Lin Sui’an was working very hard to suppress her laughter.

Magistrate Song and the squires had apparently taken Hua Fourth Master as their savior; they poured out their grievances with the most sincere and heartfelt feeling imaginable.

Squire Wang lamented, “Tell me, what possessed that thief to steal my chamber pot? What possible use could he have for it?”

Squire Kong grumbled, “A chamber pot is at least something a person uses. What I simply cannot fathom is — why steal the food bowl belonging to my Dàhuáng?”

Hua Yitang said, “If I may ask — Dàhuáng being…?”

Squire Kong replied, “My dog.”

Hua Yitang quietly pressed his fan against his temple.

Jin Ruo covered his face, hunched his neck, his belly shaking silently, occasionally spraying out bits of sugar cake. Fangke’s shoulders were trembling so hard he could barely keep hold of his teacup.

Squire Li stroked the top of his smooth, gleaming head with a grievance-filled expression. His hairline was every bit as heartbreaking as Chen Fanfan’s. “The thief stole my hairpiece…”

Squire Zhang lamented, “A ham went missing from my kitchen.”

Magistrate Song slammed the table in fury. “Hua Fourth Master — you be the judge! Does this thief have even the slightest regard for our authority?!”

Hua Yitang drew in a long breath, assembled a wan professional smile, and said, “I have a question — in the flower-note announcement, this rooftop thief declared that what was to be stolen was each of your most prized possessions —”

Squire Wang replied, “I have used that chamber pot for twenty years. I’m accustomed to it. Without it, I… I cannot… do my business…”

Squire Kong said, “Dàhuáng has followed me for twelve years. He is my dearest family member! Stealing Dàhuáng’s bowl is the same as stealing my bowl!”

Squire Li said, “My hairpiece was custom-fitted and ordered from the Eastern Capital — the only one of its kind in the Tang Kingdom!”

Squire Zhang said, “That was a five-year-old ham. The meat was translucent and crystal-bright. Without that ham as a seasoning, I cannot eat my meals properly.”

Squire Lu said, “… I am partial to embroidery. My wife’s intimate garments… heh heh… were all embroidered by my own hand…”

Hua Yitang’s smile resembled a piece of over-baked flatbread stuck to his face, crumbling at the edges in flakes of awkwardness. His mouth moved. “It would appear that this rooftop thief has some measure of taste after all.”

Jin Ruo and Fangke: “Pfft —”

Lin Sui’an felt her large intestine and small intestine tying themselves into knots. She hastily changed the subject. “If I may ask — what did… hmm… Squire Tian lose?”

Squire Tian appeared to be past fifty, with streaks of gray in his hair and a slight, slender frame, his features crowded together on his face. He was the only one among the group who had not joined in the complaints; since entering the main hall he had been somewhat distracted, his attention apparently captured entirely by the decorative objects in the flower room.

To be honest, compared to the Hua estates in Yangdu, the Eastern Capital, and Yidu, the furnishings in this modest secondary estate were already understated to the extreme. Apart from the rather unconventional grand master chairs and tall tables, only a few glossy green porcelain vases had been placed about, which suited the garden scenery outside rather well.

When Lin Sui’an addressed him, Squire Tian snapped back to attention and gave an embarrassed smile. “I lost an old water flask. Nothing particularly special.”

Jin Ruo remarked, “Could it be that without that flask you simply can’t drink your water?”

“Just not used to it is all,” said Squire Tian, his eyes already drifting back toward the porcelain vases. “Dare I ask, Hua Fourth Master — are these displayed here Yue Kiln porcelains?”

Hua Yitang replied, “Squire Tian has a keen eye. They are indeed from the Yue Kiln at Upper Forest Lake.”

Squire Tian said, “I knew it, I knew it! Just look at this fine, delicate clay, the smooth and even glaze, the green as clear as ice — worthy indeed of the praise ‘nine-autumn dew and mist, a thousand peaks of emerald.'”

Hua Yitang’s eyes flickered. “I had not expected Squire Tian to be something of a connoisseur of porcelain.”

“Only a small hobby — not worth mentioning.” Squire Tian waved his hand, then pondered for a moment. “There is only one thing I am not sure whether I should say or not —”

“Squire Tian, please speak freely.”

“The Yue Kiln porcelains displayed in this hall are all of the finest grade, worth a hundred gold apiece. Displayed openly in such a public setting like this — is that not a trifle… conspicuous?”

