Part I: Rats in the Tunnel and a Boat on the River

  Three quarters past the hour of Hai, twenty-third day of the tenth month.

  Li Yan had been crawling through the tunnel for roughly half an hour, the fire striker clenched between his teeth, mentally cursing its builder for the eight-hundredth time.

  "Way too narrow..." he muttered. "Anyone a bit larger would get stuck. When the Cui family dug this tunnel, didn't they consider people in the future might eat too well?"

  The tunnel was indeed narrow; he had to sidle through, his pack scraping against the earthen walls, causing dirt to rain down. The air was foul, reeking of damp soil and... some kind of animal droppings.

  "Could this have been modified from a rat hole?" he thought, trying to find amusement in his predicament.

  After crawling for another incense stick's worth of time, faint light finally appeared ahead. Li Yan sped up. Nearing the exit, he extinguished the fire striker, slowed his movements, and cautiously peeked out.

  Outside was a reed marsh. Moonlight shimmered on the water's surface, rippling. The night wind was cold, carrying moisture that refreshed him.

  The exit was hidden behind a pile of abandoned fishing nets in the reeds, well concealed. Li Yan squeezed out, stretched his stiff limbs, a sharp pain throbbing in his left arm—a glancing wound from an arrow while scaling the wall. Not deep, but it kept oozing blood.

  He tore a strip from his hem for a makeshift bandage, then, as the old man instructed, mimicked three calls of a water bird.

  "Coo—coo-coo—"

  After a moment, a response came from deep within the reeds: "Squeak—squeak-squeak—"

  Then, a small boat glided out silently. The rower was a wiry old man in a bamboo hat and rain cape—Old Chen, the contact.

  "Get in," Old Chen's voice was hoarse.

  Li Yan jumped aboard. The boat rocked slightly, then steadied. Old Chen began rowing, skirting the edge of the reed marsh, heading into the depths of the Luo River.

  "May I ask your name, uncle?" Li Yan asked.

  "Chen," Old Chen didn't look up. "Miss Cui's orders: take you to the south bank. Someone will meet you there."

  "Is Miss Cui well?"

  "Well." Old Chen paused. "She told me to tell you: the Western Garden Army is searching the whole city. All four gates are sealed. Hide at 'Willow Grove Abandoned House' first. She'll have someone clean up traces."

  Li Yan nodded, leaning against the gunwale, gazing at distant Luoyang. The city wall was ablaze with lights like a fiery dragon coiled in the darkness. The faint sounds of hoofbeats and shouts carried on the wind—the pursuit continued.

  "Uncle," he suddenly asked, "how long have you been in this line of work?"

  Old Chen glanced at him. "Twenty years. Been here since Old Master Cui's time."

  "You've seen many storms, then."

  "Seen them," Old Chen kept rowing. "But few this big."

  The small boat moved silently on the Luo River. The current was gentle, the rhythmic splash of oars a stark contrast to the distant tumult. Li Yan closed his eyes, feeling the night wind, his mind rapidly replaying the night's events.

  Armory Jia-Zi, the iron box, the charred fragments, the third faction, that corpse...

  Too many clues, but they didn't connect.

  "We're here," Old Chen's voice broke his reverie.

  The boat docked at a desolate small pier surrounded by willow trees, their branches swaying in the wind. A figure holding a lantern stood on the bank.

  Li Yan jumped ashore, cupped his fists to Old Chen. "My thanks, uncle."

  Old Chen waved dismissively, turned the boat around, and soon vanished into the night.

  The lantern-bearer was a young man in common hemp clothes, but his eyes were bright.

  "Master Li?" he asked quietly.

  "That's me."

  "Follow me."

  The young man led Li Yan through the willow grove for about a li, arriving at a derelict estate. Most of the perimeter wall had collapsed; only the main house remained somewhat intact.

