“Master, Master…”
Man Yao had just finished a light breakfast when she saw Ling’er come running in with a great clamor, shouting as she ran, “Master, something terrible has happened!”
Man Yao frowned and asked, “What is it?”
Ling’er said, “I just heard that Xiao Sha got into a fight with someone yesterday! Over a girl from Ruanxiang Lou.”
A girl from Ruanxiang Lou? Didn’t Xiao Sha always hate pleasure houses?
“Who did you hear this from? Where is Xiao Sha?”
Ling’er said, “He seems to have gone out again. I just thought he’d been acting strange lately, always appearing and disappearing out of nowhere, impossible to find—turns out he’s been spending his days in a brothel! Everyone outside knows about this already. It was the General who didn’t want me to tell you, afraid you’d worry.”
Even Fu Chou had been alarmed; it seemed the commotion was no small matter. Man Yao’s brows knitted together. Xiao Sha had always been steady—how could he stir up such a storm over a brothel woman? If word got out, others would surely say she indulged her subordinate in throwing his weight around. If someone with ill intent used this against them, it might bring even more trouble to Fu Chou.
Ling’er added, “I heard that because of this, the General was summoned into the palace!”
The palace? Man Yao was startled and hurriedly asked, “Who was the other party? Were they badly injured?”
Ling’er replied, “It was Consort Lian’s younger brother. I heard one of his legs was nearly broken, and he’s still lying at home right now.”
It was actually this serious? Man Yao’s expression changed slightly. Regarding that Consort Lian, she knew a little. It was said that because she resembled Noble Consort Yun of years past, she enjoyed the Emperor’s favor and was someone who wouldn’t let go once she had the upper hand. No wonder Emperor Lintian had bestowed so many things upon Fu Chou for no reason—presumably Fu Chou had suffered quite a bit of difficulty when he entered the palace yesterday!
Man Yao frowned and paced about the room. How had Xiao Sha’s conduct become so thoughtless?
“Ling’er, go find out what that brothel woman’s background is.”
Ling’er hadn’t been gone long before she hurried back, saying she hadn’t seen Xiao Sha nor the brothel woman. She’d only heard that the woman was called “Ke’er,” had arrived in the capital not long ago, was very beautiful, and although she was in a brothel, she didn’t receive guests.
This was strange. If she didn’t receive guests, how did Xiao Sha end up fighting with that young master of the Lian family? Man Yao was full of doubts. Ruanxiang Lou, Ruanxiang Lou… why did it sound somewhat familiar?
“Go investigate whose territory Ruanxiang Lou is,” she said. After speaking, she saw Ling’er freeze, her expression changing slightly. Man Yao immediately thought of something, her gaze suddenly turning sharp. “You know?”
Ling’er shook her head frantically. Man Yao’s face darkened. She returned to the table and sat down, her tone faint as she said, “This past year or more… when you passed messages to Imperial Brother, where did you send them?”
She probed. Before she had finished speaking, Ling’er’s expression changed, and with a thud she knelt before her.
Man Yao frowned, looking at her, her heart turning slightly cold. Four years as master and servant—she had never truly treated Ling’er and Xiao Sha as subordinates, nor even as outsiders.
Under her gaze, Ling’er lowered her head and said softly, “So Master knew all along.” Then she suddenly lifted her head, her gaze urgent as she defended herself, “Please believe me, Master. I absolutely never did anything unworthy of you!”
Man Yao’s face was grave; she said nothing.
Ling’er hurriedly continued, “I know Master doesn’t believe me, but I have followed you for four years. Although Master never said it aloud, I know you treat this servant like a blood sister! This servant has been alone since childhood without support; I don’t even know what my parents looked like. It was His Majesty who gave me the hope to live on. I once swore to be loyal to him all my life, but if His Majesty ordered me to harm you, Master, I would not do it. Although His Majesty gave me the courage to survive, the only one who truly made me feel there was still affection in this world is you, Master.”
She spoke very sincerely, her tone somewhat agitated. Man Yao looked at her, still silent.
Ling’er knelt and shuffled toward her, grasping her hand, crying anxiously.
