Third Poor Fellow

Wang Chong did not draw the sword to inspect it, either. He smiled and said, "Thank you, Sister Su. I've imposed on you long enough. I should return to the inn, say goodbye to the brothers of the Chrysanthemum-Slaying Alliance, and set off for Chang'an."

Su Luoyan gave a slight wave, and before long, a maid quietly approached, carrying a small bundle over her shoulder.

Wang Chong glanced over and was a little surprised. It was not Liuxian, but Yuzao, whose alluring eyes and brows lent charm to every glance, with a youthful yet commanding air. He looked back at Chu Qiuzi, but Sister Chu acted as though nothing were amiss, so he said nothing either. Taking the maid Su Luoyan had given him and his newly gifted longsword, he departed lightly with Chu Qiuzi.

Only after leaving the garden where Su Luoyan was staying did Wang Chong ask, "How come it's you, Sister Yuzao?"

Yuzao smiled sweetly and said, "Liuxian told the young mistress she didn't want to leave, and I told her I was willing to serve you, young master, so she changed the maid."

"Do you find Yuzao unsatisfactory, young master?"

Wang Chong laughed. "You couldn't be better."

Of Su Luoyan's eight maids, Jiangzhuer and Yuzao were the most beautiful. Yuzao, in particular, who had lent him her sword, was not yet fully grown, but her manner was bold, brisk, and spirited, and her foxlike eyes were utterly beguiling.

Had she been on campus, her suitors could probably have lined up all the way to the place next door. He would never have dared harbor such extravagant hopes, but now...

Someone was giving her to him for free!

And she had volunteered.

Now that was a sweet deal!

Yuzao pursed her lips in a faint smile, remembering how Liuxian had spoken contemptuously of Wang Chong among several maids not long ago. "Who knows where the young mistress found this third poor fellow? His scholar's robes are worth two or three taels of silver at most, and he even smells a little sour. Who knows how long it's been since he bathed? Am I supposed to go suffer with him?"

"He even told me, 'There's no need to be so frightened. I won't beat or scold anyone without reason.' A man from a petty household, sure enough! He actually wanted to lay down rules for me and threaten me with beatings and scoldings."

"It wasn't easy getting into the Su Family. If I work hard, I might yet join the eight maids. Even if the young mistress gives me away, it should be to a wealthy household in Chang'an, as a first-rank senior maid. I'm not going. I'm going to weep and plead with the young mistress and have her take back her order!"

Yuzao happened to be passing by and nearly laughed aloud on the spot. She immediately egged Liuxian on. "I feel you deserve better too, Sister Liuxian. I have some standing with the young mistress, and I'm willing to plead your case."

Though Liuxian had spoken so "boldly," the Su Family's rules were extremely strict and truly did not permit such arrogance from maids. She was only talking and did not actually dare go before Su Luoyan to ask her young mistress to rescind her order. Yuzao, however, was different. As one of Su Luoyan's eight maids, she stood a cut above the other servants and truly had her ear. Liuxian was delighted at once and duly followed Yuzao to see Su Luoyan.

Having received Yuzao's "secret instructions," Liuxian flung herself to the floor and wept wildly, begging Su Luoyan to rescind her order. Su Luoyan nearly lost her composure in anger then and there. Yuzao beat the drum from the sidelines. "Sister Liuxian is unwilling to go. Even if you force her, young mistress, she's bound to harbor resentment in her daily duties. If she were careless in her work, wouldn't that make things unpleasant for Young Master Wang? Better to let Sister Liuxian remain at your side. I'm willing to ease your burdens and take this assignment in her place."

The strange expression on Su Luoyan's face was like frost and snow. Bold as Yuzao was, she reckoned she would not forget it for twenty or thirty years. Her heart held ten parts apprehension, twenty parts trepidation, and fifty parts unease. Su Luoyan asked only one question then: "Jiangzhuer didn't see you bring Liuxian here, did she?" Yuzao replied with a beaming smile, "I'm willing to brave boiling water and raging fire for you, young mistress, and become someone close to Young Master Wang." Su Luoyan gave two cold snorts, considered for a moment, then agreed and sent Liuxian away.

