- "Borrowing" from the Imperial Medical Bureau
The thirtieth day of the tenth month, three quarters into the hour of the dragon.
Li Yan squatted beside the stone lion at the back gate of the Imperial Medical Bureau (Taishu Shu), a blade of grass between his teeth. Watching the constant stream of physicians and apprentices come and go, he pondered his entry.
The plan was to gain access to the Bureau's archives under the guise of being "recommended by Shopkeeper Sun to borrow medical records from previous reigns." Shopkeeper Sun, having practiced medicine in Luoyang for thirty years, had some acquaintance with a few low-ranking physicians in the Bureau and had written a letter of introduction.
But the letter alone wasn't enough. Money was also required.
Li Yan touched the money pouch inside his robe—containing the "operational funds" Cui Yan had given him. It felt weighty, enough to feed an ordinary family for half a year.
"Spending money to pave the way is only natural," he muttered to himself. Standing up, he dusted off his clothes and walked toward the back gate.
The gatekeeper was an old soldier, dozing with his arms wrapped around his spear. Li Yan offered a string of wuzhu coins. Without even opening his eyes, the old man waved him in with a dismissive gesture.
The Imperial Medical Bureau was vast, divided into three sections: front, middle, and rear. The front housed consultation rooms and the pharmacy, the middle held the physicians' duty rooms, and the rear contained the archives. Following Shopkeeper Sun's instructions, Li Yan found the third duty room on the west side—occupied by a clerk named Wang, in charge of archive borrowing.
Clerk Wang, about forty years old, was as thin as a bamboo pole. He was sprawled over his desk, yawning. Seeing Li Yan enter, he lifted an eyelid. "What is it?"
"Master Wang," Li Yan said with an ingratiating smile, offering the letter of introduction and the money pouch. "Shopkeeper Sun sent me. I wish to borrow some medical records from previous reigns, for study."
Clerk Wang took the letter, glanced at it, then weighed the pouch in his hand. A smile appeared on his face. "Ah, Old Brother Sun's acquaintance. Very well, very well. What are you looking for?"
"Records from around the first year of the Jianning era, primarily... treatment logs for difficult and strange illnesses," Li Yan said. "A relative of mine suffers from a peculiar ailment. I hoped to see if there were any precedents."
"The first year of Jianning..." Clerk Wang thought for a moment. "That's records from twenty-five years ago. I'd have to rummage in the storeroom. Troublesome."
Li Yan handed over a small silver ingot.
Clerk Wang's eyes lit up. "Troublesome or not, it must be done! Wait here, I'll fetch the keys."
Half an incense stick's time later, Li Yan followed Clerk Wang into the archive.
The storeroom was large, with three rows of tall wooden shelves piled high with bamboo slips, silk scrolls, and paper rolls. The air was thick with the smells of mildew and medicine. Clerk Wang pointed to a corner. "The Jianning era records are over there. Look through them yourself. Don't make a mess, and don't take anything. I'll come lock up in one shichen (approx. two hours)."
"Many thanks, Master Wang."
Clerk Wang left, and Li Yan was alone in the storeroom. He walked to the corner and began searching.
On the surface, he was indeed looking for medical cases—examining records of fevers, diarrhea, and sores. In reality, his eyes were scanning rapidly, searching for any characters related to "revealing reagent," "Zhang Feng," or "secret formula."
After searching for roughly half a shichen, just as he was about to give up, his fingers brushed against a silk scroll wrapped in yellow silk.
The scroll was well-preserved. Unrolled, it revealed the "Records of the Imperial Physician-in-Chief, First Year of the Jianning Era of Emperor Ling." The entries were detailed, documenting the Bureau's affairs month by month.
Li Yan skimmed quickly. Finally, in the record for the "Third Month," he found the key entry:
"Seventh Day: Received a secret order from the Grand General Dou Wu to develop the 'Revealing Secret Formula.' Imperial Physician-in-Chief Zhang Feng accepted the command, leading three medicine apprentices in secluded research. Ingredients used: Madder, alum, aged vinegar, plus..."
The following characters were obscured by a stain, illegible.
Li Yan continued. In the record for the "Fourth Month," there was another line:
"Fifteenth Day: Zhang Feng presented the secret formula to the Grand General. The Grand General was pleased, bestowing one hundred taels of gold. Notation: 'This matter is confidential. Do not record.'"
