CCWAD – Chapter 7

Chapter 7

Chapter 7: The Golden Bell Cord

Prologue:

“When Lu Junyi pushed the string of golden bells, representing past achievements, before me, I knew it was the final test. If the bells ring, one must return. But I only wish for this bell’s chime to be the opening drumbeat for my grand departure.”

—

Lu Junyi returned from the Hall of Righteous Gathering with the lingering aura of killing intent, dusk already deepening. In the study, Yan Qing maintained the posture he had been in when Lu Junyi left, head bowed, standing by the wall. The candlelight cast flickering shadows on her face, making her expression unclear.

The offending strand of hair was already tightly clenched in Lu Junyi’s palm, damp with sweat, crumpled, yet like a venomous thorn, it pricked at his unease. The military situation was urgent; there was new movement from Zengtou City. During the recent council, Song Jiang had decided to dispatch troops again soon to conquer them. However, Lu Junyi’s thoughts were largely occupied within this study, with this “brother” who had become incredibly unfamiliar.

He waved away his attendants, and the heavy wooden door once again sealed off the inside from the outside. He didn’t lash out immediately. Instead, he walked to his desk and sat down, his gaze fixed on Yan Qing. After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice carrying a hint of fatigue and an ineffable complexity:

“Xiao Yi.”

Yan Qing’s heart tightened. She took a deep breath and stepped forward, still with her head bowed, “Brother.”

“The council in the Hall of Righteous Gathering just decided to attack Zengtou City again soon,” Lu Junyi said. “What… are your thoughts?”

Yan Qing’s mind raced. Lu Junyi wasn’t mentioning the hair, but asking about military affairs instead. Was he temporarily setting it aside, or was this a deeper form of testing? She steadied herself, trying to make her voice sound calm, “Zengtou City has repeatedly violated our territory, and we must attack. However, they are powerful, requiring meticulous planning to ensure a swift victory and avoid further complications.”

“Mm,” Lu Junyi replied noncommittally, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the desk. The dull “thump, thump” sound made Yan Qing feel flustered. He changed the subject, suddenly asking, “Xiao Yi, how many years have you been with me?”

“Since we were in Daming Prefecture, it has been nearly ten years,” Yan Qing answered cautiously.

“Ten years…” Lu Junyi sighed deeply, his gaze seeming to pierce through time, returning to the past. “I remember when you first joined my household, your skills were already extraordinary, especially your agile wrestling techniques, which even I often praised. Over these ten years, for me, for the Lu family, you have faced dangers, risked your life, and rendered meritorious service…”

As he spoke, he took something from a hidden compartment beneath his desk.

It was a finely woven five-colored silk cord, from which hung seven small, exquisite golden bells. The cord was somewhat old, its colors no longer as vibrant as they once were, but the seven golden bells were polished to a gleam, reflecting a gentle luster in the candlelight.

Yan Qing’s memory was stirred. This was the “Wild Goose Feather Gold Bell Cord.” It was originally a cherished item of Lu Junyi’s. Later, seeing Yan Qing’s efficiency, he bestowed it upon him, saying, “When the bells ring seven times, no matter how far, you must return.” This was both a token of trust and a bond, symbolizing that Yan Qing was Lu Junyi’s most trusted and relied-upon confidant.

“Do you still remember this Golden Bell Cord?” Lu Junyi picked up the cord, and the golden bells clashed, emitting a clear yet heavy sound, ding-dong, ding-dong, as if striking Yan Qing’s heart.

“Xiao Yi… dares not forget,” Yan Qing’s throat was dry. What was Lu Junyi’s intention in bringing this out now?

Lu Junyi stood up and walked to Yan Qing, holding the string of golden bells before her. His eyes were deep, carrying an undeniable scrutiny, and also a hint of almost imperceptible… hope?

“Your injuries have not yet healed. You should not be burdened with this campaign,” Lu Junyi’s voice was low. “But I cannot be without someone to advise me on military affairs. Take back this Golden Bell Cord.”

Yan Qing looked at the Golden Bell so close to her, her heart pounding wildly. Take it back? This meant that, at least on the surface, Lu Junyi still chose to trust her, still considered her his most core support. This was undoubtedly the best outcome at this moment.

But, was this not also the tightest shackle? When the bells ring, one must return. If she accepted it, it would mean she was still that Yan Xiao Yi who obeyed Lu Junyi’s every command and followed him through life and death. If she made any move, these golden bells would be a death knell!

Accept, or refuse?

If she refused, it would mean she had something to hide. The suspicion from the hair would be immediately confirmed, and Lu Junyi would never tolerate her again!

If she accepted, she would continue to be trapped here at Liangshan, under Lu Junyi’s growing suspicion, until one day she was completely exposed!

In a flash, an incredibly bold thought crossed Yan Qing’s mind.

She suddenly raised her head, her eyes not filled with gratitude, but with a mixture of humiliation, excitement, and determination. Instead of taking the Golden Bell Cord, she “plop,” and knelt down again!

“Brother!” Her voice was choked with emotion, yet remarkably clear, “Brother’s kindness, Xiao Yi can never repay even with ten thousand deaths! But this Golden Bell Cord… Xiao Yi… Xiao Yi dares not accept!”

