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Chapter Text

Xue Dingfei was finally happy, or as happy as he could be. He was in the capital, far away from Lord Pingnan, where he could drink, gamble and fuck around. This was his dream.

As always, Lord Pingnan was playing his men against each other. But this had an advantage. The men who might be able to scare Xue Dingfei into submission—Gongyi Cheng and Dujun—didn’t know he was here. Huang Qian didn’t dare touch him.

Of course, there was a price attached to his relative freedom. Lord Pingnan had given Xue Dingfei a letter, written by Marquis Yan Mu. He was supposed to ensure that it was delivered to Xue Yuan, to sow discord in the capital. Xue Dingfei had a bad feeling about this mission. No one could find Gongyi Cheng, including his own men. Attacking the Yans was a sure-fire way of provoking Dujun’s ire. It seemed likely that Dujun had forced Gongyi Cheng to go to ground.

As far as Xue Dingfei was concerned, they could all burn in Hell: the Shens, the Yans, and the Xues.

He gave the letter from Marquis Yan to someone else. The recipient was a particularly stupid underling of Gongyi Cheng, but that didn’t matter. The important thing was that he was no longer responsible for what happened to it now. That letter was a hot potato, which should be tossed to someone else as quickly as possible before it burned him.

Eventually reality bit, as it always did. As he was gambling, four men surrounded him. They would not say who had sent them, but Xue Dingfei had his suspicions. He spared a moment to feel extremely glad that he’d divested himself of the letter.

At Xie Mansion, Xue Dingfei was honest about what he’d done with Yan Mu’s letter; his “twin’s” small but fanatically dedicated band of henchmen would have no hesitation in “eliminating” him if Xie Wei gave the order. The man to whom Xue Dingfei had given the letter would be dead within days, if not hours, not that he cared.

Xue Dingfei went back to his dissolute ways after Xie Wei let him go; this was the only way he had to escape. It was easier if he didn’t have to think about Gongyi Cheng, Dujun or Lord Pingnan.

He was disturbed by the discovery that Feng Mingyu had explosives, and resentful that Lord Pingnan had not chosen to let him into the secret. He was always left out; an afterthought. He passed it on to Dujun. If Lord Pingnan wanted to play off his men, Xue Dingfei could play his own small games.

He only registered with half an ear that Yan Mu and his son were being exiled. There had been some controversy at Yan Lin’s coming of age, involving the Xues. The wretched letter seemed to have disappeared altogether, along with Gongyi Cheng’s men. He suspected (without knowing for sure) that Dujun had “eliminated” them. As long as Dujun didn’t eliminate him…

To keep Dujun on side, when Xue Dingfei was asked to do so, he told Huang Qian that Gongyi Cheng had been captured and was being held by the Xingwu Guards. He had no idea if this was true or not—he suspected it was another one of Dujun’s labyrinthine plots—but he didn’t really care, as long as Dujun kept off his back.

On the evening when Huang Qian and his people stormed the prison to find Gongyi Cheng, Xue Dingfei decided to have fun, now his minders were absent. He was sure Dujun would have some tiresome instructions for him, later, but for now, he’d enjoy himself.

In the early hours of the morning, Xie Wei barged into his room. “Dingfei! I need you!” Then he looked at Hong Jian, who was huddled fearfully next to Xue Dingfei. “Scram!”

Hong Jian took one look at Xie Wei, pulled her nightgown around her, and ran out as fast as she could.

Xue Dingfei was annoyed and slightly hungover. “What are you doing here? What’s going on? You woke me up!”

Even in the candlelight, Xie Wei was visibly pale and drawn. “I need your help.”

Xue Dingfei yawned. “Huang Qian found Gongyi Cheng, and they’re going to kill you? It was always a risk, Ju’an—”

“Gongyi Cheng is dead.” A nasty smile spread across Xie Wei’s face. Xue Dingfei had always wondered when Lord Pingnan’s habit of playing his men off against each other would turn deadly. Now he had his answer.

In any case, he was suddenly as wide awake and alert as if Xie Wei had tossed cold water over him. If he were any judge, the personality he privately called “Dujun” was currently in control of his twin. Xue Dingfei didn’t mind either “Dingfei” or “Ju’an”, even if he’d never have sought their company. Dujun was the one he hated and feared: the cruel, insane arsehole created by Lord Pingnan’s torture.

“But they’ve just gone to rescue Gongyi Cheng…?”

Xie Wei nodded. “This was my plan. I have persuaded a junior official called Zhang Zhe, from the Ministry of Justice, to pose as Dujun and to infiltrate the rebels in the prison. He’ll tell them that Gongyi Cheng is dead, and that Gongyi Cheng and his men leaked certain secrets to the government. They’ll run back to Tongzhou…”

“What the fuck?” said Xue Dingfei. “Why did you ask someone to pose as you?”

“I want to know what Feng Mingyu plans to do with those explosives. However, I’m too well known as the Junior State Preceptor to undertake this myself. Mr Zhang is keen to advance himself, and so—”

Xue Dingfei shrugged. “Sounds like you have it all planned, as usual. Why would you need my help?”

“Something unexpected happened.” Xie Wei paused. “Tonight, during the prison break, Huang Qian kidnapped a woman. There’s a risk that this will expose Zhang Zhe.”

Xue Dingfei nodded. “Who is this woman? Do we know?”

“Jiang Xuening, Second Young Lady of Jiang Mansion.” Xie Wei paused, racked by coughs, and then said haltingly, almost painfully, “She was at the prison to farewell Yan Lin.”

The picture became clearer. “Ahhhh. This girl is Yan Lin’s fiancée?”

Xie Wei shook his head, and his eyes burned with a strange light. “No. Miss Jiang is my student, and Yan Lin’s best friend. I have promised her father that I’ll rescue her. I’ll follow you.”

Xue Dingfei had never known Dujun to be selfless before. There must be some ulterior motive, perhaps linked to Miss Jiang’s father. He suddenly recalled that a Lord Jiang had been Xie Wei’s initial contact at court. “Xie Ju’an… Are you sure you should be travelling, when you’re ill? It’s cold.”

Xie Wei ignored his question. “Just go as soon as you can and confirm Zhang Zhe’s identity. I’ll send any further instructions via Xiao Bao.”

Xie Wei’s henchmen, Jian Shu and Dao Qin were waiting outside. They bristled with distrust and anger, even more than usual. He thought that they agreed with him that Xie Wei should not be travelling, but they weren’t going to openly agree with him, on principle. They’d always disliked Xue Dingfei, maybe because they saw him as an inadequate shadow of their master.

Chapter Text

At Baiyun Temple, Xue Dingfei was very curious to find out exactly what was going on.

From his hiding place, he spotted the two strangers: a slender handsome man, and a frankly stunning boy, standing behind him. He realised with a second glance that the “boy” must be Jiang Xuening. Xie Wei hadn’t mentioned that she was so beautiful. Was this omission deliberate, or had that silly scholar simply not noticed?

Naturally, Feng Mingyu was giving the pair a hard time, because he was a psychopathic arsehole.

Zhang Zhe shared many characteristics with Xie Wei, but he did not have Xie Wei’s arrogance or flair. Xue Dingfei could see exactly why Xie Wei had needed to call him in to confirm the man’s identity. This man was not aggressive enough to be Dujun.

On the other hand, Jiang Xuening had all the arrogance and flair Zhang Zhe lacked. It was a pity that she was not pretending to be Dujun. She would have done a very good job indeed.

When Xue Dingfei stood, Jiang Xuening met his eyes. He saw a flash of recognition, although he couldn’t recall having met her before. What was going on?

As Xie Wei had indicated, Xue Dingfei’s old friend Xiao Bao had been caught up in this nonsense, too. Like him, Xiao Bao had been born on the streets and had begun life as a beggar. He was the closest thing to a little brother Xue Dingfei would ever have. Unfortunately, Xiao Bao worshipped Dujun, because Dujun had saved Xiao Bao from the streets. Therefore, in Xiao Bao’s eyes, Dujun was a god.

As they set out on the road to Tongzhou, Xue Dingfei watched and wondered. From the way Zhang Zhe was hovering over Jiang Xuening, they were lovers, although they purported to be brother and sister. The couple’s act was dreadful, and all the rebels knew it. In fact, Lady San thought it was adorable. Feng Mingyu thought it was fishy and wanted to kill them both.

Xiao Bao had no idea how the woman had become entangled in this either. Xue Dingfei was slightly hurt by Xiao Bao’s dismissal of him as “double-faced”, but he had to admit it was true. All he wanted to do was survive and get out of this.

Zhang Zhe immediately picked that Xue Dingfei was Xie Wei’s man. It was extremely annoying. Why was Xue Dingfei continually stuck with annoying clever scholars? Xie Wei had found someone who was almost as bad as him. Xue Dingfei supposed it made sense, but he was still irritated, both at himself and Zhang Zhe.

Xue Dingfei liked Jiang Xuening much better. She was a sharp-tongued bitch—and she made it very clear that she didn’t fancy him—but there was no bullshit about her. He’d even caught her laughing sometimes, when he annoyed Feng Mingyu by talking about brothels. She wasn’t a stuck-up scholar like Xie Wei or Zhang Zhe.

When they reached Tongzhou, it seemed as though Jiang Xuening had said something to Huang Qian and Lady San. They were now treating Zhang Zhe warily and kept looking over at the couple. Jiang Xuening and Zhang Zhe seemed to be arguing about whatever she’d said. Xue Dingfei suspected she’d been more aggressive than Zhang Zhe would have liked. She really would have made a better Dujun than Zhang Zhe.

Suddenly Jiang Xuening doubled over. Zhang Zhe carried her to a bed—he wouldn’t let anyone else touch her—and Lady San said she’d been poisoned. Zhang Zhe immediately accused Huang Qian and Feng Mingyu, but they both denied it.

Xue Dingfei suspected something else was going on, a suspicion confirmed when Xiao Bao said he knew of a Physician Xie, who would be able to heal Jiang Xuening. When he returned from his rescue of Jiang Xuening, Xiao Bao passed the latest order from Dujun to Xue Dingfei. It was simple: Make sure Zhang Zhe dies in the chaos.

Xue Dingfei sighed. He didn’t like killing people, even if they were annoying scholars. He wondered idly what Zhang Zhe had done to deserve this fate.

Feng Mingyu made them all march up to Shangqing Temple at dawn the next day. Every particle in Xue Dingfei’s body was screaming that he should run from this place, but he couldn’t work out how to escape or when he could kill Zhang Zhe. Feng Mingyu suspected both that Zhang Zhe was a stooge, and that Dujun had betrayed Lord Pingnan. Zhang Zhe was indeed very clever—almost as mentally agile as Xie Wei—but he did not know that Xie Wei had marked him for death. It was now clearer why Xie Wei wanted to kill Zhang Zhe: he had had to expose far too much of himself to this man, to ensure that Zhang Zhe presented a believable “Dujun.”

Then they heard that the Xues were on the way.

Xue Dingfei suddenly decided he wanted to escape. He was sick of being caught up in these people’s games, and he’d help Zhang Zhe escape too. If it fucked up Dujun, so be it.

As the rebel leaders fought, Xue Dingfei drew Zhang Zhe down the mountain. He knew how Dujun’s mind worked, and suspected that at least one of the possibilities he had planned was for everyone in the vicinity to destroy each other. They had to get as far away as they could, as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, Zhang Zhe showed himself to be unbearably naive, just as Xue Dingfei had feared. He insisted on turning back to inform Duke Xue that it was a trap. No wonder Xie Wei had wanted to kill him! The man was too noble to survive.

Xue Dingfei let Zhang Zhe go. Let him sacrifice himself! It was none of his business. He had to take his chance; he could almost smell the freedom. Even when explosions started to rumble, and rocks fell, he kept running.

To his rage, he was caught in a dead end and discovered by Yan soldiers. He pretended to be Zhang Zhe, given that the man was likely already dead, either at the hands of the Xues, the rebels, or Xie Wei and his men.

His ruse was working well, until the Yan soldiers brought him to their commander. Jiang Xuening stood by the Yan general’s side. What was more, she seemed to be telling the general what to do. Who the hell was this woman and how had she gotten here?

In any case, when Jiang Xuening asked him where Zhang Zhe was, Xue Dingfei led the Yan army to the place he thought Zhang Zhe had gone. He couldn’t see any upsides to lying.

Zhang Zhe was still there. He shouted out that Feng Mingyu was on the slopes above and intended to blow the entire mountain up. Suddenly the Yan soldiers and the rebels had the same goal: to stop him before they all died.

Jiang Xuening leaped off her horse and ran into battle, to join Zhang Zhe. Whoever she was, she was insanely brave. Xue Dingfei couldn’t help feeling a little jealous. Could she not give him some of her courage? Why did some people have a surfeit of bravery, and he had a lack?

Then Xie Wei rode up too, his eyes burning with rage. “Dingfei, where is Ning’er?”

Xue Dingfei startled. He’d never heard Xie Wei use an affectionate name for a woman before. It rang out as loudly as if someone had chimed a temple bell on a quiet spring day.

“I said, where has Ning’er gone?” repeated Xie Wei, his voice rasping.

Xue Dingfei wordlessly pointed in the direction that Jiang Xuening had run. He recognised this mood. Dujun, not Ju’an, was in control and anyone who crossed him risked death.

The accuracy of his assessment was proven when Xie Wei pulled out his bow and aimed the arrow at Zhang Zhe and Jiang Xuening. Xue Dingfei held his breath in horror and exchanged a glance with Xiao Bao.

Jiang Xuening shouted, “Xie Wei! Don’t kill him!” and threw her arms around Zhang Zhe.

Xie Wei loosed the arrow, and with one shot, he killed Feng Mingyu before he could detonate the explosives. The arrow whistled past Jiang Xuening’s ear and ruffled her hair. The young Dingfei had always been a very good shot and had chided his “twin” for his lack of skill. It seemed he hadn’t lost the knack.

After a long moment, Jiang Xuening let go of Zhang Zhe, while Xue Dingfei breathed a sigh of relief. They weren’t going to die today. Or at least, he wasn’t going to die. He was slightly worried that Dujun was about to murder Jiang Xuening and Zhang Zhe.

Jiang Xuening seemed to share his fear. She stood, looking at Xie Wei, her eyes wide, but she didn’t back down or move. Xie Wei lowered the bow and said, “Ning’er!” between gritted teeth.

“I’m sorry, Sir,” said Jiang Xuening. “I was just worried—”

“I know what you were worried about.” Xie Wei’s voice was as harsh as nails.

“But it’s okay, Sir.” A smile came over Jiang Xuening’s face. “You saved us all. You killed Feng Mingyu.”

Xie Wei handed the bow to Jian Shu, swung off his horse and strode over. “How could you put yourself in danger like that, Ning’er? How could you be such a fool? I told you not to do this!”

Jiang Xuening shrank behind Zhang Zhe.

Zhang Zhe said, calmly, as if he wasn’t being confronted by an angry lunatic who might strangle him any moment, “Junior State Preceptor, thank you for your intervention. I understand that you were worried about Miss Jiang, but we are all safe now.”

“If it weren’t for you, Mr Zhang, Ning’er would not have been in this situation,” said Xie Wei, glaring at Zhang Zhe.

“I could say the same to you, Mr Xie.” Zhang Zhe glared back. They really were two chips off the same annoying block.

Jiang Xuening looked between the two men, then put her hand to Zhang Zhe’s bloody sleeve and looked at Xie Wei. “Mr Zhang is hurt, Sir. We must treat his wounds.”

Xie Wei turned away abruptly, his face still utterly furious.

“Miss Ning’er, there are medical supplies in Shangqing Temple,” said Xiao Bao.

“Thank you, Xiao Bao,” said Jiang Xuening. Xiao Bao’s face lit up, and Xue Dingfei realised that the poor lad had the worst case of calf love he’d ever seen.

General Yan came up. “I am glad to see you safe, Miss Jiang, Mr Zhang. Here’s your horse and a spare one for Mr Zhang…”

“Thanks so much, General Yan, and I’m so grateful for your help,” said Jiang Xuening, very sweetly.

“It’s nothing,” said General Yan, bowing and looking at Xie Wei with doubt.

They rode up to Shangqing Temple. Xie Wei’s angry silence extended like a giant bubble around him. Jiang Xuening fussed over Zhang Zhe, throwing nervous glances at Xie Wei. Dao Qin and Jian Shu looked even grumpier than usual. General Yan just looked confused.

Xue Dingfei was also confused. Who was this woman, who commanded armies? Jiang Xuening seemed to know that Xie Wei had intended to kill Zhang Zhe; she had thrown herself into battle to prevent it. Was she one of Xie Wei’s people too, a female equivalent of that annoying Lyu Xian? If not, who was she working for? And why hadn’t Xie Wei eliminated her, if she was interfering with his plans? Was it because—unbelievable as it seemed—Xie Wei felt affection for “Ning’er”?

It seemed possible that his twin was playing several games of Go at once. Xue Dingfei wished he could just slip off the board. He was sick of being used. He’d look for another chance.

Chapter Text

Xue Dingfei sat on the steps of Shangqing Temple and threw a tantrum. Why could he not escape? Why was he still stuck in this shit show, with Dujun?