Then came the "Eighth Month"—the month of Dou Wu's downfall:
"Twenty-first Day: Zhang Feng fell ill, requested leave. Twenty-third Day: Zhang Feng died suddenly in his residence. Examination revealed no external wounds, suspected heart ailment. His son, Zhang Quan, requested his father's body for burial. Granted."
Beside the entry was a vermilion brush annotation: "This formula is greatly traitorous, order its immediate destruction."
The handwriting was sharp, carrying a murderous intent.
A chill ran down Li Yan's spine. He took out thin paper and a charcoal pencil, quickly copying the content. While copying, he noticed an extremely faint, unusual fragrance from the silk scroll—it resembled some kind of incense, but not quite.
He paid it no mind, assuming it was the storeroom's熏香.
After copying, he returned the scroll to its original place and flipped through other records, finding nothing else useful. As the shichen was almost up, Clerk Wang knocked on the door right on time.
"Find anything?"
"Found a few cases, quite informative," Li Yan said, stuffing the copied paper into his robe. "Thank you, Master Wang."
"Don't mention it," Clerk Wang, having received his payment, was very amiable. "Come again."
Leaving the Imperial Medical Bureau, walking down the street, Li Yan felt a tingling numbness in the fingertips of his left hand.
"Crouched for too long?" He shook his hand, unconcerned.
- The Poison Takes Effect
It was already noon when he returned to the Hall of Benevolent Healing (Jishitang).
Shopkeeper Sun was dispensing medicine in the front hall. Seeing him return, he looked up and asked, "How did it go?"
"Productive." Li Yan handed over the copied paper. "The revealing reagent was developed by Zhang Feng. After Dou Wu's downfall, Zhang Feng 'died suddenly.' There's a vermilion notation beside the record: 'This formula is greatly traitorous, order its immediate destruction.'"
Shopkeeper Sun took the paper, read it carefully, his expression turning grave. "Zhang Feng... Zhang Rang's brother."
"Mm," Li Yan sat down in a chair, feeling slightly dizzy. "Shopkeeper, I don't feel quite right."
Shopkeeper Sun looked up at him. "What's wrong?"
"Dizzy. Numb in my hands and feet." Li Yan raised his left hand. "Been like this since leaving the Medical Bureau. Getting worse."
Shopkeeper Sun's face changed. He grabbed Li Yan's wrist to check his pulse. Moments later, he lifted his eyelids to examine them, then grabbed his hand and sniffed it.
"What did you touch?"
"Just those records..." Li Yan said, suddenly remembering the unusual scent. "Right, there was a faint fragrance on the silk scroll."
Shopkeeper Sun released his hand, hurried to the medicine cabinet, grabbed a few herbs, crushed and soaked them in water, then brought the bowl over. "Drink this."
Li Yan took the bowl and downed it in one gulp. The medicine was bitterly potent, making his face scrunch up.
"Shopkeeper, what is this—"
Before he could finish, a wave of intense nausea hit him. He bent over by the wall and vomited. What came out was black, carrying a foul odor.
Shopkeeper Sun patted his back. Once he finished vomiting, he helped him sit down and forced another bowl of clear water down his throat.
"Chronic compound poison," Shopkeeper Sun said gravely. "Coated on the silk scroll, permeates through the skin. The toxicity isn't strong, but it slowly paralyzes the nerves. Without an antidote within three days, paralysis sets in."
Li Yan was stunned. "Paralysis?"
"Mm," Shopkeeper Sun nodded. "The poisoner knows their craft. They don't want your life immediately, just want to cripple you slowly. That way, you can't continue investigating."
Li Yan gave a bitter smile. "So I should thank them for their mercy?"
"Thank my foot!" Shopkeeper Sun cursed, then began rummaging through the medicine cabinet. "I need to prepare an antidote. But I'm missing one crucial ingredient—Dragon Brain Vine. That stuff only grows in Jiaozhi. It's rare in Luoyang."
"What then?"
"I'll use acupuncture to suppress the toxicity first," Shopkeeper Sun took out his needle kit. "But it'll only hold for three days. If we don't find Dragon Brain Vine within three days, prepare for a wheelchair."