  "Property the Cui family bought years ago. Usually deserted," the young man pushed open the creaking wooden door. "Inside: dry rations, water, medicine, clean clothes. Miss Cui says rest and recover here. She'll come before dawn."

  "She's coming personally?"

  "Yes," the young man nodded. "She says the situation is urgent, must talk face-to-face."

  Li Yan entered. The room was indeed well-prepared: a bed with clean bedding, a table with steamed buns, pickles, a water jug, and a medicine chest in the corner.

  The young man left the lantern. "Rest now, Master Li. I'll keep watch outside."

  He withdrew, gently closing the door.

  Li Yan sat on the bed, unwrapped the bandage on his left arm. The wound wasn't deep but was red and swollen, signs of infection. He opened the medicine chest, finding wound powder, bandages, and a small bottle of liquor.

  He poured some liquor onto the wound. The sting made him suck in a sharp breath.

  "Hiss— Strong stuff."

  After re-bandaging, he ate a few bites of bun and drank some water. After the night's ordeal, he was famished and exhausted.

  But sleep wouldn't come.

  His mind replayed scenes from Armory Jia-Zi: the unopenable iron box, the burned fragments, the fresh corpse...

  "A third faction..." he murmured to himself. "Who could it be?"

  Part II: A Face-to-Face in the Abandoned House

  Beginning of the hour of Chou, twenty-fourth day of the tenth month.

  Li Yan, feigning sleep against the headboard, heard soft footsteps outside. Not one person, but three—all light, but with different weights.

  The door opened. Cui Yan entered.

  Today she wore a dark blue cloak with a hood, a veil covering her face, revealing only her eyes. Qingwu followed her; a guard remained outside.

  "Miss Cui," Li Yan sat up. "Coming personally so late at night. Truly touching."

  Cui Yan ignored his jest, removing her hood and veil to reveal a face weary but composed. She walked to the table; Qingwu lit the oil lamp.

  "How's the wound?" she asked.

  "Minor. Won't kill me," Li Yan patted his left arm. "Just hurts a bit. Any compensation?"

  Cui Yan glanced at Qingwu. Understanding, Qingwu took a porcelain vial from a bag she carried.

  "Top-grade wound powder. Flowed out from the palace," Cui Yan placed the vial on the table. "Tend the wound first. Then we talk business."

  Li Yan didn't stand on ceremony, opened the vial, and re-dressed the wound. The powder felt cool, soothing the pain considerably.

  "Miss Cui personally visiting the wounded," he said while bandaging. "Such treatment. Should I be overwhelmed?"

  "I'm here for intelligence," Cui Yan sat opposite him. "What exactly is in Armory Jia-Zi?"

  Finished bandaging, Li Yan pulled the copied fragments and the iron box rubbing from his robe, spreading them on the table.

  "That's it," he said. "Fragments salvaged from the fire. The box won't open; needs all jade tokens. Also, I found a corpse inside, dead less than half an hour—not my doing."

  Cui Yan picked up the fragments, examining them carefully by lamplight. She read slowly, word by word, her brow furrowing deeper.

  "Prince of Qinghe... Empress Dowager Dou’s decree... Regular Attendant Cao Jie obstructed..." she read softly. "So it is the succession conspiracy."

  She picked up the iron box rubbing, studied it for a long while, then said, "This indented pattern... it's not just a simple lock."

  "Oh?"

  "Look here," Cui Yan pointed to a faint line on the rubbing. "These are guide grooves. The four jade tokens need to be inserted in a specific order, at a specific angle, to trigger the mechanism. And..." she paused. "They likely need to be turned."

  Li Yan leaned closer. Indeed, the grooves seemed chaotic at first, but on closer look, followed a pattern.

  "Sharp eyes, Miss Cui," he praised. "But we only have four tokens. Six are missing."

  Cui Yan set down the rubbing, was silent a moment, then said, "Chen Xu's testament mentions three court officials still alive. Perhaps they, or their descendants, hold other tokens?"

