Zhù Ying saw that no one was keeping her back, and felt no particular disappointment. Given what had just happened tonight, Zheng Xi had lost considerable face. The prisoner hadn’t escaped, so the matter could still be explained, and furthermore it had been one of their own people who discovered it first — not some outsider catching an escapee and escorting them back. But with Zhou You making his spectacle, Zheng Xi had lost standing. The one who had banged the pot and raised the alarm was her, Zhù Ying. Zhù Ying thought it was best if everyone forgot about her completely.

That was her thinking. But Zhou You didn’t think the same way.

Zhou You was born into wealth and took nothing to heart — except for one thing that nagged at him unceasingly: Zheng Xi. He hadn’t wanted to keep Zheng Xi in mind, but there was no end of elders who placed great hopes in him and wished he would become a man like Zheng Xi. Whenever they had a free moment they’d start lecturing, making it impossible to forget.

Whatever concerned Zheng Xi, Zhou You couldn’t help but pay attention. For example — Zhù Ying. Zhou You simply felt that Zhù Ying looked familiar, and it was bound to mean something peculiar. He had no thought of troubling himself, but when there was something peculiar about Zhù Ying, and if that peculiarity could be connected to Zheng Xi, that was worth more still!

Zhou You kicked the covers off his bed and sprang up in one leap!

His night-watch manservant had already fallen asleep. Zhou You flicked the tip of his foot at him: “Wake up — I have a question.” The manservant jolted awake, his mind too frightened to function, and it took a moment before he heard clearly what Zhou You was asking. He quickly answered: “Oh, that one — that’s the peddler following along at the rear. Heard that Zheng Da Ren’s side wanted to take him on as an attendant. His family has only an old mother and a lame father, both coming along to the capital. Why are you asking about this? Is there anything else you want me to find out? I’ll go find it all out for you.”

Zhou You said, “A peddler — how can he stay at the posting station? Where does he sleep?”

“Right next to the firewood shed, which is how he was able to discover the escaped prisoner tonight. Ha, what a stroke of luck — going to earn a reward this time.”

Zhou You thought it over carefully. In his memory, he hadn’t come across this person while on his official assignment — so how could he have this impression of him? How very strange!

“My lord?”

Zhou You waved his hand: “Never mind.”

The manservant persuaded him to go back to sleep, and Zhou You tossed and turned for a good long while before managing to doze off fitfully.

Back home, he would have slept until lunch without fail. But in front of Zhong Yi, he didn’t dare! The very next morning he forced himself out of bed, yawning and bleary-eyed, yanked the door open, and saw Zhong Yi standing right there under the eaves slowly practicing his fist forms. Too late — he’d slept in.

Zhong Yi said one thing more: “Young man — time is precious.”

Zhou You said miserably, “Yes. All because of last night’s commotion, wasn’t it? Fine, fine — I won’t cause trouble for him. I’ll just attend to my own affairs! Elder, aren’t you eating breakfast?” He promptly urged his people to bring Zhong Yi breakfast, because Zhong Yi followed the etiquette of “no talking while eating,” and as long as Zhong Yi was eating he wouldn’t lecture him!

Zhong Yi saw through his scheme in an instant, but didn’t expose it. He gave a soft laugh and went to eat. Knowing to be afraid was good enough. The boy had earned such care from so many of his elders — beyond his late father’s regard, it was probably also because he knew these uncles and surrogate fathers meant him well, and though making little progress, he bore them no resentment. Aside from failing to match Zheng Xi’s industriousness, he was really quite a good boy.

……

This “good boy,” after eating breakfast, saw the rain easing, and went to make a round inspection of his own prisoners. Utterly bored, he said to his manservant, “Where are my dice?”

His manservant gently reminded him, “You just caught someone gambling, my lord…”

For heaven’s sake! This was no way to live!

Zhou You himself also enjoyed a gamble or two, and had no real addiction to it. But stuck in this wretched posting station, he was miserable, and this subject had come to mind again. Having cracked down on gambling had cut off his own escape route — if he now gambled himself, Zheng Xi would absolutely turn that half-smiling, scheming face on him. This Zhou You could absolutely not endure!

