In December, civil unrest erupted in Shangshen in the west. The Chishui River stirred with winds, the heavens turned bleak and murderous, and a golden hue blanketed the land.
Within less than twenty days, the turmoil intensified, dragging tens of thousands of Shangshen commoners into the flames of war. Shangshen County occupied a precarious position, wedged between the western fiefdom of the Batuha Family and the domain of the Yanbei Prince. In peaceful times, both sides vied for control; in chaotic years, they shirked responsibility. Though the imperial capital of Zhenhuang now held jurisdiction, and both the Batuha Family and the Yanbei Prince dispatched elite troops to quell the unrest, their efforts were mere empty gestures and posturing. The refugee uprisings showed no signs of abating, instead growing fiercer. Emergency petitions flew like snowflakes to the capital, pleading with the Zhenhuang Elder Council to send troops to restore order.
On the twenty-seventh of December, the Brokensword Star appeared, and Zhaoming receded. The Grand Diviner of the Qin Tian Palace proclaimed the oracle: "The Great Harmony is void and hollow, the Chishui River holds ice, the Brokensword Star emerges—a dire omen."
The seven great clans convened overnight and decided to dispatch the Huang Tian Division to Shangshen to quell the northwestern rebellion.
After the edict was issued, it was presented to the Shengjin Palace. The Emperor reviewed it and endorsed: "Approved."
Instantly, chaos swept through the Zhenhuang capital. The great families grew tense, and beneath the thick layer of ice, turbulent undercurrents surged rapidly in the pitch-black night.
At this very moment, Chu Qiao was busy amidst the withered grass in the North Pavilion, carefully searching for snake dens where the reptiles hibernated. Suddenly, a horn blast pierced the air, resonant and majestic, like the cry of a white crane. She slowly straightened up, squinting her eyes as she gazed south toward Zhenhuang. There lay the Shengjin Palace.
The night was thick, and the path ahead was treacherous.
The following afternoon, after a heavy snowfall had just cleared, two exquisite jade-carved snow dogs beneath the glazed tiles of the Green Hill Residence sparkled brilliantly in the morning light, translucent and radiant. The snow from the previous night had piled over a foot deep. The servants sweeping the grounds passed by the snow dogs without a sideways glance, as if fearing that even a glance might bring misfortune.
Jincai, clad in a sable-lined short jacket and a pink gossamer skirt tied with a delicate pink silk ribbon, stood out vividly against the pristine white snow. Though only thirteen, this girl who attended the Fourth Young Master daily had already blossomed into a graceful and captivating beauty. Usually gentle and deft by her master's side, she now carried an air of arrogance. Her tone cold and disdainful, she addressed the children huddled tightly around the jade snow dogs, wearing only thin short robes: "Hold on tight. The Young Master says this jade is alive—it grows more luminous with human warmth. You lowly servants are fortunate to serve the Fourth Young Master today, so no slacking. If I return and find anyone disobedient, you'll all be dragged to the Pavilion Lake to feed the crocodiles."
The children trembled and nodded in fear. Jincai sneered, then turned and headed toward the warm greenhouse.
The weather grew even colder after the snow. Even bundled in sable and clutching a hand warmer, it was barely tolerable, let alone standing in the snow in thin robes. Soon, the children's lips turned ashen blue.
Chu Qiao approached from the Blue Mountain Court, carrying a plate of fresh peaches. Spotting her, Jincai hurried out from the greenhouse and called out. Chu Qiao turned and paused, her cheeks rosy and demeanor innocent, tilting her head as she asked, "Sister Jincai, what is it?"
"The Fourth Young Master is napping. Just give me the peaches."Chu Qiao smiled amiably and nodded, then handed over the peach. Jin Ci sneered coldly, turned around, and entered the flower room. But before she could even settle down, an angry roar suddenly erupted from the main hall. Jin Ci panicked, dropped the peach, and bolted. Before she reached the door, a colorful shadow shot out from inside, swishing past her face with a soft, cold, and slightly foul, slimy sensation.
Looking down, Jin Ci saw a small snake, its head raised and tongue flickering, and was instantly terrified out of her wits. She let out a shriek and collapsed to the ground.
Chu Qiao rushed into the room to find Zhuge Yue frowning deeply, dressed in a lake-green brocade robe and reclining on a soft couch, his wrist bleeding dark blood—clearly, he had been bitten by a snake.
The girl hurried over, grabbed Zhuge Yue’s wrist, picked up a small fruit knife from the table, and made a small cross-shaped cut over the wound.
Zhuge Yue was immediately enraged and about to speak when he saw Chu Qiao make only a small incision, squeeze the wound a few times, and then lower her head to suck out the poison with her mouth. She spat twice and urgently said, "Young Master, please don’t exert yourself, or the poison will spread faster. This servant will go find a physician right away."
In moments, a crowd of servants had gathered at the door. Jin Zhu, flustered and panicked, rushed forward, pushed Chu Qiao aside, knelt on the ground, and grabbed Zhuge Yue’s hand, crying out, "Young Master, are you alright?"
