By the time Jiang Li followed Fu Yunheng to Shou’an’s residence, night had already fallen. The front hall glowed with lamplight: Madam Liu sat with reddened eyes, while Fu Sheng paced back and forth, his anger still simmering.
Fu Yunheng strode in. “Father, Mother, what happened? Where are the Xu family?”
Two chests stood in the hall, and on the left-hand table lay two letters. Madam Liu choked out, “They’ve already left. Madam Xu came, together with Madam Qi, wife of Minister Wang…”
When the Xu family first arranged the betrothal, it was Madam Qi—wife of Wang Zhe of the Ministry of Revenue—who acted as matchmaker. Now that they sought to dissolve the engagement, it was only natural she should be present. In the past, Qi might have refused to wade into such muddy waters, but with the Xu family now at the height of power, she dared not decline.
Madam Liu continued, “The Xu family said your sister’s rumor has spread unchecked for three days, growing worse by the hour. They claim they investigated but found no deliberate slander. Yet our account of that day at Yuzhen Temple was muddled, and they say the Old Madam Xu has been so angered she hasn’t eaten for two days. General Xu himself has faced much criticism. They insist they had no choice. Once this matter is settled, they’ll still recognize Ah Ci as their foster daughter and treat her with affection as before.”
Fu Yunheng’s chest heaved with fury. “What nonsense! Brother Hechen already traced the source of the rumors to something suspicious. Only three days have passed, and the Xu family cannot endure? Is this how they value my sister? To speak of foster daughter affection—what she needs now is their trust. Even if they doubt, they should not pour oil on the fire at such a time! Now it’s worse—rumors already run wild, and with this broken engagement, people will heap even more filth upon her!”
Madam Liu sobbed, “Your father and I said all this, but the Xu family has already written the letter of dissolution. The betrothal gifts have been returned, and they refused to take back a single item of the bride-price. They left no room at all.”
Fu Sheng’s face darkened as he sighed. “In the end, it’s because the Xu family holds power. Four years ago, would they have dared to break the engagement so easily?”
Fu Yunheng clenched his fists. “So this is Xu Lingze’s doing! Three days ago, he did not speak this way. I refuse to accept it—I’ll go to the Xu residence and demand an explanation face to face—”
He turned in fury, but froze when he saw Fu Yunci standing just outside the hall. “Sister…”
Her face was pale, eyes swollen red, her slender figure trembling in the cold wind. Jiang Li hurried forward. “Why did you get up?”
Supported by Dan Feng, Fu Yunci stepped inside. “Father, Mother wished to keep it from me, but such a matter cannot be hidden. Dan Feng told me. The Xu family has already delivered the letter of dissolution—surely they don’t expect me to foolishly keep waiting for the wedding day.”
Fu Yunheng burst out, “Sister, don’t worry, I’ll go find Xu Lingze!”
Fu Yunci shook her head, tears shimmering in her eyes. “The first time, it was his grandmother who sent servants; perhaps he did not know. But this second time, his mother came herself—he must be aware. Seeking him out will be useless.”
Fu Yunheng faltered, while Madam Liu and Fu Sheng had already realized the truth. Fu Yunci, drained of strength, paused before continuing softly: “Now that I am entangled in rumors, I am indeed no suitable match. If the marriage is dissolved, so be it. I cannot allow myself to be cast aside and then lose even more dignity by storming their gates. And I am not so bound to Xu Lingze that I cannot marry another…”
Fu Yunci’s voice was strained, tears gathering in her eyes, though she forced herself not to cry. Madam Liu stepped forward and embraced her. “My poor child… how bitterly fate has treated you.”
Fu Yunheng still refused to give up. “What if we tell the Xu family that Sister was actually attacked by the Bride Butcher? It was our deliberate concealment at the start that made the matter so muddled.”
Fu Sheng spoke gravely. “Do you think saying that will clear your sister’s name? That killer is vicious and cruel. If your sister escaped from his hands, what do you suppose outsiders will say?”
Fu Yunheng looked from his father to his sister, whose face still showed lingering fear. Helplessly, he muttered, “To deny the truth and bear an even harsher false name… I truly don’t know what to say.”
Fu Sheng replied, “If the falsehood is exposed, it can be corrected. But if the truth is admitted, it will be a stain your sister can never wash away.”
