The day they departed Guangdu City, it was raining.

Continuous threads of rain wove together sky and earth. The damp air was saturated with the bitter smell that belongs to rainy days alone. The great trees along the roadside had been washed a vivid green, and scattered among the branches were small white flowers that were half-open, giving off a faint, pleasant scent.

It was unclear who had established the custom, but outside every city there was sure to be a Ten-Li Pavilion — a favored spot for scholars and men of letters to hold farewell banquets for departing friends. Guangdu City was no exception. Walk ten li westward along the main road from the east gate, and the octagonal pavilion would come into view from a distance, its stone table and stone benches carpeted at the base with thick moss.

Farewell banquets in Guangdu City need not be lavish, but they must be ceremonious: eight dishes, four soups, and a pot of cloudy wine. Two ingredients were absolutely mandatory — fish and snake, symbolizing “like a fish in water” and “the dragon soaring through the sky.”

Today Prefect Che was the host, with Marshal Ren and Zhao Zhengzhi as attendants. The snake was Qingzhou green serpent — tender, flavorful, and delightfully chewy — and everyone ate with great relish. Jin Ruo alone could not get past the psychological barrier and left his portion untouched from start to finish.

Prefect Che raised his cup and first recited a poem: “The road south stretches long and far, plum rain blurs the wandering heart; parting words with you today bring tears to soak this kerchief’s part.” He let out a couple of mournful sighs. “Previously, I listened to rumors and thought Hua Fourth Young Master was a good-for-nothing dandy who never studied. I treated County Lieutenant Hua with neglect and disrespect — I hope County Lieutenant Hua will not take it to heart.”

Hua Yitang smiled. “It was no rumor — I truly am Yangdu’s foremost dandy.”

“County Lieutenant Hua is so magnanimous!” Prefect Che continued: “Lin Niangzi — earlier I had eyes but could not see Mount Tai. I hope Lin Niangzi will forgive this old man generously!”

With that, he pressed the corner of his sleeve to the corners of his reddening eyes.

Lin Sui’an smiled dryly. “Prefect Che is too formal.”

This is a bit much — even if she were a secret imperial inspector, surely there was no need to perform such an affecting, reluctant farewell. Goosebumps were littering the floor.

Prefect Che sniffled, then raised his cup to toast the others. “Cheng County has a climate more humid and hot than Guangdu, with miasma easily forming. All of you on this journey — please take very good care of your health.”

Fangke and the others forced themselves to respond in kind.

When the wine had gone around three times, Prefect Che felt his sentiments had been adequately expressed and finally turned to the matter at hand.

“All of you heading to Cheng County — be sure to be on high alert, especially once you have entered the county. You must be careful to guard your doors.”

Lin Sui’an perked up at this. “Could it be that Cheng County is overrun by mountain bandits as well?”

Jin Ruo: “Is there a bounty on the bandits?”

Zhao Zhengzhi: “Lin Niangzi is joking. Cheng County is such a remote and desolate place that bandits wouldn’t deign to go there. It’s just that the area is said to be guarded by the Longshen, and has something of an eerie reputation.”

Marshal Ren: “In under a year’s time, Cheng County has gone through four county lieutenants, all of whom reportedly died suddenly of a strange illness.”

Lin Sui’an shot a swift glance at Prefect Che. Prefect Che understood the look and added quietly, “The last two county lieutenants were specially dispatched by the Ministry of Personnel. They went and never came back — a genuine mystery.”

My, the mortality rate for Cheng County’s county lieutenants is rather high. Lin Sui’an thought.

Hua Yitang blew on the oil floating on his snake broth and raised his eye corners languidly. “Four county lieutenants died just like that without any explanation — did Cheng County’s magistrate not give the court any account of it?”

Prefect Che: “County Lieutenant Hua may not be aware — Cheng County’s magistrate, Qiu Liang, is a local man, over sixty years of age, physically frail, and perpetually on sick leave. He takes no hand in affairs.”

“Then who is responsible for Cheng County’s official business?” Lin Sui’an asked.

Marshal Ren: “At the beginning of the year, Cheng County’s Chief Secretary Zhu Quan Lin retired and recommended his own nephew to succeed him in the post. It is likely the new chief secretary who is managing affairs.”

Hua Yitang: “Could it be that the new chief secretary is also a Cheng County native?”

Zhao Zhengzhi: “Cheng County has two great surnames — one is Qiu, the other is Zhu.”

Lin Sui’an thought: Well, well — the magistrate is surnamed Qiu, the chief secretary is surnamed Zhu, and it seems every official in Cheng County is family. In other words, not just one local snake holding sway — it’s a whole nest of them.