Liuxian did not know, nor could she understand, why Yuzao was willing to make such a great "sacrifice." But minds differed in their capacities, and she could not think that far, so she left in delight.

Seeing that Yuzao carried only a small bundle and did not have the longsword she had lent him that day, Wang Chong asked casually, "Why didn't you bring that sword?"

Yuzao replied, "It belongs to the Su Family. Naturally, this maid couldn't take it away."

Wang Chong laughed and handed her the longsword he held. "This sword is yours, then. I'll borrow it from you when I need it."

Yuzao accepted the longsword with a smile. Biting her lip to hold back her amusement, she asked, "Who made your scholar's robes, young master?"

Wang Chong replied, "I bought them at random in a small town. They fit fairly well."

Yuzao said softly, "Your clothes ought to be sewn by this maid's own hands, young master. I only learned half a day ago that the young mistress had given me to you. It was so rushed that there really wasn't time. Once we're on the road, I'll buy a few feet of cloth and make you a new set."

Wang Chong nodded, thinking nothing of it. He really had never enjoyed such a life before.

Yuzao's words reminded Chu Qiuzi, however. Why didn't I think of making Young Master Wang some clothes? That was an oversight on my part. I'll ask my junior sisters to help in a little while. We must finish a garment tonight.

The three returned to the inn. The five beauties of Qingcheng looked at their second senior sister with exceedingly knowing eyes. Chu Qiuzi offered no explanation. She merely asked a question, learned that the junior she had summoned had arrived, and brought him to Wang Chong.

This boy came from poverty. Though he had some talent, was better than ordinary people, and was willing to work hard, he had never managed to grasp the essence of the Qingcheng Sect's martial arts. After learning two unarmed routines and one sword technique, he had been sent down the mountain. As a lay disciple, without someone to give him a hand, that would be his lot for life. At most, when he was older, he could earn some silver guarding someone's home. He looked quite excited at having been summoned by Chu Qiuzi. On seeing Wang Chong, he showed none of Liuxian's disdain, but bowed respectfully and listened as this senior from his sect introduced him to Wang Chong. "Wang Dong is my martial uncle Yan's grand-disciple, so he counts as my martial nephew. He's honest and hardworking. His family lives nearby, and he hasn't found a livelihood yet. I'm sorry for the trouble of asking you to look after him from now on, young master."

Wang Chong saw that the boy was fourteen or fifteen, with rough hands, large feet, and an honest face, and took quite a liking to him. "I must thank you again, Chu Fairy."

Knowing that there were many prying eyes at the inn, Chu Qiuzi exchanged a few words with Wang Chong, then left first.

Wang Chong glanced at his page and his personal maid, feeling quite relaxed. I've only been here a few days since transmigrating, and I've already made it into the upper ranks. At least I haven't disgraced my fellow transmigrators.

He told the two to wait for him and went to bid Qin Han and the others farewell first. Qin Han's injuries were not actually as serious as rumor had it, but he dared not take them lightly and intended to recuperate in Pengshan County for a while. Hearing that Wang Chong had come, he took hold of him, quite reluctant to part, and said, "That hateful Qian Luoyi! He couldn't kill White Chrysanthemum himself, and in his jealousy and hatred, he actually struck such a vicious blow against me."

"I can't return to Chang'an for now. I'll meet you there later, Wang Chong." At this, he clapped his hands, and a servant came over bearing a wooden case. He said, "I heard that you have no residence in Chang'an, Brother Wang Chong. These are the deeds to a small house. All the furnishings are there. Though humble, it will give you somewhere to stay for the time being. We brothers share a deep bond, so you absolutely mustn't refuse."

...Qin Han: Qian Luoyi is terribly ferocious. Wang Chong actually managed to hold his own against that vicious man. He's worth befriending with a lavish gift...

...Liuxian: Yuzao is usually quick-witted and prides herself on being clever. Why has she suddenly turned stupid? Now that she's gone to that third poor fellow, there's a vacancy among the eight maids. I might yet rise to fill it...

...Yuzao: What luck! Sister Jiangzhuer happened to be away doing something else. Otherwise, such a fine opportunity might never have fallen into my lap...