Hongzhou was renowned as the breadbasket of the Hua Dynasty, abundant in produce and teeming with merchants. Cuiguang Lake, situated south of Hongzhou City, derived its name from the lush bamboo groves adorning the surrounding mountains and the glimmering waves that danced on its surface.
On this day, the fifth of the eleventh month, Hongzhou City was bustling with its bi-monthly “Grand Carnival of Performances.” Even from within the confines of her carriage, Jiang Ci could sense the vibrant and lively atmosphere of the city. Noticing her frequent peeks through the carriage curtains, Pei Yan smiled and asked, “If you’re so fond of such amusements, why did you stay in Deng Family Village for over a decade without venturing down the mountain?”
Jiang Ci chuckled, “It’s not that I never went out. My master used to take me to various places. After he passed away, my senior apprentice sister kept a close eye on me. The aunties in Deng Family Village were also quite fond of tattling. I tried to sneak out a few times, but I was always caught by my senior apprentice sister before I could even reach the foot of the mountain.”
Pei Yan lowered his head to sip his tea, then looked up with a smile after a moment of silence. “You seem quite wary of your senior apprentice sister.”
Jiang Ci’s smile faded as she spoke softly, “It’s not that I fear her. You don’t know, Lord Pei, but my senior apprentice sister has had a difficult life. Aunt Rou was ill for two years, wasting away until she finally passed. My senior apprentice sister didn’t speak for half a year after that. She was already reserved, only showing a smile around me. I didn’t want to upset her, so this time when I snuck down the mountain, I just wanted to have some fun and bring back some novelties to make her smile. Who knew that—”
Pei Yan lifted the carriage curtain, gazing outside as he spoke, “If the Star Moon Sect Leader’s matter is resolved and I cure your poison, would you return to Deng Family Village, continue to travel, or perhaps—”
Jiang Ci’s face lit up with joy as she moved closer to Pei Yan. “Lord Pei, you’re willing to give me the antidote?!”
Pei Yan smiled faintly. “You haven’t answered my question yet.”
Jiang Ci tilted her head in thought, then grinned, “Please don’t think me too brazen, Lord Pei, but if I were truly free from mortal peril, I’d like to impose on your household for a while longer.”
Pei Yan’s smile deepened. “Though my estate is vast and wealthy, I fear your appetite might bankrupt me if you stay too long.”
Jiang Ci pouted, “For a grand Lord Prime Minister, you’re quite stingy. Don’t worry, I won’t stay too long. My senior apprentice sister left a message for me to wait for her at your estate. Once she returns, I’ll go back to Deng Family Village with her and never trouble you again.”
As they spoke, the carriage came to a halt. Jiang Ci was the first to jump out. She opened the door and extended her hand to help Pei Yan down, but his expression cooled slightly. With his left hand hidden in his sleeve, he lightly pressed a pressure point on her arm with his index finger. Jiang Ci’s hand went numb and fell to her side. Seeing Pei Yan walk several steps ahead, she quickly massaged her right arm and hurried after him.
“Liuxia Pavilion” was built in the early years of the Hua Dynasty, funded by the founding meritorious official “Xuanyuan Marquis” He Zhixuan. Backed by Mount Xiaoyu and overlooking Cuiguang Lake to the west, it offered a panoramic view of lotus in summer and chrysanthemums in autumn, making it the prime spot for scenic views in Hongzhou.
The pavilion was furnished with over a dozen low tables. Prefect Yang led Pei Yan to the seat of honor, where he sat cross-legged. Jiang Ci, still nursing her numb right arm, knelt behind Pei Yan, puzzled by the sudden change in his demeanor and why he had struck her pressure point. Watching him smile and exchange pleasantries with the Hongzhou officials, she secretly made a fist at his back.
After Prefect Yang introduced the officials, he said with a fawning smile, “Lord Pei, when the young miss of the Xuanyuan Marquis’s household heard you were gracing our ‘Grand Carnival,’ she expressed a desire to catch up with you. I also have a daughter who is close friends with the young miss. She’s quite mischievous and insists on joining the festivities. If you don’t mind, Lord Pei—”
Pei Yan smiled, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen the He family’s young miss. I’d be delighted to accompany her and your daughter to watch the performances.”
Jiang Ci had heard that the “Xuanyuan Marquis” family, a hereditary nobility residing in Hongzhou, had a young miss who had trained under the Qingshan Sect from a young age. She was known for her martial prowess and fiery temperament, ruling Hongzhou City with an iron fist. Learning that she was an old acquaintance of Pei Yan and would be attending this official banquet piqued Jiang Ci’s curiosity.
Pei Yan turned and gestured for Jiang Ci to pour the wine. She pouted and extended her right arm. Pei Yan smiled, flicking a peanut to release her pressure point.
Footsteps approached, and several women appeared from behind the pavilion. One of them giggled, “Brother Pei, you seem quite at ease. How come you didn’t visit me when you came to Hongzhou?”
