The Golden Hairpin

Amid the strange and splendid fireworks, Li Shubai turned to look at Huang Zixiao beside him. The magnificent scene reflected in her eyes was even more breathtaking than the real spectacle before him.

Huang Zixiao returned to the Wang residence in Yongchang Lane, only to find Wang Yun already seated in the hall waiting for her.

She suddenly felt the hand Li Shubai had held earlier burning intensely, filling her with a sense of guilt.

Yet Wang Yun smiled gently at her, his demeanor as serene and kind as ever, which slightly eased her heart but also deepened her sense of indebtedness and remorse.

She sat down across from him and cautiously asked, "Is the Imperial Guard free today? You’ve come so early."

He nodded and replied, "Indeed. The weather is so cold, and His Majesty is unwell. There have been no court sessions recently, so the palace doesn’t require constant high alert."

Noticing the water in the kettle bubbling with crab-eye bubbles, Huang Zixiao washed her hands, ground the tea leaves, and prepared a cup for him.

He watched her make the tea and suddenly asked, "Why go out in such cold weather? It’s much warmer at home."

She kept her head down as she worked on the tea and replied calmly, "Zhou Ziqin came to find me. We went to the Prince of E’s residence to look for some clues."

"No wonder you’re dressed in men’s clothing," he chuckled, accepting the tea she handed him. He savored its subtle fragrance and bitterness, lost in thought for a moment before falling silent.

Huang Zixiao then asked, "Is the tea not good?"

"It’s excellent," he said, turning to look at her with a faint smile. "Did you stay at the Prince of E’s residence for so long, until now?"

Huang Zixiao lowered her head to sip her tea and gave a quiet "Mm" in response.

Wang Yun gazed at her, hesitating before finally asking, "Then, why did you go to the southern part of the city?"

So he already knew she had gone there. Huang Zixiao felt a slight stiffness in her back. After recalling the journey back and confirming that no one had followed her and Li Shubai, she calmly brushed her hair aside and said, "You know about Prince Kui’s talisman—someone must have tampered with it. Zhou Ziqin insisted on dragging me to Prince Kui’s residence. I had no choice but to accompany them to the southern part of the city to examine the box containing the talisman, to see if there was any opportunity to exploit."

Seeing her composed reaction, Wang Yun also smiled and said, "Ziqin is always so absurd, never considering others’ feelings."

Huang Zixiao lowered her head and said nothing more.

Wang Yun watched her profile, hesitating for a long time before saying, "I’ll be returning to Langya for a while."

Huang Zixiao looked up at him questioningly.

"The New Year is approaching. As the eldest grandson of the main family, I naturally have to return for ancestral rites. It’s the same every year—there’s no avoiding it..." He spoke with hopeful eyes fixed on her.

She understood his implication. But after a long pause, she finally averted her gaze and said, "Have a safe journey. Return soon."

Hearing this, Wang Yun couldn’t help but lean closer and whisper in her ear, "You... don’t plan to come with me?"

Huang Zixiao felt his breath lightly brush her ear, sending a strange tingling sensation through her. Overwhelmed by nervousness, she turned her face away. "I... what identity would I go under? How could... an unmarried woman accompany her betrothed to ancestral rites?"

Wang Yun couldn’t help but laugh softly. He gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and murmured, "I was being unrealistic... Yes, how could that be appropriate?"Huang Zihuang lowered her head in silence, feeling the brush of his fingertips against her cheek—an unusual sensation.

A wave of unease rose in her chest, and she instinctively curled in on herself, leaning back to avoid his touch.

Yet his hand slid downward, gently encircling her shoulders. He bent his head to gaze at her, his eyes misted with a damp sheen, deep and intent as he asked, "I'm leaving... Will you see me off?"

The sky was nearing dusk, the snow outside reflecting the fading light, casting a brilliant gold and violet glow over them. This resplendent hue also painted Wang Yun's face with an expression that seemed both sorrowful and reluctant. He leaned closer, his pale lips parting slightly as he murmured her name, "Zihuang..."

His voice was distant, carrying a wavering thoughtfulness that sent a shiver through Huang Zihuang. She instinctively arched back, trying to escape his breath, now almost unbearably close.

He pressed lightly on her trembling shoulders, bending down—only to see the sudden mist that veiled her eyes.

She knew there was no escape now. She could only squeeze her eyes shut, her quivering lashes masking the panic that surged within her, though they could not hide the tremors wracking her body.

His breath grew abruptly heavy, the scorching blood coursing through his veins seeming to cool in an instant. The sunset withdrew its bewitching gold and violet hues, and the room darkened. Though she was right within his reach, he felt as though he could no longer see her clearly.

