PERHAPS HIS EARS had been damaged from all the torment. After that meal, Cui Buqu spent the entire night dreaming of Feng Xiao.
In the dream there was only darkness, with no sun or moon in sight. There was only Feng Xiao, bounding about in high spirits, saying in his melodious voice: "One time… Another time…"
Those words rang in his ears until he woke, stubborn and clinging as willow catkins in spring. They stuck to him like the catkins stuck to his clothes, impossible to dislodge and terribly vexing.
He woke in a daze and rose to dress. He was in the middle of pulling on his boots when there was a knock at the door. Cui Buqu seriously considered jumping out the window and making his escape. Fortunately, a voice on the other side of the door saved him from the tragedy of falling from the second floor and breaking his legs.
"I'm sorry to bother you, Cui-gongzi. I was wondering if you're free to talk? If you aren't, I'll come back later." It was Cui Pei.
Cui Buqu breathed a sigh of relief. "Go to the neighboring teahouse and reserve a room. I'll join you shortly."
Cui Pei responded in affirmation, and the sound of his footsteps faded into the distance.
A morning without Feng-er was a beautiful thing—as long as Cui Buqu ignored last night's leftovers still sitting on the table. Feng Xiao's fastidiousness had reached such heights that Cui Buqu had to bow to him in defeat. Who else would train themselves to use the zither as a weapon, all so they could drive off their opponent with sound waves and internal energy rather than having to touch them?
No one but Feng-er.
Yet Feng Xiao had been willing to carry Cui Buqu out of the carriage and into the inn. This was an unprecedented degree of generosity.
The smell of their discarded meal hung in the air, none too pleasant. Cui Buqu quickened his steps and left, unwilling to stay a moment longer.
***
In the teahouse, Cui Pei was restless.
If a few days ago someone had told him Cui Jie was not only alive but held the Cui family's fate in his hands, he would have thought it absurd. In his memories, that child had always been silent. Even when he was ill from the abuse he suffered, he'd never complained or tattled to Cui Pei. Later, when Cui Pei had his own children and experienced what it meant to be a father, he looked back on his nephew with a gnawing guilt.
In just two days, the Cui family had undergone a series of earth-shattering changes. The clan was like a ship swaying in a typhoon, battered by waves and in danger of capsizing at any moment. There wasn't a single member of the family who was unaffected. The women spent their days weeping. Other members cursed Cui Buqu, wishing a terrible death on him. Cui Pei knew Cui Buqu wouldn't take their vitriol to heart; the moment he'd left the Cui family, he'd severed all connection to them.
The imperial verdict had yet to be issued. Cui Yong had written to the Lu clan of Fanyang, asking them to write a letter of appeal. Cui Pei had no idea if this would have any effect. Since Cui Pei was the only son of the Cui family who'd emerged unscathed, as well as the man Lady Yu had entrusted her helpless son to, it made sense that Cui Yong had sent him to beg for clemency.
Cui Yong had urged Cui Pei repeatedly to choose his words carefully and avoid provoking Cui Buqu. If Cui Buqu proposed any conditions, he was to agree at once, then think them over after he got back. Cui Pei smiled bitterly at the memory. He wasn't afraid of any conditions Cui Buqu might propose. What he feared was that Cui Buqu wouldn't propose any conditions at all.
The Cui clan of Boling was one of the famed noble families everyone flocked to. Many with the surname Cui schemed to get close to them, hoping to borrow some of their reputation. But such temptations didn't work on Cui Buqu.
"I brought you with me because you were the first to meet Cui-gongzi and his companion outside the city," Cui Pei reminded the girl at his side. "You have a rapport with them. If you need to kneel and plead with him, don't hesitate. But you must not speak unless I say so."
"I understand." Cui-jiuniang's face was tight with unease. In a single night, her father had become a murderer and her mother had become his accomplice. Both were now in prison. Cui-jiuniang and her siblings had come crashing down from where they sat among the clouds into the harsh dust of the world. They'd spent the day at a loss, filled with anxiety.
