Chapter One: The Lady Thief

In the third year of the Tianbao era of the Great Tang, a gentle breeze swept through Jinshui Town of Yangzhou Prefecture, setting the small wine banner fluttering beneath the eaves of the tavern. A withered yellow leaf drifted lazily, swaying back and forth until it came to rest upon the tavern counter.

The tavern’s proprietress, Widow Zhao, reached out and plucked the leaf, toying with it thoughtfully. Her gaze, tinged with melancholy, drifted to the seat by the window.

That seat, on most days, was occupied by Lu Xiuyuan, the refined and immaculate owner of the town’s medical hall. He would sit there, scholar’s cap on his head and clad in a dark blue, round-collared robe with narrow sleeves, his demeanor gentle and scholarly. He would order a few small dishes, sip two taels of wine, and steal a few furtive glances at Widow Zhao with her graceful bearing, only to compose himself immediately, straightening his posture and fixing his eyes ahead in feigned indifference. This performance both infuriated and flustered Widow Zhao, her heart pounding in her chest, unable to regain her composure for some time.

Even a beauty fears the passing of youth, her loveliness fading with the years. Widow Zhao, only twenty and widowed for four, felt her heart begin to stir in ways she could no longer ignore.

Her gaze fell on a refined, exquisitely beautiful young girl at another table, absorbed in eating a humble bowl of noodle soup. Touching her own cheek in a moment of absentmindedness, Widow Zhao remembered today was market day in Jinshui Town. She hurriedly instructed the kitchen to prepare a few delicate dishes and filled a small jug with homemade wine. It was time to deliver lunch to the busy owner of the medical hall.

Tidying her appearance with care and carrying a bamboo basket, she stepped out of the tavern and immediately saw the little beggar, Zhu’er, happily devouring a bowl of greasy food. Widow Zhao smiled sweetly, waved to the child, and set off lightly toward the medical hall.

Zhu’er, full of gratitude, put down his bowl and chopsticks, grabbed a broken bamboo stick, and followed behind. If some no-good scoundrel dared to take advantage of her, he, Zhu’er, would fight to the death to protect her.

They walked one after the other to the main street, only to find a noisy crowd blocking the intersection. Upon approaching, they saw the four Wang brothers—Ren, Yi, Li, and Zhi, the sons of the town’s wealthiest family—embroiled in a heated argument with several young hunters from the foot of Tianmen Mountain.

Though the Wang brothers were not outright thugs, they frequently brandished weapons, played rough, and caused enough mischief to disturb the peace of this simple, tranquil town. They were, by all accounts, the local ruffians whom no one dared provoke.

Widow Zhao shook her head, inclined to ignore such childish squabbles, but then noticed a handsome young scholar cornered by a burly, dark-skinned young hunter, beside whom a little girl sat weeping.

Alarmed, Widow Zhao rushed forward, shielding the scholar behind her. She scolded the hunter, “Dahei, what do you think you’re doing! Don’t you know Lu Liaoliao is the town’s xianggong? If you lay a hand on him, the magistrate will have you flogged.”

Before Dahei could reply, the scholar raised his chin with a faint smirk. “With him? He wouldn’t dare!”

Dahei, the leader of the young hunters, was indeed strong and skilled in hunting, but he feared the scholar’s status as a xianggong, and remembered how Lu had, in less than three years since opening the medical hall with his father, managed to subdue the four Wang ruffians at the academy. They now willingly followed him, calling him brother and doing his bidding. To cross him would surely end badly. Yet Dahei’s resentment would not allow him to back down so easily.

He glared at Lu Liaoliao, his eyes red with anger. “You bullied my sister. I won’t let this go. If you have the guts, strike me down, but I’m not letting you leave.”

Seeing Widow Zhao’s face grow stern, Lu felt both frustrated and wronged, muttering under his breath, “I never bullied Miss Xiaolian. It was Wang Shouren who kept offering high prices for her wild goods, making an endless fuss. I teased him about it, and she suddenly burst into tears and blamed it on me.”

The little girl, tear-streaked yet still strikingly pretty, protested in a voice full of grievance, “Whatever Wang Shouren is willing to pay for my goods is his business. I never asked him to spend so much. The way you said it made it sound as if there’s something between us, ruining my reputation.” With that, she began to cry afresh.

Lu shot a resentful glance at the chubby Wang Shouren. If not for his boasting that Xiaolian was the prettiest girl for miles and his intent to marry her, none of this would have happened. Still grumbling, he muttered, “If Wang the Fatty can say it, why can’t I?”

Widow Zhao hastily covered Lu’s mouth. The boy had no idea that some things were better left unsaid, even if they could be done. Should this escalate and reach the county office, an accusation of slander or ruining a girl’s reputation could cost him his title as xianggong.

She smiled apologetically at the crowd. “Don’t mind a child’s foolish talk.” Then, turning serious, she addressed Lu, “Apologize to Miss Xiaolian. We’re all neighbors. Make amends and let this matter rest.”

“Ruining a girl’s reputation can’t be settled with a mere apology. Prepare the eight betrothal gifts, send a matchmaker, and take responsibility. It seems the two greatest beauties in our Jinshui Town are to be handed over to these outsiders,” sneered Zhao Er, the grocer, his leering gaze sweeping over Widow Zhao and Xiaolian as he spoke.

Xiaolian abruptly stopped crying, her cheeks flushing scarlet as she shrank behind her brother.

“No!” cried Wang Shouren and Widow Zhao almost in unison, one voice firm, the other anxious.

Under the scrutiny of the crowd, Wang Shouren shrank back, glaring hatefully at Zhao Er.

