The South Gate of Chenjing City.
The towering city gate rose beneath the horizon like a colossal beast, its thick blue-gray bricks mottled with the marks of wind and frost.
Outside the gate, a seemingly endless procession of merchant caravans and commoners waiting to enter the city stretched into a winding line. The snorting of mules and horses, the rumbling of wheels over stone paving, and the stern shouts of the guards intertwined into a cacophony of noise.
This was the vital thoroughfare leading into the South Market of Chenjing’s outer city.
Beyond the deep, arched gateway lay the bustling South Market, a place where all manner of people mingled and the waters ran deep. Farther within stood the inner city, crowded with nobles and powerful families, and beyond that, the imperial city, the most exalted place in the realm.
At that moment, soldiers at the city gate stood with spears in hand, conducting routine but stringent inspections of incoming carriages, goods, and merchants. The spearheads gleamed with a chilling brilliance beneath the sunlight.
Wu Shiqing and Shi Yi had encountered this silk merchant caravan from Jiangnan, which was heading to the capital, in a neighboring prefecture. After considerable effort, they had paid off the caravan’s manager with their remaining travel funds and blended into the group under the identities of an accompanying laborer and a young accounting clerk.
Wu Shiqing wore an oversized gray cloth tunic, with a little dirt smeared across her face. Her hair was tied into the hairstyle of a young boy, and she held a thick account book tightly against her chest as she followed the caravan manager with her head lowered, taking small, cautious steps.
The grim, oppressive atmosphere at the city gate was almost suffocating. Every squad of armored guards carrying weapons reminded her that she had already set foot in the imperial capital of the Great Sheng Dynasty. Her heart pounded like a war drum, and a fine layer of cold sweat had long since formed on her palms.
Shi Yi, meanwhile, carried two heavy loads of fabric on a shoulder pole, walking along the side of the procession.
His eyes appeared dull and downcast, but from the corners of his eyes, he quietly surveyed the guards’ positions and the flow of people entering and leaving the city, as alert as a falcon.
“Stop! Routine inspection!”
A stern-looking soldier shouted, halting the caravan.
The caravan manager was already accustomed to such situations. He immediately put on a fawning smile and deftly presented a prepared travel permit, slipping a heavy ingot of silver into the soldier’s sleeve with a practiced motion.
“Thank you for your hard work, officer. Please take this and have yourself a cup of hot tea. We’re the Liao Silk Shop from Jiangnan, here to deliver a batch of spring silk to the capital and conduct a little business.”
The soldier discreetly weighed the heaviness in his sleeve, and his expression softened considerably.
He casually lifted the carriage curtain and glanced inside before carelessly sweeping his gaze over the members of the caravan. His eyes eventually paused for a moment on the unfamiliar “young lad” at the back of the procession, who had a small frame and kept his head lowered.
Wu Shiqing’s heart tightened. She instinctively held her breath and buried her head even deeper against her chest, putting on the timid, frightened appearance of a boy who had been thoroughly intimidated. She hugged the account book tightly with both arms.
“Who is this brat? I’ve never seen him before. Why haven’t I seen him with you previously?” the soldier asked suspiciously, frowning.
The caravan manager remained composed and smiled apologetically as he cupped his hands.
“To answer your question, officer, he’s a distant nephew of mine. His family suffered a flood, so he came to seek refuge with us. I brought him along to broaden his horizons and teach him a little bookkeeping and business, so he can at least make a living in the future.”
The soldier snorted impatiently and waved his hand.
“All right, move along. Don’t block the road for those behind you!”
“Thank you, officer! Please take care!”
The caravan successfully passed through the heavy city gate and stepped onto the bustling stone streets of the capital.
Hearing the sudden surge of hawkers’ cries and the clamor of carriages and horses around her, Wu Shiqing finally released a long breath after they had traveled quite a distance. The clothes on her back were already completely soaked with cold sweat.
Not long after entering the city, Shi Yi quietly thanked the manager and settled the remaining payment. He then led Wu Shiqing away from the caravan as quickly as possible.
