Chapter 43: Escape (Part 2)

Returning to the Tinglan Pavilion, Yan Xi immediately instructed her two maids to pack her belongings. At this moment, she could openly stay in the temple for a few days and legitimately bring some clothes with her.

Earlier that day, the invitation letter sent by Meng Wenhui and Lin Yaor was stamped with the Jiangning postal seal. Traveling by carriage was often slow for women; the journey from Jiangning to Yangzhou would take at least two days.

Calculating the days, Yan Xi decided to set off the day after tomorrow. Time passed swiftly, with only a day in between.

On the morning of the ninth day of the third lunar month, Yan Xi woke and sent someone to inform Lu Zhi’s quarters of her plan to visit the temple today. After waiting the time it took for a stick of incense to burn, her maid returned.

Yan Xi anxiously asked, “What did he say?”

Qinglian replied, “He just said, ‘Ah.’”

Yan Xi continued, “And the others? How was their attitude?”

Qinglian answered, “About the same as usual—somewhat indifferent... It’s hard to read any particular emotion.”

Yan Xi’s eyes slowly shifted as she pondered. She feared the uncertainty deeply; she had always been obedient and never done anything so bold.

Since meeting Lu Zhi, so many things had happened in just a few months—things she had never even dreamed of before.

From her maid’s account, he seemed just as usual.

Yan Xi said, “Then tell Madam Yan to prepare.”

******

At the moment of the morning hour, Lu Zhi had just left the mansion, and the carriage to escort Yan Xi was already waiting.

The young girl sat quietly at her dressing table, her delicate hands folded gently. The room was utterly still.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached, and Taohong rushed in. Leaning close to her ear, she whispered, “Nine assassins have been left behind.”

Yan Xi knew this. She knew he would surely send those nine female assassins to accompany her.

Looking up, she softly inquired, “And the coachman?”

Taohong nodded, “Yun Sheng.”

Yan Xi exhaled in relief. Everything was proceeding according to plan.

Soon after, Madam Yan entered with a smile.

“Young mistress, everything is ready; you may leave at any time.”

Yan Xi rose gracefully and coquettishly replied, “Then let’s go now.”

*******

Spring was radiant, orioles sang sweetly, gentle ripples shimmered on the lake, and tender willow branches swayed. The entire governor’s residence basked in the vibrant atmosphere of early March.

Before long, a group emerged from Tinglan Pavilion, led cautiously by Madam Yan.

Behind her walked a beauty with jade-like bones and a slender waist, graceful and delicate, accompanied by a dozen or so maids. These women only halted after escorting her to the mansion’s front gate.

Passing through the hanging flower gate and then the main gate, Yan Xi had not yet descended the steps when her eyes caught sight of the nine old acquaintances—the assassins.

The young girl said nothing, her expression betraying no abnormality. Her gaze then shifted to the front of the carriage, where two men stood—Atai and Yun Sheng.

For this mountain journey, two carriages were prepared: one for Yan Xi and her two attendants, and the other for Madam Yan and her two accompanying maids.

Though fearful, Yan Xi kept silent and composed herself, obediently boarding the carriage.

The destination was Baohua Temple, built against the mountain. Though the path was winding, the road was wide and fairly smooth.

Along the way, the three were taciturn, speaking little. Qinglian and Taohong occasionally lifted the curtains to cautiously observe outside.

******

After a time, Yan Xi judged the moment and had the maids loudly call for the carriage to stop.

Once stationary, she was helped down by the maids.

The lead assassin, named Jinye, reined in the horses and turned back.

“Young mistress, what is it?”

Blushing, Yan Xi looked up briefly and whispered softly, “I need to relieve myself.”

Upon hearing this, Jinye dismounted and followed behind them as they headed into the mountains by the roadside.

Yan Xi found a spot and had her two maids encircle her. Peering through a gap, she told the assassin, “You, turn around and walk a bit further away...”

Jinye smiled wryly; what was there to be shy about among women? But as an old acquaintance, she understood the young mistress’s delicate nature and modesty; a young lady of refinement was naturally bashful.

Without further ado, the assassin turned her back and obeyed, walking a few steps away.

Soon after, Yan Xi called her again. Upon turning, she saw the woman had returned to her original position beside her.

The journey continued smoothly, and the carriage headed straight to Baohua Temple.

They arrived at the temple around noon.

Monks specially came out to greet and guide them, and the side rooms had been prepared in advance.

It was obvious that Lu Zhi had arranged everything meticulously.

Yan Xi shared a chamber with Qinglian and Taohong; Atai and Yun Sheng had another; Madam Yan and the two maids had one; and the nine female assassins were divided three per room, occupying six side rooms in total.

On the first afternoon, Yan Xi devoted herself to reciting Buddhist scriptures with the master.

At night, they returned to their chambers to rest.

The temple was tranquil, free from any noise; entering it, one’s heart naturally calmed.

All ate vegetarian meals with the monks.

The young mistress followed suit; no one had cause to speak otherwise.

One peaceful day passed. After dinner, Yan Xi gave a subtle signal to Qinglian and Taohong.

The two borrowed some items from the temple monks, gently fanned themselves, and brewed tea in the room.

Once ready, they brought the tea to the other chambers.

Taohong carried the tea bowls while Qinglian knocked and entered, smiling: “Thank you, ladies, for your hard work along the way. The young mistress will be staying here for at least half a month, and she will need your protection during this time. You’ll also be accompanying her in eating vegetarian meals. We feel truly sorry for the trouble... The young mistress asked me to brew some tea for everyone to try and enjoy.”

