Chapter 21: The Return of the Swallow (I)

◎ Drumbeat ◎

In the half-month that followed, Qu You did not see Zhou Tan again.

She followed his instructions and, with Bai Ying, sought out the beggars of North Street, asking them to arrange a meeting with the “master” of the entire street.

At the end of the Bian River, where North and South Streets converged, vagrants and refugees mixed freely. It was the most chaotic part of Bianjing, yet there truly existed a mysterious figure known as “Boss Ai.”

Bai Ying had heard of this person before. Shopkeepers on North and South Streets, dock supervisors, boatmen, residents, and even beggars all knew of Boss Ai’s existence. The “underground organization” Zhou Tan mentioned was also under Boss Ai’s command.

However, the rumored Boss Ai was extremely low-key. His subordinates mainly patrolled the streets, stopped brawls, and helped people with tasks, earning a good reputation. Thanks to their presence, despite the bustling crowds and complicated affairs, law and order were maintained on North and South Streets, with few incidents of foremen oppressing workers or beggars fighting.

After spending more time around the area, Qu You realized the location of Fangxin Pavilion was quite subtle—North Street bordered the Chaoming Canal, which branched off from the Bian River. On the same side lay Chaoming Ward, while Fangxin Pavilion sat tucked into the concave curve of the canal facing inward toward the ward. This raised questions about whether the pavilion belonged to Chaoming Ward or North Street.

A young beggar whom Bai Ying had once treated told them that Boss Ai’s men never patrolled near Fangxin Pavilion because it was said to be protected by some high-ranking official, placing it outside North Street’s jurisdiction.

While slipping coins to the beggar to keep an eye on Fangxin Pavilion, Qu You and Bai Ying went to a teahouse frequented by Boss Ai on North Street to deliver a calling card.

According to the beggar, Boss Ai disliked seeing outsiders, so Qu You expected some difficulty. Surprisingly, on their first visit, Boss Ai sent word saying he had already been informed of her request and would do everything in his power to assist.

… If Zhou Tan had already arranged everything, why did he insist she come forward herself?

Within those two weeks, the case of the fatal fall grew increasingly intense among the common folk. After the death of the only suspect, Yan Shi, public fervor reached a fever pitch. Even when Qu You and Bai Ying casually dined at a noodle shop on East Street, they overheard lively discussions.

“I wonder how this will end,” Bai Ying stirred his bowl of chicken soup noodles and sniffed. “Hasn’t your esteemed husband given you any hints? The Ministry of Justice hasn’t made much progress, and rumors are running rampant. Many are criticizing him.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than someone behind them loudly chimed in, “That Vice Minister of Justice is usually decisive, so why has this dragged on for so long? Clearly, his past achievements were nothing but fabricated injustices. Now that influential officials are involved, he’s probably too busy sucking up to them to solve the case!”

Another voice added, “The Vice Minister of Justice—that ungrateful wretch from Gu Xiang’s former faction—is surely compromised…”

Qu You busied herself picking out green onions and cilantro from her bowl, forcing a wry smile as she mimicked Bai Ying by lowering her voice. “I haven’t seen him in a while. He rarely comes home these days, and when he does, I’m usually not there.”

“What kind of married couple are you two?” Bai Ying sighed dramatically. “You’re always gallivanting around with me, an outsider. Does he really trust you?”

Qu You finally finished removing all the cilantro and scallions, shooting him a glare. “Enough nonsense. Aren’t you getting paid handsomely for this?”

“No complaints!” Bai Ying replied immediately. “By the way, Boss Ai caught someone acting suspiciously near Fangxin Pavilion a few days ago. They carried flint and oil, likely intending to set another fire. Unfortunately, the culprit killed himself too quickly, and we couldn’t extract any information.”

Qu You poured a generous amount of vinegar into her bowl. “As expected. Thank Boss Ai for his help. But he still refuses to show himself or mention what assistance he expects in return?”

Bai Ying shook his head. “Perhaps we’ll find out after this matter concludes.”

Qu You nodded thoughtfully, then remembered something. “By the way, have you examined that pill yet?”

On the day Zhou Tan coughed blood in the back hall of the Ministry of Justice, he smashed a celadon bottle in his arms. When He San carefully collected the pieces later, one fragment of the pill ended up lodged inside Qu You’s official boots. She covertly retrieved it and brought it to Bai Ying for analysis.

“I almost forgot about that!” Bai Ying slapped his thigh and leaned closer. “How did you get your hands on this thing? I tested it for ages, and you won’t believe what it is!”

“Uh… I found it in Elder Sister Dingxiang’s room during cleanup at Fangxin Pavilion,” Qu You lied smoothly. Since Zhou Tan didn’t want anyone to know, she saw no need to elaborate. “If I knew what it was, I wouldn’t be asking you.”

After Boss Ai agreed to help, he immediately sent men to Fangxin Pavilion to take control of the madam and several enforcers. Following Yan Wuping’s death, Peng Yue and others must have let their guard down, allowing them to clean out the building easily.

When Peng Yue realized what had happened, Fangxin Pavilion was already beyond his grasp. Too cautious to make bold moves, he resorted to sending arsonists as usual—but they hadn’t succeeded yet.

Lately, Qu You often visited the pavilion. That day, Zhiling wrote a message in water for her, revealing how Peng Yue had driven her parents to suicide and forced her into prostitution. Almost everyone at Fangxin Pavilion harbored similar tragic pasts. Qu You gathered stories using sheets of Xuan paper, documenting each woman’s grievances, believing they might prove useful later.

Over time, she became familiar with the residents of the pavilion. However, many remained unaware of her true gender, assuming she was Yan Wuping’s younger brother.

It wasn’t unusual for a brothel to contain strange items, and this reasoning satisfied Bai Ying. Mysteriously slurping his noodles, he mumbled, “This isn’t something you see every day—it’s not exactly a medicinal pill either… It’s inconvenient to discuss here. Let’s find a private room after eating, and I’ll explain everything in detail.”

Before he could finish, a breathless little beggar burst through the entrance of the noodle shop. The owner prepared to chase him away but paused upon hearing the boy shout, “Someone has beaten the drum of the Ministry of Justice in Imperial City Street and filed a lawsuit demanding a public trial! Hurry if you want a good spot!”

“Stupid kid, haven’t you ever heard the Ministry’s drum sound before? Why make such a fuss?” the shopkeeper grumbled. “Scram! Don’t disturb our business.”

“This time is different!” The beggar dodged the broom aimed at him and stuck out his tongue. “The one who beat the drum is none other than the suspect from the falling case two weeks ago—the one surnamed Yan! He’s alive and suing a powerful official!”

These words caused a stir like a stone dropped into water. The room erupted in excitement.

“That Yan fellow isn’t dead?”

“He must have been silenced earlier. Who is he accusing now?”

“Brothers Sun and Wang, shall we head to Imperial City Street together?”

“Perfect, perfect.”

Bai Ying polished off the last drop of chicken noodle soup, setting the empty bowl down with a satisfied smack. A trace of grease lingered on his lips. “What’s going on now?”

Qu You chewed slowly on sweet sauce–wrapped shredded meat, swallowing deliberately before flashing Bai Ying a mischievous grin. “I have no idea. Let’s go. My dear husband’s carefully orchestrated spectacle should be starting soon.”