In the end, his lips only grazed her forehead—like a butterfly alighting on the first bloom of a cardamom flower, a fleeting touch before parting.

Huang Zihuang froze for a moment. When nothing else happened, she slowly opened her eyes.

Wang Yun gently released her, turning to stand. His voice was slightly hoarse as he said, "It's late. I should go. You... Take care of yourself in the capital."

"I... will," she murmured, biting her lower lip.

"Then, since it's getting late, I'll take my leave." With that, Wang Yun turned and strode out.

Huang Zihuang followed silently behind, accompanying him to the courtyard gate.

The small courtyard was blanketed in pristine snow, the cold wind biting. Wang Yun paused briefly at the entrance before turning back to look at her. She stood with her head bowed, silent, her pale face like a lotus trembling in the night breeze, her delicate chin sharp as a lotus bud, frail and pitiable.

The irritation that had stirred in him moments ago gradually faded. Without thinking, he reached out to adjust her collar, murmuring, "Chang'an winters are harsh. You must take care of yourself."

She lifted her gaze to meet his, offering a faint smile. "Mm. You too. The journey will be long—please be careful."

He nodded, giving her hand a brief squeeze. "Go back inside."

Huang Zihuang nodded but remained at the gate, watching until he disappeared from sight.

After Wang Yun left Chang'an for Langya, the weather grew even colder. By New Year's Eve, though the sky was clear, the chill remained piercing.

The Wang family's servants were meticulous in their duties. Lanterns and colorful silks had been hung early, the main gate adorned with fresh peachwood charms, and the new window paper decorated with pairs of vibrant red cutouts. The tablecloths and cushions had all been replaced with new ones, filling the once-quiet residence with a lively New Year's cheer.Huang Zixiang, having received the care of everyone for many days, also prepared red envelopes for each of them.

Alone in Chang'an with no one to rely on, she sat heavily at the table, listening to the firecrackers outside.

Far beyond the courtyard walls, the laughter of children seemed to drift in. On this day, countless households were lively and reunited. Yet within this small residence, all was silent and still. Only she lit a stick of incense, offering distant prayers for the souls of her departed family.

As night deepened, she sat by the solitary lamp, gazing at the pair of Agashini on the table, feeling an unbearable chill and loneliness. Rising, she stepped outside, walking through the corridor where faint, indistinct laughter seemed to linger. Pausing in the shimmering corridor, she heard only her own breath, sharp and clear in the cold night.

The Milky Way hung low, and the stars glittered across the vast sky.

She remembered the moment after solving Wang Ruo’s case, emerging from the Taiji Palace and looking up to see that tall, jade-like figure standing beneath the starry sky.

The same stars, the same sky she now gazed upon—yet tonight, she had no idea where that person might be.

Her hand pressed against the slightly warm wall, fingers gliding over the glass. Curious little fish swam close to her fingertips, separated only by the thin pane, their colors dreamlike—visible yet forever untouchable.

Unable to resist, she rested her forehead against the glass, watching them. The warm light overhead bathed her, and the rippling water cast shifting reflections across her face.

At the end of the corridor, a servant approached with a smile, handing her a letter.

She took it and examined the writing—no signature, only the words "For Huang Zixiang’s eyes only," in unfamiliar handwriting.

Her heart gave a faint flutter. Quickly, she opened it. Inside, on plain white paper, was written a single word:

Come.

A single elegant, graceful character—so achingly familiar that her heart immediately began to race. Clutching the letter, she hurried down the corridor toward the main gate.

On New Year’s Eve, every household burned offerings, the glow of fires casting faint light along the silent, empty streets. There, beneath the stars, stood Li Shubai. The flickering light illuminated his face, casting golden-red shadows across his exquisitely sculpted features—yet even the shadows seemed beautiful.

Huang Zixiang turned to see a servant from the Wang family bringing out a cloak and quickly took it, blocking the woman’s view. Thanking her, she urged the servant back inside before wrapping herself tightly in the sable-lined cloak and walking toward Li Shubai.

The plush fur framed her cheeks, making her face appear even more delicate and lovely. Tilting her head up to look at him, the faint firelight painted her cheeks with a rosy glow, radiant beyond words.

Li Shubai gazed at her and said, "Apologies for being late. I just returned from the palace."

Huang Zixiang asked hurriedly, "Did something happen?"

"Nothing. It was just the customary New Year’s Eve summons for the imperial relatives to watch the exorcism dances and receive spiced wine," he replied, brushing aside a few stray strands of fur that had fallen over her eyes. "Come, I’ll take you to see something."

She followed him out of Yongchang Ward, heading east.

