leonardwarren Chapter 78: Deep in Green Willow Alley
Chapter 78: Deep in Green Willow Alley
The next morning, the sky was a hazy, crab-shell-like blue, barely bright.
A light mist had not yet dissipated, clinging damply to the tips of the withered grass and the wilted flower branches in the rear garden of the garrison, and also soaking the newly pasted gauze curtains on the study window. The air was filled with a unique, crisp, and slightly bitter scent of plants soaked in the night dew; inhaling it was cool and refreshing, invigorating the spirit, yet unable to dispel the heavy, sluggish feeling in one's heart.
In Zhou Yan's study, the candles had gone out, and only the faint morning light filtering through the window provided illumination. The dim light cast the rosewood desk, the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves, and the rugged ink landscape painting on the wall into varying shades of gray silhouettes. Only the few pages of freshly written confessions spread out on the desk stood out starkly in the dim light, their black ink on white paper appearing particularly striking.
Zhou Yan, Lin Yan, and Su Qingyao sat around the desk.
Zhou Yan was still wearing his slightly worn dark blue robe, his face appearing even more gaunt in the morning light, with a hint of weariness under his eyes, clearly indicating he hadn't slept all night. He held a cup of tea that had long since gone cold, but didn't drink it. Instead, he unconsciously ran his fingertips along the warm porcelain surface, his gaze fixed on the confession, yet seemingly piercing through the paper, looking towards some illusory past filled with bloodshed and betrayal.
Lin Yan sat at the lower end, his back straight, his eyes unusually clear and calm, like the last two sleepless cold stars in the deepest night sky before dawn. He occasionally raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Su Qingyao sitting on the other side of Zhou Yan, with a hint of complex emotions that were hard to detect, a mixture of worry and understanding.
Today, Su Qingyao wore a simple, moon-white dress, without any makeup. Her long black hair was loosely tied into a simple bun with a plain silver hairpin, with a few stray strands hanging by her ears. This made her already fair face appear even more bloodless, like a piece of fine Xuan paper, so thin it was almost transparent. She lowered her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the cold words in the confession, over and over again—about how her father stayed up all night writing the report, how he was accidentally seen by his deputy, how Liu Xiong was terrified, how he bribed the city defenses, drove the demonic beasts, and massacred the Su family... Every word was like a red-hot, dull knife, repeatedly cutting and churning in her heart.
The study was silent. Only the faint sounds of servants sweeping the courtyard in the distance and the suppressed, almost inaudible breathing of the three men could be heard. The air seemed to freeze, pressing heavily on everyone's chest.
After a long while, Su Qingyao slowly raised her head.
She didn't cry. Her eyes were dry, even slightly red, but not a single tear fell. Only her eyes, usually as clear as autumn water, now seemed veiled by a layer of ice, beneath which surged a black fire powerful enough to incinerate everything. Her lips were pressed tightly together, the bloodless flesh marked with several white teeth marks.
"Uncle Zhou," her voice rang out, somewhat hoarse, yet unusually steady, so steady it was unsettling, "Zhao Kun's testimony is largely consistent with my previous deductions. Father... died of loyalty, of refusing to compromise his principles, of the fear those demons and monsters had of the truth."
Zhou Yan put down his teacup with a soft thud. He looked at Su Qingyao, his eyes filled with sorrow, guilt, and a complex respect—the kind of respect an elder holds for a younger person's remarkable resilience after such a drastic change. "Qingyao, it's my incompetence that prevented me from protecting Brother Yuanshan back then, and it's caused you so much suffering all these years."
Su Qingyao shook her head, her gaze shifting to Zhou Yan. A crack appeared in the icy depths of her eyes, revealing deep gratitude: "Uncle, please don't say that. If it weren't for your secret protection of the Su family's old residence all these years, if it weren't for your shelter and protection, Qingyao would long ago be buried somewhere unknown. Father, even in the afterlife, will surely remember your noble kindness." She paused, took a deep breath, as if making a firm decision, her voice soft yet clear, carrying an undeniable force:
"However, Qingyao is unwilling to continue like this, sitting idly in the deep mansion day after day, only able to learn about the outside world from her uncle and Brother Lin, feeling anxious and indignant in vain. The blood feud of her father and the injustice suffered by the seventy-three members of the Su family cannot be solved by her uncle and Brother Lin alone. Although Qingyao is a woman with no physical strength, she is literate and knows a little about formations and medicine. I... I want to go out and do something. Even if it is just a small thing, even if I can only help in a little way, it is better than staying in this secluded room and watching the enemy go free while I am powerless to do anything."
As she spoke, her gaze involuntarily turned to Lin Yan. In that gaze, there was pleading, there was determination, and even more so, a burning desire hidden beneath the calm—a desire to participate, a desire to act, a desire to use everything she could to get closer to that bloody truth, to do something for her deceased loved ones.