Unfortunately, Jian Shu and Dao Qin were watching him. He closed his eyes and leaned his head against the steps, waiting for another moment.

Then Xue Dingfei put his head up and opened his eyes as new people came into the temple, wearing the armour of the Xingwu guards.

A young man in decorative armour was carried into the square outside the temple, shouting for people to tend to his wounded leg. The Yan soldiers, Dao Qin and Jian Shu threw venomous glares at the young man. Whoever this person was, he was no friend of the Yan Army or Xie Wei. Could it be…?

The young man kicked the Yan soldier who came to help, and General Yan intervened to chide the young man.

An equally unpleasant older man in the armour of a General came over the hill and began to scold the Yan soldiers.

Xue Dingfei was alarmed. Were these people his “father” and his “brother”? Was this why Xie Wei had been so crazy and angry, before? There was a silver lining to this, however. If he were any judge, violence was about to break out between the Yan forces and the Xue forces. He could take the opportunity to flee in the ensuing chaos.

Like a dark crow, an omen of death, Xie Wei strode up to General Yan and the older man, his robes flowing in the breeze. He looked at the older man, his expression smooth and untroubled. “Duke, please be calm. His Majesty has given me the Yan tally and command of the Yan troops. If you have any problems, please talk to me.”

Xue Dingfei had to grit his teeth to stop himself from screaming. Fuck. It’s Xue Yuan. Fuck. How can Ju’an be so calm? Why is his heart not pounding with fear and rage, like mine is?

Meanwhile Xue Yuan glared at Xie Wei. “You’re just a civil official. How can you have command of the Yan troops? Today was almost a disaster; it shows you shouldn’t be a commander.”

Xue Dingfei was under no illusions that he was a good man—he was a hypocrite and coward of the highest nature—but even he was shocked by his “father’s” attitude. He’d heard from the Yan soldiers that Duke Xue had refused to help them and withdrawn from the battle because his ridiculously spoiled younger son was injured.

Xie Wei wasn’t surprised. He even wore a small smile on his face as he replied to his father. “Thank you for your advice, Duke. I am not capable. It is indeed thanks to the skill of the Yan troops that we survived. But it’s strange! We had made an appointment to meet in Tongzhou, Duke. Why did I meet you here?”

Before Xue Yuan could answer, the wounded boy called out, “My father is just eager to destroy rebels. Does he have to listen to you on this too?”

Xue Dingfei knew all about what Xue Yuan had done to Xie Wei, of course, but now that he had actually met Xue Yuan and Xue Ye in person, he didn’t think he’d ever disliked two people so swiftly and viscerally.

Meanwhile Xie Wei eyed Xue Yuan. “Of course, the Duke outranks me. However, I will tell his Majesty everything that happened today, to ask for his verdict.”

Xue Dingfei stood. It was time to make a third attempt at escape. He did not want to be dragged into this insane family. No wonder Xie Wei was a madman.

Dao Qin called out, “Mr Dingfei!”

The look Xue Yuan sent in Xue Dingfei’s direction would have killed him, if the man had had power to do so. Xue Dingfei scuttled away, and imagined he felt the piercing arrow of that look in his shoulder, like a lancing pain.

“Where are you going?” said Dao Qin, following him, and putting a firm hand on his shoulder.

“Why are you so anxious? I was just going to the toilet. Don’t be afraid. I won’t try to escape,” lied Xue Dingfei. “Really!”

“Come, let’s talk to Sir,” said Dao Qin, steering him back, and not loosening his grip on Xue Dingfei’s shoulder.

Xue Dingfei noticed that a Xue soldier was loitering around the temple entrance watching him. His heart sank. He was a dead man: Duke Xue would try to kill him. When was he going to be able to escape this nightmare?

Xie Wei was in conference with General Yan, but he sent General Yan and Dao Qin out when Xue Dingfei arrived. Xue Dingfei sent a fake smile at his twin and then gazed out of the curtains. Such beautiful freedom out there, but apparently it was not for him.

Xie Wei poured some tea for him. “Xiao Bao told me that Zhang Zhe is suspicious of your identity because of a slip of the tongue.”

“I-it was just a slip of the tongue!” protested Xue Dingfei. “How was I to know that a low-ranking official from the Ministry of Justice would be so hard to deal with?”

“I asked Xiao Bao to pass on my order to you to kill Zhang Zhe,” said Xie Wei, coldly. “Why didn’t you do it?”

“I had told Feng Mingyu that Zhang Zhe was Dujun,” said Xue Dingfei, thinking quickly. “If I did something that conflicted with my testimony, I would have been found out. How could I return to Jinling and explain myself to Lord Pingnan?”

Xie Wei put the teapot down with a slam. “You still want to return to Jinling?”

Xue Dingfei jumped. “I wouldn’t dare! You killed Feng Mingyu. Of course, I will follow you. It’s just killing Zhang Zhe! I’ll go now and kill him! I’ll show you my loyalty!”

“No need,” said Xie Wei.

Xue Dingfei sat down. It was time to probe his twin, and find out what his weak points were, now that they were yoked together again. “Is this because of Miss Jiang? You saw she was willing to risk her life for Mr Zhang, and you’re worried that you’ll upset her?”

From the baleful look Xie Wei gave him, Xue Dingfei knew that he’d hit the target. He might not be a clever scholar like Xie Wei or Zhang Zhe, but he wasn’t stupid.

Nonetheless, Xie Wei’s response was brisk. “Stop your bullshit. Now that Feng Mingyu is dead, Lord Pingnan will definitely take action. The war is coming. You can’t be indecisive. Have you thought about what we should do next?”

“I’m not you,” Xue Dingfei explained sadly. “I don’t have your ability or wits. I just want to live every day in luxury! The path you walk on is too dangerous. I don’t dare join you.”

Xie Wei gazed at him intently. “Lord Pingnan wants to use Xue Dingfei’s identity to achieve certain aims. Because he’s worried that I will betray him, he raised you as a substitute. However, we both know how it ends for a substitute. Once Lord Pingnan has finished what he needs to do, you’ll die.”

Of course, his twin had thought it through, as much as he had himself. Xue Dingfei sighed deeply.

Xie Wei said, “If you join me, there’s a chance of survival. When I finish what I’m doing, I’ll leave Xue Dingfei’s identity to you. But if you don’t want to be Xue Dingfei anymore, you can do whatever you want, go wherever you want.”

Xue Dingfei’s heart leaped in his chest. Was his twin serious? The sympathy shining in his twin’s eyes seemed to suggest so. But he didn’t dare to hope.

 “Never mind,” said Xie Wei, getting up. “Think about it. Give me an answer before we leave Tongzhou.”

He walked out. He’d known Xue Dingfei would not have the courage to answer immediately. They knew each other so well.

Xue Dingfei stared at the table until it blurred in his vision, feeling dizzy. His twin had just offered freedom up to him, on a platter. Did he dare take it? He knew better than anyone else how clever Xie Wei was, and how many moves ahead he thought. If anyone in Qian could outplay Lord Pingnan, it was him. The problem was, Xue Dingfei was a coward. He wasn’t brave like Jiang Xuening or Zhang Zhe, willing to sacrifice his life to save others. Could he take this opportunity?

He sat there, for a long time, thinking. He’d always felt like a pale shell of a man next to his twin. Xie Wei was crazier and meaner than a bag of venomous snakes, for sure, but he was also clever, brave, and astoundingly resilient. It seemed that his twin wanted to escape Lord Pingnan as much as he did himself. He’d just engineered the death of three of Lord Pingnan’s top Generals, after killing Gongyi Cheng. He was meticulously destroying the rebels from within and leaving no witnesses.

Suddenly, Xue Dingfei realised what might make Xie Wei so very desperate to escape Lord Pingnan at this moment. When they were growing up, Lord Pingnan had impressed upon both of them that they could never care for anyone, because affection could be used against them. It was clear, at the very least, that Xie Wei cared about his student; he might even be in love with her. He would have an extremely powerful incentive to ensure that they could both slip Lord Pingnan’s leash.

Maybe it was possible that they could escape.

Chapter Text

Xue Dingfei felt mutinous when he and Xiao Bao were summoned to Xie Wei.

“Why did you summon us?” said Xiao Bao, as Xue Dingfei twisted on his feet to show that he wasn’t that happy about this.

“Lyu Xian got a message from Minister Jiang,” said Xie Wei. “It will be Ning’er’s birthday soon.”

“You mean… you want to celebrate Miss Ning’er’s birthday?” Xiao Bao knew how to read between Xie Wei’s lines.

All of Xue Dingfei’s mutinous feelings disappeared in a flash of amazed excitement, as his suspicions were suddenly confirmed. He clicked his tongue. “The Xie Ju’an I knew would never have been interested in such trivial things. In a situation like this, you still want to celebrate a lady’s birthday. This is unusual. It’s very unusual! Could it be…?”

He looked at Xiao Bao and Xiao Bao smiled a little. It seemed that they shared the same suspicion.

“There are many important things that need to be done outside, Dingfei, and you can do none of them,” snapped Xie Wei, not dropping his usual disagreeable façade. “Things are difficult here now, at Shangqing Temple. This is just a small thing. If it’s not convenient…”

Xue Dingfei beamed. “It is convenient! How could it not be convenient? That bandit Feng Mingyu left many useful items in the temple. It’s more than enough to prepare a feast.” He couldn’t stop himself from teasing Xiao Bao. “Let’s divide the labour! You prepare the feast; I invite Miss Jiang!”

“Since it’s her birthday, I will prepare some gifts for her too,” said Xiao Bao, smiling at Xie Wei.

“Go ahead,” said Xie Wei, still unsmiling.

“I—I’ll prepare some gifts too!” Xue Dingfei hated being pinned down. He knew what Xie Wei was like. But it was too late.

Before he could escape, Xie Wei halted him. “Xue Dingfei! Have you had a chance to think about what I asked you last time?”

Xue Dingfei half turned. “I’ve thought about what you said. It makes sense. At this point, you’re the only one I can trust. When you return to the capital, I’m at your disposal. Anyway, as long as I live, it doesn’t matter what I do.”

To his surprise, Xie Wei almost smiled. Of course, all he said was, “Get back to work,” because he was an insane bastard. Nonetheless, Xue Dingfei didn’t think he was imagining it. Xie Wei seemed decidedly saner than he had been four years earlier. Maybe being away from Lord Pingnan had improved him.

Xue Dingfei ran after Xiao Bao and found the young rebel sorting through treasures. “Good heavens,” he hissed. “Does Xie Wei have feelings for Jiang Xuening?”

“Are you blind, Dingfei?” said Xiao Bao. “Of course, Sir does! He wasn’t even supposed to be here—Jian Shu and Dao Qin are really angry—but he came to Tongzhou because he wanted to save Miss Ning’er.”

“Wah!” said Xue Dingfei with excitement. “I can’t believe this. Xie Wei likes a woman! But what kind of a woman is she?”

“Did I tell you what she did when I tried to give her the antidote for the poison?” said Xiao Bao.

Xue Dingfei looked at his friend. “No, what did she do?”

“Miss Ning’er pulled a dagger out and held it to my neck, while she was still semi-conscious,” said Xiao Bao, with immense admiration. “It was only when I called her “Miss Ning’er” that she calmed down, because she knew then that I was associated with Sir.”

Xue Dingfei blinked. “Miss Jiang has a dagger?”

Xiao Bao nodded. “Luckily, Sir had already told me to exercise extreme caution with her. Jian Shu says she’s like Nerium oleander—beautiful to look at, but deadly.”

“What the hell?” Xue Dingfei was horrified. “No one warned me! I tried to flirt with her, back at Baiyun Temple! She might have stabbed me!”

Xiao Bao laughed uproariously. “It would have served you right, Dingfei!”

“But she’s with that Mr Zhang…” said Xue Dingfei. “Oh gods! This is why Xie Ju’an told us to kill Mr Zhang…”

“No, that was because Mr Zhang was going to ruin everything and expose Sir as a rebel,” said Xiao Bao, naively. “Sir said the problem with a sharp sword is that it can cut you as well as others. However, that’s all under control now now, because Miss Ning’er told Mr Zhang he’s not to expose Sir. Now Sir’s going to use Mr Zhang to expose the Xues instead.”

“Wait—is Miss Jiang working with Xie Wei?” said Xue Dingfei.

Xiao Bao shrugged. “I don’t know. It seems like a complicated relationship.”

Xue Dingfei snorted. “I would expect nothing less.”

Chapter Text

Xiao Bao spent a good deal of time putting together treasure from Shangqing Temple for Jiang Xuening’s birthday. He was hurt when Jiang Xuening said she didn’t like to celebrate her birthday, and Xie Wei told him to throw the presents away.

“Don’t worry, I’ll sort it out,” said Xue Dingfei to his friend.

Eventually he found Jiang Xuening sitting alone on a step, hunched over, her hands folded over her body, staring miserably into the distance. This wouldn’t do! He bounded up. “Hello birthday girl!”

Jiang Xuening looked up. “Even you know about my birthday?”

“Yes, your teacher told me,” said Xue Dingfei. “I went to the kitchen just now. The ingredients are all there! I’ll make an amazing banquet for you. Let me show you what the First Young Master of Jinling can cook!”

Jiang Xuening was still hunched over. “I told Xiao Bao that I don’t like to celebrate my birthday. Don’t bother.”

Xue Dingfei was intrigued by her glum reaction. “Huh? Ladies of your age usually love to celebrate their birthdays. Is it because you think this temple is too small?”

“It has nothing to do with that,” said Jiang Xuening. “I remembered something from the past. Not everyone’s birthday is worth celebrating. When I was in the capital, Yan Lin always celebrated with me. Now he’s not here, what’s the point of celebrating?”

Zhang Zhe came up. “That’s why we should celebrate. When he left the capital, I’m sure Viscount Yan hoped that you would have a happy life. You should do this, for him.”

Xue Dingfei was pleased. “Yes! That’s exactly why you should celebrate. It’s none of anyone else’s business! Besides, in the capital, the luxurious things around you are not remarkable. You wouldn’t feel the fun of it. Now here, in the wilderness of Tongzhou, and with good wine and food, feel it. Doesn’t it feel different?”

Jiang Xuening looked at Zhang Zhe. Zhang Zhe smiled warmly. Jiang Xuening inclined her head a tiny amount.

Xue Dingfei was delighted and jumped down off the step as fast as he could. “Yes! Now I finally have an excuse to drink! I’ve been craving drink so much! Wheeee!”

He ran up to Xiao Bao. “Okay, quick, quick, give me some wine. She’s agreed to the birthday meal.”

“Can I have some wine?” said Xiao Bao.

“No, when you’re older, Xiao Bao. I don’t want you to ruin your life like I have.” Xue Dingfei paused. “It wasn’t your fault, that Miss Jiang didn’t like her presents. I don’t think Miss Jiang’s birthday is a happy day for her. She was sitting on the step, all alone. It was all Mr Zhang and I could do, to persuade her to celebrate it.”

“But doesn’t she live in a mansion, with a rich family?” said Xiao Bao.

“As Xie Wei’s history shows, a person who is born into a noble and rich family doesn’t always have a nice life,” said Xue Dingfei. “There’s something damaged about Miss Jiang, too.”

Xiao Bao nodded. “Actually, this makes sense! You know what was interesting about Miss Ning’er? She didn’t mind sleeping on the floor of the temple shed or doing chores.”

“There is something weird in her background,” said Xue Dingfei. “When I made jokes about the brothel, she laughed out aloud. I don’t think that’s normal for a noblewoman. Don’t get me wrong, I like that about her! I think she’d be fun to drink with.”

“Why does everyone other than me get to drink?” whined Xiao Bao.

Xue Dingfei hit him over the head with a ladle, then took another swig from the bottle. “All in good time, Xiao Bao. I’ll teach you how to drink when you grow up.”

Xue Dingfei had carefully selected beautiful clothing for Jiang Xuening to wear for her birthday dinner. Even pre-armed with this knowledge, when he went to fetch her, his breath was taken away for a moment. He decided to probe a little. “Wah! You look as gorgeous as someone who comes from someone from a prestigious family in the capital! When you dress up, you look different.”

Jiang Xuening batted away the compliment. “Don’t be glib. I don’t buy it.”

“If you keep saying that, I’ll be sad. Your outfit was especially chosen by me, from a lot of options! What do you think? Is my taste better than Xiao Bao’s?”

To his delight, that got a small smile. His taste was definitely better than Xiao Bao’s, which tended towards the gaudy.

“But tell me,” Xue Dingfei continued, “why did old Feng store so many women’s items here in the temple? Was he hiding a woman here?”

When he didn’t get an answer, he said, “Anyway—I’ve prepared a lot of good wine. Let’s go get drunk!”

“You’re coming too?” Jiang Xuening cocked her head.

“It took me so much effort to prepare this for you,” said Xue Dingfei. “Can’t I join the meal too?”

Jiang Xuening looked at him and did not move. Xue Dingfei was suddenly reminded of Xie Wei. The silent stare was one of his tricks. Had he taught her that?

“Okay, I admit that I have ulterior motives. Junior State Preceptor Xie is planning to bring me back to the capital,” Xue Dingfei confessed. “I want to make more friends and connections, since the capital is so large and complex. It would be good to have you as a friend. You are the Junior State Preceptor’s favourite wo—ah, female student. Mr Zhang has made a great contribution. He’ll definitely get promoted when he returns!”

