Chapter 001: The Sound of Sand in Winter Snow
Enough. The man in traditional Chinese attire finally spoke, his tone arrogant and indifferent, "Give them some money to send them on their way. We must hurry on our journey"
Danfei wore a smile that was neither fully a smile nor entirely absent, as she drew a dagger from her waist and pried open a paper bag on the carriage. The fragrant pastries tumbled into the snow with a soft thud
Having had enough to drink, everyone was filled with fervor, eagerly waiting to rush out and make a grand effort
The servant shouted, ordering the boxes from the cart to be unloaded. Upon opening one, it was filled with silk and satin; opening another box revealed it to be full of silverware and lacquerware
Now listen, the man's voice sounded even more deep and magnetic, akin to the low hum of an ancient zither. He spoke in standard Mandarin, and combined with his haughty demeanor that seemed to look down on everything, he was most likely from the Jingjing region.
The tavern keeper then stepped forward and said: "Everyone, please do not argue any further. This matter is indeed a misunderstanding. The gentleman's guard injured a member of the Liu family, and the Liu family members also damaged the carriage. It would be better for both parties to apologize to each other and resolve this matter, what do you think?"
Having said that, he unexpectedly rode away on horseback
"They have arrived!" Cao Danfei's eyes lit up, and she jumped up, "You two flank from the back door, A Zhu take two people to prepare for the lasso, the rest follow me!"
Dan Fei's pupils contracted, yet her expression remained unchanged. She sidestepped, then leaped, her left foot landing on the wooden box, her right leg lifted high as she gracefully spun around, delivering a kick to the man's face mid-air, sending his heavy body flying sideways.
Danfei was relentless, and with a flick of her fingers, she blew a winding whistle. The horse beneath the man seemed to acknowledge Danfei as its master, prancing around with its head shaking and tail swaying. Seeing that he could no longer control it, the man voluntarily dismounted, stepping into the knee-deep snow, and fell face-first into the snow.
"Still not giving way?" the guard scolded, brushing past Danfei on horseback, nearly knocking her over
The warm winter sun shines upon the ground covered in sparkling white snow, instantly transforming the harsh weather of the past few days into a mere memory. In this era of peace and prosperity, with bountiful harvests and the people living in contentment, they all venture out to enjoy the scenery under the gentle warmth of the winter sun.
"Who told you to meddle in our affairs and come here on your own?" Danfei pointed the riding crop at his nose, "You outsiders really do not understand the rules, you are ungrateful, causing trouble and then wanting to leave without taking responsibility. Do you think the Liu family is a bunch of fools? You must provide an explanation. Otherwise, you will not be allowed to pass through here!"
Dan Fei disregarded him and directly instructed the servant to inventory the goods
"Falling in the snow won't kill anyone, just a little lesson to make you behave more politely in the future." Danfei scoffed coldly
In a corner of the tavern, a handsome young man leans against a pillar, his posture relaxed. A small stone is tossed up and down between his fingers, his bright eyes casually gazing through the half-open window at the snow-covered fork in the road outside.
Danfei immediately raised her voice: "Hey! Wait!"
The man hurrying to catch the carriage saw a group of people suddenly rush out from somewhere, surrounding the horse-drawn carriage. He quickly yanked on the reins. The horse neighed, and the women and children inside the carriage let out a shrill scream
How are you going to do it
The gentleman in traditional Chinese attire feigned ignorance and proceeded forward with his guards
Zhao Quan's wife, however, was screaming at the top of her lungs: "My lord, save me! This group of thieves intends to kill and plunder!"
Dan Fei laughed heartily and jumped onto the horse, "Kid, don't be too arrogant. When on someone else's territory, you must abide by the rules! Since you put on quite a show, consider it your apology!"
A loud call echoed from a distance.
The guard said: "We have harmed your servant, and you have startled our lord. This is considered even."
Dan Fei was taken aback, and then immediately erupted in anger, shouting: "Stop right there!"