Lin Yan met her gaze, his heart skipping a beat. He knew her too well. She wasn't the kind of weak woman content to be protected or settle for the status quo. From their first meeting in the cellar of Blackstone Town, to the perilous journey across the Canglang Mountains, and then to her scheming and forbearance throughout Qingzhou Prefecture, the calmness, wisdom, and resilience she displayed far surpassed that of ordinary men. Her father's tragic death and the destruction of her family were like the cruelest carving knife, sharpening the fierceness and stubbornness inherent in Su Yuanshan within her, making them even more razor-sharp. What she needed wasn't sympathy or pity, nor was it "protection" that isolated her from danger. What she needed was a position where she could utilize her strengths, take action, and feel her own value and power as she moved towards her goals.
As she herself said, only through continuous effort could she feel that she was not entirely powerless, and that she was making real and tangible efforts to avenge her father and loved ones, rather than just being a vengeful soul consumed by hatred and only able to stand by and wait.
Upon hearing this, Zhou Yan frowned slightly, remaining silent in thought. He naturally understood Su Qingyao's feelings and knew that she was not speaking without reason. However… it was far too risky to directly drag a frail woman, a key orphan in the Su family massacre, into this bloody and treacherous struggle. Liu Xiong's faction was already on edge; if they were to discover Su Qingyao's presence and movements, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Just as Zhou Yan was weighing his options, Lin Yan spoke up.
"My lord," Lin Yan's voice was steady and clear, "Miss Su is meticulous and has considerable expertise in formations and pharmacology. What's even more remarkable is her unwavering will and composure in the face of danger. Although the squad I lead is now taking shape, most of the members are martial artists, and they still lack expertise in combined attack formations, adaptability in combat, and even in identifying poisons and dealing with sinister methods. If Miss Su could guide and train them, their combat strength would surely improve significantly, and they would have a greater chance of success in future missions."
He paused briefly, glanced at Su Qingyao, and continued, "As for Miss Su's identity and safety... I have a plan. Miss Su can temporarily change into men's clothing, pretending to be a distant relative seeking refuge or a hired clerk or array instructor, and reside in the mansion in Qingliu Lane. Qingliu Lane is located in the western part of the city, not a place where the wealthy and powerful live, but it is also far from the slums where all sorts of people mingle, relatively quiet, and unlikely to attract attention. As long as she is careful and doesn't show herself in public often, she should be able to avoid Liu Xiong's eyes and ears. Moreover, the mansion is guarded day and night by brothers like Lu Ling and Wang Dashan, so her safety is guaranteed."
After listening, Zhou Yan's gaze swept back and forth between Lin Yan and Su Qingyao. He was a man of considerable experience, having navigated the officialdom for decades; his ability to read people was unparalleled. While Lin Yan's words were undoubtedly motivated by public interest and consideration for the team's combat strength, how could Zhou Yan possibly miss the genuine recognition of Su Qingyao's abilities and the meticulous care he showed for her safety? Looking at Su Qingyao, the glint in her eyes after Lin Yan spoke, though she tried to conceal it, still revealed a subtle hint of expectation and…trust.
Zhou Yan had long witnessed the bond between these two young people, a bond forged in hardship and quietly blossoming as they journeyed together. He wasn't a rigid thinker; if his brother Yuanshan's bloodline could find a suitable match, especially a young man like Lin Yan, whose character, abilities, and future were all excellent, he would be happy to see it happen. Now, Lin Yan's initiative in proposing this method both protected Su Qingyao's mind and safety while effectively strengthening their own side—a win-win situation.
Having considered this, Zhou Yan had made his decision. He slowly nodded, a gentle yet solemn expression on his face: "Since Qingyao has this ambition, Lin Yan's considerations are quite thorough. In that case, let's do as Lin Yan says. Qingyao, you will temporarily dress as a man and go with Lin Yan to Qingliu Lane to settle down. To the outside world, the array scribe hired by Lin Yan will assist the training team. Any needs can be arranged by Lin Yan or Sun Wenyuan. Remember, safety is paramount in all matters. Do not act recklessly. If anything goes wrong, immediately inform Lin Yan."
Upon hearing this, Su Qingyao's eyes instantly shone with an astonishing light. The grief and coldness that had shrouded her brows seemed to be somewhat diluted by this sudden hope and recognition. She quickly rose and bowed deeply to Zhou Yan, her voice trembling slightly with excitement: "Qingyao thanks Uncle for your kindness! I will certainly remember your teachings, act cautiously, and do my utmost to live up to your expectations!"
Lin Yan also stood up and cupped his hands in greeting: "This humble servant will make proper arrangements to ensure Miss Su's safety."
Zhou Yan waved his hand: "Go. You can bring Qingyao over today. Now that Zhao Kun has been captured, Liu Xiong will not sit idly by. You need to make preparations as soon as possible."
