Qingyue was so touched by Qin Buwen’s words that she nearly burst into tears.
Her eyes glistened as she looked at her.
“Miss, if you need writing supplies, you could always borrow some from His Lordship’s study.”
Qin Buwen waved her hand with an embarrassed smile.
“His Lordship is the Grand Secretary. There must be countless important documents in his study. Unless absolutely necessary, I would never dare disturb him there.”
Said the woman who had already visited his study twice in a single day.
Qingyue nodded in wholehearted agreement and took Qin Buwen’s hand.
“Miss, you’re truly thoughtful.”
Then she pointed ahead.
“That’s Half-Mu Pond Bookshop up ahead! It’s the largest bookstore in all of Chang’an. Let’s have a look!”
Qin Buwen smiled and followed her inside.
“Half-Mu Pond Opens Like a Mirror.”
Only after Qingyue led her through the doors did Qin Buwen finally see the bookstore in its entirety.
From the outside, it already looked grand and spacious.
Inside, however, she discovered that it stretched across five or six lavishly decorated floors, each more magnificent than the last.
“Welcome, ladies. What can I help you find?”
The shopkeeper greeted them warmly while continuing to work his abacus behind the counter.
“We’re just browsing, Shopkeeper. Please don’t mind us.”
Afraid Qin Buwen might feel uncomfortable, Qingyue answered for them before happily leading her deeper into the shop.
The bookstore was filled with every imaginable item.
Before long, Qingyue’s attention was completely captured by the shelves of romantic novels featuring gifted scholars and beautiful maidens.
Seeing her chance, Qin Buwen quietly walked over to the counter.
“Shopkeeper, do you happen to have Qianjin paper and Huizhou ink that were popular seven or eight years ago?”
The clicking of the abacus stopped.
The shopkeeper adjusted the crystal spectacles perched on his nose and narrowed his eyes.
“Miss… why would you want paper and ink from so many years ago?”
Qin Buwen answered without hesitation.
“Back where I’m from, Qianjin paper and Huizhou ink were considered rare treasures. Now that I’ve come to the capital, I thought I’d finally see them for myself.”
The shopkeeper accepted the explanation without suspicion.
“We do have some.”
“They’ve been sitting in storage for years since no one buys them anymore.”
“Please wait a moment. I’ll have one of my assistants fetch them.”
Qin Buwen nodded.
When the paper and ink were brought out, she gently ran her fingers across the smooth xuan paper before lowering her head to inhale the faint fragrance of the ink.
They were genuine.
“Thank you, Shopkeeper.”
She smiled as she paid.
After purchasing the paper and ink, Qin Buwen also bought a writing brush and, for appearances’ sake, selected a few miscellaneous books before leaving with Qingyue.
Not long after the two women departed…
An exquisitely luxurious carriage stopped outside the bookstore.
The carriage’s owner never stepped down.
Instead, he merely lifted a corner of the curtain and lightly tapped the wooden frame.
“Ming’an.”
A refined male voice drifted from inside the carriage.
The guard called Ming’an immediately bowed.
“Yes, my lord.”
He then entered the bookstore.
The shopkeeper clearly recognized him.
His face instantly broke into a broad smile.
“Master Ming! It’s been far too long!”
Ming’an returned the greeting with a slight bow.
“I’m here to purchase a few items.”
As he spoke, he handed over a prepared note.
The shopkeeper glanced at the list and frowned.
“Hm?”
“Is something wrong?”
Ming’an asked.
“Don’t tell me you don’t have them?”
“Oh! No, no—we do!”
The shopkeeper quickly laughed awkwardly.
“It’s just… what a coincidence! A young lady purchased these exact same items only moments ago.”
Ming’an remained silent.
The shopkeeper chuckled to himself before respectfully handing over the still-unpacked Qianjin paper and Huizhou ink.
“Here you are, Master Ming.”
Ming’an placed a gold ingot on the counter, nodded, and turned to leave.
Outside, the magnificent carriage had already attracted quite a crowd.
“The tassels hanging from the four corners are actually made of jade!”
“That’s nothing—the cords holding them are woven from gold thread!”
“My goodness! Which noble official is allowed such extravagance?”
