Hengyang County, Wu Mansion
A Few Weeks Before
The private dining chamber exuded understated elegance—a sanctuary of polished mahogany and intricate carvings that adorned the walls.
Golden lanterns cast their warm glow across the room, their light refracting off delicate porcelain bowls and silver utensils arranged meticulously on the dining table. The faint aroma of freshly prepared dishes lingered in the air, mingling with the soft hum of conversation.
Master Wu sat at the head of the table, his posture straight and commanding, yet his eyes betrayed a weariness that even the finest silken robes could not conceal. Beside him, Madam Wu delicately poured tea into his cup, her movements graceful and measured, the embodiment of noble poise. At the far side of the table sat Wu Hengxiu, her expression unreadable as she partook in the meal with quiet reserve. Despite the elaborate spread before her—succulent meats, fragrant rice, and an array of vibrant side dishes—she ate sparingly, her thoughts seemingly distant.
"Father," Wu Hengxiu said at last, her voice soft yet steady, cutting through the rhythmic clinking of utensils against ceramic. "What news have you heard from Viscount Liu?" Her question seemed innocent enough, yet the faint tension in her tone did not escape her parents' notice.
Master Wu set down his chopsticks with deliberate care, his gaze lifting to meet hers. "Xiyun County remains the same," he replied softly, though his voice carried an edge of hesitation. "The people grow uneasy, and rumours swirl like the autumn wind. But worry not, Hengxiu. Such matters are for us to resolve, not for you to carry."
Madam Wu placed her hand gently atop his as though to ease his burden. "The troubles beyond these walls are distant," she said, her voice soothing, though her eyes flickered briefly toward her daughter. "Let us not let them mar our evening."
Wu Hengxiu inclined her head, though she barely tasted the tea she sipped. Her mind churned with fragmented whispers from the marketplace—unrest, distant lands, and turmoil that seemed closer than her parents dared to admit.
As the meal concluded, the family lingered, sipping tea and exchanging pleasantries that masked the currents of unease swirling beneath the surface.
Though the chamber was tranquil, its polished elegance untouched by outside concerns, it was clear to Hengxiu that even the walls of their private sanctuary could not keep the unrest of the world at bay.
"Ah, yes, Husband," Madam Wu said, placing her cup down with deliberate care. "Hanzi was praised today for the poem he crafted. I would like to reward him."
"You spoil him too much, Mother," Wu Hengxiu quipped, her tone light but tinged with amusement.
"Oh, shush. You grew up too fast, so I could not spoil you, but your brother is there to make up for it." Madam Wu's gentle smile carried a hint of nostalgia, her gaze softening as she spoke.
Wu Hengxiu rolled her eyes and kept sipping her tea. Master Wu nodded and told Madam Wu to do as she pleased. The family of three shared a fleeting moment of warmth before parting ways to tend to their individual pursuits.
Later, in her room, Wu Hengxiu sat in quiet contemplation. A soft breeze stirred the curtains, and the flicker of a single candle illuminated her focused expression.
She pondered, 'I will have to go there myself. To get to Xiyun County, I'll have to pass Yiming Village and Quanli Town, then Fengyuan and Lingyue Mountain situated between here and the western region.'
Pulling a piece of paper and a quill from her desk, she jotted down her plans with quick, measured strokes: a route, provisions needed, and timing for departure. 'I'll leave in a month's time,' she decided, placing the paper beneath her bed for safekeeping. Rising swiftly, she left for training, her resolve sharpening with each step.
Present Time – Fengyuan Town
Hengxiu pressed her lips together, tearing a strip of cloth from her sleeve with practised precision. She wrapped it tightly around the man's arm, the fabric absorbing faint streaks of blood as she tied it in place.
The man winced but said nothing, his expression a mixture of pain and resignation. Hengxiu stood, her sharp gaze fixed toward the direction of approaching footsteps, her body tense yet poised.
A group of six men rounded the corner; their expressions hardened and their movements purposeful. The leader—a burly man with a scar tracing his jawline—stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the alley.
"Did you see a dandy-looking man around here?" he demanded gruffly. "Good-looking, long hair, tall. He's got a long cut on his arm."
The injured man behind Hengxiu stiffened, his face darkening at the word, dandy. Hengxiu's steady gaze remained locked on the group, her dark eyes unflinching.
One of the men—a wiry figure with shifty eyes—leaned closer to the leader and whispered, "Boss, the kid's eyes give me the creeps."
