Spring of the Blade - Chapter 48
Chapter 48
Seeing Qingyuan standing there perfectly intact, that sensation of her soul returning to her body was something she would likely never forget for the rest of her life.
Originally, everything had been going smoothly. After reporting for duty at the Ministry of Personnel and finishing up his workload for the day, he had been planning to return to Youzhou. Just as he stepped through the gates of the Ministry, he saw a servant sprinting toward him like an arrow. Before the servant could reach the mounting block, he was intercepted by the gate guards, so he began leaping and shouting: "Third Young Master! Third Young Master! I am a servant from Second Master Xie’s side; our Second Master sent me to bring word to the Third Young Master—something terrible has happened at our house!"
He froze for a moment, his mind racing to calculate the possibilities. It was likely that Envoy Xie had hit a snag in the war on the front lines—what else could it be? His only concern regarding the Xie family was Qingyuan. If not for her, Xie Shu’s successes or failures would have nothing to do with him. He lifted his hand to signal the guards to let the servant in.
"What happened?" he asked, feeling somewhat listless as he handed his ledger to the clerk and ordered someone to tend to the Ministry’s business first.
The servant had run the whole way, his complexion baked to the color of a pig’s liver by the sun. He wiped away a layer of greasy sweat, cupped his hands in a salute, and lowered his voice. "Third Young Master, it is bad. Our Fourth Miss went to the Bihai Temple yesterday to perform a memorial service for her late mother, but something went wrong. She did not return all night, and everyone serving her has disappeared as well. The Old Madam is frantic with worry and ordered the Eldest Young Master to search the entire city. He practically turned Youzhou upside down, yet he could not find the Fourth Miss. The Second Master was at his wit's end, so he sent me to report to you to see if the Third Young Master has any way to find our Fourth Miss quickly. The Fourth Miss has no one to turn to in the city; if a young girl is lost for a long time, I fear the worst will happen."
Initially, seeing the servant gasping like an ox, Li Congxin’s finicky aristocratic habits flared, and he turned his face away in disgust. But as he listened further, he realized something was wrong. By the end, he nearly thought he had misheard, and he grabbed the servant by the front of his clothes. "What? What happened to your Fourth Miss?"
The servant was hoisted off his feet and stammered, "The... the Fourth Miss is lost, and our Second Master sent me to—" Before he could finish, the person in front of him had vanished.
He searched frantically, rarely having been so panicked and reckless. His attendants followed closely behind him, asking in a flurry: "Third Master, hey... Third Master, where exactly are we going?"
The copper bells on his horse whip clattered, making the summer heat feel even more scorching. The sun in the sky burned fiercely until he suddenly steadied his mind and his feet, realizing that running around like a headless chicken would not work. Fortunately, the young marquis had little interest in his studies, often using that time to cultivate friendships; thus, he had established strong connections in both Youzhou and the Capital. He dispatched all his attendants to every major government office to inquire if any cases involving a young girl had been reported.
That waiting period was excruciating. He sat alone in a room, where darkness sprouted in the corners the sunlight could not reach. He had always been an unconstrained spirit, but Qingyuan’s disappearance sparked many ominous premonitions. He had spent years rushing through the dust of the world, never having been so worried about a girl. It seemed that his transformation from liking her to deep love had happened in an instant. He suddenly realized that the flowers of his past had all turned to dust, and that he could not live without her. If she could return safe and sound this time, he was determined to firmly secure a future for them both.
After waiting and waiting, he finally received word of her whereabouts. A servant came in to report that the Xie Fourth Miss was at the Palace Guard Headquarters. After hearing this, he was instead stunned, a strange feeling rising in his heart. Youzhou was dozens of miles from the Capital; how could she appear in the Capital overnight? Ever since the last banquet, Shen Run’s behavior had been unusual. Now, it seemed almost certain: he harbored ulterior motives toward Qingyuan.
The more he thought about it, the more his heart trembled. He rushed to the Palace Guard office and saw her standing from afar in that deep, expansive hall. Dressed in simple, elegant clothes, she was as tranquil in the gentle breeze as the clear vase in the hands of Guanyin. His heart finally settled. He called out, "Fourth Sister," and when she heard him and turned to look, her eyes sparkled for an instant, followed by a warm, sweet smile—a familiarity like meeting a fellow countryman in a strange land.
