How To Polish A Pearl

Chapter 51 - Packing

Still not really sure why he has asked to come along on this trip, Zhou Xu looks at the servants lifting up his hurriedly packed luggage on to the wagon that they are apparently traveling in. This is how he travels? For some reason he had thought it would be just the two of them, on horses, going somewhere. But then again, he is the Guzhu and I guess this is sort of official business?

The wagon is the first in a line of four that are waiting outside the gates of Wu Ying. It is the only one for travel, whilst the rest is for transportation of supplies. They are all of dark, almost blackened wood with red fabrics for the window openings on the first one.

The area is in chaos, likely due to the lack of supervision over these ghosts trying to load various supplies, all at the same time and with no sense in stacking or securing. He cringes at the disarray and is about to jump in to start giving out orders when he hears a familiar voice.

"Ah-Xiang, you don't have to come with us."

Zhou Xu can hear Wen Ke Xing even before he can see him from where he is waiting outside the gates. His eye gazing down the trail he had travelled by foot, or air, a few times when he was out searching for the astilbe herb. He still hadn't ventured to the far outskirts of the valley, which is where they were heading now. From what he could see during that week outside the gates, the valley had beautiful scenery, farms just like any other valley and ghosts living just like normal, well, people. Sure, some of them looked eccentric and some he had just actively avoided because they had bad news and confrontation written all over them. But most of them had seemed like any other farmer, village girl or grandfather.

"Zhuren, I always go with you." Ah-Xiang's voice is agitated and a little bit angry, making Zhou Xu cringe at the thought of spending a few days with that intense girl that always looked at him like he was, well, a mistress.

"Ah-Xiang, just stay here and keep an eye on Wu Ying. My Ah-Xu is coming with me. Besides, you still haven't figured out who commands these tattooed assassins."

When Wen Ke Xing comes into view, Zhou Xu blinks a few extra times without being aware. The man is dressed in a blood-red robe with black trimmings and a mix of black and red inner robes. His hair in that usual partially looped ponytail with most of the hair flowing down his back. The fabric looks luxurious with the sunrays reflecting off it, making his entire being sparkle like a ruby. His pale skin in contrast to the clothing, yet he somehow looks a bit healthier than usual. He looks different somehow... Is he smiling differently? Is he happy?

"Zhuren, even more reason for me to come with you. What if someone tries to harm him again?" Her voice is so shrill that even the horses starts to move uneasily, as she approaches. "You don't know how the ghosts will react out there to him. Or those assassins might seek him out again. You need backup."

Wen Ke Xing doesn't even bother turning around, partly because he doesn't want to argue with her, but mostly because he just spotted Zhou Xu standing by the wagon. He came. He actually came... Responding to Ah-Xiang whilst keeping eye contact with his man, "Ah-Xiang, are you saying that I am not capable of protecting my Ah-Xu?"

"Zhuren!"

"Fine, then you can ride in the wagon in charge of all the supplies and baggage. I will ride with my Ah-Xu."

"Wagon...?" Ah-Xiang cannot believe what she just heard as her steps slows down until she is standing still. She had always travelled with her Zhuren. Next to her Zhuren. She had never been demoted to travel along with the servants that would be joining them.

Immediately perking up, Zhou Xu's eyes searches beyond Wen Ke Xing and Ah-Xiang and spots two magnificent Han Xue Ma (1) stallions approaching, one grey and one black. He estimates that they are almost 17 hands in height and they look fast. At least he has good taste in horses.

Slowing down in front of his man, he unsuccessfully seeks eye contact noticing that those walnut-ones seems to be focused somewhere behind him. Turning around to follow his gaze, he spots the horses approaching and smiles. "Ah-Xu, which one do you want?"

"The quickest."

With a crocked smile Wen Ke Xing throws a side glance at his man, "The black one then."

Without waiting for Wen Ke Xing to continue speaking, Zhou Xu walks off towards the horses and takes over the rains for the black one. Slowly stroking the length of the neck before nimbly mounting it.

Zhou Xu smiles wide and raises one eyebrow, his voice filled with excitement and a hint of challenge as he watches Wen Ke Xing, "I'll see you at the bottom of the valley." Pressing his legs gently into the sides of the stallion, guiding in through the buzzing ghosts and servants still packing the supplies on to the various wagons.

"Ah-Xu, where are you going?"

Within the blink of an eye, his man is a few hundred meters away, disappearing around a bend without even looking back.

Wen Ke Xing moves with quick steps to the grey stallion and mounts it as he takes the reins. Riding up next to where Ah-Xiang is still standing as if frozen in her track, just watching the spectacle before her eyes. With a bit of frustration in his voice, Wen Ke Xing says, "Ah-Xiang, I will ride ahead with Zhou Xu. If we don't see you for lunch, we will see you at the usual place for accommodation tonight. Oh, and take this time through the valley to see if you can find anything out about the tattooed ghosts."

Before Ah-Xiang can ask him if the 'the usual place' is a good idea, she watches her master take off without another word and sighs heavily. Suit yourself, this might be fun.

Turning towards the battlefield of supplies, luggage, ghosts and servants, she shakes her head. "OKAY, EVERYONE STOP! Just step back and let me see what you are bringing. Who is in charge here? Do you even know what you are packing?"

Dividing up the work and making sure that everything has been ticked off her mental list of travel necessities for her Zhuren she finally relaxes.

"Gu Xiaojie?" (2)

Ah-Xiang hears a soft voice from behind and turns to see Daiyu approaching from further up the walkway, heading towards them.

"Can I please come? I think Nu Zhuren might need some help, this being the first time he is travelling as Nu Zhuren through the Valley. Don't you think?"

"Daiyu, are you sure you know what you are asking?"

With firm eyes on Gu Xiang, she smiles and nods. "I know what I am doing."

Well, this will be interesting. Zhuren, let's see how you deal with this during the trip. With a wicked smile on her lips, she bounces towards Daiyu and takes her hand, deciding right then and there, "Fine, you can ride with me at the front."

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Author's Notes:

(1) Han Xue Ma, or the 'sweat blood horse" was common in ancient China. The breed has roots in the Ferghana Valley. They were originally imported to China by emperor Wu, who believed that its traits would position the dynasty for military success.

(2) Xiaojie or Xiǎojiě (小姐) is used to refer to the daughter of a wealthy families in the old days. Though Ah-Xiang isn't Wen Ke Xing's daughter, she is often addressed with this title because of her status in the Ghost Valley and close relationship with the Guzhu.