Knight of the Sea

Chapter 12

Chapter 12 – Beneath The Fireworks

In preparation for the fireworks, the garden lights had all been put out. Fang Tinglan stood in the darkness wearing his exchanged clothes, looking for all the world like a slightly taller gardener. He raised his head, looking at the dimly lit castle behind him. Behind the white marble and elegant lattice windows, one could vaguely hear drawn out melodies and coquettish tones mixed with arrogant speech.

Was Qin Weiyu’s voice mixed among those? Fang Tinglan wondered.

The bright moon slowly climbed from the east to hang high in the sky. As the clouds moved to hide it, the noisy banquet hall also slowly calmed down. At the same time, the gardeners busied themselves setting up the fireworks.

Fang Tinglan took a couple steps back, completely concealing himself behind shrubbery. The garden’s main doors were opened. 17 Yulan Street finally unveiled its majestic appearance.

From politicians holding Tisu’s future in their hands to wealthy merchants known to ship goods worth thousands of gold to the proud ladies of high society — everyone gathered by the doors made their way out as a whole. Fang Tinglan was ready to search for his target beneath the meager lights by the door when the fireworks shot into the sky.

The courtyard instantly filled with light. The fireworks turned the night to day, filling both the sky and the faces of the guests with brilliant streaks of light. Fang Tinglan inched forward against the wall. When the third one lit the sky, he finally spotted Qin Weiyu.

This hostage prince of Southern Hong was sent to Tisu when he was thirteen. He’d already spent ten years in Jiumeng City. Fang Tinglan still remembered when the small and thin prince bid himself farewell. His Highness the Chen King1 was but a child; he had looked especially pitiful pulling at his own sleeves with tears filling his eyes. But now, Qin Weiyu had truly grown up. No matter how one looked at him, he was a resident of Jiumeng City; they’d be hard pressed to find any trace of Dongzhou on him.

His partner was a lady in white. Qin Weiyu was currently smiling at her and pointing out the flaming trees and silver flowers formed by the fireworks. Fang Tinglan pressed his lips together, soundlessly making his way through the crowd towards Qin Weiyu.

“… and so, in this area, it’s necessary to give Northern Hong a warning. They should know their limits… ”

“… did you hear? The emperor sent Madam Nanduo another dress. Humph. Tacky and flashy, is she not ashamed to wear that in public? …”

“… can’t that cripple invest a little more in our navy and send all those pirates to the gallows? Did you know that I just lost another ship full of spices… ”

“… it’s too crowded here, I’m afraid there might be Amber Scorpions. Let’s continue these talks tomorrow. ”

“Hey! Who’s pulling on my clothes –”

“Weiyu.”

Boom—

Another firework went off.

Under its light, Qin Weiyu’s originally impatient expression instantly paled. His eyes shook, focusing on the person in front of him. His facial features struggled to put together a coherent expression, only his throat still responded hesitantly.

“… you are — oh!”

His shout of surprise was cut short by Fang Tinglan’s hand.

“Yes, it’s me, Tinglan.” Fang Tinglan held the other man’s gaze.

Qin Weiyu breathed sharply.

The man still dressed in gardener’s clothes motioned towards their surroundings.

“I need to speak to you, Weiyu. Do you know of any suitable places here?” His eyes were sharp and alert.

Weiyu’s partner hadn’t noticed Fang Tinglan’s arrival and was still admiring the gorgeous sight above. By the time the next firework lit the sky, Qin Weiyu seemed to have regained himself. He nodded and motioned for Fang Tinglan to let go, to which he obliged. Qin Weiyu then turned to the lady beside him, smiled, and whispered a few words into her ear. After she returned some coy lines, Qin Weiyu briskly led Fang Tinglan into the mansion.

At this moment, nobody was paying attention to the movements on the ground and the main hall was empty. Only a few servants remained, yawning as they slowly cleaned up after the banquet’s guests. The two cautiously passed through the hall and into the hallway. Qin Weiyu pushed several doors before finding an unlocked one. He waved at Fang Tinglan and the two ducked into the room.

With several walls between them, the roars of the distant fireworks dulled. The wooden door shut out their light; only the gentle beams of moonlight from the window remained.

Qin Weiyu paced back and forth, as if unsure how to start their conversation. He took a deep breath, then stopped by the window and asked hesitantly.

