Dappled shadows swayed as snowflakes drifted down silently.
The person at her side glanced up, gazing at the bright moon overhead.
After a long while, he asked softly, “Even if you knew he was someone close to death?”
Head bowed, she answered gently, “Mm-hmm.”
“Even if…” He lowered his eyes. “You knew he couldn’t make any promises, couldn’t give you time, and wouldn’t be able to stay by your side for very long?”
She looked toward the distant lights. “Mm-hmm.”
He closed his eyes without a word. “Someone like Xie Kang isn’t worth liking.”
“He’s worth it,” she shook her head, laughing softly again. “That fool… I’ve liked him for a very long time now.”
“I see,” he chuckled low. “If he heard you say that, he’d probably be quite shocked. He doesn’t know you’ve liked him that long.”
“He doesn’t know,” she laughed too. “He’s too stupid, it took him so long to notice.”
“You’re too good to everyone,” he murmured. “He’s always thought that you’re only nice to him because you pity his illness.” A bitter note entered his voice. “He really is awful, constantly taking advantage of your sympathy to deceive you into feeling sorry for him. So arrogant and full of self-deception – a complete jerk.”
She laughed softly, echoing his words. “A complete jerk.”
“But I like him very much,” she added.
There was a gentle rustling, like the faint swell of an incoming tide.
He closed his eyes briefly. “Perhaps…deep down, he knows. But doesn’t dare believe it.”
“Actually,” he went on, “he’s liked you for many years now.”
“Mm-hmm,” she nodded. “I know.”
“When did you realize it?”
“One day, I noticed he had a red string tied around his wrist. It was from my hair ribbon. I’ve known since then.”
He faltered, then laughed low. “He’s so stupid. Giving himself away so easily like that.”
“Yeah, he’s silly,” she murmured. “I wonder why he tied that red string on?”
“I’ve heard a folk saying that tying a red string on your wrist can protect you from harm,” he explained, as if to himself. “He probably hoped it would help him live a bit longer too. Like you’re a little fairy watching over him and keeping him safe.”
He shook his head with a wry quirk of his lips. “He shouldn’t do things like that. Too obvious.”
The pine-scented wind stirred, blowing up the sound of the mountain stream. He raised his face to the winds, the moonlight spilling silently over him in a frosty cascade, as though he meant to ride the gusts and soar away.
“The thing Xie Kang hates the most,” he said abruptly, “is seeing you sad.”
“What he hates most of all…is you being sad because of him.”
“Sometimes I think, he’s far too selfish, goes too far… Clearly he should keep his distance from you, so why can’t he help getting close?” His voice turned cold. “He really is a terrible person.”
“Someone like him,” he gave a mirthless laugh, “should just quietly go off somewhere alone to die.”
A sudden gust.
His gaze shuddered.
In that unforeseen instant, the girl at his side swiftly wrapped both arms around him from behind, one hand covering his mouth.
“Shut up,” she ordered sharply, voice by his ear.
He froze in shock, neither moving nor turning back. The silent winter wind stirred up wisps of her hair to brush feather-light over his cheek, like a swirling rain of flowers descending all around them.
Moonbeams cascaded down branches in liquid sheets.
The sighing wind swirled through the pine forest, one cry after another, as he let her continue holding him so.
Both their bodies trembled faintly.
A puff of snow tumbled down from overhead, pattering softly into the pool of moonlight below. Lights from the mountain village flickered far below while stars overhead glimmered and dimmed. The sounds of wind stirring the pines rose and fell in endless waves all about them.
“He won’t die,” she said at last, very softly.
Ever so slowly, he closed his eyes.
“No one believes it. Not even himself.” Her whisper was firm. “But I believe it.”
She leaned her cheek against his back, nestling quietly against him. “Will you believe it with me too?”
Amidst the stirring winds, he kept his eyes shut and listened – to her breathing, to the beat of her heart, each pulse so clear and ardent. He couldn’t feel any warmth, yet he knew it was there, scalding hot and searingly bright, a flame kindling in the still darkness.
“Alright,” he murmured finally.
“It’s a promise then?”
“Yes. A promise.”
He held out a hand and they clasped palms firmly.
“Then hold me,” she asked, head bowed.
He slipped both arms about her waist and gathered her close against him, embracing her deeply.
The sighing winds echoed between the peaks. Seated atop the highest branch, they gazed out at the myriad lights dwindling below while the distant Milky Way rose up behind them – a silken ribbon glimmering silently across the heavens.
Endless streams of light swirled to and fro between earth and sky.
Nestled against his chest, she listened to the steady beat of his heart, slowing with each pulse.