  Li Yan's eyes lit up. "Makes sense! Who are the three?"

  "Requires deduction," Cui Yan retrieved a paper from her sleeve listing important court officials from Emperor Ling's early reign (Jianning Year One). "When Emperor Ling ascended, Dou Wu was Grand General, Chen Fan Grand Tutor—the core. But a matter of succession couldn't involve just two people."

  She pointed at the list. "The Three Dukes then were Grand Commandant Liu Kuan, Minister over the Masses Hu Guang, and Minister of Works Xu Xu. Liu Kuan died of illness last year, but his son Liu Tao is now Imperial Counselor. Hu Guang also died long ago, but his disciples and former subordinates are throughout the court. Xu Xu was dismissed after the Dou Wu case."

  "Then there's Colonel-Director of Retainers Liu Meng," Cui Yan continued. "Imperial clansman, held military authority in the capital then. Dou Wu needed his support to act. But Liu Meng also 'died suddenly' not long after the Dou Wu case. His nephew Liu Yan is now Governor of Nanyang."

  "Secretary to the Emperor Yin Xun," her finger stopped at another name. "He was Dou Wu's staunchest supporter, executed after the plot failed."

  "Court Gentleman Cai Yong," finally, she pointed to a name. "Low rank then, but known for outspoken integrity. Dou Wu might have tried to win him over. Cai Yong is still alive, currently taking refuge in Wu Commandery."

  Li Yan felt dizzy. "So many names... Which three?"

  Cui Yan pondered. "Liu Kuan and Hu Guang are dead, but their sons and disciples remain at court—possible token holders. Liu Meng is dead, but his nephew Liu Yan holds office locally—also possible. Yin Xun is dead, his entire family executed—less likely. Cai Yong is alive—most likely."

  She looked up. "My instinct is, among the three, at least one holds high office now and has interests tied to the eunuchs. That's why Jian Shuo said 'leave the box for now, wait until after the twelfth month'—he might be waiting for this official's stance, or preparing to blackmail him."

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  Li Yan nodded. "Makes sense. So what now?"

  "First, handle the immediate crisis," Cui Yan stood, walked to the window. "Jian Shuo is hunting you city-wide. All gates sealed, every apothecary and clinic being searched. Jishi Tang has been turned over. Master Sun is fine for now, but the shop was wrecked."

  Li Yan's face darkened. "Master..."

  "He's unharmed," Cui Yan turned back. "I sent compensation, arranged covert protection. But you can't return yet."

  "I know," Li Yan smiled wryly. "I'm the rat everyone chases now."

  "So hide here a few days," Cui Yan walked back to the table. "I've done three things: First, had Cui Jun send constables into the cloth shop area under 'pursuing thieves,' to disrupt Western Garden searches. Second, sent compensation to Old Liu's family; his son will be sent to Qinghe to lay low. Third, spread word within the Western Garden Army that the three soldiers Li Meng executed for 'privately opening archives' actually died for knowing forbidden secrets."

  Li Yan's eyes widened. "The third one... Ruthless. Li Meng must be furious."

  "He deserves it," Cui Yan said coldly. "Dare to move against my people, pay the price."

  "Your people?" Li Yan raised an eyebrow. "When did I become your person?"

  Cui Yan looked at him. "Partner. I've invested in you. Therefore, you're my concern."

  She said it matter-of-factly, leaving Li Yan at a loss for a retort.

  "Alright then," he spread his hands. "Boss's word is law. What next? I just hide here?"

  "Heal first," Cui Yan looked at the bandage on his arm. "The wound is infected; not treating it will cause trouble. I'll have Qingwu stay to tend you. She'll change the dressings."

  Qingwu, standing to the side, opened her eyes wide. "Young Mistress, I..."

  "That's an order," Cui Yan said decisively. "Master Li is our crucial partner. His safety must be ensured."

  Li Yan grinned. "How embarrassing. But if Miss Qingwu is willing to stay, I certainly won't send her away."

