Chapter 5 — Crossing the Moonlight at Khê Quân

Once the Prince of Vinh had spoken, I took up pen and paper and transcribed the medicinal prescription. Ah Dao invited me into the inner chamber, where she carefully checked my pulse and examined my throat. When she emerged with the prescription, she stroked her chin, her expression clouded with suspicion.

"Miss An’s throat has been meticulously cared for all these years, and this prescription is perfectly suited to the ailment. By all accounts, there should have been signs of recovery within three months. There is no logical reason why, after two years of consistent treatment, you remain unable to utter a single sound!"

Xie Qi’s fingertips tapped rhythmically against the table before his gaze shifted toward Matron Chu. "Matron Chu, are the ones responsible for sourcing and brewing these herbs truly trustworthy?"

Matron Chu hesitated for a moment before answering honestly, "The largest apothecary in Changning City is owned by the Bui family. For as long as I can remember, the Young Master of the Bui family has personally selected and delivered the herbs to our estate, and I have always been the one to brew and serve them to the young lady. There should be no issue."

"The Bui family?" Xie Qi paused, his movements stilled. "Are they truly that reliable?"

Matron Chu remained silent. I lowered my eyes, sighed softly, and gestured with my hands: *I grew up alongside him; surely he would not wish me harm.*

"Surely?" Xie Qi raised an eyebrow. "Miss An, the human heart is a treacherous thing—one cannot afford to be without caution."

Little Xie Ye tightened his small face, adding indignantly, "Exactly! Sister A Quan, you cannot judge a book by its cover! Even I was deceived and led astray by someone I had known my entire life!"

With that, he wiped the corners of his eyes, looking pitiful. A sharp pang of heartache struck me, and I gently stroked his head. Xie Qi looked at me, his voice softening ever so slightly. "Whether it is true or a fabrication, a thorough investigation will bring us peace of mind. Does Miss An agree?"

I nodded slowly, already mentally calculating a trip to the Bui family’s apothecary to investigate. Ah Dao thumped her chest and stood up abruptly. "The Bui family apothecary, is it? Leave it to me! I shall go and investigate personally. If I discover they have dared to tamper with the medicine, I, Nam Dao, will never let them off the hook!"

The tavern sat right by the lake, where numerous small boats drifted lazily. Xie Ye watched them with such longing that I immediately ordered my father’s gift—a magnificent flower-boat—to be brought to the shore. To our surprise, upon reaching the bank, we encountered Bui Canh and Van Hoa. The two were behaving as if no one else existed, lost in their own world. Two vessels were moored at the pier. Van Hoa gathered her skirts, preparing to step onto the largest and most opulent one, but the boatman reached out to block her path. She furrowed her brows, her face full of disdain.

"Do you have any idea who I am? How dare you stop me!"

Bui Canh waved his folding fan, his expression darkening. "I have already paid a fortune to charter this entire boat. What is the meaning of this? Do you still wish to continue doing business in Changning City?"

The young boatman sneered coldly. "Go back to wherever you crawled out from! This is the private vessel of the City Lord’s daughter; it has never been for rent to outsiders. You dare claim you have chartered it? With such a grand tone, you ought to be afraid of snapping your own spine!"

Seeing this, the owner of a neighboring boat hurried over, attempting to smooth things over. "Young Master Bui, our boat is right here."

Bui Canh shoved the man aside and pointed his fan at the boatman, his face brimming with arrogance. "An He Quan’s boat is the same as my own! You dare block me? Be careful, or I shall ensure you suffer!"

Van Hoa was on the verge of losing her temper, but when she turned, she caught sight of me. Her expression shifted instantly, and she tugged at Bui Canh’s sleeve. Bui Canh followed her gaze, froze for a split second, and then arrogantly tilted his chin upward.

"A Quan, I had been wondering why you have been refusing me these past few days. So, it was all to prepare a surprise for me." He paused, then continued offhandedly, "It is merely that this lowly servant is insufferable and has ruined our mood. You must deal with him severely once we return."

He then added, "Van Hoa has led a life of hardship and has never sat on such an exquisite vessel. You must let her board so that she may see the world."

I frowned, feeling nothing but profound revulsion. Suddenly, a cold laugh echoed from beside me. "To think there exists a person so shameless as to treat another’s property as a charitable gift. This must be the blind and heartless Young Master Bui of Changning City."

Only then did Bui Canh notice Xie Qi. His gaze swept over Xie Qi’s cold, refined features before falling upon the hand holding the young prince, his expression turning ugly.

"A Quan, to provoke me, you truly are willing to keep anyone by your side. I was wondering why you stopped paying me any mind; it turns out you were raising some wild man from who knows where."

Jealousy flickered in Van Hoa’s eyes, and she chimed in softly, "Young Master Bui, do not be angry. Miss An has always been fickle. You really must not be deceived by her high-minded, pitiful facade."

*Slap! Slap!*

Two crisp, sharp sounds echoed through the air. No one saw when Matron Chu had charged forward, but she swung her arm with full force, striking Van Hoa twice across the face. Matron Chu’s strength was considerable.

"Ah!" Van Hoa clutched her face, letting out a miserable shriek. Seeing this, Bui Canh’s eyes turned blood-red with rage. "An He Quan! You condone this wicked slave in bullying others!"

Matron Chu showed no fear; she spat on the ground and stepped firmly in front of me. Just as Bui Canh raised his hand, the sheath of a blade struck his right knee with unerring precision. Bui Canh let out a wretched cry; his legs gave way, and he slammed heavily onto the blue-stone pavement, cold sweat instantly beading on his forehead. Xie Qi’s gaze was sharp and icy.

"Keep a tight rein on that mouth of yours. Next time, it will not just be your knee that I strike."

Bui Canh’s face twisted in agony, and he finally realized the status of the man before him. His face turned deathly pale. I took a deep breath, stepped forward to stand before him, and with quick, forceful hands, I delivered a gesture of utter, vulgar contempt, my eyes burning with the deepest possible disdain.