Yan Tongshu suddenly felt that she really was somewhat in the wrong. “Th—then…”
She hesitated before asking, “Then would you compare whose gift was better if you and Pearl both received presents?”
Jinbao shook his head. “But, Young Master, if the gift you give Pearl is better than mine, I’ll be jealous.”
That only made Yan Tongshu feel even guiltier. She slapped the table. “Jinbao, I’m asking you for advice, not for you to take someone else’s side!”
Jinbao lowered his head miserably. “Young Master, I’m just telling the truth.”
“Even the truth isn’t allowed!” Yan Tongshu huffed.
Jinbao looked even more aggrieved, his round, dumpling-like face scrunched into a ball.
Yan Tongshu propped her elbow on the table and rested her head against her hand as she thought.
It did seem that friends could get jealous over who was closer to whom. Back when she was in school, she had gotten angry for quite a while when her English study partner started partnering up with someone else.
By that logic, Qin Yi’s unhappiness wasn’t entirely unreasonable.
Yan Tongshu scratched at her hair. But what could she do? Climb Mount Jixiang again and ask Master Yuanhui for another string of prayer beads?
The prayer beads personally blessed by Master Yuanhui weren’t cabbages that could be handed out one string at a time whenever she wanted.
Sigh…
What a headache.
Just as Yan Tongshu was fretting over the matter, it was time for lunch, and the sound of gongs rang out outside.
Jinbao went to the imperial chef accompanying the procession and brought back their meal.
Four dishes and a soup.
The moment Yan Tongshu saw the delicious food the imperial chef had prepared so painstakingly, she tossed all her troubles to the back of her mind.
Nothing mattered more than eating.
After lunch and a short rest, the hunt officially began.
Yan Tongshu slung her bow and arrows over her back, led her horse by the reins, and went to the imperial tent.
Qin Yi glanced at her, his expression indifferent. Yan Tongshu couldn’t make out his mood, and she couldn’t be bothered to try. She followed the assembled officials in kneeling and paying their respects, then left with the others to retrieve their horses. Once mounted, they followed Qin Yi into the hunting grounds.
Qin Yi rode at the very front, while Yan Tongshu and the other officials followed behind.
The group threaded through the forest in search of prey.
Yan Tongshu noticed that every time Qin Yi hit something, the officials nearby would take turns showering him with praise.
After a while, Qin Yi seemed to have grown tired of the repetitive routine. He pointed toward a wild rabbit ahead and said, “Gentlemen, let’s see who can hit it. The winner will receive a reward from Us.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Then I won’t hold back.”
Everyone began nocking arrows and drawing their bows.
Meng Zheng glanced at Yan Tongshu, his features clear and handsome. “Watch this.”
He drew a long arrow and pulled his bow until it curved like a full moon.
The bowstring thrummed.
Thwack!
The arrow shot forth like a shooting star.
The rabbit was exceptionally far away, a good sixty paces or so. Everyone took aim at once and fired together.
The arrows fell like a heavy rain upon the helpless rabbit, which collapsed on the spot.
A guard galloped over, picked up the rabbit, and brought it back. Seeing the character “Meng” on the arrow, he smiled and said, “Your Majesty, it’s General Meng’s arrow!”
“As expected of a young hero.”
“General Meng’s archery is truly superb.”
Everyone chimed in with their praise.
Qin Yi summoned Meng Zheng. “Name your reward.”
Meng Zheng smiled. “It is this subject’s honor to accompany Your Majesty on the hunt. I wouldn’t dare ask for a reward. If Your Majesty insists, then I request that you grant me this wild rabbit.”
Qin Yi glanced in Yan Tongshu’s direction, then spoke in a cool tone, his thin lips barely moving. “As you wish.”
Meng Zheng said loudly, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
He took the rabbit from the guard, then withdrew and came to Yan Tongshu’s side. He tossed the rabbit into the game basket hanging from the back of her saddle.