  Qingwu flushed, lowered her head without speaking.

  Cui Yan gave a few more instructions, then prepared to leave. At the door, she turned back. "One more thing."

  "Yes?"

  "The tracking powder you brought from Armory Jia-Zi," Cui Yan said. "I know a blacksmith who trained hounds to track that specific scent. If you need it, I can arrange it."

  Li Yan's eyes lit up. "Need it! Definitely need it! Where's this blacksmith?"

  "West of the city. Surname Zhao," Cui Yan said. "But after your wound heals. Too dangerous now."

  She opened the door, her figure soon vanishing into the night.

  Qingwu stood in the room, somewhat flustered.

  Li Yan smiled. "Miss Qingwu, don't be nervous. I'm easy to get along with—just talk a lot, have many faults, occasionally don't listen..."

  Qingwu whispered, "Master Li, please rest. I'll keep watch in the outer room."

  "The outer room is cold," Li Yan pointed to the bed. "How about you sleep here? I'll take the floor."

  "No, no!" Qingwu waved her hands frantically. "That's not proper!"

  "Rules are made by people," Li Yan wanted to tease further, but seeing her near tears, relented. "Alright, alright. You take the outer room. But here, the blanket's for you. I'm tough,不怕冷 (not afraid of the cold)."

  He handed her the blanket from the bed, wrapped himself in an old padded coat, and lay back down.

  Qingwu stood holding the blanket, unsure what to do.

  "Sleep," Li Yan closed his eyes. "Need to change the dressing tomorrow. By the way, you know how to change dressings, right?"

  "...Yes."

  "Good then," Li Yan turned over. "Goodnight."

  The room fell quiet. The oil lamp's flame flickered, casting wavering shadows on the wall.

  Li Yan couldn't sleep. The wound ached; his mind was a jumble. But for some reason, knowing Cui Yan had arranged so much outside, knowing Qingwu was keeping watch in the next room, he felt a sense of... steadiness.

  A strange feeling.

  He hadn't felt this way in a long time.

  The last time was when his master was alive.

  Part III: Days of Healing and Tracking Results

  The next three days, Li Yan convalesced at Willow Grove Abandoned House.

  Qingwu was indeed capable. She changed his dressings on time, cooked, cleaned, spoke little but worked efficiently. Li Yan's wound healed quickly, scabbing over by the third day.

  During this time, Cui Yan visited twice, each time bringing new intelligence.

  The first visit was the morning of the twenty-fifth. She told Li Yan Jian Shuo's manhunt faced resistance—He Jin summoned Jian Shuo, reprimanded him for "making a mountain out of a molehill, disturbing the people." The Censorate was preparing to impeach him for "abuse of authority." Reformist circles buzzed with "Jian Shuo abuses power for personal vendetta, searches righteous man's home."

  "Effective," Li Yan munched on a bun. "But Jian Shuo won't let it go, right?"

  "Surface-level pullback," Cui Yan said. "But covert surveillance of Cui family businesses intensified. My people found new watchers near the cloth shop, apothecaries, even the Stargazing Tower."

  "What will you do?"

  "Operate normally," Cui Yan said calmly. "Let them watch if they want. The more we hide, the more suspicious we seem."

  The second visit was the afternoon of the twenty-sixth. This time she brought important news: Zhao Wu had results.

  "The tracking powder shows three locations," Cui Yan said. "The rear gate of Jian Shuo's residence, a derelict house north of the city, and the periphery of Armory Jia-Zi. Zhao Wu deduces the iron box was taken to Jian Shuo's residence, then transferred to the derelict house, possibly destined to return to the armory. The derelict house is likely a transfer point."

  Li Yan sat up. "What's in the derelict house?"

  "Unknown," Cui Yan shook her head. "Zhao Wu's men watched for two days. Last night, people entered and left, carrying a long wooden crate. Judging by the weight, it seemed like... weapons."

