Chapter Two: Crimson Blossoms Chapter Six: On the Eve of the Crime

Qinghe Town, inside the Breeze Pavilion.

The Breeze Pavilion was the largest brothel in Qinghe Town, a place where idle playboys and wealthy heirs felt more at home than anywhere else. As long as one had silver, one was treated like a lord here. Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting—all at your command; voluptuous or slender beauties, take your pick.

It was a veritable den of luxury and indulgence. The star courtesan here had been crowned Flower Queen for three consecutive years, raising her price and prestige. Not only did she possess alluring beauty and a graceful figure, but she was also skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Today, business at the Breeze Pavilion was flourishing, with everyone preparing for the Flower Queen’s departure tomorrow.

Look—lanterns and banners adorned every corner, inside and out, creating an atmosphere of celebration. Even the madam, usually dour-faced, was smiling like she’d tasted honey. Though it was barely noon, tonight’s entrance fees had already brought in several million taels; by evening, the profits would be even greater.

How could she not be delighted? She couldn’t sit still!

Rising, she strode toward the stage, observing a servant struggling to hang gauze curtains. She corrected him, “Lower, lower!...A bit higher!...Yes, that’s just right!” Once satisfied, she turned to chastise another servant arranging potted plants, “Hey, you! Who told you to put white chrysanthemums here? They’re so pale—hardly auspicious! Change them! Replace them with red peonies; they look much more opulent!”

As Jade Ice entered through the main doors, she was greeted by this bustling scene. She stuck out her delicate tongue, carefully dodging servants carrying heavy loads, weaving her way toward the hall. She heard someone call her, “Jade Ice, are you busy? If you have a moment, come help me! I’m exhausted!”

At the window-side table, Little Moon was busy cutting colored ribbons. She rubbed her aching arms, looked up to see Jade Ice avoiding the servants, and happily waved her over. She knew Jade Ice was not only skilled in medicine but always willing to help others; whenever she had time, she lent a hand where she could, making her extremely popular.

“It’s Little Moon!” Jade Ice nodded and sat down, smiling at the pile of colorful cloth on the table. “Wow, there’s so much!” She picked up scissors and began cutting the required patterns, probing gently, “Today must be busy, right? Even the madam is out helping!”

“She? It’s still early, but she’s already collected so much silver. I bet she’s too happy to sit still!” Little Moon pouted, glancing at the madam still busily directing the preparations, speaking unconcernedly.

“I see. Looks like Miss will be busy tonight!” The words were casual, but Jade Ice pondered their implications. From Little Moon’s comments, the madam apparently had no idea Jade Ice had sneaked out before—nor did Little Moon know where she’d gone. The only one who might have concerns was her mistress, Begonia.

She remembered rolling down the hillside ten years ago, fainting by the roadside, and being rescued by Autumn Grace, who brought her into the Autumn family mansion as a personal maid. Over the years, Autumn Grace had asked many times about her origins, but Jade Ice always claimed amnesia to avoid the topic. She’d even adopted a new name: Jade Ice, inspired by the Jade Ice Sword from the Purple Jade Flute.

Of course, Autumn Grace knew none of this. Three years ago, after the Autumn family’s decline, both girls were sold to the brothel by a heartless stepmother, ending up in the Breeze Pavilion. By chance, Autumn Grace entered the Flower Queen contest, won the crown without suspense, and took the name Begonia.

“Yes, after tonight she’ll no longer belong to the Breeze Pavilion! Tomorrow, she’ll be the young mistress of a wealthy family in the neighboring village!” Little Moon rested her chin in her hands, full of envy. “Jade Ice, you’re so fortunate! Miss always thinks of you when something good happens! If Young Master Ma takes a fancy to you, you’d at least be a concubine, wouldn’t you? Truly enviable.”

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“That’s because I’ve served Miss since childhood; our bond is like sisters, something you can’t simply envy.” Jade Ice saw Little Moon’s imagination running wild and gently corrected her.

“You’re right!” Little Moon nodded in agreement, then abruptly remembered something, slapping her forehead in frustration. “Oh no! I forgot again! Jade Ice, Miss just told me to tell you—when you return, go find her at the Auspicious Chamber. She has something important to say to you.”

“Miss is looking for me?” Jade Ice’s heart skipped a beat. Why now? Had she discovered something?

“Yes, yes! Hurry and find her! She looked quite anxious when she spoke to me earlier.” Little Moon nodded urgently, urging her to go.

“Alright, you carry on; I’ll come help you later.” Jade Ice didn’t delay, heading upstairs to the Auspicious Chamber.

“Miss, it’s Jade Ice—I’ve returned!” Standing before the door, she took a deep breath, calming her racing heart before gently knocking.