The moment these words fell, everyone in the room drew in a sharp breath simultaneously, and the eyes that now turned toward the porcelain vases were entirely different.

Hua Yitang smiled. “Squire Tian’s concern is misplaced, for two reasons. First, these vases are decorative objects — if one does not put them out for people to see, what purpose do they serve? Second, the porcelains displayed in this hall are not of the finest grade; they are celadon of the secret-color variety, originally reserved for imperial use. This particular batch’s design was simply not fashionable enough, and so was kept for use in the Hua Family’s own residences. They are priceless — and a hundred gold could only buy you the bottom of one vase.”

Total silence fell over the hall.

Everyone was thunderstruck. They all knew the Hua Family of Yangdu was wealthy, but not — quite so wealthy as this!

Jin Ruo said, “A few dull greenish bottles — worth that much?!”

Lin Sui’an said, “From now on we absolutely must give these vases a wide berth. If we crack or chip one, there’s no paying for it.”

“Master speaks true!”

Magistrate Song couldn’t bear to listen any further. “Hua Fourth Master, don’t take my meddling amiss — as the saying goes, ‘don’t flaunt your wealth,’ not that we fear thieves stealing, but that we fear thieves keeping an eye on you. Our county has been troubled lately — would it not be better to put these treasures away for now, and display them again once the rooftop thief has been caught?”

Hua Yitang snapped his fan open with a crack, raised an eyebrow, and smiled. “Should that rooftop thief dare to come, I shall most certainly capture him in one fell swoop and rid Yicheng of this menace!”

These words unleashed a surge of joy in Magistrate Song and the squires; they rose together, clasped their fists, and called out in unison, “Hua Fourth Master is generous and just! We thank you on behalf of the people of Yicheng!”

After seeing off Magistrate Song and his company, everyone reconvened in the main hall for a brief analysis.

“This is not the work of Yun Zhong Yue,” Jin Ruo declared. “He is after all the foremost thief in the world — he would never stoop to stealing such nonsensical things as a ham and a chamber pot. And even if he were to write a flower-note, Yun Zhong Yue would use only one style of script — the woodblock font — specifically to conceal his handwriting and identity.”

Fangke said, “The handwriting on the flower-note is light and flimsy in its strokes; the structure is scattered and loose. Whoever wrote this has probably not had much schooling and has had little time to practice their calligraphy.”

Hua Yitang said, “Most importantly, the tenth day of the tenth month was the day of the Su Family succession ceremony. Yun Zhong Yue was still brawling with Lin Sui’an that very day, and Yicheng is at least five days from Yidu even by fast horse. Yun Zhong Yue simply had no time to commit these crimes.”

In summary: the “Yun Zhong Yue” of Yicheng was a fake.

Lin Sui’an sighed. “Yun Zhong Yue really ought to kick this wretched habit of never showing his true face. Letting any random cat or dog impersonate him to cheat and swindle — if this continues, won’t every thief in the world be able to pin their crimes on him?”

Jin Ruo’s expression was somewhat resigned. “Yun Zhong Yue has been active in the jianghu for decades. Of all those who have dared to invoke his name to intimidate people, only two have ever been found. The first was a thief called Yan Shiba — in his time, he was a figure of some standing in the jianghu. Simply because he once impersonated Yun Zhong Yue, three days later his home was burglarized: not just his gold and silver, mind you, but his clothes, bedding, tables, and furniture as well — even the house was dismantled. When Yan Shiba was finally found, they say he was lying on the ground without a stitch to his name — not even his undergarments had been left to him. After that humiliation, Yan Shiba could no longer show his face in the jianghu, and from that day forth he washed his hands of his former life and vanished without a trace.”

Lin Sui’an said, “And the other person?”

Jin Ruo replied, “The other person is you, Master.”

Hua Yitang burst out laughing.

Jin Ruo continued, “Master, you are of exceptional skill and audacity — Yun Zhong Yue can’t beat you, so he has no recourse. At present, looking across the entire jianghu, there is no second person who dares to provoke Yun Zhong Yue’s temper.”

“That’s not quite true — hasn’t one just turned up?” Hua Yitang remarked with a smile.

Jin Ruo snorted. “This thief is either a rank newcomer, or some second-rate nobody not worth mentioning, and simply has no idea how troublesome Yun Zhong Yue can be.”

