TOGETHER, ZUO AND YUE were the two components that made up the right side of the character Sui.6 The name naturally brought to mind the Sui of the Sui dynasty.
After Yang Jian took the throne, he used a homophone of his inherited title—Duke of Sui—to name his nation, and decreed his ruling era would be called Kaihuang: "Rule of the Founding Emperor." In the second year of the Kaihuang era, six months after the Jiejian Bureau was established, another agency called the Zuoyue Bureau quietly materialized.
Much like the Jiejian Bureau, they were independent from the Three Departments and Six Ministries. But unlike the Jiejian Bureau, they did not fall under the emperor's jurisdiction. They took their orders directly from the empress.
Empress Dugu had made great contributions to the nation. She shared the emperor's rule, and he loved her above all. Thus she did something completely unprecedented: she established her own special agency.
The people referred to the emperor and empress as the Two Saints, and for good reason. Empress Dugu wielded a power that far surpassed that of any empress of bygone dynasties, even Empress Lü, the famously influential first empress of the Han dynasty. But the principal difference between her and Empress Lü was that, unlike Empress Lü's husband, Yang Jian was henpecked; he loved, feared, and respected his empress all at once.
The Zuoyue Bureau's authority had been comparable to the Jiejian Bureau's since its establishment. Their purpose was the same—to gather intelligence—and they moved freely in both the north and the south. But the emperor and empress were a loving couple; Empress Dugu was unwilling to steal the emperor's spotlight or undermine his reputation. She therefore limited the scope of the Zuoyue Bureau's duties and decreed that they would handle only disputes and cases related to the jianghu.
One chief ran the Zuoyue Bureau, supported by three deputy chiefs and a couple of cavalry riders. They were fewer in number than the Jiejian Bureau, and far more secretive in their dealings. Their members rarely appeared in public at all; even trusted, high-ranking officials and ministers knew only that the Zuoyue Bureau existed and nothing more.
Still, their similar jurisdictions meant conflicts were inevitable. Though the Jiejian Bureau and the Zuoyue Bureau had no bad blood between them and were commanded by an emperor and empress who themselves ruled harmoniously, they couldn't help competing with each other to gain the upper hand.
Pei Jingzhe had briefly interacted with members of the Zuoyue Bureau on previous cases and knew how difficult they were to handle. Consequently, he also knew more about the Zuoyue Bureau than most. Though he didn't know the chief, he knew two of its deputies. One was a woman, slender and lovely as a lady from a noble family, while the other was a man, taciturn and quiet as an ascetic monk. Though the Zuoyue Bureau thronged with eccentrics and hidden masters, these two deputy chiefs were exceptionally strange even among their number. Then there was the chief of the Zuoyue Bureau, a mysterious person who shied from the public eye. Even Pei Jingzhe had never seen them. No matter how he tried, he couldn't connect that place, more unfathomable and enigmatic than even the Jiejian Bureau, with the invalid lying before him.
Maybe the delicate woman was a martial arts master, and perhaps the taciturn man was a deadly fighter, but Abbot Cui, who couldn't even raise a shoulder or lift his hand? Could he really be a spy from the Zuoyue Bureau? Or did his sickly body and cover as a Daoist make it even easier to remain anonymous?
Pei Jingzhe thought for a moment, then said, "Do you think since Linlang Pavilion is holding their auction here, and people from the jianghu are gathering, the Zuoyue Bureau might also have planted spies here to keep an eye on things? But he knew we were from the Jiejian Bureau. If he's truly from the Zuoyue Bureau, why didn't he tell us?"
"Zixia Monastery might have been connected to Lady Qin in the past, but this man only arrived two months ago, four or five years after Lady Qin left Liugong City. I never really thought he was related to the case. However, around two months ago, the court just so happened to decide to move against the Göktürks."
Understanding dawned on Pei Jingzhe. "So right from the beginning, all you wanted was to uncover his background? But if he really is from the Zuoyue Bureau, haven't we made an enemy of them?"
Though the two agencies competed, they were still all subjects of the imperial court. Surely dealing harshly with their own and damaging the Jiejian Bureau's relationship with their sister agency would come back to bite them?
Feng Xiao seemed unconcerned. "If we become enemies, we become enemies. Whether he hates me or not makes little difference. The Khotanese envoy has been assassinated in this city; do you really believe they have no intention of meddling and claiming a piece of the glory for themselves?"
Although Liugong City was remote, Feng Xiao's people had multiple special channels that sent them constant updates from the capital. A few days ago, the emperor and his many officials had finished relocating to the new capital of Daxing City. The common folk had already moved in. The old capital that had stood for many generations was now small and cramped. On rainy days, mud and sewage backed up in the ditches, and water flooded the streets. One of the first things Yang Jian did upon taking the throne was order the construction of a new capital next to the old one. Only two years later, Daxing City was established, and the emperor of Sui proclaimed a general amnesty for the entire nation. At the request of his officials, he also began purchasing books that had been scattered by warfare in order to populate the national treasury and preserve classics for future generations.