Jiang Xuening continued to look at him, perfectly composed. She didn’t react at all to his hint that Xie Wei might like her.

“I don’t have many skills, but I know how to take advantage of things,” Xue Dingfei confessed, making a pleading gesture. “So, please take me with you this time!”

Jiang Xuening did not smile, like many other women would. Instead, she let fly a sharp barb. “Both the Yan family and the Xue family are noble. I wonder how they produced someone like you!”

She was eerily perceptive: of course they had not produced him at all. She got up and walked out and Xue Dingfei ran to follow her, to put on her coat.

Some mischievous impulse prodded Xue Dingfei to urge Xie Wei to join them. Given that this celebration was Xie Wei’s idea, surely, he should make make that clear to Jiang Xuening?

Of course, Xie Wei refused to join them, but he and Jiang Xuening looked at each other for a long intense moment. This proved to Xue Dingfei that there was definitely something going on there.

“Miss Jiang’s birthday only comes once a year,” wheedled Xue Dingfei. Yes, it was snowing, but Xie Wei seemed much better than he had previously. Couldn’t he just rush out and sit undercover? He really wanted Xie Wei to try to woo this woman.

Jiang Xuening said sternly, “Sir is not feeling well. He needs to stay inside and keep out of the cold, otherwise he will fall ill.”

“Exactly,” snarled Xie Wei. “Enjoy yourselves.”

Then Zhang Zhe turned up, and Jiang Xuening walked up to him, smiling. Xue Dingfei left the curtain open to show Xie Wei how the land lay—couldn’t he make an effort and persuade Jiang Xuening not to be courted by Zhang Zhe?—but Xie Wei just looked murderous. “Close the curtain.”

“Fine, we’ll go first then,” said Xue Dingfei and then stuck out his tongue.

Unlike the presents taken from rebel loot, dinner was a great success. Xue Dingfei loved cooking, drinking and fireworks. However, it was almost as fun to be able to listen in to private conversations.

Jiang Xuening prayed for Yan Lin to be safe, and Zhang Zhe assured her that the Yans’ case could be resolved.

To Xue Dingfei’s interest, Jiang Xuening said, “Mr Zhang, do you believe in predestination, from a previous life?”

Zhang Zhe gazed in a besotted way at Jiang Xuening. “I don’t believe in superstition. Compared to the illusion of past lives, I’d rather believe what’s in front of me.”

Jiang Xuening sighed; Xue Dingfei didn’t think Zhang Zhe had given her the answer that she wanted. “I thought people were very capable and could change their fate. But now I feel like people are insignificant. There are some things I can’t change, and they’ll happen again.”

“Hey! You can’t say that! Take me for example! I used to be—” Just in time, Xue Dingfei stopped himself from admitting that, once, he had been a beggar. “I used to be— the son of a Duke! And then, in the end, I had to live a rough life. I was always in danger, and I didn’t know if I’d be alive from day to day. But now things have changed for me too! We’re going to enjoy wealth and glory soon! Anyway, come eat!”

His intention had been to get Zhang Zhe drunk, but it turned out that both Zhang Zhe and Jiang Xuening were made of harder stuff than he had thought. Instead, Xue Dingfei drank so much that he fell asleep at the table.

He was roused by Zhang Zhe. “Have you seen Miss Jiang?”

“No, I’ve been asleep,” said Xue Dingfei. “I thought she was with you.”

“She ran off,” said Zhang Zhe.

“Maybe it wasn’t meant to be,” said Xue Dingfei, lightly, then a shiver ran over him as he recalled Jiang Xuening’s comments on predestination. Was that what she had been trying to tell Zhang Zhe?

Suddenly Xue Dingfei remembered how, when he’d first met Jiang Xuening, she had looked at him with recognition. He hadn’t met her… not in this life. What if she’d met him in the other life?

He shook his head, then picked up his bottle and walked back to bed, singing a song to get that thought out of his head. This was why he had to drink more and think less.

Chapter Text

The next morning, Xue Dingfei woke and found Zhang Zhe standing outside his room. Of course, he didn’t look at all hungover.

“Eh, Mr Zhang! Why don’t you join me in a carriage today? Think about it! We came together and now we are departing together! It’s good to end on the same note!” In this way, Xue Dingfei could question Zhang Zhe, and he could give Xie Wei a chance to be alone with Jiang Xuening.

Then they paused, as ranks of Xingwu guards went rushing down the stairs. Xie Wei and his men strode up, and Xue Dingfei plucked at Zhang Zhe’s sleeve and got him to move forward, to get a better view. They didn’t want to miss this confrontation.

“Duke, it seems that your son has recovered well,” said Xie Wei, a statement so deliciously double-edged in the circumstances that Xue Dingfei felt like applauding with admiration.

Xue Yuan gave him a bland look. “Thanks for your concern. Ye’er’s leg has recovered well.”

“By the way,” said Xie Wei, looking at Xue Dingfei, “I have asked Yan Liu to accompany him.”

At that moment, the Yan soldiers massed at the top of the stairs. Xie Wei had always had beautiful timing.

“Aren’t my Xingwu Guards a sufficient escort?” Xue Yuan was as cool as the snow on the ground. “What are you worried about?”

Xie Wei stepped closer. “Why do you react like that? Of course, I want to fend off rebels! Although the rebels in Tongzhou have been eliminated, we can’t be sure that none of them escaped. What else could I possibly be guarding against?” Then he turned and looked at Xue Dingfei. “Viscount Dingfei’s return to the capital is a big deal. I’m doing this for his safety.”

“What Viscount?” said Xue Ye. “What do you mean?”

“Hasn’t the Duke told you yet?” said Xie Wei. “Oh. After several days of inquiry, we’ve discovered that Mr Dingfei in the temple is Viscount Dingfei.”

“Nonsense!” shouted Xue Ye. “Xue Dingfei is dead! Who knows who this bastard is?”

Xue Dingfei suddenly realised that he now had an opportunity to really enjoy himself with this brat. He strode up to Xue Ye. “Eh, eh! Who are you calling a bastard?” He butted chests with his “younger brother”. “Don’t you know I’ll tear your mouth apart and break your legs?”

“Try me if you dare,” said Xue Ye. “Come on!”

“You think I don’t dare?” Xue Dingfei could rip this stupid idiot to shreds. He’d learned to fight on the streets.

Meanwhile Xie Wei said calmly, “We’ll find out whether he really is Xue Dingfei or not when we return to the capital. Why get angry now?” Then he paused theatrically. “Oh right. I should tell you—I’ve written a letter to his Majesty to tell him that we’ve found Viscount Dingfei and sent it via pigeon. His Majesty was very pleased to hear of it. He said he looks forward to meeting Viscount Dingfei himself.”

Xue Yuan’s head whipped around—finally his cool was ruffled. “Junior State Preceptor Xie, this is my own private family business. It’s none of your business; you’re an outsider.”

Xie Wei looked curious. “Duke, do you not want his Majesty to know? Or do you not want to acknowledge this son?”

“Junior State Preceptor Xie, how dare you!” snapped Xue Yuan.

Xie Wei did not bite. “Viscount Dingfei is both your business and the state’s business. He is the only survivor of the 300 Loyal Souls, from back then. You should know what’s important about him. As long as I’m alive, I won’t allow anything to happen to him. Only in this way can I give his Majesty a satisfactory explanation.”

“That was thoughtful of you. I was remiss,” said Xue Yuan, smoothly, bowing.

Oh god, I can see exactly from whom Xie Wei inherited that calculating, cool manner, Xue Dingfei thought. This is disturbing. How can Xue Yuan not see that this man is his son?

Xie Wei walked down the hill, followed by his men. The next to follow was Jiang Xuening. She walked alone, her head held high, like an empress or a princess. She did not acknowledge Zhang Zhe or Xue Dingfei as she passed, despite Zhang Zhe’s hopeful look. She got in Xie Wei’s carriage.

Zhang Zhe said to Xue Dingfei in the carriage, “Mr Dingfei, you don’t seem to have the happiness of a man who has been reunited with his father.”

“Ha! When I was parted from the Duke, I was only about this tall, six or seven years old.” Xue Dingfei gestured with his hand. “I can barely remember him. Besides, with a new stepmother and Lord Pingnan as a stepfather, who can count on him?”

He popped a plum in his mouth.

“Do you remember the rebellion of Lord Pingnan?” said Zhang Zhe.

“Ai yo! Ai yo!” Xue Dingfei put his hand to his head. He did not want to talk about this until he’d had a moment to talk to Xie Wei a little more about what he should disclose. “Please forgive me. I’ve been wandering since I was a kid. Whenever I think about this, I get a headache. Let’s not talk about it! Let’s not talk about it, okay?”

Zhang Zhe took a plum too and gave him a very doubtful look. This was all good. The point was to make people wonder what had happened. Often what people could imagine was worse than the reality, although in this case, Xue Dingfei tended to doubt they could imagine things were that bad.

“Let’s talk about another thing,” he said. “How did you come to meet Miss Jiang?”

“Unh,” said Zhang Zhe, smiling a little. “Four months ago, I was on duty at the Ministry of Justice. One of the Dowager Empress’s eunuchs came to say that a rebellious poem had been found in the rooms of one of Princess Leyang’s study companions.”

“Ha! Miss Jiang’s room!” Xue Dingfei put up a finger. “She is assuredly not in the least associated with the rebels! Who was setting her up?”

“His Majesty said it was the rebels,” said Zhang Zhe, uncomfortably.

“What nonsense! Who was it really?”

“Uh, I can’t prove anything…” said Zhang Zhe.

“It’s someone in my family, then.” Xue Dingfei grinned.

“I can’t possibly say,” said Zhang Zhe, making a face. “However, the Dowager Empress was inclined to judge Miss Jiang guilty, because she thought Miss Jiang was engaged to marry Viscount Yan, and it would taint the Yans.”

“Is Miss Jiang going to marry Viscount Yan?” Xue Dingfei mused that things might get interesting if the cousins were fighting over the same woman.

“No, no,” said Zhang Zhe. “I mean, among other things, Viscount Yan has been exiled. But Miss Jiang has said repeatedly that she is just Viscount Yan’s best friend.”

Xue Dingfei chewed his lip thoughtfully. “What about Xie Wei? What does Miss Jiang say about him?”

Zhang Zhe stared at him. “Mr Dingfei, Miss Jiang regards Mr Xie with the utmost respect, as is the proper attitude for a student to take towards a teacher.”

Xue Dingfei sighed enormously. “Stupid Xie Ju’an. Far too proper and stuck up. When’s he going to make a move?”

Zhang Zhe choked. “Viscount Dingfei…”

Xue Dingfei grinned at him. “You didn’t realise how the land lay? I thought you would, from the way Xie Wei has been looking at you. I’ve never seen so many jealous glares from one man.”

Zhang Zhe spluttered incoherently. “Viscount, you can’t say things like this!”

“Oh, dear, you’re even worse than Xie Wei,” said Xue Dingfei sadly. “Poor Miss Jiang. She attracts the affection of uptight scholars. What a terrible curse! I pity her extremely.”

“This really is improper,” said Zhang Zhe.

“I mean, as Miss Jiang said to me the other night, it’s a miracle that the Yan and Xue families could produce someone as improper as me.” Xue Dingfei patted his hair. “At least I am also wonderfully handsome, much handsomer than Xue Ye.”

Zhang Zhe didn’t say anything; he simply looked pained.

“So does Miss Jiang come from the countryside?” said Xue Dingfei. “Because honestly, she seems far less stuck up than you or Xie Wei.”

Zhang Zhe blinked. “Yes, Miss Jiang grew up in Jiangnan, I believe.”

“Not far from Jinling,” said Xue Dingfei with excitement. “Wah! If I’d have known, I could have visited her.” Then he shook his head. “Except—Lord Pingnan wouldn’t have allowed me to visit a little girl. He mostly kept me locked up. What was Miss Jiang doing in Jiangnan anyway?”

“I have no idea,” said Zhang Zhe. “Anyway, I’m from the countryside too. How did you come to meet Xie Wei can I ask?”

“I was at a bar in the city, a few months ago. I can’t remember the name. I was very drunk. I was ranting about the past. Xie Wei heard about it and said he thought he knew who I was. At first, I didn’t want to tell him anything about it, because… well, I could barely remember my father, and I worried that Lord Pingnan would kill me.” Xue Dingfei held his hand to his head again. “Ai yo, ai yo, don’t think about the rebellion. This is why I drink.”

Zhang Zhe sighed and gave Xue Dingfei another suspicious look.

By the end of the journey home, Xue Dingfei suspected that Zhang Zhe was on the verge of strangling him. It was all good practice for annoying the Xues.

Chapter Text

They presented themselves to the emperor. Xue Dingfei had never met Shen Lang before. The fact that his Majesty looked so visibly delighted to see him was a pleasant surprise—he found himself accepting it as a sort of gift for poor old Xie Wei—and hence he had no trouble acting the part of an emotional reunion. He was very pleased by how all the ministers and officials turned to stare at him too.

When the question of Xue Dingfei’s true identity came up, he put his hand ostentatiously to his ear. He’d gained this scar with some pain, after Lord Pingnan had branded him. He may as well use it.

He was particularly delighted when Zhang Zhe and his crusty old master put Xue Yuan on the spot about what had happened back in the rebellion. However, he and Xie Wei had agreed that it was better to let the information slowly drip, drip, drip and keep Xue Yuan anxious. After a pause where Xue Yuan was tauter than a bow string with horror, Xue Dingfei simply said that he had passed out. After that point it was easy, because everything that had happened to him had happened to the real Xue Dingfei too: they’d been imprisoned in Jinling, kept away from others, and tortured. They’d both had to pretend loyalty to escape.

Xue Yuan was forced to concede that his eldest son had been found, but his lack of enthusiasm was marked.

After court, some useful idiot who introduced himself as Chen Ying asked him why he called Xue Yuan “Duke”. Xue Dingfei observed loudly that Xue Yuan had let his mother die and immediately remarried, and that he was bitter about that. He hinted that Xue Shu was a bastard, knowing full well his “father” was listening.

Of course, Xue Yuan tried to hit him. Xue Dingfei was quite amused; did Xue Yuan think this would upset the likes of him, a street rat? Maybe he could be courageous, in this comparatively pathetic society.

Xue Dingfei invited the officials to lunch with him, ordering the most expensive and exquisite dishes and telling the restaurant to charge it to Duke Xue. He ate heartily, drank a lot, and underlined his disappointment in Xue Yuan. “What manner of father responds like that, when his long-lost son has returned?” he asked rhetorically.

Everyone tutted and looked at each other.

“Hey, has Zhang Zhe proposed to Miss Jiang yet, Mr Chen?” said one of the men, as the conversation moved on. Xue Dingfei’s ears pricked up.

“Eh, not as far as I’m aware,” said Chen Ying, smiling anxiously at Xue Dingfei. “Obviously, Mr Zhang has been in Tongzhou, and this is not the kind of thing we should talk about. Let’s not spoil the reputation of a Lady, okay?”

“Miss Jiang?” said Xue Dingfei, languidly, pouring himself some wine. “Who is this Miss Jiang?”

“She’s the second daughter of Minister Jiang from the Ministry of Finance, and one of Princess Leyang’s study companions,” said Chen Ying. “A very beautiful, accomplished lady, Viscount.”

“Chen, you’re talking nonsense. That girl’s an absolute scandal,” said Huang Liu, an official from the Ministry of Rites, who had drunk more than was good for him.

“Shh, shh,” said Ding Zian from the Ministry of Personnel, pinching him.

“Beautiful, accomplished and an absolute scandal!” Xue Dingfei sat up and grinned. “This girl sounds like my dream woman! Does she drink, by any chance? And if so, could you introduce us?”

“She could drink you under the table, Viscount Dingfei,” said Huang Liu. “I’ve seen her here on many an occasion with Viscount Yan. They used to run around town together in a quite improper way; she’d dress as a man.”

Xue Dingfei spared a moment to regret that no one had warned him of Miss Jiang’s history in Tongzhou; it explained a lot about her alcohol tolerance. “Really? How marvellous!” Then he paused. “Wait, you’re saying that Mr Zhang—one of the most upright, honest people I have ever met—is engaged to marry a scandalous woman? This doesn’t seem right.”

“Nothing is actually decided,” said Chen Ying, waving his hands. “Also, there’s no suggestion that the young lady has behaved improperly with any man! Think of the young lady’s reputation, everyone, please!”

Huang Liu shook his head. “I honestly think Viscount Dingfei is right. Second Young Lady of the Jiang household is not suited to a man like Zhang Zhe. Now, if Mr Zhang were to marry First Young Lady—”

“Does she like parties too?” Xue Dingfei put his chin in his hands.

“No!” said Ding Zian. “Miss Jiang Xuehui is a lady of utmost delicacy, piety and beauty.”

“Boring,” said Xue Dingfei, sadly. “I won’t ask to meet her.”

It’s strange that the two Jiang girls are so different,” said Shi Donghai, a quiet man from the Ministry of Rites, “given that they’re twins, of a sort.”

