On the execution platform at Xishikou, Lu Chen takes the blame for Shen Zhou. Liu Qiniang of the entertainment quarters died in the west wing of the Shen residence. The knife bears his fingerprints, and the account book is in his handwriting. Shen Zhenglan says that only what everyone can see is real. As Lu Chen crouches to close Liu Qiniang’s eyes, he hooks a jade-inlaid cufflink from her sleeve. White mutton-fat jade wrapped in three rings of gold wire: one of the pair Shen Zhou bought at the ghost market last month. There is only one pair in the entire household. The left one went missing yesterday, after Shen Zhou cursed in the courtyard about someone stealing his things. Lu Chen presses the cufflink into the innermost pocket of his robe. For the first time in fifteen years, he keeps something in reserve for himself. The sentence is not execution, but three Soul-Pinning Nails driven into his spine to lock his soul, then exile to the Abyss of Nine Springs to guard an unmarked grave for eternity. He may not leave the abyss, erect a headstone, or leave his name behind. When the first Soul-Pinning Nail is raised, his blood stops flowing and the snow beneath him does not melt. The crowd below shouts that no living person could fail to bleed. The three executioners push the job from one to another, none willing to take it. Jia Xian steps onto the platform and slaps one of them. Meanwhile, the snow is melting in the pool of blood beneath Lu Chen. He knows he is still alive. The bloodstained cufflink digs into his chest, and he has memorized Shen Zhou’s face.
