At the second quarter past the third watch, Fangke was woken up.

Outside, someone was pounding on the door — thump thump thump, thump thump thump — and there was Jin Ruo’s voice: “Doctor Fang, quickly, quickly, quickly — open the door and save a life!”

Fangke lay with open eyes in a daze for a moment, then jolted awake, threw on his outer robe, walked to the door, and pulled it open.

Lin Sui’an and Jin Ruo were outside. Jin Ruo was drenched in sweat. Lin Sui’an’s expression was grave, with a person cradled in her arms, wrapped in a dirty cloth, the cloth covered in blood, a ghastly pale face resting against Lin Sui’an’s shoulder.

At a single glance Fangke recognized her. It was Wu Zhengli’s wife, Qu Hui.

“She has been injured by a whip.” Lin Sui’an stepped sideways into the room carrying Qu Hui, laid her on the couch by the window, and carefully peeled away the wrapping cloth. The thin undergarments were already soaked through with blood.

Fangke frowned, turned to retrieve his medicine chest from the bedside, glanced at Lin Sui’an’s darkened expression, and said: “Tell Yita to send hot water over. Go outside and close the door.”

When Yita brought the hot water in, Lin Sui’an — waiting at the door — realized only then that she had just been unceremoniously ushered out by Doctor Fang.

Mu Xia brought in jars and vials of medicinal ointment. Yita carried out several basins of bloody water. The well-trained servants transported medicine, bandages — all moving efficiently without a word, the air pervaded by a tense and quiet urgency. Lin Sui’an thought of an operating room in modern times.

Before long, Hua Yitang and Ling Zhiyan also arrived, both fully dressed — clearly neither had been near a bed. After hearing the full account of what had happened, the two of them reacted in a way that greatly surprised Lin Sui’an.

Hua Yitang burst into curses: “Damned filth — he did not even manage to beat her to death once. Wu Zhengli truly got off easy.”

Ling Zhiyan furrowed his brow. “The Tang Code on Household and Matrimony prescribes: in cases where a husband beats his wife, or beats the wife’s father, mother, grandparents, maternal grandparents, uncles, brothers, aunts, or sisters, all such conduct falls under the category of ‘marital dissolution on grounds of severed affection.’ Regardless of whether both parties consent, it is submitted for judgment by the authorities, with mandatory dissolution enforced. Wu Zhengli’s conduct of this nature constitutes grounds for marital dissolution!”

Lin Sui’an rubbed her forehead, and decided she should still remind them of one thing: “Well, that said… I took Qu Hui away by my own discretion… is that, um, all right?”

Ling Zhiyan coughed. “It was Yun Zhong Yue who abducted Qu Hui. What does it have to do with Lin Niangzi?”

Hua Yitang raised an eyebrow. “Lin Niangzi merely happened to be passing by. Moved by compassion, she fought three hundred rounds against Yun Zhong Yue and saved Qu Hui’s life. If anything, she should be commended.”

Jin Ruo muttered: “We’re done for — Sixth Young Master Ling has been corrupted too.”

Lin Sui’an laughed.

Half an hour later, the door opened.

Fangke walked out with a darkened expression. “Her whip injuries look alarming but are only wounds to the flesh; no tendons or bones were harmed. Her back, upper arms, legs — every part covered by clothing bears bruising of varying degrees. The older injuries are more troublesome. Her right leg was broken twice, her left forearm once, her collarbone as well — none of these were ever properly treated and have become chronic ailments. When the weather changes, she will certainly suffer agonizing pain. But what is most worrying is her mental state.” Fangke paused, lowering his voice. “From my observation, she appears already to harbor thoughts of death.”

Everyone fell silent together.

Fangke handed Lin Sui’an a vial of medicinal ointment. “Some areas I cannot apply medicine to, and furthermore, she seems very frightened of men. I would trouble Lin Niangzi to apply the medicine for her, and while doing so, chat with her a bit, offer some guidance.”

Lin Sui’an held the medicinal ointment with both hands as though holding a hot potato, thoroughly at a loss. She was something of a social recluse, least skilled at chatting, let alone offering guidance. Come to that, was such an arduous task not something that really ought to be left to a professional psychologist?

Suddenly, from behind, came a soft, gentle voice: “I will accompany Lin Niangzi inside.”

