Chapter 54

August 15, the Mid-Autumn Festival.

As dawn had just broken, the streets and alleys were already thronged with bustle; from afar came the clanging of gongs and drums:

“Dong dong qiang, dong dong qiang…”

Xie Jinhuan sat at the entrance of an alley beside a mutton shop with Meiqiu, as usual ordering three bowls of soup and three buns; around them, exhausted government office runners chatted listlessly:

“Another giant demon from Zihui Mountain, another mad corpse-flower Li family—now three Red Robe Plague Gods are dead too. We’re only human, even with eight legs we can’t keep up…”

“To hell with these plague gods—once feared so fiercely, they couldn’t even send a message before dying. Even if they’d scribbled a few words before death, we’d have a trail to follow…”

…

Seeing his fellow government office men nearly run themselves to exhaustion, Xie Jinhuan felt somewhat relieved.

Though killing three Chi Lin Guards had placed heavy pressure on his comrades, he had no choice.

Zhou He and the others were preparing to eradicate all traces—unless he killed them, the consequences would be endless, and killing just these three wasn’t enough.

Han Jingchuan, Battalion Commander of the Jingwang Guard, had made his father the scapegoat; he likely already knew his son was still alive.

Now, with three subordinates suddenly dead, even if Han Jingchuan didn’t believe Xie Jinhuan was responsible, he’d grow wary. Given the Chi Lin Guards’ nature, they’d likely strike preemptively to eliminate all threats—and that blow could come at any moment.

So Han Jingchuan must die too, eradicated without mercy.

But Han Jingchuan was hiding in the capital, with no opportunity to strike yet—his immediate priority was surviving and escaping Dan Yang City!

As he pondered this, the three bowls of soup and three buns remained half-eaten when several familiar figures appeared at the street corner.

Looking up, the leader was the coldly beautiful Mo Mo—her white robe like snow, radiating an ethereal aura.

On either side were the two enforcers, Yang Dabiao and Liu Qingzhi, conversing as they walked:

“Is this ever going to end? How many cases have there been in just a few days? The Zihui Mountain giant demon, Dongcang Street, Sanhe Pavilion, Fu Dongping, the Corpse Pit, the buried gamblers, the Chi Lin Guards—each a major murder case. Who knows what chaos today will bring…”

“The corpses in the morgue were almost all delivered by Xie Brother alone. Dabiao, isn’t Xie Brother cursed? Ever since Xie Brother showed up—”

“Nonsense! The Zihui Mountain demon and the Chi Lin Guards have nothing to do with Jinhuan. If not for him rushing from case to case, we wouldn’t even have recovered these clues… Lord Linghu, should we call Jinhuan over?”

“No need. Xie Jinhuan drank with the Princess last night—let him rest today…”

…

Xie Jinhuan watched from the shop and saw Mo Mo, leading the group, quicken her pace as she passed Qingquan Alley’s entrance—as if afraid of being seen by him.

But that acceleration brought her straight to the mutton shop’s door.

Meiqiu, mid-meal, leapt out the window and landed on his shoulder:

“Gu ji gu ji?”

Linghu Qingmo froze mid-step, glanced into the shop, recognized the familiar figure, then turned her gaze away, adopting a haughty, detached demeanor.

Yang Dabiao spotted Meiqiu and knew Xie Jinhuan was nearby—he immediately called out:

“Jinhuan, still eating breakfast? Did the Princess scold me last night?”

Seeing the three weren’t planning to eat, Xie Jinhuan rose to pay and stepped onto the street:

“No. The Princess didn’t want me dragged into trouble, so she kept me from joining the investigation.”

Yang Dabiao stepped closer and clapped Xie Jinhuan on the shoulder:

“The Princess has a proud nature—few earn her regard. You’ve got this chance—you must serve her well. Our future promotions and honors depend entirely on her…”

Liu Qingzhi noticed his boss was acting strangely and quickly coughed to warn the oblivious Yang Dabiao:

“Cough—”

Yang Dabiao fell silent, immediately turning to discuss the case with the constable at the mutton shop; Liu Qingzhi followed.

?

Linghu Qingmo, carrying Meiqiu ahead, noticed her follower had vanished—her heart stiffened. She turned to go back, only to collide directly with Xie Jinhuan.

