Chapter 52: Disappearance

Chapter 52: Disappearance

Qiu Shuiyi thought she was seeing things. What would Shen Yuchao be doing here?

Rubbing her temples, she sighed in relief and turned her attention back to the surrounding scenery.

"Cousin, you seem miles away."

Mei Fangqing's voice sounded from behind, making Qiu Shuiyi jump. She hurriedly turned around. "Huh? Do I?"

Mei Fangqing tapped her chin, squinting as she looked her over.

Qiu Shuiyi felt her scalp tingle under the intense gaze.

"Cousin, you're acting guilty."

Mei Fangqing smiled, her eyes curving, and slung an arm around Qiu Shuiyi's shoulder, whispering, "What's the matter? Thinking of your sweetheart?"

"What sweetheart? Don't be ridiculous, cousin."

Qiu Shuiyi was quick to deny it.

"Not your sweetheart?" Mei Fangqing poked a finger at Qiu Shuiyi's cheek, grinning mischievously. "Then why is your face red?"

"Alright, cousin's easily embarrassed. Don't tease her. Not everyone has skin as thick as a city wall like you."

Mei Fangru's lips quirked slightly.

"Second Sister! You're picking on me again!"

Mei Fangqing released Qiu Shuiyi and pounced on Mei Fangru.

The two sisters started bickering again.

Qiu Shuiyi stayed put, placing a hand on her face.

Her palm felt the heat of her skin. She gave her cheek a couple of light pats, sighing inwardly.

What 'sweetheart'? That was clearly her South Pole Immortal Lord, the one who governed the length of her lifespan.

"Cousin, we should get in the carriage too."

Mei Fangzhu said softly.

Qiu Shuiyi snapped back to reality, brushing off the strange feeling in her heart, and quickly responded, "Coming."

The carriage carrying the young ladies went back the way it came, moving farther and farther away from the Taoist temple.

Apricot blossoms fell like rain, and tree shadows danced.

With a swishing sound, the dappled shadows on the ground drifted away with the wind.

...

The city of Hongliang was bustling, its streets packed with a constant stream of people.

A tall, strapping man walked into a cloth shop.

The shopkeeper, head down as he did the books, said without looking up, "Pick whichever bolt you like and pay directly. No returns or exchanges."

The man walked up to the shopkeeper, his voice rough and deep. "I need to see the master."

The shopkeeper looked up, surprised for a moment upon seeing the man. "Back so soon? The master is in the backyard. Go on in yourself."

The man remained silent, turned, and walked inside.

The shopkeeper pursed his lips and lowered his head to continue his calculations.

The man went straight to a room, knocked on the door, and said respectfully, bowing his head, "Master, your subordinate has returned."

A man's voice came from inside.

"Come in."

The man pushed the door open, entered, and gave a deep bow. "Master, Qiu Shuiyi went to White Cloud Temple today."

The windows and doors were tightly shut. Despite it being daytime, the room was dimly lit.

With a *thud*, someone threw a book onto the desk, his voice cold. "And?"

The man bowed his head. "There is indeed a woman in the temple. Her figure, eyes, brows, even her voice, are indistinguishable from Miss Qiu's."

The man let out a light, disdainful snort. The chair scraped against the floor, producing a harsh sound.

"Seeing is believing."

...

Night had fallen deeply.

Su Niang, clad in a thin robe, was carrying a lamp as she headed for bed.

The lamplight flickered, making the shadows on the floor stretch and shrink.

A cool breeze blew, sending a slight chill down her back.

Su Niang turned on her heel, intending to close the window, when she suddenly froze.

On the screen, a tall shadow had appeared out of nowhere.

As if noticing her alarm, the person no longer concealed their presence. Footsteps fell, one by one, like a death knell ringing in her ears, making Su Niang's hair stand on end.

She fought down her panic, edging backward.

An iron grip clamped onto her arm. Su Niang cried out in fright.

"Ah! Mmm..."

A hand clamped over her mouth.

She dropped the lamp in her panic. The candle flickered wildly.

A moment later, silence finally returned.

Su Niang collapsed to the floor, her whole body weak, her heart pounding wildly.

She clutched her chest, gasping for breath.

There was no one else in the room.

Only the faint ache in her wrist testified to what had just happened.

Su Niang frowned, completely baffled.

What on earth was that person doing here?

"Catch the assassin! Hurry, catch the assassin!"

The front courtyard was brightly lit, and panicked cries rang through the whole temple complex.

Footsteps gradually drew closer.

Su Niang got to her feet and made for the door.

Passing by the screen, she remembered to pick up her veil and put it on.

She yanked the door open and called out to the young temple attendant in the corridor, "What happened?"

The young attendant ran over in small steps, panting as he said, "An assassin broke in and injured the temple master. Miss Qiu, did you see someone in black?"

Someone in black?

Su Niang was taken aback.

The image of a pair of frost-cold eyes flashed before her.

That person *had* been dressed in black.

So he was an assassin?

But Master Yu Yang is so well-known, why would anyone want to assassinate him?

A living Bodhisattva like the temple master—could he really have enemies?

Seeing the young attendant's anxious expression, Su Niang quickly replied, "Yes, someone in black broke into my room just now."

The attendant pressed, "Where is he now?"

Su Niang feigned helplessness. "After I discovered him, he jumped out the window and escaped."

The attendant let out an "Ah," slapping his forehead in frustration. "How could I forget? There's only one path down the mountain from Miss Qiu's room. I'll go inform the senior brothers right away."

He dashed off, saying, "Thank you for telling me, Miss Qiu."

After the attendant left, Su Niang closed the door, shutting out all the noise.

She pressed a hand to her chest and sighed in relief.

Thank goodness it was an assassin; she had almost thought her cover was blown.