Xue Dingfei almost spat out his wine.  Was this why Jiang Xuening didn’t like to celebrate her birthday? “They’re twins? Identical?”

Chen Ying winced. “No. The Jiang girls were born on the same night to different mothers. They’re half-sisters.”

“The awkward thing is,” said Shi Donghai, “that Jiang Xuening should be First Young Lady. She’s the legitimate daughter. However, when Lady Jiang sent the concubine and her daughter to the villages, the concubine swapped the girls! So, Jiang Xuehui, the illegitimate daughter, is First Young Lady, and Jiang Xuening, the legitimate daughter, is Second Young Lady. They only found out what had happened when the concubine died, when Second Young Lady was fourteen, and so she’s rather… unusual.”

“I still think she sounds marvellous,” said Xue Dingfei.

“I wouldn’t get too excited. Second Young Lady has a reputation for throwing tantrums,” said Huang Liu. “It’s rumoured she shoved Miss You Yue’s head in a fishbowl.”

Xue Dingfei burst out laughing. “Hahahahahaha!”

“To be fair, it was said that this was because, among other things, You Yue was beating her illegitimate sister,” said Ding Zian.

“And then Miss You didn’t desist when Miss Jiang told her to stop, and…” Shi Donghai trailed off.

“Go on,” said Xue Dingfei, now totally fascinated. “What happened to Miss You? Did she die?”

“Of course not! Miss You simply stood down as a study companion,” said Chen Ying, primly. “However, it was all rather odd. Earl You said it was because she was ill, but the real reason was that Xingwu guards apparently imprisoned her for a night, on a rather spurious charge of rebellion!”

Xue Dingfei raised an eyebrow. “The Xingwu guards imprisoned this woman? Did Second Young Lady orchestrate this?”

Everyone paused and looked at each other. The pregnant silence was an answer.

“Whatever others have said, Second Young Lady of the Jiang family is a woman of extreme poise and resourcefulness,” said Chen Ying, eventually. “Her dignity, when she was accused of treason, was almost imperial. I have never seen anything like it.”

Huang Liu picked at his teeth with a toothpick. “Well, she’s been personally trained by the Junior State Preceptor, hasn’t she…?”

“Shh,” said Ding Zian, nudging Huang Liu. “Recall that the Junior State Preceptor found Viscount Dingfei!”

“I’ve no particular loyalty to Xie Wei,” said Xue Dingfei. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful he rescued me from the rebels, but he seems a very uptight fellow. Even after a short acquaintance, he drives me crazy. He doesn’t like the way I drink…”

“No, he doesn’t drink,” said Shi Donghai. “He doesn’t eat sweet foods, he seldom goes to banquets, he never visits brothels, he doesn’t have any lovers in court…”

Xue Dingfei yawned. “He’s a bore too.”

Ding Zian said, “Well. I wouldn’t say that so loudly, Viscount. A kind warning: his Majesty listens to the Junior State Preceptor implicitly.”

“I honestly don’t care about what the Junior State Preceptor says about me to his Majesty or anyone else,” said Xue Dingfei. “I mean, he can say I love alcohol, whores and food; all of these things are true. At least I’m not Duke Xue. So let him say it.”

“Nonetheless, Mr Ding is right. It’s wise to keep the Junior State Preceptor on your side,” said Chen Ying.

“As you’d know, Chen,” said Huang Liu in a pointed fashion.

“It is true, I am grateful to the Junior State Preceptor for his advice,” said Chen Ying, nodding unctuously. “He has an exquisite understanding of court politics and knows how to manage difficult situations.”

“And you say that Xie Wei is this Second Young Lady’s teacher?” Xue Dingfei snorted. “I can’t imagine how that would go: a wild girl from the country and a top scholar, a perfect monster of rectitude.”

Chen Ying cleared his throat. “Mr Xie and Miss Jiang came to the capital together, four years ago. The Junior State Preceptor therefore regards Miss Jiang as under his protection.”

Xue Dingfei stared at Chen Ying, filled with shock by this new information. Xie Wei played his cards so close to his chest.

“I didn’t know that.” Huang Liu belched. “Huh. Under his protection. That’s one way of putting it. It’s pretty clear that he wishes she were under him in a different way—makes him seem almost human—”

“Mr Huang!” said Ding Zian as Chen Ying scrunched his face up with shock and waved his hands.

“Well, Mr Ding, if the Junior State Preceptor doesn’t want people to gossip about his relationship with Second Young Lady, he shouldn’t give private qin lessons to her,” said Huang Liu, stubbornly and slightly drunkenly.

Xue Dingfei choked on his food and had to be patted on the back. “Private qin lessons with this girl! Private qin lessons! This is just marvellous! Oh, Xie Ju’an, you sly fox!”

“Don’t say that, Viscount!” said Chen Ying. “There’s absolutely no suggestion that the Junior State Preceptor behaved improperly! He is a model of probity.”

“I’m sure the Junior State Preceptor was entirely proper,” said Shi Donghai, thoughtfully. “We’re talking about a man of extraordinary self-control here. Nonetheless, Xie Wei ensured the Hanlin Academy scholars were dismissed a few months ago, after they bullied Second Young Lady in class. Then he conducted Viscount Yan Lin’s coming of age. Usually, the Junior State Preceptor keeps well out of court politics.”

“Don’t forget Jiang Boyou’s appointment to Finance Minister,” said Huang Liu. “I’m pretty sure that was the Junior State Preceptor too.”

“The Junior State Preceptor and Minister Jiang have a long friendship, pre-dating the Junior State Preceptor’s arrival in the capital,” said Chen Ying, tactfully. “That is why precisely why Minister Jiang asked the Junior State Preceptor to accompany his daughter from Jiangnan.”

Xue Dingfei creased his brow thoughtfully. “There’s an important piece of information I’m missing here. Does anyone know what this Miss Jiang thinks of Xie Ju’an?”

“It’s said that Miss Jiang delights in teasing the Junior State Preceptor,” said Ding Zian. “I’ve never seen him lose a jot of that famed calm, but people say she manages to provoke him terribly, with her dreadful manners. That’s why I can’t put any weight to Huang’s ridiculous speculations!”

“Poor old Xie Wei,” said Xue Dingfei, pouring another cup of wine, then tossing it back. Suddenly, he had a new mission: to tease Xie Wei mercilessly and to make him face his affection for Jiang Xuening. It would both annoy Ju’an intensely and do him good. As far as Xue Dingfei was concerned, it was win-win.

Chapter Text

That evening, Xue Dingfei went back to Ding Mansion. It was lucky that these people were not his real family. He could watch the Xue family’s horror and dismay at his presence with a certain detachment and amusement. He ordered some of the real Xue Dingfei’s favourite dishes and ate them with gusto in front of everyone, just to be as annoying as possible, although Xie Wei’s taste was a little too savoury for him. Then he decided to sample some of the wine, and he went dancing around the house, singing.

The next day, when he got up late for breakfast, everyone ignored him when he came to the table.

“Hah,” said Xue Yuan, opening a scroll. “Zhang Zhe’s mother is dead. How fortunate. The Heavens favour me.”

“What does that matter?” said Xue Ye.

“Mr Zhang will be forced to refrain from investigations for three years, while he keeps the mourning period,” said Xue Yuan, cocking an eye at his son. “He infiltrated the rebels in Tongzhou under Xie Wei’s instructions, you realise?”

“That’s been confusing me. Why would Zhang Zhe do that?” said Xue Ye.

“To gather intelligence, you moron,” said Xue Dingfei, taking out a bottle of wine from his sleeve. “That’s how Mr Zhang found out about the explosives.”

“Don’t call my son a moron, you drunken fool!” snapped Xue Yuan.

“I’m your son too,” said Xue Dingfei, grinning. “I can call younger brother a moron if I want. What lovely brotherly banter!”

“What is your aim with this behaviour?” said Xue Yuan.

Xue Dingfei popped a sweetmeat into his mouth and spoke with his mouth full. “Must I have an aim?”

“I brought you up to behave better than this,” said Xue Yuan.

“You didn’t bring me up at all. You left me to moulder with the rebels,” Xue Dingfei corrected him, popping another sweetmeat in his mouth, and talking with his mouth full. “I would have died there, were it not for Zhang Zhe and Xie Wei.”

“If Zhang Zhe is in mourning, it means Jiang Xuening will not be able to marry him,” commented Xue Shu, smiling in a nasty way.

Xue Dingfei cocked his head, curious to hear what his “family” thought of Jiang Xuening.

“It serves Miss Jiang right,” said Lady Xue. “She’s utterly common and she should be sent back to the countryside.”

“Don’t worry, Mother,” said Xue Shu, patting Lady Xue’s arm. “I’ll ensure that she’s destroyed.”

Xue Ye’s brows drew together, and he glanced at Xue Dingfei. “A’Shu, the last few times you tried that, Miss Jiang ended up making you look bad. She’s always making things difficult for us. I think you’re better off leaving her alone.”

“Maybe you’re just thinking with another part of your anatomy, Ye’er!” snapped Xue Shu.

“This girl is attractive, then,” mused Xue Dingfei. “I must meet her and congratulate her for annoying my family members!”

“Father, could you not have left this man in Tongzhou?” Xue Shu complained.

“Believe me, I tried,” ground out Xue Yuan. “However, Xie Wei sent a pigeon to his Majesty and forestalled me.”

“At least his Majesty is very happy to see me,” said Xue Dingfei, taking another sip of his wine. Then he stood up. “Anyway, I’m going to go for a wander around the capital. Don’t miss me too much when I’m gone, my beloved family.”

Xue Dingfei went and reacquainted himself with Hong Jian, his favourite courtesan at Fengyue Pavilion, making sure to be very ostentatious when he entered, and to announce that he was the long-lost son of Xue Yuan. Actually, he was really enjoying this. He had an opportunity to do all the things Dujun disapproved of, but Xie Wei couldn’t say anything. The gifts just kept coming.

Unusually, he mixed business with pleasure. “My dear A’Jian, have you ever heard of a woman named Jiang Xuening?”

Hong Jian pouted. “You’re not allowed to leave me for her, Fei’er!” Then her face hardened. “If what I hear is right, you wouldn’t want to go near her, no matter how beautiful she is.”

“I’m not going to leave you, my lovely little flower. Didn’t I come back here, especially for you?” wheedled Xue Dingfei.

After they’d made love again, Xue Dingfei asked, “So—why would my family hate Jiang Xuening? Do you know?”

“Oh, is that all?” said Hong Jian, restored to happiness. “That’s quite simple! It all started when your sister tried to frame Miss Jiang as a rebel—I guess you weren’t here to see how high your sister’s standing was before she became a study companion—now, her standing just keeps falling. She’s not the only one who’s fallen from grace, either, after attacking Jiang Xuening. There’s Yao Xi, Minister Yao’s daughter; You Yue, Earl You’s second daughter…”

“This seems quite extraordinary,” said Xue Dingfei. “How would a mere girl manage this?”

“I don’t know. Wu Ming thought at first that she must be working for the Junior State Preceptor, but that’s not the case,” said Hong Jian. “At times, they go up against each other.” Wu Ming was a prominent gangster in the capital, and another of Hong Jian’s clients.

“Who wins?” said Xue Dingfei, although he already knew the answer.

“Miss Jiang,” said Hong Jian.

“You are teasing me,” sulked Xue Dingfei.

Hong Jian pouted. “No. I am not.”

“Miss Jiang seriously beats the Junior State Preceptor in a contest?” Xue Dingfei didn’t quite believe it.

“Wu Ming said Miss Jiang had the Junior State Preceptor’s men running all over the city like headless chickens at one point,” said Hong Jian. “Apparently, she hates Xie Wei.”

“Miss Jiang hates Ju’an?” Xue Dingfei stared. “Why?”

“I don’t know! I’m not going to ask her! She knows things she shouldn’t know.”

“The past life,” said Xue Dingfei. “What did he do in the past life? And… how can he repair it in this life? It’s all coming together.”

“I’m sorry, what?” said Hong Jian.

“Don’t worry, I’m just thinking out aloud,” said Xue Dingfei. “I feel a sense of obligation towards the Junior State Preceptor, given that he found me and extracted me from Lord Pingnan’s clutches.”

Chapter Text

Xue Dingfei counted himself as an expert at annoying people, but he discovered that Xue Yuan was a very difficult nut to crack. Gambling, obvious whoring, debt collectors and foul language didn’t faze the old man. He went to Xie Wei for help: use a thief to catch a thief.

While they were sitting talking, Dao Qin came in with the news that Lyu Xian had gotten married, of all things, to some woman who belonged to Jiang Xuening. Xue Dingfei couldn’t help teasing Xie Wei and saying this gave Jiang Xuening another reason to hate him. From the anger in his eyes, Xie Wei knew Jiang Xuening hated him and couldn’t bear it. In retrospect, this gave Xie Wei’s request to arrange birthday gifts a terrible poignancy. Could Jiang Xuening not understand what Xie Wei was trying to tell her?

The next day a pleasant drunken lunch, Xue Dingfei went into court. There, he ran into Xie Wei, in full court dress, on his way back from the Imperial Study. He’d asked Shen Lang to give Zhang Zhe a dispensation from the mourning period.

“How are things at Ding Mansion?” asked Xie Wei.

“The Xues are vile, of course. Xue Shu seems to bear Miss Jiang a grudge.”

“There are reasons. Ning’er outwitted Xue Shu and the Empress Dowager and exposed their plotting to his Majesty, several times.”

“Xue Shu is plotting against Miss Jiang again, but I don’t know what she’s planning,” said Xue Dingfei. “I find myself quite fond of Miss Jiang, so please warn her.”

Xie Wei stepped forward, his expression menacing.

“No need to look at me like that!” Xue Dingfei stepped back.

“Good,” said Xie Wei. “You are not suitable. If you touch Ning’er, I will kill you.”

“Seriously, just tell her that you like her!” Xue Dingfei waved his hands. “This is painful.”

“Cut the crap,” said Xie Wei. “I’ve told his Majesty to reward you specifically, and not Duke Xue or the Xingwu guards. This will drive Xue Yuan to distraction, particularly if you react in a crass way, and he’ll finally lose his cool. Come before his Majesty and accuse Duke Xue of beating you. Then let it slip—Duke Xue resents his Majesty—and raise issues with the siege of the city. I leave it in your hands as to how weave this in, in a creative fashion. I’ll pretend to water down your claims, but we’ll make Shen Lang think.”

“Very well,” agreed Xue Dingfei. “You know, Ju’an, this is actually kind of fun. If only you’d propose to Miss Jiang, everything would be wonderful.”

Xie Wei raised his fist. “Dingfei—!”

Xue Dingfei loped off, laughing. For the first time, his life was pretty damn perfect.

Everything went as planned. Xue Dingfei made Xue Yuan apoplectic. Then Hong Jian applied some lovely makeup bruises for him, and he want to his Majesty to complain. Hong Jian had done a great job—Xie Wei looked genuinely shocked—and they planted seeds to make Shen Lang question what had happened on the day the Loyal 300 died.

They walked out and Xue Dingfei kept up a wail the entire time, right to the gate, partly because it would annoy and embarrass Xie Wei so badly.

He finally stopped wailing outside the palace and showed Xie Wei how the makeup bruises had been applied. Then he turned around when he heard someone behind them. To his absolute delight, Jiang Xuening and another girl had just come through the palace gate too.

“Miss Jiang! And… who is this beautiful girl?” Xue Dingfei hoped that if he modelled flirtatious behaviour, Xie Wei might pick up some of it by osmosis.

“This is the infamous Viscount Dingfei, older sister,” Jiang Xuening informed the other girl in tart tones. “Don’t mind his inappropriate behaviour.”

To his dismay, Xie Wei simply stared at Jiang Xuening in the most unbelievably awkward way. The only consolation was that, when Jiang Xuening noticed he was staring at her, she looked equally strange, like a rabbit caught in a lantern at night. What was going on with this pair?

Xie Wei didn’t even bother to greet the other Jiang sister. He blurted out to Jiang Xuening, “What have you been doing lately? Have you been neglecting your studies?”

Xue Dingfei couldn’t restrain himself from an awkward grimace. This was an utterly dreadful beginning.

Jiang Xuening assured Xie Wei she had been studying hard and practising the qin. Xue Dingfei caught the sister’s look of surprise at Jiang Xuening’s declaration and rolled his eyes. He couldn’t believe that Xie Wei was trying to court a girl by hassling her about whether she’d practiced the bloody qin! No wonder she hated him!

“Since we’ve met, come back to my place. There’s something I want to tell you,” Xie Wei announced.

This was still awkward, but it was a slight improvement on the earlier conversational gambit. Xue Dingfei wondered (without much real hope) whether Xie Wei intended to tell Jiang Xuening how he really felt. He hoped he didn’t intend to tell her to practice the qin more and wondered if there was a way of subtly getting this across.

Jiang Xuening said, very quickly, almost in a panic, “I have something urgent back at my place! I’ll visit you another day!”  The sister’s expression was now faintly puzzled; Jiang Xuening’s statement was clearly a total lie. Why did Jiang Xuening want to avoid Xie Wei?

Jiang Xuening tried to walk off quickly, but Xie Wei grabbed her upper arm and pulled her closer. “There’s a letter from Huangzhou. Don’t you want to know what it says?”

