A merchant’s ledger tells more tales than a general’s war maps. Follow the flow of coin, and you will find the truth hidden beneath layers of deceit.
—Master Lin Feng, Scale of Heaven and Earth
Paper lanterns cast dancing shadows across the garden as Xiulan absorbed Instructor Han’s lessons. The evening air carried a slight chill, but the focused instruction kept her mind sharp.
"Physical conditioning must become part of your daily routine." Instructor Han said as he demonstrated a basic stance. "Morning and evening, whether I’m here or not."
"What exercises should we do?" Xiulan asked.
"Start with stretches." Han moved through several positions. "Then twenty squats, followed by arm circles. Repeat this five times with a short rest between each set. We will build up to more challenging movements as your strength improves."
Xiulan glanced at her robe’s flowing sleeves. "These will make training difficult."
"Indeed." Han nodded. "You might consider wearing pants for practice sessions."
Mei Chen gasped. "Pants? But that’s so..." She trailed off, fidgeting with her sleeve.
"More shocking than wielding daggers?" Xiulan raised an eyebrow. Certainly, ladies training in martial arts was not proper, but there was no lack of female martial artists in the world, so it wasn’t that scandalous.
Although almost all of those female martial artists were on the immortal side of things. So Mei Chen’s reaction was somewhat understandable.
"I—" Mei Chen blushed. "I hadn’t thought of it that way."
Han outlined specific movements they could practice while wearing robes. "Tomorrow afternoon, we’ll begin proper weapons training. For now, focus on these conditioning exercises in the morning."
After Han departed with a respectful bow, Xiulan turned to Mei Chen. "We need a privacy wall installed around this garden. And inform the staff that only guards, Instructor Han, and our female servants are permitted here."
"Yes, Miss Xiulan."
"Also, acquire some spare training outfits from the soldiers for tomorrow’s session." Xiulan adjusted her sleeve. "We’ll need appropriate attire for our unlady-like activities."
Mei Chen maintained perfect composure while bowing. "I’ll see to it immediately, Miss Xiulan."
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the paper screens as Xiulan sipped her tea. Jin Wei’s healing pill went down hard, but she was pleased with the four smaller black orbs she pocketed. The Doctor did quick work.
She looked over at her friend. "Time to fetch those soldier outfits, Mei Chen. We should start our exercises before it gets too warm."
"It seems strange that martial training begins with running around in circles." Mei Chen arranged the breakfast dishes with practiced efficiency.
A smile tugged at Xiulan’s lips. "What could be more essential than moving freely with strength? These beautiful robes might showcase status, but they bind us like decorative cages."
Mei Chen disappeared briefly before returning with two neatly folded uniforms. The fabric looked softer than standard military gear, already altered to fit a more feminine frame. Xiulan stared at the modified clothing with surprise. "I thought we’d need to adjust these now."
"I stayed up after you retired, Miss." Mei Chen ducked her head shyly. "I predicted you’d want to begin right away."
"Excellent, thank you." Xiulan examined the larger uniform before glancing at the second one. "Though this one looks rather loose for you."
"M-me?" Mei Chen squeaked, nearly dropping the teapot.
"Of course!" Xiulan grinned at her maid’s shocked expression. "Did you think I’d train alone?"
It was hard not to laugh as she turned the tables and helped Mei Chen get dressed for once. The upbeat feeling didn’t evaporate as they headed into the back garden.
The guard uniform’s rougher fabric brushed against Xiulan’s skin as she stretched her arms overhead. Freedom of movement surged through her limbs—it felt entirely natural. Which made sense—her past life was fully accustomed to living in trousers and jeans.
"Miss Xiulan!" Mei Chen stared wide-eyed as Xiulan kicked her leg out experimentally. "Someone might see!"
"Let them look." Xiulan twisted at the waist, relishing the unrestricted motion. Through the courtyard entrance, workers hammered posts for the privacy fence. "Though I suppose we might start some interesting rumors."
"Please don’t even joke about that!" Mei Chen tugged at her own borrowed uniform.
Xiulan led them through the exercises Instructor Han prescribed. Then she added more. Memories of Li Mei’s occasional gym visits guided her movements as she demonstrated proper form for jumping jacks and lunges. Mei Chen mimicked each motion, growing more confident with each rep.
Sweat darkened their clothes and plastered hair to their foreheads as they finished the final set of squats. Xiulan wiped her brow with her sleeve. "We definitely need baths after this."
"I’ll arrange one for you right away." Mei Chen turned to leave.
"Wait." Xiulan caught her arm. "Have them prepare two baths. You need one as well."
"Oh no, I couldn’t!" Mei Chen shook her head frantically. "A washcloth will suffice for me."