“Good morning, Mo Mo.”

Linghu Qingmo visibly tensed, stepping back a pace:

“Do you have something to report?”

Xie Jinhuan smiled slightly: “I’m not part of the government office—what would I report? Do you have something on your mind?”

Linghu Qingmo had wandered outside the city walls yesterday and hadn’t slept well—she clearly had something weighing on her.

But remembering her master’s ways, she forced calm:

“You’re young—writing private notes and sketches is forgivable. I won’t hold it against you. But… but Lin the Physician is your close friend. How could you write so kindly of me, yet treat her so dismissively?”

Xie Jinhuan, who had written those lines yesterday to stir chaos, now spoke calmly:

“I’m still just friends with Miss Linghu. Even in private assessments, one must be fair—add a bit too much is rude, hold back too much is disrespectful. But Miss Lin is different—she’s an old acquaintance. We tease each other, and she never truly takes offense…”

She doesn’t take offense?

I think she’s ready to scratch my eyes out…

Linghu Qingmo didn’t believe a word—but Xie Jinhuan’s explanation did help explain why their letters felt so different.

She wanted to ask whether he had feelings for her—but the question was too awkward to voice, so she suppressed her thoughts:

“Three Chi Lin Guards died yesterday. The killer wields a left-handed blade, highly skilled, and even paid compensation to the tavern afterward. His demeanor suggests he’s no ordinary man. I’ll check the docks—see if any renowned swordsmen arrived in Dan Yang recently.”

“Today’s the Mid-Autumn Festival—you must accompany the Princess to the banquet. Don’t follow the government office around today.”

Xie Jinhuan knew Mo Mo’s trip would be futile—but as the killer, he couldn’t warn her, so he simply asked:

“Aren’t you going to the Peony Pond tonight?”

For such an important banquet, Linghu Qingmo would surely accompany her friend—after a moment’s thought, she replied:

“The government office is swamped with duties—I’ll decide tonight. I’m leaving now.”

With that, she hurried down the street and vanished in a flash.

So shy…

Xie Jinhuan watched her go from afar; Meiqiu shook its wings and politely bid farewell:

“Gu ji~”

—

Soon after, the Lin Family Clinic.

For the Mid-Autumn Festival, Lin Wanyi had donned a fresh emerald-green ruqun, her jet-black hair tied with a jade hairpin, and wore exquisitely crafted gold-rimmed spectacles—her demeanor refined and gentle, like a plump, juicy young peony.

Yet her autumn-eyed gaze was far from cheerful. She held a teacup, staring out the window at the warm autumn sun, pretending not to notice the swaying Meiqiu beside her.

Xie Jinhuan sat across the tea table, calmly pouring tea:

“We agreed it was all for show—why are you taking it seriously?”

Lin Wanyi hadn’t slept a wink after returning home yesterday—no wonder she was furious. Now, she looked betrayed, refusing to turn her head:

“You said only a few government office runners would come—how many showed up?”

“Now, when I go out to buy a bun, everyone’s whispering that I rushed to Qingquan Alley to fight over a man—and lost!”

“A woman’s reputation is paramount—how am I supposed to marry now?”

“And that nonsense about ‘a bowl in heaven, an aunt on earth’—hmph…”

She twisted her shoulders, turning her cheek toward the window, presenting only the back of her head to the man.

Xie Jinhuan had written those lines yesterday to make Lin Wanyi’s performance convincing—without warning her—and now he saw he’d truly angered the glasses-woman. He set his teacup down and spoke calmly:

“We’re not locals. Once we return to the capital, who’ll remember any of this? As for ‘a bowl in heaven’—that’s dramatic tension…”

“I know. Miss Linghu is the leading lady, so she must be praised; I’m the clown, so I must be mocked. I’ve heard plenty of operas before.”

“With your natural beauty, who’d dare cast you as a clown?”

Seeing he couldn’t soothe her, Xie Jinhuan glanced around, leaned close, and whispered:

“Last night, I spoke with Princess Changning. I asked her to lend me the Martial Dao Scripture—she agreed.”

?