Drawing on the vigilance he had accumulated over many years and his extensive experience in evading pursuers, Shi Yi guided Wu Shiqing through the maze of winding alleys in the capital. Along the way, they deliberately changed their outer garments and headwear twice. Only after confirming that no one was following them did they finally make their way to a poor district in the northern part of the city.
The area was mostly inhabited by impoverished refugees and migrant laborers. The houses were dilapidated, and the surroundings were noisy and disorderly.
After making inquiries in several places, Shi Yi found a reclusive elderly widow who lived alone.
The old woman merely asked indifferently, “How long will you stay? As long as you don’t cause trouble, that’s fine.”
After accepting a few copper coins, she paid them no further attention.
The two rented a narrow, dimly lit wooden hut with gaps everywhere that let the wind blow straight through.
Although the surroundings were wretched and the neighborhood was a mixture of all sorts of people, the constant movement of residents made it difficult to attract the authorities’ attention.
“Uncle Shi, on the way here… was anyone following us?”
After firmly securing the door, Wu Shiqing pressed a hand against her heaving chest and asked in a lowered voice.
“I haven’t detected anyone tailing us so far.”
Shi Yi stood by the window, cautiously observing the streets outside through the gaps in the battered wooden shutters. His brows, however, remained tightly furrowed.
“But for some reason, the inspection at the city gate today seemed much more lenient than I expected. In any case, we absolutely must not let our guard down.”
Throughout the journey, everything had gone so smoothly that Shi Yi had been unable to shake the heavy stone hanging over his heart.
Although they had encountered checkpoints along the way, they had always managed to pass through safely at seemingly dangerous moments.
Now, having entered the heavily guarded imperial capital so easily, he instead felt a deep, inexplicable sense of unease rising within him.
Wu Shiqing nodded slightly, an unusual determination for her age flashing through her eyes.
“Regardless, we’ve finally infiltrated this den of dragons and tigers. Next, we must find a way to determine which of those two famous top courtesans is actually Second Brother.”
That night, only a dim oil lamp illuminated the cramped wooden hut.
“Uncle Shi, tomorrow we’ll split up and act separately,” Wu Shiqing said calmly. “I’ll go near Drunken Cherry Court to inquire about ‘Night Cherry,’ while you go to Shuyu Pavilion to ask about ‘Young Master Yuexi.'”
Shi Yi’s expression immediately darkened as he rejected the suggestion.
“No! It’s too dangerous for you to go alone, Miss. What if you run into some troublemaking thugs or soldiers…?”
“Uncle Shi, if the two of us go together, we’ll be a much bigger target and attract more attention.”
Wu Shiqing analyzed the situation calmly.
“I’m dressed as a boy. I’ll only make inquiries from a distance, at nearby teahouses or from ordinary street vendors. I absolutely won’t take any risks by approaching too closely. Besides, you’re tall and have the bearing of someone who has practiced martial arts for years. You’re more likely to attract people’s attention than I am. If we split up and meet here again at dusk, it’ll be the most efficient and safest arrangement.”
Shi Yi looked at Wu Shiqing, whose gaze was steady and whose judgment was clear. He knew that although she was young, she was meticulous and thoughtful. In the end, he could only sigh helplessly and give in.
“Very well. But you must remember this, Miss: the moment you notice anything suspicious, return here immediately. Absolutely do not take any unnecessary risks!”
◇◆◇◆◇
The following afternoon.
Shi Yi slowly made his way farther along the long street.
This was one of the capital’s most famous streets of brothels and pleasure houses, lined on both sides with establishments serving wine and entertainment. The sounds of strings and flutes, mixed with laughter and cheerful voices, rang without end.
He had originally assumed that establishments catering to male clients would be hidden away in some secluded, dark alley, much like ordinary places of pleasure.
However, he was wrong.
When he reached the middle of the street, the view suddenly opened up before him, revealing a triangular intersection where two bustling thoroughfares met. Right at the most conspicuous location stood an imposing gatehouse of extraordinary grandeur, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters.
That was Shuyu Pavilion.
It occupied the most advantageous location imaginable. Its sweeping eaves and upturned corners rose high above the surrounding buildings, and its lofty pavilions stood a full story taller than the luxurious shops on either side. Its facade was more imposing than the taverns and inns flanking it combined.