She wanted to hate Cui Buqu, but when she saw his tall, slender figure enter the room, she couldn't muster any resentment. Instead she felt a jumble of conflicting emotions, impossible to express.
Cui Buqu's face was as indifferent as it'd been the day they'd met. There was no sign that he felt anything when he saw them.
"I hope you're not here to plead for leniency," he said.
"How could we dare to, at this point? I came today because…I wanted to see you. That's all." Cui Pei's mouth twisted in a wry smile.
Cui Buqu inclined his head, waiting for him to continue. But Cui Pei didn't know what to say. He was over fifty years old, and he'd traveled all across the land—even met the emperor himself. Yet at this moment, he felt terribly self-conscious.
"I betrayed my sister-in-law's trust." He weighed his words carefully, fearing to provoke Cui Buqu. "I know you feel resentment toward us, and it's true that the Cui family has done you a great wrong. Father himself is filled with regret."
Cui Buqu suddenly smiled. "If I'd died back then, would Cui Yong have been filled with regret?"
Cui Pei was speechless. Of course his father would have felt no regret. All the way until his brother's arrest, his father had only regretted not decisively killing Cui Buqu in his childhood. He hadn't felt the slightest remorse at not treating him better. Cui Pei's heart sank; there were no words he could say to justify himself. He sighed. "Is there anything I can do? If you wish to move my sister-in-law's grave to the Cui family cemetery…"
"She was never buried," said Cui Buqu. "What is there to move?"
It was impossible to continue the conversation. Another man might have overturned the table in rage, but Cui Pei had always been meek. No matter what Cui Buqu said, he accepted it all. "It's my fault. If I had been more resolute…"
"Do you want to be the head of the Cui family?" Cui Buqu asked.
Cui Pei jerked his head up and met his eyes.
Cui Buqu smiled meaningfully. "You had three older brothers ahead of you, all legitimate. Your turn would never have come. But things are different now. Even if the rest of the Cui family can avoid being implicated by Cui-da's actions and save themselves, no one will accept any of your brothers as their leader. But there's still hope for you."
"I've never thought about it," said Cui Pei weakly.
"Strength is required to protect yourself and the people you care about. Now that the main lines of descent have collapsed, if you don't take a stand, you'll give the world a chance to trample you."
Cui Pei remained silent, but Cui Buqu knew he'd taken his words to heart.
This fourth son of the Cui family was a talented man, but his father and brothers had always been above him in status. As the years passed, he hadn't been able to make anything of himself. Though he'd gained some small fame as a scholar out in the world, whenever people spoke of him, they always appended the line he comes from the Cui clan of Boling.
Cui Buqu had found a way out, but Cui Pei had not. He was destined to be bound by those words, the Cui clan of Boling, all his life.
Honor was at times a shackle.
Another figure slipped into the room—a servant from the commandery governor's residence.
"Cui-langjun," he said. "Our lord wishes to invite you to his residence when you're free."
Cui Buqu nodded. "I'll go now."
Cui Pei knew the conversation was over. Quickly he said, "I'll visit my sister-in-law's grave regularly to look after it. While you're out in the world, be sure to take care of yourself!"
He took a prescription from his sleeve and handed it to Cui Buqu. "You must know that longstanding noble families like ours always keep a couple of secret medicinal recipes. I can tell your health is poor. This is a prescription I found at the manor. It can help adjust the workings of your body; Doctor Sun has already reviewed it." He added, awkward, "I know you lack for nothing in your current position. But if you ever need anything, just write to me. I'll do my best to help."
Cui Buqu hesitated, but accepted the prescription. Cui Pei breathed a sigh of relief. Talking to his nephew was more stressful than meeting the emperor.
"Please think carefully about what I said," said Cui Buqu. "If you succeed your father as head of the Cui clan, I might consider appealing to His Majesty on your behalf. Perhaps the innocent women and children of the Cui clan will be spared." He glanced at Cui-jiuniang. "And Cui Yong won't need to give Cui-jiuniang to Feng Xiao as his concubine."
Cui-jiuniang was incredulous. "Did Grandfather really offer that?" She looked at Cui Pei, who averted his gaze.
