Chapter 30: The Figure in the Painting

The next day, Shuanggui Alley.

Drip, drop...

The ethereal, soft sound of raindrops falling into puddles made the room feel exceptionally quiet. On the bed by the window, Ye Jingtang opened his eyes and turned his head. Outside, the sky was a hazy gray; he could not tell if it was dawn or afternoon.

Niao Niao, having worked hard all night, was sleeping beside the pillow with its claws pointed toward the sky. Sensing his movement, it let out a groggy "chirp," turned over, and continued to sleep. Ye Jingtang scratched the big bird with his finger, covered it with a thin quilt, and sat up to take out the golden paper from his robe to examine it.

After hearing about the profound mysteries of the "Dragon's Cry Diagram" from his foster father’s letter, he had longed for it for a long time. But now that it was unexpectedly in his hands, problems arose. The golden paper in his hand had withstood a full-force strike from his blade without a scratch, so it was almost certainly authentic. Yet, there were no characters on the front or back, only a painting of a "Turtle Carrying Three Mountains." There were no instructions. Even though he knew it was a supreme secret manual containing a unique technique, he had no idea where to begin practicing.

Ye Jingtang scrutinized the golden paper, trying to puzzle out the mystery from the lines in the drawing. After a moment, he looked toward the courtyard outside the window.

The room where Ye Jingtang slept was in the west wing, opposite the kitchen, while Luo Ning and Zhe Yunli stayed in the main house. Zhe Yunli was lively and restless; since they were both catching up on sleep, she had gone out to stroll around the streets when she found nothing to do at home, while Luo Ning was still resting in the main house.

Since the three of them moved into the courtyard, the main house had undergone a complete transformation. After Zhe Yunli purchased some furniture, the room finally felt like a home. In the corner stood a small cabinet, topped with rouge, powder, a bronze mirror, and a wooden comb.

On the bed, Luo Ning slept fully clothed, a thin blanket draped over her waist, perfectly outlining the flawless curve of her figure. She had returned and laid down in the middle of the night, truly exhausted, but after experiencing that unforgettable night, how could a woman like her fall asleep?

Luo Ning lay on her side, her clear, watery peach-blossom eyes gazing blankly at the wall, her jade-white fingers resting on her lips as she recalled that brief, fleeting kiss.

Since the early hours of the morning, she had been unable to stop her mind from retracing every step of the path she had taken in life. Born in the water towns of Jiangzhou to a prominent martial arts family, her family had fallen into ruin when she was still a toddler, following a run-in with enemies that left her elders dead or wounded. As a woman, she shouldn't have ventured into the world of martial arts, but she possessed extraordinary talent. If she didn't step up to carry the burden, who would settle those old grievances?

When she first began her journey, she had high ambitions, swearing to become the "Number One in the Martial World," like the legend in Fengguan City. Yet, the martial world was too vast, the heavens too high; after running around in circles, she had gained nothing but the title of "The Most Beautiful Woman in the Martial World."

As for her former enemies, they had repented, entered the Thousand Buddhas Temple in Shazhou, and become disciples of Zen Master Shenchen, one of the "Two Sages." The master claimed her enemies were repentant and burdened by their past actions, and that living was their punishment. What a ridiculous notion. If living was a punishment, then what of those who died in vain? Were they the lucky ones?

To settle these grudges, she searched everywhere, visiting Mount Yuxu to meet Master Xuanji and traveling to the official city of Tiannan to pay respects to the Martial Immortal. But she never obtained the true teachings until she met the leader of the Pingtian Sect.

The leader of the Pingtian Sect sought to restore the previous dynasty, which meant rebelling against the Great Liang. Everyone wanted to be emperor, and if the leader didn't take the throne, her subordinates would eventually force the yellow robes upon her. But since ancient times, when has a woman ever been emperor? Even if the leader thought it possible, her generals would fear that the empire they fought so hard to win would be treated as a dowry and handed over to an outsider.

To resolve this, the leader promised that once she mastered the divine arts, she would turn the whole sect over to Luo Ning, provided that Luo Ning helped her hide her identity and managed the internal affairs of the sect as the "Leader’s Wife." The two young swordswomen hit it off, becoming the most envied couple in the martial arts world.