Hearing this, Lin Wanyi’s anger instantly subsided. She pushed up her gold-rimmed spectacles and turned to face him:

“Really? Don’t fool me…”

“Why would I fool you?”

Xie Jinhuan pondered the teacup slightly: “Princess Changning’s status speaks for itself. If I serve her well, borrowing the Martial Dao Scripture is just a word away.”

Serve her?

Lin Wanyi blinked, incredulous:

“Did you spend the night with the Princess?”

Xie Jinhuan recalled last night’s madwoman and thought he’d rather sleep with his landlady—he sighed:

“Not quite. But to appease Princess Changning, I sang and danced, shattered my cold image, and even acted as her lackey—all to help you get the Martial Dao Scripture.”

Seeing his “regretful” demeanor wasn’t feigned, Lin Wanyi couldn’t stay angry. She fetched a soft cushion, placed it on the table, and began checking his pulse:

“I didn’t pay you nothing. Don’t you know how much a Dragon Blood Pill costs? I charge three taels per visit—it takes years to save up that much…”

Xie Jinhuan sipped his tea, quietly admiring the stunning woman across from him.

But gradually, a warm current surged through his organs—his mood turned unexpectedly joyful.

His lips involuntarily curved upward, revealing a radiant, sunlit smile.

?

He tried to suppress the smile—but couldn’t stop himself from grinning, puzzled inwardly:

Is this what love feels like?

No—this feels more like taking a drug…

The composed Lin Wanyi, seeing Xie Jinhuan transformed into a “sunshine boy,” was momentarily bewildered.

But soon, she too felt the same effect—her lips curled up, then pressed down, twice over—until she realized something was wrong, lifted her teacup, and sniffed it.

“Smile-Opening Powder? Zi Su—!”

A sweet voice scolded.

Downstairs came the laugh of the “Poisonous Hand Medic”: “Hahahaha… Aunt Wan, I just saw you were unhappy, so I tried to cheer you up—don’t be mad, don’t be mad…”

Then came the sound of pounding footsteps as she vanished.

“That damn girl!”

Lin Wanyi crossed her arms and tried to scowl, but couldn’t stop the grin tugging at her lips—her mouth twitching, making Meiqiu stare blankly, even wishing she could lean in and take a sip from the teacup.

Xie Jin held Meiqiu down, trying to suppress his laughter, but failed utterly—even using his cultivation to expel the poison did no good; his eyes widened in surprise:

“This medicine is truly ruthless. No wonder it turned Grand Secretary Tie into a giant fool.”

Lin Wanyi, evidently used to falling for this trick, pulled a ready-made antidote from her waist and dropped it into Xie Jin’s teacup:

“This girl’s talent, like yours, makes others green with envy—but she never walks the righteous path. Always fiddling with things that look impressive but are useless.”

“Don’t say that. There’s no such thing as a useless technique—only people who don’t know how to use it. This medicine should work wonders for depression…”

Though he praised it, Xie Jin had no desire to become “Foolish Huan.” After draining the tea in one gulp—“Gulp, gulp, gulp~”—he stood up and said:

“I’ve got to accompany the Princess to the Peony Pond banquet soon. I’m off. You’re coming tonight too, right?”

Lin Wanyi had heard from Xie Jin yesterday that Zi Su wanted to go, and had already begun preparing—but now she sniffed:

“You’ve got to stay with the Princess. Whether I go or not, what difference does it make to you?”

“You and Zi Su can go play on the boat. You’re both girls, and most of them know you.”

Lin Wanyi knew well her reputation among the noble ladies, and shook her head quickly:

“Eww~ I wouldn’t dare step onto the Princess’s boat. They say…”

She trailed off.

Xie Jin blinked.

“They say what?”

Lin Wanyi wouldn’t say it outright, but pulled out a small blue pill:

“This is a mind-clearing pill. If things get strange, take it. Don’t let yourself drink too much and do something stupid on the boat—end up with your legs broken by those wealthy old men.”

Xie Jin knew how wild those ladies could be, and shook his head with a smile:

“You don’t know my self-control? Even if I were bound to a tree wearing magical gear, I still wouldn’t…”

“Pfft~”

Lin Wanyi dared not continue such a shameful topic and hurriedly shoved the man out the door…

(End of Chapter)