Chapter Thirty-One: One Pit After Another

By the banks of the Flower Rinsing Creek, beneath the sun and within the shade of trees, Lu Liaoliao lounged in a bamboo chair and stretched contentedly. In her mind, she was still savoring the memory of the hibiscus-draped bed in the Hibiscus Pavilion, and the pleasure she had just shared with the enchanting Miss Cherishing Flowers. Once you’ve tasted the marrow, you crave it all the more. She knew perfectly well it was a pitfall there—a blazing pit, no less—yet she simply couldn’t stop herself from falling in again and again.

Beside her, Gu Ye, the young Taoist, took a sip of tea and grimaced at its bitterness. He eyed Lu Liaoliao with some dissatisfaction. “It’s rare for me to come seeking your advice, but instead you drag me to this roadside tea stall. Those pearls you and I exchanged are worth no less than two thousand taels. Don’t tell me you’re broke again?”

A pang struck Lu Liaoliao’s heart. She remembered all too well how she’d painstakingly scraped together just over a thousand taels back then. Now, after nibbling on a few morsels, she and her fortune were both nearly depleted. Secretly, she felt the pitiful weight of her almost empty purse—just a handful of copper coins—and shook her head helplessly. Noble scions spent pearls and gold leaves as if they were nothing; the wealthy used silk and silver, but commoners like her had to make do with copper coins.

“It’s not that I’m stingy, but look—this gentle, warm sunlight, the clear, winding stream, the blue sky, the tender breeze. Can these be measured in money?” Her face was the very picture of enjoyment, silencing any further complaints from Gu Ye.

“So, what business brings you to me?” Lu Liaoliao reclined lazily in the bamboo chair.

The young Taoist leaned in closer. “Did you hear? Three days ago, Young Master Cherishing Flowers caused another stir in Mianzhou—he met the Sima family’s concubine by moonlight, and even made off with a priceless painting.”

Lu Liaoliao laughed inwardly. Of course she knew. Before Gu Ye came looking for her, Cherishing Flowers had been tumbling about with her in the Hibiscus Pavilion, cries of passion and all.

Seeing her bask in the sun, eyes half-closed, Gu Ye hesitated, then stammered, “I know you never quite fit in with those people, which is why you moved out of that courtyard. But this time, they’re planning to leave for Mianzhou. Will you come with us, brother?”

“I doubt Young Master Cherishing Flowers is as capable as he boasts. Jun Ruocheng alone can handle it. I see no reason to join the spectacle. Besides, I plan to take a boat downriver from Nanping County back to Yangzhou. After five years away, it’s time to go home.” Lu Liaoliao shook her head. She had neither the time nor the energy to indulge in the wild escapades of the elite.

Gu Ye glanced around cautiously, then whispered in her ear, “Jun Ruocheng suspects that the trouble Cherishing Flowers stirred up in Chengdu may actually be a trap laid for him. Without knowing more, he won’t act rashly. The real reason we’re heading to Mianzhou is something else entirely.”

Curiosity piqued, Lu Liaoliao opened her eyes. “What is it?”

“Did you hear? It’s said that King Geluofeng of Nanzhao is conspiring with Tibet to rebel against the Tang. The Governor of Yunnan, Zhang Qiantuo, caught wind of it. Geluofeng, with his family and guards, meant to visit the Military Governor Xianyu Zhongtong in Chengdu, but Zhang Qiantuo seized the chance and surrounded them. Somehow, Geluofeng escaped alone, rallying his troops to besiege Zhang Qiantuo in Yaozhou, while also sending spies and envoys to Chang’an to falsely accuse Zhang Qiantuo. The southwestern border may soon be thrown into chaos.”

Gu Ye whispered more in her ear, nearly making Lu Liaoliao leap to her feet in shock.

“That can’t be. The Geluofengs were granted the title of King of Yunnan, enjoying every honor. The Tang is powerful; it’s a land of culture and etiquette, always on good terms with Nanzhao. Why would Geluofeng turn to the barbaric kingdom of Tibet?” Lu Liaoliao was perplexed.

“Who can guess what lies in someone’s heart? We’re going to Mianzhou to catch a glimpse of Princess Fragrant Grass of Nanzhao, to see just how beautiful she really is. Her mother, Lady Fragrant Flower, was famed for her beauty, her reputation reaching even Chang’an,” Gu Ye said wistfully.

“Wait, wait—how did the Nanzhao princess end up in Mianzhou?” Lu Liaoliao asked, curiosity mounting.

Gu Ye’s eyes glinted with envy. “They say when King Geluofeng came to Chengdu, he brought Princess Fragrant Grass in hopes of marrying her into the Xianyu family. Zhang Qiantuo captured Geluofeng’s wife and daughter, taking Lady Yuanzhen, his favorite consort, for himself. But he dared not harm the princess and sent her instead to Xianyu Min’s estate in Mianzhou.”

Lu Liaoliao’s jaw dropped. The wife of a king, seized by the Governor of Yunnan? The daughter, sent off like a gift to Mianzhou? No man could bear such humiliation, let alone King Geluofeng. Was this Tang dominance, or Nanzhao’s weakness? Yet, for all her knowledge of history, Lu Liaoliao could only be shocked.

She shook her head gently. “You’d do well to stay out of such matters.”

Gu Ye lowered his head in silence, and Lu Liaoliao knew she wouldn’t be able to talk him out of it. Still, knowing these noble scions did bring some benefits—she always heard secrets before others did.

The news was startling, but it had little effect on her personally. No matter what Geluofeng did, he could not shake the Tang’s might. After offering the young Taoist some words of caution, Lu Liaoliao knew it was time for her to leave Chengdu.

