Chapter 4: The Toad and the Swan

More than a dozen carriages were moving slowly along the official road, accompanied by several dozen mounted guards. Even though the sun shone brightly, the chill of early spring still lingered. The horses pulling the carriages were spirited, restless and eager to gallop to warm themselves, but only came to a halt, snorting and tossing their heads, after the lead horse neighed loudly ahead.

Within one of the carriages, a hand holding a scroll shifted slightly, and the curtain was lifted. A fair-faced, middle-aged man with a head of jet-black hair looked around slowly and asked, “Who is blocking the Wang family's convoy?”

Jin Qiyan, the commander of the guards holding a short spear, stepped forward and replied respectfully, “Second Master, it is a young man.”

The middle-aged man let the curtain fall. Silence returned inside the carriage.

Jin Qiyan spurred his horse forward and saw the youth surrounded by his men, a cold killing intent flaring in his eyes. “Ask who he is.”

Ahead, a fine horse lay convulsing on the ground. Its rider had leapt off unscathed, though now looking somewhat disheveled and aggrieved. “You little thief, how dare you block my family’s carriage!”

Yang Xuan grasped the hilt of his saber, but he knew that if he acted rashly, these men would cut him to pieces in an instant. He squinted, calculating which direction might offer a chance to break through as the burly men closed in on him.

Too late!

The moment the steed reared, as Yang Xuan hesitated, the men had already completed their encirclement.

Why did I hesitate? Yang Xuan berated himself for his earlier foolishness—trying in vain to pull the horse back—leaving himself in a desperate situation. He almost wanted to smack his own forehead.

He looked up, his posture seemingly relaxed but his legs tense, ready to bolt at a moment’s notice. “I’m a traveler,” he said.

“Travel permit,” demanded one of the men, brandishing his broadsword with a suggestive look.

They were inviting him to snatch the weapon and attempt a breakout. Two others had their bows trained on his flanks—should he try to escape that way, their arrows would seal his fate.

Obediently, Yang Xuan produced his travel permit and set it on the blade. Without such a permit, one could hardly move a step. Still, he thought he might make his way to Chang’an by mountain paths, but little did he know that arriving in the city without a permit would be even more troublesome. At best, he would be forced into hard labor; once they found out that Yuanzhou had never issued him a permit, he’d be guilty of a serious crime, likely facing exile.

The man scrutinized him. “Why do you carry a broadsword and a bow?”

Yang Xuan felt the question was overbearing. “I’m a hunter. Carrying a bow doesn’t break any laws, does it?”

The man glanced at the permit and turned back. “He’s a hunter.”

Jin Qiyan stepped forward. “Where are you from? Where are you headed?”

The man bowed his head again. “A hunter from Dingnan County, going to Chang’an to seek relatives.”

This was the story Yang Lue had prepared for him. As for the so-called relatives, they had probably vanished by now.

Jin Qiyan’s tone was cold. “Why did you obstruct the convoy?”

Yang Xuan was momentarily stunned. “I was walking at the edge of the road. The left side is wide enough for three carriages side by side. Why did you whip at me?”

Such injustice!

The men looked at him with icy, somewhat bewildered and mocking eyes, as if hearing the world’s greatest joke.

Jin Qiyan shook his head, realizing the youth was naïve, probably traveling far from home for the first time.

“Ten strokes as punishment. Let’s go!”

This was the lightest penalty.

Yang Xuan understood there must be someone of importance in the convoy. But so what? Did that give them the right to punish people at will? He grew angry, half-drawing his broadsword. “On what grounds?”

The boy, who hadn’t fought for his life earlier, now became furious over ten strokes… Jin Qiyan gave a small “hmm,” about to increase the punishment, but a calm voice came from the first carriage—a middle-aged man:

“A hunter from Dingnan County? Bring him along, I’ll question him on the road.”

Jin Qiyan relaxed. “Yes, sir.” He told Yang Xuan, “Follow us. If you leave the convoy, you will be killed without mercy.”

