THE COLDEST DAYS HAD PASSED, and the weather gradually warmed. Bursts of chirping filled the air from time to time. In the mood for some entertainment, Dai Shengyan took Xie Jinglan and Xiahou Lian all over the city. One day, he held his class at a Confucian temple; another day, at Stone City; and the next, in Wuyi Alley.
Xie Jinglan had rarely left the house over the course of his short life. At most, he'd gone on rare outings to the city outskirts during the Qingming Festival. He'd never participated in the lantern releases on the river during the Mid-Autumn Festival. With Dai Shengyan's help, however, he now had the opportunity to explore Jinling's scenic beauty over just a few days. The gloom in his heart lifted, giving way to something much brighter.
With the protective Dai Shengyan and the unwaveringly cheerful Xiahou Lian as his companions, Xie Jinglan became much more outgoing. That transformation didn't escape Dai Shengyan's notice, and it left him quite pleased.
That said, Xiahou Lian was truly a bad influence. A few days earlier, Xie Jinglan had suddenly realized that he'd begun shaking his leg while reading and writing. Startled, he quickly corrected the habit, then began paying closer attention to his posture and movements. The thought of becoming as lax as Xiahou Lian terrified him.
As for Xiahou Lian, Dai Shengyan's approach suited him just fine. He had a natural aversion to sitting still and could never stay in one place for long. The moment he sat down, he'd urgently need to use the restroom or suddenly find himself thirsty. Before long, he'd vanish without a trace.
Even amiable Dai Shengyan couldn't take it any longer. Sighing helplessly, he said, "Xiao-Lian, you have to help me save face. I've already praised you to those around me. Over the past few days, I've received countless letters from friends congratulating me on finding such a promising disciple. They're even asking to read your essays. What am I supposed to tell them?"
"No one would want to read my chicken scratch. Why not just send them the young master's essays and claim they're mine? Then, after a while, you can just say, 'Not all child prodigies grow up to be exceptional,' and write an essay mourning my failings. That way, I can stop pretending to be a prodigy."
Dai Shengyan laughed and shook his head. "Well, since you've already come up with a plan, I might as well use it."
One day, Dai Shengyan took them to Zhuiyue Tower. The building was very tall, and from the top, they saw the city's streets and houses spread out like a game board, surrounded by towering walls. In the distance loomed mist-shrouded mountains. Although Xie Jinglan had never been to Mount Tai, he now felt the same awe he would have felt standing atop it, gazing down on the world below.
However, Zhuiyue Tower was situated in the bustling heart of the city and faced the street. The crowds were deafening, peddlers and laborers jostling shoulder to shoulder.
Xie Jinglan frowned. "It's so loud here. How am I supposed to concentrate on studying?"
"Today's lesson is on our nation's culture," replied Dai Shengyan. "How can we understand that culture if we don't mingle with the people?"
Xie Jinglan was expressionless. Was the old man just looking for an excuse to go have some fun, but feeling too embarrassed to leave his disciple behind?
Still, he reluctantly accepted Dai Shengyan's logic. Just as he was about to ask Xiahou Lian to prepare his ink and brush, he turned to find the boy's stool empty.
Haaah… Whatever. He considered Xiahou Lian hopeless anyway.
By noon, Dai Shengyan had finished his lecture. For a while, the pair sat polishing off a pot of tea, but they still saw no sign of Xiahou Lian.
Dai Shengyan shook his head. "It seems Xiao-Lian has lost interest in my horror stories."
Xie Jinglan gritted his teeth and defended Xiahou Lian. "He's just restless, and he loves to play. Please don't take umbrage with him, sir."
"Ha ha ha! Of course not. It's a shame, though. The story I was going to tell today is a hundred times more exciting than the others. Not hearing it will be his loss."
Xie Jinglan perked up. "Oh?"
Dai Shengyan stroked his beard, but he didn't begin his story just yet.
