THE MOMENT THE WORDS dear friend were spoken, the eyes Lin Yong had turned upon Cui Buqu narrowed with hostility.
Now that Cui Buqu had placed Lin Yong, he also remembered the rumors about him. He made to brush Feng Xiao's hand away without a second thought, but that hand clung to him as if it was glued. He couldn't push it off no matter how he tried.
Lin Yong's eyes flashed as he smiled. "Cui-langjun must be very special indeed if he is Feng-er's dear friend. The Cui in Cui-langjun's name—would that be the Cui family of Boling or the Cui family of Qinghe?"
"It's just Cui." Cui Buqu's face was carefully blank. "I'm from neither Boling nor Qinghe; I'm only a commoner. My humble name is not worth mentioning."
The more he insisted on his ordinariness, the more unconvincing Lin Yong found him.
Cui Buqu's steps were weak and unsteady, his face drawn and pale. His brow and eyes were lined with fatigue. It was obvious he didn't know any martial arts and was plagued by illness. Why would such a man receive Feng-er's favor? It was truly bizarre.
Several years ago, Feng-er had encountered Lin Yong as the latter was embroiled in some minor trouble. With his help, Lin Yong had managed to extricate himself from the situation.
Back then, Feng-er had seemed to descend from the heavens, awing Lin Yong at first sight. No one had been able to catch his eye since. Feng-er, however, wasn't remotely interested in him that way. What was more, Feng Xiao was a powerful martial artist; even if he wanted to, Lin Yong couldn't force himself on him. He might end up losing his life if he tried. Thus he restrained his lustful impulses and acted as warm and attentive as possible toward Feng Xiao, hoping the man would come around eventually. But Feng-er's whereabouts were erratic, and Lin Yong to date hadn't pinned down his background or identity. He never knew where Feng-er would resurface, so reuniting with him at this moment was truly a pleasant surprise.
Lin Yong thought himself quite handsome, so the idea that Feng Xiao preferred this invalid elicited a wave of resentment. He was about to say more when Feng Xiao smiled and led Cui Buqu inside, throwing a "We'll be going ahead" over his shoulder.
Cui Buqu found himself alternately dragged and prodded into the room. Feng Xiao's gestures looked soft and intimate, but they left no room for resistance.
Linlang Pavilion had two floors arranged around a central atrium. The lower level held the auction floor surrounded by guest seating. From the second level, one had a full view of the central area over the railing.
Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu took their seat on the second floor's south side. Tea and snacks had already been placed on the low table, and the waiters didn't shout the way those in wine pavilions or restaurants usually did—even their footsteps were soundless. The hush was contagious; most guests kept their voices down as well, while the melody of the pipa drifted in from afar and lent the whole a hint of sophisticated charm. It felt more like they were inside a dance house than in Linlang Pavilion's branch doing business.
Cui Buqu gave the hall a quick scan. The first floor was mostly composed of ordinary wealthy merchants and residents of the jianghu, while the second held young people from noble families. In contrast to the tranquility of the second floor, the first was far rowdier. Linlang Pavilion had obviously separated the two on purpose, perhaps to avoid any unnecessary trouble.
They ascended the stairs and turned a corner, slipping behind the screen and finally shaking off Lin Yong's unswerving gaze. At almost the same time, Feng Xiao released Cui Buqu and shoved him aside, as if terrified he'd catch something nasty if he touched him a moment longer.
Cui Buqu silently made another black mark in his mental ledger, then found a place to sit with no change in expression.
Feng Xiao seemed oblivious, his face wreathed in smiles. "Judging by your expression, you know of Lin Yong's predilections."
"Is that why you used me to mess with him?" Cui Buqu was annoyed. "This wasn't included in the conditions of our agreement."
Feng Xiao looked back at him innocently. "I still took you out to see the world today, did I not? What's wrong with asking for a little something in return? Anyway, he can't hurt you with me around."
"Lin Yong might have some indecent hobbies, but he's no fool," said Cui Buqu coolly. "It'd be far more believable if you used Pei Jingzhe rather than me."
Pei Jingzhe, who'd been drinking his tea in silence, choked and coughed.
Feng Xiao smiled. "It wouldn't work. You're better looking."
He'd hardly finished speaking when Lin Yong's silhouette appeared behind the screen. "It's really too noisy downstairs; I can't get a moment of peace. Would Feng-erlang mind if I intruded?"
Seconds before, there'd been more than a foot of space between Feng Xiao and Cui Buqu. But the instant Lin Yong's voice rang out, Feng Xiao grabbed Cui Buqu's wrist and leaned in close, lips curving in a doting smile. "Ququ, there's dust on your nose. Let me brush it off for you."
The stare Lin Yong directed at Cui Buqu became increasingly intense. Cui Buqu saw a flash of killing intent in his eyes—but only a flash. Lin Yong quickly regained his graceful and confident demeanor, as if what Cui Buqu saw had been an illusion.
Though Yandang Mountain Estate was only a mid-tier martial arts family in context of the entire jianghu, people still showed Lin Yong respect on account of his father's generosity and hospitality. Feng Xiao, however, cared not a whit for such things.