Initially, life seemed promising, but mastering martial arts to the level of the Two Sages was no easy feat. Since ascending Mount Nanxiao, her life had seemed to freeze. Her days were monotonous, spent entirely in training, yet she drifted further and further from the sect leader. The glory of being the "Most Beautiful Woman" faded, replaced by endless trivialities, and she did not know how she had ended up where she was today.

The appearance of that shameless little thief was like a stone thrown into a stagnant pool, stirring up a thousand ripples that would never settle again. Luo Ning could not fathom how a man could be so bold and thick-skinned. And yet, she was helpless; she could neither strike him nor scold him, forced only to endure as he pushed his luck, like a frog being boiled in lukewarm water.

She and the sect leader claimed to be helping each other, but the world knew they were a couple. If news spread that the "Sect Leader's Wife" was dallying with a young man, wouldn't the hard-earned reputation of the Pingtian Sect leader be ruined overnight? She would become a fickle, shameless woman...

"Still asking me about my identity... if I told you, it would scare you to death..."

Luo Ning felt no sleepiness; the more she thought, the more chaotic her mind became. Just as she was drowning in sorrow, the light in the room suddenly dimmed. Looking up, she saw the handsome little thief standing silently at the window.

"?"

Luo Ning’s expression cooled slightly, and she pulled the thin quilt up. "What are you looking at?"

"I just woke up and am heading to the Black Yamen to report. I came to say hello. Don't let your guard down while you're alone at home."

Luo Ning was emotionally drained and had no desire to deal with Ye Jingtang. She turned over softly, presenting him with the back of her head.

"Sigh..."

Soon, the sound of footsteps faded away. Luo Ning took a deep breath, hugged her small pillow, and began her mental cycle of reflection all over again...

***

Shuanggui Alley was quite far from Mingyu Pavilion. After grabbing a meal on the street, Ye Jingtang carried the sandalwood box to the front of the Black Yamen, which had no plaque hanging above its entrance.

On the small square outside the yamen stood a flagpole, where the old, rotting heads had been replaced with new ones. A few idlers on the street were whispering as they looked on.

"Who is that?"
"The 'Wingless Owl' from Yanzhou, a thief who’s stolen from many big shots and has several lives on his hands..."
"That’s the cat burglar who sneaked into the Censorate a few days ago? How did he get caught so suddenly?"
"He was too bold. Of all things to steal, he stole a person—and he stole someone belonging to Prime Minister Li..."
"Oh, then he didn't die in vain..."

Ye Jingtang acted as if he didn't hear the gossip and presented his token outside the Black Yamen. Only a moment later, Shang Jianli came out to greet him, cupping his hands from a distance. "Young Master Ye, you have impressive skills. I truly didn't expect you to bring this thief to justice in just a few days."

"I merely provided the labor. If the Yamen hadn't fully supported me by spreading the word everywhere, I never would have caught this thief..."

After the polite exchange, they arrived at the back of the yamen, where the chief clerk presented three hundred taels of reward money, along with a "Commendation Certificate" stamped with the Prince Jing seal to encourage his chivalrous deeds. Compared to the reputation and difficulty of the Wingless Owl, three hundred taels wasn't much, but it was his first bucket of gold earned purely by his own merit, outside of the pay he had pre-received from Sanniang.

Ye Jingtang wasn't greedy, but his pockets were indeed light, so he accepted it readily. After completing the necessary procedures to close the case, he asked, "Official Shang, is Prince Jing at the estate?"

"Prince Jing is entertaining guests. The visitor is a person of high status, so it might not be convenient. However, the Prince mentioned this morning that if you arrived, I should ask you to wait a moment. I will go and report your arrival."

As he spoke, Shang Jianli led Ye Jingtang to a tea room at the back of the yamen. It appeared to be a place for official discussions, plain and unremarkable. Ye Jingtang sat at the tea table, placed the sandalwood box containing the "Mr. Horn" on the table, and waited quietly for Prince Jing’s summons...

***

Behind the Black Yamen, at the top of Mingyu Pavilion.

The drizzling rain set the wind chimes hanging from the eaves of the terrace into motion, and the sound of an ethereal zither echoed from the room.

Dong~ Dong~...