Like a caged beast, he paced his room, circling eight times before it came to him: “Come on! Have people set up! Let’s go to the hall — let’s play pitch-pot!”

If there was a small wager on it, that shouldn’t quite count as gambling… should it?

Once an idea struck, he moved on it. Zhou You rallied his companions, occupied the main hall, pushed tables to the sides, and stood a jar in the center of the floor. Arrows were brought out. He said, “Nothing to do on a rainy day — I’ll be the host. Bring out food and drink.” He also produced ten taels of silver as a prize for first place, five taels for second, and two taels for third.

Proper drinking-party pitch-pot required some ceremony and etiquette. Zhou You’s version dispensed with that formality — simply mark a line on the floor at the prescribed distance, stand behind the line, and throw the arrows into the jar. The rules for winning and losing followed the customary ones, unchanged.

After playing a while, attendants from Zheng Xi and Sheng Ying’s side were also drawn in. This was Zhou You’s nature — he despised Zheng Xi yet bore no grudge against Sheng Ying, and even toward Zheng Xi’s attendants, anyone who was not a core trusted follower like Jin Liang, he would show some goodwill according to his mood. He raised a hand and called out, “Come on — join us!”

After calling them over, he noticed at the edge of the crowd that young familiar-looking fellow from the night before, still in the same clothes.

Zhou You’s lip curled. He flung the arrow in his hand to the side, bounded over, stroked his chin, and circled Zhù Ying several times, asking as he circled, “You — what do you do? Where do you come from? How did you end up with Zheng Seventh? What were you doing before? Where were you before?”

Zhù Ying said, “Ah?”

Zhou You’s manservant dutifully said, “He’s talking to you! Answer him.”

Zhù Ying had no wish to become entangled with Zhou You. Like it or not, this was a man of power and influence, who also happened to be at odds with Zheng Xi — and right now she couldn’t afford to provoke him. But she also couldn’t simply say nothing, in case Zhou You asked, “Are you mute?” and then started making wild associations.

She could only say, “A peddler — following along selling goods.” When officials traveled on business, they were exempt from all taxes. So it was common for merchants to attach themselves to official convoys, pay some tribute, and earn a bit of untaxed income. The officials themselves, their family members, and their attendants also frequently used this convenience to supplement their household income.

“What’s going on here?!” Jin Liang’s voice materialized from somewhere. “You young fellow — have you finished your studies? Running over here to gamble again? Zhou General just broke up a gambling session yesterday! And now you all dare to gamble again?”

Zhou You said furiously, “Jin Liang! What do you mean ‘gamble again’?! Pitch-pot — do you know what pitch-pot is?”

Jin Liang said in good humor, “Zhou Young Master? A prize for pitch-pot. Heh, still Zhou Young Master who knows how to have fun. Young fellow, go back and study!”

Zhù Ying said, “Oh.” And slowly started to go.

……

Zhù Ying felt she was supremely unlucky today. She should have been reading, but had been called away first thing in the morning to give her account. Zheng Xi’s temperament was not like Zhou You’s — last night he had calmly given instructions to handle the aftermath, and this morning called Zhù Ying over to ask about the details. He had already been told by Jin Liang the previous night that Zhù Ying had heard something and gone to check precisely because she was lodged next door to the firewood shed. Today he wanted to hear some specifics.

Zhù Ying explained everything, and added: “I was curious at the time. My mother was worried about me and followed over. When she was frightened, she called out. I should have quietly found someone and taken care of things. Making such a commotion was not good.”

Zheng Xi laughed and scolded her: “Listen to how much you know! Calling out was also not wrong. Finding someone quietly and taking care of things — what if the prisoner was already gone by then? His head wouldn’t be enough to go around for chopping off! In my service, things must not be hidden from me! If you make a mistake, own it honestly — there may be a chance to correct it. When matters are momentous, I make the decisions! Anyone who deceives superiors and conceals the truth from those above — I am watching!”

