Ji Yingying woke as dawn was breaking, a layer of grayish-white mist hovering over the ground. Chunlan, who was on watch duty, caught Ji Yingying’s gesture for silence and remained vigilant of their surroundings.
Near the gate of the enclosure stood several large water vats where the women took turns fetching water. Beside them, simple latrines had been erected using bamboo poles and straw mats. Some early risers had already made their way there.
Women lay scattered across the open ground in various poses. Some young ladies sat in a daze, occasionally letting out muffled sobs.
Ji Yingying lay on her stomach, peering outside the fence. Though her view had been unclear the previous night, the morning light revealed they were beyond the Three Dykes. The army had set up camp in the post-harvest fields, with dried rice stubble still standing between the tents.
Her hand brushed against some leaves, and she smiled upon closer inspection. The women’s enclosure had been built over a vegetable garden. Though the vegetables were trampled beyond recognition by both women and soldiers, Ji Yingying could still identify them as radishes.
Their group of six had positioned themselves closest to the fence. Ji Yingying carefully dug at the soil, trying not to draw attention. Soon she unearthed a radish, which she cleaned carefully with the hem of her clothes before hiding it under Xiang’er’s garment.
Looking further, Ji Yingying’s excitement grew. The plot contained not only radishes but also a collapsed bean trellis. No one was sitting in that area. She quickly woke her sleeping maids, and they slowly moved to sit by the bean trellis.
“Keep watch,” Ji Yingying instructed, taking out a small knife from her boot while the maids provided cover.
In no time, she cut several short bamboo tubes. “While there aren’t many people around, Chunlan, you and the others go to the latrine. Drink less water. Skip washing up. And secretly bring back some water.”
She let Xiang’er keep guard while gathering quite a few beans.
In the distance, Yu Yuan knelt beside Madam Niu Wu, speaking softly, “My lady, she’s by the collapsed bean trellis.”
With her sharp wit, Madam Niu Wu easily guessed Ji Yingying’s actions. “The army won’t starve us. How petty.” They needed their captives alive for transport. While they might not be well-fed, they would be fed. Madam Niu Wu sneered, “Just keep watching her.” However, her brow furrowed as she looked at the makeshift latrines by the gate. Yu Yuan followed her gaze and understood: “My lady, let me go check the bean trellis and get some bamboo poles.”
She rose and walked toward the trellis.
Xiang’er, likely the only one wearing black among the women, spotted her immediately. “My lady, she’s coming!”
Ji Yingying had already seen her. She had hidden the cut bamboo poles and calmly pulled Xiang’er aside.
Yu Yuan approached them, noticing the pile of beans and radishes on the ground. Her lips curled into a smile. “Second Lady Ji, you will be fed.”
She crushed the vegetables under her foot.
Xiang’er dared not provoke her but bit her lip in anger.
Seeing Ji Yingying’s silence, Yu Yuan pulled out some bamboo poles and looked at them contemptuously. “I’ll be watching you. Don’t think about escaping.”
She left with the poles, smirking.
Soon after, the Zhao family’s servants used bamboo poles and reed mats to build a shelter where Madam Niu Wu and the other ladies could relieve themselves in privacy.
Chunlan and the others returned with water. Ji Yingying made stoppers from torn pieces of her Hu-style clothing and handed them out. “Don’t drink regularly. Save it for emergencies on the road.”
As the sun rose and dispersed the mist, the fence opened, and soldiers brought in two baskets of bread, distributing two pieces to each person.
Ji Yingying, having not eaten for nearly two days, savored the warm bread with relish. Across the way, Madam Niu Wu watched her continuously. Even from this distance, Ji Yingying could sense the mockery behind her veil. Was she sneering at her for digging up radishes and gathering beans? As Ji Yingying chewed her bread, she thought, “I can eat with satisfaction, can you?”
More soldiers entered through the gate, carrying food boxes to the Zhao family.
All the women in the open space instinctively looked in that direction.
The soldier delivering the food boxes deliberately spoke loudly: “Second Madam Zhao, while Master Zhao oversees the men being relocated, you’re in charge of the women’s camp. As long as you keep them obedient along the way, our general will treat you and your husband well.”
Madam Niu Wu responded softly, “Please convey to the general that I accept the task.”
Everyone’s gaze toward Madam Niu Wu now carried an additional layer of fear.
The Zhao family ladies, however, felt relieved. At least they wouldn’t suffer too much during the journey.
Yu Yuan looked at them with a cold smile. “Last night, some were speaking ill of our master and wanted to fight our madam to the death.”
“We’re all one family now. Let’s eat together,” Madam Niu Wu didn’t stop Yu Yuan, nor did she want to anger the Zhao women at this time. Before seeing Sheng Fengze, she still needed to rely on Zhao Xiuyuan’s influence.
After eating, the women sat idly on the ground. Dust rose in the eastern sky.
“It’s coming from Yizhou City!” someone shouted.
Most of the women began to cry.
With Nanzhao besieging Yizhou City, the Xichuan army could no longer come to Three Dykes to rescue them.
Ji Yingying thought of her family members who had died in the Ji household courtyard.
Outside the fence, activity increased. As tent after tent was taken down, the view became increasingly clear. Ji Yingying could see Three Dykes and Huanhua Stream in the distance. Far across, there was another enclosure. Were the men or the civilians to be released back to Three Dykes held there? Ji Yingying walked to the fence edge.
A long line of horse carts, ox carts, and mule carts stopped on the road, all driven by soldiers.
“We’re leaving,” she murmured.
The maids around her began to cry.
“Everyone out! Those who come out early get to ride, latecomers walk!” An officer shouted as the fence gate opened.
“Let’s go!” Ji Yingying ordered, running out with her maids.
“She’s quite clever,” Madam Niu Wu knew she would have a ride regardless, so she took her time. She rose slowly, supported by Yu Yuan as they walked out.
Ji Yingying chose an ox cart, which perfectly fit all six of them.
The Zhao family members came out in the second group. As she passed the ox cart, Madam Niu Wu stopped. “Second Lady Ji, come serve me.”
Xiang’er finally couldn’t hold back: “What right do you have to make our lady serve you?”
Madam Niu Wu smiled, “Didn’t you hear what the soldier said this morning? Since I’m in charge of you all, she must do whatever I want her to do.”
She walked toward the horse cart ahead. The cart, seized from the Zhao family, was spacious, clean, and comfortable. Riding such a horse cart to Nanzhao, Madam Niu Wu felt it was like taking an autumn outing.
Yu Yuan didn’t leave with her but approached the ox cart, smiling at Ji Yingying: “Second Lady Ji, will you get down yourself, or should I pull you down?”
She was too strong to fight against. Serving Madam Niu Wu would mean being tormented beyond recognition throughout the journey. She needed to think of something… Ji Yingying looked at her and suddenly shouted: “Soldier! There’s an assassin!”