In the eastern courtyard of the Marquis's residence.
Lanfang brewed the tea, and before stepping out, she examined herself in the mirror. She was still young, the baby fat on her cheeks not yet faded.
She pinched her cheeks hard, truly detesting the two lumps of flesh on her face.
She was thirteen now—no longer a child—and wished to have a narrow face like Hua Qiu and Shi Jun, with a pointed chin, its profile cutting clean lines like a blade, sharp and beautiful.
Lanfang pulled herself together and headed to the study. The moment she entered, she saw Xie Changxi leaning askew against the desk, a scroll of a book in his hand.
By the window, the silver glow of the moon traced his features, as if casting a layer of ethereal light upon him.
Lanfang froze for a moment, then stepped forward to place the tea gently on the table. As she withdrew her hand, the bracelet on her wrist clinked against the corner of the desk.
Hearing the sound, Xie Changxi's gaze shifted slightly. He asked in a low voice, "Where did that bracelet on your wrist come from?"
Lanfang tensed, her reply carrying a hint of hoarseness. "My lord… it was Sister who let me pick it. She said it looked nice on me, so she gave it to me."
This was the first time the lord had addressed her, and her heart fluttered between joy and fear. Finally, steadying herself, she added, "Earlier, Sister had Lingxiang take many of her clothes and jewelry to the pawnshop, saying we could take them if we liked."
Xie Changxi tightened his grip on the scroll in his hand and said softly, "You may leave."
He had truly misjudged Shi Jun. She pawned the clothes and jewelry he had bestowed upon her, yet asked for nothing in return. Could it be that she simply wished to leave the Marquis's residence, truly believing there was a place for her out there?
Ridiculous. Still a fool. He would have to discipline her properly.
Hemu received a secret letter from Jiangnan and immediately handed it to Xie Changxi. "There is civil unrest in Jiangnan, but it has already been suppressed by the Duke's men. The Right Remonstrance Advisor and the Vice Director of the Chancellery both took the opportunity to impeach the Duke."
The Emperor had embarked on grand construction projects, building a new Taoist temple in the western outskirts of Bianjing, named "Yanfu Palace." Since construction began in late autumn last year, tens of thousands of laborers had been conscripted, and the silver spent was beyond counting.
Later, Taoists advised "casting nine cauldrons to stabilize the four directions," and the Emperor gladly accepted, ordering the construction of a cauldron-casting platform by the shores of West Lake, using hundreds of thousands of catties of copper, smelting day and night—truly a blaze that never dimmed. Moreover, the Emperor built a separate palace, transporting Taihu stones from Jiangnan, rare woods from Lingnan, and precious birds from Sichuan to the capital in an unending stream, conscripting civilian boats along the way, throwing the people into turmoil.
Xie Changxi brought the secret letter close to the candle flame, watching the fire's tongue lick the paper.
The firelight reflected in his eyes, flickering and uncertain.
"Let them fight. The fire won't reach the Marquis's residence for now," Xie Changxi said in a calm voice.
He had already handed the account books from Jiangling to the Duke, and had inevitably been squeezed by the old faction. Now that the new faction was riding high, why should he fear the old one?
Shi Jun paused before the temple, about to enter. Seeing her stop, Lingxiang asked, "Sister?"
After a long moment, Shi Jun sighed. "The peace charm hasn't been found yet, and I won't be able to sleep if I go back. Lingxiang, I want to search a bit more. You go back first."
Lingxiang frowned, worried. "How can that be? Sister, you search that way, and I'll search this way. That way we won't miss any spot. If we truly can't find it, just tell the lord—he surely won't blame you."
Shi Jun looked at Lingxiang. Somehow, Lingxiang always seemed to follow the steps she had in mind.
Just now, Lingxiang had searched to the east, but now they had switched places.
Shi Jun nodded, and the two agreed to meet in front of the temple.
She watched Lingxiang disappear into the crowd, then hurried toward the bridge. Fortunately, the old man was still there.
"Elder, I'd like to make a trade with you, if you're willing," Shi Jun said as she approached, wearing a gentle smile, her voice soft and light.