“Does Master truly not believe me? Although I am a servant, I am still a person with feelings! Other masters treat servants merely as servants—only you, Master, treat me and Xiao Sha like your own kin. I went to Ruanxiang Lou to collect medicine. Sometimes I would pass on some inconsequential messages. His Majesty wants to know how you are faring, Master. He wants to know what happened between you and Prince Li. He wants to know whether the General treats you well. And your health, Master… after taking the medicine each month on the night of the full moon, does your head still hurt? His Majesty is concerned about you, Master. I believe His Majesty would not do anything to harm you…”
Seeing her crying so brokenheartedly, Man Yao couldn’t bear it in the end. She helped her up and sighed, “If that’s the case, why are you so nervous? I haven’t blamed you. You and Xiao Sha are the only two people in this world I trust. I don’t want to suspect you. From now on, don’t hide anything from me anymore.”
Ling’er smiled through her tears, wiped her eyes with her sleeve, and only then grew happy.
But Man Yao’s mood was heavy. Ever since she had awakened in that magnificent bed four years ago, she learned that this body was ill. It was said to be a root cause of headaches from a cold contracted in the cold palace during childhood, flaring up once every month on the fifteenth. If she didn’t take the medicine in advance and the cold poison invaded her lungs and internal organs, the consequences would be unpredictable. As for those medicinal ingredients, she had secretly consulted physicians before. Several of the herbs were indeed for dispelling cold, but as for the other two types of medicinal pills, none of the physicians she found recognized them. It was said someone had independently formulated them using many kinds of rare medicinal materials according to her special condition.
“Madame, the carriage is ready,” Steward Liang sent someone to report.
Man Yao looked up at the sun in the sky. It wasn’t even noon yet, but the heat was already so stifling that one wished they could burrow into an underground cellar to hide.
Seeing her complexion had improved, Ling’er hurried forward to take her arm and said with a smile, “Master, don’t be angry about Xiao Sha’s matter for now. Wait until we return to properly lecture him. Let me accompany you out for some fresh air first.”
Man Yao thought about it. Xiao Sha wasn’t an impulsive person. Although his actions were wrong, there must be a reason behind them.
“Very well.” She nodded. Without bringing extra people, she and Ling’er rode in the carriage toward the eastern suburbs.
Qingliang Lake was formed by two natural lakes connected through a gap between perilous cliff faces, somewhat winding and endless to the eye. The cliff walls along the shore were not very high, but they happened to block the scorching sun in the sky.
Man Yao alighted from the carriage. A cool breeze carrying the faint damp scent of the lake surface blew against her face. The serene, refreshing feeling made it seem as though summer had already passed. She gazed around. Surrounded by green mountains and clear water, her heart suddenly opened up, and all her vexation dissipated.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The air was fresh and smooth. Fu Chou was right—she liked this place.
The two walked toward the lakeshore. The shore was peaceful and open, yet not a single boat was moored there. Ling’er couldn’t help muttering, “Strange, why isn’t there a single boat here?”
Man Yao was also puzzled. Since this was a good place for summer boating, how could there be no boats? Just as she was thinking this, she suddenly heard Ling’er cry out excitedly, “There’s a big boat over there! Ah, how beautiful!”
Man Yao looked up at the sound. From the gap where the two lakes connected, a delicate painted boat slowly approached. Its canopy was gilded and inlaid with gold, luxurious and beautiful. It was supported by seven times seven, forty-nine carved pillars, and between each pillar white gossamer curtains fluttered, forming a unique, enchanting scenery amid the blue water and sky like a woman’s light dance. A burst of music and song drifted out from within the painted boat, resonating through the tranquil air, melodious and pleasant.
Around the painted boat were no fewer than twenty guards, each with a stern expression and vigilant gaze. One look and it was clear the owner of this boat was of no ordinary status.
Man Yao called to Ling’er to leave, thinking that since they couldn’t rent a boat, finding a quiet, secluded place for a walk would be fine too. But they had only walked a few steps when they saw the painted boat heading straight toward them. A middle-aged man with a large beard lifted the white gauze curtain and waved at them, shouting, “My master requests that the young ladies on the shore stay a moment.”
Man Yao’s brow furrowed slightly. Ling’er called out discontentedly, “Who is your master? You tell us to stay, so we have to stay?”
