This time, there was no need for a verification exchange to be certain. The “Jin Ruo” seated on the eave was none other than Yun Zhong Yue in disguise. Though the clothing and features matched, the smile was visibly far more devious — and the voice was quite distinctive. Lin Sui’an did not know whether this was Yun Zhong Yue’s natural voice, but it sounded like morning dew falling into a glass goblet — truly, remarkably fine to the ear.

She had expected Yun Zhong Yue to use his old trick and slip in disguised as someone they knew. It was entirely unexpected that the man would make his entrance this boldly and conspicuously, and the surprise left everyone completely caught off guard. Jin Ruo was the first to lose his composure — he jumped and cursed furiously: “Yun Zhong Yue — don’t you have any shame?! Stop wearing that face of mine and making such revolting expressions with it!”

Yun Zhong Yue flashed a full set of gleaming white teeth. “Young Gate Master has such a fine-looking face — I just love it so very much!”

“I’ll skin you alive!” Jin Ruo snatched up his horizontal blade and made to charge forward — but the moment his body shifted, a fierce wind shot past him. In an eyeblink, Lin Sui’an was already below the red pillar supporting the eave. Ten Purity’s scabbard struck into the wood with a crack deep enough to anchor itself, and using that as her launching point she leaped upward, right foot planted on the pillar, left hand gripping a roof tile as she vaulted onto the roof. Ten Purity rang brilliantly free of the scabbard, dazzling green light spiraling like a meteor toward Yun Zhong Yue.

Yun Zhong Yue called out “oh dear, oh dear!” his body spinning on its axis, toes skimming lightly along the edge of the eave, and in an instant five afterimages bloomed outward like the petals of an angry lotus in four directions. Lin Sui’an spun her body in a fierce rotation, right hand with Ten Purity and left hand with the scabbard both flying in a spinning blur, a tempest that crushed four of the afterimages — but one lone shadow drifted away like a kite soaring into the sky and settled lightly onto the ridgeline where the two wings of the eave met.

Both figures moved at the extreme limits of speed, the series of exchanges flowing as one unbroken stream — strike and flight — taking no more than ten heartbeats in total. Below in the observation pavilion, everyone craned their necks with heads tilted back, watching in wide-eyed, dazzled stupefaction, and the newly-arrived Eastern Capital Jingmen members were especially aghast.

So the master of Ten Purity had genuinely been sparing them out of consideration for their shared sect. Had she moved with this speed and killing power, who among them would have survived?

Yun Zhong Yue was frightened enough to break out in a cold sweat himself. Just how many days had it been? How had this young woman’s speed increased again? He watched Lin Sui’an’s eyes flash as she prepared to launch another strike, and hastily produced his trump card from within his robe and shouted: “Wait! I’ve come to do business!”

What he held was the Taiyuan Jiang Family’s scroll with the verse “flowers in bloom must be gathered while the time is right.”

Lin Sui’an clicked her tongue, deeply displeased. The wound in her calf had indeed affected her speed — otherwise, that last strike would have let her bring Yun Zhong Yue down in a single, thunderclap moment that left no time for reaction. Having now lost the element of surprise, catching hold of this slippery, elusive figure again would be far more difficult.

What’s more — and this may or may not have been her imagination — Yun Zhong Yue’s Lotus Blossom Steps seemed to have advanced considerably since last they met. The afterimages he had produced just now were far more vivid and substantial than anything she had seen from him before. In that single instant, she had been almost unable to determine where his real body was, and had been forced to unleash a broad-sweep strike just to drive him back — and even so, she had still fallen a move short.

Ling Zhiyan’s expression turned grave at the sight of the scroll. Jin Ruo swore under his breath.

Hua Yitang stepped forward, his voice cold: “Name your price.”

“No hurry, no hurry,” said Yun Zhong Yue, tilting his chin toward the Yunshui River. “We may as well wait until all the buyers are gathered before we call for bids.”

Lin Sui’an followed his gaze and saw three elaborately carved pleasure boats and several smaller vessels approaching across the broad river surface, their decks alive with figures in opulent dress — clearly people of considerable wealth and standing. They were closing in on the White Egret Boat’s dock and would be able to come ashore within a quarter-hour.

