CUI BUQU spoke slowly before everyone's dubious gazes. "Li Shisi handed me this note at the banquet last night. Whether he's trustworthy or not I can't say, but we can assume this is the villa in the painting. We won't have to look ourselves."
"You think Li Shisi created all three paintings?!" Rong Qing asked in shock.
Instead of answering, Cui Buqu explained what he'd gleaned from the first two paintings:
The first depicted a man in minister's robes, so the painter must be familiar with the ranks of government. The average farmer or townsperson wouldn't even know what color each rank wore, much less know enough to depict them with accuracy.
Qiao Xian had found corpses beneath the tree shown in the second painting, so its message had proven true. Those rag-covered bones were likely victims of the disaster—but why had they been killed? If they'd killed each other, there'd have been no one to bury them afterward; an unmarked mass grave of such size was also unlikely. There was only one explanation: Those people had been murdered, and the perpetrators didn't want them found. They'd buried the bodies, but the flood had eroded the soil, making it easy for Qiao Xian to unearth them.
Cui Buqu finished and looked around at everyone. As he'd anticipated, they wore looks of surprise.
Rong Qing's face remained pale. He swayed where he stood, looking even more shaken than before. "I know what happened… I know… Those victims must have tried to seek refuge in the city, but they were slaughtered on Huang Lüe's orders!"
An imperial envoy—Rong Qing himself—was about to arrive, yet there were starving refugees lingering outside the city. This was unacceptable. But the city granaries were depleted, and Huang Lüe and the prominent families didn't want to waste their own grain helping the victims. So they simply massacred them. The victims, already weak with hunger, lacked the strength to resist.
If this theory held true, then the entire upper echelon of Guangqian County, from the county magistrate to the landlords, were either murderers or their accomplices.
"Huang Lüe deserves to die!" Rong Qing cursed fiercely, pounding his clenched fist on the table. He jerked his head up and looked at Cui Buqu. "I will write a memorial explaining the situation here and submit it to His Majesty today!"
"What if the victims simply died outside the city before entering, and Huang Lüe buried them to avoid the spread of disease? What would you say then?"
Rong Qing's expression was fierce. "If that was so, how do you explain the cuts on their bodies?!"
Qiao Xian's lip curled. "That's easy enough to explain. They killed each other in desperation while fighting for food. The city was already starving, so Huang Lüe dared not let them inside. While he hesitated, they all perished. If you have no evidence, he'll be accused of mismanagement at most. Keeping a city safe from a flood is a sizable accomplishment. The two will cancel each other out; nothing will change."
Rong Qing felt as if a hand was squeezing his throat. Suddenly he couldn't make a sound.
"Go investigate Li Shisi. See when he came to Guangqian County," Cui Buqu told Qiao Xian. "And check whether there really is such a person in the Li family."
Qiao Xian murmured her acknowledgment and left.
"What about the third picture?" Rong Qing couldn't help asking.
"Qixia Villa," said Cui Buqu. "Checking it would be helpful."
Before Rong Qing could smile, Cui Buqu raised a finger. "But you're not going. I am."
Rong Qing froze, then blurted, "Chief Cui, how can you abandon me after all I've done for you?!"
Cui Buqu almost laughed at the absurdity of this statement. "If Qixia Villa really plays some part in this matter, it will be heavily guarded and fraught with danger. You want to go instead of me?"
The only two martial artists present, Guan Shanhai and Qiao Xian, were Cui Buqu's subordinates. Rong Qing couldn't order them around. The censor wilted. He felt he'd found many clues since his arrival, yet he'd failed to accomplish anything. There was obviously something very wrong in Guangqian County, yet he couldn't unearth a single lead.
Rong Qing had been afire with ambition when he'd left the capital, but none of his hopes had withstood harsh reality.
A short while later, Qiao Xian returned.
Li Shisi was indeed a real person. Learning about him was easy: All one needed to do was to ask around at the Li family shops. Thanks to his inane behavior, no one would suspect the asker of anything other than curiosity.
"They say he's a distant nephew of the Li family patriarch. He grew up wild in the countryside and is incredibly mischievous. He's accomplished in neither scholarly pursuits nor martial arts; his greatest skill seems to be in speaking sweet words of flattery. At home, he spent his time in unbecoming places and drove his elders to distraction. They sent him here to Guangqian County and asked the Li family to arrange some tasks for him so he'd be discouraged from further mischief. But apparently, he's only gotten worse. He's rapidly endeared himself to all levels of the Li family with his silver tongue, and has had several romantic escapades—he even got involved with a married man. But he's done well in his tasks, so the eldest son of the Li family likes him. When I asked around, I discovered he arrived in Guangqian County after the heavy rains began, around five or six days ago."
