"Xuanling, hurry and come help your mistress. I feel so weak and frail right now; I need a bath."
Xuanling rolled her eyes. "Mistress, if I hadn't grown up with you, I might actually believe you."
"How boring. Off with you then—find my clothes for me. I need to change as soon as possible; I feel all sticky and gross."
"Fine."
*Splash.* Water sent ripples everywhere.
Sometimes, Xuanling truly doubted whether her mistress was a woman at all, given how crude her movements could be. Once changed into simple, clean robes, her ink-black hair hung loose, still dripping with water; the sight was like an immortal who had accidentally stumbled into the mortal realm.
"Achoo!"
Xuanling’s mouth twitched. She hurried over to wring out her mistress's hair and drape a cloak over her shoulders.
The two of them were used to resting wherever they found themselves. They had plenty of such spots—be it the scene of a recent killing where they were too tired to move, or a village mortuary—as long as the timing didn't align with finding an inn.
As the sun climbed higher, the morning was filled with chirping.
*Thwack.* A small bird dropped right on cue, startling the forest and sending the rest of the flock scattering in every direction.
"So noisy."
"Is Mistress awake?" Xuanling asked softly.
"Can I even stay asleep? That chirping is deafening."
"Then let's get back on the road. Eat something first, Mistress; I’ve retrieved your dagger."
"Mm." Her languid voice sounded lovely.
Just as they were about to leave, Wen Jiu said, "I need to freshen up. Bring me some water."
"We should hit the market in a little while; let's just go to an inn."
"No."
"Sigh, very well."
As a transmigrator, she might forget that she was a man living in a woman’s body, but she couldn't forget to brush her teeth and wash her face. She had custom-made toothbrushes for herself and Xuanling, and the toothpaste was a cream she’d refined from various medicinal herbs.
Once they reached the market and bought supplies, she heard a peddler mention that there was a lantern festival that day. Xuanling’s eyes lit up.
"We’ll rest for the day and set off tomorrow morning."
"Yay! You’re the best, Mistress!"
"What’s there to see? I’m not going. If you want to, go yourself."
Xuanling knew she was thinking of the time her late Master had planned to take them to the Lantern Festival. She fell silent, secretly deciding she would find a way to coax her mistress out that night.
"Innkeeper, one superior room."
"Make it two."
"Mistress..."
"I haven’t rested well lately; I can’t keep pushing myself."
"Two superior rooms, right this way, ladies."
"Mistress, I’m right next door. Call me if you need anything."
"Waiter, boil two tubs of hot water and bring up some food—the house specials will do."
"Right away, ma'am. Please wait a moment."
"Xuanling, after you eat, take a hot bath and rest for a bit. The festival doesn't start until nightfall."
"Understood, Mistress." Xuanling looked forward to the evening in secret.
Wen Jiu watched her. It made sense; she’d likely never seen such things. Though she hadn't seen them in this ancient world either—having been stuck on the mountain—she had seen plenty of high-society decadence and rural markets in her modern life.
*Poor girl,* she thought.
Once they were full, they bathed and took a short nap. Wen Jiu was woken by an argument outside her door.
"Xuanling."
Xuanling pushed the door open. "Are you awake, Mistress?"
"What’s going on outside?"
"They’re arguing over bets, trying to guess who will be crowned the top courtesan tonight."
"What does a lantern festival have to do with a courtesan?"
"I asked around—apparently, the courtesan whose lantern is the highest wins the title. They say they’re all incredibly beautiful, though of course, Mistress, you are the most beautiful of all. They’re just... well, they're just idols chosen by men for amusement. They can’t compare to you."
Wen Jiu laughed, amused. "Even famous courtesans have their share of hardships and national grief; some are talented and well-read, they just happened to be born into poor circumstances. Besides, I won't get angry at you for praising them."
"Then let’s go see it, Mistress! I heard the streets are lined with snacks. We’re only half a day away from the Capital; this is Lancheng, a place where people and delicacies from every nation mingle."
"People from every nation? That might be worth a look. Perhaps there are some beauties."
*Zzz, zzz.*
"What’s that sound?"
"Sounds like a snake." Xuanling rushed to the door to look, but there was no one there.
Wen Jiu said, "It’s not a snake. That doesn't sound right." What on earth was that noise? It felt as if her brain was receiving a signal. "Forget it. Stay alert. Let’s tidy up and go take a look."
