A rchant’s ledger tells more tales than a general’s war maps. Follow the flow of coin, and you will find the truth hidden beneath layers of deceit.
—Master Lin Feng, Scale of Heaven and Earth
Paper lanterns cast dancing shadows across the garden as Xiulan absorbed Instructor Han’s lessons. The evening air carried a slight chill, but the focused instruction kept her mind sharp.
"Physical conditioning must beco part of your daily routine." Instructor Han said as he demonstrated a basic stance. "Morning and evening, whether I’m here or not."
"What exercises should we do?" Xiulan asked.
"Start with stretches." Han moved through several positions. "Then twenty squats, followed by arm circles. Repeat this five tis with a short rest between each set. We will build up to more challenging movents as your strength improves."
Xiulan glanced at her robe’s flowing sleeves. "These will make training difficult."
"Indeed." Han nodded. "You might consider wearing pants for practice sessions."
i Chen gasped. "Pants? But that’s so..." She trailed off, fidgeting with her sleeve.
"More shocking than wielding daggers?" Xiulan raised an eyebrow. Certainly, ladies training in martial arts was not proper, but there was no lack of female martial artists in the world, so it wasn’t that scandalous.
Although almost all of those female martial artists were on the immortal side of things. So i Chen’s reaction was sowhat understandable.
"I—" i Chen blushed. "I hadn’t thought of it that way."
Han outlined specific movents they could practice while wearing robes. "Tomorrow afternoon, we’ll begin proper weapons training. For now, focus on these conditioning exercises in the morning."
After Han departed with a respectful bow, Xiulan turned to i Chen. "We need a privacy wall installed around this garden. And inform the staff that only guards, Instructor Han, and our female servants are permitted here."
"Yes, Miss Xiulan."
"Also, acquire so spare training outfits from the soldiers for tomorrow’s session." Xiulan adjusted her sleeve. "We’ll need appropriate attire for our unlady-like activities."
i Chen maintained perfect composure while bowing. "I’ll see to it imdiately, Miss Xiulan."
The next morning, sunlight stread through the paper screens as Xiulan sipped her tea. Jin Wei’s healing pill went down hard, but she was pleased with the four smaller black orbs she pocketed. The Doctor did quick work.
She looked over at her friend. "Ti to fetch those soldier outfits, i Chen. We should start our exercises before it gets too warm."
"It seems strange that martial training begins with running around in circles." i Chen arranged the breakfast dishes with practiced efficiency.
A smile tugged at Xiulan’s lips. "What could be more essential than moving freely with strength? These beautiful robes might showcase status, but they bind us like decorative cages."
i Chen disappeared briefly before returning with two neatly folded uniforms. The fabric looked softer than standard military gear, already altered to fit a more feminine fra. Xiulan stared at the modified clothing with surprise. "I thought we’d need to adjust these now."
"I stayed up after you retired, Miss." i Chen ducked her head shyly. "I predicted you’d want to begin right away."
"Excellent, thank you." Xiulan examined the larger uniform before glancing at the second one. "Though this one looks rather loose for you."
"M-?" i Chen squeaked, nearly dropping the teapot.
"Of course!" Xiulan grinned at her maid’s shocked expression. "Did you think I’d train alone?"
It was hard not to laugh as she turned the tables and helped i Chen get dressed for once. The upbeat feeling didn’t evaporate as they headed into the back garden.
The guard uniform’s rougher fabric brushed against Xiulan’s skin as she stretched her arms overhead. Freedom of movent surged through her limbs—it felt entirely natural. Which made sense—her past life was fully accustod to living in trousers and jeans.
"Miss Xiulan!" i Chen stared wide-eyed as Xiulan kicked her leg out experintally. "Soone might see!"
"Let them look." Xiulan twisted at the waist, relishing the unrestricted motion. Through the courtyard entrance, workers hamred posts for the privacy fence. "Though I suppose we might start so interesting rumors."
"Please don’t even joke about that!" i Chen tugged at her own borrowed uniform.
Xiulan led them through the exercises Instructor Han prescribed. Then she added more. mories of Li i’s occasional gym visits guided her movents as she demonstrated proper form for jumping jacks and lunges. i Chen mimicked each motion, growing more confident with each rep.
Sweat darkened their clothes and plastered hair to their foreheads as they finished the final set of squats. Xiulan wiped her brow with her sleeve. "We definitely need baths after this."