The leader scoffed, a sneer curling his lips. "Are you scared of a little kid?"
"No!" the wiry man retorted, his face flushing with embarrassment. Emboldened, he strode toward Hengxiu and reached out, his hand hovering just above her shoulder as he prepared to interrogate her.
His overconfidence blinded him to her swift movements until it was too late.
With a sharp pivot and a fluid motion, Hengxiu flipped the man over, sending him sprawling to the ground. He landed hard on his back, a groan escaping his lips as the air was knocked from his lungs.
The group froze, their eyes darting between Hengxiu's stoic expression and their comrade writhing in the dirt.
At the corner of his eye, he spotted their quarry—the man they were hunting. The leader's expression darkened, his confidence returning with cruel resolve. He raised his arm to gesture to his men and barked, "Kill the man and the kid."
Hengxiu's lips pressed into a firm line, her sharp gaze unwavering. She took a step back, her movement calculated, placing herself directly between the injured man and the advancing group.
The faint light filtering into the alley illuminated her poised figure, but not a word escaped her lips.
The first man lunged forward, overconfident in his strength, but Hengxiu acted swiftly. She crouched low, her movements fluid as water, and struck with precision. Her foot connected with his knee, sending him staggering forward into the ground. He groaned in pain, clutching his leg as she shifted her weight and prepared for the next assault.
Another attacker charged, his fists raised, but Hengxiu twisted her body to evade him. She grabbed a discarded wooden stick from the ground and swung it with precision across his side, forcing him to retreat with a grunt. The improvised weapon splintered slightly in her hands, but she adjusted her grip, her eyes narrowing as the group began to hesitate.
"She's just a kid!" one of them muttered, his voice betraying his unease. "How—"
"Enough talking!" the leader snapped. His eyes burned with frustration as he stepped forward himself, drawing a small dagger from his belt. He lunged at Hengxiu faster and more deliberately than his subordinates.
She dodged his first strike, twisting to the side, but her footing slipped slightly on the damp ground. His second swing came dangerously close, grazing her shoulder and slicing through the fabric of her clothes. Pain flared briefly, but Hengxiu did not falter. Using the momentum of his attack against him, she pivoted on her heel and delivered a sharp elbow to his ribs, forcing him to stumble backwards
The alley erupted into chaos. Hengxiu's movements remained sharp and deliberate, using her surroundings and agility to outmanoeuvre her attackers. The injured man behind her watched in stunned silence, his breath shallow as he clutched his wounded arm.
Finally, as the remaining men hesitated, their leader cursed under his breath. "This isn't worth the trouble," he growled. He motioned to his group, signalling retreat. "Let's go!"
They shuffled away, muttering curses and stealing wary glances at Hengxiu. The leader's gaze lingered on her as though committing her face to memory before disappearing into the shadows.
Hengxiu exhaled slowly, her chest rising and falling as she steadied herself.
She turned toward the injured man, her mask hiding the stoic expression beneath. She stared at him for a moment, taking in his tall frame and handsome features. Then, without a word, she turned to leave.
"Wait!" he called out, his voice firm yet laced with gratitude.
Hengxiu paused and glanced back. The man grunted as he stood, his towering height catching her slightly off guard. He clasped his hands together in front of him and bowed deeply. "Thank you for saving me," he said, his tone steady despite his injury. "I am Zhao Renxian, and I am forever in your debt."
Hengxiu stared at him silently. Who tells their name to someone they've just met? He must be a fool.
As though reading her thoughts, Zhao Renxian straightened and added with a small smile, "I told you my name because you seem trustworthy."
Her eyes widened slightly. Can he read minds or something? She wondered, taking a step back.
"Yes, I can," Zhao Renxian replied smoothly, his voice tinged with humour. His smile widened as he met her surprised gaze, but it didn't quite reach his eyes. Hengxiu frowned, deciding to ignore him, though a flicker of unease lingered as she turned away.
She resumed her walk, heading toward the inn Chen Liang had recommended.
The sound of hurried footsteps told her Zhao Renxian was following closely behind. "What is your name?" he asked casually, his tone light despite the situation. "I'm eighteen. How old are you?"
Hengxiu shot him a sharp glance, but he merely grinned and kept pace. He continued asking questions, undeterred by her silence, his curiosity apparent as the two made their way through the bustling streets.