QYT - 40

Fudong was already waiting in the Fengya Stream private room. Seeing Jiang Cizhou and Qingwei, she immediately came forward and said, “Young Master, Miss.”

She paused, waiting for the sound of the shopkeeper’s footsteps to completely fade, and then said, “I have met Miss Fuxia.”

Qingwei glanced at Jiang Cizhou. He had said He Hongyun would set a trap within ten days, and he was right.

“Are you sure it’s her?”

Fudong nodded. “Her appearance is exactly as Young Master Jiang described. The Zhuning Estate also has a portrait of her, and I’ve looked at it carefully. I’m certain it’s her.”

Fudong recalled Fuxia’s current appearance and felt pity for her. “She has been tormented into an unrecognizable state and is half-mad. Although she has a maid to care for her, the maid is more like a guard. When I went, she was taking medicine. The maid said that her health has long since failed and the medicine is just to keep her alive. Miss Fuxia doesn’t like this medicine. As soon as she saw me, she rushed forward, knocked over the medicine, and desperately begged me to save her.

“There was someone following me, so I didn’t dare to say much to her. I decided to come and ask for the young master and miss’s opinion first. Fortunately, the supervision on the estate is not strict right now. I made an excuse to deliver wine to Donglaishun, and they allowed me to come.”

Qingwei asked, “Where is Fuxia being held?”

“In the Fuxia Pavilion,” Fudong said. “But not in the main building. There’s a secret door in the rock garden of the Fuxia Pavilion’s courtyard that leads to a secret dungeon. The matron on the estate said that Miss Fuxia went mad five years ago, and He Hongyun, out of old sentiment, has been having people take care of her. He locked her in the dungeon for fear of her scaring people outside.”

Qingwei nodded. “Alright, I understand. I’ll come find you another day, and you can take me to meet this Fuxia.”

“You two are going?” Fudong was surprised. She glanced at Jiang Cizhou. “But meeting Fuxia so easily, I can’t help but feel there’s a trick. If we fall for He Hongyun’s trap, wouldn’t it be like walking into a snare? That dungeon is in a hidden location and only has one entrance. Once inside, it’s like being a turtle in a jar. It’s too dangerous.”

Qingwei said, “You don’t need to worry about that. We have a plan to deal with it.”

After listening to Qingwei, Fudong thought it over. She had already realized the danger of the dungeon. Young Master Jiang and Miss Qingwei were exceptionally skilled. How could they not have noticed? There must be a reason why they were knowingly walking into a dangerous situation. Fudong curtsied. “I understand. Since you have decided to go and see Miss Fuxia, I will wait at the Zhuning Estate and be at your service at any time.”

A map of the Zhuning Estate was spread out on the table. Qingwei and Jiang Cizhou returned from Donglaishun and sat across from each other, a tense silence lasting from noon until dusk.

The mackerel clouds in the sky were tinged with a red glow, like the gilded wings of a roc. The doors of the room were wide open, and shimmering light shone on Qingwei’s clear right cheek. Jiang Cizhou looked at her, and with renewed patience, he explained to her again, “Fuxia has He Hongyun’s account books. This is the evidence of his crime and the reason why he hasn’t been able to kill Fuxia. Therefore, to prevent the account books from falling into others’ hands, He Hongyun will not let outsiders see Fuxia easily and will definitely swap her out.

“Our goal is Fuxia. Since the news that she is at the Zhuning Estate has been leaked, as long as we force her out of the estate, we have a chance to intercept her.

“The difficulty right now is that to force Fuxia out, one of us must pretend to fall for the trap and enter the dungeon first, forcing He Hongyun to swap her. Otherwise, given He Hongyun’s cautious nature, no matter what pressure he’s under, he would rather kill Fuxia on the spot than send her out of the estate.

“We’ll split into two groups. I’ll go to the dungeon to see the ‘Fuxia’ who has been swapped. Afterward, Wu Zeng and Qi Ming will bring their men to the Zhuning Estate, under the pretense of assisting the Dali Temple in a case and inspecting the Court of the Imperial Guards’ crossbows on the estate, to further force Fuxia out. At that time, I’ll give Chaotian to you, and you’ll lead your men to intercept the carriage taking Fuxia out of the estate.”

“No,” Qingwei said. “Last time, Chaotian blamed me for the mistake of breaking into the Fuxia Pavilion. He Hongyun has always thought that I was the one looking for Fuxia, including when I later got close to Fudong. He’s suspicious of you, but he’s not sure what you’re trying to do. In his estimation, the person who will go with Fudong to see Fuxia is me. Only if I go to the dungeon will he let down his guard and feel safe in sending Fuxia out of the estate. If you go to the dungeon, he will become suspicious and quickly guess that we are using a diversion—that seeing ‘Fuxia’ in the dungeon is a ruse, and forcing Fuxia out of the estate is our real goal. With his methods, he might kill Fuxia immediately.”

Jiang Cizhou said, “It’s too dangerous for you to go into the dungeon alone. He Hongyun set this trap specifically to lure you there, and even to silence you. If I go, He Hongyun will at least have some reservations and won’t take my life so easily.”