These many examples of benevolent governance bespoke the tenor of the new dynasty and the actions of an enlightened ruler. Amid all this, Yang Jian also decided to mobilize his troops against the Khaganate and quell once and for all the disturbances in the north. No one doubted the emperor's resolve. The Three Departments and Six Ministries all got to work, while the Jiejian and Zuoyue Bureaus also took their orders and laid their plans. Anyone who played a key role in this matter would gain significant accolades. The Zuoyue Bureau had been itching to knock the Jiejian Bureau down a peg. How could they let such an opportunity slip past?
Cui Buqu, lost in fretful dreams, coughed quietly in his sleep.
Pei Jingzhe glanced at him. Before he'd suspected Cui Buqu might be from the Zuoyue Bureau, he hadn't given his condition much thought. But looking at Cui Buqu again now, he couldn't help feeling a bit of sympathy.
"Then…shall this subordinate neutralize the poison?"
Feng Xiao looked at him like he was a fool. "Why should we do that? Since he's refused to admit it, this is a perfect chance for me to do with him as I please. Even if he confesses his identity, you must insist he's lying. Don't let him lead you by the nose. In Liugong City, my word is law."
The corners of Pei Jingzhe's lips twitched. He'd long known his superior wasn't a kind or merciful person.
***
Trapped within the agony of illness and nightmares, Cui Buqu remained completely unaware that Feng Xiao and Pei Jingzhe were freely discussing him inches away.
In his dreams, Cui Buqu walked on a very long road, one without end. Thorny briars occasionally sprouted from either side and slithered around his ankles, twining tightly about his legs. He wished to continue walking, so he ripped the briars off with his bare hands. His fingers were torn and bleeding, but the briars never thinned. Instead they multiplied, becoming thicker and more numerous. Thorns stabbed into his flesh. Every movement aggravated his wounds, sending spasms of pain through his body. But not only did Cui Buqu remain expressionless, he insisted on continuing to pull the briars away, as if he felt no pain at all.
All his life, if there was something Cui Buqu wanted to do, he wouldn't stop until he succeeded. No matter how it cost him, no matter how hard the road. None of that deterred him. And right now, he wanted to keep going, to walk to the end of the road and see what was there.
At last, unable to hinder him, the briars admitted defeat. They crumbled to ash and vanished. But Cui Buqu didn't so much as glance at his blood-slicked hands because a manor had appeared before him.
It was an old manor, hundreds of years old.
Before Great Sui's establishment, the northern dynasties had been in constant turmoil, their rulers rising and falling one after another. Yet the master of this manor remained steadfast, and his family flourished, multiplying until they became a sturdy branch no one could afford to underestimate.
Cui Buqu finally stopped walking.
The gates of the manor were tightly shut, yet on the steps stood two men. One had a head of white hair and a white beard, dignified and solemn, while the second stood somewhat closer and was far younger, his whiskers short. Within his arms was a swaddled infant, and he was speaking to the old man.
"Father, please give him a name!"
"Just call him A-Da or A-Er," the old man said coldly. "That's enough."
"He's already lost both his parents," the young man pleaded. "Can't you show him some mercy?"
"See how frail he is—he won't live more than a couple of years. What's the point in giving him a name?"
"Even so, wouldn't it be something to remember him by?"
The old man scoffed. "His parents are already dead. Who in this world would remember him?"
"I would."
The two remained locked in a stalemate until the old man finally said, "Beneath my feet are stone steps. So let's name him Jie—steps. Stone steps are trodden on by thousands. A lowly name means he'll be easier to raise."
"Then the genealogy—"
"He's not worthy."
He's not worthy.
Those three words passed through the dense maze of fog and pierced Cui Buqu's ears.
The old man's voice creaked with age, the wear and tear of the vicissitudes of life, yet still it carried an unquestionable authority. It was like the rotting wood within this ancient manor—decayed to the point of ruin yet unwilling to retire. It still desired to claim a space for itself, to control the fates of others.
Stone steps are trodden on by thousands. A lowly name means he'll be easier to raise.
Cui Buqu suddenly loosed an icy laugh.
The sound startled the old and young man both. They turned toward him, but in an instant, they were swallowed by the mist and swept away.
All was dark once more.
Hidden behind Cui Buqu's tranquility was the ever-present abyss. But after so many years, he'd finally walked, step by step, to a place far more treacherous than that abyss—treacherous enough that he could look down into the abyss with contempt. A piercing pain tore through his chest, and a metallic taste surged up his throat. He couldn't stop himself from coughing, but it only filled his mouth with the salty-sweet tang of metal.
At last, he awoke.
His eyelids were sore and swollen, and even the slightest glimmer of light brought tears to his eyes. It was a long moment before he could see the muslin curtain before him.
A handsome face suddenly swept that curtain aside.