Instead he asked, "Jinglan, have you ever heard of Qiye Garden?"
***
THE LEAVES HAD LONG SINCE FALLEN, leaving behind bare branches that revealed glimpses of roofs, their tiles like the scales on a fish's back. Xiahou Lian, who was used to moving around at great heights, swung from eaves and leapt across rooftops. Passersby occasionally spotted his monkey-like figure and shouted at him to come down, but when they did, Xiahou Lian had already disappeared among the rooftops and walls.
Tired from climbing, Xiahou Lian perched in an old locust tree and pulled some pastries from his pocket, ready for a break.
The tree's throng of naked branches stretched over a small courtyard. Inside sat a small house, its doors and windows tightly shut. It appeared uninhabited.
Just as Xiahou Lian was about to bite into his pastry, the courtyard's wooden gate creaked open. A man clad in a short-sleeved, pleated black garment cut through the shadows cast by the branches, then paused in the middle of the yard. Xiahou Lian could only see the back of his shirt, which was embroidered with a ferocious flying fish, its fangs bared and its eyes like copper bells.
An Eastern Depot agent?
The man looked around, then spoke to the air: "The eunuch has ordered the execution of Xie Bingfeng. Once his head is delivered, three hundred taels of gold will be paid in full."
The name "Xie Bingfeng" struck Xiahou Lian like a thunderclap. He nearly choked on his pastry but quickly covered his mouth and forced it down.
From beneath the eaves appeared another figure in black robes. Xiahou Lian heard a strange, raspy voice, like the hiss of a snake or the screech of a saw against metal: "The rule of Qiye Garden is that good karma must come before a reward."
The Garden! Xiahou Lian was stunned.
"Three hundred taels is no small sum. How can the eunuch be sure you'll succeed?"
"A Qiye Garden assassin is an Asura, a butcher's knife in the Buddha's hand. Who can escape when a demon comes for their life? Even if you don't believe in gods or Buddhas, you must believe in demons."
"We'll pay a hundred taels up front and the remainder after the deed is done."
"Do you haggle like this when you pray at a temple?"
The agent sneered. "Do you really think you're a Buddha? The eunuch is doing you a favor by hiring you. You're already under observation by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. If the Eastern Depot steps in, I doubt you'll be able to keep living such a carefree existence."
The black-robed man made a calming gesture and said, "I never claimed to be a Buddha. The only Buddha in Qiye Garden is our abbot, known as the Shixin Buddha. We are all demons under his command." He smirked mockingly. "We both know who it is the Embroidered Uniform Guard have captured. The Eastern Depot is no match for them."
The agent's expression darkened, and he snorted. "Fine. Call your Buddha out to speak with me."
The man in black shook his head and smiled. "The abbot sits high above worldly matters. How could he dirty his hands with such trivialities? My time is limited. I'll count to three. If we don't have a deal by then, I'll leave." The man in black didn't wait for the agent to respond as his lips began counting.
"One."
The agent's mouth tightened, his expression hateful.
"Two," the man in black said leisurely.
The agent twitched the hand on his sword's hilt, as if he were about to speak.
"Three." The man in black sighed. "What a pity."
"Wait," the agent said. "Tomorrow at noon, come to the eastern city gate. The three hundred taels of gold will be placed in a coffin leaving the city."
The man in black smiled. "Qiye Garden has heard your wish."
The moment he finished speaking, a strong gust of wind blew past, pushing the pastry right out of Xiahou Lian's hand. Crumbs scattered everywhere, pelting the agent's face and hair. Panicked, Xiahou Lian tried to climb higher, but the agent shouted and fired a clawed weapon in his direction.
There wasn't time to dodge. The claw sank into Xiahou Lian's left shoulder, tearing into his flesh. Blood gushed forth as pain exploded through him. The agent yanked the rope tethered to the claw, and Xiahou Lian was pulled right out of the tree. He tumbled to the ground like a sack of potatoes.
