Fu Jing, the winner, had various containers of malatang in front of him. It was enough to feed five people, not to mention himself. He was eating with perfect posture and his movements were extremely elegant. If not for his beggar like appearance and that his chopsticks were moving at frighteningly fast speeds, practically inhaling the food, one might mistake him for some kind of noble.

They’d been allowed in a nearby noodle soup shop, which had indoor seating and was pleasantly warm. The two young men, obviously twins, sitting in front of Fu Jing had ordered for themselves the most expensive bowls of beef broth noodles available in the shop, along with the finest liquor. Which was the only reason they’d been allowed to bring in outside food.

They were not anywhere near as refined as the beggarly man, slurping away and guzzling down alcohol as if it were water. It was amazing to watch and no matter how much they drank, they never got even the slightest bit drunk. They had all the markings of military men rather than young masters, despite their high-quality outfits and tall stature.

Fu Jing was feeling more amicable towards De Taihua now that he had delicious food in his stomach. He had, perhaps, misjudged the young man. Plus he still seemed to be nursing his shoulder from where he had dislocated it and was feeling a little sorry for him.

“It’s rare to meet twins. And you both are soldiers? Is it normal to allow siblings in the army here?” In the Tian Empire, twins wouldn’t be allowed to enter the military together. This was to make sure both didn’t die at the same time, causing extra grief to their family.

De Weishan finished swallowing his noodles before saying, “As long as it’s not an only child, as many as they like can join the Lanhua army.”

“You have siblings I take it?”

“That’s right we have--” De Taihua held up his fingers. “--five older brothers and three younger brothers.”

“There’s ten of you?! And you’re all boys?!”

“Aya, don’t even mention us being all boys.” De Taihua wrinkled his nose, lowering his hands and pouring himself some more liquor.

De Weishan looked a bit embarrassed as he explained, “Our Mother’s a bit bitter about it.”

Fu Jing couldn’t help being a little surprised. “Bitter about ten sons, really?”

“She says girls are soft as steamed buns, delicate like tofu, and pure as jade. Boys are just fried chicken feet and stinky tofu.” He paused and then added a phrase he often heard growing up, “They are also too mischievous, giving her gray hairs and wrinkles, driving her into an early grave.”

De Taihua rolled his eyes. “She said that all the time, but did you ever see a gray hair or a wrinkle? Tsk, just trying to make us feel guilty! And what early grave? She’ll die when Old Man dies, hah!”

Fu Jing lowered his head and decided not to comment. At least with mischief, his wife was a testament that the sexes were equal.

“Anyway, you’re looking for a relative in Lanhua, right?” De Taihua asked.

“Yes, ah… though I’m not sure how to get in contact with him.”

“Oh, it’s a him?”

“Hn, my... brother-in-law. Yes. I’m looking for my brother-in-law.”

“Well, well, tell us more. We can help you look for him.”

Fu Jing paused his eating and furrowed his brow. Exactly how could he properly explain who his in-law was to people? Wouldn’t he sound like a madman, saying he was related to a mountain spirit?

After thinking for a moment, he said, “My wife used to live here, on these mountains, before the nation of Lanhua existed.”

The twins stopped drinking and eating, glancing at each other with raised eyebrows.

“She lived with her brother, you see.”

De Taihua set his cup down and said seriously, “Uncle, there was only one woman who lived in the mountains before Lanhua existed. That’s the Imperial Queen Consort Bao--”

What a long title! Fu Jing couldn’t help thinking.

“--and she has no maternal or paternal relatives. They all died when she was young. This has been thoroughly researched at this point, so what you’re claiming…”

Fu Jing set his chopsticks down and sighed. “Before Lanhua, there use to be a small village in these mountains called Blue Flower Village, correct?”

“...yes...”

“Do you know the story of how that Village came to be?”

De Taihua snorted, “Of course, everyone knows that story. Some western country--”

“Tian Empire.”