"Ah," said Rong Qing. "The rains started ten days ago, and the downpour quickly made the river overflow. The floods reached the city around four days later. In other words, Li Shisi couldn't have witnessed the scene in the painting personally!"
Cui Buqu looked at Guan Shanhai. "What are your thoughts?"
He didn't treat Guan Shanhai as a simple bodyguard but respected his opinion. Guan Shanhai had gradually softened toward the chief of the Zuoyue Bureau and was no longer as hostile as he'd been in the beginning. Guarding Cui Buqu was an unchangeable reality, and considering the importance Empress Dugu placed on the Zuoyue Bureau, he might be doing the job for a while. Better to make an earnest effort, he thought, instead of stewing in resentment.
He therefore gave a sincere answer. "It's impossible for Li Shisi to have earned that much trust so soon after his arrival. If he didn't witness the bodies being buried under the tree, then he must have heard about it somewhere. These corpses are a serious matter. Yet even we haven't heard a whisper about it—how could he have learned of it after only a few days in the city? These three paintings are probably not from him. His choice of Qixia Villa as a meeting location is most likely a coincidence."
Cui Buqu nodded. "But I still wish to go."
Qiao Xian frowned. "Lord Chief!"
He raised a hand, and she instantly went quiet. "At the banquet last night, Li Shisi appeared out of nowhere. He rashly spoke when he shouldn't have and drew everyone's eye. But because of him, Huang Lüe and the Ding and Li families were unable to hold themselves back. They all made remarks that angered Censor Rong."
Li Shisi might have looked like he was fooling around, but Cui Buqu felt his actions were in line with Feng Xiao's usual style. His antics had lured out everyone's true feelings.
"The commandery governor scorns you, Huang Lüe prefers to remain silent, and Deputy Magistrate Li Yan enjoys the limelight at the expense of his direct superior. Meanwhile, the Ding and Li families failed to take Censor Rong seriously from the start. But if Li Shisi hadn't stood up and made an exhibition of himself, they might have continued talking and laughing, staging a scene of camaraderie for the feast."
They'd have flattered Censor Rong until he lost sight of his original mission. He might really have sent a memorial to the court asking for more grain.
Rong Qing was furious. When he'd woken that morning, he'd realized he'd nearly fallen into a trap of Huang Lüe's making. To think he'd be tricked so thoroughly!
Guan Shanhai looked pensive, but Qiao Xian frowned. Cui Buqu seemed to be oddly trusting of this Li Shisi. Cui Buqu believed Li Shisi was Feng Xiao in disguise, so he'd aimed all his speculations in that direction. But what if his guess was wrong?
What if Li Shisi wasn't Feng Xiao? And even if he was, what if he'd come with evil intentions and wished to lure Cui Buqu into a trap?
"If Li Shisi didn't paint them, who did?" she asked.
Cui Buqu asked Rong Qing to take out the first two paintings. They placed the three works side by side, and the differences instantly became apparent. The brushwork on the third painting was much rougher and more careless than the first two: The painter had conveyed the rat and villa in just a few strokes. They'd likely been in a hurry while painting—they hadn't even waited for the ink to dry before stuffing it into the tube and rushing it out the door.
Rong Qing hadn't previously noticed these details. As he took a closer look, he observed, "The creator is an excellent painter; he can't be just anyone. And if he knows these things, he must be of a certain status within the county, privy to key secrets. He may be a member of either the Li or Ding family."
Despite being impulsive and immature, now that he'd calmed down, Rong Qing was proving himself to be slightly less useless. "The third painting was delivered this morning just after we arrived. They must be watching our every move. If I'd thrown in with Huang Lüe last night, they probably wouldn't have sent the painting. Cui-xiansheng, in your opinion, did this mystery person attend the banquet?"
Cui Buqu nodded. "Not only is this person not an average citizen, he's probably received considerable accolades in calligraphy and painting. He did his best to conceal identifying traces, but it's still clear he's a painter of remarkable skill. Lao-Guan, go find out if anyone among the banquet attendees has some small renown as a painter or calligrapher."
Guan Shanhai left without a word, making no objection to the familiar address. Perhaps he'd realized how messy the situation in Guangqian County was. Martial arts wouldn't help him here. In contrast, Cui Buqu was a pillar of support. Even Rong Qing, who disliked the Zuoyue Bureau, had unconsciously come to lean on Cui Buqu and follow his lead.
