After that night, Wei Xiao’s eye condition flared up.
No one knew how that blue-gray eye of his had gone blind. They only knew that the old ailment frequently returned. Whenever it did, his head ached as though it would split apart, and he could not bear the light or make out anything around him. Only daily medicinal compresses offered relief.
After all, he had never imagined that he and Gongsun E would come this far.
In the past they had been separated by a great distance, giving rise to resentment and hatred.
Now that they were close enough to touch, fear and apprehension had taken their place.
Perhaps any eunuch with a body as incomplete as his would find that inner barrier impossible to cross when faced with such feelings.
When Gongsun E heard the news, he came to visit several times, but Wei Xiao turned him away with one excuse after another.
Black Hawk’s explanations were much the same each time. The Chief Eunuch had just applied his medicine and could not bear the light, or his headache was unbearable and he could not receive visitors. Black Hawk was unfailingly respectful and careful with his words, but after hearing it so many times, Gongsun E knew these were only excuses.
It was not that Wei Xiao could not see anyone. He simply did not want to see him.
With Wei Xiao’s proud, stubborn nature, how could he bear letting someone witness him struggling to see during an attack of his eye disease?
When Gongsun E came again that day, Black Hawk predictably stopped him outside the door. His stiffly formal reply contained nothing new: “Your Excellency Gongsun has come at an unfortunate time. The Chief Eunuch has retired to rest and cannot receive visitors today. I must ask Your Excellency to return.”
Gongsun E was not surprised. He looked up at the brilliant sun over the canal. “It is still early. Has the Chief Eunuch retired already?”
Black Hawk kept his eyes lowered. “Perhaps he tired himself out discussing affairs with the other officials earlier.”
Gongsun E replied meaningfully, “You mean the Chief Eunuch received other visitors just now?”
Black Hawk choked on his words and could only force out an answer. “I am merely passing along his instructions. The Chief Eunuch is unwell. At present he will see no one, whoever they may be.”
Although that patched up the explanation, it sounded unconvincing no matter how one listened.
Gongsun E regarded him quietly for a moment. He heard the flaw plainly but did not expose it. “Very well. Since it is not convenient for the Chief Eunuch to receive me, I shall not disturb him.”
With that, he turned to leave.
Just then, a guard hurried past carrying a stack of documents, apparently secret correspondence intended for Wei Xiao. Ordinary government paperwork would have attracted no notice, but Gongsun E’s sharp eyes caught the pale-yellow silk wrapper around the uppermost letter.
Court protocol strictly regulated colors: brilliant yellow was reserved for the emperor. The Crown Prince could use only a lesser shade, pale or goose yellow.
Their fleet would reach Yangzhou in a few days. If the Crown Prince wished to send a letter, he could easily have it delivered to the official residence there. Why take the trouble to send it specially to the ship?
The peculiarity naturally invited suspicion.
Unfortunately, Wei Xiao was refusing to see him. Even if Gongsun E wished to discover the letter’s contents, he had no way to begin.
As for their earlier promise to conceal nothing from each other, fine words were one thing. Wei Xiao had survived the intrigues of the inner palace for years and carried innumerable secrets. How could he possibly lay all of them bare?
When he reached the corner, Gongsun E deliberately slowed his steps. As expected, he saw Black Hawk take the secret letter from the guard, lift the curtain, and enter the principal cabin.
Inside, layer upon layer of curtains shut out the blinding sunlight, leaving the room steeped in darkness.
Wei Xiao sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, a strip of plain white silk bound around his eyes. He had clearly heard the commotion outside. Hearing Black Hawk enter, he asked without lifting his head:
“Has he gone?”
“His Excellency Gongsun has left. The guard has just delivered this secret letter.”
“Put it away for now.”
