After the Crown Prince had spoken and the direction of investigation was set, both Ming Huazhang and Ming Huashang were disappointed — but they had no choice but to fall in with the larger effort.
The specific tasks still needed to be arranged. The Crown Prince had no patience for such details; he had planted his own man in the Jing Zhaoyin and considered the situation entirely in hand. Feeling thoroughly unburdened, he soon departed for the Eastern Palace.
Ming Huashang had expected the Jing Zhaoyiin to take his leave once the Crown Prince had gone — but to her surprise, the Jing Zhaoyiin returned to the deliberation hall, taking his seat in the main position with every appearance of intending to see matters through to the end.
The Jing Zhaoyiin sipped his tea and looked to Xie Jichuan: “Aide Xie, how do you plan to arrange the next steps in the investigation? I would welcome your views.”
The Crown Prince had said to let Xie Jichuan have full authority — but Xie Jichuan held a sixth-rank post while the Jing Zhaoyiin held third rank. He would not be so foolish as to genuinely overstep the Jing Zhaoyiin’s authority. Xie Jichuan smiled: “I would not dare presume. I am young and have much to learn — I must rely on the Jing Zhaoyiin for guidance. I would never overstep my bounds. All matters of the investigation, I defer to the Jing Zhaoyiin’s direction.”
The Jing Zhaoyiin nodded and said, in a voice made rough by coughing: “Very well. Following His Highness’s instructions, we will focus on Innkeeper Feng’s family and the Widow Liu going forward. Feng Liang is the only member of the Feng family still in Chang’an; the Widow Liu is keeping a vigil at Jinxiu Tower with her child. Their whereabouts should be divided between two groups — one to investigate Feng Liang’s whereabouts during the hour of Chen yesterday, who he met and where he went; the other to investigate the Widow Liu.”
The Jing Zhaoyiin broke into another violent fit of coughing. Those on either side rose to their feet, speaking hesitantly: “Jing Zhaoyiin…”
“I am fine.” The Jing Zhaoyiin waved them off, forced down another hard mouthful of tea, and continued speaking through suppressed coughs: “The person who left the package had a slender build — there is no reason it could not be a woman. The Widow Liu married Innkeeper Feng in her prime, yet within two years her husband was dead, and she immediately remarried with the family’s assets in hand. She has recently given birth to a son, and her second husband is now dead as well — all the family fortune in her hands alone. This woman is not to be underestimated, and she is likely quite skilled at beguiling men. The investigation of her should center on covert surveillance. Have people trail her around the clock — do not rush to act, and do not startle the prey. And have the yamen runners below stay sharp — do not be deceived by her pitiful, gentle appearance.”
The Jing Zhaoyiin’s delivery was halting. His complexion was a sickly white tinged with yellow, deeply unpleasant. Ming Huazhang could not watch, and said: “Jing Zhaoyiin, that cough is no way to carry on. Should we not send to the Imperial Physicians’ Office for a physician?”
“No need.” The Jing Zhaoyiin gave no thought to it at all, refusing flatly: “I am perfectly well — it is not yet my subordinates’ place to pity me. Deputy Jing Zhaoyiin Ming, you will investigate Feng Liang’s whereabouts. Aide Xie, please be so good as to go to Jinxiu Tower and question the Widow Liu. Yamen runners and Imperial Guards — split into two teams and go with them.”
With the Jing Zhaoyiin this firm, Ming Huazhang could not reasonably intrude further into his superior’s private affairs and could only bow: “Yes, sir.”
Xie Jichuan accepted the assignment as well. He glanced at Ren Yao and Jiang Ling, still wearing that fox-like grin: “Which of the two captains would be willing to come with me?”
Ming Huashang had been deep in thought, and now spoke up abruptly: “Aide Xie, I would like to go with you to Jinxiu Tower.”
Xie Jichuan turned, gave Ming Huashang a surprised look, and with an expression that was half smile and half something else, let his gaze rest on Ming Huazhang: “Second Little Sister favors me with her company — I could hardly wish for more. The only question is whether Deputy Jing Zhaoyiin Ming is willing to spare her.”
Everyone in the hall — including Ming Huazhang — had taken it for granted that Ming Huashang would follow her elder brother. No one had imagined she would voluntarily ask to join Xie Jichuan’s group. When Ming Huazhang heard her say she wanted to go, his expression had already turned cool; now that everyone was looking over, he maintained his composed, unhurried elder-brother bearing and said slowly: “Second Maiden is already quite grown. Wherever she wishes to go is naturally her own decision. Second Maiden — have you thought it through?”