“..ah? Well, whoever they were, chased a bunch of loyalists into these mountains. The spirits of the mountain chased the soldiers out, unintentionally saving the loyalists. One of the spirits took an interest in them, protecting and nurturing them. Under the care of the mountain spirit, they prospered and grew strong. Those people made up Blue Flower Village.”

Birds began chirping happily outside, causing the customers near the entrance to raise their eyebrows and think ‘Isn’t it in the dead of winter?’

“That mountain spirit would be the Fairy Empress, Xuiying, who--”

De Taihua almost choked while De Weishan inhaled sharply.

“How do you know that name?!”

“You can’t say that name, ah!” De Weishan added quickly, face a bit pale.

Fu Jing frowned deeply at their reaction. “Why?”

“It’s taboo for anyone but the Imperial Family to know that name, much less say it out loud.” De Weishan was glancing around nervously, whispering to his brother, “....you don’t think he heard, do you…”

De Taihua was glaring furiously at Fu Jing and asked again, “How do you know that name?”

“Why wouldn’t I know Empress Xui--”

De Weishan leaned over the table, knocking over his cup, covering the ragged man’s mouth. “Do you have a death wish?! Ah! What did I just say! Don’t say that name out loud! Understand??”

Fu Jing felt extremely unhappy about not being able to say his own wife’s name but nodded anyway. Only when he’d agreed did De Weishan release his mouth and sit down with a thump. Fu Jing reached into the inner pocket of his worn clothes and pulled out a small, yellowed book.

“This is why I know that name.” He said stiffly, holding it up. “It’s a first-hand account of… that person whose name is taboo.... Where she went after leaving these mountains, what she did.”

De Taihua and De Weishan stood up together and practically shouted in his face at the same time, “WHAT!?”

Everyone in the noodle shop looked over in surprise, with the cook yelling at them to quiet down. The twins sat back down hastily, their eyes glued on the book in Fu Jing’s hand. The cheerful birdsong, which had been getting louder, filled the momentary silence.

De Taihua cleared his throat and asked pleasantly, “Uncle, may I have a look at that book?”

Fu Jing pursed his lips and then put the book back in his pocket. “No, this is precious to me. I can’t let strangers handle it carelessly.”

“Hahaha, Uncle, we’re not strangers remember?”

“You’re certainly not family.” Fu Jing responded immediately, implying only family got to touch it.

De Taihua muscles twitch, ready to make a grab for it, but De Weishan clamped down on his arm and shook his head.

“Uncle,” De Weishan said gravely, “Look into my eyes for a moment.”

Fu Jing did so, though he was confused by the request.

“Think carefully when you reply: does that book really contain information about where the Empress of the Blue Flower Mountains went after she left?”

As Fu Jing opened his mouth to reply, De Weishan’s eyes burned a bright gold and blue for a split second.

“Yes.” Fu Jing blinked, a bit startled. What had just happened?

De Weishan glanced at his twin. “He’s telling the truth.”

“Personal belief doesn’t equal fact.”

“Yes but it means he at least believes in its authenticity.”

De Taihua bit his lower lip worriedly. “This is too serious a matter. I don’t kno--”

“What are you two doing, leisurely eating noodles? You think Father won’t beat you to death for not taking your duties seriously?”

Fu Jing and the twins turned to the man who’d interrupted their conversation. He had several birds sitting on his shoulders and one looking extremely comfortable perched on his head.

“Big Brother Ming Yu!” The twins cried out in relief, rushing over and grabbing him like small children, causing the birds to panic and begin flying around the rafters of the restaurant. They twittered as if scolding the two young men for disturbing their rest.

Fu Jing, the other customers, and the cook watched this in amazement.

“Big Bro’,” De Weishan looked at his older sibling pleadingly. “You gotta help us.”

“A treasure too big for us has landed in our lap,” De Taihua explained with round eyes, “we dare not proceed without further instruction.”

“Eh?” De Ming Yu looked at his two troublemaking siblings in alarm. He’d only been sent here to make sure they didn’t cause unnecessary trouble. “What treasure?”