Huo Jue took out two silver ingots and handed them to Bihong, speaking in a calm and measured tone. “A’Li lost a pearl hairpin in the lotus pond during the banquet that day. If possible, please arrange for someone to retrieve it. I would greatly appreciate your help. Should you ever have a need in the future, I will do my utmost to assist you.”
Bihong’s eyes widened in surprise. “A hairpin?”
Huo Jue unfolded a piece of drawing paper, revealing a detailed sketch of the pearl hairpin.
“This is the one,” Huo Jue said softly. “Miss Bihong, please do your best. If it can’t be found, it’s not a problem.”
His tone remained light, but inwardly, Huo Jue had already resolved that if the hairpin wasn’t recovered, he would buy the Zhang family’s estate in the future and turn every inch of soil if necessary to find it.
After Huo Jue left the restaurant, Bihong lingered by the window, watching him disappear down the street. As his figure faded, she exhaled and rubbed her arms briskly. “He’s so young, but why is his presence so commanding?”
Today, at least, his demeanor had been gentle, less intimidating.
Two days ago, however, when this same man had arrived at her home with a cold and stern expression, she’d been utterly terrified. She’d almost believed she had committed some grave sin against the heavens and that her days were numbered.
Though a servant, Bihong wasn’t naïve.
She had accompanied the old lady to meet numerous high-ranking officials, including the county magistrate and the prefect of Tong’an City, yet none of them had exuded the same powerful aura—one that demanded submission, as if defying it would cost her life.
Bihong chuckled wryly and shook her head. What was she even thinking? Huo Jue was just a student at the academy. How could he possibly compare to the county magistrate or the prefect?
Still...
She weighed the silver ingots in her hand. Why would someone spend so much money and go to such lengths for A’Li’s hairpin?
Could the hairpin hold some hidden significance?
Or perhaps, this Mr. Huo simply wanted to make A’Li happy.
Either way, she decided it was worth the trouble. If recovering the hairpin could bring a smile to A’Li’s face and help her recover faster, it would be effort well spent.
-
On April 15th, Jiang Li was finally able to leave her bed.
Having taken medicine daily for what felt like an eternity, even the root of her tongue was bitter. During her illness, she’d lost all appetite. But now that she was improving, her hunger had returned with a vengeance.
“Mom, I want skewers from the barbecue shop in the west of the city. Beef, lamb, chicken—everything! And is the ice bowl shop next to the barbecue place open yet? I want a red bean and cheese ice bowl.”
Yang Hui Niang set down a bowl of porridge with minced meat and vegetables in front of her and frowned. “When you’re fully recovered, I’ll get you whatever you want to eat. For now, you’ll just have to make do with this porridge.”
Jiang Li pouted and stirred the porridge with her spoon, gazing at her mother with wide, pleading eyes.
Her illness had left her noticeably thinner. The baby fat that had once rounded her cheeks was gone, leaving her with a delicate, palm-sized face, a pointed chin, and eyes that seemed even larger than before.
When she looked up at someone with those soft, dewy eyes, she resembled a helpless little animal, tugging at their heartstrings.
Yang Hui Niang hesitated, her stern resolve crumbling.
“Fine, fine,” she relented with a sigh. “Drink the porridge first, and I’ll bring you some roasted meat later. But forget about the ice bowl!”
Jiang Li smiled and was about to coyly thank her mother, but her younger brother, Jiang Ling, who should have been at the academy, walked in carrying an oil-paper bag.
The aroma of roasted meat, seasoned with a blend of spices and grilled to perfection, instantly filled the room.
Jiang Li swallowed hard and grinned at her brother. “A-Ling, is this roasted meat for me? Twins really are amazing—you can sense what I want to eat even from a distance!”
Jiang Ling chuckled and shook his head. “What nonsense are you talking about? Didn’t you tell Brother Huo Jue yesterday that you wanted roasted meat? He lined up early this morning to buy it and asked me to bring it back for you.”
Jiang Li blinked in surprise, then remembered mentioning her craving the day before. She hadn’t expected Huo Jue to take her words so seriously. “Why didn’t he bring it himself?”
For the past few days, Huo Jue had been visiting her daily. He would sit outside behind a curtain, chatting with her to keep her entertained. Sometimes, he’d even bring sketchbooks filled with amusing stories to cheer her up. But today, he hadn’t shown up, and Jiang Li felt a pang of disappointment.
“Brother Huo Jue said he had something to take care of today but would probably be back tonight,” Jiang Ling replied. He tore open the oil-paper bag, revealing skewers of roasted meat. Selecting the three most fragrant skewers, he handed them to Jiang Li. “Brother Huo Jue said you can only have three skewers. The rest are for me and Mother.”
Jiang Li stared at the skewers in silence.
-
Huo Jue didn’t return that day. Jiang Li, accustomed to his daily visits, found herself restless. His absence left her feeling strangely empty.
Yang Hui Niang came in with Jiang Li’s medicine and found her staring blankly, hugging her quilt. Waving a hand in front of her daughter’s face, she asked, “What are you thinking about, A-Li?”
Jiang Li rested her chin on her knees and murmured, “Nothing.”
Yang Hui Niang gave her a knowing look. “Are you thinking about Huo Jue?”
Jiang Li, realizing she couldn’t hide her thoughts from her mother, chose silence instead of denial.
Yang Hui Niang sighed and sat on the edge of her bed.
She wasn’t blind. Over the six years she’d cared for Huo Jue, she’d seen how reserved and cold he could be, with the only exception being Doctor Su. Yet when A-Li fell ill, Huo Jue had been more anxious than she, A-Li’s own mother.