“You should sleep now,” she said softly.
He shook his head. “Don’t want to. Afraid I’ll forget.”
“There’s nothing to fear.” She pressed closer above his heart. “I’ll remember for you.”
Still holding her, he shut his eyes, head bowed, consciousness gradually fading as he slowly slumped against her. His breaths fluttered her ear, strands of his hair grazing her neck and tickling slightly. She smiled to herself.
Then carefully, she shifted to support him. From his limp hand she took the wine flask and helped him drink down another mouthful of medicinal spirits.
He swallowed with eyes still closed. Her motions paused briefly.
The wine was nearly gone.
She bit her lip and held him steady, gently guiding his sleeping form toward the cottage.
The next clear dawn, birds chirped brightly amidst the sunny skies and fresh air.
Within the bamboo cottage, flames crackled merrily in the coal burner, occasionally sending up a loud pop with flying embers.
Lying beside the slumbering girl nestled against him, the young man awoke and watched her, lips curving ever so slightly though his gaze grew pensive. After a quiet spell he shook his head with a soft laugh under his breath.
Then slowly he got up, moving to sit at the small table where he lit a tiny clay stove and began calmly brewing tea.
The light fragrance spread, rousing her from sleep. She mumbled fuzzily as her eyes fluttered open to find him sitting there. “You’re awake?”
After a brief silence she ventured hesitantly, “Last night…how much do you still remember?”
He shook his head. “Nothing.”
“Just getting to the mountain stronghold.” He tried hard to recall. “After that…it’s a blank.”
Her expression dimmed for an instant and he murmured a low apology.
“I feel like…” He closed his eyes briefly. “I’ve forgotten something important.”
“It’s alright,” she forced a little smile. “If you forget, I’ll just tell you the story again. As many times as you forget, I’ll repeat it that many times more.”
Sitting up, she lifted her chin commandingly toward him. He huffed a soft laugh then moved behind her without complaint, bowing his head to dress her hair.
Deft fingers swiftly arranged her long tresses into an elegant twist. Still hugging both knees to herself, she kept her gaze downcast and began recounting slowly: “Last night we were talking about a fool…”
“I guessed that much already,” he replied, wholly attentive to wrapping up her hair.
“You told me last night that the fool is in love with me.”
“I suppose I figured so,” he murmured, focused on styling her hair.
“And I’m in love with that fool too,” she went on seriously.
“Mm,” he nodded.
“You also promised me,” she reminded solemnly, “that you’d believe with me – believe he won’t disappear.”
His fingers shook almost imperceptibly before answering softly once more, “Alright.”
Reaching for the crimson hairpiece on the table, he secured her finished updo then heard her ask curiously: “Really nothing comes back to you? You seem to have guessed everything already, not even a little surprised.”
“Well,” he laughed under his breath, “when I woke up and saw you there by my side… I suddenly felt very happy.”
He gazed out the sunny window. “So I knew something very nice must have happened.”
Golden sunshine and rustling plants filled the quiet.
The two were soon ready to go and made their way together toward the stronghold’s main hall.
The spacious hall was built from local pine, with a large crooked signboard hanging from the center boldly proclaiming “Brotherhood Hall” in black brushstrokes. Beneath it stood an armchair made from animal hides, two fiery braziers on either side with crackling flames – altogether cut quite the bandit chief’s imposing sight.
“Morning, Chieftain’s lady!” Zhao Xiaochuan called with an explosive salute, bowing respectfully to usher Jiang Kui to the chief’s seat. Then he folded his sleeves across his chest and bent low to Zhu Zi’an as well, “Good morning, Master.”
Once they were seated, Zhao Xiaochuan spread out a map over the central table for Jiang Kui and Zhu Zi’an to look over.
“Over the years, the martial world has been at peace. Our outlaw bands follow the basic code and collect reasonable fees from locals to maintain stability in the Huainan region,” he explained. “We often provide disaster relief for common folk too, and are appreciated by the rural communities.”
Zhu Zi’an nodded. “All along our journey here, nearby villagers have been helping cover the outlaw bands’ tracks.”
“Indeed,” agreed Zhao Xiaochuan. “Because the officials have warrants out for our arrest.”
His tone grew solemn. “For many years we’ve coexisted peacefully with authorities. But early this year, they suddenly allege we outlaws are making trouble and put up notices everywhere to apprehend us… We had no choice but to seal off the stronghold and remain in hiding.”
Zhu Zi’an’s frown deepened slightly. “The Transport Commissioner wrote me about increasing bandit raids on merchant caravans lately, impacting his business. The scouts he sent out also disappeared without a trace.”