“Don’t you see the crane carved onto the front of the carriage? It belongs to Lord Situ!”
“Lord Situ? You mean the First-Rank Grand Tutor with the crippled leg whom His Majesty personally appointed?”
“That’s the one…”
“But Yaoyun law says anyone with a physical disability is forbidden from holding office.”
“Exactly.”
“Lord Situ is the only exception—His Majesty personally broke precedent to appoint him.”
The gathered townsfolk continued whispering among themselves.
After leaving the bookstore, Ming’an handed the paper and ink through the carriage window.
“So quickly?”
The man’s voice was gentle and clear.
“Those are supplies from eight years ago. Half-Mu Pond updates its inventory constantly. Finding such old stock should have taken some effort.”
Ming’an answered,
“My lord, the shopkeeper said a young lady had just purchased the same two items, so they hadn’t yet been returned to storage.”
“The exact same items?”
The man’s tone became noticeably deeper.
“Yes.”
Silence followed.
“My lord?”
“…It’s nothing.”
The man spoke calmly again.
“Let’s go.”
“It’s time to pay a visit to our Grand Secretary at Wenyuan Pavilion.”
“Yes, my lord.”
…
After returning to Wenyuan Pavilion, Qin Buwen had intended to wander past Ji Junjiao’s study a few more times.
Instead, Changqing stopped her outside the main hall.
“Miss, His Lordship will soon be receiving a guest. It isn’t convenient for him to see anyone at the moment.”
“Oh.”
Qin Buwen smiled.
“Then I won’t disturb him. I’ll come back later.”
Perfect.
Returning to her room, she laid out the paper and ink she’d just purchased.
After dipping her brush into the ink, she paused for a moment before putting brush to paper.
It wasn’t long before she set the brush down.
She lifted the finished letter and gently blew across the wet ink.
A faint smile curved her lips as she looked at the still-drying characters.
Ji Junjiao…
I’ve already dug the pit.
Now all that’s left… is for you to jump into it.
…
Inside the main hall…
Ji Junjiao lightly traced the rim of his teacup with his fingers.
“So, Lord Situ… are you admitting that you were the one who secretly sent me the intelligence two days ago?”
Seated at the head of the room, his handsome features were cool and composed, carrying an authority that required no display of anger.
To his right sat a man in a wheelchair.
Sunlight poured through the window, enveloping him in such brilliant light that his features were almost impossible to make out.
It was as though he had become one with the daylight itself.
The man raised a fist to his lips and coughed softly.
His voice was gentle and refined.
“The one who sent Your Excellency the information and lured you to the abandoned temple…”
“…was indeed me.”
Ji Junjiao lowered his eyes slightly.
Fine rays of sunlight rested upon his eyelashes like scattered feathers of light.
“So many years have passed…”
“And yet I never realized Lord Situ possessed such extraordinary reach.”
The man merely smiled.
“Please don’t be angry, Grand Secretary.”
“After all, my message wasn’t without benefit.”
“You gained something from that trip, didn’t you?”
Ji Junjiao pressed his lips together.
“Lord Situ, do you realize that deceiving me in this manner alone is sufficient grounds for me to impeach you before the throne?”
His voice remained calm and emotionless.
Lord Situ simply smiled again.
“I assure you, I bear no ill intentions.”
Without addressing the accusation directly, he continued,
“If Your Excellency would only investigate Prince Chang’an’s Manor…”
“…you will naturally find what you’re looking for.”
“With that, this humble official shall take his leave.”
He casually waved a hand.
Behind him, Ming’an immediately understood and slowly pushed the wheelchair toward the exit.
Ji Junjiao watched the man’s retreating figure, his dark eyes flickering thoughtfully.
Was it merely a coincidence?
He tapped the tabletop lightly, his elegant brows drawing together.
Every clue…
Seemed to point toward Prince Chang’an’s Manor.
…
When Qin Buwen arrived to see Ji Junjiao, she happened to catch sight of a man in a wheelchair being pushed away.
Watching his departing figure, she was struck by an inexplicable sense of familiarity.
Must be my imagination…
She thought no more of it.
Carrying the books she had prepared, Qin Buwen walked toward Ji Junjiao.
“This common woman greets Your Excellency.”
She was about to begin acting again.