The Perfumed Flames and the Prodigy’s Arrival

When we arrived, I realized the rumors were true—the fish here was indeed excellent, fresh and tender.
The two-story building was packed; every table on both floors was filled. Diners ate fish while chatting, and though their mouths moved differently, the subject was the same everywhere—the Grand Fragrance Gathering from the day before.

At a table by the window, one guest exclaimed, “That Lady Mingzhu really lives up to her reputation—beautiful, venomous, and a master of cruel punishments.”

“How so?”

“Yesterday she executed a perfumer on the spot. She poured his own blend of incense into his ears and throat, then set him alight. He was engulfed in the very fragrance he had created—his life consumed with his work…”

“Tsk, tsk.” The diners clicked their tongues in unison, before one finally sighed, “When a nation is about to fall, there will always be a demon consort. I’d say Dongyi’s end is near.”

At that, the others blanched in terror and hurriedly clapped hands over his mouth. Glancing about, they whispered, “Silence! Do you want to die? They say Lady Mingzhu brought three thousand shadow assassins to hunt down anyone who slanders her.”

The man paled, shut his mouth tight, and dared not speak another word.

I had been eating heartily until then, but froze. My chopsticks stirred the fish aimlessly, lifting nothing. Xingyue… has she truly become the demon consort, the venomous woman they describe?

“Elder sister, you don’t like this?” Su Yue noticed my distraction and raised her hand to call the waiter.

“No need.” I stopped her quickly. “I’m fine. No more dishes.”

Gongsun Bai gave me a knowing glance. “You’re curious about the gossip, aren’t you? You left early yesterday—you missed the real spectacle.”

Su Yue brightened, launching into the story. “I’ve always believed looks reflect the heart—that those who are beautiful must also be kind. Like my mother, or you, elder sister. But after meeting Lady Mingzhu, I finally understood what a viperous woman is. After you left yesterday, I stayed longer at the Pavilion. Suddenly there was commotion outside, and I realized she was departing.

“She had come to find perfumers, selecting twelve to follow her back to Dongyi for fortune and rank. Most were overjoyed. Only one refused—Gongyang Mu, a man of letters and virtue. He declared, ‘I craft the purest fragrances for the purest of hearts. Lady Mingzhu’s cruelty defiles all she touches. I would sooner destroy my art than allow her a whiff of it.’”

Su Yue’s voice grew tight. “He said it to her face. At first, silence. Then a laugh. From behind the bead curtain, her hand parted the strands, revealing her face—radiant, tender, almost girlish. She cooed, ‘Oh, I can be possessive. If I cannot have something, I won’t let others enjoy it either. Since you won’t let me use it… you may use it yourself. Guards, make him one with his fragrance, forever pure.’

“They dragged him out. In full view, they forced incense into every orifice—mouth, ears, nose, eyes. He gagged and coughed. Then they poured lamp oil down his throat, tossed in a torch—”

The room seemed to heat as Su Yue spoke, her fists trembling. “Flames roared. He burned alive, surrounded by his own incense. That fragrance, mixed with his integrity, lingered in the hall. He was only in his twenties. I smelled his work before—pure, noble, just like him. But he died like that, in agony…”

Her eyes reddened. Teeth ground audibly. “That vile woman hid behind her beads, watching him burn to ash. I swear, one day I’ll kill her myself—for him!”

Gongsun Bai exhaled slowly. “You won’t need to. She’s made enemies beyond number.”

“Why didn’t Yanshu stop her?” Su Yue shouted. “The Fragrance Pavilion is his domain! How could he allow murder under his roof?”

Gongsun Bai stared into his wine. “Because the king himself forbade it. No matter what Lady Mingzhu does, none may stop her. This is not just about her or us—it concerns two nations and countless lives. And besides—Gongyang is no name of Nanchuan. He was from Xihan. Why should we risk offending Mingzhu and the Musk King behind her for a foreigner?”

“Cold-blooded!” Su Yue slammed the table.

I drained my cup in silence. The wine was fragrant, but my heart was bitter. I shouldn’t have asked. I shouldn’t have sought her shadow. Pain lanced my chest, sharp as needles.

“Zhang Qi, are you unwell?” Gongsun Bai noticed.

“Nothing. Just heartache. Old ailment.”

“Shall I fetch a physician—”

“No need. Old ailment.”

