Fish Meat – Chapter 225
by Little PandaThe Second Year of Shunde
Jointly Chasing The Lost Deer (21)
Zhen Wenjun indeed left early and returned early, but she brought someone back with her.
Wei Tingxu was massaging her own legs in the small courtyard when the gate creaked open with a “zhi ga” sound. Zhen Wenjun entered first, followed by a young lady dressed in thin clothes, shivering uncontrollably from the cold.
Wei Tingxu looked at the lady, then at Zhen Wenjun, her brow furrowing slightly as if waiting for an explanation.
Zhen Wenjun said, “Her name is Ah Ling1. She’s a local from Feng County.”
“Shouldn’t she have been sent to the military camp?”
“The military camp? Ah, no, everyone who should have gone has gone. She’s not one of those, um… you know.” Zhen Wenjun felt awkward directly stating that Ah Ling wasn’t a camp prostitute, just an ordinary farmer’s wife.
“I don’t know.” Wei Tingxu was quite wary of this person. Always vigilant, she disliked strangers approaching her intensely and couldn’t tolerate anyone unfamiliar entering a range where they could assassinate her. Her immense hostility and dissatisfaction towards Zhen Wenjun’s inexplicable act of bringing someone back were all condensed into these three words.
Ah Ling, frightened by the terrifying aura emanating from her, took two steps back and hid behind Zhen Wenjun. Zhen Wenjun led her out, whispering, “Don’t be afraid. Although she looks fierce, she’s not someone who kills the innocent indiscriminately.”
Ah Ling gave a sweet “Mm,” her eyes glued to Zhen Wenjun, unwilling to look away for even a moment.
The two spoke in extremely low voices, yet the quietness of the courtyard was enough for Wei Tingxu, seated in her four-wheeled cart, to hear every word clearly.
“I am.” Wei Tingxu pushed her four-wheeled cart over to them, looking directly at Zhen Wenjun. “Whoever offends my eyes, I kill.”
Ah Ling didn’t dare meet her gaze.
“Even if you’ve had another fit of kindness and saved some woman from the pleasure quarters2, there’s no need to bring her into my courtyard. You have many places you could settle her.”
Hearing the words “woman from the pleasure quarters,” Ah Ling’s expression changed, and she anxiously denied, “I’m not!”
Zhen Wenjun sighed, had Ah Ling sit down, and turned to Wei Tingxu. “She really isn’t, you’ve misunderstood. She’s my lifesaver.”
“Lifesaver?” Wei Tingxu’s tone showed little fluctuation, yet each word was incredibly sharp. “You, the great General Zhen, wise and divinely martial, actually needed saving by such a little lady? Aren’t you afraid that having just retrieved your life, it might be snatched away again by a spy who specifically sought you out?”
Ah Ling lowered her head without speaking, secretly wiping her eyes with her sleeve, looking utterly wronged. But if one looked closely, no trace of tears could likely be found on her cuff.
Wei Tingxu had indeed guessed correctly. This person was currently called Ah Ling, but a few days prior, her name was precisely Ah Xiang. She was a concubine-born daughter of the Yao family, the younger sister of Yao Zhaoyi.
A few days ago, she had pretended to be a farmer’s wife delivering vegetables and fruits. She deliberately sought out two crafty old soldiers3, bending over to pick something up in front of them. Her graceful figure and the glimpse of snowy white chest revealed as her thin clothes drooped stirred desire in the two soldiers, successfully drawing Zhen Wenjun over to intervene, thus leaving an impression on her. These past few days, she had been secretly following Zhen Wenjun, looking for a suitable opportunity to approach her again.
A suitable opportunity soon arrived.
Zhen Wenjun was meticulously recounting to Wei Tingxu how Ah Ling had saved her.
