“Two red sandalwood screens inlaid with jewels... two gold-inlaid white jade Guanyin statues... twenty jeweled glass lamps... a hundred strands of large coral beads... a hundred strands of small coral beads... fifty gold-inlaid carved sabers... a hundred bolts of bird-feather brocade...” Feng Tong closed the gift list and weighed it thoughtfully in his palm. “Compared to the gifts you sent, King Lu Rong’s return gesture isn't exactly heavy.”
I looked at him with disapproval. “Do you think I’m conducting a barter trade with the Kingdom of Meng?”
Feng Tong narrowed his eyes and smiled. “I am a merchant. From my perspective, this deal is quite a loss.”
His words were always like this—half-earnest, half-jesting. At times, he would enthusiastically offer counsel; at others, he would exhaust his capacity for cold irony and mockery. It made me feel that he held a deeply conflicted attitude toward what I was about to do. Yet, whenever I expressed a desire not to involve him and asked him to return to Fengyun Fortress or Shangyang, the capital of Meng, he would become furious, sometimes ignoring me for days. After spending enough time together, I gradually discovered that despite his terrifying shrewdness in business, his temperament was like that of a willful child. Thus, I began to treat him as one—if he threw a tantrum, I simply ignored him. Within a few days, he would naturally return to normal.
For instance, the day before yesterday at noon, I had casually asked when he and his retainers would be moving out of this manor. His face immediately darkened, and he swept out of the room without a word. It wasn't until this afternoon, upon hearing that my messengers to the Meng court had returned, that he reappeared in my dining room carrying a box of sesame cakes, his expression entirely relaxed.
I had no choice but to drop the subject of moving. In any case, Maple Garden was vast with many empty rooms; a few extra people wouldn't make it crowded. Besides, it gave me someone to accompany me on walks, just like now.
The afternoon sun filtered through the dense canopy overhead, casting mottled shadows upon the colorful stone path. In the distance, the lotuses in the pond had long since withered, and their large, fan-like leaves were tinged with the golden hue of autumn. Over the high courtyard walls, the cries of street vendors and the playful shouts of children were clearly audible.
A slight sense of trance drifted through my heart. In that moment, I felt as though I hadn't experienced such tranquility in a hundred years.
Feng Tong stopped and turned to look at me with concern. “Tired?”
I shook my head and pointed toward the wall. “I want to go out for a walk.”
Stepping out of the heavily guarded Maple Garden, the bustling and slightly unfamiliar atmosphere of the marketplace rushed toward me like something warm and textured, enveloping me instantly. I watched the children chasing each other, the enthusiastic smiles on the vendors' faces, and the languid ease of the few pedestrians on the street. Unconsciously, a long-lost, burning sensation filled my chest. I felt as if I had returned to the first day I put on my black uniform. That day, as I patrolled the streets on my great black horse, my heart had surged with just such a passion.
I knew that what I was doing now far exceeded my original ideals, but regardless of right or wrong, I could no longer stop. At this moment, I had to make myself strong enough—strong enough to keep Dongyao City filled with peace and serenity, strong enough so that when my child walks down this street one day, they can still feel the sweet and vibrant breath of life I feel now...
Perhaps I had been lost in thought for too long, leading Feng Tong to mistake my silence for craving the sugar cakes at a roadside stall through my veil. He hurried over, squeezed into a crowd of children, and soon ran back holding a warm oil-paper bundle.
“Eat,” he said with a grin, handing the bundle to me. His expression was like a child wanting to share a secret, his eyes sparkling. “I heard Mother Cai say you get hungry easily these days.”
The look on his face caused me to daze for a moment. Such a scene had appeared in my daydreams countless times, except in those dreams, the person walking with me and buying me sugar cakes was not him...
It felt as if a thin blade had swiftly sliced across my heart, and my raised arm froze in mid-air.
“Unwell?” Feng Tong grew tense immediately. Because of the long, dark veil hanging from my bamboo hat, he couldn't see my expression. He stepped closer hesitantly and asked nervously, “Do you want to find a place to sit and rest?”
I shook my head and took the sugar cakes from him. I suddenly realized the benefit of wearing a veil: I didn't have to worry about others seeing through my thoughts, and I could eat behind it without worrying about appearing unrefined.
The sugar cakes were delicious—sweet, chewy, and carrying an unfamiliar fruity fragrance.
“They’re very good,” I said. “Thank you.”
