The third quarter of the Rooster Hour, the twilight spreading vast and dim.

The market office clerks stood on tall red-wood ladders, hanging lantern after lantern from the lamp posts along the road. The winding ribbons of lamplight spread outward from the night mist, and the Jinjiang night market seemed to wrap itself in a dreamlike, gossamer veil.

Lin Sui’an sat in the carriage and sneezed.

Ling Zhiyan sneezed too. Then Fangke sneezed. Then Jin Ruo sneezed as well.

All four rubbed their noses, shooting dark looks at the culprit.

Hua Yitang reclined at a comfortable angle against the gold-embroidered soft cushion, fanning himself at a leisurely pace, his layers of robes spread across half the carriage. The jade-carved sachet balls at his waist tinkled and clinked with the sway of the carriage.

The lamplight, filtered through the bamboo blind, fell across his face — skin like polished jade, eyes catching the light, lashes trembling with points of starlight.

The outfit Hua Yitang wore tonight was extraordinary — of course, every set of his personal clothing was extraordinary, but tonight’s was notably excessive — Mu Xia had deployed every available skill in service of sending Yangdu’s First Dandy out in full magnificence.

The “Pale Mist Flowing Water Robe” called for seven layers of gauze in seven shades of snow. The “Carefree Flying Flower Boots” were made to tread the clouds without a trace. The “Misty Soft Cold Kingfisher Hairpin” was as if spring had climbed up into his hair. The perfume was named “Boundless Fine Rain Fine as Sorrow” — evoking early spring drizzle, fine and endless, immeasurable. With a few strokes of his fan named “Moonlight Without End” to help the fragrance along, it billowed outward overwhelmingly — enough to suffocate a person.

The four others in the carriage were the first victims. They had been sneezing and dripping through the entire journey. Fangke’s disdain for Hua Yitang reached an unprecedented peak. He came within a hair of emptying the vial of malodorous powder in his hand over Hua Yitang’s head several times, and each time stayed himself for the sake of the larger picture.

Tonight’s banquet was unlike ordinary ones. The host was Su Feichang, patriarch of the Su Family of Suizhou. He had invited the heads of Yidu’s eight great families (Wu Zhengli was imprisoned and unable to attend), and in addition, Yidu Governor Chi Ji, Adjutant Xia Ren, Dali Court Judicial Investigator Ling Zhiyan were all on the invitation list. And of course, the guests of honor above all others were Hua Family Fourth Young Master of Yangdu, Hua Yitang, and Pure Gate’s Lin Sui’an.

The original venue for the banquet had been set at the Su Family’s main residence, but with too many guests arriving, it was changed at the last moment to Scattered Blossom Tower on the banks of Jinjiang.

Following Jinjiang night market eastward, from a great distance one could already see the six-story building of red pillars and green eaves standing beneath the ink-blue sky — blazing with light, brilliantly lit in its entirety, as though a jade tower fallen from the celestial realm into the mortal world. Utterly magnificent. It was said that from above, the six flying eaves stacked one atop the other like flower petals in bloom — hence the name Scattered Blossom Tower.

The great plaza beneath Scattered Blossom Tower was crowded with magnificent carriages of every kind. The horses’ coats gleamed with health. The young men assigned to lead guests were neatly dressed, with clear eyes and courteous manner — by present-day standards, at the very least a six-star establishment.

The Hua Family carriage bore the Hua Family’s hallmark gold bells. The moment it entered the parking ground, three eager young guide attendants rushed to serve them, leading Mu Xia to park the carriage at the most prestigious VIP spot closest to the main gate. Scattered Blossom Tower’s manager led a retinue waiting early at the entrance — face creased with a broad smile — and ushered Hua Yitang and his party inside with fawning deference.

Tonight, the Su Family had reserved the entire building and was not receiving outside guests. One could ascend by way of the circular staircase all the way to the top floor. Scattered Blossom Tower’s staircase design differed from that of Zhangyi Tower — the route was clear at a glance, the style clean and elegant. The first and second floors housed large common dining halls for ordinary guests. From the third floor onward, the spaces became more private — intimate alcoves and enclosed rooms.