Li Yan lay on the bed in the back hall as Shopkeeper Sun applied the needles. The silver needles entering the acupoints brought a tingling, swelling sensation, but the dizziness and numbness did ease somewhat.
"Shopkeeper," Li Yan gazed at the ceiling. "If I really end up paralyzed, you'll have to support me for life."
"Support you my foot!" Shopkeeper Sun cursed while manipulating the needles. "If you're paralyzed, I'll toss you into the moat to feed the fish! Save on my grain!"
Li Yan laughed, but the smile was tinged with bitterness.
He recalled his master's words: The Jianghu is perilous, human hearts are more so.
But he hadn't expected them to be this perilous.
- A Warning at the Poetry Gathering
The third day of the eleventh month. The Yuan Estate.
The "Snow-Appreciation Poetry Gathering" was held in the Yuan family's East Garden. Though snow hadn't yet fallen, the garden was already decked out with wintry charm: red lanterns hung from pavilions and towers, silk flowers adorned plum trees, and salt frost sprinkled on rockeries looked like real snow from afar.
Cui Yan wore a moon-white quju robe embroidered with red plum blossoms, overlaid with a silver-fox cloak. A red jade plum blossom hairpin adorned her coiled hair—appropriate for the occasion, yet not compromising her status.
Yuan Shao personally greeted her at the garden entrance. Seeing her, a flicker of admiration passed through his eyes. "Lady Cui is more radiant than the blossoms today."
"Commandant Yuan flatters me." Cui Yan performed a respectful curtsy.
"Please, come in," Yuan Shao ushered her into the garden. "Today's guests are all renowned talents and scholars of Luoyang. Perfect for discussing poetry and literature with my lady."
The garden already held thirty to forty people, mostly young literati, with a few elder renowned Confucians. Cui Yan recognized some—Imperial Counsellor Chong Shao, Palace Censor Wang Yun, and several of Yuan Shao's advisers, including Xu You and Feng Ji.
The gathering commenced, following the usual pattern: first appreciating the scenery, then composing poetry. Cui Yan followed the crowd absentmindedly, her thoughts on Li Yan—he'd been at the Medical Bureau for three days with no word.
No message had come from Shopkeeper Sun either. That wasn't right.
As she pondered this, Yuan Shao walked up beside her, speaking as if casually. "Lady Cui has kept to her residence lately. Is your health unwell?"
Cui Yan's heart stirred, but her expression remained unchanged. "You trouble yourself with concern, Commandant. It's merely some household matters requiring attention."
"Oh?" Yuan Shao smiled. "I thought perhaps my lady was occupied with some great undertaking. After all, things have been unsettled in the palace recently. A few old volumes have gone missing from the Imperial Medical Bureau."
Cui Yan's heart tightened.
Missing archives from the Medical Bureau? Such a coincidence?
She forced calm. "Is that so? What important items were lost?"
"Who knows," Yuan Shao waved a hand dismissively. "Palace matters are best left alone. Come now, time for poetry."
The gathering continued. Cui Yan composed a suitable poem praising plum blossoms—conventional, neither outstanding nor flawed. Yuan Shao praised it a few times, but his eyes seemed to hold a deeper meaning.
Uneasy, Cui Yan excused herself to freshen up, but in reality, she wandered the garden, hoping to catch other news.
Reaching a spot behind a rockery, she suddenly overheard a hushed conversation.
It was Feng Ji and Chong Shao.
"...the man Zhang the Regular Attendant is looking for, found yet?"
"Almost. Someone knowledgeable in medicine, still searching."
"Act quickly. Must be resolved before the La month."
"Rest assured..."
The voices were very low, but Cui Yan heard them clearly.
Zhang the Regular Attendant—Zhang Rang. The man sought—knowledgeable in medicine.
Li Yan!
In an instant, Cui Yan understood. The missing archives were a trap, targeting anyone investigating the revealing reagent. And Li Yan had already walked into it!
Not daring to linger, she hurried back to the gathering and excused herself early, citing "indisposition." Yuan Shao didn't press her to stay, only said meaningfully, "My lady, take care of your health. Luoyang winters are cold, easy to catch a chill."
"Thank you for your concern, Commandant."
Cui Yan left the Yuan Estate. Once in her carriage, she immediately told the driver, "Back to the residence, quickly!"
The carriage sped off. Sitting inside, Cui Yan's mind raced.