“A life for a life!” Yang Xuan retorted stubbornly, though he felt uneasy inside. These men seemed calm, but their eyes brooked no argument—as if killing him was no different than slaughtering a chicken. Yang Xuan had only ever moved between the village and the mountains, and the highest authority he’d met was the village chief, Yang Qiyuan. Though Yang Qiyuan acted stern, he was still a neighbor and would never punish anyone without cause for fear of retaliation at night.

Who were these people?

Forced to comply, Yang Xuan followed. “I’m going to Chang’an.”

Jin Qiyan replied coolly, “So are we.”

Is that so?

Yang Xuan patted his chest—his last possessions were stored there—and hope sprang within him. “Then… could I get some hot water? Just boil an extra bowl when you’re boiling water.”

This fellow really knows how to take advantage… Jin Qiyan’s eyelid twitched. “Hot water is free.”

Yang Xuan was delighted and sidled closer. “Hot water is free? What about dry biscuit?” Thinking of the dozen or so biscuits he carried—enough for five or six days—he felt a bit embarrassed at his own greed. “I’ll need to buy more biscuits, but you won’t let me leave the convoy…”

A flush crept up Jin Qiyan’s face. “We’ll give you some.”

Yang Xuan’s eyes shone. “Could you make it cheaper?”

Jin Qiyan turned away. “It’s free!”

The Wang family’s wealth was vast; what was the cost of a few biscuits to them? To charge for such a thing would be shameful. He trembled slightly, while the burly men looked on with strange expressions, barely containing their laughter.

Jin Qiyan approached the carriage and spoke quietly.

Inside, the middle-aged man said calmly, “For ordinary folk, let it be.”

At these words, Yang Xuan keenly sensed the killing intent around him begin to dissipate.

That afternoon, the convoy stopped on a barren plain.

Jin Qiyan led his men to arrange the campsite, while Yang Xuan squatted nearby, pulling at last year’s dry grass, troubled and unsure whether he should speak up.

“What’s on your mind, young man?”

Unnoticed, the middle-aged man had come up behind him. His attire was simple, but with a hint of nobility.

Thinking of the free food and lodging, Yang Xuan stood to salute his benefactor, speaking earnestly. “Whenever I was starving as a child, I’d try to sneak food. If the storeroom was locked, I’d think of every way to get in. But once, the door was left ajar. Delighted, I slipped inside—only to find my mother waiting, and she gave me such a beating I never dared approach that room again…”

I shouldn’t call Wang Shi ‘mother’… Yang Xuan’s heart twisted with conflicting feelings. “She was just waiting inside, and one beating was enough to keep me away forever…”

Why would a mother treat her son so? Was it because of poverty? The middle-aged man could not imagine such troubles of ordinary people. Hands clasped behind his back, he gazed at the slanting rays of the setting sun, as tranquil as the distant mountains.

Yang Xuan saw that the carriage, which had been silent, was now being attended to by two maids who had lifted the curtain. One of them looked back and said disdainfully, “Turn around!”

Yang Xuan quickly obeyed, and then heard a girl’s voice.

“Uncle!”

The middle-aged man, who had meant to ask more, turned with a faint smile. “Rest now. Supper will be served later.”

A noble lady, then!

Yang Xuan quickly withdrew.

Jin Qiyan approached and saluted, “Second Master.”

The middle-aged man walked at a measured pace, Jin Qiyan following at his side.

“Many in Chang’an know of my journey. The Wang family controls the mines; the Chunyu family forges weapons. Together, they are a perfect match—but such wealth attracts much envy. Many would strike at the Wang family…”

Jin Qiyan bowed his head. “We’ve already faced three assassination attempts on the way, but none were serious threats. They are but petty criminals.”

“And so you’ve become careless in arranging camp?”

Though the middle-aged man’s voice was soft, it struck Jin Qiyan’s ears like thunder. He trembled. “I dare not.”