Hua Yimeng wore a white robe, her black hair like flowing clouds, without any hairpin or ornament, like a night-blooming epiphyllum fairy come walking through the night, emanating a kind of calm that quieted the soul.

Lin Sui’an was struck dumb. Ling Zhiyan and Jin Ruo were both stunned. Hua Yitang exhaled in relief. “Thank you, Third Sister.”

Fangke liked sleeping, so the couch Mu Xia had prepared for him was bigger than those in anyone else’s room — without a bed-curtain, it was no different from a bed.

Qu Hui lay on this couch, covered with a thin blanket. Her powder had been wiped away, and she looked even paler for it, like a figure cut from paper. Lin Sui’an felt that a slightly heavy breath might blow her away.

Qu Hui heard footsteps, and her lashes trembled as she opened her eyes. When she saw Lin Sui’an, her eyes brightened; she struggled to sit up. Hua Yimeng hurried over to support her, and tucked two large soft cushions behind her back. Qu Hui saw Hua Yimeng and was instantly stunned. She asked, “Are you… a fairy from the heavens?”

Hua Yimeng let out a “pfft” of laughter. “I am Hua Yitang’s elder sister. Hua Yimeng.”

“Yimeng… a dream in the south… Nanke’s dream…” Qu Hui murmured. “The people of the Hua Family are all as beautiful as dreams…”

Lin Sui’an sat down at the edge of the couch and stiffly held out the ointment. “Which wounds have not yet had medicine applied?”

Qu Hui’s gaze drifted over and settled on Lin Sui’an’s face, looking for a long while, then said softly, “You are Lin Sui’an. Lin Niangzi.”

Lin Sui’an nodded. “Yes.”

“Thank you for saving my life.”

“It was nothing.”

Qu Hui paused. “Lin Niangzi need not worry. No matter what happens, your true identity I will take to my grave.”

Lin Sui’an froze, then realized that what Qu Hui was referring to was the identity of Yun Zhong Yue, the world’s finest thief. She could not help but laugh through her dismay.

Things having come to this, this burden could only be shifted onto Yun Zhong Yue. Call it the interest on the one hundred guan he had stolen from her in Cheng County.

Hua Yimeng could bear it no longer and forcibly parted Qu Hui’s clothing. “Apply medicine first — applying medicine does not require keeping your mouth shut; it does not stop the two of you from talking.” “Sss —”

Hua Yimeng drew a sharp breath. The front and back of Qu Hui’s body were covered in whip welts, flesh split open and oozing blood, which had stained her undergarments in a mottled bloodstained pattern. Lin Sui’an noticed that on Qu Hui’s undergarment there was also embroidered a vivid cluster of crabapple blossoms — from what she could judge with her eyes, the needlework was strikingly similar to Lian Xiaoshuang’s style.

Qu Hui noticed Lin Sui’an’s gaze and smiled slightly. “Xiaoshuang taught me to embroider this. She did not like solitary flowers on a single branch — she loved flowers in clusters, saying blossoms ought to be this way: blooming together, beautiful together, joyful.”

Without the thick powder on her face, Qu Hui was like a person with a mask removed, all her feelings laid bare. Every time she spoke Lian Xiaoshuang’s name, it was as though she were being cut apart slowly.

Lin Sui’an shot a look at Hua Yimeng in a panic: what to do, what to do, help me, help me! What am I supposed to say right now?!

Hua Yimeng sighed helplessly. She first dipped a clean handkerchief in hot water and gently cleansed Qu Hui’s wounds. Then, with fair, pale jade-like fingers, she scooped up the ointment and spread it on carefully bit by bit. “This is our Hua Family’s specially made Luminous Jade Pain-Dispelling Salve. It stops bleeding, relieves pain, promotes flesh regrowth, and fades scarring. Our fourth brother was beaten by the eldest brother from his earliest days, and it is only thanks to this ointment that he avoided disfigurement.”

Qu Hui curled her fingers and endured the pain. “Thank you, Third Young Lady Hua.”

Hua Yimeng: “This is Hua Family property. Others cannot enter here at all, so rest easy and recuperate here. Once your injuries have healed somewhat, I will have Fourth Brother take you to the government office, and dissolve your marriage to that damned filth Wu Zhengli.”

