THE NEW BOWL ARRIVED, and Feng Xiao finally quieted down. Afraid he'd find another excuse to make trouble, Qiao Xian returned with not only the chopsticks and spoon, but also a bundle of hemp rope.
She threw the last item at Feng Xiao's feet.
"What's this?" asked Feng Xiao lazily. "To hang myself with? My apologies; the heavens would never permit the death of someone so peerlessly extraordinary as myself."
"Aren't you obsessed with cleanliness?" asked Qiao Xian coolly. "Inns like this don't change their bedding; everyone sleeps on the same sheets. You needn't share the bed with Ye-dage. If you tie this rope at each end of the room, surely you can balance on it to sleep. That's the cleanest option."
The four of them were traveling as two couples; naturally, Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu shared a room. What Qiao Xian didn't mention was that if Feng Xiao slept on the rope hammock, Cui Buqu could get some undisturbed rest.
Cui Buqu ducked his head and bit into a lamb pastry. Qiao Xian was too young yet if she thought petty tricks would work on that Feng bastard. If he could go a second without getting up to mischief, he wouldn't be Feng Xiao. Cui Buqu didn't know what the lamb had been spiced with, but the meat nestled within the flaky casing was tender and not at all gamey. The mingled aroma of meat and pastry flooded his mouth with each bite, soothing his heart after a long journey subsisting on nothing but dry rations.
Sure enough, Feng Xiao smiled at Qiao Xian. "You're right. I already asked earlier—if you pay a little extra, they'll provide clean bedding."
"You wasteful woman! Not only won't you save your husband money, you rush out to squander it!"
Feng Xiao had no interest in bickering with her. He turned and grabbed the corner of Cui Buqu's robes. "My lord, see here—" he whined, stretching the syllables.
"Pay it. Change them," said Cui Buqu decisively, preventing any further outbursts.
Qiao Xian pressed her lips together. She conceded this round.
***
After their meal, the masters and mistresses went up to their respective rooms, while their three coachmen stayed in the servant's quarters.
Both the Zuoyue and Jiejian Bureaus had wealth to spare; the tiny expenditure of an inn was nothing. But on this journey, they hoped to go unnoticed. If they paid for the three coachmen to have their own rooms, they could expect robbers to come knocking the next day.
The guest rooms here paled beside those of the capital, but they were spacious enough. The porter took their money and returned promptly with fresh bedding and pillows. The blanket had been freshly aired, and the smell of sunlight still lingered.
Cui Buqu was asleep the moment his head hit the pillow.
He hadn't the stamina of the other three, who all practiced martial arts. Even the coachmen, who were often out and about driving, were sturdier than he was. He fell ill often, with all the agony that entailed. If not for the fact that he'd been drinking medicine like water, he'd never have been able to hold on this long. He'd frequently been ill throughout the trip and spent most of his time in the carriage drifting in and out of consciousness. Yet his mind was terrifyingly sharp—seconds after waking, he could answer any question Qiao Xian posed to him.
Feng Xiao was constantly provoking Cui Buqu, trying to get under his skin and delighting in his setbacks. But he'd never laughed at his illnesses. He understood that Cui Buqu considered his ailments but superficial trappings of his mortal form and not a true weakness. In fact, Cui Buqu had used his physical condition many times to lull enemies into dropping their guard. Back at Qiushan Manor, when Feng Xiao had poisoned Cui Buqu with incense of helplessness, he too had fancied Cui Buqu in the palm of his hand. He'd grown complacent, and he knew it—though of course he would never admit such a thing.
The moment Cui Buqu fell asleep, he was dead to the world. When Qiao Xian knocked on the door some time later, she received no answer. Only when she entered to wake him did he crack open his eyes, his face still lined with fatigue.
"You only had a lamb pastry earlier. I was afraid it was too dry for you, so I brought some hot soup."
One sniff told Cui Buqu it was mutton-bone soup. The oily film on the surface had been skimmed away, leaving it clear, and it was sprinkled with slivers of green scallions.
Qiao Xian looked around. "Where's Feng Xiao?"
Cui Buqu took slow mouthfuls of soup. "The Zuoyue Bureau has a base of operations here. Naturally the Jiejian Bureau does too."
Feng Xiao had no Qiao Xian traveling with him. When it came to secret instructions or correspondence, he had to see to everything himself.
"What have you learned?" Cui Buqu asked.
"This inn has a poor reputation," she said. "But in my opinion, those deaths are coincidental. The curse is no more than the baseless conjecture of ignorant folk. Merchants are a superstitious lot, and the stories grow increasingly absurd and embellished with each retelling. It's more likely the guide was unwilling to bring us here because this is Xing Mao's territory. The descendant of the Shanshan king has always been at odds with Duan Qihu, so the guide purposely exaggerated to scare us."
"Is Xing Mao and Duan Qihu's relationship so hostile?"
"Originally, they were the two rival powers in Qiemo. They competed for territory, so they've never been friendly. However, things seem to have improved since the arrival of County Magistrate Gao Yi."
"Now there are three powers, all holding each other in check," said Cui Buqu.
