Ashina saw the crowd of young men surrounding Xie Yuzhang and her maidservants, every one of them with eyes aglow. Spring had truly arrived — look at this pack of young ones, every single one of them preening like peacocks.

Half of them were his sons and grandsons; the other half nephews and grandnephews. Every single one of them bore the Ashina name. Every single one of them was a wolf.

For was not “Ashina” itself the very name that meant “noble wolf”?

Ashina reined in his horse and watched from a distance without a word.

Chiguxie had followed Ashina for decades and was as familiar with his inner workings as if he lived there. Without Ashina needing to say a word, he urged his horse forward and went to disperse the crowd: “What are you all doing? Stop disturbing the Khan Consort. Young Master Dielitele — the khan has you practicing your swordsmanship for one hour every day. Have you done your practice today?”

Chiguxie was merely a servant, but he was Ashina’s personal attendant and often served as the voice of Ashina’s will. The young men scattered with boisterous laughter and rode away.

“Pack of cubs.” Ashina ground his teeth, then called out loudly, “Baohua, come eat!”

Xie Yuzhang drew yet another arrow and said, “You go on ahead, Khan — I want to practice a bit more. Those young men were nothing but a nuisance just now and interrupted my practice. How aggravating!”

Aggravating — that is exactly right, do not pay them any attention. Ashina felt soothed inwardly, and admonished her, “Do not forget to eat.” And to the maidservants he said, “Do not let her eat too late.”

The maidservants smiled and acknowledged it.

Ashina, accompanied by Chiguxie, turned his horse and rode leisurely back.

Chiguxie rode alongside, found the silence too heavy, and said, “Khan Consort Baohua truly is young — about the same age as Young Master Dielitele.”

Ashina gave a thoughtful sound, then said, “Was Jijiya not about the same age back then?”

Chiguxie gave a dry laugh: “Khan Consort Baohua is still so young — she does not yet understand matters between men and women.” What would she know about such things?

Ashina, however, said, “She understands things very well.”

Chiguxie hastened to say, “Yes, yes — I can see the Khan Consort is very dignified in her manner, and she certainly would not behave like Jijiya…”

Ashina looked at him.

Chiguxie could say no more. Cold sweat broke out.

Ashina pressed his legs to the horse’s flanks and rode ahead.

Chiguxie let out a breath of relief.

True enough, the Khan Consort was young and clever — she seemed to be the sensible sort. Just now, what she had said to the khan was exactly what he wanted to hear: making it plain as day that she found those young men disagreeable. The khan’s brow had smoothed right out.

Far more sensible than Jijiya had been. Jijiya had done nothing but weep and had not a single smile for the khan. Had she not been so beautiful, the khan would have had her head long since.

But as for the truly foolish one — that had been Prince Shabie, all those years ago. What a shame.

When a khan’s women were many, what was wrong with stealing a little pleasure on the side? As long as it did not come to light, the family kept things within the family, and the khan would simply turn a blind eye. After all, whether the child born was a son or a grandson, it was all still the khan’s bloodline.

That Prince Shabie — a grown man — had actually entertained the ridiculous notion of running away with Jijiya.

The grasslands were vast, but all of it was the khan’s domain. Where could they have run? That foolish prince — he had probably gone to his death without ever understanding that his father had not killed him over a woman. He had been killed because the khan’s authority had been defied.

He was the Great Khan of the grasslands, with so many lesser khans beneath him. The people of the Ashina family were wolves — they could only take from others. How could they allow their own property and women to be taken from them? Prince Shabie had died without the slightest injustice.

It was only that after that affair, the khan had issued an order forbidding Central Plains merchant caravans from bringing books into the lands. Every single story booklet that Prince Shabie had collected was burned to ash.

Those few years, under Shabie’s influence, a number of princes had come to speak the Central Plains tongue. From that time onward, newborn young princes and princely grandsons were forbidden from learning to speak the Central Plains tongue or to read Central Plains characters.

He had originally been the khan’s most beloved son. Had he not done something so foolish, the Crown Prince of the Khanate would never in the world have been Wuwei.

Chiguxie urged his horse and hurried to catch up.