At that moment, footsteps thundered below. Boots pounded the stairs. The wooden steps groaned, dust falling. A child’s voice barked, “Xiao Yi, Xiao Er, guard the doors! Da Zhuang, Er Niu, with me upstairs. And make sure the exits are sealed—she won’t escape.”

“Yes, young master. All secured.”

“Good.”

Su Yue’s hair bristled. She dove beneath the table.

I asked, alarmed, “Su Yue, what’s wrong?”

She looked as though she’d seen a ghost. “He’s here…”

“He? Who could scare you? You’re fearless. Who—your father, General Su?” Gongsun Bai frowned. “Wait, Zhang Qi, why are you crawling under too—”

“You said General Su, didn’t you? Su Yue, move over, leave me some space.” I wriggled beneath the tablecloth.

Her face flushed. “Not father. My brother—Su Ruoyun.”

I froze, then scrambled out, smoothing my robe and sitting properly.

Up the stairs came a boy of about ten, dressed splendidly. Two hair buns atop his head, a red mark on his brow, clad in dark blue silk trimmed with gold, tiger-skin boots, and at his side—a sword far too long for him. He tripped on the last step, the blade catching the railing, and fell flat on his face.

“Little master—!” His attendants rushed to help, but he puffed his cheeks, scowling. “I can do it myself.” He stood, dusted off, and scanned the room, sharp eyes darting.

Finding nothing, he demanded, “Are you sure my sister is here?”

“Yes, young master,” one servant said. “The doorman saw her enter this fish house. Perhaps… she already left.”

“Impossible.” His little mouth tightened, brows knotting into a stern 川. Such a child, yet already imitating adults. Almost comical.

Then his gaze locked on us. He strode over and bowed. “Excuse me, have either of you seen my sister?”

Gongsun Bai smiled. “And who is your sister?”

“Su Yue, eldest daughter of the General’s household.”

So this was Su Ruoyun. After my “death,” General Su and Lady Qinglun had another child, to ease their grief. They doted on him, and tales claimed he was a prodigy, the very image of me, Su Qi. Nonsense! I bristled. How could I resemble such a brat?

Uncomfortable, I tried to trick him. “Do you mean a lady about six feet tall, in a water-red dress, with a whip at her waist? Why, yes! She finished eating just now and hurried eastward.”

“Thank you.” A servant bowed, ready to leave with him.

But Ruoyun stayed. His deep brown eyes flashed. “How did you know my sister wears a whip?”

I blinked. “I saw it, of course.”

“But her whip is always hidden in her sash, only drawn in combat. No ordinary person could see it.”

All eyes turned on me. Gongsun Bai leaned lazily on his hand, smirking over his teacup.

Cold sweat dripped down my back. “Well… friction law, you know? When she walks, the sash rubs against the whip, it pokes out a little. I have sharp eyes. I noticed.”

He pressed harder. “Most women notice jewelry, makeup, dresses. Why were your eyes fixed on her waist?”

“…”

Now I understood why Su Yue dove under tables at his approach. Next time, I’d burrow underground myself.

Then—the table shook violently and overturned. Dishes and soup cascaded in an arc straight toward me.

Gongsun Bai moved swiftly, leaping aside and dragging me with him.

Alas for Ruoyun—too slow to dodge. Luckily, a loyal servant hurled himself forward, shielding the boy and taking the full brunt of noodles, broth, and fish bones.

“Su Ruoyun! Are you looking for a beating?!” Su Yue exploded from under the cloth, finger jabbing his nose, roaring, “I just went out to eat! Did you really have to chase me down like a fugitive? You—you—you infuriate me!”

Ruoyun peeked out, a noodle dangling from his hair, but still puffed his chest. “And who let you eat without me?”

“…What?” My mind went blank. All this chaos—just because she didn’t invite him to dinner?

Su Yue trembled with rage. “I was with my friend! Why bring you?”

“I must protect you!” He planted his fists on his hips, arms bulging comically. “The world is dangerous! A young lady walking alone is prey for wolves. As your brother and the Su family heir, it’s my duty to guard you!”

He reached out to pat her shoulder—missed—and landed on her backside instead.

“Whoosh!”

He sailed in an arc across the room.

Su Yue clapped her hands, satisfied, and casually wiped them on my sleeve. “Let’s keep eating.”

“…”