The assassins nodded in thanks.

“Miss Qinglian, no need to be so polite. Protecting the young mistress is our duty; there’s no hardship. Eating vegetarian for a few days is but a small matter.”

Taohong handed out the tea, and the women sipped slowly, some commenting appreciatively.

“This tea is truly fragrant; I’ve never tasted anything like it. What kind is it?”

Qinglian smiled and replied, “It’s just ordinary Yunwu tea, favored by the young mistress. The heir cherishes her and has prepared plenty. She drinks it daily. We specially brought some up from the mansion. The brewing method differs here, which changes the flavor. Our lady used to be an expert at tea brewing and taught us many methods... It really is delicious, isn’t it?”

“Mm...”

“I see.”

They nodded repeatedly in approval.

Qinglian chatted a while longer, then left with Taohong to visit the next room.

Soon, all rooms had been served.

Everyone praised the tea, just as the first had.

As night fell, two assassins stayed awake to keep watch while the rest went to sleep.

The next morning, Yan Xi ate a simple meal and then followed the master to the meditation hall for seated meditation and scripture chanting.

The following day, the eleventh of the third lunar month, was the anniversary of her father Shen Xun’s passing.

*******

That same afternoon, in Yangzhou,

The streets bustled with carriages and pedestrians, filled with lively noise. Vendors shouted, hawking their wares.

All kinds of goods dazzled the eyes, overwhelming to behold.

A carriage window was lifted, revealing two young girls’ delicate faces.

One smiled brightly, pointing here and there as she exclaimed, “Sister Hui, look! What’s that? I’ve never seen anything like this in Chang’an. Truly, each place has its own customs. Yangzhou has so many strange things I’ve never seen before. Could it be that I am truly ignorant...?”

The other girl’s eyes also scanned the bustling street, but her thoughts were elsewhere.

Meng Wenhui’s cheeks were flushed, admiring the lively market but thinking instead of her beloved.

“Do you think Cousin Lu will refuse to let us stay at his mansion...?”

Lin Yaor turned to her with a smile: “What are you thinking? How could Cousin Lu not let us stay at his place? We’re relatives! Besides, it was the Duchess who sent us to seek him out. If we didn’t come to him, who else would we turn to? We’ll only stay a few days until things are settled. At most, we might linger for ten days or half a month, then we’ll leave. Why would he refuse?”

As soon as she finished, she realized and burst into giggles.

“Stop talking about Cousin Lu every day! Every sentence is ‘Cousin Lu this, Cousin Lu that.’ I know you’re eager to see him!”

Meng Wenhui’s face turned even redder, smiling but with a hint of mock reproach: “What are you saying? My Cousin Lu...”

The two chattered back and forth, and after a while, the carriage passed through the market and soon arrived at the governor’s residence.

The coachman pulled the reins and stopped. A footman stepped down to open the carriage doors for the two young ladies.

Meng Wenhui and Lin Yaor alighted slowly with their maids and gazed upon the splendid mansion.

After a long moment, Meng Wenhui instructed her maid to knock on the door.

She smiled and said, “Tell them it’s us, Wenhui and Yaor, their lord’s cousins. We already sent our visiting cards a few days ago.”

The maid, named Xiaolu, nodded and went.

Meng Wenhui’s heart was full of excitement and nervousness. Though Lin Yaor’s feelings were somewhat different, she too was quite anxious.

The two stood by the carriage, eyes fixed on the retreating figure of their maid. Soon, the vermilion gates opened, and their excitement overflowed.

Just as they prepared to retrieve their luggage, Xiaolu returned with a troubled expression, frowning and rushing back, while the vermilion gates closed behind her.

Meng Wenhui and Lin Yaor’s hearts sank; their smiles vanished instantly.

As the maid approached, they nearly spoke in unison, “What happened? Why...?”

Xiaolu hurriedly replied, “Misses, the gatekeeper said no orders have come from the lord. The house has no master now; there’s no one to report to. He can’t decide and asked us to leave first.”

Lin Yaor asked, “How can that be? Was the visiting card not delivered?”

Meng Wenhui’s heart sank even deeper. “It shouldn’t be that it wasn’t delivered...”

Lin Yaor asked, “Sister Hui, what should we do?”

Meng Wenhui thought for a moment. “Wait here...”

Lin Yaor repeated, “Wait here...”

She knew there was no other choice.

The two returned to the carriage and waited.

Two hours later, the sound of horses' hooves drew near.

Meng Wenhui and Lin Yaor’s hearts trembled as they lifted the curtain to see a luxurious carriage approaching, followed by a fine horse and a bodyguard they recognized—Ning Wu, Lu Zhi’s attendant.

Beside the coachman was a familiar young footman, Dong Fu.

Therefore, the occupant of the carriage was undoubtedly Lu Zhi.

Meng Wenhui and Lin Yaor quickly descended.

The carriage soon stopped at the gate.

Dong Fu alighted to open the door and lift the curtain.

In the next moment, the two saw a man step down.

Tall and slender, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his features handsome and pale, refined and delicate—a peerless beauty. Yet, he was not Lu Zhi.

Lin Yaor called out softly, “Cousin Lu...”

Though her voice was not loud, it was enough to be heard. Yet the man did not turn his head to look at them properly. He only glanced at them sideways before summoning the footman, speaking briefly, and then stepping toward the mansion entrance.

Meng Wenhui and Lin Yaor were stunned.

At that moment, Dong Fu approached, smiling as he said, “Ladies, please follow me. The heir has arranged for you to rest elsewhere.”

Meng Wenhui and Lin Yaor were even more dumbfounded...