Fan Hai
Fan Hai was many things, but a spy was not one of them, and in a perfect world, or maybe even just a better one, the job of spy would never have been one she needed to do.
Unfortunately for Fan Hai though, this was not a perfect world, or even a particularly good one, she was perfect for it.
She had an uncanny, inadvertent ability to escape the notice of people, even those who she would rather notice her, and everything about her, from her timid, rather skittish disposition, to her naturally guileless appearance, readily lent itself to the avoidance of suspicion.
Not that there was much risk of suspicion to begin with; after all, ‘who would want to spy on Xian Qigang?’
Certainly not his own family, the very people who kicked him out and sent him here to begin with.
Besides, spying was too harsh a word, since all they were really doing was keeping an eye on him. And why shouldn’t they? He still bore the Xian name. He certainly liked throwing it around, for how much he badmouthed them.
As long as he still bore the name, he was still a member of their family, and was it so wrong to want to keep tabs on a family member, especially one as troublesome as Qigang?
That reasoning was a small, but not insignificant part of how Xue Tai had convinced Fan Hai to take the job, the rest of course being the promise that, if she served the Xian family faithfully, they’d pay for a doctor to treat her father.
That was almost two years ago, and it had taken Fan Hai a depressingly long time to begin to suspect that maybe Xue Tai was never going to make good on that promise.
Maybe all those words were supposed to do, was make her cast her lot with people who saw her no different from how Xian Qigang did.
Maybe, that promise was simply a chain around her neck, with which they tugged her in whatever direction they wanted, warping her hope and her love and her desperation into a means of control.
It was funny in the worst way, because treatment like her father needed would cost them nothing, and there were few things that Fan Hai wouldn’t do to repay such a debt.
“Hai,” her sister, Fan Si, called, pulling the younger woman from her thoughts.
They were on their way back home, having left the Xian manor behind and heading now back into town.
It was still a fair distance to home, but both women were strong walkers (as one had to be growing up in the mountains) and familiar with the way.
“Hmm?” Hai responded, looking to her sister.
“I said don’t mention the vase when we get home,” Si says. “Don’t want Chun losing his mind.”
Chun was Si’s husband of two seasons. They’d married just before winter last year, and it was no secret that Chun strongly desired for his wife (and sister-in-law) to quit working for a man like Xian Qigang.
The only reason he hadn’t gotten his way was because, he was nowhere near successful enough as a shoemaker to handle the cost of keeping their father alive.
So, his wife and sister-in-law continued to work for a man notorious for petty cruelty over the smallest transgressions, and Chun worried about them like a mother hen.
Hai nodded at her sister’s request, doing everything in her power to not let her guilt show.
The vase that Si spoke of, the one that Hai had broken this morning and that her older sister, ever the protector, had lied about being responsible for, Hai had broken it deliberately.
Xue Tai had told her to.
It was an order from his family, she claimed. They wanted to see how deep Xian Qigang’s change in personality ran, and so Fan Hai was ordered to do something that would ordinarily draw his ire and report how he reacted.
For the first time in her life, Fan Hai had desperately wanted to tell Xue Tai to go fuck a duck.
She hadn’t, and not at all because the woman had made some token promise to take care of her should Xian Qigang prove to not be as changed as he seemed. No, it was because she understood her situation, she was trapped.
After all, what was she going to do, say no?
Hai had been given free rein to choose how she drew Xian Qigang’s ire, and, for lack of ideas, she’d chosen the vase.
It was simple enough, and, considering what had happened the last time someone broke a vase, sure to arouse the Young Master’s anger without, hopefully, pushing him too far.
Hai had made a major miscalculation though, she’d forgotten about her sister, the woman who worked in the same house she did and considered it her mission to protect Hai.
Watching her sister walk up to the Young Master and take responsibility for her actions had damn near killed her. But then Xian Qigang, proving himself to be nothing like the man he was, had looked right at Hai, obviously seeing through Si’s lie, and took no offense, at the deception or the destruction of his property.
Instead, he’d shown concern for their well-being, and sent them on their way.
“I wish you hadn’t done that,” Hai said quietly.
Because, as well as it had worked out in the end, there had been a very real chance that it wouldn’t have.
“What?” Si asked, and Hai worked up the courage to look her in the eyes.
