Book 5 Chapter 3 - The Shadow Assassin
Returning to the beautiful, secluded, elegant and calm Shen residence, the three of them had a feeling like they had just escaped alive from a mortal danger. Also, recalling that tomorrow they were going to find Peipei, they felt that their situation was not as hopeless, without any way out, as before; therefore, their mood was greatly improved. Giggling and laughing the two boys narrated to Susu their nearly two years of experience. The more the listener was engrossed in the story, the more the story tellers were getting excited. In the blink of an eye it was already evening.
The Shen Mansion was bright with palace lanterns everywhere, the front and rear courtyards were as bright as daylight.
After eating their dinner, Kou Zhong lazed around on a chair and contentedly said, "Jiejie really loves cleanliness, you even swept this room, inside and out, clean. If it were us, we would not do that.”
Susu stared at him blankly, "How could I have spare time to think of such thing?” she said, "It was those people this morning who came here to clean up!”
Kou Zhong suddenly sat up with a start. "Oh, no!” his voice broke.
Stunned, Xu Ziling and Susu looked at him.
Kou Zhong said, "When we got here yesterday, the room was full of dust, obviously it hasn't been occupied for a long time. Now all of a sudden somebody came in to clean up, evidently there will be guest who is going to stay here!”
Xu Ziling cursed his own negligence inwardly; he sprang up and said, "Must be Shen Poniang is going to entertain that beauty whom she accompanied just now. No wonder it is so bright outside. Come! We must quickly tidy up and sneak out.”
While the three people were busy tidying up the room, they heard faint hoof beats and voices from the front courtyard. Shen Luoyan and her guest have arrived.
Not daring to tarry any longer, while Shen Luoyan was still at the front yard, the three of them hastily hid themselves in another firewood shed behind their building.
Sure enough, a moment later they saw people entered the guest house; occasionally they even heard voices and the sound of movements.
All the lanterns in the four rooms of the guest house were lit. The three people no longer felt safe. Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling took turn monitoring the activity outside. In the meantime, the snow stopped. Apparently the guests have settled down, because they did not hear as much activity as before.
Kou Zhong, who was peeking out through a small window, suddenly signaled a warning. Xu Ziling and Susu hastily crowded next to him in front of the window. The three of them looked out together.
They saw Shen Luoyan leading the energetic-looking, alluring and youthful girl, walking toward the small garden right outside the firewood shed. The former started the conversation, "Luoyan loves to see the scene of prodigious abundance of fruit the most, hence I planted mostly fruit trees.”
"Yan Jie is very thoughtful,” the woman praised, "Who would have thought that unexpectedly there is such a world-class scenic spot deep in these alleys?”
Shen Luoyan modestly replied, "Yuzhi please don't laugh at me, your Song Family's Huai [Chinese scholar tree/Japanese pagoda tree/Sophora Japonica] Garden is ranked among the top ten gardens of the Wulin; how can my tiny nest be compared to that?”
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were shaken; it was only now did they realize that this charming and independent beauty belonged to the Song Clan. They were wondering what her relation to Song Shidao was.
The two women stopped to enjoy the icicles hanging from the tree branches.
Song Yuzhi nonchalantly said, "This time Yuzhi pays a visit, based on Yan Jie's ability and wisdom, you ought to be able to guess one or two reasons?”
Shen Luoyan muttered to herself irresolutely, "I wonder if it has something to do with Yuwen Huaji start rumors and create trouble in front of that muddleheaded ruler?”
Song Yuzhi laughed and said, "I knew we can't hide it from Yan Jie; but that is only one of the reasons.”
Shen Luoyan slyly said, "In that case the other reason must be related to Du Fuwei. I heard that after capturing Liyang, he cut the Yangtze River's water traffic, by wantonly and indiscriminately looting the sailing vessels. According to our information, they even confiscated three of your salt ships! Is that true?”
Song Yuzhi was indifferent. "Yan Jie is indeed very well informed,” she said, "No wonder Duke Mi relies heavily on you!”
Shen Luoyan shook her head and sighed, "I really don't understand what's inside Du Fuwei's head; while Yang Guang's main force is establishing their presence east of the River, he still has the audacity to provoke such a powerful enemy such as your precious Clan. Perhaps he is tired of living?”
Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling suddenly understood. Yangtze River was the Song Clan's lifeline in transporting the salt. By cutting off the salt ship traffic, Du Fuwei has greatly threatened the reputation, as well as the livelihood of the Song Clan. Therefore, the Song Clan sent Song Yuzhi with special mission to link with Li Mi, so that with north and south's joint forces they could attack Liyang's Jianghuai [River Huai] Army, headed by Du Fuwei and his lieutenant Fu Gongshi, from two fronts.
But presently Wagang Army was suffering from internal strife, plus they were facing Sui Army's counteroffensive, therefore, chances are Li Mi would not have time to take care Du Fuwei.
