On the journey back, Qin Miaoyu battled with her own thoughts.
How could she give the Immortal Salve to Second Commander Feng and, at the same time, disentangle herself from the matter without having to mention Commander Cui, so that Second Commander Feng would not misunderstand her intentions?
What a difficult riddle to solve!
Without a doubt, Feng-er was an intelligent person.
The only reason Cui Buqu could often successfully pit him only proved that he was only second to Cui Buqu.
No one would dare underestimate Second Commander Feng's observative skills, not even Qin Miaoyu.
She felt that she would expose herself if she spoke, so she would need to train her acting skills prior to the confrontation.
Fifteen of the First Month, half past noon.
Qin Miaoyu stood at the backdoor of the Jiejian Bureau as she delved in painful thoughts.
Her expression changed into one as lively as a hopping sparrow as she turned towards thin air.
"Second Commander Feng! Today, the cosmetic shop in the Eastern City released a new product called the Immortal Salve. If one were to apply it on their face before sleep, their skin will be glowing by dawn the next day. This humble subject passed by and conveniently bought some extra, would you want to try them out?"
After she finished speaking, Qin Miaoyu hoped to the other side, raised a brow, altering her voice into something deeper.
"I requested that you invite Cui Buqu over, and yet you've run off shopping? Was passing through the Eastern City necessary on your way back to the Jiejian Bureau?"
Qin Miaoyu: ...This won't work.
After a while, she smiled again.
"Second Commander, this is the Immortal Salve. The palace gave a few of them to the Zuoyue Bureau and they couldn't finish using it, so they gave some to this humble subject. These salves contain the effects of nurturing the skin; do you want some of them?"
As she finished speaking, Qin Miaoyu's expression changed again and shook the bottles in her hands with a disgusted look.
"Are you giving me things the Zuoyue Bureau doesn't want? Am I a beggar?"
Qin Miaoyu: …This won't work either.
She inhaled a deep breath and smiled slightly, facing the ally void of people as she said: "Second Commander, this is the Immortal Salve, a secret recipe of my family's making. Often usage would result in eternal youth. This humble subject is also using them! They will allow your skin to glow. You often wake up early and sleep late, as well as having to solve cases. This humble subject turned these recipes into salves, please accept them!"
After a while, Qin Miaoyu furrowed her brows and gave a disgusted look.
"You call this glowing skin? Having used it, you're not even comparable to I who hasn't used it. Surely this is junk?"
Qin Miaoyu: …I have no ideas left!
A movement came from behind her.
She turned around abruptly!
Pei Jingzhe: "…"
He was taken abruptly by surprise, his feet carelessly stepping onto some pebbles.
Pei Jingzhe turned around to leave. "I'm sorry, I was just passing by."
Qin Miaoyu quickly stopped him.
"You came at the right time, I was looking for you!"
Pei Jingzhe gave her a dry smile. "I'm in a hurry to the thatched cottage."
Qin Miaoyu darkly said: "Might as well. I will wait for you outside the thatched cottage."
Pei Jingzhe: "It's smelly."
Qin Miaoyu: "I don't mind."
Pei Jingzhe put his hands together: "Sister Qin, please spare me!"
Qin Miaoyu was displeased: "I'm not asking you to risk your life!"
She stuffed the package into Pei Jingzhe's hand, after having removed her share from it.
"These are Immortal Salves. You and I will be seeing the Second Commander afterwards, and after I have finished reporting my task, you will be taking them out, claim that the Emperor bestowed them upon us after he realized how dashing and handsome the Second Commander looked today."
After all, Feng Xiao could not question the Empress about them. If he guessed the truth himself, then it wasn't her problem.
Pei Jingzhe pulled a bitter face. "No way. I'm clumsy with words, my Lord would surely give me a lecture."
Qin Miaoyu: "I will treat you to the best tavern in the capital. You can pick the place."
Pei Jingzhe resolutely shook his head. "I am not that sort of shallow person who could be so easily bought!"
Qin Miaoyu: "I'll treat you thrice."
Pei Jingzhe righteously said: "I'm incorruptible."
Qin Miaoyu gritted her teeth: "I'll give you half my salary from this month!"
It was worth it when compared to her bottle of Immortal Salve, that had its price weight in gold.
Pei Jingzhe: "Deal!"
As if afraid that Qin Miaoyu would go back on her words, he immediately walked forward with the package in his hands and even turned around once to urge her on.
"My Lord is surely anxiously waiting for you. Let us move quickly!"