Black Hawk spoke little, but he was no fool. Having attended Wei Xiao for years, he knew why his master had been troubled lately. Rather than leave immediately, he hesitated, then ventured in a low voice, “Chief Eunuch, His Excellency Gongsun has come several times, and I have stopped him at the door each time. If this continues, I fear…”
Wei Xiao said nothing. The silk over his face concealed his expression; only the fingers resting on his knee curled slowly inward. After a long silence, he replied coldly, “I have my own plans. If he comes again, answer him just as before.”
Black Hawk’s heart sank. Realizing that he had overstepped, he carefully put away the letter and withdrew with a bow.
Elsewhere, Fang Shoulian had wandered out to enjoy the fine weather, only to have the ill luck of being intercepted by Gongsun E in a corridor.
These days, the mere sight of Gongsun E filled Fang Shoulian with dread. Resisting the urge to flee, he forced a fawning smile and saluted him. “May I ask what instructions Your Excellency has for me?”
Hands clasped behind his back, Gongsun E stood beneath the veranda in a light-colored robe, looking every inch a refined gentleman. “Intendant Fang, what fortunate timing. I have lately been reading old histories and found several passages worth discussing, but have had no one to talk them over with. We two are surely kindred spirits who recognize the music of high mountains and flowing streams. Why not take a boat out on the river and converse awhile?”
Fang Shoulian’s smile froze.
Kindred spirits? In what possible sense was Fang Shoulian his kindred spirit? The skills he had practiced all his life were flattery and changing sides with the wind. Gongsun E choosing him to discuss history was no refined pastime. It was a weasel paying a New Year’s visit to a chicken.
Fang Shoulian was timid, not stupid. With a dry laugh, he said reluctantly, “Your Excellency, please ask whatever you wish outright. This humble official will tell you everything he knows.”
Gongsun E arched a brow. “I hear the Chief Eunuch has been discussing official business with you quite often lately?”
Fang Shoulian’s gaze wandered. “Nothing but stale old matters.”
“He cannot see. How does he read secret letters?”
“Black Hawk reads them aloud beside him.”
“And when Black Hawk is off duty?”
“A different, trusted subordinate reads them.”
“Who is that person?”
Fang Shoulian pointed to himself, smiling more miserably than if he had been crying. “This humble official.”
Well, well. After wearing out iron shoes searching, he had found what he wanted without the slightest effort.
Gongsun E slipped an arm around Fang Shoulian’s hunched shoulders, speaking with the warmth reserved for an old friend. “Intendant Fang and I have been congenial since our first meeting. Might I trouble you for a small favor?”
Fang Shoulian ducked his head and declined as tactfully as he could. “Your Excellency Gongsun and I follow different paths. I am afraid I cannot do you this favor.”
As though he had not heard, Gongsun E asked, “Has the Chief Eunuch received any urgent letters lately?”
Fang Shoulian’s eyes flickered. “What urgent letters? Merely news from the palace.”
“What does a red-sealed letter signify?”
“What red-sealed letter? I have not seen one.”
Fang Shoulian was deliberately playing dumb, but before the words had left his mouth, a sudden crushing grip tightened on his shoulder. He cried out in pain and hastily changed his answer. “An urgent dispatch! It’s an urgent dispatch! Red seals mark urgent Eastern Depot correspondence, while yellow silk means a secret order written by the Crown Prince!”
Gongsun E slowly eased his grip. Clearly Fang Shoulian was the sort who never learned without being made to suffer. “If I wanted to see that yellow-silk letter, could Intendant Fang arrange it?”
Fang Shoulian’s face twitched. He felt his life was more bitter than a squash. The Chief Eunuch had only recently dealt with a group of advisers. Who would dare rebel at a time like this? “Your Excellency Gongsun, I truly cannot help with that. The Chief Eunuch may allow me to examine Eastern Depot dispatches, but he always reads the Crown Prince’s secret orders personally. He will not let anyone else touch them.”
Gongsun E asked at an unhurried pace, “And if I insist on touching one?”
