Chapter 30: Building a Celestial Palace

The night wind howled desolately. On the deck of the official vessel, oarsmen and guards from all the great merchant ships sat crowded together. Because there wasn’t enough space, and tempers were frayed, a few brawls broke out among them. However, the soldiers quickly subdued the offenders and administered a punishment of twenty strokes with the rod, so the nearly thousand men became somewhat more orderly.

None of them had changed out of their wet clothes, and now they shivered beneath the cold wind on the open deck. The only warmth came from the green rice wine the authorities were distributing; at least, through the long night, a mouthful of wine could bring some relief from the chill and damp.

Inside the main hall of the official ship, Zhao Heng was hosting a banquet for several merchants and young gentlemen in charge of the merchant fleet. The candlelight was dim, and though all had just endured disaster—shipwreck and loss of goods—none could refuse the invitation of the esteemed Transport Commissioner. The gathering retained an air of forced cheer.

Wu Yueling was also present and greeted the Transport Commissioner with a simple courtesy. He praised Wu Yueling for her talents and beauty, noting that her bold maneuver had steered the fleet through danger. If not for the water ghosts sinking the ships and the failure to save the cargo vessels midway, he would have liked to introduce her in earnest. Wu Yueling demurred, saying that sharing a boat was fate enough; she had merely offered a suggestion.

Sitting at a central seat, Wu Yueling nibbled a chicken leg and sipped her wine, her gaze wandering the room. Zhao Heng, seated as host, conversed with Qin Huairen and several managers; his humility and eloquence were unrivaled.

“Miss, that Chief Niu keeps staring at us,” Hua Chuer whispered into Wu Yueling’s ear.

Wu Yueling glanced over discreetly. Indeed, the chief constable, seated with the Daoist and the head escort, was looking their way, his expression intent—his gaze fixed not on her, but on Li Wan’er. Perhaps he recognized her; after all, Li Wan’er was the famed performer from the Fragrant Melody Pavilion.

Wu Yueling teased, “Do you think Chief Niu can smell the scent of a thief on you? He is a constable, after all.”

Hua Chuer pouted, her brows knitting in mock annoyance. “His surname is Niu—Ox—so he’s got the nose of an ox, not a dog. How could he smell a thief on me?”

“That makes sense,” Wu Yueling nodded, before shaking her head. “Actually, that’s nonsense.”

“Meow meow meow, my analysis is correct, right?” Hua Chuer giggled.

“Meow!” The little lynx, swallowing a mouthful of meat, chimed in.

...

When the banquet ended, only those of status—managers, officials, martial experts—had attended. The thousand common sailors and guards on the deck could not compare.

Wu Yueling and Qin Muyu, each accompanied by their maids, prepared to retire to the quarters assigned to them. But as expected, Chief Niu approached. Wu Yueling sighed inwardly, stepped protectively in front of Li Wan’er, and looked up at the man who towered over her.

“May I help you?” Wu Yueling inquired with a cupped fist.

Chief Niu glanced at Li Wan’er, blinking several times before scratching his head and addressing Wu Yueling, “You must be the talented Miss Wu. I never expected the renowned Li Wan’er of the Fragrant Melody Pavilion would willingly become your maid. What a lamentable waste.”

“What’s there to lament? That place would only squander Li Wan’er’s youth and beauty,” Wu Yueling retorted.

Chief Niu’s face reddened at her rebuke. He had indeed fancied Li Wan’er and even considered buying her first night, but she had resolutely left the pavilion, ruining his plans. Even if he couldn’t possess her, to hear her play the pipa would have sufficed. Now, hoping to invite her to perform, he was blocked by Wu Yueling and, defeated, scratched his head and cupped his fist. “Forgive the disturbance, Miss Wu!”

Li Wan’er shrank back, relieved that her young mistress had shielded her. Otherwise, she truly wouldn’t have known how to respond. She could handle table politics, but this was another matter.

In the cabin, six women—no, five and a half. Wu Yueling was a woman, but not quite, so perhaps half. There was only one bed, just wide enough for two. Qin Muyu’s two maids attended her first, helping her remove her makeup and change clothes. Seeing this, Li Wan’er came to help Wu Yueling change as well. Since Wu Yueling preferred a simple look and didn’t use much makeup, unlike Hua Chuer, there was no need to remove any.

Wu Yueling thought to herself, This isn’t ideal. Am I meant to share a bed with Qin Muyu? She glanced at Hua Chuer, who stuck out her tongue and slipped off to meditate in the corner, unconcerned with the sleeping arrangements.

Left with little choice, Wu Yueling looked at Li Wan’er’s delicate face.

“What is it, Miss? Is there something on my face?” Li Wan’er smiled as she combed out Wu Yueling’s hair.

“No... Well, you sleep on the bed. It’s warmer there,” Wu Yueling said.

