Chapter 22: Scheme Twenty-Two Part 2

Qin Xiang took the pouch—embroidered with twin blooms on one stalk. A-Gui told her quietly, “Prime Minister Yun’s needlework is excellent. She embroidered this herself.”

Yun Qian’s father had died and her mother remarried when she was small, leaving her homeless, forced into the Mercy House. The Mercy House was full of girls, with many lessons; Yun Qian had been exposed to such crafts since childhood. She had a proud heart: if she didn’t learn, fine—but if she learned, she learned to perfection.

Qin Xiang, who had lain flat in the Qin family and never learned to embroider, looked at the exquisite pouch and smiled silently.

The dragon boat race was held in three rounds: one for men, one for women, and a final round pitting both against each other. The first two rounds held little interest; the last matched the capital’s Imperial Guards against the newly formed Red Forest Army. The Red Forest Army was the Empress Dowager’s new creation—all women, serving within the inner palace, and not a few of them were skilled in martial arts. All boats had been cleared from the moat. After the first two rounds, the crowds on both banks swelled; under the blazing sun, viewing stands rose everywhere. Qin Xiang squeezed through the crowd. Without a stand of her own, she had to pack in with the common folk. Even so, she was delighted, waving enthusiastically.

Yun Qian sat on the high platform, scanning the crowd; her gaze finally settled on Qin Xiang. This last round mattered greatly to the Red Forest Army’s standing, so it drew heavy attention. The Empress Dowager had ordered Yun Qian to watch the race in case anyone tried to cheat.

A colleague noticed Yun Qian staring into the crowd and followed her gaze, seeing nothing. “Prime Minister Yun, what are you looking at?”

Yun Qian snapped back, looking at the dragon boats waiting on the shore. “Watching this year’s young ladies shine.”

“I fear you’ll be disappointed.” The colleague shook his head. “How can women match men in strength? Even if one or two could, a dragon boat race depends on everyone—one person’s strength is too thin.”

Yun Qian sneered. “The women of the Red Forest Army are equal to any man. Go up against them and you’d last three moves.” What nonsense—he couldn’t even beat a woman himself! She couldn’t be bothered with him. She rose, walked to the railing of the platform, and looked over the river. The people shoved forward, desperate for a view.

Beneath the platform, a betting table had been set up. Qin Xiang trotted over and looked at the odds: the Imperial Guards at even money, the Red Forest Army at five to one. She steeled herself and put every coin in her pouch on the Red Forest Army.

“Young master, you’d be better off putting a little on the Imperial Guards—you don’t want to lose your shirt.” Someone nearby advised.

Qin Xiang gave a snort and ignored him. She took her betting slip and walked away. Someone muttered, “Young, but mighty stubborn. He’ll be crying soon.”

After her match, Xiangping came to the betting table and happened to hear that remark. She caught a glimpse of Qin Xiang’s retreating figure and felt a flicker of familiarity, as if she’d seen it somewhere. “Young lady, will you place a bet?” the betting clerk urged. Xiangping collected herself. She split a hundred taels in two and backed both sides—she couldn’t lose either way. Taking her slip, she hurried after Qin Xiang.

Qin Xiang fought through the crowd, almost losing her clothes in the press, and only barely reached the bank. She caught her breath, stifled by the heat, fanning herself with her sleeve. She had never seen so many people in her life. Thrilled, she waved enthusiastically at the women’s team waiting on the shore. The waiting racers spotted the excited young gentleman and exchanged smiles—the landlord’s simple son had come to watch them race.

“Look…” Lu Chengyun pointed at the boy and joked to her subordinates, “When I win this, I’ll treat that lad to a drink.”

Her subordinates roared with laughter. “Commander, what if he’s already married?”

Lu Chengyun tightened the sash at her wrist, eyes grave. “He won’t be. How old is he—still wet behind the ears.”

“Wet behind the ears is a bit young. Are you hunting for tender grass?”

“Prime Minister Yun’s little husband is only sixteen or seventeen. Why not me? He’s not bad-looking—and his skin’s so white, whiter than mine. If we had a daughter, she’d be a beauty for sure.” Lu Chengyun sighed, easing her nerves. This race must not be lost. Win, and she could expand the Red Forest Army. Lose, and she’d shame the Empress Dowager and every woman under heaven.

Qin Xiang knew none of this. She waved madly, face alight with excitement. On the high platform, Yun Qian frowned—this silly girl was at it again, luring bees and butterflies. She called a subordinate and ordered, “Find an empty viewing stand, put the Little Son-in-Law in it, and let no one up, especially Commandery Princess Xiangping.”

The order had barely left her mouth before she saw Xiangping, in the crowd, shoving her way toward Qin Xiang. Yun Qian narrowed her eyes and pushed the subordinate. “Go. Now.”

The subordinate was a man, strong, and he shoved through the mass, drawing curses along the way—he couldn’t afford to care. He finally fought his way to the Little Son-in-Law. “Son-in-Law, my master has prepared a viewing stand. Please come.”

Qin Xiang wouldn’t go. “I’ll watch from here. See, it’s so close, I can see them all.”

“It’s too crowded here. When the race ends, you won’t be able to leave.”

“That’s fine, I can wait. You go—if you stay, you’ll be stuck too.” Qin Xiang waved him off. She liked it here: crowded, lively, and she could see the women who were racing for their own sake. How wonderful.