"I’ll arrange one for you right away." i Chen turned to leave.
"Wait." Xiulan caught her arm. "Have them prepare two baths. You need one as well."
"Oh no, I couldn’t!" i Chen shook her head frantically. "A washcloth will suffice for ."
"I insist." Xiulan straightened her spine. "I ordered you to exercise, so I’ll ensure you’re properly cleaned up afterward."
"But Miss—"
"We both need to look impeccable." Xiulan released her grip. "No argunts."
i Chen’s shoulders slumped in defeat. "Yes, Miss Xiulan."
Maybe others and i Chen would find her treatnt of her maid strange, but Xiulan couldn’t help it. i Chen had been by her side since the beginning. Without her help, everything would have co undone badly.
Her sisters related to her by blood were horrible. Sister Suyin was at least on better terms, but they had barely exchanged a single sentence since she had woke up as Xiulan.
She understood the gulf between her station and a servant in the setting, but…
For Li i, her maid was essentially her friend, considering how much ti they spent together. If i Chen had been her roommate, life would have been far more bearable, and that had nothing to do with being waited on hand and foot.
After being cleaned up by the other servants, Xiulan moved to her room. i Chen returned soon after, dressed in her servant’s robe and looking refreshed.
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Steam rose from a porcelain teacup as Xiulan savored the fragrant blend. "i Chen, we should check on our woodsn guests."
"Of course, Miss Xiulan. Shall I arrange for guards?"
"Two escorts." Xiulan eyed the sparse decorations in her room. "No—make that three. We’ll need help to carry supplies back."
While i Chen went to arrange that, Xiulan got dressed.
Sunlight glinted off the embroidered browns and golds of her robe as servants adjusted the final layers. The fabric whispered against the wooden floor as she headed out to her courtyard’s central garden.
After a few minutes, i Chen and the arranged group assembled. Xiulan led them out the moon gate without hesitation.
The central sector sprawled before them as they navigated toward the minor guest courtyards. i Chen leaned close. "Turn left at the cherry tree, Miss."
Xiulan nodded and followed the direction. After a few more buildings passed, she spotted the woodsn through an open gate. They huddled together on cushions, shoulders tense and backs rigid. They still aren’t comfortable with such care and luxuries.
A smirk tugged at her lips as she imagined Madam Zhang’s horror at commoners occupying honored guest chambers. The spokesman noticed her presence first. Bodies hit the floor as the entire group kowtowed to her.
"Please, stand up." Xiulan waved dismissively. "If you wish to honor , avoid making a scene."
They scrambled to their feet. The spokesman bowed. "The manor’s hospitality exceeds our worth, My Lady."
"Have you been treated well?"
"Yes, Miss Lin. The food and care are more than we deserve."
Xiulan exchanged glances with i Chen. "Perhaps we could sit and discuss a few matters?"
She settled onto a cushion, spreading i Chen’s detailed report across her lap. The parchnt crinkled as she smoothed it out. "Your group produces sandalwood products?"
"Yes, Miss Lin." The spokesman nodded. "Our tract specializes in rare sandalwood trees."
"And who manages this land?"
"Official Zhang Huan—he’s served the Lin family for fifteen years."
Xiulan traced her finger down the report. "How common is this particular sandalwood?"
"Very rare, Miss. Our workshop produced the only finished sandalwood goods in Blackre County."
"Yet Official Zhang evicted you because of a workshop fire?" Xiulan lifted her gaze from the report. "The trees remained untouched?"
"Correct, Miss. The fire destroyed our hos and workshops, but didn’t reach the forest."
"Everything burned at once?" Xiulan leaned forward. "Were the buildings clustered together?"
"No, Miss." The spokesman shook his head. "We spaced everything apart for safety. The simultaneous fires shocked us all—but it gave Official Zhang grounds to cancel our claim since our facilities were gone."
Xiulan rolled the report closed. "I’d like to investigate this matter further. Would you and your n consider staying a few more days?"
"Of course, Miss Lin." The spokesman bowed. "Your kindness already exceeds our hopes."
Sunlight ward the flagstones as they stepped back outside the courtyard and onto the main walkway. i Chen stepped closer. "Miss Xiulan, do you suspect soone planned this?"
