Chapter Thirty-Nine: Speculation in the Tent

On the first day of July, within the command tent of Nangong Zhan inside the Yanmen Pass, more than a dozen people were gathered around a sand table, deep in discussion.

“Master, Master!” A girl of seventeen or eighteen, wearing a long tunic beneath a light armor, hurried toward Nangong Zhan’s tent at a half-run. The soldiers stationed at the entrance, upon seeing her, made no move to stop her.

When the girl burst inside, she was startled to find so many people present, including the young lady she had been searching for—her own mistress, Nangong Qingyi. It was clear from the air that a weighty council was in session.

Those present all turned with puzzled faces to the young girl now standing at the entrance.

Nangong Zhan’s brows furrowed in annoyance as he fixed her with a stern look. “Xiaoshu, why are you in such a fluster? What business brings you charging into the command tent unannounced?”

The girl’s cheeks, flushed moments before, blanched with fright. Her eyes reddened, and she looked on the verge of tears.

Nangong Qingyi frowned, observing the girl’s distress, and addressed Nangong Zhan, “Marshal, Xiaoshu was unaware of today’s impromptu council. Her intrusion was a careless mistake. I hope the General won’t blame her for her rashness.”

But Nangong Zhan’s frown only deepened. “And what of the sentries outside? Is the Marshal’s tent a place to be entered at will? Twenty strokes with the rod for each of them!”

At his words, Xiaoshu fell to her knees with a thud, terrified, tears streaming down her face.

Nangong Qingyi, though worried, could not intercede further—after all, Xiaoshu had acted recklessly. She and her sisters knew well it was forbidden to enter the Marshal’s camp without permission. What on earth had possessed Xiaoshu today?

At that moment, General Xing Ning, commander of the right flank, stepped forward and saluted Nangong Zhan. “Marshal, please calm your anger. Xiaoshu has never acted so rashly before. Perhaps forgive her this once, or let the strategist handle the matter. For now, shouldn’t we first hear what urgent news she brings?”

The others in the tent agreed with Xing Ning’s suggestion.

Nangong Qingyi offered Xing Ning a grateful smile, which he returned with a nod.

Nangong Zhan addressed Xiaoshu, “Well? Thank General Xing and the others. Were it not for their intercession, your punishment would have been severe!”

Xiaoshu did her best to stifle her sobs and kowtowed to Xing Ning and the assembled generals. “Thank you, General Xing. Thank you, Generals.”

Nangong Qingyi, her heart aching at the sight, said, “That’s enough, get up. The generals pleaded for you, and so the Marshal shall spare you. But you will return with me later—I too must punish you, so you remember today’s mistake.”

Xiaoshu rose, still sniffling.

With a hint of impatience, Nangong Zhan pressed on, “Now speak—what urgent business prompted such a headlong entrance?”

Xiaoshu, recalling her purpose, hastily began, “News from the capital, um…” She glanced nervously at Nangong Zhan, at Nangong Qingyi, and then at the others. She faltered, unable to continue, her head bowed low.

Now truly exasperated, Nangong Zhan barked, “What news? Stop stammering and speak!”

Startled by his shout, Xiaoshu’s fear overwhelmed her, tears brimming as she stammered, “The young master, the young master…”

Nangong Qingyi frowned at Xiaoshu. Xing Ning looked from her to Nangong Qingyi, curiosity in his gaze. The rest awaited anxiously.

Nangong Zhan grew more anxious, his voice booming, “What about the young master?” He cared nothing for the presence of outsiders.

Since leading his troops to war, the one he worried most about at home was his son-in-law Yang Yaozong, who had only recently married his daughter.

Xiaoshu finally broke down, sobbing, “The young master… the Emperor… the Emperor has…”

Nangong Zhan’s beard and brows bristled with agitation. Nangong Qingyi’s frown deepened.

Xiaoshu managed to choke out, “He has been appointed Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince!”

