Chapter - 17 (17) (1/2)

Wei Xiaobao handed over the gift one by one, while attentively looking at each monk's face. But after he finished handing over more than fifty sets of gifts, he could not find even a single monk with one or two part resemblance to the young emperor.

Suddenly a beam of light appeared some distance away, coming slowly toward the room. Wei Xiaobao was greatly alarmed, ”Ghost light, ghost light!” he said in his heart. The light was coming closer and closer, turned out it was a lantern, carried by a female ghost wearing white clothing. Wei Xiaobao hastily closed his eyes. He heard the intermittent sound of footsteps, which stopped right in front of him.

He was so scared that he did not dare to breathe, his whole body trembled, but he heard a young girl's voice laughing. ”Why are you closing your eyes?” she asked. Her voice was gentle, soft and pleasant to the ears.

”Don't scare me,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I … I don't dare to look at you.”

The female ghost laughed and said, ”You are afraid blood coming out of my seven orifices and my tongue stretched out, aren't you? Why don't you take a quick look?”

With a trembling voice Wei Xiaobao said, ”I won't fall into your trick. You have your hair disheveled and blood coming out of my seven orifices. What … what's so good to look at?”

The female ghost giggled; she blew a puff of air onto his face. As the air arrived on his face, Wei Xiaobao felt it was warm, and carried a faint smell of delicate fragrance. Wei Xiaobao opened his left eye a slit, he vaguely saw a snow white face, with curved eyebrows and small mouth, her dimpled face looked like flower. Immediately he opened both eyes wide, and now he could see an extremely delicate and pretty young girl's face, approximately thirteen, fourteen years of age; her hair was tied into a pair of buns on top of her head, she was grinning as she looked at him. Wei Xiaobao's heart was greatly comforted, ”You really are not a ghost?” he asked.

The young girl smiled and said, ”Of course I am a ghost, I am a hangman ghost.” [ghost from someone who died of hanging; is there any English term for it?]Wei Xiaobao's heart jumped; he was startled and at a loss. The young girl said with a laugh, ”How could you boldly kill evil man, but is so timid in front of a hangman ghost?”

Wei Xiaobao let out a breath and said, ”I am not afraid of people, I am afraid of ghosts.”

The young girl giggled again and asked, ”Which of your acupoint is sealed?”

”I wish I knew,” Wei Xiaobao replied. The young girl massaged the back of his shoulder, she also slapped his back lightly three times. Immediately Wei Xiaobao was able to move his hands. He raised his arms and waved them twice; he laughed and said, ”You know how to unseal the acupoint; that's wonderful!”

The young girl said, ”I learned it not too long ago, today is the first time I've tried it on you.”

She then proceeded by massaging his underarm and waist for a moment. Wei Xiaobao sprang up and said with a laugh, ”Stop it, stop it! I am ticklish.” In this way, the acupoints on his legs were unsealed. He stretched out his hands and said with a laugh, ”You tickled me, now I must tickle you back.” While saying that, he took a step forward.

The young girl stuck out her tongue and made a face. But she her supposedly ugly face looked extremely cute and did not look frightening at all. Wei Xiaobao reached out trying to pinch her tongue. The young girl turned her head to evade; she giggled tenderly and said, ”Now you are not afraid of hangman ghost?”

”You have a shadow,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your body is warm, you are a human, not a ghost.”

The young girl opened her eyes wide; she grimly said, ”I am a zombie, not a ghost!”

Wei Xiaobao was startled. Under the lantern light he could see her pinkish complexion; he laughed and said, ”Zombies cannot bend their legs, they can't talk either.”

The young girl laughed again and said, ”In that case, I am a fox-spirit.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed, ”I am not afraid of fox-spirit,” he said. But inwardly he was somewhat suspicious, ”Could she be really a fox-spirit?” Walking around her, he looked at her back.

The young girl laughed and said, ”I am a thousand-year fox-spirit, my magical skill is very deep, I don't have a tail.”

Wei Xiaobao said, ”To such a good-looking fox-spirit like you, I don't mind if you bewitch me that I die.”

The young girl blushed slightly; she put a finger on her face to shame him, saying, ”You are shameless. Just a moment ago you were so afraid of ghosts, and now you are taking advantage of me.”

Wei Xiaobao was afraid of, number one: zombie, number two: ghost. As for the fox-spirit, he was not particularly afraid. He saw that this young girl was affable, compared to Fang Yi and Mu Jianping, she was considerably friendlier. Much less she spoke with Jiangnan accent, which was a lot more pleasant to the ear than Fang and Mu, two girls' Yunnan accent. ”Miss,” he said with a laugh, ”What is your name?”

”I am Shuang'er,” the young girl replied, ”Shuang from 'yi shuang' [a pair].”

Wei Xiaobao laughed, ”That's very good,” he said, ”I wonder if you are a pair of fragrant shoes, or a pair of smelly socks.”

Shuang'er laughed and said, ”A pair of smelly socks is good, a pair of fragrant shoes is also good; you decide. Gui Gong-gong, you are dripping wet, surely it is very uncomfortable, please come over there and change into dry clothes. It's just that there is a problem, you must not blame me.”

