COUNTY MAGISTRATE Zhao was drowning in regret.
When Feng Xiao had arrived in Liugong City, he'd come as himself. But Cui Buqu had been posing as the leader of Zixia Monastery, giving no hint as to his true identity and status. County Magistrate Zhao's hands had been full trying to please Feng Xiao; he'd almost entirely ignored Cui Buqu. Only later had he learned Cui Buqu's authority was no less than that of the deputy chief of the Jiejian Bureau.
County Magistrate Zhao wasn't a high-ranking official, but he knew as well as anyone that when two officials of similar rank arrived, flattering one and snubbing the other was a bad idea.
Rumor was, the Zuoyue Bureau possessed the prerogative to act first and report later, just like the Jiejian Bureau.
Rumor was, the Zuoyue Bureau had been founded by Empress Dugu herself, and that they answered directly to her.
Rumor was, the lord chief of the Zuoyue Bureau was as elusive as a ghost. He never appeared in court, and almost no one had ever met him. He was even reputed to be a close confidant of the empress.
Rumor was…
Magistrate Zhao hadn't heard of the Zuoyue Bureau before, but after reading the letters from his friends in the capital, he'd been thrown into a panic. It seemed he'd unwittingly offended a terrifying man. Even if only one in ten of those rumors were true, one thing was certain: The deputy chief of the Jiejian Bureau treated Cui Buqu like an equal, which meant his rank was a high one. Thus, when Cui Buqu didn't show up at the banquet that night, County Magistrate Zhao didn't dare take offense. Instead, he wracked his brains for more ways to recover from his initial faux pas.
When he heard Cui Buqu was ill and had suffered an injury in the Khaganate, he sent a large quantity of medicinal herbs to the relay station where Cui Buqu and his party were staying. Qiao Xian turned it away. Cui Buqu's body was currently too weak for medicine; he couldn't eat anything other than soup and plain congee.
County Magistrate Zhao next wanted to send over a famed doctor but gave up on the idea when he heard Chief Cui's subordinate, Qiao-niangzi, was herself an expert in medicine. If he invited a doctor, he'd probably end up offending her too. He strained to think of some way to make Cui Buqu happy—yet he couldn't come up with anything. His hair was practically falling out from the stress, and at night he tossed and turned so much his wife almost kicked him out of bed.
Cui Buqu's stay in Liugong City was intended to be a short one, as they were making preparations to set off for the capital in a few days. Magistrate Zhao therefore had no choice but to ask Feng Xiao for advice. In comparison to Cui Buqu, who seemed as immovable as stone, the deputy chief of the Jiejian Bureau was a much easier man to flatter. At the very least, he'd never rejected any of Magistrate Zhao's gifts.
When the magistrate went to pay his respects to Feng Xiao, he was confident he could make inroads with him—until he saw the beautiful serving girl he'd sent wiping down a window frame.
Magistrate Zhao thought for a moment he'd gone blind. He stared, dumbfounded.
The serving girl noticed Magistrate Zhao's arrival and gave him a look full of unspoken grievance. Her eyes brimmed with tears, a pitiful sight.
The offender was sitting by the window focused on reading a book as if it contained a celestial maiden even lovelier than the beauty standing next to him.
The girl's flower-like beauty was so stunning Magistrate Zhao had been unable to bring himself to make use of her when he'd first received her as a gift. Of course, his wife being as ferocious as a tiger was also a limiting factor. Regardless, the magistrate was willing to swear on his life that this girl was the most beautiful woman in Liugong City. Even Feng Xiao, who normally resided in the capital and had outrageously high standards, was sure to be moved by her face.
Yet now he came to find that this man had ordered such a beautiful woman do manual labor like a common maid. It was a criminal waste.
A thought rose unbidden in the magistrate's heart. Could it be that Feng Xiao doesn't like women, but instead likes…
"Do you regret sending me this beauty, Magistrate Zhao? Feel free to take her back." Feng Xiao didn't even look up as he turned the page.
"No, no, of course not!" the magistrate protested, shooing the girl out of the room. He approached Feng Xiao with a smile and whispered, "Dare I ask my lord, did she not serve you well? Was she unable to satisfy you?"