The sixth and topmost floor had the most distinctive design of all: an octagonal pavilion. All of the windows could be thrown fully open, essentially making it an expansive elevated terrace with a roof. Standing inside the pavilion and turning in every direction, one could take in a full panorama of Yidu city from all angles. Jinjiang was a jade ribbon below; the night market was a dragon of fire; ten thousand household lanterns were like stars fallen from the cloud-sea. With the river breeze rushing into one’s arms, heroic feeling swelled to the horizon and beyond.

On any other occasion, Lin Sui’an would have wanted to linger over a view this rare and fine — sketch it, and have Hua Yitang make a quick travel painting of it. But arriving at the pavilion door and finding Su Yiyun standing there to receive guests, every pleasant feeling evaporated instantly.

Su Yiyun today wore a simple, understated long robe, an embroidered water lily on one shoulder, elegant in bearing and gentle in smile — utterly unlike the frenzied appearance during the standoff with Pure Gate over the Jinli night market two days ago.

“Flower Adjutant, Lin Niangzi, Judicial Investigator Ling, Gate Master Jin, Coroner Fang — that all of you were willing to come and honor us with your presence is truly a glory to the Su Family!” Su Yiyun said with great familiarity, raising a hand toward Hua Yitang’s shoulder. Hua Yitang gave two quick flicks of his fan — the perfume surged forward in a gust. Su Yiyun let out a thunderous sneeze. In that moment of distraction, Hua Yitang twisted neatly to the side, stepped past Su Yiyun, and walked through the entrance — not even a glance.

Lin Sui’an understood at once: so this person was wearing such a pungent perfume today for the purpose of warding off unwanted spirits.

The conscientious Ling Zhiyan pretended not to see Su Yiyun. Lin Sui’an clicked her tongue quietly. Jin Ruo rolled his eyes. Fangke kept his gaze straight ahead. They all followed inside. Su Yiyun’s eye corner twitched violently.

The hall inside had long since been arranged. In the southeast corner, musicians played on a variety of instruments. Colorfully dressed male and female attendants carrying trays of refreshments moved with swift, light steps through the crowd. Four rows of couches and tables were placed in neat arrangement, each table set with chopsticks, bowls, and tea — though the dishes had not yet been brought. The guests, none of them yet seated, moved about freely, all in brocade robes and powdered faces, exchanging bows and greetings, chatting warmly. The blazing candlelight mapped shifting patterns of light and shadow across every smiling face — like a gathering of two-faced people.

The moment Hua Yitang entered, he was naturally the focal point of all eyes. Adding to that, Hua Ermu’s booming voice bellowing “Fourth Great-Grandfather!” as he charged over, instantly every gaze in the room shot toward them like needles, making Lin Sui’an’s every hair stand on end. This kind of scene was the equivalent of hell for a person who was somewhat crowd-averse like herself. She was just about to retreat when she discovered Fangke had already taken refuge behind her.

Lin Sui’an: Coroner Fang, that is really not sporting of you!

Even worse was Jin Ruo — in the blink of an eye, he had vanished entirely.

As the dense, predatory crowd looked set to descend, Hua Yitang stepped half a pace sideways, blocking the main line of sight for Lin Sui’an. Turning his head, he said with a smile, “Find somewhere quiet with Dr. Fang to rest.”

Lin Sui’an felt as though she had been granted a pardon. She grabbed Fangke and sprinted off. Ling Zhiyan also wanted to flee, but Governor Chi and Adjutant Xia flashed into existence from nowhere — one on each side — snatching Hua Yitang and Ling Zhiyan away. Adjutant Xia, assuming the manner of a senior, insisted on introducing several old acquaintances to Ling Zhiyan. Governor Chi, flushed with excitement and talking a blue streak, introduced the visiting noble-family guests to Hua Yitang one by one.

Hua Yitang maintained his impeccable smile, elegantly handling the social demands from all sides. Ling Zhiyan’s smile was somewhat stiff, but with long experience, he managed adequately.

Fangke found a corner seat and settled himself comfortably. Though his red robe stood out conspicuously, his aura was too intimidating — he instantly cleared a radius of three feet around himself, and not a soul dared approach. Lin Sui’an also wanted to draw near and benefit from his protective field, but Jin Ruo suddenly materialized, grabbed Lin Sui’an by the arm, and steered her in a different direction.