Hearing her elder brother’s words, Ming Huashang’s conscience pricked her — but she said in a small voice regardless: “I want to go to Jinxiu Tower.”
Not a trace of change crossed Ming Huazhang’s pale face. Yet his fingers, unnoticed by others, had closed into a tight grip. Xie Jichuan caught the sight of Ming Huazhang very obviously displeased yet still forcing a show of indifference, and let out a quiet, disdainful breath.
If he truly meant that open-minded generosity of spirit, why say so much? Xie Jichuan deliberately smiled at Ming Huashang: “To have Second Little Sister’s company is an honor. Jingzhan, rest easy — I will look after Second Little Sister without a doubt and ensure she does not so much as stumble.”
Seeing this, Ren Yao hurried to add: “I am going too!”
Ming Huashang stole a cautious glance at Ming Huazhang — not even daring to look properly at his expression — murmured “Farewell, Elder Brother,” and went scurrying off to join the other group.
Jiang Ling had only been watching the spectacle, and now found himself the one left behind. He belatedly looked toward Ming Huazhang — and the coldness in those eyes sent a shiver through him from head to toe.
Well… actually… he had wanted to go to Jinxiu Tower too. Not for any other reason — only because the proprietress there was said to be a beauty.
If he offered that explanation, would Ming Huazhang believe him?
In the end, Jiang Ling went off with Ming Huazhang, looking pained. Zhao Lian followed behind the Deputy Jing Zhaoyiin. Though he wore a cloak, he found himself rubbing his arms against the chill all the way.
The wind today, he felt, was uncommonly cold.
·
Ming Huashang’s choice to go with the other group was not for Xie Jichuan’s sake — it was to see the Widow Liu again. In little more than a month, the Widow Liu’s second husband had died, and so had the physician who had once prescribed medicine for her; so many people around her had been blown to death by the same method. Ming Huashang was genuinely curious about the Widow Liu’s present state of mind.
Ming Huashang believed that whatever happened left a mark — that if the Widow Liu had truly killed those men, she would not be able to hide it.
On the way, Xie Jichuan spoke first: “Let’s talk through our plan — once we arrive at Jinxiu Tower, how should we proceed?”
Ming Huashang said: “You are the lead, Elder Brother Xie. We follow your direction.”
Xie Jichuan gave her a half-amused look: “I only ask because I am afraid of inadvertently disrupting Second Little Sister’s plans. That thought of yours just now was very interesting. Had I heard Little Sister’s idea first, I would not have spoken mine. I am still quite looking forward to investigating Chu Ji — there may be something interesting to uncover.”
Ming Huashang did not take this polite remark at face value and smiled: “Many thanks to Elder Brother Xie for the recognition. The Crown Prince chose your approach, which shows it is indeed the more reliable and thorough plan.”
Xie Jichuan smiled faintly, looking out at the radiant, distant sunlight ahead, and said with an offhand ease: “Fools always cling to safety. Such an interesting idea as yours, and he chose the most tedious one imaginable.”
Ming Huashang and Ren Yao both started in alarm and immediately scanned those around them. Fortunately, the Jing Zhaoyin yamen runners and the Imperial Guards were mingling and chatting some distance away, and had not caught Xie Jichuan’s words.
Ming Huashang let out a silent breath of relief, already half-regretting her decision to come with this group. She should not have chosen Xie Jichuan’s side — this man was an enormous bomb waiting to go off. Far too dangerous.
Ren Yao could not make sense of it and asked in puzzlement: “If you thought it was tedious, why were you arguing with Ming Huazhang so earnestly back there before the Crown Prince and Jing Zhaoyiin?”
Xie Jichuan answered as though it were the most natural thing: “Because his approach sounded even more tedious. Tracking down every buyer of fireworks and going door to door — just thinking about it is dull.”
Ming Huashang felt inexplicably annoyed by this and argued back: “He chose that method because it is the most reliable. He personally sealed off Jinxiu Tower — how could he not have considered the Widow Liu suspicious? He simply refuses to let anyone suffer a wrongful charge.”
“Which is precisely what makes fools cling to safety,” said Xie Jichuan, his words as sharp and merciless as ever, carrying a chill: “He is also a fool — and growing more so by the day.”
When he finished, Xie Jichuan looked down at Ming Huashang and smiled: “You look just like a little rabbit — your eyes all round and red, only barely stopping yourself from jumping up to bite someone.”
