“If the murderers were two people, and one of them was certainly a man, then the other could be either a man or a woman. They act together each time, but if that’s the case, why were the earlier victims never violated, while Ah Ci’s assailant suddenly gave in to wicked desire…?”
In the carriage back to the Xue residence, Jiang Li was still turning over Fu Yunci’s case in her mind.
Huai Xi frowned, her small face tight. “Could it be that one is the mastermind and the other an accomplice? The mastermind, afraid of leaving traces, had no lustful intent, but the accomplice was the sort to be driven by desire?”
Jiang Li replied, “That might explain the first or second time. But after five murders together, why change tactics on the sixth? Dismembering corpses is no ordinary crime. If there truly were a leader and a follower, the follower would surely know the leader’s will was absolute.”
Huai Xi’s thoughts tangled. “Then this servant can’t think of any other possibility.”
Jiang Li narrowed her eyes. “The case has made little progress. Beyond the killer’s cunning and the scarcity of clues left on the bodies, I keep feeling it’s because we haven’t uncovered the full motive…”
Huai Xi blinked. “Full motive?”
Jiang Li said softly, “Only by understanding the motive can we determine the killer’s true target. Otherwise, it’s like searching for a needle in the sea. Huai Xi, if an enemy you hated with all your heart fell into your hands, and your hatred drove you to kill, how would you do it?”
Huai Xi’s brows shot up. “Even if I killed, I wouldn’t let them die quickly…”
She broke off mid-sentence, suddenly realizing. “You mean—the murderer went to great lengths to abduct and kill brides-to-be, as if consumed by hatred for them. Yet when it came to ending their lives, he did it swiftly, with no lingering cruelty beyond dismemberment. Unless… unless his mind is twisted, and dismemberment itself is what he craves?”
Jiang Li nodded. “That would make sense.”
Huai Xi shivered. “If you suspect this, why not tell Young Lord Fu and Lord Pei?”
Jiang Li leaned back against the carriage wall, closing her eyes to rest. “He should be able to think of it.”
Huai Xi hesitated, but seeing Jiang Li’s eyes shut, she held her tongue.
By the time they returned to the Xue residence, it was already afternoon. Jiang Li had just stepped back into Yingyue Pavilion when Ji Xiang and Ru Yi hurried up to greet her.
“Miss, how can you be so unhurried?” Ji Xiang exclaimed. “Third Miss has been trying on outfits since early morning.”
Jiang Li removed her cloak, puzzled. “Outfits for what?”
Ji Xiang stared. “For tomorrow’s banquet at the Princess’s residence, of course! Everything must be prepared a day in advance—clothes, accessories. Third Miss is even fussing over which hairstyle to wear, which jade pendants to match.”
Jiang Li laughed softly. “No need to go that far. My usual attire will do.”
The two maids exchanged glances. Ru Yi added, “You may not know, but Princess Qingyang loves her banquets. Tomorrow she may invite many young nobles—perhaps even Prince De himself…”
Emperor Jingde had reigned for thirty-nine years, with only three sons and three daughters. The eldest, Princess Ningyang, had died young. Now only Crown Prince Li Mu, Prince Su Li Yun, Princess Qingyang Li Ying, and Princess Yiyang Li Hui remained—all married and past thirty. Only Prince De, Li Yao, born when the emperor was in his prime, was twenty-one this year, just the age for marriage negotiations.
Seeing Jiang Li’s calm expression, Ji Xiang pressed on: “I heard Third Miss has prepared new clothes and jewelry, taken tonics for her complexion, applied fragrant balms morning and night, used oils to nourish her hair, even sought out the most unique nail polish in Chang’an. Since you’ll attend together, you mustn’t let her outshine you.”
Jiang Li smiled. “At the Princess’s banquet, flowers will compete in splendor. I’ll simply be one of the spectators. As for my younger sister, let her please herself and others as she wishes. There’s no need to compete with her at every turn.”
With that, Jiang Li went upstairs. Huai Xi, smiling, said to the two maids, “My lady is naturally serene. She appreciates your good intentions.”
Princess Qingyang’s flower-viewing banquet was set for midday. The next morning, after breakfast, Jiang Li came to the front courtyard. She wore a moon-white cloak embroidered with flowing orchid patterns over a lilac brocade jacket and a pleated skirt patterned with bamboo knots. Her slender back was straight yet graceful, like a noble orchid unafraid of the cold.
In contrast, Xue Qin was dazzling in a silver-red cloak with plum blossoms, a richly patterned gown of grape vines and precious flowers, and a crimson skirt with pomegranate motifs veiled in gauze. Her hair was piled high, adorned with glittering ornaments, making her snowy skin and delicate features all the more radiant.
