Ming Huazhang remained perfectly composed upon hearing her words. Without any trace of hurry, he closed the door, walked to the half-open window, and removed the locking pin. “You’re here,” he said. “How is it that none of the servants have brought tea? Such negligence — they deserve to be punished.”
Ming Huashang kept her expression stern. “Second Elder Brother truly has an impressive temper. At a time like this, you still have the leisure to think about drinking tea.”
“What should I be anxious about?”
“Today is the second day of the third month.” Ming Huashang fixed her eyes on him and said, “The Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony is four days away.”
Sure enough, the moment those words left her mouth, Ming Huazhang’s hand stilled in the act of closing the window. He lowered his hand, turned around, and regarded Ming Huashang with an inscrutable expression, his eyes dark and deep as ink. “Do you know what you are doing?”
“I do.” In front of Ming Huazhang, Ming Huashang had always maintained the image of an obedient and adorable little sister. This was the first time she had allowed her rebellious side to show.
Ming Huashang stood up. Despite the significant difference in height between them, she still held her head high, facing Ming Huazhang directly with resolute determination. “I have been wondering these past few days why I haven’t seen either of you at all — because what you were actually investigating had nothing to do with the murder case. Whether the Kui household was truly haunted, whether someone had actually died in that residence — you couldn’t have cared less. The only thing you cared about was who ordered wooden puppets made to resemble the Imperial Guards, and where those puppets were sent.”
Ming Huazhang was silent. The room was unlit. The night wind blew past, the treetops rustled softly, casting dappled shadows on the window paper. Those shadows fell upon Ming Huazhang, blurring the contours of his figure, which made his tall, slender build appear all the more imposing in the darkness — a breathtaking presence.
Ming Huashang could not make out his expression, only felt that his gaze had never left her. Even with the light behind him, it did nothing to diminish the light in his eyes — sharp and bright as the edge of a blade.
This silent version of Ming Huazhang felt like a stranger to her. For one fleeting moment, she even doubted whether the person before her was truly her elder brother.
Ming Huashang tightened her fingers around her skirt hem and pressed on with a single breath of courage: “Compared to matters involving the Crown Prince, what does the death of one ordinary commoner girl amount to? You may not care — but I cannot pretend not to know. She was abducted at six years old, sold into a wealthy household as a slave at seven, and dragged out and resold like merchandise at fourteen. If she had never crossed paths with Kui Yanqing, she would have been forced into a life of prostitution. But Kui Yanqing was never her rescuer — she had only fallen from one hell into another.
“She endured years of violation at Kui Yanqing’s hands with no way to speak out. Just when she was about to marry the senior apprentice-brother she had loved since childhood — just when it seemed she might finally break free from her master’s control — Kui Yanqing reduced her to nothing with a single order. Kui Yanqing instructed Kui Moyuan to take the junior apprentice-sister as a concubine, while declaring that Kui Zhutan would be his wife in substance — making Kui Bai Xuan nothing more than a thoroughly used tool, a beast of burden, from start to finish.”
Ming Huazhang had appeared cool and impassive throughout, but when he heard that Kui Bai Xuan had been violated by Kui Yanqing, visible shock crossed his face. He furrowed his brow slightly and studied Ming Huashang carefully, as though weighing his words: “When you say violated — do you mean that Kui Yanqing beat and abused Kui Bai Xuan, or that it was…”
Ming Huashang pressed her lips together and looked at him. “Exactly what you are thinking.”
Ming Huazhang fell silent. After a long, quiet pause, he asked, “How do you know about something like this?”
“A servant doing night rounds told me,” Ming Huashang said. “If you don’t believe me, you can go and ask yourself — see whether I am lying.”
“There’s no need.” Ming Huazhang sighed. “I had only assumed their motives were love and family property. I had no idea there were such hidden circumstances behind it all.”
Ming Huashang stepped closer to Ming Huazhang and looked at him earnestly. “Whatever that woman may have done, it is no justification for what was done to her. Even if she had committed a crime, it should have been brought to light and judged in the open — not like this, dying without anyone understanding why. Second Elder Brother, I am also a woman. I cannot sit by and do nothing.”
Ming Huazhang looked down and met her eyes — dark, moist, and luminous, like the eyes of a deer deep in a forest. He paused, uncertain in that brief moment of distraction whether it was her words or her eyes that had caught him. “What do you want to do?”
“I want to visit the scene of the crime and bring all the truth to light,” Ming Huashang said. “With my own abilities, I cannot get into the Kui household — even with Ren Yao and Jiang Ling it would still be impossible. Second Elder Brother, only you can help me now.”