Hua Yitang’s little fan went tap-tap-tap. “Or perhaps it is a bold and talented folk hero who sees things clearly — someone who disapproves of Yun Zhong Yue’s conduct and intends to use themselves as bait to lure the tiger, ridding the world of a menace —”

Just then, Azure Dragon came rushing in, handing over an envelope. “Just now — at the front gate — found this.”

Everyone was taken aback. On the envelope’s face were several crooked, unsteady characters:

【For the eyes of Hua Fourth Master only.】

The handwriting… felt rather familiar.

Hua Yitang snatched up the envelope, tore it open, shook out a sheet of paper, and found a flower-note with a plum blossom drawn on it.

【On the thirtieth of the tenth month, at the third quarter of the Zi hour — the most precious thing in your household.】

Dead silence.

Fangke turned his head and emitted a single bark of laughter.

The veins on Hua Yitang’s hand that gripped the flower-note bulged visibly. “This is absolutely outrageous! What a contemptible, shameless, utterly lawless, insufferably presumptuous little thief! How dare you challenge me, Hua Fourth Master! Today I will show you the meaning of a mantis trying to stop a chariot — a mayfly trying to shake a tree — an egg trying to smash a rock — sheer reckless overestimation of one’s own abilities!” He swept up his robe hem, raised his leg onto the chair, and raised his voice. “Attendants —”

Mu Xia, Yita, the Four Celestial Guardians, and a host of guards came rushing in, stumbling over each other. “Fourth Master, what is your command?”

Hua Yitang glared with knitted brows. “Tonight, the Hua Family shall fight the Yicheng rooftop thief to the bitter end! Everyone hear my orders — set up an inescapable net of heaven and earth! Not even a mosquito shall escape!”

“Yes! Fourth Master!”

“First step — quickly bring out the most precious thing in the house… hmm… the most precious… what is it?”

Hua Yitang stopped short, exchanging blank looks with everyone.

Fangke murmured quietly, “What is the most precious thing in the Hua residence?”

“The Yue Kiln vases!” Jin Ruo jumped up. “White Tiger, Black Tortoise — follow me! Wrap up every piece of porcelain in the estate and hide it!”

Yita was aghast. “The most precious thing — Fourth Master’s robes, terribly expensive, and the incense, terribly expensive too — Azure Dragon, Vermilion Bird — collect the clothes!”

The six of them split into two groups and bolted off in opposite directions.

Fangke’s expression subtly shifted. “There’s a glass fish tank in my room —” He too hurried off.

Mu Xia turned frantic circles. “Anything else? Have we missed anything?”

In the midst of the chaos, Hua Yitang stared fixedly at Lin Sui’an. Lin Sui’an was baffled. “Why are you staring at me?”

Hua Yitang said, “The most precious thing… perhaps it is not an object at all… but rather —”

“It’s a person!” Mu Xia suddenly cried aloud. “The most precious thing in our Hua residence is naturally Fourth Master himself! This thief must be planning to kidnap Fourth Master! Lin Niangzi — tonight you must guard Fourth Master’s safety at all times, not leaving his side for even half a step — that’s right, that’s right — go to Fourth Master’s chamber right now — move, move, move, quickly, quickly, quickly —”

Lin Sui’an blinked in confusion. “Hmm?”

Hmm??

Hmm???

What is happening here……

Lin Sui’an thought to herself in bewildered exasperation.

Mu Xia locked her and Hua Yitang in the side chamber. Over twenty guards were stationed before and behind the room, layer upon layer, three deep. Mu Xia took up his post personally at the main door, fully armored and seated upright; no one whatsoever was permitted to enter or leave. Even the evening meal was personally delivered by Mu Xia himself — he even taste-tested it for poison, urging the two of them countless times to stay in the room for the entire night without fail.

And so they stayed — all the way until the moon climbed above the willow boughs.

“Surely there is no need for all this tension —” Lin Sui’an sighed, then turned to look at Hua Yitang, and paused. “Are you… nervous?”

“No. Not at all.” Hua Yitang said.

Lin Sui’an raised an eyebrow.

Hua Yitang sat perfectly upright, his back a good half-foot from the backrest, both hands resting on his knees, thighs and calves at a precise ninety-degree angle, chin slightly raised, gaze directed straight ahead — an entirely different picture from his usual sprawling posture. There was even sweat beading at his forehead.

Lin Sui’an stifled a laugh. “You’re perspiring.”

“Ahem — this room is somewhat small and — stuffy. Hot.” Hua Yitang said.

Small?