Once in the carriage, Xue Qin couldn’t help remarking, “Elder Sister, you look far too plain.”
Jiang Li answered sincerely, “You are already radiant enough, little sister.”
Xue Qin felt the words were a veiled criticism of her extravagance. She bit back a retort, lifted her chin, and chose not to argue further.
Princess Qingyang’s residence lay in Taiping Ward outside the Hanguang Gate. Half an hour later, the carriage stopped before its gates. Jiang Li alighted briskly, while Xue Qin followed a step behind, swaying gracefully with all the airs of nobility.
At the entrance, attendants were already waiting. They led the sisters past the screen wall and deeper into the Princess’s mansion.
The Taiping Ward neighbored the imperial city, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold. Yet Princess Qingyang’s residence sprawled vast and magnificent, with carved towers and painted beams. On this day, the snow had cleared and the sky was bright, lazy golden light spilling across the silver-clad pavilions as though one had stepped into a world of glass. After circling a rockery thick with dwarf pines, the scene shifted abruptly—snow vanished, replaced by lush greenery and murmuring streams. At the end of a marble-paved corridor stood a waterside pavilion with upturned eaves and emerald tiles, poised at the misty lakeshore, for the lake had been fed by a hot spring.
“Your Highness, the two young ladies from Minister Xue’s household have arrived,” announced the attendant outside.
The laughter within paused; then a voice as warm as a spring breeze replied, “Quickly, let them in—”
The attendant gestured invitingly. Xue Qin stepped forward first toward the beaded curtain, while Jiang Li followed without comment. A glance to the side revealed figures moving in the lakeside pavilion, though she could not yet discern who they were. Once inside, she saw upon the main seat a radiant lady of striking beauty, surrounded by five young women in splendid attire. As the newcomers entered, all eyes turned toward them.
“Greetings to Your Highness the Princess—”
“Greetings to Your Highness—”
Both bowed in turn. Princess Qingyang smiled: “Enough, rise. It has been a long time since I last saw Qin’er…”
Xue Qin rose with a smile, ready to respond, but the Princess continued: “Now, let me see what the eldest Miss of the Xue family looks like. Come closer—”
Jiang Li stepped forward gracefully. Princess Li Ying regarded her with a smile. Li Ying had an oval face, willow brows, eyes like a bright moon, and cheeks like lotus petals. Today she wore a water-red gown woven with golden peonies, her makeup rich and alluring, her charm natural. Though thirty-two years of age, she seemed still in the bloom of youth.
She reached out to Jiang Li: “Such a lovely girl. Tell me, what elixir do you take to possess such a snow-pure beauty?”
Li Ying ranked fourth among the imperial children. Her mother was the Princess of Northern Liang, and from childhood, she was cherished, which bred a willful nature. Later, she fell deeply in love with Ning Shuo, heir of Lord Yong’an, and after a dramatic courtship, they married. Ten years on, their union remained harmonious, though her hidden illness left her childless.
Jiang Li, her smile subdued, replied: “Your Highness is the very flower of the nation. My pale complexion comes from illness—I dare not accept such praise.”
Her skin was indeed paler than most, giving the impression of jade-like purity. Li Ying, holding her hand, looked surprised: “You are famed as a healer—yet is there truly an ailment you cannot cure?”
Jiang Li’s voice grew faint: “I suffered from a heart condition in childhood. That it no longer recurs is already a blessing.”
Li Ying sighed softly. “Indeed, even physicians cannot always heal themselves. Come, these young ladies are of your age—you may not yet know them. This is Miss Guo Shuyu, second daughter of Lord Guangning; Miss Meng Xiang, third daughter of Marquis Anyuan; Miss Yu Miaofu, fourth daughter of Lord Qing’an; Lady Li Youyi, eldest daughter of Prince Huaiyang; and this is Miss Chu Lan, third daughter of Duke Yue’s household.”
The five stepped forward in turn to offer greetings. All were daughters of noble families, kin to princes and peers. Jiang Li had crossed paths with them before, though never closely acquainted. Now she returned each courtesy as if meeting for the first time. Just then, from beyond the window came the blended strains of qin and flute, followed by a voice in song—“Turning back, all is illusion… Across the way—who is it I see…”
Xue Qin looked surprised. “Your Highness has invited a troupe today?”
