Tie Ci stood at the foot of Wan Qing Mountain, gazing up at the seemingly unremarkable mountain before her, and asked A’kou beside her, “What kind of person is Aunt A’dan?”
By chance, A’kou recognized the ancient Yannan script on the jade tablet, which allowed Tie Ci to learn that a woman named A’dan from the Mo tribe had married into the Nanyan Pacification Office at the southern cliffs of Wan Qing Mountain. She was the third wife of Wangmu, the Nanyan chieftain, and was locally called A’jia La—meaning a lady of noble status.
Recalling what Chi Qingbo had previously mentioned about the Mo tribe having many marriages with Yannan officials, nobles, and chieftains, she had indeed forgotten about this connection.
Although she wasn’t clear about the character of this “relative” A’kou knew, or what her position was in the Pacification Office, Wan Qing Mountain was closest to Kun Prefecture. Since such a connection existed, it could be called fate.
“Aunt A’dan…” A’kou pushed her large glasses, her eyes slowly rolling, “Very beautiful, very enthusiastic, very clever, very…”
A string of countless “very” complimentary words made Tie Ci smile.
Did this child ever speak ill of anyone or anything?
However, she truly couldn’t understand the part about being “very enthusiastic.”
From her experience during her time with the Mo tribe, this clan seemed to completely lack this word in their vocabulary.
If Feng Huan were here at this moment, he would probably sigh and say that’s because you didn’t see the bustling scene at the terraced field cottage after you left.
After all, Tie Ci wouldn’t comb her hair by the window, nor would she sing mountain songs in response.
Tie Ci gazed at the high mountains and emerald forests before her, slowly fingering the jade tablet in her palm.
The jade tablet stated that the former Yannan Prince hadn’t been without contingency plans. He had actually maintained what seemed like indifferent but mutually supportive connections with the three major Pacification Offices, and through certain interest exchanges, had stored elite troops in each of the three major Pacification Offices. This jade tablet was the sole military talisman for mobilizing these reserve forces.
This made sense. If the Yannan Prince’s mansion’s military talisman could command the local armies of the three major Pacification Offices, that would be unreasonable.
But could these hidden troops, kept as a last resort and entrusted to outsiders, still maintain their independence and integrity after so many years? Who could resist not devouring the fat meat placed before their lips? And after devouring it, who would be willing to give it back?
But it was still worth a try.
Tie Ci’s own guard forces were limited in number. All of Kun Prefecture’s military was controlled by the You father and son. Once chaos erupted, without a single army to protect the You Weixing siblings within Kun Prefecture’s borders, all previous efforts might be wasted.
More importantly, both she and the You Weixing siblings needed this army left behind by the old prince to prove that the You father and son weren’t sufficiently trustworthy.
“Since she’s both enthusiastic and clever, and you’re her natal family,” Tie Ci said slowly, “then let’s openly seek an audience as natal family members.”
A’kou smiled with her eyes curved, patted the tiger on her shoulder, and the tiger let out a lonely cry before jumping into the grass.
A quarter of an hour later, a patch of red suddenly bloomed in what had seemed like an impenetrable wall of deep green.
First, it was a vague point hidden behind the vast green, then suddenly it burst into full view, rising above the low shrubs and unfurling like a giant fan-shaped flower atop a cluster of dark green bushes.
Shaped like a cockscomb but much larger, clusters of deep, vivid red slowly unfurled and displayed.
As the flower crown bloomed, the deep grass on all sides slowly withered and bent down, the shrubs withered, and tree vines slithered close to the ground with whooshing sounds, like countless little ground squirrels scurrying away. Even the flowers instantly scattered across the ground, creating a colorful border for the suddenly cleared narrow mountain path.
This small path wound toward the depths of the mountain. Sunlight filtering through the canopies of thousand-year-old trees created intermittent, mysterious patterns, as if leading to another world.
Tie Ci stepped onto the path. Along the way, she constantly felt countless pairs of eyes secretly watching her. Looking carefully, she saw they were butterflies on the trees beside her—butterflies with eye-like patterns on their wings that looked like golden single eyes at first glance, seeming to spy on people.
Going deeper, wind sounds came from overhead. The tree canopies swayed, and the whooshing wind never ceased. Looking up, she could see agile long legs flashing with the oily gleam of skin passing by in an instant.
They indeed looked quite fierce.