Sunlight warmed the flagstones as they stepped back outside the courtyard and onto the main walkway. Mei Chen stepped closer. "Miss Xiulan, do you suspect someone planned this?"
"Without question." Xiulan adjusted her sleeve. "Buildings spread apart don’t spontaneously combust together. Someone orchestrated the destruction. The real mystery is why."
"How can we learn more?" Mei Chen wrung her hands together, casting furtive glances at the woodsmen they left behind.
"We’ll need to investigate the landlord’s dealings." Xiulan adjusted her sleeves. "That means infiltrating the County Admin."
"Infiltrating?" Mei Chen squeaked. "Miss!"
Xiulan laughed at her maid’s scandalized expression. "Not us personally. We’ll find an official who won’t draw attention—someone who can access the information without raising suspicions." She steered them toward her mother’s courtyard. "Mother might know someone suitable."
As they entered and moved through the garden, the familiar scent of jasmine tea wafted through the air. They found Auntie Lan sitting alone at a small table, enjoying her tea amid the blooming flowers.
"Auntie Lan," Xiulan called softly.
Auntie Lan looked up, a warm smile spreading across her face. "Xiulan, what a pleasant surprise."
She started to stand up, but Xiulan took a seat quickly enough to not trouble her mother’s most trusted servant. Instead, she wasted no time and explained the circumstances with the woodsmen and asked for help.
"Official Bo Qin—my cousin—works in the manor’s administration," Auntie Lan offered. "He could assist with such inquiries."
"Perfect," Xiulan smiled.
"I’ll arrange a meeting for tomorrow." Auntie Lan gestured toward the main residence. "Will you stay? Your mother would love to visit."
"Send my love and respects," Xiulan bowed slightly. "I need to purchase items for my courtyard today."
"Ah, you should have planned this!" Auntie Lan set down her teacup. "You and your mother could have shopped together."
A pang of regret tightened Xiulan’s chest. "I didn’t think far enough ahead to invite her. Though I’d love to arrange something for the future."
"I’ll inform the lady." Auntie Lan stood up and bowed deeply.
Xiulan stood up as well and sighed. She hadn’t meant to interrupt the elderly woman’s tea, but it was what it was. There was possibly a level to the culture that Xiulan’s experiences would never override Li Mei’s own.
They headed back out of the courtyard and into the manor. Today was turning into quite the busy travel trip.
Sunlight streamed through the latticed windows as Xiulan led Mei Chen and their guard toward the manor market. A wooden walkway creaked beneath their feet, marking the group’s progress.
There weren’t very many shops on the concourse, but there were also far fewer customers. Her rank acted like a VIP pass regardless, and just the act of entering a shop would cause it to close for every other customer.
It made her feel guilty, but...
Li Mei sighed. It was what it was? How many times would she need to think that today?
Shopping for dresses came first.
Xiulan examined each robe with practiced efficiency, selecting six in different tones of blue and green. The simple designs would serve well for daily wear without drawing unwanted attention. The shop promised to have them sent over to her courtyard before the end of the day.
"The beds next." Xiulan strode toward a furniture merchant’s stall. Practical wooden frames caught her eye—sturdy construction without ornate carvings that would drive up the cost. "We’ll need twenty double bunks for the guards, plus five for household staff." She pointed to a stack of woven reed mattresses. "Those will do nicely."
Tables and chairs followed, along with storage chests and practical shelving. Then came the knickknacks and smaller items. These they would carry back themselves.
Her third bodyguard’s arms trembled under the weight of the sample pieces while servants scurried back and forth with written orders for the bulk items. She selected oil lamps, cooking implements, and basic dining ware—everything needed to transform empty rooms into livable quarters.
"I believe that’s enough for today." Xiulan eyed the guard’s precarious hold on their purchases. The poor man looked ready to collapse under the mountain of goods. Mei Chen was kind enough to take a few things off the top that looked like they were about to tumble.
The trip home was quick. At the courtyard entrance, a servant intercepted them, bowing to Mei Chen before passing over two letters.
"Letters for you, Miss Xiulan," Mei Chen informed her.
"From whom?" Xiulan accepted the papers.
The first carried a delicate lavender scent, Lan Yue’s name inscribed in elegant calligraphy across the seal. The promised tea party—Xiulan pressed her lips together. After Lin Jin’s incident, she needed her mother’s counsel before responding.
The second letter bore the golden seal of the Treasure Pavilion. Xiulan broke the wax with eager fingers, unfolding the crisp parchment. Master Qingfeng’s brief message confirmed delivery of her purchases to Lin Manor within two days.
Two days!
Finally!