”What problem?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

”We do not have any men's clothes in here,” Shuang'er replied.

Wei Xiaobao's heart jumped, immediately his countenance changed, ”This house is full of female ghosts,” he mused.

Shuang'er raised the lantern and said, ”Please come this way.” Wei Xiaobao hesitated, he did not know what to do. Shuang'er was already at the door; she turned her head around to wait for him. With a smile she said, ”Putting on women's clothes, you are afraid it will be inauspicious, aren't you? Let's do it this way then: you stay on the bed, I'll get hot iron to dry your clothes.”

Seeing her gentle and soft expression, and how she was being very considerate, Wei Xiaobao found it hard to refuse; he had no choice but to follow her out the door. ”What happened to my companions?” he asked, ”Where are they going?”

Shuang'er halted while he walked two more steps, and then walking side by side with him, she said in low voice, ”Third Mistress' [orig. 'san shao nai' - third young madame] order: I must not tell you anything. Wait until you have had some refreshments, then Third Mistress herself will tell you everything.” Wei Xiaobao had been very hungry for a long time, hearing that he was going to get some refreshment, his spirit was aroused considerably.

Shuang'er took Wei Xiaobao along a pitch-black corridor into a dark room. She lighted the candle on the table. The room only had a bed and a table, the furnishing was simple, but it was very clean. The bed was covered in cotton quilt. Shuang'er lifted a corner of the quilt and let down the mosquito net, saying, ”Gui Xianggong [lord/master/young gentleman, etc.], take off your clothes on the bed and tossed it to me.”

Following her instruction, Wei Xiaobao jumped onto the bed, removed all his clothes and crawled underneath the quilt before tossing the clothes outside the net. Shuang'er caught the clothes, walked toward the door, and said, ”I'll get the refreshment. Do you prefer sweet zongzi[66], or salty zongzi?”

”My stomach is growling of hunger,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Even if you give me mud zongzi, I'll eat three.” Shuang'er laughed and walked out.

As soon as she left, Wei Xiaobao felt the room was extremely quiet. Looking at the flickering candle, sometimes it brightened, sometimes it dimmed, his fear returned. ”Aiyo, not good,” he mused, ”When female ghosts invite people to eat noodles, eat wonton, they actually serve earthworm and caterpillar. I must not be fooled.”

After a while, Wei Xiaobao smelled the sweet fragrance of meat and sugar. Shuang'er was back with a wooden tray on her hands, she used her elbow to push the mosquito net aside. Wei Xiaobao saw four already unwrapped zongzi on a plate, and was delighted. In all honesty, he was very hungry so that even if the zongzi was stuffed with earthworm and caterpillar, he would eat it first and talk about it later. Therefore, he picked the chopsticks and started to eat. When the zongzi entered his mouth, it tasted sweet and incomparably tasty. After two bites, he said, ”Shuang'er, this tastes like Huzhou's zongzi, it's really good.”

Zongzi produced by Huzhou prefecture of Zhejiang province has soft rice and tasty meat-stuffing; it was unparalleled in the world. Yangzhou had a Huzhou zongzi shop. The patrons of Lovely Spring Courtyard often sent Wei Xiaobao to buy some. The zongzi was wrapped using bamboo leaves, so it was difficult for Wei Xiaobao to steal, but he always managed to squeeze some rice out of the corner of the zongzi and had a taste. Ever since he arrived at the north, he could not find Huzhou's zongzi any longer.

Shuang'er was amazed; she said, ”You are very knowledgeable, you can tell by eating it that it is Huzhou's zongzi.”

Wei Xiaobao was busy chewing as he mumbled, ”So this is really Huzhou's zongzi? How can you buy Huzhou's zongzi in this place?”

Shuang'er laughed and said, ”We did not buy it, it's from fox-spirit ... (tee hee) fox-spirit magic.”

”Fox-spirit magical power is extensive,” Wei Xiaobao praised. Suddenly Zhang Laosan and his men came to his mind, thereupon he added, ”It's long-life is the same as the Heaven's!”

Shuang'er laughed. ”Enjoy your meal; I'll iron your clothes.” After only taking a step, she asked, ”Are you still afraid?”

Wei Xiaobao's fear had diminished for the most part, but when all is said and done, he was still somewhat scared; he said, ”Come back quickly.”

”Yes!” Shuang'er promised.

Not too long afterwards, Wei Xiaobao heard 'chi chi' noise. Shuang'er was back carrying an iron with glowing red coal in it. She spread his clothes on the table, so that while ironing, she could keep him company.

Of the four zongzi, two were savory, two were sweet. Wei Xiaobao ate three, and he could not eat anymore. He said, ”These zongzi are very good. Did you wrap them yourself?”

”Third Mistress seasoned and mixed the ingredients, I helped her wrapping them,” Shuang'er replied.

Hearing she spoke with a Jiangnan accent, Wei Xiaobao's heart was moved. ”Are you from Huzhou?” he asked.