The old man in coarse hemp clothes looked up to see a young woman of delicate age. He hesitated for a moment, glanced around, then spoke in a hoarse voice, "Young miss, what trade do you want with me? I'm just an old man with nothing. You'd best go back."
He tilted his head to look at Shi Jun, squinting, and only then realized she bore a striking resemblance to his late daughter—seven parts alike.
Shi Jun crouched down, looking at the straw mat, and asked, "Elder, what is your surname?"
He answered, "Lin."
"Do I look like her?" Shi Jun asked.
"Like—so much that from afar, you couldn't tell the difference." The old man choked on a sob.
"Elder, has Lady Lin been reported to the authorities to cancel her household registration?" Shi Jun asked again.
The old man shook his head.
"Haven't had time to find a coffin yet. I planned to cancel the registration after she's buried."
His eyes were clouded, his words rasping.
Shi Jun had asked enough. She stated her purpose. "Elder, I have a favor to ask. If you agree, these five taels of silver are my thanks, and I will also cover the cost of Lady Lin's burial."
She drew five taels of silver from her sleeve and handed them to the old man. He took them with trembling hands, his gaze fixed straight on Shi Jun.
In the end, the old man kowtowed to her three times.
With that settled, Shi Jun returned to the front of the temple to wait for Lingxiang. After half a quarter of an hour, Lingxiang returned, looking dejected.
Lingxiang stepped forward slowly, pressing her lips together. "Sister, I didn't find the peace charm. That place was so frightening—I'm amazed you weren't scared."
Shi Jun soothed her with a few words and led Lingxiang back to their lodging.
Lingxiang lit the lamp, her eyes glistening with tears. "Sister, I'm a little scared."
Shi Jun saw her like this, took her hand, and coaxed her in a gentle voice, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid. Those people have all gone to another place—this mortal world is too bitter."
Lingxiang was still young, and Shi Jun's original intention was not to take her west. But if she didn't send Lingxiang away, this matter couldn't be accomplished.
She and Lingxiang thought differently. Lingxiang was willing to stay in the Marquis's residence—for her, the residence was their safe haven, better than life outside.
But for Shi Jun, that was a life without dignity, without personhood.
Xie Changxi wanted her as a concubine, showering her with silks and satins—none of that was what she wanted.
There were always things in this world more precious than gold and silver.
Lingxiang turned sideways, lying on the wooden table, gazing at Shi Jun through the flickering candlelight. "Sister, you're so beautiful. Very beautiful."
In terms of appearance and figure, Lingxiang felt that Shi Jun wasn't as glamorous as Luluo, nor did she have Cui Shu's voluptuous curves. Yet she sensed from Shi Jun an indescribable gentleness and resilience that made it hard to look away—her beauty seemed to radiate from deep within her bones.
Somewhat like the little grass she used to grow, breaking through the soil and stretching toward the sunlight.
Shi Jun's eyes curved with a smile as she gently stroked Lingxiang's head and laughed. "What are you saying, little Lingxiang? Why do you think so much every day?"
Lingxiang said nothing, only leaning on her with complete dependence, gently stroking Shi Jun's hand—warm and comforting. She thought somewhat greedily that she wished Shi Jun could stay by her side forever.
Wherever Sister went, she would follow.
Shi Jun smiled tenderly, quietly watching Lingxiang. At Lingxiang's age, she was only fourteen—the age for middle school.
In her eyes, Lingxiang was still a child.
She calculated carefully: from eighteen in the modern era to four years here, her mental age had reached twenty-two—an age approaching thirty.
The next morning, Shi Jun woke first. She glanced at Lingxiang, then quietly got out of bed. She went out to look around—last night, after Chunhe returned, he had received Xie Changxi's orders and gone back to the Marquis's residence.
Today was the eighth day of the fourth month, Qinghe's death anniversary. She first went to the Grand Buddha Hall to pay her respects, then handed the copied sutras to the abbot. After completing these tasks, she carried the vegetarian meal back to the dormitory.
Lingxiang had just woken up when she saw Shi Jun return. She hurriedly got up, rubbed her eyes, and said in a soft, sticky voice, "Sister, you're up so early."
