That night, Xing Muzheng sent word to Liu Ying’s courtyard: everything was ready. They would set off for Gui County at first light. The Tian family, upon hearing this, went to bed early and rose early the next morning. After breakfast and packing up, just as they were about to look for Xing Muzheng, a servant came to summon them to the main gate. The carriages were waiting outside.
Liu Ying quickly dragged her sleepy, slow-moving children and husband toward the front gate. From afar, she saw the gates being pulled closed and shouted, “Hey! Hey! Don’t close the gate! There are still people here!”
The two gatekeepers weren’t the ones from before. One of them, wearing a small cap, glanced back at her, raised his chin, and told his companion to shut the gate anyway.
When Liu Ying reached them, she saw that the steward had indeed replaced the two insolent fools from before, and felt pleased. Her voice hardened, “Are you both deaf? I told you not to shut the gate—didn’t you hear me?”
The small-capped one bowed and smiled. “Great Aunt, our residence has rules. The main gate is only opened for the Lord and the Madam. Even the young masters have to use the side gate.”
“Then who just went through?”
“The Madam.”
Liu Ying sneered. “You wretched servant. Don’t you know there’s no Madam in this house anymore?” She didn’t believe for a second that the servants hadn’t heard about the imperial edict dismissing Qian Jiaoniang. It was a huge event—they’d all have gone to receive the decree.
The servant paused, then kept smiling. “We lowly ones don’t know about that. The Marquis told us to call her Madam, so we do. Would you like me to open the gate for you now, Great Aunt?”
“You—!”
Tian Linwen stopped her from lashing out and shook his head at her. Liu Ying had no choice but to swallow her anger. She glanced at the firmly shut vermillion gates, then stormed toward the side entrance. Tian Bilian supported her, saying, “Mother, once I become the Madam of the Marquis estate, I’ll walk through the front gate with you every day!”
Liu Ying’s mood turned at once. She patted her daughter’s hand affectionately. “My daughter is so thoughtful, always looking out for her mother.”
The Tian family of four exited through the side gate. Two horse carriages were parked there—plain and unadorned, with no red canopies—looking like those of an ordinary wealthy household. Tian Linwen shook his head. Still just a general from a minor background. Doesn’t even know how to act like a marquis.
Up ahead, Qingya stepped onto a small stool to get into the carriage, then turned to help Qian Jiaoniang. She reached out, but Qian Jiaoniang grabbed her hand, lifted her skirt, and stepped directly onto the carriage without using the stool.
Qingya cried out, “Hey! Why didn’t you use the step?”
“You already reached out your hand—why would I bother?” Qian Jiaoniang giggled.
As she turned her head, she spotted the Tian family. Her smile didn’t falter, but the mirth disappeared from her eyes. “Uncle, Aunt, did you sleep well last night?”
Liu Ying looked around. “Well enough. Thanks for asking. Where’s Muzheng?”
“The Marquis? No idea. I thought he went to fetch you.” Qian Jiaoniang replied, “He’ll probably be here any moment.”
Seeing her dear nephew wasn’t around, Liu Ying said no more and led her family into the second carriage. Qian Jiaoniang watched them climb aboard, eyes gleaming with subtle meaning. Then she sat in the driver’s seat, swinging her legs outside the carriage.
Inside, Qingya asked, “Where’s Chou’er?”
“He got up early again today to practice martial arts. Probably with the Marquis.” She paused, leaned back with her hands braced behind her, and looked up at the brilliant blue sky. With a sigh, she murmured, “A son grows up, and he’s no longer his mother’s boy.” He’d only followed Xing Muzheng for a few days, and already everything was “father this, father that.” Even when martial training hurt, he wouldn’t tell his father—he came crying to her instead. Seems she wouldn’t have much use as a mother for long.
“Isn’t that better?” Qingya said. “Once you’re free of him, you can live as you like.”
Qian Jiaoniang chuckled, “Don’t say that aloud—if Chou’er hears, he’ll throw a fit.”
Suddenly, Qian Jiaoniang felt a pair of eyes watching her. She withdrew her gaze from the sky. The Marquis’ gate opened silently again. Xing Muzheng and Chou’er stepped out side by side, their eyes fixed on her. That look in Xing Muzheng’s eyes… it was familiar. It was the look of a wolf eyeing its prey.
Was he planning to bite her to death?
Qian Jiaoniang looked away as Xing Pingchun came rushing down, eyebrows dancing with excitement. “Mother, mother, let me tell you—father said he’s going to give me a horse!”
Before his words had even finished, a loud neigh sounded from behind, followed by the clatter of hoofbeats. Qian Jiaoniang and Xing Pingchun turned toward the noise and saw a glossy black foal being led toward them by Wang Yong. The little black horse had a sleek coat and bright, spirited eyes.
“Chou’er, this little horse is yours now!” Wang Yong patted the horse’s rump, his face full of envy. “This is a fine steed—look at that thick neck and short head, those big hooves. Tsk tsk, it’ll surely grow into a prized horse one day!”
“Really?” Xing Pingchun’s eyes sparkled. He ran three laps around the little horse. “Mother, mother, look—my horse, my horse!”
“Yes, yes, your horse, your horse!”
Xing Muzheng, seeing how happy Xing Pingchun was, had a flicker of a smile in his eyes. He had worried that Jiaoniang would be concerned for Chou’er’s safety and wouldn’t let him ride, which might make her angry at him again.
Ding Zhang came over to report to Xing Muzheng, “My lord, everything’s ready. Great Aunt and Uncle have also boarded the carriage.”
As if he’d heard Ding Zhang’s words, Tian Linwen lifted the curtain of the carriage and waved at Xing Muzheng with a smile. Xing Muzheng nodded back, then leaned in and whispered a few words to Ding Zhang, who nodded repeatedly with a servile grin.
Ah Da and Wu Shunzi each brought over two horses. Xing Muzheng walked over to the Tian family’s carriage. The Tian family members had already disembarked and were chatting amiably with him. Xing Muzheng asked, “Can Uncle and Yongzhang ride horses?”
Tian Linwen knew Xing Muzheng was a military man and valued riding and archery. He also saw this as a chance to grow closer to him. Though he disliked horseback riding and found it terribly uncomfortable, he still smiled and replied, “Of course, the two of us ride horses.”
Tian Yongzhang gave his father a look. His father had insisted he learn to ride, but he found it hard and had never put in real effort. Now, seeing his father’s eye signals, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and nod.
Xing Muzheng said nothing further and had Ah Da assign them two horses. Tian Yongzhang swallowed hard at the tall horse that was about as big as himself. With the help of the servants, he clambered up with hands and feet.
Xing Pingchun had already excitedly mounted his little black foal. Xing Muzheng stepped into the stirrups and mounted his horse, Lightning. As he saw Qian Jiaoniang enter her carriage, he lightly squeezed his heels and pulled the reins to bring his horse alongside hers. He tapped her window with the handle of his riding crop.
Qian Jiaoniang lifted the green curtain with her index finger and, seeing it was him, her expression shifted slightly. She tugged her lips into a smile. “What does the Marquis wish to instruct?”
Xing Muzheng looked down at her from atop his horse for a moment, then said nothing. He turned his horse’s head and flicked his whip, “Let’s go.”
Qian Jiaoniang found it baffling and dropped the curtain.
Ding Zhang quickly led the household servants to bow from the steps, “Respectfully seeing off the Master and Madam!”