Xue Dingfei had to give his twin a few points for pure brazen cheek, but this was the most mawkish attempt to court a girl he’d ever seen. One didn’t just grab a woman like that. Had his twin lost all sense over this woman? The facts spoke for themselves.

Jiang Xuening stared at Xie Wei. Then she said, “Older sister, I must go to Mr Xie’s house,” without any visible enthusiasm.

“Younger sister, please go,” said the other Jiang girl, her eyes twinkling. “I’ll tell Mother where you’ve gone.”

Xie Wei and Jiang Xuening got into the carriage. It was only then that Xue Dingfei realised he’d made a fatal error. He’d been left without a ride. He tried to cadge a ride off the other Jiang girl, but she ignored him. It was true, she was a stuck-up pious bitch. Then he called after Jian Shu and Xie Wei. What did they think they were doing, leaving him behind? How was he supposed find his way home?

Eventually another official took pity on him and gave him a lift home. Xue Dingfei hoped that Xie Wei had bloody well made a move, otherwise he’d been put to all this inconvenience for nothing.

Then he laughed to himself, as he realised something. From the way the Jiang sister had swiftly pushed Jiang Xuening to go to Xie Wei’s house, removing any excuses, another “twin” suspected what was going on. Xue Dingfei wondered if she found the whole thing as frustrating and entertaining as he did.

Chapter Text

Xue Dingfei was sitting in Cengxiao Restaurant, drinking by himself, when the storyteller began to speak. At first, he was excited by the story of a noblewoman’s romance, particularly when he heard that it was crass. Then it because evident that the storyteller’s tale was about Jiang Xuening’s presence in Tongzhou and her meeting with Zhang Zhe in the jail. Xue Dingfei was filled with alarm.

After investigating several tea houses and restaurants, he discovered that the story had spread everywhere. Xie Wei had specifically told Xue Yuan and Zhang Zhe to keep quiet about Jiang Xuening’s presence in Tongzhou. Xue Dingfei could never imagine Zhang Zhe breaking his word on this, so it had to be Xue Yuan. His “father” was despicable.

He went as a matter of urgency to speak to Xie Wei. That annoying Jian Shu wouldn’t let him in—the man was as bad as a mother hen sometimes—but as soon as Xue Dingfei mentioned “her”, Xie Wei came out into the courtyard in a flash.

Xue Dingfei explained. If there had been any doubt in his mind that Xie Wei was in love with Jiang Xuening, it was now removed.

“How dare they attack Ning’er! They shall pay for this!” Xie Wei’s rage was incandescent. He stared at Xue Dingfei. “It’s the Xues.”

“Yes,” said Xue Dingfei. “Xue Shu is very upset that the older Jiang sister is on the list of possible consorts for Lord Linzhi, and—what is more—Lord Linzhi apparently likes the older sister.”

“So, Xue Shu attacks Ning’er.” Xie Wei’s mouth turned down. “Xue Shu has made a very bad mistake indeed. I will never forgive her for this.”

“Quite rightly,” said Xue Dingfei.

Xie Wei strode up and down the courtyard, then he said, “Dingfei, I’m going to need your help again. I can’t come out against the Xues right now, and in any case, I’m concentrating on the misappropriation of the army supplies.”

“I can’t deal with this on my own,” protested Xue Dingfei.

“I’ll ask Zhang Zhe to help you,” said Xie Wei.

“Zhang Zhe?” said Xue Dingfei and Jian Shu at the same time, gaping.

“Sir, will he help with this?” said Jian Shu, when Xie Wei glared at them. “After all… his relationship with Miss Jiang didn’t end well. He likely hates her now.”

“Mr Zhang cares about justice above all else. Even if he now dislikes Ning’er—she’s very good at prodding people in the places that hurt the most, as we all know—he’ll still want to find out the truth.” Xie Wei shook his head. “Anyway, I can only ask.”

Xue Dingfei blinked. “So, what does this have to do with me?”

“You’re the one who hangs around bars and restaurants,” said Xie Wei. “Assist Zhang Zhe in his investigation. Find conclusive evidence to establish that the Xues were behind this, and I shall use it to crush them.”

“Well, if you put it like that, okay.” Xue Dingfei looked serious. “I won’t let them hurt your girl, Ju’an.”

“Not my girl,” said Xie Wei.

Xue Dingfei sighed hugely. “What? You didn’t tell her that you like her yet? I thought you’d tell her after that incredibly awkward discussion in front of the palace the other day—”

Jian Shu rolled his eyes. Xie Wei said, “Dingfei, get out!”

Xue Dingfei went, grinning.

The next afternoon, Xue Dingfei met Zhang Zhe. Zhang Zhe was very subdued and quiet. “Hey, no need to stand on ceremony with me,” said Xue Dingfei, putting his arm around Zhang Zhe. “We’re old friends, remember?” Then he remembered his manners. “Sorry about your mother.”

Zhang Zhe’s eyes watered. “Thank you.” He looked away and tried to recover himself. “So, where were you when you heard this nonsense?”

On the walk to Cengxiao Restaurant, Zhang Zhe said, “Do… do… you know how Miss Jiang is?”

Xue Dingfei spared a moment to reflect that Xie Wei would not have had to ask this question; he would have kept tabs on how his Ning’er was doing. He decided to be matter of fact in his answer. “It’s said she kept to her bed for over a week with an illness, but when I saw her outside the palace the other day, she looked well, albeit pale. Presumably, at the moment, she’s furious...”

Zhang Zhe said nothing.

“So anyway, how did Xie Wei twist your arm to get you to do this?” Xue Dingfei asked, because he hated awkward silences and he was curious.

Zhang Zhe eyed him. “He didn’t twist my arm. He begged.”

“Good heavens,” said Xue Dingfei. “I didn’t think he had it in him.”

To his immense surprise, Xue Dingfei really enjoyed investigating the matter of the salacious tale. Without speaking about it, the two investigators fell into different roles. Zhang Zhe was the quiet, pleasant man who was relentlessly interested in justice. Xue Dingfei was the capricious arsehole who sometimes pleaded, sometimes threatened, sometimes bribed.

They discovered that story tellers had been given a written story by a maid from a noble house. They ensured that they acquired a copy of it. Xue Dingfei considered it with scorn: it was indeed his “sister’s” handwriting. “So unsubtle, so stupid.”

Each person they spoke to gave them a different distinguishing feature of the maid, and Zhang Zhe slowly built up a portrait of the woman, going back to his office to add details as they went.

“Why don’t you behave like this more often?” said Zhang Zhe, after they’d finished interviewing people at one of the restaurants, and they were heading to the next venue.

Xue Dingfei frowned. “This takes effort, you know. It’s too much like hard work. I’d prefer to be drinking and whoring.”

“So why are you helping?”

“It’s win-win. I like Miss Jiang, and I get to screw over the Xues.”

“You like her?” Zhang Zhe looked disapprovingly at Xue Dingfei.

Xue Dingfei wondered why everyone thought this. He supposed he was a flirt, and Miss Jiang was a very attractive woman, but he hadn’t felt at all tempted after her initial rebuff. “Not like that! Miss Jiang is fun to drink with, not to flirt with. Even if I were tempted, which I’m not, I have no desire to be shot by Xie Wei in a jealous rage.”

“Huh,” said Zhang Zhe. “Are Miss Jiang and Mr Xie a couple…?”

Xue Dingfei shrugged. “Not presently.”

“I worry for Miss Jiang. Mr Xie strikes me as dangerous,” said Zhang Zhe quietly.

Xue Dingfei snorted. “You really don’t understand her at all, do you?”

Zhang Zhe looked very offended. Xue Dingfei patted him fondly on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. It means you’re a nice sane person. It’s good to know there’s someone like you, Mr Zhang. But you’re better off leaving Miss Jiang to Xie Wei.”

Meanwhile, Xue Dingfei kept an eye out around Ding Mansion for a servant who matched the picture Zhang Zhe had drawn up.

A particularly skittish maid avoided his gaze and so he grabbed her. It was her. This was where having a reputation for being a drunken lecher was useful. No one would think it odd that he’d grabbed her.

He dragged the girl off to talk to Zhang Zhe, and Zhang Zhe swiftly drew the entire story out of the sobbing maid. Indeed, Xue Shu was responsible for spreading the salacious tale. She wanted to ensure that Jiang Xuehui was not chosen as Prince Linzhi’s consort or concubine, and to drag Jiang Xuening’s name through the mud. What was worse, Xue Shu had even incited the Xingwu guards to threaten the Jiang family.

After the successful completion of their interrogation of the maid, Xue Dingfei cajoled Zhang Zhe into joining him for a drink. Zhang Zhe rolled his shoulders. “I won’t have much; just one cup. After Mother’s death—”

“I understand,” said Xue Dingfei.

“Oh heavens, I’m sorry, of course you do,” said Zhang Zhe, guiltily, casting his eyes down.

Xue Dingfei poured the wine and pushed some cakes over to Zhang Zhe. “Here. Have some wine on Duke Xue’s tab!”

Zhang Zhe laughed. “You really are outrageous.”

“I’m still not as outrageous as the Duke. I’ve got a way to go before I can match him.” Xue Dingfei leaned forward and drank a second cup. “You have to tell me exactly how his Majesty responds, when you give him this memorandum.”

“Oh, I will,” said Zhang Zhe, with a glint in his eye. Then he sighed. “Miss Jiang stopped people spreading rumours about me. No matter what happened between us, it is incumbent upon me to do the same for her.”

Xue Dingfei frowned. “What rumours could anyone spread about you? You’re a qilin: the only honest and decent person in the entire capital!”

Zhang Zhe sighed even more deeply. “My former fiancé, Miss Yao, decided to break off our engagement by telling everyone that I was a jinx. Miss Jiang told her to stop, and the rumours stopped.”

Xue Dingfei snorted. “Sounds like you’re well rid of the bitch.” Then he recalled something. “Hang on, your former fiancé is one of the disgraced study companions, right?”

“Yes—” Zhang Zhe broke off and stared at Xue Dingfei with horror. “Miss Jiang… she didn’t, did she? She didn’t ensure Miss Yao disgraced herself?”

“I really would not put it past her,” said Xue Dingfei, grinning.

“Miss Jiang told me that sometimes Xie Wei’s actions may look strange and bad, but in the end, I would see that his actions were just,” said Zhang Zhe, frowning. “From what you say… she could have been talking about herself.”

“It’s why they don’t seem to be able to face each other directly,” said Xue Dingfei. “Seeing your own flaws writ large in another person isn’t always pleasant.”

After his one cup of wine, Zhang Zhe’s eyes watered. “Miss Jiang said she used me. That’s why she dumped me.”

Xue Dingfei didn’t see any point in sugar-coating matters. “If you make friends with a tiger, Mr Zhang, don’t be surprised when it turns around and bites you.”

Zhang Zhe choked. “Miss Jiang told you what I said about Xie Wei?”

“No,” said Xue Dingfei. “However, I say again, just leave those two tigers to each other. People like us just get bitten, Mr Zhang. I don’t think Miss Jiang wanted to hurt you, but she can’t help biting.”

Chapter Text

Xue Dingfei was intrigued when Xie Wei asked him to work with Jiang Xuening. He arranged to meet her at Cengxiao Restaurant. “What are we doing?”

“I just need to get a feel for the way the river is flowing, Viscount Dingfei,” said Jiang Xuening. “Stand with me and watch.”

They stood there on the top balcony for a long time, watching the patrons. As the scholar Weng Ang became drunker by the minute, he began to criticise the Xues. This was one reason why Cengxiao Restaurant was Xue Dingfei’s favourite. He loved to hear Weng Ang’s rants.

Afterwards, Jiang Xuening explained that she was going to manipulate public opinion and use Weng Ang as a catalyst. She pointed out that dissatisfaction with the Xues was already present, she just needed to fan it a little more. Xue Dingfei observed (without any shame) that his help had a price, because he’d need to enlist others. To his astonishment, Jiang Xuening offered him 30,000 taels. At first, he was inclined to doubt her—where would a girl get money like that?—but then he opened the box and discovered she was as good as her word.

Jiang Xuening said a little sadly that she’d raised the money for someone else, but it may as well be used for this.

Xue Dingfei was confused about why she’d asked for his help specifically. Jiang Xuening smiled at him in a devilish way. “So that if we’re caught the person with the surname Xue can be blamed, and not a Jiang!”

Jiang Xuening’s plan was for Xue Dingfei to enlist people who were already critical of the Xues, or willing to be so, to go to various restaurants, bars and tea houses, and when people started discussing the Xues, encourage that discussion, by agreeing with them and supporting them. They would mark out the people who were critics and amplify their voices.

Jiang Xuening said, “You’re a Xue, so it will give people strength. Also—we’re telling the truth and we’re not smearing Xue Shu’s character! To the contrary, we’re saying she’s so beautiful, educated and intelligent that she should be married to the Prince of Yue! Unlike Xue Shu we put nothing in writing, and so I think it’s unlikely that we’ll get caught.”

Xue Dingfei was almost speechless with admiration at the utter viciousness and subtlety of this plot. “Did you and Xie Wei hatch this between you?”

Jiang Xuening shook her head. “No, I came up with this idea by myself. Do you think it’s okay?”

“It’s unbelievably brilliant,” said Xue Dingfei.

“Oh no, Sir is the brilliant one!” Jiang Xuening’s eyes suddenly shone. “His ambitions are as high and far-sighted as the clouds in the sky, whereas I’m as shallow and short-sighted like the mud on the ground.”

Xue Dingfei stared at her. “So… what’s the relationship between you and Xie Wei?”

“Teacher and student, of course! There’s no one in Qian whom I admire as much as I admire Teacher.”

For once in his life, Xue Dingfei was utterly speechless. He considered bashing his head against the table repeatedly. Eventually he managed to ask, “Hey, what did Xie Wei want to tell you the other day, when we met you outside the palace?”

“Sir wanted to show me a letter, as he said,” said Jiang Xuening, with puzzlement.

“That’s all?” said Xue Dingfei, with disappointment. “He didn’t say anything else?”

Jiang Xuening shook her head. “Anyway, do you think Xie Wei would lend us more people? I have a plan for Weng Ang, but I certainly don’t want him to be hurt.”

“I think Xie Wei would move heaven and earth for you, if you asked it,” said Xue Dingfei.

“Haha, a very funny joke,” said Jiang Xuening.

“Go on, try it. Ask him.” Xue Dingfei folded his arms. “I’ll put money on him lending you at least one person. Let’s make a bet!”

So it was that Jiang Xuening went to Xie Mansion to ask Xie Wei whether they could borrow one of his men, to protect Weng Ang.

“I’ll do it,” said Dao Qin.

“Thank you, Dao Qin,” said Xie Wei, and Jiang Xuening curtsied prettily to both Xie Wei and Dao Qin.

Jian Shu followed them out and turned to Jiang Xuening when they got out into the courtyard, his expression suspicious. “What are you doing?”

Jiang Xuening smiled. “Momentum, Jian Shu! I’m terrible at playing Go, and Sir was trying to teach me. When he said it was all about momentum, I suddenly saw a way to put the Xues in a very difficult position!”

“You are a little scary, Miss Jiang,” said Xue Dingfei. “But brilliant!”

Jiang Xuening looked a little sad. “I’m not like Sir. How I wish I had that level of brilliance! But as he says, my intelligence is mediocre, and I cannot play the qin.”

Dao Qin glanced at Jian Shu. “Sir is a very good man, but he is not very good at praising people.” Jian Shu nodded agreement.

“What Dao Qin means is that Xie Ju’an a harsh, scolding bastard at times, but he’s actually a real softy inside,” Xue Dingfei explained. “He thinks highly of you.”

Jiang Xuening snorted. “I don’t think so! That’s just the life debt speaking!” She walked off, while Xie Wei’s two henchmen stared at Xue Dingfei.

“Why are you trying to get Miss Jiang to see Sir differently?” Jian Shu growled.

“I don’t even really know, except that it amuses me, and actually, I’ve come to quite like Miss Jiang,” mused Xue Dingfei. Then, when Jian Shu and Dao Qin narrowed their eyes at him, he said, with some frustration, “Not like that! I assure you, not like that! I’d rather bed a cobra than her, no matter how beautiful she is.”

“Just as well,” said Dao Qin, blandly. “Sir would kill you if you even looked at her.”

“Oh, I know! I saw how he looked at Zhang Zhe! That man escaped death by a finger’s width!” Xue Dingfei held up his thumb and forefinger to illustrate. “I offered to kill him for Xie Wei, of course, but he seems to have developed a conscience since Jinling.”

Jiang Xuening suddenly realised they were hanging back. She turned and trotted back to them, smiling. “What’s taking you so long? Hurry up, Dao Qin, Xue Dingfei!”

“Yes, Sir,” said Xue Dingfei mock saluting her.

Jiang Xuening rolled her eyes, but Xue Dingfei felt it was fond. He said, in nonchalant tones, as they went out to the carriage, “What’s that life debt you were talking about before?”

“Oh, that,” said Jiang Xuening. “Just that I saved Xie Wei’s life, when I first met him, that’s all. He makes a big deal out of it. I tried to tell him the other day, when he showed me Yan Lin’s letter, that we’re even now and he’s no longer in my debt.”