Li Ying laughed and waved her hand. “Attend! Open the windows—”
The attendants pushed the shutters facing the lake. All eyes lifted, and there in the pavilion at the lake’s heart stood four figures in splendid robes: one in silver playing the flute, another in purple upon the qin, a third in white painting at a desk, while all gazes were fixed upon the man singing at the center. He wore a robe of indigo Shu brocade patterned with interlocking blossoms, a silver fish pouch at his waist, a white jade coronet in his hair. His features were bold—high nose, deep eyes, graceful and debonair. As he sang, his slender frame swayed with rhythm, the jade flute in his hand circling lightly. At moments of passion, his phoenix eyes narrowed with charm, more expressive than any professional actor.
“It is the Young Prince!” Xue Qin exclaimed. Seeing Jiang Li transfixed, she added, “Elder Sister, this is Li Ce, the Young Prince of Jiangling.”
Li Ce, styled Jizhou, had been a carefree youth, fond of riding, archery, jewels, and song. He even studied the arts of music and performance. Later, he grew fascinated with carpentry and garden design. These costly hobbies nearly drained half the Jiangling estate, yet after years of indulgence, he achieved true skill: he could carve the Eight Views of Jiangnan upon a peach-pit-sized piece of jade, and his talent in architecture was such that Wangyun Tower by the Taiye Pool in the palace was designed and overseen by him three years ago.
His parents had passed away early, and Emperor Jingde had always treated him with kindness. In his youth, the emperor worried he lacked ambition, but once he showed true skill in his pursuits, he was immediately placed in the Directorate of Works to put his talents to use. Jiang Li had learned last year that he was promoted to Assistant Director of Works, a fourth-rank post, and now he was involved in constructing the Longevity Pagoda, to be unveiled next year for Emperor Jingde’s sixtieth birthday celebration.
Jiang Li gazed at Li Ce in a daze for a moment, then shifted her eyes to the young heir of Prince Yiyang, Li Tongchen, who played the flute beside him. Dressed in silver robes and crowned with jade, his entire figure glittered with gold and jewels, his face still carrying that ostentatious air of “noble pride.”
“Well then, everyone is here. We should begin enjoying the flowers.”
Li Ying rose gracefully, leading the group out of the waterside pavilion and toward the curved bridge to the lakeside pavilion. The men within noticed the movement and looked over; Li Ce’s singing broke off. His gaze swept across the crowd, pausing briefly when he saw the unfamiliar Jiang Li, but almost at once, he was pulled back by the white-robed man painting at the desk.
The painter placed both hands against Li Ce’s back, then moved his arms around his waist as though measuring him. From afar, it looked like he was tailoring clothes, yet the closeness carried a strangely intimate air.
As they drew nearer, Jiang Li heard the white-robed man muttering without pause— “…Your long robe today hides your form. I cannot quite capture how you move. The portrait comes out elegant, but it lacks strength…”
Li Ying laughed and shook her head. “This Lu Xian is utterly obsessed with painting.” She called out: “Enough, Lu Xian. My ‘Green Hills in Snow’ cannot wait for your brush.”
At the name “Lu Xian,” Jiang Li’s heart gave a faint jolt. Lu Xian was none other than the fiancé of Zheng Ran, the third victim. She had not expected him to be here.
Though the Princess had spoken, Lu Xian hesitated. “Then Your Highness and the others may go on to admire the flowers. I must finish this painting…” He returned to his desk, truly lost in his art.
Li Ce, unfazed, twirled his jade flute with a smile. “The famed eldest Miss of the Xue family—she is indeed as the rumors say.”
Li Tongchen stepped forward with a grin. “Miss Xue, well met. We have all heard of your reputation. Should we ever need your aid, we hope you will not refuse us…”
Li Ying laughed helplessly. “Who wishes for illness or misfortune? Why curse yourself? Miss Xue will not promise you in advance. Come, Miss Xue, pay them no mind.”
Jiang Li smiled lightly and followed the Princess across the curved bridge. On the far shore, within the gray-tiled, white-walled cloisters, rose three tiered towers—the day’s destination for flower viewing.
As they stepped inside, warmth enveloped them, and before their eyes, the trellises bloomed with wisteria, hibiscus, and magnolia in pots—flowers that should never blossom in winter. Were it not for the cloaks on the ladies’ shoulders, one might have believed spring had already arrived.
“The Prince Consort has gone out hunting in winter, leaving me quite bored. Just these past days, the ‘Green Hills in Snow’ in my villa have finally bloomed, so I thought to invite everyone to enjoy the flowers…”
Li Ying walked slowly ahead, leading the group into the first pavilion built upon a raised terrace. As soon as they entered, Li Tongchen let out a cry of surprise—for the room was filled with fragrant, snow-white blossoms, petals layered thick, pistils green above and white below, making the flowers pure as snow, perfectly befitting the name *Green Hills in Snow*.