"Get away!" Zhuge Yue frowned and kicked Jin Zhu in the chest, growling coldly, "A bunch of useless fools!"
As Jin Zhu’s hands touched the ground, she let out a sharp cry. The floor was crawling with insects and snakes—more than twenty of them—a bizarre and terrifying sight.
Chu Qiao quickly fetched a candlestick, lit it, and used the fire to drive away the snakes. Frightened by the flames, the insects and snakes scattered.
Physicians from the Zhuge family arrived promptly, and the crowd dispersed. The servants of Green Mountain Courtyard knelt trembling at the door, their faces ashen with fear.
Soon, one of the physicians emerged and addressed the servants, "Who is Miss Xing’er?"
Chu Qiao stood up from the back of the crowd. Small in stature and youthful in appearance, she timidly raised her hand and said, "Sir, that’s me."
The physician was taken aback to see such a young child and hesitated for a moment before saying gravely, "Come inside. The Fourth Young Master said you sucked the poison for him and asked me to examine you as well."
The hundred or so servants on both sides were shocked and looked up at Chu Qiao. Chu Qiao, appearing fearful, knelt and kowtowed several times to express gratitude for the Fourth Young Master’s kindness, then followed the physician into the main hall.
In the chilly wind, the servants of the Zhuge family, ever mindful of status and hierarchy, quickly began to reassess the situation.
A short while later, Chu Qiao emerged, her expression humble and showing no signs of arrogance. After the physician left, Jin Ci and Jin Zhu, along with several senior servants, entered Zhuge Yue’s room. Zhuge Yue leaned back in his chair, eyes half-closed, and said coldly, "Who was on duty in the room today?"
Jin Zhu glanced at Jin Ci, her face pale, and stammered, "Young Master, it—it was me. I was just…"
"No need to explain," Zhuge Yue interrupted icily. "You know the rules here. I don’t keep idle people who do nothing. Go receive thirty lashes, then take my letter and seek a position at the Anjun Courtyard."As soon as Jin Zhu heard this, tears immediately streamed down her face. Kneeling on the ground, she cried out loudly, "Young master, please spare me this once! I’ll never dare to do it again."
Zhuge Yue frowned slightly, and two burly men immediately stepped forward, grabbed Jin Zhu by the arms, and dragged her out.
"Who was guarding the door?"
Two servants knelt on the ground, trembling uncontrollably, kowtowing repeatedly as they pleaded, "We are guilty! We beg the young master to spare our lives."
Zhuge Yue opened his eyes and cast a faint glance at them, saying sternly, "It was the two of you?"
After a light snort, he added, "You’ve always been the ones dishing out punishment. In that case, go to the courtyard now, take the paddles, and beat each other. Whoever dies first, the other will be spared."
The room fell into dead silence. Zhuge Yue, his wrist injured and his mind unsettled, frowned and said, "Get out, all of you. The sight of you irritates me."
The servants felt as if they had received a pardon and immediately scrambled to leave. Just then, a small voice spoke up, "Young master, may this servant move the pots of Fire Vine Horns outside the pavilion?"
Zhuge Yue raised an eyebrow. "What did you say?"
Everyone turned to look and saw the young slave girl who had just entered Green Mountain Courtyard the day before yesterday standing at the back of the crowd. Small in stature and with a childish voice, she spoke slowly, "Although it is already winter, Green Mountain Courtyard is situated in a special location, close to the hot springs, making the climate much warmer and attracting many mosquitoes and moths. Vines naturally attract such insects, and Fire Vine Horns emit heat. This, in turn, attracts birds and rodents that feed on insects, which will then draw snakes that prey on birds and rodents. This is common knowledge, and this servant should have realized it sooner."
Zhuge Yue frowned deeply. After a long pause, he turned and asked sternly, "Who sent these pots of Fire Vine Horns?"
Jin Cai turned pale and trembled as she replied, "Young master, these flowers were sent by Steward Zhu yesterday. He said they were a specialty from the southern border and thought you might like them, so he specifically instructed me to place them at the base of the room."
"Zhu Shun?" Zhuge Yue snorted coldly, his narrow eyes turning icy. "He’s growing more and more audacious as a steward. Next time, if he brings back a dagger from the Western Regions and tells you to place it on my bed, I suppose you’d obey without question."
Jin Cai was horrified and immediately prostrated herself, kowtowing frantically. "This servant wouldn’t dare!"
Zhuge Yue remained silent and indifferent. As the servants were about to leave, he suddenly said, "You, from now on, serve in the inner chambers."
Everyone was taken aback, unsure whom he was referring to. Zhuge Yue frowned impatiently and pointed at Chu Qiao. "You."
All eyes turned to her at once. Chu Qiao bowed her head respectfully and replied, "This servant obeys."