“Turns out there was a Liu spy right within our army,” Zhen Wenjun said. “This spy had been targeting us since a long, long time ago, followed the main army to Feng County, and informed the Liu clan of my travel route today. A group of assassins ambushed the courtesan house. It wasn’t suitable to be too high-profile going there today, so I only brought four personal guards. Unexpectedly, over thirty assassins were lying in wait inside. Seeing we were outnumbered4 and not wanting to get entangled in a fight, we quickly retreated. The assassins forced us into the residential alleys, intending to use the complex, winding terrain to trap us inside. Fortunately, Lady Ah Ling, who was passing by, fearlessly led us out through a hidden door. Otherwise, even if I could have escaped with my life, I would have likely sustained more injuries.”
Zhen Wenjun spoke earnestly, but Wei Tingxu retorted, “General Zhen is so valiant on the battlefield, facing ten foes alone is not unheard of. How is it that as soon as a beautiful little lady appears, you suddenly can’t handle the Liu family assassins?”
Ah Xiang covered her face and chuckled silently, glancing at Zhen Wenjun.
It was obvious Zhen Wenjun was somewhat annoyed, but she tried hard to suppress it, still pointing to the back of her neck in a good-natured tone, “Normally, I wouldn’t really care about these thirty-odd assassins. It’s just that ever since Yao family’s arrow hit me at Yanxing last time, this wound hasn’t healed properly. Every few days5 it flares up, alternating between cold and hot, which interferes with me greatly. That’s why mistakes happen sometimes. Actually, Ah Ling and I do share some fate. Zizhuo, do you remember? A couple of days ago, I told you about a lady delivering vegetables being teased by soldiers? That was her.”
“So that’s how it is.” Wei Tingxu was speaking to Zhen Wenjun, but her eyes were fixed on Ah Xiang. “In that case, you two truly share a fate from a past life. Before, it was Ah Ling in trouble, and the General happened to appear and rescue her. Now, it’s the General who happens to be in trouble, and Lady Ah Ling appears to save her life. If I weren’t so familiar with the General, I probably wouldn’t believe so many coincidences could happen in just a few days. Speaking of which, Lady Ah Ling is truly courageous. Didn’t you have a seriously ill elderly mother to care for? Yet you dared to provoke those desperadoes. Aren’t you afraid they’ll come seeking revenge at your door, leaving your elderly mother decapitated6?”
Zhen Wenjun cleared her throat and said seriously, “Zizhuo, I know you’re always cautious and dislike being disturbed by outsiders. But right now, within Feng County city, only your place here is the safest and warmest. Ah Ling injured her foot saving me and needs treatment. Settling her anywhere else involves soldiers, which is really inconvenient. The courtyard has three rooms; clearing out the smallest one for Lady Ah Ling to rest and treat her injury would be fine. You don’t need to interact with her face-to-face, and I will also assign more personnel to protect your safety.”
“No need.” Wei Tingxu showed no desire to continue the conversation, appearing very tired. “Although outsiders can’t see them, this place is crawling with my Wei family’s hidden guards. Anyone thinking of trying anything funny, I certainly won’t be polite. Lady Ah Ling,” she smiled faintly, “Feng County is remote. I wonder if you’ve heard of the treacherous and ruthless court official who murdered the late Emperor?”
Ah Xiang said, “Is the young lady referring to the one sung about in the ballads… Wei…”
“Wei Tingxu, that would be myself7.”
Ah Xiang’s expression changed drastically, and she subconsciously gripped Zhen Wenjun’s hand tightly.
Nothing more needed to be said. Simply revealing her identity was enough; no matter how earnestly Zhen Wenjun pleaded8, no one would dare to continue staying there.
Ah Xiang begged repeatedly, but Zhen Wenjun had no choice but to lead her away.
As they left, Zhen Wenjun glanced back at Wei Tingxu, disappointed and crestfallen.
Wei Tingxu met her gaze, unafraid and showing no guilt whatsoever.
“I can only trouble you to settle in my tent for the time being,” Zhen Wenjun sighed after exiting the courtyard gate, speaking to Ah Ling.
