Chapter 4: Luring the King into the Jar
A few days later…
“Inspector Qi is getting married!”
The news exploded like a thunderclap in the imperial court.
“Inspector Qi? That cold, stone-faced Black Yama,¹ Inspector Qi?”
[Translator’s Notes:
1.Black Yama : Yama is the King of Hell in Buddhist and East Asian mythology. Calling someone a “Black Yama” is a nickname for a person who is stern, fearsome, and associated with judgment or death, fitting for the head of the Inspectorate.]
“How is this so sudden!”
“Ah, you all don’t know. I heard it was an elder from a branch of the Fu family who arranged the marriage for Inspector Qi. The groom hasn’t even met the bride!”
“So Inspector Qi is marrying a young lady from the Fu family? But I heard she’s only from a branch family, not from the main line like Fu Yunzhi.”
It wasn’t just the court; the common folk were also buzzing with gossip. The Qi manor had posted a public notice announcing that on the wedding day, there would be an open feast all night long, and everyone was welcome to come and share in the joyous occasion.
“A talented man and a beautiful woman, a match made in heaven!” a storyteller proclaimed in a certain teahouse.
Whenever a high-ranking official or a famous figure from the Jianghu got married, storytellers would always spin a tale of a celestial match, and the public never tired of hearing it.
“Legend has it that this young lady of the Fu family is a fairy descended from the heavens, here to repay a debt of gratitude!” the storyteller narrated with great enthusiasm.
In a corner of the teahouse, a cloaked youth scoffed, “How cliché.”
The cloak obscured his face, but his trembling hand gripped his teacup so tightly that it cracked, the sharp edge cutting his skin. Yet, the youth seemed not to feel a thing…
The seventh day of the third month was the day of Qi Shaoling’s wedding. The Qi manor was festooned with lanterns and streamers, with red silk ribbons hanging from every corner. The servants were all dressed in bright red, and the entire estate radiated an air of celebration.
Given Qi Shaoling’s high position in court and the open feast for the public, the Qi manor was so packed it was impossible to move through. The banquet tables stretched down the street, creating a scene of magnificent chaos—which was precisely Fu Yunzhi’s goal. In the chaos, it would be easier for the Red Longevity Peach to make his move.
“Look, look! The newlyweds are here!” someone shouted, and all eyes turned to the main gate of the Qi manor.
The disguised Qi Xiao, holding the hand of the red-veiled Fu Yunzhi, stepped through the gate and into the main hall. The groom was tall and imposing with a stern, handsome face. Though the bride’s face was hidden, her figure was tall and slender. Dressed in matching crimson wedding robes, the two looked incredibly well-suited.
Fu Yunzhi felt the hand holding his was a bit damp and chuckled. “Are you nervous?”
Qi Xiao didn’t speak, only tightening his grip on Fu Yunzhi’s hand.
Fu Yunzhi said scornfully, “Relax, it’s just an act. Getting nervous over this…”
Then maybe you could loosen your grip a little, Qi Xiao thought. Your nails are digging into my skin and it hurts.
“First bow to Heaven and Earth—”
Qi Xiao and Fu Yunzhi bowed toward the hall’s entrance.
“Second bow to the parents—”
Qi Shaoling’s only living relative, his older brother Qi Shaofeng, was not in the capital, so the only person in the seat of honor was Fu Yunzhi’s father, Fu Zhengyang, who was in on the ruse. Watching his son bow to him, Fu Zhengyang felt a wave of complex emotions. Although he knew it was to catch a thief, the sight of his son dressed as a woman, playing the part of a bride, was still…
“Husband and wife bow to each other—”
Qi Xiao and Fu Yunzhi bowed towards one another.
Qi Xiao gazed at the veiled Fu Yunzhi, thinking, If only this weren’t an act. If this were real, if I were truly marrying Fu Yunzhi, how wonderful that would be.
“Escort them to the bridal chamber—”
After Fu Yunzhi was led to the bridal chamber, the banquet began. Qi Xiao was immediately swarmed by his colleagues, who jostled to pour him wine until his head was spinning from the noise.
After finally managing to deal with his colleagues, he saw two youths approaching him with wine cups. Judging by their attire, they weren’t from official families but were people of the Jianghu.
“I am Duanmu Cheng, the eldest son of the Duanmu family. This is my younger brother, Duanmu Ling.”