“Master, guess who I see?”

Lin Sui’an looked in the direction Jin Ruo indicated, and couldn’t help raising her eyebrows.

Military Adjutant Wu Zhengqing and a woman were seated across from each other at a table, and he was speaking at length about something.

Wu Zhengqing was dressed in a plain dark-green outfit today, with a folded gauze headband, a jade pendant hanging at his waist, his beard neatly shaved. He had clearly taken pains with his appearance. The woman, seen from this angle, showed only her back — wearing a water-lily white silk skirt, a light blue shawl draped over her shoulders, her hair in a tall knot, with a very simple hairpiece — only a plain pearl hairpin.

Having spent enough time around Hua Yitang, Lin Sui’an had developed at least a measure of discernment. The pearl on the woman’s hairpin had a round, lustrous sheen — clearly the finest grade of sea pearl, worth a considerable sum. Her status was evidently far from ordinary.

“That woman is Liu Qingxi, the only daughter of the West City Liu Family patriarch. She is twenty years old, not yet married. The Liu Family patriarch has been ill for many years, and the family’s entire enterprise is sustained and managed entirely by Liu Qingxi. Her performance over the years has been quite impressive — the Liu Family members hold her in high regard, and she has essentially been internally designated as the next Liu Family patriarch.” Jin Ruo said in a low voice. “For a future Liu Family matriarch, there are basically only two paths in marriage: either taking a man into the family, or alliance marriage with another great family. My estimate is that Wu Zhengqing has his sights set on an alliance marriage.”

Lin Sui’an was taken aback. “Wu Zhengqing? An alliance marriage?”

“With Wu Zhengli imprisoned, the Wu Family is in chaos. This very day, several of the Wu Family elders went to call on Wu Zhengqing — apparently there is intent to support Wu Zhengqing as the next family patriarch.”

Lin Sui’an’s mouth fell open.

Wu Zhengli had been imprisoned for only a matter of hours, and the Wu Family had already selected his successor. Even the most eager case of kicking out the old and bringing in the new wouldn’t be this fast, would it?

Jin Ruo’s smile turned sly. “Would you call it foresight, or premeditation?”

How interesting.

Lin Sui’an and Jin Ruo exchanged a glance, then drifted unobtrusively to the two empty seats nearby and sat down, ears at the ready.

Wu Zhengqing: “I have long heard that Lady Liu is deeply versed in calligraphy. Might I presume to ask for your guidance?”

Liu Qingxi: “Adjutant Wu flatters me. I merely write for pleasure in my spare time — there is nothing worth calling ‘versed.’ Tonight so many talented scholars from Yidu’s great families are gathered here. Adjutant Wu would do better to converse with them.”

Jin Ruo nudged an eyebrow. “Sounds like Lady Liu is not particularly keen on Adjutant Wu.”

Lin Sui’an raised an eyebrow. “That is not just lack of keenness — that is already showing him the door.”

Yet Wu Zhengqing appeared to have heard nothing, and simply carried on of his own accord. “In Wu’s view, calligraphy should place propriety and elegance above all. Horizontal and vertical strokes governed by rules, left-falling and right-falling strokes shaped by proper form — neat and correct, that is the orthodox standard. What does Lady Liu think?”

Liu Qingxi picked up her tea cup and took a sip. She said nothing.

Jin Ruo: “What does that mean?”

Lin Sui’an scratched her head. “It sounds like pointing at the mulberry tree to scold the locust tree — saying Liu Qingxi doesn’t follow the rules?”

Wu Zhengqing: “As they say, the writing reveals the person — observing a person’s script is to observe their character. I once had the good fortune to see Lady Liu’s writing. It has beauty and grace in abundance, but uprightness and correctness fall somewhat short — this indicates Lady Liu’s foundations are not firm and the brush hand is unsteady. This is a common problem seen when women study calligraphy. Because women have smaller hands and less arm strength, the characters in a woman’s hand tend to have form but lack bone. If one continues in this vein, I fear the effort yields half the result at double the cost.”

