Huang Beishuang looked at Duozai, feeling touched. “Duozai, I know you possess boundless wisdom. Without you by my side, I would have lost courage long ago.”
She gently brushed away the stray hair on Duozai’s forehead and asked, “Tell me, why did you choose to be my dowry nanny?”
Hearing this, Duozai felt a mix of emotions but only lowered her eyes and replied, “Nanny is old and useless now, just a burden at home. My children all have their own families. In these chaotic times, it’s difficult enough to protect oneself, let alone care for an old woman like me. It’s enough; the nanny has managed to raise them. What more can I ask for? Now, the only one I can’t let go of is you, Na Xiu’er, who drank a few mouthfuls of my milk as a child. Nanny has lived long enough and doesn’t fear death, but I’m holding on just to accompany you till the end! Just like the white horse galloping, is Na Xiu willing?”
As Duozai spoke, Huang Beishuang broke into tears, finally releasing years of bitterness and grievances, as if Duozai was her only family in the world. “Don’t worry, nanny. Na Xiu will wait, wait until the bitter turns sweet.”
Duozai wiped away Huang Beishuang’s tears, her heart full of boundless affection.
“Nanny has one more heartfelt word. Na Xiu, when you hear it, pretend you didn’t hear it, and if you understand it, pretend you don’t understand. Alright?”
Huang Beishuang nodded, leaning into Duozai’s embrace, drawing in the motherly tenderness.
“All things have an end—sorrow does, happiness does too; poverty does, wealth does too. Only heaven and earth don’t, time doesn’t; desire doesn’t, wisdom doesn’t… Na Xiu, did you hear?”
Huang Beishuang had already half-fallen asleep, but as if hearing a lullaby, she mumbled with a smile, “Mmm! I’ll pretend I didn’t understand, Duozai!”
Hearing her response, Duozai couldn’t help but smile. Looking at the beautifully dressed young girl in her arms, a picture of pure loveliness, Duozai thought: Clever child, do you know? Fate has already been decided. You must walk a path full of hardships, and though it may be winding and difficult, it will be a lifetime of brilliance.
The desert at night was most terrifying. The endless darkness always made it impossible to focus one’s gaze, and many lone travelers had gone mad and died because of it. As night fell, the strings of camel bells on the carriages had long since jingled themselves weary. Huang Beishuang looked at the sky and, determining they couldn’t continue, called for the caravan to stop. She arranged for the guards to light bonfires, and the 150 people rested behind a large earthen mound covered in thorny flowers.
Many young guards didn’t dare to look too far, just staying close to their companions, trying to muster courage. Because it was too dark around them, so dark that one always felt something monstrous might suddenly jump out.
“Guo’er, bring me a wooden pole and a white cloth.”
Huang Beishuang’s voice was still clear, not at all frightened by the eerie atmosphere. She had been observing the sky and the wind patterns on the distant ground for a while, silently contemplating: The weather seems strange; we must be extra cautious. If we encounter a storm or quicksand, we’re done for.
“Duozai, you go get it! Na Xiu wants a wooden pole and white cloth!” Guo’er raised her head with slight impatience, her listless voice interrupting Huang Beishuang’s thoughts.
Duozai, startled by the call, hurriedly got up and fetched the pole and cloth from the carriage.
Seeing those withered hands presenting the items, Huang Beishuang frowned, very displeased—this had happened before when she had asked Guo’er and Yan’er to fetch water for the white horse, but Duozai had done it instead.
“Tie the white cloth to the pole, then plant it on that hilltop. It’s more visible there and can serve as a wind vane!” Huang Beishuang didn’t take the items, just looking at Guo’er as she spoke.
But Guo’er had already turned away, just waving her hand and mumbling, “Nanny Duozai can do it.” Then she continued to sleep.
As Duozai, holding the pole and cloth, turned unsteadily to climb the mound, Huang Beishuang suddenly grabbed her. Then came a shout louder than the howling wind—
“Everyone get up!”
All were startled awake, hurriedly standing at attention.
Huang Beishuang’s icy gaze swept over the twenty-four maids standing in front, finally handing the pole and cloth to a guard to plant on the hilltop. Turning back, she asked Duozai, “How long?”
Duozai tugged at Huang Beishuang’s sleeve, knowing she wanted to know how long they had been bullying her. But Huang Beishuang shook her off firmly. “How long have you been bullying Duozai? Who started it?”
The twenty-four were frightened and pale, not daring to answer.
“I’ll only ask once!” Huang Beishuang pulled the whip from the camel’s side, cracking it against the ground.
“Since… since the wedding procession set out. Guo’er led it,” a maid in yellow finally spoke up.
Huang Beishuang turned to Guo’er, “Is that so?”
More than twenty people nodded.
“Except for Guo’er, everyone else sits down. If you’re really tired and want to rest, you can continue sleeping.”
Though Huang Beishuang said this, everyone sat down, but no one dared to sleep. In E’naqi, Huang Beishuang had been a falcon rider galloping across the desert, ranking first in the tribe for her hunting prowess. Many families had received her aid, and she was Na Xiu’er, holding a very high status.
Guo’er was so scared she seemed about to cry, yet unwilling to be betrayed by her companions, as she wasn’t the only one bullying Duozai. She clutched her collar tightly, looking timidly at Huang Beishuang.
Whish! Whish!
Huang Beishuang immediately lashed out with two strokes of the whip, sending Guo’er sprawling on the ground. Guo’er finally couldn’t hold back her grievance and burst into loud sobs.
“Wuwuwu! It was the Clan Mother who said it. We were also selected to be brides for the political marriage. Because E Xiu’er was worried that sister might not satisfy the Zhan Kingdom King when she arrived in Yunpei, we were to be substituted. Although if even sister couldn’t succeed, we sisters would be even less likely to, but, but we always hoped there might be an exception.”
She sobbed as she spilled everything out, likely harboring her grievances, “Sister is a noble person, even in a political marriage she carries dignity, rightfully so. What are we? We’re just slaves of slaves! Sister only had to say goodbye before leaving, setting off with grace. What of our suffering? We suffer too, but before our marriage, we have to learn how to serve men, learn how to please men in ways you can’t even imagine, becoming thoroughly debased goods. Sister, we didn’t bully Nanny Duozai, we just wanted to taste what it’s like to have someone at our beck and call before reaching Yunpei. We’re not wrong, the Clan Mother said it was fine.”
Whish!
As soon as she finished speaking, Huang Beishuang lashed out with another whip stroke, showing no mercy.
This time, Guo’er finally dared not make a sound.