Chapter 82 - A Deadlock in the Woods (1/2)
The spring rain fell in a ceaseless drizzle, but this spring season, the Great Jin Dynasty did not experience the vigour of life brought about by the spring rain. Instead, it was enveloped by a thick shroud of gloom. Fortunately, in the capital city, the distribution of congee carried on uninterrupted, and some kind hearted and wealthy merchants had, one by one, joined the group of people donating provisions. The number of troops on garrison duty had doubled, and the trouble-making refugees had dwindled in number. Apart from the continued challenge of daily living, in other aspects there was not much difference between the time before the flood crisis and the present.
The citizens had neither food enough to eat or clothes enough to keep warm, and were even less likely to pay heed to major events in the imperial court. Despite this, the news of General Guan’s triumphant return had still recently become the most talked-about topic all throughout the capital city. The courageous and skillful army led by Guan Liang Han would reach the capital that very night.
However, the Guan Liang Han who was on the tip of everyone’s tongues was currently sitting in Dong Feng Lou, merrily drinking a cup of a recent vintage of Guanshan pear wine. Beside him, Mo Cong said, “Second Brother, the entire capital city knows that you are returning tonight. You’re really not going to put on a show?”
“False appearances,” Guan Liang Han said with a scoff. “I returned to the capital city much earlier, what show should I put on? If we keep talking about it further it will eventually be night time anyways, and who really cares about such things? Only idiotic people who make a big fuss over nothing.”
Mo Cong shrugged his shoulders and said, “The rain is so heavy. Who knows where they are at this moment and whether they will be able to reach the capital on schedule.”
“Don’t worry.” Guan Liang Han wiped his mouth. “My subordinates are no pushovers, even if the rain were heavier, it would be no problem. Right now, they should have reached Wulin (Black Forest) Road.”
Wulin Road was not an official road. The official road had been inundated by the rising water a few days ago, and so the horses could not get through. Wulin Road wound through a vast forest of ebony trees, stretching on for miles, and the terrain was complicated. The trees were lush and grew in profusion, and if one were not careful, it would be easy to lose one’s sense of direction. Moreover, there were wild beasts roaming around in the forest. However, the entire army was there, so it would not be an issue. Guan Liang Han tilted his head, poured wine into his mouth and said carelessly, “Just wait without worrying about it.”
* * *
In the Jiang fu, Jiang Ruan was lost in thought as she sat by the window watching the falling rain. For some inexplicable reason, she had been feeling uneasy from the time she had woken up early in the morning. Although she had been able to suppress the feeling, it still rendered her slightly preoccupied.
Lian Qiao hurried in and said, “Miss, this maidservant saw an unfamiliar old woman entering Yan Hua Yuan. She looked very happy when she left, and the people in Yan Hua Yuan seemed particularly jubilant as well.”
Jiang Ruan eyes leapt. She asked, “Are you sure?”
Lian Qiao nodded. Jiang Ruan said, “I’m going out straightaway. Bai Zhi, Lian Qiao, come with me. Lu Zhu, you stay in the fu; if that side asks, I have gone out with Miss Wen to select some jewellery.”
Lu Zhu nodded and said, “Miss, be careful.”
Xia Yan had been busy with her own affairs for the past few days, and did not have time to think about Jiang Ruan. Or, perhaps she thought that Jiang Ruan would not stir up much trouble, and would be even less of a threat once Jiang Xin Zhi was dead. Thus, she was more benevolent towards her at the moment. Concurrently, Jiang Ruan had also become close to Dong Yinger and some others, so it was very convenient to use them as an excuse for going out once in a while.
Jiang Ruan and the two maidservants left the fu. Bai Zhi hailed a horse carriage, and the three of them hurried off to the General fu. Upon reaching the fu’s main entrance, they saw Zhao Yi and Zhao Yuan Feng leading a troop of imperial bodyguards out of the door. Zhao Yuan Feng was slightly taken aback on seeing Jiang Ruan, and immediately said, “The informer that Father placed in the Xia family sent news that the Xia family departed for Wulin Road at first light.” After a pause, he continued, “The Li family is also involved in this matter.”
As Jiang Ruan raised an eyebrow, Zhao Yi added, “It was not ideal for Grandfather to come out, so I and Third Uncle will work together. These men are all Zhao family soldiers; they are dressed this way to fool people. Biaomei, you should wait in the fu. We will definitely rescue Xin Zhi and bring him home.”
Jiang Ruan shook her head and said, “I will go with you all.”
Without waiting for Zhao Yi’s response, Zhao Yuan Feng categorically refused to allow it. “No, it’s too dangerous. You will wait here.”
“Third Maternal Uncle, if I don’t go, I will not be at ease for the rest of my life. This situation is extremely urgent; please don’t waste time here, Third Maternal Uncle. I am able to protect myself. If it comes to a state where the situation is so treacherous that I cannot do so, then it can be assumed that it is no longer possible to control the situation. In that case, being able to die together with my dage will be a blessing.”
Her tone was indifferent, as if living or dying was of no concern to her. Zhao Yuan Feng’s heart sank as he looked once again at Jiang Ruan’s determined appearance, and he thought about Zhao Guang’s assessment of Jiang Ruan the previous day. With his thoughts in a whirl, he said, “All right. However, you have to be careful. The sword does not discriminate; if you were to die by some unfortunate incident, how would I be able to account for it before your departed mother?”