Above the main entrance hung a massive black plaque bearing three gold characters: Shuyu Pavilion. The calligraphy was vigorous and forceful, gleaming brilliantly beneath the sunlight.
The entrance was paved with smooth, even bluestone, wide enough for two luxurious carriages to pass side by side. Carriages and horses crowded the entrance, and distinguished guests came and went in an endless stream.
On the side was a narrow alley reserved for guests who preferred quiet or did not wish to show their faces. An elegant wooden sign at its entrance read, “No Unauthorized Entry.”
The more an establishment concealed itself, the more its customers felt they were doing something shameful. Shuyu Pavilion did not deal in the sort of disreputable business that needed to be conducted in the shadows. Instead, it offered its guests the feeling that they were attending an elegant gathering.
From the moment they crossed its threshold, the very atmosphere of Shuyu Pavilion seemed to wash away three parts of the worldly shame they might otherwise have felt.
People came and went continuously through the main entrance. There were court officials riding in luxurious carriages, sons of noble families on fine steeds, and refined scholars dressed in elegant garments. Not a single one of them concealed their identity. All entered openly and proudly through the main gate.
Shi Yi was dumbfounded.
He had spent half his life as a guard and bodyguard, yet he had never seen a place of pleasure more imposing than a government office.
He had assumed that he would need to make inquiries discreetly, but Shuyu Pavilion was so ostentatiously prominent that it seemed to have nothing to hide.
Shi Yi composed himself, adopting the appearance of an ordinary commoner, and strolled into a teahouse diagonally opposite Shuyu Pavilion. After ordering a pot of inferior tea, he struck up a seemingly casual conversation with a young waiter who was wiping down the tables.
“That Shuyu Pavilion across the street certainly looks impressive. I’ve heard there’s a top courtesan inside called Young Master Yuexi, supposedly as beautiful as an immortal. Is that true?”
The waiter saw that he was unfamiliar, but having witnessed much of the world, he cheerfully lowered his voice and replied.
“How could it be false? However, customer, you might as well give up on asking about him. Young Master Yuexi isn’t someone ordinary people like us can meet. When he first debuted a year ago, he established a rule that guests had to compose poetry to gain an audience. Only those whose verses earned Young Master Yuexi’s approval could approach him and meet him in person. Ordinary people can’t even touch the hem of his clothes. Besides, he’s already been exclusively reserved for an entire year by an immensely powerful figure backing him.”
“An immensely powerful figure?” Shi Yi’s eyes flickered as he pressed further. “What sort of figure? What exactly is Young Master Yuexi’s background?”
“How would a humble fellow like me know his exact background? But the person who reserved Young Master Yuexi is none other than His Highness Prince Yi, a man of great renown in the capital.”
Shi Yi was about to ask a few more questions when his years of instinctive vigilance suddenly sent a sharp, bone-chilling sensation creeping up his back.
His gaze shifted slightly. At the street corner not far from the teahouse, he saw two men who looked ordinary enough, yet whose eyes were cold and piercing, turn to stare directly at him.
I’ve been spotted!
His heart lurched. He immediately realized that he had asked too many detailed questions and attracted the attention of the hidden watchers.
Daring not to linger another moment, he slapped a few coins onto the table, rose to his feet, and swiftly slipped into the crowded streets.
Sure enough, those two figures immediately pursued him like leeches clinging to their prey.
Relying on his knowledge of the narrow alleyways and his agile movements, Shi Yi vaulted over two high walls in succession, weaving left and right through the streets. He finally managed to shake off his pursuers completely, but not before breaking into a cold sweat.
He hurried back to the little wooden hut in the poor district.
◇◆◇◆◇
Meanwhile, when Wu Shiqing returned to the hut with the information she had gathered near Drunken Cherry Court, her heart was unbearably heavy.
The rumors circulating among the common people about Night Cherry of Drunken Cherry Court were also that he was extraordinarily beautiful, skilled in music and chess, and possessed an unworldly, noble temperament. They were almost identical to what she had already heard.