He turned to see the man in black standing calmly under the eaves. A hood concealed his face, exposing only a pale chin. He made no move to help.
Fear gripped Xiahou Lian's heart, frost seemingly creeping up his spine. There was only one thought in his mind: Run.
In that moment, he understood what being an assassin truly meant. It wasn't about swift kills or hunting down targets—it was about living in death's constant shadow.
He struggled to his feet but couldn't break free from the claw. The agent drew his sword and advanced toward Xiahou Lian. The boy raised his right hand, gritting his teeth, and a hidden dart shot from his sleeve.
Suddenly, a thin, shimmering blade as delicate as a cicada's wing sliced through the air. It cut the dart in half and flew straight toward Xiahou Lian's chest.
The blade pierced his skin, cold metal sinking into his flesh. Warm blood spurted forth, yet the blade plunged no deeper—instead, it retracted into its hilt.
Xiahou Lian took the hint and collapsed to the ground, clutching the hilt of the blade. He bit his tongue, spat out some blood, and then lay still, playing dead masterfully.
"My apologies for the disturbance. That was one of Qiye Garden's little demons. He probably came to steal some pastries and accidentally stumbled upon our transaction," the man in black said with a polite smile. "But rules are rules. I've dealt with him. I hope Your Excellency is satisfied."
"The Garden's discipline is truly remarkable. You'd strike down even one of your own, and a child at that. Of course I'm satisfied—very much so," the agent said with a mirthless smile. He glanced at the pastry crumbs scattered on the ground. It was true that no ordinary thief would eat while eavesdropping. Still, the current matter was grave, so he thought for a moment, then said, "Given what's happened, let's call off the deal. You needn't come tomorrow."
The man in black nodded. Then the agent left. Xiahou Lian waited a while to make sure he was really gone before standing up.
The man in black pulled back his hood, revealing Qiu Ye's fair and delicate face. He looked at Xiahou Lian worriedly. "What am I going to do with you, you troublesome child?"
"I didn't do it on purpose..." said Xiahou Lian feebly.
Qiu Ye carried Xiahou Lian into the house and bandaged his wounds. "What happened today stays between you and me," he warned. "Don't let anyone else know. You ruined an important deal and lost Qiye Garden three hundred taels of gold. The abbot planned to use that money to renovate the temple and improve the lives of everyone there. If he finds out, he'll have you tied up and hauled back to the mountain for a whipping."
When Qiu Ye mentioned the deal, Xiahou Lian struggled to sit up and asked, "Qiu-dage, are you going to kill Xie Bingfeng?"
Qiu Ye glanced at Xiahou Lian. It was not his typical gentle look; his expression carried an unyielding harshness that made Xiahou Lian swallow the rest of his words.
"Xiao-Lian, you may look irresponsible, but I thought you still had some sense. Even someone as willful and impudent as your mother respects the Garden rules. Remember: Ask no questions and kill without restraint."
Xiahou Lian lowered his head. "Understood..."
Still wrapping a bandage around him, Qiu Ye changed the subject. "My Qiushui is a family heirloom. If you become my disciple, I'll pass Qiushui on to you. Think about it."
Xiahou Lian didn't reply.
***
"OIYE GARDEN?" said Xie Jinglan. "Isn't that the outlaw organization the government has been hunting in the jianghu? I heard that the imperial guards recently captured several of their assassins."
Dai Shengyan shook his head and smiled. "Those were just small fry who caused trouble by using Qiye Garden's name. True assassins of the Garden hide among common folk and even within the court and palace. They're not so easy to catch. The Embroidered Uniform Guard needed to give a satisfactory report, so they went along with the charade."
The confidence with which Dai Shengyan spoke led Xie Jinglan to a realization. "Sir, have you met a Qiye Garden assassin before?"
Dai Shengyan's gaze wandered into the distance and out at the tiered buildings beyond the window. "I have. It was twelve years ago."
