Chapter 52: 051 — Drawing Blood with a Blade

"Now we turn to Guo Jing's righteous army, surrounded in a mountain valley by the Mongol Fourth Prince, Tolui. Once sworn brothers, now mortal foes — the day of reckoning on the battlefield is at hand…"

"Tolui reined in his horse, blade held crosswise, raised an arm and bellowed: 'Guo Jing, you have no hope of escape. For old times' sake, if you lead your men to surrender, I can guarantee you a post as vanguard general. Think no more of reinforcements — the Song armies nearby have all surrendered. You have been sold out by the Song court officials!' When the righteous army heard this, their hearts turned to dead ashes, and the whole force seemed on the verge of collapse…"

"'Cease your lying words, meant to shatter our army's spirit!' Guo Jing soared into the air, stepping across his soldiers' shoulders as he swept forward, and in the space of a finger-snap had plunged into the Mongol ranks. He raised a palm and struck with 'The Proud Dragon Repents.' A dragon's roar resounded through the valley, and dozens of Mongol cavalrymen were sent sprawling, men and horses alike…"

In the courtyard, Zhao Han lay dozing in a chair.

Fei Chun was, as ever, filling in as a storyteller, spittle flying as he read the latest chapter aloud. Fei Ruhe sat there listening, utterly entranced.

When the chapter ended, Fei Ruhe suddenly thrust out both palms and bellowed, "Taste my Proud Dragon Repents!"

"Ah!"

Fei Chun, manuscript in one hand and the other clutching his chest, sprang high backward and collapsed: "Such… such skill… ugh…"

"Hoo—"

Fei Ruhe slowly pressed both palms downward, exhaling and withdrawing his power.

Fei Chun scrambled up, grinning. "Young master, did I die convincingly this time?"

"Not wretched enough. Hardly does justice to the might of my Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms." Fei Ruhe shook his head in disdain.

Fei Chun picked up a staff. "Young master, pray instruct me. See how my Dog-Beating Staff technique fares."

Fei Ruhe immediately raised his blade and clashed with the page boy.

Unfortunately, the gulf in strength was too great. Fei Chun got off only two strikes before Fei Ruhe kicked him flying.

Clutching his stomach, Fei Chun got up — this time genuinely hurting — and, swallowing the pain, flattered him: "Young master's skill is superb. That must be the Beggars' Sect's Iron Broom Leg Art!"

Fei Ruhe stood with hands clasped behind his back and declared smugly, "That was Peach Blossom Island's Whirlwind Leaf-Sweeping Kick."

"Help! The young lady has taken her own life! Help…"

Just then, shouts came from the neighboring courtyard.

Zhao Han, who had been dozing, shot up from his chair. "Go see what's happened, quickly!"

Fei Ruhe said, "That's my eldest sister's side."

Not bothering to go out and take the long way around, Zhao Han and Fei Ruhe headed straight for the inner courtyard's dividing wall. The wall was taller than a man, but with a running start they scrambled up easily and dropped down onto the other side.

Fei Chun charged after them but got stuck halfway up. He had to jump down and obediently go the long way around.

"What happened?" Fei Ruhe asked as he ran.

Xiyue shouted from inside the house, "The young lady tried to hang herself — I got her down in time!"

Zhao Han was the first to rush into the room. A red silk sash still hung from the roof beam. Fei Rulan sat to the side, silent.

Fei Ruhe asked in alarm, "Eldest Sister, what are you doing?"

Fei Rulan only wept, head lowered, saying nothing.

Zhao Han turned and asked the maid, "Sister Xiyue, tell us everything in detail."

If the mistress died, the maid would fare no better. Still shaken, Xiyue said, "The Old Master sent for the young lady. I don't know what he said, but she came back looking terrible. She told me to go get a bowl of brown-sugar ginger broth. I went out to tell the old woman, and when I looked back I saw the young lady hanging."

The facts were clear enough. Zhao Han felt a surge of revulsion.

By now, the maids and old women of the inner courtyard had arrived one after another, having heard the news. Seeing the scene, they were all too shocked to speak.

"Ruhe!" Zhao Han called.

"What?" Fei Ruhe turned.

Zhao Han said, "The mistress hasn't been gone long — she may just have passed Hekou Town. You and Fei Chun, take a boat and go after her at once!"

"Right!" Fei Ruhe suddenly understood.

