The Golden Hairpin

Huang Zixiang recalled the story about the younger sister that the woman had just shared with her and let out a low "Ah." "So, the youngest of the Yunshao Six, has passed away?"

"The sixth sister was named Fu Xinruan. Seventeen years ago, she was only twelve, a young girl with her hair still in childish braids, innocent and carefree. She should be nearly thirty by now."

"Famous at a young age, then gone too soon in the prime of life," Huang Zixiang sighed. "Judging by Gongsun Yi's demeanor, there might be more to her death than meets the eye."

Li Shubai said coolly, "You should focus on your own affairs first. How can you spare the time to worry about others?"

Huang Zixiang nodded but couldn't help glancing at Gongsun Yi again.

She had already gathered her belongings and was heading toward the door. Unexpectedly, two young ruffians stood at the entrance, grinning as they blocked her path. "Isn't this Gongsun Yi? What brings you from Yangzhou to Hanzhou? What a coincidence—we stayed here last night too. Fate must have brought us together!"

Gongsun Yi regarded the two with a cold expression, ignoring them as she tried to sidestep and leave.

But the two were scoundrels, deliberately crowding the doorway with their shoulders. The already narrow entrance, less than three feet wide, was completely blocked, leaving no space to pass.

Huang Zixiang frowned slightly and was about to rise and speak up for her when Li Shubai flipped his chopsticks and lightly pressed them against the back of her hand, signaling her to stay put.

Gongsun Yi didn't slow her steps, continuing straight toward the door. Just as she seemed about to collide with the two men—and just as they raised their hands to grab her, their grins growing even more shameless—her feet shifted subtly. In a blur of movement, she slipped effortlessly between them like a dragonfly skimming the water, landing gracefully in the courtyard without so much as stirring the dust.

The two ruffians, seeing her pass through them as if they were nothing, grew furious at the humiliation. Amid the mocking laughter of the other guests, they rushed after her to block her again.

Unwilling to escalate the situation, Gongsun Yi spoke to them politely, "Gentlemen, without the accompaniment of flutes and drums, what entertainment can a mere dance offer? Besides, my younger sister has just passed, and my heart is heavy. I beg your forgiveness."

But the two spoiled brats were incorrigible. Even with the out she offered, they refused to back down. One of them pointed at her angrily, "What’s the big deal? You’re just a dancing girl from Yangzhou! We’ve spent plenty of money on you and your kind before. Why act all high and mighty now?"

"Exactly! With that prim and proper face, anyone would mistake you for some virtuous lady!"

"Now that you’re on our turf, dance for us first!"

The patrons inside, already watching the commotion, grew even more intrigued upon hearing she was a dancing girl from Yangzhou. They crowded outside to watch the spectacle.

Seeing herself surrounded and realizing there was no peaceful way out, Gongsun Yi set down the bundle on her shoulder and tossed it to the ground. "A single dance is no trouble. But how about this?"

Without waiting for their reply, she plucked a willow branch from a nearby tree and spun into an opening stance. Though dressed in simple cloth and with her hair loosely tied, the way she held the willow branch against the wind, her figure ethereal as an immortal, instantly drew an involuntary chorus of "Bravo!" from the onlookers.She wielded a willow branch as if it were a sword, leaping into a dance. Her graceful movements resembled clouds unfurling, and all who watched felt as though the dusty ground before the building had transformed into a splendid pavilion, her plain narrow sleeves instantly morphing into layers of embroidered silk. The beauty on the stage carried an aura of misty clouds, with rippling waves of light swirling around her, making it impossible to see clearly—

Suddenly, her dance shifted. The shimmering waves and mist transformed into a thunderous rage. In the blink of an eye, the willow branch in her hand lashed out like a gust of wind, striking the two ruffians.

Two sharp cracks later, red welts appeared on their faces one after another. They immediately clutched their cheeks, howling in pain.

"Apologies—the willow branch was too long, hard to control," she sneered.

The crowd burst into laughter, and even Huang Zixiao couldn’t help but smile.

The willow strikes were merely superficial, but being humiliated in public was too much for the two men to bear. With furious shouts, they lunged at her.

Gongsun Yuan struck like lightning— swish, swish —and the two men clutched their noses, crouching in agony. The branches had hit them square on the nose, leaving them teary-eyed and sniveling.

"My sincerest apologies, gentlemen. I hail from Yangzhou, and you from Hanzhou—we have no prior grievances. Today, I accidentally injured you. If you ever visit Yangzhou, I shall fulfill my duty as host and make amends." With that, she left the two sniveling troublemakers behind and strode toward the door.

The men, unwilling to let it go, charged after her in a rage, intent on stopping her.

Suddenly— thud, thud —the two were kicked into the corner, wailing in pain and unable to get up.

"In broad daylight, under the heavens’ watch, you dare cause trouble in Shu Commandery? Shaming the people of Shu right under my nose—do you think this constable doesn’t exist?" The righteous shout drew cheers from the crowd, who clapped and cheered for the one who had taught the bullies a lesson. Some even yelled, "Well done, Constable Zhou!"

"Constable Zhou, investigating by imperial decree—truly living up to his reputation!"

"Constable Zhou, Shu Commandery relies on you and Magistrate Zhou!"

