Chapter 2: The Guilty Husband

Fate is unpredictable. Xu Qi’s interference ruined the honorable imperial inspector’s plans, but in turn, she was struck by a genuine marriage proposal.

The next day, Tan Jiuding’s invitation card was delivered to her uncle’s residence—the old Xu family mansion in Suzhou where she was temporarily staying.

Upon seeing the name, her head throbbed, and her cousin Xu Yi, who shared the same branch of the family, sneered continuously beside her:

“Hmph, even as a concubine’s daughter, for the daughter of a third-rank Left Vice Censor to marry a seventh-rank imperial inspector is quite a stretch. Is our eldest uncle really willing to bet on this? Or does he simply not care about Sister at all?”

“They say this Inspector Tan is a young talent, having passed both military and civil examinations and even earning meritorious service, but in the end, he was once a criminal sentenced to exile, branded with a mark. Everyone in and out of the court knows the scandal surrounding his father’s case—such disgrace.”

“It’s just luck, really. He happened to benefit from a royal pardon upon the emperor’s ascension and had influential patrons who helped him get into the National Academy. Yet, after all that, he remains a lowly seventh-rank inspector, incomparable to the truly noble sons of prestigious families.”

Xu Qi took a sip of white dew tea, suppressing her anger, and spoke slowly, “You know quite a lot about Inspector Tan, little sister. Could it be that you have feelings for him? If you are interested, I can write to Father in the capital and ask him to reconsider the bride selection. Surely all Xu family daughters would be acceptable to Inspector Tan.”

Xu Qi’s father, Xu Yuanyu, was the head of the main family branch and naturally had the authority to arrange marriages for Xu Yi. As a branch family member, even her uncle’s indulgence of his daughter could not override this, hitting Xu Yi’s weak spot.

Failing to mock Xu Qi, she was instead outmaneuvered. Xu Yi bit her lip, stomped her foot, snorted, and left.

With such little skill, she still dared cause trouble in front of Xu Qi.

Since Xu Qi arrived, Xu Yi had been constantly displeased. Before Xu Qi’s presence, Xu Yi was a somewhat renowned talent in Suzhou, proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, poetry, and embroidery.

But after Xu Qi’s arrival, Xu Yi was overshadowed at every turn.

Even in the art of Suzhou embroidery she had studied since childhood, Xu Qi’s talent surpassed her. In just one year, the once-celebrated “Xu family daughter” shifted from Xu Yi to Xu Qi, and matchmakers in Suzhou almost wore down the doorstep of the old mansion.

Now, however, it was not a matchmaker stepping in, but the future groom himself, with a marriage contract in hand.

And this future groom was once a criminal. How could Xu Yi resist mocking him?

Xu Qi, however, did not care about his background. What troubled her was that Tan Jiuding clearly came with ill intent.

Yesterday, she had made a huge blunder, shooting down the very duck about to be caught—surely he would not let her off lightly today.

Mocking her sharp-tongued cousin was one thing, but challenging an imperial inspector with the imperial decree and official seal was courting death.

“Sigh… how can fate be so cruel?” Even if the heavens played a joke, this was a cruel one.

She sighed, feeling as if ten years of life had been lost in a breath. Even the finest tea had turned bitter.

A maid hurried in from outside to announce that the guest had arrived in the main hall and requested her swift attendance. It was a summons she could not ignore.

Reluctantly, Xu Qi proceeded to the front hall. From behind the door, she heard her uncle politely conversing with the visitor, each word cautious and respectful.

Officials of high rank could be overwhelming. Although her uncle, a director of manufacturing, need not be so deferential, everyone knew that an imperial inspector was charged with supervision and law enforcement—even those below fifth rank could execute orders summarily. Such authority commanded respect.

Recalling Tan Jiuding’s imposing demeanor yesterday, Xu Qi’s steps grew heavier.

In emerald-green satin shoes embroidered with osmanthus patterns, she stepped inside and performed a deep kowtow, obedient and sincere.

“Miss Xu Qi of the Xu family, respectfully wishing Your Excellency the utmost peace. I beg your pardon for any misconduct that may have obstructed your duties.”

“Obstructed your duties?” Before Tan Jiuding could answer, her uncle’s surprise interrupted, “Qi’er, what have you done this time?”

Sneaking a glance, Xu Qi caught her uncle’s shocked and flustered expression, and noticed a different, unfamiliar face from yesterday.

Tan Jiuding had changed out of his blue-green wedding robe into plain, pleated clothes, his demeanor transformed. Though he stood upright, every gesture carried a roguish air—yes, a bandit’s aura, far from the upright official he had been just yesterday.