Traveling with Lu Liaoliao was Wuhua, whose face was dark with displeasure, clearly reluctant. Irritated, Lu Liaoliao strode over and rapped the bright, bald head a few times.

“Your sister sent you little monks and nuns to join us so I could make sure you hurry up and have little monks and nuns of your own, lest your family line end with you. You’ve eaten, drunk, and lodged for free the whole way, ruining any chance for me and Xiaoqi to be close, and you still have the nerve to pout?”

“Lu Liaoliao, I warn you—stop hitting my head! My sister might not even marry you, so stop throwing your weight around with me,” Wuhua snapped, furious from the knocks.

“Oh please, after all that, who else would she marry if not me?” Lu Liaoliao retorted with a smirk—Xiaoqi and Luoluo were in the carriage and couldn’t hear, anyway.

“My sister swore she wouldn’t marry until she’d avenged her enemy. You think it’ll be so easy to take her home?” Wuhua replied coldly.

Lu Liaoliao paused, then gave that shiny head another tap. “We’re already like husband and wife in all but name, got it?”

The exasperated little monk, left with no choice, rushed to follow the carriage.

Shameless monk—sneaking into the little nun’s room at night. Lu Liaoliao had tried to act pitiful and beg Xiaoqi a few times, but to no avail. Having now tasted love, she found it hard to bear or not feel jealous. Spitting in frustration, she clasped her hands behind her back and followed.

Upon entering the Ziyang region, their carriage bypassed the city, turning instead into a small mountain village—Tang Family Village. Leaving the little nun and monk behind, Lu Liaoliao and Tang Xiaoqi climbed a barren hill.

With a borrowed hoe, they dug a small pit. Tang Xiaoqi buried the urn she’d carried by her side, built a small mound, and planted a wooden tablet before it, weeping bitterly.

The inscription “The Grave of Tang Xiaoqi” carved into the tombstone made Lu Liaoliao’s heart ache. She sensed that this simple, stubborn girl was finally about to confide in her.

They lit incense and burned some paper money. Only then did Tang Xiaoqi stop crying, her eyes red and swollen as she looked at Lu Liaoliao with pitiful helplessness.

“Actually, I’m not Tang Xiaoqi. The one buried here is my elder sister, the real Tang Xiaoqi. She saved my life, but was later killed by that hateful Jun Ruocheng.”

Lu Liaoliao said nothing, waiting quietly for her to continue.

Tang Xiaoqi lowered her head. “I’m from Fanyang in the north. My family sent me to Chang’an, but on the way we were attacked by bandits. My family and the driver ran off, leaving me behind. The bandits took me as their captive bride.”

Lu Liaoliao’s temper flared—so he was about to marry someone who’d been “taken” as a bandit bride? His face darkened at once. “And then?”

Tang Xiaoqi suddenly realized what he was thinking and said quickly, “No, it’s not what you think. The bandit who took me was none other than Elder Sister Xiaoqi.”

Lu Liaoliao was so surprised she nearly swallowed an egg whole—a female bandit, taking her as a captive bride? She’d almost gotten angry for nothing.

“Elder Sister Xiaoqi was rather rough around the edges, but she was very kind. She made me her captive bride to protect me from others’ attention, even teaching me to throw stones at anyone who bullied me.

Later, Elder Sister Xiaoqi went out on a raid and ran into Jun Ruocheng, who defeated her and beheaded her. Jun Ruocheng didn’t stop there—he led men to destroy the stronghold. I was bathing in a mountain stream nearby and narrowly escaped.

The stronghold was burned to the ground, not a soul left. I gathered some loose coins and packed some of Elder Sister Xiaoqi’s belongings in the urn after burning them. Remembering her greatest wish was to return home after death, I disguised myself as a beggar, hoping to bring her soul back to her native land.”

“So, on the mountain roads of Qinling, you ran into Jun Ruocheng, secretly followed him, and planned to kill him with a stone to avenge your sister’s husband, didn’t you?” Lu Liaoliao finished, amusement in her voice.

Tang Xiaoqi buried her head deeper, unable to meet his gaze. After a long while, she asked in a tearful whisper, “Liaoliao, you won’t cast me aside just because I was a bandit’s bride, will you? I swear I’m still pure—you can have me if you like, you’ll see.”

Lu Liaoliao’s heart ached. He pulled her into his arms. “Silly girl, how could I not want you? A beautiful girl like you falling into my lap is a blessing. Only a fool would refuse you, and do I look like a fool?”

Tang Xiaoqi burst into tears, all her pent-up grievances pouring out at last.

Lu Liaoliao comforted her for a long time before her sobbing subsided.

“What’s your real name?” he asked gently.

“Susu. My mother always called me Susu,” Tang Xiaoqi replied between sniffles.

Supporting her on the walk back to the village, Lu Liaoliao could only shake his head in resignation. The girl still didn’t fully trust him, afraid he’d abandon her. She hadn’t told him about her family, why she was sent to the capital, or why she couldn’t go home. Clearly, the pit that was Tang Xiaoqi ran deep.

He borrowed two gold leaves from Tang Xiaoqi and headed off alone to the village head’s home.

“What do you want gold leaves for?” Even now, Tang Xiaoqi couldn’t help but mind the household accounts.

“You’ll see,” Lu Liaoliao called back without turning around.

After a while, he returned and handed her a travel permit. “Now, you’re truly Tang Xiaoqi.”

As the little mountain village faded into the distance, Lu Liaoliao felt as if he’d forgotten something. But then, he thought, what trouble could possibly come from such a remote place? He sighed.

Beautiful though these women were, every one of them was a pitfall—one careless step and he’d be swallowed up. But a pit is a pit, and whether there’s one or two, what must be faced must be faced.