Cui-xiansheng was riddled with illness, and most of the time was lethargic and weak. But in his presence, all uncertainties seemed to fall away, and thorny problems were easily overcome.
Breakfast was delivered promptly, but no one had much of an appetite. After a few bites, Rong Qing got up and went for a walk, saying he'd try and think if there were any more clues. Perhaps he sensed Qiao Xian had something to say and found a reason to excuse himself, but in any case, Cui Buqu didn't stop him.
The instant Rong Qing left, Qiao Xian blurted, "Lord Chief, please let me go instead!"
"Guan Shanhai will be there; you don't need to worry. Feng Xiao will have his reasons for leaving a clue like this."
He was completely convinced Li Shisi was Feng Xiao.
Qiao Xian compressed her lips. Cui Buqu had interacted with Feng Xiao much more than she had. Someone as perceptive as him must be able to recognize Feng Xiao via all the scattered and minute clues. Yet even so—
"Lord Chief, Feng Xiao is a member of the Jiejian Bureau. His every move is made to benefit his own organization. Look at what happened at Mount Tiannan, when he feigned surrender and eradicated the Thirteen Floors' base. Your lordship was seriously injured, yet he obtained the sarira that took his martial arts to the next level. We even had to share the credit. Do you really think he came here just to send you clues, with no ulterior motive?"
Cui Buqu glanced up at her. "What are you trying to say?"
Qiao Xian seemed to struggle for a moment. Then she fell resolutely to her knees, looking up at him. "This subordinate believes your lordship's regard for Feng Xiao has already crossed a line."
Cui Buqu smiled. "Oh? What line is this? Who decides it—you?"
He was angry. Qiao Xian could hear it, but she pressed on. "Lord Chief. Feng Xiao isn't one of us. He pretends to be careless and wild, but he's shrewd and calculating. From Liugong City up till now, he's never suffered a single loss from our collaborations. He must be in Guangqian County for reasons of his own. Maybe he wants your lordship to do the investigating for him, so he can take advantage of your efforts and steal the credit again!"
He nodded. "I know. Everything you said is consistent with his personality."
"Then why does your lordship still trust him?!" Qiao Xian cried.
Why?
Cui Buqu considered it carefully. He remembered Feng Xiao slipping the knife between his ribs in that cave. At the time, he'd been neither angry nor surprised—he'd already calculated every factor and understood Feng Xiao's reasoning. If Feng Xiao hadn't stabbed him then, it would have only made him a fool.
Softness didn't suit them.
But he hadn't anticipated that Feng Xiao, having escaped, would return to look for him as Fan Yun said, leaving him vulnerable to Yuxiu's attack. If Feng Xiao had left earlier using the method Cui Buqu taught him to traverse the array, he would never have become trapped inside.
And because Feng Xiao had come back to look for him, he too had gone to find Feng Xiao. Perhaps this was the moment they'd become inseparably entangled, the line between favors and grudges permanently blurred.
"Lord Chief, the Jiejian Bureau is coexisting peacefully with us at the moment thanks to Feng Xiao, but His Majesty won't be happy to see our bureaus grow so close. Feng Xiao wouldn't cozy up to you without some other goal in mind!"
Qiao Xian had never interfered with Cui Buqu's personal matters. She followed him and obeyed his orders. No matter how dangerous things became, she pressed forward without hesitation. But she'd never liked Feng Xiao, and now, she could no longer be silent. Even if it meant angering Cui Buqu, she had to make this protest.
Cui Buqu blinked. "Anything he could get from me, he could get from His Majesty just as easily. Why bother?"
Gritting her teeth, Qiao Xian said, "Because he lusts after you!"
For a moment Cui Buqu sat stunned; he'd never expected Qiao Xian to say such a thing. Then he burst out laughing. He laughed and laughed, unable to stop, until he was doubled over, still laughing uncontrollably.
Qiao Xian flushed crimson.
Cui Buqu laughed for a long time before straightening up and shaking his head. "Impossible."
He, Cui Buqu, was wracked with illness, a withering tree. Perhaps he'd live to see next spring, but there was no guarantee he'd see the one after. And Feng Xiao, with his martial arts and his beauty, considered himself a peerless existence. Even the legendary beauty Feng Xiaolian hadn't impressed him—he'd rather marry his own portrait. Why would such a person fall in love with Cui Buqu, who was vicious, caustic, and callous in his methods?
"You've got it wrong, Qiao Xian. It's true we're neither enemies nor friends, but I know him. I believe he won't turn on us on a whim."