When Tie Ci looked up again, a village suddenly appeared before her. Unlike the Mo tribe’s scattered stilt houses, this village was circular, with all buildings connected together. The architectural style was more elaborate than stilt houses yet simpler than Han people’s multi-story carved eaves buildings. It seemed more like it was designed naturally according to the terrain and topography. The enormous circular building had watchtowers at four cardinal points where human figures could be seen moving about. Every part of the circular building could serve as a gateway, but when closed, there were no gaps to exploit. At this moment, the building gate facing her direction was open. The interior layout was simple and clearly visible. Through the wide, spacious rooms and connecting doors, she could see the vast open space enclosed by the circular building where countless men, women, elderly, and children went about their duties, shuttling back and forth.
A young woman, dressed in the latest Han clothing but wearing local silverware jewelry, stood smiling before the circular building. Seeing A’kou from afar, she waved, and when they approached closer, she came forward to greet them, taking A’kou’s hand with a laugh: “It’s been so long since I’ve seen anyone from our tribe. I never expected it would be you, the homebody, coming to see me today. When I first saw the tiger, it startled me—I thought my eyes were playing tricks. Since you’re here, stay for several days. Big Sister will have someone show you Nanyan’s fine young men.” As she spoke, she waved her hand, and a row of robust men walked past behind her—each broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, eight feet tall, carrying roasted meat and wine jars, flashing white teeth when they smiled.
A’kou looked up dazedly at her red lips opening and closing. Before she could call out to anyone, she was confronted with this pile of wine pools and meat forests. Her small face was red, but her eyes were lustrous, slowly and leisurely wandering over those beautiful bodies. She had clearly forgotten to introduce Tie Ci.
But Aunt A’dan didn’t need her introduction either. She very naturally turned to Tie Ci and warmly took her hand as well, saying, “At first glance, I thought you were a rarely seen handsome young man, but looking closer, you’re actually a beauty too. Are you A’kou’s friend? Since you came together as guests, you’re friends of our Nanyan. You must stay for several days.”
She then called for people to prepare rooms, wine, lemongrass hot soup, and to quickly roast the freshly caught deer. Tonight they would have a bonfire celebration, which immediately caused cheers. The men, women, elderly, and children joyfully went to prepare. Suddenly, a window on the top floor of the circular building opened, and a piece of bright red silk floated out. The cheers of the men, women, elderly, and children turned into laughter. A’dan also laughed without embarrassment, covering her mouth with the back of her hand as she laughed: “That rascal can’t be away from me for even a moment.” Her words seemed like coquettish complaints, but actually revealed joy. On her snow-white hand, a pair of eyes flowed like autumn water, rippling and undulating, complementing her slightly upturned red lips that bloomed like pomegranate flowers—beautiful and alluring.
Even Tie Ci felt her heart flutter slightly, thinking that if I were one who preferred women, I would certainly bow down to this sister.
The red silk upstairs fluttered joyfully, like silent urging. A’dan also seemed eager to return home, but still very enthusiastically greeted Chi Xue and Dan Shuang before walking back amid everyone’s smiling gazes. Tie Ci saw her continuously giving instructions as she walked: “…those medicinal herbs over there should be turned over… mm-hmm, I’ll naturally come tonight, the chieftain will come too… hey hey, run slower, be careful not to bump into anything… have all the affairs and experiences brought people back? Have them come see me… us tonight.”
Her voice gradually faded away. A large group of men, women, elderly, and children surged forward with the same enthusiastic smiling faces, leading A’kou and Tie Ci’s group into a room on the ground floor. As for the room’s exact location, it was impossible to describe clearly because the entire building was enormous and circular, with all rooms having identical layouts and appearances. Looking at them for too long could even make one dizzy.
If it weren’t for the distinctive wooden plaques hanging above the door frames, painted with different objects to distinguish them, Tie Ci was certain that if she went out to use the toilet, she wouldn’t be able to find her quarters upon returning.
They were arranged to stay together in a room with a door plaque painted with a yellow and black tiger.
People crowded around them, sweeping them into the room without their feet touching the ground. The wooden room had already been arranged with clean beds. Fresh flowers were placed everywhere. The slightly mottled wooden walls were hung with brightly colored paintings. The rear window with bamboo curtains was brightly open, and the undulating peaks of Wan Qing Mountain were embroidered like fine needlework in the window frame. The clear water in the water jar was sweet and pure. The ceramic bowls for water were simple and lovely, clearly brand new.
The entire room had the same style as all of Nanyan—enthusiastic and thoughtful.
The neighbors were also warm. Some brought fresh flowers, some brought sweet soup, some brought various fruits. Even a trembling old woman, shaking with every step and leaning on a walking stick, insisted on shuffling toward Tie Ci’s place. The old woman’s expression was earnest. As she shuffled along, she spoke incoherently, but her hands held nothing. Her pair of aged hands with prominent veins gripped emptily, constantly spasming, opening and closing, opening and closing. She seemed unable to control her body, appearing quite pitiful.
