An Ill-Fitting Match
After Lady Dong had returned, Bai Jingyan set about settling the affairs of Qinghui Yuan.
She summoned Nanny Dong, Chun Tao, and Yin Shuang in secret. The three of them now stood watching her as she warmed her hands before a bronze brazier, seated upright and composed.
"After I leave, all of you are to listen to Nanny Dong. Especially you, Yin Shuang!"
Bewildered, Yin Shuang nodded her head.
"There is something this old servant wishes to ask of the Eldest Young Lady."
Nanny Dong looked at Yin Shuang, who stood there in a daze.
"I have no daughter of my own, and I should like to take Yin Shuang in as my adopted daughter. I may not hold high rank, but as the management nanny at the Eldest Young Lady's side, once Yin Shuang becomes my adopted daughter, no other servant will dare mistreat her."
Bai Jingyan had not yet told Nanny Dong that she intended to send Yin Shuang to Bai Jinxiu.
"Nanny, once the affairs at the Zhongyong Marquis Estate are settled, I plan to have Yin Shuang trained a while longer before sending her there. To Jinxiu."
Nanny Dong started in surprise, hesitated a moment, then spoke.
"Still, it is all right. This old servant only worries that someone might bully Yin Shuang..."
"Very well. If Yin Shuang is willing, you and she may discuss it and decide between yourselves."
Tears streaming down her face, Chun Tao knelt before Bai Jingyan and shuffled forward a step or two, taking her mistress's knees in both hands.
"Eldest Young Lady, this servant will go with you! I will never be a burden, I swear it! If I attend you, at the very least I can see to your meals. Won't you allow it?"
How could Bai Jingyan not know the depth of Chun Tao's devotion? But in this life, she could not bring Chun Tao to the battlefield. In her past life, Chun Tao had died protecting her. In this one, she had to keep Chun Tao alive.
"If you come too, who will guard Qinghui Yuan in my absence?"
Smiling, Bai Jingyan raised Chun Tao to her feet and gripped her hands tightly.
"The only people I trust in Qinghui Yuan are the three of you. Yin Shuang must go, and Nanny Dong is getting on in years — what would become of Qinghui Yuan if she fell ill? Isn't that so?"
Chun Tao bit her lip hard, tears falling.
"Don't worry. When I return, I'll see you married off."
These were not idle words. Having owed Chun Tao a wedding ceremony in her past life, Bai Jingyan intended this time to hold a grand one for her.
"Eldest Young Lady, what are you saying!"
Chun Tao's voice choked with tears.
"It's hardly my first time at a war camp. This time I'll only be following at the Crown Prince's side and drawing up strategies — what is there to worry about?"
Knowing that her mistress's mind was already made up, Chun Tao wept in silence as she packed Bai Jingyan's belongings. Her heart would not settle.
For several days running, coin had flowed out of the Duke of Zhenguo Estate's side gate exactly as the ledgers recorded, and today, at last, every last piece of it had passed into Xiao Rongyan's hands.
The onlookers had crowded about noisily, but only Lady Dong's trusted servants and Xiao Rongyan's own knew what lay inside those chests.
Xiao Rongyan had stepped forward to help when the imperial clansman threatened the Bai family. Now that the matter was concluded, it was only proper to repay him handsomely.
But the Bai household had no men, and sending household stewards in their place would have been far beneath his standing. Though there was nothing improper about merchants of Xiao Rongyan's class being received by stewards, one could hardly fill a seat with a steward when the guest of honor was the Bai family's benefactor.
Once all the accounts had been reconciled, Dong Qing'e brought Dong Zhangyuan and hosted a meal at the estate on Lady Dong's behalf. Xiao Rongyan, on receiving the invitation, could not conceal his astonishment.
Rumor of Lady Dong's intention to marry Bai Jingyan to Dong Zhangyuan had reached Xiao Rongyan's ears as well. Dong Zhangyuan had become Duke of Haiyuan at a young age, excelled in both appearance and bearing, and possessed extraordinary scholarship. He was a fine young man, rare wherever one might look.
