The Hua family’s head of household, Hua Yiheng, was thirty years old. Fifteen years ago, when he assumed the role of family head, the Hua clan was in an even more wretched state than the Su family was today, teetering on the edge of expulsion from the Five Clans and Seven Lineages. Upon taking charge, this man embarked on an aggressive overhaul of the family’s development strategy. He liberated the family’s thinking, overrode all opposition, and cast aside the entrenched view that the scholar-gentry class was noble and the merchant class base. Marshalling the full strength of the entire clan, he set out to expand their commercial reach both within the country and abroad — becoming the first, and only, aristocratic clan to build its foundation on commerce. The Mu family merchant caravan under his command was a force to be reckoned with, having opened up nearly every trade route, both overland and maritime, along the Silk Road. The Hua family’s enterprises covered all of the Tang Empire’s major cities. It was no exaggeration to say that when it came to financial resources and commercial influence, the Hua family stood first in the entire Tang Empire.

And at this moment, that legendary figure — a man who would one day surely inspire books to be written about him — was sitting across from Lin Sui’an, unhurriedly drinking tea. Sip after sip, slurp after slurp, until Lin Sui’an sat across from him feeling as if her back were pricked by thorns, her seat were covered in needles, and something were lodged in her throat.

Nearly a full stick of incense had passed. My friend, just what exactly do you intend to do?!

Would you kill me or punish me — just say it plainly! Why do you keep fixing me with that look that could kill a person? What purpose does it serve?

She was watching the teapot run dry when Lin Sui’an finally lost patience and spoke first. “Head of the Hua household, may I ask—”

Hua Yiheng lifted his gaze in a sudden motion, his eyes sharp as lightning. The words Lin Sui’an had been about to say shifted before they left her mouth. “—whether you need to use the privy?”

“Ahem!” Hua Yiheng set down his teacup and smoothed his sleeves. “Hua is not skilled in conversation. My apologies.”

Quite obvious! You and Hua Yitang are entirely opposite types of people.

“Head of the Hua household, please speak directly.” Lin Sui’an said.

Hua Yiheng indeed wasted no time and went straight to the point. “What is Lin Niangzi’s purpose in associating with my Fourth Younger Brother?”

No purpose whatsoever.

She and Hua Yitang’s acquaintance could be summed up in eight characters: pure coincidence, sheer bad luck.

However, this was obviously not the answer Hua Yiheng wanted to hear.

Lin Sui’an observed Hua Yiheng’s expression as she mentally reviewed the day’s events. It was apparent that her relationship with the Fourth Young Master had raised the Hua clan’s guard, which had prompted this chain of observation and probing. Well, well — what had she done to deserve such extraordinary attention?

But perhaps this was for the best. She had been looking for an opportunity to draw a clear line between herself and Hua Yitang, and now that opportunity had practically fallen into her lap — as if sleep had met the perfect pillow.

“Head of the Hua household, as you can see, I have no money and no connections. I traveled a thousand li to Yangdu for nothing more than a bowl of rice to eat. Making Hua the Fourth’s acquaintance was pure luck — great luck that has now run dry. I wouldn’t dare ask for more. I only want to save up a small sum and live quietly by myself.” As she spoke, Lin Sui’an raised her eyebrows and looked squarely at Hua Yiheng — the hint was clear enough, wasn’t it?

Hua Yiheng paused, then narrowed his eyes. “You are quite frank about it.”

“When one is poor to the bone, there is nothing left to be guarded about.” Lin Sui’an smiled.

Hua Yiheng nodded. “I had originally intended to give this courtyard to Lin Niangzi as a gift in thanks. But I feared such a worldly thing might be beneath her notice.”

Oh, here it comes, here it comes! Lin Sui’an rubbed her hands together in excitement. Sure enough, the classic scenario: “here is a fortune, now leave my little brother alone.”

“Not beneath my notice at all — I am completely worldly, I love worldly things, and I would gladly accept something even more worldly!” Lin Sui’an said hastily. “Head of the Hua household, rest assured — as long as the compensation is sufficient, I will keep well away from Hua Yitang from here on out, and we will have nothing more to do with each other till the end of our days. If you are not at ease, we can put it in writing — lay out every clause one, two, three, and include confidentiality provisions too. You will have nothing left to worry about.”

Hua Yiheng again fell silent, watching Lin Sui’an steadily for a long moment, then nodded. “Very well.”