Ming Huazhang said nothing. Ming Huashang studied his expression, but he was far too composed and guarded — she could read nothing of his thoughts. Having no other option, she threw all caution to the wind: “Second Elder Brother, although we have not been close in the past, you have always been the most perfect star in my heart. Even Father has moments of weakness and confusion, yet you have never once faltered. Because of you, I came to believe that truly virtuous and upright gentlemen do exist in this world — men whose outward conduct and inner character are one and the same. Because of you, I became willing to believe that spending one’s life alongside a man might not be such an uninteresting prospect after all. Surely you won’t tell me that you are, in truth, no different from those men consumed by greed and ambition — caring only about the Crown Prince, and not the slightest bit about the life or death of one ordinary person.”
Ming Huazhang sighed. “There is no need to set such a lofty hat upon my head. Since you want to go, then go — but first change into clothes that allow for easy movement.”
Ming Huashang was overjoyed and agreed at once. “Very well — thank you, Second Elder Brother!”
She knew there was no time to waste and immediately turned to run outside. She had taken only a couple of steps when Ming Huazhang called her back. He looked at her and asked, “You seem very averse to the idea of marriage?”
Ming Huashang was momentarily surprised, and lowered her gaze. “Perhaps. Before marriage, young women are each their own person — vivid and bright, a thousand different faces, capable of arguing all day over a poem or a melody. But after they marry, they become indistinguishable from one another — all they ever speak of are mothers-in-law, husbands, children, and concubines. I find that terrifying.”
She raised her eyes and gave a faint smile. “Perhaps I am being too rigid about it. There’s nothing wrong with dedicating oneself to family life.”
Ming Huazhang had never given any thought to marriage, and could not truly understand that feeling. But he could sense the pain and bewilderment beneath Ming Huashang’s words. He had not known that his little sister, whom he had never been close to since childhood, thought of him this way. He had not known, either, that Ming Huashang — who appeared so lively, always smiling, always full of love for life — harbored such an accumulation of bleak feelings within her.
He had been negligent. She had lost her mother at birth; the Duke Zhenguo had poured the overwhelming majority of his attention into him. He should have looked after Ming Huashang more. He had only ensured that she had food, clothing, and comfort — but had forgotten to care for her inner world.
She was full of feeling, kind and sincere, with a mind of her own. That was a good thing — it should never be suppressed. He had once resolved not to let her enter the Xuan Xiaowei. But thinking about it now, what difference was there between him and those elders who forced women into marriage against their will?
Both were acting in what they believed to be her best interests, without ever consulting her.
Ming Huazhang slowly walked closer, patted Ming Huashang on the shoulder, and said, “If you are unwilling, then never mind. I will speak to Father about it. You are still young — living the life you want is enough.”
The best outcome Ming Huashang had hoped for when coming here was that Ming Huazhang would be willing to take her to examine the crime scene. She had never expected that he would support her not wanting to marry.
Words like these — even the maids who had grown up beside her since childhood could not understand them. Everyone assumed she was simply shy.
In recent days, her grandmother’s voice had grown louder and louder in arranging a match for her. Ming Huashang could almost predict it: once the political situation settled, her grandmother would take her and her female cousins out for a so-called “spring outing,” and as soon as a young man of suitable family background appeared, her grandmother would cheerfully arrange an engagement.
Everyone thought this was for her own good. Only Ming Huazhang would say to her: if you are unwilling, then never mind.
No need for a reason. Unwilling is unwilling.
Ming Huashang was momentarily stunned, and then a nameless, bittersweet ache welled up inside her. “Elder Brother…”
“It’s all right.” Ming Huazhang simply gave her shoulder a brief, firm squeeze before withdrawing his hand — the gesture upright and restrained, measured by propriety. “Go and change. Something dark in color — I will take you to the Kui household.”
“Yes!” Ming Huashang felt a gratitude she could not put into words. How fortunate she was to have an elder brother like this — and yet, in the end, he was not truly her blood brother.
Ming Huashang thought of her companions and quickly reminded him: “Second Elder Brother — there are also Jiang Ling and Ren Yao.”
Ming Huazhang frowned. “Them? It is already past curfew. Bringing them out would require a great deal of trouble. Besides, neither of them is of any particular use — there’s no need to notify them.”
“No!” Ming Huashang insisted. “We are a team — we cannot simply leave anyone behind. That I would go investigate the scene on my own without calling them is something I could never bring myself to say.”
Ming Huazhang said nothing. Ming Huashang also knew the request was adding to the trouble, but she grabbed his wrist and wheedled: “Elder Brother…”
Ming Huazhang was truly at a loss with her, and said helplessly, “Very well. Go and prepare. I will take care of Jiang Ling and Ren Yao.”