“In truth, it matters little whether the magistrate manages things or not — Cheng County has always been governed by local village elders and gentry.” Prefect Che cast a meaningful glance at Hua Yitang. “County Lieutenant Hua need only get along well with these local gentry and all will proceed smoothly.”

Hua Yitang smiled. “How fortunate — getting along with people is precisely what I do best.”

Prefect Che nodded, glanced up at the sky, rose to his feet and bowed in farewell. “Lin Niangzi, should you need anything, please send word to me at any time — I will do everything in my power to assist.”

This time Lin Sui’an was genuinely touched and quickly clasped her fists. “Many thanks!”

Marshal Ren and Zhao Zhengzhi both raised their cups and stood. “May all of you journey in safety!”

Past the Ten-Li Pavilion and two hundred li southward lay Cheng County. The farther south they traveled, the more rugged and uneven the main road became. Added to the continuous days of rain, the road was deep in mud, and the carriage moved more and more slowly. There were no shock absorbers on horse-drawn carriages in this era, and Lin Sui’an was jolted until her bones felt they might come apart. She quickly became Fangke’s ally, sleeping deeply in the carriage in a blissful stupor day after day.

Occasionally, a particularly violent jolt would wake her, and she would open her eyes to see Hua Yitang across from her sitting in repose with his eyes closed, his head swaying left and right with the rhythmic clop clop of the wheels, like an adorably dopey bobblehead figure.

This was not the first time Lin Sui’an had seen him in this state. Whenever Hua Yitang adopted this particular look, it meant he was hatching some scheme again.

Through mud and rain they pressed on for a full six days before at last reaching the borders of Cheng County. The rain that had lingered for so many days finally relented, and a long-absent blue sky broke through.

The blazing afternoon sun lay against her forehead like a warm compress. Lin Sui’an opened her eyes, stretched lazily, pushed open the carriage window, and saw a banner for a “Tea Stall” flapping in the breeze.

This was a roadside tea stall along the main road, modest and rough in its fittings: a thatched canopy, a clay stove, a large iron pot, coarse ceramic bowls. Beside the stall stood a lush, spreading Chinese scholar tree, and beneath its shade sat a group of sturdy farmers resting their feet over tea — gathered in clusters of three and five, sitting on the ground, tools laid by their sides, drinking their tea in hearty gulps and chatting loudly. It was quite lively.

The stall’s owner was an elderly man with a full head of white hair. Seeing Lin Sui’an’s party arrive in carriages, he knew at once they were people of quality, and quickly and nimbly wiped the tables clean, then brought out six woven straw mats from beneath the thatched canopy.

The mats had been stacked against the wall beside the clay stove and warmed by its heat, so they were reasonably dry. However, Lin Sui’an herself was damp, and sitting down on one she felt a warm, moist heat beneath her — rather uncomfortable. She drew one leg up, trying to let some air circulate underneath.

Mu Xia was in a disgruntled mood — the candied fruits she had bought at the last way station had gone moldy. Jin Ruo and Yita had been driving the supply cart and were sore-backed and aching all over, slumped on the table with no desire to move. Fangke hauled his large wooden case out and set it down beside them to let it air in the sun.

Hua Yitang, fastidious as always, sat with perfect poise. He had changed into a modified narrow-sleeved short robe — according to Mu Xia, his previous wide-sleeved robes had absorbed too much moisture and became heavy and cumbersome. To match the outfit, his hairpin had been swapped for an ordinary peach-wood pin, and his fan for a plain white one.

This plain, understated appearance brought out the definition of Hua Yitang’s features with even greater clarity, leaving him even more vivid and luminously beautiful. By way of analogy: he was like a stalk of white jade carved cabbage sprouting up from a bare, lifeless patch of wasteland — understated in a way that was blindingly conspicuous.

The young girl serving tea was about the same age as Yita, clearly the owner’s granddaughter — slender-figured, her skin as delicate as tofu. She couldn’t help staring at Hua Yitang, and Jin Ruo couldn’t hold back a laugh. The girl’s face flushed deep red in an instant. She dropped the teacups, tea leaves, and teapot and fled.

The tea leaves were loose tea. There were no tea cauldrons, wind stoves, or other tea-brewing implements, so Yita’s face darkened as he rose to retrieve the tea service from the carriage. Lin Sui’an, quick-handed, grabbed a few pinches of loose tea and dropped them into the bowls, poured in hot water to steep, and handed them around. “Do as the locals do — there’s nothing wrong with trying loose-steeped tea.”

Everyone hesitated, uncertain whether or not to try it. Lin Sui’an took the lead and drank a mouthful — and was moved nearly to tears.