"Not at all; I'm quite satisfied," said Feng Xiao. "Look—hasn't she made this window spotless?"
County Magistrate Zhao hadn't sent over a beauty among beauties to clean windows! He didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "But this humble official heard you didn't take her to bed last night. She waited outside your rooms all evening."
Fortunately the weather was growing warmer and the late spring breeze was gentle, so the courtyard hadn't been cold. Otherwise, that fragile flower would have surely caught a chill.
Feng Xiao sighed. "Oh, so she was supposed to be my bed companion. I thought you sent her to do chores. I was going to have her clean the floor next."
"Qi-niang is the most beautiful woman in my employ, but if she doesn't please you, allow me to send someone else. Or perhaps you'd prefer a young man instead…?"
Feng Xiao sighed again and pointed at his own face. "What do you think of my looks?" he asked.
"My lord, you're as resplendent as a phoenix, as radiant as a dragon. Like an immortal from beyond our human realm!" the magistrate hastened to say.
"Would you be enchanted by someone uglier than yourself?"
The magistrate was speechless, but he couldn't argue with his logic. "But my lord," he said miserably, "you are gallant and dashing, while that young lady is gentle and charming. There's no comparison between you. Besides, I fear vanishingly few people in the world possess a face more outstanding than yours!"
Feng Xiao sneered. "Then forget such stuff and focus on your official duties!"
County Magistrate Zhao finally understood that the exquisite woman he could scarcely bear to part with was worthless to Feng Xiao. Why don't I gift you a mirror instead? he grumbled to himself, though he didn't dare say it. He merely smiled and nodded agreeably. "In that case, this humble official also wishes to ask for advice. Seeing as you're such good friends with Cui-langjun, do you perhaps know what he likes?"
"Good friends?" Feng Xiao quirked a brow in confusion. "Us?"
"Are you not?" asked the magistrate anxiously.
Suddenly Feng Xiao smiled. "Of course we are. You wish to send him a gift as well? Why not send him a beautiful woman too? That should suffice."
"Your lordship jests." Magistrate Zhao gave a pained smile. "Cui-langjun is currently bedridden and couldn't enjoy the company of a woman even if he wanted to. I've already sent him money and supplements, but that maid of his rejected them all. I was too blind to realize who Cui-langjun was before. I wish to make amends, but I don't know where to start. All I can do is approach you in shame and ask for advice. Please give me guidance."
Feng Xiao smiled. "You've come to the right man. Cui Buqu remains aloof and indifferent no matter whom he's talking to. But I'll tell you in confidence, I've seen him…"
He lowered his voice and whispered a few words. Magistrate Zhao's eyes widened. "Surely not?"
"Perhaps all capable people have some…strange predilections they can't show to outsiders."
Magistrate Zhao considered how Feng Xiao had disdained the beautiful serving girl and had to nod. "You may be right! I'll go look for one now. Thank you very much, Feng-langjun!"
As soon as he had gone, Feng Xiao beckoned the beauty over. Qi-niang saw his pleased expression and thought he'd finally learned to appreciate her. Overjoyed, she approached gracefully and bowed. "How may I serve my lord?"
"Go see if Cui Buqu has awoken."
…That's all? she thought.
"Why are you just standing there?" asked Feng Xiao.
Indignation pricked at Qi-niang's heart. "This one has a stomachache." She pouted.
"Then go after you've been to the toilet."
Qi-niang was struck speechless. The handsome lord didn't even bother to glance at her. Furious, she stamped her foot and left.
Feng Xiao stretched languidly and decided to head out for a stroll.
Qi-niang had mentally cursed Feng Xiao dozens of times, grumbling that he was blind, but she dared not disobey him. When he returned, she reported that Cui Buqu was awake and entertaining an endless parade of visitors. Even Magistrate Zhao had hurried over.
While investigating the missing Jade of Heaven Lake, Feng Xiao had been high-handed and imperious. He'd openly feuded with Linlang Pavilion despite the powers that stood behind them, which had left a deep impression on many. At the time, quite a few had come to fawn over him and offer gifts; unfortunately, Feng Xiao was like a stone and simply sent them away with a wave of his hand. The lesson was still fresh in their minds and consequently, the number of fools who came to disturb him this time had lessened considerably.