“There’ll usually be a barbecue tonight. Take it back and give it to the imperial chefs. They’ll skin and prepare it for you. Then you can roast it directly.”
“Mm.” Yan Tongshu nodded enthusiastically, then gave Meng Zheng a thumbs-up. “Meng Zheng, you’re the best.”
Not only was his archery excellent, but he was kind and generous too.
That was such a plump rabbit. She would be able to feast tonight.
Yan Tongshu and the other officials accompanied Qin Yi for another circuit. Then Qin Yi told everyone to hunt on their own.
Yan Tongshu fired several arrows without hitting a single target, and soon lost interest in hunting. Delighted, she returned to camp with the plump rabbit and immediately found the imperial chefs, asking them to prepare it. Half would be stir-fried, and the other half roasted.
Jinbao also stared at the large, fat rabbit in anticipation.
“Young Master, this rabbit must weigh at least four pounds. It’s incredibly plump.”
Yan Tongshu said happily, “This is only the beginning. Meng Zheng and the others will definitely bring down even more later. When the hunt ends, any game that hasn’t been eaten will be divided among everyone. Each household will receive quite a bit. We’ll take some home for Mother and the others, and then invite Pearl over to eat the rest together.”
Jinbao nodded so hard his head nearly fell off. He had never eaten game before, and his eyes were already practically glowing at the sight of the rabbit.
By dusk, everyone had returned one after another.
Before the hunt, the imperial guards had driven the animals into one area, so everyone had made a plentiful haul.
The animals that had been killed were dealt with first. Those that were still alive but merely wounded were confined and left to recover, so they could be eaten later.
Just as Meng Zheng had said, there was a bonfire barbecue after dinner.
The civil officials gathered together to exchange hunting stories, occasionally taking a drink, and paid no attention to whether their own game was getting burned.
The military officers, meanwhile, gathered in another area, drinking, sparring, and singing with great enthusiasm.
Yan Tongshu sat by the bonfire, patiently roasting her rabbit on a spit, paying attention only to whether it was cooked through.
After a while, Meng Zheng came over carrying a cleaned pheasant skewered on a branch.
“Lord Yan, would you mind roasting one for me?”
“Not at all.” Yan Tongshu smiled. “But I want one chicken leg.”
Meng Zheng replied, “One rabbit leg in exchange for one chicken leg.”
“Deal.”
Yan Tongshu took the pheasant from him and set it beside the bonfire, then sent Meng Zheng off to continue socializing with his fellow officers.
The rabbit finished roasting, and Jinbao took out a small knife to begin cutting the meat. Just then, a fair-skinned, slightly plump man approached them.
Yan Tongshu recognized him as Qin Yunduan, the son of Prince Wuyang. She had met him at the chess club when she was investigating the case involving Yan Qichu.
Qin Yunduan had a kindly, honest-looking face that always wore a cheerful smile.
He carried a wine jug in one hand and a cup in the other. After pouring a cup of wine, he offered it to Yan Tongshu.
“Lord Yan, everyone’s drinking. Would you like a cup too? This is osmanthus wine, freshly brewed this year. It’s mellow and sweet, and not harsh at all.”
Yan Tongshu hadn’t even reached for it when Jinbao and Meng Zheng rushed over at the same time and shouted in unison, “No!”
Yan Tongshu: “…”
Qin Yunduan was startled as well. “Wh—what’s wrong?”
Was there something wrong with the wine?
He took a sip himself. Nothing was wrong with it. He had brought it from home, and it was especially delicious.
Meng Zheng hurriedly explained, “Lord Yan doesn’t handle alcohol well.”
Qin Yunduan quickly said, “Then I was being presumptuous.”
Yan Tongshu pouted. These two were really keeping an extremely close watch on her.
Meng Zheng took the opportunity to sit down on her left, while Jinbao sat on her right. The two of them kept watch on either side.
Yan Tongshu smiled awkwardly at Qin Yunduan, who looked somewhat awkward as well. He walked away a few steps, then returned.
“Um, Lord Yan, would it be possible for Qin to try a few pieces of your roasted rabbit and chicken?”