Dao Qin shook his head and said solemnly, “Even if Sir saved your life one hundred times, Miss Jiang, I don’t think he’d ever consider the score was even.”

“This deed must have been quite extraordinary then,” said Xue Dingfei, invitingly.

“Not at all,” said Jiang Xuening, waving one hand in dismissal. “It happened on the way to the capital, four years ago. Bandits attacked the town where we were staying, and we had to flee in a blizzard. I found us a cave to shelter in.”

Xue Dingfei stared at her. “A blizzard.”

“Yes, it was unfortunate that the weather was so bad, but it passed,” said Jiang Xuening, in light tones. “I still don’t like eating rabbit, though, and Sir teases me about it. Anyway! Dao Qin, keep an eye on Weng Ang. Don’t intervene unless the Xues try to hurt or kill him.”

“Understood,” said Dao Qin, bowing respectfully to her.

Xue Dingfei let Jiang Xuening get into the carriage first, trying to figure things out. Did Jiang Xuening know that Xie Wei was prone to spells of madness? Did she actually know who Xie Wei was? He knew that if he asked her outright, she’d lie, very convincingly, and he’d never find out the truth.

After they sat in the carriage, Jiang Xuening turned to Xue Dingfei and handed him a tael: the proceeds of their bet. “Now that we’ve arranged that, tell Xue Ye what Weng Ang is saying.”

“Miss Jiang, this is dangerous,” said Xue Dingfei.

“Of course it is,” agreed Jiang Xuening. “That’s why I had to get Dao Qin involved. I’m glad Xie Wei loaned him to me.”

“I take it back. You’re not just a little scary. You’re terrifying.” Xue Dingfei paused. “What drives you?”

“I told you,” said Jiang Xuening. “I want to change fate.”

“You knew me before,” said Xue Dingfei, suddenly certain.

Jiang Xuening didn’t answer but he could see from her eyes that he was right.

“Did things end up really badly?” Xue Dingfei said, anxiously.

“That’s what drives me, Viscount Dingfei.” Jiang Xuening shook her head and Xue Dingfei shuddered.

Chapter Text

Everything was working beautifully. The Xues were forced to agree to wed Xue Shu to the Prince of Yue and cries against their corruption were growing louder and louder. Investigations into various frauds were progressing, without any resolution, but Xue Yuan was distinctly uncomfortable.

Then Xue Shu slept in the Imperial Study. Xue Dingfei wasn’t awake when Eunuch Wang visited Ding Mansion the next morning to announce that his Majesty had taken Consort Xian as his newest concubine. At first, the Xues were in shock. Lady Xue couldn’t stop crying, and Xue Yuan was furious, lashing out at everyone. Xue Ye showed rare sense and made himself scarce.

Xue Dingfei couldn’t help feeling frustrated. He met with Jiang Xuening and explained what had occurred. He honestly couldn’t believe that Shen Lang had fallen for it. Jiang Xuening, for her part, couldn’t believe that Xue Shu had been so shameless as to sleep in the Imperial Study; she had thought the woman was too prideful to even consider this as a possibility.

Unfortunately, this meant that Princess Leyang was again the chosen bride for the Prince of Yue. Suddenly, his Majesty issued an order for the Xingwu guards to replace the Imperial guard for the wedding procession, and Xue Shu became responsible for arranging the wedding preparations.

Xue Dingfei knew how much effort Jiang Xuening had put into preventing the Princess going to Yue. It seemed that the Xues suspected Jiang Xuening might continue to take action, hence their determination to control the wedding. He thought he’d better warn Xie Wei, so he could warn Jiang Xuening.

To Xue Dingfei’s shock, after he’d announced the problem, Lyu Xian turned to Xie Wei and said, “Has Consort Xian found out about your plan, then?”

“It doesn’t matter whether she has or not,” Xie Wei replied. “We’re going to have to change it to something more daring… do the swap in the palace.”

“You can’t swap the Princess for a dead body in the palace,” Lyu Xian said. “There’s too much chance that you’ll be caught. You’ll have to swap a sworn guard of a similar size.”

Xie Wei stood. “Fine. I’ll tell Ning’er about it.” He strode out.

Xue Dingfei knew that love made a man do strange things, but still he was surprised that Xie Wei had been dragged into whatever crazy plan Jiang Xuening had devised. “What do I do?” he asked Lyu Xian.

“Just stay here,” said Lyu Xian, also striding out.

Xue Dingfei looked at his teacup. No one ever treated him like a real member of the team. “Okay. I shouldn’t have asked.”

On the day of Princess Leyang’s send off, Xue Yuan came home looking irritated. “Despite what A’Shu said, nothing happened,” he said to his wife. “The Princess was dispatched, without a hitch.” Then he brightened. “When I left, A’Shu had ordered that little upstart Jiang Xuening to be whipped, however.”

“A’Shu whipped Jiang Xuening?” said Xue Ye. “Hahaha, serves her right. That girl has caused too much trouble for us.”

“Yes,” said Xue Yuan. “Apparently, she was deliberately rude to A’Shu.”

“I still wish our girl hadn’t become an Imperial concubine,” sobbed Lady Xue.

“Given that she has, let’s make use of it for our family,” said Xue Yuan briskly.

Xue Dingfei couldn’t afford to look too interested, so he didn’t ask his family or Xie Wei what was going on. However, people in the restaurants and bars spoke in hushed tones of how cruel Consort Xian was, and how badly Jiang Xuening had been whipped.

“The Princess gave Miss Jiang a farewell present, and Consort Xian threw it to the ground and stepped on it!” said one woman, quietly. “It’s lucky Miss Jiang wasn’t killed, they say. That Consort is just jealous. You know Miss Jiang helped defeat those nasty rebels? His Majesty praised her in court, as did the Junior State Preceptor.”

Xue Dingfei leaned over and said, “It’s true, you know. Miss Jiang led the Yan troops into battle. I’m Xue Dingfei—I should know.”

“Sir!” said the woman, bowing. “You are also a brave man!”

“I’m not worthy of your praise,” said Xue Dingfei, honestly. “However, Miss Jiang is the bravest woman I have ever met.”

“That’s why she’s the Junior State Preceptor’s woman,” the woman’s companion murmured, nodding.

Xue Dingfei blinked. “Hey… what?”

“Didn’t you know?” said the man. “The Junior State Preceptor rescued Miss Jiang after she was whipped and carried her to his carriage.”

“No, I didn’t know,” said Xue Dingfei, with great interest. “I’m not sure that I’d read anything into that. Of course, Xie Ju’an couldn’t stand to see a woman in distress. He’s very chivalrous.”

“No, my Lord, it’s said that they’re secretly engaged, and Lord Jiang is furious,” said the woman. “I hope that his Lordship agrees to the marriage eventually. I mean, I know they were teacher and student, but it’s not as if they’re teacher and student any more…”

Xue Dingfei blinked several more times. “Secretly engaged. Hmm. There was no hint of this in Tongzhou, I assure you. They were entirely proper and kept a very respectable distance from each other. I barely saw them talk. In fact, they refused to have dinner together, when it was Miss Jiang’s birthday.”

“Of course! They were teacher and student then,” said the man. “The Junior State Preceptor is a very upright man.”

“Yes, yes, he is,” lied Xue Dingfei, wondering what on earth was going on and how he could get a chance to alert Xie Wei to the rumours that were flying around.

He didn’t have to wait long: when he got home there was a request from Xie Wei that Xue Dingfei accompany him to Lord Linzhi’s wedding.

Chapter Text

On the day of Lord Linzhi’s wedding, Jian Shu grimaced a little and came up to him as he approached the carriage. “Look after Sir at this wedding. I can’t quite explain what’s going on, but you’ll get a sense when you talk to Sir.”

Xue Dingfei was intrigued. “Sure.”

He got into the carriage with Xie Wei and said, “So, what’s going on?”

Xie Wei didn’t answer but gave Xue Dingfei an odd, guarded look.

“Incidentally, I heard some rumours about you,” said Xue Dingfei. “Apparently, you’re secretly engaged to Jiang Xuening…”

Xie Wei continued to look at him oddly.

Xue Dingfei was used to filling his twin’s silences. “You’re a secretive bastard, and one of the most annoying people I know, but I still think you’d tell me if you became engaged. So, what’s the basis of these rumours?”

Xie Wei broke off eye contact and stared off into the distance. “The world doesn’t tell either me or Ning’er what to do.”

Xue Dingfei looked at Xie Wei doubtfully. Usually, his twin’s psychotic episodes involved murderous rage, attempts to harm himself and others, and then pleas for someone to kill him and end the pain. Was a new kind of insanity, perhaps? Or… “Please don’t tell me you’ve taken Golden Stone Pills again.”

“I haven’t,” said Xie Wei, sharply, in the first sign of normality.

“You’ve been taking something. Or you’re drunk,” said Xue Dingfei.

“No,” said Xie Wei. “It’’s just that everything is different now.”

“Different in what way?”

“Ning’er—” Xie Wei’s face softened as he gazed into the distance again.

“Wah!” Xue Dingfei was so excited he slapped Xie Wei on the shoulder. “Am I right, or am I right? You’re admitting that you’re in love with Miss Jiang! I’m so proud of you, Xie Ju’an! Have you told her?”

Xie Wei looked at him sidelong, almost shyly. “I will talk to Ning’er at this wedding.”

“Don’t scold her,” Xue Dingfei said. “She thinks that you don’t like her.”

Xie Wei looked confused. “Why would Ning’er think that? I have done things for her that I would do for no other person in Qian.”

“Maybe she doesn’t realise that,” said Xue Dingfei. “Hey… why was she whipped?”

Xie Wei looked pained. “From the very little Ning’er was able to tell me, my guess is that, in her grief at Shen Zhiyi’s departure, she let that dreadful temper of hers loose on Consort Xian.”

Xue Dingfei sucked in a breath. “No, no! Her tongue is so sharp.”

“It cuts like a blade,” Xie Wei agreed.

“So why was Miss Jiang so very grieved?” said Xue Dingfei. “And why on earth did you get involved too?”

Xie Wei breathed out. “Ning’er thinks that Princess Leyang will die and we’ll end up at war with Yue. I couldn’t say no to her request for help, even though it was foolish to become involved. She called on the life debt I owe her.”

Xue Dingfei sat back. “Wait, seriously… Miss Jiang thinks that war with Yue will break out, even despite this marriage?”

Xie Wei’s gaze was guarded. “Yes.”

“I know about the past life,” said Xue Dingfei.

Xie Wei stared into the distance and didn’t say anything.

“I don’t suppose what happened to us was good,” said Xue Dingfei. “She wouldn’t keep talking about the need to change fate if it were good.”

Xie Wei still didn’t answer. He really was the worst conversational black hole Xue Dingfei had ever met.

“Miss Jiang knows about your episodes, right?” said Xue Dingfei.

Xie Wei finally bit. “None of your business!”

“Huh, how interesting! I’m willing to bet that she does. It doesn’t seem to worry her,” said Xue Dingfei.

“She is unique,” agreed Xie Wei dreamily, his face softening again.

At the pre-wedding drinks, Xie Wei headed straight for Lord Jiang’s table and sat next to him. Xue Dingfei was pleased to see this very direct approach.

However, Lord Jiang ignored Xie Wei’s greeting, stood and pointedly moved to the next table.

Xue Dingfei didn’t understand. “Why do I feel that Minister Jiang is shooting daggers at you with his eyes? What did you do to offend him?”

Xie Wei didn’t answer. Instead, he took a cup and poured out wine, then drained it. Xue Dingfei smiled at his twin, and drained his own cup: did this mean that, finally, he was going to loosen up? It was understandable that he might need a little Dutch courage to propose to his girl.

At the neighbouring table, Chen Ying proposed a toast to Jiang Xuehui. Lord Jiang accepted the toast, then noted that he had a second daughter who was unmarried. He described her as a devil of a girl.

Xue Dingfei was shocked. It was true that Jiang Xuening had a sharp tongue and a terrible temper, but she also had many virtues. Why didn’t Xie Wei say anything to defend her? Instead, Xie Wei simply poured more wine for himself and Xue Dingfei, but his whole being radiated intense fury, to the extent that others at the table stared at him.

On the next table, it was left to Zhang Zhe’s crusty old boss to note Jiang Xuening’s virtues. Then Chen Ying noted cheerfully that if Jiang Xuening were still single, Lord Jiang should look for a son-in-law at the wedding. For some reason, Lord Jiang turned to glare at Xie Wei, then he noted loudly that Zhang Zhe was twenty-five-years old and unmarried.

Xue Dingfei was very, very confused, after his third cup of wine. He wondered if it was the alcohol, but he suspected it was not. “Something is wrong. Why do I get the feeling that Lord Jiang wants Zhang Zhe to marry Second Young Lady? That won’t do! Say something!”

Zhang Zhe murmured something apologetic, while Xie Wei stared at the pistachio nut in between his fingers as if he could burn it to a cinder with his eyes.

Lord Jiang said, “Mr Zhang, that’s nonsense! You’re not afraid of powerful people! I admire you very much. In court you speak your mind. Mr Gu is like your father. Why don’t we just…?”

Xue Dingfei and several others at their table jumped as Xie Wei crushed the nut in between his forefinger and thumb with a loud crack, and the shell splintered.

They all watched with fascination as Xie Wei went to the other table, taking his wine and cup with him.

Lord Jiang said, “Mr Xie. What can I do for you?”

Xie Wei poured more wine for himself. “Oh, please don’t ask me that! However, it seems necessary to remind you that Mr Zhang is still in mourning, and that it’s inappropriate to talk about this. Many officials are here today. Please mind your words, Mr Jiang.”

Lord Jiang slammed his hand on the table. “You…!”

Zhang Zhe’s crusty old boss said, “Mr Jiang, Mr Xie is right. Today is not a good day to speak about this. Let’s drink!”

“Yes, let’s drink more,” said Chen Ying.

To Xue Dingfei’s immense admiration and surprise, Xie Wei drank the whole cup of wine in one mouthful. In all the twenty years he’d known Xie Wei, he had never known his twin was so wild. The things Jiang Xuening had brought out in him were so fascinating.

He shook his head and laughed. “Look at you, Xie Ju’an! How dare you say that to your future father-in-law! So bold!” The other men at their table looked at each other.

Xie Wei got up and sat back beside him, without speaking. He did not explain what had just happened or what his intended tactic was.

“Why is Lord Jiang so angry with you?” said Xue Dingfei. “What did you do, Xie Wei?”

Xie Wei wouldn’t meet his eyes. Instead, he just drank another cup of wine.

“Wah,” said Xue Dingfei. “Really, you should apologise to your future father-in-law. Why don’t you say sorry?”

When Xie Wei didn’t respond, Xue Dingfei decided to match him in drinking. “It’s so rare to see you drinking! Let’s have another cup!” He poured another cup for them both.

At the next table, after a little time had passed, to Xue Dingfei’s delight, Chen Ying said, “Uh, has anyone read any good poems lately?”

Xue Dingfei had not read any good poems, but the alcohol told him that he could compose one on the spot, to show everyone how things were tending and that they could expect happy news. Therefore, he began:

“There once was a girl called Xuening

Her dad called her a devilish thing

Ning’er was so smart

She stole many a heart…”

To his disappointment, Xie Wei did not enjoy his poem at all. Instead, he slammed his cup down so hard that alcohol splashed. “Enough!” he growled. Of course, his twin wasn’t a fun drunk, even if he wasn’t stabbing anyone.

The old crusty man from the Ministry of Justice leaned over and said, “Really, Mr Xie is correct. This isn’t appropriate, Viscount!”

“Eh, I hadn’t finished, Minister!” protested Xue Dingfei. “The last line is the best! It involves the passion of men from Jinling!”

“Oh heavens,” said Chen Ying. “Are you sure you should drink any more, Viscount Xue?”

“I shouldn’t, not at all, but I can’t stop myself,” Xue Dingfei admitted. “It pisses off Duke Xue so marvellously. Duke Xue! You old bastard, stop ignoring me! I’m you’re long-lost son!”

On another table, to his pleasure, Xue Yuan looked utterly mortified, although he was still trying to pretend to be cool.

“Stop being an idiot,” snapped Xie Wei.

“You’re as drunk as me,” said Xue Dingfei, nudging Xie Wei. “You can’t tell me off for once, hahaha.”

Xie Wei gave him a killer glare, which Xue Dingfei ignored with very long practice. To fill the silence, he decided to tell everyone else at the table about how Xue Yuan had beaten him, and Xue Ye had been rude to him.

“What kind of family is this?” Xue Dingfei asked them. “I’d really be better off if I’d discovered that my family were demons from hell!”

There were shocked murmurs from the other men at the table.

Xue Dingfei turned to Xie Wei, who was still glowering into his wine cup. “Seriously, Xie Ju’an, you brought me back here, telling me how I could reunite with my family, and they don’t even like me. I don’t know that I’m very happy with you.”

“I’m not happy with you, either,” said Xie Wei.

Xue Dingfei grinned at him. “That’s because you’re an uptight, disagreeable bastard. I’d never choose to keep company with a person like you ordinarily. Despite this, you wouldn’t wish me dead, simply because you didn’t like me!”