Along the way, firecrackers crackled, and music filled the air as the festive atmosphere enveloped all of Chang'an. Every ward in the city hung lanterns high, burning through the night. With the three-day lifting of the curfew for New Year’s Eve, even at this late hour, children still played in the streets, some sitting by their doors munching on dates and melon seeds, proudly showing off their parents’ gifts.Huang Zixiang suddenly remembered something and casually reached into her sleeve, finding an ungiven red envelope. She took it out and handed it to Li Shubai, saying, "This is for you, for good luck."

Li Shubai accepted it and tipped it open to find a thin, ordinary gold leaf inside. She must have prepared it for those around her, a festive token for the New Year. He tucked the gold leaf into his sleeve, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Thank you. I didn’t realize you were so well-off. Seems like being a low-ranking eunuch for life wouldn’t be so bad."

"All thanks to Your Highness’s favor. No one in my clan dared to seize the inheritance my parents left behind," she replied, then sighed softly, gazing up at the countless stars in the sky. "I wonder how they’re doing over there… if they’re celebrating the New Year together, happy and warm…"

"They are. They’re watching over you, and you’ve made them proud," Li Shubai said gently, raising his hand to rest it atop her hooded head. "Don’t worry."

Huang Zixiang nodded, feeling a warmth in her eyes as tears threatened to fall. But she held them back, taking deep breaths until they dissolved into her gaze.

She followed Li Shubai under the starry sky, walking toward the Kui Palace.

As they crossed the winding bridge before the Pillow Stream Pavilion, she noticed something net-like spread over the withered lotus leaves. In the darkness, she couldn’t quite make it out and asked, "What’s that?"

Li Shubai smiled. "You’ll see in a moment."

They entered the pavilion together. Li Shubai handed her a gilded bronze hand warmer to keep her hands cozy, then lit a firestarter and asked, "Shall you do it, or shall I?"

Hugging the hand warmer, Huang Zixiang said, "I don’t even know what it is, so of course it’s your turn. Let’s see if it’s worth dragging me out here in the middle of the night."

"Then sit tight," he said, walking to the edge of the lotus pond. He struck the firestarter alight and used it to ignite a candle hanging nearby.

Returning to Huang Zixiang’s side, he sat with her in the pavilion, leaning against the railing on soft cushions.

One by one, fuses were lit by the candle’s flame, the fire spreading across the pond. Suddenly, countless bursts of colored light erupted. Green flames surged upward, outlining countless leaves amidst the scattered emerald glow. Reds, purples, yellows, and whites blazed together, shooting forth brilliant flames that bloomed into enormous peonies atop the green radiance.

Huang Zixiang was stunned, her eyes wide as she watched the patterns ignite from below. "Is this… a frame firework? But it’s different from the usual kind."

"Mm. Normally, people bind fireworks into shapes before lighting them, which makes them rigid. I thought—why not weave the desired pattern with silk threads first, then coat the net with colored gunpowder? As it burns upward, it’s like watching flowers bloom."Before his words had even faded, the burning peony withered in an instant, its sparks and threads consumed by the flames. Yet, the fire had already spread to another silk net prepared behind it. Amidst the ethereal auspicious clouds, the gates of a celestial pavilion opened, revealing fairies emerging in pairs, dancing gracefully. The blaze lasted but a moment—the fairies in their colorful robes flickered between brilliance and decay, their movements shifting with each burst of fireworks that outlined their forms. Their garments and ribbons fluttered, radiant and illusory, as if real yet dreamlike.

Huang Zixiao stood dumbfounded and asked, "How was this done?"

"Of course, it was prepared seven times—seven silk nets burning one after another from front to back. Each burst of fireworks was actually different. But because we couldn’t distinguish the layers from the front, it seemed as though the same fairy was changing her dance."

"A thousand lights on the lantern tree, seven branches of blossoms aflame... So beautiful..." Huang Zixiao murmured, listening to his explanation while staring unblinkingly at the flowing, shimmering fireworks before her.

As the fairies faded away, this spectacle of fireworks turned to ashes, giving way to an even more dazzling display—stars filling the sky, streams of light swirling, then suddenly converging into a single bright moon. After waxing and waning, the moon abruptly scattered into countless white specks, like a flurry of snowflakes. Each snowflake swiftly transformed into a butterfly, and countless radiant butterflies fluttered their wings above the lotus pond before dissolving into a sky full of starlight, drifting down like scattered petals.

Amidst this strange and magnificent fireworks display, Li Shubai turned to look at Huang Zixiao beside him. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she gazed at the ever-changing spectacle before her. The shifting hues of the fireworks cast a flowing glow upon her face—soft purples, faint reds, delicate greens, shimmering yellows—as if bathed in a rainbow’s embrace.

