ZHANGSUN BODHI wasn't a man who indulged in pleasure.
In the eyes of others, he was an ascetic. At the Zuoyue Bureau, he spent his spare time brewing tea and reciting scripture, his days more monotonous than a monk's. He didn't consider this lifestyle punishment; in fact, he was quite content.
Yet at that moment, he was sitting within a boudoir men flocked to, watching a dance that had bewitched half the city. Snow-white ankles twirled and golden bells jingled. Despite the sensual atmosphere, Zhangsun wasn't relaxed. He sat straight as a poker, hands clasped together and prayer beads tucked against his palms, watching with rapt attention. He looked less like he was enjoying a dance and more like he was watching a demonstration of unparalleled martial arts.
The maiden Yunyun had danced for all sorts at Chunxiang House. Even under his scorching gaze, she finished her dance with grace.
"Was it beautiful?" she asked with a smile, taking the handkerchief from her maid and dabbing at the slight sheen of sweat on her forehead.
"It was." Zhangsun said only two words, but to Yunyun's ears, they were far more sincere than the lengthy and extravagant praise she received from others.
"Then tonight, you'll…" She stopped.
It wasn't the first time she'd tried to keep a guest, but for some reason, she found herself unable to go on. Perhaps it was because Zhangsun's expression was so solemn—how could he possibly be there to sleep with a prostitute?
Though the city had praised maiden Yunyun's dancing to the skies, extolling her as a treasure money couldn't buy, Yunyun herself understood that she was no more than a drifting piece of duckweed. She had no control over her fate, no choice but to struggle futilely in the fisherman's net.
Zhangsun suddenly leaned in.
Yunyun's composure shattered. Heat rushed from her neck to her cheeks, and her body stopped obeying her orders. She found herself unable to retreat, frozen as his proximity overwhelmed her.
"The fragrance you're wearing," said Zhangsun. "It's very unique."
Yunyun's face was scarlet, and her ears were hot. "Yes—it's the scent of mandarins, with a note of grass and trees."
"It's a lovely scent."
Now the two of them were practically pressed up against each other. A strong arm looped around Yunyun's slender waist, fixing her to the spot. Yet her heart beat faster and faster. This man was more handsome, more full of strength and vigor than anyone she'd ever met. They were even linked by fate.
"Did you create this perfume yourself?" Zhangsun Bodhi asked.
Confused and infatuated, Yunyun dropped her guard entirely. "No, someone created it for me."
"Ask her to make one for me as well."
"All right…" Yunyun murmured. Puzzled, she realized he'd released her.
"It's not yet dark," said Zhangsun.
Yunyun flushed. It was true that it was inappropriate to indulge in such activities during the day. Even if propriety was of little concern within Chunxiang House, she wanted to leave the best possible impression on Zhangsun.
"Then what does the gentleman wish to do? Shall I perform another dance for you?" She tucked her hair back, her crimson lips lightly parted.
"I wish to paint you," said Zhangsun Bodhi.
Yunyun was taken aback.
"I've seen the dancers and musicians of the palace," he said, "and you are just as skilled as them. I wish to paint you so you can see what I see."
If a promiscuous young master had uttered those words, she'd have brushed them aside with a smile. But Zhangsun Bodhi's gaze was steady, his expression earnest. She believed him completely. No one had ever said they wished to paint her before.
Yunyun lowered her head in thought. When she looked up again, it was with a radiant smile. "All right."
Outside, the maid Hong Zhu had approached with food and wine only to find the doors tightly shut; no sound could be heard from within. She stopped, feeling a hint of nervous excitement, then quietly nudged the door open a crack with her shoulder and peered through the gauzy curtains. Yet she didn't see the amorous scene she'd imagined; instead, Yunyun was posing with her back to the door.
Hong Zhu snuck a peek at the uninvited customer who'd barged in offering a huge sum of money. He wasn't embracing or kissing the beauty—instead he was standing before the desk, brush sweeping back and forth as he painted.
Hong Zhu watched the hazy outline of Zhangsun Bodhi for a while, her eyes filled with unconcealed envy. But the pair inside the room continued, oblivious to their audience. Finally she grew bored. Pursing her lips, she turned and left soundlessly, taking the food and drink back to her own room to enjoy. She was completely unaware that another white figure had been watching behind her.
Initially Qiao Xian had wanted to restrain and question the maid, but on seeing her actions, she reconsidered. Everyone had their weaknesses. Having weaknesses wasn't frightening—but being unable to find them was.
And Hong Zhu's weakness was obvious.
Questioning her using a different method might be more effective.
***
Back at Qiushan Manor, Cui Buqu looked at the suspected Jade of Heaven Lake and said slowly, "Goguryeo is currently ruled by Go Tang, as King Pyeongwon of Goguryeo, the twenty-fifth-generation ruler. Go is a Goguryeon surname; though few people in the Central Plains know Go Nyeong, he's quite famous in Goguryeo. It's said he achieved transcendence in his swordsmanship and defeated twelve preeminent experts in the three kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla in the space of ten days. Pyeongwon was delighted and bestowed the title of Goguryeo's number-one sword expert on him. He's even permitted to carry his sword and ride horses within the palace grounds. In Goguryeo, this is the highest of honors."
Pei Jingzhe, who had just been the victim of Cui Buqu's little prank, was still unhappy. He said irritably, "Goguryeo is a nation in a small corner of the northeast. I fear their naming someone a 'preeminent expert' is no more than a boast. He can't compare to the martial artists of the Central Plains."
Cui Buqu gave a rare nod of agreement. "Correct. However, it is highly likely Go Nyeong is after the jade's medicinal properties. Like all martial artists, he wishes to climb to higher heights. It's not uncommon for martial artists to plateau and make no more progress their entire lives; with the jade's assistance, perhaps he can find a shortcut to the heavens."
"But that's only hearsay," said Pei Jingzhe. "No one knows whether the jade really has such a power."
"Hearsay is enough. As long as there's some hope, there will be people willing to take risks." Feng Xiao rapped on the table. "Back to the matter at hand. What do you think? If you wanted to steal something, would you expose it to the public eye and draw everyone's attention?"
Pei Jingzhe considered it. "I'd get someone inside Linlang Pavilion to have the jade listed as one of the auction items, then quietly snatch it out from under their noses. A connection with Linlang Pavilion would also make it easier to avoid detection when leaving the city. The head broker, Wen Liang, would have been able to do it, but he's still in prison. Could it be that Wen Liang's arrest ruined their plans, and that's why the jade appeared at the auction?"
Feng Xiao shook his head. Things couldn't be that simple; he was certain he'd missed a link somewhere.
This case looked straightforward at a glance: a murder and robbery. But as he disentangled each element bit by bit, he realized how intricate it was, thread wound tightly around thread. Whenever they managed to hit on a promising lead, it was upended the next moment.
Feng Xiao felt the presence of several invisible hands, all trying to scramble the chessboard. Some attempted to conceal their own motives, while others attempted to obscure the facts of the case.
At that thought, he couldn't help looking at Cui Buqu. Cui Buqu noticed his gaze and met it, frank and impassive. Each suppressed a cold smile.
Damn fox, Feng Xiao thought, sneering to himself.
Swaggering oleander spirit. Cui Buqu curved his lips in secret amusement. The oleander flower—beautiful but toxic. It was perfect for Feng Xiao.
Pei Jingzhe paid no heed to the undercurrents surging between the two. After a long bout of careful consideration, he asked hesitantly, "Could there be two Jades of Heaven Lake? A fake we have here, and a real one elsewhere?"