Shi Jun pressed her lips into a light smile. "Hurry and get up to eat. I'll be leaving the city shortly."
Lingxiang knew that today was the death anniversary of Shi Jun's younger sister, so she didn't dare delay and finished her meal in a few hurried bites.
The vegetarian meal at Daxiangguo Temple was even better than what she'd eaten at the brokerage house.
Shi Jun took a peace charm from her sleeve and placed it on the table, speaking softly: "Lingxiang, I just went to the main hall to pray for a peace charm. When you return to the residence, please give it to the Master for me."
Lingxiang asked doubtfully, "Sister, aren't you coming back to the residence with me? I can wait for you."
Shi Jun shook her head with a troubled expression, speaking tactfully: "I don't know when I'll be able to return. Go ahead and inform the Master first. I've been thinking of him and feeling uneasy at heart. Lingxiang, you go on back first."
Lingxiang felt puzzled, but on second thought, this was after all a matter between the Master and her sister. Besides, she had always been the most obedient to Shi Jun—seeing her speak, Lingxiang couldn't say anything more.
Shi Jun watched Lingxiang leave, and once she was far away, Shi Jun returned to her room to write the blank official travel permit. After finishing, she carefully examined it again.
Permit holder: Lin Qiniang, age eighteen, from Dongshui Lane in Bianjing, medium height, fair complexion, with a mole on her left eyebrow.
The only difference between her and Lin Qiniang was a mole below her left eyebrow—that wasn't difficult, she could just dot it on.
After leaving the temple, Lingxiang felt uneasy at heart. Returning to the Marquis's residence, she went straight to the Eastern Courtyard. Just as she was about to head to the study to find Xie Changxi, she was stopped by Lanfang.
Lanfang knew that Lingxiang had been accompanying Shi Jun at the temple these past two days, but seeing her return alone, she asked doubtfully, "Where's Sister?"
Lingxiang: "Sister has gone out of the city. She asked me to come back first and deliver a peace charm to the Master."
Lanfang tilted her chin toward the study and said helplessly, "The Master hasn't returned. I heard from Brother Hemu that the Master has matters to attend to today and will probably be back late. Give me the peace charm."
Lingxiang furrowed her brows, glanced at the study, and handed the peace charm to Lanfang.
Lanfang examined the peace charm carefully—it was a small triangular brocade pouch with an ivory-yellow satin surface, embroidered with the characters "peace" in vermilion silk thread on the front.
The charm carried the scent of incense that only temple items had—it was calming to smell.
She clutched the charm in her hand and only came back to her senses after a long moment.
"The Master's appetite hasn't been good these past two days, and he's always furrowing his brows. Lingxiang, let's not trouble the Master with anything lately. If it's something minor, just set it aside for now."
Seeing that Lingxiang was still looking toward the study, Lanfang lowered her voice and said this.
Lingxiang withdrew her gaze and turned to study Lanfang instead. She felt something was off, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.
Back in Jiangling, Lanfang had always been eager to take on work, and it was the same after returning to Bianjing. On the surface, it seemed she was helping to share Shi Jun's burdens, yet she never seemed to show much genuine concern for Sister.
Lingxiang studied Lanfang with a measuring gaze. Lanfang, thin-skinned as she was, flushed red under the scrutiny. Puffing out her cheeks, she said, "Lingxiang, I'm only thinking of what's best for our mistress. If we offend the young lord, none of us will have an easy time of it. Back in Jiangling, our mistress ran the household, but now that we've returned to the Marquis's residence, she has no say in anything. And with that meek, unassuming way of hers—if we don't stay sharp, we'll be cast out one day!"
Lingxiang stood frozen in place, staring hard at Lanfang, feeling as though the person before her had become a stranger. "What nonsense are you talking?!"
Lanfang craned her neck stubbornly. "What nonsense have I spoken? This isn't Jiangling!"
She knew Lingxiang had always been protective of Shi Jun, but things had come to this point, and she hadn't said anything wrong. Shi Jun wouldn't fight for herself, and that meant they too would be overshadowed by others.
She hadn't said a single wrong word!
With that, Lanfang turned and stormed off in a huff.
Lingxiang, for her part, was so angered that her own neck flushed red.