“But I’m only a maid, lucky to have escaped hardship thanks to you. How can I take my mistress’s bed?” Li Wan’er replied as she pinned up Wu Yueling’s hair, her calloused fingers brushing over the pale nape of her neck.

Feeling the roughness, Wu Yueling sighed, “Practicing the pipa is hard, isn’t it?”

Li Wan’er paused, quickly withdrawing her hand and changing the subject. “Your hair is so fine and soft, unlike mine. If I neglect it, it tangles terribly.”

“Honestly, it must have been hard for you in the Fragrant Melody Pavilion. You may have been famous in Xiang County, but only you know your own hardships. Women in this world are truly to be pitied,” said Wu Yueling, rising to pull Li Wan’er to sit down. “Sit here. Let me do your hair. From now on, you’re my little sister.”

“That wouldn’t be proper...” Li Wan’er protested.

At that moment, apologies came from Qin Muyu’s side—a maid had accidentally pulled her hair, but kind-hearted Qin Muyu didn’t mind and soon settled into bed.

Wu Yueling had Li Wan’er sit while she gently combed her hair, a note of nostalgia in her voice. “At your age, in my world, you’d be enjoying a carefree life—going to school, making your own choices, pursued by boys. Who knows, maybe I’d have chased you too.”

“Your world? I’m afraid I don’t understand, Miss,” Li Wan’er replied, puzzled by Wu Yueling’s odd words.

Hua Chuer squinted at Wu Yueling, trying to make sense of her. In her past, all that mattered was stealing—gold and silver could buy food and warmth. That was enough. But after being saved by this strange young lady, she’d stayed by her side out of gratitude. Now, she realized she still couldn’t fully understand Wu Yueling.

Wu Yueling looked at the two maids huddled for warmth in a corner. In their eyes was only humility, no spark, no sunrise in their lives.

Turning back, she finished pinning Li Wan’er’s hair. “You should have gone to school, then on to university, learned new things, met the love of your life, tasted delicious foods, found a good job, and lived happily. But here, things are different. You’re oppressed.”

“What’s wrong, Miss?” Li Wan’er asked, bewildered by words she could not grasp.

“Perhaps there’s a reason I became a woman after all,” Wu Yueling smiled, a trace of pride on her lips as she nudged Li Wan’er toward the bed. “Maybe I’ll cause some changes, build a heavenly palace never before seen in this world, and let you all live happy lives.”

“No, Miss, do you think I can’t endure hardship? As a child, I was often whipped by Madam Liu at the Fragrant Melody Pavilion—if I played a wrong note, I’d go a day without food. I’ve endured much, please believe me!” Li Wan’er clung stubbornly to Wu Yueling’s arm, refusing the bed.

“It’s not that,” Wu Yueling reassured her. “I once wanted nothing more than an ordinary life, unconcerned with history or fate, just living for myself. But now... I have different ideas. I want to free you, and those like you. It would be a grand heavenly palace—perhaps a miracle, a dream. For now, it’s only a fantasy in my mind. Do you believe me?”

Li Wan’er stared blankly, uncertain how to respond. After a moment, she nodded. “I believe you, Miss.”

“Then rest well. You’ve had a fright today. I’m a martial artist, much sturdier than you. You’ve seen me practice every morning, haven’t you? So rest easy!” Wu Yueling patted her head with satisfaction.

“Oh...” Li Wan’er still didn’t understand why Wu Yueling was so kind, but could not refuse any longer.

“Come,” Qin Muyu said, pulling Li Wan’er onto the bed, then fetching two outer robes to cover the two maids huddled in the corner.

The maids thanked her repeatedly, one with tears in her eyes.

Qin Muyu returned to the bed, her clear eyes gazing at Wu Yueling. “Miss Wu, you are truly kind, though much of what you say is beyond me.”

Wu Yueling smiled gently and blew out the candle.

The next morning, the authorities decided to disembark all the merchant crews, for they had the task of transporting tribute silver and could not take along this crowd. After distributing some grain, they sent the group of over a thousand on their way toward Dengzhou, which was not far.

Wu Yueling followed in the vast procession, glancing back at the merchant ship steaming toward Chang’an—the express route she could not take.

But just as she was about to look away, she caught sight of the white-haired old man she had seen at the poetry gathering. He was on the bow, conversing with Zhao Heng, coughing as though ill with a chill. Both held a piece of paper. Sensing Wu Yueling’s gaze, the old man turned, looking surprised to see her waving and smiling. As he tried to wave back, a fit of coughing overtook him and he collapsed.

Wu Yueling watched as Zhao Heng hurried to support him, calling for the ship’s doctor, pressing his philtrum, and half-carrying Wu Daozi into the cabin, their wooden clogs clacking across the deck.

Wu Yueling returned to herself. Surely this wasn’t her fault—she couldn’t have stolen the man’s soul with a wave. She shrugged helplessly and hurried to catch up with the procession.