“The door isn’t locked, come in!” came the familiar voice from within.

Entering, Jade Ice immediately noticed something resting on the table, her anxiety intensifying as she addressed the woman sitting by the table. “Miss, you called for me?”

She was dressed in a fiery red silk dress, cinched with a wide black belt, a thin black gauze draped over her shoulders. In her hand was a cup of chrysanthemum tea, which she sipped after blowing away the floating leaves. Setting the cup down, she pointed at the oilcloth bundle on the table, asking knowingly, “Jade Ice, what’s wrapped in here?”

“Miss, where did you find it?” Jade Ice felt a strong sense of foreboding. This item must never see the light of day, lest everyone in the Breeze Pavilion perish. She did not wish to witness a repeat of the tragedy from eight years ago.

“Don’t change the subject—just tell me what’s inside.” Begonia was determined, watching Jade Ice struggle for an answer.

“It’s...it’s a flute! Brother Tiger gave it to me, but I never learned to play it before he left with the master.” Jade Ice thought quickly; a flute could be called a Xiao, and Brother Tiger was the Autumn family master’s attendant.

“A flute? But it looks like a purple jade Xiao to me!” Begonia’s tone was pointed; her eight-year-old doubts came rushing back as she examined the mysterious girl before her, finding her all the more enigmatic.

“Miss, you opened it?” Hearing Begonia mention the color, Jade Ice felt an unprecedented chill. She knew the peaceful life of the last eight years would end with the opening of that bundle. If those assassins from eight years ago discovered the presence of the Purple Jade Xiao, another bloodbath might ensue. Perhaps it was time for her to leave.

“Yes, I opened it. Jade Ice, what’s going on? Tell me. Aren’t we sisters who share everything?” Begonia was eager for answers, but seeing Jade Ice’s face full of sorrow and silent tears, she felt a pang of guilt. Maybe she shouldn’t press so hard, knowing she was reopening wounds Jade Ice had tried to forget. She wiped away Jade Ice’s tears, reassuring her, “Alright, alright! I won’t ask anymore, okay? Just keep it safe—don’t let anyone else find it!”

“Thank you for your concern, Miss. Jade Ice understands!” Relieved that her mistress would not press further, Jade Ice wiped her tears and stood with her head bowed. Had Begonia continued to ask, Jade Ice would have been at a loss for how to respond. After all, the bundle also contained a folding fan: a simple paper fan engraved with inscrutable patterns. She still hadn’t figured out its meaning, passed to her by her father.

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“Silly girl, no need for thanks. Go on now, or the madam will blame you again!” Begonia said, handing the bundle back.

“Miss, shall I leave now?” Jade Ice took the bundle and, turning to leave, paused to add, “Oh, Miss! Tonight I must go out for a while—Aunt Zhou’s illness seems to have relapsed, I need to check on her.” She used this as an excuse, though there was a severely injured patient in the mountains she truly worried for. “Helping others is a good thing. Finish what you must, then go. I’ll handle things with the madam,” Begonia replied after some thought.

“Thank you, Miss! You’ll be busy tonight, so make sure to rest. I’ll take my leave now.” With that, Jade Ice picked up the bundle and left, closing the door behind her.

Descending the stairs, Jade Ice returned to the hall to help Little Moon cut colored cloth, chatting occasionally as they worked.

The madam continued to direct preparations with unabated enthusiasm.

As time passed, the Breeze Pavilion welcomed another night. The hall filled with more and more people, while crowds outside waited eagerly to enter. Yet none realized that tonight would not be lively, but rather shockingly grim.

At the entrance, the madam grinned so widely her mouth could hardly close, counting silver notes while watching the door. Seeing a noble from the capital arrive, her eyes sparkled with delight.

She was happy, and the guests—already seated, waiting to catch a glimpse of the Flower Queen—were even happier. Since the contest three years ago, the Flower Queen had always appeared veiled; tonight, they would finally see her face.

Moreover, this was her final performance, and they would hear her renowned “Immortal Melody” once more—a chance worth a fortune, for tomorrow she would become the young mistress of the richest family in the neighboring village. After her marriage, seeing her again would be nearly impossible.

As night deepened, guests took their seats in the hall. Tonight was like a fleeting blossom—lively, crowded, and festive in the Breeze Pavilion. After waiting so long, they’d had their tea and cakes, but the beauty had yet to appear.

Someone finally lost patience: “Madam! You’ve taken so much silver—are we just here to drink tea!?” An irate patron slammed his cup down, stood, and bellowed, “If you make me unhappy, I’ll have you drink tea at the county court instead!”

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