A hush fell. Only Xiaoshu’s soft weeping broke the silence, as if all breath had been stolen from the tent.

General Xing Ning cast a complicated look at Nangong Qingyi. The others stared, dumbfounded, at Xiaoshu as she wiped her tears on her sleeve.

After a moment, General Mu Guodong of the central army stepped forward, saluting. “Congratulations, Marshal! To have such a son-in-law, so favored by His Majesty! And to you, Lady Qingyi—your husband brings great honor to the Nangong family!”

General Gao Zhigang of the left flank joined in, “Congratulations, Marshal, and congratulations to the strategist! I shall certainly require a drink to celebrate!”

The rest echoed their congratulations, laughter and well-wishing brightening the atmosphere.

Though Nangong Zhan’s brow was still furrowed, his expression had softened, and he responded to the good wishes with a smile.

Nangong Qingyi blushed furiously at their words, while Xiaoshu stood aside, still sobbing quietly.

After some time, Nangong Zhan concluded, “Let us adjourn for today. See to the matters agreed upon. We’ll resume council at the usual hour tomorrow.”

The generals saluted and departed. Nangong Qingyi alone remained, knowing her father wished to speak further.

Nangong Zhan glanced at Xiaoshu, his tone gentler. “No more rashness, Xiaoshu. You may go.”

Xiaoshu bowed. “Yes, Master. I take my leave.”

When she had gone, only Nangong Zhan and Nangong Qingyi were left.

He gazed at his beautiful daughter, his brow still knotted, but his voice softened. “Qingyi, what do you think the Emperor intends by making Yaozong Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince?”

Nangong Qingyi thought for a moment, then replied, “My husband must have demonstrated great talent to earn such trust. Though the Imperial Tutor holds no real power, the position is one of high honor, involving both the Emperor’s and the Crown Prince’s reputation. His Majesty would not make such an appointment lightly.”

Nangong Zhan nodded, sighing as he looked at his daughter with a complicated expression. “I think so too. But if that’s the case, your marriage may have delayed Yaozong’s prospects. I was too hasty in arranging it, thinking only to protect the boy, not realizing I might be holding him back. I wonder if he will resent me—or you—for it… And with you leaving for the front lines so soon after the wedding, you two have not even consummated your marriage. If I had known, I would have let you stay home a while longer. Now, even if I wish to see your union complete, I know not how to make it so.”

Nangong Qingyi blushed. “Father, do not blame yourself. It was I who insisted on joining the army.”

She paused, then continued with a calm expression, “If my husband feels that marrying into our family hinders his future, and since we have yet to consummate the marriage, perhaps it would be best to let him go. Then his prospects need not be further delayed.”

Nangong Zhan stared at her in shock. “How can you say such a thing? You are already of age—if things go on like this, how will you ever marry? Even if nothing has happened between you and Yaozong, who else would know or believe it?”

Realizing he had grown too emotional, he paused. “Ah! It is your father who has wronged you, and delayed Yaozong as well. Who knows how many years this war will drag on…”

Suddenly, he had an idea. “Qingyi, why not return to the capital for a while? This war will not be won in a day or two, and my officers are all capable. Go see Yaozong, resolve what must be resolved. Continuing like this only hinders you both. Whatever you and Yaozong decide, your father will support you.”

Nangong Qingyi nodded thoughtfully. “In a little while, perhaps. The Turks beyond the pass are stirring—something may be afoot. Once the situation stabilizes, I will make a trip to the capital.”

Nangong Zhan nodded. “Very well, let it be so.”

—

Xiaoshu, eyes still red, slipped into Nangong Qingyi’s tent. Xiaoqi, seeing her crestfallen and clearly having just cried, rushed over, one hand clutching Xiaoshu’s and the other arm around her shoulders. “What happened to you? When you ran out earlier, you were so cheerful, off to find Miss. How did you end up in tears?”

