Chapter 46

“Don’t worry, my lord. I’ll only use this token for self-defense—absolutely nothing else.” Wu Wei cleverly rephrased her words. Dongfang Rui simply glanced at her, considered for a moment, and offered no objection.

Dongfang Rui spoke to Wu Wei again. “This is the lowest-grade token from the Bright Mirror Division, but it’s not something you get for free. The Bright Mirror Division operates independently from the Six Ministries. Even the Ministry of Justice is just a brother agency to us—we help each other out, share personnel when needed, but they have no authority to command the Bright Mirror Division.”

Wu Wei fell into thought. She understood the principle of a short hand taking favors and a short mouth eating gifts all too well. She had no qualms about doing work for Dongfang Rui; it was just that leaving Qinglu County would be difficult.

As Wu Wei pondered how to negotiate, Dongfang Rui continued, “The Bright Mirror Division answers only to Your Majesty. Every token’s ownership is recorded before the throne—who issued it, who received it, and what it’s for, all noted clearly. It’s far more effective than using some pretext of ‘appealing directly to the emperor’ to intimidate the village head of Little Locust Village. So… from this day forward, you are my ‘stake’ in the Bright Mirror Division. I’ll plant you here in Qinglu County, awaiting my summons.”

Joy always came unexpectedly. Wu Wei thought to herself: Staying in Qinglu County without resolving my lack-of-household-registration issue? There couldn’t be a better outcome!

Moreover, through their interactions, Wu Wei had sensed that Dongfang Rui was a rare official in this feudal society who strictly adhered to the laws. When Wu Wei had once questioned her for using extrajudicial punishment, the other woman had recited the relevant statutes flawlessly, leaving Wu Wei convinced. With her household registration this time too, someone of Dongfang Rui’s status could easily have resolved it with a word to the county yamen, but she hadn’t. In a rule-by-man society so lacking in oversight, for Dongfang Rui to hold to her principles like this was truly admirable.

“Thank you, my lord.”

Dongfang Rui nodded. “If anyone asks about the case from that day—the details in the Coroner’s Handbook—you can speak freely; it’s no secret. But anything not in the Coroner’s Handbook? Not a single word. Understood?”

“Understood.”

“I’m heading back to the capital tomorrow. Any other questions?” Dongfang Rui asked.

Wu Wei licked her lips, her mouth twitching a few times. “I do have one question that’s been nagging at me for days. I’m just afraid you’ll get angry if I ask.”

“Go ahead. It’s just the two of us here.”

Wu Wei cleared her throat. “My lord, aren’t you revered by the people as the ‘Jade-Faced Divine Strategist’? I’ve witnessed your case-solving prowess. But this ‘jade-faced’… how did that come about?” Wu Wei eyed Dongfang Rui’s wheat-colored skin and couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

Dongfang Rui paused for a moment. She’d actually left that question open hoping Wu Wei would ask about the headless case, giving her a chance to probe Wu Wei’s depths. She never imagined Wu Wei would ask something like this.

Wu Wei was either genuinely clever, playing dumb, or had learned caution after some setbacks—Dongfang Rui couldn’t tell. But then she thought: All the better. The Bright Mirror Division never lacked talented eccentrics or clever minds. Those who truly survived there were more often the ones who “kept to themselves.”

With that realization, the tightness in Dongfang Rui’s chest eased. Still, she shot Wu Wei a glare. “Superficial. Who says jade has to be pure white? Haven’t you ever seen imperial jade?”

“Pfft… hahahahaha!” Wu Wei’s laughter echoed across the empty fields. Seeing this, Dongfang Rui couldn’t help but chuckle along for a bit.

For all her high position and authority, Dongfang Rui wasn’t some stern, mirthless figure in private. She’d occasionally joke around with Zhang Wei and Zhang Meng. Hearing Wu Wei’s unrestrained laughter didn’t annoy her in the slightest.

Wu Wei laughed until tears streamed from her eyes. On the way back, she kept wiping them away, thinking: I have to tell Embroider Maiden about this when I get home. This’ll be my laugh for the whole year.

Dongfang Rui mounted her horse. Wu Wei cupped her hands toward her in respect, and Dongfang Rui nodded in acknowledgment before tugging the reins and galloping off with elegant flair.

Some distance away, Dongfang Rui suddenly felt a twinge of relief.

If just now… Wu Wei had asked about the headless case as she’d initially hoped, would she feel this carefree right now?

Would she trust this mysterious stranger with such responsibility?

The answer might not have pleased her.

Watching Dongfang Rui’s departing figure, Wu Wei let out a long sigh. In the end, she still couldn’t bring herself to swallow her pride and ask for a few taels of silver or something.

She knew Dongfang Rui would give it if asked, but taking her money might spoil this happy feeling.

Even if she used it to build a house, she wouldn’t live in it with peace of mind.

Indeed, things earned through one’s own efforts were the most reassuring.

When Wu Wei got home, Embroider Maiden was as vigilant as ever, pushing open the door almost the moment Wu Wei stepped into the courtyard. Wu Wei hurried into the room, and Embroider Maiden’s unease vanished like smoke.