Three years had passed. Her second brother had grown from thirteen to sixteen, and his appearance must have shed much of its youthful innocence. Based on the fragmentary praise circulating among ordinary people, she had no way of determining from a distance which of the two was truly her own flesh and blood.
Just as she was frowning in deep thought, the door suddenly burst open with a heavy bang.
Shi Yi hurried inside, his expression frantic, and quickly bolted the door behind him. His chest heaved violently, and his sleeves were stained with dust from climbing over walls.
“Uncle Shi, what happened?” Wu Shiqing hurried forward to meet him.
Shi Yi gulped down a large mouthful of cold water, his expression exceedingly grave.
“There are experts secretly keeping watch around Shuyu Pavilion. I merely asked a few casual questions about Young Master Yuexi’s background at the teahouse, and two men with extremely quick movements immediately latched onto me. If I hadn’t been familiar with the terrain, I might not have made it back.”
Wu Shiqing’s heart jolted.
She knew Shi Yi’s abilities well. If even he had nearly been caught, it showed just how formidable the security around that place was.
“Someone is keeping such close watch over Young Master Yuexi? What exactly did you find out?”
Shi Yi recounted everything the teahouse waiter had told him.
Wu Shiqing rapidly compared the information about the two top courtesans in her mind.
First, Night Cherry of Drunken Cherry Court. He was approximately sixteen years old, had debuted two years earlier, and possessed both talent and beauty. Next month, his first-night auction would be held publicly, and his establishment remained open to many patrons. He had countless admirers.
Second, Young Master Yuexi of Shuyu Pavilion. He was sixteen, possessed unparalleled talent and beauty, and had already been exclusively reserved for an entire year by Prince Yi, Xiao Ying, of the current dynasty. He accepted no other clients.
A sudden flash of insight allowed Wu Shiqing to seize upon a crucial difference.
“Miss, the waters in this capital run too deep. We must leave immediately!” Shi Yi urged anxiously. “Prince Yi has overwhelming power and a reputation for reckless cruelty. If Young Master Yuexi really is the Second Young Master, then having fallen into his hands, he may already be doomed. Besides, that place is guarded like an iron fortress. We simply don’t have the ability to rescue anyone!”
Wu Shiqing, however, stood rooted to the spot, an unusual light shining in her eyes.
“No… Uncle Shi, we cannot leave.”
“Why do you say that, Miss?”
Wu Shiqing explained in a calm, measured voice.
“Uncle Shi, think about it. Night Cherry is about to be auctioned for his first night, and anyone in the city can inquire about him. But this Young Master Yuexi… not only has he been exclusively reserved by Prince Yi, but there are also experts secretly keeping watch around him.”
She paused and looked at Shi Yi.
“There are countless high-ranking officials and nobles in the capital who inquire about Young Master Yuexi. Why is it that you were singled out and watched the moment you asked about his background?”
Before Shi Yi could answer, she raised her head, her gaze clear and penetrating.
“Because you weren’t asking when he would receive clients. You were asking about his origins. What they’re guarding against isn’t some ordinary lecher, but someone investigating Young Master Yuexi’s true identity.”
Wu Shiqing suspected that if Prince Yi really regarded him as nothing more than a plaything for his own amusement, why would he go to such lengths to guard him so conspicuously?
Her clear voice grew more serious.
“What is there to conceal about the background of a male courtesan? There are only two possibilities. First, Prince Yi attaches great importance to him and refuses to let anyone pry into his affairs. Second… someone is concealing his past. They’re not guarding against the name ‘Young Master Yuexi.’ They’re guarding against the name ‘Wu Jiuling’!”
Shi Yi’s expression changed dramatically.
“Miss, are you saying… Young Master Yuexi is the Second Young Master?”
Wu Shiqing took a deep breath.
“The suspicion surrounding him is far greater than that surrounding Night Cherry. Therefore, we must investigate him.”
“But we’ve already alerted them to our presence,” Shi Yi said anxiously.
Approaching Shuyu Pavilion again would be no different from walking straight into a trap.