Feng Tong relaxed, a faint smile touching his lips. Just as he was about to speak, a middle-aged woman carrying a vegetable basket stepped out from a nearby gate. Seeing the group of children gathered around the sugar cake stall, she shouted shrilly, “Haven't you little rascals all gone to school? Why are you here making trouble again? Da Chun, I bet you’re the one leading the truancy! See if I don't tell your father and have him skin you alive!”
The tallest boy in the group immediately craned his neck to retort, “We didn't skip! Today was the first day of school. The headmaster assigned us to classes, gave us our books, paper, and brushes, explained the rules, and then dismissed us. Formal classes don't start until tomorrow.”
The old man selling sugar cakes stopped his work and chuckled. “A few days ago, a teacher sent by the City Lord came to my house. Not only did he have my two grandsons go to school, but he also told me to send my little granddaughter. Going to school without paying is strange enough, but letting girls go to school? I haven't heard of such a thing in hundreds of years. This new City Lord is truly an eccentric.”
The shrill woman laughed. “Why shouldn't girls go to school? Who knows, maybe they can become officials in the future.”
The people around them burst into laughter. Feng Tong and I couldn't help but exchange a smile.
Establishing charity schools was the first major task I undertook after buying Dongyao City. I planned to expand the scale from the current four schools to six or eight by next year. In addition to literature, physical education, and arithmetic, I wanted to add subjects like nature and geography, and for the older students, practical subjects like mechanical manufacturing and business management. At the same time, free medical clinics were also under preparation.
After Fengyun Fortress bought Dongyao City, they had retained the original yamen to handle daily disputes among the residents. In my view, whether it was the Meng laws they followed or their methods of dispute resolution, they were all far too simple and formulaic. However, these things needed to be taken slowly. For now, the most important thing was not reform, but survival.
Since arriving in Dongyao, I rarely went out. Although my current heavy silhouette meant even Han Gao might not recognize me without a veil, I still didn't dare take risks lightly. This place was not far from Qizhou, and the person currently sitting in the commander's tent was General Han Jiang, the man determined to see me dead. Once he discovered I was hiding here, I wouldn't be the only one in trouble.
An unusual commotion broke out further down the street, and many people craned their necks to look. Strangely, everyone had a smile on their face rather than panic. Just as I was wondering what was happening, I heard Feng Tong shout with surprise and joy, “The caravan! The Fengyun Fortress caravan has entered the city!”
A large crowd had gathered outside the main gate of Maple Garden, almost blocking the entire street. We had to circle around to the back street and enter through the west side gate.
Seeing the three familiar figures in the flower hall from a distance, my heart fluttered with anxiety, and my steps involuntarily slowed. For a moment, even the simple act of lifting my veil felt as though it required immense courage.
Feng Xiuxiu, who was pacing back and forth in the hall, was the first to see us. She hurried down the steps, eyeing me curiously while teasing Feng Tong with a playful expression. “Fortress Master Feng, I trust you have been well? When did you get married? Why so stingy as to not even invite me for a cup of wedding wine?”
Feng Tong was slightly stunned and turned to look at me.
I took a deep breath and slowly lifted my veil. Despite having gathered my courage, the moment our eyes met, I felt an urge to turn and flee.
“Master, it is I,” I said, lowering my eyes with effort. “Masters, you have had a long and difficult journey.”
Feng Xiuxiu’s mouth dropped open. She stared dumbfounded at my heavy waistline, then turned to look at Master Rong Qin, who was sitting in the hall drinking tea, as if she couldn't comprehend what was happening before her eyes. The look of surprise in Senior Uncle Qiu Lie’s eyes flashed and vanished, while Master Rong Qin seemed as though she had been struck by a heavy blow, staring blankly with her teacup held mid-air.
Feng Tong took two steps back and said calmly, “I will go ask the steward for the City Lord to see if the masters' accommodations are properly arranged.”
With his departure, an indescribable gloom and... embarrassment filled the hall. I took off my bamboo hat, tossed it aside, and knelt on the smooth bluestone floor in front of the hall.
Feng Xiuxiu snapped out of her daze and stepped forward to pull me up.
“It is my fault for making my masters worry,” I said softly, my head bowed. I suddenly realized that I had never considered what my masters would think of my pregnancy. I had always felt it was a private matter, but at this moment, facing them, I couldn't help but feel a pang of shame and sorrow.
“Get up, quickly!” Feng Xiuxiu couldn't move me and shouted in frustration, “Rong Qin! Rong Qin, say something!”
Master Rong Qin set down her teacup, her expression uncertain like someone who had just been startled awake. she gazed at me intently and said heavily, “Stand up. What did Fortress Master Feng just call you?”