Fu Yunci began to cough. Jiang Li stepped forward. “Whatever happens, we must put Miss Fu’s health first. The night air is cold—she should not remain here.”
Fu Yunci looked at her with gratitude. Jiang Li continued, “And you were wrong just now. You are pure and blameless, with nothing to be ashamed of. It is Xu Lingze who proves himself unworthy—his devotion is empty, his courage lacking. He is no true match. When the rumors are dispelled, he will regret it. You must never belittle yourself because of this.”
Fu Yunci held herself together for a moment longer, then finally broke down in sobs.
On the carriage ride back, Huai Xi sighed. “That Xu Lingze—last time he looked so apologetic, saying he would believe whatever Miss Fu said. Yet only three days later, the letter of dissolution is ready. Surely it takes at least a day or two for the Xu family to discuss such a matter. That means after just one day at home, they were already set on breaking the engagement. What use is he?”
Jiang Li also harbored doubts. “The Xu family and Earl Shou’an have been close for years. This marriage was spoken of as a fine match. Now, with the Earl’s household under such scrutiny, the Xu family’s speed in retreating is indeed suspicious.”
Huai Xi agreed. “Exactly. This was no hasty betrothal. No matter what Madam Xu says, after this, the two families will be estranged. And with the Xu family acting so ruthlessly, what other noble house would dare send their daughter there?”
Jiang Li frowned, unable to find a clear thread. By then, the snowstorm had eased, and the carriage sped toward Pingkang Ward. When they reached the Xue residence, it was already past dusk. At the gate, Ji Xiang was waiting.
“Miss, you’ve finally returned.” She stepped forward and handed her an invitation. “The invitation you ordered me to watch for—it arrived this afternoon. Old Madam Xu requests your presence at the Xu residence tomorrow.”
Jiang Li blinked in surprise. Taking the card, she saw it was indeed issued by the Old Madam herself. Her eyes narrowed. “Where are the Xu family’s messengers?”
Ji Xiang gestured toward the side quarters. “Waiting there.”
Jiang Li nodded. “Tell them I will come tomorrow morning.”
Once the message was delivered, Jiang Li returned to Yingyue Pavilion. After changing into a lighter robe, she brought out the medicinal decoction she had taken from the charity hall. Fetching a sheet of coarse hemp paper, she filtered out the sediment. After half an hour’s work, she dried it into a thin layer of brown powder.
Ji Xiang and Ru Yi had no idea what she was doing, watching with great curiosity—until Huai Xi explained that the stains came from the clothing of the deceased. Only then did the two of them shrink back in fright. Jiang Li remained focused, carefully examining the bean‑sized specks of residue. Yet even by the second watch of the night, she had only managed to identify the four medicines she had noted earlier that day. Seeing how late it had grown, she had no choice but to rest for the night.
The next morning, at the hour of Si, Jiang Li rode by carriage to the Xu residence.
The Xu family had only risen to prominence in the past two years, and their ancestral home still stood in Huaizhen Ward, southwest of Chang’an. The carriage left Pingkang Ward, passed along the grand Zhuque Avenue, and continued southward. After half an hour, it stopped before the gates of the Xu estate.
Huai Xi stepped forward to knock. Soon, the gates opened. When the porter heard that the young lady of the Xue family had arrived, he hurried inside to report. Moments later, a richly dressed middle‑aged woman came quickly out—it was Lady Jing, mother of Xu Lingze.
Lady Jing’s face was round as the moon, her brows and eyes gentle, her voice soft and courteous. “Miss Xue, please come in. We heard last night that you were willing to visit, so we have been waiting since early morning. Forgive us for troubling you to make the journey.”
Once inside, Jiang Li spoke directly. “May I ask what illness afflicts the Old Madam?”
Lady Jing smiled. “You are indeed straightforward. My mother suffers from head wind. Winter is especially hard for her. These past days, with certain worries weighing on her, she has been tormented by headaches and sleepless nights. She is suffering greatly. You will see for yourself.”
Jiang Li asked no further, following Lady Jing deeper into the Xu residence. The ancestral home had originally been only three courtyards deep, but in recent years they had added a rear garden and east‑west wings, giving it more grandeur. The Old Madam now lived in the eastern rear courtyard. Unlike the Earl’s household, where festive red silk still hung, the Xu estate, though newly renovated, lay blanketed in snow, with no trace of celebratory adornment.