Yet for a marriage with Bai Jingyan, Dong Zhangyuan seemed somewhat green.
Bai Jingyan may have been born a woman, but she harbored great ambitions in her chest and carried herself with a magnanimous spirit. Her stratagems and cunning aside, her capacity was vast, and she possessed the rare ability to move soldiers and serve the state. For such a woman, only the heroes and lionhearts of the age were worthy of her.
Though Dong Zhangyuan privately disdained Xiao Rongyan's merchant status, he attended the meal at his father's side, having heard that the man was the Bai family's benefactor.
But after only a few exchanges of conversation, Dong Zhangyuan's opinion changed entirely. Xiao Rongyan's breadth of learning and experience was vast, and his speech and bearing inspired nothing but admiration. This man was, without question, a refined gentleman.
Dong Qing'e raised his cup and offered wine on Lady Dong's behalf.
"There are four debts of gratitude we owe you today, Master Xiao! Blocking the new Prince's path at Seongnam! Rescuing the Bai family's Second Madam! Aiding the Bai clan's surviving kin when they were driven to the edge of the grave! Teaching Physician Hong the art of acupuncture, so that Jingyan might wake! On behalf of my sister, let me offer you a cup."
"Lord Dong, this is far too great an honor. How could I dare accept such gratitude as my due? It was all mere chance."
Xiao Rongyan touched his cup a touch lower than Dong Qing'e's, showing utmost courtesy.
"The Bai family has given me a great deal of help. I wish to repay even a portion of it — should you ever need my aid, I will do everything within my power."
Laughter in his eyes, Dong Qing'e drained his cup.
"To hear such a promise from you, Master Xiao, pleases me greatly."
Watching the young man whose every movement was noble and graceful, Dong Qing'e reflected that he would one day become a truly remarkable figure.
The conviction came from years of experience meeting people and being tested against them — this man was no ordinary person. Securing such a promise from Xiao Rongyan could not possibly hurt.
"I hear you will soon be leaving the capital?"
Dong Zhangyuan asked.
"His Majesty has declared that there will be no lantern festival this Lunar New Year, and that the court will mourn for the King of Zhenguo. So I intend to depart the capital as well."
Xiao Rongyan replied.
Dong Zhangyuan, a gentleman smooth as white jade, raised his cup with a smile.
"Then, Master Xiao, may your road be smooth."
Lunar New Year's Day. Dawn had not yet broken.
The whole family had come out to see the Grand Princess off on her road to the Imperial Nunnery. The line of carriages departed from the Bai family's main gate and proceeded regally toward the mountains, coming to a halt at the foot of the grand, towering steps just as the morning sun began to pour down.
Lady Dong personally supported the Grand Princess as she ascended the steps. Third Madam Li, unaware that Bai Jindong would be leaving the capital, charged her again and again to look after the Grand Princess diligently — to inquire after her grandmother's health morning and evening, and never once to slack.
Bai Jindong answered that she would.
"Go on back now. There's no need to see me further. Ayuan, escort me inside."
The Grand Princess took Lady Dong's hand gently and continued.
"If nothing happens, don't come to visit me. Devote yourself to your own life alone."
The daughters-in-law all stood before the gates of the nunnery, bowing with great respect as they watched the Grand Princess go in. Then, before returning home, they offered incense in the main hall and bowed.
Bai Jingyan and Bai Jindong stood at the Grand Princess's two sides. Suppressing the emotions that welled up within her, the Grand Princess spoke her parting words in a low voice.
"Both of you will be leaving home soon. Never forget that safety comes before all else — you must be careful, and careful again. Ayuan, the battlefield is a place where danger lurks. Blades have no eyes; you must stay at the Crown Prince's side at all times if you wish to remain safe."
"Yes."
Bai Jingyan answered.