Li Yan was poisoned, or captured. The Medical Bureau was a trap. Zhang Rang was looking for him. Dragon Brain Vine...
She suddenly remembered Shopkeeper Sun saying the antidote for that poison required Dragon Brain Vine. And Dragon Brain Vine only grew in Jiaozhi, with little stock in Luoyang.
"To the Cui residence!" she changed her order. "Quickly!"
Back at the Cui residence, she immediately summoned Cui Fu.
"Two matters," she spoke rapidly. "First, investigate what became of Imperial Physician-in-Chief Zhang Feng's family after his death, especially his son Zhang Quan's current situation. Second, investigate the medicinal ingredient Dragon Brain Vine—where in Luoyang has it, who has purchased it recently."
"Yes!" Recognizing the urgency, Cui Fu immediately set off to work.
One shichen later, Cui Fu returned with his report.
"Young Mistress, it's clear. Zhang Feng's son, Zhang Quan, currently serves as Deputy Director of the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories, overseeing palace utensil production. He keeps a low profile, seldom interacts with others, but has a hidden ailment—he regularly purchases medicine for headaches."
"And Dragon Brain Vine?"
"Only three major apothecaries in Luoyang have stock. Of those, the inventories of two were completely purchased three days ago by someone sent by a 'noble from the palace.' The third is our Cui family's apothecary, which still has a small segment in reserve."
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
Everything became crystal clear to Cui Yan.
Zhang Rang was eliminating witnesses. He intended to wipe out anyone who might know the secret of the revealing reagent. And he'd bought up the Dragon Brain Vine in advance precisely to prevent anyone from making an antidote.
But Zhang Quan... Zhang Feng's son... might know something.
"Uncle Fu," she stood up. "Go to the apothecary, fetch that segment of Dragon Brain Vine. Prepare a carriage. I'm going to the Hall of Benevolent Healing."
"Young Mistress, now? It's too dangerous. The Western Garden Army might still be watching..."
"I can't consider that now," Cui Yan cut him off. "Any later, and the man will be crippled."
- A Rescue in the Deep Night
The hour of the boar, night of the third day. The back door of the Hall of Benevolent Healing.
Cui Yan's carriage halted silently at the mouth of the alley. She disembarked with Qingwu and a trusted guard who carried a medicine chest.
The back door was ajar. Cui Yan pushed it open.
Shopkeeper Sun was decocting medicine in the hall. Seeing her, he was taken aback. "Lady Cui? How did you—"
"Where's Li Yan?" Cui Yan asked directly.
"In the back hall. The poison has advanced." Shopkeeper Sun's expression was grim. "I used acupuncture, but it only holds for three days. We lack Dragon Brain Vine."
Cui Yan took the medicine chest from the guard, opened it, revealing a jade box. Inside the box lay a small segment of dried vine, dark yellow in color, emitting a cool, fresh scent.
"Dragon Brain Vine," she said. "Is it enough?"
Shopkeeper Sun's eyes lit up. "Enough! More than enough! Lady Cui, you truly are—"
"No idle talk," Cui Yan interrupted him. "Save him."
The three hurried into the back hall. Li Yan lay on the bed, pale, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, his left arm already immobile.
"Li Yan." Cui Yan walked to the bedside, calling his name softly.
Li Yan opened his eyes. His gaze was somewhat unfocused, but seeing Cui Yan, he managed a weak smile. "Lady Cui... how did you come..."
"To save you." Cui Yan turned to Shopkeeper Sun. "Begin."
Shopkeeper Sun took the Dragon Brain Vine and began preparing the antidote. Qingwu helped light the fire for decoction, while the guard stood watch at the door.
Cui Yan sat by the bed, wiping the sweat from Li Yan's brow with a damp cloth. His forehead was feverish, but his hands and feet were cold—a sign of the poison's progression.
"Does it hurt?" she asked.
"Tolerable..." Li Yan's voice was weak. "Just... can't move... Lady Cui, if I end up paralyzed..."
"You won't." Cui Yan cut him off. "With me here, you won't be paralyzed."
Her words were firm. Li Yan was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Then you'll have to... support me for life..."
"Wishful thinking." Cui Yan shot him a glance, but her movements remained gentle.