Widow Zhao, though annoyed by the gossip that had followed the Lu family’s recent marriage proposal, felt a secret pride. She composed herself and spoke calmly, “By now, many of you know the Lu family is no ordinary medical practice. They hail from a prestigious line of imperial physicians. The elder Lu still serves at the Imperial Medical Bureau, tending to the royal family—a man even the county magistrate dares not offend. Lu Liaoliao may only be a xianggong now, but soon he’ll return to the capital for further study and become an official. Do you think a hunter’s daughter from the countryside is a fitting match?”

She glanced around, her tone gentle. “We’re all neighbors. There’s no need to let a small matter spoil our harmony. Let Lu apologize, and let’s all move on.”

Dahei, feeling his sister’s tight grip on his hand, his face twisted with frustration, gently patted her head and whispered, “Let it go, sister. We’re not their equals, and we can’t afford to cross them. Let’s just leave it at that.”

“Not even married into the Lu family yet, and already looking down on neighbors,” Zhao Er muttered sourly.

Widow Zhao fixed him with a steady gaze. Her husband had died in the western regions, rumored to have sacrificed himself for a general. The general had written to the magistrate to ensure her welfare, and so, despite Zhao Er’s covetous glances, no one in town dared trouble her.

She turned coldly to the Wang brothers. “You boys are getting bolder by the day. Instead of studying, you’re harassing decent girls. I ought to report you to your teacher.”

The youngest, Wang Shouli, unable to contain himself, puffed up and declared, “You’re wrong, Aunt Zhao. We’re not doing anything improper. We’re here at the market to catch a thief—a female thief!”

Widow Zhao nearly burst out laughing at their antics, but Wang Shouyi, the second brother, nodded gravely. “Last night our house was robbed. Second Mother lost fifty taels of her private silver and cried her heart out.” He sighed, shaking his head like a little adult.

The eldest, Wang Shouren, grinned foolishly. “Not only did the thief take my mother’s fifty taels, but also the cosmetics my father bought in Yangzhou. Lu Liaoliao heard about it at the academy and guessed the thief must be a woman—probably a vain and pretty one at that.”

Seeing stars in the boys’ eyes, Zhao Er couldn’t help but mock, “You idiots. Maybe the thief took the cosmetics to give to her sweetheart.”

“A man who gives his lover stolen powder—what kind of man is that?” Wang Shouren retorted with contempt, silencing Zhao Er.

“Think about it,” Wang Shouren continued, “the thief just got a pile of silver and today is market day. Could she resist spending it? Most business here is done in copper coins. If we watch for girls spending silver, we might just catch her.” Despite his boasting, everyone knew he hadn’t come up with this plan himself.

“But Miss Xiaolian’s a local—what’s the point in suspecting her?” Zhao Er grumbled, still eyeing Widow Zhao.

Wang Shouren waved a hand. “Of course Miss Xiaolian has nothing to do with the thief. It was just a misunderstanding. Don’t mind it.”

Seeing Widow Zhao’s darkening expression, Zhao Er mumbled, “Even if you find a girl spending silver, unless the coins are marked, how can you be sure it’s yours?”

Before Wang Shouren could reply, Wang Shouli piped up, “Who says the silver isn’t marked? Every piece of my mother’s silver has her teeth marks on it.”

No sooner had he boasted than his brothers cuffed him for his slip. Their grand plan to catch the thief had just fallen apart.

Widow Zhao stood stunned for a moment, realizing how dangerous the boys’ scheme was. She glared at the nonchalant Lu Liaoliao.

Lu muttered, unconcerned, “It’s just catching a female thief. If I catch her, a few punches and it’s over.”

She was about to lecture Lu when Wang Shouzhi, who had been silent all this time, held up a small piece of silver and grabbed Zhu’er, demanding loudly, “Wild Piglet, where did you get the silver you just tried to throw away?”

Zhu’er, who had been enjoying the spectacle, instinctively fished out a small piece of silver from his pocket. Seeing the faint teeth marks, his face went deathly pale, and his hand trembled. Glancing nervously around, he tried to discreetly toss the silver on the ground, but Wang Shouzhi had already noticed.

Under everyone’s gaze, Zhu’er nearly collapsed from the pressure.

“I didn’t steal it. When I woke up today, I found the silver in my bowl. I was greedy and kept it, but I swear I didn’t steal it,” he stammered, then sank to the ground.

Zhao Er laughed slyly. “So the thief tossed some silver to the beggar? Seems we have a chivalrous thief who robs the rich to help the poor.”

“Stealing fifty taels from the Wang family and giving less than two to the beggar—that’s what you call charity? A thief is a thief, there’s no good or bad about it,” Lu sneered, then gently addressed Zhu’er, “You’re always cautious, Zhu’er. Did you see who gave you the silver?”

Zhu’er’s gaze darted around before he shook his head and whispered, “No, I saw nothing.”

Lu, unconvinced, exchanged a look with Wang Shouren.

The chubby youth strode over, grabbed Zhu’er, and threatened, “If you don’t tell the truth, you’ll be treated as an accomplice. You’d better think carefully. If you stay silent, we’ll just have to haul you to the magistrate.”

“Stop!” A clear, crisp voice rang out as a striking young woman stepped from the crowd and gently pushed Wang Shouren back, sending him sprawling.

Startled, he could only gape at the beautiful girl before him.

Her face cold as frost and eyes ablaze, she pointed at Lu and the others. “You gang of ruffians not only harass decent girls but also bully a poor beggar! Is there no justice left in this world? Weren’t you so eager to see the magistrate? Fine, let’s go and have him judge the matter!”

Seeing the situation spinning out of control, Widow Zhao quickly stepped in front of the suddenly tongue-tied Lu, forced a smile, and tried to smooth things over, giving Wang Shouzhi a discreet kick.

The Wang brothers grabbed Lu and, in a flash, disappeared like the wind.