Her bright eyes reflected the entire shifting world, the magnificent scene before her transforming into shadows within her gaze, more breathtaking than the real spectacle before him.

Unconsciously, the corners of his lips curled into a delighted smile. He watched her face, mesmerized by the light rippling like water over her lashes. Occasionally, when she blinked, her lashes trembled slightly, like the delicate flutter of a dragonfly’s wings against his chest, stirring his heartbeat.

She watched the fireworks, and he watched her.

A fleeting moment of beauty, a wondrous and grand fireworks finale, and the lotus pond, now covered in thin ice and withered lotuses, returned to tranquility.

Huang Zixiao leaned against the railing, unable to snap out of her daze, still lost in the spectacle of the fireworks.

Li Shubai gently took her hand and said, "Let’s go. The lingering smell isn’t very pleasant."

As she followed him back along the winding bridge, she glanced back reluctantly at the remnants of the silk nets, counting how many layers it must have taken to create such a soul-stirring moment of beauty.

Just as they reached the end of the bridge, she suddenly let out a soft "Ah!" and stopped in her tracks.

Seeing her standing motionless in the wind, her gaze fixed on an empty point in the air, her expression drastically changed, Li Shubai asked, "What’s wrong?"

Huang Zixiao raised a hand to stop him and whispered, "Let me think..."

So he stood by her side, waiting.The night wind howled, and the starry sky was dazzlingly brilliant. Yongjia Lane was a gathering place for nobles and dignitaries. On New Year's Eve, songs and dances were everywhere, their melodies drifting from near and far, indistinct and impossible to discern clearly.

The residual heat from the fireworks caused the thin ice on the lotus pond to crack, occasionally emitting a faint "snap."

Huang Zixia stood motionless under the starry sky, in the midst of the night wind, feeling as though the entire expanse of stars had suddenly cascaded down like a torrent of glittering snowflakes, rushing toward her with a deafening roar. The unbearable weight of those terrifying truths pressed down on her, making her tremble uncontrollably.

Seeing the biting cold of the night wind, Li Shubai took Huang Zixia's hand and led her, still trembling with shock, to the nearby Yubing Pavilion. He closed the doors and windows, stoked the fire in the stove until it blazed brightly, and had her sit beside it.

"I just... seemed to have thought of something," Huang Zixia finally snapped out of her daze, tapping her head. "About the suspicious case of Prince E jumping from Xiangluan Pavilion. Just now, for a moment, I felt like I grasped something..."

"Don't rush. Let's sort it out," Li Shubai said, pulling a chair next to her and sitting down. "What triggered the thought? The lotus pond?"

Huang Zixia shook her head, furrowing her brows.

Li Shubai thought for a moment, then asked, "The fireworks?"

"Yes... it was the fireworks!" she exclaimed almost urgently, grabbing his sleeve. "Back then, you told me that the fairy fireworks—because we couldn't distinguish front from back when viewing them from the front—made it seem like the same net burned seven times, as if it were the same fairy changing her dance moves..."

Her voice trembled with excitement, and her face showed a bewildered confusion. "I feel like I understand, but I don't know what it is... But the inability to distinguish front from back must be the key to this case!"

Li Shubai was stunned for a moment before suddenly realizing what she meant. He grasped her hand and asked, "Are you saying that what we saw back then might have been an illusion, fabricated just like today's fireworks? That my seventh brother... didn't die?"

Huang Zixia nodded firmly. "I'm not entirely sure yet, but perhaps he used the terrain of Qifeng and Xiangluan Pavilions, along with the illusion in our eyes, to stage this grand performance of faking his death and ascending to immortality?"

Li Shubai pressed his lips together, lost in thought for a long while before saying, "In that case, burning all the things I gave him in front of everyone must have had a purpose. Otherwise, he could have simply burned them at our mother's memorial."

Huang Zixia nodded vigorously. "Exactly! That must also be a crucial point. It relates to how he managed to vanish before our eyes, in full view of everyone."

Li Shubai let out a long sigh and leaned back slowly in his chair. He was still holding her hand—whether he had forgotten to let go or needed her support to reassure himself this wasn't a dream. "Seventh Brother is alive... He didn't die, he's still alive?"

Huang Zixia felt his hand tremble slightly in hers, and her heart ached. She knew Li Shubai and Li Run had been the closest of brothers, so the revelation that Li Run was still alive naturally filled him with overwhelming emotion. Yet Li Run had orchestrated such an elaborate scheme to pin the most horrifying crime in the world on him—what could possibly be the reason?No matter what, as long as Prince E, Li Run, was still alive, they would find a way to locate him. There was always a way to uncover the truth and trace the root of everything.