“Lie that you broke the vase,” she said. “It was my mistake.”
Si looked at her like she was insane. “And let that—” her voice dropped significantly despite that they were alone “—crazy man cut off your hand or worse?”
“And what if he’d cut off your hand?” Hai asked, her self-loathing helping her find the fire to push against her sister’s words. “Doesn’t that matter? Don’t you matter?”
Si blinked at her, stunned into silence by her forcefulness.
Hai was never forceful. She never shouted, never cursed, never even got angry.
This was new for her older sister.
“It was my mistake,” Hai finished, the brief bout of fire fading. “If anybody deserved to suffer for it, it was me.”
“You don’t deserve to suffer just because you broke some stupid vase no one cared about, Hai,” Si said. “Besides, Young Master Xian forgave it.” A look of astonishment came upon the woman’s face. “I still can’t believe how much he’s changed.”
Neither could Hai, to be honest. But regardless of what they believed, or how they felt about it, Young Master Xian had changed, so much so in fact that, by his own admission to Ju, he had paid a qi doctor to heal Chang.
“Wonders really shall never cease,” Si decided, not knowing how true those words would be proven to be until they got home.
Because Si hadn’t wanted to be separated from her family, her husband, Chun, had moved in with them after marriage.
Their home wasn’t particularly large, but it was off the beaten path and it had some land.
Once upon a time, this land had been worked on by their mother and father, growing patches of herbs and spices, but their mother had been dead for years now, and their father too sick to move unaided most days, so it sat untended.
Arriving, Hai and Si walked up to the house, and they were nearing the front door when it slid open and a tall, beautiful woman in fine, purple clothing practically glided out of the house.
Following behind the woman was a tall, younger man, also in fine clothing, but not as fine as the woman’s. He was carrying a bag, the woman’s, Hai suspected, and he too moved with that grace that Hai had only seen from the elites of society.
These people were cultivators.
Hai could not tell what rank or layer or phase, but it was as obvious as the absence of the sun in the sky, these were cultivators.
Her heart twisted in panic for a moment. Why were cultivators at her house? Had Xue Tai sent them? Why would Xue Tai send them? Did this have anything to do with her?
Everyone halted, Hai and Si bowing to the cultivators.
“Si and Hai?” the woman asked.
The mortal women nodded.
“I am Healer Cao Lin,” she said, “and I have been tasked with the treatment of your father. I have observed him, and I will return tomorrow and everyday hence at sunset. He will be well in ten days.”
Her piece said, and uncaring of the surprise and confusion she’d just caused both women, Healer Cao Lin began to walk off, followed behind by her bag bearer.
Hai’s mind swirled. A healer? Tasked with treating her father? Her father will be well in ten days? Ten days!? Who would… who could…
Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.
Wait… was this…
“Healer Cao,” Hai called, only realizing after the words had left her mouth that she’d been the one to speak them.
The cultivators stopped, and Healer Cao turned to stare at the mortal woman.
“Yes?”
Hai sank to her knees, head down to the ground.
“Forgive me, but… you said you were tasked with treating my father. But, by who?”
Hai heard her sister sink to her knees beside her.
“Yes, Healer Cao,” Si added. “To who do we owe our gratitude?”
“To someone who wishes to remain unknown,” Healer Cao said, and then she walked away.
“Si, Hai,” Chun called from behind them, helping his wife up. “You don’t know who sent the qi doctor either?” he asked.
“No,” Si said. “I didn’t even know she was here. What happened?”
Their younger brother, Fu, fifteen years old and tasked with looking after their father most days, answered.
“We don’t know. They just showed up here and said someone sent them.”
“Who?” Si asked, despite already knowing the answer to that question.
Hai didn’t blame her, she really wanted to know too.
At first glance, the obvious culprit was Xue Tai, who had clearly finally decided to honour her end of their bargain.
But upon deeper inspection, that didn’t make sense.
Why now? And why would Xue Tai not make it known to Hai, even if no one else, that this was her.
She’d been holding this over her head for literal years, for her to just hand it over now without asking for anything in return wasn’t really…
Hai’s eyes widened.
“Hai, what is it?” Si asked, noticing her sister’s expression.
Hai looked at the older woman, suddenly unsure.
“Hai?” Si encouraged, and she took the leap.
“What if it was Young Master Xian?” she asked.