The middle-aged man turned his head and said something inside. Then a person walked out from within.
Purple robes with white lapels, a black jade band binding his forehead, tall stature, noble bearing, and forthright movements. She had never seen this man before, and he didn’t look like a native of the capital.
Slightly surprised but out of courtesy, Man Yao nodded and quietly waited for the painted boat to reach the shore.
The purple-robed man was the first to disembark. As he cupped his hands in greeting, his gaze lingered on her face in undisguised astonishment, and he laughed aloud, “May I ask if the young lady is here to tour the lake?”
“Of course! If not to tour the lake, what else would we come here for?” Ling’er answered first, her expression and tone suggesting he had asked a pointless question.
Man Yao lightly rebuked, “Ling’er, don’t be rude!”
She gave the purple-robed man an apologetic smile and was about to apologize when the man waved his hand, not minding at all. He smiled, “It’s fine. This young lady is truly genuine in nature. This one admires that very much.”
His voice was rough, his smile hearty, his tone sincere and unpretentious—a cultivated and magnanimous person.
Man Yao didn’t wish to be discourteous either. She smiled faintly and said, “We did indeed come to tour the lake. It’s just a pity… we have come at the wrong time.”
Her voice was ethereal, like the sounds of nature. Her appearance was pure and otherworldly, her bearing elegant and noble. Her smile was light and aloof yet not discourteous. The purple-robed man’s eyes flickered, bright as the sun, and for a moment he forgot himself, saying, “I have long heard that the capital is filled with beauties like clouds. It seems the rumors are true. May I know the young lady’s name?”
As expected, he wasn’t from Lintian Kingdom. His directness made it difficult for Man Yao to refuse, yet she was unwilling to give her name. She couldn’t help frowning and glanced at Ling’er. Ling’er immediately called out, “What’s with you? Asking someone’s name the first time you meet? We don’t even know you—why should we tell you? Besides, you haven’t even said what your name is or where you’re from.”
The purple-robed man was taken aback by the scolding. He froze for a moment but quickly recovered. Unexpectedly, he wasn’t embarrassed. The middle-aged man murmured something in his ear, and the purple-robed man suddenly realized. He smiled apologetically at Man Yao, “This one was abrupt. Please don’t blame me, young lady.”
Man Yao smiled and shook her head, asking, “I wonder why the young gentleman called out to us just now?”
The purple-robed man seemed to only then remember his original purpose in stopping them. He hurriedly said, “It’s like this. Because I am touring the lake today, my servants made a mountain out of a molehill and had all the boatmen here pull in their boats and go home to rest. I saw the young ladies pacing the shore as if looking for a boat, so I rashly called out. If the young lady doesn’t disdain to join me, how about we tour together?”
The man made a gesture of invitation. Man Yao was about to refuse when Ling’er tugged at her sleeve and whispered in her ear, “Master, we finally came out… they don’t look like bad people…”
Man Yao chided softly, “How would you know!”
Ling’er playfully stuck out her tongue, her gaze still lingering on the exquisite painted boat moored at the shore.
Man Yao sighed helplessly. She turned to see the purple-robed man and the middle-aged man looking at them and chuckling plainly. Clearly they had heard what Ling’er said. If she refused now, instead it would be a case of measuring a gentleman’s belly with a petty person’s heart. Moreover, this purple-robed man’s smile was sincere and open—he should be a gentleman. She thought for a moment and smiled politely, “Since the young gentleman extends such a warm invitation, then… I shall respectfully accept.”
The purple-robed gentleman immediately joyfully invited the two aboard the painted boat.
The interior of the boat was spacious, with singing and dancing troupes and numerous servants.
Man Yao took her seat at the purple-robed man’s invitation. The man ordered the wine withdrawn and had fresh pastries and tea brought in. He personally poured her a cup before smiling, “This one is Ning Qianyi, newly arrived in the capital. To have the fortune of meeting you here, young lady, truly makes this trip worthwhile.”
This time he took a roundabout way, but still wanted to know her name. Man Yao found it somewhat strange. This man appeared very forthright and didn’t seem like someone who would fuss over such things.
Ning Qianyi? She seemed to have heard this name somewhere before.