As for Cui Buqu, he'd been presiding over the Zixia Monastery at the time. The monastery had been bursting with incense and visitors for the months of his tenure, then suddenly collapsed overnight. The abbot of the monastery had quietly disappeared, and the citizens were still talking about it. Some said the abbot had ascended to the heavens, while others said he was a fraud who'd fled after scamming enough honest people out of their money.
Now the man in question had reappeared, transformed into an envoy of the court. He'd traveled to the Khaganate with Feng Xiao and returned a marquis. Everyone was stunned, and the number of his callers exploded. Not all of them went to flatter and give gifts. Some simply wanted a piece of the excitement, while others felt themselves indebted to him, or were past patients who came to thank him.
All of them were stopped at the door by Qiao Xian. Other than necessary exceptions like Magistrate Zhao, very few actually laid eyes on Cui Buqu.
Feng Xiao rubbed his chin and decided to go watch the fun.
The two of them were staying in the same relay station, one on the east side and the other on the west. If they didn't go expressly to visit each other, it was easy to pass the entire day without a single meeting. Cui Buqu clearly hadn't missed the companion with whom he'd shared so much weal and woe over the past weeks. When Feng Xiao entered uninvited, his expression wasn't one of pleased surprise. Instead, his lips thinned.
A smile tugged at the corner of Feng Xiao's mouth. "It seems Daoist Master Cui isn't happy to see me."
Cui Buqu was sitting on the bed with an armful of blankets, nothing like a host eager to welcome a wanted guest. "If I say I'm not, will you leave?"
"Of course not." Feng Xiao glanced around the room. "I heard County Magistrate Zhao sent you some interesting gifts. Mind if I take a look?"
Without interest, Cui Buqu pointed to a box in the corner. "He said he sent me some calligraphy and paintings. Go see for yourself."
Feng Xiao opened the box and found a neat stack of ten or so scrolls. Irrepressibly curious as to whether the magistrate had taken his meaning, he unfurled the first scroll.
Cui Buqu picked up the medicinal soup Qiao Xian had left for him. He hesitated, wondering for a moment whether he should pour it out under the bed. On second thought, Qiao Xian's sense of smell was no less acute than Feng Xiao's dog nose. He sighed, pinched his nose, and tipped the bowl back, his brows so tightly knit he could have crushed mosquitoes between them.
Good medicine was bitter indeed, and no amount of sweet cakes could suppress the aftertaste. Cui Buqu took several deep breaths. When the awful taste finally faded and he looked back up, he was greeted by the sight of Feng Xiao's peculiar smile.
"What did he send?" Cui Buqu asked suspiciously.
Feng Xiao turned the painting toward him. An erotic depiction of lovers in the throes of passion filled his vision with its vivid colors. Men and women in every sort of pose and position were strewn both inside and outside the painted buildings. It was decidedly bolder than most popular erotic paintings, explicit enough to turn even the staidest man crimson.
Cui Buqu merely rolled his eyes. Far from turning crimson, there wasn't a hint of pink in his cheeks.
Though Cui Buqu boasted incredible authority and a decisive character, he spent most of his time ill. Feng Xiao had been sure he must be comparatively innocent. Even if he wasn't shy or embarrassed, Cui Buqu should at least be a bit shocked. Yet Feng Xiao had gotten none of his expected entertainment. On Daoist Master Cui's face was a look of complete apathy, as if to say, That's it?
Feng Xiao felt this was no fun at all. "Are you a man or not?"
"I am if you are," drawled Cui Buqu.
"So if I'm not, you aren't?"
Cui Buqu didn't deign to respond. Only a moment's thought was required to deduce that this man was the culprit behind the magistrate's gift of such bawdy pictures. "Can't the great and mighty deputy chief of the Jiejian Bureau, leader of the Fajing Sect, do his work properly for a change?"
Feng Xiao's fluttering fan came to a stop.
The Fajing Sect was known in the jianghu as one of the three demonic sects. In the past, they'd been immensely powerful. Rumor had it that anyone who saw them had to make way for them, and that people dared not speak lest a stray word offend them. The former sect leader, Guang Lingsan, had been one of the top ten martial artists in the land.