I stood up with difficulty, leaning on Feng Xiuxiu’s hand. Her palm was as warm as ever. I gave her a small smile and carefully explained to them, “I have bought Dongyao City. Also, there is one more thing I decided on my own without Master’s permission.” I paused, looking up at the two city flags fluttering in the distance. I seemed to sense a mysterious power from them, and unconsciously straightened my back. “I have used the Purple Jade Pendant of the Ming Sect. I have ordered all members of the Ming Sect to travel from Heavenly Ming Peak to Dongyao City as quickly as possible.”
Rong Qin’s hand trembled, and she turned to look at Senior Uncle Qiu. Senior Uncle Qiu hadn't said a word since we met, but upon hearing that I had mobilized the Ming Sect, a faint, intrigued smile appeared on his face.
Rong Qin withdrew her gaze and pointed to the chair beside her. “Sit and talk. Since the Sect Leader’s token was given to you, I will no longer interfere with how you arrange the Ming Sect’s affairs. You haven't been a reckless child since you were young; I believe you know what you’re doing.” As she spoke, she glanced worriedly at my waist and frowned slightly. “You turned the capital into a mess just for this?”
I didn't know if the “this” she referred to was my pregnancy or my mobilization of the Ming Sect, so I just lowered my head and remained silent. Feng Xiuxiu pulled me down to sit, placing my arm on the table to check my pulse while complaining to Master Rong Qin, “Even if she didn't invite us for wedding wine, it’s no big deal. The child has her own arrangements. Besides, I’ve interacted with Fortress Master Feng for a while; he is a...”
I softly interrupted Master Feng. “My affairs have nothing to do with Fortress Master Feng. There was never any wedding wine. I do not wish to mention this matter again. I will raise the child myself.”
Feng Xiuxiu was stunned again.
Master Rong Qin and Senior Uncle Qiu exchanged a look and sighed softly. On the contrary, there was a hint of understanding in Senior Uncle Qiu’s expression. I avoided his gaze; his eyes had a strange clarity, as if he knew the origin and outcome of all things. Such a gaze made me feel uneasy.
“As long as you know what you are doing, I won't ask more,” Master Rong Qin sighed. “I watched you grow up; I trust you.”
I didn't look up, but my eyes couldn't help but grow warm.
Feng Xiuxiu let go of my arm and said with concern, “The mother’s body has been overstrained; I fear it has already affected the fetus.”
My heart sank instantly, and a boundless dread washed over me. Scenes of the slaughter on the streets of the capital flashed through my mind, followed by the countless fights and killings during the days of flight...
Is this heaven’s retribution for my heavy bloodshed? At the thought, my body began to tremble involuntarily.
Feng Xiuxiu patted my hand and comforted me softly, “Don't worry, I will take good care of your body. You just need to cooperate with me.”
I nodded blankly, unable to stop myself from praying silently in my heart: *King A-Luo, omnipotent King A-Luo, please protect my child...*
When I arrived at the Lishan New Recruit Camp, it was just past the hour of the Snake.
This secret recruit base had begun construction as soon as I arrived in Dongyao. By now, it had begun to take shape. During the ten years Fengyun Fortress owned Yao City, they had formed their own guard unit to protect their caravans and maintain order. Over the decade, as the caravans expanded, the guard unit had grown from a few hundred to over three thousand. Naturally, when Dongyao changed hands, the guards also changed masters.
The camp gates were wide open, flanked by guards who stood like iron statues. They wore uniform ox-hide armor, neatly fastened. Looking across the field, five or six out of every ten were Iron Dragon tribesmen with curly hair and deep-set eyes. Most were tall and sturdy, standing out prominently in the ranks.
These Iron Dragon people wandered the borderlands year-round, relying on the sparse grasslands along the Xilo River to raise their cattle and horses. They didn't belong to any fixed tribe but were more like wanderers traveling in small groups. The young men among them were mostly skilled in riding and archery—natural hunters, yet wild and difficult to tame. They had enlisted because of Dongyao City’s generous pay. Simultaneously, I had to build new farmsteads to settle their families. So far, Iron Dragon soldiers made up more than two-thirds of the Dongyao Guard, and recruitment was ongoing.
On the drill ground, the soldiers were divided into four squads for maneuvers. The four squad captains were all former officers of the Yao City Guard, true military men. Currently closest to us was Captain Feng Yao of the First Squad. He was a tall, sturdy middle-aged man with a flat, cold face. It was said he had reached the rank of Lieutenant in the army but was forced into early retirement after a physical altercation with a superior. Among the four captains, his former military rank was the highest.
