Even the drizzle seemed black.

Where water met the sky in the heavy darkness, fishing lanterns flickered like spirits from another realm. As the last notes of the zither faded away, the night became exceptionally quiet.

At that moment, a woman’s scream pierced through the long night.

“Murder! Murder!”

The guards gathered in several small boats far from the pleasure boat, waiting for Fan Cheng’s signal, were startled by the sudden piercing scream.

“What’s going on? Why is there still commotion after so long?” the lead guard asked.

“Young Master hasn’t given the signal yet, let’s wait longer,” someone said.

Having served as Fan Cheng’s guards for many years, their most important task was interpreting their master’s intentions. Such incidents were commonplace – Fan Cheng had been the Young Master of the Fan family for years, and besides the women who came to him willingly, he had violated numerous respectable women. Tonight’s situation had occurred more than once before. They would lure poor women to boats or private residences for Fan Cheng to abuse. Afterward, they’d give some silver to dismiss them, and these women from impoverished backgrounds had nowhere to seek justice, so they could only let it go.

He Yan was meant to become one of them.

Originally, since Young Lady He had been deeply in love with Fan Cheng, such trouble shouldn’t have been necessary. Who knew that after that scene in front of the Fan residence, she would become truly angry and want to sever ties with Fan Cheng completely? But this had aroused Fan Cheng’s interest – if gentleness didn’t work, he’d use force.

All these guards had to do was bring He Yan to Fan Cheng and handle the aftermath.

“Something’s wrong,” the lead guard stood up at the bow, looking out to see Fan Cheng’s pleasure boat rocking violently on the river, the magnitude of movement suggesting a fight inside.

“Something’s wrong! There’s trouble!” he shouted. “Everyone up! Quick, get over there, something’s happening on the boat!”

The others were startled and quickly paddled their small boats toward the pleasure boat. As they approached, they suddenly saw a woman rush out of the cabin. She stumbled, movements frantic, wearing what appeared to be He Yan’s clothes. She seemed to be fleeing from someone, screaming as she plunged into the river.

The surging waters swallowed her quickly, almost soundlessly, like a stone creating only a splash on the surface before disappearing completely.

“Young Master!” the guards couldn’t help but call out.

No one cared about He Yan’s fate. As the small boats nearly reached the pleasure boat, the lead guard used his lightness skill to leap from the bow onto the larger vessel. He quickly entered the cabin to find a man standing with his back turned, face covered with a cloth showing only his eyes, features indistinct in the dim light. At his feet lay Fan Cheng, supine in a pool of blood.

The masked figure held a dagger.

The guard was terrified, not expecting another person in the cabin. Looking at Fan Cheng, the situation seemed dire. Shocked and enraged, he lunged at the masked figure without thinking: “You dare!”

The masked man let out a cold laugh and engaged the guard in combat.

Fighting sounds erupted in the cabin as the boat rocked more violently. Other guards had also boarded, and seeing himself outnumbered, the masked man stopped fighting. He slashed apart the lead guard’s sword and jumped into the river without hesitation.

“Catch him!” the lead guard shouted. “He killed the Young Master!”

Everyone pursued but found the masked man quite cunning. While the guards had all boarded the pleasure boat, thinking he had jumped into the river, he had taken their small boat.

This was the middle of the river – though some could swim, the darkness made it dangerous. The small boat was light and moved swiftly with the current. The pleasure boat was heavier, and even with several people rowing, they fell half a step behind.

One ahead, one behind, in the misty rain, no one witnessed this chase on the river.

As they neared the shore, the masked man threw away his oar, his toes touched the ground, and he leaped onto the riverbank, disappearing. The lead guard ordered: “Two stay to find the City Guard, the rest follow me!”

Though it was night, it wasn’t yet late, and spring brought vendors to both sides of the river. They saw a masked figure suddenly rush from the dock, moving urgently, knocking over countless stalls, followed by a group of guards with murderous auras that chilled onlookers.

“What’s happening? Why such hurry?” A vendor whose stall was knocked over didn’t dare say more, bending to pick up scattered fruits.

“Seems like a murder case. Looking at those pursuers, must not be ordinary folk.”

“Heaven help us, why are things so unsettled lately.”

…

The river water carried a fishy smell. Suddenly, a hand emerged from the water, first grabbing the riverbank stones, then pulling up an entire body, bringing up the river’s murky scent.

He Yunsheng’s whole body was shaking. He hadn’t dared move too early for fear of discovery, staying submerged for a long while before quietly swimming downstream. Now his face was pale, lips purple, either from the cold river water or from fear itself.

He still tightly clutched a basket containing the clothes He Yan had gotten him from the tailor’s shop. It was the snack basket from the boat – He Yan had put his clothes inside and covered them well, keeping them dry. He removed the woman’s clothes he wore, bundled them into the basket, tied several heavy stones to it, and threw them into the river.

The water instantly swallowed the basket.

He changed into the brand new spring clothes, which fit perfectly and were beautifully styled, with a matching headband that could hide his wet hair. As he dressed, his throat began to choke up.

But there was no time for fear – He Yan’s words still rang in his ears.

“Change into clean clothes and sneak home quickly, you must be quick.”

Must be quick.

He stumbled along, taking a small path, hurrying homeward.

The City Guard seemed to be searching everywhere in the city. As He Yunsheng walked, he heard people talking on the street.

“Heard there was a murder on a river boat, died horribly.”

“Who was it?”

“Don’t know, some young master from a wealthy family. Haven’t you seen the City Guard searching everywhere?”

“With so many people, the killer can’t escape even with wings. Probably already caught. Ah, this endless rain, my clothes are soaked.”

The voices gradually faded until they could no longer be heard.

Faster, must go faster.

A youth in green robes and headband hurried past the street. His spring clothes were thin, and he probably felt cold in the rain, clutching his collar and shivering as he rushed home.

The rain grew heavier, and pedestrians without umbrellas hurried to find shelter. Vendors took refuge under eaves, loudly calling to passing people to take a look. Tonight seemed no different from last night.

“Sister…” someone whispered, like a spring night’s wind, falling in the fine rain, leaving no trace.

The youth walked on with their head lowered, not looking back, tears streaming down his face.