Shuang'er hesitated and did not answer. ”When the clothes are ironed,” she said, ”And Gui Xianggong see the Third Mistress later, you can ask her yourself, all right?” She was speaking soft and gentle words, her manner was very respectful.

”Alright,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”What's there not all right?” He lifted the mosquito net to look at her ironing his clothes.

Shuang'er looked up and smiled at him, she said, ”You are not wearing any clothes, you may catch cold.”

Suddenly Wei Xiaobao's mischievousness arose; he raised his body and called out, ”I am going to jump out without any clothes on, I can't possibly catch cold.” Shuang'er was shocked, but then she saw he slid down and hid underneath the quilt that even his head was not visible; she could not help but giggle.

About the time needed to eat a bowl of rice later, Shuang'er handed the ironed clothes over to the bed. Wei Xiaobao put it on and climbed down of the bed. Shuang'er helped him buttoned the jacket. She took out a small wooden comb to comb his hair and plait a braid. Wei Xiaobao smelled the light delicate fragrance coming from her body; he was very happy. ”Turns out fox-spirits are such nice people.”

Shuang'er pouted and said with a laugh, ”What fox-spirit? It's so unpleasant to hear. I am not a fox-spirit.”

”Ah, I know,” Wei Xiaobao exclaimed, ”You are a great immortal; I must not call you fox-spirit.”

Shuang'er laughed and said, ”I am not a great immortal either, I am just a little servant girl.”

”I am a little eunuch, and you are a little servant,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Both of us are serving other people, we are a couple.”

”You are serving the Emperor,” Shuang'er said, ”How can do I compare to you? One in the sky, the other on the earth.” While chatting, the braid was finished.

Shuang'er said, ”I can't plait men's braids, I don't know if this is alright?”

Wei Xiaobao pulled the braid to the front and had a look. ”Very good,” he said, ”I hate plaiting braids the most. It would be good if you could help me plaid my braid every day.”

”I may not have that good fortune,” Shuang'er said, ”You are a big hero. Today I can plait your braid, it can already be considered that in the previous incarnation I have cultivated enough virtue.”

”Aiyo,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”No formalities, please. You are such a smart and beautiful woman, and you plaited my braid. It was me who in my previous incarnation has knocked seventeen, eighteen big wooden fish[67].”

Shuang'er's face blushed; she said in low voice, ”I am speaking sincerely, yet you are making fun of me.”

”I am not, I am not,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I am also speaking sincerely.”

Shuang'er smiled and said, ”The Third Mistress says that whenever Gui Xianggong wishes, you may go and sit in the rear hall.”

”Very well,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Your Third (Young) Master is not home?”

”Um,” Shuang'er hesitated, ”He passed away,” she said quietly. Remembering the many mourning halls in the house, Wei Xiaobao's heart trembled; he did not dare to ask anymore question.

Following behind her, they arrived at a tiny fancy-looking reception room at the rear hall. He sat down, Shuang'er immediately served a cup of hot tea. Wei Xiaobao's heart was beating fast, he did not dare to chat with her again.

A moment later, he heard light and slow footsteps, from behind the wooden partition a young madame appeared, her entire body was covered in white-silk mourning dress. ”Gui Xianggong must have had an exhausting journey,” she said. While saying that she bowed deeply, her manner was very respectful.

Wei Xiaobao hastily returned the propriety and said, ”I do not dare.”

”Gui Xianggong, please sit down,” the young madame said.

Wei Xiaobao noticed that the young madame was about twenty six, twenty seven years of age, she was not wearing any cosmetics, her complexion pale, her eyes were red, obviously she had just been crying. Under the lantern light unexpectedly he saw that she had a shadow; although she looked gloomy and grim, most probably she was not a ghost. In his heart, however, he was still apprehensive. ”Yes, yes!” he replied. He sat down, leaning his body forward and said, ”Third Mistress, thank you very much for your Huzhou's zongzi, they are really delicious.”

The young madame said, ”My deceased husband was surnamed Zhuang, I do not dare to be addressed as the Third Mistress. How long has Gui Xianggong been in the Palace?”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”In the dark a moment ago, there was a woman asking me if I killed Oboi. After I admitted that I killed him, they sent a servant girl to deliver zongzi for me to eat. Apparently I was betting my treasure correctly.” He replied, ”Not a lot more than a year.”

Madame Zhuang said, ”Could Gui Xianggong tell Xiao Nuzi[68] how you kill that traitor Oboi with your own hand?”

Hearing she was calling Oboi a 'traitor', Wei Xiaobao was even more relieved, it was as if he had obtained a pair of very valuable cards in his hands, no matter of what value were the other two cards, when the cards were played, he would only make a kill and not pay for a loss, at most he would be even with the opponent. Thereupon he started by how Kangxi had issued an order for Oboi's capture, how Oboi resisted arrest, how the little eunuchs swarmed on him, but several of them were killed by Oboi, how he had used the ashes of the incense burner to blind him so that finally Oboi was captured. Only about Kangxi stabbing Oboi on the back, he changed it into catching Oboi by surprise, he himself ferociously stabbed him on the back.