  "Weapons?" Li Yan frowned. "Not archives?"

  "No," Cui Yan looked at him. "Li Yan, I think... this is more complex than we imagined."

  "How so?"

  "Jian Shuo is a eunuch. Wanting jade tokens, evidence from the box—I understand that," Cui Yan said slowly. "But why would he hide weapons? Is the Western Garden Army short on weapons? No. Then who are these weapons for?"

  Li Yan fell silent.

  Indeed, something was off.

  "And," Cui Yan continued, "my informant on the eunuchs' periphery reports—Zhang Rang is secretly recruiting 'Jianghu death warriors,' requiring 'familiarity with palace guard weaknesses.' Meanwhile, a strategist in He Jin's residence is inquiring about 'former dynasty succession cases.'"

  Two seemingly unrelated matters, but together, they spoke volumes.

  "Zhang Rang..." Li Yan murmured. "Leader of the Ten Regular Attendants, holds more power than Jian Shuo. Why recruit death warriors? Why is He Jin inquiring about old cases?"

  "Don't know," Cui Yan shook her head. "But certainly nothing good."

  They sat in silence.

  Outside, the autumn wind howled, rustling willow branches.

  After a long while, Li Yan spoke. "Miss Cui, you think the third faction... could it be Zhang Rang?"

  "Possible," Cui Yan nodded. "But if it's Zhang Rang, why kill Western Garden soldiers? Aren't he and Jian Shuo allies?"

  "Eunuchs fight among themselves too," Li Yan said. "My master said people inside the palace fight fiercer than those outside."

  "So what we face may not be one faction," Cui Yan summarized, "but several: Jian Shuo wants tokens and the box; Zhang Rang might be plotting something; He Jin watches, perhaps seeking to profit; and others unknown..."

  She didn't finish, but Li Yan understood.

  The waters were too deep.

  "What do we do?" he asked.

  "Secure ourselves first," Cui Yan stood. "Your wound is healed, but you can't return to Jishi Tang. The Western Garden Army still watches it. Stay here until the heat dies down."

  "And you?"

  "I keep investigating," Cui Yan said. "The identities of the three officials, Zhang Rang's movements, He Jin's intentions... all need clarification."

  She walked to the door, looked back. "Li Yan."

  "Yes?"

  "Take care," she said. "You are my important partner now. I don't want you harmed."

  Li Yan smiled. "Don't worry. My life is tough."

  Cui Yan looked at him, then turned and left.

  Qingwu saw her out. Returning, she found Li Yan standing by the window, gazing absently at the willow grove.

  "Master Li," she asked softly, "what are you thinking?"

  "I'm thinking," Li Yan said, "this city of Luoyang is like a great cauldron. The fire beneath burns fiercely, yet the people inside are still dancing."

  Qingwu didn't fully understand, but it sounded profound.

  Part IV: A Night Visit to the Derelict House and a Shocking Discovery

  Night of the twenty-eighth, tenth month.

  Li Yan's wound had mostly healed. He decided to investigate the derelict house—the place with the highest concentration of tracking scent.

  Qingwu tried to dissuade him. "Master Li, the Young Mistress said to wait until the pursuit cools..."

  "Can't wait," Li Yan changed into his night clothes while speaking. "Any longer and the opportunity will be lost. Don't worry, I'm just looking, won't cause trouble."

  Unable to stop him, Qingwu helped prepare his gear.

  The derelict house was north of the city, about five li from Willow Grove. Li Yan set out under cover of night, avoiding patrols, taking half an hour to arrive.

  It was a large estate; by its structure, once an official's mansion, now abandoned. Sections of the perimeter wall had collapsed, weeds choked the courtyard; only the main house remained somewhat intact.

  Li Yan didn't use the main gate. He circled to the rear, slipping in through a collapsed section of wall.

  The courtyard was quiet, but Li Yan sensed people in the dark—breathing lightly, more than one.