In this exchange, it was unclear who was master and who was servant; in any case, Fei Ruhe obeyed without question.

"This is the Eldest Young Master's inner courtyard. You cannot enter!"

Mo Xiang's rebuke suddenly sounded from outside. Dongfu and the other maids and old women all went out to see what was happening.

Zhao Han said to Xiyue, "Watch the young lady. Don't let her do anything foolish again."

"Mm, mm, mm." Xiyue nodded repeatedly.

Zhao Han strode swiftly out and saw a crowd of unfamiliar household slaves standing at the inner courtyard gate, blocked by Mo Xiang and her people.

Fei Ruhe, who had not yet managed to leave, demanded, "What are you doing here?"

One household slave answered, "We heard something had happened to the young lady, so we came together to see. Just now someone seemed to shout that the young lady had taken her own life — is it true…"

"Bullshit!"

Fei Ruhe cut him off at once, furious. "This is the inner courtyard of Jingxing Residence. You are all servants from Gongbei Residence. What dog-given nerve gives you the right to set one foot in here!"

That household slave put on an ingratiating smile and said, "Young Master, we are only following orders. If the young lady… we can help with the funeral arrangements."

"Fine, fine!"

Fei Ruhe was shaking with rage. "She isn't even dead yet, and already you're thinking of funeral arrangements. Today, your grandfather will arrange your funerals for you!"

Fei Ruhe raised his blade to strike, but Zhao Han reached out and held him back.

Zhao Han instructed, "I'll keep watch here. You go after the mistress at once."

Fei Ruhe thought for a moment and said, "Fine!" Then he ordered Fei Chun, "Come with me!"

"Leave the blade," Zhao Han said.

Fei Ruhe tossed the blade to Zhao Han, shoved aside those household slaves, and sprinted toward the dock with Fei Chun.

The household slaves dared not block him. Only after Fei Ruhe had left did one of them venture, "Is the Eldest Young Lady really all right?"

Zhao Han gave a cold laugh. "Would you like to come in and see for yourselves?"

"Then we'll take a look." The household slaves actually made to push their way in.

Yingchun had gone back to her parents' home with Madam Lou, so Dongfu was in charge of inner courtyard affairs.

Dongfu spread her arms to block them and shouted shrilly, "Let's see who dares force his way in!"

Mo Xiang slipped quietly out the back gate and ran to Zhongqin Courtyard to muster their own household servants.

Those household slaves were all trusted men of the Old Master, long accustomed to throwing their weight around. Seeing that Fei Ruhe was not there, they actually dared to force their way in, and the leader simply shoved Dongfu aside.

"You're courting death!"

Zhao Han suddenly slashed out with his blade, severing three of the man's fingers on the spot.

"Ah, my hand, my hand!" Two fingers fell to the ground, one still dangling by a strip of skin. The household slave clutched his hand and collapsed, rolling and howling in agony at the entrance to the inner courtyard.

Zhao Han stood with his blade ready and swept his gaze over the crowd. "Let anyone try barging in again!"

No matter which courtyard they belonged to, every household slave there was utterly dumbstruck with terror.

None dared force their way in any further; none even dared leave. They stood frozen, awaiting Zhao Han's judgment.

After a tense standoff, Moxiang arrived with the servants from the Loyal Diligence Courtyard, trapping the troublemaking household slaves of Gongbei Court from both front and rear.

Zhao Han immediately gave the order: "Tie them all up! They'll be dealt with when the Madam returns!"

Dongfu said in a low voice, "Brother Han, these are all from the Old Master's and Old Madam's courtyards."

Zhao Han gave a cold laugh. "I don't care whose courtyard they're from. Forcing their way into the inner courtyard of Jingxing Court is a breach of the rules. Unless, of course, the Old Master and Old Madam sent them to barge into the young lady's private chambers?"

It was an enormous accusation to level, one that even Old Master Fei Yuanyi himself could not have refuted had he come in person.

Zhao Han then pressed his interrogation: "Who sent you?"

Those household slaves dared not answer, for the accusation had already been laid.

Zhao Han raised his voice and declared: "The Old Master and Old Madam are kind and benevolent. How could they possibly issue such a vicious and discourteous order? This must be the wicked slaves acting on their own. They have bullied us here at Jingxing Court, squatting right over our heads and shitting on us. Tell me, everyone — can we let this pass lightly?"

"No!"