"With the bitter cold and relentless snowstorms now, I'm not sure if my seventh brother would venture far in such weather. But I believe there's a high chance he's still in Chang'an or its outskirts." Li Shubai pressed his fingers to his forehead. The agitation made his temples throb faintly, and even his usually composed mind seemed clouded, no longer able to think with its customary clarity.

Huang Zixiao nodded and said, "Now that we've confirmed he's still alive, perhaps we can investigate further. If we can locate Prince E, I believe we can clear your name and turn the situation around."

"Mmm, we should focus on the ancient temples in the suburbs. Though I'm currently idle, I still have two or three teams at my disposal—manpower isn't an issue." As Li Shubai spoke, he seemed to realize he was gripping her hand too tightly and gently loosened his hold. The agitation and gloom on his face had already faded. He softly massaged her palm, which had turned pale from his grip, and said slowly, "I must ask him in person... why he did this."

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, the people of Chang'an rose early and flocked to the major temples to offer incense. The race to secure the first incense offering of the year—considered highly auspicious—drew fierce competition. However, the privilege of the first incense at major temples was usually reserved for nobility and officials. Ordinary citizens, even if they waited all night, rarely had a chance, so most families simply visited various temples in turn after daybreak to burn incense.

Huang Zixiao had watched the fireworks at Kui Palace the previous night and discussed matters with Li Shubai late into the evening. By the time she returned to the Wang residence in Yongchang Ward, it was already past midnight. She had barely slept when someone began pounding frantically on her door: "Chonggu! Chonggu! Chonggu! Get up, get up, get up!"

There was only one person in the world like this, and she was utterly powerless against him.

So she could only mumble a response, telling him to wait in the outer room while she forced herself to get up and dress.

After washing up, she went to the front hall and found Zhou Ziqin sitting there, dazzling to the point of being unbearable. His bright red robe, vivid purple floral patterns, and golden belt were each designed to blind the eyes.

She covered her eyes and sat across from him. "It's New Year's Day... wear whatever you want. I'll endure it."

"Isn't it great? So festive! My mother always says you should dress this joyously during the New Year," Zhou Ziqin said, pulling a red envelope from his sleeve. "Good fortune and prosperity—here's a lucky token for you."

"Thank you. Good fortune and prosperity to you too—here's yours." She handed him the one she had prepared.

"Wow, gold leaf! I didn't know you were so generous," Zhou Ziqin said cheerfully as he opened the envelope.

Huang Zixiao checked the red envelope he had given her—inside were two auspicious coins. She could only sigh and tuck them into her sleeve. "Compared to you, I'm practically a pauper."

"Come on, pauper, I'll cover the incense and candles today," Zhou Ziqin declared, patting his chest grandly.

Huang Zixiao frowned. "Incense and candles? What are you talking about?"

"Huh? Of course we're going to burn incense today—it's New Year's Day! Don't you need to buy incense for that?"

"...Who said I was going?"

"What else are you going to do? Staying cooped up at home during the New Year is so dreary. Hurry up and come with me." Without waiting for her reply, Zhou Ziqin urged her to finish breakfast quickly, then dragged her out the door and straight to the nearby temples.

The temples were packed with crowds, reminding Huang Zixiao and Zhou Ziqin of the chaos at Jianfu Temple. Fortunately, the city's residents were spread out across multiple temples this time, so it wasn't completely impassable.Holding their incense sticks outside the main hall, unable to squeeze in any further, the two exchanged glances. Zhou Ziqin asked, "Should we just go to Anguo Temple next door instead?"

"Trust me, every temple in Chang'an is the same today." Huang Zixiao left no room for his wishful thinking.

Zhou Ziqin sighed, decisively tossing his incense sticks into the burner in the courtyard before turning to push his way out. "Let's go, let's go."

As they made their way through the crowd, nearly everyone was eagerly discussing the imminent arrival of the Buddha's relic from Famen Temple to the capital.

"When the relic enters the city, my whole family will definitely go to the last pagoda to welcome it! That one isn’t too far from the outskirts, right?"

"Indeed. Originally, they planned to build 120 pagodas, expecting even more people to welcome it. But I heard Prince Kui intervened and reduced it to just 72, so the last one is still ten li from the city."

"Ten li? I’d go even if it were a hundred li!"

"Has Prince Kui been haunted by Pang Xun’s ghost? Why else would he oppose the relic’s arrival? What’s the point of reducing the pagodas? How does it affect him?"

