Chapter Fifty-Seven: A Woman’s Trouble

The battle on the official road had left corpses everywhere, the air thick with the scent of blood. Not far from Xindu Mountain, this was the path that all wandering heroes would take when returning to Luoyang, and many had hurried here upon hearing the news, only to witness the carnage in silence.

They watched as the King of Soldiers led his men to clean the battlefield. Though exhausted and few in number, his men moved about without any order, yet not a single person dared to take advantage of the chaos. Only after the field was cleared did others come to pick through the discarded items.

Feng Xiaobao and his two companions gathered together, while Cheng Boxi was violently retching nearby. Amidst the heat of battle, Cheng Boxi had managed fine, but afterward, he struggled to adjust, and when he saw Feng Xiaobao and Yang Chengxian staring at him, embarrassment washed over him.

Years later, Feng Xiaobao and Yang Chengxian would still mock him for this: "Hey, Brother Chu, your first night wasn’t much to speak of!"

Tang Family Bow’s siblings returned, their expressions unchanged and faces calm. Cheng Boxi exchanged a glance with Yang Chengxian, and both looked at Feng Xiaobao with newfound respect. To dare approach such a fierce woman—one had to admire his courage. Perhaps only he could; if she lost her temper and shot at him during an argument, he could catch her arrow, but an ordinary man would be doomed.

The three of them bowed in thanks to the Tang siblings. Cheng Boxi exaggerated, "Sister-in-law, we worship you!"

"What does… worship mean?" Tang Tian asked in confusion.

"Worship" was a new term Feng Xiaobao had picked up in the countryside, and he was prone to spouting such novel words, which those close to him gradually adopted.

"It means we really admire you!" Feng Xiaobao quickly explained, lest Cheng Boxi say something inappropriate, then eagerly asked, "Does the Tang Family Bow school accept disciples?"

The Tang Family’s swift horses and hard bows were truly remarkable, and Feng Xiaobao was tempted.

Before Tang Tian could answer, her cousin Tang Zhilin spoke up, "The Tang Family Bow is only passed down within the family, we don’t take on disciples."

"I see," Feng Xiaobao said with disappointment, but Tang Zhilin continued, "A son-in-law may be taught as well..."

Tang Tian blushed, Feng Xiaobao grinned foolishly, and Cheng Boxi chimed in, "If you miss this chance, there won’t be another, Xiaobao! If your heart stirs, act on it!"

...

Yang Debiao and Yang Deyong hurried to clean up the battlefield, gathering over fifty horses and nearly two hundred strings of cash, and confirmed that none of their own property was lost. They immediately reported to Feng Xiaobao and then repacked their horses, preparing to depart.

As "valuable assets," Hong Xiaoshui and Lady Yang were escorted; Hong Xiaoshui was accustomed to scenes of violence, and Lady Yang was surprisingly calm, while the two maids attending them could barely walk.

Cheng Boxi, astonished, asked, "Aren’t you afraid?"

"What use is fear? Better not to be afraid," Lady Yang replied.

"True," Cheng Boxi said with a wry smile. "I wasn’t afraid during the fight, but I vomited after it was over—laughed at by everyone."

"The fact that you dared to fight at all is impressive," Lady Yang said with a slight smile, seeing in his eyes a certain improper intent toward her.

For reasons unknown, Cheng Boxi felt a wild fire burning within him after this battle. Perhaps Lady Yang could help him.

...

The procession moved on. Over twenty retainers had died, and three large wagons were hired to carry their bodies back.

"Where to next?" Yang Debiao asked for instructions.

"Let’s go to Princess Qianjin’s Green Willow Manor first," Feng Xiaobao decided after some thought.

Their bodies still carried the stench of blood, making entry into Luoyang inconvenient. It was better to rest at the imperial estate, where defenses were tight and wandering heroes dared not force their way in.

They pressed onward, encountering no further enemies. The attack had been sudden, and the opposition’s hastily gathered forces lacked skill; otherwise, Feng Xiaobao and his companions would not have escaped alive—even the Tang Family Bow could have been countered by their experts.