He stared hungrily at the roast chicken and rabbit, sizzling with oil and sending out an irresistible aroma.
Qin Yunduan swallowed. That fragrance was what had drawn him over in the first place. To be honest, he was hungry—very hungry, ravenously hungry. He had no idea what seasonings Lord Yan had used, but the meat smelled far more delicious than anything he could roast himself.
Yan Tongshu called out, “It’s fine. The chicken and rabbit are both nice and fat. If you want some, sit down and eat with us.”
Qin Yunduan had originally planned to trade some of his home-brewed osmanthus wine for the roasted meat. But when he learned that Yan Tongshu could not drink, he thought for a moment, then brought over the birds he had hunted that day and placed them nearby to roast.
He gave an honest, slightly foolish grin. “I won’t eat for free. These are spotted doves I hunted. They’re tender and delicious in autumn. I’ll trade them with you.”
“Deal.” Yan Tongshu nodded and took the three skewers of spotted doves from Qin Yunduan, planting them in the ground to roast. Jinbao took out the barbecue seasoning Yan Tongshu had prepared and sprinkled it over the birds. The aroma that rose was spicy, savory, and wonderfully fragrant.
“So that’s what it is!” Qin Yunduan cried excitedly. He immediately began asking Yan Tongshu how to make the seasoning.
Qin Yunduan was someone who loved both food and fun, and he and Yan Tongshu hit it off at once. They chatted about all kinds of local specialties from every corner of the realm, then moved on to which alley in Bianjing had the most delicious snacks. They were like old friends who had finally met, wishing they could make plans as soon as they returned and work their way through every dish they had recommended to each other.
Meng Zheng could only smile helplessly and shake his head as he occasionally turned the spotted doves roasting on the ground.
At last, the chicken was done. The four of them quickly divided it among themselves. Qin Yunduan was a true connoisseur of food, and he and Yan Tongshu launched into an endless discussion of which parts of the wild chicken needed to roast longer and become drier to taste best, and which parts should be cooked more slowly so the meat would remain juicy. Their conversation flowed without pause.
Inside the tent, Qin Yi listened to the laughter, singing, dancing, and lively conversation outside. He slammed the chess piece in his hand into the chess box.
Lu Xi asked cautiously, “Your Majesty, would you like to go outside for some fresh air?”
“Hmph.” Qin Yi gave a cold snort. “If I go out, will they still be able to relax?”
“Well…”
Lu Xi was carefully considering how to comfort him when a young eunuch entered and whispered a few words in his ear. Lu Xi’s face immediately lit up.
“Your Majesty, Jinbao has sent over some roasted meat. Would you like to—”
Seeing that Qin Yi gave no response, Lu Xi lightly slapped his own mouth. “This servant failed to think it through. It is nearly time for bed, and Your Majesty does not eat during the half hour before retiring. This servant will have Jinbao take it back.”
Lu Xi began stepping backward.
Qin Yi raised a hand to stop him. “Since it has already been brought here, it is a gesture of goodwill. Bring it in.”
“Yes.”
Lu Xi bowed and left.
Before long, he returned carrying a plate of roasted meat.
He placed the meat and a pair of silver chopsticks in front of Qin Yi. “Your Majesty, Lord Yan said these are specially selected chicken wings and spotted doves. Honey was brushed over the wings, and both the doves and the wings were roasted a little longer on purpose, so they would have a stronger charred aroma.”
“Mm.”
Qin Yi’s expression remained indifferent. He picked up the chopsticks and put a piece into his mouth. His brows lifted slightly, and then he began eating with great enthusiasm.
Lu Xi lowered his head to hide his amusement.
The Emperor’s mood had finally improved.
The next day, the signal horn sounded. Yan Tongshu stretched and went out to assemble with the others.
She had barely taken her place and yawned when she received a sharp glare from Qin Yi. Yan Tongshu immediately straightened her collar and stood properly.