Qin Miaoyu twitched the corner of her lips: "…"
...
Fifteenth of the First Month, the sheep are pasturing (1 pm – 3 pm).
The sunlight of the afternoon was brilliant.
Yet Feng Xiao wasn't in too pleasant a mood.
He was thinking of Li Mu and Liu Fang's deaths.
Since he came out of the palace, he had stopped by the Ministry of Justice to take the scrolls over and had finished reading them on his way to the Li and Liu's manors.
Old Li was, after all, over seventy; having one's life come into their seventies was already a blessing. Although he had gone mad before his death, presently, a week has passed since Li Mu's death, and his family had already come to accept his passing.
They told Feng Xiao that nothing was different about Li Mu on the day he died. Though he was now a high-ranking official, he retained his daily routine of reading and writing. After dinner, he would have a chat with the younger generations, saying that he wanted to see the Lantern Festival this year. Who could have known that after nightfall, he would suddenly go mad?
The coroner had already examined him. There was no hint of poisoning; in fact, everyone in the Li family had eaten the same meal during that day. If he was poisoned, the entire manor of the State Duke of Shen would have been poisoned.
As for Liu Fang's death, his death wasn't just as strange.
Before he committed suicide, he was once called into the palace to be lectured.
After he supported Yang Jian's claim of the throne and his building of a dynasty, he had obtained the merit of supporting the Emperor, yet after the new dynasty had been established, what he had got was only a high position and carefree lifestyle with no real power which had greatly displeased him.
He returned from the palace low-spirited and came to loathe talking to others.
Until the same eveningday at night, he ordered all his families away and remained in the study to ponder over it alone. Even his regular servants were sent away.
In the end, the servants realized something was amiss halfway through the night. When they came in to take a look, Liu Fang had already hung himself on the beam, his body turned cold.
On the other hand, Li Mu's death had no forewarnings.
Liu Fang's came with a motive.
Yet, it so happened that both of them died in the first month and only a few days apart from each other.
Additionally, there was a folksong spreading in the capital while the Empress was bedridden. It was impossible for the people not to think that there was more than meets the eye.
It was the common people who couldn't help thinking out of track the more they thought.
Feng Xiao had even asked for after more specific details, maybe he could have even found an inkling by now.
But what followed were even more questions.
As he thought to and fro, it seemed like only that one surnamed Cui could keep up to his sharp and intelligent brain.
However, he didn't see Cui Buqu. Instead, it was Qin Miaoyu and Pei Jingzhe.
Both of them came forward to offer their greetings.
Feng Xiao gave them him a profound and deep look that said, "You better give me a good explanation about this, or bear the consequences".
Qin Miaoyu's expression was incredibly solemn; it was impossible to tell that she was doing all those theatrics at the rear gate just a moment ago.
"Reporting back to the Second Commander, Commander Cui has something important, so he refused to come with me, but he knows what you want to ask, and so told me to tell you to keep an eye on Zheng Yi."
Zheng Yi?
Feng Xiao raised an eyebrow, having his attention occupied by this name.
This person was an old subject of the former dynasty, but also an incredibly valued subject in the present dynasty.
After the new Dynasty of Sui was established, aside from eliminating all the Yuwen family, Yang Jian did not execute the old subjects of the former Dynasty.
This was also meant to warn them: As long as you do your duty like as you are supposed to, and not incur any unnecessary trouble, you can resume your job as a subject of court.
There were many people in court like Li Mu and Liu Fang, but why were Li Mu and Liu Fang the only ones who died?
Because they were similar to Zheng Yi. They weren't just subjects of the late court, but they had once defended Yang Jian's ascension to the throne. Liu Fang and Zheng Yi had even once faked an imperial decree.
These three people were truly the "founding figures of the dynasty".
Their deaths wouldn't only be attacks towards the Sui Emperor, but they could also make the public feel that Yang Jian wasn't the rightful Emperor of the country.
No one else would have such an effect.
Feng Xiao thought of Cui Buqu.
During that time, Cui Buqu was already a strategist serving at Empress Dugu's side.
He was an even bigger effect to the royal couple compared to Liu Fang, Zheng Yi, and Li Mu.
Yet, the Zuoyue Bureau's name was not widely known. Outside of the court, very few people knew of Cui Buqu's name.
The effects of his death would not be superior to Liu Fang and the others.
Perhaps the enemy hidden in the dark would very much wish to get rid of him, but after a few failed attempts, they have retreated to seek another alternative and turned their targets onto someone else.