Ming Huashang got her wish and happily agreed, bouncing off with a spring in her step. For women of the Great Tang, riding horses was commonplace. Even though Ming Huashang disliked physical exertion, she still owned several sets of fitted, narrow-sleeved riding attire in the northern style. She chose one in dark violet, dressed as quickly as she could, then arranged her bed to look as though she were sleeping, slipped out without disturbing any of the maids, and quietly left.
The night was deep and rich; a cool breeze moved through the air. The Jinwu guards, armored and carrying spears, patrolled the streets, their crisp footsteps mingling with the distant, lingering sound of pagoda bells — together forming the distinctive sounds that belonged to the capital’s nights.
Ming Huashang hid at a street corner. Ming Huazhang stood beside her, and several bodyguards dressed in black with masks covering their faces followed behind, silent as shadows about to dissolve into the darkness.
The patrolling Jinwu guards had just passed by the intersection. From a dark alley across the way, a group of people came sprinting. Jiang Ling came running with his back hunched, and before he could even begin to complain, he caught a glimpse of the tall, upright figure standing behind Ming Huashang.
The expression on Jiang Ling’s face froze completely. He smiled politely at Ming Huazhang, then pulled Ming Huashang off to a secluded spot and lowered his voice: “What’s going on? Why is he here?”
Jiang Ling had already finished bathing and was about to go to sleep when he suddenly found a note beside his pillow, summoning him to meet at the back gate. If the signature hadn’t been “Ming,” Jiang Ling would not have bothered at all.
Ming Huashang also lowered her voice: “Disturbing you all so late at night — that is my fault. But I’ve discovered a new lead and want to take advantage of the night to investigate the crime scene. If things go smoothly, we may even catch the killer tonight!”
“Really?”
“Really.” Ming Huashang said, “Our abilities alone aren’t enough to get inside the Kui household, so I called Second Elder Brother for help. Wait a little longer for Ren Yao — once everyone is here, we set out.”
Hearing that the case might finally be resolved, Jiang Ling felt a long breath of relief wash over him. He stopped minding even that Ming Huashang had dragged him out of bed in the middle of the night. He said with a laugh, “Ming Huashang — I give you more dedication than I give my own father. You’re probably the only person in the world whose invitation could make me go out into the deep of night.”
Two young idlers had taken to each other with ease, and in the past few days Jiang Ling and Ming Huashang had grown quite familiar. She laughed too, and teased him without concern: “Oh, spare me. The most important thing in your heart is your precious belongings — what am I?”
The two of them were exchanging barbs and jibes, neither harbouring any romantic thought toward the other. Ming Huazhang, watching Ming Huashang lean that close to Jiang Ling, finally reached the end of his patience: “Second Young Lady.”
Ming Huashang turned around quickly. “What is it?”
“The other person has arrived.” Ming Huazhang said it casually, but his hand moved without drawing attention to itself — he reached out and pulled Ming Huashang behind him.
Ren Yao appeared at the intersection ahead right on cue. Jiang Ling waved vigorously, signalling her to run over. Ming Huashang watched in astonishment. “She actually came. Second Elder Brother, do you have eyes that see a thousand li? How did you know?”
Ming Huazhang did not answer. His brow was faintly creased — he was still preoccupied with what had just happened.
Jiang Ling had not been wrong. He did treat Ming Huashang differently. When Ming Huazhang sent his note to Jiang Ling with his own seal, Jiang Ling had instinctively assumed it was from Ming Huashang. What did that say?
Had Jiang Ling and Ming Huashang grown too close? Ming Huashang might not have any feelings of that nature — but Jiang Ling was no longer young and had accomplished nothing. Did he harbour dishonourable intentions?
Ren Yao ran over, clearly having also set out on short notice. She scanned the assembled group with wide eyes. “What is this? What’s happening?”
Jiang Ling gave a brief explanation: “Going to the Kui household to catch the killer.”
Ren Yao was even more startled. “What have you all been doing without me? You already know who the killer is?”
You see, that is how rumours are born, thought Ming Huashang, exasperated. “No, we don’t. I’m only going to search the crime scene.”
Ming Huazhang cut short their overly familiar reminiscing. “The route has been arranged. The Jinwu guards will not pass through this area during this window of time. Put on your masks and let’s go.”
Jiang Ling saw the slim, delicate half-face masks glinting with cold metallic light and was highly reluctant. “Why do we have to wear masks?”
“If you’re not afraid of being recognized and implicating your family and friends, you need not.” Ming Huazhang tossed the masks lightly into their arms. “Whether you wear them is up to you — just don’t waste time.”
Jiang Ling and Ren Yao both fell silent and obediently put on their masks. The black-clad figures did not exchange a single word — they opened the way in silence, and Jiang Ling and Ren Yao had no choice but to follow.