“Mother, Miss Xue has arrived—”
In the main room of the rear courtyard, Lady Jing called out. The maid lifted the curtain, and Jiang Li entered. On the northern luohan couch lay an elderly woman in her sixties, hair streaked with white. She wore a deep‑purple robe patterned with round blossoms. Her face was lined, her eye sockets sunken, the corners of her mouth drooping, giving her a stern, unyielding look.
“Miss Xue has come—bring tea…” Seeing Jiang Li, the Old Madam managed a faint smile, her clouded eyes scanning her from head to toe.
Jiang Li spoke at once: “I hear from Madam that your illness is grave. Then let us not waste time—allow me to take your pulse first.”
The Old Madam’s expression brightened slightly. “Very well. I have heard that your medical skills are extraordinary, and that you can even bring the dying back to life. This illness of mine has truly no remedy. If you can treat it, perhaps I may live another two years.”
A young maid brought a round stool to place by the couch. Jiang Li sat down, just as Hua Xxi handed her the pulse pillow. At that moment, a faint, strangely familiar fragrance reached her nose. She glanced around discreetly, but found no source—only a half‑opened Buddhist scripture and a dish of untouched osmanthus chestnut cakes on the table beside the couch. Lowering her gaze, she said, “Please extend your hand, Old Madam.”
Lady Jing stepped forward to roll up her mother‑in‑law’s sleeve. Jiang Li concentrated on the pulse. After a short while, she spoke: “Besides headaches, the Old Madam must also feel tooth pain. At the forehead, the pulse beats incessantly. Behind the ears, there should be a sensation of heat rising, while the limbs often feel chilled.”
The Old Madam lay under a thick velvet blanket. Hearing this, her expression grew solemn. “Indeed, you are correct. Whenever the head wind attacks, the tooth pain is unbearable.”
Jiang Li continued, “In youth, the Old Madam suffered from severe cold. The chill penetrated the bones, then invaded the liver, rising upward to assault the brain. Thus, in winter, the headaches and toothaches are worsened. The physicians you have seen mostly prescribed heavy warming tonics, but did not regulate the meridians or promote circulation. This caused heat stagnation, making the arteries behind the ears throb violently.”
She rose. “Please lie down, Old Madam.”
By now, the Old Madam no longer dared underestimate her. She lay flat at once. Jiang Li pressed several points on the forehead and behind the ears, then said, “Before prescribing, I must perform acupuncture and bloodletting. Will you permit it?”
The words “bloodletting” startled those in the room, but the Old Madam, long tormented by the illness, steadied herself. “Do as you must. I must try, or I will never know.”
Jiang Li nodded. Huai Xi handed her the needle case. She took a one‑inch silver needle and pierced behind the Old Madam’s ear, three‑tenths deep, then gently manipulated it. Soon, a bead of dark blood welled out. After wiping it clean, she repeated the procedure on the other side, where black blood also emerged. Then she instructed the Old Madam to remove her shoes and socks and pricked the points Xingjian, Taichong, and Zhongfeng along the Liver meridian. At Taichong, black blood flowed. She then applied acupuncture to the Bladder and Stomach meridians.
After two quarters of an hour, Jiang Li withdrew the needles and asked, “How do you feel now, Old Madam?”
The Old Madam opened her eyes, instinctively touched her forehead and behind her ears, then gently clenched her teeth. In astonishment she said, “The throbbing has calmed greatly. The headache seems lighter, and my teeth no longer ache so much.”
Jiang Li packed away the needles. “I will prescribe a formula—three doses daily for seven days. It should relieve the illness by nearly half. But this is a chronic affliction, difficult to cure completely. Thereafter, careful nourishment will be most important.”
The Old Madam sat halfway up. “Very well, I shall follow your guidance.”
Jiang Li called for brush and ink, and with flowing ease wrote out a prescription, handing it to Lady Jing.
Lady Jing glanced at it and softly marveled, “Your formula is quite simple—only the most common herbs. People say the simpler the prescription, the greater the physician’s skill. It seems true indeed.”
Jiang Li replied, “A true remedy need not be complicated.”
She instructed Huai Xi to pack the medicine chest, then turned to the Old Madam. “Your qi rises against the liver. You must avoid great anger or sorrow. If your headache grows unbearable yet the pain point cannot be found, and your limbs grow cold up to the knees, that is a dire sign. You must take heed.”