“Maybe I would wish you dead, if you keep talking about whatever inane nonsense comes into your head,” growled Xie Wei.

Xue Dingfei put his chin in his hands. “Are you in such a bad mood with me because my younger sister whipped Second Young Lady cruelly?”

“Don’t talk about that,” said Xie Wei, his eyes flashing with fury.

“Fine, I’ll ask what Duke Xue what he thinks about it.” Xue Dingfei called out, “Duke Xue! What do you think about Consort Xian whipping her former study companion?”

At the next table, Lord Jiang drew in a sharp breath and all the other men winced. Xie Wei’s fists clenched, his cheek twitched, and he closed his eyes for a moment.

“Seriously, Dingfei, be quiet now,” said Xue Yuan, coming over to their table.

“Go on, beat me, in front of everyone!” cried Xue Dingfei, putting his hand to his breast. “Then everyone will know you hate your own son!”

Xue Yuan turned to Xie Wei. “Junior State Preceptor, can’t you shut this man up?”

Xie Wei cast an acerbic eye at Xue Dingfei. “Viscount Dingfei, if I ask you to be quiet, will you damn well be quiet?”

Xue Dingfei wrinkled his nose and smiled hugely. “Probably not, Xie Ju’an. The problem is that so many people leave silences—particularly people like you and Duke Xue—and it’s very awkward. Someone has to fill the silences, and it turns out that person is me! I can’t quite vouch for what comes out of my mouth—everything in my mind’s been a bit scrambled since the rebellion in the capital and my captivity in Jinling—and all kinds of things can spill out. I surprise even myself sometimes.”

Xie Wei turned to Xue Yuan. “I am inept and have failed you, Duke Xue.”

Xue Yuan turned around without a word and went back to his table.

“Yaaaaah!” said Xue Dingfei, punching the air. “I annoyed Duke Xue again! Want another cup to celebrate, Xie Ju’an?”

“Why not?” said Xie Wei. “How could things possibly get any worse?”

In fact, things could get worse. During the wedding ceremony, Jiang Xuening came in late, also looking drunk. Xie Wei, of course, stared at her, in that weird way he had. She didn’t look at him and stood with her father and Zhang Zhe. She didn’t say much to Zhang Zhe either. In fact, she resolutely avoided eye contact with everyone. Xue Dingfei wondered if she didn’t want people to offer her sympathy about the whipping.

About two thirds of the way through the ceremony, Jiang Xuening suddenly walked out. Xie Wei followed her. As soon as the ceremony finished, everyone was talking about Jiang Xuening and Xie Wei’s strange behaviour. When they didn’t come back in, Xue Dingfei presumed that they were exchanging sweet nothings, but as the time extended, he became a little worried.

He went out into the garden. To his disappointment, Xie Wei was sitting alone in Yanshuang Pavilion. He squinted. Xie Wei was taking Golden Stone Pills. He’d stuffed up his marriage proposal somehow, possibly by talking about qin practice!

Xue Dingfei wandered over. “What have you done with Ning, my old friend? Also… should you be having those with wine?”

To Xue Dingfei’s horror, it wasn’t Ju’an who looked up at him. It wasn’t even Dujun. It was poor beaten Dingfei who stared up at him, his eyes reddened and devastated. He said in Dingfei’s little boy voice, “Dingfei, Ning’er said she doesn’t want to fight the Xues anymore. She went home. How can she do this to me?”

Xue Dingfei had to look after his annoying, brilliant, cruel twin, so hurt and damaged. “Sshh! I’ll get someone to take you home, Ju’an.”

He loped off to find Jian Shu as quickly as he could. “Jian Shu! Jian Shu!”

Jian Shu came running. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Xie Ju’an—I don’t understand what’s happened—he went to talk to Miss Jiang—but he’s now very drunk and he’s taken Golden Stone Pills—”

“Fuck,” said Jian Shu. They both went running back to Yanshuang Pavilion and discovered Xie Wei was now slumped over the table, but he was not alone. Zhang Zhe was standing there rubbing his throat, and the crusty old boss was staring at Xie Wei.

“Oh no, Sir!” said Jian Shu. They pulled Xie Wei up and pulled his arms over their shoulders. He was heavy.

“Out the back entrance,” grunted Xue Dingfei.

Xie Wei groaned. “Why did she say that to me?”

“Don’t worry about that silly girl, Sir,” said Jian Shu, but Xue Dingfei said, “What did she say, Ju’an?”

“I want to die,” said Xie Wei, struggling with them. “Bad men need to die. Let me die, let me die. I can’t stand this pain anymore.”

“More Golden Stone Pills,” said Xue Dingfei.

“No,” said Jian Shu.

“Yes,” said Xue Dingfei and Xie Wei as they reached the carriage.

Xie Wei swallowed another handful, and Xue Dingfei got him to lie down in the carriage. To his horror, Xie Wei was crying. Only Dingfei cried. Ju’an and Dujun never cried.

“It’s okay,” said Xue Dingfei. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not,” said Xie Wei, still in Dingfei’s voice. “How am I going to keep going now?”

“This has happened because of the Xues,” said Xue Dingfei. “Let’s destroy them, then we can explain everything to her, okay?”

“Okay,” said Xie Wei, his eyes closing.

“I’ve got him to sleep. I’m going back to this awful wedding,” Xue Dingfei said, when he’d exited the carriage. “What on earth is going on? Why was Lord Jiang so rude to Xie Ju’an?”

Jian Shu made a face. “When Consort Xian whipped Miss Jiang, Sir was distraught. He picked her up in his arms and carried her to the carriage. She passed out on his shoulder. When we arrived at Jiang Mansion, Lord Jiang was very worried because his daughter hadn’t turned up and was preparing a search party. I opened the curtains to the carriage to show him we had found her. I didn’t expect Sir would do that!”

“What?” Xue Dingfei stared at Jian Shu.

“Sir… Sir… kissed Miss Jiang!” said Jian Shu, with utmost shock. “And Lord Jiang saw it.”

Xue Dingfei couldn’t help it: he gave a shout of laughter. “Is that all?”

“It’s quite enough,” said Jian Shu. “Anyway, Lord Jiang told Sir he was behaving dishonourably, and Sir… he said that he cared about Miss Jiang more than her family did, and he’d known her longer than they had, so the Jiang family couldn’t call him dishonourable!”

Xue Dingfei stared. “That’s astoundingly tactless and rude.”

“I honestly don’t know what was going through his head,” agreed Jian Shu.

A groan came from the carriage, and Xue Dingfei said, “Right, get him home. I’ll be very annoying and outrageous; it should take people’s minds off his behaviour.”

Jian Shu nodded. “Thanks.”

Chapter Text

At first, Xue Dingfei thought everything was going to be fine, despite his dread at being left behind in the capital without Xie Wei. Both Duke Xue and Lord Pingnan were very quiet.  He soothed his anxiety in the usual way, with alcohol, food and sex. He was at Fengyue Pavilion when he heard someone at the door. He called out to Hong Jian.

It was not Hong Jian.

It took him a moment to recognise the battered body thrust through the doorway. Xue Dingfei initially thought his friend Xiao Bao was dead, and then he realised that the poor boy was still alive.

He was rooted to the floor with horror when Lord Pingnan followed. He couldn’t believe that the Godfather had come to the capital. He stammered and tried to explain that he was still loyal, but he did not think Lord Pingnan was convinced. His stomach churned. There was no one in the city who would notice if he disappeared, now Xie Wei and Jiang Xuening were gone. The Xues certainly wouldn’t care.

They took him out of the city, to Baiyun Temple, where he’d first met Jiang Xuening so long ago. He nursed Xiao Bao—the tendons in the boy’s legs and arms had been cut—and wept as he fed his friend gruel.

“Tell them nothing,” murmured Xiao Bao, when they dragged Xue Dingfei off for questioning.

Lord Pingnan sat down. “I’ve been asking Xiao Bao about what happened in Tongzhou, and he hasn’t been very forthcoming. So, I thought I should come to the capital and find out for myself. I’ve heard the strangest rumours.”

Xue Dingfei sat up from his grovelling position on the dirt floor, suddenly curious. “Did you come across the one about how Xue Shu would have been the perfect bride for the Prince of Yue?”

Lord Pingnan stared at him. “Not that one. I’m talking about the rumours involving Jiang Xuening.”

“Ohhhhh!” Xue Dingfei paused. “Actually, what particular rumour about Miss Jiang have you heard? You see, Miss Jiang has been rumoured to be the lover of all kinds of people, including Princess Leyang, Viscount Yan Lin, Zhang Zhe, Prince Linzhi—”

Lord Pingnan blinked.  “Shut up! You’re an idiot, Dingfei.”

“No, I’m totally serious,” said Xue Dingfei, truthfully, pulling on Lord Pingnan’s robes. “I have heard absolutely every single one of those rumours.”

“I want to know what Miss Jiang did in Tongzhou,” said Lord Pingnan.

Xue Dingfei looked back at Lord Pingnan. He decided to try to stick to a version of the truth. “Miss Jiang wasn’t supposed to be there. Dujun extracted her from the travelling party by poisoning her. I don’t know what she did after that. I expect that she lay around and groaned.”

“Why didn’t Dujun kill just her?” Lord Pingnan leaned forward.

“I don’t know,” said Xue Dingfei.

“That’s a lie,” said Lord Pingnan, and got one of his men to break Xue Dingfei’s little finger.

“Okay, okay, apparently Miss Jiang saved Dujun’s life once,” said Xue Dingfei, sweat and tears running down his face. “He considered that he owed her a life debt. He didn’t feel he could kill her.”

“It’s not because, as rumoured in the city, Dujun is in love with Miss Jiang?” said Lord Pingnan.

“I don’t know what’s going on there,” said Xue Dingfei, accurately. “They have a really weird and fucked up relationship. No one can work it out: do they hate each other? Do they love each other?”

“Dujun spared this woman’s life,” said Lord Pingnan. “He never shows anyone any mercy. It follows that he must have feelings for her.”

“Sure, if you say so,” said Xue Dingfei.

“So—let’s try again,” said Lord Pingnan. “It’s rumoured that Miss Jiang had a significant role in what occurred in Tongzhou. Indeed, the matter was mentioned in court, and she was praised by the emperor for delivering a fatal blow to the rebels.”

“We-e-e-ell, Miss Jiang became involved to save me and Zhang Zhe,” said Xue Dingfei. “Dujun’s plan was to lure the Xues into the rebels’ trap, and ensure the Xues and Zhang Zhe were killed in the battle. I was to kill Zhang Zhe. But I couldn’t, because suddenly Miss Jiang turned up with the Yan Army.”

“So, Miss Jiang is responsible for everything going wrong,” said Lord Pingnan.

“No, I would put the blame at the feet of Feng Mingyu,” said Xue Dingfei, seriously. “Godfather, that man was a lunatic. He was going to blow up the entire Tongzhou area, killing everyone. So, then Huang Qian, Lady San and he had a fight to the death…”

“This is nonsense,” said Lord Pingnan.

“No!” said Xue Dingfei. “I swear it! He revealed his plan up in Shangqing Temple before we even knew Dujun or Jiang Xuening were there. That’s when the fighting broke out between the rebel generals, and that’s when I ran away, because I am a coward.”

“And what was Dujun’s response to the arrival of the Yan soldiers?” said Lord Pingnan.

“Absolute fury,” said Xue Dingfei. “He would have killed Zhang Zhe and Jiang Xuening on the spot, but he had to kill Feng Mingyu first, so we weren’t all blown up... I hate gunpowder…”

Lord Pingnan put his head on the side. “Lies.”

A man broke Xue Dingfei’s forefinger.

“I tell you the truth and you punish me,” sobbed Xue Dingfei, feeling very hard-done by.

“Honestly, why would a woman mobilise an entire army just for you and a petty official?” said Lord Pingnan.

“Because… at that point, Miss Jiang was in a relationship with Zhang Zhe,” said Xue Dingfei. “That rumour had a basis in fact. Dujun wanted me to kill Zhang Zhe in part out of jealousy, but the main reason was that Zhang Zhe suspected Xie Wei was your man.”

“Why didn’t Zhang Zhe report his suspicions about Xie Wei, then?” said Lord Pingnan.

Xue Dingfei snivelled. “Because Miss Jiang asked him not to. Anyway, the Xues behaved so badly that everyone was distracted by that. And then Zhang Zhe’s mother died, and so the whole question seems to have slipped away.”

“So, where is Jiang Xuening now?” said Lord Pingnan.

“I don’t know! Why would I know? I handled her like I’d handle a live cobra. The last thing I heard is that she’s going back to her hometown in Jiangnan, because Xie Ju’an…” Xue Dingfei bit his lip. He hated the way his mouth ran away with his tongue.

Lord Pingnan leaned forward. “What did Dujun do?”

“Eh, it’s said Ju’an kissed her, and her father was scandalised,” said Xue Dingfei awkwardly.

Lord Pingnan burst out laughing. “My son kissed his student? What nonsense! He’d never do that.”

“He actually would,” said Xue Dingfei. “Particularly if he were drunk.”

Lord Pingnan paused. “Dujun… got drunk?”

“He is not a very fun drunk,” Xue Dingfei complained. “He just glares at his cup.”

“He didn’t stab anyone?” said Lord Pingnan.

“No. However, Xie Wei and Jiang Xuening ran out halfway through Prince Linzhi’s wedding ceremony,” said Xue Dingfei.

“Why did they run out?” said Lord Pingnan.

“I don’t know,” said Xue Dingfei. “All I know is that Xie Wei was suicidal when I found him! You know, how he wants to die, because he’s bad? You have no idea what I had to deal with… So, I would say that Xie Wei did or said something bad or crazy, and that’s why Jiang Xuening is going home to Jiangnan.”

“Which brings us to the rumours that, coincidentally, at the same time, the Junior State Preceptor is going to Xinzhou, to rescue Princess Leyang,” said Lord Pingnan.

Xue Dingfei winced. “Yeah. Those rumours.”

“Are they true?” said Lord Pingnan.

“I mean—who can trust anything Xie Ju’an says?” said Xue Dingfei, thinking bitterly that he’d been promised an escape and his twin had not delivered it. He couldn’t think of any reason not to tell the truth. “But he told me he was going to Xinzhou, yes.”

“Is he going alone?” said Lord Pingnan.

Xue Dingfei sulked. “He wouldn’t take me, the bastard, even though I asked him, because I always wanted to travel the world… He’s so mean to me.”

“Liar!” said Lord Pingnan.

“I wouldn’t dare,” said Xue Dingfei, frantically.

“Break his arm,” said Lord Pingnan.

One of Lord Pingnan’s men broke Xue Dingfei’s arm by stepping on it. The crack was utterly sickening. Xue Dingfei threw up, then he said, “Okay, okay, Xie Ju’an told me he was taking Jiang Xuening with him.”

“That’s better,” said Lord Pingnan, patting Xue Dingfei’s head. “See, you can be a good son.” Then he sat back. “And my other son has really found himself a lover. How interesting!”

“I wouldn’t say that they’re lovers,” said Xue Dingfei, panting. “There’s a distinct lack of sweet nothings, much to my disappointment. Their relationship is punctuated by awkward glares, threats, and fights.”

Lord Pingnan laughed. “I suspect Dujun actually likes it that way.”

Chapter Text

From the moment Xue Dingfei had met his twin, Xie Wei had wanted to die. This had stayed consistent, whether he was Dingfei, Dujun or Ju’an. Dujun had been so crazy that he had deliberately angered Lord Pingnan, to try to incite the man into killing him. Then, when that didn’t work, he broadened out to provoking psychopaths like Gongyi Cheng and Feng Mingyu.

“What if they kill you?” young “Xue Dingfei” had said.

Young Dujun had shrugged. “Then the pain is finally over.”

Fortunately or unfortunately, Lord Pingnan had restrained Gongyi Cheng and Feng Mingyu from killing Dujun, over and over again. “You are not to touch my son.”

Xue Dingfei had realised that Lord Pingnan loved Dujun more than he loved anyone else. He wasn’t quite sure why. Maybe it was partly because Lord Pingnan had been able to remake Dujun in his image: cruel, lustful, and scheming.

However, as they grew older, his twin also made qins of superlative beauty, wrote calligraphy and composed poetry. It was only when they were in their late teens that Xue Dingfei realised that the personality he called Ju’an had a sensitive side and could even be kind, in an awkward, abrupt way. Maybe Dingfei had sometimes been kind and sweet too, before he despaired and simply wanted to die.

Moreover, there was something in Ju’an which drove people to be loyal to him. People were loyal to Lord Pingnan because he was crazy and threatened to kill them. People were loyal to Ju’an despite the fact that he was crazy and threatened to kill them. He was, in a very strange way, an extraordinary man.

Now that he was back in Guiyi Heights, Xue Dingfei understood his twin’s desire to die. He had never wanted to die before: he had just wanted to lose himself in pleasure. The only reason he didn’t kill himself was because someone had to feed gruel to Xiao Bao.

Abruptly, he was dragged into Lord Pingnan’s chamber, along with Xiao Bao. Just as he’d feared, Lord Pingnan had snatched Jiang Xuening, based on the information Xue Dingfei had given him. He looked at the girl with guilt.

