Chapter Twenty-Five: A Single Move Sets Everything in Motion

Jian Wenjun said nothing, but Qianqin rebuked coldly, “Arrogant!” He Ru lowered his head, flicking away imaginary dust from his sleeve, clearly disregarding Qianqin and not bothering to respond. Qianqin’s anger was palpable even through the screen, and it was Jian Wenjun who reproached her again, saying, “Though I do not know what happened the other night that left Lord He stranded on the streets, I do not care for talk of gratitude, nor do I believe you do. There is no need to speak of debts of kindness. If you have no other urgent business, this place is not suitable for lingering. I suggest you take your leave.”

He Ru stood up. “If that’s the case, Seventh Lord, let’s go.”

Xu You smiled, recognizing He Ru’s tactic of feigning withdrawal to provoke a reaction. He rose, returned the courtesy, and turned to leave.

As they reached the door, He Ru gazed at the scene outside and sighed, “What a pity, what a pity!”

Xu You was considering whether he ought to chime in, when Jian Wenjun’s voice sounded behind them, “What is a pity?”

Xu You thought to himself: Jian Wenjun isn’t as composed as she seems. After all, this concerns her family—the foundation of a noble’s existence, especially in chaotic times.

“It’s a pity that after today, the legacy painstakingly built by dozens of distinguished members of the Jian clan over generations will be gone.”

“The rise and fall of families is but natural. Since the Han and Wei, how many illustrious houses have vanished like dust in the wind? What is the Jian clan in comparison? Whether we endure or perish is determined by fate, not by our defiance.”

“That argument only seems reasonable; in truth, it’s nonsense. If everything is left to fate, why strive at all? If we entrust our lives to the whims of heaven, what meaning is there in our existence?”

Xu You coughed lightly, covering his mouth, and whispered so only He Ru could hear, “Get to the point!”

He Ru paused, suppressing the urge to glare at Xu You, then turned back and said, “The crucial point is this: the disaster facing the Jian clan isn’t fate, but the work of men. Madam Guo could have turned the tide, yet she chooses to stand aside. How will she face the old master in the afterlife?”

Jian Wenjun was silent for a moment, then said, “Since you address me as Madam Guo, you must know I am no longer a maiden of the Jian family. To intervene in their affairs now would be improper and invite criticism.”

Xu You wondered about this as well. With He Ru’s intelligence, it seemed odd that he should emphasize her status as a daughter-in-law of the Guo family when trying to persuade her, as it would only make her less likely to agree.

He Ru took a few steps back into the hall and said, “Precisely because you are Guo Mian’s daughter-in-law, you cannot stand by while the Jian clan faces ruin.”

Qianqin sneered, “Alarming talk…”

Suddenly, Xu You recalled the night the Jinji ship was surrounded by the ink-clad guards of the Prefect’s office. Watching He Ru’s back, he sensed a hidden thread running deep beneath the surface.

Jian Wenjun was equally puzzled. “What connection is there between these two matters?”

He Ru replied coolly, “Does Madam Guo still wish to dismiss her guests?”

Behind the screen, a graceful silhouette rose. After a moment, the screens partitioning the room—dividing the space and separating men from women—were moved aside, revealing a young woman in a snow-white, double-layered gauze gown. She walked forward at an unhurried pace, revealing a slender neck and clearly defined collarbones. Her skirt shimmered like moonlight on snow, trailing more than three feet along the ground, lending her steps an even greater elegance and grace. Her long, jet-black hair was not styled into the Ling Snake bun favored by the women of the Three Wu regions, but was simply tied back with a plain ribbon, a stray lock falling across her chest. The simplicity and poise gave her an air of gentle languor. Her cheeks were bare of makeup, her skin as delicate as flower petals. She seemed like a butterfly fluttering in the breeze, or the purest snow and ice: to be admired from afar, never profaned.

Such a woman, gifted with both beauty and spirit, was, in He Ru’s opinion, only above average in appearance?

Is his sense of beauty truly so odd, or is his standard simply too high?

Xu You couldn’t help but glance sidelong at He Ru again, even worrying he might someday strain his eyes from doing so too often. Yet to force the elusive Jian Wenjun to abandon her seclusion and come forth with just a few words—such rhetorical skill was truly remarkable.

“Wenjun greets you, gentlemen,” she said, bowing gracefully. “I was discourteous just now. Lord He is a man of refinement; I trust you will not take offense.”