Several palace maids waited outside the study for orders. Eastern Liren, dressed in a silver-threaded python robe, stood before a painting desk, brush in hand, outlining the beautiful scene before her.

Behind the zither stand in front, a graceful, noble young woman in a phoenix-patterned dress sat sideways, her fair, jade-like fingers plucking the strings. Her plump, beautiful hips drew a heavy, graceful arc behind her skirt, though her expression carried a hint of spring-time melancholy. "Liren, are you done with the painting yet? It’s been half an hour."

"Don't be impatient, Empress Dowager. It will be done soon."

"I said I wanted to be brought out to clear my mind, but look at this—it’s raining so hard I can't even step out the door. Sigh..."

The Empress Dowager felt stifled in the palace. Having finally managed to get out once, she was forced to sit in this chilly Mingyu Pavilion, unable to even see the distant view of the streets. She was truly depressed.

Eastern Liren was considerate; while painting the portrait, she comforted her softly, "Once the rain stops, I will take you to Yutan Villa. We can soak in the hot springs. The scenery there is much better than here—perfect for relaxing."

"What good is scenery if there’s no one to keep me company? I’d just be admiring it alone."

The Empress Dowager plucked the strings, her gaze drifting toward the streets in the distance. She really wanted to suggest that Prince Jing take her for a "secret outing" to walk the streets. But with the undercurrents moving in the imperial court, and given that Eastern Liren had been targeted by assassins several times, she knew that even if Eastern Liren agreed, she couldn't take the responsibility. She decided to let it be.

After a long while, Eastern Liren finally set down her brush. The lifelike portrait of the beauty leapt off the paper. The Empress Dowager stood up, massaged her sore legs, and walked over to inspect it. Before she could comment, she heard the footsteps of a maid at the door. "Your Highness, Young Master Ye has arrived."

Eastern Liren had been wanting to see Ye Jingtang since she heard the news of the Wingless Owl’s arrest this morning. Upon hearing he had arrived, she had no heart left to keep the Empress Dowager company. "He is a helper from the Yamen who handled a major case yesterday. I will go and meet him. Please rest, Empress Dowager."

Knowing Eastern Liren was busy with official affairs, the Empress Dowager did not hold her back. After watching her leave, she wandered around the room alone and picked up a scroll from the bookshelf to examine it. Eastern Liren and the Empress were both disciples of "Master Xuanji"—one excelled in literature, the other in martial arts—and both had received the true teachings.

Eastern Liren had a solid foundation in calligraphy and painting, and she often liked to paint the daily life outside Mingyu Pavilion. The Empress Dowager admired it silently. Soon, she picked up a brand-new scroll from the middle of the shelf. Upon unfolding it, she saw a man painted on it.

The man was dressed in a black robe, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, looking heroic and refined. His left hand held a long blade, which he had pressed against someone’s neck; a fat owl stood on his shoulder. The demeanor of the man and the bird was captured in vivid detail.

"Tsk tsk~ truly handsome..."

The Empress Dowager’s apricot eyes brightened. She held the portrait up to the window to examine it carefully in the light. The man in the painting had a unique temperament—both wild and chivalrous, yet elegant and scholarly. He was pleasing to the eye from every angle, so handsome it felt unreal, as if he were merely a figure of imagination, for no man in reality could be so flawless.

"Could it be the husband Liren dreams of..."

The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, thinking it highly likely. She chuckled to herself, thinking of teasing Eastern Liren later, and prepared to put the portrait away.

But just then, there was some movement below Mingyu Pavilion.

The Empress Dowager looked down and saw two people walking out of the vast yamen. She recognized the scholar in the green robe leading the way; he was Shang Jianli, the Chief Catcher of the Black Yamen.

Following behind him was a man in black, whose bearing was neither servile nor overbearing, his pace steady and calm. Due to the distance and the curtain of rain, she could only see his profile, yet she could still perceive the handsome, heroic air of the man just from his posture.

Hmm?

The Empress Dowager was stunned. She looked at the portrait, then at the man in black in the distance, then back at the portrait...

??

A "flame of gossip" slowly ignited in the Empress Dowager’s eyes. Just as she was trying to guess the relationship between the two, she noticed the handsome young man look up toward her window, startling her so much that she quickly stepped away from the window...