“He won’t take your life so easily, but if this plan fails, what’s the point of all our strategy?” Qingwei looked directly at Jiang Cizhou and retorted, “You know very well in your heart that there’s only one way to save Fuxia, and that’s for me to go into the dungeon. The other day, I asked you how you would command the trust of Wei Jue and Zhang Luzhi as the head of the Black Hawk Agency. You said you didn’t need their trust and that a plate of loose sand has its own advantages. I didn’t understand what you meant at the time, but now I think I do. You had already figured out how to force Fuxia out as early as the gunpowder explosion at Zhezhiju, or even when Chaotian’s reconnaissance of the Fuxia Pavilion failed, didn’t you?”

Jiang Cizhou remained silent.

Qingwei spoke three words: “Xue Changxing.”

“You knew I was the one who broke out of the southern city dungeon, and you were very aware of Wei Jue and Zhang Luzhi’s grudge against me. Since you became the commander of the Black Hawk Agency, you have deliberately neglected your duties and haven’t gone to work, precisely to avoid contact with Wei and Zhang. This way, everyone can see that the Black Hawk Agency is now split into factions—one led by Wu Zeng, who listens to you, and the other made up of the old Black Hawk Agency men, who listen to Wei and Zhang. Only in this way can Wei and Zhang’s men become an unexpected move, a key to victory.

“Zou Ping’s life and property are tied to He Shiqing. He can’t possibly reveal the crossbows hidden at the Zhuning Estate. You just said you would have Wu Zeng bring men to the Zhuning Estate, under the pretense of assisting the Dali Temple in their case and inspecting the Court of the Imperial Guards’ crossbows on the estate, but that’s just a feint to pressure He Hongyun. Your real strategy comes afterward, with Wei Jue.

“You really don’t need to gain Wei Jue’s trust, because you only need to hint at a clue about the female thief who broke out of prison, and he and Zhang Luzhi will do your bidding.”

“Fuxia is too important. You can’t afford to fail on this lead. So your real plan is for me to go into the dungeon to see the fake Fuxia, causing He Hongyun to transfer Fuxia out. Afterward, Wu Zeng will go to the estate and apply pressure to He Hongyun, forcing him to consider sending Fuxia out. Then, Wei Jue and Zhang Luzhi will arrive with the majority of the Black Hawk Agency’s forces, and under the pretense of the Zhuning Estate harboring a major criminal, they will forcibly search the estate. This will force He Hongyun to move Fuxia out of the estate. And from beginning to end, all you have to do is be a guest at the estate and keep He Hongyun occupied.

“I agree with your plan, and I believe there is no better way right now. I can even go to the Gao mansion to ask my sister Zhiyun for help and have her expose me to the Black Hawk Agency. Without your people’s involvement, Wei Jue will bring his men to search the estate. Even if He Hongyun figures it out later, he won’t be able to connect Wei Jue to Fuxia in an instant. You obviously thought of this entire series of plans long ago, so why have you suddenly changed your mind?”

After saying all this, Qingwei’s chest heaved.

Time was of the essence. The longer they delayed, the more likely He Hongyun was to figure out their plan. They had to act before He Hongyun realized what was happening, and the best time was tonight.

She had planned to go to the Gao mansion to find Cui Zhiyun as soon as she returned to the Jiang mansion, and then, as soon as it got dark, she would sneak into the Zhuning Estate and go into the dungeon. But Jiang Cizhou had stopped her.

“Everything you said makes sense. I did think of this plan a long time ago.” After a long pause, Jiang Cizhou said, “But...”

Qingwei concentrated, waiting for his “but.”

Jiang Cizhou raised his eyes from the map on the table and looked at Qingwei.

He couldn’t explain what was wrong with him. He had clearly figured out a countermeasure long ago, but a certain unnamable thought in his heart kept stopping him, telling him not to do it.

It all made perfect sense. It was the best plan. But, “You are my wife. I can’t let you risk danger.”

Qingwei was taken aback. She didn’t expect that after all their discussion, this would be his reason.

They were a fake couple. She knew it, and he must have known it too. Since it was fake, they shouldn’t be burdened by such ephemeral identities.

But his words were meant kindly. She didn’t say much, only, “Whether you or I go to the dungeon, it is a risk. There is no real difference.”

Seeing that Jiang Cizhou was silent, she added, “Besides, you don’t have to worry so much. I even broke out of the southern city dungeon. Am I afraid of a dungeon on this estate?

“Now that the Zou family has been convicted, and He Hongyun has had his two poisonous teeth—the Patrol and Inspection Agency and the Court of the Imperial Guards—pulled, he’s on high alert. To avoid any more trouble, he would not dare to use crossbows or gunpowder on his own property. Without those deadly weapons, it won’t be difficult for me to survive in a dungeon.

“What’s more, I don’t have to hold on for too long. As soon as I get into the dungeon, Fuxia will be swapped out. At that point, you’ll bring your men to the estate and force Fuxia out as soon as possible, and I will be safe.”