He Ru, having achieved his aim, did not press further. He cupped his hands. “I would not dare.”

Jian Wenjun then turned to Xu You. “I have long heard of the extraordinary talents of Seventh Lord Xu. Today I see that your reputation does you no justice.”

Xu You returned the gesture. “You flatter me.”

This young widow, even aside from her looks, possessed a composure and insight that set her above the typical noblewoman. Though her face wore a gentle smile, her eyes remained calm and untroubled, proof of a resolute mind rarely shaken by circumstance.

When all had taken their seats, Jian Wenjun said, “Lord He, could you clarify your earlier words?”

“Madam Guo must have heard by now that several days ago, Guo Mian was intercepted at the Long River crossing by men from the Prefect’s office. His whereabouts are currently unknown.”

Jian Wenjun nodded. “That is correct.”

The events of that night had already reached Qiantang. By now, if not everyone knew, at least all those who needed to were aware.

“Then Madam must also know that Du Jingzhi, the Libationer of the Celestial Masters in Yangzhou, has long coveted you. Day and night he thinks of you, and will not rest until you are his.”

A flash of shock flickered in Jian Wenjun’s eyes, but she concealed it well. “Why do you say that, Lord He? Libationer Du is a leading figure among the immortals of the Three Wu. Why would he cast his eyes on someone as plain as I?”

He Ru sneered, “Immortal?” He glanced at Xu You, who sat with composed indifference, and decided to skip a thousand words of preamble. “There are only a few of us here, Madam, no need for pretense. Since I dare to speak, I have my reasons. Shall I recount in detail how Du Jingzhi has petitioned the Jian clan to take you as his concubine? Or how he has secretly struggled against Guo Mian for your sake, making you the cause of their feud?”

A look of inscrutable depth appeared in Jian Wenjun’s eyes. She was silent for a while, then said, “Assume for now what you say is true. What does it have to do with the present situation?”

“Du Jingzhi has already bought off your cousin Jian Ting, and through the Qiantang bravo Dou Qi, is plotting to seize the Jian clan’s fortune. While we speak here, I suspect both sides are happily conspiring in the Zhibin Pavilion, calculating whether to tear the Jian clan to shreds and share the spoils or devour it all at once in one gulp.”

“What? Can such a thing be?”

Jian Wenjun frowned and called, “Qianqin?”

A plainly dressed woman, similarly attired and hair simply bound with a ribbon, stepped out from behind the screen. Her skin was fine, her eyes lively, but she shot He Ru a hateful glare. “No word yet. Our people have all been sent out to search for the master’s whereabouts, so we’ve neglected things here in Qiantang... I’ll send someone to investigate immediately!”

Qianqin gestured, and another maid emerged. After Qianqin whispered in her ear, the maid slipped out through a side door.

Jian Wenjun then instructed, “Serve tea for our guests.”

Xu You smiled. “No need for such trouble. The Zhibin Pavilion is not far from here; your servant will return before a cup of tea is finished. We shall wait.”

Jian Wenjun apologized, “It was my oversight to neglect your comfort, Lord Xu. Please forgive me.”

“You are too polite. We have only just arrived, yet you have already apologized three times. It makes us seem like ill-mannered guests...”

Jian Wenjun’s smile brightened the humble room, making it seem like a celestial paradise, enchanting all who beheld her.

“Lord Xu, your wit rivals that of Yu Fahuo himself.”

By now, Xu You was numb to hearing Yu Fahuo’s name. Was there no one else in the entire state of Chu known for their humor?

Facing such formidable men as Xu You and He Ru, Jian Wenjun showed no sign of intimidation. On the contrary, she subtly took the lead in the conversation, looking at He Ru. “Lord He, do you mean to say my father-in-law’s misfortune is also tied to Daoist Du?”

“Anyone with sense knows that to bring down the Jian clan, Guo Mian must be dealt with first. Without his protection, the Jian clan is nothing more than meat on the chopping block. But Madam, do not take the blame upon yourself. The reason Du Jingzhi colluded with the Prefect’s office to frame Guo Mian is surely part of a larger scheme. Swallowing up the Jian clan and forcing you to submit is only a side prize.”

He Ru’s eyes gleamed. “To be clear, Jian Ting and Dou Qi are mere pawns. Du Jingzhi and Liu Quan, for all their apparent power, are only minor players as well. The real movers are hidden behind the scenes, directing these pieces forward. I am eager to see who, in the end, will have the last laugh in this game.”