Madame Zhuang did not utter a single word, she was listening attentively in silence. When Wei Xiaobao narrated how he blinded Oboi by scattering ashes from the incense burner, how he stabbed him on his back using a dagger, how he smashed his head using the copper incense burner and thus capturing him, she could not help but letting out a breath gently.

Wei Xiaobao was accustomed to listen to the storyteller performing their art; he knew where to pause and where to raise his voice, his technique in grasping the audience's heart was just perfect. Moreover, it was his own personal experience, he knew all kinds of the minute details so that his narration was exhaustive. Plus he added some grease, salt, paste and vinegar, so that perhaps listening to his story was several degrees more soul-stirring than when he was actually capturing Oboi.

”So that's what happened,” Madame Zhuang said, ”The rumor outside is highly exaggerated, they say that Gui Gonggong has such an excellent martial art, that he fiercely fought Oboi for three hundred rounds, and that he used his unique skill to subdue him. Thinking that Oboi had the reputation as the Manchurian's Number One Warrior, Gui Xianggong must have had very high martial art skill, while his age is still very young.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”If we fought for real, even a hundred Xiao Guizi are not this traitor's match.”

”Afterwards, how did Oboi die?” Madame Zhuang asked.

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”Eight or nine out of ten, this Third Mistress is not a female ghost; therefore, she must be a Wulin character. If I don't need to lie, I should not tell a lie, so that after painstakingly win some money, I won't lose it all in one turn of the cards.” Thereupon he truthfully told her in details how Kangxi sent him to inspect Oboi's condition, how he came across Tian Di Hui people who came to attack the Prince Kang's mansion, how the incoming people mistakenly identified him as Oboi's man, how he struggled to crawl into the prison cell and thus killed Oboi. At the very last he said, ”It turned out that these people were Oboi's adversary; they were the heroes and warriors of the Green Wood Hall of Tian Di Hui. Seeing I killed Oboi, unexpectedly they were very polite to me, telling me that I have avenged their great enmity.”

Madame Zhuang nodded; she said, ”And thus Gui Xianggong received the favor of Chen Zongduozhu who took you as his disciple and made you the Tian Di Hui's Green Wood Hall Xiangzhu. Turns out everything is because of this.”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”You already knew everything, why did you ask me, then?” He said, ”I am a muddle head, I don't know anything. Being the Green Wood Hall Xiangzhu, indeed I only have a name but no reality.” He did not know whether Madame Zhuang was a friend or a foe of Tian Di Hui, therefore, he decided to hold two contradictory views at the same time first and talk about it later.

Madame Zhuang pondered deeply for half a day before saying, ”When Gui Xianggong killed Oboi in that prison cell, which move did you use? Is it possible for you to show it to me?”

Seeing her eyes were shining bright, Wei Xiaobao thought, ”This woman must belong to some demonic school; if I talk nonsense and toot my horn, most probably she would expose my trickery. I think being honest is the best.” Thereupon he stood up and said, ”What fart move do I have?” Flailing his hands around he said, ”At that time I was so scared out of my wits, I was in a hideous mess; this is exactly what I did.”

Madame Zhuang nodded. ”Gui Xianggong, please sit down,” she said. And then she stood up and turned to Shuang'er, ”Shuang'er, why don't you take our osmanthus flower flavored candy and have Gui Xianggong taste it?” Finished speaking, she bowed in respect again and walked out toward the inner hall.

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”She invites me to eat some candy, obviously she does not harbor any evil intention.” But in the end he still did not feel at ease; he thought, ”Although this Third Mistress does not look like a female ghost, it is perhaps because her magical skill is so high that the demonic air did not show.”

Shuang'er returned from the inner hall, holding a blue and white china plate with tall legs with both hands, the plate was full of osmanthus flower flavored candy and pine-nut candy. She smiled and said, ”Gui Xianggong, please eat some candy.” After setting the china plate on the table, she went back into the inner hall.

Sitting in that reception room, Wei Xiaobao ate quite a lot of osmanthus flower flavored candies and pine-nut candies, hoping that it would be dawn quickly.

After quite a while, suddenly he heard the rustling noise of clothes. Behind the door, by the window, behind the partition screen, there were a lot of eyes secretly stealing a glance at him; it appeared that all those eyes belong to women. In the dark night, it was difficult to tell whether they were humans or ghosts, it's just that by looking at those eyes, Wei Xiaobao's heart was really afraid. Suddenly he heard an old woman's voice from outside the long window said, ”Gui Xianggong, you have killed the traitor Oboi, and have avenged the blood enmity as-deep-as-the-ocean of our families. We do not know how to repay this great virtue and great kindness.” The long window opened, revealing several dozens of women wearing white clothing lining up on the floor to pay homage to him.

Wei Xiaobao was startled; he quickly returned the courtesy. Hearing the women were knocking their heads on the floor, 'dong, dong, dong', he also kneeled down and kowtowed. The long window suddenly closed. The old woman said, ”Benefactor does not need to be overly courteous, we, widows, do not dare to accept the honor.” Suddenly the women outside the long window raised their voices in sobbing and weeping.