Helpless, the subordinate squeezed out again. On the platform, Yun Qian was so annoyed she could barely keep her elegant composure, and shot an ill-timed glare at Qin Xiang. Since she couldn’t move Qin Xiang, she could only deal with Xiangping. She summoned a martial guard and gave instructions: keep watch on Commandery Princess Xiangping, don’t let her near Qin Xiang, and if absolutely necessary, knock her out and send her home.

As she gave her orders, the gong rang. The dragon boats shot off like arrows from a bowstring, and both banks erupted in screams. Qin Xiang watched the red boat with burning excitement. Perhaps men had the stronger burst; the women’s team fell behind by a few zhang. The male officials on the platform wore gratified smiles. Yun Qian shot them a glance and fixed her eyes on Qin Xiang in the crowd. She’d deal with her later.

Midway through the race, the women’s team began closing the gap. The shouting swelled. The boats drew away from the platform—the course was a single loop, where the start was the finish, and the result would still be decided before the platform.

In the crowd, Xiangping fought round a full circuit; Qin Xiang was right there, and yet she could not push through. She stamped her foot in frustration.

Qin Xiang, far more agitated than either of them, stood at the rail, desperately hoping the women’s team would break the line. At the crescendo of cheers, one boat rushed over—the men’s. Qin Xiang’s hopes plunged. Then came the women’s boat, so close behind. The female rowers put everything into their strokes. Qin Xiang shouted desperately, “Faster! Faster!”

No one in the crowd called louder than Qin Xiang. The corner of Yun Qian’s mouth twitched. Then the women’s boat surged—its prow nosed past the men’s. The spectators on both banks went silent, as if a hand had clapped over every mouth. Finally the gong sounded a second time, and Qin Xiang yelled at the top of her lungs, “They won! They won!”

Yun Qian smiled.

On the dragon boat, Lu Chengyun panted, staring at the silly boy on the shore screaming his heart out. The youth was handsome and free-spirited, laughing boldly, waving with unguarded sincerity. They had won—the men’s boat trailing by less than a zhang. A hair’s breadth.

Qin Xiang dashed to the betting table and collected on her slip. Five times the money—a nice sum, over a hundred taels of silver, enough to buy plenty of fine things. Pocketing it, she wriggled through the gaps in the crowd, her slight frame doing the work. When she emerged, there was a joyous spark in her eyes. She tucked the silver into her pouch. A shadow appeared before her. Instinctively she hugged the pouch to her chest and looked up—at a stunning face.

“You’re the Son-in-Law of the Prime Minister’s Residence?” Xiangping’s voice was cool, her smile faint. Qin Xiang tied the pouch at her waist, unaware that the embroidered twin blooms stung Xiangping’s eyes. “That pouch is very pretty.”

“Mm. Prime Minister Yun embroidered it.” Qin Xiang’s expression was innocent. Noticing the woman’s ornate robes, she made a guess and hastily clasped her hands. “I am Qin Mo. Might I ask the young lady’s name?”

Before the question could land, a figure appeared before Xiangping—Yun Qian, stepping between them. “Commandery Princess Xiangping won her race. Shouldn’t you be at the palace celebrating?”

In the women’s competition, Xiangping’s team had won. Xiangping lowered her head with a silent smile. Prime Minister Yun was truly protective of this young gentleman. She looked up. “I placed a bet. I’ve come to collect.”

Qin Xiang chimed in, “Sister, I bet too! Let’s go to a restaurant to celebrate.”

Yun Qian glanced at her. “You bet on the Red Forest Army?”

“Mm!” Qin Xiang nodded, her gaze watery and bright, layered with mist, glowing under the sun.

Xiangping spoke as well. “What a coincidence—I bet on the Red Forest Army too.”

“Quite a coincidence. Don’t let me keep you, Princess.” Yun Qian pressed her lips together and looked at Qin Xiang. “Home.”

Qin Xiang trotted happily after her, unaware that Xiangping’s eyes had stuck to her back. She patted her money pouch. “Sister, are you going to the palace?”

“I must report in. The Empress Dowager is hosting a feast.”

“Then I’ll go home and wait for you to return.”

“No need. We’ll enter the palace together.”

Yun Qian led her straight to the palace carriage. At last, her twitching eyelid settled, and a flame kindled in her eyes.

Once in the carriage, Qin Xiang fussed with her silver, counting it again and again. Yun Qian watched her in silence, weighing her words. “A-Xiang.” Yun Qian let out a soft breath. “Why did you bet on the Red Forest Army?”

“Just a feeling. I didn’t want the Imperial Guards to win either. Women always side with women. Honestly, I don’t care about the money—if this were all I had, I’d have bet on the Imperial Guards. But I’m not a gambler.” Qin Xiang looked at her sister, her ramrod back softening as she offered a frank smile. “It’s hard for women to serve as officials. Joining the army, they face even more disdain.”

Yun Qian hesitated. The words struck her as familiar. The Little Empress had said the same. The Little Empress had said: “It is hard for women to enter the court. This palace does not wish to be Prime Minister Yun’s enemy—but if Prime Minister Yun targets this palace, this palace will not go soft.”

Yun Qian abruptly lost her patience. She weighed her heart, hesitated one instant more, then reached out and pinched Qin Xiang’s rosy cheek. Venting.

Qin Xiang: “…” Why are you pinching me?