Upon arrival at Green Willow Manor, things had changed considerably. The roads were widened according to Feng Xiaobao’s wishes, and patrols of guards with bows and shields watched over the area. When the group approached, armed and on horseback, the guards quickly formed ranks.

Fortunately, Feng Xiaobao was considered half a host here. Producing Princess Qianjin’s token, he was allowed to pass.

The manor’s two stewards, Shi Jiulang and Ding Shiyi Niang, came out to welcome them—one managing external affairs, the other internal. Shi Jiulang, upon hearing that wandering heroes might follow, slapped his chest and assured them, "On average, we bury five people alive each month as fertilizer for the flowers. We’re not afraid of them—however many come, we’ll bury them all!"

Even the wandering heroes feared arrows; Green Willow Manor’s guards were formidable, with organized archers—a perfect counter to lone heroes.

Shi Jiulang went to inspect the defenses, while Ding Shiyi Niang efficiently arranged their lodging, meals, checked injuries, and handled everything with skill.

After a hearty hot meal, Feng Xiaobao and his two companions gathered in Cheng Boxi’s room to discuss matters.

First came the division of spoils: in total, just over twenty-one thousand strings of silver, split evenly at seven thousand each, with bounty rewards going to whoever made the kill.

"Alright, nothing major left—let’s discuss that imperial officer’s concubine, Lady Yang. She’s highly suspicious," Feng Xiaobao said directly.

"Agreed," Yang Chengxian replied. "First Lyu Yingbu wanted her, then the merchant Kang Anda tried to buy her, then our brothers blocked the road on the Chang’an route—I suspect it was because of her. Finally, the battle on the official road, again likely because of Lady Yang!"

"Just summon her and ask—that’ll settle it!" Cheng Boxi said, thinking there was no need to overthink. "There’s no point in guessing!"

"Right, Old Cheng, you’re absolutely correct," Feng Xiaobao said. "This matter is yours to handle!"

"Indeed, Xiaobao is right," Yang Chengxian agreed.

"What?!" Cheng Boxi protested. "I’m no interrogator!"

...

"We can’t all go together—it’s not some grand tribunal," Feng Xiaobao explained. "This is your responsibility!"

"Yes, yes!" Yang Chengxian echoed.

"Why me?!" Cheng Boxi demanded.

"It has to be you!" Feng Xiaobao insisted.

Seeing Cheng Boxi’s eyes bulge at them, Yang Chengxian laughed, "Xiaobao has his lady, I’ve got Hong Xiaoshui, and Lady Yang is just your type."

"This is called sharing hardships, and dividing women to pursue!" Feng Xiaobao commented.

It seemed reasonable, and if not Old Cheng, then who? Cheng Boxi ceased his objections.

Clearly, Feng and Yang had already considered this, which explained why they went straight to Cheng Boxi’s room to discuss. The two left together, and Yang Chengxian said to Feng Xiaobao, "You’re in trouble!"

"Yes, I am," Feng Xiaobao sighed.

"The Tang Family girl isn’t easy to deal with. Right now, your involvement with her isn’t deep; if you refuse, there won’t be consequences," Yang Chengxian analyzed. "But if you continue with her, you must consider your relationship with the Princess!"

"I don’t want to let go," Feng Xiaobao said, greedy for more.

"Even… giving up the Princess?" Yang Chengxian asked.

Feng Xiaobao replied ambiguously, "Perhaps."

"There is a solution," Yang Chengxian mused. "The Princess is refined and tolerant with you. The Tang Family girl isn’t spoiled either, and she’s sensible. That makes things easier."

In truth, Princess Qianjin wasn’t tolerant with everyone—only Feng Xiaobao, whom she greatly favored.

"What are you suggesting?" Feng Xiaobao, caught in the situation, sought his brother’s advice.

"King never meets King," Yang Chengxian replied.

"King never meets King?" Feng Xiaobao asked.

"It means the two women never meet—perhaps that will work," Yang Chengxian suggested. "Also, don’t make things official yet; don’t marry her, wait and see."

"That makes sense—I’ll give it a try," Feng Xiaobao agreed.