Now that Liu Fang was dead, there was someone else who faked an Imperial Decree with him, Zheng Yi.
Before this, as Feng Xiao analyzed the direction of these two cases, his mind overlooked Zheng Yi for a moment.
Cui Buqu had awakened him.
Zheng Yi was someone who loved crowds.
Tonight, the manor of Prince Qin would be holding a banquet, and Zheng Yi would be there.
As he thought until this part, Feng Xiao told Pei Jingzhe: "Go look for Ming Yue, let him send a few people to keep an eye on the Zheng Manor. If Zheng Yi leaves his manor, follow him from afar. I want to know who he meets, what he ate, and where he goes, everything."
Pei Jingzhe immediately answered him and turned to Qin Miaoyu.
Feng Xiao immediately noticed it and gave him a look.
Pei Jingzhe thickened his skin and placed the package on top of the stone table.
"My Lord. This is Qin—Uh, no. These are the Immortal Salves that the palace bestowed. They could nurture the skin. His Majesty sent them."
Feng Xiao took out a container of Immortal Salve from the package and fondled it for a while.
"Is that so?"
For the sake of half a month of salary, Pei Jingzhe has already given everything he could, speaking in a manner more fluently as he did. "After you left the palace, the officials sent them on behalf of the Emperor. They happened to run into Sister Qin at the palace gates and begged her to deliver them on their behalf."
Qin Miaoyu smiled dryly, and in her heart, she said: Why is he making such a small matter so complicated? He even got the Emperor involved.
By the end of the day, she was afraid of exposing Cui Buqu. When the Second Commander and Commander Cui gang up together in future, wouldn't the little troops like her be the unfortunate ones?
Sigh! Why is life so difficult? And even more difficult to be a good person!
Feng Xiao's gaze switched between the two of them, indiscernible whether he was furious or happy. He surprisingly asked: "What do you both think of Qiemo city?"
He sounded incredibly gentle and friendly.
Pei Jingzhe carelessly said on instinct: "Quite good!"
Feng Xiao smiled ever so gently. "What do both of you think about taking a vacation there? The plains in the Northwest truly do need pillars of strength like you people!"
As he finished, his expression abruptly changed. "Lying so boldly until you're doing it in front of me now, hm?"
That voice almost made Pei Jingzhe's knees turn to jelly. He immediately admitted.
"It's Qin Miaoyu who let me give them to you! She wouldn't let me say!"
Qin Miaoyu sighed.
As present events have progressed, when faced before pressure from her superior, she had no choice but to expose Cui Buqu honestly.
Feng Xiao snorted. "I knew it. You think that if you didn't say, I wouldn't be able to guess?"
Qin Miaoyu immediately bowed and said: "You truly are sharp! This humble subject knows that it's impossible to slip under your eyes! But you also know that Commander Cui is someone incredibly thin-skinned who loves his pride. Although he is thinking in your best interests, he's afraid that he would be laughed at and made fun of if he had been honest about. You wouldn't know, but when he was giving these Immortal Salves to me, he was torn between longing and being troubled, as if he couldn't conceal his admiration for you. From this humble subject's perspective, how could I not be moved? I forcibly accepted only because of it."
Pei Jingzhe's mind was vacant when he heard this, and in his heart, he said: Is this Cui Buqu? Cui Buqu being longing and troubled? Why did it feel impossible to imagine that?!
Feng Xiao carried a smile at the corner of his lips. "This is to say, he will definitely come to the date at Luqi Pavilion in the Eastern City tonight?"
Qin Miaoyu's was stuck all of a sudden.
Feng Xiao reached out to tap her forehead with a finger and familiarly said, "If he doesn't come tonight, you are going to Qiemo City tomorrow."
Qin Miaoyu: "…"
Feng Xiao rose to his feet to leave.
Qin Miaoyu appeared to be crying with no tears.
Pei Jingzhe tried to slip away.
"Pei Jingzhe, stand right there!"
...
Fifteenth of the First Month, the roosters are returning to their dens (5 PM-7 PM).
The moon rose to the top of the willow tree,' and my love and I met after twilight1.
There was no curfew tonight.
Only three days a year was this permitted.
In the past, during a time like this, the Eastern City would have already been closed. Yet, now it remained as crowded as ever like a stream that flowed restlessly.
Two rows of lanterns on either side of the stalls stretch as long as the sky. Even the city's walls flaunted little lights like the stars from afar had come to the mortal realm.
On such a chilly day on a Winter's night, it has long been dispelled by hot air.