The servants of Loyal Diligence Courtyard, who had just arrived and knew nothing of the truth, were now roused to righteous fury by these words and roared back in unanimous defiance.

Zhao Han seized the moment to order: "Tie them all up! Before the Madam returns, no one who comes to claim them is to be allowed to release them!"

Zhao Han held no managerial post at Jingxing Court; by rights, he could not order anyone about. But at this moment, whether from the inner or outer courtyard, everyone instinctively obeyed his commands.

In the blink of an eye, the troublemaking household slaves were trussed up tightly.

Madam Ling also rushed over upon hearing the news. She turned pale with shock and cried out, "Release them at once! These are all from the Old Master's courtyard!"

Dongfu sneered. "May I ask, which courtyard does Madam Ling belong to, that she can come here and give orders?"

Madam Ling was left speechless. She withdrew in embarrassment and slipped away to report to the Old Madam.

Zhao Han continued issuing orders, having the menservants of Loyal Diligence Courtyard escort those household slaves to the woodshed. They were to be guarded in groups of three, rotating on watch, with responsibility assigned to each man. Any development was to be reported immediately.

Next, he had the maids of the inner courtyard take turns keeping the Eldest Young Lady company, to prevent Fei Rulan from attempting suicide again.

With these instructions given and everyone attending to their duties, Zhao Han sat at the entrance to the inner courtyard, blade in hand.

The crowd dispersed, leaving only two slip of girls — Fei Rumei and Zhao Zhenfang.

"Why haven't you two gone? Go keep the Eldest Young Lady company and talk with her," Zhao Han said.

Zhao Zhenfang gazed at him with admiration. "Second Brother, you were so impressive just now."

Fei Rumei added, "Yes, everyone listened to you. But chopping that hand with a blade was terrifying. There was so much blood; I was scared out of my wits."

Zhao Han asked, "Second Young Lady, aren't you worried about your sister?"

Fei Rumei said, "I stayed with Sister for a while just now. She only wept and wouldn't speak to me."

"Go quickly, or the Eldest Young Lady may try to take her life again," Zhao Han said to frighten her.

Fei Rumei was indeed alarmed. "Then... then I'll go stay with Sister. You keep guard here and don't let any bad people in."

The two young girls scampered into the inner courtyard.

Before long, a manservant from Loyal Diligence Courtyard came with word that the Old Master had sent a trusted aide to claim the men.

Zhao Han hurried over at once. Before he even entered the courtyard, he heard a household slave bellowing arrogantly: "Release them at once! Have you eaten a bear's heart and a leopard's gall, daring to detain the Old Master's men!"

The servants of Loyal Diligence Courtyard dared not speak, yet at the same time dared not release the prisoners.

Madam Ling hastily stepped in with a smile to smooth things over. "It's all a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding. Let the men go and that will be that."

"Chang!"

Zhao Han drew his blade and strode into Loyal Diligence Courtyard, shouting angrily, "No one leaves today until this matter is made clear!"

The Old Master's trusted man looked Zhao Han over and frowned. "And who is this?"

Madam Ling explained, "The Eldest Young Master's adopted son."

An ordinary adopted son was nothing more than a household slave!

The man immediately sneered. "A slave ought to know his place. We are here on the Master's orders. Even the Eldest Young Master himself would not dare speak so insolently! Men, seize this blind little whelp and give him a sound thrashing for me!"

Zhao Han advanced, blade in hand. The opposing household slaves charged at him, cudgels raised.

"Clang!"

He slashed the cudgel aside and followed through with a slicing cut, shearing off the thumb of the slave who had been holding it.

The man clutched his hand and shrieked in agony, terrifying the other household slaves into halting their advance.

This was simply not how things were done — brawls between household slaves at most involved cudgels. Who drew a blade and drew blood right from the start?

Madam Ling fled back into the house in terror, afraid that Zhao Han had gone mad and might suddenly give her a slash as well.

"Since you've come, don't be in a hurry to leave," Zhao Han commanded. "Tie them all up and throw them into the woodshed with the others!"

The servants of Loyal Diligence Courtyard cheered in unison and eagerly grabbed ropes to bind the men. In any case, if disaster came of this, Zhao Han would be the one to bear it.

The second wave of troublemaking household slaves, staring at the blood dripping from Zhao Han's blade, did not dare offer the slightest resistance. They docilely submitted to being bound and hauled off to the woodshed.

(End of Chapter)