He knew all too well that they were dealing with a prince, a member of the imperial family. As wanted fugitives, they stood no chance of matching such power.
“Forget about rescuing him for now. I only want to see him once… and confirm whether he really is Second Brother.”
A profound longing shone in Wu Shiqing’s eyes.
She only wanted to know whether, in this vast world, she still had any blood relatives left.
Shi Yi could not dissuade her. He could only tell her the remaining details he had learned.
“I heard that when Young Master Yuexi first debuted last year, he received guests through poetry. Only those who composed verses that met his approval were permitted to visit him at the Falling Moon Terrace. And Prince Yi was the only patron whose poetry he had approved.”
Wu Shiqing immediately pressed him for more information.
“Did you manage to find out what poems they exchanged at the time?”
Shi Yi reached into his clothing and took out a wrinkled piece of paper. On it were several lines he had hurriedly written down in crooked handwriting.
“The silk fan waves in vain to shield drunken eyes; though falling snow is fair, it sinks into the dust.
Yet dust can still receive the dew of jade; when clouds part over Mount Wu, old traces emerge.”
Wu Shiqing had studied reading and writing under a private tutor from childhood. Although her education had been interrupted by the family catastrophe when she was eleven, and her poetic talent was far inferior to her second brother’s profound literary knowledge, the character Wu in the final line struck the most sensitive chord in her heart like a fine needle.
It was the surname of a family that had long since been shattered, a name they scarcely dared to touch anymore.
However, after reading the entire poem carefully, her brows gradually knitted together.
The first half of the poem was filled with coldness and sharpness. The line, “Though falling snow is fair, it sinks into the dust,” in particular, was an unmistakable, merciless mockery of the supposedly dissolute Prince Yi, who was rumored to spend his days indulging in wine and women.
Wu Shiqing could not help feeling a powerful sense of dissonance.
In her memories, Second Brother had always been as gentle and refined as jade, with a kind disposition. He had never even raised his voice to scold the servants in their household. How could he possibly have written such a barbed poem, one that nearly amounted to a public insult against a prince of the current dynasty?
Was this merely an embellishment born from rumors and hearsay, or had the inhuman torment of these past three years truly ground her gentle second brother into an entirely different person?
At the thought of the latter possibility, her heart ached so intensely that she scarcely dared to contemplate it further.
She forced down her turbulent thoughts, carefully folded the paper, and tucked it into her clothing.
“Is there any other news?”
Shi Yi recalled something.
“I heard that after Prince Yi reserved him, he would occasionally visit Shuyu Pavilion. Sometimes he would also take Young Master Yuexi out of the establishment, but the timing was always irregular…”
Wu Shiqing’s heart sank.
Without a predictable schedule, it would be difficult to lie in wait outside and intercept them.
But as long as she could see him with her own eyes, she would be able to confirm whether he was her second brother.
“Are there any teahouses near Shuyu Pavilion?”
“Yes. Shuyu Pavilion is located at a triangular intersection, with teahouses and taverns lining the surrounding streets.”
“Good. Then I’ll wait at a teahouse. If I can’t get in through the front door, I’ll wait in the shadows for him to come out. I refuse to believe he’ll stay inside Shuyu Pavilion for the rest of his life without ever stepping outside!”
Wu Shiqing spoke with unwavering determination.
Shi Yi was horrified.
“Miss, that’s far too dangerous!”
Wu Shiqing, on the contrary, remained exceptionally calm.
“Don’t worry. Three years have passed, and no one in the capital would recognize me anymore. Besides, I’m dressed as a boy now. As long as I don’t do anything out of the ordinary, I won’t arouse suspicion.”
She spoke with confidence.
After all, she had spent half the day making inquiries near Drunken Cherry Court today without encountering any trouble.
Shi Yi was still uneasy.
“Let me go instead. If my identity is exposed, at least I can run faster.”
Wu Shiqing shook her head and interrupted him.
“No. Your appearance has already been seen by those hidden watchers. I’m the safer choice. Besides, I’m not that slow either.”
Three years of life on the run had long since taught her to move with agility.
Shi Yi could not win the argument. In the end, he could only agree with great reluctance.