"My apologies, I'm afraid there's no more room." Feng Xiao's smile was pleasant, but his words were a blunt rejection.
Lin Yong hadn't given up yet. But before he could say more, Pei Jingzhe stepped in front of him. "This way, Young Estate Master Lin."
"Then…let's talk another day," Lin Yong said reluctantly.
Feng Xiao gave a slight nod.
He'd showed Lin Yong no respect at all, but Lin Yong didn't express any displeasure. To Lin Yong, Feng Xiao was like the shadow of a soaring bird—a man who revealed no hints as to his true name and background. He seemed to appear out of thin air in the jianghu, coming and going without a trace. That mysterious allure of his had snared Lin Yong completely; otherwise, why would he still be yearning for him?
Lin Yong couldn't help but shoot one last glance at Cui Buqu as he went. Cui Buqu's lashes were lowered, leaving his expression unclear as Feng Xiao lightly grasped his wrist and swung it back and forth. Lin Yong sneered in his heart—so Cui Buqu was only a plaything. He shook out his sleeves and left.
By the time Feng Xiao released his wrist, Cui Buqu had lost his look of displeasure. Instead, he looked thoughtful.
As deputy chief of the Jiejian Bureau, there was no need for Feng Xiao to treat Lin Yong's feelings with any delicacy, let alone hold up Cui Buqu as a shield. Yet despite Lin Yong's repeated advances, Feng Xiao hadn't fallen out with him; in fact, he'd even left the door open. There had to be a reason behind it.
"What are you thinking? Need me to clarify something?" Feng Xiao's voice was right beside his ear.
Cui Buqu suddenly had a thought. "Is the Jiejian Bureau investigating Lin Yong?"
Feng Xiao's eyes flashed. "What makes you think so?"
Cui Buqu didn't answer immediately. Could Lin Yong be connected to the assassination of the envoy? he thought. No, that couldn't be it. Yandang Mountain Estate was thousands of miles from Liugong City. In the normal course of things, they had no dealings with Khotan or even with Linlang Pavilion. Lin Yong had likely only turned up to watch the show.
There was, however, a small point of connection. One of the products the Lin family traded in was a silk called sky-cleansed gauze, which was produced in the south. Its luster was bright as the sky, its texture smooth as ice on a frozen lake. Officials and nobles alike adored it, and it'd been listed as one of the tributes in the convoy—the Lin family sent some to the Sui palace every year. Trading this silk had been key to the Lin family's early success, and rumor had it that, lately, they'd been trying to use it to approach the Sui crown prince.
Feng Xiao allowed him to ponder. "Ququ, with your abilities, remaining an unnamed and lowly spy within the Zuoyue Bureau is really too unfair to you. Right now, the Jiejian Bureau has three chiefs. If you wish to join us, I'll tell my superiors to have you established as the fourth bureau chief."
Off to the side, Pei Jingzhe's eyes widened. He held his tongue with some effort.
The Jiejian Bureau stood on equal footing with the Six Ministries. The bureau chief was also the Minister of Justice, and Feng Xiao, his deputy, had the authority to act independently when necessary. The power he held was enormous. Cui Buqu might be from the Zuoyue Bureau, but his rank and identity were unknown. Yet now Feng Xiao wanted to appoint him as the fourth bureau chief? It was a grand offer—almost too grand. Pei Jingzhe couldn't tell whether Feng Xiao truly wished to recruit more talent or if he was only trying to test Cui Buqu.
Cui Buqu's expression was placid as he slowly raised his head. "What is this Zuoyue Bureau? I don't understand a word you're saying."
Feng Xiao took Cui Buqu's hand in his. "You're in poor health, yet here you are toiling in this border city, plotting and scheming with no one to appreciate your efforts. I just think it's a pity. The Jiejian Bureau lacks a strategist like you. If you're willing, I'll tell the Zuoyue Bureau myself; I promise I won't offend your superiors. What do you think?" He tucked away his smile and stared intently at Cui Buqu, his face shining with sincerity. The sight was enough to make an iron tree bloom and a stone shed tears.
For the first time, Cui Buqu realized there existed someone who could drive others out of their mind with looks alone. Perhaps he himself had escaped being bewitched, but that didn't stop him from marveling at Feng Xiao's beauty, as brilliant as spring blooms.
"Feng-langjun, though your words are very touching, I don't know any Zuoyue Bureau. I just want to live in peace as a Daoist priest. I hope you'll keep your promise and let me go."
Seeing his attempts at seduction had failed, Feng Xiao's lip curled, and he released Cui Buqu's hand. He leaned back and revealed his true colors. "When did I promise to let you go? I said I'd consider letting you go. As for whether I can be persuaded, that all depends on your performance."
Even acting the part of a scoundrel, Feng Xiao managed to be captivating. Cui Buqu couldn't help but silently curse him. Shameless man.
As the two of them traded barbs, the crisp sound of a bell rang out, and a middle-aged man walked to the center of the floor downstairs. Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to him.
The main event had begun.