Bai Yousi stood on the ridge between the snow-covered fields for half a day, unmoving even as the snow gradually stopped. Only after a long while did she ask coldly, her longsword cradled in her arms:
"Zhang Sanlang, what do you want me to do?"
"What do I want you to do, Inspector?" Standing beneath a tree with his hands tucked into his sleeves, Zhang Xing echoed her question mockingly. "I want you to start a damned rebellion here in Jiangdong. With a court like this, if we don't rebel now, when will we? Once we fight our way to the Eastern Capital and seize that blasted throne, you can be the Female Son of Heaven, I'll be Chancellor of the Southern Office, Brother Hu can be Regional Commander of the Western Capital, Qian Tang can be Intendant of the Jing'an Directorate, Li Shierlang can be superintendent of the Northern Office, and Qin Er can be Supreme Pillar of the State and grand general... wouldn't that be splendid?"
"Don't joke!" Rather than scowling, Bai Yousi actually sounded somewhat wistful.
"I know, I know."
Zhang Xing paced beneath the tree, his hands still tucked into his sleeves. "Never mind how ridiculous it would be for a noble daughter of one of the three greatest aristocratic houses in the world to rebel simply because she suddenly learned that most people were living in deep water and scorching fire. If nothing else, she could always go home and consult that unfathomable father of hers, ask what he thinks before doing anything.
"And the directorate's Intendant looks reliable too. Couldn't we have him make some cautious improvements? Why jump straight to rebellion?
"More fatally still, actually rebelling wouldn't work. Rebel in Jiangdong today, and Lord Lai will surround us with an army tomorrow, flattening