It couldn’t compare to the clean, fragrant teas of the modern world and was somewhat astringent and bitter, but at the very least it was neither salty nor sour, neither spicy nor numbing, with no scallions, garlic, ginger, pepper, or chestnut shells. It tasted like a proper tea.

Yita watched Lin Sui’an’s expression, then raised his bowl, frowning, and took a sip. He blinked. His frown smoothed away. He took another sip, then stared into the bowl in deep contemplation.

Hua Yitang tasted a small sip and was arrested by surprise. “The tea flavor is light, but the aftertaste lingers — not bad at all.”

“You fine folks are from out of town, aren’t you?” The old stall-keeper chuckled warmly. “This is our Cheng County’s very own Hundred Flower Tea — it quenches thirst, dispels dampness, and whets the appetite. Drink up!”

“Old sir, this is a fine tea!” Lin Sui’an said, smiling and returning the courtesy.

The farmers piped up with interest:

“This young niangzi has got a good eye — our Hundred Flower Tea here is really something, hahaha!”

“You’ve got taste!”

“Come come come — I’ll toast this fine young gentleman a bowl!”

Hua Yitang smiled graciously and raised his bowl in a distant salute. The farmers drank their fill of tea, then broke into cheerful, self-contained chatter again.

Hua Yitang nodded with genuine appreciation. “The people of this county appear warm and hospitable, good-natured, and wholesome in character. There is surely much for me to accomplish here!”

Jin Ruo squinted at him. “Prefect Che’s hints were pretty obvious — the problems lie with the Qiu-surnamed magistrate and the local gentry.”

Fangke: “The most problematic element is probably still the Longshen Fruit.”

Lin Sui’an refilled Hua Yitang’s bowl halfway. “What do you plan to do?”

Hua Yitang snapped open his fan — and then discovered the fan surface had grown mildew stains. He closed it in embarrassment and said in a low voice, “I believe that on this trip to Cheng County, we should conceal our identities and go in disguised to investigate.”

Jin Ruo: “Heh, admit it — you’re just scared of dying, Hua.”

Hua Yitang was admirably straightforward about it. “I am certainly afraid. But with Lin Sui’an here, I imagine my life will be in no danger.”

He gave Lin Sui’an a meaningful look, eyebrows lightly arched.

Lin Sui’an: “…”

No wonder this fellow had done a sudden about-face and abandoned his signature flamboyant get-up — so this was the scheme he had been cooking up.

“More to the point, we are newcomers here and know nothing of the local situation. If we don’t get a feel for the lay of the land first, we’ll likely take a hard fall.” Hua Yitang said. “And certain things can only be thoroughly investigated by starting from the bottom.” He tapped the table with a finger. “In order to get to the truth of the matter.”

“What identity do you plan to disguise yourself as?” Lin Sui’an asked.

Hua Yitang thought for a moment. “Cheng County is a lower-tier county, and on top of that it’s in a remote location — out in the middle of nowhere, really. Saying we’ve come to do business probably won’t hold up. What if we—” His bright, rolling eyes swept across each person in turn, finally landing on Fangke. “Open a medical hall?”

Fangke’s face was buried in his large teacup. He neither agreed nor refused.

Hua Yitang began enthusiastically assigning roles to everyone. “Fangke is a renowned physician from the Eastern Capital. Yita and Mu Xia are apprentices at the medical hall. I and Jin Ruo are assistants. As for Lin Sui’an—”

“How about playing the renowned physician’s wife?” Jin Ruo said with a sly grin.

Fangke spat out a mouthful of tea.

“Absolutely not, absolutely not, absolutely not, absolutely not!” Hua Yitang rattled off a rapid string of refusals. “Then — that — this — that — this — little sister. Yes. Playing Doctor Fang’s little sister is more appropriate.”

Fangke exhaled in relief. “Mm. Little sister. That works.”

Lin Sui’an shrugged. “I’m fine with anything.”

“Then it’s settled.” Hua Yitang made the decision. “Once we enter Cheng County, Jin Ruo will find a good location and rent a premises with a courtyard. Mu Xia and Yita will be responsible for procuring the necessary supplies. Doctor Fang will inquire at the county office about the procedures for registering a medical hall. I will accompany Lin Sui’an to walk around the streets.”

Everyone: “…”

Lin Sui’an looked at Hua Yitang with an exasperated laugh.

Hua Yitang: “Ahem — what I mean is, I and Lin Sui’an will go and investigate.”

Everyone: We believe you — absolutely not!