Jiang Ci turned to look. The woman in the lead was about seventeen or eighteen, with dancing eyebrows and a spirited demeanor. Behind her was another young woman of similar age, with a willowy figure and a slightly bowed head. She occasionally glanced up at Pei Yan, her autumn-pool eyes brimming with hidden emotions.
Pei Yan laughed, “I heard in the capital that Sister Qingling was undefeated in Hongzhou. I didn’t dare visit the Marquis’s mansion for fear of being beaten so badly I couldn’t get out of bed!”
He Qingling’s laughter was remarkably hearty. “Brother Pei, you jest. You’re the Wulin Alliance Leader; I wouldn’t dare raise a hand against you, no matter how bold I am.” She kicked Jiang Ci, who was kneeling beside Pei Yan, forcing her to move to Pei Yan’s other side.
He Qingling sat down next to Pei Yan and pulled the young woman behind her forward. “Brother Pei, this is Prefect Yang’s daughter, my sworn sister, and a renowned talent in Hongzhou City.”
Pei Yan bowed slightly, “I’ve heard of Miss Yang’s poetic talents. I’d love to learn from you.”
Miss Yang blushed deeply and said softly, “You’re too kind, Lord Pei.” After some hesitation, she finally broke free from He Qingling’s grasp and, accompanied by two maids, sat down behind Prefect Yang with a lowered head.
He Qingling smiled, “Brother Pei, are you heading to Changfeng Mountain Villa? I was planning to go there tomorrow to meet with my master and senior apprentice sisters. What a coincidence, we could go together.”
“That would be nice, but it might be inconvenient,” Pei Yan replied.
He Qingling was taken aback. “How so?”
Pei Yan smiled as he raised his cup to toast with the Hongzhou garrison commander. After putting down his cup, he leaned in and whispered, “I’m here as a representative of the imperial court to observe. If I travel with you, the martial arts community might think the court is supporting your Qingshan Sect’s bid for the Wulin Alliance leadership. That wouldn’t be good.”
He Qingling laughed coldly, “Let them speculate if they want. This time, our Qingshan Sect is determined to seize the position of Wulin Alliance Leader. We’ll show those gossipers that the women of Qingshan Sect can outdo men!”
Pei Yan nodded, “I know you’re as valiant as any man, sister. But who has your sect nominated for the leadership position?”
He Qingling looked slightly displeased, “Who else could it be?! Master doesn’t want to step forward, so it has to be Big Senior Apprentice Sister!”
“‘Qingshan Cold Sword’ Jian Ying? Her martial arts are impressive, but not necessarily superior to yours. It’s a pity you joined the sect later than her, or you could certainly compete for the leadership position.”
He Qingling became even more upset, “Master favors her. What can I do about it?!”
Pei Yan smiled, “I have an idea. If you’re willing to listen, you might have a chance to claim the leadership position.”
“Oh?” He Qingling moved closer and whispered, “Please tell me, Brother Pei.”
Jiang Ci, kneeling to Pei Yan’s right, watched the two of them whisper. The stage in front of the pavilion hadn’t started the performances yet, and though the table was laden with delicious food, she couldn’t help herself. She felt a bit dejected. Suddenly, she felt a tug on her clothes and turned to see a pretty maid about fifteen or sixteen years old.
Jiang Ci was puzzled as to why Miss Yang’s maid would approach her, but before she could ignore it, the maid suddenly pinched her right arm. Jiang Ci nearly cried out in pain, glaring at her before quietly following her out of the main pavilion.
As they reached the back corridor, Jiang Ci rubbed her arm and angrily said, “Little girl, why did you pinch me?!”
The pretty maid smiled coyly and moved closer to Jiang Ci, “Young master, don’t be angry. I pinched you because I couldn’t resist your handsome face.”
Jiang Ci suddenly remembered she was disguised as a young manservant and found it amusing. She cleared her throat, crossed her arms, leaned against the wooden window, and tapped her right foot lightly, saying coldly, “Miss, we don’t know each other. If you have something to say, say it quickly. I’m very busy, and my lord can’t do without me for even a moment.”
The pretty maid smiled more seductively, placing her right arm on Jiang Ci’s shoulder and whispering, “As expected of someone from the Prime Minister’s household. Young master, you’re truly handsome and well-spoken.”
Jiang Ci found it increasingly amusing, and her shoulder felt a bit ticklish, causing her to take two steps back. The maid, who had been leaning in to speak, unexpectedly lost her balance and nearly fell.
Jiang Ci reached out to steady her, taking the opportunity to feel her waist, and said with a grin, “Steady now, sister. We wouldn’t want you to chip a tooth.”
Inside the pavilion, Pei Yan couldn’t help but smile slightly. He Qingling caught his elegant smile clearly and found herself momentarily distracted.
Jiang Ci returned from the back of the pavilion and knelt behind Pei Yan again. Pei Yan turned his head to look at her, “Didn’t I tell you not to leave my side? Are you ignoring my words now?”
Jiang Ci just smiled without speaking, her dimples deepening. After a moment of laughter, she couldn’t help but lean on the table.