Wei Xiaobao was absolutely terrified. After a while, the sound of weeping gradually went away, those women had dispersed. It was as if he was in a dream, or it happened only in his imagination. ”Actually, are they humans, or are they ghosts? It looks like … it looks like …”

A moment later, Madame Zhuang returned from the inner hall. ”Gui Xianggong,” she said, ”Please do not be disturbed. Those who live here are all surviving family of the deceased loyal ministers and patriots who were harmed by Oboi. When we found out that Gui Xianggong has killed Oboi with your own hand, and thus avenging our great enmity, we all feel grateful.”

”So Third Master was … was also harmed by Oboi?” Wei Xiaobao said.

Lowering her head, Madame Zhuang said, ”Precisely. Everybody in here is grieving and crying blood, day and night we are waiting for an opportunity to revenge. Who would have thought this traitor, who was strung through and filled with evil, faced the retribution that quickly, unexpectedly he died under Gui Xianggong's hands.”

”What merit do I have?” Wei Xiaobao said, ”It was only a coincident; nothing more than that.”

Shuang'er appeared with his own bundle and placed it on the table. Madame Zhuang said, ”Gui Xianggong, your great virtue and great kindness is difficult to repay, by right we should receive you cordially, it's only proper. Only, living as widows, we feel it is rather inappropriate. After careful discussion, we wanted to present you a meager gift to show our appreciation. But Gui Xianggong's traveling bag is plentiful, you carry a huge sum of money. We live in the countryside, what do we have that Gui Xianggong may appreciate? As for martial art skill and so on, Gui Xianggong is Tian Di Hui's Chen Zongduozhu's disciple; your school's martial art is far above our little superficial skill. It truly poses difficulties for us.”

Hearing her speaking so courteously, Wei Xiaobao said, ”There is no need to stand on ceremonies. I just want to ask, those several companions of mine, where did they go?”

Madame Zhuang contemplated for half a day, and said, ”Since you ask, I should have not dared not to answer. But after Benefactor learns about it, I am afraid it would only bring harm and not benefit. These several people are Benefactor's friends, we will strive to do our best not to let them come into any harm. Someday they may see Benefactor again.”

Wei Xiaobao expected that asking further would be useless. He looked up toward the window and thought, ”Why isn't it daylight already?”

Madame Zhuang seemingly understood his thought; she asked, ”Where is Benefactor going tomorrow?”

Wei Xiaobao thought, ”I believe she has heard my conversation with that Zhang Laosan, it will be useless to conceal it from her.” He said, ”I am going to Mount Wutai in Shanxi.”

Madame Zhuang said, ”In this journey to Mount Wutai, you will have to travel far away; I am afraid you will meet some disturbances along the way. We are thinking of presenting you with a gift, we would ask that you give us the good fortune of not declining it.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed, ”Other people have the good intention of giving me anything, I have never refused to accept it,” he said.

”That's wonderful,” Madame Zhuang said. Pointing toward Shuang'er she said, ”This little girl Shuang'er has followed me for many years, the way she is doing her job is fairly appropriate. We are presenting her to Benefactor, please take her with you. Hereafter she will attend to Benefactor.”

Wei Xiaobao was startled, but delighted; he did not expect that the gift she was going to present to him was a person. Just now Shuang'er had taken care of him, ironing his clothes and plaited his braid, she had saved him not a few efforts. If he could have this kind of good-looking and smart servant girl[69] accompanying him by his side, certainly it would be merrier; but the journey to Mount Wutai this time would not be necessarily peaceful or without any trouble, he must act according to the situation, taking a servant girl along would be very inconvenient. He said, ”Madame Zhuang is giving me this valuable present, I am really grateful. It's just that … it's just that …” He wanted to decline, but first, others were giving him present, how could he not accept? Second, such a nice servant, he really did not want not to accept her. He saw Shuang'er, with her head hung low, was stealing a glance to him; as soon as their eyes met, she hastily turned her head around, her face blushed.

”I wonder what Benefactor's difficulty is?” Madame Zhuang asked.

Wei Xiaobao said, ”I am going to Mount Wutai on a mission, most likely it will … it will not be easy; if I take this Miss along, I am afraid it will be inconvenient.”

”You don't have to worry actually,” Madame Zhuang said, ”Although Shuang'er is young, she is rather agile, she won't be Benefactor's burden. Please set your heart at ease.”

Wei Xiaobao took another glance toward Shuang'er, he saw her glazed eyes had an earnest look; he laughed and asked, ”Shuang'er, are you willing to come with me?”

Shuang'er lowered her head, in a quiet voice she said, ”Third Mistress ordered me to take care of Xianggong, naturally … naturally I must obey Third Mistress' instruction.”

”Are you yourself willing or not?” Wei Xiaobao asked, ”I am afraid we will meet dangers.”

”I am not afraid of dangers,” Shuang'er replied.