"That's right," said Qiao Xian. "I heard Gao Yi held a banquet for this year's Lantern Festival and extended invitations to Duan Qihu and Xing Mao. Both attended. Everyone says the two have reconciled thanks to Gao Yi's mediation. Xing Mao's mother will celebrate her sixtieth birthday this month, and it ought to be a grand affair. The entire city is watching to see if he'll invite Duan Qihu."
"When is this birthday banquet?"
"Five days from now."
They were still speaking when Feng Xiao returned.
The curtain of night had descended, and the sounds of the city ebbed away. Yet it wasn't that Qiemo had fallen silent, only that the doors to the outside world had shut tight. In the neighborhoods around the inn, local folk blew out their candles and drew up their covers one by one, while across the way, others continued to dine and laugh in the eateries.
Feng Xiao sent a flirtatious glance toward Cui Buqu. "My lord, your wife has returned. Did you make yourself sick yearning for me?"
Cui Buqu set down his bowl. "I did. My organs are burning, my stomach is bloated, and my feelings of longing and desire are so strong they threaten to overflow."
"That bad?" Feng Xiao asked in faux shock.
"In short, I'm about to vomit."
Feng Xiao laughed. "Ququ, it's so much fun talking to you!"
Qiao Xian sneered but said nothing. She didn't need to—Feng Xiao knew she was silently cursing him but paid her no mind. She sat fuming with no way to vent her anger, yet refused to leave the room, glaring daggers at Feng Xiao.
In a competition for the thickest skin, Feng Xiao might not win, but he'd certainly place in the top three. What did he care for her glares? He took a seat and opened the paper packet he carried, and the aroma of roast chicken instantly filled the room.
Cui Buqu had been satisfied with his own meal, but the scent of the chicken made him greedy. He reached out without hesitation and tore off a drumstick.
Feng Xiao smiled. "I saw an old friend on the way back. Guess who?"
Cui Buqu chewed methodically. "Yuxiu."
Feng Xiao arched a brow in surprise. "However did you guess?"
"Do you think I'm a fortune teller? If you asked like that, it must be someone we both know, whom we saw not long ago. Yuxiu's background is questionable, and he works for the Prince of Jin. Yet rather than staying by his master's side like a proper adviser, he came all the way to Liugong City. The Jade of Heaven Lake can't have been his only goal; he must have other business. It's likely he also intended to head west, so one could expect him to turn up in Qiemo."
"But why didn't you guess Go Nyeong or Fo'er?"
"You defeated them in Liugong City," said Cui Buqu. "If they hadn't joined forces and ambushed you, they'd have perished at your hands. If you'd run into either of them, you'd have a different attitude."
It was obvious Feng Xiao was immensely interested in Yuxiu.
"Where do you think he's going this time?" Feng Xiao asked.
Cui Buqu thought a moment, then shook his head. "I can't guess."
"So there are times even you admit defeat," said Feng Xiao. "A rare sight."
Cui Buqu scoffed. "I'm no god. No matter how intelligent I am, my wisdom is that of a mortal. But I'll say he definitely isn't looking for Ishbara Khagan, or he'd have met with Fo'er in Liugong City."
"He's changed his appearance," said Feng Xiao. "When I saw him, he was wearing a wig. No more of that shiny bald head we saw last time. And he's staying at this inn, on the same floor as us even—only three rooms away."
Qiao Xian had stayed to listen when she heard Feng Xiao mention Yuxiu. Now she interrupted, "Could he have followed us here?"
The four of them were well disguised; even if they met Yuxiu face-to-face, they weren't worried about being recognized. But they were better safe than sorry.
"No," said Cui Buqu. "If he'd discovered us, he would have avoided this inn and stayed elsewhere."
It seemed Yuxiu was heading somewhere specific, either to see someone or do something. Qiao Xian's brow creased in thought. "Perhaps he's also going to meet Apa Khagan?"
But this, too, seemed unlikely. The Khaganate had many khagans, and Apa was of middling power among them. Yuxiu was a counselor to the Prince of Jin; what did he have to gain from Apa Khagan?
Cui Buqu laid down the drumstick, picked clean, and reached for a wing. "If we don't know, we don't know. Things will fall into place when the time comes. If Yuxiu takes the same road as us, we'll discover his aims sooner or later."
Feng Xiao smiled. "Since you've helped yourself, at least thank the one who bought the meal. Your lordship ate food meant for your wife. Should you not express your gratitude?"
"And how much of my money have you spent on this trip?" asked Cui Buqu. "A new bowl, spoon, chopsticks. I even paid for new bedding. I've only had a drumstick, yet you're demanding compensation? Cough up what you owe me first."
Having been justly called out, Feng Xiao smiled and said no more.
After finishing the chicken and bidding Qiao Xian goodnight, Cui Buqu washed his hands and got ready to go back to sleep.
Feng Xiao stared at him in disbelief. "You slept the entire day in the carriage, and you slept when I went out earlier. Now you're sleeping again?"
He was practically calling Cui Buqu a lazy pig.
Cui Buqu was phlegmatic. "My health is poor. Extra sleep is as good as taking supplements." Paying Feng Xiao no further heed, he pulled up the covers, turned on his side, and went to sleep.