Zhù Ying thought to herself: your rules are certainly clear and plain. But too bad — I will be transparent with you about the things that a subordinate should report in doing their work. As for my own private affairs, you have no jurisdiction. If everything is in your hands, how can I even live?

But she said aloud, “Oh.”

Zheng Xi then casually asked about her progress in self-study. Zhù Ying said, “There are still some pages left — I would have been able to turn in my report tonight.”

“Oh, so I’m getting in the way of your main work?” Zheng Xi said with mild annoyance. “Go then.”

“Yes.”

After catching a scolding from Zheng Xi for no reason, Zhù Ying didn’t take it to heart. But Lu Chao, indebted to her for the favor, told her: “Though Seventh Brother is even-tempered, he doesn’t normally say this much or ask about someone’s studies. He treats you differently from others.”

Zhù Ying said, “Give it a rest. When you get bleary-eyed and your hands shake, what can you even see clearly?”

Lu Chao said, “You know — when you’re going to mock someone, can’t you save it up and use it on others? I’m trying to give you genuine advice and this is how you treat it!”

Zhù Ying drew out her tone, “Thank you so much — I’ll be going!”

This had a faint resemblance to the willful, defiant manner of a young man of that age who didn’t take well to being managed. Compared to before, there was clearly more life about her. Lu Chao called after her: “Hey, don’t go — do you have anything else in that pack?”

“I’ll charge you for it.”

“You’ve gone and fallen head-first into money! What about bone tiles? Any?”

“Didn’t you have some? You were playing cards just the other day.”

“One got damaged yesterday.”

“All right — come back to the room with me to get one. It’s all your fault, and the others’ — now my mother looks at me like I’m a compulsive gambler and wants to burn everything in the pack that has anything to do with gambling.”

Lu Chao said, “And how is that our fault? Wasn’t it because of that…” He lowered his voice, “…Zhou General coming to make trouble? Since your mother doesn’t want you keeping those things, what else do you have in the pack? Give it all to me.”

“I’ll charge for it.”

“You money-grubber! What would I owe you!”

Zhù Ying knew he ran the games and took a cut, and charged him accordingly. Lu Chao went with her to get the goods. Passing through the main hall they heard a great clamor inside, with many people going that way, and occasionally the cry: “Won!”

Lu Chao said, “How can someone still dare to run a game now? Come on — let’s go see first!” He wanted to see who was stepping on his turf.

They went in and found Zhou You playing pitch-pot.

Zhù Ying had absolutely no wish to come face-to-face with Zhou You. This person was neither likeable nor useful, and had seen her in women’s clothes. But, as fate would have it, she already had this fellow staring at her from the night before, and today he outright stopped her!

Zhù Ying didn’t panic. What Zhou You had seen was a meek, compliant little maidservant who didn’t speak — quite different from a talkative little peddler.

Jin Liang’s appearance rescued her again. Zhù Ying was just preparing to leave when yet another uninvited guest showed up — someone Zhù Ying also knew: Chen Meng.

He asked curiously, “What’s going on here? So lively?”

Zhou You had no grudge past or present with Chen Meng, and Chen Meng’s father, Chancellor Chen, had never lectured Zhou You. Zhou You even felt some sympathy for Chen Meng given how he’d been schemed against by his younger brother Chen Wei, and spoke to him with a certain considerateness: “Nothing much — just looking for something to do. Rainy days get dull.”

Chen Meng stepped forward and threw his arm around Zhou You’s: “Well then?” When he saw the pitch-pot game he said he wanted to play too, and added his own prize. He also called over his own attendants, putting them against Zhou You’s attendants in two competing teams.

Zhù Ying seized the moment and slipped away. While the servants were setting the field back up, Zhou You asked Chen Meng, “You know that little peddler?”

Chen Meng said, “Ah — I’ve met him. He’s coming along with us to the capital.”

This was an extraordinarily artful answer. But Zhou You didn’t stop to savor the subtlety and simply said, “I feel like I’ve seen him before too.”