Li Ce said leisurely, “It seems Your Highness’s villa on Mount Luoxia was built most excellently, to have nurtured such difficult peonies.”
Li Tongchen added, “I heard this flower grows only beyond the northern Frost Pass, where ice and snow reign year-round. There, on a high peak of the Green Cliffs, lies the ancestral land of the ancient Yue people. When they submitted to the Great Zhou, the flower was brought within the borders. Because it is so hard to cultivate, it was once seen only in His Majesty’s palace.”
Li Ying smiled with satisfaction. “My years of devotion have not been in vain.”
Jiang Li had long known, back in Chang’an, that Li Ying adored this flower. Five years later, she had finally succeeded in raising it. As Jiang Li reflected, Li Ying pointed upstairs. “There are more above. Come with me.”
She led them up the stairs. The second floor was spacious, each chamber filled with different blooms—roses, crabapple, hibiscus, azaleas competing in brilliance. The third floor was devoted entirely to orchids: ink orchids, cymbidiums, dendrobiums, lotus-petal orchids—dozens of rare varieties dazzling the eye.
Jiang Li admired them with keen interest, while Xue Qin seemed restless, glancing often toward the lakeside pavilion as though awaiting someone.
Li Ying then said, “Those who come to view flowers here will never leave empty-handed. Each of you may choose a pot to take home—oh, of course, except for my *Green Hills in Snow*.”
That treasure was beyond price, so none dared ask for it. Yet even the other varieties were rare outside, so the guests scattered in pairs and trios to select their favorites. Jiang Li, after surveying the orchids upstairs, descended without pause and went straight to the magnolia pots outside.
“Miss Xue truly deserves the title ‘Magnolia Hand’…”
Before she had stepped down the terrace, Jiang Li heard a clear voice behind her. Turning, she saw a slender young woman in a lotus-pink cloak patterned with blossoms and butterflies. Her features were delicate—it was Guo Shuyu, second daughter of Lord Guangning, who had greeted them earlier.
Guo Shuyu continued, “With so many rare flowers upstairs, Miss Xue still favors magnolia.”
Jiang Li smiled. “I know little of flowers. Rare ones would not survive long in my care, and it would waste the Princess’s kindness. Did you follow me down for some reason, Miss Guo?”
Guo Shuyu approached hesitantly. “In truth, I wished to visit your residence long ago. But since our families have little connection, I feared intruding and causing you difficulty.”
Jiang Li studied her. “Are you unwell?”
Guo Shuyu gave a bitter smile. “To be frank, I do have a matter—”
Jiang Li waited patiently, but before Guo Shuyu could finish, a faint *crack* sounded above. Almost at once, Guo Shuyu looked up instinctively. Her face changed, and without thinking, she lunged at Jiang Li. They were still beneath the eaves on the stone steps. Jiang Li, caught off guard, was pulled down with her. In that instant, she glimpsed two dark shapes falling—then a resounding crash as two half-man-high orchid pots smashed upon the steps.
“What happened?!”
“Miss Xue is hurt—”
“Shuyu—!”
Voices cried from the windows above. Guests rushed down, finding Guo Shuyu and Jiang Li sprawled on the ground. Jiang Li, though fallen on her back, was not gravely injured. Guo Shuyu, however, had braced herself with her hand, and her wrist twisted sharply, swelling in pain at once.
Li Ying, furious at the shattered porcelain and spilled soil, demanded, “What is going on? How could flowerpots fall like this? Go up and see—”
The sudden accident left everyone shaken. Li Tongchen muttered uneasily, “Those orchids, pot and soil together, weighed dozens of catties. Had they struck Miss Xue and Miss Guo directly, blood would have flowed on the spot.”
Jiang Li, covered in soil, was already examining Guo Shuyu’s wrist. At the slightest movement, Guo Shuyu gasped in pain. Jiang Li’s face grew grave. “The bone may be injured, Your Highness—”
Li Ying immediately ordered, “Quickly, take them back to the waterside pavilion.”
Since the flower viewing had been without attendants, Li Ying’s maids hurried to lift Guo Shuyu. Jiang Li rose, her left shoulder aching, and followed. Crossing the curved bridge, they were met by Huai Xi and the others, who rushed forward in alarm.
Once inside the pavilion, Jiang Li requested, “Your Highness, I need three qian each of Chuanwu, Caowu, Chuanxiong, Stretching Grass, Penetrating Bone Grass, Peach Kernel, Safflower, and Asarum. Grind them into powder and send them mixed with castor oil.”