Expressions of disbelief and confusion greeted her suggestion.
Fu scoffed. “That demon? Yeah, right.”
“Shut your mouth,” Chun chastised, though clearly not because he disagreed with the sentiment.
Hai wilted. Right, she supposed it was a rather stupid idea.
Si didn’t seem to think so though, in fact, her mind seemed to be following the same thread that Hai’s had, because her eyes were growing wider and wider by the second.
“Si, what is it?” Chun asked.
“I think it might actually be him,” she said slowly.
“What? Why?” Chun asked. “I mean, I know you’ve been saying he’s been different since his enlightenment or whatever but, why would he want to treat your father?”
“I don’t know,” Si admitted. “But Ju came to the house just before we left. She came to meet Young Master Xian.”
“Wait, Ju, the girl he raped and crippled her boyfriend? That Ju?” Chun had to ask.
“Yes, her. She must have heard about his memory issues and come to see if he still remembered her.”
“Did he?” Chun asked.
“No,” Si said. “But the way he looked at her, the way he talked to her, he looked so… heartbroken. Like he wished he could make it all better, and that was when he told her that he sent a qi doctor to heal Chang.”
It took Hai’s brother and brother-in-law a moment to connect the dots, though neither looked particularly convinced by the shaped it revealed.
“So, you think that he also sent a qi doctor treat your father too?” Chun asked.
Si nodded.
“Nah,” Fu said, “that’s bullshit. How would he even know father is sick?”
“Fu, everyone knows our father is sick,” Si countered. “I think Young Master Xian asked Manager Meng about us, and she mentioned it and now he’s helping. I mean, think about it, who else can it be?”
Neither male still seemed convinced, but neither one had an answer to her question either, so they let it lie and simply appreciated the good fortune that had befallen them.
The next day, back at the manor, Si, pulling Hai along, approached Manager Meng.
“Good morning, Manager,” Si said, bowing shallowly. “We need to know; it was the Young Master who sent Healer Cao Lin last night, wasn’t he?”
The young woman, same-aged as Hai but so much more mature in bearing and ability, gave them an innocent look.
“I can’t say I know what you’re talking about,” she said, “but now that you mention it, what did she say? Can your father be healed?”
If not for her personality and the clear concern on her face, Hai and Si would have thought that Meng Yi was mocking them.
After a moment, Si said; “Healer Cao Lin said he’ll be fine. She said she’ll come at sunset everyday for the next ten days.”
“Well, that’s good news,” Meng Yi said. “Make sure to leave before sunset today, and take the next ten days off, fully paid. Go and be with your father.”
“Thank you, Manager Meng,” the sisters said, bowing happily.
“You’re welcome,” Meng Yi replied and walked off.
As she did, Hai called. “Manager Meng?”
Meng Yi turned.
“How…” Hai hesitated, then firmed her resolve. “How can we repay the Young Master?” she asked.
Meng Yi thought about it for a moment.
“Don’t let him know you know, and just continue to work diligently,” she said. “That’s good enough for him.”
----------------------------------------
Wei Ju
Chang’s room looked the same.
It smelled the same.
And when she snuck in through the open window, just like she used to what felt like a lifetime ago, a wave of nostalgia so poignant she damn near choked, washed over her.
She landed lightly on her feet, then looked to the left.
His bed was still there, where it had always been, and his made out his form on it in the darkness of the room.
She almost hadn’t come.
In fact, she’d actively tried not to.
When she left his manor, she’d gone home and put herself to sleep with some of her father’s beast rank slumber chamomile tea. Thinking that if she was asleep, then she could ignore the weight of Xian Qigang’s Decree tugging in her chest.
She’d slept, and then come to hours later at midnight, fully dressed and halfway to Chang’s.
She’d given up then. Cursed Qigang’s name to hell and back, but she’d given up.
And now here she was, brought back by Xian Qigang to a house that she hadn’t been to for two years because of Xian Qigang.
To think that Heaven would favour someone like him with such power.
Maybe there is some truth to that old saying, after all; Heaven really is blind.
“Hello, stranger,” Chang said from the bed, and Ju jumped.
She heard him chuckle quietly.
“Jerk,” she muttered, smiling too.
He always loved to tease her.
The moment of levity faded quickly, as it brought to mind memories of what they’d shared and, more importantly, how they’d lost it.
