Chapter 1: Snow in Chang’an

Winter, the eleventh month, Chang’an.

Outside the window, snowflakes fluttered down. In the study, the multi-tiered bookshelf was filled with books, and on the desk lay a belt, from which hung a silver fish pouch.

The fish tally was set aside, its center embossed with the raised character “同” for verification, flanked by the inscriptions “Left Spring Hall of the Crown Prince” and “Advisor Du Youlin.”

Henry Brooks was seated on a folding stool, holding a scroll and reading intently, immersed in the wisdom of the ancients.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door. His second wife, Grace Turner, called out anxiously, “Husband!” and pushed the door open.

Disturbed from his peace, Henry Brooks immediately frowned and asked, “What’s happened now?”

“It’s bad.” Grace Turner was so anxious she stammered, “Fifth Son was bullied outside!”

Henry Brooks put down the scroll, impatiently said, “Speak clearly.”

“Liu Ji took Fifth Son to Pingkang Ward. I don’t know which young rake they got into a conflict with, but there was… there was a fight.”

“Beast, daring to go to such a place.” Henry Brooks scolded harshly, “Why haven’t you brought him back? Do you want to ruin the reputation of the Du clan of Jingzhao?”

“When has my son ever gone to such places? Wasn’t it your eldest son-in-law who took him?”

Grace Turner’s plump face was full of grievance, but unable to explain, she could only stamp her foot, turn, and point, calling for a young servant waiting outside the study to come in.

“Hurry, you explain.”

Henry Brooks saw it was the servant from his eldest son-in-law’s household, looked at him with disgust, and turned aside.

“Reporting to Master, my young master only wanted to take Du Fifth Son to Nanqu for tea. Du Fifth Son saw the residence of the Right Chancellor east of the ward tower and asked, ‘How does the Right Chancellor live in such a place of red willows and green swallows?’ Unfortunately, Ji Dalang overheard, an argument broke out, and Ji Dalang had Du Fifth Son seized, saying he would take him to the Chancellor’s residence to apologize.”

At this, Henry Brooks’s expression changed, and he asked, “Which Ji Dalang?”

“The eldest son of Ji Facao of Jingzhao Prefecture.”

Henry Brooks abruptly stood up, slipped on his shoes, and strode out, calling, “William Carter.”

The steward William Carter had long been waiting under the corridor, bowed low, and hurried forward, saying, “This servant is here.”

“Quickly bring that brat back!”

“At once.”

William Carter then had the young servant lead the way and hurried out toward Pingkang Ward.

Henry Brooks looked displeased, paced back and forth twice, then sat down again and picked up his scroll.

A long while passed.

Grace Turner paced anxiously under the corridor, and saw the steward William Carter hurrying back alone.

“Where is Fifth Son?”

“I couldn’t find him.”

William Carter was still panting as he answered the mistress and knocked on the study door.

“What do you mean?” Grace Turner was alarmed and chased after him, asking, “What do you mean you couldn’t find him?”

“Ji Dalang didn’t take Fifth Son to the Chancellor’s residence, but I don’t know where he took him. I’ve left people searching nearby.”

At this, William Carter hesitated to continue.

Henry Brooks heard the commotion outside and came out.

“Master.” William Carter said in a low voice, “People say there was a fatality in Nanqu today. I fear this is serious. Should Master go to the Ji family in person?”

Grace Turner heard someone had died and was so frightened she nearly collapsed, hurriedly saying, “Husband, please go and beg…”

“Silence.” Henry Brooks cut her off and ordered, “Keep searching. Find Fifth Son first.”

William Carter wiped his forehead and said, “Master, there are only a dozen or so servants in the household. Should I borrow some men from the Wei family across the street to help search?”

Henry Brooks appeared calm but was actually at a loss, and asked, “Is that feasible?”

“I’ll go at once.”

……

This time, Grace Turner went straight to wait by the side gate, extremely anxious.

At last, the maid Ethan Green pointed and said, “Madam, look!”

Two servants in blue were running this way, one carrying someone on his back, shouting from afar.

“We found him! We found Du Fifth Son!”

“My son!” Grace Turner cried with joy and rushed forward.

The two Wei family servants were quite enthusiastic—one ran ahead, carrying Du Fifth Son into the courtyard, while the other offered comfort.

“Madam Du, don’t worry, he’s alive… At first I thought he wasn’t breathing, but after checking again, he’s alive, alive.”

Clearly, they were also pleased to have saved the young master of the Du family.

With great difficulty, the unconscious youth was laid down under the eaves in the front courtyard of the Du residence.

He looked about fifteen, with exceptionally fine features, his face delicate—though his eyes were closed, one could sense his uncommon bearing.

But he wore only a single layer of clothing, and there were bruises on his neck, clearly from being violently strangled.

“My son…”