Lin Sui’an: “Head of the Hua household, take care on your way out. No need to see you off.”

Hua Yiheng paused at the doorway. “There is a family dinner at the Hua estate tonight. If Lin Niangzi does not object, you are welcome to join us.”

“Head of the Hua household, rest assured — I will have my belongings packed this very evening and vacate promptly.”

Lin Sui’an smiled until she had seen Hua Yiheng out. The instant the door shut behind him, the smile vanished. She walked back to the table, sat down, ladled a bowl of tea, raised it to her lips and then set it back down again. She stared at the tea for a long time, then raised her head and looked far off at the sky.

The weather had been fine just moments ago, but now it was all grey and hazy, unable to distinguish where the sky ended and the clouds began — like a blank sheet of paper, hollow and empty.

Lin Sui’an let out a sigh, took a sip of tea, and her nose and eyes all crinkled up together.

Good heavens, this was even worse than the pot-rinsing water from this morning.

At the same moment, inside the carriage that had just pulled away, Hua Yiheng stroked his chin in thoughtful contemplation.

The driver, Imeiru — also Persian, with large blue eyes full of lively curiosity — turned to look at him. “Master, what do you make of this little Lin Niangzi?”

Hua Yiheng raised those same thick, lush lashes that Hua Yitang possessed, and said with perfect impassivity: “Rather delightful.”

At the end of the wei hour, the sky was at its most beautiful of the day. Clouds of rosy color drifted across the heavens, lavender like watercolors that had congealed and were now breaking apart in the wind.

Lin Sui’an sat in the Hua family carriage and yawned. She had spent the entire afternoon putting the courtyard in order — it was ready to move into at any moment. She had been about to hire a cart to go to the Hua estate and collect her belongings, when right at the wei hour the Hua family sent a carriage to fetch her for the dinner. Perfect timing — it spared her the expense.

The driver was Ita. The moment he laid eyes on Lin Sui’an, he issued a formal challenge: “Lin Shui’an, last time we didn’t decide win or lose. Fight again.” (Lin Sui’an, last time we didn’t decide win or lose. Let’s fight again.)

Lin Sui’an laughed dryly and waved him off. “I have to go to the Hua estate for dinner today. Another time.”

Ita: “What day is another time?”

“In about… three, five, seven, eight days…?”

Ita thought about it and nodded. “Fine, three-five-seven-eight days then.”

Lin Sui’an: “…”

This kid’s command of Tang speech was genuinely priceless.

Fortunately, Ita’s driving skills were decent enough, and Lin Sui’an at least arrived without being deposited in a sewer channel.

They headed north along Tongqu East Street. The river lanterns were already lit along the banks, glowing softly in the dusk. Far ahead, the sky above Liuhua Ward shimmered with a hidden radiance, as though a great luminous pearl were concealed within — and indeed the entire Liuhua Ward, or rather the Hua estate itself, had become a “luminous pearl” blazing with brilliance on all sides.

The magnificent estate was decked with lanterns and colored streamers inside and out. Even the two guardian lion-dogs at the gate had been polished to a shining gleam. From the main gate to the main hall, jade-green pillars rose on either side like a forest, bright lanterns hung high, their warm light flooding the space like day, and in the night breeze, orange leaves drifted through the air in abundance — like falling flakes of gold foil. A faint sweet fragrance floated on the air, dreamlike and beautiful as an illusion.

Lin Sui’an braced herself with a full measure of vigilance. She had a feeling tonight was going to be a “Feast at Hongmen.”

The main hall of the Hua estate was even more extravagant. Gauze curtains thin as cicada wings billowed in the lamplight and the night wind, creating an atmosphere of the utmost immersive depth. The floor was set with jade stone lamp trays arranged in the shape of flower petals, each cradling a small nightlight — but these were no ordinary nightlights. They were genuine luminous pearls, and sweeping a glance across them, there were at least several dozen, their glow soft and clear as jade.

Hua Yitang stood in the gentle lamplight in his white robes like drifting clouds, smiling at her. His beautiful features outshone every luminous pearl in the room combined.

This is terrifying!

Lin Sui’an spun on her heel to make a run for it, only to be caught at the wrist by Hua Yitang. “What took you so long — my legs are sore from standing around waiting.” His eyes were bright and shining, brimming with excitement and anticipation. “Come in quickly. I had them prepare all your favorite foods tonight.”