Danfei imitated the manner of the man in splendid attire, raising an eyebrow with a proud smile, "Even a three-year-old knows that one must apologize for making a mistake. When the emperor errs, he must write a self-criticism edict. Even deities, if they violate heavenly laws, must be cast down to the mortal realm. Who knows what kind of extraordinary person your lord is, transcending the principles of the five elements and the natural order of heaven and earth"
The guards shouted and rushed to assist him
Danfei let out a whistle, and a chestnut-colored steed trotted over, affectionately nuzzling her. Danfei stroked its neck, leaped onto its back, and galloped away with the others.
Zhao Quan's wife and children, upon hearing this, were so frightened that they collapsed to the ground, wailing and cursing Zhao Quan. Zhao Quan's young son cried out in a high-pitched voice, shouting: "Let go of my father! Let go of my mother! You wicked person, do not seize my family's wealth!"
Zhao Quan struggled desperately, cursing wildly: "Cao Danfei, you wretched slave! What are you? You are nothing more than a dog raised by the Liu family. You still consider yourself half a master; go ahead and indulge in your delusions!"
A sudden sound of hurried hoofbeats approached, and several men dressed as guards rode in on horseback. The leading man shouted in Mandarin, "In broad daylight, how dare you little thieves block the road and rob?"
The young man in traditional attire, dressed in fragmented snow, had disheveled hair and a face full of anger as he glared at Danfei. His appearance was handsome and exquisite, with features resembling a painting. In the midst of his fury, rather than instilling fear, he evoked a sense of affection.
The managers smiled wryly, all at wwwhetushucomcom.
Dan Fei stood below, yet her presence was not diminished. "Your lord's guards have injured our servant without any justification. Our Liu family does not covet your wealth, but we do wish for you to apologize."
The man trembled all over in fear, huddled in the carriage, repeatedly bowing and pleading for mercy
Zhao Quan! Dan Feiqing called out, pushing through the crowd and stepping forward. As the year-end approaches and heavy snow blocks the roads, where do you intend to go with your family in tow?
Danfei turned and commanded: "Capture the person. Clear the goods"
The man nodded and said, "In that case, I will not hold it against you."
Zhao Quan suddenly fell into a cart
The guard was taken aback. Dan Fei raised his hand, and a stone was shot out, hitting him squarely in the left eye. The guard let out a loud cry and covered his eye.
Lady Cao ... ... please spare my life! It was an act of foolishness on my part, I beg you to show mercy!
"Are you unable to understand Mandarin?" Danfei quickly stepped forward, standing in the middle of the road with a large sword in hand, raised one foot to step on a wooden stake, "Our Liu family members have been injured by you, and if you do not provide an explanation, you shall not take another step!"
The guards carefully assisted a man dressed in a fur coat down from the carriage. The man impatiently waved away the guards' hands and nimbly jumped onto a horse
The horses of that group of people were all panicking, neighing and rearing, throwing people off one after another. The man in splendid attire, however, was skilled in horsemanship; after a moment of swaying, he managed to steady himself.
Dan Fei suddenly turned around, her brows furrowed tightly, and then she raised her hand. A stone flew out swiftly, striking Zhao Quan on the knee. Zhao Quan's body swayed, and he fell into the snow.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the air as Zhao Quan was kicked out of the carriage by someone, landing heavily in the snow
The winter sun shines upon the sparkling snow, casting a dreamlike and ethereal array of colors.
A man wrapped in a fur coat, wearing a leather hat, with his face obscured, only his thick, arched eyebrows are visible, tightly knitted together.
In the Great Tang Dynasty, the second year of the Shenlong era, in the twelfth month
Danfei brushed off the snowflakes from his body, smiled calmly, and cupped his hands in salute
In the snowy plains, the guards protected the elegantly dressed man, watching as he departed into the distance
The guards exchanged glances with one another
"Want to settle the score?" Danfei said with a sly smile, "Let your husband stretch out his arms and legs, and give me a couple of cuts; then we can call it even!"
"Speak up," Danfei said, twirling the dagger. "How much benefit did the Wang family give you to exchange the good goods in the warehouse for inferior ones?"
