39. Bread and Water, Food Fit for Pigs

Yizhou had suddenly become lively. It was as if overnight the news had spread that the fifth master of the Mo family, Mo Cheng, and the eldest son of the Huang family, Huang Pinyuan, had come to blows. Some said they had quarreled red-faced over the leading courtesan at the pleasure house, while others claimed the two families had fiercely competed for the procurement of Yimo ink, leading to no small conflict.

But in Yizhou, everyone knew well enough that the Mo and Huang families had long been at odds; people in the streets merely laughed and gossiped but gave it little thought.

Who could have predicted that one day Mo Cheng and Huang Pinyuan would actually fight in the middle of the street, so fiercely that it only ended when the authorities intervened.

Gu Fei watched as Nurse Ku scooped the dead fish from the water vat with a net, chatting about the latest stirrings in the Mo household. When she mentioned Fifth Master Mo Cheng, her movements paused, then she asked, "Miss, do you think Huang Pinyuan can make much trouble?"

At these words, Gu Fei reached up to smooth the fine hair at her temple, her voice languid and distant. "Isn’t he making trouble already? That day in the woodshed, what I said to Mo Cheng—apart from you luring the Huang family over—was all overheard. The Huang family has long wanted to suppress the Mo family; how could they let such an opportunity slip by?"

Nurse Ku tossed the dead fish away and, after a moment's thought, asked, "It’s just that Mo Yan is away from Yizhou for a few days. If he returns soon, Mo Cheng probably wouldn’t dare act so boldly. Then, Miss, how will your plan proceed?"

Gu Fei seemed utterly at ease. She leaned back against her wheelchair, her apricot eyes narrowing as she gazed at the drifting clouds in the blue sky, answering slowly, "He won’t return so soon. If Mo Cheng can’t even manage such a simple diversion, then I’ve misjudged him."

Nurse Ku glanced at Gu Fei. Her face was as pale and smooth as porcelain, with a soft down like that of a newborn beast, evoking tender pity. "Miss, your thoughts are always beyond me."

It was true. Though Nurse Ku had watched every move Gu Fei made, when she tried to piece them together, something always felt missing.

Gu Fei chuckled softly but gave no further explanation. Many truths, when revealed at the right moment, were far more profound than if spoken too soon.

However...

She brushed the blood jade fox pendant hanging at her waist, her expression unfathomable. "Prepare yourself. Tomorrow we’re going to Linlang Pavilion."

At dawn, Stewardess Qingyun opened the doors of Linlang Pavilion, only to feel her eyelid twitching uncontrollably. She rubbed it, wondering if she’d slept poorly last night.

Judging the hour, Qingyun carried food from Yizhou’s Dragon Phoenix Restaurant deep into the pavilion.

By the azure lake, pavilions stood in clusters, white gauze fluttered in the breeze—a scene of carefree leisure.

"Master Jiu, it’s time for breakfast," Qingyun called as she approached the last of the four-cornered pavilions. From the eaves hung tiny bamboo wind chimes, ringing sweetly whenever the wind stirred.

"Bring it in," came a low, cool voice from behind the white gauze—like a cold spring, like moonlight.

Upon receiving permission, Qingyun bowed her head, lifted the gauze, knelt, and uncovered the food boxes, carefully placing each dish on the table. "Today’s breakfast is goji berry rice porridge, Auspicious Spring Rolls, Jade Bamboo Shoots with Fiddlehead Ferns... Master, you must eat more."

The man in the pavilion wore a half-silver mask, lounging lazily in white robes whiter than snow. His long hair, smooth as silk, fell and tangled with his sleeves, creating a striking contrast. Next to him sat a chessboard, white and black stones in each hand as if playing himself.

At Qingyun’s words, Master Jiu looked up, glanced at the dishes, and his thin lips, barely visible, tightened ever so slightly. "From Dragon Phoenix Restaurant?"

Qingyun closed the empty food box and stood at Master Jiu’s right, lifting a pair of silver dragon chopsticks and picking a bit of each dish into a small porcelain bowl before replying, "Yes, as always."

Unexpectedly, Master Jiu’s gaze returned to the chessboard. Placing a white stone, he replied coldly, "I won’t eat."