It seemed Xu Qi was the unlucky one to be reprimanded, yet he spoke kindly on her behalf: “Director Xu, please do not be alarmed. It’s merely a small misunderstanding.”

Tan Jiuding glanced either at the courtyard scenery outside or at her, eyes smiling warmly.

“I once heard from the Director of the Imperial Censorate in the capital that your ancestral home’s gardens are exquisitely elegant, evoking nostalgic feelings. It makes this humble servant yearn to see them. Might I ask your nephew Yujuan to accompany me on a tour?”

Perhaps in respect of the marriage contract, her uncle readily agreed, making Xu Qi feel as if she were being pushed out like a troublesome burden. Though she was filled with reluctance, she had no grounds to refuse.

The garden revealed a new scene every few steps—rock formations shaped into mountains, flowers swaying gracefully. Bamboo shadows swept dust from stone steps; fish leapt from the mirrored pond beneath a curved bridge.

But she was already tired of these sights, and her mind was elsewhere—

This man obviously wanted to separate her from others to speak privately. Now he was silent, wandering and looking around as if genuinely touring.

Xu Qi restrained her curiosity, holding her tongue, but could not stop stealing glances.

“Is there a mark on my face?” His smile was anything but serious.

Xu Qi’s eyes rolled invisibly in her sockets before she asked with a smile, “Since Your Excellency did not inform my uncle of yesterday’s matter, what is the true purpose of this visit?”

“Ha, passing through Suzhou, is it not natural to visit my fiancée?”

“I have never acknowledged this betrothal.”

No sooner had she spoken than Tan Jiuding suddenly leaned in, so close they were barely a breath apart.

The movement was quick, stirring a faint scent of pine and cypress, brushing against Xu Qi’s cheek. His low voice teased her ear:

“Not acknowledging it, so you fled to Suzhou?”

Xu Qi’s cheeks flushed instinctively, and she averted her gaze with a scowl.

“My grandmother is unwell, and my father is busy with official duties. I have come home to fulfill my filial duty by tending to her.”

“Oh? But the Director of the Imperial Censorate instructed me to ensure Miss Xu’s safe return.”

At these words, Xu Qi’s expression hardened. “I will not go back.”

She bit her lip firmly, staring toward a spot beyond the wall.

“I will not leave Suzhou as long as I cannot find Zhiwei.”

Zhou Zhiwei was her closest confidante in Suzhou, a true kindred spirit. Three days before Xu Qi’s marriage, while trying on her wedding dress, bandits broke in and abducted her. The red dress became a fading shadow; since then, she had vanished without a trace.

Xu Qi was willing to act as bait to lure out the kidnappers, but instead, she made a grave mistake and let the villain escape.

Now there was no way to investigate further, and this man still insisted on taking her back to the capital to complete the marriage? She would rather die.

The cool winds of late autumn swept through their silence, rustling leaves and stirring melancholy.

Tan Jiuding’s gaze lingered on her face, then after a moment he asked, “How do you know she is still in Suzhou?”

“Huh?”

“What do you mean?” Xu Qi turned to glare at him, her eyebrows arching in surprise.

Tan Jiuding said nothing, but drew from his sleeve a tiny, familiar arrow.

The arrowhead gleamed coldly as it rested quietly in his broad palm—so delicate that a flick of his hand could make it vanish.

“First, tell me where you got this.”

Xu Qi’s face turned pale, then flushed—pale because she had shot this arrow at him, red for the same reason.

Given his position, his tone was grave; she dared not lie and admitted, “I made it.”

“According to the Military Code of the Great Ming, volume fourteen: unauthorized modification of crossbows is punishable by eighty strokes of the cane, the same as illegally possessing armor.”

“Don’t scare me. I only reduced its power for self-defense. I didn’t turn it into a repeating crossbow or firearm. It shouldn’t count as a prohibited military weapon.”

“Oh? It seems Miss Xu has some knowledge of the law. Then surely you understand what ‘allowing one to hold office’ means?”

Xu Qi pouted in frustration, then pulled out her own miniature crossbow from her sleeve and handed it to him.

“Here, it’s yours now. But tell me, what does this have to do with Zhiwei’s disappearance?”

Tan Jiuding toyed with the tiny weapon that had caused him trouble before, treating it like a living thing, studying it with evident delight.

“It’s truly exquisite, beyond my expectations. Miss Xu, who taught you?”

“I’m self-taught. Just a hobby.”

He gave Xu Qi a sincere smile. “That’s remarkable. Someone capable of crafting such a fine piece—I would like to win your favor.”

As he spoke, he returned the crossbow.

“Would Miss Xu be willing to accompany me in investigating this disappearance?”