“Wherever the General has this servant stay, this servant will stay. It’s just…” Ah Xiang’s eyes glistened with tears as she grasped Zhen Wenjun’s hand, “Although it was this servant who luckily saved the General, ultimately, it is the General who shows such deep kindness and righteousness towards this servant. This servant lost her father young and cared for her paralyzed elderly mother alone. No one has ever treated this servant so well; the General is the first…”
Zhen Wenjun smiled and gently withdrew her hand. “Lady Ah Ling is like me, having lost her father in childhood. And I also have a mother with disabled legs.”
“Really?” Ah Xiang chuckled, “puchi,” this time with genuine tears welling up. “Turns out that Lady Wei was right; this servant and the General share a fate from a past life.”
“Don’t call yourself ‘this servant’ anymore. I call you Ah Ling, so you should refer to yourself that way too.”
“Is the General very particular about names?”
“My real name is Alai. Actually, it’s not much of a name; it was given by my family back then just to conveniently call me for chores. I don’t really like it, but it did represent me for many years.”
“So the General’s real name is Alai. Then what is the General’s name now?”
“Everyone calls me Zhen Wenjun.”
“Zhen Wenjun… what a fine name, truly worthy of the General!”
The two chatted as they walked. By the time they reached Zhen Wenjun’s tent and sat down, Ah Xiang cried out “Ah!” and clutched her injured leg, rubbing it again and again.
“I know a little medicine. Take off your shoe and let me have a look.”
Ah Xiang hesitated shyly for a long time, refusing to take it off. When Zhen Wenjun returned carrying a medicine box, she saw her still in the same posture.
“What’s wrong?” Zhen Wenjun asked, puzzled.
“My foot… doesn’t look good…”
“It’s precisely because it’s injured that it needs treatment.” Zhen Wenjun ignored her coyness and forcibly removed her shoe. A pair of feet covered in black mud, with dry, cracked, unsightly toenails, was presented before her eyes.
Feeling Zhen Wenjun’s gaze, Ah Xiang shrank her shoulders in utter shame. “My feet, they’re very ugly, aren’t they.”
Zhen Wenjun didn’t mind at all. She helped her move her ankle around, asking if it hurt, then fetched a wooden board to splint it. She applied ointment to all the minor wounds and wrapped them with clean cloth.
“Alright, try walking and see. It shouldn’t affect your movement.”
Ah Xiang took a few steps. There was only a slight ache; the leg that had hurt with every movement was now firmly stabilized.
“General, you’re amazing! You know how to do everything!”
Zhen Wenjun smiled faintly and began packing her medicine box.
“Actually, Zizhuo was right. It’s better if your mother doesn’t stay in Feng County. I’ll have someone send her to a safe place in the rear. Once your injury heals, you can go join her.”
Ah Xiang sat down opposite her, thanked her profusely, then asked, “The young lady we met earlier was Wei Tingxu. It’s said she married a female general. Could it be that you are that general?”
“Mm, that’s me.” Zhen Wenjun didn’t evade the question.
“Although you two are married, you are completely different. The General is so gentle, totally unlike that villain9.”
As soon as Ah Xiang said this, Zhen Wenjun’s expression immediately changed. “You don’t understand her. Don’t be hasty in judging her.”
“But the ballads all sing it this way, saying she’s the treacherous official who killed the emperor…”
Before Ah Xiang could finish, Zhen Wenjun stood up, clearly unwilling to chat further. Ah Xiang’s eyes darted, and she immediately went up to apologize:
“I thought the General and that demon… and that Lady Wei were just putting on an act10. After all, one of you is righteous and the other is evil, how could you possibly end up together? I didn’t expect your feelings to be stronger than gold and stone11. I misspoke. Ah Ling apologizes to the General. Please don’t be angry anymore, General.”
“I’m not angry. It’s just that the matter between Zizhuo and me…” Zhen Wenjun seemed to recall something and sighed softly, “It’s not something that can be explained in a few words.”