“You… you’re really Tinglan?”

“Of course,” Fang Tinglan smiled. “We grew up together, you couldn’t have forgotten me in just ten years, right?”

“How could I forget! It’s just that, just that I can’t believe you’d show up here.” Qin Weiyu stuttered through his words.

“Several years ago, I overheard the nobles gossiping. They said my father had been implicated by Fei Yi, and that there was no more Fang family in Dongzhuo. I could only be anxious, with no… no way to… Tinglan, I thought you’d already…” His voice shook and the words died in his throat.

As Qin Weiyu spoke of the past, Fang Tinglan’s heart filled with anger and regret, yet his face maintained a calm expression. He even patted the other’s back, speaking words of comfort.

“Aren’t I still alive and kicking? I’m not even crying, so why are you?”

“Sorry, sorry. I’m always like this.” Qin Weiyu awkwardly sniffled, then smiled.

“Did my royal father2 send you to find me?”

Fang Tinglan shook his head.

Qin Weiyu’s smile swiftly fell again.

“As expected. Even as a child, I was doted on the least. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent me to Tisu. After spending so many years away from home, I suppose he’s forgotten all about a son like me.” He laughed bitterly.

“Tinglan, you don’t know what kind of life I’ve been living. If it weren’t for me constantly sucking up to that cripple, pretending to be stupid in front of him, and avoiding any Dongzhou people, I’d surely have ended up in the water prison… ” His voice cracked again.

“Anyway, enough about me. Have you been well in Dongzhou?”

“Yes, I’ve been well.”

“Really? They didn’t do anything to you?”

“It’s all in the past,” Fang Tinglan said lightly.

“With your elder brother the Liang King backing me, I’ve been very well.”

Qin Weiyu’s expression instantly turned dark.

“You’d turn to him? Have you forgotten how he and his lackeys used to bully us?”

“Who would hold grudges for being drenched by a bucket of cold water in winter in this life-and-death situation?” Fang Tinglan smiled.

“B-But in the past, you’ve even fought the Liang King to stand up for me. Isn’t he just using you… ” Qin Weiyu stumbled over his words.

“Of course I know he’s just using me, but if I hadn’t become his follower, then I wouldn’t have been alive to see you now, would I?” Fang Tinglan didn’t want to keep speaking about himself.

“Weiyu, I came to find you because I’m hoping you can help me look into a person.”

“Who?”

The fireworks continued outside. Fang Tinglan waited for their explosions to stop.

“Fei Yi.”

“Fei Yi is in Jiumeng?” Qin Weiyu was stunned.

It seemed he was actually surprised; Mercury hadn’t lied. Fang Tinglan frowned, almost ready to doubt his own judgement.

Qin Weiyu had learned to read expressions during his time in Jiumeng City. He hurried to appease Fang Tinglan.

“Tinglan, you — don’t worry, even though I’m a nobody here, at least I’ve stayed in the city for ten years and know a couple of people. I’ll help you look into it tomorrow.”

Despite Qin Weiyu’s earnest tone, Fang Tinglan only smiled dully. After his family had been betrayed, he no longer trusted others’ goodwill. And after spending all these years as the Liang King’s dog, he’d done his share of dirty work. Facing this friend he hadn’t seen in ten years, Fang Tinglan felt somewhat wary.

But since he had no other options, Fang Tinglan could only bet on Qin Weiyu, laying bare his plans. He was also certain that what he was about to say would place Qin Weiyu and him on the same side.

“Weiyu,” Fang Tinglan said. “Do you want to return to Dongzhou?”

He didn’t miss Weiyu’s stunned expression.

He was struck dumb and stood unmoving for a long moment before stutteringly replying.

“You’re joking, right? I’m a hostage. How could I return to Dongzhou?”

“Trust me.” Fang Tinglan spoke each word clearly.

“Haven’t you trusted me ever since we were young? When I finish my business in Nanjing, I’ll bring you home.”

“Home…” How tempting, this single word. Qin Weiyu heard himself swallow.

“Your business… is it finding Fei Yi?”

“That’s not all of it,” Fang Tinglan paused.

“Do you still remember the story that old lady told us in the haunted palace?”

“Maybe a little… ” Qin Weiyu furrowed his brows in thought.

“The one about the previous dynasty’s treasure room?”