***
Just after 9:00 AM, a slightly worn blue-draped carriage silently drove away from the side gate of the garrison headquarters, passed through several quiet streets and alleys, and headed towards Qingliu Lane in the west of the city.
Inside the carriage, Su Qingyao had changed into an indigo-blue scholar's robe, made of ordinary fine cotton, slightly oversized, which concealed her originally slender figure somewhat. Her long, black hair was all tied up, hidden under a matching scholar's cap, with only a few stray strands clinging to her forehead. She had applied a little bit of a skin-altering cream that Lin Yan had found somewhere, making her originally overly fair skin appear slightly dull and rough, and her eyebrows were also drawn thicker. At first glance, she really did look like a handsome, slightly sickly young scholar, except that her eyes were too clear and bright, and her original intelligence and charm were still undeniable.
She sat in the slightly swaying carriage, her fingers unconsciously twisting the wide cuffs of her sleeves, her heart filled with both anticipation and a touch of trepidation. She was anticipating finally being able to leave that safe yet suffocating place and truly participate in the investigation of the truth and the fight against her enemies; she was trepidated about how Lu Ling, Wang Dashan, and the other old acquaintances of Blackstone Town would react to her appearance.
Lin Yan sat on the small stool opposite her, his eyes closed in repose. Morning light filtered through the gaps in the blue cloth carriage curtain, casting dappled shadows on his pale face. He seemed to sense Su Qingyao's subtle unease, and without opening his eyes, he whispered, "Lu Ling and the others are all men of great loyalty and righteousness. They remember your help in Black Stone Town and along the way. Upon suddenly hearing the tragic news of the Su family's downfall, and seeing you taken into Lord Zhou's residence, with news of you becoming increasingly scarce, their worries and anxieties are probably far greater than you realize."
Hearing this, Su Qingyao felt a warmth in her heart, and her unease dissipated considerably. She recalled Lu Ling's silent yet reliable protection in Blackstone Town; she remembered Wang Dashan's burly figure always leading the way when crossing the Canglang Mountains; she remembered Zhou Fu's composure, Zhao Si's quick wit, and Li Tie... that man who always smiled憨厚ly but would unleash astonishing strength at crucial moments. These faces, along with the memories of fighting side by side and sharing life and death, were already deeply etched in her heart.
The car finally stopped at the entrance of an alley.
Lin Yan got out of the carriage first and looked around. There were no other people at the alley entrance, only a few vendors carrying loads hurrying past. He then turned around, lifted the carriage curtain, and whispered, "We've arrived."
Su Qingyao took a deep breath, composed herself, and, holding onto Lin Yan's outstretched hand, stepped out of the car.
Right in front of us is Qingliu Lane.
The alley was narrow, barely wide enough for two carriages to pass each other. The road was paved with fairly smooth bluestone slabs, bleached slightly by the autumn sun, with velvety moss growing in the cracks. On both sides of the alley were rows of neat courtyards with gray brick and tile roofs. The walls were low, revealing branches and leaves of jujube trees, pomegranate trees, or ordinary flowers and grasses peeking out. Although autumn had arrived and many leaves were beginning to turn yellow, they still exuded a vibrant life and a sense of cleanliness. The lintels of the houses were simple; some had simple wooden plaques bearing the words "Zhang Residence" or "Li Residence," while others had nothing at all. A faint smell of cooking smoke drifted in the air, along with the warm aroma of food simmering in someone's yard, mingling with the dry scent of the autumn sun, creating a down-to-earth and peaceful atmosphere characteristic of ordinary people in the city.
This place is neither the eastern city where high-ranking officials and nobles gather, nor the bustling southern market where merchants congregate, nor the chaotic and noisy slums of the northern district. It is like an inconspicuous vein in the vast body of Qingzhou Prefecture, yet it has its own rhythm and warmth. Quiet, peaceful, and not easily noticed, it is the ideal place to hide and accumulate strength.
Lin Yan led Su Qingyao to a black lacquered wooden door in the middle of the alley. The lintel was bare, without any plaque. Lin Yan stepped forward and rhythmically knocked on the door knocker.
Soon, footsteps came from inside the door, which creaked open a crack, revealing a wary face—it was Zhou Fu. Upon seeing Lin Yan, a smile immediately appeared on his face. Just as he was about to speak, his gaze fell upon the "unfamiliar scholar" behind Lin Yan, who was wearing an indigo robe and had his head bowed, and he couldn't help but pause in surprise.
"Zhou Fu, it's me," Su Qingyao whispered.
Zhou Fu then saw the "scholar's" raised face clearly. Although his attire had changed and his skin tone and eyebrows were somewhat different, those clear eyes and that familiar expression... Zhou Fu's pupils shrank, his mouth opened, but he couldn't make a sound for a moment. He just suddenly pulled the door open, his face filled with unbelievable surprise.
Lin Yan led Su Qingyao through the door quickly, and Zhou Fu immediately reacted, peeking out and looking around before quickly bolting the door shut.