have given careful instructions to this junior he had watched grow up. Yet at that moment, for some reason, Liu Kun inexplicably recalled the hundred taels reward silver he had seen on the arrest warrant on the street during the day.

One hundred taels, just enough together to secure that dream shop on Que’er Street, and sufficient to resolve the current chaotic situation at home.

Lu Qian asked: “Uncle?”

Liu Kun startled and blurted out: “Qian boy, stay tonight. There are constables everywhere outside.”

“Then I definitely can’t stay. Uncle, if I stay here and am discovered, you’ll all be implicated too.”

Saying this, he was about to leave again, but Liu Kun grabbed him.

Lu Qian was puzzled. Liu Kun swallowed his saliva: “You’ve been hiding here and there these past days, probably haven’t had a proper meal. Once you leave, who knows when you’ll have peace again. Wait, I’ll have your aunt make you a bowl of eel noodles. Leave after eating.”

Unable to refuse Liu Kun’s insistence, Lu Qian had to agree to stay a moment longer. Wang Chunzhi was hurriedly roused by Liu Kun to cook noodles, feeling particularly displeased and scolding: “He’s a wanted criminal! You still want to make noodles for him—you’re not afraid of being implicated, but I am!”

Liu Kun’s eyes flickered: “Yes, he is a wanted criminal.”

And also a sum of money that could help them get through their current difficulties.

Shortly after, Liu Kun placed a bowl of fragrant noodles before Lu Qian. Lu Qian picked up his chopsticks and ate heartily, smiling at him while eating: “After all these years, aunt’s cooking still tastes the same.”

Liu Kun smiled along. As he smiled, when he looked up again, Lu Qian’s head had already drooped into his arms—he had put enough sleeping drug in the bowl to knock out even an elephant.

Under the weak lamplight, half of Liu Kun’s face was invaded by light and shadow as he expressionlessly watched the young man’s sleeping face. He thought Lu Qian had already offended the Grand Tutor’s people and would die sooner or later anyway. Rather than dying mysteriously at others’ hands, better to go through his own hands and at least contribute something to their family.

One human life, one hundred taels of silver, enough to rent the noodle shop on Que’er Street.

And that “evidence”—perhaps could yield even more.

Wang Chunzhi, who had gone to report to the authorities, returned and urged in low voices from behind the door. So he stood up and walked over…

“Bang—”

The door wasn’t closed tightly, and the wind outside blew one door panel open, swaying and making noise in the night, interrupting Liu Kun’s thoughts.

So he stood up and walked over, just as on that night—

With a “click,” he locked the house door.

…

The long wind blew past the mourning banners at the impoverished scholar’s home, and also past the lanterns of wealthy officials’ households. This night some laughed while others wept.

In the room, Lu Tong was burning incense before a small Buddhist shrine.

Yin Zheng walked in from outside, smiling as she spoke: “Tomorrow is the autumn examination. Young Master Dong’s servant just came to buy Zhe Gui Ling medicinal tea. I spoke a few auspicious words in the young lady’s name to make Young Master Dong happy.”

Lu Tong smiled faintly.

This year’s autumn examination, Dong Lin would also be taking it. His lung condition had improved considerably, so staying in the examination cell for several days wouldn’t affect him. Madam Dong didn’t hope for Dong Lin to achieve high honors, just wanted him to observe and participate, so the wives of Shengjing could see that her son was healthy and definitely not the sickly person from the rumors.