The medicine was ready. Shopkeeper Sun brought it over. Cui Yan helped Li Yan sit up, letting him lean against her shoulder, and fed him the medicine spoon by spoon.
The medicine was bitter. Li Yan frowned with each sip but didn't complain.
After finishing, Shopkeeper Sun began applying acupuncture again. This time the needles went deeper. Li Yan groaned through clenched teeth but didn't cry out.
Half a shichen later, the acupuncture concluded. Li Yan's complexion had improved somewhat, and his left arm could move slightly.
"The toxicity is temporarily suppressed," Shopkeeper Sun said. "But he needs quiet recovery for several days to completely clear the residual poison."
Li Yan leaned against the headboard, looking at Cui Yan. "Lady Cui, you've saved me again."
"I didn't save you," Cui Yan said. "The Dragon Brain Vine saved you."
"You brought the Dragon Brain Vine." Li Yan looked at her. "How did you know I needed it?"
Cui Yan was silent for a moment before speaking. "The missing archives were a trap. Zhang Rang is searching for anyone investigating the revealing reagent. I caught wind of it and guessed you'd be poisoned."
"Zhang Rang..." Li Yan frowned. "His brother Zhang Feng developed the reagent. Why would he want to eliminate witnesses?"
"Because Zhang Feng might have left something behind." Cui Yan said. "Zhang Feng's death was too convenient—'sudden death' three days after Dou Wu's downfall. Moreover, the revealing reagent formula was labeled 'greatly traitorous,' to be destroyed. This suggests the reagent might not be just a reagent; it could be connected to a greater secret."
Li Yan nodded, then remembered something. "Zhang Feng's son, Zhang Quan, still serves in the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories?"
"Mm," Cui Yan said. "He might have the clues we need. But contacting him is highly risky—he's Zhang Rang's nephew, and the Directorate is eunuch territory."
Li Yan thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "I have a way."
"What way?"
"Zhang Quan suffers from headaches, right?" Li Yan said. "I can disguise myself as a folk physician to treat him. During the consultation, I can probe him."
Cui Yan frowned. "Too risky. You're not fully recovered yet, and Zhang Rang's men might be watching him."
"No venture into the tiger's den, no catching of the cub." Li Yan insisted. "Besides, having been poisoned, it'd be a disservice to my suffering not to see this through."
Cui Yan looked at him, knowing that once he decided, he wouldn't change his mind. She sighed. "Fine. But you must agree to several conditions."
"Name them."
"First, you go only after your injuries have healed. Second, the plan must be detailed, and I must be informed throughout. Third, I will arrange backup. If the situation turns bad, withdraw immediately."
"Deal." Li Yan agreed readily. "I'll listen to you."
Cui Yan felt slightly reassured. She looked out the window. The sky was nearing the hour of the rat.
"You can't stay here tonight," she said. "Zhang Rang's men might have traced you to the Hall of Benevolent Healing. I have another place for you."
"Where?"
"The Stargazing Tower."
- The Secret Chamber of the Stargazing Tower
The fourth day of the eleventh month, hour of the ox.
Li Yan was secretly transferred to the Stargazing Tower. To avoid attention, he was disguised as a gravely ill household servant, transported by carriage and entered directly through the back gate.
The Tower's secret chamber was underground, its entrance hidden behind a bookcase in the study. It wasn't large but was fully equipped: bed, table and chairs, a medicine cabinet, even a small ventilation shaft.
Cui Yan personally escorted him down, followed by Qingwu carrying bedding and the medicine chest.
"This place is safe," Cui Yan said. "Besides Qingwu and myself, no one knows. Shopkeeper Sun will come daily to treat you. I will arrange for food and medicine."
Li Yan sat on the bed, surveying the surroundings. "Lady Cui, how many more secret bases do you have?"
"Not many," Cui Yan replied blandly. "Enough to serve their purpose."
Qingwu made the bed, placed the medicine chest, and withdrew. The chamber held only Li Yan and Cui Yan.
The atmosphere grew subtly tense.
Li Yan leaned against the headboard, watching Cui Yan. Today, she had rushed about to save him most of the night. Her hair was slightly disheveled, her face bore traces of fatigue, yet her eyes remained clear and resolute.
"Lady Cui," he suddenly said. "Thank you."
Cui Yan was momentarily confused. "For what?"
"For saving me," Li Yan said. "And for... trusting me."