Lin Sui’an glanced around. This was a Hua Family side chamber, measuring at least three hundred square feet, and fitted as a premium suite at that. To say nothing else, the grand bed in the inner room could easily accommodate four adults lying side by side. Beside the bed stood two large incense burners, trails of fragrant smoke curling like silk threads in the air.

Lin Sui’an sensed something was off. She averted her gaze quickly — and collided directly with Hua Yitang’s look. Hua Yitang, as if touched by a spark, dropped his eyes; his lashes fluttered in quick succession; his throat bobbed; his breathing grew somewhat unsteady.

It really was a bit stuffy in this room. Lin Sui’an fanned herself with her hand.

Hua Yitang wiped his palm on his knee, then poured a cup of tea for Lin Sui’an and carefully nudged it toward her. “Have some tea.”

Lin Sui’an happened to feel parched, so she picked it up and drained it in one go. Hua Yitang poured another. Lin Sui’an now dared not drink it — the more she drank the thirstier she felt, somehow.

Lin Sui’an said, “This tea —”

Is there something wrong with it?

Hua Yitang poured a cup of cool water and slid it over. “The water cooled down — the tea didn’t steep properly. Drink the water.”

… Perhaps she was overthinking things.

Lin Sui’an picked up the water and, narrowing her eyes, studied the young man before her.

Only one lamp had been lit in the room; the remaining light came from night-glowing pearls of various sizes. She had no idea how Mu Xia had arranged them, but every ray of light fell precisely where it should — soft as gauze, misty as fog. Hua Yitang happened to be sitting in the center of a beam of light: robes bright as snow, long legs and slender waist, his eyes shifting and luminous — clear and yet full of feeling. Truly: dazzling flowers that grow increasingly captivating with each glance, a spirit that does not fade even when one has turned away.

Something had gone wrong — could it be the incense?

Lin Sui’an heard her own heartbeat: thud, thud, thud — thud thud thud thud thud — and then suddenly Hua Yitang looked over — and her heart skipped half a beat!

In that instant, she understood: it was not the incense. It was the person before her!

She did not know what Hua Yitang read in her face, but he paused for a moment — and then smiled. In that instant, the spring light blazed bright, and rosy clouds shimmered in waves.

Lin Sui’an felt both cheeks burning. “What are you smiling at?!”

Hua Yitang shook his head with a soft laugh, picked up the fan from the table, and began slowly fanning it toward Lin Sui’an. “You’re perspiring.”

Lin Sui’an’s brow twitched. She snatched the fan away and waved it furiously. Hua Yitang laughed under his breath and pulled back his sleeve to pour her a fresh cup of tea.

“I don’t want any more!” Lin Sui’an declared. “Drink too much and the natural consequences become inconvenient.”

Hua Yitang’s hand jolted; tea splashed across nearly half his sleeve. He fussed about trying to wipe it, and the more he wiped the messier it got.

This time it was Lin Sui’an’s turn to laugh at him.

Hua Yitang’s ears went faintly pink. He produced a handkerchief and dabbed carefully at the water on his sleeve, and when that one was done, fetched another to continue.

Lin Sui’an watched his movements, head tilted, and a question rose quietly in her mind.

She had always assumed Hua Yitang’s fondness for magnificent robes and fine incense was a matter of innate vanity. But lately she had come to notice more and more that his attention to clothing, accessories, and fragrance bordered on something closer to obsession — as right now, when she could clearly feel that a half-sleeve of wet fabric was making him unable to sit comfortably.

“If it really bothers you, go to the inner room and change into another,” Lin Sui’an suggested.

Hua Yitang stilled his hands and put the handkerchief away. “It’s fine.”

He said that, yet he quietly tucked the wet sleeve out of sight beneath the table.

“You…” Lin Sui’an got as far as the word, thought for a moment, and switched to a different subject. “Actually, Mu Xia need not be so anxious and on guard. Even if the real Yun Zhong Yue came, he couldn’t beat me.”

Hua Yitang said nothing, only gazed quietly at Lin Sui’an. After a long while, he sighed softly. “The reason Mu Xia reacted so strongly is because when I was young, I was once kidnapped and sold to a brothel.”

Short Skit

Mu Xia, ear pressed against the door panel, quietly clenching a small fist:

Perfect timing. Perfect setting. Perfect atmosphere. Plus fifty night-glowing pearls lending their glow, and the “Dawn Mirror Soul-Enchanting Incense” besides — tonight must be the night! Fourth Master, you can do it!