Jin Ruo slapped his thigh. “I understood that one — Wu Zhengqing is saying the Liu Family woman heading the family means the foundation is not stable.”

Lin Sui’an: “One must admit — Wu Zhengqing has an exceptionally irritating way of speaking.”

Jin Ruo agreed wholeheartedly. “Even more irritating than the Hua fellow.”

Liu Qingxi set down her tea cup. “Might I ask what advice Adjutant Wu has to offer?”

Wu Zhengqing looked pleased, sucked at his back teeth, and adjusted his posture. “Wu has studied calligraphy under a famous master since childhood — over ten years now, with some considerable accomplishment. If Lady Liu is not averse, Wu would gladly volunteer to come to your door and provide free guidance. And of course, should Lady Liu prefer, she is most welcome to come to the Wu Family ancestral home — Wu would have the guest room ready and waiting. How does that sound?”

Jin Ruo: “Listening to that makes me genuinely sick.”

Lin Sui’an: “…”

Even more nauseating was his tone and expression — self-important, unctuous to the extreme. Particularly when he enunciated the four words “guest room ready and waiting,” his eyes were unmistakably slimy — Lin Sui’an was reminded of the first time she had encountered Wu Zhengli, when he had sized her up with the exact same look.

Liu Qingxi drew a quiet breath, straightened her posture, and said: “I have held a brush since I was three years of age. At five, I was accepted as a disciple of the Venerable Yan Qing of Mount Song, and have now studied for fifteen years without pause. My school’s calligraphy follows the method of restraint and release, opening and closing, undulation and responsiveness — firm within soft, round within square, curving within straight. Prior to the Tang realm, this approach was unheard of. My master’s work, the Dashbei Rubbing, has a script style of primordial vitality, yet does not lack agility and ease. His Majesty himself gave it personal praise — calling it ‘innovation unafraid, boldness without fear,’ naming it ‘the script of the flourishing Tang, the script of all the people.’ I myself, though lacking in talent, had my Essay on the Four Seasons selected by the Imperial Academy for students to copy as a model.” She paused. “I wonder what works Adjutant Wu has produced — might Lady Liu be graced with a glimpse?”

Wu Zhengqing’s expression froze.

Jin Ruo slapped his thigh. “Oh heavens, I’m embarrassed on Wu Zhengqing’s behalf.”

Lin Sui’an laughed inwardly: He thought he was impressing with a great show of skill, and ran straight into a true master. Wu Zhengqing had kicked an iron board that rang out very loudly indeed.

Wu Zhengqing cleared his throat twice and shifted in his seat. “Lady Liu must be past twenty this year, I believe? Have the Liu Family elders truly never felt any concern for Lady Liu’s future and personal happiness?”

Liu Qingxi’s tone cooled noticeably. “What does Adjutant Wu mean by that?”

Wu Zhengqing leaned his body slightly forward, draping that unctuous smile back over his face. “It is truly tiring for a woman to head a household. What is more relaxing than retreating to the inner quarters to be a proper wife and mother? Though the Wu Family cannot claim to be wealthy beyond measure, it is a house of considerable means — quite a fitting match for the Liu Family.” He lowered his voice and leaned closer and closer. “Wu himself also feels an immediate affinity for Lady Liu, a certain… fondness —”

“Thwack.” A chopstick dropped from above, driving itself straight into the table — sinking over an inch deep. The entire table surface hummed and vibrated.

Wu Zhengqing’s face drained of color. He leapt to his feet. “Who —!” he hissed.

Lin Sui’an stood behind Liu Qingxi, right hand twirling a chopstick, expression hovering between a smile and something colder.

Wu Zhengqing flinched reflexively and pressed his knees together. He stepped back half a pace. “Lin Niangzi, Wu is in the middle of an important discussion with Lady Liu —”

“Only idle conversation — nothing important.” Liu Qingxi laughed softly, rose, and gave Lin Sui’an a graceful bow. “I imagine this must be Pure Gate’s Lin Niangzi — Qingxi presents her respects.”

Only then did Lin Sui’an get a clear look at Liu Qingxi’s face — light eyes and thin lips, composed and tranquil in bearing, immediately inspiring goodwill.