Xiaoqin, who had been reading, looked up, curiosity piqued.

Xiaoqin, Xiaoqi, and Xiaohua were Nangong Qingyi’s personal maids. When not busy, they would read or play chess in her tent.

Xiaoshu had nearly calmed down, but at Xiaoqi’s concern, her grievance returned and she began to weep again, soon burying her face in Xiaoqi’s arms.

Xiaoqi, alarmed, patted her back gently. “Don’t cry! Tell us, what happened?”

Xiaoqin tossed aside her book and hurried to Xiaoshu’s other side. “Don’t cry—did someone bully you?”

After a moment, Xiaoshu managed to recount what had happened, sniffling all the while.

Xiaoqin burst out laughing. “You say you’re wronged? You were so happy, running off to find Miss, and when we asked, you refused to tell us—off to claim credit, weren’t you? Serves you right for your troubles!”

Xiaoqi shot her a look. “Don’t tease, can’t you see how upset she is?”

Xiaoqin snorted. “She’s lucky not to be punished for barging into the Marshal’s tent. Wait till Miss gets back and deals with you!”

Seeing Xiaoshu about to cry again, Xiaoqi quickly interceded. “You heartless girl! Miss cares for us dearly, she’d never punish Xiaoshu.”

Xiaoqin relented, turning to Xiaoshu. “All right, enough teasing. If you keep crying, your eyes will swell shut. But our young master really is impressive—appointed Imperial Tutor to the Crown Prince!”

Xiaoqi nodded, soothing Xiaoshu. “Back home, he didn’t seem so remarkable—maybe because he was new to the capital and not in the best of health. But didn’t Xiaohua write to Miss recently? She said the young master was very talented, even praised his poetry. And didn’t she say the Flower Queen favors him?”

Xiaoqin pondered. “The Flower Queen? That’s Yin Ruxin, isn’t it? We went to see her perform at the Lantern Festival, remember? Miss even critiqued her performance. We were too far away to see her clearly, though. You think, with Miss away at war, the young master might actually fall for the Flower Queen…?” She stopped herself, eyes wide, and looked at Xiaoqi.

Xiaoqi fixed her with a stern look. “Don’t say such things! That’s not for us maids to gossip about, especially when we know so little. And don’t mention it to Miss—no need for her to worry. If anything happened, wouldn’t Xiaohua have written? Don’t make wild guesses again.”

Chastened, Xiaoqin blushed and nodded. Xiaoshu sniffled and nodded as well.

Nangong Qingyi, worried for Xiaoshu, hurried back to her tent after speaking with her father. Approaching the entrance, she overheard Xiaoqin’s speculation and paused, unexpectedly struck by the notion. She thought to herself, “Yin Ruxin… a beauty of surpassing talent. If she truly favors Yang Yaozong, and he is fond of her, and if he’s content as Imperial Tutor with no interest in politics, perhaps I should play matchmaker and allow him to take her as a concubine. It would benefit him and the Nangong family both.”

Then she shook her head and smiled ruefully. Yang Yaozong was only eighteen and already Imperial Tutor—surely a young man of such talent and pride would not be content to live quietly and ignore state affairs. And Yin Ruxin herself had caught the eye of the Prince of Qin at the Lantern Festival; with such prospects, how could she settle for being a concubine in the Nangong household?

—

Meanwhile, far away on Mount Zijin, Yang Yaozong sneezed three times in quick succession.

Qin Haizhou chuckled. “Caught a chill in the rain, have you?”

Yang Yaozong laughed. “I’m fit as a fiddle now—no fear of rain. Just a tickle in my nose.”

Qin Haizhou grinned mischievously. “If it’s not a cold, someone must be thinking of you—maybe your wife back at Yanmen Pass, or perhaps she worries some other girl has caught your eye.”

Yang Yaozong shook his head gently, touching the small leather pouch at his chest, and smiled. In his heart, he thought, “It must be Xiner thinking of me…”