Few martial arts masters in the jianghu used the qin as a weapon. The Zuoyue Bureau was capable and well-informed; Feng Xiao wasn't the least bit surprised that Cui Buqu had figured this out. In fact, he'd never intended to hide who he was in the first place. His identity as leader of the Fajing Sect didn't conflict with his position as an official nor affect their investigations, and thus Cui Buqu had never brought it up before—he only did so now because he was thoroughly fed up with Feng Xiao's asinine behavior.
Perhaps the more outstanding a martial artist's skills, the more fatuous they became.
Feng Xiao was unruffled. "Since you brought up my background, I must now remind you of my new weapon. Don't forget you promised me Yuyin. Once we arrive in the capital, you're not allowed to spend weeks stalling."
"His Majesty will hold a banquet to welcome the new khagan to the city. The things we saw on our journey, the process of forming the alliance… The emperor is sure to inquire about everything. All that will certainly take weeks. However—" Despite his annoyance, Cui Buqu recalled that Feng Xiao had repeatedly saved his life. He adjusted his flippant tone to something more appropriate. "I just received news that Ning Shewo, the chief helmsman of the Nine Guilds of Water Transport, set out north in secret a few days ago. He's likely just arrived in Huai Province."
Of the nine guilds, the Jinhuan Guild was the most powerful, monopolizing transportation along canals in the south. Their leader, Ning Shewo, was a famous name. During Linlang Pavilion's auction in Liugong City, his adopted son Leng Du had purchased a famous bronze wine vessel.
Feng Xiao was surprised. "Wasn't he set to retire next year? Is he going sightseeing with his wives in advance?"
"That's the strange part," said Cui Buqu. "He concealed his identity for this trip and brought only a few trusted subordinates. Outsiders have been told he's too ill to leave the house. Most believe he's still at home in Jiangnan."
After a moment's consideration, Feng Xiao understood. "You suspect Ning Shewo is involved with the Thirteen Floors of Yunhai?"
"Feng Xiaolian, Duan Qihu, and Yuxiu—from these alone, it's clear the Thirteen Floors of Yunhai don't limit themselves to the north or the south. Setting aside the vacant tenth seat, we currently know the identities of directors eleven through thirteen. Moving up the ranks, the strength and status of the members must only increase, not decrease."
"In this, we agree completely. So you speculate that Ning Shewo went north to attend the gathering on the seventh day of the seventh month—the day of the Qixi Festival."
"That's right," said Cui Buqu. "The other members must have received the same letter we found on Duan Qihu. After we finish our business in the capital, we'll go to Boling and get Yuyin, then head to the meeting. Perhaps we'll be able to annihilate the entire Thirteen Floors in a single blow."
Feng Xiao clapped. "Well said! I concur! Coincidentally, I too have some relevant information."
Cui Buqu waited, but Feng Xiao did not continue. Eventually he had no choice but to ask, "What information?"
"Not telling."
Cui Buqu glared at Feng Xiao, who didn't look remotely guilty.
"In exchange for your information, I won't make a fuss about you delaying our trip to Boling. But you have nothing to offer in exchange for my information. Am I right?" Feng Xiao stood and patted Cui Buqu's shoulder. "Daoist Master Cui's Zuoyue Bureau is so capable, and their lord chief so intelligent, that they even managed to unearth my background. Surely there's no secret I can keep from you. Take your time thinking. I'll see myself out."
He didn't wait for Cui Buqu's reply but simply left, humming a tune.
Cui Buqu had a bad habit: If he found a loose thread in his clothing, he was compelled to pull it out even if it damaged the material. He was a terribly curious person. Since Feng Xiao had left him in suspense, he absolutely had to get to the bottom of it.
He summoned Qiao Xian and ordered her to continue their investigations. Only then did the hard-working Chief Cui finally lie down and obediently close his eyes.
One laughing Feng Xiao head. Two laughing Feng Xiao heads. Three…
Cui Buqu opened his eyes and stared blankly up at the muslin canopy overhead. This was insomnia.
At that moment, he could cheerfully have wrenched Feng Xiao's insufferable head right off his shoulders.