Twelve years earlier, Dai Shengyan had been appointed as the magistrate of Jiangzhou Prefecture. Upon taking office, he followed protocol and visited the local prince living there. That particular prince was infamous for debauchery. At the time, the standards for people's character and integrity were even harsher than today. Stories of loyal sons, virtuous grandsons, child prodigies, and virtuosos abounded, and news of remarkable figures popped up steadily in even the remotest villages.
However, the prince in question had earned a reputation for overindulging in food, drink, and entertainment. He managed to stand out among numerous renowned scholars and talents, which was no easy feat.
His hedonism reached the point of absurdity; even his residence was a den of drunkenness and lust, with spittoons shaped like the mouths of beautiful women. The people took to calling him the "Prince of Joy," gradually forgetting his official title.
Dai Shengyan had navigated bureaucracy for many years and weathered his share of storms, yet the Prince of Joy's extravagance still left him thunderstruck.
What shocked him wasn't the prince's decadence but his enormous girth. The Prince of Joy was like a small mountain of flesh. Approaching to offer him a toast, Dai Shengyan instinctively maintained a three-step distance. He'd feared that the prince might lose his balance and make Dai Shengyan the laughingstock of the nation—the new appointee crushed to death on his first day in office.
After three rounds of drinks, the Prince of Joy spoke first. "Magistrate Dai, I hear you have been widowed for years. You must not have found a suitable companion yet. My residence is full of beauties of all shapes and sizes. If you like any of them, feel free to take her with you. Consider it a small token of my goodwill."
Dai Shengyan replied, "Although my late wife died young, I think of her constantly, and I carry her mementos with me always. I appreciate Your Highness's kindness, but I have no intention of remarrying. I hope you understand."
The Prince of Joy clearly didn't believe Dai Shengyan. "There's no one else here," he whispered. "No need for such reservations. Your wife passed away so early, you probably never truly got to experience the pleasures of women."
The prince smiled cryptically, and his two meaty cheeks rose, squeezing his already beady eyes into slits. Dai Shengyan's heart skipped a beat; he sensed that something unpleasant was about to happen.
Music began to play, and two rows of songstresses entered, each holding an iron pipa and dressed only in thin gauze. The pipas just barely allowed them modesty, exposing a hint of their tender breasts. Gentle candlelight spilled over their skin, imparting it with the lustrous glow of mutton-fat jade.
The songstresses began to dance, their graceful movements accompanied by the ethereal music flowing from their almost translucent fingers. These women had been raised in the prince's residence and trained by experts; every smile and gesture exuded just the right charm.
Dai Shengyan almost wanted to gouge out his own eyes.
He'd grown weary of the court's intrigues and requested a post outside the capital. Everyone had thought he was out of his mind to give up the capital's luxuries for the bamboo-filled backwater of Jiangzhou. But Dai Shengyan was a man who took pride in his integrity, and he'd laughed at them, deriding their shallowness. Hoping for a quiet, peaceful life, he'd packed his belongings and rushed to Jiangzhou.
He'd never imagined that the Prince of Joy would make him regret his decision almost immediately. He yearned to run right back to the capital and continue his daily spats with the old geezers there.
Covering his eyes, he said miserably, "Your Highness may not know this, but I am over the age of forty, and my health is not what it used to be. I can no longer…perform in bed."
He had no choice but to resort to that excuse to protect his reputation, hoping that the prince would let him off the hook.
The Prince of Joy widened his eyes in understanding, his expression a mixture of pity and regret. "How could this be? I had no idea. I've offended you, Magistrate. Please don't hold it against me. Leave, all of you! Quickly! Don't linger in the magistrate's sight!"
Dai Shengyan breathed a sigh of relief and clasped his hands, preparing to leave. But then the prince continued, "Even if you can't enjoy the company of beauties, there are other ways to indulge yourself."
"...This humble official will decline. Cultivating one's character is its own reward."