Chen Meng didn’t give this remark any particular thought. Seeing that the layout had been reset and the scattered arrows collected, he said, “Zhou Young Master — please, your turn!”

On the other side, Lu Chao had followed Zhù Ying to collect the gambling equipment. Zhang Xiangu, seeing Lu Chao take away all the gambling items, couldn’t help saying, “Keep the habit in check! And don’t drag our Old Third along to play — we have no money.”

Lu Chao was torn between tears and laughter: “Auntie — do I really look like a compulsive gambler to you? The Third is their own person and can’t be dragged anywhere!”

Zhang Xiangu even smiled: “Ten gambles, nine losses — the losses all go to the house. Save some money to buy your wife nice cloth when you get home! She can’t have an easy time of it while you’re away.”

Lu Chao was indeed the house dealer himself, and bore patiently as she lectured him, thinking: just like my own mother — always so many words! At least Zhù San could listen without any visible reaction. He quickly changed the subject: “Where’s Uncle Zhù?”

Zhang Xiangu sighed, “Gone to see Old Daoist Xu.” Old Daoist Xu had not joined the escape attempt, had come down with a fever from the rain, and was lying in the firewood shed delirious. Zhù Da had gone, out of restless boredom, to bring him some hot water and some better food.

Lu Chao knew about their background, and said, “Uncle is a kind-hearted man. Auntie, I’m off.”

Zhù Ying walked him to the door. Lu Chao said, “It’s raining — no need to see me off. Go read your book!”

As they spoke, the rain actually stopped. Zhù Ying said with a smile, “Valued patron — I’ll see you out.”

They walked a few steps. Lu Chao said, “Your mother’s way of talking — so much like my own mother. How do you manage to listen to it?”

Zhù Ying said, “She was talking at you, not at me. Why wouldn’t I be able to listen?”

Lu Chao pointed at Zhù Ying and said, “Stop right there — you. Starting now. Save up your words.”

Zhù Ying shook her head with a smile and slowly backed into the room.

……

Zhang Xiangu waited inside for her daughter. As soon as Zhù Ying came back, Zhang Xiangu asked, “What was that about?”

Zhù Ying said, “One of his tiles was damaged, so I got rid of all the rest to him. That way you won’t worry about me playing around with them.”

Zhang Xiangu said, “I’ll tell you — now you’ve grown capable. Back when you used to go to the county town, were you up to some mischief?”

Zhù Ying said, “If I’d been doing mischief, would I have been this poor?”

Zhang Xiangu fell silent, thinking this sounded reasonable.

Zhù Ying said, “Mother, there’s something I should tell you. That General Zhou is also here at this posting station. We just crossed paths.”

“What?! That… that despicable wretch…”  Zhang Xiangu gritted her teeth in a low voice.

Zhù Ying said, “It’s him. You haven’t told anyone about what happened back then, have you?”

“Of course not!”

“Not even Father?”

“I haven’t even dared let it slip in a dream!”

“Then we’re fine. Say nothing, we were traveling as peddlers after we parted from my foster mother. That’s all we know.”

Zhang Xiangu had a further regret: “Back then under the commemorative archway, I was chatting with quite a few people and reading their palms too.”

Zhù Ying said, “Deny it. No such thing ever happened.”

“Understood.” Zhang Xiangu said anxiously.

Zhù Ying, however, relaxed, and unhurriedly went back to reading. She still had the presence of mind to say to Zhang Xiangu, “Aren’t you the one who used to know no fear? Didn’t we come through all of that before?”

Zhang Xiangu said, “How are you not afraid? What things were like before — what things are like now — they’re not the same at all. Before, did I dare dream of wind not hitting my head and rain not striking my face?”

Zhù Ying thought: I certainly dared to dream. I even dreamed about opening a little shop, sitting inside on rainy days boiling water for tea, watching the people walk by in the street.

And she lowered her head again and went on reading.