He walked over quickly, his gaze sweeping past Shen Run, and asked Qingyuan first: "Are you alright?"
Qingyuan nodded. "Why is the Third Young Master here?"
He let out a long, silent breath. "Your Second Brother sent someone to notify me. I inquired everywhere before finding out you were at the Palace Guard Headquarters." As he spoke, he bowed toward Shen Run, smiling as he navigated the situation. "I only took up my post at the Ministry of Personnel two days ago, and I had intended to pay my respects to you, Commander, but I have been unable to find the time. Today is quite a coincidence that we meet because of this matter."
In routine social interactions, Shen Run always wore an indifferent face. Because he did not need to flatter anyone, he appeared somewhat dismissive of everything. But he had his own rules; even if he was deeply dissatisfied with someone, he could still maintain decorum on the surface. He bowed in return. "Young Marquis, you are a rare guest. An office like ours, which handles such mundane business, is a place you would never visit even if invited."
Li Congxin pretended not to hear the sharp edge in his words and intentionally diverted the topic. "Why don't I see Cheng Bing? Is he not on duty today?"
Shen Run gave an "oh" of recognition. "He was patrolling the city last night and went to sleep after finishing his shift this morning."
It was such a dry conversation, which sounded rather humorous. Qingyuan stood between them, feeling as if she had thorns in her back, but unable to say anything. She could only smile and play along; often, this expression could alleviate awkwardness. However, Shen Run took a look at her, seemingly unable to understand. "Fourth Miss is in such high spirits today. Is what I said very funny?"
Now, she was in a bind—to smile or not to smile? She vaguely remembered her explosive Second Aunt, Madam Jiang, who had once questioned her, claiming that her constant smiling made her look like she had malicious intent.
She helplessly touched her face. "I was born with a smiling face. Besides, the world is peaceful; there is nothing to make me cry."
The world is peaceful? She had nearly fallen into the hands of thieves last night, and only a day had passed—had the shadows already dissipated? Yet, to find a girl from a sheltered upbringing with such a disposition would be impossible, even if one searched the entire Capital region. He suddenly felt a genuine sense of pride. This girl was so unique; she was truly worthy of being the one he had chosen!
Li Congxin was more anxious to get to the bottom of the matter. He asked Qingyuan: "Fourth Sister, the entire Xie household is searching Youzhou for you. I heard you have been at the temple for days performing memorial services for your mother. What exactly happened, and why did you suddenly come to the Capital?"
Qingyuan remained composed on the surface, saying: "Last night’s ceremony ran late. We only left the temple around nine in the evening. Unexpectedly, we encountered a gang of bandits on the road. They killed a servant and wanted to kill us too. I thought I would not escape with my life this time, but thanks to the Commander passing by, he saved us and captured the bandits. Now, this case is connected to others, and they need our testimony to identify those thieves. The questioning is finished now, and the Commander said there is nothing else, so he will let us return to Youzhou in a moment."
In truth, they were all people who walked the halls of officialdom. Whether there were facts concealed, Li Congxin might not be able to tell. He felt a tinge of regret that she had not told him everything, but he could not press further. He nodded. "I happen to be returning to Youzhou as well. I will escort Fourth Sister back, which will also satisfy your Second Brother."
Qingyuan was just about to say yes when she heard Shen Run calmly toss in a remark: "Fourth Miss is a young lady of a prominent family. Having spent the night outside under unclear circumstances, returning just like this will not stop the idle gossip, and it is detrimental to your reputation, Miss. I serve in the same court as your esteemed father; for the sake of the Envoy, it is only proper that I personally inform the Old Madam of the full story. Please wait a moment, Fourth Miss. Once I have concluded the official business in the office, I will personally escort you back to Youzhou."
After he finished, he walked out with his hands behind his back. The subtle, steady glance he gave her when passing by carried a hint of approval.
Qingyuan felt a bit vexed. The explanation she had given Li Congxin earlier was likely very pleasing to Commander Shen’s ears. One should not wash dirty laundry in public, and it was unwise to easily tell outsiders about grievances from within the deep inner chambers where no solid proof could be held. Li Congxin was ultimately an outsider who required her to choose her words carefully; even if he had met her first, an outsider remained an outsider.