Seeing Feng Tong and me standing together, Feng Yao barked an order for his deputy to step out and continue the drills. He then ran toward us in a few strides. Autumn had just begun, and the heat was still heavy. Wearing armor, he was already drenched in sweat. He came to a halt, saluted, and said in a detached tone, “This subordinate greets the City Lord and Fortress Master Feng.”
Feng Tong didn't speak, merely turning his gaze toward me.
“Captain Feng has worked hard.” I smiled and looked at Feng Yao. “How is the situation in the camp?”
Feng Yao shot me a quick glance. He was a good soldier who knew how to obey orders, but his eyes still betrayed some of his private thoughts. He could tell I possessed martial arts skills, which seemed to make him wary. On the other hand, he was likely quite dissatisfied with Dongyao changing hands. Although Feng Tong’s constant presence alongside me had somewhat quelled the resentment of the old Fengyun Fortress subordinates, I still saw another emotion in his eyes. It was familiar. I had experienced this deeply when I took over the training of the Imperial Guards. The primary reason was: I am a woman.
Among these rough soldiers, how many truly respected women?
A sliver of displeasure stirred in my heart. However, regardless of his attitude, he was currently a very useful hand.
“Everything is normal,” Feng Yao replied succinctly, standing straight.
“The items I sent to you and the other three captains three days ago—have you looked at them?” I stared into his eyes and, as expected, saw a flash of hesitation.
“This subordinate has been busy with training...”
A surge of anger rose to my chest. The things I had given him were insights I had compiled over several sleepless nights, covering basic training for new recruits and specialized training similar to that of the Imperial Guards. I believed they were useful for him and the soldiers of Dongyao. And yet, he was arrogant to this extent?!
I pulled a copy transcribed by Caiyun from my robe and slapped it against his chest with a *thwack*. “Read it now!”
Feng Yao stared at me, a sharp, cold light flickering in his eyes. He remained motionless, letting the manual hit his chest and fall onto the yellow earth between us.
Feng Tong stepped back without a word, looking elsewhere.
“Before you raise a hand against me, I ask that you open that manual and look,” I said, staring him down without yielding.
Feng Yao’s gaze wavered slightly. He glanced at Feng Tong and finally bent down to pick up the scroll.
Many of the soldiers drilling in the distance noticed this scene, and the other captains began to exchange meaningful looks. An inexplicable tension began to surge in the air.
Feng Tong frowned slightly, his dark gaze scanning the drill ground.
Cold sweat also broke out in my palms. Feng Yao was certainly arrogant, but I was also losing my composure in the face of his deliberate contempt. My gaze met Feng Tong’s briefly, and we both turned our eyes back to Feng Yao.
Feng Yao had already opened the scroll. His expression was stiff, yet he continued to read line by line. If he was willing to read, he would understand that these things would help him.
Time passed second by second. The deep sound of a conch horn echoed from the far end of the field. The morning maneuvers were over. The soldiers began to line up according to their captains' orders, yet Feng Yao was still flipping through the manual page by page.
“Captain Feng!” Feng Tong frowned, a hint of impatience in his voice.
Feng Yao looked up as if waking from a dream, only then noticing that not just us, but the entire field of soldiers was waiting for his dismissal order. He immediately straightened his back, placed his right hand over his chest in a salute, then turned and ran back to the drill ground.
Three days later, when I arrived at the Lishan training camp again, the soldiers were divided into groups for physical endurance training. Feng Yao’s expression was as cold as ever, but when he looked at me, there was an imperceptible touch of warmth in his gaze. Simultaneously, the attitudes of the other three captains toward me had also undergone a subtle change.
It seemed Feng Yao truly held the most prestige among them.
“I suppose this counts as 'capturing the ringleader to catch the bandits',” I remarked to Feng Tong later that day.
Feng Tong shook his head and replied solemnly, “Right now, that 'king of bandits' is none other than you, My Lord City Lord.”
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
:--- | :--- | :---
枫苑 | Maple Garden | The narrator's residence in Dongyao City.
冥宗 | Ming Sect | The secret organization/sect the narrator belongs to.
紫玉佩 | Purple Jade Pendant | The token of authority for the Ming Sect.
厉山 | Mount Li / Lishan | The location of the secret training camp.
风尧 | Feng Yao | Captain of the First Squad of the Dongyao Guard.
义学 | Charity Schools | Public schools established by the narrator for the poor.
鲁容 | Lu Rong | The King of the Meng Kingdom.
上阳 | Shangyang | The capital city of the Meng Kingdom.
东瑶城 | Dongyao City | Formerly Yao City; "East Yao City."
阿罗王 | King A-Luo | A legendary figure/deity associated with the treasure the narrator found.
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