◇◆◇◆◇
The following afternoon, Wu Shiqing learned from Shi Yi’s experience the previous day.
She deliberately changed into an even more inconspicuous set of old, coarse-cloth clothes, tied her long hair more securely, and took a long detour to avoid the street corner where Shi Yi had encountered danger.
Alone, she made her way to the second floor of the teahouse diagonally opposite Shuyu Pavilion.
She chose a corner seat by the window, ordered a pot of tea and some peanuts with a few coins, and gazed down at the entrance of Shuyu Pavilion.
Watching the elegant guests entering and leaving the establishment, her heart ached faintly.
If Young Master Yuexi really was her second brother, what sort of humiliating life had he been forced to endure all these years, he who had once been so noble and devoted to books?
According to the rumors, Prince Yi had a poor reputation. He frequented places of pleasure and behaved recklessly.
At the thought that her second brother might have been wantonly trampled upon by a powerful noble of this sort, her heart felt as though it were being cut by a knife.
Yet she could not help wondering: if Prince Yi really was so despicable, why had her formerly proud and upright second brother approved of his poem in the first place?
While she was lost in thought, the teahouse waiter brought over her tea and peanuts.
“Young Master, here’s your tea.”
Wu Shiqing maintained a calm expression.
“Just put it there.”
The waiter smiled as he sized her up and casually struck up a conversation.
“Young Master, you look unfamiliar. Are you from out of town?”
Wu Shiqing lowered her voice and casually fabricated a story.
“I’m from Quzhou. I came to the capital with my father to do business. My elder brother brought me out for a look around and gave me some money to wait here, but now I have no idea where he’s wandered off to.”
She took some loose silver from her clothing and placed it on the table, lightly rolling the coins beneath her fingertips. Then, pretending to be curious, she asked about Shuyu Pavilion across the street.
“What kind of place is that over there?”
“That’s a grand establishment where distinguished guests gather to listen to music and enjoy elegant company.”
The waiter’s gaze fell on the silver.
Wu Shiqing blinked.
“Oh? I heard my elder brother mention someone called Young Master Yuexi. Is he some famous musician?”
The waiter smiled.
“He’s the top courtesan of Shuyu Pavilion. Unfortunately, he’s already been reserved by His Highness Prince Yi, so I’m afraid your elder brother won’t get to see him.”
She pretended to be curious.
“Why would His Highness reserve Young Master Yuexi exclusively? Is it because he’s as beautiful as a celestial being?”
The waiter lowered his voice, looking troubled.
“Well… I wouldn’t dare say anything careless about that. Ever since that prince reserved Young Master Yuexi, he hasn’t even allowed anyone else to touch him. Anyone who asks too many questions…”
Wu Shiqing casually slipped him a few coins.
“I’m only worried that my elder brother might be deceived and end up getting scolded by our father when he returns.”
“You’ve certainly come to the right person, young master!”
The waiter happily pocketed the silver and immediately poured out all the rumors known throughout the capital, like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.
According to the stories, Young Master Yuexi was as aloof and ethereal as an immortal. When they first met, he had composed a poem that thoroughly embarrassed Prince Yi. Yet the prince had not become angry. Instead, he had humbled himself and responded with another poem, finally earning Young Master Yuexi’s approval.
That prince was deeply infatuated with Young Master Yuexi. Not only did he forbid him from receiving other clients, but recently, he had even required him to cover his face with a white veil whenever he went out, preventing others from getting more than a glimpse of him.
Wu Shiqing frowned slightly but continued pretending to be naive.
“Then it seems my elder brother’s hopes are doomed to be disappointed. He’s traveled such a long way, only to find that he can’t even see him once.”
“That may not necessarily be the case.”
The waiter lowered his voice and spoke mysteriously.
“I just overheard several officials in the private room next door talking. They said that His Highness will be holding a banquet at his private residence in the eastern part of the city tonight and has specifically requested that Young Master Yuexi be brought over to play the qin. If your elder brother is lucky, he could wait near the back entrance of Shuyu Pavilion and perhaps… catch a glimpse of him from a distance. At least then, the trip won’t have been entirely in vain.”