Boldly, several guards rushed forward, drawing their swords and swinging them towards Danfei and the others
At the fork of the official road far from the county town, a humble tavern is bustling with activity. This is the last resting place for the merchant caravans returning at the end of the year before entering Shaming City. It is also lunchtime, and in the hearth of the main hall, a plump roasted whole lamb is sizzling, releasing an enticing aroma. A group of merchants gathers around the fire, drinking and feasting, amidst the clamor and laughter.
The crowd erupted in laughter, waiting to see the folly of these outsiders
The cold light approached, and Danfei leaped gracefully, retreating half a zhang like a swift swallow, nimbly evading the sharp blade.
The leading guard scoffed disdainfully, "You just kicked someone into our lord's carriage. If our lord gets hurt, can you afford to compensate for it?"
My lord, look..." The guard gritted his teeth, "This brat is so arrogant and overbearing, he has humiliated you like this, we must teach him a lesson!
My lord!" The guards exclaimed in shock as they rushed towards the carriage
"Impudent!" the guard shouted, "Do you know who our lord is?"
Dan Fei, enraged, struck with her palm, knocking Zhao Quanniao unconscious
The man was no more than twenty years old, with hair as dark as ink, tied up in a golden crown, which further accentuated his skin, white and smooth as jade, and his gaze was as cold as a sword. He stood tall, wrapped in a fox fur cloak that seemed to emerge from the snow, and both the corners of his eyes and brows carried an innate air of reserved pride, along with a naturally noble demeanor.
Dan Fei scoffed dismissively, stuffing a rag into Zhao Quan's mouth and ordering his men to bind him securely.
Cheers echoed through the tavern
She is exceptionally beautiful and elegant. In particular, her pair of phoenix-like eyes, with distinct black and white, exude a clear and sharp gaze. Her long, graceful eyebrows accentuate her remarkable demeanor and extraordinary presence
In the distance, a group of people rode swiftly towards us, led by a young woman dressed in a scarlet narrow-sleeved riding outfit, draped in a silver-red embroidered cape adorned with fox fur, seated atop a sleek black steed. This striking attire stood out remarkably against the backdrop of the icy, snowy landscape
Dan Fei was indeed taken aback, and then became even angrier, "General Duan is just and strict, and you, such a nephew, are truly tarnishing his reputation! How dare you still use his name to flaunt yourself in public!"
Danfei pinched her fingers together and placed them between her lips, letting out a sharp whistle. The horses of the group perked up their ears and came to a halt.
Having spoken, he spat and instructed the servants to organize the convoy in preparation for returning to the city
Dan Fei's expression changed suddenly, and she turned her head in anger, "Why is she here?"
Dan Fei scoffed, "You have been working for the Liu family for seven or eight years, and they have treated you well. In previous years, when you were in debt from gambling, which time did Liu Dalang not lend you money to pay it off? Has your conscience been eaten by dogs? How could you collude with the Wang family to harm the Liu family!"
The Liu family's servants rushed forward, capturing him and throwing him together with his wife and children.
As they spoke, a farmer was struggling to drive a horse-drawn cart coming from a side road. The cart was quite heavy, and the wheels left deep tracks in the snowy path. The man driving the cart was vigorously cracking the whip and continuously shouting.
The guard got up from the snow and attempted to pounce on Danfei again
The man in the traditional Chinese attire squinted his eyes and exclaimed, "Be careful!"
It was too late to speak; a copper coin flew out and struck the horse's front knee. The horse fell forward, throwing the guard off.
You seek death! The guard was furious
Afi, be careful
Dan Fei said irritably: "I didn't ask you to copy your homework at home, so why are you out again?"
Two servants caught up and brought Zhao Quan back
He gestured to the guard. The guard said, "Our lord is magnanimous and will give you two guan as a token for your medical expenses"
"Afei, is there still no news?" The servant behind was rubbing his fists in anticipation
"I sincerely apologize, esteemed sir," Dan Fei said, cupping his hands towards the elegantly dressed man. "In my eagerness to catch the thief, I startled your carriage. Please forgive me. The injuries of my servant need tending, and your carriage requires repairs; thus, I shall not require any compensation."