Ning Qianyi…
Man Yao focused her eyes and thought but couldn’t recall it in the end. She smiled faintly and said, “As the saying goes, the friendship between gentlemen is as light as water. Since we met by chance on the water, there is no need to exchange names.”
The purple-robed man was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily, “What the young lady says is reasonable. You are an elegant person; this one is vulgar! Young lady, please have some tea.”
Man Yao smiled lightly without speaking. She lowered her gaze slightly, raised her teacup, and took a shallow sip. Intuitively she felt the purple-robed man had been staring at her the whole time. She couldn’t help frowning. When she raised her eyes, their gazes collided head-on. She had thought he would show at least a trace of embarrassment at being caught, or that his eyes would dodge away somewhat. Contrary to expectations, he still wore a smile, his gaze burning, openly and frankly observing her. She was startled for a moment. If not for a broad and honest heart, a normal person would likely find it difficult to do so.
Although the purple-robed man’s face was calm, inwardly he was secretly marveling. If an ordinary woman were stared at so boldly by a man, she would probably have flushed red long ago with a shy gaze. Yet under his observation, this woman could remain indifferent and calm, completely unaffected, drinking her tea naturally and elegantly. Such leisurely, composed bearing was truly rare among women. Seeing she always maintained a light expression, she must be someone who liked quiet. He tactfully fell silent. Quietly listening to the melodious zither music, savoring fine tea, admiring the mountain and lake scenery, and beholding a peerless beauty—he wondered if there was anything more pleasant than this in this world.
The painted boat passed through the channel and arrived at the northern half of the lake. Here was a world unto itself, actually twice as large as the southern half. A cool breeze gently blew. Man Yao’s brows relaxed, her mood peaceful. Suddenly, the boat hull moved slightly, and a faint sound came from the bottom boards. Man Yao was startled. Keenly she detected a trace of killing intent mixed with the cool breeze flashing past. She quickly raised her eyes, and at the same time saw the purple-robed man’s thick eyebrows furrow, his gaze fixed on the quiet lake water like lightning.
Ling’er, who had been lying at the edge of the painted boat tracing circles in the lake with her fingers, suddenly cried out, “Ah? In this water… there’s someone!”
The middle-aged man’s expression changed. He immediately went to check. When he returned, he reported in a low voice to the purple-robed man, “This is bad. There are men concealed in the water. We must get to shore as quickly as possible.”
“Too late.” The purple-robed man and Man Yao spoke almost simultaneously. The purple-robed man looked at her in surprise.
From up ahead came successive splashes as guards leaped into the lake. After a long while, none came back up. Man Yao saw a trace of scarlet blood spread through the turquoise lake water.
The purple-robed man’s eyes changed slightly. He stood up and said to the middle-aged man, “Tell them not to go down anymore. Hurry and make for the shore—get as close as possible.”
Seeing their appearance as if facing a great enemy, Ling’er panicked a little. “Master, what should we do?” She began to regret convincing her master to board the boat.
Man Yao looked at the vast expanse of lake surface all around, empty and blue as far as the eye could see. She estimated the distance and the possibility of swimming to shore from here, then gently patted Ling’er’s hand and comforted her, “No need to panic. Since we’ve come, let us be at peace. Let’s watch calmly and see how things change.”
The situation being what it was, she could only share the same boat and work together with those aboard.
The purple-robed man saw she was unafraid in the face of danger, calm as usual, and his favorable impression of her doubled. Both admiring and apologetic, he said, “Today I originally extended a kind invitation for the young lady to tour the lake. I never imagined it would actually implicate you!”
Man Yao smiled faintly and said nothing, only sweeping her eyes around to survey the surroundings.
Inside the painted boat, those women still didn’t know danger was descending. The zither music continued; the singing and dancing had not stopped. But outside the painted boat, waves suddenly rose on the water’s surface, and undercurrents surged beneath.
Suddenly, someone shouted, “Ah? The hold is taking on water!”
With this cry of alarm, the beauties playing the zither and dancing instantly stopped, falling into chaos.
The boat planks split open with cracks, and lake water poured straight through. For a moment screams rose on all sides. Heaven and earth suddenly changed color. Dark clouds gathered in the sky. A thick, murderous aura swept across the heavens and earth, churning wind and clouds.