Once they stepped outside, they felt as though the day and night were two completely different worlds; it felt like a scene from a dream.
They walked and snacked, buying a lantern, candied haws (which they held but didn't eat), a small jar of peach blossom wine, and masks. They bought many, many unique trinkets. She bought Xuanling a small jade hairpin—transparent and flawless, shaped like a rabbit.
Xuanling was overjoyed and hurriedly thanked her mistress.
"Xuanling, you go take a look. I’ll wait for you at that pavilion over there. I don't care for crowds. Remember, don’t go looking for trouble, but don’t be afraid of it either. If something happens, blow the jade whistle."
Xuanling knew her mistress disliked crowds, but she still wanted to pull her along. "Mistress..."
"Be a good girl, go on. I’ll be here waiting."
"Alright."
After Xuanling left, Wen Jiu spoke to the jar of peach blossom wine. "Come on out. You’ve been following us all the way. You’ve worked hard."
"Master, we have already arrived. Do you need us to plant agents in the Prime Minister's estate?"
"Xuanxing."
"I am here."
"Do you have a stronghold in the Capital?"
"Biluo Villa."
"Very good. Thank you for your hard work."
"I would not dare, Master."
"Where is Xuanying?"
"He has gone to execute a mission."
"And Qingli?"
"She is in the Capital managing two shops and is swamped with work. She could not come to receive you; please forgive her."
"It is no matter. I didn't intend for you all to receive me anyway. Now, listen: regarding the matters in the Capital that I have forbidden you to touch, keep them contained."
"The Capital is not like Yanchuan; every great family is watching. Until I have absolute power, you are all my fallback plan. Do you understand?"
"Yes. We shall protect you with our lives." Xuanxing recalled how, half a year ago, their master had challenged the top experts on the martial arts rankings with only one condition: if she won, they would serve her for life.
Later, by chance, she had saved Xuanying. Xuanying had been the leader of the former Emperor’s elite shadow guards and was being hunted. Wen Jiu hadn't cared why he was being hunted; she had simply picked him up and asked him one question: "Are you willing to serve me? With loyalty, never to betray?"
Looking at the girl whose beauty was beyond compare, Xuanying had answered "yes," and only then had she begun to treat his wounds.
Wen Jiu didn't trust anyone, yet she didn't *not* trust them—human hearts were simply too fragile to be tested. Even shadow guards could betray their former masters, let alone those in the martial arts world. Everyone who agreed to serve her was made to take a poison, and she provided the antidote monthly.
She would have liked to win people over with kindness, but time did not allow it. She had Xuanying train shadow guards—shadow guards that belonged only to her.
She had arrived in the Capital, and there were even more undercurrents waiting for her. She didn't know why wave after wave of assassination attempts were being launched against her; was she really worth such effort?
"Go back. You don’t need to escort me; it will only draw attention."
"Yes. Please accept this, Master."
"What is this?" The Plum Blossom Token was crafted quite exquisitely.
"The Plum Blossom Token. As long as you present it, Biluo Villa will enter a state of highest alert to slaughter the enemy—they will not stop until the end."
"Give it to Xuanying."
"The Villa Master insists that you hold it."
Indeed, Xuanying was the Villa Master. It had started because Xuanying had mentioned the Master wanted her to come, but Wen Jiu found it too troublesome, so she made Xuanying serve as the acting Villa Master.
"Is the silver for training the guards sufficient?"
"It is. Qingli earns a great deal, and there is more from Yanchuan."
"That’s fine. Return. I don't need anyone accompanying me here; having Xuanling is enough."
"Yes." Xuanxing glanced at Xuanling’s position, then vanished in the blink of an eye.
Wen Jiu smiled but said nothing. It seemed that girl also longed to be in the spotlight, envious of Xuanling. She would handle that once things were stable.
She watched the crowd in the distance, spotting the girl who stood out in a single glance. She was laughing and cheering, and Wen Jiu couldn't help but smile, too.
She picked up the peach blossom wine, took a large gulp, and leaned against the pavilion. Her white dress fluttered in the breeze, and her hair ribbon danced along with it.
Her two feet dangled off the railing—a little fairy who didn't seem to belong to the mortal world.
Someone walked over.
Wen Jiu did not turn her head, nor did she wish to acknowledge them. She finished the wine, put on her veil, and continued to sit there.
"Sigh, I can't squeeze through. I wanted to see what kind of beauty the top courtesan this year possesses, but alas, I woke up too late."