"You're awake." Feng Xiao looked down at him. "How do you feel?"
Cui Buqu didn't bother answering. He closed his eyes in repose.
Feng Xiao kept talking anyway. "The incense of helplessness within your body is dormant, but it's yet to be neutralized. It'll flare up again in a day or two. If you're willing to behave and follow my orders, I'll consider neutralizing the poison for you. How about it?"
Cui Buqu slowly opened his eyes. "May I refuse?" he asked hoarsely.
"No."
Then why ask? Cui Buqu rolled his eyes.
Feng Xiao seemed to not have noticed. "So?"
"I don't know martial arts," said Cui Buqu. "I won't be of any help."
Feng Xiao was all smiles. "Are you not from Fangzhang Isle's Liuli Palace? I've heard everyone there is familiar with stories from martial arts circles and knows the famous names of the jianghu. I happen to need just such a person for the Linlang Pavilion auction."
Cui Buqu was silent a moment. "I will, but I have a condition."
"Neutralizing the poison is not an option."
Cui Buqu began to cough. "I wish to eat and drink. You motherfucker, you want me to work without giving me any water?"
***
Some time later, Cui Buqu stared at the congee and plate of pickles in front of him, almost unable to keep a straight face.
Feng Xiao sat at Cui Buqu's bedside. Tone sickly sweet, he said, "Eat. Why aren't you eating?"
Cui Buqu spoke slowly. "I am a prisoner and completely at your mercy, yet you still want me to work for you. I'm severely ill and have yet to recover, and this is what you give me to eat?"
Perplexed, Feng Xiao asked, "What's wrong with it? You must know you shouldn't eat anything too rich when you're ill. I'm afraid you won't be able to digest it, and if you do, you'll end up bedridden again tomorrow."
"I'm not asking for any exotic delicacies. I only want a bowl of fresh vegetable soup. Surely you have that?"
"I apologize. We're a poor household; we really have none."
Cui Buqu was speechless. He wanted very much to upturn the bowl of congee over Feng Xiao's head, then take that plate of pickles and smear it all over his punchable face.
Feng Xiao didn't know what Cui Buqu was thinking, but he knew it was nothing good. He wasn't in a hurry, and he had no intention of leaving. He even found Cui Buqu's restrained reactions awfully amusing. He seemed almost afraid Cui Buqu wouldn't get angry: he paced back and forth beside him, looked at the flowers by the window, flipped through the books on the shelf, just waiting for the moment Cui Buqu would slam a hand on the table and rise, loudly proclaiming that he was from the Zuoyue Bureau.
He waited and waited, but not only did Cui Buqu not erupt, he silently picked up his bowl and brought a spoonful of the pickles and congee to his mouth.
Feng Xiao was certain he wasn't mistaken—this Abbot Cui had quite the temper. Even when he'd been pleading his innocence during their first meeting, he'd been unable to conceal the impatience bubbling under his skin. But Feng Xiao had never anticipated that within that sickly body was a core of steel, so strong even incense of helplessness couldn't break him. Someone like this could certainly carve out a place for themselves in the Zuoyue Bureau, even if they knew no martial arts.
Feng Xiao grew even more interested.
Abbot Cui chewed and swallowed carefully. He took over an hour to finish one bowl of congee, but Feng Xiao didn't rush him. He waited at Cui Buqu's side until he finally set down his spoon.
"May I ask what service Your Excellency requires from me?"
"Why address me like we're strangers? As I recall, I've already told you my name. I'm ranked second in my household; you can call me Feng-er or Erlang."
Cui Buqu ignored him. "I've been in Liugong City for two months and have heard quite a few things—such as that just before the Linlang Pavilion auction, a Khotanese envoy was murdered. If you want my help, surely you must tell me everything first?"
Feng Xiao smiled. "Naturally."
With Feng Xiao's permission, Pei Jingzhe walked through the entire sequence of events in detail: how the Khotanese envoy had died outside the city on the night of a snowstorm, and how the massacre had been discovered by passing merchants. He also described what they'd found on the bodies.
Cui Buqu listened intently. Once Pei Jingzhe finished, he said, "Did you investigate the plum blossom fragrance that was within the carriage?"
"We did." Pei Jingzhe couldn't resist a glance at Feng Xiao. He and this man had struck on exactly the same thought—in the beginning, Feng Xiao too had believed the plum blossom fragrance to be a key clue, though the idea had yet to bear fruit.
"We questioned all the perfume shops in the city and checked their formulas, but we couldn't find the fragrance we smelled in the carriage. That fragrance…" Pei Jingzhe pondered as he searched for a fitting description, then blurted, "It's similar to incense of helplessness. If you smell it once, you'll never mistake it for anything else."
As soon as he said it, he felt his words had been rather inappropriate. Cui Buqu had just been tortured by this very incense. Wasn't this rubbing salt in the wound?
But Cui Buqu remained expressionless. He only nodded, coughed lightly, and asked nothing more.