The man’s gaze swept to the right, where Yang Xuan was helping unload supplies. “The camp is sealed on all sides. If someone tries to break in, can you guess from where or how?”

Jin Qiyan shook his head. “I cannot.”

The man sighed. “Since you can’t, why not leave an opening and set a trap behind it at night? People are greedy—when there is an easy path, who would choose the hard one? That is human nature!”

Jin Qiyan started. “Second Master, you are wise.”

The man pointed at Yang Xuan. “It was that boy’s idea.” He continued lightly, “In this way, we know our enemy, while those spying on the Wang family remain in the dark. Before the fight begins, we have the upper hand. That young man… is interesting.”

It was him? Jin Qiyan glanced at Yang Xuan in surprise.

“Uncle!”

The girl, with her hair loose and no veil, evidently bored from staying inside the carriage, wore a delicate, impatient face with arched brows. “Uncle, I want to ride a horse!”

The man smiled faintly. “For a Wang family lady to ride freely would make a fine story. But this is the wilds—there may be bandits. Wait until we leave Yuanzhou.”

The girl pouted. “Uncle, you always placate me. Hmph! Who is that?”

The man replied indifferently, “Just a country boy.”

“Oh!” The girl immediately began pestering her uncle for more freedom…

Yang Xuan was grateful for the free food and lodging, content with just biscuits and hot water, but to his surprise, there was hot soup with smoked meat and spices.

Being a man of gratitude, having eaten his fill, Yang Xuan went to help clean up.

That night, he shared a tent with a man named Old Huang. Yang Xuan knew this was for surveillance but didn’t mind, falling asleep as soon as he lay down.

Old Huang had never seen anyone so carefree and stared in surprise before finally chuckling. “A country lad ignorant of the Wang family’s power—no wonder.”

So began the long, monotonous days on the road.

On the seventh day, as they neared the edge of Yuanzhou, Yang Xuan’s riding skills had improved somewhat.

“Uncle, I feel sick,” the girl complained, lifting the curtain to pester her uncle yet again.

After lunch, the middle-aged man relented. “But don’t run off.”

Yet, given her freedom, the girl was like a wild colt, dashing off with a few guards.

Yang Xuan caught a glimpse of her profile by chance, and his heart raced—a delicate face, small and straight nose, lips like petals…

Yang Lue had once promised to arrange a match for him—a scholar’s daughter no less—but now that he’d left, that hope was probably lost. He imagined that the girl would pine away, unable to marry him, and felt a pang of guilt. Then again, considering his own handsome features, he was sure he’d find a pretty wife someday.

Later, the girl returned reluctantly.

Yang Xuan glanced at her—she really was beautiful. More importantly, she exuded an air of noble grace that stirred a thousand thoughts.

I’m not deluded! Yang Xuan felt a little guilty. His dream was to marry a literate woman so that while he hunted, his wife could teach their children to read.

His gaze swept over the girl.

She was sneaking towards the woods, playful and mischievous, making the middle-aged man smile. He was about to order her brought back when Yang Lue looked at the girl.

“How rude!”

The Wang family’s nobility was unquestioned; for a country boy to glance at their daughter was akin to a toad coveting a swan—a grave offense.

The middle-aged man was furious.

The guards were incensed.

The girl glanced disdainfully at Yang Xuan, then her expression changed.

Yang Xuan leapt forward, grabbing her and leaping off the horse.

“Assassins!” he shouted.

The bowstrings rang like thunder.

Two arrows shot from the woods—one aimed at the girl he’d just saved, the other at the middle-aged man.

“Xian’er!” the man cried, his face ashen.

…

Thanks to Sister Yu Jie for the silver alliance reward, to Brother Cheng for the two alliance master rewards, to Shou Tan Wang for the alliance master reward, to Wind and Falling Leaves V for the alliance master reward, to Niuniu Dian Dian Mao for the alliance master reward, and to Xiao Yao in life for the alliance master reward. May wealth and joy be yours.

Another chapter will be posted in a few minutes.