Huang Zixiao frowned slightly upon hearing this, but Zhou Ziqin had already raised his finger and shouted at the man, "Hey, what are you—"

Huang Zixiao grabbed his arm and whispered, "Ignore them!"

Zhou Ziqin huffed, shaking his sleeve angrily as he glared at the group.

Amid the clamor, the men didn’t even notice Zhou Ziqin and continued their gossip. "Who knows... I heard Prince Kui even tried to stop the pagodas from being built. It was only the Emperor’s insistence that kept some of them."

"They say Prince Kui has truly lost his mind and wants to overthrow the empire! On the winter solstice, Prince E, under his coercion, jumped to his death in the Daming Palace!"

"Yes, yes, I’ve heard that too! Prince E died for the sake of the realm, moving heaven and earth. His body ascended mid-air—a thousand people in the palace witnessed it! Everyone present knelt in reverence as he transformed into an immortal!"

"Exactly! I heard the same! It’s absolutely true! My third uncle’s wife’s nephew serves in the imperial guards. He was right under the Xiangluan Pavilion and saw it with his own eyes!"

"I’ve heard it too! But how can it be? Prince Kui quelled the rebellion in Xuzhou, pacified Nanzhao, and defended against the Uighurs in the west. The Tang Dynasty owes much of its stability to him. How could he... harbor such treachery all these years?"

"They say when Prince Kui was in Xuzhou, Pang Xun’s ghost cursed him. Now the curse is taking effect—he’s possessed by vengeful spirits, his mind corrupted. Outwardly, he’s still Prince Kui, but inside, he’s Pang Xun’s evil spirit, plotting to overthrow the Tang!"

Someone quickly hushed him. "Are you mad? How dare you say such things?"

"Why not? Haven’t you heard? The whole capital is talking about it—it’s common knowledge! Prince Kui has been stripped of all his posts, which proves even the Emperor has noticed his treachery, right?" Though the man spoke defiantly, his voice gradually trailed off.

Zhou Ziqin glared at the group and muttered under his breath, "What’s going on...? These absurd rumors are only getting worse!"Huang Zixiang grabbed his sleeve and pulled him along as the people behind them shifted topics, continuing their discussion about the arrival of the Buddha’s relic: “They say that wherever the sacred bone passes, countless people kneel and worship. Truly, the Buddha’s power is boundless! One man carried a torch for half a day, and when the pine resin burned out, his hand was covered in it. His entire right hand caught fire, yet he felt no pain. He even raised his burning hand to guide the relic for a long stretch of the way!”

“Such a devout believer! He will surely attain enlightenment and be welcomed by the Buddha to the Western Paradise!”

Zhou Ziqin rolled his eyes and asked Huang Zixiang, “Do people like that really exist? Someone who doesn’t fear pain?”

“People pursue all sorts of things in this world. Some sever emotions and attachments for fame, others brave peril for profit—why can’t there be those who would go through fire and water for their faith?” Huang Zixiang walked ahead, frowning slightly. “Everyone has something they’re willing to sacrifice everything for. When that moment comes, perhaps even you or I might willingly endure the agony of flames.”

Zhou Ziqin thought for a moment, then shook his head as he glanced at the people around them, enthusiastically recounting various miracles. “Not me—I’m afraid of pain.”

“Sometimes, faith and pursuit can make one fearless,” Huang Zixiang murmured, gazing at the dense crowd ahead as if speaking to herself. “Like under a soul-hypnotizing spell, unafraid of death, indifferent to destruction, charging forward recklessly toward a single goal.”

Zhou Ziqin stuck out his tongue. “Soul hypnosis isn’t that powerful. Take Monk Mushan and Yu Xuan—he still had to exploit Yu Xuan’s inner demons first. And he’s supposed to be the most skilled hypnotist, right? But I refuse to believe he could make me want to harm you out of thin air.”

Huang Zixiang nodded silently. “True. It’s only when people succumb to their inner demons that they fall into obsession and resentment. Without any reason, how could soul hypnosis ever find an opening?”

As they spoke, they finally managed to push through the crowd and reached the temple gates.

But more people were surging inward, brushing past their shoulders as they crossed the threshold. An elderly man passing by suddenly turned to look at them and asked in delight, “You’re… friends of Xingying, aren’t you?”

Huang Zixiang turned and recognized Zhang Xingying’s father, Zhang Weiyi—the bedridden old man she had only met once or twice when she and Zhou Ziqin visited the Zhang household. Yet his memory was sharp enough to recognize them instantly.

They quickly bowed and asked, “How is your health, Uncle?”

Zhang Weiyi seemed in good spirits, chuckling as he replied, “After recuperating for over half a year—and being a physician myself, treating my own ailments all this time—ah, it seems my skills are lacking. Only now can I finally step outside.”

