Chapter Eleven: Call Me Master, and I Will Teach You

The carriage stopped in front of a wooden house. Shen Qiuning jumped down and knocked on the door. An elderly gentleman came out to open it.

“You must be Mr. Guan Hezong. I am Shen Qiuning, the disciple of Consort Xuan,” Shen Qiuning said with a slight bow.

“Rong’er, you’re Rong’er’s disciple! Come in, come in. Tell me, how is Rong’er doing in the palace?” Guan Hezong’s eyes reddened with emotion.

Back when Consort Xuan was about to enter the palace, he had opposed it. They had a fierce argument, and after that, Xuan Rong’er went into the palace and hadn’t sent a single letter since.

Shen Qiuning and Gu Yan sat down as Guan Hezong poured them tea, staring at Gu Yan for a long moment.

“Qiuning, is this your husband?” He looked at the two arriving together but silent, unable to discern their relationship.

“No, we’re not well acquainted,” Shen Qiuning answered with a smile, not even sparing Gu Yan a glance.

“Not yet. I am the junior Gu Yan. Fearing danger might befall Ning’er, I accompanied her here to trouble you, sir,” Gu Yan said politely and warmly.

Shen Qiuning rolled her eyes inwardly.

Guan Hezong gave an awkward smile. “No trouble at all, no trouble. How is Rong’er in the palace? She hasn’t been bullied, I hope.”

“Consort Xuan is doing well. With the Emperor’s protection, no one dares to bully her,” Shen Qiuning reassured him.

Guan Hezong took out a large box from the deepest part of a cabinet. Inside were several soft whips, wooden hairpins, some books, and other items.

“These were left by Rong’er when she learned martial arts from me. When she entered the palace, we had a huge quarrel, and she took nothing with her. She still holds a grudge against me; not a single letter has arrived in all these years,” Guan Hezong said, wiping tears as he touched the contents.

Shen Qiuning felt a pang in her heart but sensed something was off. Consort Xuan was not a grudging person; how could she have not sent a single letter in so many years?

“Mr. Guan, may I take one of these wooden hairpins as a gift? I will bring it back to Consort Xuan. Perhaps seeing this hairpin will ease her anger,” Shen Qiuning picked up a hairpin and examined it carefully. The craftsmanship was not particularly exquisite, but each design was unique, showing the maker’s care.

Seeing her inspecting the hairpin, Guan Hezong said, “Does it seem plain? I made these for Rong’er. Since she was little, she regarded me as her master. I have no children of my own; in my heart, she is my child.”

“They are beautiful, clearly made with great care. I will definitely bring this hairpin back,” Shen Qiuning promised.

Hearing this, Guan Hezong felt relieved.

---

“These books are for you as well. Even if you are Rong’er’s disciple, you are my disciple too. The techniques in these pages were painstakingly written by me, based on Rong’er’s designs. You resemble her greatly. I hope these moves will protect you throughout your life,” Guan Hezong said, speaking to Shen Qiuning but seeming to see someone else through her.

Shen Qiuning accepted the books, looking at Guan Hezong thoughtfully. Consort Xuan must have been very happy back then, to have such a master.

“Then I shamelessly call you Master as well. Thank you, Master. When I return to the capital, I will tell Consort Xuan. If you need any help, just write to the General’s mansion,” Shen Qiuning said as she prepared to take her leave.

Suddenly, Guan Hezong called out to Gu Yan, “Qiuning, could you wait in the carriage for a moment? I want to discuss something with General Gu.”

Shen Qiuning agreed and climbed into the carriage. Guan Hezong led Gu Yan into the inner room. “Is your father General Gu Wenting?”

“Yes. Do you know my father?” Gu Yan replied.

“Yes, an old acquaintance. When you said your name is Gu Yan, I knew you were Wenting’s son. I have a pair of short daggers here—a knife and a dagger. They were meant as gifts for your father, but now I give them to you. The knife is for you, the dagger for Miss Shen. If I’m not mistaken, her father is Shen Munian, correct?”

Gu Yan accepted them and thanked Guan Hezong. “Please take care of your health. I noticed you coughed just now. Are you unwell?”

“This old bone won’t live long even without illness. Don’t trouble yourself about me,” Guan Hezong laughed it off without answering directly.

After a few more words of advice, he let Gu Yan leave. “Go quickly, don’t keep Miss Shen waiting.”

“Thank you, Master Guan, for everything today,” Gu Yan said with a respectful bow before boarding the carriage.

Shen Qiuning was still gazing at the wooden hairpin when Gu Yan returned and she asked, “Gu Yan, don’t you think Master Guan’s health seems poor?”

Gu Yan nodded. “Tomorrow I’ll have the military doctor prepare some medicine for his cough.”

“What did Master Guan say to you? He was so secretive.”

Gu Yan handed her the dagger. “This is the dagger Master Guan asked me to give you. He and our fathers are old friends. He forged these two short blades and now gifts them to us.”

Shen Qiuning took the dagger. Its blade bore exquisite patterns, entirely black like ink. The handle was inlaid with a blood-red agate, and the blade gleamed with a chilling sharpness—just a light stroke could cut skin. It was clearly no ordinary weapon.

The short knife given to Gu Yan was similar, but its handle was set with a blue agate.

Shen Qiuning admired the dagger but had never used one and truly did not know how to wield it.

---

Gu Yan seemed to notice her unfamiliarity. “Don’t know how to use it? Call me Master, and I’ll teach you.”

“Gu Yan, if you don’t like to talk, you don’t have to,” Shen Qiuning said, putting the dagger away and leaning back with closed eyes to rest.

Gu Yan then took out a jade pendant from his pocket. It was no larger than half a palm, delicate and finely crafted. Upon close inspection, the character “Ning” was surrounded by intricate patterns in the center.

Unconsciously, Shen Qiuning fell asleep again and dreamed of that child. The face remained unclear, but she clearly saw the jade pendant hanging at the child’s waist. The pendant seemed very familiar, yet she couldn’t recall where she had seen it before.

The carriage came to a halt.

“Shen Qiuning, we’re here. You even managed to fall asleep,” Gu Yan said as he stepped down, reaching out to help her.

Awakened by his voice and hearing his teasing, Shen Qiuning pouted, lifted the curtain, and saw his outstretched hand. She smiled faintly, jumped down on her own, dusted herself off, and walked on without looking back, leaving him with a coquettish expression.

Seeing this, Gu Yan was sure she was nearly recovered. He smiled softly, stepping into her shadow to follow.

Tomorrow they would set out for the capital, escorting Zhao Xingzhou. Everyone had to be on high alert—there would surely be those impatient to act during the escort.

Shen Qiuning called Shen San over and handed him a freshly written letter. “You leave tonight. Go ahead to the capital and place this letter in the usual spot.”

Shen San hesitated for a moment. “Miss, last time I wasn’t with you, and this time going ahead alone, I’m afraid...”

“Don’t worry. My father and Gu Yan are here. Nothing will happen. This letter is very important. You must deliver it safely,” Shen Qiuning assured him.

“Yes, I will deliver it safely,” Shen San said, taking the letter and setting off immediately for the capital.

Shen Qiuning tidied the items given by Master Guan and reminded Mingyue to guard them carefully on the road.

Night fell like flowing water, stars scattered across the sky. The affairs in Yizhou had reached a pause. Once the new prefect assumed office, the people of Yizhou would have food to fill their bellies and homes to return to.