"Cui-gongzi." Cui-jiuniang called to Cui Buqu as he began to leave. She finally asked the words she'd been holding back: "Are you really who they say you are? Are you my brother?"
Cui Buqu didn't stop walking. "Even if the Cui family isn't completely finished, they've suffered a grievous blow," he said blandly. "You wanted to learn medicine from Sun Jimin; here is your opportunity. Don't be all talk and no action, like women who spend all day fretting, too afraid to do anything. I don't wish to disdain you."
Cui-jiuniang's face twisted. Just as Cui Pei feared she would surge forward and begin interrogating Cui Buqu, she fell to her knees and pressed her forehead to the ground. "I'm sorry."
Cui Buqu paused.
"I'm sorry," whispered Cui-jiuniang again. "I heard about what happened to you. I have no right to speak for my parents, but I was born their daughter, and I cannot escape responsibility for how they treated you. And after what they've done now, I know I can't plead on their behalf. I can only apologize and ask you to live happily from now on, free from all difficulties and hardships."
Her lips parted again, as if to call him Brother, but the word evaporated on her tongue.
Once Cui Buqu had gone, Cui Pei stepped forward and helped her up. He sighed at the sight of the tears streaming down her face. "Why do this to yourself?"
"I know I should hate him." Cui-jiuniang had rubbed her eyes red, but her tears wouldn't stop. "But whenever I think about how I was pampered from birth while he was suffering, wandering heaven knows where, I can't."
"It's not your fault," said Cui Pei morosely.
"But he didn't do anything to us," said Cui-jiuniang. "Though he came back and arrested Uncle and Father, he had a reason for it. He didn't do it just to punish us. And yet everyone in the Cui family is cursing him behind his back. I… For some reason, my heart aches."
Cui Pei patted her head and said nothing.
Perhaps in Cui-jiuniang, Cui Buqu had seen a sliver of warmth in the Cui family, and that was why he hadn't dealt them the fatal blow. Or perhaps it'd been for the sake of the deceased Lady Yu and Cui-er. Whatever the case, this was the best outcome they could hope for.
***
Cui Buqu let himself be guided into the rear garden of the commandery governor's residence, where he came upon Feng Xiao and Yuan Sansi chatting and laughing together. They seemed to get on swimmingly, practically about to swear vows of brotherhood.
He sighed. Feng Xiao had shown no enthusiasm toward Governor Yuan previously. Yet the moment he'd learned of the secret treasure, he was on him like a weasel who'd caught the scent of fish, determined to get a bite.
When Yuan Sansi saw Cui Buqu, a smile came to his face and he stood and cupped his hands, familiar yet courteous. "Buqu. Deputy Chief Feng said you've already told him everything, and that you're preparing to search for the treasure together."
Cui Buqu shot Feng Xiao a look. You really let no opportunity pass you by, do you?
Feng Xiao looked back with an innocent expression, as if hadn't the slightest idea why Cui Buqu was glaring at him.
All Yuan Sansi saw was that Cui Buqu hadn't objected, so he said, "Follow me."
He led them to the study, where he removed a book from the bookshelf and fished a bamboo bookmark from between the pages. The bookmark was weathered and clearly old; upon closer examination, it seemed to be two pieces of bamboo glued together. Splitting them with a knife revealed a tiny cloth tucked inside.
Yuan Sansi carefully picked up the flimsy piece of cloth and unfolded it, revealing it to be roughly the size of half a palm. On it, a vista was depicted in special ink. There was a snow-capped mountain, and halfway up, a cave. A small stream bubbled between turquoise rocks.
Cui Buqu and Feng Xiao examined it, but couldn't tell what location the painting depicted. After all, many natural landscapes looked the same. If the Wei dynasty had really hidden a treasure trove intended for their descendants, they surely provided more than this vague lead. This didn't look like a riddle at all; it seemed more like a prank.
"This is also the first time I've opened the bookmark to see what's inside," confessed Yuan Sansi.
"Do you have any idea what the mountain is?" asked Cui Buqu.
"Yes," said Yuan Sansi with determination. "It's Mount Tiannan in Heng Province."