Ren Yao raised a brow and stepped in before things went further — if she didn’t redirect the conversation now, Ming Huashang really would jump up and bite someone: “Second Maiden, what has been the matter with the Jing Zhaoyiin today? That cough of his — has he caught a chill?”
Ming Huashang shot Xie Jichuan one last fierce glare, gave a cold sniff, and said: “From what the yamen runners say, it seems to be an old ailment that has grown considerably worse this year.”
“What about his family? He is this ill, and he still would not let Ming Huazhang summon a physician — does no one at home look after him?”
Ming Huashang frowned. That she genuinely did not know. She called over a yamen runner from behind and asked: “Is the Jing Zhaoyiin’s family in Chang’an?”
The runner also looked uncertain. He thought for a moment and said: “No one has ever visited the Jing Zhaoyiin’s residence — his household affairs are not known to us either. Only that there is a daughter, who I believe passed away from a plague.”
“Oh?” Ming Huashang was taken aback. “When was this?”
“More than ten years ago now.” The runner said.
Ming Huashang was even more surprised: “Ten years? If it was that long ago, how do you know?”
“Second Young Maiden may not know — the Jing Zhaoyiin has only come into his current fortune in the last two years or so. He was promoted to the position of Deputy Jing Zhaoyiin when a vacancy opened, and was then elevated again last year to Jing Zhaoyiin. Before that, he had spent many years as an adjutant officer in the Jing Zhaoyin. I believe he was transferred here in the first year of the Tianshou reign — so that makes eleven years now.” The runner spoke with a reflective sigh: “Ten years on a cold bench — then fortune arrived and within a year he rose to the top. It truly is that all things are fated; there is nothing half-free in it.”
“Eleven years…” Ming Huashang said, astonished. “The Jing Zhaoyiin has already been in the Jing Zhaoyin that long?”
Xie Jichuan had little interest in such topics. It was Ren Yao who gave a quiet snort and rolled her eyes under her breath: “No wonder he is so slippery and unpleasant. Turns out he’s an old eel.”
As they talked, Jinxiu Tower came into view. The group fell silent and stepped forward with composed faces. What greeted them unexpectedly was an atmosphere of solemn tension throughout the building. Upon asking, they learned that the Widow Liu’s son had fallen ill. Physicians had been coming and going like a stream of water for the past two days, and the smell of medicine inside had not dispersed.
The three of them went upstairs to see the Widow Liu. She sat beside her son without leaving for a moment. In just a few short days she had grown considerably more haggard — her cheeks had hollowed on both sides, and even her eyes had grown dull.
She looked back at them, appearing entirely spent — like a puppet drained of all energy, without even the strength to produce a large expression: “Why has the maiden come again?”
Ren Yao was about to speak. Ming Huashang raised a hand and held her back, shaking her head gently at Ren Yao. Once Ren Yao had stepped out, Ming Huashang lightened her breathing and stepped softly into the inner room: “Madam, how is the child? What does the physician say?”
The Widow Liu relayed what the physician had told her in broad strokes. The two exchanged a few words back and forth, and through this Ming Huashang gathered a general sense of the child’s illness — as well as a rough picture of how the Widow Liu had been spending these past several days.
After the Widow Liu tucked the blankets around her son and drew the bed curtains, Ming Huashang asked: “Madam, what were you doing yesterday during the hour of Chen?”
“The baby ran a fever in the night. The moment the city gates opened I carried him out to find a physician.” The Widow Liu glanced briefly at Ming Huashang and asked: “Why do you ask?”
Ming Huashang smiled slightly and looked at the sleeping child within the curtains, her voice soft: “At that hour, the physician Chu Ji of Huichun Hall was blown to death by explosives — the same manner of death as Innkeeper Qian.”
Ming Huashang was not watching the Widow Liu, but she felt the woman’s body go rigid — and then quickly, deliberately relax again. The Widow Liu said with studied indifference: “Is that so? I was carrying my son to the physician during the hour of Chen. My maid, wet nurse, and coachman can all testify.”
“I know.” Ming Huashang turned, smiled, and looked straight into the Widow Liu’s eyes. “I did not say I suspected you, Madam — there is no need for you to clear yourself.”
The Widow Liu’s expression darkened. She set down the handkerchief in her hand with a forceful motion: “The maiden has come to Jinxiu Tower in force, and yet says she does not suspect me?”
“Shh!” Ming Huashang quickly glanced toward the inner room, placed a finger to her lips, and looked at the Widow Liu with gentle reproach. “What is the rush, Madam? Do not wake the child.”