Lady Jing agreed repeatedly. Seeing the hour grow late, Jiang Li prepared to take her leave. The Old Madam could not help but ask, “Will I still need further acupuncture? And this method of bloodletting at the acupoints—where does it come from?”
Jiang Li’s lips curved faintly. “No further need for now. The method was taught to me by my master in the martial world. I do not know its origin.”
The Old Madam nodded, then instructed Lady Jing, “See Miss Xue out.”
Lady Jing complied, escorting Jiang Li back the way they had come. After only a few steps, she drew from her sleeve a heavy brocade pouch. “Miss Xue, your skill is remarkable. Please accept this small token of gratitude.”
Jiang Li nodded, and Huai Xi stepped forward to receive the fee. Weighing it in her hand, she marveled inwardly at its heft.
Lady Jing then hesitated before speaking. “I heard you also visited Shou’an’s residence to treat their young lady. May I ask—what illness does she suffer?”
Jiang Li answered calmly, “A patient’s condition is private. Madam, forgive me, I cannot disclose it.”
Embarrassment flickered across Lady Jing’s face, but she forced a wry smile. “No matter, no matter. I was only concerned for the child. You are right not to say…” She accompanied Jiang Li all the way to the gate, seeing her onto the carriage before turning back.
Once the carriage rolled down the long street outside the Xu estate, Huai Xi could not help but ask, “Why did you not inquire, miss?”
Jiang Li, deep in thought, looked up. “Inquire about what?”
Huai Xi blinked. “Naturally, about matters concerning Miss Fu. The Old Madam seemed hard to approach, but Madam Xu (Lady Jing) looked as though she might speak with you. She said she cared for Miss Fu—it did not seem false.”
Jiang Li replied, “A physician treats illness, not pries into secrets. Besides, I need not ask further… Before we arrived, there should have been a young lady attending the Old Madam.”
Huai Xi was startled. “Miss? But isn’t Xu Lingze the only grandchild in the Xu household?”
Jiang Li’s voice was cool and clear. “On the table beside the luohan couch lay a Buddhist scripture, half‑open, with a folded page—someone had just been reading it. But the characters in that scripture are tiny; it is impossible that the Old Madam herself was reading. Beside it sat a plate of untouched pastries. The Old Madam is of a strict temperament—ordinary servants would never dare eat in her presence. And when I sat by the couch, I caught a faint, familiar fragrance. I could not place where I had smelled it before.”
Huai Xi asked curiously, “What kind of fragrance?”
Jiang Li thought carefully. “Not the usual floral or agarwood scent women use, but medicinal. The aroma of ginger slices and patchouli was especially strong…” At this, her eyes sharpened. “Patchouli…” She murmured, as though she had grasped a crucial thread, yet her brows furrowed tighter, showing she still faced a puzzle. Huaixi dared not disturb her, and the journey passed in silence.
Back at the Xue residence, Jiang Li summoned Chang Gong, a young servant from the gatehouse, to Yingyue Pavilion.
She produced a freshly drawn sketch and instructed, “Run to Rongbao Hall and ask if they have crafted such a pair of coral earrings in the past two months. Also, discreetly inquire into the background of the Old Madam at General Xu’s residence in Huaizhen Ward. If anyone in our household asks, say you are buying ornaments for me.”
Chang Gong, born into the Xue household but orphaned early, had never held a proper post, only errands and chores at the gate. The young lady before him was known for her kindness and reputation. To gain her favor would secure his place in the household. He agreed eagerly and hurried off.
Huai Xi was puzzled. “My lady, what are you investigating?”
“If my guess is right, I may uncover the true instigator of the rumors against Ah Ci.” Jiang Li’s eyes glinted with coldness, tinged with disbelief. “To think they used patchouli…” She muttered to herself, then suddenly her expression changed. “Wait—patchouli, incense—”
Something clicked in her mind. She immediately fetched the medicinal powder she had obtained the previous night, and with bamboo tweezers examined it carefully. At a certain moment, her face lit with realization. “So it was no ordinary medicine—”
Huai Xi still did not understand, but Jiang Li could wait no longer. She seized her cloak. “Come—we go to the Court of Judicial Review!”