Qingwei looked at Jiang Cizhou and said, “Although I don’t know what your ultimate goal is, on this one matter concerning He Hongyun, our goals are the same. It’s all for the Xijintai.”

“Since it’s for the Xijintai, you must know this journey is dangerous and that not everything can be perfect.”

“Over a hundred lives were lost under the Xijintai that year. The whereabouts of Xu Shubai and a group of scholars are still unknown. Why the Xijintai collapsed remains a mystery, yet He Hongyun used that tower to embezzle, frame others, and get promoted. Now that we have this opportunity to expose his crimes, you and I both know that we must take this risk, even if we don’t want to.”

Jiang Cizhou looked outside. In just that short time, the sunset clouds had dispersed, and dusk had risen, like flowing ink, swallowing the last of the daylight inch by inch.

“One hour,” he said. He clenched the hand at his side. “Not from the moment you enter the dungeon, but from the moment you enter the Zhuning Estate until I see you safe and sound. If that time is exceeded, regardless of whether the mission is a success, I will immediately send men into the dungeon.”

Qingwei immediately nodded. “Alright.”

She didn’t want to delay and was about to get ready. She turned back and saw Jiang Cizhou still sitting silently at the table.

She knew he was probably worried. It made sense. Although they didn’t know each other’s backgrounds, they had faced life and death together at Zhezhiju. If it were him going into the dungeon today, she would probably be worried too.

Qingwei asked Jiang Cizhou, “Do you have that jade pendant of yours with you?”

It took Jiang Cizhou a moment to realize she was referring to his fan pendant. He said, “Yes,” stood up, and opened the drawer of the multi-shelf cabinet beside him to take out the pendant.

Qingwei opened her dowry box and took out a fan.

“Here,” Qingwei said. “I ruined one of your fans at Zhezhiju before, so this is to make it up to you.”

The fan was made of bamboo splints covered with white silk. It was very clean and simple, not like something bought from a shop.

Jiang Cizhou was stunned for a long time. “Did you make this yourself?”

“You were in the palace for those few days, so I was bored and went for a stroll. Your fans are expensive, and I couldn’t afford a similar one. I figured since it was a bamboo fan anyway, I might as well make one myself. The bamboo in the back courtyard looked nice. It had some purple markings and was quite resilient, so it would make a good-looking fan. So I cut a piece. I finished it a while ago and just kept forgetting to give it to you.”

She didn’t recognize what Xiangfei bamboo was, and she didn’t like making things.

But she was the daughter of Wen Qianzhi. Her father could build a high-rise from scratch and carve windows and spiritual beasts. She was naturally dexterous, and a fan she made with care was naturally superior to anything one could buy outside.

Qingwei turned back to gather her things, putting her hidden weapons in place, placing detoxifying powders into a pouch, wrapping the rope around her waist, hiding a dagger in her boot, and putting on a black robe. In her inner pocket was a broken dagger, and the soft jade sword was tied to her wrist and tucked into her sleeve.

Qingwei straightened her cuffs and said to Jiang Cizhou, “I’m leaving. I’ll go to the Gao mansion to find my sister first, and then I’ll go directly to the Zhuning Estate. I won’t be coming back here.”

With that, she walked toward the door.

“Wait,” Jiang Cizhou called out to her.

He handed her the fan pendant. “It was blessed at the Great Ci’en Temple.”

It had been placed in front of the long-lasting lamp for three hundred days and nights, which finally allowed him to emerge from the nightmare of the Xijintai collapse, though he ultimately wore a mask.

Qingwei was stunned. “Isn’t this something your mother left for you? Isn’t it very important?”

It was very important, but not that important.

“You take it. It’ll keep you safe,” Jiang Cizhou paused. “My mother left me more than one fan pendant.”

Qingwei thought about it and felt his words made sense. In the crisis at Zhezhiju, the jade pendant had not shattered when it fell, and they had ultimately escaped danger, so it truly seemed to have the power to keep one safe. She took the jade pendant. “Thanks. I’ll borrow its luck for a while and give it back to you later.”

Qingwei stepped into the courtyard.

Dusk was settling in the courtyard.

The day Xue Changxing fell from the cliff was a promising morning, and the sky looked very similar to how it did now. She had received the wooden box and been urged by Xue Changxing to walk this path. The fog in front of her eyes had obscured her vision, and she had groped for a long time without finding a direction. But today was different. If things went well today, she would be able to take a solid step forward. Even if she had to take a risk, this leap would allow her to see the peak.

Thinking of this, Qingwei felt happy.

Over the years, she had repeatedly left her starting point and walked forward alone.

The day she ran away from home. The day the Xijintai collapsed. The day she dragged Cui Zhiyun to the capital. The day she was chased by the Patrol and Inspection Agency after breaking out of prison. And the day she stood at the broken cliff from which Xue Changxing had fallen and jumped down.

But this time, it was a little different.

This time, there was hope ahead, and behind her—

Qingwei leaped onto the top of the wall, turned around, and waved at Jiang Cizhou. “I’m off!”

Behind her, there was now someone to say goodbye to.