He thought: the Khan Consort Baohua appeared to be a very shrewd young woman — she should not do anything so foolish. Even so, it would be worth finding a chance to gently hint at this to her at some point and earn himself some goodwill in the process.

The Xie Yuzhang whom Chiguxie considered “very shrewd” had absolutely no need of his hints.

That piece of history — in her previous life, she had heard of it from Wuwei. Ashina had killed with his own hands a son who had been led astray by learning from Central Plains people. That son had originally been an exceptional young man. Even drunk, Wuwei would say: if Brother Shabie had not been foolish enough to bring ruin upon himself, the khanate succession would never have come to him.

Xie Yuzhang drew her bow and nocked the arrow, her long, phoenix-shaped eyes flicking toward the direction of Ashina’s departure.

Old as he was, he still had so fierce a possessiveness over his women. The older he grew, the more he clung to what he owned, terrified of losing it to others — afraid of being like an aging lion-king or a weakened lead wolf, his authority challenged and diminished by younger rivals.

This was very good. The corners of Xie Yuzhang’s mouth curved ever so slightly upward.

Her hand released. The arrow flew, striking dead center.

Her feel for the bow was almost right.

As the Khanate’s New Year drew near, chieftains of various other tribes, great and small, began arriving at this seat of the Khanate’s power, bringing with them their most prized wives and most beloved children to pay their respects to the Great Khan and offer tribute for the New Year. The tribute included cattle, sheep, and horses; pearls, jewels, and gemstones; salt, sugar, cloth, and silk; and also slaves and women.

Day by day the encampment grew livelier, but also more clamorous and chaotic.

And so Zhao princess Xie Yuzhang often rode out to hunt, escaping the disorder of it all.

“General, General! Her Highness is calling for you — hurry up!”

Outside the tent, Ma Jianye’s personal soldier called to him.

When the cat is away, the mice will play. Though the princess’s guard was overstrength, the highest structure was still that of a company, with the rank of captain being the highest. But since there was no military officer of higher rank anywhere here, Ma Jianye had gathered a few “personal soldiers” around him and, under their flattering adulation, had begun to enjoy being addressed as “General.”

“What is it?” Ma Jianye asked with impatience.

The one outside answered, “She says you are going hunting.”

Hunting again! Truly — spring here was far colder than in Yunjing, yet she was always running outside. Why not just sit comfortably in the tent by the warm fire?

Muttering complaints to himself, Ma Jianye put aside the warm and pliant slave woman, fastened his trousers, put on his clothes, gave himself a cursory wash, and went hurrying over.

When he arrived at Xie Yuzhang’s great tent, everyone was already assembled and ready — he was the only one missing.

Xie Yuzhang said with displeasure, “What took you so long!”

Ma Jianye was thick-skinned and shameless, and grinned at her: “Overslept, overslept — I was out patrolling the camp last night, slept late, I beg Your Highness’s pardon.”

You were patrolling nothing at all!

Day patrols and night patrols were done by Wang Zhong and his men!

Li Yong and Zhao Sheng were cursing him to pieces in their hearts.

Ma Jianye was also a shrewd man; one look at those two faces and he knew they were inwardly denouncing him. He was not afraid — Wang Zhong was like a dead man, saying nothing, and it was not their place to speak up before Xie Yuzhang.

Li Yong was the man formerly called Li A’da; Zhao Sheng was formerly Zhao Niuwa. Ever since Wang Shitou inexplicably renamed himself Wang Zhong, the others had been consumed with envy, and went to petition Yuan Yu about it. Yuan Yu bestowed upon Li A’da the character “Yong” — meaning valor — upon Zhao Niuwa the character “Sheng” — meaning flourishing — and gave all the others auspicious characters as well.

All fine names — the delight of the recipients left their mouths stretching ear to ear.

Only Qian Fugui remained utterly unmoved: “I am not changing my name. Mine is good luck — why would I change it?”

A pack of country folk — they had Ma Jianye laughing until he nearly doubled over.

Ma Jianye was particularly satisfied with Wang Zhong.