Qu Hui gave a violent shudder. “Dissolve the marriage?”

“The Tang Code stipulates that this kind of atrociously abusive conduct toward one’s wife — whether both parties consent or not — may be submitted to the authorities for a forced dissolution.” Lin Sui’an said. “That is what Judicial Inspector Ling said. Judicial Inspector Ling knows the Tang Code thoroughly. What he says will certainly be right.”

Qu Hui clutched the blanket. “I… cannot dissolve the marriage.”

Hua Yimeng’s hand stilled. “Have you any remaining feeling for that Wu Zhengli?”

Qu Hui shook her head firmly. “For him I have not a shred of feeling left. But — my family has fallen. Now we can only survive by depending on the Wu Family…”

Lin Sui’an: “I recall that your father was a teacher, who opened a private school.”

Qu Hui lowered her gaze, her expression desolate. “Five years ago, the Feng Family opened Feng Family Private School in Yidu. The Feng Family Private School had a name throughout the land. The moment it opened, it squeezed out all the well-known private schools in Yidu, and my family’s school was forced to close too. My father had taught his whole life. Watching those students abandon him and leave, he could not accept it, and died of grief and melancholy. My eldest uncle and third uncle are both bookworms who can do nothing except read and teach. At the time I had already married into the Wu Family, and I begged Wu Zhengli to help. He agreed. Now my eldest uncle’s family and my third uncle’s family both make a living in the Wu Family cloth shops. My paternal grandparents also depend on them for support —”

Lin Sui’an was startled: The Feng Family once committed this kind of harm as well?

“That is simple.” Hua Yimeng, clean and decisive, finished applying the ointment and helped Qu Hui back into her clothes. “Our Hua Family also has a few shops in Yidu. Once this business is settled, I will have your eldest uncle’s family and third uncle’s family come work at our Hua Family shops. Rest assured — the wages will be no lower than at the Wu Family’s.”

Qu Hui suddenly looked up. “Does Third Young Lady Hua truly mean this?!”

Hua Yimeng smiled serenely. “The Hua Family of Yangdu — a promise given is a promise kept!”

Qu Hui was overjoyed. She tried to climb down from the couch to bow in gratitude. Lin Sui’an and Hua Yimeng both quickly pressed her down.

Hua Yimeng: “Don’t don’t don’t — I have a thin face and cannot bear such a great formal courtesy.”

Lin Sui’an: “Third Young Lady Hua just finished applying medicine; the moment you move, the wounds will split open again.”

Qu Hui nodded repeatedly. “In that case… I can also consider one great matter of the heart settled… Very well, very well…”

Lin Sui’an felt a sense of foreboding. Qu Hui’s gaze was adrift, the light in her eyes dim. Though her face wore a smile, it was not the smile of relief — it was the smile of someone who had put all affairs in order. Fangke had said it right. She had already decided to die.

Lin Sui’an once again fired a desperate signal to Third Young Lady Hua: what do we do, what do we do, what do we do?!

Hua Yimeng’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, then she broke into a sunny smile. “However, I will say the unpleasant things first — our Hua Family makes our living through commerce, and has never done business at a loss. Helping you this much will cost money.”

Qu Hui: “What?”

Hua Yimeng rose gracefully, went to Fangke’s writing desk and wrote quickly on a sheet of paper, brought it over. “Tonight Lin Niangzi saved you, exhausted in body and spirit and awake through the whole night — call it one hundred guan. I see your injuries will take at least ten days to heal; clothing, food, lodging, medicine discounted to eighty percent comes to five hundred guan. In total: six hundred guan. How do you plan to repay me?”

Qu Hui was nearly faint: “Six… six… six hundred guan?!”

“If you dissolve the marriage with Wu Zhengli, you ought to receive some family property. Plus your dowry — that should be short of the amount still. Never mind, I will do a full kindness and find you employment as well.”

Qu Hui: “Em-employment?!”

“A few days ago I came to know a tea house proprietress — a fine person, with her tea house flourishing. She is just looking to hire women tea masters. I see you as educated and refined — exactly the type she is looking for. Why not go and try?”

Lin Sui’an was greatly astonished: “Is there even a tea house that hires women tea masters?”