Wei Xiaobao smiled and said, ”You answered my second question, but did not answer my first. You are not afraid of dangers, it's just that Madame is presenting you to me, but in your heart you are not willing.”

Shuang'er said, ”Madame's benevolence to me is very heavy, Xianggong has shown great kindness to our Zhuang family, Madame instructs me to attend Xianggong, I will definitely do it with all my heart. If Xianggong treats me well, my fate is good, if you do not treat me well, it's my … my destiny to suffer hardship.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed aloud and said, ”Your fate is very good, how can you be destined to suffer hardship?” The corner of Shuang'er's mouth revealed a light smile.

”Shuang'er,” Madame Zhuang said, ”You pay respect to Gui Xianggong; later on, you will become Gui Xianggong's.”

Shuang'er looked up; suddenly her eyes turned red. First she kneeled in front of Madame Zhuang and kowtowed, saying, ”Third Mistress, I … I …” After saying the word 'I' twice, she broke into a light sob.

Madame Zhuang gently stroked her hair, in a warm voice she said, ”Gui Xianggong is a young hero. He is still young, yet his name has spread all over the world. You must serve Xianggong well. He has promised to treat you well.”

”Yes,” Shuang'er replied. She turned around, and then gracefully paid her respect to Wei Xiaobao.

”No formalities, please!” Wei Xiaobao said. He helped her up, opened his bundle, took out a strand of pearls and said with a laugh, ”Just consider this as my gift on the first meeting!” while thinking, ”This strand of pearls at least worth three, four thousand taels of silver. If used to buy servant girls, it can buy several dozens of them. But several dozens of servant girls added together won't be more lovely than this Shuang'er.”

Shuang'er received the gift with both hands, saying, ”Many thanks Xianggong,” and hanged it on her neck. The pearls flickered under the light, it shined on her smart face, making her look even more beautiful.

Madame Zhuang said, ”Benefactor is going to Mount Wutai, I wonder if you are going to investigate openly, or make secret inquiries?”

”Naturally I will make secret inquiries,” Wei Xiaobao replied.

Madame Zhuang said, ”The various Buddhist monasteries and temples on Mount Wutai are separated into green and yellow, they are full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. Benefactor must be very careful.”

”Yes,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”Thank you very much for your advice. But your calling me 'Benefactor', I do not dare to accept. Just call me Xiaobao.”

”I do not dare,” Madame Zhuang said. Standing up, she said, ”Please take good care of yourself along the way, forgive this widow for not sending you far off.” To Shuang'er she said, ”Shuang'er, as soon as you leave this door, you don't belong to Zhuang family anymore. Hereafter whatever you say, whatever you do, will not be your former master's concern. If you fool around outside, our Zhuang family will not shelter you anymore.” While saying these words, her expression was very serious. Shuang'er complied. Madame Zhuang saluted Wei Xiaobao again, and then walked in.

They saw the window paper turned translucent, the sky gradually brightened. Shuang'er went in to get her bundle, and then along with Wei Xiaobao's bundle, she slung both bundles over her shoulder. ”Let's go!” Wei Xiaobao said.

”Yes!” Shuang'er replied. Her head hung low, her expression mournful, she kept looking back toward the hall. Apparently she was rather reluctant to part with Madame Zhuang. Her eyes were red, obviously she had just been crying.

Wei Xiaobao went out the front gate, Shuang'er followed behind him. By this time the heavy rain had stopped, but in the mountain streams, water was flowing rapidly, they could hear the sound of water everywhere. After walking for several dozen steps, Wei Xiaobao looked back toward the big house, but the mist had shrouded the front corner of the wall. After walking for several more dozen steps, he looked back again only to see white expanse of mist, nothing else was visible.

He sighed and said, ”The matter of last night was really like a dream. Shuang'er, what did the Madame mean when she said those last sentences to you?”

Shuang'er said, ”The Third Mistress said that later on I am serving Xianggong; no matter what I say or do, it won't be the responsibility of her Zhuang family.”

”In that case,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”You can tell me where did my companions go?”

Shuang'er was startled. ”Yes,” she said, ”Xianggong's companions were originally saved by us, Zhang Laosan and his men were also originally captured by us. But afterward some formidable characters from Shen Long Jiao arrived and those prisoners were snatched away. Third Mistress said that we are womenfolk, it was inappropriate for us to fight with those uncouth men. Besides, we may not necessarily be able to overcome those men. For the time being, we submit to them while looking for another way to rescue your several companions. Seeing we retreated, Shen Long Jiao people also withdrew. Before leaving, they spoke several polite words.” Wei Xiaobao nodded; he was rather concerned over Fang Yi and Mu Jianping's safety.

Shuang'er said, ”Third Mistress has persuaded the Shen Long Jiao leader that they must not harm your several companions' lives. The man has agreed to it with his own mouth.”

Wei Xiaobao sighed and said, ”I am afraid those Shen Long Jiao fellows speak just like they fart. Ay, I guess it can't be helped.” He then asked, ”Does the Third Mistress know martial art?”

