As autumn deepened, Jindu grew stranger by the day. At first, everyone had assumed the Minister of War's kidnapped daughter-in-law had killed him. Now, it seemed they had wronged the poor woman.
In the month since, seven more officials had been killed, all poisoned in the exact same manner.
"Jindu is in a panic," Liu said, swirling the wine in his cup. "Especially the officials. They're afraid they'll be next."
"A single blade would have been cleaner. To use poison… this isn't just about killing them. It's about making them suffer." Murong Jin took a sip. "The strong liquor of the frontier? It's been a while."
"Xing had it brought back for you," Liu said with a thoughtful smile. "I've seen the bodies. A knife would have been more convenient."
"And yet, the killer insists on poison."
"Some hidden meaning?" Liu's interest was piqued. "There must be. I remember the Prefect of Jindu was clearly forced to drink his."
"Good thing it was you who saw it. Anyone else would have missed it, right?" Murong Jin's eyes curved into a smile.
Liu nodded. Seeing her expression, he knew. "You've figured something out."
"The sentence for Yu Weide's daughter-in-law… was death by a thousand cuts."
"You think this is the killer's way of exonerating her?" Liu's eyes widened. "It makes sense. If the methods are the same, the Ministry would have to assume she was innocent. The case would be overturned without a retrial."
Murong Jin smiled. Spoken like the son of a former Minister of Justice.
"The wine is here," she said, changing the subject. "But when will Xing be back?"
At her name, Liu's brow twitched, just for a second. But it was enough. Murong Jin stilled.
"What is it?"
"Nothing," he said with a reassuring smile. "She's back at the Yang residence. She probably won't return until after the new year."
"The new year?" She'd forgotten. "This half-year in Jindu has felt like a lifetime." She shook her head. "You and Yi should go back to my father for the festival. He only has me, and I can't be there. He thinks of everyone in the Vermilion Bird Camp as his own children. Your presence would comfort him."
Liu smiled. "I think if we all left you here alone, the General wouldn't have a happy new year at all."
"I'll be fine." As she spoke, the image of a face, always with a lazy smile, flashed through her mind.
Her gaze drifted down to the stage. A man in black robes sat alone, his long hair bound in a jade crown.
His back was to her, but there was something about him that made her look closer.
Liu followed her gaze. The man's long fingers tapped along with the rhythm. When the song ended, he clapped softly. From start to finish, he carried himself with an effortless grace.
"He's no ordinary person," Murong Jin said quietly.
Liu nodded, then slipped out of the room.
A moment later, dressed as a waiter, he approached the man. "Sir, my master invites you to join her."
The man smiled. "Lead the way."
He rose and followed Liu, his gaze fixed straight ahead. Only after glancing back several times did Liu realize he was blind.
"Master, I've brought him," Liu said, opening the door.
Murong Jin rose. "Please, come in."
Liu glanced at the high threshold, then back at the man, about to offer a warning.
"My eyes are blind, but my ears are sharp," the man said. He stepped into the room, his long robes not even brushing the threshold.
Liu and Murong Jin exchanged a stunned look. They knew who he was.
"Five steps ahead, there is a seat. Please, Gongzi," Murong Jin said. "I have long heard that Gongzi Suyi of Yin, though blind, has hearing beyond compare. I am truly impressed."
Xiao Suyi sat. "A matter of habit. Thank you, Fifth Princess Consort."
"We've never met. How did you know me?"
"A woman who uses Yinghong rouge is no ordinary woman. And one with such grace who carries herself with such strength… in all of Jindu, it could only be the Lord of Yuling."
"Your perception is admirable." But a man this clever, she thought, will not be easily persuaded.
Xiao Suyi sat quietly, then smiled. "The strong liquor of the frontier? In Jindu, only Yumen Jiao would have it."
"Indeed. Some things are hard to forget." She poured him a cup. "Please."
He reached out, his fingers closing perfectly around the cup. "Your messenger explained your meaning. I came only to ask one question. Are you truly willing to trade the lands of Yuling?"
She stilled for a moment. "I know a word, once spoken, cannot be taken back."
He nodded. "Then I have misjudged you, and I must drink to my own failing." He drained the cup.
"The matter is of great importance. It is right that you be cautious," she said, drinking as well. "When can the grain be delivered to my father?"
He set his cup down. "I've already entrusted it to Lady Xing. By now, it should have arrived."
"What?" Her eyebrows shot up.
So fast? she thought. Either he's a genius—or Yin's coffers run deeper than they admit. Either way, it was a danger.
"I heard of Wuchuan's plight some time ago and made preparations," he said calmly. "It is a small contribution. After all, if the Turks were to break through, my own state of Yin would be first to fall."
He saw the danger long ago. His foresight was beyond that of ordinary men.
Murong Jin thought for a moment. "And you weren't afraid I'd go back on my word?"
"Gain and loss are fleeting. Even if you didn't grant me Yuling, my grain has secured Yin's border. It's a deal in which I cannot lose. Don't you agree?"
"A truly wise Gongzi." She filled two cups and raised hers. "To have met you is a great honor."
He smiled. "You flatter me. Please."
They drank.
"How shall I deliver the seal of Yuling?"
"No need." He shook his head. "Keep it. If the day comes when I am in need, I will know where to find you."
She watched him leave, stunned. The grain was on its way, and Yuling was still hers.
"So smooth. A trap?" Liu asked, watching the black-robed figure disappear.
Her expression sharpened. "I don't know. Since he entrusted it to Xing, it can't be fake. Go, confirm."
"Yes."
By the time Liu vanished into the night, another quiet meeting was already taking place across the city.
In a courtyard of the Yichun Courtyard, two empty wine jugs sat on the table.
"You just agreed, like that?" Xue Liulan asked.
"Of course," Xiao Suyi nodded, a smile on his lips.
"You didn't give me up, did you?" Xue Liulan asked, suspicious. This man was an honorable gentleman.
Xiao Suyi held back a laugh. "Xue Liulan, should I go back and ask your princess for the seal? Maybe add a few more demands?"