Cui Yan averted her gaze. "I don't trust you. I trust my own judgment."
"Is there a difference?"
"There is." Cui Yan said. "Trusting you would be emotional. Trusting my judgment is a rational decision."
Li Yan smiled. "So are you being emotional or rational right now?"
Cui Yan didn't answer, turning instead to the medicine cabinet to organize the herbs. But Li Yan noticed the tips of her ears had reddened slightly.
"Rest now," she said. "I'll come see you tomorrow."
"Lady Cui."
"Hm?"
"Take care."
Cui Yan's steps faltered. Without turning, she gave a soft "Mm," and left the chamber.
The door closed. Silence enveloped the chamber. Li Yan lay on the bed, looking at the stone ceiling overhead, a strange feeling in his heart.
Warm, yet tinged with unease.
He closed his eyes and soon fell asleep.
- Unconsciousness and Awakening
Li Yan remained unconscious for two days.
Though the toxicity was suppressed, residual poison remained. Combined with his previous exertions, his body could no longer hold out. He ran a high fever, spoke deliriously—sometimes calling for his master, sometimes for Shopkeeper Sun, occasionally even for Lady Cui.
Cui Yan kept vigil in the chamber.
She broke all conventions, tending to him personally. Qingwu urged her to rest. She shook her head. "He was poisoned while acting on my behalf. I cannot abandon him."
It was an excuse, but she knew, deep down, it wasn't the only reason.
She changed his damp cloths, fed him medicine, wiped his sweat. While he was unconscious, she looked through the notebook he carried with him.
The notebook was thick, recording many things: clues to the Dou Wu case, patterns of the jade tokens, Western Garden Army deployments... But it also contained other entries.
"Fifteenth day of the tenth month: Southern city refugee camp. Seven children without clothing. Note for later purchase."
"Eighteenth day of the tenth month: Rice price rises again. Fifty coins per dou. Three days' food for an ordinary family."
"Twenty-second day of the tenth month: Saw an old woman scavenging. Gave two hundred coins. She wept thanks."
All trivial matters, unrelated to the investigation, yet Cui Yan read them intently.
Suddenly, she felt her understanding of this man was too one-dimensional.
He wasn't just the grinning, highly skilled wuxia, nor just the daring investigator who ventured into danger with sharp wit. He was also... someone who cared about refugee children, recorded grain prices, gave coins to an old woman.
A complex man.
A good man.
Early morning on the sixth day of the eleventh month, Li Yan awoke.
He opened his eyes to the chamber's stone ceiling, then smelled the faint scent of medicine. Turning his head, he saw Cui Yan asleep with her head resting on the bed, a damp cloth still in her hand.
She slept lightly. Li Yan's movement woke her.
"You're awake?" She sat up, rubbing her eyes.
"Mm." Li Yan's voice was hoarse. "How long did I sleep?"
"Two days." Cui Yan reached out to feel his forehead. "The fever's gone. How do you feel?"
"Alright," Li Yan tried moving his left arm. "Can move, just weak."
"Normal." Cui Yan stood, poured him a cup of water. "Residual poison isn't fully cleared. Needs a few more days of recovery."
Li Yan took the cup, drinking slowly. He looked at Cui Yan. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, clearly from lack of rest.
"You stayed here the whole time?" he asked.
"Mm." Cui Yan didn't deny it. "Afraid you'd die, and my investment would be lost."
Li Yan smiled. "I dreamed of my master. He said the debts I owe keep growing."
Cui Yan took the empty cup, placing it on the table. "Your master is right."
"And you?" Li Yan looked at her. "How much do I owe you?"
Cui Yan was silent for a moment before saying, "A great deal. So you must live to repay it."
"How do I repay it?"
"Help me uncover the truth, bring down Zhang Rang." Cui Yan said. "That is the best repayment."
Li Yan nodded. "Agreed."
Their gazes met. Silence filled the chamber. The oil lamp's flame flickered, casting their shadows close together on the wall.
- Conversation by the Sickbed
Morning of the sixth day. Shopkeeper Sun came to re-examine Li Yan.
"The poison is largely cleared," he said after checking the pulse. "But it damaged your vitality. Requires quiet recuperation for half a month. No martial exertion, no strain, or lasting weakness may set in."