The sound of hoofbeats approached from the main road — ta ta ta ta — and five tall horses arrived in a cloud of dust. The newcomers were five dark-faced men, curved blades at their waists, faces full of gnarled flesh. They did not look like reasonable people at all.

The old stall-keeper offered them the same straw mats, and the young granddaughter placed teacups and a teapot before them and was just about to add the tea leaves when one of the men took exception.

“Is this what a person drinks?! This is clearly stray-dog loose tea!”

This yell brought an immediate silence to the surrounding area.

The girl puffed her cheeks. “This is our Hundred Flower Tea.”

“What kind of garbage Hundred Flower Tea?!” The man smashed the teacup. “Bring me the spring tea from Guangdu!”

The girl: “What spring tea? Never heard of it!”

“Xiao Yu, come here.” The old man pulled his granddaughter behind himself and smiled apologetically at the men. “Honored guests must be from out of town? Our Hundred Flower Tea is a local specialty here. Have a taste first, and if you truly can’t stand it, I’ll give you plain water instead — it quenches thirst all the same.”

“Old Three, let it go,” said another of the men. “This isn’t Guangdu — there’s nothing worth being fussy about here.”

“What a terrible place this is. No tea, no wine, not even a proper pleasure house. We haven’t been tricked, have we? What could there possibly be to earn money from in this godforsaken place?” Old Three grumbled, then glanced at the young granddaughter standing behind the stove and smacked his lips. “I’ve been cooped up all this journey — nearly going mad.”

The other four men’s gazes also shifted toward the girl. They exchanged glances with a wordless understanding and broke into leering smiles.

Jin Ruo sighed. “I have a bad feeling about this.”

Lin Sui’an propped her cheek in her hand. “This subplot is quite clichéd.”

Fangke: “Who’s going?”

Yita: “What?”

Mu Xia: “Yita, be good — children shouldn’t ask.”

Hua Yitang: “No rush. Enemy doesn’t move, I don’t move.”

Jin Ruo rolled his eyes. “They’ve moved.”

Old Three stalked toward the stove wearing a vicious grin and delivered his incredibly corny line: “This little niangzi is so lovely — it’s a real shame to waste someone like you selling tea in this poor backwater place. How about coming with me to the Eastern Capital for a comfortable life?”

Jin Ruo slapped the table and rose to his feet. “Hey — you—”

Before he could finish, there was a sudden splash, and that delicate-as-tofu young granddaughter scooped up a ladle of boiling water and hurled it directly into Old Three’s face. Old Three let out a pig-slaughter shriek and clutched his face as he crashed to the ground. Then the old man snatched up a stick of firewood as thick as an arm and rained down blow after blow on Old Three’s back, beating him until he was a bloody mess. The other four men were thrown into a panic. They drew their blades and charged forward — and from beneath the scholar tree, the farmers who had been resting suddenly leapt to their feet, seized their hoes, and charged in as well, clashing with the four men in a brawl.

The four men did have some martial skill, but they were no match for the farmers’ sheer numbers. In just a few exchanges they were beaten back, rolling about on the ground. The worst off was Old Three — face scalded raw, one leg broken, head split open, lying on the ground in an unknown state between life and death.

The old man beat away and hollered at the same time: “What kind of filth dares come after my granddaughter — you’re looking for death!”

The young granddaughter kicked away and yelled simultaneously: “I spent so much effort picking this tea — and you dare look down on it?!”

The farmers also bellowed: “Your grannies’ legs! Daring to come to our Cheng County and cause trouble?! Beat them into the ground — let them learn a proper lesson! Drag them over to Xiande Village and let the Village Masters give them a good interrogation — they’re definitely not decent people!”

Lin Sui’an and the others stood gaping, jaws dropped to the ground. Jin Ruo’s mouth could have fit three ducks inside. He braced himself on the table and slowly sank back into his seat.

The beating was finally declared finished. The farmers trussed up the five men like pigs, lashing them to hoe handles, and carried them off. The old man wiped his face. The young granddaughter smoothed her collar and turned a smile toward the group.

“Honored guests, please don’t be frightened. Here in our Cheng County, we don’t start trouble with those who don’t start trouble with us. As long as you conduct yourself properly, you’ll naturally live here in peace and contentment.”

The group fell silent for a moment, then turned to look at Hua Yitang in unison.

Jin Ruo: “Good-natured and wholesome in character?”

Fangke: “Warm and hospitable?”

Lin Sui’an: “Wholesome folk?”

Mu Xia, clenching her fist: “Fourth Young Master surely has much to accomplish here!”

Yita: “Mighty.”

Hua Yitang’s lips twitched. His smile looked more painful than crying.