“Not at all, Uncle. You’re a renowned physician in the capital—your healing hands work wonders.”

“Xingying told me all about you after returning from Chengdu Prefecture. That boy kept it from me for so long—who would’ve thought Eunuch Yang was actually you!”

“Circumstances forced it. Please forgive us, Uncle.” Huang Zixiang glanced helplessly at Zhou Ziqin before speaking sincerely.

Zhang Xingying’s elder brother, standing nearby, smiled. “We didn’t expect to run into you here—otherwise, Xingying would’ve definitely come along.”

Zhou Ziqin quickly asked, “Oh right, Second Brother Zhang should be off duty today. Where’s he gone to have fun?”"He's resting at home. Now that he's serving under Prince Kui, it's rare for him to have a few days off. Let him sleep a little longer," Zhang Weiyi said with a smile, then glanced inside. "It's so crowded... have you finished offering incense?"

"What do you mean? We couldn't even squeeze in, so we came out," Zhou Ziqin replied, then added with concern, "Uncle, I think you'd better not go in either. It wouldn't be good if you got jostled in the crowd."

"That's right, Father. Sit here, and I'll go in to offer incense for you. The Buddha won't blame you."

Seeing his son's insistence, Zhang Weiyi held the incense sticks and bowed three times toward the hall from outside before joining them to sit on a stone bench nearby for resting.

Though Zhang Xingying's brother was in the prime of his life, it still took him considerable effort to push through the crowd, and he hadn't emerged after a long while. As the three of them waited idly, Zhang Weiyi asked Huang Zixia, "Miss Huang, do you still remember that case involving my family years ago?"

Huang Zixia nodded. "Of course. I was very young then. When I followed my father to your house to examine the clues, you even scolded me."

"Yes, back then, my whole family was wronged with no one to turn to. Then the Ministry of Justice sent word that someone had found questionable points in the case and wanted to reopen it. When I saw that the person raising these points was just a little girl with two braids, I felt like heaven was playing a cruel joke on me—I nearly fainted from shock..." Zhang Weiyi laughed heartily as he recounted the past.

Zhou Ziqin immediately grew curious and urged, "What happened? Tell me about it!"

Huang Zixia said casually, "It was nothing much. One of Uncle Zhang's patients passed away. The family was powerful and, in their grief and anger, blamed Uncle Zhang and falsely accused him, landing him in prison."

Zhou Ziqin asked indignantly, "Who was that bastard patient? How could they blame the doctor for not curing the illness? And even drag the doctor's family into it?"

Huang Zixia raised an eyebrow at him and simply said, "It's not the only case like this."

Zhou Ziqin was instantly reminded of the emperor executing imperial physicians and even their families. In truth, the emperor knew Princess Tongchang had been stabbed through the heart and was beyond saving, yet he still took his anger out on the imperial physicians, implicating hundreds of their relatives.

He sighed and said, "Being a physician is truly difficult."

The three of them fell silent on the matter. Then Zhang Weiyi remembered something and quickly asked, "By the way, Miss Huang, I wanted to ask—can I still get back that painting bestowed upon me by the late emperor?"

Zhou Ziqin asked, "That painting with three black ink blobs? It still hasn't been returned to you?"

"No. They initially said it had nothing to do with the case involving Princess Tongchang's residence and would be returned, but for some reason, the matter was never brought up again," Zhang Weiyi lamented. "After decades of practicing medicine, being summoned to the palace to treat His Majesty was the pinnacle of my life. I had hoped to be buried with the painting the late emperor gave me..."

Huang Zixia thought of those three scribbles on the painting and recalled what Li Shubai had once told her. He said the late emperor used white hemp paper for his paintings, while yellow hemp paper was typically used in the palace for drafting imperial edicts.

If something was hidden beneath those ink blots—what could it possibly be?She was still lost in thought when Zhou Ziqin slapped his chest and declared, "It was originally bestowed by the late emperor—returning it to you, uncle, is only right and proper! Leave this matter to me. I'll make the rounds at the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice to find out where it ended up. Honestly, it's only tangentially related to the case. With a bit of persuasion, we should be able to retrieve it."

"Oh, then I must thank you, young man!" Zhang Weiyi was overjoyed, grasping Zhou Ziqin's hand and thanking him repeatedly.

"It's nothing. I may not have many virtues, but I'm always eager to help others!"

Huang Zixiang shook her head in silent exasperation. Seeing that Elder Brother Zhang had finally emerged from the temple, she stood up and said, "The weather is quite cold. You should head back and rest, uncle. You need to take good care of your health."