"Half a month?" Li Yan frowned. "Too long."
"Long or not, you must recuperate." Shopkeeper Sun glared at him. "Unless you want to be an invalid hereafter, listen to me."
Li Yan had no choice but to agree.
After Shopkeeper Sun left, only Li Yan and Cui Yan remained in the chamber. Leaning against the headboard and sitting in a chair respectively, they began seriously discussing the next steps.
Li Yan detailed his findings at the Medical Bureau. Cui Yan relayed what she overheard at Yuan Shao's poetry gathering. Piecing the information together, they gradually clarified the threads.
"Zhang Feng developed the revealing reagent on Dou Wu's secret order," Li Yan analyzed. "After Dou Wu's downfall, Zhang Feng 'died suddenly,' and the reagent formula was labeled 'greatly traitorous.' This suggests the reagent might not have been merely for revealing hidden writing; it could be connected to another secret—for instance, something Dou Wu might have used the reagent for back then."
"Such as?" Cui Yan asked.
"Such as..." Li Yan thought. "Transmitting secret messages? Or marking certain important documents? Zhang Feng was the Imperial Physician-in-Chief. The reagent he developed might have been used by others besides Dou Wu."
Cui Yan nodded. "After Zhang Feng's death, Zhang Rang wanted to destroy all related records and eliminate all who knew. This means the secret might threaten Zhang Rang, or... threaten certain powerful figures in the palace."
"What about Zhang Quan?" Li Yan asked. "He's Zhang Feng's son, serving in the Directorate of Imperial Manufactories. He might know something."
"I investigated," Cui Yan said. "Zhang Quan is low-key, rarely interacts. But he regularly buys headache medicine, confirming he has an ailment. Moreover, the Directorate is currently rushing production of a batch of special ritual vessels, reportedly for the Winter Solstice Sacrifice."
"The Winter Solstice Sacrifice..." Li Yan frowned. "Zhang Rang plans to make a move during the Sacrifice. Zhang Quan is in the Directorate. Could it be related?"
"Possibly." Cui Yan said. "But we lack sufficient evidence to jump to conclusions."
They fell silent for a moment. Li Yan suddenly asked, "Lady Cui, why are you helping me so much?"
Cui Yan was taken aback. "I've said. You are acting on my behalf."
"It's more than that, isn't it?" Li Yan looked at her. "Tending to me personally, keeping vigil... that goes beyond 'cooperative partners.'"
Cui Yan averted her gaze. After a long silence, she said softly, "If you died, I would... find it very troublesome."
"Only troublesome?" Li Yan pressed.
Cui Yan didn't answer, standing up and walking to the medicine cabinet, pretending to organize the herbs. But Li Yan saw the roots of her ears turn red.
He smiled, asking no more.
Some things are best understood in the heart.
- A Brief Interlude of Calm
On the seventh and eighth days, Li Yan recuperated at the Stargazing Tower.
Cui Yan came daily under the pretext of "managing estate affairs at the villa." She arrived in the morning, left in the afternoon, each time bringing something—sometimes pastries, sometimes books, sometimes medicine.
Li Yan noticed the pastries she brought were all to his taste. He didn't know how she knew, but it warmed his heart.
In the chamber, they sometimes discussed the case, sometimes chatted idly. Li Yan told Cui Yan tales from the Jianghu, his master's eccentricities, his experiences traveling north and south over the years. Cui Yan rarely spoke of herself but listened attentively, occasionally asking a question or two.
Afternoon of the eighth day. Li Yan had improved enough to get up and walk. Cui Yan took him to the Tower's small courtyard for fresh air—under严密防护, of course.
The courtyard was quiet, just the two of them. The setting sun dyed the sky orange-red.
"Lady Cui," Li Yan suddenly said. "When this matter is over, I'll take you to see Guanzhong."
Cui Yan was startled. "What for in Guanzhong?"
"The sky there is bluer than Luoyang's," Li Yan said. "Mountains are higher, waters clearer. My master's thatched hut lies at the foot of the Qinling Mountains. In spring, the mountains are covered in blossoms."
Cui Yan was silent a long while before saying softly, "Let's survive first."
"We will survive." Li Yan laughed. "My fate is hard. Yours too. Combined, even the King of Hell wouldn't dare claim us."