Liu Qingxi was also studying Lin Sui’an. The legendary Lin Sui’an was said to have the strength to hold off a hundred enemies single-handed, yet in person she appeared to be no more than a girl of seventeen or eighteen — black clothing, black hair, long brows and phoenix eyes, posture straight and upright, spirited and valiant.

“Adjutant Wu, long time no see.” Jin Ruo clapped an arm around Wu Zhengqing’s shoulder.

Wu Zhengqing shook him off with clear distaste. “Gate Master Jin, we are not acquainted!”

“Adjutant Wu, were you not ill and resting at home?” Hua Yitang came swirling over trailing a full cloud of heavy fragrance, those beautiful eyes sweeping Wu Zhengqing up and down at length. “Adjutant Wu’s complexion is looking rather poor — why not rest a few more days —” As he said this, he appeared to suddenly recall something, and let out a dramatic cry, fanning himself with a half-concealed expression, batting his long lashes. “Could it be… that Adjutant Wu’s old ailment has flared up again?”

Jin Ruo: “Pfft!”

Wu Zhengqing’s face turned green. “Flower Adjutant — do not speak such nonsense!”

“Oh dear, how careless of me.” Hua Yitang lowered his voice and leaned close. “Rest assured, Adjutant Wu — you and I serve in the same government office, and I will certainly keep your secret. However, with this sort of ailment, the greatest danger is in concealing it from a physician. One must seek treatment without delay —”

Wu Zhengqing gritted his teeth. “Hua Yitang! If you dare say another —”

“Whatever you do, don’t end up like your cousin Wu Zhengli — putting it off and putting it off, until it becomes incurable!” Hua Yitang said with a smile.

Wu Zhengqing’s expression changed. He opened his mouth — and in the end said not a single word. He flung his sleeve around and left.

That Wu Zhengqing is quite suspicious. Lin Sui’an thought.

Hua Yitang rolled his eyes at Wu Zhengqing’s retreating back, then turned to face Liu Qingxi and clasped his hands seriously in salute. “Hua Family Fourth Young Master pays his respects to Lady Liu.”

Liu Qingxi returned the courtesy with proper formality, and inwardly found herself quite surprised. The reputation of Yangdu’s First Dandy was widely known, and she had imagined some fat, greasy, unpleasant man — not this brilliant and radiant young man. And particularly this outfit of his — Liu Qingxi compared her own attire with Hua Yitang’s and let out a sigh, murmuring quietly, “Worthy indeed of being the Hua Family’s Fourth Young Master. I pale in comparison.”

At that, Hua Yitang was immediately greatly pleased, flaunting his fan with a self-satisfied swish. “Did you hear that — even the composed and gracious Lady Liu is praising my beauty!”

Jin Ruo: “Blegh —”

Liu Qingxi was so startled her eyes nearly fell out of her head.

Lin Sui’an barely managed to keep from laughing out loud, cleared her throat, and asked, “Where is everyone? Where is Judicial Investigator Ling?”

“Ling Six is truly not a generous person,” Hua Yitang grumbled. “He invented some excuse about a toilet break and ran off, leaving me all alone in that herd of old men, listening to them boast at each other. Truly unbearable.”

Jin Ruo scanned the room. “So you ran away too, and left your grandson Hua Ermu to deal with it?”

Hua Yitang smiled serenely. “Hua Ermu delights in it — and I am only helping him fulfill his wishes.”

While the group was chatting, the hall suddenly went quiet. Every gaze turned toward the entrance.

A large party came sweeping into the pavilion. At their head was a man past fifty years of age, dressed in a wide-sleeved Sichuan brocade robe, temples flecked with white, eyes sharp and bright, his features bearing a five-point resemblance to Su Yiyun standing nearby.

At his other side was a man in his thirties, dressed in a close-fitted navy and black robe, black leather arm guards on both hands, cheekbones high and set, eyes sharp and calculating, walking with his heels barely touching the ground — clearly a man of martial skill.

“The man in the center is Su Feichang, patriarch of the Su Family of Suizhou,” Jin Ruo said in a low voice. “The martial man beside him is Wu Chun, chief of the Five Mounds Alliance.”

Side story:

In the corner, Fangke yawned: When exactly are they going to serve the food?