Perhaps their luck had finally turned, or perhaps this stretch of rain had run its course. As pages slowly turned, the sun gradually showed its face. Zhang Xiangu said happily, “The sun’s out! We can move again!”

Zhù Ying said, “We’ll probably have to wait two more days — the road was damaged and needs repairs.”

“Oh right, true — but we’re still closer to the capital! The sooner we get back, the sooner your father’s case is formally resolved, and the weight on my heart will finally drop.”

Zhù Ying said, “Yes.”

Zhang Xiangu also brought up Huajie: “At least we’re still a family together. Da Niangzi is back in a familiar place among familiar people. It’s only her — alone, surrounded by relatives who are really strangers. Should we go see her?”

“Her uncle is the Vice Imperial Commissioner. They know our status is unclear and our case isn’t closed. Going to her now would only put her in an awkward position, and cause problems for us too.” Zhù Ying analyzed this calmly. They couldn’t offer Huajie any backing. What she could do was refrain from causing Huajie trouble. Seeing her would perhaps give Huajie a moment of comfort at seeing a familiar face, but if Sheng Ying then reproached Huajie for it, that would only add more grief.

First and foremost: get the case closed! Only with a clean reputation could she face Huajie properly!

To make the case resolve cleanly — one: do not offend Sheng Ying; two: serve Zheng Xi well.

Zhù Ying finished the volume and went early to report on her studies to Zheng Xi.

The sky had cleared, and Zheng Xi’s mood had noticeably improved. The distant noise of the main hall could not disturb his good spirits. Jin Liang returned from a round outside and reported, “Had everyone check the vehicles and horses — whatever is damaged or sick, get it replaced quickly. Once the sky clears, the road repair will start, and the moment the road is ready we should be able to depart.”

Zheng Xi said with satisfaction, “Good.”

Jin Liang hesitated a moment, then said, “Zhou Young Master caused trouble again today.”

“Him?” Which day didn’t he cause trouble.

Jin Liang described how Zhou You had interrogated Zhù Ying, and how Chen Meng had also gone to play along with Zhou You, etc. Zheng Xi said, “No matter.” Chen Meng was the eldest son of Chancellor Chen, born of the principal wife. Zhou You was also a scion of a noble family of the capital. The two families were not enemies, so there was reason for them to associate. As for Zhù Ying — she would come back to report on her studies anyway, and he could ask then.

Zheng Xi sat at ease, painting. The subject was a rain scene along the postal road. An earlier rough sketch had been completed, and he was now working on the fine details. The inscribed verse had not yet been written when Zhù Ying arrived to turn in her studies.

Zheng Xi asked casually, “Did Zhou You give you trouble?”

Zhù Ying said, “No.”

Zheng Xi glanced at her but said nothing further. Just then Sheng Ying came in as well. He lived close to Zheng Xi and moved freely between their quarters. Seeing Zhù Ying, he also didn’t pretend not to recognize her, and nodded to her, saying, “Turning in your studies again?”

Zhù Ying said, “Yes.”

Sheng Ying said nothing more to Zhù Ying, and turned to Zheng Xi: “I see the sky has cleared. We should start preparing to set out. Does Seventh Brother have any instructions?”

Zheng Xi put down his brush: “You are the most thorough and careful person — who would need to instruct you? Only the remaining road will have us traveling together with that troublemaker.”

Sheng Ying gave a soft laugh, clearly knowing that “troublemaker” referred to Zhou You, and said, “Actually, he is somewhat better than the average pampered young man. His manner with people is also passable. I see he and Meng can play together. It is only where you are concerned, Seventh Brother, that his mind goes haywire.”

Jin Liang burst out laughing!

Too perfectly said! Zhou You, though raised in indulgence, was not someone generally found loathsome. As long as he didn’t encounter Zheng Xi, his conduct even surpassed the average.

Zheng Xi also laughed. The internal irritation left over from the near escape of the prisoners had eased considerably. He said, “I truly thank heaven and earth that he can play with others — as long as someone else keeps him company, maybe he’ll leave me in peace! What is Meng playing with him? He is Chancellor Chen’s eldest son, returned to the capital after over ten years away, and countless eyes are watching him. He needs to cultivate connections, but without going too far.”