The aroma of rice wafted from the pot. Wu Wei pulled Embroider Maiden into the bedroom by the hand. They sat on the kang, and Wu Wei eagerly recounted the “jade-faced” explanation. She still found it hilarious, laughing until her stomach hurt, then simply pillowed her head on Embroider Maiden’s lap. Embroider Maiden laughed too, tears forming as she wiped them away.

As the laughter faded, Embroider Maiden shot Wu Wei a playful glare. “That’s Lady Dongfang you’re mocking. Aren’t you afraid she’ll have you punished?”

Wu Wei waved it off. “Dongfang Rui isn’t the type.”

“You’ve only met her a few times. What if she takes offense? Besides… don’t the plays say Lady Dongfang knows astronomy above and geography below? Why not seize the chance to learn from her properly?” Embroider Maiden felt sorry for Wu Wei.

But Wu Wei replied calmly, “She’s a busy woman. Besides, real profound knowledge isn’t something you grasp in a few words. And I was genuinely curious~ Ever since I heard her elegant title ‘Jade-Faced Divine Strategist,’ I wanted to ask. Getting such an amusing answer—we both had a good laugh. Not a loss at all.”

…

After the Jade-Faced Divine Strategist departed, life for Embroider Maiden and Wu Wei gradually returned to calm.

The Charity Mortuary had sent off that headless guest and remained empty since.

Their days reverted to the old pattern of self-sufficiency: selling firewood at the market every couple of days, working in the mornings, and in the afternoons, Wu Wei pulling out the Miscellaneous Records to teach Embroider Maiden to read and write. Peaceful, leisurely days.

As the Lantern Festival approached, some red paper for couplets remained. Wu Wei thought of making a couple of lanterns but remembered Embroider Maiden’s father had passed less than three years ago and gave up the idea.

Two days before the Lantern Festival, Wu Wei was giving Embroider Maiden her lesson. They’d reached “flowers, plants, trees,” but Wu Wei noticed her usually focused student was distracted today, zoning out repeatedly.

“Embroider Maiden?”

“Ah? Oh! I’m here!”

“Put down the quill for now.”

“Sorry, Weiwei, I…”

Wu Wei said gently, “Set it aside. Let’s talk.”

“Okay.” Embroider Maiden set down the quill but avoided Wu Wei’s eyes, looking just like a student who’d erred.

“Embroider Maiden, do you have something on your mind?”

Embroider Maiden shook her head, then nodded.

“Tell me, okay? Whatever it is, we’ll solve it together.” Wu Wei truly couldn’t guess what might trouble her. They ate and slept together every day; if something had happened, Wu Wei would know.

After a long hesitation, Embroider Maiden whispered, “In two more days, it’ll be the Lantern Festival. I… I want to bring a lantern to my father, and make some food to take over.”

Wu Wei understood at once. Embroider Maiden continued, “I heard the village elders say that on the Lantern Festival, passed loved ones can come home—but they need a lantern to see the way. I’ve split off from the family, so I can’t pay respects with Mother and Eldest Sister. But I want to visit, I miss Father. I want to make some food, set it out for him, and tell him I’m doing well now, so he doesn’t worry.” Her voice trembled. Wu Wei’s heart ached too. Embroider Maiden’s independence and strength often made people overlook her youth.

She was just a twenty-year-old girl who’d endured much misfortune and lost her father.

Wu Wei took Embroider Maiden’s hand and said softly, “We should go see him. What kind of lantern do you want for your father? We have two days—I’ll make one for you, using a white funeral candle from the mortuary as the core, and prepare some good food. On the fifteenth, we’ll take it together?”

Embroider Maiden lifted her gaze, her mouth corners drooping, her eyes red-rimmed as she looked at Wu Wei, and said sadly: “But… I don’t know where my dad is buried. Eldest Sister said… Dad died because of my bad luck—she wouldn’t let me follow. I don’t even know where my dad is buried…”

Wu Wei felt her heart suddenly gripped tightly by an invisible hand, yanked harshly, her eyes reddening as well.

Weiwei…

Embroider Maiden buried her head straight into Wu Wei’s embrace. Wu Wei also lifted her arms to hug Embroider Maiden tightly. Moments later, muffled sobs echoed from Wu Wei’s bosom. Embroider Maiden choked out through her tears, “Weiwei, did I really jinx my dad to death? No, it can’t be, right? My heart hurts so much… I feel so wronged… I clearly, clearly didn’t do anything wrong. Every day, I just do what I should, same as always. It’s been like that for so many years, and Dad was perfectly fine too. How could I have jinxed him to death?”

“Embroider Maiden, you did nothing wrong. Your father wasn’t killed by you. When people get old, it’s like ripe melons on the vine—even if they look plump and full, they’ll eventually ripen and fall from the stem. Everyone dies; your father’s death has nothing to do with you! You need to be braver and believe in yourself. People who say such things must all be cowards in life, without even the courage to bear misfortune, so they make an innocent person like you, who has no power to fight back, shoulder the blame!”

“……Weiwei, boo hoo hoo.”

Wu Wei gently stroked Embroider Maiden’s back, one caress at a time, coaxing her: “Cry it out—have this good cry, then we’ll hold our heads high and live well. You have to believe me; your father’s death has nothing to do with you. From now on, I won’t let anyone sling mud at you anymore.”

“……Mm!