"But what if he doesn't show up at the meeting tomorrow night?" Qiao Xian asked.
Cui Buqu paused. "He will."
Such a definite answer.
Qiao Xian suddenly had a theory—one she dared not think too much about. To trust someone meant you cared for them. Had Feng Xiao become someone Cui Buqu cared for? Perhaps he hadn't noticed it himself. Or maybe he had, but didn't want to acknowledge it.
From Liugong City to Guangqian County, traces dense and fine as spider's silk had stretched over half the Northern dynasty, weaving the two men together. Had this become enough to soften Cui Buqu's cold and steely heart?
And if so, did Feng Xiao deserve it?
At three-quarters of an hour past noon, Guan Shanhai returned. Rong Qing rushed inside to hear what he'd found. Neither of them knew what had transpired during the conversation between Cui Buqu and Qiao Xian. If they noticed the atmosphere was a little awkward, neither of them was foolish enough to point it out.
Guan Shanhai had returned with a crucial message. "Lord Chief, Censor Rong. There wasn't much time, so I could only briefly check on Commandery Governor Yang Yun, County Magistrate Huang Lüe, Deputy Magistrate Li Yan, and County Lieutenant Wu Yi, along with several prominent households within the city: Li, Ding, Zhao, and Zhong. I found that Huang Lüe is an accomplished calligrapher and painter. He studied under Dong Boren, and his style resembles that master's. When he first arrived in Guangqian County and assumed his post, the Ding and Li families asked to be painted in an attempt to curry favor. This subordinate couldn't find any examples of Huang Lüe's paintings in such a short amount of time, so I went to the nearest antique shop and asked for a copy of Dong Boren's work."
He unrolled the paintings he'd brought back and slowly laid them out before the group.
Rong Qing gasped and brought the second and third paintings over to compare. "The way the leaves are drawn…they're almost identical!"
But this only sparked more questions. Why had Huang Lüe sent Rong Qing the paintings, providing him with the clues he needed to investigate the misappropriation of the grain? Surely he knew that if this matter came to light, he himself would be implicated?
The discovery was as if a giant stone had dropped from the sky, slamming into them and leaving their heads ringing. Rong Qing was especially baffled. Afraid he was seeing things, he compared the paintings again and again.
"There are two possibilities," said Cui Buqu. "First, he exposed his crimes on purpose. By acting against his own interests, he hopes to mislead us, then annihilate us in one strike when the time is right. But there's a second possibility. He might be working with the enemy against his will. His loyalties lie elsewhere, but he doesn't dare defy his co-conspirators openly. This is the only method he can use to send you clues. If you fail, he's safe. But if the court investigates, he can cite his contributions to lighten his sentence."
Rong Qing, still comparing the paintings, inhaled sharply.
He too had endured a life of strenuous studies as a scholar, and had dabbled in the four arts: music, weiqi, calligraphy, and painting. He could tell these three paintings had been painted in the same style as the samples Guan Shanhai had retrieved. They were most certainly painted by Huang Lüe.
"Cui-xiansheng. Let me come with you tonight!" Rong Qing requested again.
"No, you stay here," Cui Buqu said. "Huang Lüe has sent you three paintings; who knows, maybe he'll send you a fourth. We may obtain more clues if you're here."
Rong Qing wanted to protest, but he swallowed the words and simply nodded his assent. With Qiao Xian and Guan Shanhai by his side, Cui Buqu would be safe. And with Cui Buqu there, they might discover more inside Qixia Villa—maybe even the key that would crack the case.
He smelled a hint of danger: the scent of an approaching storm.
But even then, he didn't anticipate the peril Cui Buqu and the others would encounter on their trip. As far as Rong Qing was concerned, Guan Shanhai and Qiao Xian were more than enough to protect Cui Buqu if they needed to escape.
Cui Buqu and the other two thought much the same.
***
Night fell. It was almost the appointed time.
The heavy rain had stopped that afternoon, and the floods had receded slightly. The people saw the first light of clear skies after the rain, and the worries and fears that had weighed on them in recent days lifted. Tonight, Guangqian County slept soundly.
But above them dark clouds quietly gathered once more, blotting out the stars and moon. If no wind came to blow them away, another downpour would soon arrive to worsen Guangqian County's situation.
Outside Qixia Villa, there was silence. Even the mountain birds had tucked their heads under their wings. The villa gates were latched tightly, but black shadows shuffled inside, indicating that while security on the outside might be lax, the inside wasn't the same.
The leaves rustled, and the wind began to blow. Three shadows landed lightly on the roof and slipped down into the backyard. No one noticed their arrival.