After a while, Yan Tongshu gradually gathered what was happening through her sleepy haze. Today’s event was a team competition.
Everyone drew lots to form teams, with the participants divided into roughly seven groups.
The grand prize was a sika deer whose antlers had been dyed red.
Whoever successfully hunted it would be the winner of the day.
Yan Tongshu drew third and received a blue token.
Qin Yi drew a red token, meaning that everyone who drew red would be on his team.
Meng Zheng drew tenth and also received a blue token.
Yan Tongshu and Meng Zheng waved their blue tokens at each other.
Lu Xi lowered his head and secretly glanced at Qin Yi from the corner of his eye. The Emperor’s expression was calm—extremely calm, calm to the absolute limit.
Yan Tongshu held up her blue token. Their team had three members, but they were still missing one.
“It’s me! Lord Yan, it’s me!” Qin Yunduan came bounding over with a blue token. “With the two of you on my side, Qin is sure to ride the wind all the way to the Ninth Heaven.”
“Then you’d better think again.” Yan Tongshu pointed at herself and mercilessly shattered his fantasy. “I haven’t hit a single target yet.”
“What?” Qin Yunduan stared at her in shock.
He had often heard of Lord Yan of the Kaifeng Prefecture and learned of her many accomplishments, which had earned his deep respect—almost outright admiration. After meeting her the previous day, he had discovered that Lord Yan was not only unmatched at solving cases and upright in character, but also highly knowledgeable about food. He had assumed she was a brilliant and versatile prodigy, skilled at everything.
And yet her horsemanship and archery were poor?
No, no, that was absolutely impossible.
Qin Yunduan’s gaze was clear, and his tone was firm with unquestioning conviction. “Lord Yan is only being modest. Qin believes in you.”
Yan Tongshu’s mouth twitched. Meng Zheng struggled desperately to hold back his laughter.
Yan Tongshu secretly kicked Meng Zheng, but he was prepared. He grabbed the saddle and swung himself onto his horse. “Let’s go. The game is already getting away from us.”
Yan Tongshu and Qin Yunduan exchanged a glance, then mounted their horses as well.
The only hound assigned to their team followed beside Qin Yunduan’s horse.
The three of them worked together to search for the sika deer with the red antlers.
After seeing Yan Tongshu’s “clumsy” archery firsthand, the last of Qin Yunduan’s fantasies completely collapsed.
Yan Tongshu patted him consolingly on the shoulder. “I told you from the beginning.”
Qin Yunduan was dejected for a moment, but quickly recovered. He lifted his head, his fighting spirit restored.
“Lord Yan, don’t worry. Though my archery is not as good as General Meng’s, I have studied it for more than a decade. I will certainly help you claim the grand prize.”
Yan Tongshu gave Qin Yunduan an encouraging thumbs-up.
The three of them hunted one goose, two rabbits, and three pheasants, but still had not found the sika deer with the red antlers.
With no other choice, they split up to search.
Yan Tongshu’s archery was poor, and she knew that even if she found the deer, she would not be able to hit it. She therefore placed little hope in herself and simply rode around at leisure.
Perhaps the deer had the same idea as she did and wanted to find somewhere quiet to wander. Somehow, one person and one deer actually crossed paths.
Yan Tongshu quickly pulled her horse behind cover.
The sika deer was extremely alert. It grazed while repeatedly stopping to survey its surroundings. At the slightest disturbance, it would flee at once.
Yan Tongshu wanted to look for the others, but she was afraid the deer would run off the moment she left.
Yet if she shouted for help, not only might she frighten the deer away, she might also attract the members of the other teams.
What should she do?
While Yan Tongshu was thinking, Meng Zheng and Qin Yunduan caught sight of a fierce, vividly striped tiger in the distance.
The tiger moved through the forest, its eyes stern and murderous, its steps steady and deliberate.
Meng Zheng had just drawn his bow when a long arrow flew from behind him and struck the tiger directly in its right eye.
The arrow passed before his eyes, its fletching dyed red.