For some reason she couldn’t name, seeing that look in his eyes made Lin Sui’an feel inexplicably guilty. In the space of that one distracted moment, she was pulled by Hua Yitang straight into the main hall — and it nearly blinded her on the spot — not because the lights inside were too bright, but because the combined beauty of the people inside was too overwhelming for her eyes.

Hua Yitang’s eldest brother, Hua Yiheng; his Second Elder Sister, Hua Yifeng; his Third Elder Sister, Hua Yimeng — add Hua Yitang himself, and when the looks of this entire family were gathered together in one room, they clearly exceeded Lin Sui’an’s aesthetic threshold. Her mind went completely blank. In a complete daze she paid her respects, took her seat, and by the time she came back to herself she was already sitting there holding chopsticks and eating sliced fish. The serving maid beside her had poured her a cup of plain boiled water.

Hua Yimeng: “Little An doesn’t like wine?”

Lin Sui’an: “Hmm?”

Who is Little An?

“She doesn’t like tea or wine.” Hua Yitang said. “Not cold water either. She only likes hot or warm water.”

Hua Yifeng lifted up a slice of the fish, translucently thin, and examined it: “It would seem Little An likes sliced fish.”

Hua Yitang: “I had a chef specially invited from Liuyue Tower.”

The fish was tender and sweet, melting in the mouth exactly the way Lin Sui’an loved it most. She could not quite enjoy it, however, because Hua Yiheng was skewering her with a homicidal stare.

Hua Yiheng: “Fourth Young Master has quite a detailed knowledge of Lin Niangzi’s preferences.”

Hua Yitang: “Naturally. We are partners.”

“And is Lin Niangzi familiar with Fourth Young Master’s preferences?”

Multiple gazes snapped over to her, Hua Yitang’s most of all — his expression the very picture of eager anticipation. Lin Sui’an’s scalp went numb. She had no idea what Hua Yitang’s preferences were. The man ate a staggering volume of food in an endless and intricate variety, and she had no gift for perfect recall — she simply couldn’t keep track of it all!

“Hua Yitang likes to—” Lin Sui’an scratched her head awkwardly, and decided to approach the question from a different angle. “He likes to be saturated in fragrance every single day.”

Hua Yimeng: “Pfft!”

Lin Sui’an: “And he likes to look beautiful — changing his clothes, his sash, his hairpins, his fan — and he loves to show off and preen, and he loves being told how handsome he is.”

Hua Yifeng: “Cough cough cough.”

“And another thing: Hua Yitang is a skilled insulter of people.” Lin Sui’an held up a finger with complete seriousness. “His favorite expression of choice is: ‘eat dog dung.'”

“Ha ha ha ha ha ha…”

“Cough cough cough cough…”

Amid Hua Yimeng’s explosive laughter and Hua Yifeng’s violent coughing, Hua Yiheng’s face darkened to the color of the bottom of a wok. The maids and attendants dissolved into laughter. Hua Yitang, meanwhile, waved his little fan with supreme smugness. “You truly do know me well.”

“Ahem!” Hua Yiheng gave a thunderous cough. The room snapped to silence.

Hua Yimeng and Hua Yifeng instantly schooled their expressions, eyes gazing inward, composure restored. The maids and attendants dropped their heads in unison and went utterly still.

Only Hua Yitang continued fanning himself at his unhurried pace. “Ah, Elder Brother — could it be you’re coming down with a chill?”

Hua Yiheng slapped the table. “Hua Yitang! Do you intend to spend your days in idle pleasure until you are old and grey?!”

Hua Yimeng: “Ay, Elder Brother, there you go again. I’ve heard this line so often my ears are growing calluses.”

Hua Yifeng: “Is it truly necessary, Elder Brother? With the Hua family’s holdings, can we not afford to support a single pampered young master?”

Hua Yiheng: “Outrageous. We Hua men stand seven feet tall. How can a man of the Hua family—”

“Elder Brother speaks with great wisdom!” Hua Yitang sprang suddenly to his feet. “As it is said: the great Kun fish and the Peng bird soar upward ninety thousand li on a rising wind. Men of the Hua family ought to have soaring aspirations. We should be pillars of the nation, talents of the realm. And so, today, I, Hua Yitang, make this solemn and mighty vow: that before my days are done, I shall settle every grievance under heaven!”