So Yun Zhong Yue had not sent invitations to Ling Zhiyan alone. Lin Sui’an narrowed her eyes, a bone-chilling cold light filling her gaze. This pest truly ought to be cut down root and branch.

Yun Zhong Yue took a step back, his smile growing more infuriating by the second: “Lin Niangzi, do calm yourself. If you were to cut me down by accident, tomorrow the walls of every one of the Eastern Capital’s one hundred and three wards will bear the contents of that scroll. And at that point, our Sizhi Ling would likely have to atone with his life.”

Damn you to hell! Lin Sui’an seethed, the itch to act nearly unbearable — yet at last the hand gripping Ten Purity held still. Ten Purity seemed to sense its master’s frustration, and as it returned to its scabbard, the blade’s ring was the keening of a ghost that did not wish to be silenced.

In complete contrast to Lin Sui’an, Hua Yitang did the exact opposite — a bright, sun-drenched smile spread across his face. He calmly fanned himself, and with a glance signaled Mu Xia and Proprietor Old Ma to lead the servants and staff in tidying up the battlefield. The incense was lit, the surroundings swept clean — and in no time at all, the entire observation pavilion was restored as though nothing had happened. Mu Xia even sent up fresh garments to help several of the elders change.

“If the Young Gate Master and all our Jingmen brothers do not object, why not remain here and watch the excitement unfold?” Hua Yitang said. “Refreshments provided without limit.”

Jin Ruo gave a derisive sniff: “So long as you’re not afraid of being eaten into poverty.”

The Jingmen members had been somewhat ill at ease at first with the table full of dishes and pastries — but at a glance, they saw their own Young Gate Master had already emptied two full platters. So they quietly discarded all reserve and set to with gusto.

The only ones with nothing to eat were Shen Xun and the Seven Stars in the corner — the eight of them were bound into great dumplings and could only gaze at everything with hungry, forlorn eyes.

Yun Zhong Yue craned his neck and peered down: “White Egret Boat truly lives up to its name — it smells wonderful in there. Why don’t we both go down and sample some as well?”

Lin Sui’an crossed her arms over her blade. “I’m not hungry.”

“Ahem — Lin Niangzi, don’t you find today’s sun a little harsh?”

“I find the sun not nearly harsh enough to burn through your skin,” Lin Sui’an said, tilting her head, phoenix eyes slanting upward: “If Yun-xiong does not mind, I would be glad to shave that skin of yours a little thinner.”

“I wouldn’t dare trouble Lin Niangzi — I’ll see to it myself.” Yun Zhong Yue gave a delighted chuckle. A puff of green smoke burst from the top of his head — and he dove into the smoke and shot back out, as though performing a magic trick, emerging in an entirely different guise: thin brows, narrow eyes, a pointed chin, light brown hair beneath a felt cap, clad in foreign merchant’s robes, a golden curved blade at his waist. He had become a Central Asian merchant.

Lin Sui’an kept her expression perfectly neutral while a storm raged inside: Good heavens — could this person, like Yita, also be an uncredentialed student from Hogwarts?! This is frankly absurd!

As the two of them landed on the floor, everyone except Jin Ruo and Hua Yitang was stunned into speechlessness by Yun Zhong Yue’s new appearance. Yun Zhong Yue seemed entirely unbothered by the scrutiny, sauntering back and forth before everyone in two leisurely circuits before selecting a shaded seat, where he proceeded to drink deeply and eat heartily with complete satisfaction.

Lin Sui’an went directly to sit beside Jin Ruo and said softly: “What do you make of this face?”

Jin Ruo narrowed his eyes: “The subtle expressions are flawless — nearly impossible to find any flaw.”

Hua Yitang pulled his sleeves straight, settled his robes, and sat down on Lin Sui’an’s other side. “Could it be his real face is this ugly to begin with?”

Lin Sui’an: “Find an opportunity to cut him a couple of times and we’ll know.”

Jin Ruo: “Physician Fang said it would be best to leave a whole body — makes it easier for dissection.”

Hua Yitang: “Physician Fang truly has the heart of a healer.”

Ling Zhiyan looked silently between them, his expression hovering between amusement and helplessness.