During these past few days, he’d gone out of his way to entertain Jiang Li daily—a stark contrast to his usual aloofness. His behavior was uncharacteristic unless he genuinely cared for A-Li.
Yang Hui Niang knew what was in her daughter’s heart, and she couldn’t help but feel conflicted.
What mother wouldn’t wish for her daughter to marry the man she loved, especially one as remarkable as Huo Jue?
But reality was rarely so simple.
Huo Jue would eventually leave Tong’an City. Could she bear to see her daughter marry and move so far away? Moreover, if Huo Jue achieved great success, would he remain devoted to A-Li alone? The idea of him never taking concubines seemed like a fantasy. Few officials lived without multiple wives.
Yang Hui Niang mulled over these thoughts, but she couldn’t bring herself to voice them. At least, not while A-Li was still recovering.
“Forget it,” she said softly, stroking her daughter’s hair. “Drink your medicine and focus on getting better.”
The medicine contained sedative ingredients, and before long, Jiang Li drifted into sleep.
In the middle of the night, Jiang Li felt as if someone was holding her.
The familiar scent of bamboo and musk surrounded her, soothing and warm.
“Huo Jue?” she murmured groggily, rubbing her eyes.
“Yes, I’m here.” His voice was soft, right next to her ear.
Jiang Li realized she was dreaming again. She reached out and clutched his collar, grumbling, “You didn’t come to see me today.”
A faint chuckle echoed in the darkness. His tone was gentle, almost indulgent. “I was busy venting my anger for A-Li today. I’ll come to see you tomorrow.”
Hearing his promise, Jiang Li’s lips curved into a smile. The unease she’d felt all day melted away. She muttered sleepily, “You’d better keep your word. If you don’t come tomorrow, you’re a puppy.”
Huo Jue chuckled again and, with a rare tenderness, kissed her hair. “Okay, I promise.”
When the little girl in his arms fell asleep, Huo Jue gently loosened his grip, carefully laid her down, and tucked the quilt around her.
Dressed in a black nightgown, his entire figure seemed to merge with the night, like a shadow.
With nimble movements, Huo Jue scaled the wall and returned to the medicine shop. After changing out of his nightgown, he took a large sip of cold tea and gazed out the window toward the northeast city gate.
Xue Zhen should be awake by now.
-
The next afternoon, just as Jiang Li finished lunch, her friends Zhang Yingying and Liu Yan arrived together.
The two often visited and kept Jiang Li entertained with lively gossip about the latest happenings on Zhufu Street. Today was no exception, and the two quickly launched into their stories.
Toward the end of her tale, Zhang Yingying suddenly lowered her voice, as though sharing a secret. “When I left home earlier, I overheard our steward telling my father something shocking. The jewel of Principal Xue—Xue Zhen—went to Lanruo Temple yesterday to draw lots. On her way back, she was ambushed by bandits and kidnapped.”
The red bean cake in Jiang Li’s hand slipped from her fingers and landed on the plate with a soft “plop.” She looked at Zhang Yingying in disbelief. “Are you talking about Xue Zhen?”
“Who else could it be?” Zhang Yingying replied. “Principal Xue only has one daughter. Apparently, she was taken by the bandits into the forest. Now, all the idle ruffians in Tong’an City are rushing to the woods near Lanruo Temple.”
Liu Yan widened her eyes and took a sharp breath. “Why would they go there?”
Zhang Yingying leaned closer and whispered conspiratorially, “Because someone posted a reward in the city—1,000 taels of gold to anyone who rescues Xue Zhen. Can you imagine? A thousand taels! Most of those men have never even seen a hundred taels of silver. With such a fortune on the line, it’s no wonder they’re all flocking to the forest like madmen.”
Liu Yan sighed deeply. “Poor Miss Xue. Even if she survives, her reputation will be in ruins. It’s such a shame—she was talented, beautiful, and had an impeccable character.”
Zhang Yingying nodded solemnly. “My father said that under these circumstances, she’d be lucky to come back alive. As for her reputation, that’s a different matter entirely. If she survives, she’ll probably have to leave Tong’an City and start over somewhere far away.”
Jiang Li had remained quiet throughout their conversation. But now, unable to hold back, she asked, “Yingying, did your father say who offered the 1,000-tael reward?”
Zhang Yingying shook her head. “No, he didn’t mention it. But don’t you think it’s strange? Is the person who offered the reward being kind or malicious? On the one hand, the reward will attract more people to search for her. But on the other hand, such public attention only makes it more widely known that Miss Xue was kidnapped and spent the night missing. Won’t that only worsen the damage to her reputation?”
Jiang Li stayed silent, her thoughts swirling.
She had never told Zhang Yingying or Liu Yan about the incident where Xue Zhen had pushed her into the water. Sister Bihong’s advice rang in her ears: “When you’re powerless, seeking justice can invite disaster.”
Zhang Yingying and Liu Yan were her closest friends. If they knew the truth, they would undoubtedly take her side. Outspoken Zhang Yingying, in particular, might even openly curse Xue Zhen on Jiang Li’s behalf.
But Jiang Li knew better. Xue Zhen was dangerous. Stirring up trouble with her could bring only harm.
And yet, after all this time, it seemed justice had found its own way.
Is this what people mean when they say, “Heaven has its own plans”?
Xue Zhen had caused harm to others, and now her life and reputation teetered on the edge of ruin.
Jiang Li’s gaze fell on the broken pieces of red bean cake on her porcelain plate. A memory surfaced—the words Huo Jue had spoken in her dream:
“I’m venting your anger.”
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