He turned around and saw that it had indeed come from the Emperor’s team.
Meng Zheng remained mounted and saluted.
Qin Yi gave no response. He drew another arrow, nocked it, and took aim at the wounded tiger as it fled wildly.
Thwack.
The bowstring shuddered violently.
The long arrow struck the tiger’s left leg once more. The tiger stumbled and collapsed to the ground.
“Long live His Majesty’s might!”
The people accompanying him cheered in unison.
Qin Yi’s features were stern and cold as he fixed his gaze on the struggling tiger, which was attempting to escape. Slowly, he drew a third arrow.
“Whoosh—whoosh!”
Two sharp finger whistles split the air.
Meng Zheng suddenly started, then hurriedly saluted Qin Yi. “Your Majesty, someone is calling for me.”
Qin Yi’s gaze darkened. “Calling for you?”
“Yes. Those whistles are my signal.” Meng Zheng replied respectfully, “I beg Your Majesty’s permission to go on ahead.”
Qin Yi lowered his bow and waved a hand, allowing him to leave.
Meng Zheng gestured to Qin Yunduan, and the two quickly rode toward the direction of the whistles.
From a distance, Yan Tongshu saw Meng Zheng and Qin Yunduan approaching. She lowered her fingers and pointed at the “first prize”—the sika deer still leisurely grazing nearby. Through gestures, she signaled for them to move quietly and not frighten the deer.
The two waved to indicate that they understood.
Qin Yunduan remained where he was, holding the hound back and keeping it quiet.
Meng Zheng cautiously urged his horse forward at a slow pace. Then he drew his bow and released the arrow.
Two long arrows with blue fletching shot through the air one after another.
One struck the deer’s leg; the other pierced its neck.
The sika deer collapsed with a cry, bleating in pain.
“We hit it! We hit it! Meng Zheng, you’re amazing!” Yan Tongshu cheered and jumped for joy.
The three of them pulled their reins at the same time and rode toward the fallen deer.
When they reached it, Yan Tongshu leaped from her horse and cheered again. Qin Yunduan was just as excited. In his excitement, he released the rope in his hand, and the hound followed the scent, gradually wandering off.
Meng Zheng shook his head with a smile and let Yan Tongshu and Qin Yunduan jump around him in celebration.
Once their excitement had faded, Yan Tongshu looked up. Over Meng Zheng’s shoulder, she saw Qin Yi sitting motionless on horseback in the distance, gazing down at them. His eyes churned with emotions she could not understand.
Qin Yi and Yan Tongshu exchanged a glance. He tugged on the reins, turned his horse around, and rode away without looking back.
Yan Tongshu frowned slightly.
Had he lost the competition and taken it badly?
“Woof! Woof! Woof!”
Several barks rang out. Yan Tongshu turned and saw the hound racing back. It seized the hem of her robe and tugged her away.
“What is it?” Yan Tongshu asked as she followed. “We’ve already caught the sika deer. There’s no need to keep searching.”
“Woof! Woof!”
The hound released her robe and barked several times before biting down on the edge of her garment again and pulling her farther ahead.
What on earth was wrong?
Yan Tongshu was puzzled, and so were Qin Yunduan and Meng Zheng. The two followed after them.
After walking roughly five hundred meters, they reached a hollow between the hills. The hound let go of Yan Tongshu’s robe and leaped down into it. A short while later, it climbed back up carrying a blue-and-green cloth bundle in its mouth and placed it in front of Yan Tongshu.
The bundle reeked of something vile, and swarms of flies buzzed around it.
The cloth was unlike ordinary wrapping fabric. Pine trees had been embroidered across it in fine, dense stitches. Judging from the delicate silk thread, it seemed to have been made from silken floss. The quality of the material alone made it clear that its owner had come from a wealthy household.
Yan Tongshu glanced at Meng Zheng. He drew his long arrow and used its sharp tip to cut through the knot securing the bundle. Then he lifted the cloth open with the arrow, and something rolled out.
“Ah!”