Jiang Xuening tried to convince Lord Pingnan that Xie Wei hated her for stabbing him—Xue Dingfei wondered what that was about—but Lord Pingnan correctly observed that for Xie Wei, her craziness was an attraction. He’d clearly been watching the couple.

Lord Pingnan tried to make Xiao Bao tell him about Tongzhou. As always, Xiao Bao said he knew nothing. To Xue Dingfei’s horror, Lord Pingnan stabbed Xiao Bao in the heart, right in front of them both. They dragged Xue Dingfei out, as he wept.

Conversation in the compound was fervid. The next day, when he went out to get more alcohol, the others asked Xue Dingfei if it was true that Jiang Xuening was Dujun’s lover and remarked upon her good looks.

“I saw them in Tongzhou—they had a huge fight, and she stabbed him,” said one of the rebels. “Didn’t look like lovers to me, but the Godfather thinks they are.”

Xue Dingfei sighed. “What were they fighting about?”

“It was really weird,” said the rebel. “Dujun was holding her by the neck and leading her around and asking her why she was scared of him. I mean who isn’t fucking well scared of him, particularly when he’s like that? Then she screamed, ‘What if I tell you that you killed me?’ and he gave her the knife and begged her to stab him, and made her stab him in the side—”

Xue Dingfei stared as the words sank in. “Oh fuck. Oh fuck. Now I know what he did. Fuck.” Then he paused and his skin prickled all over. He felt like crying. “This is the most extraordinary love affair, then. She came to Xinzhou with him, anyway.”

“So it’s real?” said the rebel.

“Yes. Moreover, Miss Jiang is deadly. Don’t touch her. She pulled a dagger on Xiao Bao once.” Xue Dingfei shuddered. “The first day I met her, I tried to flirt with her, thinking she was a sweet pretty girl. I am so glad she just brushed me off and didn’t hold it against me.”

“Haha, Mr Dingfei, you are funny,” said the second rebel. “Such a flirt!”

“I’m entirely serious about this,” said Xue Dingfei. “She’s the female version of Dujun. From a noble family, good-looking, clever… and with an utterly fucked up past.”

“She knows who Dujun is then?” said the first rebel.

Xue Dingfei shrugged. “Don’t know. She wouldn’t tell me. Anyway, make sure you give her a wide berth.”

“Understood,” said the rebels with awe.

Xue Dingfei fetched his wine, contenting himself with the thought that at the least he had stopped anyone from harassing Jiang Xuening.

The next day, Xue Dingfei heard a commotion in the courtyard and went out to see what was happening. He was not surprised to see Xie Wei, being whipped, not making a sound. Jiang Xuening was kneeling on the ground, begging Lord Pingnan to stop and saying she would ensure Xie Wei did what he asked. Lord Pingnan laughed and sent the pair away. Xie Wei helped Jiang Xuening up, and the pair stumbled away. Jiang Xuening held tightly onto Xie Wei’s arm, looking distraught. Xue Dingfei watched them from the shadows, too ashamed to greet them. It was his fault they were both here.

Lord Pingnan passed Xue Dingfei and grinned at him. “Look! My son Dujun is back! He’s going to use the Yan Army to help me take the cities north of the capital.” Lord Pingnan’s face twisted with pleasure. “After all, Jiang Xuening’s life depends on it.”

“Yes, Godfather,” said Xue Dingfei, dully, while he mentally planned to drink so much when he went back to his room that he fell unconscious.

“It’s surprising,” said Lord Pingnan. “Usually, the hero falls for the beauty, but you’re right: in this instance, even a bad man like Dujun is susceptible to the charms of a woman. You didn’t lie after all.”

Xue Dingfei went back to his room to drink himself into oblivion. He wasn’t surprised when Xie Wei came into his room some time later.

“I knew it,” said Xue Dingfei, softly. “Although he is suspicious and afraid of you, he still values you the most. No matter how big your mistake is, he will still put you in an important position. You’re not like me or Xiao Bao; we can be abandoned at any time.”

Xie Wei sat next to him. Eventually he said, “I will take revenge for you.”

Xue Dingfei couldn’t help crying as he explained how Xiao Bao had been killed. He was so scared. He wasn’t brave like Xiao Bao. He didn’t want to die. He waited for Xie Wei to mock him and tell him off for giving away Jiang Xuening’s presence in Xinzhou.

Xie Wei looked at him. “Because I’ve known you for so long, I know you don’t want to live like this. You want to live a carefree life. But for as long as you’re controlled by Lord Pingnan, you won’t get that! Even if you fear him and obey him, he can kill you at any time.”

As Xue Dingfei tried not to cry, Xie Wei said, “To be manipulated until you die, or to try for a chance of freedom. You can still make a choice.”

Xue Dingfei couldn’t stop the tears overflowing. They’d had this argument many times when they were children. Back then, Dujun had accused him of being a coward and had told him that he hated him. In some ways, it was worse when Ju’an was being kind and understanding. Xue Dingfei preferred Dujun’s cruelty. He couldn’t deal with Ju’an’s compassion and understanding. It undid him entirely.

Again, Xie Wei knew his twin well. He didn’t press Xue Dingfei, but simply walked out, leaving him to cry alone. Either way, as Xie Wei pointed out, Xue Dingfei was risking death. This was why Xue Dingfei had made the choice to trust Xie Wei in Tongzhou. But one way, he might die seeking freedom.

He had to be brave. He had to try it. He clenched his fist. He had to do it for Xiao Bao.

After a few days, Xie Wei dropped in. As was his wont, he just sat down next to Xue Dingfei and said nothing.

“How are things going?” said Xue Dingfei.

“Things are going exactly as I planned,” said Xie Wei, with a side glance. “Everything is going well. Lord Pingnan is happy. I am also happy.”

“Ah,” said Xue Dingfei. He looked at his twin. “Seriously, is it true that you and Miss Jiang now share a bed?” The entire compound had been abuzz. Apparently, Miss Jiang was quite vocal during intimate moments.

Xie Wei gave him a fierce look and stood up. “Do not ask me such questions!”

Xue Dingfei smiled in a tired way, feeling his despair lift a little. “That’s a yes. Congratulations.” He raised an eyebrow. “Are you engaged to her? Or even… married?”

Xie Wei wouldn’t meet his eyes.

Xue Dingfei laughed. “You are much wilder than I thought, Xie Ju’an! I like what Miss Jiang has brought out in you.”

“Hmph,” said Xie Wei, sulkily. Then he said, “Let me make it clear. I will marry Ning’er, when I can. Even if she doesn’t think her reputation is worth anything, I do.”

“You are such a gentleman, in a very odd way,” said Xue Dingfei, fondly. “Let me guess—Miss Jiang doesn’t care at all. She only cares when damage to her reputation affects her family, and as long as she can hide this from people in the capital, anything goes.”

Xie Wei glanced at him.

“She’s exactly what you need,” said Xue Dingfei.

Xie Wei’s face softened. “Ning’er is the most important person in the world to me.”

“I’m sorry I told Lord Pingnan she was with you,” said Xue Dingfei wretchedly.

Xie Wei waved a hand. “What will come must come. I had to face this eventually.” He paused. “The Prince of Yue was conspiring with Lord Pingnan. Of course, no one told me. So, it was inevitable that I’d be tracked down, sooner or later, and they’d discover Ning’er was with me.”

“You killed the Prince?” said Xue Dingfei.

“Worse,” said Xie Wei, with Dujun’s smile. “I sent him back to his uncle, with a letter explaining how he planned to usurp the throne.”

Xue Dingfei winced and drew his finger across his neck.

“Exactly,” said Xie Wei, crisply. “I’ll speak with you again.”

When Xie Wei proposed the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, and Xue Dingfei was told he would be cooking, he knew something was afoot. The night before, Xie Wei came to him with a packet of powder. “Put this in the water for basting for the meat, when no one’s watching. Don’t eat the meat. Can you do that, Dingfei? I’ll do the rest.”

Xue Dingfei nodded. “I can do that.”

Xie Wei smiled, with the rusty unease of a man who did not genuinely smile much. “Good. You’ll be carefree soon.”

Xue Dingfei felt utterly sick with nerves as he emptied the powder into the basting water and mixed it in with his finger, but no one noticed. Then he went out to watch what was going on. All the rebels were gorging on meat, while Xie Wei sat, looking abstemious and upright. Of course, as always, his plans were meticulous and his own behaviour couldn’t be faulted.

Xue Dingfei went back into the kitchen with the serving maids and emptied out the pan with the tainted water.

“That’s not necessary, Mr Dingfei,” said one of the cooks.

“No, this is my banquet,” said Xue Dingfei. “I like cooking.” Then he busied himself around the kitchen, and ate little scraps, to try to take his mind off the gnawing anxiety in his gut.

Suddenly the compound alarm bell sounded: they were under attack. Xue Dingfei wondered if this was part of Xie Wei’s plan. Along with the maids and the cooks, he huddled fearfully in a back room. Then they heard the noise of conflict: a clash of swords and shouts. A man ran in, sword drawn and the maids started crying.

“Dao Qin!” said Xue Dingfei, standing up. “Don’t attack them. They’re just servants.”

“Xue Dingfei!” said Dao Qin.

“What’s happening?” said one of the cooks.

“This compound is now commanded by Dujun the Hermit,” said Dao Qin. “I come from Jinling; I’m Dujun’s bodyguard.”

“I vouch for him,” said Xue Dingfei.

The servants all looked at each other fearfully. “Dujun the Hermit has taken over? But—”

“Dujun will be fair,” said Xue Dingfei. “Accept it. He’ll let you all go, if you want to go.”

Then he and the other kitchen staff walked out into the courtyard. Xue Dingfei hissed. The courtyard was dotted by dead bodies. In the centre of the courtyard, Jiang Xuening was holding Xie Wei in her lap, keening. “Xie Ju’an, you have to live. You promised me you wouldn’t die.”

“Miss, please let go of him so I can treat him,” said a middle-aged man.

A young man, wearing decorative armour and with his hair drawn into a long ponytail, dragged Jiang Xuening away from Xie Wei forcibly, as she struggled with him. “Stop it, Ning.”

“But he promised me he would live, Yan Lin!” Jiang Xuening tried to pull from the young man’s grip, and reached for Xie Wei as several men lifted him up and took him into a side room. Xie Wei was borne off, surrounded by a gaggle of people, including the young man in armour, Jian Shu and Jiang Xuening.

Xue Dingfei went over and looked more closely at the bodies. Lord Pingnan lay near the front table, a dagger thrust into his heart. He was very, very dead. Xie Wei hadn’t let him down after all. He let out a huge sigh of relief. “I’m free! He did it.”

It was a strangely anticlimactic feeling.

“We’re all free now,” said Dao Qin. “Sir, you, me, Jian Shu, Lyu Xian.”

“How did Xie Ju’an manage to stab Lord Pingnan, given how badly injured he was?” said Xue Dingfei curiously.

“He didn’t,” said Dao Qin. “That was Miss Jiang.”

Xue Dingfei drew in a hissing breath. “Lord Pingnan didn’t realise. He thought Miss Jiang was just a pretty face.”

“Mmm,” said Dao Qin, as Jian Shu came rushing out of the room where Xie Wei was being treated. He was carrying handfuls of bloodied bandages.

“How is he?” said Xue Dingfei.

Jian Shu shook his head. “Not good. The wound won’t stop bleeding, and Sir’s cut his hand up somehow. Miss Jiang is hysterical and won’t be parted from him—”

“I’ll come help,” said Dao Qin, also shaking his head.

Xue Dingfei found himself in a strange position. He was free, but he couldn’t leave Guiyi Heights yet. He had to find out whether his twin would live; it would be so unfair if his twin died at this point.

He learned that the earnest young man with the ponytail was his “cousin”, Yan Lin. There was a distinct resemblance between Yan Lin and his real cousin in the way he bossed everyone in the compound about.

“Who are you?” Yan Lin said to Xue Dingfei, with great suspicion.

“I’m Xue Dingfei,” said Xue Dingfei.

“Nonsense,” said Yan Lin briskly.

“No, really I am,” said Xue Dingfei. “I’m Xie Wei’s decoy.”

“What’s your real name?” said Yan Lin.

“I don’t have one,” said Xue Dingfei. “Well, I did once, but I can’t remember it. Can you find some men to help me with a funeral?”

“A funeral?” said Yan Lin, frowning. “Whose funeral?”

“My friend Xiao Bao. Lord Pingnan murdered him in front of me. I want to tell him—we did get revenge—me, Xie Wei and Miss Jiang. We promised him we would.” Xue Dingfei choked. “Oh my god. Miss Jiang did to Lord Pingnan what Lord Pingnan did to Xiao Bao. She stabbed him in the heart!”

“That’s Ning-Ning,” said Yan Lin, very cheerfully. “Always scrupulously exact in her revenge. I’m so glad she watched me practice martial arts all those years! What a good blow it was. Just perfect!”

“You’re as mad as Xie Wei,” said Xue Dingfei, with disbelief. “Doesn’t what Miss Jiang did disturb you at all?”

“Not really. It’s not surprising that I’m a little like my brother.” Yan Lin looked a little wistful. “Of course, we both love Ning, but my love can’t possibly match his. And he’s suffered so much. I’m happy for them.”

Then he went off, looking jaunty, while Xue Dingfei considered the possibility that the Yan family had a tendency not only towards bossiness and insane order, but also towards insanity. It was interesting, however, that Yan Lin clearly knew who Xie Wei was and had accepted the relationship between Xie Wei and Jiang Xuening.

Chapter Text

Jiang Xuening came with Xue Dingfei to Xiao Bao’s funeral, bearing plates of mung-bean cakes. Xue Dingfei presumed Xie Wei had told her what Xiao Bao liked. They both paid their respects, silently, then Xue Dingfei drank from the second bottle of wine he’d brought Xiao Bao.

Jiang Xuening looked at him. “Lord Pingnan has died. What will you do now?”

“To be honest, I never thought that one day, I could really… I could really… be free of Lord Pingnan’s control. I was just a beggar like Xiao Bao. But I was lucky to be chosen as Xue Dingfei’s substitute; it meant I survived.” He turned to Jiang Xuening. “Speaking of which, I should thank Xie Wei. Back then, we suffered a lot when we were kids. Now that Lord Pingnan is dead, I just want to live a carefree life and idle away the rest of my days.”

Jiang Xuening smiled at him. “That sounds perfect for you.”

Xue Dingfei was struck by melancholy. “Xie Wei is not out of the woods yet. A tough battle awaits him in the capital. Whether he survives remains to be seen.”

Jiang Xuening’s face fell, and she looked away.

That evening, Xue Dingfei went to Xie Wei’s room, for the first time ever. Xie Wei, naturally, was drinking tea. Xue Dingfei couldn’t help glancing at the bed. It was true that there was only one double bed, and both pillows had indents, showing two people had lain on them.

Thus, he smirked a little when he looked at Xie Wei. “Are you leaving tomorrow?”

“I would have left for Yuzhou much earlier if I hadn’t been injured,” said Xie Wei. “By the way—thanks for your help.”

Xue Dingfei couldn’t help snorting with amusement. “You seldom say thank you! I’ll gladly accept your gratitude. After all, I’m not likely to hear you say thank you again.”

“You’ve made up your mind to part ways from us?” Xue Dingfei sensed that Xie Wei was trying to phrase this as gently as he could.

“The journey ahead of you is dangerous. Why should I join you?” Xue Dingfei gave Xie Wei a wry look. “Let’s say goodbye here. It’s good this way.”

Xie Wei even smiled a very little as he sat and gestured at Xue Dingfei to sit. “I once told you that once everything is settled, you can keep using the name Xue Dingfei. But I wonder if you still want that name now?”

“Actually, I’ve always been aware that the name ‘Xue Dingfei’ is a thorn in your side. You must feel bad when you hear someone call me that.” He took a breath. “Is that why you don’t like me?”

Xie Wei said, “When we were young, it annoyed me.”

“I knew it! No wonder you were so mean to me for all those years!” said Xue Dingfei. “There’s no way I was that annoying!”

Xie Wei smirked in a sarcastic way. “But you were not very likeable either.” It was only now that Xue Dingfei could see the affection in his words.

“Eh! Don’t say it out aloud!” he said to Xie Wei, laughingly. “It’s hurtful!”

Xie Wei smiled.

“Xie Wei, it’s been twenty years since we were yoked together,” said Xue Dingfei. “After all these ups and downs, are we finally brothers?”

“Being my brother means being in danger,” said Xie Wei, after a long pause. “Aren’t you scared?”

“Yes, I’m scared.” agreed Xue Dingfei. “When I hang around with you, nothing good happens. Maybe I should stay away from you.”

“After twenty years, you’re finally free. Let’s have a toast with tea.” Xie Wei handed Xue Dingfei a cup of tea and stood. “Here’s to your freedom and a carefree life.”

“To my freedom,” said Xue Dingfei.

Xie Wei gave him one of those odd smiles, as if his face were slightly rusty and not used to moving in that way.

Then Xue Dingfei left.

He didn’t bother with long goodbyes. It had never been his style. The next morning, he discovered that Xie Wei had arranged for a huge amount of money to be put in his room.

He set off alone and walked down the hill, into a new life.