“The people we sent to meet the Commissioner’s group…” Zhao Xiaochuan said heavily, “also never returned.”
Jiang Kui asked, “Who do you think is behind it?”
Zhao Xiaochuan scratched his head helplessly. “At first I assumed the Transport Branch was trying to encroach on our territory… After all, we take a cut of all business going through these lands, over both water and ground trade routes.”
“But given how things stand now,” he pressed his lips, “I have a bold guess, one I don’t quite dare voice aloud.”
“It has to be the officials,” stated Jiang Kui evenly. “It can only be their doing.”
Zhao Xiaochuan scratched his head again. “Our outlaw bands have been law-abiding all these years and haven’t committed terrible crimes…why would authorities interfere so abruptly in our corner of the martial world?”
“I can just about confirm it now,” murmured Zhu Zi’an. “Prefect He Quan of Huainan…that man does have ulterior ambitions after all.”
He turned to Jiang Kui. “Not long after you left last night, I received word from Luo Shiyi. He wrote that the suspicious goods being transported were delivered in large quantities to the state granaries at the Huainan government offices.”
“We head straight for Huainan next,” he rose to his feet. “Once we find that batch of supplies, we return to Chang’an with all due haste.”
He glanced out the window at the light. “Time runs short…I hope we make it.”
“I shall accompany you to Huainan!” declared Zhao Xiaochuan, immediately jumping up to stand ramrod straight before Jiang Kui, bowing deeply again. “Esteemed Chieftain’s lady has come on behalf of our outlaw circles. I pledge my full assistance on this trip! I know every inch of land around here and can quicken your travels.”
Jiang Kui pondered briefly before inquiring, “If you come along with us, do you have reliable people to oversee the stronghold?”
“I do, I do!” nodded Zhao Xiaochuan eagerly.
Jiang Kui pulled the map closer, pointing out a few spots. “There are major weak points here that require extra defenses. Also, for the next while, continue keeping the location of this base sealed off and strictly confidential.”
Zhao Xiaochuan seemed taken aback. “You’re afraid…someone may threaten the safety of our stronghold?” he asked nervously.
“I worry about potential harm,” she affirmed grimly. “The situation in Huainan remains unclear.”
“Understood!” He bent low again. “I’ll go make arrangements immediately, reinforce security and secrecy!”
After Zhao Xiaochuan hurried off, Zhu Zi’an leaned on a hand pondering briefly before turning to Jiang Kui. “Let me disguise you.”
He snatched the ever-present strip of white cloth from his fingers. “You are still the Crown Princess, after all. There may be some in Huainan who recognize you. This is meant to be an unannounced private visit.”
She nodded. “I understand.”
Then hesitantly, she asked in a small voice, “May I keep my eyes open this time?”
“You’ve always had me close them before when changing my appearance,” she explained softly.
He blinked, then smiled. “Of course.”
Seated on the fur armchair, she gazed up at him as he bent down, fingertips just barely grazing her cheek. She watched raptly – head bowed, long lashes lowered, lips pressed in concentration under the streaming sunlight.
“So this is what you look like,” she murmured, laughing faintly to herself.
“Hm?” He glanced questioningly at her.
“Whenever you change my disguise, sometimes it’s very quick but other times you take a really long time,” she tilted her head, studying him. “The times you go slowly – that’s on purpose, isn’t it?”
“Mm-hmm,” he admitted with a quiet chuckle. “Can’t help wanting to look at you a little longer.”
“Makes me so curious what kind of expression you have then,” she mused.
He shook his head, exasperated but affectionate. “How is it you want to know everything?”
“Well, I’m just like that!” She grinned impishly up at him. “Regret getting to know me yet?”
“Wouldn’t trade it for the world,” he retorted, laughing.
Halting his efforts, he inspected her altered appearance for a few moments then gave a satisfied nod. As he turned toward the table holding his ever-present roll of bandages however, she quickly reached out to stop him.
“Don’t wrap yourself up anymore,” she implored earnestly.
“I’m not bothered by the cold,” she stated, gazing intently into his eyes.
He faltered, hearing the hint of pouting resentment in her voice. “Why do you keep doing such foolish things?”
Shaking his head helplessly, he started to explain, “I only – ”
But she grasped his hand before he could continue, cutting off his words. He huffed another soft laugh and wordlessly pulled her into a tight embrace instead, leaning close as he whispered by her ear…
A sudden warm breeze swept toward them. His eyes flickered, and she buried her face against his chest, hugging back desperately.
In the pool of sunlight they held each other, silent and still.
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