Chapter 5: The Conflict Begins

When Qiu Yang rose the next day, Zhao Jian'an had already left. Only a bowl of congee remained warm on the stove.

After eating, she recited the five names—Far North, Bluestone Crossing, Tonghe County, Pingyuan Town, the capital—then tucked the paper beneath her pillow and began her chores.

Zhao Jian'an returned at dusk carrying a roll. He went straight to his study and soon called her over.

An old map covered the desk. Pointing, he said, "This is the city of the Far North. Beside it is the Qing River. You asked about the north; it is all here."

"What is this picture?"

"A map. Here is the Far North, and here is Pingyuan Town."

His finger stopped at a dot on the far right. Qiu Yang recognized the three characters.

"Look whenever you're free. Don't hurry to understand it; first make it familiar."

Whenever her work was done, Qiu Yang returned to compare each place name. Within three days, she could identify every location without her paper.

Once, Zhao Jian'an passed and saw her studying. He paused, marveling at her intelligence, then slipped away before she looked up.

One evening, while returning with vegetables, Qiu Yang overheard fragments at the alley mouth: "the north," "Far North," "retreated again."

At dinner she asked, "Has something happened in the Far North again?"

His chopsticks paused. "Who said so?"

"People outside."

After several bites, he set them down. "The Northern Di have attacked several times. No great battle, but it hasn't stopped. Stay home, go out less, and don't inquire into outside affairs."

She nodded.

For the next few days she practiced much later than usual, swinging her staff even after the courtyard became silhouettes. Seeing her while fetching water, Zhao Jian'an called, "Enough. Rest."

She stopped, leaned the staff against the wall, and went inside after catching her breath.

Two days later, Zhao Jian'an brought home a gray-haired man in homespun who appeared older than he. The visitor nodded to Qiu Yang before Zhao Jian'an led him into the study and shut the door.

From the kitchen, she heard their voices rise and fall as though discussing something grave.

Nearly half an hour later, Zhao Jian'an escorted him out. Qiu Yang peered from the kitchen, and he caught her looking.

"Who was he, Uncle Zhao?"

"A former clerk from the Far North government office, surnamed Zheng."

At Far North, she stepped outside. "What did he say?"

After a silence, Zhao Jian'an answered, "Someone is investigating what happened back then."

"Who?"

"A man surnamed Li who worked in the Ministry of Justice. Your mother met him while performing in the Far North. He once served under Qiu Chengye, and later took part in trying Qiu Chengye's treason case."

Qiu Yang clutched a cleaning cloth. "What is he investigating?"

"That's enough for you to know." Zhao Jian'an returned to his study. After standing still, she loosened her grip and resumed washing dishes.

That night, she could not sleep. She linked his phrases—surnamed Li; Ministry of Justice; your mother met him—until her head hurt, but understood nothing. What did Li have to do with Mother? Why had Zhao Jian'an stopped halfway?

—

The next day, the neighboring auntie hailed her while hanging clothes. "Girl, did Lord Zhao have a visitor last night?"

"Yes."

"I thought I knew him. Didn't he once serve in a government office?"

"I don't know." Qiu Yang smiled. "I didn't ask."

The woman did not press.

Zhao Jian'an came home far later than usual that night. As he opened the study, Qiu Yang set hot soup on his desk. "Drink this to warm yourself."

He took two swallows. "Come out with me tomorrow."

"Where?"

"To meet someone you've seen."

He explained no more. "It's late. Go back."

Qiu Yang left as the wind rustled the scholar-tree leaves.

—

Early next morning, she followed him through several streets and into an unfamiliar alley. At a small door, Zhao Jian'an gathered his sleeves and knocked three times.

The gray-haired visitor opened it, nodded to her, and admitted them.

A jujube tree stood in the small courtyard with a low table beneath. They sat opposite the man.

"This is Uncle Zheng," Zhao Jian'an said. "He worked in the Far North office."

Uncle Zheng looked at her. "You're Qiu Chengye's daughter?"

"Yes."

"I served as his clerk for two years before his treason. His betrayal was real, but when he opened the gates to the Northern Di, it wasn't his decision alone. Someone above sent instructions. Only then did he open them."

Qiu Yang remained still. "Who?"

Uncle Zheng glanced at Zhao Jian'an, who nodded.

"A man surnamed Li from the Ministry of Justice. After Qiu Chengye died, Li was promoted and still thrives at court."

"Did he try the case?"

"He was one of the chief judges. While your mother performed in the Far North, he was a regular patron. She recognized him but said nothing. Later she came to the capital, found Brother Zhao, and told him."

Qiu Yang's fingers shifted on her knee. "My mother..."

"Not long after telling Zhao Jian'an, she died onstage," Uncle Zheng said steadily. "If you doubt me, consult the old Far North archives. One page in Qiu Chengye's file bears Li's handwritten comments."

Qiu Yang knew her mother had died. She had watched it happen.

After a silence, she asked, "How do you know?"

"I spent ten years as a clerk there. Some of Qiu Chengye's correspondence passed through my hands. I copied and filed Li's letter myself." He drank tea. "I do not expect you to act. I simply want you to know."

He set down the bowl and rose. His meaning was clear: there was no reason for them to stay.

Zhao Jian'an and Qiu Yang left. Light filtered between the eaves, striping the alley floor.

Near its mouth, Qiu Yang caught up. "Mother told you about Li. Why did you never tell me?"

Without turning, he said, "When she found me, she said that if the matter could remain unspoken, let it. She didn't want you involved."

"Then why tell me now?"

Zhao Jian'an stopped, sunlight falling across his profile. "Because Li has begun investigating. If he had left it alone, what happened to your mother could have stayed buried. Now that he is looking, you must know."

He strode out of the alley. Qiu Yang watched his back flare in sunlight, then enter the shadow beneath the opposite eaves.

She followed.