Wu Shiqing’s heart gave a sudden leap.
The waiter waved his hand.
“That’s all I know.”
With that, he hummed a little tune as he went downstairs.
Wu Shiqing remained seated, her thoughts churning like a raging sea. Her fingers tightened around her teacup until her knuckles turned slightly white.
…Prince Yi, Xiao Ying!
She recalled the first line of the poem.
“The silk fan waves in vain to shield drunken eyes; though falling snow is fair, it sinks into the dust.”
It was clearly a sarcastic jab at Prince Yi for indulging in wine and women and wasting his life away.
How could her second brother, a man of such noble character, willingly lower his head to someone like that?
He must have been forced to submit under the threat of imperial authority!
Her determination to rescue him surged within her chest.
If Young Master Yuexi really was her second brother, she would find a way to help him escape this gilded cage. They would travel far away and settle in some remote village where no one knew them, living out the rest of their days in peace together with Shi Yi.
She immediately rose from her seat, left the teahouse, and returned to the wooden hut to tell Shi Yi this crucial piece of information.
“Miss, this news has come far too conveniently. Could it be a trap?” Shi Yi asked, his vigilance heightened to the utmost.
“Whether it’s true or false, this is the only opportunity we have right now.”
Wu Shiqing’s gaze was resolute.
“Tonight, we’ll wait near Shuyu Pavilion. If a carriage comes out, we’ll follow it secretly. As long as I can see him with my own eyes, I’ll be able to recognize whether he is Second Brother!”
Shi Yi thought it over for a moment. Seeing that she had made up her mind, he nodded firmly.
“Very well. I’ll accompany you tonight, Miss. Just remember not to stray too far from me.”
As he spoke, he took a small dagger for self-defense from inside his clothing and handed it to her.
“If anything goes wrong, use this to protect yourself. But don’t try to be a hero.”
Wu Shiqing accepted it and tucked it into her waistband.
◆◇◆◇◆
Toward the end of the Shen hour, dusk descended like ink, shrouding half the capital in darkness.
The secluded alley where the back entrance of Shuyu Pavilion was located lay dim and silent.
Shi Yi and Wu Shiqing hid behind a pile of discarded wooden crates, holding their breath as they watched the back entrance of Shuyu Pavilion.
Before long, a dark-colored carriage of understated luxury and exquisite craftsmanship slowly entered the alley and stopped in front of the back door.
With a creak, the back door slowly opened.
A young man dressed in a moon-white robe, with a translucent white gauze outer garment draped over it, emerged under the escort of two attendants.
A layer of pure white gauze covered most of his face. His long, ink-black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and his slender, graceful figure moved with light, measured steps. A series of crisp, delicate jingles accompanied his movements, while his entire bearing radiated an aloof, wintry elegance that seemed to set him apart from the mortal world.
That was Young Master Yuexi!
Wu Shiqing’s heartbeat immediately rose to her throat, and she stared intently at the figure.
When the young man turned his face slightly, the cold, upright contours revealed beneath the dim lamplight bore a striking resemblance to her memories of her second brother, Wu Jiuling. They looked at least seventy to eighty percent alike.
“Second Brother…”
Wu Shiqing’s eyes instantly filled with tears, and she nearly cried out loud.
Shi Yi reacted quickly, grabbing her shoulder and pressing down firmly as he whispered, “Miss, stay calm! We’re too far away to see clearly. We still can’t be certain!”
After Young Master Yuexi boarded the carriage, the driver flicked his whip with a light crack. The carriage slowly began moving toward the alley’s exit.
“Follow them!” Wu Shiqing urged in a low voice, shaking off Shi Yi’s hand.
The dark carriage proceeded unhurriedly through the streets and alleys of the capital.
Taking advantage of the darkness and the cover provided by the buildings, Wu Shiqing and Shi Yi followed at a distance.
Eventually, the carriage stopped in front of a quiet, old-fashioned residence in the eastern part of the city.
Lanterns hung from the gate’s lintel, and at first glance, the place looked like an ordinary private residence.
With the help of his attendants, Young Master Yuexi alighted from the carriage and walked straight through the gate.
