Xue Moyan toyed with his wine cup. "The Wei River flood falls under our seventh brother's charge, doesn't it? When did you start caring?"
"A clever wife can't cook without rice. As capable as he is, he can't fight a flood with empty hands," Xue Liulan said. "The land there is rich, full of gentry. If they hadn't built so many private dikes, the river never would have broken its banks."
"Just say it. How can I help?" Xue Moyan set down his cup.
"One hundred thousand taels of silver."
"A hundred thousand?" Xue Moyan laughed. "You drive a hard bargain. What do I get in return?"
"What do you want?" Xue Liulan didn't look at him. He knew his brother would agree. But a deal was a deal.
Xue Moyan thought for a moment. "I heard the master smith Luowen only ever forged three soft swords. One is with our seventh brother. The other, with your wife."
"Part of her dowry. Not mine to give," Xue Liulan said lazily.
"Then what about that fine blood jade?"
"Traded it to the Yang family for the Yinghong rouge."
Xue Moyan shot him a look. "Are you trying to get something for nothing?"
"Luowen's third soft sword is in my hands," Xue Liulan said, sitting up straight. "One hundred thousand taels. The sword will be yours by dusk."
"What?" Xue Moyan froze. "How do you have it?"
"Siyou brought it back for our eldest brother. By the time he returned, he was gone." Xue Liulan's gaze fell to the table.
His brother's expression stiffened. "Now that he is gone," he said, "I'm afraid nothing can stop us from turning on each other."
"You and Siyou have stayed out of it. Which leaves only me and our seventh brother," Xue Liulan said with a bitter laugh. "But even if it comes to winner-take-all, we won't go as far as killing each other. Otherwise, he would have made his move long ago."
"Must you two do this?"
"I don't know what he's thinking. But me? It's just a suspicion. No proof. Is it worth it?"
Xue Liulan looked up, then turned away. "I'll come back for a drink another day."
He rose to leave.
"Fifth Brother." Xue Moyan stood as well. "What if you lose?"
"Two families will be buried with me," he answered, not turning back. His voice was low. "Annihilation—what is there left to fear?"
Xue Moyan's hand clenched at his side. "How will I get the silver to you?"
"Send it to the Huaying Yang family. I'll have it delivered to the Wei River."
"If he fails to control the flood, our father will be furious."
"This isn't the time for that. I won't risk the people's lives."
Xue Moyan watched him go and sighed. For years, the Crown Prince had shouldered the burdens, allowing them peace. And when he fell, the first to step up was Xue Liulan, the one who despised the court. Not just because they shared a mother, but because of a suspicion he had harbored for years.
"Does Murong Jin know?"
"She doesn't need to." Xue Liulan turned back, his eyes deep and unreadable. "Siyou's illness is about to act up. Go see him."
"I've sent for the medicine. I heard the successor to the Physician Saint is in Yin?"
"Siyou inherited it from his mother. I've asked Chong Hua." He shook his head. "You're freer than I am. See him when you can."
Xue Moyan nodded. "If you care so much for your brothers, why must you and the Seventh come to this?"
Xue Liulan smiled. "In a war between factions, eliminating the opposition is always easiest."
With that, he was gone.
Xue Moyan stood frozen. The Dengs had bet on his seventh brother. If Xue Liulan won, he could wipe them out. But what of Guo Shangzhong? He was on Xue Liulan's side. For now.
"What are you looking at?" Xue Liulan asked, appearing behind Murong Jin.
She turned, startled. "You're out already?"
"Why not? A few days here wouldn't be bad." He looked around. "My sixth brother's courtyard is more exquisite than ever."
"Exquisite, but it has the air of a scholar," she said, looking at the carefully arranged rockeries. It was nothing like the wild, open plains.
"I'll take you back to Wuchuan for a visit. It's been too long." He looked down at her, a soft smile on his lips.
She shook her head. "Where would we find the time? Later, perhaps. Are you finished? Then let's go back."
"The food here is famous. You're not going to try it?" He caught her arm.
"No," she said with a light laugh. "It's still early. Let's go for a walk."
They left together. On the second floor, a figure in green robes watched them disappear.
He shielded her, instinctively. It seems he truly cares. But how long could such harmony last?
"Gongzi," Qiwu said from behind him.
"Is it handled?"
"Yes." Qiwu hesitated.
Xue Moyan frowned. "What is it?"
"It's nothing."
"Wait." Xue Moyan stopped him. "I know you want to ask about the hundred thousand taels."
Qiwu didn't turn. "A businessman must mind his accounts."
"It was sent to the Huaying Yang family. To buy a sword."
"An expensive sword."
"Of course. Luowen's third soft sword is priceless." Xue Moyan walked to stand before him. "Wearing that mask all day—doesn't it get stuffy?"
Qiwu turned his face away. "I'm afraid of scaring people."
"Change. I'll wait for you at the wine table." With that, Xue Moyan left.
He could still remember the day she had stood before him and declared she would live this way for the rest of her life. But if she did, what would become of him?
In a quiet bamboo grove was a low table, just big enough for two.
Xue Moyan knelt, watching her approach.
She was thinner than she appeared as Qiwu, dressed in a green gauze dress, a lock of hair hiding the left side of her face. She knelt across from him.
"Why have you summoned me, Gongzi?" her voice was hoarse, as if from disuse.
"You've been here as Qiwu for some years now."
"Four." A breeze stirred her hair, revealing a long scar that ran from her eye down her face.
"You've been careful. The government has closed your case, listing you as missing. You don't have to do this anymore." He looked at her, a hint of pity in his eyes.
"If the government says it's closed, then it is," she said, her voice flat, her eyes empty.
"But in your heart, it is not over."
Her voice was calm, but her hands, hidden beneath the table, trembled once. "No. It can never be over." She looked up. "For a jug of wine, for a single man, he used the Deng family's power to destroy my home, and when I refused him, he framed me for the murder of my entire family. Gongzi, in my heart, this will never be over."
"Not until Deng Yan is dead," Xue Moyan said. He had not lived through such a thing. He had no right to ask her to let it go.
"Yes."
He nodded. "You will deliver the silver to the Yang family. I will give you a letter. From now on, you will be with them."
"What?"
"The Yang family will arrange for you to get close to Deng Yan," he said, rising. "I will keep this wine table. In three months, I will be waiting here for you, and for a new vintage of your 'Dust Fades' wine."