Therefore, on the road back to Youzhou, a rather strange situation formed: Commander Shen and the Young Marquis were leading the way, one on the left and one on the right. Both men held significant status and had many attendants, causing the procession to stretch out very long, as grand as a royal tour.
Baoxian lifted the curtain on the carriage to look. "What are they doing?"
Qingyuan shook her head, indicating she could not answer.
"This is actually for the best. With Commander Shen and the Third Young Master escorting you home, let’s see who dares to give you trouble." Baoxian dropped the curtain and smiled softly. "You have finally come through the bitterness and reached the sweetness, Miss."
Bitterness and sweetness? Qingyuan ruminated on the words and finally gave a bitter smile. It was still far too distant. The commotion before her was like fireworks on New Year’s Eve—blooming with all their might, burning through a year’s brilliance, only to scatter in the end. What was left? Only cold ashes covering the ground.
Baoxian had been by her side for half a year, and through daily companionship, she understood her temperament. If the Fourth Miss were as oblivious to consequences as the Second Miss, she would likely be the first of the four sisters to be married off. Marrying early did not necessarily mean marrying well. A girl could not choose her origins, but she still had some say in choosing a husband. The Fourth Miss was a person who remained clear-headed at all times; even if she appeared to be a prized commodity, she could not let that turn her head. Baoxian had once worried she would lose her way or become single-minded about choosing between these two men. Now, it seemed that worry was unnecessary.
"It is just a pity that even with such a huge commotion, we failed to secure evidence against the Madam," Baoxian sighed with regret. "Thinking back on how dangerous it was—if not for Commander Shen, we might have been ghosts under the blade by now."
Qingyuan remained silent for a long time, her thumb rubbing carefully against the ivory handle of her folding fan. After a long while, she said: "If it doesn't work this time, there is always the next. Though we haven't torn off our masks, we both know the truth. It just depends on who can keep their composure longer. However, this matter has alarmed the Palace Guard Headquarters; the Madam may have some reservations. For now, she will likely endure in silence, but what will happen later, I do not know. I thought about it carefully last night: inner chamber affairs should be decided by outer-world morality. In the end, the display was too large, and too many people were involved; one never knows where a mishap might occur. Inner chamber affairs should be resolved within the inner chambers. The Madam has managed this household for so many years—can she really be entirely without fault?" As she spoke, she smiled. "Even if she were entirely without fault, a household of this size with so many people and such great expenses—how can one guarantee that every courtyard is at peace? Wouldn't you agree?"
Baoxian looked at her mistress, and inexplicably, her heart felt at ease. It was true—a matriarch who had managed a household for decades had long since become a fox. If she were so easily manipulated, the two concubines, Lian and Mei, would not have had to stay so low-profile for so many years. Lady Hu kept her fences tight, but it did not mean her two children were perfectly composed. In any case, the Fourth Miss had time. She was the youngest of the seven siblings. Being the youngest meant she witnessed more. The Second Miss needed to be married off, the Eldest Young Master was about to face the autumn examinations, the Eldest Grand-daughter-in-law was pregnant, and a new concubine had just entered the Eldest Young Master’s chambers...
Baoxian revealed a look of understanding and began to fan her slowly. The fragrant breeze from the fan drifted over. Qingyuan felt comforted, rubbed her eyes, and said: "I am sleepy..."
The day was long, and the carriage rocked gently. After a long while, she began to feel drowsy. Baoxian let her lean against her, and the Fourth Miss obediently curled up on her shoulder. Outside the carriage, the sun was warm, and her bangs lay thinly and softly against her forehead, just covering those curved eyebrows. For such a frail and helpless child to be forced into scheming—it was not her sin, but the sin of the Xie family’s various injustices.
The journey from the Capital to Youzhou was not short, and by the time night was falling, the procession reached the gates of the Xie mansion.
