Chapter 41 (1/2)
Chapter 41 Rising Wind: Oleander Blossoms
Feng Luodi stood across the street from the Jiang household. Carriages and people lined up outside the household, where the queue extended all the way to the adjacent street. The visitors were all dressed in expensive silks and fabrics, the expressions on their faces either concerned, arrogant or humble. The head steward and servants of the Jiang household cordially attended to each of the visitors with a smile on their faces, graciously accepting the presents that were pa.s.sed to them. Feng Luodi sighed. Even though I had given specific orders to keep the matter under wraps, word has already spread this far. I can only imagine the close tabs people keep on the important people of Chang’an – they must have already bought out some of the attendants in the Jiang household.
In the Jiang household, Situ walked towards Jiang Moyin’s room, easily finding his way without the guidance of any attendant. Jiang Moyin sat reclined on the bed, a bamboo slat opened in his hand. He was deep in thought reviewing the scripture, a brush in his other hand poised to edit any mistakes he found.
“Did the Heir send that?” Situ casually poured himself a cup of tea. “What a diligent student he is! Sending you scriptures to mark even when you’re in such a state.”
“The scriptures came with servings of bird nest* and high quality ginseng. Would you like to try some?” Jiang Moyin smiled at the sarcasm in his friend’s voice and put down the scripture he was reading. “Did the Duke of Anping have to resort to slinking in through the backdoor?”
Situ filled another cup with hot tea and placed it on the table beside Jiang Moyin, sitting himself down on a bench beside the bed. “I'm not going to be refused from entering like the rest of your guests outside.”
“Seems like we have to give Lu Bo a salary rise, then.” Jiang Moyin smiled, but his expression turned serious again. “How’s the situation looking now? Has his Majesty started investigating the matter?”
“Not even his Majesty can ignore the issue anymore.” Situ’s tone was a little impatient. “The children are being hit the hardest, seeing as how they are usually the weakest amongst the population. Many have fallen ill, but neither the royal physicians nor the hospitals have been able to identify the poison. There is unrest is breeding amongst the people.”
“Is that why the Administrator has been tasked with solving this?”
“The Administrator is a smart fellow; he came to me for help the moment he’d received the a.s.signment.” Situ filled Jiang Moyin’s empty cup again.
“He wouldn't be the Administrator of the capitol if he wasn't a smart person, Situ.” Jiang Moyin looked worried. “Has the water source be checked yet? The only logical explanation for the entire population to be affected by the poison at the same time is the contamination of our water source. The Wei River runs beside the city, and there are many lakes and streams running both inside and outside of the city walls.”
Situ shook his head. “The Administrator had them all checked yesterday: there was no problem with any of the water sources.”
“What can possibly be the cause of all this, then?” Jiang Moyin furrowed his brows, deep in thought.
“That, is a problem for the Administrator to solve.” Situ got up from the bench. “All you have to do is to stay in your room, and write the word “approved” on all of these scriptures. Don't forget: you are only the Grand Tutor, not the Heir himself. So don't overwork yourself.” He turned and left the room without looking back, leaving a stunned Jiang Moyin with his pile of bamboo slats beside him.
Situ could hear the hubbub outside the front gate of the household from where he stood outside of Jiang Moyin’s room. He shook his head, and decided to head out the back door where he came in. Just as he reached the door, an attendant approached him.
“General, one of the Covert Watch* had sent word that Miss Feng was spotted in the queue outside the Jiang Household, but she left once she handed her gifts to the head steward.”
Situ nodded, and took the reins from the attendant. “The rest of you can go back first. I have something else to tend to.”
“Yes, General.”
Feng Luodi and Fei strolled along the street as they headed back to the Feng household. Suddenly, the sound of an approaching horse reached their ears and they quickly ducked to the side of the road. Unexpectedly, the horse stopped right in front of them. Feng Luodi raised her head and saw Situ looking down at her. The sun was behind him as he reached an arm down to her, his figure bathed in an illuminating light.
“I’m heading off to investigate the recent case of ma.s.s poisoning. Would you like to come along?”
Feng Luodi retracted her gaze, and looked back at Fei. “Head over to the teacher’s place yourself. I’ll return to the household afterwards.”
“Yes, young miss.”
When Fei disappeared from sight, Feng Luodi carefully placed her hand into Situ’s outstretched palm. With a lift from Situ, and a braced leg against the stirrups, Feng Luodi deftly flipped onto the seat behind Situ, her hands gripping as little of his clothes as she could. Situ gently patted the horse, and they slowly trotted out of the city.
“Isn’t the Administrator in charge of the case now? You are authorised to investigate as well?” Feng Luodi was perplexed.
“Mmhmmm.” Situ’s voice was flat. “I have to solve the problem before the situation escalates any further.”
“Do you have a lead already?” Feng Luodi excitedly leaned towards the side to look at Situ.
“Sit properly.” Situ’s voice wasn’t any louder or stricter than it usually is, but Feng Luodi quickly sat back straight into her seat. Jianqiu will never stop laughing if I were to fall out of the saddle like that.
“That’s exactly why I need to investigate the case: there have been no leads at all.”
“Oh, alright then.” Feng Luodi nodded in the direction they were heading towards. “Is that why we’re heading out of the city? To check the water sources?” She continued on to explain her view. “That makes sense. The numerous lakes and streams around Chang’an city makes the water source very vulnerable to any form of poisoning.”
Situ smiled and shook his head. “No wonder the two of you are sworn siblings. You even think and speak alike.”
Feng Luodi widened her eyes. “You were with elder brother before you came out? How is he doing now?” Her voice was laced with concern.
“He’s doing great. Great enough to sleep, eat and mark his scriptures.” Situ kicked the horse, and they picked up pace towards the city gates.
Feng Luodi was confused. If that's the case, why does Situ still sound so upset?
They reached the outskirts of the city soon after, and quickly dismounted the horse, unable to ride the horse into the dense vegetation. It was autumn, and the landscape was a tapestry of different colours. From the vibrant green of the evergreen trees to the gold and red of maple leaves, the scenery unrolled itself like the masterpiece of a painter in front of their eyes. The sound of trickling water echoed through the woods, and birds chirped from their post up in the trees.