In truth, though he'd seemed deep in slumber each day, the roads were bumpy. No matter how skilled the coachman, a carriage was not a bed; Cui Buqu hadn't been able to rest well. Now, his head hit the pillow and he was out cold a moment later, leaving Feng Xiao standing there in astonishment.
The room had only one bed. Feng Xiao refused to sleep on the rope, so his only option was to share with Cui Buqu. It shouldn't have been an issue: no matter how beautiful a woman Feng Xiao made, he was still a man. He wasn't at risk of being taken advantage of.
Yet Cui Buqu hadn't anticipated he'd have barely slept before a hand shoved him awake.
Dazed, he half-opened his eyes and heard Feng Xiao say, "Move over a little. I don't have any room."
It was true that the bed wasn't a large one. Cui Buqu shuffled over, only to see Feng Xiao place two pillows between them. "You sleep like a slob. Don't cross the line."
Cui Buqu couldn't resist mocking him. "Are you a woman?"
Feng Xiao quirked a brow. "You didn't even wash and change before getting in bed. If you go boil some water and wash, my venerable self will remove the pillows."
Bathing at this time of year was no simple task. One had to ask the inn staff to rekindle the furnace, boil the water, and carry it to one's room, pail by pail. At this time of night, most people were asleep. Who on earth would get up to boil some water?
Cui Buqu schooled himself to patience. He didn't move, his back to Feng Xiao. "Whatever you say."
He thought he'd finally get a good night's rest. But all too soon, he was shaken awake again.
"Don't snore. It's noisy."
Cui Buqu gritted his teeth. "I do not snore. My circulation is poor; my nose gets congested when I lie down, so my breathing is louder than normal. If you can't sleep, go on the roof and watch the moon! Deputy Chief Feng, I swear on all that's holy—I'll see that anyone who disturbs my rest suffers a fate worse than death. Are you sure you want to spend the rest of this journey fighting me?"
This man knew no martial arts, yet the bloodlust in his eyes was a match for any master.
Feng Xiao would never admit he was waking him partly out of mischief. He was the picture of innocence as he said, "I'm a light sleeper; the slightest noise wakes me. You really did disturb me. However, I'm a thoughtful and empathetic person—I won't hold it against you."
Cui Buqu huffed out a long breath, then lay down and went back to sleep.
But the world, it seemed, was out to get him tonight. Only a short time later, he was woken again. Before he could lose his temper, he heard Feng Xiao:
"There's a fire outside."
Cui Buqu smelled woodsmoke. When Feng Xiao opened the window, firelight flooded in. From their window on the third floor, they could see a massive blaze, so fierce it'd already consumed one building.
Gradually, the rest of the city began to stir. Neighbors carried water to help douse the fire, a task that took most of the night. Though Cui Buqu's assistance wasn't required, he'd been woken so often it was difficult to sleep again. When he rose the next day, there were dark smudges under his eyes.
Qiao Xian looked at him in concern. "Did you not sleep well, Ye-dage?"
Feng Xiao blushed. "I already told his lordship we should be on our best behavior here, but he never listens. He tormented me half the night! Oh, this wife is too embarrassed to say it!"
Qiao Xian was speechless. Her hand was itching again.
Any proper woman would never say such vulgar words in public. But Feng Xiao wasn't a woman, let alone a proper one—he cared nothing for a spotless reputation. Qiao Xian finally realized that riling Cui Buqu up was Feng Xiao's daily pastime, his great entertainment.
Yet Cui Buqu, who yesterday had seemed as if he couldn't stand Feng Xiao's antics, was unperturbed. He sneered coldly. "Just last night you ogled the hostler Zhang San, then made eyes at Li Si from the kitchens. And how many times did you cuckold me in Liugong City? I endured it in silence, but even here you refuse to stop! Why don't you head into the city and see who has a bed that needs filling! I'm sure there's plenty of fun to be had!"
In just a few sentences, he'd painted a lurid picture for the guests at the adjacent table. All turned to stare at Feng Xiao, some curious and others lascivious—perhaps they too could enjoy a clandestine encounter with this unbearably lonely woman tonight.
The corner of Qiao Xian's mouth jumped. These men were impossible. They'd all agreed to keep a low profile, yet this was drawing more attention. What married woman would so brazenly cheat on her husband? And what married man would shout it to the whole room?
"Let's switch tables," said Jinlian to Qiao Xian.
"Agreed." Qiao Xian said. The two of them rose to move.
At that moment, several constables entered the hall and looked around. "Is a man named Ye Yong staying here?"
The porter, who had bustled up to greet them, bowed. He was promising to check the register when Cui Buqu spoke up. "I'm Ye Yong. How can I help you?"
The constable in the lead glanced at him and waved the others forward. "Seize him."
"Wait." Feng Xiao stood and stepped in front of Cui Buqu. "Surely you can't arrest someone without a reason?"
The constable's voice was cold. "The reason is last night's fire. The guide Cheng Cheng perished in the flames. There's a report that you had a disagreement with him in the streets yesterday afternoon. Ye Yong, you're suspected of arson and murder!"