Since the beginning of winter, the continuous heavy snow has fallen for a long time, and the sky has finally cleared up
"Afei, has the person been caught?" The girl rushed in front of Danfei, her face filled with urgency
"We will talk about it when we get to the city," the man said, flicking the snowflakes off the fur collar. "Once we see my uncle, we can inquire more about who this person is."
"That bit of homework can be copied tomorrow. You are catching a thief here; it would be a pity to miss it." Liu Yujin said with a smile as he jumped off his horse, "Oh? Who is that?"
The Liu family's servants erupted in applause
The onlookers all chimed in.
"Are we going back already? It's rare for me to come out like this..." Liu Yujin complained, but was pulled and pushed onto the horse by Danfei
Dan Fei appeared to have received several heavy slaps, her face pale and her eyes filled with turbulent clouds.
Dan Fei took out a thumb-sized flute from her bosom and brought it to her lips. Seeing this, the Liu family's servant hurriedly seized his horse.
After the wind and snow, Shaming County has been adorned in silver. The thick layer of snow has concealed the withered, yellow grasslands beyond the pass, as well as the houses and cultivated fields within the pass
"Impudent!" the guard roared, "My lord is none other than the nephew of General Duan!"
"Foreigners should not meddle in our affairs!" Danfei shouted angrily, "We are the servants of the Sha Ming Liu family. This person is in charge of our household, and he has been caught red-handed in his theft!"
The horse of that person instead ran faster and faster
Zhao Quan bowed and said: "I truly owe gambling debts, and if I do not repay them, my wife and children will be taken as collateral. I am also left with no choice in this matter..."
A sharp and piercing whistle echoed across the snowfield
Afi, look! The steward anxiously pointed out the injured servant to Danfei, saying, "It was the guards from that household who inflicted these wounds. We must seek an explanation!"
The man in traditional attire rode forward on horseback, looking down at Danfei from a position of superiority. He then raised his hand, removed his leather hat, and revealed his true face.
Zhao Quan was frightened and cried loudly
I am well aware of my own identity. You might as well think more about yourself. This cargo is worth at least several hundred guan, and fortunately, it has been recovered. With the New Year approaching, killing is inauspicious; how about sending your family to the salt mine to work as laborers
Enough! the man shouted
The Zhao family's wife and children were crying and struggling in a chaotic scene. In the midst of the turmoil, Zhao Quan headbutted the servant who was grabbing him and dashed away into the snowy expanse.
In the tavern, there were curious guests observing. They saw that the young man had a lean physique, dressed in simple and neat riding attire, exuding a casual yet carefree aura. He possessed bright eyes, white teeth, fair skin, and red lips. If it weren't for the group of servants surrounding him, it is likely that a roguish young man would have approached him for flirtation and banter.
The guards hesitated for a moment, but unexpectedly, Zhao Quan seized the opportunity to break free from the ropes and fled. Dan Fei happened to block his path. He snatched a guard's knife and swung it towards Dan Fei.
"Be patient." The voice of the cross-dressing girl was slightly hoarse, making it even more ambiguous in terms of gender. "We have already been waiting here for three days. After so many days of heavy snow, Zhao Quan must be getting impatient. If he wants to transport the goods out of Shaming before the New Year, he must act today. There is only this one road out of the mountain pass, and he will undoubtedly take this route."
A heavy silk bag was thrown over, brushing against Danfei's face, and landing in the snow.
In the sandy plains, there are mostly rugged Hu people from the frontier, burly soldiers, or the mediocre and petty merchants. Who has ever seen such a refined and handsome young nobleman? Not to mention the people in the tavern and the servants of the Liu family, even Dan Fei was momentarily taken aback, unable to speak for a while
The man arrogantly scrutinized Danfei for a long time before finally raising an eyebrow
Danfei picked up the money bag with a cold smile and weighed it in her hand
Everyone burst into laughter
Dan Fei smiled with her lips but not with her eyes, "Unrelated bystanders. Let us return."
The steward of the Liu family immediately exclaimed, "Mind your own business!"
The servants responded in unison, swiftly picking up clubs and ropes, and surged out of the tavern alongside Danfei
"Murder! The thief has killed my mother!" Zhao Quan's son struggled and screamed