Fang Shoulian tucked his hands into his sleeves and feigned ignorance. “Th-that… Your Excellency, I do not understand what you are saying.”
Gongsun E sighed lightly, sounding quite regretful. “Intendant Fang, if you show so little ambition, how am I supposed to speak well of you before His Majesty when we return to the capital to report?”
The words struck Fang Shoulian precisely where it hurt. Anxious now, he stammered and struggled for a reply. At last he lowered his head, stamped his foot, and surrendered. “Your Excellency, just tell me what you want me to do.”
Gongsun E smiled. “Nothing much. I merely wish to ease the Chief Eunuch’s burdens.”
Fang Shoulian stared suspiciously. “Ease his burdens?”
Gongsun E lowered his voice. “At midnight tonight, steal that secret letter.”
Fang Shoulian almost jumped out of his skin. “Your Excellency! How could I possibly steal anything from under the Chief Eunuch’s very nose?”
Gongsun E remained composed. “If you cannot steal it, a quick look will do. Then tell me what it says.”
Fang Shoulian was appalled and furious. “How is that any different from stealing it?”
Gongsun E gave him a smile that was not quite a smile. “If Intendant Fang truly has the ability to steal it outright, I would not object.”
The world went dark before Fang Shoulian’s eyes. Steal it? He did not even know martial arts. How was he supposed to steal it?
“Your Excellency Gongsun, you are driving this humble official to throw himself into the river!”
Gongsun E glanced at him, his voice mild and matter-of-fact, showing scant concern for whether he lived or died. “If Intendant Fang insists, I certainly will not stop him. The canal flows endlessly between green hills. To rest here for eternity would be a pleasure in its own way.”
Gongsun E had dealt often enough with this old fox in his previous life. He knew that although Fang Shoulian appeared to be a shrinking coward, he had more schemes than a sieve had holes. If Gongsun E merely asked him nicely today, he would agree readily and sell him out as soon as he turned away. Better to have leverage over him and drag him onto the same pirate ship.
As it turned out, Gongsun E had judged him correctly. Fang Shoulian really did know a way.
Night fell. All around them was silent.
Using the darkness for cover, Fang Shoulian led Gongsun E furtively into the ship’s lowest hold. He took out a tinder tube, lit the stump of a candle, and whispered, “When imperial ships are built, they usually include certain contingencies. Every room has concealed compartments and passages. There’s a removable panel beneath the deck. Lift it, and you can go directly to the compartment beside the Chief Eunuch’s bedroom.”
Gongsun E’s eyelid twitched. “How do you know that?”
Fang Shoulian chuckled. “Your Excellency, as the Intendant of the Two Huai Salt Administration, I handle dozens of government ships every year, if not more. Loading tax silver, transporting it, escorting it: what stage does not involve the canal? I know how these ships are built and their planks fitted well enough to find my way blindfolded.”
As he spoke, he found a ladder somewhere and climbed it as quietly as he could. After feeling about in the darkness, he did something that produced a faint click, and he really did lift away one of the wooden planks overhead.
This was Fang Shoulian’s first time committing an act that might cost him his head. Swallowing hard, he grew visibly nervous. Rubbing his hands together, he turned with an ingratiating smile. “Your Excellency Gongsun, my skills are so poor that I fear delaying your important business. Why don’t you climb up first while I keep watch below?”
Standing beneath him with the candle, Gongsun E casually blew at the rising smoke. “Keep watch? Are you certain Intendant Fang would not run off to inform on me and stab me in the back?”
Fang Shoulian protested anxiously, “Your Excellency, do I look like that sort of man?”
“You are exactly that sort of man.”
“I…”
Fang Shoulian was speechless. He had hardly dealt with Gongsun E at all, and had met him only a handful of times. How did the man seem to have seen straight through him?
Still, he could tell that Gongsun E was determined to pull him into this business. Resigned to his fate, Fang Shoulian pointed upward, indicating that he would climb first and Gongsun E should follow.