The Prince of Joy, assuming Dai Shengyan was still putting on airs and refusing to show his true self, clapped his hands. "Fetch my fragrant wine!"
A servant brought out a jug of the beverage, and the prince personally poured Dai Shengyan a cup. As the stopper was removed, a rich aroma filled the room. The scent alone was enough to intoxicate Dai Shengyan.
Unable to resist, Dai Shengyan picked up the cup. "Truly excellent wine," he sighed. "What is it called?"
"This wine is called 'Fragrant to the Bone,'" the prince said with a proud smile. "Do you know how I vinted such a fine wine?"
"I dare not presume, Your Highness."
"Most wines are made in the spring; I make mine in winter. The cold prevents fermentation, so I have women warm the wine with their bodies. The choice of a woman is crucial—she must be a stunning beauty, aged seventeen or eighteen. She sleeps with the wine jar every night; that's the key to its richness and fragrance. Magistrate, why not assess it carefully to see whether the scent of the maiden's body lingers?"
Dai Shengyan was dumbfounded. Reaching his limit, he declared, "Your Highness's generosity is too much for me to bear. I feel unwell and cannot stay any longer. Farewell!"
"Hey! Why are you leaving so suddenly?"
Dai Shengyan stood to depart. As he rose, he thought he saw a faint figure in the curtains. From that fleeting glimpse, he couldn't make out many details, but the figure's cold gaze made a deep impression on him. Startled, he looked again, but nobody was there.
The Prince of Joy's noisy voice again rang out: "Magistrate Dai, I still have many treasures to show you. It's no fun enjoying them alone. The former magistrate, Mo Zhinian, was as dull as a block of wood. Why are you too so blind to the beauty of finer things?"
"Many treasures"?! At those words, fear raced through Dai Shengyan, and he hurried to leave. The Prince of Joy chased him, panting heavily. Despite his immense size, he was surprisingly swift, moving with small, quick steps. Dai Shengyan pulled up his robes and ran, terrified of being caught.
A procession of servants pursued them, shouting, "Your Highness, slow down!"
The night was dark, with only flickering lanterns to light the way. A servant at the end of the procession was about to shout as well when he felt a tap on his back. He turned in confusion, only for a light to flash and a bloody gash to open on his throat. The lantern in his hand fell to the ground, and the candle rolled out, igniting a small patch of flames.
As the servants ahead heard the noise and turned around, a shadow swiftly passed them. In an instant, all were silenced. The servant in front continued his chase, but still he was unable to catch up. He held his side and panted heavily until he suddenly realized that the people behind him had disappeared.
"Huh? Where did everyone go?" His surroundings were silent and dark; the only light came from his lantern. He leaned against the cold brick wall, unease creeping into his heart, and took a few steps back.
Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He looked down to see a bloodstained blade protruding from it.
A few hundred steps ahead, the Prince of Joy wiped sweat from his forehead and cursed Dai Shengyan. "You ungrateful man!"
"Your Highness, why must you be so unrelenting?" Dai Shengyan retorted. "I'll submit my resignation tomorrow and return home to become a farmer. Isn't that enough?"
"You…! You…! I prepare a grand feast, and you show no appreciation! What have you reduced my hospitality to?"
"I didn't reduce it to anything! Just keep it away from me!"
The Prince of Joy was seeing red. He took several deep breaths to calm himself. "Fine, fine. I won't waste my time with a fool like you." He turned to the servant who'd caught up to them. "You. Come help me back to the palace. Ugh…I'm exhausted."
The servant stood unmoving in the shadows by the wall.
The Prince of Joy was furious. "Are you deaf? Come here and help me!"
The servant chuckled softly. A cold gleam flashed as they pulled something from their waistband. Dai Shengyan and the prince instinctively shielded their eyes with their hands.
What was that? It was so bright. Could it be...?
Dai Shengyan suddenly realized that it was a blade. The servant had drawn a saber!
This was no member of the prince's household—this was an assassin!