Originally, Ah Xiang wanted to say “I wish to hear the details”, but after thinking, although they shared a life-or-death bond, they had known each other for too short a time. It wasn’t appropriate to press further today. It wouldn’t be too late to continue probing once they became more familiar.
Zhen Wenjun brought Ah Xiang back to the camp tent and called several female soldiers to take care of her. Just as she was about to leave, Ah Xiang asked her:
“The General gave her own tent to me. What about the General then?”
“It’s fine, I have places to go. I can stay in any tent.”
“This… Thank you very much, General.”
Zhen Wenjun left early and returned late every day, studying the route to attack Julu with Bu Jie and other strategists. She would sit before the Heavenly Soldier Divine Box for the entire day. The wound on the back of her neck flared up repeatedly, often making her neck stiff and very uncomfortable. Every half shichen12 she had to properly relax and massage it, making it very difficult for her.
Ah Xiang learned about this and went to study massage techniques. When Zhen Wenjun returned to the tent in the evening, she insisted on giving her a massage to relieve the discomfort.
“No need, Lady Ah Ling should rest early.” Initially, Zhen Wenjun felt a bit embarrassed and refused her. Ah Xiang persisted, saying she had specifically learned the massage techniques, was the General going to waste her kind intentions? As she spoke, her eyes grew tearful—these past few days, besides learning massage, Ah Xiang had also practiced the skill of crying on command to perfection13. Her sister had said that this Zhen Wenjun had the softest spot for women; usually, such people could be conquered with tears.
Sure enough, as soon as she cried, Zhen Wenjun felt helpless and stopped refusing, letting her knead and press.
In her peripheral vision, Ah Xiang noticed a figure at the entrance of the tent diagonally behind her. The figure stopped there silently, without entering.
A smile touched Ah Xiang’s lips. She leaned her body lower, her chest pressing against the back of Zhen Wenjun’s head, and asked in a delicate voice, “General, does this feel comfortable?”
Zhen Wenjun was immersed in Ah Xiang’s precise massage technique. With her back to the entrance, she couldn’t see anyone there. She closed her eyes, murmured an “Mm,” and said, “Comfortable…”
The figure at the entrance quickly vanished.
Footnotes
- 阿嶺 | Ā Lǐng
- 勾欄女子 | gōulán nǚzǐ | Lit. “railed enclosure woman”; Refers to women working in entertainment districts, often associated with prostitution or performance in historical contexts.
- 兵油子 | bīngyóuzi | Lit. “soldier oil stick”; Slang for veteran soldiers who are cunning, shirking, and possibly prone to misbehavior.
- 寡不敵衆 | guǎ bù dí zhòng | Lit. “few cannot oppose many”; An idiom meaning hopelessly outnumbered.
- 隔三差五 | gé sān chà wǔ | Lit. “separate three lack five”; Idiom meaning frequently, at intervals, every few days.
- 身首異處 | shēn shǒu yì chù | Lit. “body and head in different places”; A formal/literary way of saying decapitated or killed violently.
- 在下 | zàixià | Lit. “underneath”; A humble way of referring to oneself, often used in historical or formal contexts.
- 苦口婆心 | kǔ kǒu pó xīn | Lit. “bitter mouth grandmother heart”; Idiom meaning to urge patiently and kindly, like a grandmother.
- 賊人 | zéirén | Lit. “thief person”; Can mean thief, bandit, traitor, or generally a villain/bad person.
- 逢場作戲 | féng chǎng zuò xì | Lit. “encounter occasion make play”; Idiom meaning to join in for the occasion, often insincerely, or to put on an act.
- 情比金堅 | qíng bǐ jīn jiān | Lit. “feelings compare gold firm”; Idiom meaning love or feelings are extremely strong and enduring.
- An hour
- 爐火純青 | lú huǒ chún qīng | Lit. “stove fire pure green”; Idiom meaning having attained a high degree of proficiency, reaching perfection in a skill.
I’ll be suprised if Wenjun does not already know ah’Xiang is a spy. I think both she and Zizho is playing her