Gongsun E steadied the ladder below as Fang Shoulian clambered through. He could not help thinking that a hidden passage leading directly to Wei Xiao’s bedroom was terribly unsafe. If someone with ill intentions learned of it, it would be ideal for an assassination. He would have to find a chance to warn Wei Xiao and have the passage sealed.
For today, however, the passage was a blessing. With guards stationed outside, even turning into a fly might not have gotten him into the room.
As he pondered this, a very soft noise came from above. Fang Shoulian was urging him to climb.
Gongsun E put aside his thoughts and ascended the ladder. Trained in martial arts, he moved almost soundlessly and soon caught up with Fang Shoulian.
They were fortunate. Black Hawk, the most skilled fighter, was off duty that night, and Wei Xiao could not see. The two crept through the concealed space and emerged without a sound. After looking around, they realized that they were in the compartment west of the study.
It was Fang Shoulian’s first venture into something so dangerous. His legs had turned to jelly, and he lay on the floor for a while before crawling on his knees over to the carpet. His hand shook as he pointed toward a low cabinet in the study.
That cabinet was where Wei Xiao usually kept secret correspondence. If a letter contained something damaging to him, he burned it after reading. But he never lightly destroyed secret communications from different factions or the Eastern Palace. Instead, he retained them as leverage for the future.
Fang Shoulian had served him for years and naturally knew the habit.
Layered curtains in the bedroom softened the moonlight filtering through the window. Whenever a breeze passed, the curtains swayed, scattering shifting fragments of shadow over the floor.
Wei Xiao slept on the couch inside. His brows were knitted, his breathing irregular; even in sleep, he seemed ill at ease.
Gongsun E stopped outside the curtains. Through a narrow gap he gazed at the white gauze covering Wei Xiao’s eyes, his expression growing somber. No one could guess what was on his mind.
Meanwhile, Fang Shoulian had crawled up beside the cabinet. That day’s secret dispatches lay on top. Holding his breath, he turned them over with extreme care and soon found the Crown Prince’s letter. Yet when he opened it, his brows drew tighter and tighter. He waved frantically for Gongsun E to come.
Gongsun E finally returned to himself and crossed over without a sound. At first he could not understand why Fang Shoulian was sweating so heavily, but a glance at the letter revealed the reason.
No wonder Wei Xiao had dared leave this letter openly on the table. It contained nothing but unrelated bits of idle writing, not a single serious statement.
Gongsun E’s gaze raced down the lines. At first he took them for ordinary copied passages, but the more he looked, the stranger they seemed. Each line formed a sentence unrelated to the others, yet every sentence contained numbers. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. It was almost certainly a cipher.
But if it was a cipher, how was it to be deciphered?
As Gongsun E frowned, memorizing the verses while searching for a solution, his eyes happened to fall on several old books placed on the bedside table. At once, the fog in his mind cleared.
He returned the letter to its original place, then moved soundlessly toward the bed. By the faint moonlight from the window, he carefully leafed through the untitled volumes, trying to identify their contents.
Beside him, Fang Shoulian could no longer bear the feeling of having his head poised over a knife’s edge. He secretly tried to crawl back into the passage. But as he scrambled along, the hem of his wide robe caught underfoot. He went sprawling face-first onto the floor with a dull thump.
In that instant, the air fell utterly still.
Gongsun E and Fang Shoulian were both startled. Almost together, they raised their heads toward the bed.
Wei Xiao, always a light sleeper, woke at once. He shot upright and seized the dagger hidden beneath his pillow. Though he could not see, he pinpointed the source of the sound in the darkness, his low voice edged with menace.
“Who’s there?!”
Elio’s Notes
High Mountains and Flowing Streams: Gongsun E’s elaborate invitation draws on an old expression about recognizing a true kindred spirit through music. Fang Shoulian knows perfectly well that the compliment is a trap.