Li Ying nodded in assent. “The residence lacks no herbs; they will be prepared swiftly.”
Jiang Li continued, “Huai Xi, the needle pouch.”
Though she had not brought her medicine chest to the banquet, Huai Xi carried the pouch on her person. With a sleight of hand, she drew it from her sleeve, and Jiang Li immediately applied a needle to Guo Shuyu’s right wrist.
At that moment, Li Ce and Li Tongchen returned. Li Ce reported, “Princess, we inspected with the gardeners—the wooden rack on the third-floor terrace used for drying orchids had broken from age.”
Guo Shuyu was drenched in sweat from pain, while the other young ladies were badly shaken. Meng Xiang and Chu Lan clung nervously to each other; Xue Qin twisted her handkerchief tight; Yu Miaofu turned pale as paper. Her maid, seeing her distress, quickly produced a pill from her sleeve for her to swallow. Yu Miaofu then drew out her own sachet and inhaled its fragrance, as though it could calm her pounding heart.
Jiang Li asked gently, “Miss Yu, are you well? Shall I examine you?”
Yu Miaofu gave a wan smile and shook her head. Her maid explained, “Our lady once suffered from asthma, but it has long since improved. You need not worry.”
Jiang Li hesitated briefly, then turned back to Guo Shuyu. “Miss Guo, has the pain eased?”
Guo Shuyu nodded. Jiang Li sighed. “You shielded me.”
Guo Shuyu quickly shook her head. “Not at all—I was saving myself as well. Miss Xue, you mustn’t blame yourself…”
Li Ce added, “Miss Guo speaks true. Those two orchid pots would have struck you both.”
Li Ying pressed her brow. “How strange—this flower tower has stood without mishap for years, yet today it nearly caused disaster. Shuyu, are you truly all right?”
Guo Shuyu replied, “Your Highness need not worry. It is but a small injury. With Miss Xue beside me, it is nothing.”
Jiang Li examined her carefully. “The bone is intact, but the bruising is certain. It will take at least half a month to heal. Tonight it will swell and ache. Later I’ll prepare a poultice for you and another prescription to take once you return home.”
Guo Shuyu agreed readily. Soon, the powdered medicine arrived. Jiang Li applied it with needles, bound the wound, and wrote out a new prescription for her maid. Then she asked, “Miss Guo, what was it you wished to say just now?”
Guo Shuyu’s eyes flickered. “It was nothing.”
Jiang Li did not believe her, but Guo Shuyu would not linger. Rising, she said, “Forgive me for troubling Your Highness. I shall take my leave and rest for a few days. It will be no matter. Please do not worry.”
After such an accident, none of the young ladies had a heart for feasting or flowers. Seeing the Princess herself unsettled, they all made their farewells, escorting Guo Shuyu to her carriage.
As they watched her depart, Jiang Li also took leave of the others. Most seemed composed, but Yu Miaofu’s face remained pale—her coral earrings only heightened the bloodlessness of her complexion. She hurried to return home, and Jiang Li did not press her. As they passed, a faint bitter scent drifted from her sachet.
Jiang Li’s breath caught, and she quickly boarded the Xue family carriage.
As the carriage rolled on, Xue Qin, resplendent in her finery, grew irritable. “What a strange flower banquet today—so few guests, and the princess greeted you with such warmth, almost as if it were arranged for you. And then the flowerpots fell…”
The accident had been perilous indeed, and Xue Qin did not complain further. Back at the Xue residence, the two parted ways. Jiang Li returned alone to Yingyue Pavilion. At the gate, the waiting maids Ji Xiang and Ru Yi saw mud stains still clinging to her dress and were startled. Huai Xi explained the mishap at the banquet.
Relieved that Jiang Li herself was unharmed, they helped her change. Suddenly, Ji Xiang cried out, “Miss, what happened to your neck?”
Jiang Li felt only a dull ache in her shoulder, unaware of her neck. Turning to the bronze mirror, she saw a red mark on the right side, stark against her pale skin. She thought a moment. “Perhaps when Miss Guo lunged forward, she scratched me by accident.”
As Ji Xiang fetched fresh garments, she murmured, “Best apply medicine quickly, lest others misinterpret. Such a mark, seen by anyone, would invite suspicion…”
At those words, Jiang Li’s mind flashed to the scene earlier when Lu Xian painted Li Ce. Her hand paused on her collar, and she wondered in alarm, “Could it be she misunderstood…”