”She does,” Shuang'er said, ”Not only she knows martial art, she is very good at it.”

Wei Xiaobao shook his head and said, ”She is such a horn-tooter, what 'very good at martial art'? If she is really good at martial art, how could she let Oboi killed the Third Master?”

Shuang'er said, ”When the Old Master and the Third Master were executed, none of their several dozen family members knew martial art. All the men in the family were arrested by Oboi and taken to Beijing to be executed, the women were to be banished to Guta district of Liaoning, to be slaves to the armored troops. Fortunately along the way they met the saving star, who killed the prisoner escorts and saved our several dozen women, helped us settled in here, and taught the Third Mistress and the others some skill.” Wei Xiaobao gradually understood.

In the meantime, the sky had brightened considerably, the sun had appeared on the eastern horizon. The heavy rain last night had washed the trees of the forest that everything looked fresh and green, with droplets of water hanging from their leaves. It was only now that Wei Xiaobao no longer doubted that the ones he saw last night were not female ghosts. He asked, ”You have so many mourning halls in your house; are those all for your Masters and Young Masters who were killed by Oboi?”

”Exactly,” Shuang'er said, ”We live in seclusion deep in the mountains, we have never had any dealings with outsiders before. The neighboring country people are curious and come over to stick their heads out and look around, so we always masquerade ourselves as ghosts to scare them off. Therefore, everybody says this is a haunted house. Over the last year, nobody has ever dared to come over. Unexpectedly Xianggong came last night. Third Mistress said that now that our great enmity has been avenged, it would be best if everything is kept in secret. The names of Master, Young Master and the others are written on memorial tablets in the mourning hall, if outsiders saw it, it would be greatly inconvenient. When Xianggong asked me last night, I did not dare to explain. But Third Mistress has said that henceforth I am to serve Xianggong, and no longer the Zhuang family's responsibility. Naturally I must not conceal anything from you anymore.”

”That's right,” Wei Xiaobao delightedly said, ”Let me tell you: my real name is Wei Xiaobao. That Gui Gong-gong or what have you, is a fake name. You belong to the Wei family, not the Gui family.”

Shuang'er was overjoyed; she said, ”Xianggong even tell me your real name, I can't possibly reveal it to anybody else.”

Wei Xiaobao laughed. ”My real name is not such a big secret,” he said, ”Many of Tian Di Hui brethrens already know about it.”

Shuang'er said, ”When those Shen Long Jiao people fought with your companions, Third Mistress and the others were outside, enjoying watching the fun. They saw those people were able to chant spells, reciting mumbo-jumbo incantation …”

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”Hong Jiaozhu's magical power is extensive, his long-life is the same as the Heaven's. This kind of incantation, I am also able to recite.”

Shuang'er said, ”Third Mistress said that while their mouths were chanting the incantations, there must be some other magic going on in the dark; otherwise, it's impossible that as soon as they recite the spell, their power increased several folds. Afterwards, when that Zhang Laosan was talking to you, Third Mistress was listening outside, while the rest of us extinguished the light in the main hall and caught everybody using fishing net.”

Wei Xiaobao slapped his thigh and exclaimed, ”Wonderful! Catching people using fishing net? That's great!”

Shuang'er said, ”Third Mistress said that there is nothing special about that Zhang Laosan's martial art skill, only his sorcery is formidable, thereupon she did not fight him face to face. As soon as she managed to lure him out, she extinguished the light and with the fishing net …”

”Caught the old turtle,” Wei Xiaobao finished.

Shuang'er giggled. She said, ”There is a lake behind the mountain, we often went fishing at night. When we were in Huzhou, the big house of the Zhuang family was located near Taihu[70]. The lake is very big, at that time our Zhuang family owned a lot of fishing boat, which we rented to the fishermen to catch fish. Third Mistress and the others learned how to use net to catch fish from watching the fishermen.”

”You really are Huzhou people, no wonder your Huzhou's zongzi is really delicious,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”How did the Third Master get killed by Oboi?”

”According to the Third Mistress,” Shuang'er said, ”It was called 'literary inquisition'.”

”Mosquito meat[71]?” Wei Xiaobao was puzzled, ”Mosquito has meat?”

”Not 'mosquito', it's 'literary',” Shuang'er said, ”Learn to write! Our First Young Master was a scholar, his knowledge was very profound. After he'd gone blind, he wrote a book, in his book there was a sentence scolding the Manchu people ...”

”Tsk, tsk, tsk,” Wei Xiaobao clucked his tongue, ”Amazing, he was blind yet was able to write a literary work. My eyes are not blind, yet when looking at other people's writing, I still do not know anything. This might be called 'bright-eyed blind person'!”

Shuang'er said, ”Old Mistress often said that we live in a wrong era, being illiterate is actually better. The women who live together in our house are from several different families, each family's Laoye [Old Master], Shaoye [Young Master] were all gifted scholars and intellects, none of their literary works was not renowned in the world, yet each one ran into misfortune. It was precisely because of their literary works that disaster came. But Third Mistress said the more the Manchurian Tatars did not want us, Han people to study and create literary works, the more reason for us to study, the more reason for us to create literary works; only then will we prevent the Tatars from achieving their hearts' desire.”