Lu Junyi’s gaze sharpened, “What does this mean?”

Yan Qing raised her head, her eyes red, tears welling up but stubbornly not falling. “Xiao Yi suffers from hidden injuries and is already a cripple! In the past, I could charge into battle for my brother, but now I can only hide within the estate, even tying my hair feels strenuous!” She deliberately emphasized the word “tying hair,” noticing Lu Junyi’s eyes flicker.

“This campaign against Zengtou City is extremely dangerous! Brother needs the Yan Qing who can fight and conquer as always! Not someone like I am now, who has no strength to tie a chicken and can only be a burden that drags Brother down!” Her tone was impassioned, filled with deep self-reproach and pain. “If Xiao Yi accepts this Golden Bell Cord now and accompanies Brother on this campaign, not only will I be unable to help Brother, but I will also make Brother worry about looking after me. If this causes Brother any harm, Xiao Yi will die a hundred deaths and still not atone!”

She advanced by retreating, attributing her “unwillingness to accept” to her “loyalty” and “self-reproach” towards Lu Junyi, and to her being a “burden.”

Lu Junyi was stunned. He had anticipated various reactions from Yan Qing, perhaps overwhelming gratitude, or abject fear, but he had never expected her to refuse out of self-consciousness! This reason was logical and reasonable, and even… in line with the mindset of a proud warrior who had become crippled.

Seeing Yan Qing kneeling on the ground, her slender body trembling slightly with emotion, and the tears (Yan Qing had secretly pinched her thigh hard) rolling down her pale face, a taut string in Lu Junyi’s heart seemed to be plucked. That’s right, Xiao Yi was proud. Now that she had fallen to this state, the bitterness in her heart was far beyond what ordinary people could imagine. Had he been too harsh by doubting her because of a single strand of hair just now?

That strand of hair, which he had clutched until it was warm, no longer felt so prickly. Perhaps it was truly due to the injury? After all, that “yin-cold palm force” was so bizarre…

Yan Qing caught the softening in his gaze and felt a little more at ease, knowing the time was right to reveal her true objective. She changed the subject, her tone becoming firm:

“Brother! Although Xiao Yi cannot accompany the army to battle, I am unwilling to sit idly by and consume the stronghold’s provisions! Xiao Yi wishes to forge a new path for Brother, for Liangshan, to do something that no one else can!”

“Oh?” Lu Junyi raised an eyebrow, “What is it?”

Yan Qing looked up, her eyes burning, and said word by word, “Xiao Yi wishes to go to the Eastern Capital alone! Using my past meager reputation, I will try to get close to the famous courtesan Li Shishi, who can reach the Emperor’s ears, to inquire about the court’s movements. If I can… if I can find a way, to lay the groundwork for Liangshan’s amnesty!”

“Li Shishi?” Lu Junyi’s pupils trembled. The matter of amnesty was something Song Jiang and he had privately discussed, but it was still a secret. Yan Qing’s proposal now was exactly what he needed! Moreover, if this plan succeeded, its merit would be no less than slaying a general on the battlefield!

More importantly, Yan Qing was currently “injured and frail” and “powerless.” Sending her to carry out a task that required a shrewd mind rather than martial prowess, wasn’t that perfect? It could utilize her intelligence, keep her away from dangerous battlefields, fulfill their brotherhood, and even establish great merit for Liangshan… it was simply killing several birds with one stone!

As for the doubt about the strand of hair, it seemed to have become insignificant in the face of “loyalty and righteousness” and “grand strategy.”

Lu Junyi looked at Yan Qing, who was kneeling on the ground with a sincere and determined gaze, and remained silent for a long time. In the study, only the faint crackling of the candlelight could be heard.

Finally, he bent down and personally helped Yan Qing up.

“Xiao Yi…” he sighed deeply, suppressing the doubt deep in the furthest corner of his eyes, his face showing a complex and gratified expression. “It is difficult for you… to have such loyalty and such strategy!”

He no longer insisted on Yan Qing taking back the Golden Bell Cord, but gently placed it on the desk.

“The road to the Eastern Capital is long and full of rogues. You… be careful in all things,” he patted Yan Qing’s shoulder. The force was not heavy, but it made Yan Qing’s heart tremble. “When you return in triumph, Brother will personally tie this Golden Bell Cord for you again!”

This was a promise, and also a warning.

A heavy stone in Yan Qing’s heart fell to the ground. She knew that more than half of her plan had succeeded. She bowed and said solemnly, “I will surely not fail Brother’s trust!”

As she walked out of the study and into the cold moonlight, Yan Qing realized that her inner garment was already soaked with cold sweat. When the night wind blew, it was chilling to the bone.

She looked back at the brightly lit study. Lu Junyi’s figure was reflected on the window, still upright, but seemingly shrouded in an unfathomable mist.

The Golden Bell was not tied, but it felt heavier than if it had been.

She clenched her fist in her sleeve, her fingernails digging deeply into her palm.

The Eastern Capital, Li Shishi… here she comes.

—

(End of Chapter 7)