Qi Xiao looked at them, slightly surprised. The two brothers were… hard to describe. Duanmu Cheng had an eagle’s nose and hawk’s eyes, and his face was covered in pockmarks; he was exceptionally ugly. In stark contrast, Duanmu Ling was a rarely seen beauty. Perhaps “pretty” was an inappropriate word for a man, but other than that simple, general term, Qi Xiao couldn’t think of a word to do justice to the stunning features of the youngest Duanmu son. With his long, narrow phoenix eyes, flawless skin, and red robes, he was a true yaonie.²
[Translator’s Notes:
2.Yaonie : A term used to describe someone (often a man) who is so unnaturally or bewitchingly beautiful that they seem almost demonic or monstrous. It carries a sense of dangerous, otherworldly allure. There’s no perfect English equivalent, so the original term is often used.]
Since Qi Shaoling’s public persona was one of icy coldness, Qi Xiao simply nodded at the Duanmu brothers without speaking.
Duanmu Cheng said, “The Duanmu family wishes Inspector Qi and his wife a life of mutual respect and happiness until their hair turns white.” After draining his cup, he glanced around and lowered his voice. “I believe the Qi manor might have a ‘guest’ tonight.”
Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow. It seemed the Duanmu family was here to help. After all, they had lost twenty-seven priceless antiques.
Qi Xiao said noncommittally, “The security at the Qi manor is extremely tight today.”
“Even the best-laid plans can have a flaw,” Duanmu Cheng replied. “I brought some of my disciples with me today. If you need anything, just ask.”
Qi Xiao clinked his cup against Duanmu Cheng’s. “You have my thanks.”
Inside the bridal chamber, Fu Yunzhi sat on the bed, the red veil still covering his head, fanning himself incessantly with a folding fan. Although a bride waving a fan was a bit odd, Fu Yunzhi felt uncomfortable if he went too long without it. It was an addiction he couldn’t break.
The guests should be leaving soon. Why hasn’t the Red Longevity Peach made a move… I haven’t heard about anything being stolen either.
If the Red Longevity Peach didn’t show up, today would be a complete waste of effort! Fu Yunzhi waved his fan idly, hoping with all his might that the thief wouldn’t be a no-show.
After sitting for a while, he started to feel hungry. The “bride,” after all, hadn’t had a chance to eat all day while completing the wedding rituals. Fu Yunzhi stood up, intending to go to the table for some snacks.
Before his hand could even reach the pastries, he suddenly heard the sound of something cutting through the air. Startled, Fu Yunzhi instinctively grabbed a dessert plate and swung it at the intruder.
He spun around to see a person in a black infiltration suit and a cloak standing by the table. The person’s face was completely covered by a black cloth, their features hidden, and they held a dagger in their hand.
“…Red Longevity Peach?”
The person didn’t answer, instead lunging at Fu Yunzhi with the dagger. Fu Yunzhi hastily retreated, his mind racing. Is he trying to kill me? He had thought the thief held no grudge against Qi Shaoling, but if not, why would he make a fatal attack on Qi Shaoling’s wife? From the looks of it, he was dead set on taking a life!
With his back against the wall and nowhere left to run, Fu Yunzhi’s red veil fell off. The Red Longevity Peach saw his face and was stunned. It’s a man?!
Realizing he had walked into a trap, the thief was about to flee when a small stone knocked the dagger from his hand.
The hastily arrived Qi Xiao stood panting in the doorway. After confirming Fu Yunzhi was unharmed, he charged at the Red Longevity Peach.
Watching the two of them locked in combat, Fu Yunzhi clutched his chest, his heart still pounding. He glanced around with a slight frown. According to the plan, Qi Shaoling was supposed to be patrolling the rear courtyard to ensure his safety. With all this commotion, where was he? Had something unexpected happened?
After his dagger was knocked away, the Red Longevity Peach drew a longsword from his waist to fight Qi Xiao. Qi Xiao found that the thief’s martial arts weren’t particularly divine, nor was his internal energy strong, but he made up for it with an endless stream of dirty tricks. Qi Xiao had no idea how his suit was constructed, but he kept pulling out all sorts of hidden weapons and poison powders.
Though the hidden weapons and powders were difficult to defend against, Qi Xiao was no ordinary man. He had been the top martial scholar at a young age and had since frequently led troops into battle. He still held the upper hand. Wielding his longsword, Qi Xiao attacked with unstoppable force, breaking through the thief’s defenses and giving him no chance to escape.