”Can you create literary works?” Wei Xiaobao asked.

Shuang'er giggled and said, ”Xianggong really loves to joke. How can a little servant girl create literary works? The Third Mistress taught me to read, yet I have read only seven or eight books.”

”Wow!” Wei Xiaobao said, ”You have read seven or eight books? That's a lot more than I can read. I only know seven or eight characters.”

Shuang'er laughed and said, ”Xianggong does not like to study, I am sure the Old Mistress would have loved you. She said that as soon as the Qing Dynasty arrived, only prodigal sons study.”

”That's true!” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I think that that thief Oboi was not too literate. It must be those bootlickers who read to him.”

”Right!” Shuang'er said, ”The book our First Young Master wrote was called something like 'History of the Ming Dynasty'. There were some words in the book scolding the Manchurian Qing. There was an evil man called Wu Zhirong who took the book to Oboi and lodged an accusation. This matter was blown out of proportion; several hundred people were executed; even the business proprietors who sold the book, the customers who bought the book, were all arrested and executed. Xianggong, you live in Beijing, have you met this man Wu Zhirong?”

”I have not,” Wei Xiaobao replied, ”I will slowly look for him, I am sure I will find him. Shuang'er, I am thinking of replacing you with someone else.”

Shuang'er was shocked. ”You ... you want to give me to someone else?” she said with trembling voice.

”Not giving you to someone else,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”I want to replace you with someone else.”

Shuang'er's eyes had already turned red; she was about to cry. ”What ... what do you mean replacing me with someone else?” she asked.

”Your Third Mistress gave you to me,” Wei Xiaobao said, ”Such a big gift is not easy to repay. I am thinking of catching that thief Wu Zhirong and give him to your Third Mistress. Then my gift will have more or less the same value as her gift.”

Shuang'er laughed through her tears; she gently patted her own chest and said, ”You scared me big time; I thought Xianggong did not want me anymore.”

Wei Xiaobao was very happy; he said, ”You were afraid I did not want you and became anxious like that. Don't worry, even if people pile a mountain of gold, a mountain of silver, a mountain of pearls, a mountain of gems, I will never trade you off.”

While chatting, the two of them had reached the foot of the mountain. They saw the clear blue sky as if it had just been washed; there was not a single speck of dust within ten thousand li. Wei Xiaobao thought that the circumstances right now was entirely different from last night, where they were forced by the heavy rain to take shelter in the 'haunted house'. It's just that Xu Tianchuan, Fang Yi, Mu Jianping and the others lost the battle and were captured by the enemy; he did not know whether they would be able to escape from danger. Based on his own ability, he would not be able to save them anyway, so thinking about them would be useless, it would be better for him not to think.

After walking for several li, they arrived at a small town. The two of them found a noodle shop, so they went in to eat. After Wei Xiaobao had been seated, Shuang'er stood behind him, ready to serve.

Wei Xiaobao laughed and said, ”You can't be too polite, sit down, let's eat together.”

”It won't do,” Shuang'er replied, ”How can I sit and eat together with Xianggong? There is no such custom.”

”Why should I care about damn custom or no custom?” Wei Xiaobao said, ”When I say you can, then you can. If you wait until I finish eating before you start, we would be delayed too much.”

”We'll leave as soon as Xianggong finish eating,” Shuang'er said, ”I'll buy some mantou [steamed bun], and eat it while we are walking. That way there won't be any delay.”

Wei Xiaobao sighed. ”I have a strange temperament,” he said, ”If I eat something alone, my stomach will definitely give me some trouble. If nobody accompanies me eating, a moment later I will have tummy ache, and then I'll have to accept my fate.”

Shuang'er smiled sweetly; she had no choice but to pull the bench and sat down at an oblique angle from Wei Xiaobao at the corner of the table.

Wei Xiaobao had only eaten several chopsticks from his bowl of noodles when he saw three Tibetan Lama entering the shop and sat facing the street. They repeatedly called out, ”Bring out the noodles, bring out the noodles!”

One of the lamas' glance caught the string of pearls on Shuang'er's neck, he nudged his companion with his left elbow and pouted to hint toward the pearls. As soon as the other two saw it, a happy expression appeared on their faces; they could not take their eyes off the necklace, sizing it up.

”Not good,” Wei Xiaobao mused, ”These three fellows are going to rob us on the way.” Taking out a piece of silver, he ordered the noodle shop waiter to hire a large carriage. After finishing his noodles in haste, he boarded the carriage, and ordered the driver to hurry to the west.

After galloping for several li, they heard the sound of hoof beat behind the carriage. Wei Xiaobao looked back, and sure enough, he saw those three lamas on horseback, coming to pursue them. He said to Shuang'er, ”Those three bandits are going to snatch your pearls away. Just give it to them, I'll buy another string for you later.”

”Yes!” Shuang'er said, ”You don't need to buy another one for me.”