The old woman had only shuffled a few steps when middle-aged men and women hurried out to support her, laughing as they said, “Granny Xiang, go back and rest. Don’t join this excitement lest you fall.” In a few words, they helped her back. Tie Ci only had time to see those black, claw-like hands weakly grasp at the air before the door closed.
This left Chi Xue and Dan Shuang somewhat dazed. Common people’s daily lives were usually harsh and cold, and they were often wary of travelers. Such warm and generous treatment was truly rare.
Moreover, this was different from their imagined Pacification Office. A Pacification Office was a place of chieftain self-governance and should still be an official residence, most likely located in relatively prosperous areas, while tribal people would be scattered in the mountains and forests. Nanyan, perhaps because it had declined, seemed to have a very down-to-earth chieftain who lived together with the tribal people like one family.
A’kou couldn’t help but show an intoxicated expression, murmuring, “Aunt A’dan is still so enthusiastic and beautiful, living wonderfully well. We can be at ease.”
She laughed again: “Aunt A’dan treats us so well. A’ci, you have important business to handle. Why didn’t you quickly speak to Aunt A’dan about it earlier?”
Tie Ci sat at the table, slowly playing with the ceramic bowl. “Oh? Good? You think it’s very good?”
A’kou: “…Isn’t it?”
Tie Ci sighed and put down the ceramic bowl. “Silly girl. Enthusiasm isn’t something you heat up with lip service.”
A’kou clearly heard but didn’t understand.
Tie Ci smiled without speaking.
If she were truly enthusiastic, if she truly liked them, when people from the same tribe came from afar to see her, why wouldn’t she reminisce about old times, inquire about tribal elders, hold a private banquet, or invite them to stay with her? Instead, she threw them to a group of strange tribal people and housed them on the ground floor far from herself.
She came and went like the wind, making hasty arrangements. Her entire being actually screamed: “This old lady is very busy. If you have sense, quickly eat, drink, and leave. Don’t bother this old lady with trivial matters.”
Only a silly girl like A’kou would consider such insincere hospitality “enthusiastic.”
Looking at A’kou’s unsuspecting appearance, clearly this Aunt A’dan had always been this “enthusiastic” when she was in the Mo tribe.
Tie Ci’s gaze turned toward the opposite side, where a dark-skinned man was opening his door and joining the crowd to help handle the freshly hunted game.
In the tribal settlements of various Yannan ethnic groups deep in the mountains, the tradition of collectively distributing hunting spoils was still preserved.
Aunt A’dan never came out again. The red silk had been withdrawn. Tie Ci waited for evening—she wanted to first see what kind of person the Nanyan chieftain was.
Also, the chieftain’s first two wives seemed nowhere to be seen?
After a simple wash, Tie Ci brought Chi Xue and mixed into the crowd in the central square, helping them dry medicinal herbs, process food ingredients, and skin game, while casually inquiring about the situation of this Nanyan chieftain.
Still with the same enthusiastic and unguarded attitude, the young women told Tie Ci that the chieftain’s first wife was already very old and never came out—they only sent her meals daily. The chieftain’s second and third wives were like sisters, serving the chieftain together and also sharing in managing affairs for the chieftain. The chieftain’s age was originally even older than the first wife’s, but since marrying the third wife, he had grown younger day by day. Now he was like a man in his prime, occasionally even able to hunt. Therefore, everyone in the tribe greatly respected the third wife. Tribal and Pacification Office affairs, as well as dealings with Kun Prefecture and other Pacification Offices, were now basically all managed by the third wife.
Tie Ci glanced at A’kou and quietly asked, “Does your tribe have rejuvenation medicine?”
“That’s impossible.” A’kou shook her head. “If our tribe really had such medicine, wouldn’t everything be in chaos?”
Tie Ci tapped her fingers against the wild beast’s leg bone, half-smiling. “Then, is there any poison that makes people appear rejuvenated?”
“That’s also not…” A’kou suddenly stopped speaking, her expression changing slightly.
“You mean…”
The girl might be confused about other matters, but when it came to her tribe’s ever-changing exotic poisons and strange herbs, she was thoroughly familiar with them.
True rejuvenation couldn’t be achieved, but some antidotes could prevent skin and hair from aging further. Over time, one would look younger. Some poisons could restore the luster of skin and hair at the cost of shortening lifespan—that would be even more like rejuvenation.
“It can’t be. Everyone says Aunt A’dan and the chieftain are deeply in love…”
Tie Ci chuckled lightly.
“Who knows? We’ll see tonight.”