That single shout left the entire room in a stupor. Hua Yimeng and Hua Yifeng need not be mentioned — both beauties had simultaneously dropped their eyes wide open. Even Hua Yiheng wore an expression that plainly read: “What in heaven’s name — this little wretch isn’t following the script today.”

Lin Sui’an: This is quite an adolescent declaration. Also — did he just misquote the passage from Zhuangzi?

After a prolonged pause, Hua Yiheng finally found his voice again — whether from fright or excessive excitement, it had jumped up a full octave. “You — you just said — what?!”

Hua Yitang smiled and said: “Elder Brother, I want to become an official. Will you purchase a post for me?”

Dead silence fell over the entire hall. Every jaw dropped.

Lin Sui’an suspected she was experiencing an auditory hallucination: did that pampered young master just brazenly egg his brother into buying him an official post?

Hua Yiheng’s face went iron-grey, the veins at his temples pulsing visibly. He rose slowly from his seat and, from beneath the table, produced a cane as thick as his forearm.

Hua Yifeng and Hua Yimeng both blanched simultaneously.

“Elder Brother, please stay calm!”

“Fourth Young Master, run!”

The words were barely out before Hua Yiheng came surging forward like a gale, cane in hand. “Three days without a beating and you’re tearing up the roof tiles!”

It had to be said: Hua Yiheng was in his prime, his constitution robust, and years of traveling on business ventures had given him speed and strength above the ordinary. The way he wielded that cane was nothing short of masterful — swift and precise, driven with deadly intent — the product of long practice. In Lin Sui’an’s eyes it posed no real threat at all, especially not given how well she knew Hua Yitang’s speed on his feet. He could dodge this with ease. But to her astonishment, Hua Yitang neither dodged nor retreated — he planted himself where he stood, neck stiff, braced for the hit — and the cane came swinging squarely at Hua Yitang’s beautiful face.

Hua Yiheng had not anticipated that Hua Yitang would stand his ground either. Every other time, the little wretch had wriggled free faster than a catfish. Today he was behaving so entirely out of character that by the time Hua Yiheng thought to pull back, it was already too late. The cane was about to ruin Hua Yitang’s face — and then in that critical instant, a flash of green light streaked past. Crack. Half the cane was simply gone. A faint blade-wind grazed the hair at Hua Yitang’s temple and drifted softly down.

Hua Yiheng broke out in a cold sweat. He had not even registered the movement: one moment Lin Sui’an had been standing a full half-zhang away, and the next she was at Hua Yitang’s side. Her blade appeared to have left its sheath — and then appeared never to have left it at all — and she hadn’t so much as drawn a heavier breath. She crouched and picked up the half-cane from the ground. Her fingers shifted — the cane crumbled to fragments in her grip.

“Head of the Hua household. One does not hit a person in the face.”

A chill crept down Hua Yiheng’s back. The young woman before him had pupils that were depthless and dark, utterly unlike the eyes of a living person. But it lasted only an instant — the next moment her eyes were entirely normal again, because his incorrigible Fourth Younger Brother was already tugging at her sleeve.

Lin Sui’an was furious enough. If she hadn’t just cut that cane in two, Hua Yitang would have had a face full of welts to show for it.

“Are you out of your mind? Why didn’t you dodge?!”

“With you here, what do I have to fear?” Hua Yitang smiled, eyes curving happily. He even shot a rather provocative glance at Hua Yiheng. “Elder Brother, isn’t Lin Sui’an’s skill extraordinary?”

The corner of Hua Yiheng’s eye gave an involuntary twitch.

Lin Sui’an: “…”

She should have let this one fend for himself!

Hua Yimeng sidled over. “Elder Brother, a grown man won’t stay at home!”

Hua Yifeng let out a long sigh. “I fear Elder Brother’s cane will never reach Fourth Younger Brother again from this day forward.”

Hua Yiheng narrowed his eyes, then produced from his sleeve a wooden ruler, which he brought swinging around to connect with Hua Yitang’s backside.

This time, Lin Sui’an made absolutely no move to intervene. In any case, Hua Yitang’s backside was well-padded — it could take a hit. As long as there was no threat to life, two brothers could sort out their own business however they liked. She was an outsider; she could manage the moment, but she couldn’t manage every moment after.

Hua Yitang let out a yelp and leaped three feet into the air, staring at Lin Sui’an — who hadn’t moved a muscle — with utter shock.

