A dark mass of troops encircled Yunzhou City, as if at a single command they would storm the gates.
The burning heat of the seventh month pressed heavier on all within and without the walls. Qian Jiaoniang stood atop the city wall, with Ah Da, Peng Shi and others, staring at the disciplined ranks of the Minghu army not far away—an imminent clash hung in the air. Peng Shi, clad in silver armor, was once a commander of the Treading-White Army under Xing Muzheng; now he led Yunzhou’s garrison, holding the city in readiness. The people of Yunzhou were terrified, scarcely daring to leave their homes.
It had all come so suddenly. Even though Qian Jiaoniang had heard Xing Muzheng say there was “somewhat” danger, she could not fathom why he would ever be plotting rebellion with the former dynasty. To speak a blasphemous thought—if he truly meant to rebel, would it not be better to hold firm in Yunzhou itself? Thinking of Xing Muzheng now locked in prison, her brows knit tightly of their own accord.
She descended from the wall and asked Ah Da and the others, but clearly they knew nothing. Ah Da cried out indignantly: “If master wanted to rebel, why cast aside his armor? It must be a false charge!”
“Then do you know why the Marquis went out?”
Ah Da and Wang Yong exchanged a glance. Ah Da said: “This subordinate only heard master say he was going to find the leader of the Black Chrysanthemum Sect.”
“The Black Chrysanthemum Sect?” Wasn’t that a martial sect of the jianghu? When had Xing Muzheng begun meddling in jianghu affairs? “Why did he seek him out?”
“This… master did not say clearly,” Wang Yong said hesitantly, “but this subordinate heard rumors in the martial world—the Black Chrysanthemum Sect’s leader holds a martial manual, and one who masters it can dominate the wulin. The recent turmoil is much because of this book.”
Qian Jiaoniang frowned. A martial manual? Xing Muzheng wanted a martial manual? He was already invincible on the battlefield—did he now wish to dominate the martial world as well?
Ah Da said: “Does madam remember years ago, when we went to Yongan for the imperial birthday, and on the road near Minghu we were ambushed by assassins?”
Qian Jiaoniang recalled at once, stirred by Ah Da’s words—the ferocity of Xing Muzheng’s hand then had left a mark on her.
“Those assassins were men of the Black Chrysanthemum Sect.”
Qian Jiaoniang furrowed her brow, turning her head in thought. This matter grew ever more suspicious. Was Xing Muzheng seeking revenge, or a martial manual? How then had it come to entangle him with rebels of the former dynasty?
Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves clattered on the bluestone road, and two men in scholar’s robes dismounted and bowed to Qian Jiaoniang. She recognized them—both were instructors from Qingyun Academy.
The older one was surnamed Qin, given name Shaoyuan. He was a disciple of Mr. Cao and had followed his teacher here. The other, with thick brows and bright eyes, was surnamed Jiang, given name Pengyi; he had come of his own accord a year ago, recommending himself as a teacher. Yet though they bore the title of Qingyun scholars, Qian Jiaoniang often saw them entering and leaving the marquis’s residence, walking behind Xie Zhang and the others at Xing Muzheng’s side, more like advisers. Their arrival today made her all the more certain of her suspicions.
Qin Shaoyuan and Jiang Pengyi greeted Qian Jiaoniang, then exchanged courtesies with Ah Da and the rest. Seeing they had clearly come regarding the army encircling the city, Qian Jiaoniang sent them up onto the walls to have a look while she herself went with attendants to the guardhouse below.
The two scholars went up in haste, looked around, then hurried back down wiping sweat. Meeting Qian Jiaoniang, they said: “Madam, please set your mind at ease. The army seems to have no intent of storming the city. Unless an imperial edict comes down, the soldiers will not dare to act rashly.”
Qian Jiaoniang thought the same. She was not overly worried about the black mass of troops outside for the moment; what weighed on her was Xing Muzheng. She remembered he had gone to do something dangerous. “Do the two gentlemen happen to know what purpose the marquis had in leaving?”
Both shook their heads.
Ah Da said, “Madam, the marquis has always had everything in hand. But this matter came on too suddenly—your servant is deeply worried.”
Wang Yong followed: “Yes, Madam. Could it be the marquis has fallen into someone’s trap?” Otherwise, how could such baseless accusations of rebellion suddenly appear? Clearly this was aimed at their lord.
Qin Shaoyuan and Jiang Pengyi exchanged a glance. Of course, they knew the Dingxi Marquis doted greatly on his lady, even clearing out the back courtyard for her. But they had not thought he would entrust so much to a mere woman. Ah Da and Wang Yong were his personal guards; even if sent out, they would at least rank as deputy generals. Yet they now took all their cues from the marchioness—surely this was by the marquis’s will. They had also heard she held the command tally and could order Yunzhou’s troops.
Qian Jiaoniang looked at Qin and Jiang. “And what counsel do you two gentlemen have?”
Qin Shaoyuan asked, “If I may presume—did the marquis say anything to Madam before leaving?”
Qian Jiaoniang did not conceal it. “The marquis did not give specifics, only said this trip would be… somewhat dangerous.”
Hearing this, Ah Da and Wang Yong’s faces changed drastically. Who could know Xing Muzheng better than they? For him, ‘somewhat dangerous’ meant peril of the gravest kind. Before, they had been confident in his brilliance in war, not too worried. But now they broke into a sweat. “Your servant will go at once to rescue the marquis!”
“Madam, please give the order to mobilize troops!”
Qian Jiaoniang rubbed her fingers. Jiang Pengyi said: “My lords, please be calm. In my view, this matter is of utmost importance. The marquis did not confide the details to anyone—we are blind men feeling an elephant. If we act rashly, not only will we fail to save him, but we may also lose the advantage. In my humble opinion, our first priority must be to see the marquis face to face, learn the ins and outs, and then decide with him.”
Qian Jiaoniang nodded.
Qin Shaoyuan said: “Wuzhou lies three to four days’ journey upriver from here. The Prefect of Wuzhou, Hong, is my fellow disciple. I am willing to go there and seek a chance to see the marquis.”
The room fell quiet for a while. Then Ah Da and Wang Yong both raised their hands. “Madam, we beg leave to go!”
Qian Jiaoniang asked: “With the enemy at our gates, can we even get out?”
Wang Yong replied: “Madam need not worry. Yunzhou is our own ground—if only a few slip out quietly, we will not be discovered.”
“Good.” Qian Jiaoniang rose. “Then, Mr. Qin, Ah Da, I trouble you to make the trip. Wang Yong, you will stay in Yunzhou and guard Chou’er.”
“Madam?” Wang Yong suddenly had a bad premonition.
Qian Jiaoniang nodded, confirming it. “I am going too.”
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