Qingyun’s brow furrowed. "But Master Jiu, the chef at Dragon Phoenix is the best in Yizhou. If you don’t eat, how will your body endure?"

A chill instantly radiated from Master Jiu. He continued placing stones. "It’s pig feed, nothing more. I’d rather swallow pills."

Qingyun sighed, chopsticks pausing in her hand. She’d come to understand Master Jiu’s fastidiousness. In his time at Linlang Pavilion, not only could there be no speck of dust on his person, but even the belt had to be perfectly even on both sides. When it came to food, he was even more particular—he turned his nose up at even the best from Dragon Phoenix Restaurant. Who knew what delicacy would ever please him?

Left with no choice, she began packing the dishes back into the box, not daring to protest further.

"Stewardess Qingyun, Fifth Miss Gu requests an audience," a maid’s voice called from outside the pavilion.

Qingyun paused, her mind searching for who this Fifth Miss Gu could be, when Master Jiu beside her said, "Gu Fei?"

"Yes, it’s Miss Gu Fei, waiting in the flower hall," the maid replied.

Qingyun looked to Master Jiu, about to take her leave.

"Her?" Master Jiu tossed aside the chess pieces, sat up a little straighter, and the faint light played at the corners of his lips. He said to Qingyun, "Set the breakfast out. Tell her to come serve me."

Qingyun’s hand trembled, nearly dropping the plate. She steadied her breath and suppressed her irritation. "Master, after all, Miss Fei is a lady of a noble family. She’s never done such a thing..."

Master Jiu cut her off, his jawline sharp and cold. Beneath the silver mask, his eyes were long and deep. He bent one knee and propped his head in his hand, his black hair spilling like silk—a figure as otherworldly as an immortal, yet his words were as biting as ever. "If she serves me, I’ll eat. Otherwise, take it away—I won’t touch it."

A vein throbbed on Qingyun’s forehead. She silently repeated "calm and peace" to herself several times before setting the dishes in place, bowing, and saying, "I shall invite her in now."

At these words, Master Jiu’s dark eyes brightened for a moment, then dimmed as swiftly as a falling star. Watching Qingyun leave to fetch the guest, he reclined once more, idly tossing a chess piece in his hand.

When Gu Fei entered the pavilion, she saw just such a scene: untouched breakfast on the table, a silver-masked man in snow-white robes draped languidly, his body almost boneless. As she arrived, he tossed aside the chess piece in his hand and his gaze flickered.

Her brows drew together in confusion. "I don’t know why Master Jiu has invited me here today?"

Master Jiu smiled faintly, his lips curving coolly. "Didn’t Qingyun tell you?"

Gu Fei shook her head. She had come only to find Qingyun, with no intention of meeting this frivolous man, no matter how skilled and eccentric a healer he might be.

Yet Master Jiu showed no displeasure. He rose, a light breeze following him as he moved to her side. With one hand, he pushed her wheelchair to the table, set the silver chopsticks into her hand, and placed the small porcelain bowl before her.

Gu Fei’s frown deepened. She looked up and suddenly realized how tall he was, feeling distinctly out of place. "I have already eaten, Master. I appreciate your kindness."

But the curve of his lips grew mocking. Master Jiu seated himself at her left. "No, I’m not asking you to eat. I want you to serve me."

With a "clack," Gu Fei tossed the chopsticks onto the table, her face cold as frost. "Master Jiu, forgive me, but I cannot comply."

She spun her wheelchair to leave.

Master Jiu picked up a chopstick and poked at the dishes with indifference. "Without my permission, Qingyun won’t agree to anything you request—not even with the blood jade fox."

Gu Fei’s lips twisted into a cold smile. She skillfully turned to face him, her words edged with mockery. "How capable you are, Master Jiu. But losing Linlang Pavilion won’t stop me."

With that, she reached for the blood jade fox pendant at her waist, poised to throw it into the lake.

"Try it," Master Jiu’s voice finally dropped, his eyes narrowing with a hidden danger. "You could endure the humiliation of a crippled leg, yet you can’t stomach serving a few dishes?"

"And besides," he added, curling his lip in disdain as he glanced at the food before him, "I only let you serve because I’m willing to befriend you. How is that an insult?"