Sheng Ying said, “Indeed. One must be careful. Today they played pitch-pot — nothing outrageous.”

Zheng Xi, seeing Zhù Ying still present, felt the urge to play teacher, and asked, “Do you know what pitch-pot is?”

“I know.”

“Do you know the origins of pitch-pot?”

“‘Most certainly to shoot, would one not?'”

Zheng Xi smiled: “Not bad — so you did take that window-listening to heart. How good are you at it?”

Zhù Ying shook her head honestly: “I can’t play.” She’d seen the wealthy families in the county town play, and had a general idea of how it worked, but pitch-pot required a special jar of its own design, and she could never have afforded the arrows used either. This was unlike picking pockets — she could stumble across the materials sitting on a street corner. And unlike dice — just a few coins’ worth. She had no means of practicing.

Zheng Xi said, “Then practice. Jin Liang — teach him.”

Zhù Ying quickly declined: “There’s no need.”

“What’s the matter? Too much to learn?”

Zhù Ying said, “The time can be found. But I won’t do something that’s just a waste of effort. Pitch-pot derives from the archery rite. Why not just learn archery directly?”

Zheng Xi looked her up and down: “You?”

“Not possible? Then forget it — I’ll go back to reading.”

Zheng Xi said to Jin Liang, “Then teach her.”

“I have no bow and arrows.” Zhù Ying said immediately.

Zheng Xi was torn between laughter and exasperation, waving Jin Liang on: “Take her away, take her away! I must see what she manages to learn!”

Jin Liang said with a grin: “Walk on your own, or do I carry you?”

Zhù Ying made a bow to Zheng Xi, and then to Sheng Ying. Sheng Ying said, “A moment.”

Zhù Ying looked at him questioningly. Sheng Ying said, “Sanlang — Guanqun has been very quiet since leaving home, and seems to have something weighing on her mind. When you and your mother have a moment, come and pay her a visit — help her open up a little. I worry she may fall ill from keeping everything inside.”

Zhù Ying’s lips parted slightly: “Elder Sister? I will!” The mood for banter left her. She made another bow, glanced at Zheng Xi, who gave a slight nod, and Zhù Ying and Jin Liang withdrew in silence.

Once they were some distance away, Jin Liang asked, “Want to learn archery?”

“I thought you were going to teach me fighting skills — is that offer still open?”

“Do you really want to learn archery?”

“Yes!”

Jin Liang had been about to crack a joke, but meeting Zhù Ying’s earnest eyes, he was involuntarily reminded of his own son, and said, “Good! A proper man of worth must be skilled in both archery and horsemanship! I’ll take you to get a bow and arrows! Work hard at it — you could join the military too! Our household’s name was made through military merit! I earned my own position following the old Marquis into battle!”

Talking about what he excelled at and was most proud of, Jin Liang grew increasingly talkative. From his own charge into battle he went on to his rise to officer rank: “Standing on the drilling platform and looking down — an entire ocean of heads below you, every one of them listening to you! The power of it — you can imagine what that feels like?”

Zhù Ying thought for a moment and asked quietly, “Were you afraid?”

“What?”

Zhù Ying said, “Seeing so many men under your command — were you afraid?”

Jin Liang said, “How could I be afraid? You’re not a cowardly person!”

Zhù Ying said, “If I saw that many men under my command, I would be afraid. Jin Gege, you should try being afraid sometimes.”

Jin Liang furrowed his brow: “What do you mean?”

Zhù Ying said quickly, “I was talking nonsense.”

“How peculiar!” Jin Liang reached to swat her. Zhù Ying jumped to one side and pulled a face.

……——

Jin Liang picked out a bow and arrows for Zhù Ying. Zhù Ying’s strength was not small for someone her age, but still somewhat short compared to a grown man. With no full selection available while out on the road, Jin Liang picked out the best available and said, “Make do with this for now. When we’re back in the capital, I’ll find you a proper one.”