“I can hear all of you, you know!” Yun Zhong Yue said with a cheerful smile. “Surely you’re all curious who else I’ve invited?”

Hua Yitang smiled as well: “Anyone could figure it out with their toes — it could only be the guests from the Red Sleeves Banquet. Qingzhou Bai Family, Suizhou Su Family, Longxi Bai Family—”

Footsteps came pattering up the staircase. Mu Xia was escorting someone up to the observation pavilion. The smile frozen on Hua Yitang’s lips went rigid — the corner of his eye even twitched hard.

Hua Yitang had never before appeared this rattled. Lin Sui’an was intensely curious and turned to look. A woman came sweeping forward, her hair piled high like clouds, jade and pearl hairpins catching the light. The deep red of her pomegranate skirt seemed to stain even the river breeze with a faint tinge of rouge. As she drew nearer her features came into clarity: skin white as jade, brows like distant mountains brushed in ink, almond eyes, cherry lips, and at the center of her brow a crimson flower-mark in the shape of a plum blossom.

The woman was young — by estimation barely past twenty — and there was an ineffable quality about her every movement: a nobility that felt approachable, a gentleness that carried an undercurrent of resolve. The moment her gaze settled on Lin Sui’an, Lin Sui’an’s pulse gave a sudden lurch — the killing instinct harbored deep in this body stirred restlessly — enough to send a cold sweat breaking across her skin.

Lin Sui’an was alarmed: This body’s instincts seem to fear this woman.

More alarmed even than Lin Sui’an was Ling Zhiyan. The formidable Sizhi of the Court of Judicial Review scrambled to his feet in a fluster, nearly knocking over the table in his haste — he was on the verge of bowing deeply when the woman stopped him: “No need for such ceremony, Sixth Young Master of the Ling Family.” She turned to Hua Yitang and said: “Fourth Young Master of the Hua Family — it has been a long time.”

Hua Yitang let out a breath, stood, and clasped his hands in salute: “Hua Yitang pays his respects to Seventh Lady Jiang of the Qianzhou Jiang Family.”

Seventh Lady Jiang gave a slight nod with a smile: “You’ve grown taller.”

Lin Sui’an and Jin Ruo exchanged a glance and returned the salute in silent understanding.

Qianzhou Jiang Family — the only clan that could stand as an equal to the Taiyuan Jiang Family. That Yun Zhong Yue had been able to bring even them here was remarkable enough. And from the expressions of Ling Zhiyan and Hua Yitang, this Seventh Lady Jiang’s status was clearly exceptional — in all likelihood no lower than the Qianzhou Jiang Family’s patriarch himself.

Ling Zhiyan’s voice was strained: “Might I ask why Seventh Lady Jiang has come here today?”

“The day before yesterday, the Jiang Family received an anonymous letter claiming that there was more to the case of Jiang Dongyi’s murder of Shan Yuanming than met the eye, and that those who wished to learn the truth were invited to meet at the White Egret Boat on the Yunshui River. The family patriarch has pressing affairs and could not come in person; I had nothing particular on my hands, and the White Egret Boat’s scenery has always had an excellent reputation, so I came to take a look.” Seventh Lady Jiang looked around the pavilion as she spoke, and settled herself at Ling Zhiyan’s side. “Sixth Young Master Ling looks displeased — could it be you don’t welcome my presence here?”

“Sizhi Ling would not dare!” Ling Zhiyan went rigid as a plank, his complexion cycling between white and green — the perfect image of a small cabbage soaking in brine.

Only then did Lin Sui’an notice that four young men stood behind Seventh Lady Jiang: blue-toned soft armor, brows sharp and vigorous, horizontal blades at the waist, bearing and presence impressive. She was about to ask Hua Yitang what rank these four held, but found Hua Yitang pressing his fan against his own brow, his expression deeply, deeply unpleasant — the second of the brine-soaked cabbage twins.

Something was off. Lin Sui’an kept her voice low: “Who exactly is this Seventh Lady Jiang?”

Hua Yitang rolled his eyes upward.

“A high-ranking court official?”

Another eye-roll.

“Someone from the palace?”

Continued eye-rolling.

