“Huh?” Fang Pingzhai and Yu Tuan'er exchanged puzzled glances. Why would there be officers in the dead of night? When the three of them had entered earlier, A Shui hadn’t locked the door. Suddenly, with a loud crash, the wooden door was kicked open, and seven or eight men dressed in official uniforms rushed in through the pouring rain, shouting chaotically, “Everyone, stand still! No one speaks a word! Line up against the wall!”
A Shui was already standing by the wall, while Fang Pingzhai pulled Yu Tuan'er aside. The officers’ gazes swept over the tightly shut guest room door before abruptly landing on Liu Yan, who was seated in a chair. Seeing him dressed in black with his face covered, they immediately grew suspicious. “Who are you? What’s with the veil in the middle of the night? Take it off! And the rest of you—you’re not the owners of this place, are you? What’s your business here?”
“These guests came to take shelter from the rain,” A Shui replied. She had grown accustomed to the officers’ frequent searches these past few days. Though Tang Lici was in the room, the officers weren’t after someone of noble status like the Tang Imperial Uncle—they were looking for suspicious individuals of unknown origins, so she wasn’t worried.
Fang Pingzhai fanned his red fan, each flick landing lightly atop Yu Tuan'er’s head. “We’re just travelers passing through at night. This here is my cousin—born crippled with a twisted face. They say it’s because his parents forgot to pray to the Goddess of Children when he was born, so he ended up looking like a ghost. Even I can’t bear to look at him—one glance and I’d have nightmares. That’s why he wears the veil. And this is his betrothed, engaged since childhood, so she doesn’t mind his deformity. Ah, such rare devotion in this world… The three of us came from Mount Song, originally seeking a famous physician to treat my cousin’s condition. But we lost our way and got caught in the storm. Thankfully, this kind-hearted young lady took us in. We’re truly not suspicious people.”
Yu Tuan'er’s expression was obscured by the rhythmic flicking of the fan, but inwardly, she marveled at how effortlessly he spun lies. In the blink of an eye, he had concocted such a vivid, believable story.
The officers eyed Fang Pingzhai skeptically, taking in his yellow robes and red fan, his composed demeanor. “You claim to be ordinary folk? Do you take me for a fool? I’ve seen plenty of ordinary folk—none dress like you. It’s windy and rainy in late autumn—what’s with the fan? I’d wager you’re accomplices to that murderous fugitive. What are your names?”
Fang Pingzhai shook his head repeatedly. “Wrong, wrong! I’ve always loved yellow—noble, bright, gentle, romantic. It has the grandeur of gold without its vulgarity. Paired with vibrant red, it’s even more striking. My family saw my fondness for red and yellow as a child, so they named me ‘Zhe Tu.’ ‘Zhe’ for red, and in the Five Elements, yellow represents earth—hence ‘Zhe Tu.’ My cousin, on the other hand, adored black since childhood, so they named him ‘Mo Jin.’ As for his virtuous fiancée, though she lacks a scholarly background, her parents named her ‘Xiao Bai’—simple, if not refined.”
With scholarly eloquence, he instantly assigned names to all three of them, speaking with such conviction that Yu Tuan'er nearly believed his real name was “Zhe Tu” and not Fang Pingzhai.The officers were baffled by his words. The leader frowned and said, "Then, this cousin of yours, let me see what he looks like under that veil." Liu Yan sat quietly, unmoving, showing no intention of lifting his veil. Fang Pingzhai coughed and said, "My cousin has been disabled since childhood, so he can't move his hands or feet. Let me do it." He reached out and lifted Liu Yan's veil. Liu Yan didn't mind and remained still. Suddenly, a loud "Ah!" rang out—the leader of the officers, upon seeing a horrifying, disfigured face, jumped back in fright. "Alright, alright! Who could possibly cure such a condition? What renowned physician in Luoyang could treat such a bizarre illness? Unless you can find a royal physician from the palace—hah! That's impossible." The leader waved his hand. Though Liu Yan's veil had already been lowered, seeing such a face in the rainy night was no different from encountering a ghost. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly asked, "Where does this renowned physician you're looking for live? What's his name?"
At this question, Yu Tuan'er was startled, and even A Shui slightly furrowed her brows. Fang Pingzhai replied, "The physician we seek is surnamed Shui, named Shui Duopo. Though his name includes the character 'Duo' (meaning 'many'), he is undoubtedly a man. I've heard he is handsome, resembling an elegant young master. He's lazy, loves money like his life, and though his medical skills are unparalleled, his reputation isn't particularly widespread." The officer pondered, "Shui Duopo? Shui Duopo? I feel like I've heard such a strange name somewhere..." He couldn't recall it at the moment. "In that case, stay here quietly tonight and avoid causing trouble. These are troubled times." Fang Pingzhai repeatedly agreed. The officers still eyed them suspiciously before leaving with their swords drawn.
The wind and rain gradually subsided, and everyone in the house sighed in relief. Yu Tuan'er looked curiously at A Shui. This quiet, seemingly indifferent yet gentle woman—was she the maidservant he had mentioned? After a few glances, she could tell A Shui was beautiful, with an indescribable grace in her eyes and brows. Yet, the longer she looked, the more a sense of melancholy weighed on her heart, making it impossible to feel any joy.
A woman's intuition told her that this sister might be beautiful and gentle, but she was surely unfortunate—so much so that even those around her would share in her misfortune. That feeling of misfortune was bone-deep, as if... enveloped in a layer of icy coldness. She couldn't help but glance at Liu Yan. She didn't want Liu Yan to be with A Shui. Though if they were together, Liu Yan would surely bully A Shui harshly, and this sister wouldn't resist—but just because she didn't resist didn't mean he would be happy.
He wanted something from A Shui, but A Shui couldn't give it to him. Yu Tuan'er thought blankly. But if it were her, no matter what he wanted, she felt she could give it—she definitely could. It was just that he didn't want it from her. He was the only one who had ever truly been kind to her. Whatever he wanted, she would strive to give.
Yet, she didn't understand what it was that Liu Yan wanted from A Shui."Rest now, I'll go make some plain noodles for everyone." A Shui smiled. "The night wind is chilly, it's better to have something warm with soup." Liu Yan said coldly, "The little girl doesn't eat ginger." A Shui nodded. Fang Pingzhai said in a refined manner, "I'd like some vinegar." A Shui smiled faintly, "Just a moment."
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