Song Yuzhi smiled and said, "Du Fuwei thinks he is forced by circumstances, but he shouldn't have provoked our Song Family. We have time and again negotiated with Du and Fu, two men, all failed to grasp the main points. My father is extremely furious over this matter, he determined not to spare anything in giving a good lesson to Du Fuwei. However, because he does not know Duke Mi's intention, he sent Yuszhi to have an audience with Duke Mi.”
Shen Luoyan sighed and said, "Yuzhi should be aware that we always have mutual apprehension toward Jianghuai Army …?”
Song Yuzhi cut her off, "According to our latest information, after the Jianghuai Army captured Liyang, unexpectedly they hold back their troops without moving, simply constantly consolidating their foothold of the area. Indeed their motive is unpredictable. Did Yan Jie hear about it?”
Shen Luoyan said, "Is Yuzhi referring to Du Fuwei's desire to wait for Yang Guang to be impatient and turn his attention to deal with us?”
Song Yuzhi was still indifferent, "Only this matter is not enough to make Yang Guang deal with you.”
And then abruptly she changed the topic, "I wonder if Yan Jie has ever heard of certain Qu Ao [lit. proud/arrogant song], a Tiele[1] man?”
Shen Luoyan was surprised, "Is Yuzhi talking about Qu Ao, the Da Kui [lit. big helmet], who run amuck on the western border? This man's fame is resounding; very soon he will catch up to Tujue's Wu Zun Bi Xuan. I am afraid that Du Fuwei's invitation cannot even move him. I wonder why Yuzhi suddenly mention this person.”
Song Yuzhi seriously said, "That was then, now it is different. Tiele people have always been mortal enemy of the Tujue people; seeing the Tujue's influence in the Central Plains is growing deeper has sprouted their ambition to get a share of the cup of soup. Qu Ao has received Tiele King's secret mission to connect with new rising powers of the Central Plains, with the hope of fishing in troubled water, and acquire a little bit of profit.”
Knitting her brows, Shen Luoyan asked, "Qu Ao really has any regards toward Du Fuwei?”
Calmly and confidently Song Yuzhi replied, "Not only that, they even conspire to assassinate Duke Mi. If they succeeded, Yang Guang would definitely take advantage while Wagang Army is in chaos, to go all out to attack you. At that time Du Fuwei would also seize that opportunity to absorb the scattering Wagang Army's troops, and then expand his influence to the north. Otherwise, the longer your Wagang Army exists, the more difficult it will be for Du Fuwei to expand northward.”
Just by looking at Shen Luoyan's expression, Kou Zhong and the others knew that this Qu Ao was no trivial matter.
Meanwhile, someone hurriedly came to report that Xu Shiji has arrived. Thereupon the two women went toward the front courtyard.
Kou Zhong followed the two women with his eyes as they disappeared into the woods, dyed white by the snow and the frost. Breathing a mouthful of cold air he said, "We might as well change profession to become assassins; it is the most profitable business. At least it will be a clean job, not as messy [orig. wading in mud and water] as stealing people's belonging to blackmail them.”
Recalling Shen Luoyan's secret roster, Xu Ziling was anxious. "If Shen Poniang found out that her roster is gone, it would be extremely bad,” he said, "We can forget about escaping out of town.”
"Looks like stealing that ghost thing not worth the risk we'll have to take,” Kou Zhong admitted, "Hee …! But how could she guess that it was us who took it?”
Xu Ziling thought Kou Zhong was right. He laughed and said, "This is called empty evil intention.”
But Susu was anxious endlessly; she said, "We'd better secretly put that roster back where it came from! The most urgent matter right now is sneaking out of the city; it's always better to have one less thing to worry!”
Listening to her, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were greatly moved.
When Xu Ziling stole the roster, his first intention was only for fun and perhaps to exact revenge on Shen Luoyan; essentially he had never thought about any benefit from extorting her with this roster. Better yet, right now both Shen Luoyan and Xu Shiji were in the main building's hall; considering it was an easy trip on a familiar path for Xu Ziling, returning the roster to its original place should not be a difficult task.
Kou Zhong said, "Su Jie's order, we should follow.”
Susu's mind was filled with conflicting thoughts, "But there are so many people out there,” she said hesitantly, "If you walk around in the courtyard, people might see you!”
Xu Ziling also expressed his lack of confidence in himself, "What should we do then?” he asked.
Kou Zhong patted his chest, "This is called ‘intention can be regarded as unintentional'. There is benefit in many people present: it is comparatively easier to fish in troubled waters. Su Jie can stay here, we will be back soon.”
The two boys slipped out of the firewood shed. Under cover of the trees, they swiftly walked toward Shen Luoyan's private chamber.
[1] Tiele is the ancient name of people living to the north of China and in Central Asia. Other names include Chi'le, Gaoche, Dingling and Tele (or Teleg).