Cui Yan glanced at him. The corner of her mouth lifted slightly, then quickly settled back.
The sun gradually set, leaving only a final glow on the horizon.
- Preparations Before Parting
The ninth day of the eleventh month. Li Yan had largely recovered.
Shopkeeper Sun came for a final check, confirming the residual poison was cleared but cautioning him against martial exertion or strain for a month.
"I'll try," Li Yan said.
"Not 'try.' You must." Shopkeeper Sun said sternly. "Another poisoning, and not even a celestial immortal could save you."
"Understood, understood."
After Shopkeeper Sun left, Cui Yan arrived. The two finalized the plan to contact Zhang Quan in the chamber.
The time was set for three days later, the twelfth day of the eleventh month. The location was the "Fragrant Tea House" Zhang Quan frequented—the Cui family had already bribed the teahouse manager to arrange a private room.
Li Yan's disguise was that of itinerant physician "Master Mu," specializing in stubborn headaches. Cui Yan prepared a full set of credentials: a medical license, medicine chest, even a few letters of gratitude from "patients."
"Zhang Quan is cautious," Cui Yan said. "He may test you. Adapt accordingly, but don't expose your identity."
"Understood." Li Yan nodded. "I'll say I came from Nanyang, having heard a Master Zhang in Luoyang suffers from chronic headaches for years, and came especially to offer a remedy."
"What if he asks for an immediate consultation?"
"I'll take his pulse, prescribe a mild formula." Li Yan said. "Headaches have many causes. I can say his liver fire is exuberant, his qi and blood flow obstructed, and suggest gentle regulation first."
Cui Yan thought it over and found it feasible.
"Also," she took out a specially made coin and handed it to Li Yan. "This contains a pill inside, effective against common poisons. If you sense danger, swallow it immediately."
Li Yan took the coin. It felt heavy in his hand, engraved with the four characters "Yong Tong Wan Guo," an old coin from a previous dynasty. He pried it open; sure enough, a tiny black pill lay inside.
"Lady Cui," he pocketed the coin, unusually earnest. "You be careful too. Yuan Shao... don't trust him fully."
"I know." Cui Yan nodded. "He is not benign."
They discussed more details until dusk.
Cui Yan was about to leave. Li Yan saw her to the chamber door.
"Lady Cui," he called to her. "Take care."
"You as well." Cui Yan looked at him. "If the situation becomes untenable, survival comes first. Evidence can be found again. A life has only one chance."
"I'll remember."
Cui Yan turned and left, her figure disappearing around the stairwell corner.
Li Yan stood at the doorway, the coin clutched in his hand, an indescribable feeling in his heart.
Warm, yet somehow weighty.
- The Winter Snow Falls
Night of the ninth day of the eleventh month.
Li Yan left the Stargazing Tower, secretly returning to the Hall of Benevolent Healing for final preparations.
Meanwhile, Cui Yan stood atop the Stargazing Tower, watching his figure vanish into the night. Qingwu stood behind her, hesitating to speak.
"Young Mistress," she ventured softly. "Are you perhaps..."
"Attend to your duties." Cui Yan cut her off.
Qingwu dared not say more and withdrew.
Alone at the tower's summit, the cold wind whipped her cloak, making it snap and billow. She clutched the orchid-engraved seal tightly in her hand, her knuckles white from the force.
In the distance, the lights of Luoyang flickered in the darkness, bright then dim, like countless eyes watching from the shadows.
Snow began to fall from the sky.
Fine, fragmented snowflakes drifted down from the darkness, soundless, settling on rooftops, streets, her shoulders.
The first winter snow had finally come.
And at the other end of the city, within Zhang Rang's mansion, a black-clad man knelt reporting:
"We've found traces of that wuxia, near the Hall of Benevolent Healing. Shall we move?"
Zhang Rang sat in his grand chair, idly turning a jade pendant in his hand, his expression impassive.
"Keep watch for now," he said mildly. "Before the La month, do not startle the prey."
"Yes."
The black-clad man withdrew. Zhang Rang stood, walked to the window, looking out at the falling snow.
His gaze was cold, colder than the snow.
"Li Yan..." he murmured the name softly. "Cui Yan..."
The corner of his mouth lifted in a frigid smile.
The snow fell thicker, gradually blanketing the city of Luoyang.
An air of ruthless prevailed.