  He hid in shadow, observing. Light came from the main house; two silhouettes conversed on the window paper.

  Li Yan crept to beneath the window, held his breath, listened.

  "...act during the Winter Solstice Sacrifice..."

  "...the target is..."

  The voices stopped there. The sound of tea being poured, then another voice, softer, inaudible.

  As Li Yan leaned closer, he heard extremely faint footsteps behind him!

  Reacting instantly, he rolled behind a nearby millstone. Almost simultaneously, two figures in black emerged from the shadows, patrolling the courtyard.

  Close call.

  After they moved away, Li Yan emerged. He dared not linger, quickly searched several rooms.

  In the east wing, he found the weapons—twenty sets of finely crafted crossbows, neatly stacked in a corner. Not Western Garden standard issue, but superb craftsmanship. A special mark was etched on each stock: the character Jiang (將).

  The mark of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories.

  Li Yan's heart tightened. The Directorate was under the Privy Treasurer, responsible for palace artifacts, controlled by eunuchs. These crossbows came from the palace.

  In another room, he found several sets of eunuch attire and a few waist tokens—all for low-ranking eunuchs, but exquisitely made, not seeming fake.

  Eunuchs... crossbows... Winter Solstice Sacrifice... Li Yan's mind raced, connecting dots.

  A terrifying conjecture took shape.

  Not daring to stay, he quickly sketched details of the crossbows and tokens (using charcoal on thin paper), then swiftly withdrew.

  By the time he returned to Willow Grove, it was the hour of Zi. Qingwu was still awake, waiting.

  "Master Li, you're back!" She sighed in relief.

  "No trouble," Li Yan showed her the sketches. "Look at these."

  Qingwu looked for a long moment, shook her head. "This servant doesn't understand."

  "Understandable," Li Yan put away the sketches. "We'll show Miss Cui when she comes."

  He lay back on the bed but couldn't sleep.

  His mind was filled with the crossbows, the eunuch attire, and those words: "act during the Winter Solstice Sacrifice."

  What were they planning?

  Assassination? A coup? Or...

  He dared not think further.

  Part V: Final Analysis and a Temporary Parting

  The twenty-ninth, Cui Yan came.

  This time, her expression was grave. Entering, she asked immediately, "You went to the derelict house yesterday?"

  Li Yan was taken aback. "How did you know?"

  "Zhao Wu's men saw you," Cui Yan sat opposite him. "Too risky. If caught, all our efforts would be wasted."

  "But I found something," Li Yan pushed the sketches over. "Look."

  Cui Yan took them, glanced, and her face changed instantly.

  "The Directorate's crossbows... Eunuch attire..." She looked up at Li Yan. "You suspect..."

  "Zhang Rang," Li Yan uttered the two words. "He's preparing to act during the Winter Solstice Sacrifice. Target unknown, but certainly a high figure."

  Cui Yan was silent for a long while before speaking slowly. "I have a discovery too."

  "What?"

  "Of the three court officials, I've mostly identified one," Cui Yan said. "Liu Kuan's son, Liu Tao, current Imperial Counselor. He's been associating closely with eunuchs lately. Seen entering and leaving Zhang Rang's residence."

  "Liu Tao..." Li Yan frowned. "He might hold a jade token?"

  "Possibly," Cui Yan nodded. "But more crucially, Zhang Rang's courting him might not be just for the token. Liu Tao is an Imperial Counselor, has the right to submit memorials. If, during the Solstice Sacrifice, he submits a memorial exposing the 'succession conspiracy,' coordinated with some action..."

  She didn't finish, but the implication was clear.

  Li Yan sucked in a cold breath. "A vast chess game."

  "So we can't act rashly anymore," Cui Yan stood. "With our current strength, we can't oppose Zhang Rang. We need more intelligence, more allies."

  "Then what?"