Qin Yunduan stumbled back three or four steps, his face turning deathly pale.
It was a human head.
A badly decomposed human head.
Qin Yunduan crouched on the ground, covering his eyes as he trembled all over.
Yan Tongshu’s gaze sharpened. Covering her nose, she crouched in front of the head and examined it at close range.
It was clearly the head of a man.
The skin had turned green and was marked by a network of veins caused by decomposition. His eyeballs bulged, his lips had turned outward, and the entire head was swollen as though inflated, resembling the grotesque bloating of a giant.
Clusters of white fly eggs had formed around the eyes, ears, and severed neck. The entire face was covered with white maggots.
When Meng Zheng had pried open the bundle, the head had rolled several times, causing patches of skin and hair to fall away from the skull.
There was an obvious wound on the back of the head.
The cut at the neck was clean and even, as though it had been severed in a single blow. Faint bluish bruising could still be seen along the remaining flesh of the neck.
Even with her nose covered, Yan Tongshu could still smell the horrific stench of rot—a nauseating odor that made her want to retch.
Yan Tongshu rose and looked at Meng Zheng. “Judging from the current state of the head, the man has been dead for at least seven days.”
Meng Zheng’s brows drew tightly together, his expression grave. “The head is here. The rest of the body should be somewhere nearby.”
They exchanged a glance and spoke at the same time.
“Search!”
“Qin Yunduan.” Yan Tongshu nudged Qin Yunduan, who had his eyes shut tight and was desperately chanting, “Amitabha, please protect me.” “Ride back and report to His Majesty. Ask him to send the Imperial Guard to assist us. While you’re at it, borrow more hounds from the other groups. A murder has occurred here, and the area needs to be searched.”
Qin Yunduan’s lips trembled. “I-I-I understand.”
He rose timidly, sprinted toward his horse, mounted, and galloped away as though fleeing for his life.
Yan Tongshu stroked the hound’s back in encouragement, then let it continue searching.
The hound sniffed the grass over and over, searching with tireless dedication.
“Woof!”
It suddenly lifted its head in delight.
Yan Tongshu and Meng Zheng hurried over. The hound clawed at the ground, and before long, it unearthed another bundle. The fabric was the same as that of the first.
Meng Zheng motioned for Yan Tongshu to step back. As before, he used his arrow to pull the bundle over, then cut through the dead knot.
It was a leg.
A leg in the same state of decomposition as the head.
The victim had clearly been dismembered and dumped here.
The hound continued searching.
At that moment, Qin Yi returned with his men. He dismounted and strode quickly to Yan Tongshu’s side, asking in a low voice, “Are you all right?”
Yan Tongshu bowed and replied solemnly, “Your Majesty, someone was murdered and dismembered, then abandoned in the wilderness to conceal the crime.”
Qin Yi pressed his lips together and walked toward the severed leg, covering his nose and mouth.
The stench was unbearable. Even a single breath made his stomach churn.
Qin Yi said in a deep voice, “Where are the Imperial Guards?”
The accompanying guards dropped to their knees in unison. “At your command, Your Majesty.”
Qin Yi ordered, “Search.”
The guards replied together, “Yes, Your Majesty.”
Everyone spread out and began searching the area.
Before long, the Imperial Guards and the hounds had located all the remains.
The murderer had dismembered the victim into six pieces: the head, left leg, right leg, two arms, and the torso, which had been divided into two sections.
Moreover, because the legs were relatively large, each had been cut into two pieces and wrapped in a single bundle.
The bundles appeared to have been made from the victim’s own clothes, likely materials taken on the spot.
After all the body parts had been laid out, Yan Tongshu examined them. She discovered that the two arms had been wrapped in the victim’s inner garment. Near the chest, three characters had been embroidered along the front of the garment:
Yu Moqing.
This was most likely the victim’s name.
There was a mark on the man’s thumb showing that he had worn a thumb ring for many years, but the ring was nowhere to be found. He carried no other valuables, making it highly likely that he had been murdered for his wealth.