The Widow Liu pressed her lips together, her fingers clasped tightly, her expression quite unpleasant. Yet Ming Huashang rose to her feet: “Since the child is well, I am relieved. You have been exhausted these past days caring for him — perhaps rest a little now. Take good care of yourself. I will not disturb you further.”
With that, Ming Huashang gave the Widow Liu a slight, parting smile, bowed, and said: “I will take my leave, Madam. Until we meet again.”
While Ming Huashang had been inside asking questions, Xie Jichuan stood propped against the wall outside, looking at the paintings on it with supreme indifference. Ren Yao paced in front of the door, peeking inside every so often, afraid of missing anything.
Ren Yao could contain herself no longer and asked Xie Jichuan: “She has been inside so long — has something happened?”
“Nothing will.” Xie Jichuan let out a bored yawn, closed his eyes, and rested. “These paintings are genuinely painful to look at. Stop worrying — she has been inside this long without any sound. If it were you, something would have happened, but not her.”
Ren Yao furrowed her brow, not sure whether this was praise for Ming Huashang or an insult to herself. She gave Xie Jichuan a long-suffering glance: “What kind of heartless person are you? Second Maiden has weak martial skills and little physical strength — if she ran into trouble…” She broke off: “Ah — she’s coming out!”
Xie Jichuan opened both eyes, unable to suppress his tone: “Did I not say nothing would happen.”
Ming Huashang came out, and Ren Yao immediately came forward: “Well? Did you find anything? Did the Widow Liu kill Innkeeper Feng? What about Chu Ji?”
“I did not ask.”
Ren Yao froze and nearly thought she had misheard: “What? Then why were you inside so long?”
“I was keeping her company while she gave the child his medicine.” Ming Huashang said. “A woman who could conceive and execute a killing even while her own child was ill would not be tripped up by a few words of probing. If I asked about Innkeeper Feng and Chu Ji, she would know the authorities have found no evidence — and that would only confirm it for her. Better not to ask.”
Ren Yao nodded along, only half understanding, and asked: “So what now?”
“We wait.” Ming Huashang said. “Wait for her to slip up, or to prove herself innocent.”
They had come in force and left in a strange, inconclusive fashion — rather like returning with their tails between their legs. Ren Yao found herself feeling quite unsatisfied and scratched her chin: “So we’re just going to leave like this?”
Xie Jichuan, who had been utterly disinterested the entire way, now perked up: “Perfect timing — let’s go to Huichun Hall.”
“The Jing Zhaoyiin specifically told us to come to Jinxiu Tower — if we just walk away like this, can we answer for ourselves?”
“The Crown Prince said to let me have full authority. I have decided — we go to Huichun Hall next.”
The three of them were still talking when a cataclysmic wail erupted from below. Ming Huashang was startled; Xie Jichuan reached out in time to steady her before she tumbled down the stairs.
The three of them looked down together. At the entrance of Jinxiu Tower, a woman had arrived, clutching a memorial tablet and weeping with gut-wrenching abandon, her voice high and piercing. In an instant, the entire building was filled with her keening: “Innkeeper, why have you left like this — what will become of me and the child I carry? You worked so hard all your life, killed so wrongly, and now even your estate is to pass to a stranger!”
She was still wailing when the employees seized her by the arms and efficiently dragged her away. The woman protected her belly with one hand and kept struggling and calling out in broken cries: “She did not even observe mourning before remarrying last time — surely she will do it again. Innkeeper, open your eyes and look…”
Ming Huashang, Xie Jichuan, and Ren Yao exchanged glances. They had all guessed the woman’s identity.
The woman with whom Qian Yi had been conducting an affair — now pressing forward with a child in her womb to claim her stake in the household: Widow Hu.
Ren Yao looked out from a distance and asked: “What do we do?”
“Follow her and see.” Ming Huashang said. “With the child’s father gone, the Widow Liu has sole say over Jinxiu Tower. For a nameless widow with no formal standing to dare provoke the Widow Liu like this — she must have some other support behind her. She would not have the courage to make such a scene otherwise.”
Xie Jichuan had no strong feelings either way — but he had promised someone he would look after that someone’s younger sister, so he could only follow along. As he climbed along the top of the wall, Xie Jichuan found himself deep in thought.
How had he come to this?
Xie Jichuan cast a sideways hint at the person beside him who was deeply absorbed in peering over: “Climbing the walls of a widow’s home and digging for skeletons in the grave — this is the act of a scoundrel. Second Little Sister, even if I care little for moral niceties, I can’t go about without any at all.”