“A confidant of the Emperor?”

Hua Yitang’s eyelid spasmed from too much rolling.

Lin Sui’an drew a sharp breath and dipped her finger in her tea, tracing six characters on the table.

[The Sovereign. Traveling incognito.]

Hua Yitang closed his eyes hard, and nodded once.

Lin Sui’an felt a breath catch in her throat and lodge there, nearly bursting her lungs. It took her a long moment to recover, and she murmured quietly: “But she looks no more than twenty!”

Hua Yitang had told her before that he had met the Sovereign when he himself was nineteen years old. By that count, the Sovereign should be getting on toward thirty, at the very least.

“The Xuanyuan imperial line is all this way — born with youthful faces; very difficult to judge their true age.”

Lin Sui’an quietly wiped the characters from the table. Her temples throbbed wildly, her mind buzzing, and without realizing it she had pressed a hand to her brow as well — successfully becoming the third of the brine-soaked cabbage trio, a match for Ling Zhiyan. She wailed inwardly:

This is terrible. With the Sovereign here in person, how on earth is this dreadful mess going to be resolved?!

Seventh Lady Jiang seemed to be in quite high spirits, looking left and right with great interest. As her gaze swept around, it landed on Lin Sui’an. She blinked. “Is that young woman Fourth Young Master of the Hua Family’s wife?”

Hua Yitang, Lin Sui’an, and Ling Zhiyan simultaneously lurched to the side — something in each of their lower backs making a distinct popping sound.

“Hahaha — Old Ling, I knew you’d be here too!” Wan Lin strode in with a broad, confident step, caught sight of Seventh Lady Jiang, and paused for a brief moment. “This lady looks familiar — I wonder if—”

Ling Zhiyan was already sweating, and quickly introduced: “This is Seventh Lady Jiang of the Qianzhou Jiang Family.”

Wan Lin’s face cleared with sudden understanding. He clasped his hands in salute: “So this is Seventh Lady Jiang — truly exceptional presence and bearing! Wan pays his respects!”

Seventh Lady Jiang smiled and returned the salute.

Lin Sui’an frantically wiped the sweat from her forehead: “Has Aide-de-Camp Wan never met Seventh Lady Jiang?”

Hua Yitang fanned himself frantically: “I imagine they’ve met, more or less — he simply has a broad mind and didn’t commit it to memory.”

Whether Aide-de-Camp Wan had a broad mind or not she could not say, but at this moment her own heart was under considerable strain.

Yun Zhong Yue’s invited guests arrived one after another — exactly as Hua Yitang had predicted, all of them familiar faces from the Red Sleeves Banquet.

Bai Xiang came in and immediately launched into cold, cutting mockery. Hua Yitang had truly no patience for verbal sparring today, and after a few exchanges found it dull and went limp. Bai Ruyi arrived on the same boat as Bai Xiang; Su Yiyun was last to arrive. Fortunately, none of these three had had any occasion to be received at court, and none of them recognized Seventh Lady Jiang’s true identity.

With each new arrival, Seventh Lady Jiang grew more entertained — craning her neck, eyes darting back and forth with spirited curiosity. Lin Sui’an had a feeling that if the season were right, she would have had half a watermelon in her hands, purely to complete the image.

Hua Yitang signaled Lin Sui’an and Jin Ruo to draw close, and lowered his voice: “The situation has changed. We must proceed with great care. If Yun Zhong Yue is merely after money, I can definitely secure the scroll. If Yun Zhong Yue has other designs—”

Lin Sui’an: “He won’t get the chance.”

Jin Ruo: “Jingmen handles the cleanup.”

The three exchanged glances and gave a firm nod in unison.

“It seems everyone is now present,” Yun Zhong Yue said, rising to his feet. He circled one arm before his chest, pressing his palm flat to his shoulder and bowing his head forward — the standard salutation of a Central Asian merchant. His narrow eyes squinted to no more than two thin lines: “In that case, let the auction of the true story behind Jiang Dongyi’s murder of Shan Yuanming begin.”

Every morning I have to outwit the young beast at home through their summer homework.

During the summer holidays, I’m changing the update time to evenings — I simply can’t manage at noon.