Jiang Ruan nodded slightly. Zhao Yi hesitated momentarily, but, as there was nothing he could do, he led out a horse from the rear and asked, “Biaomei, can you ride a horse?”
Before he had even finished speaking, Jiang Ruan had placed one foot in the stirrup, performed an elegant turn and sat squarely on the horse’s back, donning a douli[1] she had randomly grabbed. The agility with which she had assumed her position caused the surrounding imperial bodyguards’ eyes to light up. In her previous life, a beauty from the Western Regions who could ride a horse had arrived at the palace. Her horsemanship was exceptionally elegant, and it set off a craze for horse riding in the inner palace. Unfortunately, Jiang Ruan had never been taught how to ride a horse. In the end, Xuan Li had personally taught her how to do so. Although her horsemanship was not outstanding, Jiang Ruan had practised continually in order to make him sit up and take notice of her skill. Thus, she had become quite a proficient equestrienne. She had never imagined that the first time she would reveal her skill at horse riding in this lifetime would be in order to rescue Jiang Xin Zhi.
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[1] Dou li ( 斗笠 ) – conical hat commonly seen throughout Asia. More here.
Bai Zhi and Lian Qiao could not ride and hence had to remain behind at the General fu. With concern in their voices, they exhorted Jiang Ruan, “Miss, be careful throughout the journey.”
They could not tarry as time was of the essence. Zhao Yuan Feng galvanised them like a horsewhip, “Let’s go!”
The entire party spurred their horses onwards as they galloped out of the city. The horses’ hooves splashed through the water on the roads in crisp, clear bursts of sound.
Zhao Yi and Zhao Yuan Feng were initially somewhat anxious about Jiang Ruan. After all, ladies were physically more delicate, and she might not be able to endure the constant jolting that resulted from galloping at such high speed. However, Jiang Ruan showed no signs of discomfort throughout the journey, so they felt more at ease. The horses galloped even faster.
* * *
At the same time, Mo Cong and Guan Liang Han had just descended the stairs at Dong Feng Lou. On seeing Xiao Shao there, they greeted one another and were about to engage in conversation when they saw a group of people on horseback gallop past. The water that was kicked up by the horses splashed on Mo Cong, who retreated a few steps and said angrily, “Hey, this young master’s clothes have been sullied!”
Guan Liang Han burst out in uproarious laughter. “You’re a man, why are you fussing over such trivial things? Eh, isn’t that Zhao Yuan Feng?”
Xiao Shao was a little startled and followed Guan Liang Han’s line of sight. At one glance, he noticed the slender figure in the middle of the party, a particularly striking sight due to the husky figures around it. Although the figure was wearing a douli, on noticing that Zhao Yuan Feng and Zhao Yi were riding next to this person, and recalling the recent information he had gathered that the Jiang family’s eldest di daughter was a recent visitor at the General fu, it was not difficult to guess the identity of this person.
“What are they going to do? Guan Liang Han muttered to himself.
Xiao Shao said, “The men following them are Zhao family soldiers, dressed up as imperial bodyguards,” thereby calling his attention to that detail.
“Private soldiers? Oh-ho, is this Zhao family joker not afraid to die?” Guan Liang Han said in delight.
Xiao Shao frowned, then abruptly turned and left. Upon seeing this, Guan Liang Han hurried followed him and asked, “Third Brother, where are you going? I still have something to discuss with you.”
Xiao Shao walked over to the hitching post. As he untied his horse’s reins, he said, “We’ll talk when I return.”
Guan Liang Han looked at him and asked, “You’re thinking of following Zhao Yuan Feng?”
Xiao Shao did not reply, being entirely focused on setting off, which was in itself a kind of tacit agreement. Out of the blue, Guan Liang Han laughed out loud and said, “This is interesting! I, too, want to see what this Zhao family rascal is up to. Seventh Brother, lead my horse over here.” He then patted Xiao Shao’s shoulder and said, “I will go with you.”
Mo Cong reluctantly led over Guan Liang Han’s horse and asked, “Second Brother, Third Brother, can you take me with you?”
There was nothing in heaven or on earth that Mo Cong feared, apart from riding a horse. When he was small, a horse had thrown him off its back. It took him three months to recover, and he was never willing to ride alone on a horse again.
Xiao Shao said, “No.”
Mo Cong rubbed his nose and heard Guan Liang Han say, “Just be a good boy and stay here.” So saying, he turned and vaulted onto his horse. Without sparing Mo Cong a glance, he raised his whip, whereupon his horse galloped away. Left behind, Mo Cong’s face was ashen in fury, but he could do nothing about the situation.
In single file, the two horses followed after the party in front of them. When Guan Liang Han caught up with Xiao Shao, his face took on a serious cast as he asked, “Third Brother, is there something that you know?” Xiao Shao did not normally have any friendly dealings with the people from the General fu, so it could not be that he was chasing after them merely to chat about good times. Something must have happened. Being a military official, Guan Liang Han was seldom in the capital city, so he also wanted to know if the Zhao family had any secrets.