Just as Pei Yan was about to speak, drums and gongs sounded from the stage in front of the pavilion. A troupe of several dozen performers ascended the stage amidst enthusiastic applause.
Jiang Ci’s attention was immediately drawn to the stage. She sat up straight, watching as over a dozen people performed a human pyramid. At the top, a young girl, seemingly boneless, balanced upside down on a young man’s hand, performing various dangerous acts. Jiang Ci watched with excitement, unable to resist clapping along with the crowd.
After the human pyramid, the stage continued to dazzle with performers breathing fire, rolling embroidered balls, juggling wooden boards, and walking tightropes. Jiang Ci watched with delight, momentarily forgetting to pour wine and serve dishes to Pei Yan.
He Qingling noticed Pei Yan pouring his wine and helping himself to dishes, while Jiang Ci sat aside, engrossed in watching the performances. She couldn’t help but say, “Brother Pei, you should establish some rules in your household.”
Pei Yan smiled, “Sister, you don’t follow the rules of the Marquis’s household, yet you’re concerned about the rules in my estate. When you become the Wulin Alliance Leader, I’ll be sure to heed your words.”
After a round of grand performances, the young girl who had performed earlier returned to the stage. She had two childish buns in her hair, a red dot between her eyebrows, and a face as round and white as a powdered dumpling, looking quite adorable.
She flipped backward onto several raised benches, which wobbled slightly. Jiang Ci couldn’t help but worry for her, but the girl’s body was as flexible as a willow leaf and as soft as silk, firmly adhering to the topmost bench. A man at the front of the stage kept throwing porcelain bowls toward the girl, who, balancing, on one hand, upside down, caught the bowls with her feet and another hand, stacking them into a tower.
As she caught more and more bowls, the cheers from the pavilion and stage grew louder. Suddenly, there was a loud clang as the girl failed to catch one bowl, lost her balance, and fell to the ground, porcelain bowls scattering across the stage.
The audience let out a collective sigh of disappointment. The man at the front of the stage changed expression, went up, and kicked the girl several times, still ordering her to climb back up the bench ladder. The girl, with tears in her eyes, sobbed as she climbed back up and once again began catching the bowls thrown by the middle-aged man.
Jiang Ci saw that the girl was only seven or eight years old, yet had trained to such a level, imagining the hardships she must have endured. The man’s kicks earlier had been forceful, with one kick landing on her face, visibly swelling her right cheek. Jiang Ci felt a surge of pity.
A gust of wind blew, causing the benches to shake. The audience let out a collective gasp. The girl seemed startled, her body tilting precariously before falling to the ground once more. Seeing the man curse and rush up to beat and kick her again, Jiang Ci finally couldn’t bear it and tugged on Pei Yan’s sleeve.
Pei Yan turned his head, and Jiang Ci hesitated before leaning in to whisper in his ear, “Lord Pei, can’t you say something to save her?”
“Why should I save her?” Pei Yan smiled. “Her skills are lacking, and her performance failed. She deserves punishment. You can’t blame her master. If you had trained harder in martial arts, you wouldn’t be in your current predicament.”
Jiang Ci felt both ashamed and angry, thinking this man’s heart was as hard as iron. Hearing the girl still crying and rolling around on the stage in extreme pain, she suddenly stood up and glared at Pei Yan, “Lord Pei, you have many ‘sisters’ – Miss He here, Miss Yang there. I wonder if that girl on the stage were also your ‘sister’, would you intervene or not?!”
Her angry words were quite loud, drawing the attention of all the guests. He Qingling and Miss Yang were particularly stunned, unable to speak.
Pei Yan was taken aback for a moment before bursting into laughter.
Jiang Ci glared at him once more before swiftly moving out of the pavilion. She leaped onto the stage, shielding the girl behind her, and stared angrily at the middle-aged man. “Stop hitting her!”
The middle-aged man, seeing this young servant leap out from the pavilion and realizing he must be an attendant of some high official, knew he couldn’t afford to offend him. He retreated awkwardly with a forced smile.
Jiang Ci turned back to hold the girl’s hand, seeing her face full of fear and confusion. She smiled gently, “Don’t be afraid. I’ll find a way to stop him from hitting you again.”
Inside the pavilion, He Qingling watched Jiang Ci on the stage and then Pei Yan, who was smiling with a hint of deep meaning. A realization dawned on her, making her feel a bit uneasy. She said softly, “Brother Pei, you’ve changed quite a bit in the year we’ve been apart.”
Pei Yan glanced at Jiang Ci, who was leading the young girl into the pavilion, and replied淡淡道, “Have I?”
Jiang Ci led the girl behind Pei Yan, ignoring him completely. She picked up a plate of pastries from the table, selected one, and gently offered it to the girl, saying, “Eat up.”
The girl took the pastry with a sweet smile at Jiang Ci, then lowered her head. Jiang Ci, pleased, turned to retrieve more dishes from the table. But suddenly, the girl looked up, and with a swift movement, drew a glinting dagger from her right hand, its cold blade emanating a menacing aura, and lunged directly at the unsuspecting Jiang Ci, who was bent over the table.