"Without question." Xiulan adjusted her sleeve. "Buildings spread apart don’t spontaneously combust together. Soone orchestrated the destruction. The real mystery is why."
"How can we learn more?" i Chen wrung her hands together, casting furtive glances at the woodsn they left behind.
"We’ll need to investigate the landlord’s dealings." Xiulan adjusted her sleeves. "That ans infiltrating the County Admin."
"Infiltrating?" i Chen squeaked. "Miss!"
Xiulan laughed at her maid’s scandalized expression. "Not us personally. We’ll find an official who won’t draw attention—soone who can access the information without raising suspicions." She steered them toward her mother’s courtyard. "Mother might know soone suitable."
As they entered and moved through the garden, the familiar scent of jasmine tea wafted through the air. They found Auntie Lan sitting alone at a small table, enjoying her tea amid the blooming flowers.
"Auntie Lan," Xiulan called softly.
Auntie Lan looked up, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Xiulan, what a pleasant surprise."
She started to stand up, but Xiulan took a seat quickly enough to not trouble her mother’s most trusted servant. Instead, she wasted no ti and explained the circumstances with the woodsn and asked for help.
"Official Bo Qin—my cousin—works in the manor’s administration," Auntie Lan offered. "He could assist with such inquiries."
"Perfect," Xiulan smiled.
"I’ll arrange a eting for tomorrow." Auntie Lan gestured toward the main residence. "Will you stay? Your mother would love to visit."
"Send my love and respects," Xiulan bowed slightly. "I need to purchase items for my courtyard today."
"Ah, you should have planned this!" Auntie Lan set down her teacup. "You and your mother could have shopped together."
A pang of regret tightened Xiulan’s chest. "I didn’t think far enough ahead to invite her. Though I’d love to arrange sothing for the future."
"I’ll inform the lady." Auntie Lan stood up and bowed deeply.
Xiulan stood up as well and sighed. She hadn’t ant to interrupt the elderly woman’s tea, but it was what it was. There was possibly a level to the culture that Xiulan’s experiences would never override Li i’s own.
They headed back out of the courtyard and into the manor. Today was turning into quite the busy travel trip.
Sunlight stread through the latticed windows as Xiulan led i Chen and their guard toward the manor market. A wooden walkway creaked beneath their feet, marking the group’s progress.
There weren’t very many shops on the concourse, but there were also far fewer custors. Her rank acted like a VIP pass regardless, and just the act of entering a shop would cause it to close for every other custor.
It made her feel guilty, but…
Li i sighed. It was what it was? How many tis would she need to think that today?
Shopping for dresses ca first.
Xiulan examined each robe with practiced efficiency, selecting six in different tones of blue and green. The simple designs would serve well for daily wear without drawing unwanted attention. The shop promised to have them sent over to her courtyard before the end of the day.
"The beds next." Xiulan strode toward a furniture rchant’s stall. Practical wooden fras caught her eye—sturdy construction without ornate carvings that would drive up the cost. "We’ll need twenty double bunks for the guards, plus five for household staff." She pointed to a stack of woven reed mattresses. "Those will do nicely."
Tables and chairs followed, along with storage chests and practical shelving. Then ca the knickknacks and smaller items. These they would carry back themselves.
Her third bodyguard’s arms trembled under the weight of the sample pieces while servants scurried back and forth with written orders for the bulk items. She selected oil lamps, cooking implents, and basic dining ware—everything needed to transform empty rooms into livable quarters.
"I believe that’s enough for today." Xiulan eyed the guard’s precarious hold on their purchases. The poor man looked ready to collapse under the mountain of goods. i Chen was kind enough to take a few things off the top that looked like they were about to tumble.
The trip ho was quick. At the courtyard entrance, a servant intercepted them, bowing to i Chen before passing over two letters.
"Letters for you, Miss Xiulan," i Chen inford her.
"From whom?" Xiulan accepted the papers.
The first carried a delicate lavender scent, Lan Yue’s na inscribed in elegant calligraphy across the seal. The promised tea party—Xiulan pressed her lips together. After Lin Jin’s incident, she needed her mother’s counsel before responding.
The second letter bore the golden seal of the Treasure Pavilion. Xiulan broke the wax with eager fingers, unfolding the crisp parchnt. Master Qingfeng’s brief ssage confird delivery of her purchases to Lin Manor within two days.
Two days!
Finally!
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