A kitten's shrill, anguished cry shattered the stillness of the grove, startling the birds resting on the treetops into sudden flight.
Yun Shu, walking toward the commotion, halted mid-step. Her brows drew together in concern.
"Did Grand Preceptor hear something just now?"
"It sounded like a kitten in distress," replied Ye Qing'an, tilting his head slightly to determine the direction. He pointed ahead. "From over that way, I believe."
"Let us go and see."
The cry had sounded far too miserable to be ordinary. Something was wrong.
Yun Shu strode toward the source of the noise. She had only gone a dozen or so paces when a young man in a bamboo-green robe came hurrying toward them, cradling a trembling kitten in his arms. Blood had soaked into the cloth bandaged around one of its hind legs.
Yun Shu narrowed her eyes and called out sharply. "Wait."
The young man startled. "Me?"
He looked up in alarm, as though only now noticing their presence. He stammered nervously, "Do you two require something of me?"
Though he had the appearance of someone meek and harmless, Yun Shu instinctively found him difficult to like. Her gaze dropped to the crude, haphazard wrappings on the kitten's injured leg. Her frown deepened.
"Who are you, and what is the matter with this kitten you carry?"
The young man dipped his head respectfully.
"This humble one is Dou Jifei, a native of Xuzhou, presently in the capital to sit for the imperial examination. I happened to be passing by when I saw this kitten fall from a tree. Its leg struck a stone and was badly injured. It looked pitiful, so I thought to see if I could help it."
As he spoke, he lowered his eyes and gently stroked the small creature trembling in his arms, his expression full of pity.
He looked every bit the soft-hearted scholar. Yet Yun Shu remained unconvinced.
"Why were you 'happening to pass by' in the first place?"
Her question caught him off guard. He looked up, surprised, then hesitated before offering an embarrassed explanation.
"I have heard that Tian Waitian Restaurant and Biyun Pavilion are frequent gathering places for candidates from all across the empire. Many of them come from wealthy or noble families. I thought that, with their experience and knowledge, I might overhear useful information while they chatted. So each morning, I try my luck around those places. Today, I was just returning from Biyun Pavilion when I saw the kitten fall."
"I see."
It was a plausible explanation.
Yun Shu's expression eased slightly.
"This little one appears to be gravely hurt. Do you carry any medicine that may help?"
Dou Jifei looked embarrassed.
"I am afraid not. My funds are limited. I carry no medicines."
"Even so, your compassion is commendable."
She had expected as much. Yun Shu nodded calmly.
"If you trust me, you may entrust the kitten to my care. I cannot promise much, but I can guarantee it will be well looked after."
Dou Jifei's eyes lit up. He had been waiting for those words.
"That is most generous. May I ask your name, miss?"
Realizing his request might be improper, he quickly added, "Forgive my boldness. It is only that I feel some connection with the kitten. If fate allows, perhaps I may see it again one day."
"If fate truly wills it, you will meet again."
Her name was not something a stranger could so easily obtain.
With a glance, Yun Shu signaled Ye Qing'an to take the kitten from Dou Jifei. Once it was secured in his arms, she gave a faint nod and turned to leave.
Dou Jifei showed no displeasure. He watched them go with a mild expression until their figures vanished down the alley. Only then did his lips curl into a faint, smug smile.
"We will meet again. That much is certain."
—
Unaware of the change in Dou Jifei's expression after her departure, Yun Shu stepped out from the Charity Courtyard with the kitten in her arms. She glanced down at the tiny creature and let out a soft sigh.
"That will be enough for today. I must return to the palace to speak with Father Emperor. We need the Hanlin Academy to begin compiling the 'Three Years of Imperial Examinations, Five Years of Simulations' immediately."
"Understood."
Now that Yun Shu had her plan, she intended to see it through.
Ye Qing'an mounted up beside her, and the two made their way back the way they had come. Just as they were about to leave the dilapidated alleyway, Ye Qing'an asked, as if in passing, "What does Your Highness think of that scholar, Dou Jifei?"
"Not much."
Yun Shu held the reins with one hand and looked down at the kitten again.
"My instincts tell me there is something off about him, but instinct alone is not enough."
"So?" Ye Qing'an looked over with mild curiosity.
"So naturally, we will investigate."
Yun Shu's tone was light.
"If he turns out to be a decent man, then next time we meet, I may see what help I can offer him. But if he is not..."
She trailed off.
Ye Qing'an said nothing, but the corners of his mouth lifted, barely perceptible.
Caution was a virtue. Though young, Her Highness was not easily deceived. That alone saved him, as her teacher, considerable effort.
—
The southern outskirts of the capital were not exactly close to the palace.
By the time Yun Shu returned, the kitten in her arms had grown visibly weaker. Its cries had lost their strength.
Any further delay, and it might not even have the energy to meow.
After a moment's thought, Yun Shu brought the kitten straight to the Imperial Study.
"Meow..."
Within the study, Emperor Xuanwu sat at his desk reviewing memorials. He had not yet heard Yun Shu's usual boisterous greeting of "Father Emperor" before a feeble mewl reached his ears. He looked up in surprise.
Upon seeing the ball of fluff in Yun Shu's cupped hands, his mouth twitched.
"We were told you left the palace today for important matters. Is this what you call important business?"
"It was an unexpected matter encountered while handling important business."
Yun Shu held the kitten up with both hands, looking deeply worried.
"Father Emperor, do you think this might be an omen? Could it be warning me that many mishaps will arise as I oversee the Spring Examinations?"
"If you wanted to save it, just say so. Do not try to spin tales with Us."
Seeing straight through her nonsense, Emperor Xuanwu gave her an exasperated glare.
"Li Dehai."
"Your servant is here."
"See to the kitten's wounds, and summon a physician immediately."