  "A temporary pause," Cui Yan said. "First, you go find Master Sun. Use your medical knowledge to contact Imperial Hospital personnel, investigate records related to the Revealing Reagent. I'll use my family's local influence to check for unusual movements among relatives of the three officials in the provinces. Every three days, we exchange intelligence via Old Chen's boat on the Luo River."

  Li Yan nodded. "Alright. I leave now?"

  "Now," Cui Yan looked at him. "Your wound is healed; this place isn't safe anymore. The Western Garden Army has pulled back superficially, but searches continue covertly. A change of location is safer."

  "And you?"

  "I return to the Cui residence," Cui Yan said. "Yuan Shao sent an invitation for a 'Snow Appreciation Poetry Gathering' three days hence. He specifically noted in the invitation: 'Hearing the Young Lady has kept to herself lately, I wish to invite you to discuss current affairs.'"

  "Yuan Shao..." Li Yan raised an eyebrow. "He's getting involved too?"

  "He always has been," Cui Yan said calmly. "Only now, he's declaring his stance."

  She walked to the door, looked back. "Li Yan."

  "Yes?"

  "Next time we meet," she said, "I hope we aren't fleeing for our lives."

  Li Yan smiled. "Certainly. I still owe you tea, remember? You said to change to osmanthus fragrance."

  A faint flicker of amusement passed through Cui Yan's eyes, quickly concealed.

  "Take care," she said.

  Then she turned and left.

  Qingwu followed her. The room held only Li Yan.

  He packed his things, pushed open the door. Outside, dawn lightened the sky; morning mist shrouded the willow grove, everything hazy.

  He looked back at the small house where he'd stayed six days, then turned and vanished into the mist.

  Part VI: Epilogue: A Calm Stirring with Undercurrents

  Night of the twenty-ninth, tenth month.

  Li Yan returned to Jishi Tang. Master Sun, seeing him, sighed in relief, then scolded him thoroughly.

  "You remember to come back? Thought you'd died out there!"

  "Couldn't do that," Li Yan grinned. "Who'd take care of you in your old age?"

  Master Sun glared but said no more, pouring him a bowl of hot broth.

  As he drank, Li Yan briefly recounted his recent experiences. Master Sun listened, then remained silent for a long while.

  "Kid," he said, "these waters are too deep. You can still withdraw now."

  "Too late," Li Yan shook his head. "Already jumped in."

  "What's your plan then?"

  "First, as Miss Cui said, investigate the Imperial Hospital," Li Yan said. "The Revealing Reagent formula might hold other secrets. Then... take one step at a time."

  Master Sun sighed, didn't press further.

  He knew it was futile.

  Meanwhile, in the Cui residence in Yonghe Ward, Cui Yan stood by her study window, holding the invitation from Yuan Shao.

  The invitation was exquisitely made, on fine gold-flecked paper, the calligraphy powerful. The content was typical: snow appreciation, composing poetry, discussing governance. But the final line, "Hearing the Young Lady has kept to herself lately, I wish to invite you to discuss current affairs," was意味深长 (meaningful).

  Yuan Shao was probing her.

  Or rather, courting her.

  The Cui family was a great clan of Qinghe, highly esteemed among scholar-officials. For Yuan Shao to achieve his aims, he needed Cui support.

  And she, too, needed an ally like Yuan Shao.

  But collaboration came at a price.

  Outside, a cold wind rose, shaking bare branches. The sky was overcast, as if snow was imminent.

  The first winter snow was about to fall.

  And the Winter Solstice Sacrifice was one month away.

  One month was enough for many things to happen.

  Cui Yan clenched the invitation, a flicker of determination in her eyes.

  Since she had entered the game, she could only move forward.

  Forward to the end, to see who would win this chess match.

  She pushed open the window, let the cold wind rush in, dispelling the room's heaviness.

  In the distance, Luoyang's lights flickered in the night, like countless eyes watching in the dark.

  Calm was merely surface.

  Undercurrents were stirring.