The gate was then left half-closed, with four sharp-eyed guards stationed outside.
Wu Shiqing and Shi Yi hid in the shadows behind a pile of discarded lumber across the street.
Shi Yi observed the situation from a distance for a while before speaking in a low voice.
“Miss, the guards here are unusually strict, and the security is far from ordinary. We won’t be able to get inside. We should withdraw for now.”
“No! He’s in there!”
Wu Shiqing stared at the half-closed gate, her mind racing.
She knew that forcing her way inside would be tantamount to throwing her life away. But if she missed this opportunity tonight, she had no idea how long she would have to wait for another.
Suddenly, an idea struck her.
Her gaze fell upon the pile of discarded timber at her feet.
She quickly picked up a thin wooden board of suitable size, then removed Shi Yi’s black headscarf and tightly wrapped the board in it until it resembled a thick book.
“Miss, what are you doing?” Shi Yi exclaimed in alarm.
“I have a plan.”
Wu Shiqing took a deep breath, brushed the dust from her clothes, and boldly stepped out of the shadows, walking straight toward the residence’s gate.
“Miss, don’t!”
Shi Yi tried to stop her, but it was already too late. Cold sweat broke out across his forehead in his anxiety.
Wu Shiqing approached the gate and faced the four guards, who were scrutinizing her. Deliberately lowering her voice, she put on an urgent, businesslike manner.
“Brothers, I’m an attendant from Shuyu Pavilion. Young Master Yuexi left in such a hurry just now that he accidentally left behind an important musical score needed for tonight’s banquet. After the pavilion master discovered it, he specifically ordered me to deliver it as quickly as possible. I ask that you kindly allow me through, so I don’t delay the distinguished guest’s arrangements.”
The leading guard at the gate furrowed his brows and coldly scrutinized the small, dusty boy before him. His gaze then swept over the supposed musical score wrapped in the headscarf in her arms.
“An attendant from Shuyu Pavilion? Do you have proof? A distinguished guest has reserved this residence for tonight’s banquet. No unauthorized persons are allowed near.”
Wu Shiqing’s heart pounded violently, but she forced herself to remain calm. Her voice carried a hint of anxious frustration at being questioned.
“Young Master Yuexi left in such a hurry. How could he have had time to give me a token? But I know he was wearing a moon-white robe tonight. If you gentlemen don’t believe me, I can wait outside the gate. However… if the distinguished guest’s banquet is delayed because of this, I won’t be able to explain myself when I return. I’ll have no choice but to tell the truth and say that you gentlemen stopped me.”
Seeing how confidently she spoke, the guard still harbored doubts but snorted and waved his hand.
“…Fine. Take your things and follow me inside. Remember, you may only deliver them to the designated place. If you dare wander around, you’d better watch your hide!”
“Thank you, big brother!”
Wu Shiqing immediately bowed and scraped, following one of the guards quickly through the half-closed gate.
At the distant alley entrance, Shi Yi nearly lost his soul upon witnessing the scene.
He knew full well that this residence was no ordinary place. By going inside, Miss was practically walking straight into a tiger’s den.
He gritted his teeth and immediately made his way around to the rear wall, searching for a weak point.
After observing the area for a while and confirming that no one was patrolling nearby, Shi Yi gathered his strength and leaped upward. He nimbly caught the top of the wall, climbed over it, and was about to slip inside to assist her.
However, the very instant his feet touched the ground, before he had even managed to steady himself—
Several sharp, chilling sounds of blades cutting through the air suddenly rang out from the surrounding darkness!
Several gleaming swords thrust toward him simultaneously from unexpected angles, stopping precisely at his neck and other vital points.
The cold light was blinding, and murderous intent filled the air.
Shi Yi’s entire body stiffened, and cold sweat seeped from his temples.
His instinct was to fight back, but to his horror, he discovered that every possible avenue of retreat had been completely sealed off.
The defenses of this residence, and the speed with which its guards had reacted, were thousands of times more formidable than he had imagined.
Shi Yi silently clenched his fists and looked in the direction Wu Shiqing had gone.