In Huifang Garden, the Old Madam had almost given up hope. Having waited an entire day, wave after wave of people she had sent out returned. One moment, they reported that they had checked every paper-offering shop in the city and no one had seen the Fourth Miss. The next, they reported that there was a large bloodstain on the road to Bihai Temple—a patch so large it looked as though someone had been drained of all their blood into the reeds by the roadside. The Old Madam sat in the shade, her expression as somber as a dark cloud, yet within this cloud, a trace of guilt emerged. She muttered: "If I had known today would come, it would have been better not to have brought her back. The Fourth Miss has been in our house for half a year, and in these six months, I, her biological grandmother, have owed her quite a bit... truly quite a bit. For her father’s sake, the child has run back and forth, showing her face in public... Now that I think of it, I truly have wronged her."
The women of the inner chambers were already preparing to cry. The wives of Xie Xun and Xie Min from the east and west mansions had also received the news and were waiting. Whether a person was liked while alive or not, once they departed in haste, it could always trigger countless regrets and feelings of missing them.
Madam Jiang wiped her eyes with a handkerchief and said with veiled barbs: "The Fourth Miss is truly pitiful. She has had no mother since she was small. Although the Chen family loved her, they were still separated by a layer of skin—how careful could they have been? Later, when she recognized her ancestors, the ancestors recognized her, but the living did not. She couldn't get the good food or drink, and even a good marriage had to be prioritized for others first."
Madam Jiang had always been an annoying character in the Xie family. She was not afraid to speak her mind, and while everyone squeezed her out, they could do nothing about it.
In the past, the Old Madam would certainly have stopped her, but today she felt that what she said was right. If the Fourth Miss truly met with a disaster, then that small concubine-born daughter would no longer be a little girl cowering in the inner chambers; whether she became a god or a ghost, she would be someone to be feared.
Qingru was filled with righteous indignation at Madam Jiang’s oblique accusations and had intended to lash out, but Qingrong secretly tugged at her sleeve, and she swallowed her words. Enough; why should the living argue with the dead? At this point, no matter how nicely they spoke, it was all hindsight. If it were not for the fact that fighting on such an occasion would be unseemly, she would have liked to give Madam Jiang a few words. When they were bringing the Fourth Miss back, who was it that kept calling her a "child of a coffin"? Now that she was gone, she comes to act compassionate. Truly, she had a mouth with two flaps of skin; she could say whatever she wanted, however she wanted.
Qinghe, being close to Qingyuan, truly did not want to see her end up like this. She and her mother had discussed it privately in Hanxiang Hall: everything had been fine, but it happened to be the very moment the Madam sent her to Bihai Temple that she encountered bandits. If one called it a coincidence, it was indeed too coincidental. However, there was no proof for these words, so it was hard to say. Qinghe glanced at Lady Hu, then at the Old Madam. "Grandmother, we have not found her yet; it is too early for such gloomy talk. We should send more manpower to check the nearby towns. It is possible that we might find some news."
Lady Hu wiped her burning corners of her eyes; she had used her handkerchief so many times that even if there were no tears, the skin could not withstand the rubbing. Without waiting for the Old Madam to speak, she heaved a long sigh. "We must continue to look; all the manpower that could be sent has been sent. But she has been lost for a day and a night—I fear it is more misfortune than luck. Besides, for a young girl to encounter such a thing..."
What could not happen in a day and a night? To put it bluntly, returning would be worse than not returning. How could the Xie family tolerate an unchaste young lady? If this were publicized, the entire family would have nowhere to hide their faces.
This was the trade-off of a great, noble clan. The reputation of the family was far more important than a single life. When the conversation reached this point, it voiced the inner thoughts of most people. At this moment, everyone was not hoping for good news, but rather awaiting the tragic confirmation.
Lamps began to be lit in the courtyard. Clusters of lanterns rose under the eaves, their silver-red gauze spilling the color of rouge across the ground.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded from the corridor. That hurried rhythm sent a chill through everyone—there must be news. What kind of news? The worst kind: at best, they were just going to identify a body.
The Old Madam had nearly rehearsed that scene in her mind. Feeling guilty toward Qingyuan, she decided that if she had to identify someone, she would go herself this time.
The servant’s shoes finally stepped over the threshold. Everyone looked on with bated breath. The Old Madam stood up and asked: "How is it?"
A wide smile suddenly bloomed on the servant’s face—a smile that, in the lamplight, was eerie and mocking. He gave a light, cheerful salute: "I bring glad tidings to the Old Madam—our Fourth Miss is back!”