The greatest deceptions are not woven from complete falsehoods, but from truths twisted like silk threads into patterns that please their weaver. Watch carefully how such threads are spun, for in their weaving lies the key to their unraveling.
—Master Mei Hua, Sage of Ten Thousand Brushstrokes
Servants blurred past Xiulan’s bedside as night crept across the manor. A physician dabbed something sharp-smelling onto her face while muttering instructions. The pungent herbs made her eyes water, but the pain dulled to a distant throb.
Mei Chen stood guard near the door, wielding a cast iron wok like a shield. The maid’s knuckles whitened against the handle each time footsteps passed outside. Through the haze of herbs and pain, Zhao Lian’s authoritative voice drifted in—directing servants, demanding updates, and coordinating care.
Darkness swallowed the room. Light returned. Xiulan blinked at the beams streaming through paper screens as she pulled herself out of a fitful sleep.
"Miss Xiulan!" Mei Chen rushed forward.
Xiulan pushed herself upright. Fire shot through her cheek at the movement. "How—" The word caught in her throat as agony blazed across her face.
"Please don’t speak. The physician said your face needs time to heal. The cut runs deep and your nose..." She wrung her hands. "It broke when he struck you."
Damn. Xiulan touched her swollen face. I got cocky. Should have known better than to provoke him without armor or backup. I fucked up.
"Lin Jin." The words scraped past her lips. "Dead?"
Mei Chen’s face drained of color. "The physicians haven’t left his side since... since..." She swallowed hard. "They say it’s critical. That’s why only one came to check on you briefly."
A shaky exhale escaped Xiulan. Haaa... If Father’s precious heir dies because of me... She didn’t finish the thought. No amount of justification would save her if Lin Jin didn’t survive. Not with how things were.
Pain radiated through her face as she considered her options. The swelling made speaking difficult, but maybe that could work in her favor. Let them see what their precious heir did to me before I heal it.
"Where are my things?" The words came out slurred and the taste of copper filled her mouth. She wanted to wince, but even that hurt.
Mei Chen scurried to retrieve a lacquered tray. The blood-stained dagger drew Xiulan’s attention first—crimson droplets had dried on the polished wood beneath it. Next to it sat her healing pill, purse, and the stack of documents she’d accumulated.
"Mother’s safe." Xiulan pointed to the documents. She turned toward the wardrobe in the room’s corner. "Servants, dress."
Mei Chen bowed and hurried out. Servants entered a moment later and helped her put on a fresh dress for the day. Xiulan palmed the healing pill, sliding it into her inner pocket. Not yet. First, let the manor see. They won’t be able to claim I acted unfairly.
Xiulan lifted the bloody dagger.
"Clean." She handed it to the nearest servant. "Carefully."
They won’t dare strike me after this, but... Xiulan traced the swelling around her eye. Next time, they might skip the beating and go straight for killing me.
She needed those cultivation materials from the Treasure Pavilion sooner rather than later. The clock was ticking against her survival in this nest of vipers.
Xiulan pointed at her bandaged face. "Remove."
"Miss Xiulan!" Mei Chen stepped back. "The physician insisted these stay in place for at least—"
"Make it visible."
Mei Chen wrung her hands but approached with trembling fingers. The bandages peeled away, revealing layers of discolored flesh beneath. Xiulan studied her reflection in the bronze mirror—purple bloomed around her eye socket, and dried blood crusted the edges of the cut splitting her cheek.
"Stop." Xiulan raised her hand when only a small strip remained. "Good." The words sent fresh pain lancing through her face. This day needs to end.
Without announcing her destination, Xiulan strode from the courtyard. Mei Chen’s footsteps echoed behind her as they wound through the manor paths toward the northeast gardens.
The morning air carried hints of mountain pine, cypress, and river mist. Below the cliff’s edge, Blackmere city sprawled beneath cloudless blue skies, the mountain river carving its path toward the distant walls.
Xiulan turned toward the manor’s central courtyards. Servants scattered as she passed. Ladies behind painted fans whispered about damaged goods. A merchant’s son loudly proclaimed what a waste it was to mar such beauty. Another suggested she might make a suitable match now that her value had diminished.
The whispers followed her path to Lin Jin’s pavilion. Two guards crossed their spears, blocking her approach.
"Halt! State your business."
"Brother Jin’s health?"
"Demon!" A servant shrieked from inside. "Get away from here, you evil creature!"
