Volume III, Real Ancient Capital, Chapter 51: Mutual Master
By Xiao Xiang Dong'Er | Translated and Arranged by Angel Chua
Under the full moon, the sound of song and dance echoed constantly near their home.
The Da Xia (Wei State) clan maintained their warlike, sturdy traditions to honor the nomadic spirit of their ancestors. The Great Summer Dynasty celebrated field hunting twice a year, a tradition deeply ingrained in their culture.
It was still early spring. In Hong Chuan, snow persisted for at least five or six months each year. Summers were brief, and winters were long. From the nearby woods, faint voices could be heard. Chu Qiao knew the soldiers were hunting for cats, winter tigers, and bears to eliminate any dangers before the hunt.
She wore a white mink jacket with tail feathers, her boots small and white, her eyes dark, and her hair black as ink. Jing Yue'Er, though still young, had delicate features that hinted at the beauty she would grow into.
A brazier burned inside the tent, offering warmth, but Chu Qiao felt stifled without knowing why. She walked to the northwestern corner of the camp, listening to the music from afar. Slowly, her frustration built. The conflicting emotions within her caused her to arch her back slightly. She looked up, took a long breath, and forced herself to calm down.
The night sky was dark. Suddenly, a white pigeon landed on the snow. Chu Qiao watched it curiously, tilting her head as she approached step by step.
It was a wild pigeon, not a domestic one, and a bit skittish. It must have noticed her sitting there for some time, perhaps curious about her. Chu Qiao smiled and pulled some wheat from her pocket, sprinkling it on the ground.
With the snow making foraging difficult, the pigeon cried out joyfully and fluttered towards her.
But just then, two sharp arrows shot from afar, piercing the pigeon's chest and abdomen. Blood splattered onto the snow, staining it like plum blossoms.
The thunder of hooves followed immediately. Two riders led the charge, one on a red horse, the other on a black one. The man on the red horse, around twenty-five years old, radiated authority. He spotted Chu Qiao sitting in the snow, and before she could react, an arrow whizzed towards her heart!
In an instant, the girl, who had seemed delicate, sprang into action like a cheetah. She leaped into the air, deflecting the arrow with a swift movement, her hand catching the bowstring. Her fur cloak billowed like an eagle's wings, her fierce eyes as cold as ice as they locked onto the man on the red horse.
"Who are you, and why are you roaming the hunting grounds at this hour?" the man asked coldly, showing no remorse for his unprovoked attack.
Dressed in mink fur, the man had a graceful but ominous aura, exuding coldness and gloom.
"Bang!" The man on the black horse dismounted. Also around twenty-five, with eyes like copper bells and dark skin, he walked over to the pigeon and raised a hand to examine it. "How are we settling this?" he asked.
The man on the red horse glanced at Chu Qiao before replying, "Zaru, my arrow hit the throat. I won."
Zaru frowned angrily. "How do you know it was your arrow? We're not using marked arrows."
"I know the arrow I fired," the man retorted.
"Well, no," Zaru responded. "It's a new one."
Muhe Xi Feng, the man on the red horse, raised an eyebrow. "How do you want to settle this?"
Zaru pointed at Chu Qiao. "What about her? Isn't she already a slave?"
Chu Qiao's brow furrowed as she looked sharply at Zaru, who seemed oblivious. He mounted his horse again and called out to her, "Run. Go on, run a little farther."
Chu Qiao sized them up, her gaze firm as she said quietly, "I am not a slave."
Muhe Xi Feng raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So what?"
Indeed, what did it matter? Even if she wasn't a slave, these aristocrats could kill her for no reason if it pleased them.
Chu Qiao said nothing more and turned towards the Yan Ying camp. Suddenly, an arrow shot past her heel, embedding itself in the snow. Zaru shouted, "I told you to run! Didn't you hear me?"
The frosty wind whipped around them. Chu Qiao turned back, her sharp gaze cutting through the cold as it met Zaru's. His face paled at her defiance.
"If I ride, can you two still shoot?" she asked.
Muhe Xi Feng's mouth curled slightly, but he said nothing. Zaru, enraged, called out, "Give her a horse!"
An all-black horse was brought to her. Chu Qiao patted the animal, then glanced back at the two men. The wind kicked up snow, which stung her face like sand.
Suddenly, she cut the horse's reins, drew a small dagger from her waist, and plunged it into the horse's side. The animal bucked wildly. With a swift motion, Chu Qiao leaped onto its back and rode off, disappearing before the two men could react.
Zaru stared in disbelief. "She's gone. What just happened?"
Muhe Xi Feng, seemingly unperturbed, turned his horse and coldly said, "What do you think?"
As they neared the camp, a team of horses approached from the opposite direction. Chu Qiao frowned, recognizing Yan Xun and A'Jing, one of his bodyguards.
"Achu!" Yan Xun called as he rode up to her, his concerned gaze meeting hers. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine," Chu Qiao replied. "Did the night hunt end? Why did you return so early?"
Yan Xun looked her over, noting her rapid breathing. He shook his head and said, "Let's return to camp."
That night, Yan Xun seemed exhausted as they headed back to the tent. Along the way, they passed a group of soldiers escorting several children into the camp. Chu Qiao stopped, curious, and asked about them.
A'Jing respectfully answered, "Miss, the Lord (Yan Shi Zi) bought these children from the night hunting ground."
Chu Qiao was surprised. "What? Yan Xun bought them?"
"Yes, Miss," A'Jing explained. "Prince Yan Xun drank too much wine tonight and didn't want to participate in the hunt. The king insisted, but instead of hunting, Prince Yan Xun used his gold to buy these children, each one costing a hundred gold pieces."
"Oh," Chu Qiao nodded. "Very well. I'll go back now."
She returned to her tent. The wind outside was cold, but inside, it was warm and comfortable. Chu Qiao removed her fur cloak and sat quietly for a long time. Finally, a smile spread across her lips, as bright as a sunset.
AC Afterthoughts
This chapter illustrates the tense, precarious atmosphere of the nomadic hunting grounds, where aristocratic power and cruelty are juxtaposed with Chu Qiao's strong-willed defiance. The setting reflects the harsh environment, not just in weather but also in social hierarchy, where even lives can be traded or taken without a second thought.
Chu Qiao's character is gradually revealed as a resourceful, resilient, and determined individual. Her encounter with Muhe Xi Feng and Zaru highlights her cunning and bravery, as she manages to outwit them in a dangerous situation. Despite being in a vulnerable position, she remains calm and focused, refusing to be intimidated. Her actions showcase her ability to act decisively, which will likely be a key trait as the story progresses.
Meanwhile, Yan Xun's decision to buy the children instead of participating in the hunt reveals his compassionate nature, setting him apart from the other aristocrats. His character contrasts with the brutality of the world around him, and this moment hints at his potential role as an ally to Chu Qiao.