"Tell me, who would take such a messy drawing? Even now, I can't believe it was the late emperor's handiwork."

On their way back, Zhou Ziqin muttered to himself, pondering where to retrieve that painting.

Huang Zixiang frowned slightly and said, "It's not a painting."

"Huh? Not a painting? I thought so too. Those three smudges we saw last time were a complete mess—you had to stretch your imagination to make any sense of them."

"No, what I mean is..." Huang Zixiang glanced around at the sparse crowd, ensuring no one was paying attention to them, then lowered her voice. "Imperial yellow hemp paper was mostly used for writing, while white hemp paper was for painting."

Zhou Ziqin gasped. "So, you're saying..."

Huang Zixiang met his gaze and nodded.

"The late emperor had a strange illness and couldn't distinguish between the colors of yellow and white hemp paper before his death, so he grabbed the wrong one?"

Huang Zixiang stumbled, nearly falling. "No!"

"Then what?" Zhou Ziqin looked at her with eager curiosity.

Huang Zixiang sighed. "The late emperor was bedridden for a long time. Naturally, it was his attendants who fetched the paper for him. Even if his mind was too hazy to tell the colors apart, surely his attendants wouldn’t make such a mistake?"

Zhou Ziqin nodded thoughtfully. "So... the late emperor was actually—writing?"

"Yes, and most likely, it was an extremely important edict."

Zhou Ziqin's eyes widened. "Then the content of the edict was... those three ink blots?"

"I'm certain the edict's content must be hidden beneath those three smeared ink blots," Huang Zixiang said gravely. "But why someone would scribble over it, and why it was given as a 'painting' to Uncle Zhang, who was summoned to the palace to treat the emperor—that, I don’t know."

Zhou Ziqin excitedly clapped her on the back. "No need to overthink it! Once we get that painting, I'll use the spinach-based solution I prepared. The later layer of ink will fade first, and we’ll instantly see the characters beneath—"

"And then, all the ink on the entire sheet will fade away, disappearing forever?" Huang Zixiang asked.

Zhou Ziqin hesitated. "Well... at least we’d have seen the late emperor’s hidden edict."

"But such crucial evidence would be lost forever, never to reappear. And even if you saw it, what good would it do? If it truly is important, who would believe your word? What if someone decides to silence you for knowing the secret?"Zhou Ziqin let out a hiss akin to a toothache. "No way... it's that serious?"

"What do you think?" Huang Zixiang lifted her gaze to the horizon. Gloomy crimson clouds pressed down upon Chang'an, a persistent gray mist that dispersed only to gather again.

"That painting... Consort Chen, Prince E's mother, once had a copy. Even after she lost her mind, she still secretly kept it. So I suspect Prince E's actions at Xiangluan Pavilion might be inextricably linked to this painting."

Zhou Ziqin's face instantly paled. "This... this is highly possible! That painting is truly... truly crucial!"

"Therefore," Huang Zixiang continued, "first, we must find that painting; second, we must protect it properly—it absolutely cannot be damaged; third, without damaging it, we must remove the layer of ink covering it to reveal the hidden writing beneath."

As Huang Zixiang laid out these three points, Zhou Ziqin's face twisted into an expression of mingled agony and delight. "Such a challenging task—I love it!"

"How do you plan to proceed?" Huang Zixiang asked.

"Of course—by going to Yi's Framing Shop and groveling at that old man's feet to see if we can coax out his secret techniques for ink removal!"

He thumped his chest with an air of confidence. Huang Zixiang nodded. "Then I wish you swift success."

"Leave it to me!" Zhou Ziqin declared, turning to leave. After a step, he suddenly remembered something and hurried back. "Chonggu, can I ask you something that might sound serious?"

Huang Zixiang nodded, watching him. "What is it?"

"Well... what if, after we peel off that scribbled layer, we find nothing underneath? What if the late emperor was just delirious before his death and randomly doodled on the painting..."

"The late emperor left behind dozens, if not hundreds, of brushworks in the palace collection. If this really is just a random scribble, destroying it might actually be a good thing—to prevent it from circulating. Don't you think?"

Zhou Ziqin nodded but hesitated. "Chonggu, this is the late emperor's final brushwork..."

Huang Zixiang looked at him solemnly. "Someone splashed vermilion on a painting by Zhan Ziqian. Which do you think is worse?"

"True... Anyway, even if it's destroyed, I'd just be preserving the late emperor's reputation." Zhou Ziqin immediately brightened, waving as he charged ahead. "Chonggu, wait for my good news!"

"The Western Market isn't that way!"

"Nonsense! What shop would be open on New Year's Day? I'm going straight to Old Yi's house to ambush him!"