Ever since that day of Princess Baohua and the khan’s wedding ceremony, when he had failed to hold back the drunken khan and been reprimanded by Princess Baohua, Wang Zhong had become a tightly stoppered gourd — speaking not a word. Day in and day out he kept his head down and worked, never contending for anything, never arguing about anything.

Ma Jianye took credit for his painstaking efforts, and Wang Zhong would only lift his eyelids for a glance and keep utterly silent.

What deputy could be more pleasing? Ma Jianye was perfectly content.

Xie Yuzhang reprimanded sharply, “Be quick — we spotted the tracks of a herd of yellow antelope yesterday, and we must find them today!”

“Yes, yes, yes, Your Highness — we leave now!” Ma Jianye soothed her as if coaxing a child.

Xie Yuzhang instructed Qian Fugui, “You watch over the household. Afei is going to visit the National Preceptor — take people with her when she goes, as she is the most important. Keep her safe.”

Qian Fugui smiled and said, “This last soldier understands. Her Highness really does care so much for Miss Lin.”

Xie Yuzhang swung up onto her horse: “When I am not here, she is the same as me. Whatever she tells you to do, do it — no disobedience.”

This was not said in jest — it was a command.

Everyone had come to know it over this stretch of time: of those closest to the princess, Nanny Xia and Miss Lin were the most important. Nanny Xia was held in respect; Miss Lin was held in the deepest affection. The two of them tended to the princess’s personal affairs and were the people nearest to her. Nanny Xia rarely involved herself in matters outside; comparatively, Miss Lin appeared more often. Everyone was well acquainted with her, and knew she could manage nearly half of the princess’s affairs on her behalf.

Qian Fugui clasped his hands together and accepted the order.

Just then, Lin Fei lifted the felt curtain and looked out, saying, “Do not go too far.”

Xie Yuzhang pouted prettily: “I know, I know — stop fussing!”

What was to be done today — Lin Fei knew very well. Concern lay concealed within her gaze. But Xie Yuzhang refused to bring her along no matter what, and when Xie Yuzhang was this stubborn, there was nothing Lin Fei could do.

Yet Xie Yuzhang turned and curved her lips at her.

Both women smiled, each wearing the gentle, girlish manner of a young lady — only in the eyes that met between them, there passed an exchange of information that no one else could perceive.

Ma Jianye’s small eyes, however, were rolling over Lin Fei with a sweeping look.

This Miss Lin, who held the most distinguished standing before the princess — seventeen or eighteen years of age, a young woman who had come of age. Her figure was graceful; her looks refined and lovely.

They said she had once been the legitimate granddaughter of a Prime Minister — a young woman of noble family. The education and cultivation she had received were of a kind that even a princess might not surpass. Though her looks could not match the princess’s, she had the elegance that comes from learning and refinement, and a manner of bearing that was noble and distinguished.

Even in Yunjing she would have been a woman of the very finest quality; here in this land of barbarians and raw flesh and blood, she stood out all the more. It was only because Xie Yuzhang was a beauty without equal in all the world that men had simply overlooked her by comparison.

No wonder the princess kept her under such careful watch, never letting her go anywhere without a guard — such care and protection.

Everyone mounted up, following Xie Yuzhang, who was dressed in her riding clothes with a long bow on her back, and they set off.

Ma Jianye also hurried to mount, but just before leaving he glanced back one more time. Did Lin Fei — holding the felt curtain aside, half her body visible — actually look over at him for a moment?

Ma Jianye’s thoughts began to stir.

He was a bit older, true, and a widower to boot. But then again, among the men who had come on this journey, there was no single man who outranked him. Yuan Yu that old creature did not count.

Thinking this way, Ma Jianye found himself feeling that… Lin Fei was young and in the bloom of youth, while he was in his prime — were they not a perfect match?

And calculating further — Lin Fei enjoyed such deep trust and favor from Xie Yuzhang; if he were to marry her…

His thoughts were wandering far and wide now.

It was fortunate that Xie Yuzhang had no way to see through his skull into those flights of fancy — otherwise she might have been at once infuriated and amused.

This man had absolutely no idea that today… was the day he would die.