Zhù Ying said, “This is already fine!” What proper fit or not — from childhood to now, even with Zhang Xiangu’s best efforts, clothes and shoes had sometimes been ill-fitting. An imperfectly fitted bow and arrows was nothing by comparison.

Jin Liang said, “Nonsense! A weapon is your life!”

“Oh.”

Jin Liang said, “I’ll teach you some tips on how to carry bow and arrows. Every weapon — you need to know exactly how it works, or when you need to use it and it fails on you, that’s truly life-threatening!”

“All right.”

Jin Liang explained that bows came in several kinds, bowstrings in different types, and that when not in use the string should either not be strung at all or kept loose to prevent it being worn out. He also explained that when stringing the bow you must remember not to string it backwards, and so forth. Zhù Ying committed all of it to memory.

Jin Liang knew her memory was excellent, so he taught everything in a single pass. But this time he was unusually serious, and had her repeat everything back to him before releasing her: “Go change into something better before seeing your wife — what’s with that short-dressed look? Is that any way to present yourself?”

“Yes.”

Zhù Ying shouldered the bow, and her eyes drifted toward a broadsword. This was far better than anything she had managed to find herself. She couldn’t quite say why it was better — but one comparison was enough. Jin Liang said with a scold, “Getting greedy now? Everything on these trips is carefully counted. I’ll find you the good ones when we get back to the capital.”

“Done!”

The two agreed on practicing early the next morning before departure — Jin Liang would have Zhù Ying learn to curry and feed the horses, then ride in the early morning, and practice archery during rest stops. Zhù Ying agreed cheerfully. Jin Liang, seeing that bright, eager look, also felt his spirits lift, and said, “Off you go. The studies Seventh Brother assigned — don’t let them fall behind. If your studies suffer, I won’t teach you anything!”

“Did I even need to be told that?”

Jin Liang said with a laugh, “Brat!” The two parted, Jin Liang continuing to attend to the business of departure preparations.

Zhù Ying went back and told Zhang Xiangu. The two of them hurried to change clothes, and set off to see Huajie. Where they lived was close to the firewood shed and far from where Huajie was staying. Before they’d even seen Huajie, a figure came charging out from around a corner!

Zhang Xiangu, who made a living from conducting spirit rituals, was still startled: “What in the world?!”

The emerging figure was annoyed: “What a rude old woman! Who are you?”

Zhang Xiangu planted her fists on her hips and was just about to start scolding, when Zhù Ying stepped in front of her and asked, “General Zhou? What are you doing here?”

Zhou You!

Zhang Xiangu’s tongue was struck dumb by that cry of “General Zhou,” and she reached out and grabbed Zhù Ying’s arm, pulling her to leave. Zhou You felt a mild satisfaction, and inwardly sneered at this woman who had shrunken the moment she heard his name. He had no idea that what Zhang Xiangu was flinching from was not his rank, but her fear that he would recognize Zhù Ying.

Zhou You hopped in front of the two of them and blocked their way, stretching out a hand: “Stop right there!”

Zhù Ying asked helplessly, “General Zhou — is there something you need?”

Zhou You said, “I still feel like I’ve seen you before!” But when he looked at Zhang Xiangu, he felt that wasn’t right — he had no recollection of this woman at all!

Zhang Xiangu quickly said, “When Lord Zheng Xi was judging the case at the prefectural court, we were out front in the crowd and caught a glimpse of you!”

This struck right to Zhou You’s sorest spot. The time when Zheng Xi had shone brilliantly, leaving Zhou You and Zhong Yi looking utterly pathetic because of the prefect’s son! Zhou You swept his sleeve in fury: “Hmph! Just you wait!” and stormed off in a rage.

Zhang Xiangu was deeply worried, and asked Zhù Ying, “Old Third — did I say the wrong thing?”

Zhù Ying said, “No, it’s fine. That’s just how he is. Let’s go see Elder Sister.”

“Oh, right.”