Fearing she would slow everyone down, Ming Huashang hastily tied the mask laces in a rough knot and moved to follow — but was caught by Ming Huazhang. “Your mask is not fitted properly.”
There had been no time to have custom masks made for the three of them, so only the most standard designs were available. Jiang Ling’s and Ren Yao’s were passable, but Ming Huashang had a smaller face, and the dark iron mask sat somewhat large on her.
Ming Huazhang removed her mask and refitted it against her face, securing it anew. Forced to tilt her chin up, Ming Huashang looked up and found herself face to face with Ming Huazhang’s cool, strikingly handsome features.
His lashes were slightly lowered; his long fingers pressed against the side of her face — cool to the touch, careful as if he were handling a work of art.
Ming Huashang felt slightly ill at ease. It was strange — just a moment ago she had been talking with Jiang Ling practically head to head, and it had not struck her at all that there was any distinction between man and woman. Yet now, facing Ming Huazhang, she felt awkward, even though his distance from her was far greater than Jiang Ling’s had been.
After a moment of thought, Ming Huashang attributed this to the fact that Jiang Ling was not as good-looking as Ming Huazhang.
Ming Huazhang noticed that Ming Huashang’s attention had drifted. He gave no outward sign of it; his fingers moved around to the back of her hair, securing the laces as he spoke: “Why does Jiang Ling call you by your name?”
Ming Huashang blinked, caught off guard, and answered without thinking: “Ah? Oh — ‘Second Young Lady’ is too common a name in the capital. I asked him to call me that.”
Ming Huazhang gave a quiet, noncommittal sound and said no more. Ming Huashang looked at her elder brother’s face, near enough to see every feature clearly, and felt without any particular reason that the temperature had dropped since a moment ago.
It was as though a cold current were blowing from somewhere behind her. How very strange.
Wanting to please Ming Huazhang, Ming Huashang asked, “What about Elder Brother Xie? I haven’t seen him in so long.”
The chill that had been barely perceptible up to that point now became fully, tangibly real. Ming Huazhang finished tying the laces and straightened up. “He has another task. He has already left.”
Even someone as inattentive as Ming Huashang could sense that Ming Huazhang was in a poor mood. She dared not say anything more and gave a small, quiet “oh.”
As it turned out, Ming Huazhang had planned the timing and route with perfect precision. They made their way without encountering any Jinwu guards, proceeded smoothly into Chongye Ward, and stopped outside the wall of the Kui household.
Ming Huazhang made a simple gesture. The black-clad guards pressed their fists together in salute — and before Ming Huashang could work out what the gesture meant, they had planted their feet against the wall and leapt straight up, floating over the high wall as soundlessly as falling leaves.
Ming Huashang stood quietly with her eyes wide open. Then a faint sound came from the gate; the person inside opened the side door and slipped silently into the darkness. Ming Huazhang gripped his long saber and took the lead: “Follow me.”
Ming Huashang closed her mouth. The whole thing had been clean and efficient, orderly and composed — not a single superfluous word. That was Elder Brother’s way.
Ren Yao and Jiang Ling were both silenced by this calm, understated professionalism. Was this the true capability of the Xuan Xiaowei? If this was their standard level, then even if the Xuan Xiaowei numbered only a few hundred, possessing such a force would be enough to turn the tide of any coup.
Ming Huazhang moved through the Kui household with familiar ease, as though walking through an uninhabited place. Two black-clad figures were already standing at the workshop entrance. Jiang Ling could not resist looking down at the cluster of shadows at their feet.
Ming Huazhang seemed to hear Jiang Ling’s thoughts. “These are the Kui household servants who had been guarding the workshop. They are alive.”
Straightforward and concise. Jiang Ling had nothing to say, and asked instead: “Then why are we here?”
“To look at the scene.” Ming Huazhang pushed open the workshop door and said to Ming Huashang, “Inside has been restored to the state it was in on the day the incident occurred. Have a look for yourself.”
Ren Yao could not help asking, “How do you know what it looked like on the day of the incident?”
“Everything that could be determined by questioning and everything that could be reconstructed has been taken to the furthest extent possible. Even if it is not an exact replica, it cannot be improved upon.” Ming Huazhang said, “The spot where Kui Bai Xuan’s body was lying has been marked by me. Fortunately, the talk of haunting has kept anyone from daring to enter during this time. I had someone clear away the traces of the ritual and return the puppets as closely as possible to their original positions — the discrepancy should not be significant.”
Ming Huashang nodded and said a quiet word of thanks, then stepped carefully into the workshop.
The instant she crossed the threshold, a bone-deep chill coiled up around her legs like a serpent. Ming Huashang had no energy left to register it — for every bit of her awareness had already sunk into the scene of that day.