Amid the cheers, the revered and radiant Constable Zhou, appointed by imperial decree, made his grand entrance—none other than Zhou Ziqin.

Dressed in a vermilion constable’s uniform, he wore a pine-green sash, a navy sharkskin scabbard at his waist, and violet boots. He had managed a somewhat subdued black gauze hat—only to top it off with a vibrant peacock feather.

Zhou Ziqin, adorned in five or six dazzling colors, happily strode in, cupping his hands in modest acknowledgment. "Duty calls, duty calls!"

Li Shubai and Huang Zixiao exchanged a glance, both deeply understanding the meaning of "too painful to watch"—Zhou Ziqin’s riot of colors was nearly blinding.

"Even after being away from the capital for so long, Ziqin hasn’t changed a bit…" Huang Zixiao couldn’t help but sigh.

Li Shubai remarked, "Strange. With his skills, how could he have sent those two flying like that?"

No sooner had he spoken than they saw the person following behind Zhou Ziqin—and immediately understood.

Zhang Xingying walked in right behind him.

Huang Zixiao and Li Shubai, taking advantage of the fact that they weren’t recognized, continued eating undisturbed. Yet, in a room full of fawning admirers, their stillness made them stand out—and Zhou Ziqin spotted them at once.With no more excitement outside, the crowd had dispersed. Gongsun Yuan bowed to Zhou Ziqin and Zhang Xingying, saying, "Thank you both."

"Ah, it's nothing! I can't stand bullies who pick on women and children. If they've got guts, they should come after us men!" Zhou Ziqin shouted disdainfully at the two ruffians slinking away. "Hey, if you dare, go complain to the governor's office! Next time I catch you, you won't get off so easily!"

Watching them flee in panic, Gongsun Yuan couldn't help but smile at him. "I think they won't dare trouble me again."

Zhou Ziqin thumped his chest with bravado. "If anything happens, come find me! Zhou Ziqin, constable of Shu Commandery—I'll take care of every scoundrel in Sichuan!"

The waiter inside immediately chimed in, "That's right! The people of Shu are blessed. Though we've lost Miss Huang, we've gained Young Master Zhou. Peace in Shu is just around the corner..."

The shopkeeper kicked him and hissed, "Why bring up Miss Huang?"

Only then did the waiter remember that the once-renowned "Miss Huang" was now a wanted fugitive on the run. Flustered, he stammered, "Ah... Young Constable, please forgive me..."

"Forgive what? I love hearing that! Never thought I'd be mentioned in the same breath as Huang Ziguang!" Zhou Ziqin gleefully patted his head. Seeing no empty tables left, he pulled Zhang Xingying over and plopped down right beside Li Shubai and Huang Ziguang. "Come on, let's have breakfast—you two don't mind sharing, do you?"

Huang Ziguang and Li Shubai shook their heads but didn't speak, focusing on their food to avoid giving themselves away.

Zhou Ziqin asked Zhang Xingying, "Brother Zhang, you've come all the way to Shu—any luck finding Di Cui?"

Zhang Xingying, weighed down with worry, shook his head.

Huang Ziguang noticed how gaunt he looked, clearly worn out from his long search. A complex emotion welled up in her heart.

"I think if Di Cui knew how devoted you are, she'd be deeply moved," Zhou Ziqin said, peeling an egg. "So, are you planning to search around Shu next?"

"Yes, I'll check the surrounding villages. I think she might have gone somewhere more remote."

Ever the enthusiastic helper, Zhou Ziqin immediately offered, "If you need anything, just ask. At the very least, I can get some people to assist you here in Shu."

"Not for now, but thank you, Brother Ziqin." Zhang Xingying fell into a daze, then added, "I wonder if... Eunuch Yang is here? Maybe she could help us find some clues. Otherwise, with just my efforts, finding Di Cui would be like fishing for the moon—impossible..."

"Chonggu..." Zhou Ziqin murmured his name, then slumped onto the table, his eyes reddening. "Brother Zhang, Chonggu... he's missing!"

"Missing?" Zhang Xingying jolted in alarm. "What happened?"

"He and Prince Kui were attacked on their way to the capital. Now both are missing. The military governor of Xichuan and my father have sent out search parties into the mountains. It's been three or four days since they disappeared, but there's still no trace."Zhang Xingying immediately said, "Prince Kui is a man of extraordinary talent—how could he possibly be harmed by a mere assassin? He must be fine!"

"Yes, Prince Kui might be fine, but... but Chonggu is in trouble!" Zhou Ziqin looked up at him with red-rimmed eyes, his lips trembling as tears threatened to fall. "Do you know? Late last night, we found Nafusha—Chonggu's horse—trapped in a thorny thicket, injured. By the time we pulled it out, it was barely breathing. If even Nafusha was hurt, then Chonggu must have..."

"Eunuch Yang is brilliant and resourceful—he will surely overcome any danger and definitely won't come to harm!" Zhang Xingying cut him off firmly, leaving no room for doubt.

Zhou Ziqin looked up at him, seeing the absolute conviction in his expression, and felt a little more reassured. He nodded and said, "Yes, I think so too. Someone as capable as Chonggu should be absolutely fine!"