“It’s been a while,” Ju said awkwardly, trying to find a way to begin the conversation that, even now, Xian Qigang’s Decree demanded she have.
How Heaven could bless someone like him with so much had to be the greatest mystery in all the planes of existence.
“Is that what we’re doing?” Chang asked quietly. “Small talk?” He sounded so tired. Small. The happy, bright boy she’d loved nowhere to be found.
Ju found herself glad for the darkness of the room. She didn’t think she could do this in the light.
“Is small talk so bad?” she asked.
The more small talk they did, the longer she could avoid talking about the heavy talk.
Chang sighed, then said in that way that isn’t a question even if it may sound like one; “I’m guessing you’re here because I refused the healer you sent.”
Ju blinked. The healer she… oh. Xian Qigang’s healer must have come and gone already, and Chang thinks that she sent them.
That was sensible, she supposed. After all, who else would have done it?
The realization that she could, and maybe, should have done that long before now stabbed her in the heart like a knife, but Ju forced herself to focus.
She had a task to fulfill, and Chang had just handed her a chance to do so with his words.
“Why did you refuse?” she said.
“Why didn’t you come by yourself?” Chang asked back.
“I’m here now,” Ju said softly, the words tasting like ash in her mouth.
She hadn’t wanted to come here.
“Because I refused,” Chang pointed out.
Ju stared at him on the bed. His back was to her, the covers up to his neck. His hair a wild, dark mess.
“Did you…” she hesitated. “You knew I would come if you said no.”
Chang said nothing for a moment. “I suspected,” he admitted finally.
The words were a blow to Ju’s chest. “You wanted to see me,” she realized.
“Yes. No. I don’t…” Chang sighed. “I shouldn’t have made you come here. I’m sorry. You shouldn’t have to see the man who failed you.”
“You failed me?” Ju asked.
“Your father was right, I was never good enough for you. I couldn’t even protect you when it mattered.”
“Neither did he,” Ju said. “Should I blame him too?”
To that Chang had no reply, but Ju wasn’t done.
“Have you thought all these years that you failed me? Because, Chang, it’s the opposite. I failed you. Xian Qigang broke your back and I did nothing. I could do nothing. I’m the cultivator. I was supposed to protect you. But I couldn’t, I failed and he… you were…” she felt the tears running down her face, just like she had that day.
His laughter resounding in her head, that evil smile upon his lips.
“He hurt you, Chang, and I did nothing. And then I avoided you for years like a coward. Because I couldn’t face my own failure.”
“You didn’t fail,” Chang declared, pushing himself up with his arms as best he could to look her in the eyes.
Dark as the room was, his eyes still caught what little light there was, and for the first time in two years, Ju locked gazes with her first and only love.
The pain was raw and deep, but she forced herself to not look away.
“You didn’t fail,” he repeated. “And you’re no coward. If you are, then I’m no better.”
Ju sniffed and wiped away her tears angrily. She’d done enough crying.
“Chang, I need you to let the healer fix you,” she said. “Please.”
Chang made no reply for a moment, then finally, in a small voice, he asked; “What if she can’t?”
Ju’s heart jumped into her throat as that possibility occurred to her, but then her resolve firmed.
She walked up to Chang and sat with him on the bed that they’d given each other their virginity on.
“She will,” she said fiercely.
And, if for some reason, the healer actually couldn’t fix him, then Xian Qigang had better pray that he can find someone, or something, that can.
----------------------------------------
Fan Hai
The servant opened the door, and Fan Hai walked into the opulent room.
Lounging on her deep blue sofa, Xue Tai eyed the young woman curiously, long, golden pipe in hand.
“Well, if it isn’t little Hai,” she said, sucking on her pipe. “I was thinking you’d forgotten all about us, what with this rumour I’ve been hearing about Healer Cao Lin paying daily visits to your house.”
Fan Hai stood her ground, even as her legs shook and her stomach twisted in on itself.
“I’m done,” she said. “We had an agreement, and you never kept your end of it. I’m done.”
Xue Tai studied her for a moment.
“Very well then,” she said. “If you’re done, you’re done. You may go.”
Hai blinked, confused.
‘Just like that?’ she almost asked, but held herself back in time.
She bowed to the woman who had used her for two years, and, as fast as could without running outright, she left.