Xiulan bowed with precise formality and retreated. She’d displayed the proper concern for her brother. No one could claim she hadn’t fulfilled her familial duties.
Mei Chen rushed to retrieve the garment, handling the delicate fabric with reverent care. The dress whispered against Xiulan’s skin as Mei Chen secured each fastening with practiced precision.
"Miss Xiulan, shall I fetch the rouge and powder?"
"No." Xiulan traced the visible bruising along her jaw. "Let them see exactly what Lin Jin did."
The weight of her concealed dagger pressed reassuringly against her forearm as she adjusted its position. Everyone likely knew about it after yesterday, but its presence steadied her nerves.
Lan Zhao appeared, and Xiulan waved at her. "Send word to Mother that I’m heading to the central pavilion."
Everything taken care of, Xiulan strode through the manor grounds with Mei Chen at her heels.
Servants scattered at their approach, ducking into doorways or suddenly finding urgent tasks in opposite directions. Even the minor officials they passed averted their eyes, their conversations dying mid-sentence.
The central pavilion loomed ahead, its entrance flanked by stern-faced guards. As Xiulan approached, one stepped forward with an outstretched hand.
"Halt! Lord Lin is conducting an inquiry. No one may enter."
"What sort of inquiry?" Xiulan asked.
"A questioning, Miss Lin. That’s all I’m permitted to say."
Xiulan narrowed her eyes at the guard. A questioning without her presence would only serve those who wished to twist the narrative. Unacceptable.
"Thank you for your diligence." She bowed slightly to the guard and walked away, scanning the perimeter wall of the central pavilion. The morning sun cast long shadows across the courtyard walls, perfect cover for what she planned next.
"Miss? Miss, where are we going?" Mei Chen’s footsteps pattered behind her.
A promising spot emerged where the main pavilion’s wall intersected with Lord Tian’s courtyard. The stone surface offered enough handholds, and a decorative boulder provided the boost she needed. Xiulan turned to face her confused maid.
"Wait here, Mei Chen. This isn’t something you should be involved in."
"Involved in what?" Mei Chen’s eyes darted between Xiulan and the wall. "Miss, you’re not going to—"
Xiulan planted her foot on the boulder, testing its stability. The jade silk dress restricted her movement, but she managed.
"Miss! Miss, please!" Mei Chen bounced anxiously.
The wall’s rough surface scraped against Xiulan’s palms as she pulled herself up. At the top, she balanced precariously and looked down at her fretting friend. "Gather everyone from Mother’s courtyard—any witnesses you can find. Bring them to the Central Pavilion’s entrance."
Not waiting for a response, Xiulan swung her legs over and dropped to the other side, bending her knees to absorb the impact.
It was a narrow space, the walkway between the pavilion building and the perimeter wall. In both directions, the coast was clear, but that could change in an instant.
She brushed the dust from her robes. It wasn’t possible to completely erase the smudges from the wall climb, though. No matter. The dress serves its purpose either way.
She slipped through an unguarded side entrance, emerging into a hallway lined with startled servants. Their wide eyes tracked her progress, but none dared intervene as she strode past with purposeful steps. The sound of voices grew louder as she approached the main hall.
Lord Lin and Madam Zhang sat elevated on the county thrones, presiding over a line of witnesses that stretched toward the entrance. Xiulan melted into the crowd, positioning herself behind several taller attendants.
"Tell us again what you witnessed," Madam Zhang demanded from her perch.
A servant bowed low. "I saw Miss Lin accost Young Master Jin on the garden path. She blocked his way deliberately."
"She struck first," another added quickly. "Drew her blade before Young Master Jin could defend himself."
"The look in her eyes..." A kitchen maid shuddered. "She laughed while stabbing him. Boasted that he deserved worse."
"We had to drag her away." The groundskeeper wrung his hands. "She screamed that he should die, that she wouldn’t stop until—"
With each fabrication, Lord Lin’s face darkened further. His knuckles whitened against the throne’s armrests.
The crowd thinned as witness after witness stepped forward with their practiced lies. Xiulan clenched her jaw, counting breaths until only three people remained between her and the throne.
Madam Zhang’s satisfied expression shattered as she spotted Xiulan in the dwindling crowd. "What are YOU doing here!?"
Xiulan stepped past the remaining witnesses, a wry smile playing across her lips. "I heard that such outrageous lies were being spewed this morning. I simply had to hear them for myself."