“These days more and more women enjoy drinking tea, and many do not prefer male tea masters to attend them. Women tea masters better understand a woman’s tastes and feelings, and are more well-received than male tea masters.” Hua Yimeng folded the account note with a smile and tucked it into the front of Qu Hui’s garment. “With your abilities, in less than half a year you can earn six hundred guan. Everything you earn after that is your own. With money, you can buy a quiet little house, plant Shu flowering mallows, hibiscus, crabapple blossoms, and seven-color chrysanthemums. Rise with the sun and return at sunset, appreciate blossoms in spring, listen to the rain in summer, gaze at the moon in autumn, and breathe in the first snowfall of winter. When the first snow falls, Lin Niangzi and I will bring the finest Hundred Blossoms Tea to visit you. We shall brew it with snow water — that will have a flavor all its own.”

Qu Hui stared at Hua Yimeng in a daze. The dimness in her eyes gradually gave way to light. The light gathered more and more, quickly overflowing her eyes and flowing down her face. The adrift smile on her face disappeared and was replaced by tears — she wept until her face crumpled, snot and tears both, covering her face and sobbing great heaving sobs. “All right! All right! A promise — first snow… together… together… drink tea…”

Hua Yimeng’s eyes also shimmered with rippling light. She gently took Qu Hui into her arms and patted her back, one stroke at a time.

Lin Sui’an silently held up a thumbs-up: Third Young Lady Hua, magnificent!

Hua Yimeng cast her an alluring sidelong glance.

Qu Hui cried for a full incense stick of time before calming down. She probably felt she had rather disgraced herself, took a handkerchief and soaked it with water, turned her back to the two and carefully wiped herself clean, then sat up on the bed and bowed to Lin Sui’an. “I am indebted to Lin Niangzi for saving my life. As for Lian Xiaoshuang’s case — whatever Lin Niangzi wishes to know, I will tell all without reservation.”

Lin Sui’an thought it over. She was an outsider when it came to investigating cases, and would need to call in external support.

“If Madam Qu does not mind, might I invite Military Advisor Hua and Judicial Inspector Ling to listen in together?”

A flicker of fearful wariness crossed Qu Hui’s eyes.

“It is all right. If we listen from outside, it is the same.” Hua Yitang’s voice came through the window.

Ling Zhiyan: “Madam Qu need not be nervous. Lin Niangzi will ask, and you need only answer. If there is anything inconvenient to speak of, we will not press.”

Hua Yimeng: “Those two grown men, sitting outside with tea to drink and a place to sit — they are perfectly comfortable. If they came in, they would actually feel out of place.”

Qu Hui visibly relaxed. “I truly apologize to both of the young lords!”

Lin Sui’an gently pushed open the window a crack, and saw Hua Yitang and Ling Zhiyan sitting in the garden, and there truly was tea and chairs. Hua Yitang swayed his fan lightly. The candlelight from inside divided his face in two — one half bright, one half dark. The bright half wore a faint smile. Ling Zhiyan sat beside him, eyes like stars, his bearing straight as an arrow, still as a monk in meditation.

The garden was carpeted deep in fallen petals. The fragrance of blossoms and the fragrance of tea mingled together, indistinguishable from each other.

The night wind drifted in gently, somewhat cold.

Lin Sui’an withdrew her gaze and said softly: “Then let us start by hearing what sort of person Lian Xiaoshuang was.”

Qu Hui’s sideburns stirred in the wind, her eyes somewhat distant. “The first time I saw Xiaoshuang, it was a rainy night. She was dragged in by several servants, drenched all over, unconscious — clearly someone had slipped her a drug.”

“Wu Zhengli had her strung up in the hidden room, stripped of her clothing, and flogged with a salt-water-soaked leather whip. Very soon, Xiaoshuang regained consciousness. She was first shocked and furious, and then she began to curse at the top of her lungs, cursing Wu Zhengli for abducting a decent woman and saying he deserved death by dismemberment.”

“I was stunned, unable to comprehend how such a small and seemingly fragile young woman, even in such a shameful and humiliating situation, still had that much strength to shout and curse.”

Lin Sui’an could not help gripping Qian Jing’s hilt tighter. “So — Lian Xiaoshuang was seized by Wu Zhengli?!”

Qu Hui shook her head. “Lian Xiaoshuang was sold to Wu Zhengli by someone, in exchange for clearing a gambling debt.”