All except the round moon hanging in the sky was radiating in faint red like it was bleeding.
Cui Buqu stood in front of the main gate of the Luqi Pavilion, and behind him, Guan Shanhai and two Zuoyue guards were dressed normally as usual.
Guan Shanhai had spent these days recuperating his health. His wounds had mostly healed, although he wasn't as strong as he used to be if he was in full health, he had no problem serving as a common bodyguard for a few days.
The Luqi Pavilion was a famed tavern and restaurant since the former dynasty. Not only were their dishes incredibly delicious, they even entertained with songs and dancing; it was one of the places where the aristocracy in the capital loved the most.
At the door, guests came like clouds, yet there were also many people who left as soon as they saw its sign.
After all, a place like this wasn't cheap, and most people couldn't afford it.
Cui Buqu was guided to the second floor by an employee after he'd given his name.
Three sides were walls with the remaining side facing the city. It was an incredibly brilliant sight, enough to see everything happening down below.
Feng Xiao was sitting inside, pouring a drink for himself as he sat on his knees, calm and composed.
The first thing Cui Buqu saw was the Immortal Salve on the table.
The corner of his lips twitched faintly as he placed a mark on Qin Miaoyu for this in his book.
Guan Shanhai and the others were standing guard outside.
He raised a foot before taking a step in.
Feng Xiao looked at him with a smile. Lifting his sleeve, he poured Cui Buqu a cup of wine and put some food into Cui Buqu's bowl.
"I received a gift today." began Feng Xiao.
Cui Buqu innocently looked back. If the enemy didn't move, he wouldn't either.
Feng Xiao continued, "I am very touched, but it seems the sender is shy and dares not give them to me in person. He sent someone else instead."
Cui Buqu snorted coldly in his heart and gave Qin Miaoyu another mark in his book.
Feng Xiao prodded on, "How do you think I should express my gratitude for this?"
"I think," Cui Buqu slowly opened his mouth, "If the sender isn't blind, then the recipient is the one who is blind."
Feng Xiao gave him a look that spoke volumes. "I was even thinking that if he was willing to admit it on his lips straight from the heart, I might even accept it."
Cui Buqu snorted, "Perhaps that person regretted after he gave it."
"Is that so?"
Feng Xiao challenged.
"Isn't that so?"
"Isn't that so?"
Cui Buqu challenged back,
As both of them looked at each other, they each gave the other an unnatural smile.
Cui Buqu snorted coldly. "If Second Commander Feng has nothing important, I will take my leave."
Feng Xiao then changed the topic, "I've sent someone to keep an eye on Zheng Yi. He should be safe by now. When do you think the enemy will make their move?"
Only then did they entered the main subject.
Since he no longer lingered on the topic of the Immortal Salve, Cui Buqu generously said a few more words. After all, what lied in front of them now was the important thing.
Cui Buqu spoke word by word. "The day after tomorrow, the seventeenth of the First Month, on the Buddha's Birthday!"
Feng Xiao nodded. "Similar to what I am thinking of. The enemy killed to spread rumours in order to create a scene. Since the scene has begun, then it's better if it's as grand as possible. Best in the eyes of the public and cause severe harm to His Majesty's pride before sowing chaos in the government, or ravish the throne via murder. The plan has been strategized for so long to set everything in place in the dark, to ally with the Yuwen Clan in secret and grab the benefits during the chaos. This is Xiao Lu's way of things!"
"However," His words took a turn, "Towards Li Mu and Liu Fang's cases, I am still doubtful."
Cui Buqu coughed twice. "Commander Feng is smarter than most people, yet even he couldn't solve his doubts. How would this humble one surnamed Cui know?"
Feng Xiao shoot up and said quickly, "Daddy!"
Cui Buqu: "…"
He was short of breath for a moment and almost coughed.
Feng Xiao tipped his head to the side. "Before this, we've said that if I called you 'Daddy', you would agree. You can't possibly go back on your words, can you?"
Cui Buqu smiled coldly, "I don't recall ever saying that."
Feng Xiao dragged his voice and gently said: "Daddy, you cannot abandon your child like that!"
Cui Buqu: …Truly shameless.
Won't this have dealt with you? Feng Xiao smiled darkly and used the opportunity to talk about the case.
[1]月上柳梢头,人约黄昏后: from a poem by Ouyang Xiu.
Translator's notes:
Ququ, upon seeing the Immortal Salve on the table.
Ququ: I have never felt so naked in my life.