After seeing the Grand Princess inside, Bai Jindong offered a farewell bow, the rims of her eyes red. Then she went out, changed her clothes, and readied herself to depart once more.
The small side quarters of the Imperial Nunnery were not lavishly splendid, but everything one might need was there in abundance.
The chamber held a warm-kang heated floor, and when the heavy screens were rolled aside, the gentle warmth of a spring day could be felt.
Having escorted the Grand Princess into her room, Bai Jingyan bowed in salute when a maid brought in hot tea, and spoke.
"Having seen you safely here, Grandmother, I will take my leave."
"Ayuan!"
The Grand Princess rose hurriedly as Bai Jingyan turned to go.
A rough, wrinkled hand seized Bai Jingyan's. Then the Grand Princess slipped the prayer beads from her own arm onto the girl's slender wrist.
"These beads were consecrated by Master Guanghe — a blessed ritual performed on an auspicious day to imbue an object with divine power. They will keep you safe and see you home unharmed."
Gazing at the beads her grandmother had carried for so many years, Bai Jingyan did not refuse. She offered a respectful bow and spoke.
"Thank you, Grandmother."
"Ayuan, you must come home safe. Do you hear me?"
The Grand Princess's eyes reddened, and tears fell.
Bai Jingyan gave a small nod and stepped out of the side quarters. Hearing the sound of screens being raised in the courtyard, she turned to see the Grand Princess walking out, supported by Nanny Zhang, her face brimming with tears as she watched Bai Jingyan go.
Her heart aching, Bai Jingyan offered her grandmother one last light bow before leaving.
She went to Bai Jindong, took her sister — now dressed in men's attire — and led her out through the nunnery's side gate, directing her to make her way around the northern face of the mountain.
By the time the two of them reached the bamboo grove on the northern slope, where emerald bamboo leaves swayed in the wind, the guard detail stood in orderly ranks.
Wei Zhong hurried forward and saluted.
"My lady, half of the guard — ten men — have assembled here."
Bai Jingyan gave a small nod, then turned to Bai Jindong.
"Grandmother has entrusted her private guard to me. Half of them will go with you."
Bai Jindong pressed her lips together, lost in thought for a moment.
"You're leaving for the Southern Border today, sister — you need them more than I do. Take them yourself."
"I'll be traveling with the Crown Prince, so nothing is likely to happen to me. But you're different. You'll be traveling under a false name, wandering far and wide — these men will be the only people you can rely on."
Bai Jingyan took Bai Jindong's hand and walked her down as far as the foot of the mountain.
"Mother has quietly transferred every decent shop in every region into your name. Fortunately, everyone believes the Bai family sold off all its assets, so even with the ownership of the shops changed, it should raise no great suspicion."
"Yes."
Bai Jindong nodded. When the mountain path grew a little steep, she supported Bai Jingyan by the arm — and unconsciously, her hand closed on the sandbag strapped there.
"The world is changing. You have to look far ahead — never confine yourself to Jin alone. If you can use your talents to trade across many nations, gathering intelligence from each one will become a great deal easier."
The world is changing?
Bai Jindong's heart suddenly began to race, as if a fog that had clouded her vision were lifting all at once.
Yes — it isn't just Jin. The whole world is turning!
Jin, at this moment...
Within, the corrupt ministers of the court were gathering their forces, clawing their way up to high positions in a bid to seize the levers of power.
Without, the allied armies of Xiliang and Southern Yan pressed hard against the border, and the court had not a single general left to take the field.
Internal strife not yet quelled, with foreign invaders already at the gates — these were the omens of a falling dynasty.
The once-flourishing banner of Great Jin was bending toward decay, and it was plain that the ambitious Xiliang and the rapidly rising Southern Yan would be the ones to redraw the map of the world.
Keep one's eyes fixed only on Jin, and one saw only Jin's unraveling. Look far, across to other nations, and one could see how the whole world shifted and transformed.
Even in the space of an instant the times turned swiftly — and it was those who moved first who would find firm footing amid the chaos of a falling age.