In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the Red Longevity Peach revealed an opening. Delighted, Qi Xiao leaped forward to capture him, but the thief suddenly swayed and threw several hidden weapons toward Fu Yunzhi.
Qi Xiao’s heart stopped. He forcefully reversed his direction in mid-air, vaulted over the round table, and pulled Fu Yunzhi into his arms, shielding him from the incoming projectiles.
When he turned back, the Red Longevity Peach was long gone.
“Damn it!” Qi Xiao cursed. Without a second thought, he leaped out the window in pursuit.
“Qi Xiao, don’t chase him! It’s dangerous!” Fu Yunzhi shouted, but Qi Xiao’s figure had already vanished from the window.
The room was a mess. Tables and chairs were overturned, the bed curtains were torn, and vases and other decorations were shattered. Fu Yunzhi stood amidst the wreckage, looking at the several darts embedded in the wall. He carefully wrapped one in a handkerchief and decided to go find Qi Shaoling.
If Inspector Qi had been here, the Red Longevity Peach wouldn’t have escaped so easily.
Mulling this over, Fu Yunzhi took off the wedding dress, hid it under the bed, and changed back into his regular clothes.
In the front hall, the guests were beginning to leave. Fu Yunzhi walked quickly, circling the hall a few times before he finally found Qi Shaoling.
Seeing that Qi Shaoling was surrounded by people, Fu Yunzhi spoke cryptically. “What are you doing here? Qi Xiao went after him.”
“The Red Longevity Peach appeared?!” Before Qi Shaoling could answer, the person next to him exclaimed excitedly.
Seeing Fu Yunzhi’s confused expression, the youth beside Qi Shaoling—Duanmu Cheng—explained, “I am Duanmu Cheng, here on behalf of the Duanmu family to help Inspector Qi catch the thief. Just now, our disciples saw the Inspector being pursued in the rear courtyard by members of the One-Eyed Dragon Gang, so we took the liberty of assisting.”
So an unexpected third party showed up? Fu Yunzhi thought.
Qi Shaoling said, “I didn’t expect the One-Eyed Dragon Gang to come seeking revenge now.”
The young master of the One-Eyed Dragon Gang had been a vicious man who took pleasure in killing, earning the “fine reputation” of a mass murderer. His victims included both high-ranking officials and common folk. At the beginning of the year, Qi Shaoling had sentenced the finally-captured young master to death. The gang leader had taken this opportunity to avenge his only son.
“The priority now is to find Qi Xiao,” Fu Yunzhi said. “He…”
Before he could finish, Qi Xiao, having removed his disguise, walked in from the back door.
Duanmu Cheng was a smooth operator. He showed little surprise at seeing Qi Xiao in a wedding dress and pretended not to notice. However, Duanmu Ling, who had been hiding behind him, gasped, his eyes darting back and forth between Qi Shaoling and Qi Xiao.
It was only then that Fu Yunzhi noticed Duanmu Ling.
What a stunner…
Fu Yunzhi narrowed his eyes. This fellow was wearing red, just like he usually did. But on Duanmu Ling, the red seemed even more brilliant and captivating.
Tsk, for a man to be so bewitchingly beautiful. Shameless, utterly shameless!
“I lost him,” Qi Xiao said. “No, to be precise, I didn’t even see a shadow of him after I left the room. But I immediately had my troops surround the entire estate and the surrounding streets. None of the guests who came tonight can leave. The Red Longevity Peach took a palm strike to his left chest during our fight. All we have to do now is check every male guest one by one. Whoever has an injury on their left chest is our man.”
Duanmu Cheng smiled. “An excellent idea! I’ll have my disciples begin checking at once.”
“Wait!”
Just as the Duanmu disciples were about to disperse, a voice stopped them.
A man dressed in black robes with a longsword at his waist stood in the doorway. Although his expression was gentle and he had the calm demeanor of a true gentleman, it couldn’t hide the sharpness in his eyes.
Duanmu Cheng was surprised. “Alliance Chief Shen?”
The newcomer was none other than the Martial Arts Alliance Chief, Shen Linye.
Fu Yunzhi waved his fan, a playful look on his face as he surveyed the people in the hall. With the Martial Arts Alliance Chief, the Duanmu family, a General, and an Inspector all gathered in one place, would they finally be able to catch the elusive Red Longevity Peach?