Outside the main hall of the pavilion, the servants had just thrown the bloodied Jin Zhu onto a carriage. A weak woman, beaten thirty times with a paddle and about to be discarded in a place like the Anjun Yard—how could she possibly survive?
Jin Cai felt a chill run down her spine, her hands and feet trembling uncontrollably. Just then, a sweet voice suddenly spoke behind her. She turned around to see Chu Qiao smiling at her, her expression sweet as she said, "Sister Jin Cai, from now on, we’ll be working together. I’m young and inexperienced, so you must look after me!"For some reason, Jin Cai suddenly felt a wave of panic. She looked at Chu Qiao and forced herself to appear calm as she said, "We're all servants here. It's only right that we look out for each other."
"Is that so?" Chu Qiao smiled and said, "Then what about those children over there by the warm jade? Do you think we should let them off, Sister Jin Cai?"
Jin Cai felt a surge of anger but still nodded, saying, "They've been there long enough. They should be dismissed."
"Then I'll thank you on their behalf." Chu Qiao walked over cheerfully and dismissed the children, whose faces had turned blue from the cold. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned back and said, "If Sister Jin Zhu had been as kind-hearted as you back then, the page boy Lin Xi wouldn't have been beaten to death by the young master. That's why it's important to keep kindness in your heart. Just think—Lin Xi had only been dead for three days when Jin Zhu followed him shortly after. It sends chills down my spine just remembering it."
Jin Cai could no longer maintain her composure. Her face turned pale, and she stared wide-eyed at Chu Qiao, feeling as though this young girl radiated an eerie aura that was utterly terrifying. Chu Qiao slowly stepped closer, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered into Jin Cai's ear, "As the saying goes, good and evil will always be repaid. It's not that retribution hasn't come—it's just that the time hasn't arrived yet. Don't you agree?"
Jin Cai shuddered and immediately took a step back, turning to leave. But Chu Qiao was quicker, grabbing her shoulder. The young woman was startled and leaped away, shouting, "What are you doing?"
Chu Qiao snorted coldly, her smile completely gone as she said sternly, "Why are you so nervous? I just want my plate of peaches back."
"Peaches?"
"Now that we're both inner chamber maids, there's no distinction of rank between us. Don't you think it would be more appropriate for me to personally present the peaches I worked so hard to bring from the South Garden?"
Jin Cai was left speechless.
Chu Qiao turned and walked toward the flower room, saying calmly as she went, "Green mountains cannot block the river—it flows east regardless. Only those who understand the times are true heroes. Some words need only be said once, and some warnings given only once. How you choose to act and conduct yourself from now on is for you to decide."
On that winter afternoon, the sunlight was bright, glaring off the snow and stinging the eyes.
This was no ordinary, peaceful day. The Council of Elders had issued an edict to exterminate the bandits of Shangshen, and the Huang Tian troops were about to set out to suppress the rebellion. The heads of the seven great families were fiercely competing for the position of commander of the Huang Tian troops. With the head of the Zhuge household, Zhuge Mu Qing, away from the estate, all affairs, big and small, were being handled by Zhuge Huai. In the court of Daxia, the clashing of blades and shadows of intrigue were everywhere.On the same day, the fourth young master of the Zhuge family, Zhuge Yue, was bitten by a venomous snake. Although he received prompt treatment, he still required a period of quiet recuperation. Despite his youth, Zhuge Yue was a lieutenant of the Huangtian Division, having graduated from the appointment hall and led troops three times to suppress rebellions in the northwestern Shaman region. His martial skills were exceptional, making him one of the Zhuge family's most outstanding members aside from Zhuge Huai. Other major noble families, with their highly efficient intelligence networks, quickly obtained this information. No sooner had Zhuge Huai submitted a petition requesting military command on behalf of his younger brother than opposing opinions from various families flooded into Shengjin Palace. That very afternoon, imperial physicians arrived at the Zhuge residence to stay temporarily, forcing the Zhuge clan to quietly abandon their ambition to gain influence in the Huangtian Division.
A slight move in one part may affect the whole situation. Branch family leaders of the Zhuge clan came visiting in droves, instantly overwhelming the main residence with their presence.
On the same day, due to Zhuge Yue's injury, the Zhuge residence witnessed the usual power struggles. Jinzhu, the chief maid in the fourth young master's courtyard who had always bullied others relying on her master's influence, was found beaten to death. Two guards from Green Mountain Courtyard responsible for administering punishments ended up fighting each other, resulting in one immediate death and the other succumbing to severe injuries the following morning. The chief steward of the Zhuge residence received twenty unjustified cane strokes over some controversial potted plants and remained sighing in his room during recovery.
By the pavilion lake where crocodiles were kept near the hot springs in the back mountain, three more corpses silently sank into the water, left to be devoured by fish and shrimp with no one paying any attention.
Under the starless night sky, Chu Qiao took the last string of spirit money from Xiao Ba's hands and placed it into the burning basin, murmuring softly, "Just you wait and see."
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