...

After returning from White Cloud Temple, Qiu Shuiyi spent five or six consecutive days at home accompanying Madam Fang.

Madam Fang was overjoyed at first, but later she kept urging Qiu Shuiyi to go play with her cousins.

"What are you doing spending all day with an old woman like me? Go find your cousins."

Qiu Shuiyi asked, "Isn't it good for me to keep you company, Grandmother?"

"Of course it is," Madam Fang patted her granddaughter's hand. "But after staying in the mansion for so many days, aren't you bored? When I was a young lady, I was just like your cousins, wishing I could stay out all day."

Unable to argue further, Qiu Shuiyi had no choice but to go find her Mei cousins.

Since Madam Fang had given her permission, Qiu Shi did not stop them from going out. Instead, she drew a considerable sum from the accounts and generously covered all their expenses.

Mei Fangqing was visibly excited. "I heard a new restaurant recently opened in the city, and the food is excellent. Shall we go try it?"

"What else can you do besides eat?" Mei Fangru said gently.

"I can also make Second Sister happy," Mei Fangqing leaned in close to Mei Fangru, nuzzling against her like a puppy, making Mei Fangru blush and pull her ear, ordering her to stand properly.

Mei Fangzhu, who had been standing quietly to the side, timidly said, "I... I want to go listen to an opera."

All the sisters turned to look at her at once.

Mei Fangzhu avoided their gazes and whispered, "My maid, Ying Hong, told me the opera troupe in the east of the city has put on a new play. All the ladies from various households love to listen to it."

"Second Sister, you say I only like to eat, but doesn't Third Sister only like to listen to operas?"

Mei Fangqing shot back.

Mei Fangru chuckled lightly, ignoring her, and asked Qiu Shuiyi, "Where would you like to go, Cousin?"

Qiu Shuiyi smiled faintly. "I'm new here and don't know what places there are in the city. I'll go wherever my cousins go."

"Then let's do this," Mei Fangqing clasped her hands together, her face full of anticipation. "First, we'll go to the opera troupe Third Sister wants to visit. On the way, if Cousin sees any place she likes, we'll go there."

Mei Fangru considered it. "Agreed."

Mei Fangzhu curved her lips into a light, joyful smile.

Qiu Shuiyi happened to catch her smile and suddenly felt that this Third Cousin looked incredibly beautiful when she smiled, light and ethereal.

Women of the time loved listening to operas, and the opera house was filled with many ladies.

Mei Fangru secured seats on the second floor near the railing.

From here, the view was open and clear.

On stage, a play was being performed about a wealthy young lady who encountered a poor scholar, fell in love with him at first sight, vowed to marry no one else, was opposed by her parents, and planned to elope with him.

Mei Fangru wore a smile on her lips, but her gaze seemed somewhat distant, as if lost in thought.

Mei Fangqing held a bowl of melon seeds, cracking them with relish, as if the passionate, heart-wrenching drama on stage was less interesting than a single sunflower seed.

Only Mei Fangzhu listened attentively.

When the play reached the part where the young lady and the scholar were about to be discovered during their elopement, she twisted her handkerchief in her hands, tense and motionless, not daring to breathe heavily.

Qiu Shuiyi wasn't very interested in this play. Amidst the clamor of gongs and drums, she even felt somewhat irritable.

Mei Fangqing, thirsty from eating too many melon seeds, picked up the teapot to pour water.

Not a drop came from the spout. She muttered, "It's empty."

The maid behind her quickly said, "This servant will go call for more."

"I'll go."

"Then I'll trouble you, younger cousin," said Qiu Shuiyi.

Mei Fangqing put the teapot down.

Qiu Shuiyi chuckled and shook her head.

As she stood, Xin Liu was about to follow when Qiu Shuiyi suddenly said to her, "Take it easy for once. Why don't you stay and enjoy the opera?"

Xin Liu was visibly moved. "Thank you, Miss."

Going downstairs, she found a waiter to ask for more water. Qiu Shuiyi then asked Xin Tao, who was behind her, "Aren't you going back to listen to the opera?"

Xin Tao pouted. "I'm not going. She had a good life but insisted on suffering with some penniless scholar. I don't know what that young lady was thinking."

Knowing her little maid had some "unconventional" views, Qiu Shuiyi smiled at this and led her out of the opera troupe.

Though only a door separated them, the atmosphere inside and out was worlds apart.

The cries of street vendors were nonstop, and a dazzling array of goods was on display. Pedestrians either strolled leisurely in small groups or hurried along with anxious expressions.

A gentle breeze blended different scents together, swirling in the air and drifting into people's noses.

Qiu Shuiyi didn't find it annoying; instead, it stirred her appetite.

Ahead was a stall selling crispy sesame cakes. The cakes looked extremely flaky, brushed with a glossy layer of oil that made one's mouth water.

Qiu Shuiyi hooked a finger under Xin Tao's chin. "Come on, I'll buy you some baked cakes."

Xin Tao's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled excitedly. "Thank you, Miss!"

The baked cake stall was doing brisk business, with a very long queue.

Xin Tao rose on her toes to peek. "Miss, you wait here. I'll go buy them."

Qiu Shuiyi smiled and nodded. "Go ahead."

Xin Tao responded cheerfully and hopped to the back of the line.

Smelling the enticing aroma wafting from ahead, she suddenly remembered something and turned back to ask, "Miss, what kind do you want..."

Her words cut off abruptly.

Xin Tao's pupils contracted, her expression turning panicked in an instant.

She sprinted back, her gaze anxiously scanning the surroundings.

Pedestrians bustled about, but the spot was empty.

Xin Tao's eyes instantly reddened, her trembling voice betraying the fear and dread in her heart.

"Miss!"

Where was her Miss?!