Chapter 8: The Dagger

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Doctor Ma turned to look at her upon hearing those words, a chill running down his spine from her gaze. Was this still the playful, sweet little girl he once knew, the one who spoke softly and tenderly? Seeing her like this, he hesitated, wondering whether he should reveal what he knew. If she acted rashly and went to the Wu family seeking vengeance, how could a young girl like her stand against them? After a moment of silence, Doctor Ma slowly slipped the letter into his sleeve. “Third Miss, rest assured, I will definitely help you send this letter, but regarding last night's incident, we should report it to the authorities first.”
“Report to the authorities?” Su Yunqing sneered coldly. “Such a huge fire, the entire county knows about it. Do you think the county magistrate wouldn’t know? It’s nearly dark, and has he sent anyone to inquire? That magistrate bought his official title for three thousand silver coins. He’s just looking for ways to make his money back.”
Doctor Ma could not refute this. With frequent natural disasters, internal rebellions by displaced people, invasions from enemy states, an empty treasury, and strained military expenses, selling official posts had become a primary means for the upper class to amass wealth.
Lowering his head, he urged, “But you’re just a young lady. How could you possibly investigate the truth? How could you even think of killing someone?”
“I have my own methods. I won’t leave Zejiang until I find the murderer. If necessary, I will kill to seek justice for my grandfather and brother.”
Night gradually fell, and many people, each with their own affairs, began to leave.
Aunt Hao had her daughter-in-law bring food, setting it before Su Yunqing. “Third Miss, eat something. You haven’t eaten all day. At least have a little, and a sip of soup will do you good.”
Su Yunqing sat down on the ground, accepted the bowl from Aunt Hao, thanked her, and began to eat ravenously with her chopsticks.
Seeing that she was still hungry and willing to eat, Aunt Hao finally let out a sigh of relief and forced a smile.
Doctor Ma, however, could not smile. His heart was gripped even tighter.
This girl was mad.
Aunt Hao glanced around at the blackened, charred remains everywhere, then coaxed her gently, “Third Miss, it’s late. You and the madam should come stay at my house tonight. Once arrangements are made at the cemetery, we will bury the old master and the two young masters.”
Su Yunqing shook her head. “We won’t be going there either.”
Aunt Hao was puzzled. “Why not? There’s no decent room here, the autumn nights are cold, and the madam is still ill.”
Su Yunqing nodded toward the half-remaining room. “I’m fine here. I must watch over my grandfather and brother. Thank you, Aunt Hao. I will remember your kindness.”
Before Aunt Hao could say more, Doctor Ma shook his head at her; this girl was very determined.
At that moment, Zhu Bo came over carrying a broom. “Third Miss, I’ve swept the yard clean for you. All the debris is piled in one spot. Tomorrow I’ll bring a cart to haul it away. You don’t need to worry.”

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Su Yunqing returned the bowl to Aunt Hao. “I’ve finished eating. Thank you, Aunt Hao. Thank you, Zhu Bo.”
Aunt Hao sighed to Zhu Bo, “Third Miss refuses to come home with me. It’s so late, and the two of them will be out here in this huge yard. The weather’s cold. How is this right?”
Zhu Bo replied, “If she won’t go, she won’t go. She wants to keep vigil for the old master. I’ll stand guard outside tonight and watch over them.”
Before long, several women who knew she was keeping vigil brought thick blankets, incense, paper money, and other supplies. After some comforting words, they left.
The Su family had fallen to such a state that many feared being implicated and kept their distance, yet there were still those willing to help without expecting anything in return, just to do their part.
Watching everyone bustling about, pooling money to buy coffins and incense, and tidying up the yard—which had become a place for her grandfather and brothers to rest—how could she go to Aunt Hao’s? She couldn’t go to anyone’s home.
If someone truly wanted to kill them, even the high walls and grand courtyard of the Su estate wouldn’t protect them. How could an ordinary household defend themselves? She must not bring trouble to others.
People gradually left, and only Doctor Ma remained.
Su Yunqing only noticed he was still there after everyone else had left.
“Doctor Ma, why haven’t you left?”
“Third Miss, I…”
Before he could finish, hurried footsteps approached outside the yard, and a figure rushed in.
“Doctor Ma, you’re here. My master still can’t walk today. Could you please come and give him some acupuncture again?”
Upon seeing the three coffins, the man bowed deeply before them. “Farewell, Elder Su. Farewell, Second Young Master and Little Young Master.”
This man was a servant of Wu Renpin. Doctor Ma sent him away to wait outside for a while.
Finally, Doctor Ma spoke. “Third Miss, I have some clues, but you must promise me not to act impulsively. Your safety must come first. Can you do that?”
Su Yunqing’s eyes brightened for a moment. She looked straight at him and nodded, waiting for him to continue.
Doctor Ma recounted everything he heard during last night’s visit to Wu Renpin’s house, including the suspicious behavior of Lady Gou.
Su Yunqing clenched her hands tightly, her eyes reflecting the flickering candlelight on the incense table, the flames burning brighter and stronger in her gaze.

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“Thank you for telling me this. Rest assured, I won’t act rashly, nor will I put you in harm’s way.”
“Then I’ll be off. When the madam wakes, be sure to give her her medicine. If you need anything, come find me.”
Su Yunqing nodded to him.
After Doctor Ma left and the yard fell completely silent, Su Yunqing took a candle from the incense table and approached the pile of rubbish Zhu Bo had swept together.
She dripped a bit of wax to fix the candle to the flowerbed, rolled up her sleeves, and began sifting through the debris and dust.
Sure enough, she found several small bead-like objects the size of beans. Bringing one to her nose, she sniffed it—it was the same scent she had noticed last night but had no time to pay attention to amid the chaos.
The perpetrator had clearly thrown a large amount of these beads inside, many of which had fallen where the flames could not reach, thus remaining intact.
After searching through the pile, she held the candle and combed through the cracks in the stones along the wall. After thoroughly inspecting the entire yard, she wrapped a dozen or so beads in a handkerchief and tucked it into her bosom.
She went to the bedside, lifted the curtain, crouched down, and held Qin Yueniang’s hand to her face. Her palms were damp with sweat. She adjusted the blanket.
Several women, worried about the cold night, had brought thick quilts and hung a heavy cover over the mosquito net.
Suddenly recalling something, she leaned over, opened the cabinet at the foot of the bed, and took out an old wooden box. She blew the dust off and opened it. A flash of light gleamed—inside was a dagger.
Perhaps because the box was unremarkable and the contents seemingly worthless, it had been left behind during the ransacking.
Beside the dagger were her childhood toys: a bamboo dragonfly made by her father, a cricket cage made by her eldest brother, the nine-linked ring puzzle she had been punished with by her grandfather for not solving, the spinning top she fought her second brother over, and a cloth tiger sewn by her grandmother.
She took a deep breath and swallowed back her tears. She drew the dagger out gently. She had come across it as a child, and after more than ten years, it was still as sharp as ever, gleaming coldly.
After closing the small box and pushing it back, she returned to the yard, gripping the dagger tightly. Leaning against her grandfather’s coffin, she closed her eyes.
Her mother was inside; she could not sleep.