Lin Sui’an: “Head of the Hua household, might I borrow the estate’s carriage to collect my belongings?”

Hua Yitang: “What belongings?! Lin Sui’an, where are you going — ow!”

Hua Yiheng: “Lin Niangzi, please help yourself.”

“Many thanks.”

Lin Sui’an took off at a brisk pace. Behind her, Hua Yitang howled and wailed: “Lin Sui’an, wait for me — ow, that hurts! Elder Brother, I’m all grown up now, can’t you leave me some dignity— ow ow ow, it hurts, it hurts, it hurts!”

By the time she returned to Huarong Street, the sky was completely dark. The rented courtyard sat in a narrow lane — too narrow for a carriage — so the final stretch of the road had to be on foot. Lin Sui’an was hauling her large and small bags to the front door when she was surprised to find a familiar figure waiting there.

Green everyday robes, a sword slung at the waist, a face worn with travel that nonetheless radiated uprightness — it was Ling Zhiyan.

Lin Sui’an: “Inspector Ling, haven’t you returned to the Eastern Capital?! When did you arrive?”

“Coming to call so late in the evening — I apologize for the intrusion,” said Ling Zhiyan, clasping his hands in a formal bow. “I am here on a matter of some importance.”

Lin Sui’an’s eyes lit up. “You’ve scraped together the forty bolts of silk you owe me?”

Ling Zhiyan rubbed his nose. “Ahem. Not yet, I’m afraid.”

“No matter,” said Lin Sui’an cheerfully. She was carrying too much to manage the door herself, so she simply tossed the key to Ling Zhiyan. “Let’s talk inside.”

Ling Zhiyan caught the key as though he had caught a glowing coal, holding it gingerly. “This — this really is not quite proper, is it? I’ll only say a few words and be on my way — let me help you with these bags—” With that he reached for one of Lin Sui’an’s bundles, only to find that something that looked perfectly light was in fact of extraordinary weight. One pull and he couldn’t budge it; worse, he was pulled off balance and nearly stumbled, which left him thoroughly embarrassed.

Lin Sui’an laughed. “Don’t worry. I won’t use the fact that I’m stronger than you to take advantage.”

Ling Zhiyan stilled for a moment. He had forgotten how long it had been since anyone had smiled at him like that. The smile before him now was like a thread of daylight glimpsed through thick fog — scattering the cloud of gloom that had been settled over his heart for a long time.

“Well then…” Ling Zhiyan let out a long breath. “I apologize for imposing on you.”

In Lin Sui’an’s impression, Ling Zhiyan was the kind of person who stepped straight out of an ancient tale — a model official who was upright, perfectly composed, and full of spirit no matter the time or place. But this evening’s Ling Zhiyan was somehow different — his expression carried an uncharacteristic heaviness, his brow shadowed with something that hadn’t been there before.

It seemed that Ling the Sixth’s trip to the Eastern Capital had not gone well. Lin Sui’an was thinking this when she spoke: “The forty bolts of silk you owe me — no real hurry, truly.”

The comment drew a laugh from Ling Zhiyan despite himself. He shook his head, sighed, and then fell into a long quiet silence before at last he spoke: “Feng Yuyi is dead.”

Lin Sui’an: “Died of his injuries?”

“He was killed by Bai Shun.”

That sentence rang like a great bell struck inside Lin Sui’an’s mind. Her thoughts careened about. She remembered the words Qi Yuansheng had spoken before he fell.

I have not forgotten about him.

I do not trust you.

She had sensed even then that Qi Yuansheng’s words carried a hidden meaning — that he had certainly left something in reserve. She had simply not been able to think through it in time.

Could the backup plan he had left behind be Bai Shun?

Thump thump thump! A sudden knock at the door startled Lin Sui’an into a jolt.

Ling Zhiyan frowned. “At this hour — who is calling?”

Before he had even finished the question, the person outside was already calling out: “Quick, quick! Open up, open up, open up!”

Lin Sui’an and Ling Zhiyan exchanged a bewildered look. It was Hua Yitang’s voice.

Hadn’t he been at the Hua estate? How had he turned up here?

Lin Sui’an opened the door with her head full of questions. Outside stood Hua Yitang, drenched in sweat, his eyes bright and sparkling, a great wide smile blooming across his face:

“Lin Sui’an — will you elope with me?”

Lin Sui’an: “…”

In the courtyard, Ling Zhiyan’s back gave a crack as he threw it out.